The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-24 00:00:00

S Ny APRIL 24, 1847.

also be considerable shipments of stone, he had no doubt, both
at Sutton and Lynn. The Ambergate line, he asserted, was
to be a single line ; but
Mr. Sergeant CLARK stated that this was a mistake, as the
line was to be a double one, and all the contracts were already
made.

Mr. West, a landed gentleman, residing at Lincoln, stated
that ho was intimately acquainted with the district and the
property around Sleaford. He also attended the Wakefield
market, and could say that a great part of the produce from
that portion of Lincolnshire went there for sale. Of Lynn he
could not say much ; but he was intimate with both Boston
and Spalding; and he had no hesitation in saying, that
taking a circle, of which the radius was seven miles from
Sleaford, the chief taart is that town, and if the branches
were constructed the land would be rendered much more
valuable. About 50,000 quarters of corn are now annually
sold in Sleaford market, and the area from which it is drawn
is about 98,000 acres, of which about 65,000 are at present
under the plough. The corn sold consisted of wheat, barley,
oats, and beans.

On the requisition of the Chairman,
Mr. West produced a copy of the estimates on which his
evidence was given, and from it he stated that the extent of
land actually under tillage is 63,640 acres, leaving 4,120
acres in fallow. For these acres, on the usual calculation of
12 bushels per acre, there would be required for them 253,440
bushels, or 4,424 tons. This, of course, is beyond the amount
made in the district itself. In addition to this manure, there
would be a large quantity of oil cake brought into
the district. At present the price of wheat at Sleaford is two
or three shillings a quarter lower than it is at Newark, and
if these branches were made, the produce would not only in-
cireaFe the amount of the produce, but enhance the price, and
give facilities for carrying it to distant markets. Lynn is at
present a large import place, but the linseed cake comes
chiefly from Hull and Gainsborough. Many of the crushing
mills are on the banks of the Trent. At present it comes by
a circuitous route, and costs 12s. a ton for carriage; while by
the proposed railway of the Direct Northern Company the
distance would not be more than 40 miles, and the expense
not more than five or six shillings.
After the conclusion of Mr. Sergeant Wrangham's exami-
nation in chief,
Mr. Sergeant CLARK inquired whether the witness was not
a traffic taker for the London and York Company, to which
he replied that he was not so, but had been engaged to esti-
mate the agricultural produce of some of the districts through
which their line was to pass. There are at the present mo-
ment several crushing mills at Nottingham, bat the bone
manure he believed to come from Newton and the Gainsbo-
rough district. After much further cross-examination as to
the probably increased value of the land from the intended
line, to which Mr. Westrephed that he believed the Direct
Northern to be the best line, Mr. James ascertained that
the line would pass for three or four miles through the Mar-
quis of Bristol's property. In the witness's opinion, the district
north of a line, drawn west to east from Sleaford to Newark,
was much more productive than that south of it, and this
communication would give the facility for getting north-
wards. The distance between Gainsborough is about 45
mite, and this line will shorten it by about two miles. Bos-
ton is of no use for the supply of seed cake, as it never came
there. Much further cross-examination ensued on the several
capabilities of Lincolnshire for agricultural produce, and the
opportunities which the respective lines of the Direct Nor-
thern and the Ambergate Companies would give for its trans-
mission.

After some further evidence the Committee adjourned till
Monday.

GROUP XLVII.

The Committee on this group met to day in Room 28.
Members present—Mr. Eliot Yorke, Chairman; Mr. Gill,
Mr. Parke, Mr. Leigh, and Mr. Trelawny.

AIRDRIE AND BATHGATE JUNCTION
(AMENDMENT AND DEVIATIONS).

Mr. FORSYTH, for the Monkland Railway Company, raised
a preliminary objection to the further progress of the Bill in
this Committee on various grounds, and contended that it
might be transferred to the Committee whicli had the Glas-
gow, Airdrie, and Monklands Railway under consideration.
The Committee overruled the objection, and
Mr. A. DPNIEILL, of the Scotch bar, proceeded to open the
case for the promoters. Owing to the hurry of business in
the last year, the engineers of the line had found it imprac-
ticable to arrive at that result which would best benefit the
public, and enable the company to construct their line at the
least possible cost, and they therefore desired to amend their
Act, so that by a slight deviation they might get rid of a
bad and dangerous curve, and save an expense of at least
10,000/.

