The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-19 00:00:00

NA VAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 18.—A royal 'salute was fired
at one P.M. to-day by the Victory, Illustrious, and Ex-
cellent in the harbour, the Superb at Spithead, and the
Platform Battery, in honour of the birthday of the Prin-
cess Louisa.

Captain Mends, of the Agincourt, at Devonport, ob-
tains his flag by the,death of Admiral Searle.
The consternation and distress occasioned among the
working mechanics and labourers in this yard, as the
details of the Government plan of reduction become de •
veloped, is extreme. Many who have been doing duty
as leading hands over hired mechanics for years, them-
selves having been previously entered on the dockyard
establishment, and supposing themselves on that account
secure from discharge, are to be suddenly turned adrift
at the close of the financial year; the only alternative
being the bitter one of taking the berth and pay (12s.
a week) of a labourer, and this considered a favour.
The Rifleman, screw steam-schooner, Lieutenant-
Commander S. S. L. Crofton, is ordered to be got ready
for service by the beginning of the ensuing month.
The non-arrival of the Stromboli en Friday caused
the men for the Caledonia, intended to have been sent
by her, to be dispatched by the Myrtle steam tender,
which sailed in charge of Mr. Scarlett, master of the
Fanny yacht (her proper master, Mr. Balliston, being
ill), on Friday evening. She returned again this morn-
ing, bringing supernumeraries from Plymouth for the
ships at this port.
The Stromboli steam sloop, Commander Lord A. W.
Beauclerk, arrived here yesterday morning, and was to
have come into the harbour, but orders awaited her
here to proceed to Milford, calling at Plymouth; she
accordingly sailed within three hours after her arrival at
this port. She is, it is understood, to tow the Magi-
cienne, a new steam-vessel, from Pembroke to Plymouth,
and thence to return here.

Wind, S. by E.; light airs, and hazy weather.
PROMOTION.
Daniel Fisher, to be acting gunner.
APPOINTMENTS.

Commander—William King Hall, to be inspecting-
coramander of the Scilly district, in the Coast Guard
Service, vice Charles Steel, Esq., RN., deceased.
Lieutenant—John Cawley, R.N., to command Chi-
chester Harbour-station, in the Coast-guard Service, vice
Henry Leigh, Esq., removed.
Assistant-Surgeons—D. N. Tucker, of the Ocean, to
the Lark schooner at Sheerness; Andrew Coates, to the
Ocean, vice Tucker.

Naval Cadet—W. G. King, to the Rifleman screw
schooner, at Portsmouth.
Acting Gunner—James Murray, to the Lucifer steam-
vessel.

DEATH OF REAR-ADMIRAL THOMAS SEARLE, C.B.—
This veteran flag-officer died at his residence, near
Portsmouth, on Saturday, aged upwards of 80, after a
short illness. He was a midshipman of the Royal
George in Bridport's action in 1795, and promoted for
his exertions in saving the lives of seven men. Ho was
lieutenant-commander of the hired 12-gun cutter
Courier, engaged in 1799, off Winterton, a French
16-gun privateer, which escaped, and captured the
Ribotteur of six guns. In the same year he commanded a
Schuyt gun-boat at the capture of three vessels on the
coast of Holland, and the Courier at the re-capture of
the Crash British gun-brig, and capture of other vessels
under batteries of Schier Moonikoog, which were de-
stroyed, and subsequently captured the 14-gun privateer
cutter Guerriere ; commanded an explosion vessel in
Keith's attack upon the Boulogne flotilla in 1803, and of
the Grasshopper in 1807, in action with three Spanish
ships of war, one (the San Josef) of 12, a second of 10,
and a third of 8 guns, and captured the first named. In
command of the same brig, he engaged the batteries of
Rota, and kept in check a division of gun-boats during
the capture of a valuable convoy off Cadiz, in 1808; and
in the same month, in company with the Rapid, gun-
brig, drove on shore, under the batteries of Faro, two,
and captured two Spanish gun-boats, also a valuable
ship, on which occasion he was wounded. He was
gazetted twice in 1799, in 1807, 1808, and in 1811.
By the decease of Admiral Searle, Rear-Admiral of
the Blue, Philip Browne becomes Rear-Admiral of the
White.

