The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-18 00:00:00


This is the longest winter that has been felt in the
southern 'parts of England for many yeara,past, and it
has been, only partially broken since the lath of 1.):-
"cember,. *by westerly winds and rain for eleveR or twelve
trays in. January.
The: whole of the present month (February) to the
10th bras been frosty, with light falls of rain, Lail, sleet,
and s c ow, nearly all of which have been converted into
solid .sheets of ice, and covered the trees, the tops and
wea Cher sides of the houses, and the ground nearly to
the depth of an inch, by which means we now perceive
see r es of novelty that scarcely ever happen in this part
of England, that is to say., men and boys skating and
sl:K'dng on the pavements, in the open squares, in the
spa Bets, and even in the carriage roads for many miles

All the ponds, pumps, moats round the fortifications,
,,narshes, and salt water lakes are firmly ice-bound, very
similar to a winter in Holland.

The coldest days and nights here in December were
on the 15th and t2.5th (Christmas Day), when the ex-
ternal thermometer receded to 18 degrees, and to 16
degrees on the leads of the Observatory ; on the former
day there was a conjunction of Saturn and the sun,
which induces a great degree of cold in the winter
season ; and Fahrenheit's thermometer at St. Peters-
burgh at the same time was 49:} degrees below freezing
point. _

On January 7th the thermometer here indicated 20
degrees, and on the 2d and 3d of the present month it
went one degree lower. The 3d was the coldest day
this winter, when the mean temperature lor the 24
hours was only 221 degrees.
It snowed more or less in December on seven days,
in January nine days, and in the present month to the
10th six days, the whole depth on a plain surface with-
out drift amounting to nine inches.
Since the 12th of December, the beginningof winter
here, there have been 41 frosty nights ; ice -has ap-
peared in the bed-rooms 11 nights ; and on several oc-
casions, from sunset to sunrise, ice has accumulated in
the external air on the ground to the depth of one inch
and a half.

These arc only a few particulars of the 801 erity of
the winter.

The brightest side of the picture of the weather, is
the beneficial effect the snow, which lay 10,1g, en the
ground, will unquestionably have on the arab he
which fortunately were sown with wheat last Autumn
more extensively than for many years past.
Be asiurcd that the winter is not yet over, for the
planetary aspects with the sun o❑ the 19th of Fe truary,
the I I th and 231 of March, indicate a remit e':ort of
temperature, frost, and probably snow.
[We arc indebted for the above article to Dr. RueneY,
of the Royal Academy, Gosport.]—Brighton lb rt

INFLUENCE OP CHEAP POSTAGE OK EDU-
CATION.—The evening school is attended by apprwitiei 's and.
young. persons of both sexes—amongst them is a moth or of
four children, some of whom are grown up, and reside at a
cmisiderable distance from her. Allured by the cheap poi tage,
and the laudable desire of b2inr, able to reply to the let,ts, rs of
her children, she resolved, at the age of forty-five to 1‘
.tar, '1 to
Write. She has attended most reglarly, along with a. daa 111-
ter, since the school opened in September, and very few of the
scholars have made greater progress than has this energe tie
v!ornari.—Annual Report of the Edinburgh Educati DO Soci, t
ler 1840,

was summoned before Sir Peter Laurlo, on Friday last,
for having sold eoals deficient its weight, to poor peo-
ple, during the intensely cold weather. The decision
of the Magistrate was not given until yesterday, on
which account we did not publish- the evidence. The
case excited a good deal of interest. It was as fol-
lows :—
Mr. Murray, the Ward Clerk of Billinsgate, said he
intended to bring a complaint, upon the part of the
Inquest of the Ward. In consequence of the severity
of the weather, the gentlemen of the ward inquest had
determined to make the poor inhabitants as comfortable
as they could, and distributed a great quantity of coals
amongst them at a very low price. For those coals
they had paid Mr. Magarey the best price, so that
the poor had a right to expect not only the proper
quantity, but an excellent quality, and unfortunately
there was a deficiency in both respects. The quan-
tity, however, was the only thing complained of in the
present instance, and it would be proved by creditable
witnesses, that in the sacks which were weighed there
wa: want of weight from five to twelve pounds—a very
serious defect to those who had no other way of put-
ting fire on their hearths; than was thus afforded by the
bounty of the more opulent inhabitants.
William Sabine, of No. 21, Cambridge-road, stated
that he was in the service of Mr. Piper, one of the
ward inquest of the ward of Billingsgate. He received
an order upon Mr. Magarey for 112 lbs. of coal, and
he gave it to a lad in that gentleman's warehouse in
Love-lane. The coals were put in the sack and the
sack was put in the weight scale, and witness took it at
once to Mr. Piper's, where it was sealed up ; witness
then weighed the sack in Mr. Piper's scale, and it was
deficient 1(21! pounds.
Mr. Henry Hunt Piper, one of the gentlemen of
the inquest, stated that he weighed the sack of coals
named by the last witness, and found that it was dufi-
cleat to the amount stated.
The clerk of Mr. Newbone, the solicitor to the de-
fendant, said that his client had actually paid a sub-
scription out of his own pocket for the poor, to whom
he was much more disposed to give heavy than light
weights.