Mr. BURKE, who appeared for the directors of the original
Airdri e and Bathgato Railway, as petitioners against the
proposed amendments, was proceeding to state the objections
which his clients entertained on this matter, when .

The CHAIRMAN said that the whole oppo'sition appeared to
the Committee to be one which could be very fitly arranged
by a clause.
The room was cleared for the purpose of considering the
terms of the clause, and on the public being re-admitted,

The CHAIRMAN. announced that the Committee had re-
solved that a clause should be inserted in the Bill, reserving
to the original promoters the pow.ers given by the Act of
1846.

The formal proofs were then put in, and the clauses were
partly considered.

Tlie Committee adjourned without formally announcing
the finding the preamble proved, in consequence of the re-
port not having been received.

GROUP L.

This Committee met to-day at Twelve o'clock ; Mr.
Bankes in the chair.

GLASGOW, PAISLEY, ICILMAR.NOCX, AND
AYR, AND GLASGOW AND BELFAST

aa►r=oN rwo X.)
The remaining clauses of this Bill were this morning pro-
ceeded with. Several amendments were made respecting
the branch to Ayr Harbour, North Quay, to the use of hcrse-
power, and regulating the crossing of roads upon a level.
A considerable discussion arose on the mineral toll clause,
respecting which Mr. Gordon petitioned.
Mr. Wilson, of Dundyvan, and Mr. Stevenson, manager of
Mr. Gordon's works, were examined by Mr. Sergeant
Murphy, with the object of showing that the operation of the
six-mile clause would operate injuriously on Mr. Gordon, and
that it was unjust to make an exemption, such as proposed,
on the portion of the line between Auchinleck and Glenbuck.
After some discussion on this point, the exempting portion
of the clause was struck out, and the six-mile proviso made
to operate throughout.
The remainder of the clauses, with the exception of one,
was then gone through, and agreed to with certain amend-
ments. - _ _

The further consideration of the Bill was then postponed

till Monday.
GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND
AYR (No. II.)

Was then proceeded with.
Mr. TALBOT opened the case on behalf of the promoters.
Having stated the progress of the Glasgow and Ayrshire
Company since its first opening in 1840, and the various
branches and extensions they had already made, he pro-
ceeded to state the object of the present Bill. It proposed to
carry out the following objects :—Amendment of Acts and
proposed branches from the Cumnock Extension Line
of the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Rail-
way to Loudoun Kirk ; from such branch to East Col-
lers-; from the Kilmarnock and Troun Railway to
the Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway near
Bushton ; from such last-mentioned Branch to the Glasgow,
Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway near Woodhill; from
the Branch to Bushton above described to Fenwick ; from
such last-mentioned Branch to the Glasgow, Kilmarnock,
and Ardrossan Railway near Braes ; from the Glasgow,
Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway to the Ardrossan
Railway near Byrehill, and to Ittington ; from the Branch
to Ittington above- mentioned to Giffordland ; the Alteration
of the Line of the Swinlees Branch of the Glasgow, Paisley,
Kilmarnock. and Ayr Railway; the Formation of new Branches
from such altered line to Howrat Toll, and to Hillend ;
also the acquisition of additional land for stations at Kil-
marnock, Busby, and Dalsy, and the alteration or stoppage
of certain roads at Kilmarnock. They were opposed by the
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway Company,
who had several branches before the Committee, which corn=
peted with several of the branches now proposed. The length
of the whole extensions was twenty-six miles, and the esti-
mated cost was 425,000/.
The Committee then adjourned till Monday, at twelve.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF 'CHANCERY, .April 23.

IN THE CASE OF DICE SOMBRE, A SUPPOSED LUNATIC.
Mr. BOLT, at the sitting of the Court this morning, said he
was instructed to make an application to his Lordship on the
behalf of Mr. Dyce Sombre. That gentleman had been re-
siding in Paris since the matter had been before the court,
and he was very anxious that the question involved in his
petition, for the supersedeas of the commission, should be
disposed of; he had therefore instructed him (Mr. bolt)
humbly to request of his Lordship that he would give his
judgment on an early day.
The LORD CHANCELLOR intimated that he would dispose
of the case shortly.

