The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-18 00:00:00

Tut PIINTI LONDON'. MONDAY._JASCARY

and sheeted home her topsails. Between noon and onr
p.n., while the Shannon's crew were at dinner, Captain
Broke went himself to the masthead, and there ob-
served the Chesapeake fire a gun, hoist her topsails
and set top-gallant sails. She was presently under
weigh, and made more sail us she came down, having
light breeze in her favour. The following is Captain
Broke's letter, detailing an account of the action that
ensued :

" Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813:

Sir,-1 have the honour to inform you, that being
close in with Boston lighthouse, in H. M.S , under my
command, on the Ist inst., I had the pleasure of see-
ing that the United States' frigate Chesapeake (whom
we had long been watching), was coining out of the
harbour ►o engage the Shannon ; I took a position be- '
ween Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove to for
him to join us. The enemy came down in a very hand-
some manner, having three American ensigns fly-
ing ; when closing with us, he sent down his royal-
yards. I kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze
would die away. At half-past 5 p.m. the enemy hauled
up within hail of us on the starboard side, and the battle
began : after exchanging two or three broadsides, the
enemy's ship fell on board of us, her mizen-channels
locking in with our fore-rigging. I went forward to
ascertain our position, and observed that the enemy
were flinching from their guns. I gave the order to
prepare for boarding. Our gallant hands appointed to
that service immediately rushed ia, under their
respective officers, driving everything before them
with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate but
disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gang-
ways, and between the tops, but in two minutes time, the
enemy were driven, sword in hand, from every post. The
American flag was hauled down, and the proud old British
Union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they
ceased firing from below and called for quarter. The
whole of this was achieved in 15 minutes from the com-
mencement of the action. I have to lament the loss
of many of my gallant shipmates, but they fell exulting
in their conquest. My brace first lieutenant,Mr.Watt,
was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoist-
ing the British colours ; his death is a severe loss to the
service. Mr. Aldham, the purser, who had spiritedly
volunteered the charge of a party of small-arm men,
was killed at his post, on the gangway. My faithful old
clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr Aldham
has left a widow to lament his loss. I request the
Commander-in-Chief will recommend her to the protec-
tion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. My
veteran boatswain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm ; he
fought under Lord Rodney, April 12, 1782. I trust
his age and service will be duty rewarded. lam happy
to say that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much me-
rit, is the only other officer wounded (besides myself),
and he not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and
marines, 23 were slain, and 5h wounded. No expres-
sions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of
my valiant officers and crew ; I recommend them all
warmly to the protection of the Commander-in-Chief.
Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset,
hilst charging a party of the enemy who had rallied on
their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till
our conquest was complete ; and then directing second
Lieut. Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and
secure the prisoners, I left the third lieutenant, Mr.
Falkiner (who headed the main-deck boarders), in
charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these offi-
cers most strongly to the Commander-in-Chief's pa-
tronage. To Mr. Etough, the acting Master, I am
much indebted for the steadiness with which he carried
the sh!p into action. Lieutenants Johns and Law, of
the Marines, bravely boarded at their respective divi-
sions. It is utterly impossible to particularise every
brilliant deed performed by my officers and men ; but I
must mention when the ships' yard-arms were locked
together, that Mr. Cosnahan, who commanded in our
main-top, finding himself screened from the enemy by the
foot of the topsail, laid out at the main-yardarm, to fire
upon them, and shot three men in that situation. Mr.
Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the
enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard-arm, and destroyed
all the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg
leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting Master ;
and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and
Littlejohn, Midshipmen. The loss of the enemy was
about 70 killed and 100 wounded. The enemy
came into action with 440 men ; the Shannon
hail 330. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts
49 guns; eighteens on her man deck, two-and-thirties
en her quarter deck and forecastle. Both ships came
out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging
appearing as perfect as if they bad only been exchang-
ing a salute.
" I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
(Signed) " P. B. V. BROKE.
" To Capt. Hon. T. Bladen Capel."
The Lords of the Admiralty, to mark their sense of
this action, directed a medal to be presented to Cap-
tain Broke. On the 2d of November following, Cap-
tain Broke was
.raised to the dignity of a Baronet of
Great Britain ; and in February 1814, he received the
Royal permission to bear a crest of honourable augmen-
tation to his family arms, together with the motto—
" Scevumque tridentem servamus." The underwriters
at Halifax, in testimony of their esteem, presented
Captain Broke with a piece of plate, value 100 guineas.
The Court of Common Council of London, voted him
their thanks, with the freedom of the City, and a sword
of 100 guineas value. The thanks of the Corporation
of Ipswich (the freedom of which he was by birth en-
titled to), were also presented to him, and a subscrip.

