The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-02 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.

---
Miss Kathleen Fitzwilliam, daughter of the cele-
brated actress, made a most successful debitt last night in
a farce called Peggy Green. The charade, she sus-
tained was that of a young girl, who, tired of a life in
town, where she has followed the calling of a milliner,
has returned to live with her aunt in the country, and
plagues her lover, a gay young man, who accidently finds
her in her retreat, by feigning to be another person and
assuming a country dialect, while she arouses his jea-
lousy by coquetting with his friend. All this was ex-
ceedingly well done by Miss Fitzwilliam. She has a
most pleasing person ; her manner is artless and unas-
suming, and she has her mother's good quality of giving
point to all she utters without exaggeration. In a
word, the character in her hands was a nice, complete,
little picture. Two or three songs were introduced,
which she sang very 'prettily and much in her mother's
style.
The piece is the merest trifle in the world, and can
only be considered as a work of the moment, written to
bring out the interesting young actress. Mr. Mathews
is the bustling town lover ; Harley, as a rural swain,
who has fallen in love with Peggy, plays with much
humour a part (unusual with him) in shich the chi. t
peculiarity is a country dialect Then Mr. Granby is a
pompous elderly beau, and there are half adi z-n milli-
ners out on a holyday to enliven the scece, and there
a cottage with landscape very well painted by Mr. 8.-
verley. The whole is less a drama than a tableau, the
central position in which is very prettily occupied by
Miss Fitzwilliam.

QUEEN'S THEATRE, HULL.—On Tuesday evening
this establishment closed for the season, the entertain-
ments being unner the patronage of Alderman Jones,
Esq., and the tradesmen of Hull, and for the benefit of
the spirited lesee, Mr. Egerton. The house was really
a bumper, and the performances of the first order. The
play was the Lady of Lyons, by Bulwer, the part of
Claude Melnotte by Mr. G. V. Brooke, from Liverpool,
an actor who, on this, as on many occasions, fully en-
titles himself to rank as a first-rate provincialist.
Pauline was sustained by Mrs. Carlton, in a very effec-
tive manner, and highly creditable to this lady's supe-
rior talents. Maria, the Child of the Regiment, closed the
evening's performance, in which Mr. Emery appeared
as Sergeant Austerlitz, and Mrs. Carlton, as Maria,
both of which were acted in a highly creditable manner.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAT.—The John R. Skiddy
Captain Luce, arrived last night from New York, after a
remarkably short passage of 15 days. She sailed on the
16th ult., and has brought 41,4001. in specie.
ARRIVAL or SPECIE. —The vessel Chilian, arrived
in the Docks from Iquique and Arica, has brought from
the latter place, in addition to a general cargo, 35 bars,
1 seron, 8 boxes, and 3 other packages of specie, con-
signed to several of the leading houses in the metrepolis.
The vessel Pbotbe, arrived iu the Docks from Port
Adelaide, South Australia, and the Cape of Good Hope,
has also brought from the former place several boxes
and other packages of specie, consigned to a mercantile
house and one of the colonial banks respectively.
MONEY MARKET.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 12 per mille, which, at the English Mint price of
31. 17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, gives an ex-
change of 25.45 ; and the exchange at Paris on London
at short being 25.671, it follows that gold is 0.88 per
cent, dearer in London than in Paris. By advices from
Hamburgh the price of gold is 4381 per mark, which at
the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 100, per ounce for
standard gold, gives an exchange of 13 11; and the ex-
change at Hamburgh on London at short being 13 13k,
it follows that gold is 0.68 per cent. dearer in Lon-
don than in Hamburgh. The course of exchange
at New York on London is 110 per cent. ;
and the par of exchange between England and
America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows
that the exchange is 0.43 per cent. in favour of England.
IBut the quoted exchange at New York being for bills
at 60 days' sight, the interest must be added to the
above difference.
KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.—By a return given
a meeting of the committee of management of the above
excellent charity, it appears that since the Ist of January,
1847, upwards of 15,000 patients participated in the
benefits of the out-door treatment, while during the same
period the resident patients numbered 1,121, being a very
considerable excess over those of any year since the
establishment of the hospital.
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION AT A PERCUSSION CAP
MANUFACTORT.—About noon on Saturday last an ex-
plosion of a most destructive and alarming nature oc-
curred on the extensive premises of Mr. Richard
Walker, percussion cap manufacturer, Graham-street,
in this town. The explosion took place in a building
consisting of three stories of workshops, and originated
in the middle range, spreading above, below, and on all
sides, and igniting the fulminating materials at which
the workmen were employed. The ceiling and floors
were shattered, and scarcely a single square of glass
was left whole throughout the entire building. For-
tunately, however, the workmen escaped with com-
paratively slight injuries, althOugh some of the
intoma-
chinery at which they were at work was broken
pieces, and forced to some distance.—Birmingham
Journal.
THE REPRESENTATION OF STOCKPORT.—AS is
now, we believe, a settled fact that Mr. f
sit
Co will
for the West Riding of Yorkshire, the. Liberal and free-
trade electors of Stockport have again called upon Mr.
Alderman Kershaw to become a candida for
to
been made in the repre-
sentation of the borough, and this call has a
requisition signed by upwards of 600 electors. Mr.
Kershaw last night attended a public meeting at the
Lyceum, at which he experienced a most hearty recep-
tion, and formally accepted the flattering invitation.
The meeting, which was convened by circular, was coin-
posed of about 850 persons, nearly all, if not all, of
whom were electors, and amongst whom were the lead-
ing members of the Liberal and free-trade party in the
town. The assemblage was a unanimous and most en-
thusiastic one, and the manly, temperate, and impressive
speech of Mr. Kershaw was received with frequent bursts
of cordial approbation... Manchester Examiner.
DEATH BY DROWNING OF JOHN CLASPER.—John
Clasper, a younger brother of Henry Clasper, and
whose match to ro w with Maddison we last week no•
ticed, was unfortunately drowned in the Tyne on Mon-
de!), evening. The Clasper family, it seems, are indus-
trious wherrymen, and
on the night in question, about
nine n•nleek, John, a brother of his, were returning
from their work to Derwenthaugh, and had reached
within a short distance of home, when the pole with
whict
h the younger Clasper was pushing forward the
boa slipped from under him, and he was thrown into
the river. He never rose to the surface, so far as his
brother could perceive, and his body was not recovered
till four o'clock on the following morning.

