The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-13 00:00:00

JANUARY 13, 1849.

markably easy, works quickly, steers very easily, and is
stiff and dry. With all her heavy armament and about
200 tons of water, with some provisions, and a crew of
about 60 men, she looked as buoyant on the water as
one of " Green's" fine frigate-built Indiamen without
cargo. Her engines are highly estimated, not only for
their compactness and the small space of room they
occupy, but for the admirable way in which they work
—so noiselessly and free from apparent friction. The
Arrogant is at present under Jurymasts (the Carys-
fort's), but her proper spars, those of a 72-gun ship,
have been prepared for her. She will go under the sheers
at Portsmouth to-day and be dismasted, and forthwith
will receive her own masts, but she is now quite ready
for commissioning whenever the Admiralty order the
pendant to be hoisted.
The Centaur, steam-frigate, Captain Buckle, pendant
of Commodore Fanshawe, C. 8., was taken out of the
Steam Basin, at Portsmouth, on Tuesday, and brought
into the South Dock on Wednesday, to be scrubbed
down. She was to have come out again on Thursday,
but the heavy gale prevented her. She was taken out
yesterday. Her poop is nearly completed ; various
other alterations are being made to render her a sail-
ing-vessel as much as may be to assist which a teles-
cope funnel is:preparing for her. She has all her com-
plement of 200, with the exception of a few officers,
some special ratings for petty officers and seamen, and
a few stokers. She will take out the mail to the coast
on the Ist of February.
The Virago steam-sloop, at Sheerness, has been or-
dered to Devonport to form one of the reserve squadron
of steamers to be kept at that port. The heavy weather
has detained her from leaving.
The Garland steam-packet, Lieutenant Commander
Aplin, so far as the engineers of Woolwich have sur-
veyed her, requires new boilers, and her machinery a
thorough repair. A further survey is to be made.
The Janus steam-vessel, to be commissioned by Lieu-
tenant Powell, at Woolwich, was reported ready for
trial yesterday. She will hoist the pendant as soon as
the Rapid is paid off, and will have a complement of
sixty-five.
The Fire Queen steam-tender, Master Commander
Allen, having been altered and repaired at Portsmouth,
went out of harbour yesterday to try her engines.
The Comet steamer has been taken into the basin at
Portsmouth to be repaired.
The Ganges, Bombay, Java, Diana, Rudbrooke, Tul-
loch Castle, and Colfield, transports, taken up to convey
troops to the East Indies, are now ready waiting at Cork
to embark their freights.
PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 12.—The Rapid, 8, Commander
Edward Dixon, arrived at Spithead this afternoon from
the coast of Africa. She left Ascension on the sth of
December, at which time that island was healthy.
Commodore Sir Charles Hotham arrived in the Penelope
on the 3d from St. Helena, and immediately ordered the
Rapid to England. The Rapid arrived at Ascension on
Sunday, the 4th of December, at 9 ear„ and was ordered
to sail en Monday night peremptorily. She accordingly
put to sea with her bowsprit (a new one) not half
secured, and the whole of the first day at sea was occu-
pied in securing that and the foremast. At the Western
Islands, on the 31st, she encountered a gale, in fact, a
hurricane, which continued some days, from S.W. to
S.E., and about 400 miles off encountered another,
which, but for the excellent seamanship of the captain
and master, would have left but little to be related of the
Rapid's voyage home. Her lee-quarter boat was washed
away, and lee hammock berthing, lost all the spars out
of the netting, threw the two lee guns overboard, and
shipped a sea which nearly engulfed the little vessel.
She put in at Sundown yesterday, with loss of foretop-
gallantmast and great general damage, besides leaking
" like a sieve." A less experienced master than Mr.
Balliston would not have brought her safely out of the
gales she encountered. She met with no easterly winds
on her passage. The commodore was to be at Prince's
on the Ist of January.
