The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-08 00:00:00

To THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

We, the Commissioners appointed: by your Ma-
jesty for the purpose of inquiring whether ad.
vantage might not be taken of the rebuilding of
your Majesty's Palace at Westminster—wherein
your Majesty's Parliament is wont to assemble—
tor the purpose of promoting and encauraging the fine
arts in your Majssty's United Kingdom, and in what
wanner an object of so much importance might be most
effectually promoted, humbly report to your Majesty
that having on a former occasion, viz., i❑ our report
of the 13th July, 1847, expressed a hope that certain
of the frescoes proposed to be painted in the House
of Lords would be completed during the autumn of
that year, we have now to state to your Majesty that
three frescoes, in addition to the first executed by Wil-
liam Dyce, R.A., have been painted accordingly, the
subject of Religion by John Cslco3 Horsley; the sub-
ject of the Spirit of Chivalry by Daniel Maclise, R.A.;
and the subject of Edward the nick Prince receiving
the Order of the Garter from Edward the Third, by
Charles %Vest Cope, R.A. We consider that these works,
the designs for which have been before approved by
us, are highly satisfactory as examples of fresco paint,
ing; their effect confirms us in the opinion that, under
certain circumstances of light and distance, fresco
painting is well calculated for the puiposes of decora-
tion; while, from requiring the preparation of careful
desios, the method recommends itself as being fitted to
promote the study of form.
Two subjects remain to be painted in the same locality;
that of Justice, and that of Prince Henry, afterwards
Henry V., acknowledging the authority of Chief
Justice Gascoigne. We propose to commit the
subject of Justice to Daniel Maclise, R.A., and
the subject of Prince Henry acknowledging the au-
thority of the law, to Charles West Cope, R.A.;
two corresponding frescoes on each wall will thus be
executed by the same artists. We recommend this
course, not only from being satisfied with the ability dis-
played by those artists, but also as a means of insuring a
due conformity of style and a due symmetry of composi-
tion in the works. As considerable time will be required
for the preparation of the cartoons, it may be found ne-
cessary to postpone the execution of the paintings till
the next year.
We have already, as expressed in our last report,
which has received your Majesty's approval, adopted the
recommendation of a Committee appointed to select
subjects for the decoration of tke Palace of West-
minster, to the t ffect that William Dyce, R.A.,
should be employed to decorate, chiefly in fresco,
your Majesty's robing room in the said Palace,
and that the subject to be illustrated should be the
Legend of King Arthur; and we have now humbly to
report to your Majesty, that vie are prepared to con.
elude an agreement with Mr. Dyce, according to which
he undertakes to complete certain stipulated work
in the said locality, within a period not exceed-
ing► six years, commencing from the Ist of July,
1848, and for which it is proposed that he should
be remunerated at the rate of 8001. a year; other con-
ditions being included in the agreement, which may
make it his interest to complete the work, subject to
the approval of the Commissioners, in less time; and, on
the other hand, allowing an extension of time in the
event of certain additions or cfianges in the decoration
being proposed by the Commissioners.

"Itase furtlier humbly to report to your Majesty
that the statue of Lord Falkland, by John Bell, and the
statue of Lord Clarendon, by William Calder Marshall,
A.R.A., which are intended to be placed in St. Stephen's
Hall, in the Palace at Westminster, have been completed,
and that we consider the execution of those works in
warble ((he models having been before approved by us)
as highly creditable to the artists.
With respect to the models for statues to be placed
in the House of Lords, as proposed in our last report,
we beg leave to state that, having referred to a Select
Committee the consideration of the designs submitted
by the sculptors commissioned to prepare those works,
we have adopted the report of such Committee, and
have subj7ined it to this cur general report.
We have also humbly to state to your Majesty that
tour designs for frescoes, to be executed in the Upper
Waiting Hall, as recommened in our report of August
7th, 1845, have been approved by us, and that the artists
so selected are now invited to commence frescoes in that
locality.
The expenditure which the works now recommended
to be undertaken will involve consists of 1,6001. for
the two remaining frescoes in the House of Lords, and
also the annual remuneration of 8001. to be paid to Wil-
liam Dyce, R.A., for the work above specified, for
which expenditure we request the sanction of your
Majesty.
Westminster, Sept. 5, 1848.
The following is the report of the Committee ap-
pointed to inspect the small models for statues, to be
placed in the House of Lords, of barons and prelates who
signed Magna Charta:—
Your Committee appointed to inspect the small models
for statues of barons and prelates to be placed in the
House of Lords, are prepared to acquiesce in the opinion
expressed by a former Select Committee, whose inquiries
were connected with this subject, and who observed that
" the very narrow size of the niches and their gothic
form" necessarily restrict the choice of attitudes. Your
Committee also acknowledge the justice of an observa-
tion by the architect, in his letter on this subject,
dated the 17th of March, 1847, that the character of
the statues referred to " should be severe and monu-
mental, and, consequently, free from all violence of
action; and that they should be designed strictly with
reference to the form and proportion of the niches, upon
architectonic principles." Your Committee, in inspecting
the models and designs for the statues in question con-
sidered it their duty to bear in mind these conditions,
which had been duly communicated to the artists,
in the first instance, by the secretary. Your Com-
mittee were also of opinion, that in so strictly historical
a series an attention to costume was especially desirable,
as further tending to preserve a harmony of appearance
between the character of the statues and that of the ar-
chitecture.

