The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-16 00:00:00

•
.44*

IRS AND T E PRIN OF
SMO NSK.
resse of the inst. contai a letter from
lstoy, the g andson of Marshal Koutouspff,
'owing is a translation:—
" Paris, March 3, 1847.
" Sir,—ln the sixth volume of The Consulate and the
Empire, M. Thiers has portrayed with extreme inaccu-
racy and indiscretion the character of Marshal Koutou-
soff, Prince of Smolensk. As a lineal descendant, and,
the nearest relation of the deceased marshal, I owe it to
his memory, and to myself, formally to contradict the
aspersions in question.
" M. Thiers,represents the marshal as dis.
solute,' and avaricious.'
" Indolent!' Why, while yet a stripling, he entered
the military service of his country, and during three
consecutive reigns took part in every Russian campaign.
By turns he was Civil Administrator, Ambassador, and
Commander-in-Chief of the land forces of the empire.
It is passing incredible that a man who led so toilsome
a life, and filled such posts, could be'indolent.'
"'Dissolute!' Never in Russia was such an accusation
breathed against the venerable and exemplary Prince of
Smolensk, and the perusal of the page in M. Thiers'
history in which it cceurs would there excite general
indignation. The respect of a great nation is, methinks,
an ample refutation of the libel of the sp) " whose state-
ments M. Tbiers has hastily adopted.
" Avaricious!' The fortune left by the marshal at his
daath was inadequate to support his children at all de-
cently in their sphere of life. Truth and gratitude
impel me to add that Imperial munificence came to their
aid. His Majesty, our present Emperor, has generously
bestowed his bounties upon the children of a veteran
general on whom had been heaped the highest honours
of the empire.
" The marshal died in 1813 at the head of the victorious
army which delivered Russia from a formidable invasion.
His obsequies were solemnized at St. Petersburg. On
that occasion the national feeling of respect and attach-
ment to the departed hero was manifested in a striking
manner. The populace insisted on dragging the funeral
car. The marshal's loss was deplored by all ranks, and
the Emperor Alexander wrote to the widow of the
Prince of Smolensk, I mingle my tears with yours, and
with those of the whole nation.'
" The letter which contains these words is highly
prized, and carefully preserved by the family to which
I have the honour to belong. - " I am, &c.
" P. DE TOLSTOY."
* The spy alluded to is the French renegade Langeron.
SALE OF RARE Boorcs.—An important sale of
rare • books and manuscripts was commenced on Friday
last at Messrs. Sotheby's auction-rooms, Wellington-street.
The books form a portion of the library of J. Wilkes, Esq.,
of Finsbury-square, and are divided into nearly 3,000 lota.
Among the lots acid on Saturday were the Biblia Sacra La.
tins, or first edition of the Holy Scriptures, in three volumes,
without name of printer, place, or date, bat attributed
to the press of Gutenberg, at Mentz, between the years
1450-55. This edition is known by the name of the
Mazarine Bible, from the discovery of a copy in the library
of Cardinal Mazarine. It is printed in double columns, in
imitation of the large letters used by the scribes of the period
in writing the church missals and choir hooks, and although
in existence for nearly four centuries, appears as clean as if
it had been but recently issued from the press. Only eighteen
copies of this splendid work are known to exist—fourteen
upon paper, and four upon vellum: one of the latter has
recently been added to the British Museum, through the
bequest of the late Right Hon. T. Grenville. This copy
formerly belonged to George Hibbert, Esq. The first offer
for this rare book was 200 guineas ; and eventually it was
knocked down for 5001 to Messrs. Wiley and Putnam, the
American booksellers, its destination being the American
Museum, at Washington. " Psalterium Davidis," a most
beautiful manuscript upon vellum, executed for the Earl
of Lincoln in 1410, was, after a spirited competition be-.
tween Sir F. Madden, on behalf of the British Museum,
and Mr. Rodd, knocked down to the latter for
210/. Biblia Pauperum Germanice," a block
book of forty engraved pages in small folio,
worked off in black ink coloured, Nordlingse, 1470, fetched
110/. Apocalypse de St. Jean, a manuscript upon vellum, of
the 14th century, containing 78 large miniatures, sold for
60 guineas. Psalterium Davidis, &c., an illustrated manu.
script upon vellum, of the 13th century, sold for 641. Biblia
Sacra Latina , first edition of the Bible printed at Paris in
1476, sold fur 50/. Vetus et Novum Testamentum Latinism„
&c., printed upon vellum, at Venice, in 1487, sold for 591. 10s.