,Boawt eDnevMonenpdorst,(liBslp4r)o,mooftethdetodepthoet
rshanCipkapAotfgaßiinnecaroWn.Ariltl
of the Pomone, in Bridport's action, and in the diam7mi2ral. Captain Mends was midshipman
expedi-
tion to Quiberon; and of the Canada, at the defeat of
Bompart's squadron in Donegal Bay, in 1798. Was mate
of the Renown, and served in the boats cutting out the
French corvette Gaye, in 11100. Whilst commanding
the Ferreter brig, served in her boats at the attack on
the Boulogne flotilla in 1801; Lieutenant of the Goliah,
at Copenhagen, in 1807.
By the promotion of Captain Mends, the command of
the Ordinary at Devonport becomes vacant, and a cap-
tain's pension of 1501. per annum for good and merito-
rious services reverts to the gift of the First Lord of the
Admiralty.
Captain the Right Honourable Charles Lord Colchester
(1826) succeeds to the half-pay of 14s. 6d. per diem;
and Captain Patrick Doff Henry Hay (1833) to the
half-pay of 12s. 6d. per diem.
WOOLWICH, MARCH 17.—The Atholl troop-ship,
Master- Commander Pearn, embarked three companies
of the Royal Artillery for a passage to North America,
and proceeded down the river yesterday afternoon, towed
by the Monkey steam-vessel. The companies, consist-
ing of Captain M'Coy's sth battalion, Captain Tuite's
company 4th battalion, and Major Hennis's company 2d
battalion, assembled on the guard, mounting parade at
six o'clock A.M., and marched to the dockyard at half-
past six o'clock, headed by the band of the regiment,
and were taken to the Atholl at her moorings in the
river by the gun boats of the dockyard battalion. Cap-
tain M'Coy commands the company during the voyage,
Major Hennis and Captain Tuite being on sick leave.
Captain Clifford proceeded with the companies, having
exchanged with Captain J. Travers, of the 4th battalion.
In the event of the Atholl arriving at Halifax before the
navigation of the St. Lawrence is open, she will remain
at that port until the ice is cleared away. It is also in-
tended that she should call at St. John's, New Bruns-
wick, to embark Captain Ormsby's company, 6th bat-
talion, ordered home, having been at that station since
May, 1843.
On the medical examination of the men of Woolwich
Dockyard taking place, it has been ascertained that only
about a dozen of them will be superannuated. The
others who are to be discharged have been generally
offered permission to remain as labourers. The pay of
the labourers is about 12s. per week.

FIELD OPERATIONS AT CHATHAM, MARCH 13.
The officers and men of the Royal Engineer establish-
ment, under Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, K.H., com-
menced yesterday morning fieldwork operations for the
season on their usual ground, the Lower Lines at Chat-
ham. In commencing the siege, they have formed a
parallel line, extending south to St. Mary's Barracks,
and north to St. Mary's Creek, being a cover for troops
and baggage. There were also some experiments in
the breaking of a stockade, and blasting brick walls, and
to witness these explosions was, among other gentlemen,
Captain 'William Peel, R.N., son of Sir Robert Peel, who
is here for the purpose of gaining information in en-
gineering. The first part of the operations was that
of the stockade, which has been erected for the
last twelvemonths, built with bulks of oak
firmly fixed in the ground, and ribboned together top
and bottom, as firm as possible. To effect an open-
ing in this barrier, two bags of powder were placed
on the surface of the ground, close against the erection:
each bag contained 501bs. of powder, and was well
clamped up with sand bags. Upon firing them an effec-
tive breach was made of upwards of 8 feet, the timber
being shattered into fragments; and so violent was the
shock, that 52 panes of glass were broken in the case-
mate barracks. The doors shook from their hinges, and
the roofs literally trembled. The effect of the explosion
was felt for some distance. The experiments upon the
walls then commenced. The first was that of a 14-inch
wall, 6 feet by 6, without counterfort, with ono charge
of 101bs. of powder, without being clamped. The ex-
plosion had not the least effect on it. The next was
No. 2, same size wall, with 101bs. of powder placed
against it, and was clamped ep with one sand bag of
901bs. The explosion well cracked it, and it could
easily have been pushed down by six men. Then
followed a 14 inch wall, 6 by 6 inches, with two 14
inch counterforts, distance between 3 feet 9 inches; the
charge placed against it was 151bs. of powder, weighted
by three sand bags; being fired, the violence was such
as entirely demolished the erection. The next experi-
ment was against a 9 inch wall, 6 by 6 inches, with 9
inch counterforts, 4 feet 6 inches apart, and the explo-
sion completely destroyed it. Some interesting expert-
molts with hand grenades were witnessed this atterno9n,
by Captain Peel and other gentlemen. Sir Frederick
Smith had two square places erected—into one the gre-
nades, made of iron, filled with powder, were thrown,
and they did much execution; and into the other. gre-
, nades of glass, they are, however, not so destructive—
the only effect would be to troops, that the
i glass would
cut severely; the others are sure to produce instant death.
Tho whole of the operations gave the greatest satislac-
tion to Sir Frederick Smith and all the officers present.
Edward Thornton and Daniel Brenan, Esqrs., are
appointed Executive Councillors, and David Kaye,
Esq., a Legislative Councillor, for Prince Edward';