IN THE NATTIER OF SPENCE.
This case, which came before the Court upon the petition
of a father to have the custody of his infant chileren, was,
upon the application of counsel to-day, ordered to stand on
the paper for hearing on Wednesday next.
The LORD CHANCELLOR having disposed of the unopposed
lunatic petitions in his paper, proceeded to hear the further
arguments in the part-heard appeal motion of

MOSELEY V. ALSTON.
This case our readers will recollect came before the Court
upon an appeal from the decision of the Vice-Chancellor
of England, overruling a demurrer put in by the defendants
to the plaintiff's bill. Upon previous days Sir Fitzroy
Kelly, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Solt, and Mr. Russell were heard in
support of the appeal, and Mr. Bethell and Mr. James
Parker in defence of the judgment of the Court below, and,

Mr. WILCOX, who had been partly heard on WeditesdaY.,
on the samo side, resumed aad concluded his arguments
to-day.
Sir FITZROY KELLY replied.
The LORD CILANcELLon said he would give judgment on
Wednesday next.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT, April 23.
(Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.)
Ms lonour the Vice-Chancellor of England heard unop-
posed cause petitions, short causes and motions to-day,
none of which possessed any points of public interest.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, April 23.
Sittings in Banco befor
full e Lord Chief Justice DENMAN and
a .)
The Court was occupied during the whole day in hearing
a motion of no public interest.

THE THROSTLE.—These birds are just now more
numerous than agreeable in. the neighbourhood of Garstang.
Mr. Saul, finding that they were making rather too free
with his new vegetable seed beds, was induced to search out
their colony, and, to his surprise, found no fewer than nine
of their newly .made nests within 200 yards of his garden,
all in a line, in one fence. It need hardly be added that he
remorselessly demolished every habitation.—Preston Chro-
nick.
DUTCH CATTLE. A vessel arrived in the river
from Nieu Dieppe, Ilolland,has brought, besidesB,7l9 cheeses,
90 bags of potatoes, 272 bags of beans, several casks of vege-
tables, 311 sheep, 1 horse, and 44 cows, the very large num-
ber of 60 calves, the production of that country. We do
not recollect so large a number of this particular and im-
portant description of young stock to have before been im-
ported from a foreign country on any Single txcaiion.

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL.
FUND DINNER.
This annual festival took place at the Freemason's Tavern
last evening. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
was in the chair. His Royal Highness was supported by the
Conde de Montemolin, the Marquis of Villafranca, the Duke
de Medina Sidonia, Col. Don Francisco Antonio Merry (in
the suite of the Conde de Montemolin), his Grace the Duke
of Beaufort, K.G., the Marquis of Downshire, the Earl of
Charleville, the Earl of Munster, General Viscount Comber-
mere, G.C.8., Lord Tenterden, Lord Muskerry, Lord John
Manners, M.P., General Sir Andrew Barnard, G.C.8., Sir W.
de Bathe, Bart., Sir Thomas Howe, Bart., Sir Paul Jodrell,
Bart., Mr. Sheriff' Kennard, Captain Chappell, R.N., Captain
C. Choke, Quentin Dick, Esq., M.P., W. Collett, Esq., M P.,
J. F. Elphinstone, Esq., M. Gore, Esq., M.P., T. Hussey, Esq.,
M.P., C. J. Roberts, M.D., A. Bunn, Esq., J. Strutt, Esq , G.
Whateley, Esq., and several other noblemen and gentlemen.
The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr.
J. L. Mitten, assisted; by the following ladies and gentle-
men :—Miss Rainforth, Miss Poole, Miss Sarah Flower, Mrs.
Weiss, the Misses Williams, Miss Messent, Miss Rebecca
Isaacs, and Miss Bassano ; Mr. W. Harrison,. Mr. Travers,
Mr. Burdini, Mr. Borrani, Mr. Bodda, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Binge,
Mr. itafter, Mr. D. W. King, Mr. J. W. Roc, Mr. Stretton,
Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. S. Nelson, Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Machin,
Mr. Hill, Mr. C. E. Horn, Mr. Kerridge, Mr. Bradbury, Mr.
Genge, and Mr. Kench.

The'stewards were Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Will.
mott, Mr. J. Vining, Mr. P. Bedford, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. G.
Wieland, Mr. Howell, Mr. G. Ellis, Mr. Cathie, Mr. S.
Jones, Mr. Honner, Mr. C. Selby, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Brindal,
Mr. 0. Smith, Mr. W. West.