Apocalypsis Sancti Johannis, 48 pages, but wanting the 45th
page ; this, although imperfect, fetched 471., &c., &c. Yester..
day this sale was continued at Messrs. Sotheby's. The fol..
lowing were among the lots sold :—Ciceronis Officia Para.
doxa et Versus XII. Sapient= ; first edition, printel upon vellum by J. Fust at Mentz in the year 1465—bought by Sir
Thomas Philips for 3001. " Christine of Pysa, the Fayttes
of Armes and of Chivalrye ;" printed by William Caxton in
1489—sold for 54/. This copy was imperfect, the two first
leaves being supplied by fec-similies; a perfect copy sold some
time back produced the large sum of 336/. Cato (Dion),
" The booke called Caton whiche I presente to the Cyte of
London, Wm. Caxton, Thabbay of '4Vestmynstre, the Fyrst
yere of Kynge Rycharde the Thyrde, 1483"—sold for 231.
ss. In 1815 this copy sold for 51/. Os., the falling off in value
being accounted for by the loss of two leaves in sheet E.
"The forme and manner of makyng Archebishoppes, Priestes
and Deacons;" a small black-letter tract, printed by Richard
Grafton in 1549—501 d for 151. The other lots fetched good
prices.

- THE DEAD ALIVE.—Our readers will probably
recollect that, about eight or ten weeks ago, we gave an ac-
count of a suicide committed by a female, in the water above
Hutcheiontown Bridge, and of the recovery of the body a
few days afterwards somewhere near Govan. The wife of
a dyer, residing in llutchesontown, but who was sepa-
rated from her husband some years ago, on account of
her intemperate habits, disappeared about the same time, and
the body, when discovered, answered the description of the
dyer's wife so well, that he immediately applied to a friendly
society of which he is a member, and obtained the allowance
(41.) to bury his supposed wife, which he did with every due
solemnity. Although a staunch teetotaller. he was so overjoyed
at getting rid of one who was a thorn in his side for s.) long a
time, that he even broke his pledge, and has been in the
habit of taking little drops occasionally since. But, alas!
this happy slate of things must come to an end. On
Monday last, whilst sitting comfortably at his dinner,
who bounced in upon him but his own identical spouse,
whom he buried, as he supposed, eight weeks ago.
The consternation which so unwelcome a guest caused
is easier imagined than described. The housekeeper
fainted, and it was with some difficulty she was brought
to, and the husband's eyes almost jumped out of their
sockets ; however, in a short time, order was restored,
and after a little explanation from this visitant from the
invisible world they recovered from their panic. It ap-
pears, that instead of throwing herself into the Clyde, as was
supposed, she repaired to a neighbouring town, where she
remained until the date of her re-appearance. The unfoi-
tunate husband sorely laments his loss, as he must now re-
fund the 41. which he obtained to bury her.—Glasgow Post.
ARMED MAIL PACRETS.—The Board of Admi-
ralty have entered into a contract with the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company for armed mail steamers
to the following places :—Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and
Gibraltar, to sail. 7th, 17th, and 27th of each month from
Southampton ; penalty for breach of contract, 10,000/. ;
the contract is for 20,5001, For India and China monthly
—Five packets to leave Southampton on this service -
penalty for non-performance 35,000/. ; terms of contract,
160,0001. per annum. For Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria
—To leave Southampton 3d of each month, and for Mar-
seilles on the 7th from London ; penalty for lion-perfor-
mance, 8,0001. ; contract, 28,5001. ; two of the vessels are
to be of 400 horse-power, and fitted to carry four guns of
the largest calibre used in the !loyal Navy. In all four-
teen steamers, 'ten of 400 horse-power and upwards, the
remaining tour of 200 horse-power. The contracts altogether
amount to 240,000/., and the penalties to 50,0001. The con-
tract for India and China terminates in January, 1853, when
by twelve months' notice on either side the contracts may
cease.
LEWES ELECTION..--LEWES, MONDAY.—This elec-
tion is fixed for Wednesday next. An active cane-ass has
been going on for the last two or three days, but this after-
noon Captain Lyon, the protectionist candidate, issued an
address announcing his intention of retiring from the eon_
test, so that Mr. Perfect, the Liberal, will have nothing to
do but walk over the course.
