The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVEN

, (Mr.Parkei

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Another of the " pre-decided certainties" cr
the Turf, the race for the St. Leger, has proved the
uncertainty of this kind of certainties, and for the
thousandth and first time put the " favourite fancies"
In the hole ; and in their efforts to emerge from the
Serape into which they had brought themselves, got
deeper into the mire by coming the heroic for the
Cup. Two more decided failures so close upon one
another it has never been my lot to witness; especially
after the confidence evinced by the backers of the
Stable in both instances (2 to 1 having been laid on
Coassack and Foreclosure for the Leger, and 5 to 2 on
the Hero for the Cup), success was deemed certain.
After this, talk not of Turf certainties, or you may,
Perchance, be laughed at for a greenhorn. My re-
luarks on the St. Leger were correct to the letter.
In my last epistle I said, " Van Tromp is the best
horse suited for the course, and as he is in tip-top
condition he ought to be first or second." About the
rest, with the exception of Cossack, I expressed an
.11nfavours,ble opinion. With respect to Foreclosure,
.
cannot myself conceive how any person, knowing
the horse, could be tempted to back such a brute.
About him I stated that "Foreclosure was said to be
a diamond of the first water. Mere humbug. He is,
of course, a good money horse ; but what earthly
chance has he, in a fair race, against Van Tromp and
Cossack ?" And, in summing up, I placed Van
Tromp first, and Cossack second, the exact position
in which they arrived at the post.
I am sorry to say the settling has been anything
but satisfactory, an excitable son of Erin having
Prospect of payment ; and several others for
smaller sums, in all amounting to between 16,0001.
Wiled 17,0001.—a large deficit, when the tight state of
taiien:°lleY market in the City, and at the Corner, is
at N.- into consideration. The first October meeting
to commences (strange anomaly) in Sep-
er---on Tuesday next—with an average list of
business, which will pave the way for the more
Important transactions in the second October and
Houghton meetings. The Hopeful Stakes of 40
sovs, each
at h. ft., will probably have the following
hatch
the post, viz. :—Duplicity, Grist, colt
-by
Venisonit Tippet; Teetotum, colt by The Earl of
iehln°nd Layla filly, Cara 'filly, and perhaps Lucy
Ashton and Lovelace. I presume they will find their
T Colte et obt
way home thus :
••• ... 1
yurnVenis'on 2
Tippet 3
•.. ••• •••
The Grand Duke Michael Stakes of 50 sovs. each—
a_ll the money—is the feature of the meeting. About
or six, at the utmost, will put in an appearance,
n
and according to their merits, will come in as fol-
lows

Conyngham ... ... 1
•••
Red Hart ••• ••• ... 2
Coningsby ... .•• 3
Lazarillo ••• ••• ... 4
Craftsman ... ••• ... 6
Leger Stakes to Foreclosure or Ziska—

The St.

Miami • "or Tippetillrli And the Rutland Stakes to Lovelace
Monday. am, Sir yours &c.,
THE 'SPIRIT OF THE TURF.

CHAMPIONSHIP
AQUATICS.
aside, THAMES.
The final deposit of 40/.
2001., in the great match between the stake of
of
Hcrosbert Coombes, of
Millbank, and Robert Newell,
championship of the Thames,
trearket-
iorod last even-
ing, at Mr. Tennant s, the Westminster
Market-
street, 'Westminster. This race, which creates the
live-
liest interest in aquatic circles, is appointed for to-morne(l)Yd°wn• for the
(Wednesday), the distance being from Putney-bridge to
the Ship at Mortlake, with tide. Both men are in first?.
rate training and condition, and a very gallant race is
anticipated. Betting is slightly in favour of Coombes,
but a great deal of money has been laid out at even. The
start will take place at about half past four.

JOHNSON AND PRINCE.—The match between these
men for 201. came off yesterday, and was won by John-
Son. The distance was from Putney-bridge to Kew.
At the start Prince took the lead and kept it up to
Hammersmith-bridge, where Johnson outrowed him,
kept it, and went in a winner by about four lengths.