The artists have readily paid attention to the sugges-
tions of the Committee on these and other points, and
the designs have been as much varied as, in the opinion
of your Committee, is consistent with the conditions
above noticed.

The order of the statues in the eighteen niches is pro-
posed to be as follows :
In the niche immediately on the east side of the
throne the statue of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of
Canterbury.
In the niche immediately on the west side of the
throne, the statue of Henri de Londres, Archbishop of
Dublin.

In the niche at the south-eastern angle the statue of
William Earl of Salisbury.
In the niche at the south-western angle the statue of
William Earl of Pembroke.
In the first niche on the west side, next the statue of
William Earl of Pembroke, the statue of Almerie, Alas-
ter of Knights Templars.
In the tour niches next in order the statues of William
Earl of Warren, William Earl of Arundel. Hubert de
Burgh Earl of Kent, and Richard Earl of Clare.
In the niche at the north-western angle the statue of
Wilibm Earl of Atuncrle.
In the two niches next in 'irder on the north side, the
statues of Geofrry Earl of Gloucester, and Saber Earl of
Winchester.

In the niche at the north-eastern angle the statue of
Henry Earl of Hereford.
In the five niches next in order on the east side,
the statues of Roger Earl of Norfolk, Robert Earl of
Oxford, Robert Fitzwalter, Eustace de Vesci, end Wil-
liam de Mowbray.
Westminster, July 18, 1848.
The following commissions for Frescoes in the Upper
Waiting Hall have been given :
The subject of " Satan touched by Ithuriel's spear
while suggesting evil dreams to Eve," as an. illustration
of Milton, to be painted in one of the compartments
on the east side of the Upper Waiting Hall, to Jain
Calcott Horsley.

The oubjeetof " The Trial of Griselcia's Patience," as

an illustration of Chaucer, to be painted in one of the
compartments on the north side of the same hall, to
Charles Wyst Cope. R.A.
The subject of " Lear disinheriting Cordelie," es an
illustration of Shalt,pere, to be painted in one of the
counpartmetats on the east side, to John Rogers Her-
bert, R.A.
The subject of " Alexander's Feast," as an illustration
of Dryden, to be painted in one of the compartments on
the south side, to John Tenniul.

INLAND REVEN tiE 13 ILL.
This Bill rather promises to smooth the way to future
reforms than to effect any directly and immediately. It
proposes to abolish only one office—that of Comptroller
and Auditor of Excise. The offices of Receiver-General
of Excise and Receiver-General of Stamps and Taxes
are to be consolidated, and also those of Accountant and
Comptroller-General of Stamps and Taxes; but in both
instances the two appointments are already held by the
same person. The consolidated board is to be composed
of all the Commissioners of both boards; provision is
made that all the officers at present acting under
both
are to retain their • commissions; and no provision is
made for a future diminution of the numbers either of
commissioners or officers. Any importance attaching to
the measure is owing to—First, the improved classifica-
tion of all the revenues derived from direct or indirect
taxation, except the customs, the crown lands, and mis-
cellaneous, under the head of inland revenue: this will
facilitate readjustment of taxation. Second, the power
given to the Commissioners of the Treasury to transfer
the auditing of the Excise accounts from a departmental
auditor to the Commissioners for Public Accounts: this
paves the way for an arrangement by which the gross
receipt of the Excise may be paid into the Exchequer
without deduction of the expen,es of collection or other
payments. The great defect of the measure is the ad-
surdly numerous Board of Commissioners, where one
responsible manager would suffice. We subjoin an ab-
stract of the Bill:

It is declared in the preamble that the revenue from
excise and the revenue from stamps and taxes shall
henceforth " be and rem4in under the care and manage-
ment of one consolidated board of commissioners to be
called The Commissioners of Inland Revenue.'"
Clause 1. Enacts that from and after the passing of
the Act " the several persons appointed and now being
Commissioners of Excise and Commissioners of Stamps
and Taxes respectively shall, without any further com-
mission or authority than this Act, become and be the
consolidated board; and that all the revenues and duties
hitherto administered by both " shall be denominated
and deemed to be inland revenue."

time, as seats at the board become vacant, commissioners
to appoint from time to
2. Empowers her Majesty
of inland revenue, who are to hold
their seats during
pleasure.
3. Enacts that all the powers and authorities vested
in the Commissioners of Excise and Commissioners of
Stamps and Taxes respectively are to be exercised by
the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

4. Declares that three shall be a quorum, except in
special cases where Acts of Parliament have directed
that a less number shall suffice.

5. The chief office of inland revenue is to be held " at
such place as the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury shall in that behalf and from time to time ap-
point within the limits described, designated, or referred
to as the limits of the chief office of excise by an Act
passed in the eighth year of the reign of George IV."
6. Consolidates the offices of Receiver-General of Ex-
cise and Receiver-General of Stamps and Taxes into one
office of Receiver-General of Inland Revenue.
7. Consolidates the offices of Accountant-General of
Excise and Accountant and Comptroller. General of
Stamps and Taxes into one office.
9. Empowers the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury to abolish the office of Comptroller and
Auditor of Excise, and to order the accounts of the Ex-
cise revenue to be passed before the commissioners for
the auditing of public accounts.
10. Declares that all commissions and appointments of
fficers under the Commissioners of Excise and the
Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes shall remain in
force, and the persons holding the same be officers of
inland revenue.
11. All bonds and securities to the Commissioners of
Excise and the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes are
cto a
rree
oof main
the
ein c force
ias and to s
io
ne res xot nf
idnitaon
dt hreedv
euntiuees. und.er the
ofl
securities
t e
se puonsdi tesr otht
the Acts
6o rand Exchequer-bills 7
and 2 Vic. c. 21, are to be made in the name of the
Chairman of Inland Revenue.
13. Empowers the Chairman of Inland Revenue to
transfer stock: deposited in the name, of the Chairmen
of Excise and Stamps respectively.
14. Lands and buildings now vested in the Secretary
of Excise in trust for the public service, to be vested in
the Secretary of Inland Revenue upon the like trusts.
15. Empowers Commissioners of Inland Revenue to
appoint officers to be collectors and receivers of several
branches of inland revenue.

