The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-16 00:00:00

POLYTECIINIC INSTITUTION

! ,As the subject of Submarine operations is one at
the present moment of some importance, a few obser-
, vittions on the science may not be uninteresting to
our readers, particularly as we shall give a descrip-
' tion of a very useful and ingenious piece of apparatus
Which has recently made its appearance, and promises
to be of very considerable advantage to all persons
engaged in that hazardous occupation. From the
cumbrous size of the diving-bell its utility to the pur-
poses of submarine research was but limited, and until
the introduction of the diving-helmet much remained
to be done. This apparatus, as is well known, con-
sists of a cap or helmet, into which is inserted a tube,
by means of which the diver, when under water, is
supplied with the necessary quantum of air, and this
supply is necessarily driven into the helmet from air-
pumps, considerable pressure being requisite to over-
come the resistance opposed by the water, which
would, if an opening in the helmet were permitted, of
course fill it, and drown the diver. From this circum-
stance up to the present period it has not been found
possible to communicate verbally with him whilst at
his occupation under water, the only means existing
for making known the wishes of either party being
by signals, a method which is evident to every person
must be in many cases of little value, nay, from a
signal being misunderstood, the most lamentable con-
sequences might ensue. The invention alluded to
consists in the application of a membrane to the orifice
of a tube placed in such a manner that the vibration
of the atmosphere enables a conversation to be carried
on between the man at the bottom and those above, by
the action on the tympanum of the ear. 'We believe
it is the invention of a Bristol gentleman, named
Hyde, to whom much honour is due for so simple and
important a discovery. The apparatus is daily exhi-
bited in operation in the water at the Polytechnic
Institution, and will shortly be applied to the diving-
bell of that establishment.

THE MONEY PRESSURE.
TO TUB EDITOR OF TUE MORNING POST.
Sir,—Five months ago (viz., on the 4th of May)
an experienced mercantile friend of mine drew Lord
John Russell's attention "to the then commercially
dangerous position of England, and entreated him not
to be misled by the opinion of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer and of those London merchants and
bankers who absurdly fancied that the worst of the
financial crisis was passed, and that the tide had
favourably turned."
My said friend also* recommended Lord John to
" discreetly prepare not only for a continuance of the
then existing pressure, but for its extension into quar-
ters where it had then been felt but slightly ; ' and
likewise suggested that the safest and simplest remedy
for the impending evil was a temporary increase in
the circulating medium through the agency of the
railway companies. Allowing them to issue 21. and
51. notes to the amount of 10,0001. per mile, payable
at the end of five years, with interest at five per cent.
(equal to a penny in the pound per calendar month),
and making each respective railway responsible for
the preferential payment of its notes ; but forbidding
the issue of any such notes without the sanction of
three-fifths of the railway shareholders, and no rail-
way note to be a legal tender unless by a mutual
contract in writing, the contract to be free of stamp
duty.
Time having proved the correctness of my friend's
forewarning, and as such railway notes would be issued
on a much more secure basis than those of any coun-
try banker, and quite as secure as those of even the
Bank of England, and such railway notes would
prove more valuable as well as more convenient than
Exchequer-bills, what valid objection can be raised
against his proposed mode of extending relief to rail-
way shareholders ? Whatever relieves them from the
present awful pressure for money must indirectly re-
lieve our merchants and manufacturers; and thus, not
only would the ship be quickly righted, but she would
be gradually steered towards more permanent pros-
perity than she has ever yet enjoyed.
Out of the hundred Members of the new Parlia-
ment said to be interested in .railways could not half
of them meet and discuss the importance of some
combined effort for the prevention of still greater
mischief ?—Respectfully yours, ZACCHO.
Oct. 13, 1847.

Cardinal Joseph Alberghini has just died at Rome,
aged seventy-seven. lle was nominated by Pope Gre-
gory XVI.. _

A wag in Pennsylvania not long since purchased a
fine horse. Returning from a ride a few days after-
wards, he said he had discovered a quality in this animal
which added fifty dollars to its value—it shied at a bum-
bailiff I

A FEMALE TURPIN.—Last week a gentleman was
knocked down by a woman, on llartside, a mountainous
ridge which separates Alston from Melmerby, and robbed
of notes and gold to a considerable amount. The lady
was afterwards taken at Melmerby, and has since been
committed to Carlisle gaol to take her trial for the
offence.—Kendal Mercury.
The Right Hon. Fox Maule, Secretary at War, is
expected to arrive in Grosvenor-street, early in the en-
suing week, from his shooting quarters in Perthshire.
The mortal remains of the late Right Hon. Sir
Robert Gordon, G.C.8., were removed from Balmorrel,
near Aberdeen, on Thursday last, to Haddo, where the
obsequies were to take place yesterday in the presence
of the Earl of Aberdeen, and all the members of the
deceased's family in Scotland.
INCENDIARISM.-5201. REWARD.—Yesterday a re-
ward of 5201. was offered by the Yorkshire Fire and
Life Assurance Company and the neighbouring gentry,
for the discovery and conviction of the person or persons
who, on the 30th ult., maliciously set fire to a straw
stack on the farm of Mr. Charles Lister, of Colby Heath,
which communicated to and destroyed other property,
amongst which were three stacks of clover, two stacks
of hay, and a stack of wheat, which, besides some cart
sheds, were totally consumed.
THE CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON C0AC11......We ven-
ture to affirm that the starting of the first stage coach
that ever took the road did not create half so much of a
sensation as the departure of the new coach, at ten
'o'clock on Monday morning, on its first trip to London.
The street around the Woolpack Inn was literally
mobbed. The street along the pavement to the Petty
Cury on one side and to Market street on the other. In
the middle of this assemblage opposite the court-way of
the inn, stood the new coach; yes, reader, a veritable hone
fide new stage coach, bright and sparkling, with four mag-
nificent steeds pawing the ground as if they were eager to
run a race with the Eastern Counties Railway, or any
other line or locomotive in the kingdom. Then there
was the guard with his soul-stirring bugle, playing all
manner of tunes, from the " Old Hundredth' to the
" Laird of Cockpen." Each turned to his neighbour
with a significant grin, as much as to say, " Well, friend,
don't you think that a phenomenon ? Are we going
backward or forward ? or are lwe standing on our
headsars?, smack"Thenwecnamt
the whip, tonngrooufnd woe'nclt the wheel
Mary's, ,
the bugle struck up a " lira-lira-la," which woke the
echoes of the Gog-magog hills, and as the steeds dashed
through the crowd, a long burst of acclamation followed
the disappearing phenomenon. 7 Cand.)rid ye Advertiser.
FORGERY.—Yesterday, information was received
by the police that a man about 28 years of age, dressed
like a butcher, had obtained from Messrs. Hill and
Sons, bankers, West Sm.thaeld, 721. 14s. by means of a
forged order,