A six o'clock upwards of 200 gentlemen sat down to din-
ner. The gallery and several seats at the back of the room
were occupied by ladies.
The usual loyal and national toasts having been given
(Lord Combermere; responded to the toast the " Army
and Navy"),
The Duke of BEAUFORT proposed the " Health of the
Chairman," which was drunk with three times three.
His Royal Highness, the CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks,
said that the institution had been originally founded by
David Garrick in the year 1766, that for a time it had
flourished, but that at last it had fallen into the sere and
yellow leaf. In 1814 an effort was made to revive it. His
late brother, the Duke of York, had presided at that festival,
and from that time the institution had gone on prosperously.
So long as the Duke of York lived, he hadtpresided at their
annual festival. The Duke of Sussex had then presided, and
he (the Duke of Cambridge) had at first presided as the sub-
stitute for his late beloved brother, who had been prevented
by illness from attending their festival. Since his brother's
death, he had presided over them, and so long as his life
should be spared, he would continue to do so.---(Cheers.)
They; had never hitherto met without having a Member of the
Royal Family as their chairman. His Royal Highness having
explained the nature of the institution and having passed
a high eulogium on the manner in which the affairs of the
Institution were conducted, concluded by proposing the
health of their illustrious visitor, the Conde de Montemolin,
and thanks to him for having honoured them with his pre-
sence.—(Loud cheers.)
The toast having been drunk with three times three,
The CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN rose to return thanks. His
Royal Highness, who spoke in English, was very indistinctly
heard in that part of the Hall in which we were located. We
understood his Highness to say, that he thanked the com-
pany for the kindness with which they had received the
toast, and that he felt highly gratified at the opportunity
which was thus afforded him of assuring them of the admira-
tion which lie entertained of the English drama.—(Cheers.)
llehad, in studyingt he English language, paid great attention
to the works of the immortal Shakspere, and of the English
dramatists, and he entertained an ardent admiration for
them. He had by those studies learned to appreciate the
innate nobility of the mind of Shakspere—(Cheers)—and to
entertain a respect for those who devoted their talents to the
illustration of his works.—(Cheers.) He cordially thanked
them for the manner in which they had received his health.
The following song, written expressly, by J. W. Roe, Esq.,
for this occasion, and adapted to a Spanish national melody,
by Mr. Hatten, was then sung by Miss M. Williams, and
rapturously encored :
Tho gorgeous the splendour that twineth
Round the state of the monarch, I trove,
Yet a far purer influence refineth
The scene that we gaze upon now;
For the fair gem of charity shineth
Bright, unclouded on royalty's brow.
Welcome, welcome, royal stranger,
Welcome to our feast to-day.
Tho' darkness and gloom may be hiding
The splendour that once shone so bright,
And the clouds that above ns are riding,
May turn the fair day into night,
Yet, let charity still be abiding,
We need seek for no holier light.
Welcome, welcome, &c.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed" The health of the Master
and Treasurer, Mr. Harley." Drunk with three times three.
Mr. Haut.Er then rose, and spoke as follows :
" May it please your Royal Highness, my Lords, and
Gentlemen—Upon these anniversaries, though necessarily
involving details of privation and sorrow, I have been accus •
tomed to meet you with congratulations and smiles; indeed,
I have only to look around this assembly to see that charity,
like her kindred virtues, is as cheerful as the day. It has
been facetiously said that, with Englishmen, one good work
is generally preluded by another; to wit, a good dinner.—
(Laughter.) And why not? The enjoyment of a blessing
(and a most substantial blessing is a good dinner!), while it
warms the grateful heart of its recipient, brings into forcible
and sympathetic contrast the object of its privation. These
festivals have invariably been turned to the account of benevo-
lence.; every feast has proved a merry prologue to what, as
regards my indigent brethren, might, I fear, have otherwise
been a fast.—( Applause.) It is not my intention to recapi•
white the history of the Drury-lane Theatrical Fund.
Your Royal Highness, thanks to your long-continued pre-
sidency and munificence, knows full well that it originated
in the purest philanthropy; that it has been patronised witl4
a liberality and a zeal every way worthy of its high deserts ;
and I believe I may add, that its resources have been de-
voted to those salutary purposes contemplated by its im-
mortal founder. And very many of you, my Lords and
Gentlemen, whose bounty has replenished its coffers. and
whose presence has gladdened this social board, need not be
reminded of its importance and usefulness. Yet I should be
wanting in respect to the new patrons that I have the
honour and happiness to see assembled here this day, i
I did not, with all possible brevity, select a few prominentf
points, in order that I might satisfy their judgments
while I appealed to their benevolence. It was hard,
thought David Garrick, that while other liberal pur-
suits had their asylums for decayed members, the his-
trionic art should stand insulated in its destitution.
Experience had taught him the difficulty and uncer-
tainty of his profession ; that where one, like himself, should