lion opened by the gentry and other inhabitants of the
county of Suffolk, for the purpose of purchasing a
piece of plate, which closed at an amount of 740/, A
convivial society at Ipswich, called the " Free and
Easy Club," likewise subscribed 100 guineas for the
purchase of a silver cup, bearing a chaste and unosten-
tatious inscription.
On the Shannon's return to England, being found
unfit for service, Sir Philip Broke was offend the com-
mand of one of the new ships built to match the large
American vessels, misnamed frigates ; but his wound
was not then sufficiently healed to allow of his immedi-
ately serving again. He was nominated a K.C.8., Ja-
nuary 2, 1815 ; and promoted to the rank of Rear-Ad-
miral, 22d January, 1839. In his public capacity he
was a zealous enterprising officer, of a conciliatory dis-
position and kind feelings. In his private life, charit-
able and benevolent ; and no one has ever died more
generally regretted than the gallant Admiral ; and his
name will be recorded to posterity as one of our greatest
naval ornaments.

POPULATION AND MILITARY
FORCE OF THE DIFFERENT POWERS IN
1841.

The following interesting statistical return, made by
Chevalier Cesar Moreau, from official documents, was
read at the Royal Statistical Society of Paris, at their
meeting of the 2d January, showing the population and
military force of the different Powers in 1841 :--
GERMANY.—The German:Confederation was esta-
blished at the peace of 1314, with the consent of
France, England, and the Holy Alliance. it is corn-
posed of the Empire of Austria, the Kingdoms of
Prussia, Bavaria, Bohemia, Hungary, Hanover, and
Wurtemberg ; of the Grand Duchies of Saxony, Ba-
den, Electorate of Hesse, and other Principalities ;

the Republics of Lubeck, Frankfort, Bremen, and
Hamburgh. This may be considered the Grtnd Mili-
tary Confederation of the North of Europe, which ex-
tends its power over the Lombario-Venetian States,
and the whole of Italy under the yoke of Austria. It
is the alliance of these States which is the great check
to the ambitious views and despotism of Russia.
The empire of AUSTRIA may be considered the
most important. It is composed of thirteen States,
viz., the Archduchy of Austria, Styria, Illyria, Tyrol,
Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, Gallieia, Hungary,
Croatia, Selavonia, Transylvania, Dalmatia, and Lom-
bardo-Venetian. It comprises 900 towns, 2,137 burghs,
and 77,596 villages. Its population is 23 millions and
a half of inhabitants ; army, 280,500 men ; and a well-
constructed navy. Its ciimate is temperate, and pro-
duces grain, fruit, and cattle in abundance.
BAV AlLlA.—Population,4,soo,ooo inhabitants; army,

35,800 men.
DENMARK. Population, 2,000,000 inhabitants
army. 40,000 men ; a large commercial navy.
BELGIUNI. Population, 3,600,000 inhabitants
army, 47,000 men ; no navy ; country fertile in grain.
HOLLAND. Population, 2.600,000 inhabitants
army, 26,000 men ; a large commercial navy ; soi
fertile. _

