The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH. APRIL 21.—The Victory, :04, Captain
Pasco, was visited last evening by the newly-appointed
Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and Commander-in-
' Chief of. the South West District, Major-General Lord
Frederick Fitzclarence, G.C.8., Lady and the Hon.
Miss Fitzclarence; attended by Brevet Major Harvey,
A.D.C. The distinguished party were escorted over the
ship by Captain Pasco, who paid every respect to his
gallant visitor, saluting him with 15 guns on leaving the
ship, with which he had previou,ly expressed his deep
interest. This morning his Lordship trooped the guard
(comprising detachments of the 42d Highlanders, 43d
Light Infantry, the 56th, 91st, and 97th Regiments), on
the grand parade, for the first time, in the presence of a
numerous and brilliant assemblage of spectators. In a
few days his Lordship will go on leave pending the re-
pairs of the Government House. At present his Lord-
ship resides and transacts all his official business at the
George Hotel.
The news of the loss of the Thunderbolt steam-sloop,
Commander Boyle, created a most lively feeling of ap-
prehension amongst all in this neighbourhood who have
relations or friends on board, as, although Lloyd's re-
ports no lives lost, it is feared, from the frightful nature
of the seas where she has gone k‘,lloro, that a loss will
inevitably have taken place either by the wreck or the
endeavour to save some of her materials. she was a
very fine steam sloop of the first class, being of 1,055
tons burden, and 280 horse power; built at this dock-
yard ia 1841, on the design of Sir I'v illiarn Symonds,
surveyor of the navy. Like the Sphynx, this was her
first service at sea. She was commissioned first on the
28th of November, 1842, by Com:made!. G. N. Broke
(son of the hero who fought the Shannon in her memor-
able engagement with the Chesapeake), promoted, after
being three years in her, to the rank of. captain ; her
present commander succeeded to the appointment on the
Ist of January, 1846. She has been absent from Eng-
land five years and four months, during which time she
has done her work well. She was under oraers for
England to be paid off.
The Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Brown, was
ordered into harbour to coal for temporary service, which
order she completed on Monday; but yesterday morning
another order was issued for her to proceed with re-
plenishing fuel, as her services will be wanted for a spe-
cial purpose.

Tile Eurydice, 26, Capt. Talavera Anson, sailed from
Simon's Bay for Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, on the
Bth of February.
The defects of the Dee steam transport, which were
very great, there being nearly 50 plugs or patches in
her boilers alone, have been, at tike urgent order of the
Admiralty temporarily repaired, and she has been
coaled, watered, and made ready to proceed to Scotland
with provisions, which she is now shipping.
Tile Britannia, 120, received a new bowsprit and
mizen-mast in the basin to day. When the Recruit
comes out, she will be docked to have her waterwa3s
repaired, and other defects made good, which will occupy
about a month.

A nautical mile has been measured, and is being
marked out by sight posts, on the beach at Stokes' Bay,
for steamers to test their rate of speed by. It was sug-
gc:qed by Captain Sherringharn, of the Dasher, and has
been executed under the direction of Mr. Murray, Chief
Engineer of this dockyard, Mr. Charles Brown, Master
Attendant, and Capt. James, Royal Engineer, Director
of Works.