start into immediate and brilliant popularity, the great ma-
jority must be content with moderate success, which success
was still only to be attained by incessant labour and study ;
that sudden and uncontrollable contingencies might cast the
actor from the proudest eminence, or incapacitate him in a
humbler sphere ; what then would be his fate in the wreck of
his means and the winter of his days?—(hear.) - Opulent
beyond the possibility of a reverse, in fortune and in fame,
that great master of the human passions devoted the influence
of his high position, and most liberally the ample resources
cf his purse, to the endowment of this fund ; and from the
d iy this long-desired opportunity was afforded the actor
of making a gradual and economical provision for the
future, the profession has risen in public estimation. That
the drama, like other national institutions, has its reverses,
many of its professors can too painfully testify. Yet the
cloud that pattially obscures it, I confidently expect, will
pass away, and that a splendid revival of its ancient glories
will greet every admirer of impassioned eloquence and
classic taste.—(Loud applause.) It cannot fail to be pecu-
liarly gratifying to the patrons of this institution that
Drury-lane Theatre, the honoured temple of Garrick's
fame, has never ceased to solicit and to receive public
patronage. During recent seasons many members have
been admitted as subscribers to this fund. Every ap-
plication that can be fairly entertained is respectfully
welcomed. As the almoners of an important trust, we are
bound to maintain in all its integrity that which is confined
to our care; and if ever we have been induced to deviate
from the strict letter of prescribed rules, our apology must
be the imperative and unforseen misfortune whose appeal
for temporary relief it was found impossible to resist.—(Ap-
plause.) I stand not here to take any credit for my brethren
and myself for having honestly done that, which our duty
commanded us honestly to do. But at these, I may be
allowed to say, annual audits, when you reasonably expect
some account of our stewardship, it would be wrong to
withhold from you the pleasing tiuth that this fund still
continues to fulfil all the benevolent intentions of its founder,
that many of your old favourites are the grateful objects of
its delicate and unostentatious bounty, and that a large
number of subscribers would, at this moment, be entitled to
its benefits, should necessity compel them to have recourse
to that last trying necessity.—(Great applause.) That two
institutions, devoted to similar objects of benevolence, should
for a long series of years maintain a friendly and most praise-
worthy rivalry in doing good is alike honourable to both.
The Drury-lane and Covent-garden Theatrical Funds
have pursued their charitable course in perfect amity
and with mutual good wishes. A third, amimated
by a kindred spirit, has recently put in its claim
to public patronage. Far from regarding this new
institution with jealous apprehension, we hail it with
hearty and cordial commendations.—(Applause.) Her
Majesty has been graciously pleased to transmit for the use
of this fund a donation of fifty pounds.—(Loud cheering).
We hail this noble gift, not only as an important addition to
our means, but as a proof of her approbation and sympathy.
With united prayers for her health, and that of her august
consort and family, we most gratefully receive the munifi-
cence of our Sovereign.—(Cheers.) Honeyed phrases of flat,
tery would ,ill express our feelings for your Royal Highness.
You have done this institution good service and great honour.
You have advocated its cause, contributed to its resources.
and
by your presence sanctioned the generous enthusiasm, the
well-tempered hilarty of its festive anniversaries.—(Ap-
plause.)
lyopulence
This devotion of high rank and
to the sacred duties of philanthropy
is the true touchstone
of exalted virtue, the sure indication of a rig tspirit and a
noble mind. This, Sir, is your well-merited eulogium.
invoke 1—
( it, with every blessing that gratitude can l—
( Loud and continued applause). Not only are our veterans
and here I would respectfully remark that by economy and
prudence having fairly entitled themselves to the benefits of
this fund, they are too poor not to avail themselves of its
resources; too proud to desire that their necessities should be
published to gratify heartless curiosity ; not only are they
moderately provided for during the brief remnant of their
sojourn here, but when life's curtain has dropped, their
widows receive a yearly stipend more consistent with our
often too limited means than' ~ith their actual requirements,
and their children that support and protection of which the
orphan stands so much in need. This, your Royal Highness,
my lords, and gentlemen, L rev case. Let not, I
, pray you,
the interests of my clients miffer from the inability of their
pleader.—(Great applause,
The health of the Vice Presidents was then drunk.
The Earl of CHARLEVILLE returned thanks.
The TREASURER the,) read the first list of. subscriptions,
amounting to 6471.105., including her Majesty the Queen; 501. ;
his Royal Highness "the Duke of Cambridge, 251. ; the Conde
de Montemolin, 101. ; the Marquis of Villafranca, 51. ;
Col. Don Fran&sco Antonio Merry, 5/. ; the Duke of
Beaufort, 201. ; I •nd Saltoun 5L • Lord Tenterdeu, 5 guineas;
Lord Ernest Prune, 5/.
,• Sir 'P. Sodden, 5/. ; the Earl of Car-.
digau, 10/. ; M. Gore, Esq.' M.P., 51. ; Sir W. de Bath, 51- ;
Miss Burde t Coutts, 201.; J. W. Roberts, Esq.,
5 guineas;
Alfred Bunn, Esq., 10 guineas; J. Strutt, Esq, 10 guineas;
P. Borthw'ck, Esq., M,P., 5 guineas; Mr. Sheriff Kennard'