16. Presciibes the manner in which licenses are to be
granted.
.. . _

17. Explains bow terms in former Acts, and in writ-
ten documents relating to the revenues of Excise and
Stamps and Taxes, are to be construed atter the passing
of this Act.

18. Enacts (as usual) that the Act may be amended
or repealed by any Act passed in the present session of
Parliament.

Lord Rosse, accompanied by Sir James South,
yesterday visited the establishment of Messrs. De La Rue
and Co., for the purpose of inspecting the models of Mr.
Warren De La Rue's equatoriatly mounted telescopes.
SOCIETY OF ARTS, JAN. 31.-4 V. Took, Esq., in
the chair. Mr. Hunt read a paper, by Mr. Claudet,
giving a description of a new instrument, invented by
himself, for measuring the intensity of light in the da-
guerreotype operation, which he calls a photographo-
meter. Mr. Claudet shows that the light we see is not
the light which operates in photography, and that
hitherto the photographer has been always working at
random, owing to the want of an instrument to measure
that power of the light at the moment he is to make use
of it. It is well known that when the light is tinted
with yellow by vapours in the atmosphere, the opera-
tion is longer and more liable to failures than when
the light is pure and white. Mr. Claudet, by this in
genious and useful discovery, has rendered the photogra-
phic operation more certain, having now the means of as-
certaining, before taking a portrait, the time required for
the sitting. This is certainly one of the most important
improvements introduced in photography, and for this,
as well as for his former discoveries in the scientific and
artistic branches of the art, Mr. Claudet fully deserves
the praises and encouragement of the public. Among
the experiments made by Mr. Claudet for illustrating his
paper was one which considerably interested and amused
the audience.—He exhibited a frame containing a por-
trait of her Majesty. The reflection of the image of
this frame, by a daguerreotype apparatus upon a silver
plate, had produced a portrait, not of the Queen of
England, as might have been expected, but of Prince
Albert. This would have appeared to be a conjuror's
trick but for the scientific explanation given by Mr.
Claudet of the curious metamorphosis. The frame
had, on the left, the portrait of Queen Vic-
toria, covered by a light yellow glass, through which it
was seen clearly, and on the right, the portrait of Prince
Albert, covered by a deep blue glass, by which it was
completely hidden from ordinary view. The yellow
glass, having the property of absorbing all the photo
genic rays, had prevented the representation of the por-
trait of the Queen, and the blue glass, having the pro-
perty of allowing these photogenic rays to pass freely,
the portrait of the Prince was represented on the da-
guerreotype in the most forcible manner; besides the
curiosity of this result, the portrait was a beautiful spe-
cimen of the art. The announcement of this paper at-
tracted a great number of members and visitors, and the
room was crowded to excess. After Mr. Claudet's paper,
Mr. Jordan exhibited his beautiful and ingenious ma-
chine for curved and bevilled sawing. We are glad to
see that the Society of Arts is in full prosperity, and
that we have a liberal institution which affords so
freely to inventors the means of bringing before the
public the productions of their labour and ingenuity, and
which remunerates those who deserve it.
REPEAL OF THE MALT-TAX.--A very influential
meeting of farmers and landholders took place yester-
day afternoon, at the York Hotel, New Bridge-street,
Blackfriars, for the purpose of taking into consideration
the necessity of petitioning Parliament tor the total re-
peal of the malt-tax. The farmers, generally, spoke
strongly of their determination to effect the repeal of
a burden which pressed so very oppressively upon them
at the present time ; and plainly told the landlords
that if the Protectionist Members would not assist them
in their endeavours, they would to a man use the most
strenuous exertions to prevent their re-election at the
next vacancy in the representation; for to destructive
to their interests had been the mischievous results of
the free-trade mania, that nothing but the total anni-
hilation of the malt-tax could possibly save the British
farmer from the irretrievable ruin now impending
over him. The petition to the Legislature was unani-
mously adopted.
MONUMENT TO GENERAL SIR GEORGE MURRAY.-
A. simple but graceful monument in Carrara marble has
just been completed by Mr. Gaffin, of the Quadrant—
consisting of a tablet, upon which is engraved tho fol-
lowing inscription to the memory of the late gallant and
lamented General Sir Georee Murray ;
ICarkte.," of Bcc ochtertyre,
Second Son
To the Memory of
GENERAL THE RIGHT How. SIR GEORGE MURRAY,
Colonel of the Ist (Royal)Regiment of Infantry,
G.C.8.,0f Sir Murray,
' l
a . R.
S
Perthshire, and the Lady Augusta, his wife,
born 6th February, 1772 ;

who, after many varied and important services in Holland,
Egypt, Syria, the West Indies, Denmark,
Sweden, Spain, and Portugal
(where he was present at the most celebrated actions as
Quartermaster-General of the Army);
in Canada, 1 Commander-in-Chief;
in France, as Chief of the Staff of the Grand Army of
Occupation ;
at Lome, as Commander of the Forces in Ireland ;
Secretary of State for the Colonies;
twice Master-General of the Ordnance;
and Representative of his native county in several Parliaments,
closed his distinguished career,
after much and protracted suffering,
borne in meek submission to the will of his Maker,
on the 28th of July, 1846, in the 75th year of his age.