WINDSOR CASTLE IMPROVEMENTS.—The comple-
tion of the extensive improvements of Windscr Castle, pro-
jected by his late Majesty King George the Fourth and his
favourite architect, Sir Jeffery Wvattville, were commenced
on Tuesday last, by the sale and demolition of the old houses,
erected in the reign of James the First for the accommodation
of five additional poor knights; but which houses, though
they have long since fallen to decay, have been sufered to
remain, blocking up all prospect from the Castle, and hiding
a great part of the Castle, and the whole of the Chapel of St.
George, from the surrounding country. At the special sug-
gestion of her Majesty and the Prince Consort these ruinous
places have been sold by auction, and are now in a course of
removal, the purchasers having contracted with the Com-
missioners of the Woods and Forests to have them cleared
away by the 4th of May next. The space they have occu-
pied will then be converted into a public terrace walk, in-
tended eventually to be continued all along the western front
of the Castle wall, until it joins the celebrated North-terrace,
erected by Queen Elizabeth, and so universally admired by
all persons of taste. The next obstruction to the carrying
out of this grand improvement is the mass of miserable huts,
originally constructed in the reign of Edward 111., appa-
rently of mere lath and plaster, patched with old packing
cases, and which have been so long suffered to block up and
disgrace the great western entrance of St. George's Chapel,
under the designation of the Horse-shoe Cloisters; and as
these hovels are now in a state of miserable decay, and can-
not much longer serve for the dwellings of human beings, it
is expected that the Dean and Chapter will consent to their
almost immediate removal in furtherance of her Majesty's
wish ; and in order that the much-desired improvement of
the castle and chapel may not be wilfully impeded.
ROYAL SOUTH LONDON FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
—The first flower show of the above society for the present.
season was held at the Horns Tavern. Kennington, yester-
day. The number of flowers on show was very numerous,
and of the highest order, chiefly consisting of ericas, azaleas,
auriculas, and cinerarias. There was also a small
quantity of fruit and vegetables, comprising some
very fine strawberries, and a small lot of choice
beans. Among the prizes awarded were the Royal
Adelaide Cup, presented by her Majesty the Queen Dowager
for the best collection of miscellaneous plants, Mr. W. P.
Ayres; gold Adelaide medal for the best collection of miscel-
laneous plants, 18 pots (orchideous plants excluded), Mr.
Bruce ; ditto, second class, Mr. Pawley ; large sil-
ver Adelaide medal for the best collection of six
auriculas, Mr. W. Sandilands ; small silver Vic-
toria medal, for the best pair of auriculas, Mr.
W. S. Ginger; small silver Victoria medal for the best
eighteen heartsease (dissimilar), Mr. J. Edwards; large
silver Linnwan medal (offered by 11. Wooler, Esq.), for the
best six Indian azaleas (distinct varieties), Mr. Ayres; small
silver Victoria medal (offered by Mr. W. Ivery), for the best
twelve cinerarias (in pots), dissimilar, Mr. Robinson. Extra
prizes given by the Society :—To Mr. Hemp, for eighteen
miscellaneous plants; to Mr. Sandi:ands and Mr. Chapman,
for collections of auriculas; to Mr. Fawley, for collection of
azaleas; to Mr. Wood, for Alpine plants; to Mr. Willis, for
a dish of strawberries; to Mr. Parsons, for a pineapple; to
Mr. Young, for French beans; to Mr. Curtis, for a brace of
cucumbers; to Mr. P. Munnock, for six miscellaneous plants.
The show was welt attended by a numerous and fashionable
company.
CATHOLIC INSTITIIT.E.—Yesterday the annual meet-
ing of the members of the Catholic Institute of Great Britain
was held at St. Edward's Roman Catholic Schools, Great
Windmill-street, Haymarket. The society has for its objects
the education of poor Roman Catholic children. and afford-
ing grants of money towards improving and supporting
schools. The Earl of Shrewsbury in the chair. The report
was read by the Rev. T. T. Fergusson, the secretary. The
receipts during the past year were 1,822/. 15s. 11d., being
considerably less than the preceding year. The report was
unanimously adopted. It was then moved and seconded,
" That this meeting, deeply impressed with the outrage
offered to the rights of conscience by the declaration of her
Majesty's present Government, that Catholics are to be ex-
cluded from a participation in the grant of 100,0001. to be
voted by Parliament for all other religious communions,
call upon all classes of their fellow-Catholics to unite in one
ery of indignant reprobation at this insulting exception from
a public grant paid out of the public funds, under the admi-
nistration of a Ministry who have appropriated to themselves
a title of liberal, but whose shrinking policy is that of a
