The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE

THE COMIC A LIPIANACK FOR 1847.
By George' Cruikshank.
Fascetious as have been the preceding numbers of
this little publication, this is unquestionably the most
fascetious within our recollection. The illustrations
by the inimitable George Cruikshank are, with two
exceptions, as rich in humour as any that ever pro-
ceeded from his etching-needle. One of the funniest
notions this humourous draughtsman ever bad is that
' embodied in the plate entitled " I dreamt that I slept
at Madame Tussaud's." The comicality of the thing
is actually extravagant. To every hypocondriac who
is addicted to drugging himself with quack medicine
we commend the engraving of the " Sick Goose and
the Council of Health," and to every wife who
disdains being a housewife as an ignoble way of
exercising her abilities, we commend the one
inscribed My wife is a woman of mind." It is the
realisation of the domestic miseries hinted at by Lord
Byron in that Hudibrastic couplet—
" And 0 ye Lords of Ladies intellectual,
inform us truly have they not hen-peckg you-all."
When we observe that the motley disguise of " Rig-
dum Funnidos" is this year cast upon the shoulders
of Mr. Henry Mayhew, the original projector of
" Punch," we have uttered a guarantee that the lite-
rary portion of the almanack is under able editorship.
As a specimen of the outrageous drollery of the
letter-press, here is the commencement of a parody
upon the sublime " Ossian" of James Macpherson.
" Bring, daughter of the Rainbow! bring me the pen
of steel! The mountain dew sparkles in Ossian's brain,
and it is brilliant with song. As is the black reviver to
the garment whose seams are white with age, so is the
cream of the valley to the seedy soul of the bard. It
brings back the freshness of youth.
" A tale of high life! The deeds of the superior
classes!
" The draught of the waters of Kinnahan wakens the
memory Of the past. The odour of thy weeds, mild
Lopez! is pleasant in Ossian's nose. Like the brow of
Ben-Primrose, his bead is veiled in clouds. Listen, thou
daughter of the Rainbow! to the deeds of the superior
classes.
" A tale of high life!
" Fair is thy Garden, 0 Covent! Green are its paths
with the leaves of the cabbage. There the cauliflower of
Fulham rests its white head, and the pine of Jamaica
perfumes the breeze. The daughters of Erin at e there
laden with Pippins of gold. Near are the halls of Evans.
Music is heard in them by night. The morning dawns
in song. The voice of Llewellyn of Wales gladdens the
feast ; and Sloman, the son of Israel, pours forth his
numbers, apt 'as the bard of Moses. Glad are the halls
of Evans ! It is the abode of Joy !
"Wilt thou not listen, bright maid of the Rainbow! to
the voice of Ossian ! my soul is bursting with song.
The collars of my Corazza droop like the ears of the
Greyhound, and my eye in a fine phrensy rolls. Thus
the mighty Bunn appears when he dreams that he dwells
in marble halls., Dost thou not behold, bright maid
the head of a lion in Ossians hand ? A ring of iron
depends from its mouth, and its face wears a look of
rage. That head the noble Phlaruppe, Lord of Belgra-
via, tore away. Phlaruppe tore it away by the strength
of his arm. Listen, then, daughter of the Rainbow ! to
the tale of high life ! The deeds of the superior classes.
"What sound is that kisses the ear I Across thy
Garden, sweet Covent It comes dancing along the
breeze. Can it be the song of the lark climbing the
sky ? But the lark wakes not the night with his notes;
and bright burns the gas in the lamp of the Tavistock.
'Tis the voice of Von Joel, the toothless, gladdening the
halls of Evans. Of Evans, the son of Thespis.
" The Thespian son sits in his hall of state. The feast
is spread around. The strong waters of Hodges and
Betts sparkle on the board. A thousand Havannahs
perfume the air. A thousand glittering tankards foam
with the nectar of Barclay. There is the ripe fruit of
Erin, and the rabbit of Wales is there.
" Who comes from the Saloons of the West, with his
warriors around him ? He smokes the Dodeeu of peace.
llis face glows with the juice of the Gooseberry. His
cheeks are rod as the garments of the bearers of letters
on the festival of May ? Who is it but the noble Phlar-
uppe, the Lord of Belgravia, In his train is Sutton the
Sambo ; and Burke, the hard of hearing, attends him.
Mighty in battle are they I
" The lord of Belgravia graces the board ; the Bards
hail his presence with a song. He quaffs the brown
stout of Dublin. The night reels away in revelry. The
morning peeps in at the casement ; and Phlaruppe, the
Lord of Belgravia, is glorious with Guinness's.
"A tale of high life ! the deeds of the superior classes."
The two following Duans are descriptive of
a freak of the Marquis of Waterford under the eupbo- '
nious soubriquet of " Phlaruppe." It would, how-
ever, be scarcely fair to encroach further upon the
pages of the Comic Almanack. If ever the almanack
deserved that attractive adjective, it does now. Both
the pencil of the artist, and the pen of the editor have
laboured most successfully to evoke merriment from
the most unexpected and unconscionable themes.
The pages are crowded with words and physiognomies
which will elicit much hearty laughter.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.,-A WINTER'S TALE.