10/. ; Charles Bean, Esq., 20/. ; and a legacy from the widow
of the late Mr. John Moody, formerly master of this society,
1004

The CHAIRMAN then proposed "Success to Drury-lane
Theatre."—Drank with three times three.
Mr. BUNN returned thanks. He had been connected with.
Drury, lane Theatre ever since the year 1820, and during
the time that he had had the management he had produced
dramatic entertainments of every description, supported by
the highest order of talent--talent that he feared he should
never again see equalled.—(Cheers.) Many persons sup-
posed that he was wedded to one species of dramatic enter-
tainment only, but such was not the case. He produced
that species of dramatic entertainment which he was
enabled to produce most perfectly. He had a great many
suggestions offered to him, but it did not always do
to adopt suggestions. Marinari, the scene painter, was once
employed to paint a Roman street. A crowd of artists assem-
bled in his painting-room, and one suggested to him to
introduce a tree in such a part—another to introduce a rose
bush—another a parterre, and so on; and the result was, that
when the scene was finished, instead of being a street it was
a wood.—(Applause.) He (Mr. Bunn) must, therefore, claim
the privilege of being permitted to judge for himself.—
(Cheers). So long as he swayed the destinies of Drury Lane
Theatre he would leave nothing undone to merit the public
favour.—(Cheers.) And to use an expression applicable to
members of a higher place— when he should lose the confidence
enst ighareredr
arndhetahtre il
last Fund,''
toas
of kis constituents, he scenic' resign his seat.— (Clic ers.)
which he
wasnex ttoas
drunk w
t waisth" Tthhree
eCtoiLe
WAS ‘‘ the Ladies,' which was drunk with all the honours,
after which the party broke up.
During the evening several exquisite songs and glees
were given by Mtss Messent, Miss Rebecca Isaacs,
(who was deservedly encored in an exquisite air from the
new opera of Matilda), Miss Bassano, tro(whmo
the
gpeßreanoefdagea
beautiful air, By the sad sea waves,'
Brides of
especial encore from the Duke of Cambridge),
Venice, so exquisitely, that she was hono;threedbliv an
s
and Williams,g enMr.. Hatton,l‘ f r
. ffMa
Hatton
oHn opbrbe es
isd,
eadnadt stehvee rpaila (aother
e! ladies

IMPORTANT EXPERIMENTUM
CRUCIS, OR DIRECT PROOF OF THE DES-
TRUCTION OF THE POTATO PLANT BY
THE APHIS VASTATOR.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