1 Mr. Alderman H. E(uairEs than rose to move the
adoption of the report. That report, while it brought
to the minds of the subscribers the pleasing recollection
that they had aided in providing a large amount of fee/
for their indigent brethren during the last winter, con•
veyed to them also the disagreeable fact that the institu.
tion was very considerably in debt,--a state of things
which had not existed at any antecedent period. But the meeting would remember that it was they
themselves who enjoined upon the committee the
opening of the kitchen during the last inclement MUMa
earlier than usual, thus causing an increased outlay.--,
(Hear.) He hoped it would be borne in mind that
that institution distributed among the poor the best
articles, in the most ample metige, and at a compara-
tively insignificant cost—delivering, as they did, at the
houses of these parties, for the small sum of 6d., a quan-
tity of coals which, if purchased at the ordinary .shops.
would probably cost ls. 6d., besides being of infenor
quality, and perhaps deficient weight. The prospects of
the poor during the approaching winter were exceed..
ingly gloomy. A greater amount of sickness had seldom.
prevailed than at present ; and therefore the assistance
of the public was needed more than ever for that
excellent charity, and he trusted it would not be want,
ing.—(Hear, hear.)

-Mr. Alderman IV ri,soN seconded the adoption of the
report, which was then unanimously carried.
Mr. Under-Sheriff WIRE, after a warm appeal in
support of the charity, moved .4 that the mode of Mitt
administered by the Association during the two past
years, by coals only, having given much satisfaction,
both to the subscribers and also to the recipients of the
charity,, the same be continued during the prsisent
season.'

Mr. Deputy BEDFORD seconded the motion, which
was unanimously carried, as were all the resolutions
which followed; viz., the thanks of the mmeting to Mr.
Alderman Kelly, and. their request that he would
continue to act as vice-president and treasurer ; the re-
appointment of Mr. Lott as secretary ; the thanks of the
meeting to the former committee, and the appointment
of a new one ; the grant of a dozen tickets to each sub-
scriber present, and the thanks of the meeting to the
Lord Mayor for ,his ability, impartiality, and courteous
conduct during the evening, which resolutions were
moved respectively by Mr. Alderman Gibbs, Mr. Lee
Wilson, the Rev. Mr. Durham, Mr. Deputy Bedford,
and the Rev. Michael Gibbs. The meeting then Mips-.
rated.