BRITISH ScuooLs.--The annual meeting of the
above schools took place last evening in the School-rooms,
Hart-street, Covent-garden. The Ilonourable and Rev. Lord
William Russell presided, and was supported by the Hon.
Montagu Villiers, A.M., Charles Hindley, Esq., M.P., Rev.
Dr. Cumming, a deputation from the British and Foreign
School Society, and many other Reverend Gentlemen. The
secretary's report set forth that these schools had been esta-
blished for forty rears, during Which time they had struggled
through great difficulties, until at length they were in a fair
road to success. The support the committee had met with
from the Duke of Bedford had been the main cause of their
present flourishing condition. A large debt that bad been
incurred was partly paid off by that Noble Duke. The
treasurer's report showed the institution to be in a very safe
condition. Several resolutions were passed pledging the com-
mittee to future exertion, and the report having been re-
ceived, the meeting, which was very fully attended, broke up.
FATAL FIGHT NEAR WOLVERHAMPTON.—On
a
e:n
butce d
was o
oo ng
ht
th en.
eh
aord ymoofnltnii
oc
rhea rod
rile
eanr poetir
Saturday night
hineheldß i l st o ne-ormo amd
n
Monday, at
antigthhte
Birminghamlast.
Thu
investigation House,
From the evidence adduced it
post mortein examination. then adjourned bymtineatcioorno.ner, in order to afford time for a
.a
appeared that the deceased,. together
Harris,h:erwithWillTiasamacEHvaant
John Wright, Robert vea%er,
Had-
ley, and a number of other persons, were drinking at the
Odd Fellows' Arms, Monmore-green, at a late hour on Sa-
turday night. A quarrel arose in consequence of the de-
ceased blaming one of the company for knocking a jug of
ale over, and two or three rounds were fought in the house
between him and Robert Weaver, but it would appear that
the deceased, who, it was stated, was very drunk, was
not then hurt, and the quarrel ultimately became one be-
tween the deceased and William Evans, in console
quence of the latter taking the part of Weaver,
and they left the house for the purpose of fighting. Three
rounds were fought in the road opposite the house, in each
of which Harper was knocked down by Evans, and when hit
the last time he was rendered insensible, and unable to get
up. William Harris seconded the deceased, and Isaac Hadley
backed Evans. After the deceased was knocked down the
third time, Harris and Evans fought, and it appears that.
the deceased was left lying in the road, little or no attention
being given to him, one of the witnesses stating that he saw
him lying under a window, quite dead and cold, about half
an hour after the fight. A post mortem examination of the
body was made by Air. Edwards, surgeon, who stated that
he found a bruise upon the region of the stomach, and that
congestive apoplexy of the brain appeared to be the cause
of
death, which a blow upon the stomach would produce. The
Jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter against Wittier:.
lEvanssaae
Haasd
itehye a
spar iencceispsaolr,i
accessories
n.
Edavgaani ns
s ist nWo lal ita ni
present an
carnaftl-
tody, having absconded, but the two seconds, who were.%
custody, were committed for trial.—Stafford Advertiser.
The following is an extract from a letter received
from a native of Glasgow who emigrated to the States four
years ago, as a farmer, dated Davebport, lowa, Jan. 15,
1847 :—" The prices of farm produce are very low this
year, which makes it go rather hard with the farmer.
Counting the cent one halfpenny, you will be able to
make out the following prices. Just now, pork
.and
wheat are the principal articles the farm)oeurnsdare
Ibvrhuact.-
ing into town—pork, 2 cents
10 cents; eggs, S cents per dozen;
eao,
40 cents per bushel of 601bs; flour, !tips e,
centsrlsc perent s Iptie.r;bbuushtteerl
l 30 cents per bushel ot
corn, 15 cents per bushel;
wconitsm itm is always Indian corn that
per lb. by the quarter, and
sisOlmbsean.—tSw;hbetelet;we
3 and 4 cents by single pound; potatoes, 15 cents per bushel
As yet there is very
and what 15 made sells at 6 9014
' little cheese made here,
of 601b5.; onions, 22s0paecnaednkt3 Cpeenr bushel.
per lb. 7 Geasgo'Past.

'IN OF
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