- - - - -
SIR,—In my treatise on the potato plant, I have
shown that, antecedently to all other changes, a certain
insect is to be found on the leaf, which sucks the juices
of the plant and causes it to die, locally, at the part
affected, or generally through its entire system.
By tracing the insect to numerous other plants it was
found to produce similar effects—the turnip rotted in
the bulb, the carrot in the root, and even the indis-
tructible groundsel equally suffered from its attacks. In
the damaged plants anatomy demonstrates imperfect
tissue—chemistry, a deficiency of the solid materials,
and natural history indicates the source of the mischief
by pointing to the creature which abstracts that which
should form the fibre and starch of the plant.
To those who prefer experiment to observation I have
now to announce that at length the direct proof of the
capability of the aphis vastator to destroy the potato
plant has been obtained ; an experiment which has al-
ready been performed with the same result upon tulips
crocuses and other plants.
Several Russian tubers apparently sound and well
filled with starch were planted in a greenhouse, and tho-
roughly healthy plants were produced. Upon one of
the best of the number, when about two feet high, was
placed a colony of vastators which fed and throve abun-
dantly, and which were prevented from travelling to
neighbouring plants by a covering of gauze.
For a time, this plant throve as well as its neigh-
bours, but eventually the entire haulm died and withered
up, as was observed last year in the blighted fields. Its
neighbours, which had no insect to suck the vital fluid,
were perfectly healthy, forming a striking contrast to
the withered and dead stalk.

On examining the collar it was found partially de-
cayed in the manner which I have described as being
especially attributable to the ravages of aphides. The
roots were found to be extensively rotten, and the little
tubers although not I.6th the bulk of the original set
presented a hardness• characteristic of disease.

The atrial and fungoid theorists have striven hard to
divert the attention of the farmer from the ravages of
the vastator ; and in the unparalleled virulence of their
opposition, they have even frequently substituted acri-
mony and mis-statement for courtesy and truth. Never-
theless, no scientific man in any country has ever dis-
proved my statements, or confuted my deductions ; and
if amongst practical men there be one still left who
doubts the destructive power of the vastator I beg him
to consider deeply and repeat this experiment, that all
being of one mind we shall not be diverted upon matters
which are irrelevant, but shall be enabled to concentrate
our energies in the annihilation of the destroyer, and
the protection of our crops.—l am, Sir, your obedient
servant, ALFRED SAME.
7, Finsbury-circus, April 19,1847.

IMPROVEMENT in LOCOMOTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
article of some length, on " Improvement in
Locomotion," appeared in your journal of Friday, the
19th inst., which is calculated to mislead the railway
public as to the novelty of the invention and its only
recent application.
Your correspondent is in error in attributing the in.
vention and its first application to that talented engineer
Mr. E. Galloway, and is in error in alleging that an
approximation to it was projected by Mr. Vignoles and
Mr. Errixon, and in error in asserting that " mechanical
contrivances of a similar character have been attempted
ban in this country and abroad, but have always turned
out to be failures," and " that the wonder will be that for
upwards of sixteen years so really simple an expedient
For o'oviating aomitted difficulties should have escaped
undiscovert d." _ _ _

I hope you will deem it but Nr to allow one who oc-
cupied the field before Mr. Galloway, and who has in-
curred large expenditure in carrying the invention into
practice, to correct those errors for the information of
those of the public who are interested in the economy of
railway op, rati,,ns and safety in travelling.
I think Mr. Galloway is n .t himself aware that in the
year 1841-2 and 1843 I enrolled the specifications of
three varied patents for the same invention, not only in
this kingdom, but also in several countries abroad ; that
in 1842 I publicly exhibited the invention on large work-
ing models at the Baths, City-road, and that in 1845.6 I
carried the invention into practice on a full practical
scale on the Grand Junction Canal, in its application to
propelling a train of vessels on a canal by a single rail
laid along its margin, and that my specifications described
the invention, as well in combination with the locomotive
engine for obtaining an adhesive propelling power to
surmount inclines independently of gravitation, by add-
ing horizontal driving wheels in combination with ver-
tical driving wheels, so as to act on each side of a
middle rail laid between the ordinary rails, and so as to
press simultaneously against the opposite sides of the
rail, being pressed by means of adjusting screws acting
upon springs with any required degree of force, and by
such an arrangement to obtain a bite or adhesion far
beyond what is due to the weight of the engine, and
thereby obviate the difficulties which arise from greasy
rails and heavy gradients, and so as to adjust the power
according to the load or gradient. Thus it will be seen
that it is precisely the same invention described by your
correspondent previously made public in this country
and abroad, publicly shown by extensive experiments,
and without " failure," as assumed by him.
Messrs. Vignoles and Errixon's projection was only a
brake-wheel, acting on one side of a rail, for the pur-
pose only of retarding on a descent, and was not in-
tended for the purpose of propelling adhesion at all,
%Mist a patent was taken out by me in a foreign coun-
try, in 1823, for the application of guide-wheels, acting
on the sides of rails as a substitute for flange-wheels,
and for retarding on descents.—l have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient servant,

