The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-23 00:00:00

attracted considerable attention. He wore a common
linen blouse, such as many children at this season
wear; and, beyond a certain glance of precocity in
his eye, there was nothing in his manner, dress, or
voice, to distinguish him from an ordinary child, and
we could not help wondering that the world of
fashion should have lavished so much in idol-worship
on an object so little worthy of their regard.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE WAR-STEAMER BASIN AT PORTSMOUTH.—The
completion of the auxiliary features to this great depot
are being hurried on with the utmost expedition, in order
to insure the most complete coup d'cril on the day of
opening—Thursday next. The Lords of the Admiralty
have given the most ample scope to the heads of the_.e
several departments comptrolling the work to enable
them to render the event one of unalloyed eclat to all
concerned, as well as to the spectators. The men work-
ing for the contractor were employed on Sunday in re-
moving the dam from the entrance of the basin; a large
body of sawyers are employed sawing planks to form
the seats for the booths appropriated to the spectators,
and for scaffolding to support the same. As many as
1,000 men were employed in the work of pre-
paration yesterday, and will continue until the
completion. Nine immense booths are being erected
around the structure for the occupation of the
naval and military officers, parties connected with
the work; the intermediate spaces are fitted up with
standing ledges for the general public. For the latter
accommodation will be given to the extent of 4,000.
Seven bands of music will be in attendance. The guard
of honour on this auspicious occasion will be taken by
the naval brigade of the dockyard, at the north-east
entrance. A body of the infantry battalion will be sta-
tioned on the west side of the basin, the artillery compa-
nies of the brigade will be stationed on the east or right
side of the basin, and the boat brigade on the left. The
corps of Royal Engineers. under the command of the
officers in charge of the Government works at Ports-
mouth (Captain James) will be stationed on the south
side. The musical corps will be stationed at uniform
distances round the basin. The Queen, Prince Albert,
the Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Wellington, Marquis
of Anglesea, the Earl of Auckland and the Admiralty,
the Premier, &c., &c., are expected to be present on the
day. Should the weather be fine, the spectacle will be
one of unsurpassed nautical splendour.
THE CAPE AND COAST 01 AFRICA.—The steam-
frigate Vulture, Captain M'Dougal, arrived off Ports-
mouth yesterday morning. She sailed from Simon'sßay,
St. Helena, April 5, and Ascension, April 12. She
has brought home the following passengers:—Lieutenant
Irwin, of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, from China;
Arthur Boat, Esq., Ordnance store-keeper, from Hong-
Kong; Duncan M'Creight, Esq., Master R.N., from
Cape of Good Hope; W. White, Esq., M.D., surgeon of
her Majesty's ship Geyser, Sac. The flag-ship President
Vice-Admiral Dacres, the steamers Rosamond and Gey-
sey, and the corvette Nimrod, were at the Cape on the
25th of March, the latter in command of Me. 13elgrave,
the Admiral's son-in-law, and late flag-lieutentint The
Tortoise and Bonetta were at Ascension. The Vulture
has sailed for the port at which she fitted out (Sheer-
ness), to be put out of commission, after three years and
four months' service.
The Havannah, 22 guns, Captain Erskine, and the
Dee steam-troop ship, were at Madeira, on their passage
to the Cape of Good Hope, on the 4th inst.