FREE TRADE.—TESTIMONIAL TO Ma. WICKHAM.
Yesterday a meeting was held at No. 4, Charlotte-
row, of gentlemen who had taken a leading part in
anti-corn-law agitation in the metropolis, to consider
the best measures for raising a sum to purchase an
annuity for Mr. William Wickham. P. A. d aylor, Esq,,
took the chair. There ware present—Colonel T. P.
Th‘bmpson, M.P., W. J. Fox, ALP , %V. J. MD, Eng.,
Arthur Paulson, jun., Esq., &c. &c. Mr. Hall moved
the tirst resolution, which was to the effect, that Et:
Wickha:n, after devoting :natty years wi:h great ever-y
and success to the free-trade cause, is now by hi:Cia-
creasing age and infirmiti, s precluded from the possiti-
lity of seeking out and following any other channel of
utility and employment, and that a subscription I,r,
raised, as noticed above. Colonel 'l'. P. Thompi,•o,,
M.P., seconded the resolution, and said he considtstdl
their present object an excellent example to those et:01
have walked out of the common track of life to work in
the public cause. For his part he responded to the, call
to provide for the (kenning years of Mr. Wickhara—
Mr. Pattison moved the next resolution—to appoint*
committee to carry the toregoing propositions into effect.
It was seconded by W. J. Fox, M.P., who observed that
he could speak with perhaps a better knowledge of Mr.
Wickham than any one present, as he had known his
family at Chichester, his native town, which he was
compelled to leave chiefly through a political persecu-
tion, canted by Ya steadfast adherence to the Liberal
cause ; and it gave him (Mr. Fox) much pleasure to
find him subsequently engaged in the cause of the Anti.
Corn-law League. After some further observativu*
from other gentlemen, bearing testimony to the cha-
racter and services of Mr. Wickham, and suggestions
for carrying out the objects of the meeting, a sub•com•
mittee was formed—P. A. Tayler, Esq., chairman, A.
L. Saul, Esq., hon. secretary and treasurer—and the
meeting adjourned.

THE- LATE SUICIDE IN THE SURREY ZOOLO-
GICAL GARDENS.—Yesterday Mr. W. Carter held as
inquest of three hours' duration, at the Royal George,
Newington, on the body of Ann Smith, aged 24, Who
committed suicide in the Royal Surrey Zoological Gar-
dens. Matthews, the moneytaker at the gardens, proved
having received one shilling from the deceased for her
admission to the gardens, and also to his having Wine
time afterwards been called to the deceased, who at this
period was lying on her face near the giraffe house. He
sent for a surgeon, who pronounced her dead. Mr. /la,
jun., surgeon, said that deceased had died froth the

effects of the essential oil of almonds. He had made a
post mortem examination of the body and found that Ole
was enceinte. A sister of the deceased said that she
was not aware of the condition deceased was in. Ate
assistant to Mr. Thomas, surgeon, said that deceased
purchased fourpence worth of essential oil of almonds
on Wednesday last, which she said she wanted for fla-
vouring pastry. The coroner spoke in strong terms
upon the impropriety of selling such deadly poisons So
persons, and hoped that something would soon be done
by the Legislature to put a stop to it. The jury returned
a verdict of g Temporary insanity."
INCENDIARY FlRE.—During the night of Thurs/ay
last, an alarming fire, supposed to be the work of all
incendiary, was discovered on the farming premises of
Mr. Wright Gittus, of Shimpling Hall, in this county.
The fire, which was first observed by a miller employed
in the adjacent windmill, appeared to originate in one
of the barns, but before the family received the alarm.
the flames had communicated to the other barn, and
were increasing with fearful rapidity. The engine fro
Chadacre Hall, another from Hartest, and two from Lone
Melford, were speedily on the spot, but although the sup
ply of water was excellent, the fire had already gained}
so great an ascendance as to defy the most etrerens of
uftg
of
efforts to extinguish it. The produeg4B ac
wheat (with the exception of 27 coonis'
delivered), 21 acres of barley (with h
'
beexteehrpaisihonedefa'z'2l
coombs), 13 acres of oats (with the exception of M
coombs), and 25 acres of
peas,
were entirely consumed,
cows, a
valuable and l 6 store pigs.
yearling;
'w
Ttohgereteherhewi
heifers,
on
one
filly were also much injured. Three aggon.
ecobwr,sm six
n, and •
dressing machine, sheep troughs, hurdles, BGc
(and a thrashing machine, the latter the property of Mr..
Fenton, were likewise destroyed. The buildings be.
longed to the trustees of the Melford Hospital, and were
sWitirionghint Gwihttittest:
tihne the
flames Farmers"
insured in the Norwich Union-office; and the farming;
rm
weers
stock, :
thecm profreortmy of Mr.
Fire ffio
first discovered, no doubt exists
that the fire was caused by an incendiary. The • exertions of the labourers
throughout wore most active.—B
!try and Suffolk Herald.
UNIVERSITY TESTS. The Liberal students attend—
ing the Glasgow University, h
Right Honourable Lord John Ravingforwarded to thew
for
presentation in petition to the House of Commons for a repeal of the*
University Tests, the following
answer, acknowledging
the receipt of the petition, with the accompanying }.star,
has been received by James AVG-hie:
" Downing-street, Nov. 27, 1847.—Sir,—I am direacil
by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of:'
your letter, and of the petition enclosed, which he wilt
present to the House of Commons. I am further directed