I The witness Sabine stated ths.t next day he went for
another sack of coals, and conveyed it immediately to
Mr. Piper's warehouse.
Mr. Piper stated that the second sack was deficient
3i lbs. The witness Sabine had been with him a con-
siderable time, and was trustworthy.
Mr. Magarey here observed, that the inquest ought
to have gone to the warehouse and seen the coals
weighed themselves, and he complained of want of
courtesy and fair play towards him.
Mr. Potter, the Common Councilman, who is fore-
man of the inquest, declared most solemnly that there
was not the least, personality intended, and that the
case was brought forward on public grounds alone.
Sir P. LAURIE-If the gentlemen had not done as
they have done, they would not have done their duty.
The Ward Clerk assured Sir Peter Laurie, that
Mr. ltodbee, the excellent Rector of the parish, had
given the information as to the short weight dealt out
to the poor.
Charles Garton, a person in the serv'ee of Mr.
Claridge, another of the Jury, stated that he received a
ticket for 112 lbs. of coals, and received the coals in a
sack, and took them to Mr. Piper's warehouse, where
they were weighed, and proved to be deficient 9 lbs.
Witness did not see them weighed at Mr. Magarey's
warehouse.
The Solicitor for the defendant objected that the
witnesses hitherto examined resided out of the ward,
and did not conic within the cognizance of the ward.
.Tane Stevenson was then called. She stated that
she lived in the ward. She received a ticket for coals,
which were brought to her room in the evening, and
shot down in a corner of the room. When her husband
came home in the evening they agreed that the coals
ought to be weighed, and they took them in a sack to
Mr. Wright's oil shop, at St. Mary-at-Hill.
Jeremiah Stevenson, the husband of the last witness,
stated that they scraped up every bit of coal in the
room, and even every bit of dirt into the sack. He
had reason to suspect a deficiency, for ho had had it
before, and he mentioned the circumstance to another
poor person who received coals, and they determined
to mention the matter to the inquest.
Mr. Thomas Wright stated that he weighed the sack
of coals brought to him by the last witness, and found it
deficient 14ilbs.
Martha Moret, of No. 13, St. Mary-at-hill, stated
that she received a ticket for coals, and they were
brought to her house.

Mr. Wright stated that he weighed the last-men-
tioned sack, and it proved deficient 1 l ilbs. with the
sack. They were bad coals. She also received coals
from the City Kitchen, but the latter were excellent.
John Runekar, a person in the employment of Mr.
Underwood, one of the inquest, stated that he received
a ticket for a sack of coals, arid he took the coals to
Mr. Wright, and he weighed them, and found them de-
ficient ..5.1-lbs. without the sack.
The Solicitor for the defendant submitted that the
witnesses who received the coals, being interested per-
sons, their evidence was completely invalidated, and
that the high character of the defendant ought to secure
him from any imputation, however negligent his servants
might be. Besides, the evidence was extremely vague.
Sir P. LAURIE observed that the servants never
happened to make a mistake on the wrong side. There
were 53,200 weight of coals distributed by the kindness
of the opulent inhabitants of the ward, and a deficiency
of six or seven pounds was certainly an object to every
person.

Upon the part of the defendant, James Smith, also
in the service of Mr. Magaxey six or seven years, was
called. He, however, stated nothing calculated to
throw the least imputation upon the credit of the wit-
nesses for the prosecution. The inquest had, he said,
sent for Mr. NIagarey to call upon them.
Mr. Magarey—I deny it. I never heard they wished
to see me. I deny, too, that the coals were of inferior
quality ; and I most solemnly declare that my scales arc
always correct.

Sir P. LAURIE stated Chat he should adjourn the case,
and consult the City Solicitor ; but he was perfectly
satisfied that there was a. very considerable &ficicucy.
Yesterday the City Soilicitor attended.

Mr. Newbone (the defendant's solicitor) hoped that
whatever might be the decision of the Magistrate,
no imputation would he personally cast upon Mr. Ma-
guey. It appeared dal Mr. Magarey's servants were
in the habit of keeping sacks filled for the customers ;
and, although certainly he was responsible for the acts
of his servants, he kr.ew nothing whatever of any defi-
ciency of weight. 11;i3 trusted that the gentlemen of
the inquest would Oct. impute any knowledge of the de-
ficiency to Mr. Magn.-rey, who would much rather act
for the benefit than to the prejudice of the poor, and who
waived all forms to tweet the cases against him, conscious
of having done nothing himself that would subject him
to censure.