- -
GOOD SPORT. —On the 13th instant, Sir A. V.
Corbet, Bart., shot no less than 30 brace of birds on the
1110 Hattcn estate in this county. The respected Ba-
ronet has been from home for some time, and this was
the first day of his taking the gun this season.—Shrop-
shLre Journal.
THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING.---By'the direction
of At e Bishop of London the formof prayer in token of
th
...antslerng for a bountiful har,est was read in all the
mitirc'Polltan churches

SURREY THEATRE.
The Surrey Theatre opened last evening under the
management cif Mr. Bunc, who, as he himself in his
programme says, has been driven by necessity to
enter into an arrangement with Mrs. Davidge for the
use of the Surrey Theatre in consequence of both
the national theatres, of which he has been at various
times lessee, being in the hands of foreigners. His
old company at Drury- lane have gallantly come to
his rescue, and he has transferred the Drury-lane
operatic company, choruses, orchestra, and corps de
ballet to the Surrey. Even Grieve, the prince of
scene painters, has emigrated across the water
with his old manager. 11 It is highly credi-
table to the Drury-lane company that they
have thus remained with Mr. Bunn, and the fact of
their so remaining is a sufficient answer to the va-
rious attacks which have heretofore been made upon
his Drury-lane management. In addition to the old
operatic company of Drury-lane (including, as it
does, Miss Romer, Miss Rainforth, Miss Rebecca
Isaacs, Mr. Borrani, Mr. W. Harrison, Mr. Rafter,
and Mr. H. Horncastle), in addition to the Drury-
lane ballet company, including Les Sceurs St. Louin,
Mr. W. H. Payne and his daughters, and all fhe old
favourites, Mr. Bunn has engaged an excellent
comedy ccmpany, among whom are Mr. Frederick
Vining, Mr. Oxberry, Mr. Attwood, Mrs. H. Hughes,
and Mrs. R. Hughes. Mr. G. Ellis is his stage-
manager. The house has been thoroughly cleaned
and completely re-decorated and re-papered, a new
entrance has been made to the private boxes, and the
public boxes are more snug and comfortable than
they were under the former regime. The chief aim
of the management will be devoted to the advance-
ment of English opera by native talent; and possess-
ing as he does the exclusive copyright of the chefs
dceuvres. of Balfe, Benedict, Wallace, and all our best
modern native composers, Mr. Bunn will present to
the frequenters of the Surrey Theatre a series of per-
formances of the most recherchecharacter, performances
which the Surrey audiences can well appreciate, and
will well reward, for they have long been celebrated
among metropolitan audiences for their just apprecia-
tion and their generous patronage of good operatic
music. The prices of admission continue as they
have been for some years past, viz., 2s. to the boxes,
Is. to the pit, and 6d. to the gallery, and we are glad
to find that Mr. Bunn has taken the opportunity
which this lowness of prices has afforded him of doing
away altogether with the pernicious system of
orders. He has done this in so ingenious a
manner that he has freed himself from the an-
noyance of ever being asked for an order.
"It would be an insult to a gentleman," says Mr.
Bunn in his programme, "to offer him a present of
two shillings." Last night was the opening night,
and crowds were waiting outside the doors long before
the announced hour of opening. The house was
crammed to suffocation long before the commence-
ment of the performances, and the late corners were
unable to obtain admission. The opera was The Bo-
hemian Girl, brought out in a style of magnificence,
as regarded scenery, processions, banners, and deco-
rations, which surpassed even. the gorgeousness of its
first production at Drury-lane. Grieve has sur-
passed himself in the beautiful scenes which he has
painted for the revival of this exquisite opera.
The cast was the same as at Drury, with these ex-
ceptions : Miss Romer appeared as Arline, instead of
Miss Rainforth, Mr. Rafter as Florestein, instead of
Mr. Hudson or Mr. Harley, and Mr. H. Horncastle
as Devilshoof, instead of Mr. Stretton. Miss Romer
sang the beautiful music of Arline exquisitely. She
was of course encored in " Marble halls.' Miss
Romer, we are rejoiced to say, seems to have com-
pletely recovered her health; she never looked
better or sung better in her life than she did
last evening. Mr. Rafter is a musician, and
therefore an improvement, operatically speaking,
upon both Ids predecessors. Mr. 11. Horncastle 's
Devilshoof, was excellent. Borrani, who appeared in
Count Arnheim, his original character, was in ex-
cellent voice, and sang and acted magnificently. His
rich deep bass tones told with immense effect in the
song " Now bowed down with grief and care." Har-
rison was encored, as a matter of course, in those
delicious melodies which Balfe has written for him in
this opera, and which suit his style and his voice so
well, and, sooth to say, never were encores more
richly deserved. The choruses and orchestra, under
the able superintendence of Mr. Tully, went
admirably, and never has the Bohemian Girl
been better performed than it was last evening. Miss
Romer, llarrison, and Borrani were called for at the
conclusion of the opera, and then there were loud
calls for Mr. Bunn, who at length came forward and
acknowledged the compliment in a short and appro-
priate speech, during the deliver! of which he was
enthusiastically applauded. The Sceurs St. Louin
then appeared in a divertissement; and the farce of My
Neighbour's Wife, which was admirably performed
by Oxberry, Attwood, Vining, Mrs. H. Hughes, and
Miss Rebecca Isaacs, completed the evening's amuse-
ment. We have no doubt that Bunn's campaign at
e Surrey will be most successful.

