The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-11 00:00:00

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS.

On Monday the 10th instant, being the seventieth anni•
versary of the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts, a
general assembly of the Academicians was held at their
apartments in Trafalgar-square, when the following distri-
bution of premiums took place, viz. :

To Mr. Henry Nelson O'Niel, for the best copy made
in the painting school, the silver medal ; and the lectures of
the Professors Barry, Opie, and Fuseli.
To Mr. William Carpenter, for the next best copy made
in the painting school, the silver medal.
To Mr. Henry Le Jenne, for the best drawing from the
ife, the silver medal.

To Mr. Henry Bailey, for the best drawing of the prin-
cipal front of Harcourt House in Cavendish-square, the
silver medal.

To Mr. William Baker, for the bast drawing from the
antique, the silver medal.
To Mr. Joseph Edwards, for the best model from the
antique, the silver medal.

Which was concluded with a short address from the
President to the Students.

The General Assembly afterwards proceeded to appoint
officers for the ensuing year, when Sir Martin Archer Shee
was unanimously re-elected President.
Council, New List.—Thomas Uwins, Frederick Richana
Lee, William Wynn, Esq., and Sir Richard Westmacott.
Old List.—Abraham Cooper, Esq., Sir David Wilkie,
Edward Hodges Baily, and Charles Lock Eastlake, Esq.
Visitors in the Life Academy, New List.—Thomas Uwins,
William Hilton, Charles Robert Leslie, and William Mul-
ready, Esqs.
Old List.—William Etty, Henry Howard, Richard
Cook, Alfred Edward Chalon, and Edwin Landseer, Esqs.
Visitors in the School of Painting, New List.—Henry
Perronet Briggs, William Collins, William Etty, and
Edwin Landseer, Esqs.
Old List.—William Hilton, George Jones, Joseph Mul-
lord, William Turner, and William Muiready, Esqs.
Auditors re-elected—W. Muiready, J. M. W. Turner,
Esqs., and Sir Richard Westmacott.

The Earl of Albemarle has returned to his residence
at Hampton Court, from a visit to her Majesty at Windsor
Castle. _ _ _

A Catholic clergyman, of the name of Beckers,
was arrested at Cologne on the 4th instant, accused of
having excited the people to discontent by his sermons, and
thereby caused the tumults of the 26th of October.
His Excellency Sarim Effendi, late Turkish Am-
bassador at this Court, left London on Friday for Dover, on
his way to Paris, accompanied by his brother Edib Effendi,
and by his second secretary, Emeen Effendi. His Excel-
lency stopped on the road at Mr. Salame's cottage in the
Old Kent-road, where his Excellency Reshid Pacha
and his interesting three sons, and the secretaries of the
embassy had repaired. After the two ambassadors and
suites had partaken of a darner a la Turque, Sarim Effendi
and his party took leave of the Pacha and the rest of the
company at Alexandrian Cottage, and continued his jour-
ney about five o'clock for Dover.
On Thursday night, about nine o'clock, as a gentle-
man named Leer, residing at Clumpton, Lewisham, was
proceeding in his phaeton, accompanied by three of his
children, up Oxford-street, on arriving near Poland-
street the horse became unmanageable, and having, by
breaking the traces, torn itself away from the shafts, started
off at full speed. On arriving at the corner of Vere-street
it ran against a gig, when, by the concussion, two gentle-
men who were therein were thrown out, but happily not
hurt. The animal, which ran against the wheels, was much
staggered thereby, and before it could recover itself fell up
against some boards surrounding a hole about eight feet
deep, made for the purpose of repairing the gas pipes, and
immediately, the boards giving way, disappeared. A mob
of persons soon assembled, and some straw having been
obtained, the horse was enabled to get its footing on it,
when a man went down, and passing a rope under its belly,
it was by that means hauled up, without having sustained
any severe injury. A child, whose name could not be as-
certained, getting too near the hole after the horse was out,
fell down, and on being picked up was conveyed in an in-
sensible state to Middlesex Hospital.
ANTI-CORN-LAW ASSOCIATION.—This Associa-
tion having resumed its weekly meeting, is steadily and
satisfactorily pursuing its inquiries, by which it has already
been enabled to accumulate a mass of information, which,
as containing many new facts tending to place the iniquitous
character of the Corn-laws in the fullest possible light, it is
the intention of the Chairman, Colonel Thompson, to
publish in a series of tracts. Lectures are also intended
to be given, a few weeks before the opening of Parliament,
by the leading liberal politicians of the day ; so that the
whole strength of the Association and its friends being
concentrated on the one grand object, little fear need he
entertained as to the result. The farmers who have been
consulted have, with scarcely any exception, expressed them-
selves favourably inclined. Sir William Molesworth, G.
Grote, Esq., M.P. ; J. Hume, Esq., M.P. ; John T. Lea-
der, Esq., M.P. ; D. W. Harvey, Esq., M.P. ; W. Theo-
bald, Esq., and W. Tait, Esq., are among those who have
promised their co-operation ; and it is expected that Lord
Brougham and other friends of the people in the House of
Peers,with whom a correspondence has taken place on the
subject, will render their aid in the good cause.
On Friday morning James Mayor, aged 14 years,
having possessed himself of a flask belonging to his father,
containing about 6ounces of gunpowder,was amusing himself
by sprinkling it over a lighted piece of paper, when the
whole ignited, and exploded with a tremendous report,
breaking several squares of glass, and shaking down a portion
of the ceiling. The boy's face was scorched and blackened
in a most dreadful manner, and great fears are entertained
that the sight of both eyes is entirely destroyed. His right
hand, in which he held the flask, was so shockingly shattered,
that amputation above the wrist is indispensable. He was
removed to St. Thomas's Hospital.