Also of the Lady Louisa Murray, his Wife,
Third Daughter of Henry, first Earl of Uxbridge,
born March 26, 1777,

di:T. el 8 l 2
testimony,in
cleanseth us from all sin."
,w.
bloodThohede
perfect peace,
ar
t oed relying
s Christ,
the
Scripture
cysr
i2opn3t
enisgsu

This Monument is erected,
in grateful and sorrowing remembrance
of beloved andhei most affectionate Parents,
by tr only Child,
Louisa, Widow of Lie
Y George
Boyce.

THURSDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 8, 1849.

NA VAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 7.—The First Lord of the Admi-
ralty is,,ned the following letter of thanks to his consti-
tuents this morning:—
" To Vle Electors of the Borough of Portsmouth.
" Gentlemen,—Accept my thanks for the honour you
have this day conferred upon me by re-electing me as
your representative. Be assured that lam grateful for
your long continued kindness. Official duties prevented
my presence here before, the day of election. I regret,
that in consequence, I have not been able to pay my
personal respects to you. as I have been accustomed to
do, and am sincerely obliged to my committee, who un-
dertook to canvass in my absence. I now quit you, to
enter on the duties of my office, with the earnest hope
that I may not disgrace your choice.—l am, Gentlemen,
your faithful servant, "FRANCIS BARING.
"Portsmouth, Feb. 6."
The Arrogant, 46, new steam-ship, has been, we are
informed, put back three weeks in her commissioning,
but on what account is not stated. _

The Hashemy convict-ship, the same on board which
Asiatic cholera broke out, and which was compelled to
put in here in consequence, has been released from qua-
rantine, and came up from the Mdtherbank to Spithead
to-day. She has been here 51 days.
The Racer did not finally get away, in consequence of
the light winds, until this morning, and was in sight at
4 P.M. to-day.
Wind S.W. Light airs, and dark cloudy weather.

The licensed victuallers of this garrison held a meet-
ing last night, to adopt resolutions for obtaining some
redress under the grievances they are and have been for
some time labouring in having soldiers billeted upon
them without occasion, barrack room fur 1,000 men being
unoccupied within the walls.
CHATHAM, PEa. 6.—The Juno, 26, Captain Patrick
J. Blai,e, was towed into this harbour this afternoon by
the Rhadamanthus steam-vessel, from Portsmouth. The
Juno will be paid off next week.
The President, 50 guns, Captain W. P. Stanley, was
paid off this day into ordinary. The Royal Marines
joined their head-quarters at this division, the others
belong to Portsmouth.
The Rhadamanthus steam-vessel sailed this afternoon,
taking on board 50 seamen riggers, lent from this yard,
to assist in navigating the Spiteful steam-sloop from
Sheerness to Plymouth; and the Royal Marines and
able seamen from the President, and belonging to Ports-
mouth, the Admiralty have kindly permitted a passage
on board the Spiteful. The Rhadamanthus, after dis-
embarking the whole of the men at Sheerness, proceeds
to Woolwich.

WOOLWICH, FEB. 7.—The Rhadamanthus steam-
vessel, Master-Commander J. Ayling, towed the Juno,
26 guns, Captain P. Blake, up to Chatham yesterday, to
be paid off on her return from the Pacific. The Rbada-
manthus is ordered to Woolwich to be paid off and re-
commissioned at this port, and she arrived to-day.
The Alban steam-vessel, Master-Commander Brad-
shaw, arrived at Woolwich yesterday afternoon, to be
paid off.
The Spiteful steam-vessel was to leave Sheerness yes-
terday, and take round the men paid off from the Presi-
dent to Devonport. The Conflict steam-vessel will be
detained at Sheerness until about the middle of the
month, to have her steam chest made perfect.
The Niger steam-vessel is having some alterations
made in her valves.

A 50-gun frigate, named the San Fiorenzo, is ordered
to be built at this dockyard, from a design by Messrs.
Reid, Chatfield, and Cruze, members of the School of
Naval Architecture, and her keel will shortly be laid in
the spacious new slip No. 4; and another 50-gun frigate
is to be built, and named the Bacchante, at Portsmouth.
These frigates will be of the same character as the
Thetis, 36, designed by the same members of the Naval
School of Architecture, and launched at Devonport in
August, 1846. The Thetis is now serving on the Medi-
terranean station, under the command of Captain Cod-
rington, and the official reports made by Rear-Admiral
Sir William Parker, and published in the Parliamentary
returns, have been highly satisfactory. The San Fio-
renzo will be a powerful vessel—the whole of her guns
on the main deck, of eight inches bore, for firing 56-
pounder hollow shot, or 58-pounder solid shot.
The Espiegle, 12 guns, commander F. Campbell, paid
off at Sheerness on Saturday last, on her return from the
East Indies, has been reported highly of as to her sail-
ing and other qualities, having accomplished 12.5 knots
per hour under double-reefed topsails, top-gallant sails,
and studding sails, and sails so well on every point of
wind, that it is difficult to state which is her best. The
trials were made when she had four months' provisions
on board.