By Mrs. Gore.
In place of the ephemeral volumes, the sentimental
contents of which suited well with their silken ex-
terior—the " Amulets" and " Gems," and " Rubies"
which were wont to celebrate this season of the
year, a number of little works are now making their
appearance, which more truly merit the title of
" Christmas Annuals?' Following in the wake of
the ever-memorable " Carol," they seek to illustrate
the genial nature of this festive season, not by the
gorgeous character of their outward adornments,
but by the warm and kindly sentiments which glow
within them. And this is as it should be, for (to
borrow from a comparison of Jeremy Taylor's) as
those creatures which live among the snow are
white, and so should all Christmas books have
about them the characteristics of Christmas. They
should inculcate lessons of brotherly kindness, they
should tend to undermine selfishness and pride, they
should stimulate benevolence and charity—not caring
to please the fancy or instruct the mind—their aim
should rather be to touch the heart, to infuse into it
kind and generous sentiments—breathing the very
spirit of sympathy and love. Such are the qualities
which should distinguish a Christmas book, such are
the qualities which have gained for Mr. Dickens
Christmas works such deserved and universal appro-
bation ; and it is inasmuch as they possess these or
similar qualities that we gladly welcome such little
volumes as the one before us. Much as we
dislike imitators, yet we welcome them, for
we are disposed to regard them, not as imi-
tators, but rather as followers (though at a
distance) of a good example—as fellow-labourers
(though in a humbler capacity) in the same good
work. And foremost among these volumes, we are
glad to find one from Mrs. Gore; in the first place,
because her name and talents will render the book
itself more attractive, and its object more effectual ;
and, secondly, we are delighted that this distinguished
authoress has exerted her very considerable abilities
for so benevolent a purpose. " New Year's Day" is
a very simple tale, simply told, but this very simplicity
is in many places full of beauty and pathos. Though
the compliment may be somewhat questionable, there
are some pages in this volume which we could hardly
have believed written by Mrs. Gore, accustomed
as we are to her severe and satirical remarks, and to
the despicable and unnatural characters which she oc-
casionally introduces to our motice. A very excellent
moral is conveyed in this "Winters Tale ;" besides
forcibly illustrating the awful distinctions of rich and
poor, it exposes the sad effects of ungovernable
passion—these two objects are very adroitly inter-
woven. One of the principal characters, the haughty
and impetuous Sir Jasper, whose naturally good
heart is unable to neutralise the effects of his impe-
rious temper, had, from his ill-treatment, caused his
only son to desert his home. Years afterwards that
son (supposed to be dead), returning from America,
with his own young child to seek his father's house,
is shipwrecked and drowned, while his boy,
escaping from the catastrophe, is thrown al
most friendless, and with scarcely a clue to
his parentage, upon the unsympathising world
of London. At the opening of the story he is knocked
down by his wealthy grandfather's splendid carriage,
and here and in many other places throughout the
tale the contrast between rich and poor is made the
more apparent by the fact of the individual repre-
sentatives of the two classes being in reality members
of the same family—the poor starving child, the heir
of the wealthy baronet We will not further disclose

....„ „ ,
4---7// .:.','4,•,=4:-.'- ,
,--. • , - •,-,- 1/4,Z-- ,
:_,••:,
the plot ;—not that there is much plo 16" disclose l';:---:'. j,?l
There is, of course, a love story, but tkat is only a `''' -""-fi
secondary attraction, the real interest; -:bfin ----',,, I.':,'
concentrated in the little George, whoselasp -------
fortunes are very beautifully narrates
history of the unfriended child, his humble exer- `-+lr
ilvd__
tions, his lack of sympathy in his sorrows, the pride
clinging to him through all his sufferings, his gentle,
patient, persevering character, are all portrayed in a
most impressive and affecting manner—not less
creditable to the authoress than her most brilliant . .
compositions. We must, however, find fault with the
close of the tale ; it is somewhat too mournful for
the time and theme. We object to it, not
because of the death introduced into the denoue-
ment—for the death of a favourite character often
conduces to the impression produced, and the
good effects occasioned by the perusal of an in-
teresting tale, the tears shed over a book often
embalm it in our memory, and imprint its lessons on
our heart--and so it may be with this tale of " New
Year's Day." Yet we are inclined to think that the
same closing scene might have been differently ar-
ranged—a few smiles might have mingled with the
tears—a ray of Christmas sunshine might have
gleamed amid the shadows. Many of the characters
are very effectively pourtrayed. John Talbot, the
old servant, is peculiarly interesting, forming a strik-
ing contrast to his " tetchy and wayward" master,
and an excellent companion portrait to the character
of the gentle child. It is hardly necessary to say that
this little volume is elegantly bound and suitably
illustrated. The concluding verse of the dedicatory
stanzas may be appropriately addressed to all the
readers of the tale :

" If from thine eyes
The scales have fallen away,—
If with a warmer pulse thy heart
Throb for the ills of clay,—
Requite with mingled smiles and tears
My gift of—New Year's Day."