Sir PETER LAUR:IE said that all the nicks that were
weighed were found. deficient. That was very bad, and
the poor felt the loss at such a period intensely, for
every potawd of coal, was an object to them. The mat-
ter was satisfactorily represented to common sense, but
the question was, in what manner it was to be dealt
with according to Ita w, and as an example to the public.

The City Solicitor said that he had consulted Mr.
Laurie, the barrkler, on the subject, who said that
there was a difficulty as to the administration of the law
in the case, in consequence of the incompleteness of
the evidence. He (Mr. Pearson) agreed with the
Learned Counsel, and he thought it would be advisable
to leave the question to be settled between the In-
quest and Mr. Magarey, who could be held to bail to
answer any charge which might be brought against him
if the interests of the poor should require that pro-
ceedimgs be instituted. It had bee❑ stated that Mr.
Macarey was a highly respectable man, but a good re-
putation sometimes supplied opportunities of doing
evil by means of the confidence reposed in it. Ile
thought that Mr. Magarey and the inquest might
come. to an understanding on the point. If the Ma-
gistrate entertained the opidon that a prosecution
should take place, the City Solicitor would proceed at
once at the expense of the City, whose poor were so
much interested.

SiT P. LAURIE wholly approved of the excellen
acivi,ce of the City Solicitor, and

Mr. Newbonc said he had not the least (bilk of a
decision in favour of his client in a court of law, but he
recommended Mr. Ma grey to adopt the suggestion of
the City Solicitor.
Mr. Magarey evidently felt extremely sore upon the
point, but intimated that he should be directed by his
solicitor.

Mr. Murray said that the gentlemen of the inquest
would be satisfied without proceeding further if islr.
Magarry would consent to present twenty guineas to the
poor of 13illingsgpate.
Mr. Ncwbone at once accepted the proposal, and
handed over a donation of twenty guineas f.,r the 'use of
the distressed inhabitants of Billingsgate Ward,
Sir PETER. LAURIE having again assured the inquest
that the public were greatly indebted to them, the af-
fair then terminated.

TIII: Loss or THE DRYAD.—Mr. Farquhar, one of
the solicitors engaged in prosecuting Michael and Pa-
trick Wallace, informed Sir Peter Laurie that the sai-
lor who had been sent for to the Rodney, in the Me-
diterranean, to give evidence of the loss of the Dryad,
had arrived in England. The trial of the two brothers
will take place next Session, and report says that the
evidence of the sailor, who has not yet reached town,
will be conclusive against the prisoners.
Sir P. LAURIE stated that another case of a much
more extensive nature, and in which other parties arc
involved, had occurred, and that it was likely aninves-
tigation would be soon undertaken.

flEtt MAJEsT Y.—It is stated in circles likely to
be acquainted with the fact, that her Majesty is again in
an " interesting situation," at once exciting the hopes and
sympathies of her loyal subjects,

DROMORE PETTY SESSIONS

(Magistrates presiding—Rev. ELGIE BOYD, D. LIND

SAY, and — DOWLING, Esqrs.)
INTENDED ASSASSINATION OF MIt. O'CONNELL.
—James Mcrrc,n, an inhabi•ant of I)romore, charged
1assault,
persons, ‘v on he h
committed
a on
theadul
8 tyh'
ofsummoned,January. ith riot and
The circumstances of the case, as they came out in
evidence, were as follow :—A large body of between
400 and .500 persons had collected the town of Duo-
more, early on the 18th of January (the day on which
Mr. O'Connell was expected to pass through, on his
way to Belfast), many of them armed with fire-arms.
There were also posted on the walls placards of an in-
sulting and inflammatory lied.
On finding that Mr. O'Connell had passed through
on the previous Saturday, the crowd got an effigy made,
which they carried on a pole to a place called " The
Round Hill," close to the road on the Nowry side of
the town ; and hung up the effigy there. They then
discharged their fire-arms at that, having been disap-
pointed of the man himself.

While the Orange mob were so employed, the com-
plainant, a Catholic, who was out in that direction, ad-
vanced to the crowd, when he was instantly assailed
with shouts of " To hell with the Pope!" and other
such language, which was followed up by some of the
mob striking him. He then left the field, and went
into town, followed all the way by the mob, who con-
tinued pelting him with stones and sods, until he got
into a house in the town.

One man, named Reynolds, was taken by the police
in the course of the day, with a pistol concealed in his
pocket. Several other assaults were proved to have
been committed upon such Catholics as were foolish
enough to leave their houses on that day.
After an investigation of more than three hours' du-
ration, the complainant's informations were taken
against five of the persons charged, who were accord-
ingly held to bail, to take their trial at the ensuing
Quarter Sessions. Their names are John Gowdy, Jere-
miah Meany, Samuel Meany, John Meany, and James
Dobbin.