POST-OFFICE REFORM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR—The Parliament being summoned for February sth,
it is necessary to take steps to forward this desirable object,
and to break up the abominable nuisances of the Post-ofEee
—to do this public meetings should be called, and I am of
opinion a Common Hall should be summoned directly to
instruct their Members on such an important occasion.
Resolutions too, might be come to, and advertisements pub-
lished to show the interest the citizens of London take in a
matter by which they are so much oppressed, and towards
which the grievous rate of postage is made necessary in
order that the system of corruption may be carried on to
the great advantage of the heads of the office.

The Corporation, too, should do their part, and some pa-
triotic Alderman, or Common Councilman, move Resolu-
tions in that ancient Court, expressive of the interest they
take in the subject. Also Ward meetings too (which will
be held on St. Thomas's Day) should echo the cry, and one
general burst of indignation, from all ranks of the inhabitants,
might complete the object, and produce the happiest results
to all the people.

Dec. 8, -1838.

A CITIZEN.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—In drawing the attention of your readers this even-
ing to the prospectus of an institution, which, in common
with all friends of their species, I hope is but the precursor
of a total and complete change in the management of these
tremendous engines of individual oppression—Lunatic Asy-
lums, you assume that the projectors of this place of
" temporary retirement" are the first to take en enlarged
view of this worst of human maladies, and attempt to lead
the mind back to its proper tone, not by withholdimg brit
by qtfording all those luxuries or employments which the
unhappy inmates may have been accustomed to before their
severe deprivation. Your words are—" No one, we think,
can cast his eyes over this prospectus without perceiving
that the new Institution is founded on principles which
have never yet !blind their way into retreats for the insane,
namely, the principles of humanity and common sense.
Such establishments have hitherto been conducted as if
they had been intended to prevent rather than to promote
the restoration of reason," &e. Now, Sir, it is far from
my intention to detract from the merits of the Committee
of Management, but their claims to the gratitude of the
public must be allowed to rest not on the originating but
on the adoption of the principles of an asylum which has
already carried them into the most successful opera ion,
and has proved itself a brilliant exception to your sweeping
censure, which all who have paid the least attention to
this painful subject must be well aware is only too fully
borne out by the truth. I allude to the Montrose Lun itic
Asylum, an establishment presided over by a gentleman
eminent in his profession, and whose success in the treat-
ment of diseases of the mind has raised this institution to a
high rank, and entitles it to the distinction, which the
Committee of the Denham Park Institution, by adopting
not only its principles but the minutiae of its details, have
virtually accorded it, of being a model for all establish-
ments having the cure of lunacy in view.
In obtruding upon you these remarks I beg leave to re-
peat that I do not wish in the slightest degree to underrate
the claims of the gentlemen connected with the proposed
Asylum to public support, but only to do an act of justice
to the managers of an establishment, of the existence of
which possibly many of your readers were not hitherto
aware.

In conclusion, Sir, allow me to congratulate you on the
good your advocacy of this question in The Sun has al-
ready effected, and to hope that your exertions will never
be relaxed until private and public mad-houses are placed
under such a popular surveillance as shall relieve the public
mind from the fear of the former ever being again applied
o the gratification of fiendish and malignant hate.
Your most obedient servant,
W. H. C.

December 7, 1838.

