The Sun.
London, England, 1812-11-17 00:00:00

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

CAPE TOWN, AAG. 22.—The public will learn,
kritb the deepest sorrow, the decease, on Friday,
the 14th instant, of W. S. Van Ryneveld, Esq.
President of the Court of Justice;Orphan Cham-
ber, &c.

The unrivalled qualities of this respected Ma-
gistrate and virtuous man, were so well known,
that it does not require more, than to state his
death, to draw ftom every voice•the acknowledge-
zient of his irreparable loss to this Colony.
His life has been spent in the direct pursuit to
exalt the state of his native place, and his excel-
lent understanding,' urged on by the enlightened
end enlarged view upon all subjects so peculiar to
himself, eminently fitted him to extend the real
interests of this rising Settlement. .
In the,dispensation of justice from his superior
seat, it was his unceasingwish, and the last great
employment -"Qf his mind, " that right should be
done to every man," careless of diStinction of
consequence, not within the ordinary spheres of
action and observation alone, but that this great
principle, equally of nature and' policy, should be
general, and know no bounds but the wide limits
'of our dominion.

The Judge, the Statesman, the confidential
adviser, and the disinterested Supporter of Go-
vernment, were all acknowledged in him. But
thes.e high qualifications were even inferior to the
man of amiable and social life. His friends, his
family, his %rife, children, and dependents, will
lever forget the cheerful companion, the kind
and beneficent master. His public and private
virtues ran so near a course, the feeble eye of
huamnitv cannot say, where was the leading pas-
sion which was foremost in this earthly race.
Merits so various and alike conspicuous, will
ever remain the' boast and pride Of the Cape of
Good Hope. Here he was born, educated, and
solely passed his life; but such were his gifts
froin nature, the greatness of his mind, and the
goodness of his heart, he wanted not the aid of
travel.; and instead of receiving example from the
range of distant climes, he will give it to other
countries ; Ind -'here his character reaches, ho-
tour and distinction will be the claim of this
Settlement.

Last Sunday was buried, that most respected
Magistrate, W. S. Van Ryneveld, Esq.—His Ex-
eellency the Governor, and - the officers of his
family, Major Gen. Cockell, and the whole Staff
of the Army, the great body of the C!ergy, and
all the Civil Officers of the State, led the solemn
procession, minute guns firing at stated intervals.
the whole. and universal people of this city,
poured themselves forth, united in the'perform-
ance of the last melancholy duties to that great
and good man.

Two of those French mortars which were so
long the annoyance of the inhabitants at Cadiz,
Were landed last week at the Gun-wharf, Ports-
Mouth, one of them, called " the Duke of Tre-
viso," is nearly eight feet long, and presents a
Aingtilar specimen of French invention. In shape
it bears some resemblance to a'howitzer. The
of both, are about the size of our 13-inch
luortars, though in their internal construction
they differ materially. They are of brass, as are
also the beds. The largest took 40Ibs of powder
for its charge, and will throw a shell to the im-
Inense distance of three miles. The other, ex-
cept in being fixed to the bed, is not unlike in
tnaKe and size to our English 13-inch mortars.—•
The muzzles are much battered and disfigured,
Occasioned by the French having fired them into
cash other on abandoning the siege. ,They were
brought by his Majesty's ship Revenge, and are
taid, to be intended as a present to the PAINCE
lIEGENT.
P