The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-17 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

Lieutenants—William 11. Bridge and Crawford A. P.
Pasco, to study at the steam factory, Woolwich.
Masters—Thomas Laen (1812), of the Royal Sove-
reign yacht, at Pembroke, to be Master-Attendant of
the Chatham Dockyard, vice Karley retired; Thomas
Driver (1809), formerly in command of the Dee,
steam-transport, to the Royal Sovereign, at Pembroke,
vico Laen.

Chef Engineer—James Pool:, from the Myrmidon to
the Stromboli, steam sloop, at Woolwich, vice Jaye,
deceased.

Assistant Surgeons—William T. Alexander, late of
the St. Vincent, to the Hibernia, 104, on her way home
from the Mediteranean; Dr. William B. Baikee, to the
Volage, hurvey in g. vessel, in the Mediteranean; Dr.
Andrew Batwell, to the Wellesley, 72, flag-ship, at
Halifax.

Midshipmen—Henry M. Alexander, to the Dragon,
steam•frigate, at Kingstown; H. G. Payne, to the
Wellesley; 13.. M. K. Fayle, to the Castor, 36, at
Chatham.

Navel Caiet—Charles P. Bathe, to the Castor.
Boatswain—George Newberry, of the Fisgard, to
Woolwich Dockyard, Tick) M'Callum, deceased, an officer
of good practical knowledge, who received a silver cup,
from the committee of the Duke of Wellington's Statue
Fund, for his services in facilitating the erection of that
collosal structure, at Hyde Park; Michael Lawler, to be
acting boatswain.

Carpenter.—Charles Price, to be acting.
PonTsmouTH, MAY 16.—The Grecian, 16, Comman-
der Louis S. Tindal, arrived this afternoon from the
south-east coast of America. Orders were awaiting her
here, to proceed to Plymouth to be paid off. She was
to put her pay-books, invalids, &c., on board the Superb,
and sail, without anchoring, for that port. Sho has since
been ordered to remain here until. the present lowering
weather clear 3 up. She sailed from Pernambuco on be-
ing relieved by the Tweed, 18, Ccmmander Lord 1.
Russell, on the 12th of April; but has brought no more
important news than the packet which arrived on Sun-
day. The Driver steam-sloop, Commander C. R. John.
son, had arrived previously in the River Plate en route
to Valparaiso. The Grecian has brought home sundry.
naval and marine invalids, and Lieutenant Fox, R.M., of
the Creicent, from Rio, passenger.
General Victor do Gaja is the guest of tho Comm 9.
der. in-Chief Admiral the Hon. Sir Bladen Cape), and is
inspecting the various objects of interest in the dock-
yard, under the chgperonum of Flag-Captain F. Black-
wood, of tho Victory.

The Niger and Basilisk experimental steam vessels
proceeded yesterday afternoon from Cowes roads on
their voyf,t,rv, and althcfugh ,711 trAtbriA

arcel t;etweon tlittr rrfirr_ria,..CCS fiS as
be seen from this shore, w© are informed that in a run
of twenty miles towards Plymouth there was not the
distance of a ship's length between their speed; after
that run fog and haze came on, and they parted com-
pany, and about one o'clock, A.M. this day the bottom of
the boiler of the Niger was discovered to have got red-
hot, and set fire to the bottom of the ship. With some
difficulty the fire was got at and extinguished, and she
then bore up for Spithead, where she was ultimately re-
joined by the Basilisk. Both have come into harbour
this afternoon—the Niger to repair damages, which are
expecte i to be of a serious character.

'Thirteen men were apprehended this morning on a
charge of smuggling. The capture was made jointly by
Lieutenant Scott, of the Southsea Castle station, and
Lieutenant Brown, of the Hardway station, about one
A.M. About 150 half ankers of foreign spirits comprised
the seizure, together with the men engaged in the
illicit venture, whose names, as given before the magis-
trates, are—Francis Kemmitt, Henry Gardner, Charles
Bailey, Nathaniel Richards, James Hewett, John Min•
chin, William Spraggs, otherwise William Downes;
William Seal, William Muggeridge, John Clark, Joseph
Sherwin, Nicholas Courtnell, and William Turner, who
are all in custody, remanded for further examination.
The three first named were taken on board the steam-
tug Peter Bolt, the property of the eminent Government
contractor of that name, which was also seized, but ul-
timately released on bond put in by the owner's re-
presentative. "

- The Reynard screw steam-sloop, Commander P. Cra-
croft, was docked this morning, in lieu of the Plumper
undocked last evening.
Commander H. G. Shute, R.N., of the Coast• guard
service at Greenhithe, died on the 12th inst.
Wind, W.S.W., fresh breezes, and cloudy weather.

THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND.
The sixtieth anniversary of this excellent institution
was celebrated last evening at the Freemasons' Tavern,
Great Queen-street, under the presidency of Viscount
Hardinge. Upwards of 100 sat down to dinner, which
was served in good style by Messrs. Bacon. At the
right of the chair sat the Hon. Lesli© Melville, the Hon.
C. Hardinge, Mr. R. Trevor, M.P., Sir C. Pasley; and
on the left the Hon. E. Stanley, M.P., Sir H. Bulwer,
Sir C. Malcolm, Colonel Mure, M.P., Mr. Wyld, M.P.,
Mr. Alison, Rev. Dr. Hessey, Rev. Dr, Major. Among
others present we observed Mr. Thackeray, Mr. P.
Simpson, Mr. Finlaison, Mr. Forster, Mr. G. Cruik-
shank, Professor £fanccck, Mr. Stanfield, Mr. Sergeant
Merewether, Mr. Whiteside, Mr. lir.dt, &c.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the first tcast—" The
health of the Queen"—said he was confident they would
be disposed to receive it not as the mere expression of
ordinary loyalty. They would recollect that her Ma-
jesty bad always been a very sincere friend, and had al-
ways taken a very warm interest in the welfare of the
Royal Literary Fund, of which she wus a munificent
patron.—(Cheers.) In the midst of the convulsions
which had shaken the thrones of the Princes of Europe
that of her Majesty remained secure.—(Cheers.) The
high qualities which distinguished her in no ordinary
degree, and her virtues in domestic life, had endeared
her to such an extent in the minds of all her subjects,
that he felt confident the throne would remain secure.—
(Loud cheers.) He gave " The health of the Queen,"
which was drunk with three times three.