NORWAY. Population, 1,080,000 inhabitants ;
army, 12,000 men ; several excellent ships of war.
SWEDEN. Population, 3,866,000 inhabitants ;
army, 45,00 men ; several excellent ships of war.
SAXONY.—Population, 1,500,000 inhabitants ; army,
15,000 men ; country fertile.
SWECZERLAND.—PopuIation, 1,990,000 inhabitants ;
army, 35,000 men ; country fertile.
Wu ItTEMBE }W.—Population, 1,580,000 inhabitants ;
army, 14,01'0 men.
The kingdom of:Paussra is the second military power
included in the Germanic Confederation, and keeps the
equilibrium between Austria and Russia. Population,
12 500,000 inhabitants ; army, 200,000 men ; a large
commercial navy ; soil fertile.
Russra.—This great military empire, situated in
Europe and Asia, comprises the ninth part of the ter-
restrial globe, and the 28th part of the whole globe.
Its military colonies on the banks of the Llemen, Dnie-
per, Boy, Borys, Ingoul, Novornirgorod, and the South,
(which she gained by pillage and murder) alone amount
to upwards of 100,000 men, on a similar plan to the
military colonies of Austria. This description of mili-
tary agricultural force is annually increasing, and
threatens sooner or later to invade Circassia, and 'fur-
key, which will eventually form a province of this ever- -
growing empire, should not the determination and
wisdom of the British Cabinet, united with that of
France, put a stop to the ambition of the Autocrat.
Although so extensive, Russia is far from being so po-
pulated in comparison with France, England, and other
parts of Europe, where liberty and industry are joined
together for the bent fit of mankind. Its fettered peasantry
or hordes are scattered in small towns or desert v llages.
Its army and savage bands of Cossacks, Calmuks;

' baskirs or irregular cavalry, are disseminated al!
over the empire from North to South, each forming a
sort of military autocracy of themselves, or an indr-
dendent force of nobles and slaves, over which the Cz.lr
himself has alone the power of life and death, but not-
withstanding he is entirely under their will or influences.
Inis numerical strength in case of a sudden war, could
not be concentrated in any particular point but with the.
greatest difficulty, as the strongest antipathies exist
between these barbarous hordes, and those of an op-
posite part of the empire, differ in language and reli-
4ion. In Austria, Prussia, and the other Powers form-
mg the Germanic Confederation, the law of conscription,
similar to that of France (excepting nobles) is adopted
for the recruiting of the army, but in Russia every P"
sant or serf is considered the property of the nobles,
and can be called upon to serve as a soldier whenever
the Emperor may think proper to command him,
This despotic power is too often abused by the Gene-
rals in-Chief, who show more partiality towards one
province or government than another, from wherna
arises the state of hatred and revolt, which exists among
many of the corps, and that is only kept down by the
knout or violent flogging, and other severe corpora!
punishments, at the mercy of their officers, all of whom
are nobles. Population, 56,800,000 inhabitants ; army,
800,000 men (regular troops) ; large navy. Parts
of the country fertile in grain, wood, tar, resin,
hemp, &c.
FRANCE, next to Russia, may be considered the
strongest military power on the continent of Europe, its
army well organised, as well as its National Guards
Since the glorious revolution of 1830, many great tin-
provements have taken place in its composition, and the
conquest of Algiers and Constantine has again raised
that military spirit of glory which distinguished her
armies under Napoleon le Grand whose mort it remains
now repose within the sanctuary of the Invalidas. As
yet Franca has not established military colonies similar
to her allies of Russia and Austria, as a reward
to her bravest veterans ; but the subject is under the
special consideration of his Majesty Louis Philippe,
and his Excellency Marshal Soult, the Minister of
War, according to the plan proposed by Marshal
Vallee, who has made Northern Africa, once the re-
treat of pirates and savage Arabs, become civilised by
France and her deserving warriors. The army in
France is raised by the law of conscription, which
obliges each canton to furnish annually the contingent of
young men of the age of one-and-twenty, required
by the Government, which number is balloted for by
the rich proprietor's son, as well as that of the humble
peasant, and once exempted, they are not called upon
to draw again. The length of service is for seven
years, at the expiration of which they can either con-
tinue in the army, or demand their discharge to retire
home to the bosoms of their family. The officers rise
gradually from the ranks according to their braver)
and merit, or are named by the King front the Ecole
Polytechnique of Paris, and the Military School of
Saunter. No commissions are purchased, and all cor-
poral punishment is prohibited by the military code.
Population 34,150,000 inhabitants, army 480,000 men ;
exclusive of National Guards ; 380 ships of war, and
45,000 sailors or marines. France is divided into 86
departments, 363 arrondissements, 2,834 cantons, and
37,234 communes. One of the richest and most fer-
tile countries in Europe, producing grain, fruit, cattle,
&c., in abundance.
GREAT Berretx.—Although it may be classed
among the military nations of the North, it must be con-
sidered more a maritime Power than a military one,
and one of the most commercial, fertile, and industrious
nations in the world ; through its particular geographi-
cal position as an island, which gives it the command
of the seas. Its possessions in the different parts of
the globe present a population of 143,185,000 inhabi-
tants, and an army of 805,500 men, including the troops
belonging to the East India Company and other col( -
nies. The British army as well as the navy is
raised by voluntary enlistment. The commissions in the
army are purchased by the elite of the aristocracy, few
men ever rising from the ranks, however brave• In the
Navy, Royal Marines, and Artillery, the officers rise
from the rank of midshipmen (aspirant de vaisscau) and
cadets. Population 23,400,000 inhabitants, viz.,
7,500,000 inhabitants Ireland ; and Scotland 2 300,000
inhabitants. Standing army,125,000 men ; navy, 20,000
men ; marines, 10,000 ; ships of war, 545 of various
rates.