THE CHURCH OF EIVGLAND MAGAZINE.
This is a very useful and interesting periodical,
furnishing a series of reading for each Sunday in the
month. It is peculiarly valuable, as tending to en-
force the practical duties of religion instead of enter-
ing into any doctrinal discussions. The present
number contains several sermons, some sketches of
natural history and scriptural geography, various
sacred poems, sundry pieces of useful information
under the head " Miscellaneous," and numerous in-
teresting papers upon the " Last year of William the
Conqueror," "Biography of Lady Elizabeth Russell,"
" Missionary Records," the " Siege of Londonderry,"
&c. " Passages of Scripture arranged under heads,"
is a series of great practical utility. There is only
one paper of " Juvenile reading"—the adventures
of Madame Godin in the country of the Amazons.
This is a department which is susceptible of great
improvement : moral tales and interesting biogra..
phies, calculated to afford entertainment as well as
instruction, and to furnish young readers with a pro-
fitable occupation for the leisure hours •of a Sunday,
would be a valuable addition to a work such as the
present.

SPORTIN ti INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—THIIRSDAY.
We subjoin a statement of business done, from which
it will be seen that the betting took a very limited range,
and that the market srices remain as they were last
quoted:—

CHESTER CUP.
1000 to 20 agst Mr. W. Scott's Erin-go-bragh—taken
DERRY.

15 to 2 agst Lord Eglinton's Van Tromp—taken to
25L, and afterwards offered.
800 to 50 agst Mr. Bowes's Epirote—taken
2500 to 100 agst Mr. Mostyn's Planet—taken
2000 to 60 agst Mr. Worley's Old Port—taken
1000 to 25 agst Duke of Richmond's Red Hart—taken,
and afterwards offered

1000 to 15 agst Col. Peel's King of Naples—taken
2,000 to 100 agst Gabbler, Projectile, West India Planter,
and King of Ifforven—taken.
The backers of Old Port was anxious to go on.
Offers to take 1,000 to 30 about Lunedale, and 1,000 to 20
about IV/inoto.

In the betting on Monday we omitted 2,000 to 10 agst
Lord E. Russell's Clarendon.

Mr. Phillimore, a gentleman of high standing on the
turf, died at Brighton on Monday last, after an illness of
two years. The nominations of Saddle and several other
horses become void.

The Leamington Steeple Chases, as we stated yester-
day, are postponed till Tuesday, the 15th. Bets, we
presume, are off, and it is a question if the races them-
selves are not void, unless the engagements be renewed.
The power of postponement from day to day is admitted,
but it is doubtful if it extends beyond the week, ,for
which the races were originally made.
The Bentinck Benevolent and Provident Fund, in.
eluding the sum of 2,1001. Consols, being stock purchased
with money subscribed for a testimonial to Lord George
Bentinck, now amounts to 2,400/. Consols. The fund is
established for the " benefit of trainers and jockeys,
their widows and children," under the provisional ma-
nagement of the Bentinck Testimonial Committee, viz.
the Dukes of Beaufort, Bedford, and Rutland,
Lords Chesterfield and Eglinton, and the Honourable
G. S. Byng ; each of whom has subscribed 251. to
!he fund, in addition to an annual subscription of 104
The subscription of a trainer or rider is limited to two
g-uineas annually, and
.those who have contributed to the
fund, and their widows and children, will have a prefer-
able claim to relief, the committee, however, having the
power of rejecting, the donations and subscriptions of
those who, in their opinion, are not worthy to become
members of. the society, and also of striking off the list
any trainer or rider who may misconduct himself after
becoming a subscriber. No :;rant will be made until
after the Newmarket First ing Meeting, 1847. Forty..
seven trainers and juckies. : ave already subscribed, the
majority for •two guineas each. The fines imposednt
York and Newmarket Races, amounting to 51L, have
been. added to the capital.

