The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-28 00:00:00

companies,

I" In 1847 the directors went to Parliament for the
iitunley branch, so as to cut off an elbow, and to
effect other important deviations, and the line, as it
stands, was said to be constructible now for 800,0001.
only. me district had become matter of much dis-
cussion between the Manchester and Leeds Company,
the Northern Counties Company, and Mr. Hudson's
companies, and those discussions led to internal dis-
sensions, which had a serious influence on the share-
holders, especially as other companies held large
shares in this undertaking. It also appeared that
the allotments of shares in 1845, and the subsequent
transactions in them by directors and officials, had
called forth strong expressions of disapprobation, and
there is no doubt those irregularities (to use no
harsher term) had influence with the Committee of
the Lords—the solicitors promoting this Bill having
lately purchased several hundreds of shares at nominal
prices. In 1845, 20,000 shares had been originally
allotted to the officials, 6,000 only to the public, and
3,000 to Members of Parliament! In 1845 the
shares were at W. to 81. premium—in 1848 at as many
shillings! and large numbers were bought by the ,
promoters of this Bill.
" Above 170,0001. had been raised, and above
100,000/. spent ; so that there remained 70,0001., or
nearly 11. per share.

" The public advantages of the line had been through-
out maintained by all sets of directors up to the pre-
sent application, and there is no doubt that that
weighed with their Lordships, as Well as the private,
considerations as to the conduct of the promoter., and
the share transactions, which appeared of the most
extraordinary chamter. The public interests cer-
tainly appear to furnish a fair reason for the making
the line in competition to existing routes on the
north or south, or the projected route of the Northern
Counties Union."

THE POTATO CROP IN IRELAND.
(From the Dublin Pilot of Monday.)
Unfavourable reports continue to reach us from some
quarters of Ireland; but there are districts in which a
single symptom of the disease has not yet manifested
itself. The Titan Herald states that it has not been
found, on the minutest inquiry, that there is the least
ground for the apprehensions which had become so pre-
valent in the past week. There is an encouraging para-
ydnfro Tmull6ml d. t o they
8d
para-
graph in the Tipperary Free Press, and also in the Cork
leeporkr, on this important matter. The country mar-
a.
ar e
weight so l
of 4
21
pounds.
kets appear to be abundantly supplied with potatoes of
thet oid
v.e rays!onnees,t
a/114111UorkI
We are happy to find these views corroborated by the
following extract from the letter of a highly respectable
Catholic clergyman:—
SATuRDAY, JULY 22.—Thinking that you would be
anxious to know the condition of the potato crop in this
part of the country, I have to say that, with a very few
exceptions, it promises well. Certain interested indivi-
duals are looking out for an excuse to circulate an unfa-
vourable report."
(From the Leinster Express.)
In our last we -alluded to rumours which had been
circulated of the re-appearance of the potato disease of
1845-6, in various parts of Ireland. We have the utmost
satisfaction in recording our conviction that there is not
the slightest ground for apprehension. Against the few
isolated reports of partially discoloured leaves and tainted
tubers, we have to place the cheering and encouraging
accounts received from a vast number of localities, in
which no trace of the blight has manifested itself. All
the discouraging symptoms said to have been observed
are, we firmly believe, traceable to the effects of the
weather, or of diseased seed, or of improper cultivation.
The conductors of the Farmer's Gazette have, in the last
number of their valuable journal, published in a tabular
form the result of their inquiries relative to the whole of
the crops, issued by circular to a great number of locali-
ties throughout the country, and this result is in the
highest degree satisfactory. We compile from this table
the report from such of the districts in our own vicinity
as are embraced in the return as follows :
BALLYCASTLE.—No appearance of disease in potatoes.
The crop has a most healthy and luxuriant appearance.
About four times the breadth planted this year compared
with the last. The appearance of the wheat crop is a
little complained of. For the last seventy years the oat
crop never looked better.
BALLYNAIIINCH.—Dise se has appeared partially in
the potato crop even in the fields. There are, however,
no grounds for alarm yet. Four to one of an increase
Planted. Wheat, oats, and barley look well.
BUSHMILLS.—Not in any instance has disease appeared
in potatoes. Five times the amount planted over last
year. Wheat and oats an average crop.
Cot ERAINE.—The potato disease has not yet appeared.
A few tainted ones have been met with. The quantity
planted is four to one compared with last year. Wheat
and oats very good, but very long straw.
DONAGIIMORE, COUNTY DOWN.—No appearance of
disease in the potato crop, which never looked healthier,
or more luxuriant. About six times the extent planted
this year, as compared with the former. Wheat looks
well. Oats from all appearance will be short in the straw.
Durtuanzeox.—No appearance of potato disease. The
crops never looked better this time of the year. Fully
tenfold more planted than last year. Wheat and ioats
an excellent crop.
DUNMURRY.—In some districts a trifling appearance
of disease in potatoes, but the crop generally appears
safe, and promises well. Quantity planted treble.that of
last year. Wheat not as weighty as last year, but the
oats seem a fair average.
KILLINCRY.—In potatoes RO appearance of disease.
The crop never looked more healthy. Fully five times
as many planted as last year. Wheat light compared
with former years. Oats a fair crop.
LARNE. —The potato crop in general never presented
a more beautiful or promising appearance than it does
this season. Quantity planted equal to that of years
before the disease. Wheat and oats look extremely well.
Beans which are extensively cultivated, most promising.
LouoimALL.—No appearance of disease in potato crop.
Four times as many planted as last year. Wheat and
oats first rate, with the exception of some wheat sown on
ground not fit to grow it.
Persons connected with this journal have had, during
the past week, opportunities of inquiring and examining
into the state of the crops in the Queen's County, the
county of Kildare, and King's County. As regards the
potato, the accounts are varied; traces of disease are re.
ported in many districts, while in some the crop is
stated to present a most healthy appearance, and though
suffering from high winds and other ordinary causes,
there is not the slightest symptom of taint. The other
crops are described as most luxuriant,

