The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-05 00:00:00

THE GREAT BRITAIN.

BRISTOL, THURSDAY.—The following documents were read
at a meeting of proprietors to-day :
" 18, Duke-street, Westminster, Feb. 27.
"Gentlemen,—l beg to inclose Captain Claxton's account
of the proceedings at Dundrum Bay during the time that he
has been engaged in forming the breakwater or protection to
the ship, in the manner recommended by me.
" Notwithstanding the great difficulties he has had to con-
tend with from almost incessant bad weather, with the :wind
blowing dead on shore nearly the whole of the month of Ja-
nuary, and consequently preventing the tides from ebbing
sufficiently out to allow of the work being properly pro-
ceeded with; and notwithstanding the occurrence of more
than one storm at the most critical period of the work, he
has, as I fully relied upon his doing, succeeded in so far
protecting the ship that she has been comparatively unaf-
fected by violent seas, which, there is no doubt whatever,
would otherwise have seriously damaged her. We may now
calculate with tolerable certainty upon preserving her with-
out further injury until the finer, or at least more settled
weather sets in.

_
" In the work which Captain Claxton undertook, and has
so successfully completed, he has been compelled to vary
very materially the mode of proceeding first laid down ; he
has, in fact, been obliged to adapt his plans to his means of
execution, and almost from day to day to devise modes of
proceeding. with only the experience of the past day to
guide him. Icumerous unforeseen difficulties have occurred,
upon which he kept me daily informed ; and simple as my
plan might have appeared to others, it required much skill,
contrivance, and unwearying perseverance to carry out, and
many alterations and improvements as it progressed. I had
relied confidently on success when my friend Captain Clax-
ton undertook the work, and the result has fully confirmed
my expectations.
" It is now necessary to turn our attention to the best
mode of removing the ship. 1 hope in about a fortnight
from the present time to be able to give you some opinion
upon this point, but it is one requiring much consideration,
and until I had the opportunity of conferring with Captain
Claxton on the subject, and also had before me all the mea-
surements and data which he has collected, it was useless to
attempt am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
" I. K. BRUNEL."

The letter of Captain Claxton, whicl;ls—daiedf;l7 20,
merely describes in detail the operation mentioned in Mr
Brunel's letter.

NEW LITERARY INSTITUTION.—Amongst the no-
velties of the day we notice with some degree of satisfaction
the establishment of an office called the Literarium, for
enabling the public to obtain literary aid on every variety of
subject. The undertaking appears to fill up an hiatus which
has long existed in the literary world, and we are inclined to
think that all classes, more particularly tradespeople who
require circulars written, may derive considerable assistance
from the institution.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 01' FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS.
—Yesterday the annual general court of the membersps at of
this society was held at the London Tavern, Biog
street, J. Labouchere, Esq., in the chair. From -the report
of the committee it appeared that the subscriptions had con-
siderably decreased during the past year, amounting to not
more than 3701., whereas in 182 they were 5001., and in
1845, 1,6001. In consequence the number of pensioners re-
ceiving ss. a week bad been reduced from 85 to 80, but te
same quantum of casual relief had been afforded as during
more prosperous years. The total number of persons re-
lieved last year was 2,529, and 70,926 foreigners had been
benefited by the society since its establishment. The receipts
from various sources during the past year amounted to
2,490/. 12s. 5d., and the expenditure to 2,981/. ; but by a
sale of some of the society's stock there remained in the
bands of the treasurer a small balance of 17/. 13s. 10d. The
report concluded with an earnest appeal to the public for
further support. It was then adopted by the meeting, and
cordial thanks having been voted to the chairman, the court
broke up.
LOYAL UNITED FRIENDS.—A few evenings ago
the sixth anniversary of the No. 6 Lodge of this highly re-
spectable social body was celebrated at the Lodge-house, the
King's Arms, Wilke-street, Spitalfields, on which occasion
the friends partook of a substantial entertainment. Presi-
dent Groom officiated as chairman, as did past President
Jaques as deputy, and were supported by P. P. Campbell,
D. Burgess, P. Lowth, P. P. Watson, and several other in-
fluential members of the order. After the usual toasts had
been given and duly responded to, Deputy Burgessure proposed
" Prosperity to the order, and success to t funds,"
which was received with great applause. The healtfis of the
Chairman, Deputy! and Treasurer Cook, were severally drank
amidrmac,
much enthusiasm, and the evening was enlivened with
several songs, Sce.
SURREY THEATRE. —Mr. E, Stirling's benefit took
place at this theatre on Wednesdry evening, when the drama
of Nieho!as Nichleby was revived, our old friend Wilkinson ap-
pearing in his original character of Squeers ; and we have
never seen him play better than on this occasion The farce
of the Rival Stars followed, and the popular drama of Gus-
tavus 111. concluded the entertainments. In the course of
the evening those talented and clever children, Miss
Frampton and blaster Forrest, pupils of Mr. Frampton,
and Miss Louisa Coleman, pupil of Miss Gilbert, appeared,
and danced very prettily. The house was crowded.
DEATE OF MR. BRADSIIAW, M.P. FOR CANTER-
BURY.—Dir. James Bradshaw, one of the representatives foi
the city of Canterbury, died yesterday afternoon, at his resi-
dence in South-street, Grosvenor-square, after a lengtheneo
illness of a most painful character. lie married, severa
years since, the elder Miss Tree, the celebrated actress, iste.
to Mrs. Charles Kean and Mrs. Kemble Chapman, and tha.
lady attended him up to his last moments. Mr. Bradshaw
leaTe4 issue but onedaughter, yilw is muted.