SALE OF THE BOOKS, SERVICE OF PLATE, WINES,
&c., OF THE LATE SIR C. WETHERELL, KNT.—Tuesday
the property of the late Sir Charles Wetherell, lint.,
consisting of the books, the service of plate, the wines,
&c., was entirely disposed of at. the Rolls Auction
Rooms, Chancery-lane, the sale having occupied four
days. Some of the plate had belonged to the services of
George IV., the Duke of York, Sir John Leach, &c.
The wines, &c., were brought from the cellars at the
mansion in Berkeley-square, and the chambers, Stone-
buildings, Lincoln's Inn. The plate went at priCes
varying from ss. 6d. to 12s. 2d. per oz., and of these
there were 185 lots. The following were the prices
that some of the wines fetched (as much as eight
guineas per dozen being stated to have been given by
the deceased for some of them):—six dozen of port, bot-
tled forty years, 41. 4s. per dozen; 23 dozen of brown
sherry, fifteen years in bottle, 645. per dozen, &c. The
wines realised between 1,100/. and 1,5001. The law
books comprised 253 lots, including an immense number
of reports. The following are the prices which some of
the lots went for:—The Statutes at Large, from Magna
Chartn, to the 41st George 111. (by Runnington), from
the 41st George 111. to the Bth and 9th of Victoria (by
Tomlins, Baitlaly, and Simons)' 31 vols., 231. 155.;
Calendars of the Proceedings in Chancery in the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, 3 vols., 1830-34; Corpus Juris
Civilis, anno 1663 ; and Velor Ecclesiasticus, temp.
Henry VIII., 6 vols., 1810-34, 291. 18s. 6d.; Journals
of the House of Lords, volumes 34 to 52, with calendar
and index; and Journals of the House of Commons,with
index, 85 vols., 291. 18s. 6d. Yesterday's sale comprised
the miscellaneous library of Greek, Latin, German,
Italian, and French works of all the most learned authors
of antiquity and of modern times.
Punmo Woaxs.—Upwards of two hundred
,and
fifty pay-clerks have been appointed by the Board of
Works, and are now officially engaged throughout the
country. If the accounts which hare of late, frequently
reached us from the provinces may be credited (and. in
no one instance can we advance reasonable grounds for
doubting their authenticity), it has become too much the
fashion amongst independent men, gentlemen of stand-
ing azfd influence in their respective localities, to seek
the appointment of pay-clerk from motives only too ob-
vious, and the duties of which would be just as efficiently
discharged •by individuals to whom the emoluments
might be an object as a means of support for respectable,
though reduced families.—Dublin Evening Herald.
THE SUNDAY TRAINS. We understand that a
subscription has been originated by several gentlemen
connected with the Royal Exchange for setting this
vexed question at rest. From the well-known public
spirit of those who have taken the matter in hand, we
have no doubt, though it will be connected with con-
siderable expense, that the whole question will shortly
be submitted to a full meeting of the shareholders,
when the result will be conclusive. It seems, from the
Edinburgh papers of this morning, that. the number bier off
directors in favour of stopping the trains but four
nd
ae
nr
II
it a
on
ud
s, aren t
favour he s e - these:—The
hhet eh
the
sevencontinuancer tnogtl English
directors ftoacrsts,wwereeuun
public wishes, and
matte
stopping eoifgthhtesetroateinbs:
absubtectteonr.sken_nt4intog. lethaeve t
to
before the eight Scotch directors, _ they
accordingly stood entirely aloof. With:,anstfhoeunmdatttheartcame
trainswere equallybu t a
sdifvoiudredofasthteomthwe
eprreopv.reireytycoafgesrt
the others (not very wisely or justifiably, as
the
experiment,
we think) gave way. Se the fact is that the number of
gentlemen who have undertaken forcibly to regulate the
Sunday movements of the inhabitants of Edinburgh apd
Glasgow, and all places adjacent and interjabent, is but
four !—Glasgow Saturday Post,
MERCHANT SEAMEN.—The Commissioners of the
Customs department have received a communication
from Mr. Parker, Secretary. to the Lords Commissioners
of her Majesty's Treasury, stating that, with reference
to their reports relative to the Merchant Seamen's Act,
he has been commanded by their Lordships to acquaint
them that their Lordships approve of the suggestions
therein contained, " for not proceeding against parties
who have omitted to require the names of the seamen to
be signed at full length, and for giving full publicity to
the same;" and that pending the re-adjustment of the
law, their Lordships desire that Mr. Field, the Collector
of the Customs at the Cape of Good Hope (as well as
the other collectors in the calonies), may be apprised
that the law does not impose upon the Collectors of
Customs the duty of proceeding by information before
her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and that it forms
no part of his duty to sue iu the character of an informer
for the penalties imposed by the Merchant Seaman's
Act (7 and 5 Victoria, cap. 112.)
PRIZE CATTLE.—The City of London Aberdeen
steam ship came up the river yesterday with 250 head of
cattle on board, amongst them are nine fat oxen of
enormous dimensions, intended for the Smithfield Club
cattle show. •