A. PINKUS.
pare, Gray's Inn, April 14, 1847.

4, South-s,

His Royal Highness the Prince Alin% attendel
by Captain the Hun. Alex. Gordon, yesterday Lon ,nred the
Society of Painters in Water Colours by a visit, to view their
forty-third Annual Exhibition, at their Gallery, 5, Pall-mall
East, previous to its being opened to the public on Monday
next.
EXPLOSION Or A POWDER MILL.—A terrific ere
plosion. attended by the complete demolition of some eaten.-
ewe powder mills, took place at the gunpowder manufactory
of Messrs. Wakefield and Bainbridge, at the village ot Sedg-
wick, near Kendal, shortly after ten o'clock on Monday night
last. The shock was plainly felt at Kendal. Near the man-
sion of John Wakefield, Esq., mayor of Kendal, were two
powder mills, called Back Mill, worked by a water-wheel,
and a few yards distant were two other mills, used for grind-
ing the raw material, the four mills being wholly erected of
wood. Closely adjoining to the two latter mills was what
was called the preparing mill, built of stone, to which was
attached the composition house. From some unknown cause,
at the time above-mentioned an explosion occurred, by which
the entire of these six erections were completely demolished,
leaving only here and there a vestige of the walls standing.
Happily the two night watchmen bad but a few minutes be-
fore retired to the watch-house, believing that the manufac-
tory was proceeding in its usual safe course; consequently _
After the explosion a m if
life was lost by the accident.
flames from a quantity of ignitedeSaliendal fire-engines were
alarm-
ing, but by the assistance of th
burning timber was scattered aboultd)t,
eatnredwaetreo,nveoßr3:mxßet,ohe
finally extinguished. ,
THE FIsiIMoNGERS AND POULTERERS
aehseeolercceietptio:rt•n,
LENT IssTrrtrno,r.—Thursday evening the twelfth annual
founded for providing an asylum for aged and infirm mem-
meeting of the members and subscribers oftctiyhuieeia.rar.b,
hers of the trade, was held at the London Coffee House, Lud-
ogfaoterribceilrlss, taocr.,e receive
jtohhenresp:rrint faonr the past phase
madecongratulated
during
the
ee
past
year.subscribers
The on r
etheeei
tsimportant
ti
epnrso,gr as
oth\r:
sub-
scriptions, and the last anniverser receipts
amounted to
1,0261. 13s. 5d., which, after payment3o'f permanent pensions
andcasual relief,and all expenses, lefts balance of 5171. 13.1 d.
‘ The permanent fund of the society amounts to 22'50/ An
asylum is now in course of erection at Wood Green,. near
Tottenham, for the reception of 24 aged and decayed m em-
bers, the cost of which, including the purchase of the site of
ground, will amount to 3,2501., and which sum is now in
hand. Amongst the recent donations was a further subscrip.
tion of 501. from J. Grove, Esq., in compliance with the wish
of his late wife. A gentleman, formerly connected with the
poultry trade, has also promised a bequest of 1,000/. The
report was adopted, and thanks to the chairman and the
officers being voted, the meeting separated.
FATAL ACClDENT.—Thursday afternoon, between
the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock, an accident occurred to a poor
woman which terminated fatally. It appears that a brewer's
dray was passing along White Lion-street, Goodman's-fields,
and on going under the lllackwall Railway arch, which
crosses the street, a train passed over it, which frightened
the horses, and they bounded off at a furious pace and came
in contact with a fruit- stall, the owner of which (who was
deaf) was in the act of stooping to pick up something when
the dray passed over her arm, and two empty barrels were
jolted off the dray which fell upon the poor woman and killed
her on the spot. She was preiptly removed by the police
and others to a neighbouring public-house, where she lies
awaiting a coroner's inquest, which will be held to-day.
SAGE VERDICT.—We have heard it stated that,
somewhere in this neighbourhood, the lower extremities and
trunk of a child were lately found in a pond. The sapient
jury, after knocking together their thick heads,
verdict which deserves to be put oarecord," drowned.'Fottud