bigoted sect, who have countenanced the worst features of
religious intoleratien." This resolution, moved by the Hon,
C. Langdale, seconded by Bishop Wiseman, was carried
amidst much applause. Other resolutions of a pro fornid
character were also adopted, when the Noble Chairman hav-
ing vacated the chair, read the draft of a petition to both
Houses of Parliament against the proposed Government mea-
sure, which was adopted. The thanks of the meeting were
cordially voted to the Noble Earl for his presidency on the
occasion, and the meeting broke up.
ALARMING FIRE AT BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE.—
Last night, between eight and nine o'clock, a fire that caused
great alarm along the water-side, but which did no consider-
able damage, broke out in the premises known as Albion-
wharf, Holland-street, Blackfriar's-road, the property of Mr.
Crosier, lime-merchant, &c. It commenced in a large
wooden shed filled with cement and lime, and very speedily
the flames burst through the sides and roof, so that for some
time a most serious conflagration was apprehended. The
light thrown out was so great that the fire was distinctly
a
visible from the several bridges. In the course of few
ebrnifgatdhen avnodyWalesstoooifetEy nfoge-
tlmah niend upat
ve.stt et
ercdtg e(1::::onf fLa
faheoetfhroLeoninesdc/oa,nrre. An abundant supply of
water was obtained, and the Farringdon-street engine was
set to work, and in the space of half an hour the flames were
entirely extinguished. The cause of the fire could not be
ascertained, but it is supposed-to have originated from some
lime slacking.
FIRE IN HANOVER.—HILDENSHEIM, APRIL 10.—
Yesterday evening, during a most frightful storm, the tows
of Bockenem was reduced to ashes; only a few out of 330
houses remain standing.
One of the largest silk manufactories in Brussa
caught fire last week, and was almost wholly destroyed.
The damage is estimated at 250,000 piastres.
SUICIDE IN A HOUSE OF ILL-FAME.--Mr. W.
Payne and a jury of nineteen inhabitants of St. George's,
Southwark, assembled last evening at the Angel
death of
Webber-street, Blackfriars-road, to investigate_t
Louisa Barnard, aged 22 years, who
house of ill-fame on the morning of Tuesday
_oliewng
i evidence :
circumstances briefly described in the f
4 r?yahe herself in a
este
last, under the
tphrroeveeod'clhoacvkinong
the morning of Tuesday
beenM r ' B
calledatese nt
,0
ee surgeon,deceee e
do I- Waterloo-road, au tat etrhl o 0a314f-:r op
Herbert's-buildings.
cation. Mr.
She was quit eHdeenardy, and appeared polpfascakdi
ncteos
shtarve
eet diedLa
mfrboemt b uwtio;
next Ailed. He had known
night.
wenttwelve
to bed mon
tt
ohgs,e
th:an
was with her on Monday
about eleven o'clock. He went to sleep in about ten minute!.
He awoke about three o'clock, and, missing deceased from
his side, looked up, and by the light of a candle which wa.
burning in the room, saw her hanging at the foot of a-
bed. He immediately jumped out of bed, cut her dowr
naneods ic
isttunawaonrtacrseea, ltipaelrperfectly which
ecanctctlhoyueatnrcrurtio
nvefoterrdtathhnitc:
and then called for obi
They
ylvs
tmhiaetdnd terms,ei
hcs as couldalaa
about
deceased'seyt
wereen
aocnt.T
minutes.te
th
he contemplated marrying her, though the day was not ye
fixed. It was further proved by the deceased's own motlue
that she had made frequent previous attempts on her ow:
life, and, after a few remarks, from the Learned Coroner on the
melanchy nature of the case, the jury returned a verdict to
the following effect :—" That deceased had destroyed herseh
while labouring under temporary insanity."
CHATHAM, APRIL 21. ARRIVAL OF TROOPS
FROM INDIA. —At eight o'clock last evening a detachment
of the 9th Regiment of Foot arrived at the invalid depot,
Fort Pitt, from Gravesend, at which port they disembarked
from the ship Southampton, 970 tons burden, Captain W
A. Bowen, commander. These troops, consisting of 1 quee
termaster-sergeant, 2 sergeants, 3 corporals, and 56 private`
were inspected by the chief medical officer, Dr. Frenc•
when it was found necessary to place 19 of them, sick an.
wounded, in hospital. The remainder were removed to S
Mary's Barracks at Brompton, to be discharged on pensio:
according to length of servitude, Six women and
children, with a drummer of the 53d, came with the detac:
ment. Tee passage was completed in three months and
days: during that time Corporal Thomas Eccles, of the 9
Foot, died of dysentery. These troops left their head-quarte
at Meerut on the 4th Octoherlast, and embarked at Calente
on the 31st of December. under the command of Captain
M. Bethune, of the 9th Foot. Twenty men out of the num
ber come home have seen 21 years' service. The wholes,
those that are come home were engaged in the late war wit ,
the Seikhs, under the command of Sir Hugh Gough.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY).
GROUP I.