nee writing the foregoing, We have been shown by
Mr. Turpin, Maryborough, a sample or the ac.kleavets
kidney potato—a variety that has hitherto -been ',,nt
little affected by disease—in which the taint was plainly
developed Otner fields it: the neighbourhood of
11a. y-
borough, Stradbally, Mountmellick, and Mountrath, aro
said to,be extensively affected with disease aiwilar to that I
of the past year.

A COUNTERFEIT PRINCE.
Mention was made some time ago of an impudent
scamp having swindled an old soldier by passing him-
self off as Prince Louis Napoleon. The fellow has since
contrived to keep out of the reach of the police; but
a middle-aged man, named Mialhe, a bookkeeper by
occupation, who introduced the swindler to the dupe,
was arrested, and was yesterday brought to trial be-
fore the Tribunal of Correctional Police. The dupe,
whose name is Chausse, and is now a weaver, related
that he fell in with Mialhe at a club of old soldiers, meet-
ing in the Rue de Lancry, and that he there told him that
he was in communication with Prince Louis Napoleon, at
the same time showing him a manuscript address to the
electors, which he said was signed by the Prince. Some
time after he was drinking in a wine shop with Mialhe,
when the latter bolted out, and returned in some minutes,
accompanied by an individual who he made complainant
understand by signs was no other than Prince Louis
Napoleon. On this Chausse invited the prince and
Mialhe to breakfast, and on the former graciously
condescending to accept it, the complainant made it,
as he expressed it, worthy to, be ofered to the
nephew of the Emperor, In the oourse of the
breakfast the Prince asked him if he had known the
Little Corporal, and the complainant answered with.
great emotion, that he had that " immortal hory•jur.,,
" Well !" said the Prince, " having Ittio7„n him,
you must recognise these," and he sbr:,,ed him a
cross of the Legion of Honour, all'!" another of the
Iron Crown, which, he said, had been worn by the
Emperor. On this the complooant, to use his own
words, " cried like a calf," reverentially kissed the
cross of Honour. Af
t:Zir breakfast, the Prince accom-
panied him to his own house, and there dispatched
Mialhe to seek for some papers, giving him a warrant
under his hand and seal so to do. His Highness next
expressed a wish to partake of some Lyons sausages,
and the complainant procured him half a pound,
which he dispatched with infinite relish. The
Prince then discovered that, in coming from Auteuil
that morning on horseback (he had, he said, a
residence at Auteuil), he had torn his trousers, and the
complainant offered him a pair which he deigned to
accept, and the Prince also condescended to receive a
waistcoat, a shirt, and two pocket handkerchiefs.
The trouble of dressing made the Prince thirsty, he
intimated that a bottle of wine would be acceptable,
and the complainant supplied him with one of the
best that could be found in the neighbourhood.
The Prince then showed an empty purse, and
graciously borrowed 38 francs from the complainant to
put into it. Hearing that complainant's sister and some
friends had gone out fishing, he proposed to go and eat
the fish they had caught, as he said he adored fish. Ir.
returning, he tried to borrow 300 francs from the crjm-
plainant, but, as the latter had not so nan.eb, he
consented to accept 150 f. These were tP, be given
to him next day, but fortunately tie complainant
was warned by the prisoner himself not to ad•
vance the money, and he took the counsel. Shortly
after, the pretended.prince., who had been seen reeling
about very drunk, chsa*:;peared. The prisoner contended
that he had not assl-sted in duping the complainant, and that ho himsel.f. had been deceived into believing that the
swindler was really what he pretended; and as his
warning to the complainant to keep his money seemed
to bear out this story, the triounal acquitted him.—
Galisnani's Messenger.