SPAlN.—Population, 13,000,000 inhabitants ; army,
80,000 men ; navy none ; very fertile.
PoaTuGAL.—Population, 3,850,000 inhabitants ;
army, 30,000 men ; navy small ; very fertile.
ROMAN ST ATES.—Population, 2,500,000 ; army,
10,000 men; navy small ; very fertile.
SARDlNlA.—Population, 4,400,000 inhabitants ;
army, 48,000 men ; navy small ; very fertile.
SlClLY.—Population, 7,430,000 inhabitants ; army,
55,000 men ; navy small ; very fertile.
GREECE.—Population, 750,000 inhabitants ; army,
6,500 men ; rich in fruit, silks, &c.
TURKEY.—Population,2o,ooo,ooo inhabitants ; army,
100.000 men ; rich in fruit, silks, &c.
PERSlA.—Pllfulation, 9,500,000 inhabitants ;h r y
95.000 men ; rich in fruit, silks, &c.
Morocco.—Population, 6,100,000 inhabitants ;
army, 25,000 men.
A MERICA (SOUTll).—Population, 39,000,000—viz.,
14,600.000 whites, 10,000,000 Indians, 7,400,000
black, and 7,000,000 other castes.
UNITED STATES.—Population, 11,900.000 inhabi-
tants ; army, 7,000 men ; a largo commercial navy.
BruziLs.—Population, 5,000,000 inhabitants, army,
30,000 men ; fertile in grain, fruit, gold, and precious
stones.
MExico.—Population, 7,500,000 inhabitants ; army,
25,000 men : fertile in grain, fruit, gold, and precious
stones.
PARAGUAY.—Population,2so,ooo inhabitants ; army,
5,000 men ; fertile in grain, Fruit, gold, and precious
stones.
PERU.—Population, 1,700,000 inhabitants ; army,
10,000 men.
HArrt.--Population, 880,000 inhabitants ; army,
45,000 men.
INDlA.—Population, 139,000,000 inhabitants ; army,
230,000 men?,
CHlNA.—Population, 175,000,000 inhabitants; army,
920,000 men.
JAPAN.wPopulation, 25,000,000 inhabitants ; army,
120,000 Linn.
StAst.—Population, 3,600,000 inhabitants ; army,
30,000 men.
OCEANIA in the maritime world, consisting of New
Zualand, and all the other islands, forming the fifth part
of the globe, population, 20,500,000 inhabitants.

PETER PRIGGINS, THE COLLEGE SCOUT.-
An extraordinary degree of curiosity exists, it is said, in
certain circles, as to the authorship of this work, just pro-
duced under the editorial auspices of Mr. Thodore [look.
We arc not surprised at this, for the writer's revelations of
College life are at once so truthful, so satirical, so piquant,
and apparently so full of personal hits, that Oxford must be
quite in an mettle at his disclosures. No work, perhaps,
has ever appeared in which so much sarcastic wit has been
brought to bear on the follies of all classes, and in so
humorous a manner, that while the " galled jade winces"
under the lash of the redoubtable Peter Priggins, the
withers" of his feeders are most unmercifully " wrung,"
with almost inextinguishable laughter. Phi; the well-
known illustrator of " Nicholas Nickleby," &c. has lent his
aid to Peter, in delineating the comicalities of Oxford
life, and his sketches, particularly " Mr. Leg's Lecturing,"
and " Tite Cut Direct, or Oxford Etiquette," are worthy
of Cruikshank.