PANAMA.
PANAMA, JAR. 15.—Were you to see Panama now
you would be astounded. It is no longer the dull,
wretched place you left only a few months since. We
have ("at this moment at least 500 on the Isthmus,
wending their weary way towards the new El Do-
rado of California, and hundreds more are expected ;
for we have yet to arrive at Chagres,* that we know
of, the steamers Appleton, Isthmus, and Oens, and a
number of sailing vessels. Those already arrived
there are the Falcon and Crescent City steamers, and
three or four merchant vessels. They have, however,
brought us—(at least, so say the Panama natives)—a
fatal present; for the Asiatic choleraf is at Gor-
gona and Cruces4 As yet we have not had any case
here, and I hope that the refreshing breezes prevail-
ing at this season of the year, and which keep the
town well ventilated, will impede the dire infection
from scourging us. My mind is made up for the
worst. I must be like the artilleryman, and clie at
the cannon's breech. My duties do not permit me
to think for one moment of leaving my post, and
here I remain to see the last of it, while the major
part of' the respectable inhabitants are moving away
to the country as fast as they can go. The active
and invaluable agent of the Steam Navigation Com-
pany told me he would have sent his family away, but
they would not go without him ; so they must share
his danger, as he is resolved not to abandon his
important public duties. I very much fear that this
detestable climate will prove fatal to numbers of the
gold-seekers. Four out of the seven who came out
with me are lying buried in the slimy soil of that
abominable village, Chagres. There is nothing new
on this coast, nor in New Granada at present. Every
one is anxiously waiting for the presidential election,
and there is little doubt that Lopez will be the next
president. Then indeed, as sailors say, we may look
out for squalls. It is rumoured that Mosquera, the
actual President, has made proposals to ;the Govern-
ment of the United States to cede to North America
the Isthmus for a sum of money. This report has
been well received here, for there is no tie of any kind,
whether of political or commercial interest, existing
between the people of the Isthmus and their fellow-
citizens of the interior, and I have no doubt that the
stars and stripes will be seen waving over the Isth-
mus of Panama sooner or later. Rumours are also
afloat of a project to divide Equador between Peru
and New Granada.
* Chagres is the Atlantic port of Panama. It is a
negro village, inhabited principally by Sam boos and Mu-
lattoes, trembling with ague or consumed by fever
throughout the year. The heat is excessive and the
rain incessant. The appearance of those New Granada
citizens is the most ghastly. They subsist by carrying
passengers up the river in canoes which they shove along
the margin with poles, stark naked.
Tho yellow fever is endemic at Panama.
Two hamlets on the banks of the river.

Col. Salwey, M.P., was unavoidably prevented by
urgent private business from voting in favour of Mr.
Hume's motion " for submitting a financial statement of
revenues and expenditure before voting the supplies,"
also for his amendment on the Navy Estimates.
CHAPTER OF TILE ORDER OF THE GARTER.—
The chapter of this illustrious order, which it was un-
derstood was delayed for the arrival of the Earl of
Clarendon from Ireland, will take place in a few days
after her Majesty's return to town from Osborne. The
knights to be elected are, the Earl of Clarendon, in the
room of the late Earl of Carlisle, and Earl Spencer, in
the room of the late Earl Talbot.