CHEAP NEWSPAPERS.—The Bolton Free Press, in
announcing this week its repudiairon of the cheap sy s-
tem, says, "In re-establishing the F, ee Press, two
months ago, we adopted the price to which it was re-
duced under its former management, being anxious to
supply the paper to our readers at as low a rate as pos-
sible. From the experience we have now had, however,
we find that a local paper, with a limited number of
advertisements, cannot possibly be produced fur three-
pence. The cost of the stamp and paper is twopence
—the allowance to newsmen a halfpenny—leaving only
a halfpenny to meet all the expenses of printing, editing,
reporting, &c., which entail a considerable weekly ex-
penditure. We have no hesitation, therefore, in re•
sorting to the old price of fourpence, being fully assured
that the large and powerful party in the borough, whose
principles are espoused and advocated in this journal,
will gladly pay such a price as will remunerate the pub-
lisher, and maintain, for the Liberal cause, a means of
communicating their sentiments to the public, and of
vindicating their principles and their conduct, when as-
sailed by the calumnies of the Tory press."
RAILWAY IRON BRIDGES.—One of the most im-
portant steps taken by the executive is the appointment
of the " iron commission," from which most important
results are expected, as the theory as well as the prac-
tical construction of suspended iron arches will be fully
investigated, and that, too, before any serious expendi-
ture is incurred in the stupendous works which so mate-
rially concern the public safety. The commissioners'
attention will also be engaged with two inventions of
much importance—one by Captain R. S. Warrington,
the inventor of the ventilating apparatus fitted to the
Growler and other vessels, and one by a Mr. Sadler, of
a balance bridge, on the principle of the balance,
whereby the vis inertia, the dead weight, of suspended
iron for arches will be considerably lessened.
SOUTHAMPTON, SEPT. 27.—The Oriental Com-
pany's steam ship Montrose, Captain Burney, left the
Docks at 3 P.M. this day, for Gibraltar, with the Penin-
sular and Mediterranean mails, also 21 passengers, and a
full cargo of nearly 100 tons of bale and other goods.
The remainder of the overland mails are hourly ex-
pected by the arrival of the Indus, Captain Soy, from
Alexandria; she is destined to bring a large number of
passengers.
SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY: EXTENSION TO HUN.
GERFORD BRIDGE.—This stupendous undertaking is
rapidly approaching towards completion. The great
arch that is to cross the Westminster-road has been com-
menced • the stone plinths are being laid, and the abut-
ments already appear above the foundation. When com-
pleted it will present to the eye a span of 90 feet and an
elevation of 17 feet. The arch crossing the Wandsworth-
road is completed, and is 70 feet span. The arch at
South Lambeth-road is a great curiosity ; though it is
16 feet span on the square and 33 feet square, and built
over a sewer, it is constructed entirely of brick ; from
the peculiarity of the foundation it presented some diffi-
culties to construct safely ; but they have been overcome
by the able engineer of the company, Mr. Locke, and
the arch is now complete. The arch over Paradise-
street is to be a flat arch, and to consist of ten iron gir-
ders of enormous size, being nearly 30 feet long, and of
32 tons weight each. These beams were lifted to their
places on Friday last in the presence of a crowd of per-
sons, and under the superintendence of Mr. Tolmie.
While the beams were being raised, some of the specta-
tors appeared to apprehend that the great strain on the
chain would break it ; but the whole mass was placed in
its proper position without the slightest accident having
occurred.
JENNY LIND IN Nouwwn.—Three concerts, at
which this extraordinary gifted vocalist has appeared,
were given in this city on Wednesday, Thursday, and
Saturday last, and caused the greatest excitement. St.
Andrew's Hall was filled on each occasion. On Saturday,
when Messrs. Hall and Smith reduced the prices of ad-
mission to 10s. 6d. and 55., more than 2,500 persons took
advantage of the opportunity. The receipts of the three
concerts were about 3,5001., out of which there will be
about 1,4001. profit. The terms of Mdlle. Lid's engage-
ment were 1,0001. for the two evenings, and 2001. for the
Saturday morning concert. On Mr. Hall's waiting on
her with a cheque for the amount she expressed her un-
willingness to take it all. She said the prices had been
lower than at any other place (which was in consequence
of the representation of some of the patrons), and she
was sure that they could not make so much by her as
they ought ; and she insisted on returning 2001. She
would have added 501. to this, to pay for the extra ex-
pense they had incurred, inconsequence of her not being
able to appear at the time announced, but Mr. Hall
would not accept it. In addition to this munificence
Mdlle. Lind left 2001. with the bishop, at whose palace
she had been entertained during her stay, to be distri-
buted amongst the charities of the city.
Lord Csacmotpsmbealnl. is at present residing at Hartrigg,
bthuergehst._ate recently purchased by his Lordship near Jed-
CANAL ACCIDENT.—On Thursday the canal boat,
which left Port Hopetoun at twelve o'clock, met a slight
detention, which,
in other circumstances, might have
been attended with fatal consequences. In emerging
from one of the bridges, about a mile and a half from
the station, one of the horses and the rider were blown
into the water; the other horse kept running with the
boat, and had the young man not, in a moment, let go
the rope dragging the boat, it must have been upset.
The cabin was filled with females. The young man
was picked up by the pilot, and his place being supplied,
he was sent back, having only got a ducking. The
horse swam to the side, and was dragged out by the
bridle, after which the boat proceeded.—North BMW;
it. ' Mail