THE WALSALL ELECTION.—The annals o,
Parliamentary elections do not present so remarkable a
contest as that which occupies the borough of Walsall—
exciting the anxious attention of all England, and affecting
the chief interests of Europe and the whole world. Fur
the first time in the history of British elections an open
constituency is proceeding to return a representative to
Parliament without reference to political considerations.
For the first time since the name of party was known a
contest is being carried on without reference—on the
one side, at least—to parties or party questions. For
the first time within the memory of recent generations
a stranger candidate has taken the field and become
popularly adopted without having been called upon to
avow himself a Reformer or a Tory, a Churchman or a
Dissenter; or, in short, the advocate or opponent of any
measure or question save one. Mr. J. B. Smith takes his
stand upon the question of Food alone; and addresses in
his behalf are pouring into Walsall from all parts of the
kingdom, subscribed with the names of Whigs, Tories,
and Radicals ; Churchmen, Catholics, and Dissenters ;
rich and poor, mechanic and merchant, labourer and land-
owner—one and all declaring their conviction of the para-
mount importance of that question over every other comi-
deration.—Staprdshire Lxatnitter.
KEEPING PoTAToEs.—When potatoes are
ridged up ready for covering, let a little straw or dry tern
be spread over them, after which let a foot thick of earth
be added, chopped, or otherwise rendered as fine as coal
ashes ; let neither a foot tread it nor spade beat it, but
leave the whole as light as the soil will admit of ; but
where the soil is naturally stiff a greater thickness
of it must be added, and the sides of the ridges be
left as steep as possible, and the lighter the soil
is put on, the more frost will it keep out. The reason is
obvious enousA, for when light soil is laid on steep ridges,
rain never enters deeper, perhaps, than two or three
inehaa, it being held in a kind of solution with the ine
earth by capillary attraction ; or, in other words, the air in
the light soil keeps the rain from sinking, consequently it
runs down the side of the ridges, and keeps the interior of
the mass as dry as possible, and of course the frost never
enters to a great depth. When the soil is troth:en or
otherwise made firm, the air beats out of it, every drop of
rain enters and sinks through the whole mass, then frost
takes the liberty to follow.—Scotsman.
NAPIER IN BATTLE.—A letter just received
from the Bay of Marmorice—the writer on board one
of the ships—says that they were all there—a noble
fleet, nearly all Stopford's first ships. "On Napiet's
arrival he was received with cheers from the ships, that
echoed through the mountains far and wide. lie (Napier)
led the storming party at Sidon in a round hat, round
jacket, trousers much too short for him, with
a cudgel in his hand, and accompanied by his in
separable companion—it dog, between the bull-dog and
terrier breeds, called • Pow,' in honour of the ship.
This dog is a wondrous favourite, and remarkable for Ins
courage and wit—he shuts doors, rings bells, &c. &c.,
besides fighting."

WOOLWICH-FRIDAY.

Information reached Woolwich on Wednesday of ti:fs
death of Lieut. Popham, of the Royal Horse Artillery,
on the i3OLli ult., at Florence, whilst travelling on the
Continent. The deceased was 28 years of age, and
had been ill nine days.
A Committee of Officers, consisting of Lieut.-Colonel
Wallace, Captains Pascoe and Morris, assembled on
the I lth instant, to investigate a report on the claims
made for clothes destroyed or damaged at the late fire
on Woolwich-common.

Captain Williams having been appointed to a parti-
cular service in the East, Captain Gossett takes charge
of Major Sinclair's company, Bth battalion, until further
orders.

The non-commissioned officers and men placed on the
pension list by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital
were discharged on the 13th instant, by order of the
Master-General.