The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-30 00:00:00

ENCOUNTER. BETWEEN H.M.S.
SLOOP-OF-WAR HOUND AND THE FRENCH
BRIG-OF-WAR ABEILLE, ON THE WEST
COAST OF AFRICA.
The French newspapers have published a very in-
correct and exaggerated account of an encounter
which recently took place between an English sloop
and a French brig-of-war on the coast of Africa.
The facts of the case arc really these :
On the evening of the 20th of June last, soon after
dark, her Majesty's sloop Hound, Commander Wood,
while running along the land off Porto Novo, near
the notorious slave trading station of Wtrydah, in the
Bight of Benin, descried a sail which tacked and
stood to sea.
The Hound made saikin pursuit; and having, at ten
P u., come up about half a mile to leeward of the
chase, Commander Wood ordered the private signal
to be mt.de to her ; but some delay occurring in
slinging the lanterns, and Commander Wood and his
officers feeling certain that the chase was not a ship-
of-war, he ordered a shot to be fir. d across her bows
to bring her to. The vessel then showed some lights,
but as they were not hoisted in the proper form of
the signal a second shot was fired, which was re-
turned by the chase, and which turned out to be the
French brig-of-war Abeille.
The shots from both vessels were purposely fired
wide, and took no effect.
Lieutenant Hallett, of the Hound, was immedi-
ately sent on board the Abeille to offer Commander
IVood's apologies for the mistake, which were received
with courtesy and politeness by the Commander of
the Abeille.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.
CITY, FRIDAY EVENING.

TIMES.—The English Funds continue their down-
ward course, and have- left Gift> day at adeeline of one
and an eighth per cent. from the closing prices of yes-
terday. Consols, for money, were first quoted 81
to i—they then receded to 81k, recovered to 81 k, and
finally closed at 81. For the account the range was
from 81i down to 81i, at which they closed buyers.
The news by the Hibernia from America, coupled
with the announcement of the meeting of Parliament
in November, caused the decline in the morning, and
the increased heaviness in the afternoon was attribu-
table to the unfavourable character of the Bank Gazette
returns, and to a variety of reports regarding fresh
failures. An apprehension that the Government are
about to call for a new loan for Ireland, and that
their object in summoning the Legislature is chiefly
to consider the difficulties of that country, was also
very prevalent; although, among better-informed
parties, it is clearly understood that the sole reason
for the step consists in the desire on the part of the
Ministry to obtain a species of indemnity for their
late measure with reference to the Bank Charter Act.
Bullion to the amount of about 50,0001. was re-
ceived at the Bank to-day from the continent
In London to-day no failures have occurred of
sufficient importance to call for notice. The letters
from the couutry also are free from any accounts of
stoppages, except such as are insignificant. The sus-
pension of another country bank was reported, but it
was contradicted by their London agents. Mr.
Gardner, of Manchester, is stated to have proposed
payment of his liabilities in two, four, and six months.
The private advises from America by the Hibernia
contain nothing in addition to the published accounts.
The general tenour of the whole, as far as regards the
balance of trade between the two countries, is deci-
dedly unfavourable. The accounts of the pressure on
our side alone appear to prevent cotton from rising,
there are strong indications of considerable exports
during the winter of Indian corn, the demand for
goods from England is not likely to become active
again before the turn of the year, and bills upon this
country of a second-class character are still offering
at rates much below the regular quotation.
CHRONICLE.—An uncomfortable feeling has
exhibited itself in the City to-day, and the public
seemed disposed to give currency, and some degree of
credit, to all kinds of rumours, even of the most ab-
surd character. One of these was, that an important
line of railway had been seized, by parties having
claims, upon it, under legal process, and that the line
would be stopped. The absurdity of this statement,
however, soon exhibited its true character. After-
wards there was the report of a failure of a private
bank in the West of England ; but on making inquiry
at its London agents there appeared to be no grounds
for thestatement, as the agents knew nothing to lead
them to think the bank was in difficulty. Afterwards,
the report that the Bank of England's weekly return
would show very unfavourably gained credence; and
under all these influences, added, perhaps, to a vague
fear that the operations for the French loan might in-
duce the directors of the Bank to become still more
stringent in their accommodation, the Funds were
unfavourably affected, and closed at a reduction of
for the account. The reasons for the decline were
variously explained, and, perhaps, the anxiety of
parties who have obligations to fulfil to realise at once,
and secure the certainty of a profit, may have had
some influence.

Absurd reports regarding the South-Eastern
Railway Company have been propagated during the
week, but the object of such rumours is very evident,
and too palpable to deceive any but those who are
quite unacquainted with the position of the company.
It is hardly necessary to advert to such fabrications ;
but that none of the shareholders may be deceived
by them, we may state that there is not a syllable of
truth in any of the statements we allude to.

SE2IOUS ACCIDENT ON TIIE E %STEEN COUNTIES
RAlLway.—Yesterday afternoon, about one o'clock, a
man named Joseph Castles, a carriage-trimmer, was
employed at the Stratford station, on the Entern
Counties Railway, iu shifting several tenders belonging
to the engines from ono part of the station to another,
when the unfortunate man placed himself between two
tenders for the purpose of coupling them together while
they were in the act of being punted by the other men.
There was not sufficient room for him, and his head be-
came jammed between the two. The tenders were parted,
and he fell to the ground insensible. Lie was placed upon
juatitir4riiii eist.:urLouottilis
dion,haeandd.colvVeer);:d to the London Hospital,
where it was found that he had rceived several severe
hopes are enter-
tained of his recovery.
DELIVERING LETTERS IN LONDON ON SUNDAYS.—
An impreision seems to have gone abroad that a recent
determination on the part of the Post office, to forward
the bags which arrive by the Saturday evening and Sun-
day morning mails, instead of delaying them at the
General Post-office in St. Martin's-le-Grand for twenty-
four hours, was merely anci lary to a general delivery on
the Sabbath; we are authorised t, state that no such in-
tention is at present entertained.—Civil and Mercantile
Journal.