The Black Prince was taken out of the basin at high
water this afternoon, and will be towed to Chatham to-
morrow.

THE MERCHANT NAVY.
(From Tuesday's Gazette.)
A list of the masters and mates in the merchant ser-
vice who have voluntarily passed an examination, and
obtained certificates of qualification for the class against
each assigned, under the regulation issued by the Board
of Trade, since 31st Dec. last:-
Masters-M. W. Kett, 2d class cert., Sir Thomas
Gresham, London ; W. Digby, 2d, Gilbert Munro,
London; W. Hamilton, 2d, Thomas Jones, London; G.
M'Lean, 2d, Miame, St. John's ; R. Back, 3d,
Florentia, London ; A. C. Campbell, 3d, Essex,
London ; J. Sedgwick, 2d, Juverna, Waterford ;
B. D. Pugh, Ist, Diana, London ; C. R. Tul-
lidge, 2d, Helvellyn, Whitehaven ; J. Crawley,
3d, Quebec Packet, Newcastle; W. S. Baker, 2d, Chris-
tina, Port Glasgow; J. Todd, 2d, China, London; J. P.
Anderson, 2d, Mariner, London ; W. B. Simpson, Ist
extra, Hibernia. Glasgow; W. Tillock, 3d, Hunteliff,
Newcastle; G. Pottinger, 2J, Zephyrus, Newcastle; T.
Restarrick, 2d, Eagle, London; G. Mainland, 2d, James,
London; M. Martin, 2d, Marimer, London; W. Richard-
son, 2d, Symmetry, Scarborough;l J. Meritt, 3d, Su-
sannah, London; J. Littlewood, 3d, Nautilus, London ;
P. Dickinson, 2d, Maria, London; J. Middl. ton, 2d, Sir
William Molesworth, Liverpool ; D. Forrest, 2d, Ocean,
Newcastle; T. Lodge. 2d, Industry, Newcastle; W. F.
Millar, Ist, Cambria, Glasgow; J. S. M'Leod, 2d, Lan-
nercost, Liverpool; T. T. H. Culverwell, 2d, Emma Eu-
genia, London; J. Clark, 2d, Maria, London; G. Hayman,
2d, Crusader, Jersey; M. Conway, 2cl, Lanchester, Lon-
don; A. G. Hartley, 3d, Glenelg, London; E. Johnson, Ist,
Blue Bell, Liverpool; J. Furguson, 2d, Helen and Jane,
Arbroath; J. Bewick, 2d, John Burrell, South Shields;
G. Pottinger, 3d, Zephyrus, South Shields; E. Ous-
ton, 3d, Wandering Shepherd, South Shields:; J.
James, 2d, Posthumous, London ; W. F. Sager, 2d,
Symmetry, London ; Z. C. Pearson, 3d, Royal
William, Hull ; W. Finlayson, 3d, James M'Queen,
London; E. Fletcher, Ist, Marmion, Liverpool; R.
Davidson, Ist, Janet, Leith ; J. Ploughman, 2d,
Rambler, London ; A. C. Maclean, 2d, John
Bright, Greenock; W. Tilloch, 2d, Jane A. Milvain,
South Shields; J. Woodhouse, 3d, Jane Shirrefs, South
Shields; G. W. Watson, 2d, Victory, London; J. Lind-
ley, 2d, Duchess of Northumberland, London; J. Parker,
2d, Horatio, London; G. Thorns, 3d, Anne Milne,
Dundee; C. Clapp, 3d, Anne Milne, P. Cuiliton
2d, Inconstant, London ; H. N. Gardner, Ist, Apolline,
London ; W. H, Kemp, Ist, Emigrant, Liverpool ; G. H.
Slater, 2d, Hibernia, Glasgow •, J. Campbell, 2d, Be-
raza, London ; T. Sparks, 2d, Northam, South Shields;
J. Oliver, 2d, Fort Augustus, South Shields.
Mates-H. J. Woolcbt, 2d class cert., Tagus, Liver-
pool; H. D. Bayly, 3d, Rajasthan, Glasgow; J. Park,
3d, Emma Eugenie, London; J. W. Horn, 2d, Posthu-
mous, London; L. C. Goldsmid, 3d, Splendid, New
York; P. H. Hall, 3d, Maria, London; J. Fowler, 2d,
Rookery, London; W. M'lntyre, 3d, Inconstant, London.

