The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-01 00:00:00

SUN,

MAY 1, 1847.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.

LIVERPOOL, APRIL 30.
Srocx Excitarrox.—The sales are—Alttbergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 1% dis.—Eastern Counties, 19—East
Lancashire (late B. and P.), New (scrip), Is. 3d. p.—East
Lincolnshire, 1% p.—Fleetwood Preston. and Wesand
dis.—Great Northern, 14 dis.—HuddersheldMan-
chester Railway and Canal, Extension, 1i p.—Leeds and
1 hirsk , Preference, p.—Leicester and Bedford, 4 dis.—
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 14 p.—London and
North-Western, 17114—Ditto, Quarters, 154 p.—Ditto,
New, Quarters, 9 p.—Manchester and Leeds (late Ilud
dersfiehl and Sheffield), :N p.—Ditto, 32/. Shares (late Ex-
tensions), % p.—Ditto, Fifths (late West Riding Union),
Bs. 9d. p.—Ditto (bite Manchester, Bolton, and Bury), 21 p.
—Ditto (late Great Grimsby and Sheffield), 7% di?.--Ditto,
Quarters, 1% :dis.—Manchester and Southampton, 235. 9d.
dis.—Midland Stock, 116—Ditto, 401. Shares, 3143 p.—Ditto,
New, 24 p.—Newcastle and Berwick, New, 134 p.—North
Staffordshire, 1% p.—Shrewsbury and Chester (late
N. W.M.), New, 24 p.—Dublin and Belfast Junction, 11 dis.
MANCHESTER, Aran, 30
STOCK ExcitANGE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca-
shire, and Cheshire Junction, 1 4 oh..—Birmingham and
Oxford Junction, 7 5-16 p.—East Lancashire (late B. and
P.), New, 11,,i dis.—Ditto, New (scrip), 144 p.—Fleetwood,
Preston, and West Riding Junction, 1% dis.—Hudders-
field and Manchester Railway and Canal, Thirds, 4 p.—
Leeds and Thirsk, Preferentials, % p.—London and North -
Western, New, 9% p.—Ditto Leeds,
and Birming-
ham), 664—Manchester and Leeds, Halves, 32/. Shares
(late Extension), 7-16 p.—Ditto, Fifths (late West Riding
Union), 7-16 c.—Manchester and Southampton, 265.
North Staffordshire, I%—Oldham Alliance, 14 dis.—Shrews-
dis.
bury and Birmingham (A), tifi p.—Shropshire Union, 1 13-16