The Amphitrite, Britomart, and Dart are ordered to
the Brazils; the former to the Pacific. The slave trade
was very flourishing. Mr. Wilson, master's assistant
of the Star, has invalided in the Rapid. We regret to
announce the death of Lieutenant R. M'Kinley Richard-
son, in command of the Pluto steam-vessel, a gallant
and highly-promising young officer, son of Captain
Richardson, of Gosport. The deceased invalided from
his vessel from jaundice, and took passage in the Rapid
for England; but on the 27th of October he had an at-
tack of apoplexy off Wydah, and died on the 2d of Nov.
in the Bights of Benin. His remains were conmitted to
the deep with much regret. The command of the Pluto
has been conferred upon Lieut. Joliffe, commander of
the Adelaide prize-tender. The Rapid has brought
numerous invalids; two of their original number died at
sea. She is ordered into this harbour to be paid off.
The only officer who has been in her the whole term of
her commission (upwards of three years) is her master,
Mr. W. H. Balliston. She has taken six slavers, and has
generally been very healthy, owing to the excellent and
wholesome discipline maintained by her commander.
The Sparrow, ketch, was docked this afternoon, for
repairs.
In Port and Fitting—The Victory, 22, Port Ad-
mirals flag-ship; Illustrious, 10, flag ship of Superinten-
dent of Dockyard and Ordinary; Victoria and Albert,
royal yacht; Excellent, gunnery exercise ship; Superb,
80; Blenheim, 56, guardship of steamers; Rolla, 6,
exercise brig for naval apprentices; Centaur, steam-
frigate; Driver, steam-sloop; Vulcan, revenue steam-
vessel; Fairy, Fire Queen, Myrtle, Bee, and Echo,
steamers; Fanny, Port Admiral's yacht; and Ports-
mouth, Admiral Superintendent's yacht.
In the Steam-basin—The Ajax, steam-guard-ship;
Termagant and Retribution, steam-frigates; Birkenhead,
Cormorant, Phcenix, and Salamander, steam-sloops; and
Jackal, Urgent, and Otter, steam-vessels.
In the Old Basin—The Pembroke, 72; Defence, con-
vict hulk; Malabar, coal depot; Centaur, steam-frigate,
and Comet, steamer.
In Dock—The Princess Charlotte, 104; Collingwood,
80; Vindictive, 50; Flying Fish, 12; Devastation,
steam-sloop; and Sparrow, ketch.
At Spithead—The Rapid, 6.
Wind S. by W.—Moderate breezes and dark hazy
weather.
WooLwica, JAN. 12.—The Lightning, steam vessel,
Master-Commander Petley, was paid wages down to
to- day.
The Black Eagle, steam-vessel, Master-Cammander
S. B. Cook, was taken out of the basin on Tuesday, and
into the East Dock, from which she has been taken out
to-day to moorings in the river, to be ready for service
when required.
The Myrmidon, steam-vessel, is to be taken out of
the basin to-day and into dock, and the Torch is also to
be docked and made ready for sea.
The Janus, steam-vessel, had her steam up yesterday,
and is now ready for commission, which will take place
on the arrival of the President at Portsmouth, as it is
expected a sufficient number of men will offer from that
vessel and others expected home to man the Arrogant
steam-frigate, and the other vessels about to be commis-
sioned. The Janus has two 10-inch guns, of 85 cwt.
each, and 9 feet 4 inches long, mounted on pivot slides
and carriages. She is also fitted with the rope railway
generally used in vessels intended for tug service, and
will have a crew of 160 men.
A notice has been put up to-day at the gate that the
Black Prince, 72 guns, in the basin at Woolwich, is not
to be fitted as a convict-ship for the present. The con-
victs on board the Sulphur hulk have conducted them-
selves much better since the corporal punishment was
inflicted on two of the ringleaders who recently at-
tempted to injure their guards. Simple confinement does
not appear to have any effect in reforming their charac-
ter, but they dread corporal punishment, however
limited the number of lashes that may be ordered to be
inflicted upon them. They have greatly abused the in-
dulgences conferred upon them since the inquiry that
took place on board the Justitia, at the Royal Arsenal,
and have compelled the authorities to order them corpo-
ral punishment in future when other means aro found
unavailable.