THE TRINITY HousE.—Last evening the Master,
Deputy, and Elder Brethren of the Corporation of the
Trinity House, assembled at the Trinity House, Tower-
hill, to initiate Lord John Russell as an Elder Brother,
in the room of the late Viscount Melbourne. The Duke
of Wellington, the Master, arrived at twenty minutes to
seven o'clock, and the different guests assembled soon
afterwards in the Court-room, when Lord John Russell
went through the customary ceremony previous to his
becoming one of the corporate body. As usual on all
such occasions, a grand banquet was given under the
presidency of the Master (the Duke of Wellington) and
the Deputy (Sir John Henry Pelly, Bart.) in the vice-
chair. There were among the Elder Brethren present
—the Earl of Minto, the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel,
Bart., M.P., the Right Hon. Sir James Graham, Bart.,
M.P., Captain Aaron Chapman, Captain Andrew
Timbrell, Captain R. Welbank, Captain John Hay-
man, Captain John Rees, Captain Henry Nelson,
A.‘!miral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, G.C.8., Captain
Cnarles Weller, Captain Frederick Madan, Admiral
Sir C. Adam (Governor of Greenwich Hospital), Cap-
tain S. Eller by, Captain George Probyn, Captain Wil-
liam Pixley, Captain Charles Farquharson, Captain
Robert Gordon, R.N., Captain W. E. Farrer, Captain
Henry Bonham Bax, Captain John Shepherd. Captain
Edward Foord, and Captain Gabriel J. Redman. The
vi,itors who availed themselves of dining with the mem-
bers of the corporation, were the Marquis of Lans-
downe, the Right Hon. Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Bart.,
NI.P., the 'Bight Hon. Henry Labouchere, the Right
lion. the Speaker of the House of Commons; Captain
Lord John Hay, Captain the Hon. Maurice F. Berkeley,
the lion. W. F. Cowper, and Capt. Alex. Milne (Lords
of the Admiralty) ; Rear-Admiral Sir F. Beaufort,
K.C.B, and F.R.S., Captain William A. Baillie Hamil-
ton, R N., and Mr. Henry G. Ward, M.P., Secretaries
of the Admiralty; Dr. Lushington, Captain Richard
Polly, &c. 'Viscuunt Palmerston, the Earl Grey, and
the Earl of Granville were prevented dining with the
honourable assembly from prior engagements. The
customary loyal toasts of the Queen, the Queen Dow-
ager, and the Royal Family; Prince Albert (an elder
brother), the Master (the Duke of Wellington), the
Deputy, Si r John Pelly, Lord John Russell, the new
elected brot her, were given among the leadiFig toasts;
and at clove.'[ o'clock the circle broke up.
ACCIDENT' TO THE BEE STEAMER.—Yesterday
afternoon, r bout one o'clock, as the Bee halfpenny
steamer was proceeding on her up-voyage from London-
bridge to the Adelphi-pier, an accident occurred which
might have been attended with the most frightful con-
sequences, and :zs it was, caused the utmost alarm to the
passengers on board. It appears that the steamer, when
above Blackfriars-bridge, came in contact with a barge
coming down the stream, which ran into her with snuni..
I force, that the barge cut the starboard paddalne-dbo
fllatteened
pletely away from the side of the steamer,
the
state of alarm
the lower part of the paddle-wheel.
and confusion that immediately ensuaesd_tumwoansgsaptptlhee.
passengers may be easily conceived,ls i
stove in, and that
.hended that the side of the vebsisre
m ewf boats, however, put
she would go down. conveyed the
Citi from the Essex andATermlupole.s'ntjarrys,
:passengers safety on shore; n ftlitrntdu ncaotne lvye,
caused by the collision. The
the fright having
occurrence, it is ul dtntaod, was put.. ly accidental.
cl
George Rice Trevor, M.P. for
The Hon.
thneesn
inelethcteed President of the So-
cietyCarmarthensle,ohnaes.
room of the late Earl
of Ancient 13rt o ,
Yowls.

THE GOLD IN CALIFORNIA.

The fc,Powing :e:ter horn Admiral Hornby, with the
annexed d3cum,,nt, will Fe read with interest :
" My Dear—Since I finished my letter I have received
this paper, the truth of which is more than confirmed by
Captain Courtenay, of the Constance, just cr.rived from
California. I have, therefore, no hesitation in saying it
ought to be made known, so pray show it wherever you
think fit. • " Yours truly,
" Nov. 17. " P. HORNDY.

" Mr. Editor—l have now spent several months at
the Gold Plains, during which time I have visited the
principal diggins. I find these dry diggins' far ex-
ceed anything that has ever been discovered. At
the lower mines, the miners count the success of
the day in dollars ; at the upper mines, near the
mill, in ounces ; and here, in pounds. The pieces
found here are of an astonishing size; the largest piece
which I shall inform you of (for you would not believe
me if I told you the whole truth) weighs about thirteen
pounds. The only instrument used at first was a but-
cher's knife, and the demand for the article was so great,
that 40 dolls.has been roused for one. Now, a pick,or spoon
or shovel is used. The earth is taken out of the ravines
which make out of the mountains, and is carried on
w.aggons, and packed on horses, from one to three miles,
to the water, where it is washed. 400 dollars has been
an average for a cart load. In one instance five loads of
earth which had been dug out sold for 47 ounces (752
dolls.), and which yielded, after washing 16,000 dolls.
Instances have occurred here where men have carried
the earth on their backs and collected from 800
to 1,300 dells. a day. Notwithstanding all this, I
am confident the fountain-head has not yet
been discovered. The hills in all directions must
abound in gold, and when proper machinery is intro-
duced and the hills cut down, huge pieces must be found.
News has just arrived that new diggins have been dis-
covered on the Stanislaus River, and. about 200 persons
leave this morning for the new prospect, myself among
the number, from whence I will write to you. Send me
some papers. I would give half an ounce of pure gold
for one of your valuable papers at this moment ; I have
not seen a paper since I ihave been in the Gold Plains.
Let us have 100 copies ; most any one coming up will
take them, and, besides greatly accommodating us gold
hunters will make a handsome spec. on them.
" Yours fortunately (Signed) J. P. S.
" Aug. 15, 1848."