PRICE 5D.-

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the exhibition of
the Royal Academy with a visit yesterday. Her Majesty
and his Royal Highness arrived inTrafalgar Square soon after
twelve o'clock, attended by the Mistress of the Robes, the
Duchess of Sutherland, and the Master of the Horse, the
Duke of Norfolk; the Lady in Waiting, the Countess of
Charlemont; the Maids of Hontair, Hon. Misses Kerr and
Cavendish; and the Lord Chamberlain, the Earl Spencer,
' occupied another carriage. And the Lord in Waiting, the
Earl if Morton; the Lord in Waiting to Prince Albert, Led
George Lennox; the Grown in Waiting, Major the Hon.
Robert Boyle; the Equerry in Waiting, Major-General
Wemyss; and the Equerry in Waiting to Prince Albert, Co!.
Bouverie, followed in two carriages and four.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert rode out on horseback
yesterday, attended by the Hon. Mits Stanley, Major-Geld.
Wemyss, and Colonel Bouverie.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert presided yesterday
afternoon at a meeting of the Commisdion for Promoting and
Encouraging the Fine Arts in the Rebuilding the Palace of
Westminster. His Royal Highness arrived at the new
Palace at a quarter past three o'clock, attended by Mr. G.
E. Anion, and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps.
The Commissioners present were Viscount Morpeth, V'iscoant
Mahon, Sir Robert H. Inglis, and Mr. Hallam. . The secre-
tary, Mr. Eastlake, was iu attendance.
'he meeting broke up at a quarter past five o'clock, when
Prince Albert proceeded to Westminster Hall, and afterwards
returned to Buckingham Palace.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
PrinCess Royal, took an airing in the royal gardens yesterday.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice,
and the Princess Helena, accompanied by the Dowager Lady
Lyttelton, took an airing yesterday in an open carriage-and-
four.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the performance
of the French Plays with their presence yesterday evening.
The royal suite consisted of the Countess ofCharlemont, Hon.
Miss Kerr, the Earl of Morton, Major-General Wemyss, and
Colonel Bouverie. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent
(attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and
General the Hon. Arthur Upton), and her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Cambridge (attended by Baroness Hammer-
stein and Mr. Edmond Mildmay), also honoured the per-
formance of the French Plays with their presence last
evening.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Ma-
jesty the Queen Dowager yesterday, at Marlborough House.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured the
Nobleman's and Gentleman's Catch Club with his company
at dinner last evening.
Tickets to view the two Royal pictures by Winterhalter, in
the Banqueting-room in St. James's Palace, will be issued
from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, from twelve to four
o'clock. Each ticket will admit the lady or gentleman whose
name will be inserted in it, and five other persons.
All applications must be made personally, or through a
responsible agent, as it will be impossible to send tickets, or to
answer written applications.
Ladies and gentlemen receiving tickets, will be required to
leave their names and address on their cards, at the Lord
Chamberlain's Office.
Among the visitors to view the royal pictures were the
Bavarian, Brazilian, and Netherlands Ministers • the Duke
and Duchess of Beaufort, the Duke and Duchess of St.
Albans, the Marquis of Exeter, Marquis of Douro, Marquis
and Marchioness of Worcester, Earl Delawarr, Earl Auc-
land, Count d'Orsay, Lord Fitzroy Somerset,Lady Sondes,
Lord Colville' Sir George Couper, Sir John Hobhouse, Mr.
Bannerman, M.P., and the Hon. W. Ashley.
A deputation from Glasgow, including Mr. G. W. Muir,
Mr. Abercromby, Mr. M'Cann, Mr. Drew. and Mr. Craig
had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt yes-
terday, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways, in
Great George-street.
The Rev. Dr. Smyth had an interview with Lord John
Russell yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street.
The Bishop of Tasmania had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Lord James Stuart had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday. Lord Charles Fitzroy had also an interview
with the Right Hon. Baronet at the Home-office.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a
Committee meeting yesterday.
The Chairman of the Customs had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday at his official resi-
dence in Downing-street.
A deputation from Norwich and Lynn, consisting of the
Mayor, Mr. Colman, and the following merchants :—Messrs.
Banks, Chamberlayne, Nogate, Carter, Halton, Moyes,
Fowell, and Coates, had an interview with the Right Hon.
E. Strutt yesterday.
Dispatches were received yesterday, at the Colonial-office,
from the Governor of New Zealand and Van Diemen's Land.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGI-
NEERS. APRIL 20.
Sir JOHN RENNIE, President, in the chair.
The paper was read by Mr. Fairbairn, of Manchester,
"On the Defects in the Principle and Construction of
Fireproof Buildings." It commenced by insisting
strongly on the dangerous consequences of making use
of cast iron beams of large span, without intermediate
support, unless the dimension of the beams were very
large, and pointing out the treacherous nature of a
chrystalline metallic body, such as cast iron, when ap-
plied to support heavy weights in the construction of
buildings.
After some further remarks upon the importance of a
thorough knowledge of the laws which govern the use
and application of cast iron as a material for building
under the various strains to which it may be subjected,
the author proceeded to investigate the circumstances
connected with the fail of Messrs. Gray's cotton-mill, at
Manchester.
This building was stated to be about 40 feet long and
31 feet 8 inches wide, and to consist of two stories in
height, containing the boilers below and the machinery
above, over which, instead of a root; was a water-
cistern, covering the whole extent of the building. The
first floor was composed of large iron beams, of 31 feet
8 inches span, without intermediate support ; on these
I beams brick arches were turned, sustaining the whole
weight of the upper part of the building.
The author then demonstrated that these large
large beams were totally inadequate to support the
weight of the superiacumbent mass. especially as the
whole pressure was upon the centre of the beams,
which were of a form ill calculated to bear the pres-
sure, added to which the wrought-iron trussing was
so badly applied, that the breaking strain was arrived
at before the trusarods were brought into a state of
tension. The consequence of this was, that one of the
lower beams broke in the centre under a less weight
than it had previously supported, both under preliminary
trial and when the cistern was fuller than at the time of
the accident. The paper closed with some remarks on
the delicate and invidious duty of reporting on such ac-
cidents as those in which the reputation of gentlemen of
high professional acquirements may be involved, and the
author expressed his reluctance in condemning the con.-_
struction of the building in question.
In the discussion which ensued, it was argued, that if
proper proportions of material had been observed, the
accident ought not to have occurred. It appeared evident
that the wrought iron trusarods bad been so put on, that
they allowed more than the breaking strain of the cast-
iron to be arrived at before they came into operation.
The instances of the trussed beam bridges, so extensively
used by Mr. Stephenson and other engineers on railways,
were quoted to show that by a judicious employment or
wrought iron trusses upon cast iron beams, large spans
might be crossed with safety; and even in some cases
where, from unseen detects in the metal, a beam had
fractured, the truss rods had sufficed to support the
structure, and enabled the traffic to be continued across
the bridge until the repairs could be effected. In all
cases a strength of not less than four to one should be
employed, and for such uses as the iron beams of pump-
ing engines, which were exposed to great vibration and
sudden shocks, from the sudden influx of steam below
the piston, or the accidental breaking of a pump rod.
the proportions of seven or eight to one should be ob•
served.
The paper announced to be read at the meeting on
Tuesday, April 27, was "On the Laws of Isochtonisni
of the Balance Spring of Watches and Chronometers."
by Mr. C. Frodsharo, ASSOC. Inst. C.E.