About six of the others were bound over to keep the
peace for two years.—Neibu E.raminer•.

THE PICKWICK CLUB OF NEW

(Report of the Committee for the first quarter, endin

August 4, 1840.)
In pursuance of the pleasing, yet arduous task which
has been imposed upon us, we would beg, before entering
into details, to take a brief retrospect of the circum-
stances under which the '• Pickwick Club of Now Zea-
land" was formed, and despite which it now bids fair to
rival, if not in originality and power, at least in useful-
ness and benevolence, its great prototype. Cast we our
eyes backward, then, to the very recent period,
when, bidding adieu to the land of our birth, and all
its hallowed associations, and stimulated by the proud
spirit of enterprise which has ever been the character-
istic of the `• island born, the free," we gave to the
breeze the swelling sail which was to waft us to the
land of our adoption. High as were then our aspira-
tions, and sanguine as were our hopes, the boldest
of the adventurous band could not but feel that he
was casting all upon the hazard of the die, and that
landing upon a savage and perhaps hostile shore (rich and
beautiful as it might be) it was only by dint of cease-
less toil and unflagging perseverance that he could hope
to strike out for himself a path to the comfort and in-
dependence which the crowded cities of his fatherland
denied.

Undaunted by danger, by toil, and by difficulty, and
undismayed by the fierce and jealous savage, we held
our way through the trackless waste of waters, till the
magnificent hills of New Zealand burst upon our gaze ;
then, indeed, we found that our energies would be put
to a severe and trying test. Not a house, not a hut.
was to be seen, and, far as the eye could reach, the
boundless forest spread in all the wild luxuriance of na-
ture ; but unchcering as was the prospect, the same noble
impulse which had carried us through so many dangers,
sustained us in this trying hour, and ere a little month had
elapsed, the rude inhospitable desert was transformed
into the peaceful abodes of happy and contented in-
dustry—while at intervals might be seen the neat but
unpretending cottages in which some of the noblest of
our land, despising the enervating luxuries of a false and
conventional society, were content to seek health and
happiness " under the green-wood tree."
Justly proud, as we had reason to be, of the suc-
cess we had achieved, and of the comforts which
were daily growing up around us, there was yet
one great desideratum —" a various band from
kindred realms we came ;" and though united in the
grand purpose of extending the blessings of civilization
to the noble but untaught children of the desert, we
could not but perceive the necessity there existed for
forming some bond of union which might still more
closely unite the scattered elements of our society.
This want has been supplied by the " Pickwick Club ;"
and we rejoice to say, that in the face of difficulties
almost insurmountable, it has succeeded in establishing
for itself a character for unanimity and respectability
second to no institution of its kind, and which, based
as it is on the principles of mutual benefit and in-
formation, cannot fail to raise it to a still loftier
station with the growing prosperity of the Colony.
We have alluded to the difficulties the Club, on
its origination, had to contend with ; the most
obvious of these were the scattered and unsettled
state of the community, and the difference of feeling
and opinion which must necessarily exist between indi-
viduals of different countries. These obstacles, which
it was the primary object of the originators of the Club
to obviate, were speedily overcome, and deeply im-
pressed with the eventual importance of such an insti-
tution, the gay and thoughtless son of Erin, the calm re-
flecting Scotchman, and the blunt and manly English-
man, alike lent their energies to the task. One for-
midable obstacle still remained ; an opinion had gone
abroad that the society was merely a convivial one, and
contemplated no nobler end than the mere passing of
an idle hour. This opinion, which at first obtained
considerable credence. tended in some degree
to curtail the sphere of our exertions ; but we are
happy to state that the true character of the Club is
now so well understood, that we rank amongst our
number the greater portion of the talent and respecta-
bility of the settlement, and that we are daily receiving
such accessions as no longer leaves it a matter of doubt
that the '' Pickwick Club" of New Zealand is des-
tined to exert a great and salutary influence on the
welfare of the land of our adoption. Already, though
but a few weeks have elapsed since the arratig-etnents
for the reception of books have been completed, we
number upwards of 100 volumes of the most
valuable works of the day, and it is due to the Club
to state that these arc all contributions of members ;
thus leaving the funds of the Club almost intact for
the purchase of such periodical and other publications
as may be thought fit.

The Committee have much pleasure in stating that
the funds of the Club are in a most flourishing condi-
tion, and that a considerable balance remains in the
hands of the treasurer, after paying the incidental ex-
penses ; these, s:3 need scarcely observe, are in the first
much more heavy than they can be in any succeeding
quarter.—New Zealand Gazelle.