THE FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN

SQUADRON.
The Constitutionnel states, that the report addressed
by the Prince de Joinville to the Minister of Marine, on
the operations of the Mediterranean Squadron placed
under his command, was divided into two parts. In the
one the Prince examines the capabilities of the steam-
ships, and, in the other, those of sailing vessels. " The
steam-ships employed in our squadron," says the Con-
statuntnel, "were not constructed on the mixed system,
in which sails are combined with the steam force. We
had not even in that squadron a single -vessel propelled
by the screw. The English have anticipated us on those
two points, and the experiments they have made in that
respect have presented the most interesting results. Our
steamers could only be regarded as tug-boats and avisos,
and as such they were of great service to the squadron.
Their mission as tug-boats consisted in placing the ships
against the wind in the line of battle assigned to each
by the Admiral. They accomplished that object to the
great satisfaction of our officers. The steamers Descartes,
Aseeedea, Magellan, Cuvier, and Pluton were most
efficient in that respect, and brought up the ships
to their line of battle at the rate of three and even four
knots an hour. As avisos, the steamers executed their
service with all the rap;dity desirable. They might act,
if necessary, as the scouts and advanced guard of a naval
army. Lieutenant Nourrit de la Ronciere, in a recent
publication, compares steamers to the cavalry of an army.
That comparison, repeated in the very remarkable
pamphlet of Baron Dunin on the law granting an extra-
ordinary credit of 93,000,000 f. to the navy was
,justified
by the attitude of our steamers. In a word, the squadron
composed of ships of the line and steamers navigated
and manoeuvred much better than if it had been formed
of sailing vessels only.
"As respects the sailing ships, it appears that the
Admiral had not generally to complain of the manner
in which they manceuvred, with the exception, how-
ever of the two 100-gun ships, Hercule and Jemmapes.
" In the first place, in respect to the force, it would he
incorrect to look on them as being equal to one hundred
guns, for in this number there are many guns which are
net available for oblique pointing; if a commander of a
ship is engaged with another ship against which he
wishes to fire a whole broadside, it is necessary that the
fore and aft guns should be obliquely placed, so as to
make them converge to the same point of aim. It
follows that instead of being upon a ship having 60 guns,
attributed to the second rank, one has a ship which is
properly placed in the class to which she belongs in re-
spect to her size, but which is, in fact, by the calibre of
her guns, below a ship of the fourth class—that is, of
the lowest class. This is a very great inconvenience, and
this is what frequently increases it. When the weather,
without, however, being very bad, is such that the sea is not
smooth, the lowest tierof guns must be closed, because the
ports are too near the floatinc, line. I► is true this inconve -
nience in like manner applies to all vessels, but it is com •
paratively experienced in the highest degree in 100 gun
ships. Thus these ships of this kind lose the use of the
guns which are not available for oblique firing, and on
the other hand one-half her guns paralysed at the least
breeze. It seems that as to sailing capabilities nothing
worse could have been conceived than the build of 100-
gnn ships. The sea capabilities of a ship are usually
estimated according to her speed and her tacking about.
Now, it is well known that in fine weather and with a
speed of six miles an- hour the Hercule and the Jem-
mapes seldom succeeded in tacking about, whilst this
was done without difficulty by other vessels in company.
This is a matter of the highest importance, for suppose a
ship being near the coast or a shoal of rocks at sea, is
obliged to veer, that is, wind a-head instead of aft, she
is lost if she cannot do this quickly. 100-gun ships are
extremely slow in luffing up to the wind, because the ac-
tion of the helm is not sufficiently felt. Up to this time
a three-decker has been looked upon as being the
heaviest and the most difficult to manage. The naval
science of our time has invented a ship which is not only
less manageable, but whose sailing power is wholly in-
ferior ; for sailing in a squadron the Hercule and the
Jemmapes have always been the last. Surely here are
more reasons than necessary for laying up in ordinary
100-gun ships ;it is, therefore, not to be wondered at that
the Jemmapes and the Hercule on their arrival at Toulon
were half unmanned, which is equivalent to a disarming.
The plan on which these ships were built, as far back
as 1824, was, therefore, an unlucky innovation. If
however, the evil could be repaired by taking two ships
from our fleet, already so limited ! But there are on
the stocks 11 ships building on the same model, and
which are too far advanced to be modified. We have in
this state, at Toulon, the Eylau and the Navarin ; at
Rochefort, the Turene and the Ulm ; at Lorient, the
Wagram and the Fleurus ; at Brest, the Tage ; at
Cherbourg, the Hannibal, Austerlitz, Duquay-Trouin,
and Henri IV. The Minister who has already too
much in these 11 ships, out certainly not to have
laid it down as a principle in his ordinance on the effec-
tive force of the fleet, that there should always be ten
100-gun ships afloat. Other observations have been
made in respect to 74-gun ships, which are, by the by,
some of the beat models that have come out of the
yards. Therefore it has been proposed to razer the poop
and forecastle of these ships in order to place pieces of
the heaviest metal on swivels, such as those on the
largest steamers. It is thought that this alteration,
which is easy of execution, will greatly increase the
strength of these ships, and will also add to their sail-
ing capabilities. Such are the chief observations to
which the last cruise of our 'evolutionary squadron has
given rise. It now is well known to what use steam-
ships in a squadron mew be put, as also the relative
value of line-of-battle ships. The time is assuredly
come when we ought to make the experiment of mixed
vessels, built for sailing as well as steam."