(From the New York Herald of Jan. 23.)
The news which we publish to-day, being three weeks
later from California, will attract the observation of the
whole community. The statements confirming the vast
gold discoveries, in that region, coming from our cor-
respondent, will not only command the attention of the
commercial world, but of civilization itself: We have
arrived at a',new period, a new era, a fresh crisis, in the
history of commerce, and even of civilization. A spirit
is generated from those dicoveries, which is more active,
more intense, and more widely spread, than that which
agitated Europe in the time of Columbus, Cortez, and
Pizarro. These late accounts will be read with great
interest, and we desire our readers to watch the effects
which they will certainly produce ou the commercial and
other interests around us.
According to these recent advises, the gold region of
California is the most wonderful that has ever been
discovered. There seems to be no doubt that, in a
short time—probably in less than two years—these
mines can be made to produce 100,000,000/. per
year. The region is the most extensive of the kind
in the world, being eight hundred miles in length
and 100 in width, with every indication that gold exists
in large native masses, in the rocks and mountains of the
Sierra Nevada. But these vast gold mines are not the
only mineral discoveries that have been made. The
quicksilver in the same region seems to be as abun-
dant as the gold, so that there are approximated to
each other two metals, which will have a most important
effect and utility in making the gold mines more va-
luable. ileretotore the gold and silver mines of
Mexico and Peru have been valuable to Spain, because
she possessed a monopoly of the quicksilver mines at
Almaden, in the Peninsula. This is surpassed by Ca-
lifornia.

According to the last accounts now given to the public,
emigrants were crowding in from every port of the Pacific
to California—from Mexico, Peru, the Sandwich Islands,
Oregon; and we have no doubt by this time the British
possessions in the East, China, and everywhere else in
that region, are furnishing emigrants to the wonderful
regions of California. In less than a year there will
probably be a population of 100,000 to 200,000 souls,
all digging for gold, and capable of producing from
100,080,000 to 300,000,000 dolls. worth per annum of
pure gold, to be thrown on the commerce of the world
at one fell swoop. This will produce results that no one
can at this time estimate.

These aro the general views of the productiveness of
this region, and the prospect before us for the next
few years. What is to be the effect of such vast dis-
coveries on the commerce of the world—on old com-
munities, on New York, London, and other great
commercial cities ? The only common-sense mode
by which we can arrive at a correct solution of
this problem, is to inquire and to ascertain the effect
which they have already produced in California. We
have seen that prices of every description of produce or
manufactures have risen tremendously; and the same
results, en a wider scale and on a more extended
basis, will bo produced by the influx annually of a
hundred millions of pure gold throughout the com-
mercial world, and particularly in this country and Eu-
rope. Such a vast addition to the gold currency of the
world will at once disturb the prices and value of all
productions and merchandize to a similar extent to that
which we sec in Monterey and San Francisco. The
prices of every commodity will therefore rise extrava-
gantly during the next few years, according to the pro..
duce of gold from that region. Now, in a rising market
everything prospers; every one gets rich, civilization
expands, industry increases, and all orders of society
are benefited. As soon as the first crop of gold
from California reaches New York, the impulse
which it will give to commercial enterprise, and
the advance in the price of everything which
it will cause, will be tremendous. The bank
currency will be expanded, for the basis will be abun-
dant; real estate will increase in value, agricultural
productions and agricultural labour will advance at
once, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 per cent., even to as
great an extent, perhaps, as was witnessed
when the demand came from Ireland for the food of
this country to feed the starving Irish. New York
and her sister cities will be the centre of all those
revolutionary movements which are certain to spring
from the gold productions of California, on the com-
merce of the whole civilized world. Ship-building
will increase in value, steam-boats will be wanted,
the railroads projected across the Isthmus in various
places in Mexico and Central America will be Fished
to completion, and we should not be surprised to see
an active attempt made, under the auspices of the Federal
Government, to construct a railroad across the continent,
through the South Pass, from St. Louis, or some other
point on the Mississippi, to San Francisco. The dis-
covery of these great gold mines will no doubt form the
agent of the greatest revolution in the commercial cen-
tres of the world and on the civilization of the human
race that has ever taken place since the first dawn of
history.
These are our views, carefully deduced from common
sense, and the ordinary facts recorded in history, as well
as developing themselves in California. Are they ex-
travagant are they fanciful ? We don't think
they are. 'We think we talk soberly, religiously, and
quietly. New York will henceforth, from its position
to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, probably in less
than a quarter of a century, present a population greater
than that of Penis, and display evidences of wealth,
grandeur, magnificence, and industry,:to au equal, if not
greater degree, than what we see in London at this day.
We expect that in the next 25 years we shall make as
rapid a march in this metropolis, and in the neighbour-
ing cities, as any city has done during the last 25 centu-
ries. There is no necessity for all going to California.
Those who remain, and will raise produce, manufacture
goods, build ships, construct steam-engines, and advance
the fine arts, will enjoy the benefits of those discoveries
to as great an extent as those who go to the Sacramento
to dig for gold. All the results of the labours of
those diggers must come to this metropolis, swell its
magnificence, and increase the intensity of its action in
commercial affairs. Even in a political point of view the
discovery of these wonderful gold mines in California,
under the Government of the United States, will have
a wonderful and astounding effect. We should not be
surprised to see, in a short time, all the old provinces
of Mexico, as far as the Isthmus of Darien, knock-
ing for admission into this union ; while, on the other
side, the British provinces of Canada, and even the
Spanish island of Cuba, may be begging and praying
to be let in at the same time, and be permitted to enjoy
some of the vast advantages, and participate a little in
the energy, which this vast confederacy will exhibit
to the astonished world. When Colonel Mason, and
the Government officers and troops in that region
—when, also, Colonel Stevenson, formerly of this city,
aed the youthful men who accompanied him, return to
New York, and exhibit their thousands, tens of thcu-
sands, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, as we ex-
pect they will do in less than a year, these wonderful
facts and discoveries will produce their natural and legi-
timate impressions on the public mind. Wait and see.