ANECDOTE OF SIR CHARLES NAPIER, G.C.B.—
The following highly interesting and characteristic inci-
dent of the hero of Sind° will prove not only a source
of gratification to his friends, but also to the public,
showing that under the stern exterior of the warrior the
distressed are not forgotten. On Thursday morning the
Commander-in-Chiet of the armies in India arrived at
the Waterloo terminus of the South-Western Railway,
en route for the Isle of Wight, on his special visit to
her Majesty. Sir Charles Napier arrived some time
before the train was ready, and passed his time by walk-
ing about the platform. Whilst he was thus waiting
his attention was drawn to a poor woman who appeared
to be in a state of depression. Sir Charles Napier at
once made up to her and entered into conversation, in the
course of which, in all probability, he learned her his-
tory and the object of her proposed visit to Portsmouth;
whatever it was, it awakened the sympathy of the gal-
lant hero, who returned to the booking-office, and paid
for a second-class ticket for Portsmouth, which ho
handed to the poor woman, besides presenting her with
a sovereign. Had the poor woman known who was her
benefactor the gift would have been doubly enhanced.
She saw (we trust) in the future conqueror of the Pun-
jaub and the Affghans only an elderly private-looking

GENERAL SIR CHARLES NAPIER, BART., G.C.B.
e understand Sir Charles Napier has appointed as
his military secretary that able and distinguished officer
Captain Pitt Kennedy, of the Royal Engineers, in addi-
tion to Major Alamurdo, of the 78th Highlanders, and
Major William Napier, who accompany him as his
aides-de-camp. When Sir Charles arrives in India,
he will be joined by Sir Guy Campbell and :Captain
Byng, who aro serving with their regiments in India, as
members of his staff. Colonel George Napier, eldest
son to Sir George, will shortly follow his gallant and
distinguished uncle as an extra aide-de-camp.
COMMAND IN INDIA.—We are told that on the
Ministers concluding their deliberations on the subject
of the disastrous no s s from India, his ensue the Com-
mander-in-Chief was requested, through Lord Fitzroy
Somerset, to furnish the Board of Control with the
names of three officers whom he might deem to be equal
to the crisis, and the three names furnished by his Grace
were Sir Charles Napier—Sir Charles Napier—Sir
Charles Napier.—John Bull.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston gave a grand
dinner party on Saturday evening, at their residence in
Carlton-gardens, the guests at which included his Ex-
cellency the Danish Minister and the Countess Hilda
Reventlow, General Oxholm and the Count de Treshouw
(envoys from the Danish Court on the Schleswig-Hol-
stein question), his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, the
Earl and Countess of Minto and Lady Charlotte Elliot,
the Countess of Tankerville, Viscountess Jocelyn, Lord
Eddisbury, Lord Edward Fitzalan Howard, Sir George
Shee, lion. Mr. and Mrs. W. Cowper, and Mr. Charles
Clifford. The Noble Viscountess had subsequently an
evening party, which was honoured with the presence
of a very large number of the leading members of the
aristocracy, and nearly the whole of the corps diplomatique.
The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of
Commons held his first levee for the present session on
Saturday evening, at his mansion in Eaton-square, on
which occasion the Right lion. Gentleman was honoured
with the presence of a very large number of leading
members of the Legislature.
Lord John Russell entertained the following dis-
tinguished party at dinner on Saturday evening, at his
mansion in Chesham-place:—His Excellency the Am-
bassador from the French Republic, his Excellency the
Dutch Minister and Madlle. Schimmelpenniack, his Ex-
cellency the Austrian Minister and the Countess Col-
loredo, his Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame
Van de Weyer, the Marquis and Marchioness of Lans-
downe, the Countess Dowager of Morley, the Earl Gran-
ville, the Earl Grosvenor, and Viscount .Anson.
DEATH OF THE COUNTESS DOWAGER OF MIL-
GRAVE.—We have to announce the demise of the Coun -
tess Dowager of Mulgrave (mother of his Excellency the
Marquis of Normanby), who expired somewhat suddenly
on Saturday evening, at her residence in Eaton-square.
The deceased Countess, Martha Sophia, was daughter of
the late Mr. Christopher Thompson Maling, and married
Henry, first Earl of Mulgrave, October 20, 1795, by
whom her ladyship had a family of ten children, seven of
whom survive the venerable Countess namely, the
Marquis of Normanby, the Hon. Charles P. Phipps
(secretary to his Royal Highness Prince Albert), the
Ladies Katharine, Sophia, and Charlotte Phipps, the
lion. Edmund Phipps, and the Hon. and Rev. Augustus
Phipps.
DEATH OF THE BLACK PRINCE.—Louis Christophe,
the soi-disaut Prince of Hayti, who figured so promi-
nently towards the close of last year at some of our
police-courts, died on Sunday last in the workhouse of
St. George's-in-the-East, and was buried there on Wed-
nesday. The Black Prince, as ho called himself, had
been several times committed as a rogue and vagabond,
and had been for some time in the workhouse.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HUNGERFORD MARRIST.—The
extensive improvements which have been for acme time
in progress in this market aro now completed, and the
handsome and commodious range of shops on each side
appropriated for the sale of fish aro now opened. The
new erections add greatly to the completeness and
architectural proportions of the market, and the shops,
being fitted up in a uniform and tasteful manner, with
handsome marble slabs in front, and well stocked with
every kind of fish in season (of the best quality, and at
moderate prices) present a most attractive appearance.
The objection which has hitherto existed on the part of
the public—of being obliged to descend by staircase to
the lower area of the market—is now entirely obviated.
The new fish shops being on a level with the Strand, the
public may now, without inconvenience or exposure to
the weather, purchase the various commodities offered
The
access sale in the several departments of the market.
access to the steam-boat pier and bridge, and the
e South-
Western
nearest
-
foot passage to the York-road Station of tn
Railway, being through the market, will no
doubt render it a point of great attraction rid con-
course during the ensuing summer.
of the
The anniversary
HIGHLAND SOCIETY.— •
ever-memorable battle of Alexandria will be celebrated
by the members of this society at the Freemasons'
very numerous " gather-
Ta-
A.
Ta-
vern, on Wednesday next.
ing" is anticipated this year, in consequence of his Royal
Highness the Prince of Parma (the descendant by blood
of the house of Stuart) having accepted an invitation to
honour the festival with his presence. The Prince has
a true heart for all that belongs to the Highlands, and
sometimes wears the kilt, in which costume his Royal
Highness will no doubt appear on the ensuing glorious
anniversary of a battle in which all fought well, but es-
pecially the 42d Highlanders, who performed the crown-
ing achievement of the day—the capture of the famous
standard of the Invincibles, subsequently known as the
Imperial Guard. The gallant Lord Saltoun (himself an
old 42d man) has consented to preside, and his Lord-
ship will be supported by General Sir James M'Donnell,
the "Chisholm," the Right Hon. Fox Maule, Sze.
The Dauntless, Patt, from China to London, got on
shore off Dungeness Lighthouse during a thick
fog
yesterday, but was expected off at high water.
Allison's, Masten 17.—The Venus schooner, laden
with coals, with fore-mast gone by the board, and main-
mast head carried away, and abandoned, was towed in
here to-day by the James, of Kinsale. She is supposed
to be the Venus, Fitzgerald, of Cork, which Was aban-
doned off Waterford 11th inst.