FLANDERS and H AMBURGH MAIL.
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 23.—At a meeting of the Con-
gress for the Improvement of Prisons it was deter-
mined that the service of the pious should be divided
into two classes—the material and the moral. In
conformity with this new regulation, special religious
corporations will be formed as speedily as possible for
the prisons. The Governnient are to encourage the
formation of religious associations and patronage
societies, and the visiting of pious persons into pri-
sons; but these are to confine themselves to their
office, they are not to interfere in the material de-
partment, nor in the physical punishment of the
prisoners. The Committee of the Congress of Brus-
sels, united to that of Frankfort, has been charged
to prepare the place of meeting and programme of
the next Congress.
AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION AT BRUSSELS.—The
city of Brussels presents an unusually interesting
aspect at this moment, and will excite national pride
in the heart of every Belgian. On the one hand, the
fine and immense collection of works of native manu-
facture and industry are exhibited in the immense
buildings of the Entrepots ; and, on the other,
agriculture responds to the call of the King
to display its varied and useful products. The pro•
ductive powers of the country, both in nature and
art, which are thus simultaneously brought together,
are an ohj ct of astonishment and delight to all, even
to those who are well acquainted with the capabilities
of Belgium in both these respects. The agricultural
exhibition was opened yesterday by the King, who
was received by the Ministers, the Governors of the
provinces, and a large party of official and private
persons. His Majesty was accompanied by the
Queen, the Royal Family, and the ladies and gentle.
men of the Court.
The Minister of the Interior, in the name of the
society, presented an address to his Majesty, to which
the King replied, that he was highly gratified at being
present at the opening of an exhibition so important,
and so useful; that agriculture had always been the
most solid, and the best pdrsuit of the country, inas-
much as it was the basis of every other, and on this
account it was the object of his constant solicitude.
The agriculturalists of Belgium," he added, " had
always been good citizens, and were ever devoted
to the independence of their country."
Their Majesties and Royal Family remained two
hours in examining the various products of agriculture
The Royal Family, attended by the officers of the
household then proceeded to the public meeting of
the Academy of Belgians. After Beethoven's over-
ture of the Comte .'Egmont had been performed by
the orchestra, and an address delivered by M. Navez,
the prizes for musical composition were given to
Messrs. Gavaert and Lomens. The successful candi-
dates had the honour of being presented to their
Majesties.
INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT OF LOMBARDY.—
Letters from Vienna say an important reform, which
is highly interesting to the present positions of the
kingdoms of Lombardy and Venice, and which will
certainly be welcomed, is at this moment in progress.
It is the separation of the internal affairs of Lombardy
from the other provinces, and the establishment there
of a peculiar high chancery. The office of President
will be filled pro tempore by Count Fiquelmont,
who will subsequently be nominated High Chancellor..
Hence Lombardy will have its own chancery, like
Hungary, Bohemia, and Siebenburgen, and this un-
expected, though long wished for, reform will greatly
facilitate the transactions of the Government in this
kingdom with the capital. This is looked upon as a
giant stride, and a prognostic that the Viceroy will
ere long obtain the much wished-for independent po-
sition for central government. Immediately after the
disturbances in eiilan on the Bth and 9th a deputation