MILITARY INTRLLIGENCR...—.CHATHAM, APRIL 29.
—This morning three detachments from the provisional
battalion assembled at 10 o'clock on the General Parade
Ground, consisting of 88 men of the 51st King's Own Light
Infantry, 82 men of the 84th, and 30 men of the 94th Regi-
ments, and were inspected by the Commandant of the Gar-
rison, Colonel James Simpson. They are a fine body of
young men, from 18 to 19 years of age, and their general
appearance gave great satisfaction • each man was furnished
with the articles of war. The above troops march to-mor-
row morning en route for Gravesend, where they embark on
board the ship Poicters, 756 tons burden, Captain Henry
Denny, for Madras. The following officers embark with the
corps :—Lieutenant G. Warburton Drought, 51st Regiment;
Captain William Radcliff, Ensign Richard H. Bawell, En-
sign T. H. P. Kennan, and Ensign Frederick John G. Saun-
ders, 84th Regiment; and Ensign W. John Bell, with
Assistant-Surgeon William Westall, M.D., 94th Regiment.
A detachment of the 15th Hussars, consisting of 60
men, with :Lieutenant C. Walpole Hinxman, from
the cavalry depot at Maidstone, was to have em-
barked in the above ship, but, owing to the
want of accommodation, their embarkation is coun-
termanded.9th This morning detachments of
96th, 65th, 58th, and 11th Regiments were medicallyt_hin-spected for embarkation to New South Wales, and. will
em-
bark on the 7th of next month. The 57th Regiment, at
Dover, will remove on the 7th of next month to W ed ,
to replace the 40th Regiment, which regimente The following has proceeded
to Hull, sending three companies to Ledit
officers at this garrison have obtained from the Commander-
in-Chief leave of absence :--Ca twin the Hon. Henry L.
Powis, first battalion of the 60th Rifles, to the 30th of May ;
Lieutenant Mercer, of the same corps, until required for em-
barkation; Ensign Fane, of the 18th Regiment, to the 20th
of May; and Ensign Collingwood, of the 37th Regiment, to
the 24th of June ; Surgeon A. Campbell, of the 22d Regi-
ment, to the 11th of October next; and Assistant-Surgeon
Smith, of the 16th Foot, is relieved from duty for the pur-
pose of embarking to join his regiment. Major Thomas
Smith, Barrackmaster, is on leave for the purpose of meetings
his brother, General Sir Harry Smith, at Southampton. The
two brothers have not met for 28 years. Sir Harry Smith
arrived by overland from India.
Loss OF A STEAMER.---ESCAPE OF EIGHTY HUMAN
BEINGS.—The General Steam Navigation Company's steam-
ship Clarence arrived at the company'som wharf,d Commander
yester-
day afternoon, from Edinburgh.
that about one o'clock on Friday morning,an
eoff Aldborough,res
he saw the screw-steamer Experiment on tire. He bore
down upon her, and succeeded in saving passengers and
crew (80 in number), and after having the Experiment in
tow for six hours she sunk.
GRAND CELTIC BALL.-.--We are glad to learn that
upwards of 4001. has been realised from this charitable effort,
and that Lord John Russell has kindly undertaken its
.distri-
bution amongst the most necessitous in the Highland!' and
islands of Scotland, to whom it has accordingly been trans-
mitted by Captain Lamont, honorary treasurer'