The apprentices who have applied for admission to
serve in the dockyard, and have passed the schoolmaster,
are ordered to attend to-morrow to be examined by the
surgeon. _ _

CHATHAM, JAN. 12.—The Vernon, 50 guns, having
been surveyed, and her state reported to the Admiralty,
their Lordships have ordered the ship to be repaired.
The estimated cost is 25,0001.

The Elba steam-boat, which has been built on the
design of Mr. 0. W. Lang, is expected to be launched at
the end of this month. This boat is built for the pur-
pose of proceeding from
.Gosport to Osborne with dis-
patches.
The Aid, Smallman master, has arrived with stores
from Portsmouth.

ACCIDENT TO THE COUNTESS OF MANSFIELD.--
The Countess of Mansfield, accompanied by the two
Ladies Murray, met with an accident of the following
nature on her return from the private dramatic perform-
ances at Windsor Castle. on Thursday night, to her re-
sidence at Wentworth House, near Virgiuia Water:—
The carriage, in which were her Ladyship and the
Ladies Murray, on ascending Priest-hill, near Runny-
mede, was backed into a deep ditch oa the side of the
road; the horses, from the slippery state of the road,
and a heavy fall of snow, being unable to retain their
footing. The Countess and her daughters, who were
speedily extricated from the carriage, which was nearly
embedded in the snow, proceeded on foot to Beaumont
Lodge, the seat of Viscount Ashbrook, where they were
hospitably received by Captain and Mrs. Every, and
where they remained for the night. The footman re-
mained in the carriage until early the following morn-
ing, when it was, after considerable difficulty, got out
of the snow but very slightly injured.
FlRE.—About half-past five o'clock this morning a
fire broke out in one of the tar and turpentine distille-
ries of the English Patent Camphine Company, situated
in Air-street, Church-street. The roof of the building w 55
was
destroyed, as also the whole of the stock, and a
supply'
large
portion of the plant was much injured.
water from the New Waterworks
service in extinguishing
the fire, pipess of the greatest
from the mains
down
on the premises. The
portable hose belonging o
having last week been laidt dthe
w police force, also several
from the neighbouring manufactories, were quickly on
the premises, which,men together with the Dock Company's
engine and firemen, were instrumental in speedily
sub-
duing the raging ,
element. The fire is supposed to have
'
originated
by the escape of vapour on taking off the lid
from one of the pans. The property is said to be fully
insured.—Hull Aclvati.yer of Saturday.

, [PRICE SD.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, FRIDAY.
The third dramatic performance at Windsor Castle
took place last night. The play selected upon this occa-
sion was Shakspere's tragedy of Hamlet, and the parts
were filled according to the following programme:—
Claudius, King of Denmark
.. Mr.'Diddear.
Hamlet, (son to the former and
nephew to the present King) ... Mr. Charles Kean.
Polouius (Lord Chamberlain) ... Mr. W. Farren.
Horatio (triend to Hamlet) ... Mr. Howe.
Laertes (son to Polonius) • Mr. Leigh Murray.
Rosencrantz, Mr. Conway
Guildenstein,
,s Mr. Boyce. .
Osrick courtier) Mr. A. Wigan.
Marcellus (an officer) Mr. J. Howard.
Bernardo (an officer) . ... Mr. Clifford.
Francisco (a soldier) Mr. A. Brindal.
Ghost of Hamlet's Father ... Mr. Vandenhoff.
First Actor ••• ... Mr. G. Cooke.
Second Actor Mr. Clark.
Gertrude (Queen of Denmark and
mother of Hamlet) Mrs. Warner.
Ophelia (daughter of Polonius) ... Mrs. Charles Kean.
Actress
•• • ... Mrs. F. Saville.
Scene—Elsinore.
Director ... ... Mr. Charles Kean.
Assistant Director ... Mr. George Ellis.
The theatre arranged and the scenery painted by Mr.
Thomas Grieve. At eight o'clock her Majesty the
Queen, and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, entered
the Ruben's Room, accompanied by their Royal High-
nesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the
Princess Alice, and the Prince Alfred, her Royal High-
ness the Duchess of Kent, their Serene Highnesses the
Princesses Amelie and Elise of Hohenlohe Schillings-
turst, his Serene Highness Prince Lowenstein, their
Graces the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, and the Ladies
Mary and Adeliza Howard, the Marquis and Marchio •
ness of Douglas, the Earl of Carlisle, the Earl and
Countess of Forteseue, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, and
the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting.
The performances immediately commenced, and at the
conclusion the Queen was pleased to direct that her Ma-
jesty's entire approval of the manner in which the play
had been performed should be conveyed to Mr. Charles
Kean, the director.