The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of
the schemes comprised in this group, Mr. We at the usual
hour this morning in Room 30 ; Mr. W. 0. Stanley in the
chair.

---
Ting BRIGHTON ran) KENT SCHEME.
Mr. Rice, M.P. for Dover, gave general evidence in favour
of this scheme.
Mr. Selby, land valuer, proved that the value of the land
to be taken between London and Tunbridge and Maidstone
was 99,7681.45. 6d., including compensation and severance.
Mr. Austin, another land valuer, proved the value of the
land between Maidstone and Canterbury to be 60,3871.
Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, the deputy-chairman of the Lon-
don, Brighton, and South Coast Company, was next
examined. He stated that no inconvenience had resulted
to the public from the joint use and occupancy
of the Croydon line. He had for two or three years past
attended the various meetings which had been held in the
county of Kent to consider the various projects which
were from time to time got up for supplying the county
with railway accommodation. He attended the different
meetings held in February last to consider the two schemes
before the Committee, and certainly it appeared to him that
their meetings were unanimously in favour of the Brighton
line. He was an advocate for applying competition to
railways, because it tended to advance public convenience
and advantage. The original estimate of the Croydon line
was 140,0001.; the actual outlay had been one million.
Mr. Wilkinson was cross-examined by Mr. MErtE-
WETIIER—He was aware of the low scale of fares which
the Brighton Company were prepared to submit to the Com-
mittee, but he had never stated a lower scale at any of the
numerous public meetings he had attended, nor had-he ever
pledged the Brighton Company to charge the low scale men-
tioned by Mr. Talbot over all the existing Brighton lines,
though he believed that the company were quite ready to
do so. Last year he admitted that there was no case for
their going beyond Maidstone, or indeed for their going so
far as Maidstone, but this year the case was altered. He
was decidedly an advocate for competition on railways, that
was, so far as biddings for new lines were concerned. Last
year the Bent Atmospheric Company bid for their line fares
as low as lid. per mile for first-class passengers, and
charges in the same proportion for the second
and third-class passengers, and had that bid been
accepted, he felt convinced it would have succeeded. The
first outlay on a railway was of minor importance as an ele-
ment in estimating fares. The regulation of the charges
to the public depended more upon the cost of work-
ing. What he meant by competition was not the
running of two parallel railways to one point, but
two companies having the power to work over por-
tions of the same line upon equal terms. For instance,
the Portsmouth Direct line woald be open to the South-
Western, and the Brighton Company, and both would have
an interest in getting the most traffic, which would have the
effect of always insuring low fares to the public. That was
a wholesome system of competition, but competition in the
case of two parallel lines would ever be ruinous, and produce
disadvantageous results to the public.
On examination by the CHAIRMAN, Mr. Wilkinson stated
that the Brighton Company did not contemplate running the
continental traffic rid Canterbury, because with the level
line of the South-Western Company the through journey
going by way of Tunbridge could be performed in about the
same time as going by way of Canterbury, or any extension
line from Canterbury to 'Thayer. It was highly probable
that eventually there would be an amalgamation, or some
arrangement come to between the two companies.
EEGINEEEING EVIDENCE.
Mr. Sherrad stated that.he had laid out the Brighton line
under the direction of Mr. Cubitt. The line of the Brighton
Company was four miles shorter to Tunbridge than
the proposed South-Eastern line. The new line to
be constructed py the Brighton Company between
London and Tunbridge would be twenty-five miles, six fur-
longs, and two chains. The present distance from London
to Tunbridge was forty-one miles. To reduce that distance
he should have to encounter considerable heavy works,
but although costly, they would be easily sur-
mounted. At Ottord he encountered a tunnel of 2,596
yards in length, similar to the one air. Stephenson
had upon his line last year at the same point. The next
large work was a tunnel in the neighbourhood of Seven
Oaks, 2,886 yards in length; but the strata were firm and
good, and the tunnel could be easily made. From that
boring to Tunbridge there were no very material works
encountered.

