The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-16 00:00:00

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11-0, AN It PRINC
S EItiTS
aria Presse of 9th inst. contains a letter from
de Tolstoy, the grandson of Marshal Koutousoff,
the following is a translation:—
" Paris, March 3, 1847.
Sir,—ln the sixth volume of The Consulate and the
Empire, M. Thiers has portrayed with extreme inaccu-
racy and indiscretion the character of Marshal Koutou-
soff, Prince of Smolensk. As a lineal descendant, and
the nearest relation of the deceased marshal, I owe it to
ids memory, and to mystlf, formally to contradict'the
aspersions in question.
"M. Thiers represents the marshal as indolent," dis-
solute,' and avaricious.'
" Indolent!' Why, while yet a stripling, he entered
the military service of his country, arid daring three
consecutive reigns took part in every Russian campaign.
By turns he was Civil Administrator, Ambassador, and
Commander-in-Chief of the land forces of the empire.
It is passing incrediele that a man who led so toilsome
a life, and fillvd such posts, could be indolent.'
" Dissolute!' Never in Russie was such un accusation
breathed against the venerable and exemplary -Prince of
Smolensk, and the perusal of ti.e page in M. Thiers'
ulster) in which it , cur would there excite general
indignation. The rt.spect of a great nation 4, methinks,
an ample reltuktion of the libel of the sp)* whose slate-
in: ras M. 'I hiers has hastily adored.
" • Avaricious!' The tortune left by tho marshal at his
death was inadequate to support his children at all de-
etntly .in their sphere of life. Truth and gratitude
impel me to add that Imperial munificence came to their
aid. Ills Nlajesty, our present Emperor, hAsgencronsly
bestowed his bounties upon the children or a veteran
general en whom had been heaped the highest honours
of the empire.
"The marshal died in 1813 at the head of the victorious
army which delivered Russia from a formidable invasion.
His obsequies were solemnized at St. Petersburg. On
that occasion the national feeling of respect and attach-
ment to the departed hero was manifested in a striking
manner. The populac,-- insisted on dragging the funeral
car. The mandrel's loss was deplored toy all ranks, and
the Emperor Alexander wrote to the widow of the
Prince of rmolensk, ` I mingle my tears with yours, and
with those of the whole nation.'
" The letter which contains these words is highly
prized, and carefully preserved by the family to which
I have the honour to belong. " I km, &c.
" P. DE TOLSTOY."

* The spy alluded to is the French renegade Langeron.

SALE OF RARE BOOKS.—An important sale of
rare books and manuscripts was commenced on Friday
last at Messrs. Sotheby's auction-rooms, Wellington-street.
The books form a portion of the library of J. Wilkes, Esq.,
of Finsbury-square, and are divided into nearly 3,000 lots.
Among the lots si ld on Saturday were the Biblia Sacra La-
tins, or first edition of the Holy Scriptures, in three volume;
without name of printer, place, or date, but attributed
to the press of Gutenberg, at Mentz, between the years
1450-55. This edition is known by the name of the
Mazarine Bible, from the discovery of a copy in the library
of Cardinal Maurine. It is printed in double columns, in
imitation of the large letters used by the scribes of the period
in writing the church missals and choir books, and although
in existence for nearly four centuries, appears as clean as if
it had been but recently issued from the press. Only eighteen
copies of this splendid work are known to exist—fourteen
upon paper, and four upon vellum: one of the latter has
recently been added to the British Museum, through the
bequest of the late Right Hon. T. Grenville. This copy
formerly belonged to George Hibbert, Esq. The first offer
for this rare book was 200 guineas; and eventually it was
knocked down for 50e1. to Messrs. Wiley and Putnam, the
American booksellers, its destination being the American
Museum, at Washington. " Psalterium Davidis," a most
beautiful manuscript upon vellum, executed for the Earl
of Lincoln in 1410, was, after a spirited competition be-
tween Sir F. Madden, on behalf of the Bi itish Museum,
and Mr. Rodd, knocked down to the latter for
210/. " Biblia Pauperum Germanice," a block
book of forty engraved pages in small folio,
worked off in black ink coloured, Nordlingte, 1470, fetched
10/. Apocalypse de St. Jean, a manuscript upon velluni, of
the 14th century, containing 78 large miniatures, sold for
60 guineas. Psalterium Davidis, &c., an Illustrated manu-
script upon vellum, of the 13th century, sold for 641. Biblia
Sacra Latina, first edition of the Bible printed at Paris in
1476, sold for 50/. Vetus et Novum Testarnentum Latinum,
&c., printed upon vellum, at Venice, in 1487, sold for 591. 10s.
Apocalypsis Sancti Johannis, 48 pages, but wanting the 45th
page ; this. although imperfect, fetched 471., &c., &c. Yester-
day this sale was continued at Messrs. Sotheby's. The fol-
lowing were among the lots sold :—Ciceronis Officia Para.
doxa at Versus XIL Sapientum ' • first edition, printel upon
vellum by J. Fust at Mentz in the year 1465—bought by Sir
Thomas Philips for 3001. "Christine of Pysa, the Fayttes
of Armes and of Chivalrye ;" printed by William Caxton in
1489—sold for 541. This copy was imperfect, the two first
leaves being supplied by fec-similies ; a perfect copy sold some
time back produced the large sum of 3361. Cato (Dion),
"The booke called Caton whiche I presente to the Cvtey of
London, Win. Caxton, Thabbay of Westmynstre, the Fyrst
yere of Kynge Rycharde the Thyrde, 1483"—sold for 234
ss. In 1815 this copy sold for 51/. 95., the falling off in value
being accounted for by the loss of two leaves in sheet E.
"The forme and mariner of makyng Archebishoppes, Priestes
and Deacons;" a small black-letter tract, printed by Richard
Grafton in 1549—501 d for 154 The other lots fetched good
prices.