For several hours last night the vicinities of Fins-
bury-square and Bishopsgate-street were in the greatest
state of excitement, from the occurrence of an alarming
conflagration suddenly bursting forth from the lower part of
a three-story brick building, in the occupancy of Mr. Lynes,
tailor, N 0.69, Sun-street. The Police immediately gave the
alarm, and made the most strenuous efforts to arouse the
inmates, who were asleep, but were unable for some ten
minutes to succeed, and it was not till the lower part of
the building was in one body of flame. It was then about

ten minutes to ten o'clock, when a female, apparently in
years, presented herself at the first floor window—retreat
by the staircase was an act of impossibility—and, by the
persuasions of the mob, she jumped out, and was caught by
several persons, without sustaining the least injury. Before
half-past ten the entire building was on fire from the base-
ment to the roof, and fired the house No. 1, in Lamb's-
alley, situated in the rear. Mr. Braidwood, the superin-
tendent, with an efficient body of the fire brigade, and
engines from the stations at Jeffery-square, Whitecross-
street, and Watling-street, were quickly in attendance, as
likewise were the firemen of the West of England Fire-
office and engines. The houses on each side, and also No.
1, in Lamb's-alley, have sustained slight damage, but not to
any great extent. Mr. Lynes is said to be insured to such
an extent as to cover the loss of his stock and furniture,
which are totally consumed.

The adjourned inquest touching the death of the
woman Pines, who it was alleged had died from the effects
of medicine improperly administered by the district-surgeon
of Isleworth, was resumed yesterday. Professor Everett,
who had analysed the remainder of the medicine, described
it as perfectly harmless, in proof of which he had hirdself
taken the quantity administered to the deceased. The
Coroner also drank a wine-glassful of it, as did several of
the Jury. The evidence most fully exonerated the surgeon
from all blame. Verdict—" Died by the visitation of
God."

FOREIGN RAIL-ROADS.-The Northern Imperial
Ferdinand Railway, from Vienna to Prague, advances ra-
pidly, having 20,000 labourers employed on it, and it•is
expected that the eighty miles to Brunn will be completed
this year. About sixteen miles have been already opened
for the amusement of the citizens of Vienna. The Aus-
trian laws relative to railways allow the projectors the pro-
fits of the undertaking (which must not exceed fifteen per
cent. on the capital) for fifty years, of er which period it
reverts to the Government. The carriage of the mails is
also stipulated for, and in every purchase,. sale, or other
contract made by the projectors, a Comanssoner on the
part of the Government is a necessary party. About
twelve miles of the Leipsic and Dresden Railway are
already opened from the former city. Also the railway
from Mannheim to Bale is in progress, and excites glowing
anticipations.—Athencettni.
It appears that the account relative to the affray at
Cobham, was much exaggerated. Neither of the keepers
have died, although one of them is severely hurt. Two
men have been apprehended on suspicion. Instead of a
gang of twenty, it appears the poachers did not number
more than four.

An inquest was held yesterday on the body of a
man, name unknown, who was found drowned in the
Eastern London Dock, at Shadwell. No evidence could
be obtained as to how the deceased came into the water,
and a verdict was returned accordingly. The following is
a description of the deceased's person, which may probably
lead to the body being identified. He appeared to have
been a sailor. The top joint of his middle finger was
gone ; the left aria was tatooed with the moon and stars,
and the figures of a man and a woman. The right arm was
very peculiarly marked, having the following letters in suc-
cession impressed thereon, viz.:—`• W.W., A. W. B.
M. W., W. W., and H. W.," together, with the full-
length figures of a man and woman, and two hearts united.
There was no money or property of any description in the
deceased's pockets.
TIIE TEA TRADE, MONDAY.—The deliveries last
week were not very extensive. They amounted to 391,9e5
lbs. The trade continues tolerably brisk.
The Thundercr, 84, is about to be commissioned
immediately ; we have not yet heard the name of the officer

likely to be appointed to command her.
THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW.---The short cam-
paign of Mr. Kean in Glasgow has been triumphantly suc-
cessful. Our citizens have shown that they admire and
love him for his own, as well as for his father's sake. He
has proved himself a son more than worthy of his sire ; for,
with all the genius the latter possessed, he has made him-
self conspicuous for an industry, an application, and a per-
severance, which would have raised his brilliant progenitor
more loftily on the pillar of fame. This combination of
genius and industry has led some of our London Contempo-
raries astray, who have argued so keenly regarding the
merits of the younger Kean. They have estimated him
according to his possession of the relative quantities of
each ; whereas his peculiar merit lies in the most eminent
possession of both. This forms his highest culogiurn ;
and
the manner in which he performed Hamlet, Othello, Mac-
beth, Richard I I 1., Sir Edward Mortimer,Claude Melnotte,
shows the eulogium to be highly merited. Glasgow will
long for his appearance again. The following address which
he delivered at parting, shows that modesty is also one of
the features of Mr. Kean's personal character. Being
loudly called for, he came forward and spoke as follows :
" Ladies and Gentlemen,--I should indeed be insensible to
kindness, were I not to respond with the most grateful ac-
knowledgments to the cordiality with which I have been
ever received by the Glasgow public. The life of an actor,
Ladies and Gentlemen, is one of continued toil and anxiety;
but toil and anxiety become light when animated by public
applause ; and the approbation of this important city will
not only stimulate me to fresh exertions, but will ever be
cherished with mingled pride and gratitude—Glasgow
Constitutional. •