The Committee adjournei at the usual hour till twelve
o'ziock to-morrow (this clay.)

GROUP V.

The Committee met this morning at twelve. Present,
Lord H. Vane, Chairman ; lion. M. Gore, Hon. M, Sattor,
Mr. Rice, and Sir E. FThner.
WINDSOR, STAINES, IiND SOUTH-WES-

TEEN (R.XCRIVIOND TO WIN DSO

WINDSOR, ST I XNES, ill VD SOUTH-WES-

TEPN (STAINES TO ASCOT. &.c.)

Mr. MACAULAY continued the traffic evidence in favour of
the projected lines.
Mr. Ashby, a bargemaster and coal merchant, said the
water carriage to Staines to and from London was 10,000
tons annually, and through Staines about 135,000 tons. At
present, in order to reach the south and south-west from the
neighbourhood of Brentford, much use was necessarily made
of the Grand Junction Canal to convey the goods to London,
where they were re-loaded on the railway, and dispatched so
far backwards to their destination.
A number of other witnesses were examined, and gave
evidence of the local advantages at different points on the
route to be derived from the lines.
Lord Morpeth, as Chief Commissioner of Woods and
Forests, was then examined in reference to the line from
Staines to Windsor. He said the subject of railways to
Windsor had been very much under his consideration, with
a view to dealing with the property of the Crown Plans
were submitted for the projected line by the South-Western
in the month of October last, showing that they
trenched considerably on Crown property in the
neighbourhood of Richmond, Egham, and Windsor. That
project seemed to him well calculated to accommodate
the wants of the district, and to give access to the heart of
the metropolis by London-bridge. He did not think his
evidence on the merits of the line would be worth much as
against any other line ; but to him the public interest seemed
to justify the interference with property. The South-Wes-
tern line passed through part of the old deer-park at Rich-
mond with consent of the Crown, and crossed the Thames
by a bridge, to be executed to the satisfaction of the Crown
engineer. The present line to Egham proposed superior ac-
commodation over the plan of last year. As for Windsor, it
was proposed at first to carry a branch up the south side of the
river from Staines, but that was disapproved of positively by
the Crown. The consent of the Crown, however, was given
to a line on the north side, ending at Black Potts Ayott. The
station there, taking the town and the park into considera-
tion, was perhaps in the most proper place. With a view to
that, her Majesty had signified that her consent would be given
to a new road being made crossing the Home Park, on certain
conditions to be strictly obsen-ed by the South-Western Com-
pany. (The agreement was here put in.) The proposed new
road fell in with certain contemplated improvements on and
about the royal residence, and would prove of very material
service in carrying them out. A plan connecting the Great
Western Railway with Windsor had also been considered by
the Board of Woods and Forests, and they thought it would
be reckoned satisfactory if both the companies could unite
in one station. The Great Western, however, would not
accede.