- THE DEAD ALIVE.—Our readers will probably
recollect that, about eight or ten weeks ago, we gave an ac-
count of a suicide committed by a female, in the water above
Hutchesontown Bridge, and of the recovery of the body a
few d ys afterwards sornewherwear Govan. The wife of
a dyer. residing in HutchesonTown, but who wilt sepa-
rated from her husband some years ago, on account of
her intemperate habits, disappeared about the same time, and
thebody, when discovered, answered the description of the
(bees wife so well, that he immediately applied to a friendly
society of which he is a member, and obtained the allowance
(4/.) to bury his supposed wife, which he did with every due
solemnity. Although a staunch teetotaller, be was so overjoyed
at getting rid of one who was a thorn in his side for an long a
time, that he even broke his pledge, and has been in the
habit of taking little drops occasionally since. But, alas!
this happy state of things must come to an end. On
Monday last, whilst sitting comfortably at his dinner.
who bounced in upon him but his own identical spouse,
whom he buried, as he supposed, eight weeks ago.
The consternation which so unwelcome a guest caused
is easier imagined than described. The housekeeper
fainted, and it was with some difficulty she was brought
to, and the husband's eyes almost jumped out of their
soakets ; however, in a short time, order was restored,
and after a little explanation from this visitant from the
invisible world they recovered from their panic. It ap-
pears, that instead of throwing herself into the Clyde, as was
supposed, she repaired to a neighbouring town, where she
remained until the date of her re-appearance. The unfor-
tunate husband sorely laments his loss, as he must now re-
fund the 4/. which he obtained to bury her.—Glasgow Post.
ARMED MAIL PACKETS.—The Board of Admi—
ralty have entered into a contract with the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company for armed mail steamers
to the following places :—Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and
Gibraltar, to sail 7th, 17th, and 27th of each month from
Southampton ; penalty for breach of contract, 10,0001. ;
the contract is for 20,5001. For India and China monthly
—Five packets to leave Southampton on this service ;
penalty ter non-performance, 35,0001. ; terms of contract,
160,0001. per annum. For Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria
—To leave Southampton 3ti of each month, and for Mar-
seilles on the 7th from London ; penalty for non-perfor- •
mance, 8,0001. ; contract, 28,5001. ; two of the vessels are
to be of 400 horse-power, and fitted to carry four guns of
the largest calibre used in the !loyal Navy. In all four-
teen steamers, ten of 400 horse-power and upwards, the
remaining four of 200 horse-power. The contracts altogether
amouut to 240,000/., and the penalties to 500004 The con-
tract for India and China terminates in January, 1853, when
by twelve months' notice on either side the contracts may
cease.