MARYLEBONE VESTRY.
COST OF TUE METROPOLITAN PRISONS.
On Saturday, the Rev. Dr. Spry having taken the
chair,

Sir PETER LAURIE laid before the vestry the follow-
ing statement of the cost of the metropolitan prisons :
Coldbath-fields cost 10,6481. annually; the number of
prisoners averaged 1,000, and their maintenance was
331. per head. Westminster House of Correction cost
13,6721. a year; its prisoners numbered 700, and their
maintenance was 23/. a head. In the House of Deten-
tion there were 122 prisoners, at a cost of 8,459/. 125.,
or 691. a head ; including 3,6001., which the erection of
the building cost, each prisoner-coat the country 841.
each. He hoped the county Iwould not submit to such
an extravagant outlay for the support of prisoners, and
referred these facts to the county and police rate com-
mittee.

PAROCHIAL AND INCOME. TAX ASSESSMENT.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS brought under the attention of
the board the present objectionable mode of assessing
the parish for the relief of the poor, and proposed that
the subject should be taken into consideration on that
day fortnight. He, however, subsequently withdrew his
motion in favour of a proposition submitted by Mr. Carr
for the appointment of a committee to revise and re•
modify the mode of assessment; but on a division this
was rejected by 30 to 20, after which 30 guardians of
the poor were elected from a list of 30 names. The vestry
then adjourned.