`,

THE NANIGA.TION
The Select Conunittte appc.intxd by the Bona 6
Commons to inquire into the operation of the-Navigation
Laws met on Thursday, in the Chnamittee-roona No. 2.
There-:were present Mr..Milher Gibson, chairman. Hon.
Mr. Liddell, Sir Ilowerd Douglas, Sir George'Ciark.
Admiral Dundas, Mr. Bright, Ur. Lyall, and Sir Robert
Peel.

The first witness called to-day was Mr. George Hough-
ton, who, in the absence of Mr. Ricardo from lamp-
salon, was examined by the Chairman. He was a
merchant trading with the Canary Islands, where he
.bad an establishment. The principal exports nf;the
Canary Islands to England were wine and cochineal.
There was formerly an export of barilla, but of late
years it had almost altogether ceased. There was also
a considerable trade from these islands to America, the
principal exports to that country being wine and barilla.
The Navigation Laws of this country interrupted the
trade in cochineal very much indeed—excessively so. Up
to a recent period the cochineal trade had not been of
very great importance, but it Lad increased, till it was
at present of very great extent. Last year they bad:ex-
ported from 1,:;00 to 2,000 sorons, winch weighed front
120 lbs. to 1:50 ibs. tech. The cochint-al wa, an insect
that fed upon the cactus plant, and which, as the Com-
wittee was aware, impartsd a
.very brilliant die. The
trade of :he Canaries in this arttei., began seven or eight,
but no ;night mention that as
or perhaps ten, years ago;
far back as tinny 3cars smce lie lossl.o been aTlXlvtll to in-
troduce the cultivation of the it.s..ct sth , e am, ries, but
his efforts then were discouraged. The chief supply of
cochineal to England was from lionaattits. In scons!-
qusnee of the cessation of the barilla traoss between this
country and the Canary Isterms there K sr" scarcely
any English vessels now arrivitsr there to return direct
home, in consequence of which the cochineal was
shipped first to Cadiz, from whence it was takeirtsl-.M.ar-
seilles. Latterly the witness had endeavour, to tsrmg
some of it to England from Cadiz, but it was seized in
consequence of this being in contravention of that pro-
vision in the Navigation Laws which piuvided that the
produce of Asia, Africa, and America, could not be
brought from any port in EuroTE to this country in any
ship whatever. He made many representations to the
Board of Trade respecting the injurious nature of this
regulation, but it was all in vain; he was not allowed to
bring it from Cadiz to this country, except in bond, for
purposes of re-exportation. In his representations and
memorials to the Board of Trade he urged upon their
consideration the tact that virtually the Callers Islands
were a port of Spain, and that the trade between them
and Cadiz was as much in the nature of a coasting trade
as was the trade between this country and Ireland; bat
his representations had no effect, the rigid nature of the
expressions in the law were- too strong for him. The
increased importation of cochineal into France bad led
to a greatly increased trade between France and the
Canary Islands. With regard to the barilla trade with
America, the American Navigation Laws prevented the
barilla from being carried to the United States; and the
witness had therefore been compelled to have Swedish,
Russian, Prussian, American, and one or two Sardinian
vessels to export barilla to New York; and, as a neces-
sary consequence of this exportation of barilla, the
trade of America with the Canary Islands had very
much increased.