LEWES ELECTION.—LEWES, MONDAY.—This elec-
tion is fixed for Wednesday next. An active canvass has
been going on for the last two or three days, but this after-
noon Captain Lyon, the protectionist candidate, issued an
address announcing his intention of retiring from the con-
test, so that ➢ir. Perfect, the Liberal, will have nothing to
do but walk over the course

BRITISH SCHOOLS.—The annual meeting of the
above schools took place last evening in the School-rooms,
I Tart-street, Covent-garden. The Honourable and Rev. Lord
William Russell presided, and was supported by the Hoenv..
Montagu Villiers, A.M., Charles Hindley, Esq 11. P
Dr. Cumming, a deputation from the British and i' Roreign
School Society, and many other Reverend Gentlemen. The
secretary's report set forth that these schools had been esta-
blished for forty years, during which time they had struggled
through great difficulties, until at length they were y h
road to success. The support the committee
from the Duke of Bedford had been the main cause of their
present flourishing condition. A large debt that had been •
incurred was partly paid off by that Noble Duke. The
treasurer's report showed the institution to be in a very safe
condition. Several resolutions were passed pledging the com-
mittee to future exertion, and the report having been re-
ceived, the meeting, which was very fully attended, broke up.
FATAL FIGHT NEAR NVOLVERITAMPTON.-011
Friday an inquest was held on the body of Richard Harper
a miner, who was killed in a tight near Monmore Green on
Saturday night last. The investigation commenced on
Monday, at the Birmingham House, Bilston-road, but was
then adjourned by the coroner, in order to afford time for a
post mortem examinati9n. From the evidence adduced it
appeared that the deceased, together with William Evans,
John Wright, Robert Weaver. William Harris, Isaac Had-
ley, and a number of other persons, were drinking at the
o.ld Fellows' Arms, Monmore-green, at a late hour on Sa-
turday night. A quarrel arose in consequence of the de-
ceased blaming one of the company for knocking a jug of
ale over, and two or three rounds were fought in the house
between him arid Robert Weaver, but it would appear that
the deceased, who, it was stated, was very drunk, was
not then hurt, and the quarrel ultimately became one be-
tween the deceased and William Evans, in conse-
quence of the latter taking the part of Weaver,
and they left the house for the purpose of fighting. Three
rounds were fought in the road opposite the house, in each
of which Harper was knocked down by Evans, and when hit
the la 4 time he was rendered insensible, and unable to get
up. William Harris seconded the deceased, and Isaac Hadley
backed Evans. Atter the deceased was knocked down the
third time, Harris and Evans fought, and it appears that
the deceased was left lying in the road, little or no attention
being given to him, one of the witnesses stating that he saw
him lying under a window, quite dead and cold, about half
an hour after the fight. A pest mortem examination of the
body was made by Mr. Edwards, surgeon, who stated that
he found a bruise upon the region of the stomach, and that
congestive apoplexy of the brain appeared to be the cause of
death, which a blow upon the stomach would produce. The
jury
nrse t
ausr ntehde aprvineordipicatl,oanf "
and Manslaughter againstWilliam
Williamarrisa
nd
Isaac Hadley as
absconded,accesso bries.;
Evans is not at present in cus-
tody, havingu
trtial._s
hetwotastrecoordndAs,dwrerhotiswere.re
is
custody, were committed for
The following is an extract from a letter received
from a native of Glasgow who emigrated to the States four
years ago, as a farmer, dated Davenport, lowa, Jan.
1847 :—" The prices of farm produce are very low this
year, which makes it go rather hard with the farmer.
Colleting the cent one halfpenny, you will be able to
make out the following prices. Just now, pork and
wheat are the principal articles the farmers are bring-
ing into town—pork, 2 cents per pound ; wheat,
40 cents per bushel of 60Ibs; flour, 1 cents per lb.; butter,
10 cents; eggs, 8 cents per dozen; oats, 15 cents per bushel;
corn, 15 cents per bushel ; corn meal, 30 cents per bushel of
501bs.—( when we speak of corn it is always Indian corn that
is meant); beef, 2 and 3 cents per lb. by the quarter, and
3 and 4 cents by single
pound ; potatoes, 15 cents per bushel
of GOlbs. ; onions, 20 cents per bushel. As -yet there is very
, little cheese made here, and what is made sells at 6 cents
per lb."—Glasgoto Post.