The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-11 00:00:00

SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL.

The anniversary dinner of this excellent institution
took place last evening at the London Tavern. The Earl
of Auckland was in the chair, supported by Sir C.
Adam and Lord Radstock; Sir T. Hastings, Sir J. H.
Pelly, Admiral Bowles, Captain Pelly, with other friends
of the hospital, were also present.
In proposing the prosperity of " The Seamen's Hos-
pital,, the CHAIRMAN congratulated the establishment
on its increasing prosperity. It was supported by in-
dividuals of every class, from the master of the largest
empire in the world to the lowest seaman.
Lord AUCKLAND likewise adverted in terms of high
praise to the management of the institution, which was,
he said, not less excellent than its principles. Not less
than 4,000 seamen were relieved last year.
Amongst the supporters of the hospital appears the
name of the Imperial High Commissioner of the Emperor
of China, Keying, who subscribes 900 dollars. At various
times the Trinity House have given about 14,0001., and
the East India Company 2,7151. to the hospital. It is
gratifying to find the masters of the American and other
foreign nations contributing to the support of the hos•
pital, which in truth has a sufficient claim upon their
liberality, extending its assistance to the sick seamen of
every nation, amongst whom are a considerable number
of Turks, Chinese, Malays, and Africans.
The subscriptions announced in the course of the
evening amounted to above 11,0001.: amongst which
were her Majesty (annual), 1051; the Queen Dowager
(annual), 101 ; Trinity Corporation, 300 L; Merchant
Elder Brethren, 100/.; East India Company, 105/.; Earl
of Auckland, 31/. 10s.; Lord Viscount Melville, 211.;
Admiral Bowles, 21/.; Alexander Grant, Eeq., 21/., &e.
Besides the donation from their public funds, the mem-
bers of the Trinity House contribute annually above 100/.
privately to the charity.

CAUTION.—We have frequently had occasion to
warn the public of a form of imposition which appears to ba
still extensively practised on the benevolent portion of the
community, by parties transmitting letters from Ireland,
detailing cases of touching distress, and imploring the
means of returning to their native country. A gentle-
man in Keith recently received one of those documents
' apparently written by a person belonging to the humbler
classes, and purporting to come from a Mrs. Ann Mile,
who, with three children, had been wrecked off Cape
Clear, while on her passage to join her husband in Ame-
rica, who was represented as a colour-sergeant in the
77th Regiment. The letter was accompanied by a printed
certificate, pretending to be signed by two justices of the
peace, and otherwise bearing marks of authenticity; but on
the gentleman applying to the Dublin Police office, he was
favoured with a series of other documents, detailing similar
cases of fictitious distress. the pit-Oculars of each being
slightly varied. It is almost unnecessary to add, that these
are all fabricated statements, and the chief difficulty in the
way of the conviction of these parties lies in the want ,f legal
proof. However, it is hoped that an exposure of their nefa-
rious schemes will have the effect of preventing their realiza-
,ion. —Aberdeen Deruld.
DEATH FROM AN EXPLOSION OF PORTABLE GAS.
—The following melancholy accident, by which a highly
scientific and much esteemed French gentleman, Baron
d'Ancet, lost his life, is related in the newspapers of Rio de
Janeiro recently received. The Baron, it appears, was about
to establish at Rio a laboratory on a grand scale, but on the
18th of December last, after entertaining a few friends, be
went to bed, and placing a portable gas-lamp on a table, he
drew it to his bedside and took a book to read. About mid-
night, the lamp, not giving sufficient light, he ordered his
servant boy to bring him some more gas. At this moment, the
boy began to execute the order, and a current of air from a
door left open carried the gas in contact with the banning
lamp; an explosion of the gas in the tin took place, the
greater part of which fell on the unfortunate baron, setting
the bed sheets on fire. with the curtains and pillow-cases.
Baron d'Ancet was scalded from head to foot, and plunged
directly into a cold-bath, where he remained for a quarter of
an hour, and then dressed his -wound himself, with cotton,
and would not consent to have any medical assistance called
in until the next morning, confident nothing could be done to
save him. Under this impression, and in excruciating pain,
surrounded by his physician and friends, who tried every
means to alleviate his sufferings, he expired in a few hours
after. His attention was directed more to his servant than
to himself; the boy was seriously burnt, but hopes were en-
tertained of his recovery, without the use of one arm.
ALARMING ACCIDENT ON THE BRIGHTON AND
CIIICIIESTER RAILWAY.—On Tuesday evening, as the hi.lf-
past six o'clock train from Brighton to Chichester was pro-
ceeding, at the rate of thirty miles an hour, between the
Augmering and Little Compton stations, the bind axletree
of the tender gave way, and threw the back part of the
tender upon the ground. The consequence was, the rails
for a considerable distance were literally ploughed away, and
the carriages behind sank deep into the earth, but -fortu-
nately not one of them was upset, and the passengers, by
keeping their seats, escaped unhurt. The guard was thrown
off with considerable violence, but received no material
injury. The accident caused a delay of about a couple
of hours, there being only one line of rails at this spot ; but
the rails have since been restored, and the passage is again
open.
SACRlLEGE.—Yesterday information was received
by the police that on the morning Of the Bth instant the
church of Birtle-cum-Bamford was sacrilegiouly broken into,
and the following property stolen- therefrom. An Irish
linen surplice, fastened at the neck with one plain button,
and marked on the face with the letters I. 11. S.; a cassock
made of Orleans cloth, lined on the body and sleeves with
very thick cotton ; two scarfs, one of which was thick
silk aboat four inches broad and three yards long, fringed
at the end, and the other made of Orleans cloth, being
fourteen inches wide, doubled, and three yards long; also,
a white twilled cotton sheet, three small prayer books, one
of which contained the name " Beery," six psalm books con-
taining the old and new version, two having the words
" Nate Church" written therein. The parish church of
Dunington, in the county of Lincoln, was also broken and
entered, and a white communion cloth, three bottles of wine,
with a communion plate stolen therefrom.
AN EXTENSIVE SLIP.—An extensive slip has oc-
curred at Shakepeare's Cliff, which seems to be gradually
breaking up its establishment and leaving England in dis-
gust. This may be in consequence of the little hold Shak-
speare has lately had upon his native country ; and the cliff;
probably, is only crossing the Channel to seek a home in
more congenial lands. Whither will it go to? Will it settle
on the French coast, or sail direct for New York? It would
be curious to find Shakapeare's Cliff at Calais with a board
stuck up, "Its moved from over the way." We are con-
fident that-Spakspeare himself would be thought all the
more of if he 'had a firm footing in France, and that his
drama and' his cliff would rise much higher in the public
estirration when pieces of it could be taken from the French.
—Punch.

CORE AND NEW YoßE.—lt seems probable that
Cork is to become a port in connexion with New York, `A-
ship of 450 tons was launched at that port on Tuesday last,
intended as one of a line of ships to run to and from New
York.