to state, that it would have given his Lordship great
pleasure to pay a visit to Glasgow during the summer,
but that he was requested to defer it until NoventlY.r,
when, as it has happened, ho has been wholly prevented
from quitting London, on account of the great pressure
of public business, and the meeting of Parliament. j
have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient cer►ant—R. W.
GREY.—James M'Ghie, Esq."—North British Mail.
Asuroun.—The death of our vicar, the Rev. T.
Wood, took place very suddenly on Tuesday evening.
He had been suffering from a cold for several day ~
which had a great effect upon him, as be was at a very
advanced age. A friend taking tea with him suddenly
perceived a great difference in him, and in the course of
five minutes he had ceased to exist. The rev. path?,
man was formerly tutor of . the present Earl of Romney
and was presented to the living by the late Elio
Ara idstene Gazette,

ASSOCIATION FOR THE RELIEF
OF THE POOR.
Last night the annual meeting of the subscribers and
friends of the Association for the Relief of the Poor of
the City of London and parts adjacent, was held in the
City of London Coffee-house, Ludgate-hill, the Lord
Maynr in the chair. There were about 100 persons
present.
The minutes of the last meeting having been resod and
confirmed, Mr. Lou, the secretary, read the report of the
committee, which stated that, in compliance with the de-
sire expressed at the last annual meeting, the di.stributiort
of coals was commenced nearly three weeks earlio ,than
the time at w
during
hichithad been usual to open the kitchen. and
was continued 14 weeks, from December 14 to
March 20, with the exception only of Christmas-day.
During that period, 27,958 cwt. of coals were delivered
at the rate of 6d. for every 1121 b. The whole distri—
bution exceeded that of the previous season by 115 tone,
and that of the year 1845-46 by 389 tons. The useful•
ness of the institution, therefore, had not diminished,
but advanced ; a circumstance which could not fail
to yield the greatest gratification to every one who'
was at all acquainted with the condition of the
indigent families in the City and neighbourhood,
and who was aware of the extent to which :the pro—
vision of fuel contributed to their health and comfort
during the inclement winter months. It was also a,
cause of congratulation that the places of the subscribers
whose support had ceased in the course of the year had
been more than re-occupied by the names of new eon.
tributors; but the committee were compelled to avow
considerable anxiety in looking forward to the future.
Having commenced with only the small sum of 74. 6s. 2d.
in hand, and having been under the necessity of inoirring
a considerable increase of expenditure in order to a:Ny.4
closing the kitchen at a period which the friends of the
poor would have deemed exceedingly inoppoitune,
they found themselves embarrassed with a debt,
at the opening of the present season, Of nce
less than 1711., and that notwithstanding the
recent aid of the Corporation of London, and -their
munificent grant of 2001. ; yet the committee ventured
to believe that their determination not to close the
kitchen at a time when the wants of the poor seete
culiarly urgent was one which that meeting would not
refuse to sanction, and they cast themselves, theziefore,
with the cause which they advocated, on the support
and liberality which never had been known tb
within the walls of the City. Mr. Lott also read to the
meeting a statement of the receipts and disbursements,
from which it appeared that the subscriptions during
the year had amounted to 1,227/.; the sum received
from the sale of coals, 669/. 6s. ; the cash borrowed,
300/. ; making, with a few other items, a total =receipt
of 2,2614 9s. Bd. The disbursements included 1,5154
for coals, and a repayment of the loan to the extent of
2001.