of the burghers waited upcn the Governor in order
to express to him, as the reigning head of the Icing-
dom of Lombardy the sentiments of their loyal at-
tachment. The Italian affairs appear daily to create
a greater aversion of that people to their German
neighbours, which they plainly manifest on every oc-
casion ; and although it is certainly the result of poli-
tical infatuation, it is a fact which is highly deprecated
and resented by the latter.
PENDING DIVORCE OF PRINCE ALBERT OF PRUSSIA.
—BERLIN, SEPT. 16.—The President of the Royal
Court has been charged with instructions to demand
the divorce of Prince Albert Henry Frederick of
Prussia, brother of King Frederick William IV.,
from his wife the Princess Wilhemina Fredericka
Louisa Charlotte Marianne, sister of the King of
Holland. These high personages have lived asunder
for the last five years, and have always most carefully
avoided being simultaneously in the same city.
BERLIN, SEPT. 18.—The 15th October next being
the birthday of his Majesty, all the iron railways in
the Prussian dominions, which are to be finished by
that day, are to be opened with the usual ceremonies.
There is to be commenced a railway from Ostend
to Cilley, with the exception of a short space between
Gratz and Vienna. The town of Cilley is 130 miles
south-west of Vienna, and only about 80 from Trieste.
Lieutenant I'Vaghorn, who has not abandoned the
hope of depriving France of the transit of the Indian
mails, in favour of Trieste, has promised to be pre-
sent at a meeting of the directors of the railways of
Germany, Austria, Prussia, Hanover, and Belgium,
for the purpose of making the necesssary arrange-
ments, as soon of the Prussian lines shall have been
opened.—Brussels Papers, Sept. 25.
BELGIAN FUNDS.—BaussELs, SEPT. 25.
Actual Debt, 2% per Cent •••.••• • • • • • .•
Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent •••• • • • • --
Loan of Thirty 3iillions, Four per Cent •• • •
Ditto Three per Cent.. •• . • •••••• • • • • •
Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto ••• • .•
Ditto,dltto,lB4o. ••• ..
Ditto,ditto,lB42.. • • • • . • • • • • ..........
Ditto, 1844.•• •• •• •• •• •• ........ 1%
Ditto, 1836.. ••..••• • • • • • ............ 89.4
Ditto, 1838 .... •• • • ........ ..... ...• 6611
Ditto of the City, 1832 .• • • • • • • •... 99
Ditto, 1843 ...... • • ........ ...... 95%
Bank of 8e1gium...... .• • •.•........... 85%
.Bruasels Papers, Sept. 26.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, SEPT. IS.
5 per Cent. Metalliques.• • • • • • • • • 103%
4 per Cent. •••• • • • . .• 92
3 per Cent. ditto.• • • • • • • • • • • 66
Loan, 1834 .• • • • • • • • • .• • • 153
Esterhazv's Loan •••• • • • • •••.••• • • • • • •
RAILWAYS.
The Northern, or Ferdinand ..... • 155
Glogguitz •••••-•••••• • • • • • • • . •• .• 120
Vienna—Milan .• ••••• • • • • 108
Sienna ....................
Orosetto .• • • • • .. • • • • •• • • •
Oldenburg ••• • • •-• ••••• • • • •
Pesth Bridge .. • • • • • •
Apennines • • • • • • • • • • • • ••
UAMBUItGU ItORSENIIALLE, SEPT. 24
Bills. Money
kustrian 5 per Cents ...• . • • • ........ 107
Bank Shares •. • • .• • • • • • • ............ 1600
Anglo-Russian Loan ..• •• • • ........ 104%
Russian 5 per Cent., Hamb. Certificate. 101
Ditto Ist series Inscription. • .• • • ...... 101 i 4
Ditto,Hope and Co., 3d and 4th series.. 96
Ditto, in Certificate. •. • ..
New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. • • • . 88
Ditto Stieglitz • • • • • • •• • • • • . •• ••
88
Spanish New 5 per Cent.. ••• • • • 12% (2%
Ditto 3 per Cent ••••• • .• • • • • 21%
Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 2% per Cent • • 25
Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent ••• •• 54
Ditto 3 per Cent. •••••••• • • • • • • • •
Polish Now 4 per Cent. l•oan, 1844.. •. 79
Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent •••• • • 82
National Bank Shares •••••••• • • • • • • • •