Cross-examined by Mr. Aurrix, for the Great Western—
There was no inclination on the part of the Crown to oppose
the line from Slough to Windsor. The Board had most
fully considered the propriety of making the new road along
the north front of the Castle, and all the incidents to that
work which was intended for public convenience. The other
roads to Datchet, &c., would be shut up. The road would be
made at the expense of the South. Western Company, to the
satisfaction of the Crown engineer. He was at liberty to say,
that her Mijesty was extremely indebted to the managers
of the Great Western line for the convenience they had in-
variably afforded her.

Cross-examined by Sir Join; BAYLEY—The railway om-
pany was bound to purchase twenty-five acres of landc at
Neck Potts, for the station haw, the Crown to have
the power to purchase back such of that ground as it might
deem proper for planting, or otherwise laying out. That
ground belonged to the Dean and Canons of Windsor.
By Sergeant WRANGPLUI, for the South Western_
Taking all the schemes together, I should prefer the South-
Western.
By Mr. AUSTIN—The Crown had no disinclination to the
line from Slough to Windsor. He repeated that her Majesty
was much indebted to the Great Western Company ; and,
therefore, in negotiating with the South-Western, they had
always made it conditional that that company should offer
no opposition to the Great Western Company's line from
Slough. His understanding was, that the Crown would give
its consent to such a line as would satisfy the House of
Commons.
Col. Reid, Sir John Walsh, Sir W. Clay, and several other
witnesses gave evidence in favour of the lines.
The engineer's evidence will be taken to-morrow (this)
morning at the meeting of the Committee, at twelve o'clock,
the hour to which they then adjourned.

GROUP VI.
SAZISBITAT ELND YEOVIL, ELND EXETER,
YEOVIL, AND DOECTIESTEIt.
The first witness examined this morning was
Mr. Seymer, M.P. for Dorsetshire. He stated that he
resided in the neighbourhood of Blandford, and considered
that a central line through the county of Dorset would be of
great advantage to the county. He believed that the line
was looked upon favourably by nearly all the landowners
through whose property the line was proposed to be carried.
He was a director of the South-Western Railway, but did not
hold any more shares in the company than were requisite to
qualify him for that office.
Mr. Bennett, M.P. for Wilts, gave evidence of a general
nature in favour of the proposed line.
Mr. Alderman Humphery, M.P., was the next witness
called, and gave evidence of the great superiority of the
South-Western schemes at London-bridge over every other
station in connexion with railways running in the direc-
tion of the west of England. It would afford great conve-
nience for live stock consigned to Smithfield ; and even
if that market should be abolished, there would still have to
be a cattle market on the Surrey side of the river, to which
the proposed railway would afford great convenience. It
would also afford
fish, fruit, dead meat,cev:nience for hops, cyder, leather, wool,
which were in the utter, and poultry, all the markets for
immediate_ neighbourhood.
Mr. Oliver, butcheorrientili,thampton, was a contractor to
the Peninsular and
iteam-ships, which frequented
the port of Southampton.
consumption of live stock
and dead meat by the crews and passengers of those ships,
and also of tow inhabitanta a Soulla
meansw of
At present, ing to there being nompton
ast_great difficulty
, was very great.
lion with the west of England, there
tolT3,mabutchers of
commanica-
to pur-
in obtaining a supply of live stocgko,
Southampton being often obliged to
chase it. If the present lines iyere constructeg',l,
be; enabled to go into the west of England and -e Zrould
purchases direct from the farmers and graziers, manacjlahkis.
arrangements with them to send the cattle up as they ad-A-
be wanted, and there would in that case be no necessity-fotr
him to come to London. . .

Dowling, meat salesman, Newgate-market, gave evi-
dence of the advantages to be derived by the conveyance of
dead meat from the west of England to the London markets.
The committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day),
at twelve o'clock.