DREADFUL OUTRAGE ON THE CONTlNENT.—Par-
ticulars have been sent to the Hue and Cry of a most
daring robbery that has been committed at Cracow. It
seems that when everything was quiet, three notorious
offenders got into the grounds by force, broke through
a treaty that stood in their way, demolished everything
of value they found in the houses of legislature, turned
the whole concern topsy-turvy, and have not left a ves-
tige of the old place standing. One of the offenders.
who is well known to the police by the name of Austria,
is still in possession. His two confederates have been
content with their share of the booty, and have re-
turned to their old haunts. Their designations are
Russia and Prussia. No means have been taken as yet
for the restoration of the stolen property. It is sup
posed that the authorities are holding back in the hopes
of a reward being offered.—Punch.
THE BRAZILIAN SUGAR TRADE.—A cargo or two
of new Brazilian sugar, imported under the new law of
last session, may be expected in Liverpool very shortly.
This will be the beginning of a new trade, which will
probably continue to extend until the country has be-
come it depot for the principal part of the sugars of
Brazil and Cuba.—Liverpool Courier.
DEATH FROM SYRUP or POPPIES.—On Wednesday
Mr. C. J. Carttar, the Coroner for West Kent, held an
inquest at the United Service Tavern, Woolwich, on the
bodies of two infants, named Charles Simcox, aged five
months, and Goldfinch, who, it was alleged, had died
from the effects of an overdose of syrup of poppies. The
inquiry had been adjourned several times, but the fol-
lowing is a brief statement of the facts of the case :
Some weeks since the infant child of a woman named
Goldfinch was rather indisposed, and, on the advice of a
neighbour, named Anne Simcox, she gave the child a
dose of syrup of poppies from a bottle which MN.
Simcox had in her possession. The child was taken ill
immediately, and upon a medical gentleman, a Mr.
Timpson, being sent for, it was found to be labouring
strongly under the effects of a narcotic poison, and,
notwithstanding every remedy, it died the next day. In
the conversation that ensued on the arrival of Mr.
Timpson, Mrs. Simcox reproached herself for re-!orn-
wending the mother to administer the poison, stating
that it had cause d the death of her own child about
eight months previous, but that she thought a little of it
would not hurt the deceased. Mr. Timpson refused to
give the certificate, and hence the present inquiry.
Evidence confirmatory of the above having been given,
the jury, after a long deliberation, returned a verdict in
the case of Charles Simcox, "That the deceased died,
but from what closes there was no evidence to show ;"
and in the case of the child Goldfinch, " That the de-
ceased died from a dose of syrup of poppies, administered
by the mother in ignorance."
CITY OF LONDON ASSOCIATION FOR. THE RELIEF
OF THE POOR.—Wednesday evening the annual meeting
of the subscribers and friends of the above Association,
established for the purpose of supplying the necessitous
poor of the city of London with coals and potatoes, at a
reduced price, during the winter months, was held at the
London Coffee-house, Ludgate-hill; the Right Hon. the
Lord Mayor presided, supported by Aldermen Wilson.
Kelly, and Gibbs ; Deputies Bedford, Brown, and
Corney; Revds. J. Harding, Munro, Ste. The report,
read by the Secretary, stated that the Association had
been established more than half a century. Last year
the City Kitchen opened on the sth of January, and
closed 27th of March, a period of twelve weeks, during
which was distributed 25,640 cwt. of coals, at the rate
of 6d. for 1121bs. each ticket. Notwithstanding a grant
from the City Corporation of 2001., the balance was Only
71 6s. 2d. The balance-sheet stated that the donations
amounted to 1,2221.; cost of coals, 1,4391.; produce of
sale, 6411.45.; expenses, 131. 16s. 9d. The report, on
the motion of Mr. Alderman Wilson, was unanimously
adopted and ordered to be printed. On the motion of
the Rev. Mr. Harding, it was resolved, that acting on
last ye ir's experiment of the comforts to the poor in
giving them a more ample supply of fuel, coals only
should be distributed during the ensuing winter. Thanks
having been voted to the Lord Mayor, the meeting
broke up.
HIGHWAY ROBBERIES.—On Saturday evening last
two robberies were committed in the outskirts, and an
attempt was made at a third. The first was between sit
and seven o'clock, and was committed on Mr. Howell, of
Broad-street. He was going along the road at the back
of the Temple, when two men came behind him, and
gave him a blow which brought him to the ground and
stunned him. They then rifled his pockets, from which
they took several keys, a gold watch, and a steel purse,
containing, as he supposes, six or seven shillings, and
then left him. Mr. Howell immediately proceeded to
the Town hall, and gave information of the robbery,
and Mr. Chase sent up an officer, who, on going to the
spot,
found the purse, a half crown, and a shilling, and
the chain and seals belong to the watch. About en
hour after this robbery occurred, a youth, named El ward
Galata, was proceeding along Clifton-hill, which is near
when
the same spot,
he was attacked by two men, who
knocked him dowtt and rifled his pockets, taking about
12s. They also took f
quantity of paper bags
of Gillam's manufacture, which whom tlinicraeh alp sells to fruiterers and
others. About half-
of
isi)rclock the same evening,
a w.iStitreven's porters, was
a man named Brown, one
sbpoastitheyt of
going to Mr. Bright Smith'
when he was attacked near the stunt
man
who laid hold of his basket, and said, "Give onee
Brown called out, and a gentleman who was onmli
home in Montpellier-crescent, hearing him, calmsnwaty,
his assistance, on which 69 thief made off.—Brigheon
Guardian.

CONFE-SION OF A RAILWAY

ROBBERY.

The following is a statement made by Daniel Garratt,
who was prosecuted on several charges, to Mr. Nash,
and may be usefully made public.—
These dishonest practices began with me about 13
months ago, when I was living in idleni. s close to the
railway station, and used to go on to the platform to see
the trains come in, and there it was I got into conversa-
tion with the people of the railway, and joined in con-
nexion. My first parcel was a carpet bag, which was
taken on the arrival of a train, as if I was a passenger;
but that mode of acting became dangerous, as, on several
occasions the owners intercepted their property, and,
but for the timely assistance of a confederate, I should
not have escaped so easily. Other methods were hit
upon, which, if made known, may prevent such practices
in future.