• 97 jo

The dividend declared at the half-yearly meeting
of the Lancaster and Preston Railway Company was at
the rate of 1.55. Id. per share on the old shares, 10s. ld.
per share on the three-quarter shares; and 4s. per share
on the quarter shares. It has been determined by a
majority of shareholders in the Ambergate, Nottingham,
and Boston, and Eastern Junction Company to increase
the number of directors to sixteen. The consideration of
the question relative to terms of agreement between the
Ambergate and the Eastern Counties Companies was not
entered into at this meeting. The arrangement made
by the shareholders in the Wilsontown, Morningside,
and Coltness Railway for leasing their line to the Edin-
burgh and Glasgow has been confirmed, and the
directors have taken powers for raising the necessary
stock to complete the contract. The statement of ac-
counts submitted at the Stirling and Dunfermline meet-
ing showed receipts equal to 141,7371., and an expendi-
ture of 47,3481., leaving a balance of 94,3891. According
to the report, the works are being energetically pro-
ceeded with, and to carry out the undertaking in its
full integrity, applications are to be made to Parliament
for certain extensions, and for power (after one-half of
the capital shall have been paid up) to raise money on
debentures.
THE LATE FIRE NEAR PORTMAN-SQUARE.—Mrs.
A. J. Pouchin, the unfortunate lady who was so fright-
fully burned in the fire which broke out in her house,
No. 17, Lower Seymour-street, Pcrtman-square, on
Sunday morning last, expired at one o'clock yesterday
morning, after suffering the most excruciating agony.
REGISTRY OF VESSELS.—It appearing to the Re-
venue authorities that the book directed by the tide
surveyor's instructions to be kept by the tide surveyors
at the several outports, for the purpose of recording
therein the names of vessels belonging to the respective
ports, which have been lost, taken, or destroyed, is un-
necessary, orders have been issued for the book or ac-
count to be forthwith discontinued at all the ports
throughout the kingdom.
BURIAL OF THE POOR.—PARISU DISPUTES.—At
an inquest held yesterday at the Grange, Carey-street,
before Mr. Bedford, on the body of a man lying in
King's College Hospital, the secretary of that institution
applied to the Coroner to make an order upon the parish
of St. Giles to bury the body. The Coroner said he had
no power to do so. The secretary stated that the man
was brought from his lodgings in St. Giles's, and on his
arrival was found to be dead. The parish officers of St.
Giles's would, no doubt, as they had always done before,
refuse to bury the body, on the ground that it was not in
that parish, and St. Clement Danes would not, as it had
been brought there. Under these circumstances, the
hospital, therefore, had always to bury the bodies Of
those who died there, an expense it could not well bear.
The hospital was intended to cure people, and not bury
them. The Coroner said he thought the expense should
be borne by one of the parishes, but he could give no
order on the su'iject.
SOUTLI AMERICAN PuoDucE.—A vessel arrived in
the docks from Bahia has brought, in addition to a
general cargo of foreign sugar and other South Ameri-
can productions, the very lgrge number of 34,000 o
coquillo nuts, the produce of that quarter of the globe.