GUIDE TO THE TURF; or Pocket Racing
Companion for 1849. By W. Ruff; Turf pre.
porter to the daily London papers, and Bell', Life
in London, 1849. _ _ _

The spring edition of Ruff's " Guide to the Turf,"
which is to the sporting what Dodd's Parliamentary
Companion is to the political world has just been pub-
lished, and contains all the nominations for 1849, the
entries for the great stakes in 18.50, a calendar of the
races in Great Britain and Ireland in 1848. The
Derby, Oaks, St. Leger, and Chester Cup lots, list of
trainers and jockies, races to come, length of courses,
winners of Royal plates, laws of racing, &c. &c. In
short it is impossible to desire any information on the
subject of racing matters past or present, which is not
to be found in Ruff's Guide. We are requested by
the publisher to call the attention of the purchasers
of the first edition of this work to the following
errata :—Nominations, page 62 : for " Lola Montez,
by Shadow," read "by Slane." Page 76; iThe Al-
thorp and succeeding stakes will be run for on Wed-
nesday, the second day. Page g 3 : The Wensley-
dale, named for the Newton Borough Cup, is by In-
heritor. Jockies.—W. Boyce's weight is Bst, and
not Bst 101 b.

SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 17. The Royal Mail
West India Company's steam-ship Tay, commanded by
Captain Chapman, with the mails for the West Indies,
Madeira, &c., left this afternoon. She bad a full gene-
ral cargo, with specie to the amount of 26,653/. 78. 6d.
The passengers by the Tay amounted to 57, amongst
whom were Captains Belfield and Parke. Sixteen of the
passengers were for Chagres, en route for California.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship,
Iberia, commanded by Captain Burney, with the mails
for Cadiz, Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, and Gibraltar, left
this day. Her cargo, consisting chiefly of cottons,
amounted to 125 tons. She took out about twelve pas-
sengers. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steam-ship Indus, under the command of Captain Say,
will leave on Tuesday, with the mails for the Mediter-
ranean, Egypt, India, and China. The Ripon, Penin-
sular Company's steam-ship, Captain Moresby, with the
passengers and heavy portion of the India mail 3, is ex-
pected on or about the 26th inst. The Euxine, Penin-
sular Company's steam-ship, Captain Brooks, for Con-
stantinople and the Black Sea, will leave on the 26th
inst. The Ocean Steam Navigation Company's steam-
ship Hermann, Captain Crabtree, with the English,
French, and German mails, will leave on the 26th, and
not on the 20th, as previously advertised, for New York.
The Dee, West India steam-ship, Captain Allen, with
the West India mails, is expected on or about Tuesday
next.

FIRING THE QUEEN'S PLANTATIONS IN RICHMOND..
raux.—At the Richmond petty sessions on Saturday,
two lads, named George Woodley and James Dinner,
each 14 years of age, were summoned before the bench
of magistrates by Mr. Sawyer, the head keeper of
Richmond -park, for an act of wilful damage, which
might have destroyed six acres of plantations, the pro-
perty of the ,Queen. It appeared that on Friday week
Mr. Sawyer employed the defendants to drive some
cattle to the higher part of the park, where the grass
was long. About the middle of the day he was informed
that about six acres of plantation had been set on fire by
the carelessness of the defendants in lighting a pipe, and
throwing the ignited paper into the long dry grass; and
it was only by the timely knowledge of the fact, and by
great personal risk on the part of some of his labourers,
that the fire was quenched and the plantations saved.
He had not charged them with the felony, because he
believed it to have been an act of carelessness. The
boys, therefore, were, after a severe reprimand by the
Bench, and an undertaking from their parents that they
would severely chastise them, discharged from custody.
THE BENEYOLENT SOCIETY OF ST. PA.TaicK.--A
meeting of the friends of this excellent charity was held
on Saturday afternoon (St. Patrick's Day), at the School-
house, Great Stamford-street, to receive the report of
the managing committee, and for the transaction of
ordinary business. It appears that although the income
has for the last two years been seriously diminished, the
institution has remained unimpaired and in a fully effi-
cient state. But the efforts thus made have placed the
managing committee under heavy pecuniary embarrass-
ment, and unless sustained by the public, the committee
will be reluctantly compelled to circumscribe their future
sphere of operations. There are at present nearly 300
orphan children (male and female) on the books, all re-
ceiving sound education, and a large proportion are fed
and clothed. Owing to the distressed state of Ireland,
the usual anniversary festival was, for the first time,
omitted; but the children were provided with the cus-
tomary substantial dinner in the school-room, where
several of the governors attended. Very many dona-
tions have already been received, including 105 L from
her Majesty, 501. from the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland,
25/. from the Duke of Devonshire, and some others of
smaller amount. The omission of the usual festival
redounds little to the liberality or nationality of the
Irish aristocracy, as the collection made in former years
has always served to swell the income; but the managing
committee, finding they could not secure a sufficient
attendance of the " friends" of Ireland, did not deem it
prudent to incur the responsibility incident to a public
dinner.

UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION.—A special general
meeting of the officers of both services who support this
institution was held on Saturday at the Thatched-house,
St. James's, the Earl of Strafford in the chair, when
the expediency of erecting a lecture theatre, in con-
nexion with the buildings in Scotland-yard, as was con-
templated in the original design, was taken into consi-
deration. There was but one opinion among the officer&
assembled as to the desirableness of a proper lecture
theatre for the elucidation of science as applied to naval
and military operations; but there was some difference
as to the propriety of proceeding with the works till the
necessary funds were subscribed. Admiral Jones wished
to delay in the meantime; indeed, he thought the insti-
tution at present was too much of a puppet-show; he
wished to see the rubbish anti nonsense to be found
there turned out, and the buildings appropriated to the
pursuit of naval and military science to be kept secret
from the public and foreigners. This opinion, however,
did not meet with the approbation of his brother offi-
cers. Upon the motion of Sir Roderich Murchison,
F.R.S., seconded by Captain Lorraine White, R.N., it
was resolved that the council be instructed to proceed at
their discretion with the erection of a lecture theatre, in
order to complete the buildings according to their ori-
ginal design. Many gallant ,officers expressed their
conviction that the council, if they would proceed with
the works, would not bo left by the oeficers of both ser-
vices without the requisite means. The Noble Chair-
man having expressed himself warmly in favour of the
motion, a vote of thanks was accorded to him; and the
meeting separated.
THE LATE SHERIFF WHIGHAM.—At a meeting of
the county of Perth on Tuesday last, Lord Mansfield
alluded to the loss which tho county had sustained by
the
cariyuasel,
the death of Mr. Whigham, and passed a high eulogium
upon him. At a special meeting of the society of Pro-
curators of Perthshire on the 9th instant, a resolution
oaffindeethat
was adopted, which set forth that for eight years the
practitioners in the courts of that county had had ample
opportunities of observing the many claims Sheriff
Whigham had to their confidence and
while many eminent men anlideledsteethre
that they
in the county of Perth, no one, it was believed!
d a ti es.—Seotsman.
surpassed Sheriff Whigbam in
OtoNrths we
the e THESCOTTISH
hamvetilo.
tsrtaia tne
CENTRAL.—.-
Ii justice to the .
third-class carriages with SUNDAY TRAdmirsec
d not first ands
econd-class only, as had been stated
ifsome quartePerth Advertiser.
THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY,--An accident of
a most extraordinary nature occurred last evening on the
Great Western Railway. As the short train which runs
between Bath and Bristol, leaving the latter place at
half-past seven, was approaching the Keynsham station,
by some means, as yet unexplained, the engine became
disengaged from the carriages. The driver, not aware
of the circumstance, ran on, and pulled up,' as usual, at
the station. Within a minute, however, the carriages
came rushing on, perfectly unrestrained, and a violent
collision took place. Fortunately, no life was lost; but
one passenger was so much injured thawtehree
muchuld not
proceed on his journey. The carriagesshattered;n.
jured, the glasses and lamps completely.but,
nor carriages were
most extraordinary, neither engine
thrown off the rails.—Devizes Gazette. ,
CALIFORNIA.— A decked boat,
GOLD FROM
called the Jason, has arrived," _ says the National, "at
the Port St. Nicolas du Louvre from Rouen, from which
were yesterday landed three small iron-bound barrels,
--
sent from London to M. C ,of Paris, a dealer in
precious metals. These barrels were filled with gold
dust from the mines of California, amounting to nearly
a million of francs."
CLONMEL, THURSDAY.—Two men Quinlan and
Kennedy, have just been tried for the murder of John
Walsh, near Bansha. This awful murder created an
'on in im-
mense sensation at the time of its perpetration
d red
Octo-
ber last, when three men, bailiffs, were
Thismur ise
Quinlan is found guilty, the other acquitted.
gerally thebelieved
first capital conviction here.
It
is
swilderness affair will
that the persons connected with the wilderness
Examiner.
not be called up at this assizes.--risCDEE
.—Lord Panra
THE ROYAL ARCH AT 1,
tof Dundee, ure
has transmitted to the Provos .
1.
.through
Esq., the sum of ,
i5O . being his Lord-
ship's Thomas Collier,
12 to the Royal Arch, winch is to be
subscription
—Scotsman.
[ erected immediatelY•

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