The CHAIRMAN, in giving the next toast, said, on
occasions when charity was to be dispensed, the name
of the Queen Dowager was associated with acts of be-
nevolence—(Cheers)—and they were all aware that
Prince Albert had manifested the greatest interest in the
prosperity of this institution. His Royal Highness was
a warm admirer and patron of the Literary Fund—
(Cheers)—he trusted that in due season the Prince of
Wales, inheriting his father's love of literature and
science, would follow in his footsteps, and when he
reached the years of maturity would honour the chair
by presiding over one of their anniversaries.—(Loud
cheers) Ile begged to give "The Health of the Queen
Dowager, Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and
the rest of the Royal Family."
The next toast the CHAIRMAN gave was "The
Church," from the ministers of which the Royal Lite-
rary Fund hai from its commencement derived the
greatest encouragement, not only by their direct contri-
butions to its funds, but by their zealous advocacy of its
claims.—(Cheers.)
Dr. INGRAM, President of Trinity College, Oxford,
briefly responded to the toast.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast which
stood on the list, " The Army and Navy," begged, as a
military man, to transpose the words, and to give " The
Navy and Army."—(Much cheering.) He had always
entertained for that glorious profession, the navy, un-
bounded admiration, and he felt that the national great-
ness, independence, and security were concerned in its
efficiency. He had the greatest pleasure in stating his
opinion thus publicly, that if ever a financial crisis should
occur, as a military man, he hoped any reductions that
economised expenditure might require should fall rather
on the army than the navy.—(Loud cheers.)
Admiral Sir C. Ma.ncoaet and Major-General Sir C.
PASLEY returned thanks respectively for the services to
which they belonged.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed " Prosperity to the
Literary Fund." He was confident that the system
upon which the institution proceeded, was an excellent
one. He only regretted that he had not been better
acquainted ,with it before, or he should certainly
have been a constant subscriber many years ago. Its
object certainly was not to entice men to tread the
paths of literature who might not have the requisite
qualifications for its successful pursuit; but, whenever
it found men of merit who had contributed by their
genius to any branch of literature involved in difficulty
or embarrassment, it relieved them in the most delicate
manner, without subjecting the objects of its benevolence
either to the obtrusion of private circumstances or the
pain of personal solicitation. He was happy to be able
to state that the subscription list was this year most
prosperous. He had the.day before yesterday received
a note from the President of Trinity College, Oxford,
whom he was happy to see now present, stating that lie
feared the state of his health would prevent his attend.
once, and enclosing a cheque from Dr. Ingram for fifty
guineas towards the funds of the society.—(Loud
cheers.) A young friend of his, Major Edwardes—
(Loud cheers)--who, he must say, wielded his pen as
well as his sword—(Loud cheers)—had also sent a
contribution of ten guineas.—(Cheers.) He was con-
fident they would all do their best to promote the pros-
perity of the Royal Literary Fund.
Mr. M. MILNES proposed "The health of the Chair-
man." In this country when so many were apt to draw
a broad line of demarcation between men of thought and
men of action, he thought it peculiarly fitting that such
a society should be presided over by one who bad not
only distinguished himself in the senate but gained fresh
laurels on the broad field of military enterprise. He could
not but recollect that the battle of Albuera had been fought
on the 16th of May, that it was gained by the more than
military energy of the Noble Lord who now sat in the
chair, after one of the most tremendous conflicts in which
the British army had ever been engaged.—(Loud cheers.)
His brilliant achievements in India had gained him the
approbation of his Sovereign and the thanks of both
Houses of Parliament, and his efforts to promote the
spread of education in India entitled him to the warm
commendation of every friend of civilization in the em-
pire.—The toast was drunk with all the honours.
Viscount HARDINGE felt most grateful for the compli-
ment which had been paid to him, proposed as it had
been by one for whom he entertained the greatest re-
spect as an orator and a statesman, and a horns for many
years he had personally regarded as a friend. He could
not claim the merit of being an author. Indeed when
he recollected that he should be surrounded by men
eminent for their literature, he had some difficulty in
accepting the honour of being chairman on that occa-
sion, but his scruples were overcome when he considered
the admirable objects of the institution, and he thought
he was justified in accepting that post from motives of
gratitude as a military officer. There was no class of
ber Majesty's subjects who owed a deeper debt of gra-
titude to literary men than soldiers.—(Cheers.) Few
perhaps of their number were fortunate enough to attain
high rank and station, nor were there many opportuni-
ties of performing great deeds which would justify the
historian in handing them down to posterity. But when
such cases did occur they were much indebted to the
faithful and impartial record of their achievements.—
(Loud cheers.) This was not all. A more disin-
terested feeling actuated the great mass of the army,
who, from the regimental libraries which were now esta-
blished, could solace themselves, from the higher officers
down to the very drummer-boys, with the pleasure and
instruction of literature, which would not otherwise have
been accessible to them. As his military services had
been alluded to, he might be allowed to say that, forced
as be had been to draw the sword afteramost unprovoked
aggression, he had sheathed it the earliest moment he
could with honour and safety--(Loud cheers)—when by
the valour and discipline of that glor"ous Indian army
the campaign was terminated in sixty days after fighting
four bloody battles.—(Cheers.) With respect to his
policy in India, he was happy to say that two successive
Administrations—that of Sir R. Peel and of Lord John
Russell—had approved of it —(Cheers.) He confessed
with refer( ace to the time when he had the honour of
administering affairs in India, he looked back with
peculiar gratification to that portion of his civil duties
which concerned the education of the people. Both
by Lord William Bentinck and Lord Ellenborough great
efforts had been made with the assistance of the Court
of Directors for this purpose, and the most gratifying
progress had already been made. He had himself
heard children of twelve years of age, natives of India,
read Milton and Shakespere in the English language,
not only with facility but with remarkable intelligence ;
and it was by no means uncommon in India to hear the
Hindoos take part in the most important discuss:ons con
ducted in the English language ; indeed, to such an ex-
tent was the English language now cultivated in India
that he looked forward to the period when it would be-
come the adopted language in that country.—(Cheers.)
He had, himself, when in India, sent over three young
men to be educated here, and he was happy to find that
one of them fled this year been a most successful compe-
titor for prizes at the London University. Ile begged
again to thank them for the honour they had done him
in drinking his health.
The health of " the Earl of Carlisle, chairman elect,"
was next drunk. Then followed " the health of Lord
Lansdowne, the president of the Literary Fund;" the
" health of the Ambassadors" (briefly responded to by
Sir 11. Bulvver); " the Writers on Science " (acknow-
ledged by Mr. Finlaison); " the Members of the House
of Commons," (for which Mr. R. Trevor returned
thanks); " the Writers of History," (acknowledged by
Mr. Alison); " the Literature of Ireland," (responded
to by Mr. Whiteside); " the Writers of Fiction," (res-
ponded to by Mr. Thaekeray); and several other toasts,
after which the company broke up.

Dispatches from the Governor of the Mauritius were
received yesterday At the Gvlonial• (Ace.