ABERDEEN HARBOUR.
(Faom A CORRESPONDENT
ABERDEEN, SEPT. 26, 1847.—1 arrived here a
few days ago front the \Vest Highlands. I came by
coach from Inverness, which leaves there at six
o'clock in the morning, nod arrived here about seven
o'clock in the afternoon. I made inquiries as I came
along in all the towns and villages, on the line of
road from Inverness to Aberdeen, as to the state of
the harvest—besides, I had an opportunity of seeing
the country in all directions from the top of the
coach. The harvest operations are, on the whole, in
a pretty forward condition, particularly in Moray-
shire. In Aberdeenshire the crop is nearly cut, and
it only requires a few days of sunshine to make it all
fit for the sickle; the crops are large and heavy, and
of the best quality. The farmers in this county are
great breeders of fat cattle, which are exported every
week by steamers for the London market. I have
been at some of the farms, and have seen beautiful
specimens of Highland bullocks in prime condition,
and ready to be shipped for London salesmen.
You are aware that the people of Aberdeen
are famed for their intelligence and great
commercial enterprise. They seem fully sen-
sible of the great strides which are being made
in developing the natural resources of the
country in other parts of the United Kingdom, and
they seem determined not to be in the rear in the
march of improvement. They have at this moment
a magnificent harbour in course of construction, and a
railway, which, I understand, will be opened through
to Aberdeen by the beginning of June 1848.
Great efforts were made to carry on sanitary im-
provements in the city, which, unfortunately, met
with the same fate as Lord Morpeth's Bill. The
works on the harbour and railway are carried on with
great spirit; and as I shall refer more fully to the
works on the railway in a future letter, I shall confine
myself now to the harbour.
The harbour has all the appearance of a national
work, which is destined to increase the prosperity of
the city. I have seen in my travels many similar
works in course of construction and in a finished
state. I watched the progress of the Birkenhead
Docks, saw them inspected a few days previous to
their being opened for publio traffic, but I confess I
never saw anything to surpass the masonry and
general workmanship of the Aberdeen Harbour; and
if Mr. Abernethy, the engineer, should have no other
work of such magnitude, this, of itself, should give
him a habitation and a name, and place him on a
footing with some of our most eminent engineers.
I have been favoured with the following particu-
lars on the spot, and if you think that they, will be
read with interest, you will be pleased to insert them
at length.
The present tidal harbour of Aberdeen contains an
area of 53 acres, 34 of which are in progress of being
converted into a wet dock, to be called, when com-
pleted, " Victoria Dock." The necessary works will
be finished during the ensuing year.
These consist of a quiet entrance lock, the cham-
ber of which is 250 feet in length and 60 feet in
breadth, having a depth of water on the sill of 21 feet at
ordinary tides, and an entrance, with a single pair of
gates, 70 feet wide, having 24 feet of water on the,
sill ; also 2,800 lineal feet of quay walls, making
with those formerly built, a total length of 6,235
lineal feet of wharfage. The dock when completed
will be capable of containing 300 vessels of the ordi-
nary size, or 60,000 tons of shipping.
In addition to these works, it has been found
necessary to intercept the sewerage of the city,
which formerly discharged into the harbour by a
culvert eight feet wide, and six feet four inches high,
inside measurement, three hundred in length, by
which a great nuisance will be removed, and all pos-
sibility of any deposit within the dock obviated. Of
these various works there is completed the large lock
with the gates, and part of the other entrance, the
greater portion of the quay walls, and the large
culvert or sewer.
The lock has been a work of considerable diffi-
culty on account of the nature of the bottom, it
was built within a coffer dam 390 feet long,
and having six feet of clay puddle between them—
the interior of the dam being finally braced to resist
the great pressure by parallel braces of great magni-
tude, on which cranes traversed in every required
direction for setting the masonry. This dam is kept
dry by four ponderous pumps, worked by the engines
of a steam-boat of 70 horse power, the vessel being
finally secured in a dock, formed for the purpose ;
the masonry of the dock is almost entirely composed
of fine dressed granite resting on a platform of tim-
ber, supported by 4,000 piles of American red pine
from fifteen to twenty feet long. The gates are
of mahogany, covering a framework of cast
iron, each leaf weighing upwards of fifty tons.
By the arrangement of the machinery these
are easily worked by five men. There are three
pairs of gates in the lock, the object of the inter-
mediate pair being to accommodate the lock to the
size and number of vessels entering, thus econo•
mising time and water. The quay walls are all of
dressed granite, the near walls constructed for a
depth of 21 feet water at deep tides.
The estimated cost of the harbour works is one
hundred and twenty thousand pounds.
I have much pleasure in concluding this brief
sketch by stating that, through the very great care
exercised by every foreman, no accident has hitherto
happened either to the works, or, what is of more
consequence, to those engaged on them.
In addition to the works of the dock, powers have
been obtained for extensive works at the harbour
entrance, such as a pier or breakwater 3,000 feet
in length, for the purpose of deepening the present
channel, by increasing the scouring power from the
current of the River Dee. A diversion of the river
channel i 3 also proposed by which eighty acres of
valuable ground in connexion with the dock will be
reclaimed, and the entrance basin to the dock greatly