The Chairman—Bet are not the American Navigation
Laws the same a 6 our own?
Mr. lioughton—As nearly as possible.
The Chairman—Tien how are the ships you mention
permitted to enter the American ports with goods not
the produce of their own countries ? _ _ _

Mr. Houghton, in answer to this, handed in a copy
of the American tariff, from which it appeared that
ships of the nations he specified had the privilege, by
treaty, of entering the American ports as free as Ame-
rican ships themselves.
Examination continued There was still a good
deal of cochineal imported into England. The
duties that were levied by Spain on goods
brought-into the Canary Islands by English vessels
were very heavy. The consequence of which was
that scarcely any English vessels now went there ;
while, on the other hand, cochineal, though a valuable
cargo, yet went into so small a compass that it was not
worth the while of a Spanish ship to come here with
it; and this raised the freight very much, which
averaged from 555. to 60s. per ton. When it was
brought direct to this country it was brought by
those Spanish vessels that arrived here to go back
with a cargo of English goods. He was aware that
there had been an exclusive privilege granted to the
importation of cochineal about tw. toy )ears ago, when
the trade was very small; but teat was altogether with-
drawn now. He had never received any relief from the
Treasury, though he had often tried hard for it. This
year he had been a sufferer from these restrictions to a
very great extent. He held 300 or 400 bags of that
article, which he could only sell for what it would fetch;
and, perhaps, the Committee would allow him to add that
the Canary Island article was very superior indeed.
Sir G. Clerk—What is the proportion of the whole
amount 01 cochineal imported into this country that is
re-exported?
Mr. Houghton—Oh, a considerable proportion; per-
haps to the extent of one-half.
Sir G. Clerk--then, how are you injured by being
obliged to reexport yours?
Mr. Houghton—Why, as you know, there are secrets
in all trades, and I can only say that the restrictions
make a difference to me of from 4d. to 6d. per lb.
Mr. Liddell—But it seems to me that the inconve-
niences of which you complain arise from the anomalous
position of the Canary blends, that geographically they
are in Africa, while politically they are in Spain?
Mr. Boughton—Yes.
Admiral Dundas—Do the duties imposed by Spain on
goods brought in British bottoms interfere with your
trade?
31r. Houghton—Yes, to a considerable extent.
Admiral Dundas— What is the amount of those duties?
Mr. Houghton—The duties on British manufacturest_.
when brought in British sess‘ls, amount to 25 pes.cilr -
Admiral Dundas—And what are the duties •
same gool!s when brought in Spanish vessels?
Mr. Houghton-12i per cent.
Admiral Dundes—Thin how do the English ships go
that export the wine?
Mr. Houghton—They go there chiefly in ballast.
Mr. Boughton—Then, if you had the power of bring-
ing your cochineal from Cadiz to England in an English
ship—
Mr. Houghton—That is all we want.
Admiral Dundas—How much cochineal may there be
produced in the whole of the Canary Islands ?
Mr. Houghton—oh, not much, as it goes into such a
small compass ; the whole produce would not load one
ship in the course of the year.
Admiral Dundas—Could you not send a ship for
cochineal and fill up the rest with wine ?
Mr. Houghton expressed his dissent.
Admiral Dundas—l don't think you have much reason
to complain.
Mr. Houghton—Ab, that is because you do not stand
•in my shoes.
Admiral Dundas—You have good shoes, I think.
By the Chairman —The trade between Cadiz and
Marseilles had very much increased in consequence
of this trade in cochineal. The French had given the
trade every encouragement; they had not th'
same restrictions as the Navigation Laws of Engl...l,4u-
posed, for they allowed the cochineal to be imported from
Cadiz to Marseilles in French vessels, as they had Wel,-
reduced the duties upon the article. Cochineal was con-
sidered an article of first-rate importance in the French
manufactures ; it stood next in importance to indigo.
He considered that the allowil g the importation of
cochineal into France and restricting its importation into
England tended to give a direct encouragement to French
manufactures in preference to our own.
Sir G. Clerk—But how can that be when we already
import double what we consume, and the halt of 35 311
re-exported again ?
Mr. Houghton—lt is a fact for all that. A* I said
before, thereaare secrets in all trades, and I may add,
that very little of the cochineal imported from outer
pla
ehcwesarisroeu-sshes of the importers,ippoddirectlya whilst our
broad.ltisfiratoothite,lT
the ,
imported from the Canary Islands is not permitted to
come to our warehouses, but re exported' directly from
the bond. _