Mr. Hartley's box of scrip, valued at 40,0001., and
supposed to have never reached the line, was not taken
away from the train till we reached Wolverton; and if
passengers will go away from their luggage, without
having it labelled, or seeing that it goes with the train,
or leavh, it at a refreshment room, they must expect to
lose it. I was not a thief by profession; I had been a
valet and confident of several noblemen, travelling with
them, and never wronging them of a shilling. This
scrip sorely puzzled us. My first impulse was to go to
the continent, where my extensive knowledge would
disguise me. That was oppose d, and we determined to
wait. A reward was offered: but difficulties presented
themselves, and in the dilemma, Maynard's services of-
fered, and he introduced a friend of his, a chemist from
the neighbourhood of Brunswick-square, and they con-
cocted the correspondence and fictitious names with Bush
and Mullens; but they were very anxious to get posses-
sion of the scrip, anfi I believe that Mr. Hartley is in-
debted to me for its restoration. The earnest' of our
power to restore was shown Mr. Hartly by returning
him his keys, which were the 'first instalment.' Mr.
Bush paid the 150/. in gold—no notes—and was grateful
to Maynard, and shook hands with him. He came to
his house in his carriage. This gave us boldness, and
when the box of papers (Mr. Prance's) turned up, we
had less hesitation.

" Maynard negotiated, but unguardedly, and I told
him so; but he was headstrong, priding himself on his
position' and appearances. He arranged, and went to
his lawyer friend to draw out the necessary papers for
the restoration. He and I then went to the City together
in a cab. He left at the Blossoms Inn, and went on to
Guildhall to settle the affair. I waited some hours, and
then went home to my lodgings, from which we bad
started. I felt quite safe, as I was only known to six
people in connexion with Maynard, and they were in
the mess, and there was nothing against me to show
that I had not found it, as was said. In the evening I
was fetched out by Maynard's man, and went to his
lawyer friend about it and Maynard's arrest, but we all
agreed that nothing could be done to him for negotiating
a reward. I went to him next morning, with his ' man
Friday,' to assure him of support, and again went to
him and provided a criminal lawyer, but finding myself
watched I did not go again, but took means to prevent
any evidence against myself, and felt secure in my in-
cognita and change of dress every day. When the dis-
covery of other matters, and especially Bush's, was made,
and I was wanted' (as I thought), but not known, I
resolved to leave England. and began quietly to realise;
but then came the squabbles between the agents of the
companies, and their disapproval of what had been done
and stoppage of any other investigations. That gave
me confidence, and I determined to remain, forsook my
lodgings and old pals, and traded myself on several
lines, even under the very eyes of the police who wanted
me, yet did not know me except as a gentleman's ser-
vant, and above suspicion. *
" Respecting the man Farr, he also goes in the name
of (as Lee said) Billy-go-Faster. Lee told me that Farr
was in the Cambridge affair, and the Blackheath, as well
as Mr. Woodhead's box from your railway and ethers.
Lee is not in the same ship as me. Parr lives at Pim-
lico, but is not known. " DANIEL GARRETT."
Lee was transported in 1845 for robberies. Farr was
not apprehended until May, 1845, when several robberies
were brought to light; amongst others, three on the Bir-
mingham Railway, two on the South-Eastern Railway,
one on the Brighton Railway; also, the robbery of the
Post-office letter-bags, &c. He was convicted on five
indictments, and sentenced to twenty years transpor-
tation. _ _ _

William Farr, who was convicted of several railway
robberies, and sentenced to twenty years' transportation
on several indictments preferred on behalf of several
railway companies) made the following statements to
Mr. Nash, who acted in his prosecution :—" I was i❑
respectable employ as valet to a gentleman. Drink
turned me. I left and took a beer-shop at Deptford.
A fracas with Dalton, who was transported with Garratt
last winter, sent me to gaol for some months. I came
out changed and dissolute. It was at the stations all the
mischief was done. lam not the only one:left. * *
If a disconery was made at a station I put it to mistake,
and as I was not known to the police I could work with
boldness. When I heard of Maynard's arrest I crossed
the water, I returned when I saw that Maynard and
Garratt were not to be prosecuted, and began again.
Mrs. is innocent of my acts, she knew nothing
of them. Dr. Robert's papers were destroyed ; I did
not have them, another party had. Too many cases were
brought up against me, some I had only second-hand,
but escape was hopeless. The whole of Mrs. —'s
property has gone to defend me, about 801., and more
wanted ; she is now ruined."