enlarged.
I may mention here that Lord Provost Blackie has
resigned a few days ago, to the great regret of many
of the citizens. Provost Blackie is much respected.
I had an interview with him the other day and I
found him most kind and affable. He has made
great exertions to improve the sanitary condition of
the city.

FREE-TRADE CONGRESS AT
BRUSSELS.
The English members of the Free-trade Congress
at Brussels are alluded to in friendly terms in the
Journal des Debats of the 24th. Mr. Ewart and Dr.
Bowring are the subjects of description of the kind
which evinces interest in the individuals described;
though in the case of the latter an accidental hoarse-
ness would appear to have been taken for constant and
habitual. Colonel Thompson's allusion to the Em-
peror is manifestly taken in good part; and what is
of greater importance, his definition of " the key
that opens all locks" in questions of free trade, is
given at full. The Congress on Penal Law presented
less unity and enthusiasm than the other. Perhaps
the most remarkable individual that appeared at it
was the Abbe Laroque, aurnonier, or chaplain, to the
Invalides, at Paris. In the middle of life, and with
no more of the chaplain than was absolutely neces-
sary in his external appearance, he looked like a
general of brigade in the frock of an ecclesiastic, and
his manner of speaking much resembled that given
on the stage to the Abbe de l'Epee. His matter,
too, seemed to be something analogous; for when the
dispute ran high on the question of who was to have
the religious superintendence of prisons, and the
Catholic and Protestant portions of the Congress
were in danger of separating, if there was no mis
take, he said something very much like asking of
what consequence it was who men get their religious
impressions from, pourvu qu' on les aie. In fact,
there was a touch of the Old Guard about him which
must be very consolatory to his halt and maimed
flock of the Invalides.

CITY OF LONDON GENERAL PENSION SOCIETY.--
The annual meeting of this society was held yesterday
at the London Tavern, Mr. Rolls in the chair. A letter
was read from Mr. Richardson, the secretary, resigning
his office. The report was then read by Mr. Smith.
Amongst other things, it appears that there are now in
the receipt of pensions from the society six males and
two females above 90 years of age ; nine males and
eleven females above 80 ; seven males and five females
above 70 ; eleven males and nine females above 60 ; and
four males under 60, totally incapacitated. The report
also stated that the contributions during the past year
were greater than they had been for thirteen years pre-
viously. Several of the pensioners had died during the
past year, leaving 32 men and 27 women now in receipt
of pensions from the society. The report having alluded
to the wish of the directors to increase the amount of the
pensions (which at present are 31s. to the men and 225.
to the women), concluded by stating that the receipts
during the past year had been 2,11 l/. 125., and the dis-
bursements 1,6401., leaving a balance in hand of 4711.
It appeared, however, that out of the sum of 900/. con-
tributed at the last festival (which took place about
four months since), 3001. remained unpaid. Various
alterations in the rules of the society having been made,
Mr. L. J. Hansard was appointed treasurer, and Mr. G.
Hayward secretary, pro tem. ; and some other routine
business having been transacted, the meeting separated.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.--A sad accident occurred on
Thursday morning ,on the railway works at Bent-hill,
rather more than a mile from Buckingham. A number
of men were engaged in an excavation of considerable
depth, when several tons weight of earth fell, crushing
a young man of the name of Attwood against one of the
gang-waggons, and killing him on the spot. A youth
named William Payne was nearly buried beneath the
fallen earth. On being extricated he was found to have
sustained a severe contusion of the head; but, fortu-
nately, he is expected to recover. Two more men were
injured, but not seriously. The body of the deceased
will undergo a post mortem examination to-day. It is
not ascertained when the inquest will be held. The
deceased and the injured men are all of Buckingham.
Lord Harley and suite arrived in London on
Sunday morning, by the General Steam Navigation
Company's mail steam-ship Giraffe, from Rotterdam,
, after a favourable passage.