Sir G. Clerk (laughing)—Oh, now I understand.
By the Chairman.-If that part of the Navigation
Laws were repealed which prohibits the produce of Asia,
Africa, and America being brought to this country by
any ship, the profits of the English shipowner would be
much increased. Ile' had been a nurchant for many
years, and that was the conclusion he had come to after
much experience in the trade and deep reflection.
Sir Howard Douglas—What are the duties levied in
this country upon the Canary wines?
Mr. Houghton—They are very heavy duties--800 per
cknt.—and the consequence is, that the wines are not
brought to England, but are sent to the East and West

Mr. Liddell—What would be the consequence if these
duties were lowered ?
Mr. Houghton—That would increase the demand of
our manufacturers, and would multiply the happiness of
the human race.
Mr. Liddell—And also, I suppose, enable you to im-
port your cochineal direct ?—(A laugh).
Mr.
Sir g a
o doubtsT heof it.
n
the inconvenience of
which you complain might be remedied without any
Houghton—No oo yahrtdo -ONu
alteration of the Navigations Laws ?
Mr. Houghton—Certainly.
MM
rr
llßright—Arcought
°uy
I ohuaav
es hbeen
w ntoera?
great extent, and
alsoA damn
iorwaineDr
uonfdSa_v
Spanish
ct
ish,ships.
you prefer English to
foreign vessels for the shipment off your goods.?
M
and
v,r.,0 rullodugphrteofenr—aYnesi
nlgalini sh ato a foreign vessel at any
thorough Englishman,
time, even though there was a difference of freight.
Admiral Dundas—Then you do not think_English
sailors worse than others?
_ Mr. Houghton--They are better than they were.
They are particularly improved in the article of sobriety.
Admiral Dundas—Have you heard any complaints of
their general conduct?
6lr. Houghton—l have seen them in a French prison,
and a very wild, reckless set they were.
Admiral Dundas—ln a French prison—yes, but did
you ever see them afloat?
Mr. Houghton—Yes, I have ; and I have witnessed &
good deal of impropriety and want of talent on board.
Admiral Dundas—Then you would approve of a plan
for examining masters and mates ?
Mr. Houghton—l highly approve of such a plan, it
I think a compulsory plan would not be practicable; and
I am aware that the Americans, who have some very good
captains, do not practise it,
By the Chairman—He considered that the restrictions
imposed on the importation of cochineal amounted in
fact to a tax levied upon the use of that article to the
amount of front 4d. to 6,1. per lb.
There being no other witness, s present, the Coati-
mittee adjourned till Tuesday next, at cne o'clock.