Retreshments were served in the Throne Room.
The following had the honour of receiving invita-
tions:—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their
Serene Highnesses the Princesses Amelie and Elise of
Hohenlobe Schillingsfurst, his Serene Highness Prince
Lowenstein, the Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas,
the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, and the Ladies Mary
and Adeliza Fitzalan 'Toward, the (two) Maids of
Honour in waiting, the Lady in waiting on the Duchess
of Kent, the Earl of Carlisle, the Earl and Countess
Fortescue, the Countess of Mansfield and the (two)
Ladies Murray, the Right Hon. Sir Robert and Lady
Peel, the Dowager Lady and the Hon. Miss Lyttleton
and Miss Carew, the Right Hon. H. and Mrs. Labou-
chere, the Lord in waiting, Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. G.
E. Anson, the Ilon. Mrs. Phipps and Miss Bathurst,
the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley, Sir George and
Lady Couper, Miss and Mr. Ramsey Couper, Lord James
Murray, General and Lady Isabella Wemyss, the Groom
in Waiting, Sir Junes Clark, Bart., the Dean of Wind-
sor and Lady Charlotte Neville Grenville, and the (two)
Misses Neville Grenville, the Provost of Eton, and the
Hon. :sirs. Hodgson, the Rev. W. and Mrs. Canning,
Major-General Bowles, the Rev. Dr. Hawtrey, the
Equerry in Waiting, the Equerry in Waiting on his
Royal Highness, Colonel and Mrs. Challoner, Mr. and
Mrs. Peter Wells, Miss Meynell, Baroness Speth, Baron
Stockmar, the Hon. and Rev. C. L. Courtenay, the Com-
manding Officer and two Officers of the 2d Life Guards,
the Commanding Officer and two Officers of the Cold-
stream Guards, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Glover, Miss Hildyard,
Madame Roland de la Lonsa, and Mdlle. Geuner.
This morning the Queen and Prince Albert took their
accustomed early walk.
The Royal Family took walking and pony exercise.
Prince Albert hunted this morning with the harriers.
His Royal Highness was accompanied by his Serene
II ighness Prince Lowenstein, and attended by Captain
the A. Gordon.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas, Sir Robert
and Lady Peel, the Earl of Carlisle, and the Earl and
Countess Fortescue, took their departure from the
Castle to-day.
Her Majesty gave this day a private audience to the
Baron Andrian, Envoy from the Central Government of
Germany, when his Excellency took his leave of her Ma-
jesty before his departure for Germany.
The Royal dinner party, this evening, will include her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their Serene
Highnesses; the Princesses Amelie and Elise of Hohen-
lohe Schillingsfurst, his Serene Highness Prince Lowen.
stein, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Ladies Mary and
Adeliza Fitzalan Howard, Lady Fanny Howard, Be.
roness de Speth, Mr. G. E. Anson, and Sir G. Couper.
The band of the 2d Life Guards will attend during
dinner, and her Majesty's private band will afterwards
attend in the Castle.

The Judge Advocate-General had an audience of the
Queen on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Tier Majesty will hold a Privy Council on Monday
next, the 15th Jan., at Windsor Castle.
A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the Foreign•oflice. The Ministers present were—Lord
John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Earl
Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Campbell,
the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, the Marquis of Clanri-
carde, and the Earl of Carlisle.
The Council sat two hours and a half.
Dr. Maclachlau had an interview with Earl Granville
yesterday.
The Earl of Carlisle arrived in town yesterday from
Windsor Castle.