IRELAND.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
Duman', FEB. 6.—The truly fraternal affection el+
hibited by Lord Brougham in the debate on the Address
in the Lords, when his Lordship referred to the
Irish Crown lawyers, has excited a vast deal of merri-
ment, and afforded, in the dearth of business, a great
fund of talk amongst the bar. I wonder, however, that
Lord Brougham, who has not destructively submerged
his great intellect beneath the load of legal horse-hair,
has not dealt with the case of Irish Crown lawyers in s,
more exttnsive view than that in which they are pre-
sented to him, as hair-splitters on points of law, and fa.
bricators of quirks and quiddities. Why has not the-
Noble Lord taken them as part of an unwholesome.
system of government, which requires to be purified
from their narrow-minded and ignorant interference, in
its concerns? In England an Attorney-General, and of
course all those under him, are attendants, gentlemen in
waiting, on the behests of authority. An Attorney-.
General is told to hold back and he halts, he is desired
to prosecute and he prosecutes, and possibly be
convicts. It may not be one of the least influen-
tial elements iti his official success, that he
goes to work like a mere impassive instrument
of power—with no excited feeling—no indecent anxiety
for success—no burning resentment to be gratified—no
collateral issue as to his own wisdom or prudence raised,
or to be tried, with the question sent to the jury. How
different is the case here. Amongst us, the Attorney-
General is a part of the Government. He advises and
directs in the first instance, and he carries out with all
the rampant zeal of a partizan the project which be
may have originally counselled with the obstinacy and
ignorance of a blunderer. In thus speaking, I mean no
offence to the distinguished equity lawyer who is our.
present Attorney-General, nor to his colleagues, who
are all men of unexceptionable good character and Worth,
and hold high places in their profession. But Ido not
hesitate to embody an opinion that is very generally en.
tertained that Irish lawyers are too much mixed ujti
in the government of that country. Men, in order to
be qualified to take a share in government, should
be men of the world, and those who are not so,
who have merely studied human naturo in black
letter and not in the vivid sad burnint
characters of the living world, are unfit to be rulers in
the social state. It is no libel to say that a mere lawyer
is at best a narrow-minded man, and the more tho-
roughly imbued he is with the study and love of his
science, as applied to the mercantile business of the world,
in the same degree will he be s pedantic and frequently
dictatorial formulist, no more suited to the functions of
government than Dr. Syntax himself. Experience
proves that lawyers always oppose reform. Fed upon
precedent, and fattened on tradition, they hold
'things as they are in a degree of rev&
renc© that confers sanctity upon an ancient
abuse, and regards any improvement as a dangerous
innovation. Hence, too frequently, they are enemies to re-
form in every shape, and it would seem that the paramount
duty of every Irish lawyer is to be as busy as possible,
doing nothing, and availing himself of the first opportu-
nity to spring into a soft seat on the Bench, leaving his
successor in office, if, to say so, be not a bull, tofinish
the work that he himself had never begua I The obvious
remedy for this is—to turn the lawyers out. Keep them
in their proper places—whatever is right to be done do
it, but take none of their advice—let them stick to their
lasts, and until that rule is enforced, there is no hope for
Ireland.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.-1011 -51 Counties
TRIAL OF THE NEW STEAM CARRIAGE
_,onday
an
ON e
xi;
steam- carriage,
rimental trip was made on
with this new species of i
branchr traffic at a more
intended chiefly to work the
trains, than the
moderate cost, by means lighteromfatie
v engine', the substi-
at.lwayEastern
present system of heavy lohcto
een forty and fifty. Some of
twelVe tons for one of hem
tlemen connected with the
and other gen
tution being that of a lig passenger engine of about
the directors
d with satisfaction, Until in the
merit, which work
express speed the engine, as it is
of a trial at exp y, .
course
termed. " broke down, from an over-stram-
line were in the traine during the prog
technically
AND EDMONTON RAIL-
n extension, which corn-
OrxlitsiG OF THE .
lug, it was understood,ing tEhuissc
s.tluhEbeiu,
Drdelicateb a
the Cambridge line of the Eastern
w A.Y.--The op
Itai NN•ay , at Edmonton, terminating, after running
somewhat more than two miles, at Enfield, will be opened
crneeunncteti;esninelmile,s up
in the course of a few days. Satisfactory excursion trips
were yesterday made between the termini, by Mr. Lawford,
the engineer, Mr. Earle, the contractor, and other gentle-
men connected with the railway, which embraces in its
route all the picturesqueness of that rural region. It has
been constructed in the space of some six months, at a cost
of between 40,0f:0/. and 60,000/. The only engineering work
of note is a bridge of some dimensions at the Edmonton
end ; and at Enfield a line old mansion, up to which the line
runs,. has been selected to form the station. The steepest
gi adient is 1 in 87, the rmallest radius of curve above twenty
chains. The Act was obtained in August, 1846, but tte
postponement of the works was the result of the then gene-
ral suspension of operations. The transit frptu Sticreclitcil
Will be effected daily in a few minute/.