I A HOP INTELLIGENCE.
correspondent who occupies a considerable breadth
of hop land in a usually favoured district says, I calcula-
ted last week that the crop from cold nights, high winds,
&c., would fall short two bags per acre. Another week has
passed on, and I am now in my own growth (which is not
one of the worst) prepared to say that it will not
exceed that. If the weather continue cold at night and
windy in the day for another week, not more than half
the growth of last year will be produced in this neigh-
bourhood. I hear. (and from those I can depend
on) that this is the case in other districts; I believe it,
because the weather which affects one part will another.
Should the crop fall short, as I expect, it will be another
proof how little the growth of hops can be depended on.
MAIDSTONE.—The prevailing south-westerly winds
and rain are very unfavourable to the hop plant which is
whipping about, now that the burr requires warm, calm
weather, instead of a continuous bruising, and want of
sun. Under such circumstances, the duty must now re-
cede as fast as it progressed during the month of May.
It would be extraordinary to estimate it above 190,0001.,
and with the present symptoms 150,0001. will shortly be
the " set."
BOILEY, AYLESIORD, AND BURNAM. Bine not
quite so healthy. The high winds and cold nights have
been much against the progress of the plantations.
OTRAM.—The hops continue going on favourably, and
are remarkably clean.
YALDING, FARLEIGII, ANA CZART.—The hops are
going back. The bine, which has always been short, is
now looking sickly, and there are other unfavourable
1 symptoms.
GOUDEIURST.—Growing fast, and looking well. In
fact, too well according to the planters accounts. We
hear of no damage being done by the late winds.
WROTHAM, lONIAN, AND SHlPBORNE.—Notwith-
standing the healthy appearance of the bine, it is the
general opinion that we shall not grow anything like
last year's duty—experienced persons think not more
1 than half. Even in the very best grounds their uneven-
ness becomes daily more apparent.
Svvicaummis AND ADNOINING PARISHES.—The high
winds the last few days have very much injured the
growth of the hops.
TXCERURST.—The hops within the last fortnight have
made but little improvement; the late winds on high
grounds have injured them considerably.
CANTERBITRY.—The declining condition of the hops,
noticed in our last, is more apparent this week ; and
though the drenching rain of Saturday served to cleanse
them, still, injury was inflicted in many instances, and
we have to remark a further declension of duty this week.
WOROESTER,, JULY 10.—We have a limited demand
for hops, and at ruinously low rates; the best 1846's not
realising more than 20s. per cwt., and some few useful
lots have been taken at 425. to 455. The reports of the
growing crops are generally favourable, the duty for
the district being already estimated as high as 25,000/.
That for the kingdom is backed to pay 210,0001.
Muidetone Journal.