POLITE HIGHWATMEN.—A. highway robbery, at-
tended with circumstances of extraordinary audacity,
took place on Tuesday evening, on the road from
Bourges to Chateauroux. The diligence of MM. Gher-
tier and Co., between those towns, and having at the
time ten passengers, and a sum of 44,500 francs, in five-
franc pieces, 33,000 francs of which were for a banker at
Chateauroux, 10,000 francs for the iron-works at Cla-

vieres, and the rest belonging to a merchant at Bourges,
had arrived, at about 10 o'clock, at the part of the road
called Les VaHies, when the horses were stopped by a
barricade of stones, raised up for the purpose. At the
same instant several men made their appearance, took

the horses by the head, and desired tie conductor to
alight and deliver up his keys. The conductor, in his
fright, not being able to alight at the moment, he was
forcibly pulled down, and one of the ruffians
stabbed him with a knife three times in the
shoulder. They then forced open the chest in
which some of the money was placed, and made
the passengers alight, two of the robbers standing over
them with levelled muskets. Having taken out the

10.000 f., they said they were sure there was more money,
and they got up on the roof, where they found the larger
sum. They then desired the passengers to resume their
seats, and allowed the diligence to go on. Whilst they
were robbing the diligence M. Lebrun, a notary, at
Charost, and his wife, came up in their cabriolet. The
ruffians ordered it to stop, and when they had finished
the plunder of the diligence, were about to examine the
cabriolet, but Madame Lebrun uttered such loud cries
that they desisted, and even took the pains of leading
his horse through the barricade. M. Lebrun, it is said,
had a large sum of money with him. On arriving at
St. Florent, the passengers of the diligence made their
declaration to the authorities. They stated that the
number of robbers was six, armed with pistols, knives,
and fowling-pieces, and wearing masks or false noses to
disguise their faces. They injnred no other person than
the conductor, and his wounds are not dangerous. The
gendarmerie instantly went in pursuit, but up to
Thursday no trace had been obtained of the robbery.—
Galiortani.

MILITARY EXPERIMENTS AT CHATHAM.—On
Tuesday, the lst instant, the Royal Sappers and Miners,
under the command o! Colonel Sir Frederick Smith,
K.H., repaired to the field-works near to the Casemate
Barracks, at Gillingham, where they have been for a
considerable time forming works, mining and counter-
mining, representing the actual siege of a citadel. The
day was densely foggy and cold, and very few persons
were present, the only officer unconnected with the
military on the ground was Captain ' Sir Thomas
Bouchier. K.C.8., Captain Superintendont of Chatham

,
Dockyard. The commencement of the experimental
operations was that of the first parallel, where two four-
gun batteries are erected, and upon two different prin-
ciples, for the purpose of testing the difference of their
rivements, one with fascines, and the other with gabions,
filled with earth. The first firing commenced with
a 12-pounder gun from the field battery, when the
embrasures were formed with fascines, and after
firing 20 rounds, the cheeks began to budge from the
pickets that held them, and the continual firing at
length caused the fascines to give way. The firing
party then retired, and commenced firing from the other
battery, when a 24-pounder gun was placed at one of the
embrasures, its rivements being formed with gabions
filled with earth. Here were also fired 20 rounds. The
repeated firing shook the cheeks on each side, and from
the repeated flashes of the gun caused some of them to
ignite. The gabions are pronounced to be decidedly the
best, and will stand longest in actual service. These
experiments were for the purpose of showing the young
officers the practice of firing guns through these r
o
rive-
ments. The firing being concluded, Colonel Sir F. Smith,
with
thet o f officers
Prince
and Frederick's
pr oaenededtehde up
Duketh of
efi field works
in
Cumber-
land's bastions and a ravplin' and commenced the opera-
tion of breaching a double stockade for the purpose of
effecting a passage for troops. The stockade was about
20 feet in width, and firmly built with oak timber and
fir balks; each pin of timber was 12 feet out of the
ground, and 4 feet in, firmly united with earth, and
held together at top and bottom by ribands of
oak plank, secured by 10-inch spikes Owing
tO. the immense strength of this stockade, and to
effect 'an entrance of the outside line of the erection,
two charges of gunpowder of 601 b. each, in bags, were
placed' on the ground, close to the building. On the
top of them was a large sand-bag, and two others were
firmly jammed against the charges. Everything being
ready for firing, a fuse about 6 feet in length was fixed
to the charges, which allowed three minutes to burn,
giving time to the party to retire, when an explosion
took place which shook the earth for a considerable dis-
tance, smashing the balks of timber into fragments.
Some of the pieces of timber were thrown up into the
air, and fell about 300 feet from the spot. Some of the
splintered timber was forced into the interior line of the
stockade. A breach was made 12 feet wide, and the in-
terior line was driven out of its perpendicular 2 feet 9
inches, and one of its ribands forced out. One of the
officers commenced taking a sketch of the ruins. The
result of the operation was very satisfactory to the Co-
lonel. Another stockade is to be immediately raised.

THE STRIKE AT KEIGHLEY.--We understand that
the woolcombers' strike at Keighley has terminated by
an amicable at rangement between the masters and the
men.—Leeds Intelligencer.
The steamer Antwerpen, Captain Jackson, arrived
here very early yesterday morning, having made her
Passage from Antwerp in twenty hours with wind and
tide
against her. The Baron de Hoehepied Larpent and
family were passengers by her. .