The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-29 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—The unfavourable state of
the morning prevented her Majesty and Prince Albert
taking their accustomed walk.

TI-4) Rc•'al Family were also prevented from taking
heir usual exercise.

The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening is
expected to include her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Kent, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester,
the Lady in Waiting of the Duchess of Kent, the Lady
in Waiting of the Duchess of Gloucester, the Baroness
de Speth, Viscount Palmerston, Lord and Lady Howard
de Walden, Lady Emily Seymour, the Hon. and Rev. C.
Leslie Courtenay, and Sir George Couper.
The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards will attend
during dinner. Her Majesty's private band will alter-
wards attend in the Castle.

Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Excise, had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday,
at his official residence in Downing-street.
Lord John Russell gave a dinner to the Cabinet Mi•
nisters yesterday evening at his residence in Chesham-
place.
The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Chief Secretary for
Ireland, has arrived in town. The Right Hon. Gentle-
man was present last evening at the Cabinet dinner given
by Lord John Russell.
The Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord President of the
Council, arrived in town yesterday, from his seat, Bowood
Park, Wilts. The Noble Marquis after his arrival paid
a visit to Lord John Russell.

SUDDEN DEATH OF COUNTESS DOWAGER OF WlN-
TERTON.—Yesterday Mr. Mills held an inquest on the
body of the above lady, at her residence, Lodge-villa,
North-bank, St. John's-wood. Elizabeth Stairs, her
Ladyship's waiting-maid, said that deceased had been an
invalid for the last five or six months, complaining of
pains in the back and chest. Her Ladyship consulted
Dr. Elliotson about three months ago, who told her she
laboured under affection of the heart, and prescribed for
her up almost to the time of her death. Her Ladyship
having taken her medicine retired to rest at 11 o'clock
on Sunday night last, appearing in better health than
for some time past. At a quarter to four next morning
witness was aroused by her Ladyship ringing violently
and calling for assistance. Witness went to hPr in-
stantly, and found her pacing her bedroom apparently
in great agony, and exclaiming, "I am dying." Wit-
neis applying what aid she could, sent some of the other
domestics for Mr. Watkings, who speedily arrived, but
in the interval her Ladyship expired. Mr. Watkins, who
had made a post mortem examination, said that the cause
of death was ossification of the heart.—Verdict, "Natural
death."

UNITED SERVICE MEDICAL INSTITUTION.—Yester-
day afternoon a meeting of medical officers in the royal
navy was held at the British Hotel, Cockspur-street, to
consider the propriety of forming an association of mem-
bers of the profession. Mr. Drummond took the chair,
and said that the object of the society they were about
to form was the advancement of medical science, the in-
vestigation of the modifications of endemic and epidemic
diseases in different climates, and the maintenance of the
honour of the profession generally. On the motion of
Dr. Evans, deputy medical inspector, seconded by Mr.
M‘Ternan, it was resolved that the society should be
established, and that a proposal should be made to the
council of the United Service Institution to form a union
with that body. Dr. Lindsay then moved that medical
officers in the sister services—the army and the East
India service—should be eligible for admission, and that
the association should be called the United Service Me-
dical Institution. This resolution was also carried unani-
mously, and a committee was appointed to confer with
the United Service Institution on the subject.
A riot, arising out of the high price of corn, took
place last week at Hennebon, near Lorient. The po-
pulace attempted to prevent the departure of two vessels
laden with corn, and would probably have plundered
,
them, but for the arrival of some troops. Several of
the rioters were arrested.

ST. PETERSIIMIGH, OCT. 16.—Iti the night of the
loth of this Month his Majesty the Eniperor, accompa-
nied by the Grand Duke Alexander, set out from Zar-
skijeselo for Moscow, where they both arrived in good
health on the 11th. •

S u N-
, ca-)Rit___A:
/by ni -90 - -- ---
;1 i9:;;47 1";4?3°
1 ,-1-, c'e• 'P.TA"-)1.
)
~...._,,,, ---F-1 •:_, ,--f-----77.1,-„
. _
WOOLWICH, OCT. 28.—CaptainTylde
taut Quartermaster-General to the TrYIFAII!r amp.
visited Woolwich Dockyard yesterday afternoon offici- .
ally to witness and report on the efficiency of the ar-
rangements for an amply supply of water, and the mode
of using it, in case of fire. The police, under Inspector
Havard, on the shortest notice attached the leathern
hoses to the mains, and discharged large volumes of
water from one two and four hoses, carrying the water
to a height of 110 feet and upwards without the aid of
engine', the pressure on the surface of the water in the
reservoir on Woolwich common, near Shooter's-hill,
which always contains an abundant supply, being suffi-
cient for that purpose. The time occupied on a former
occasion in taking out the hose from the place where it
is deposited, on a pretended alarm being made, attach-
i,g it to the main, and throwing a large volume of water
ovek- the roof of the slip under which the Royal Albert,
120 gvn ship, is building, only occupied six minutes, and
the exeycises yesterday afforded-the greatest satisfaction
to Captain Tylden, owing to the celerity with which
they were olTecuted, and the efficient manner in which
everything connected with the waterworks is kept ready
for use in case Of an alarm of fire.

NAVAL IN TELLIG

The Grappler steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Commander
Hawker, had her ;:cam up yesterday in the basin, to
test the power of her (4-Tines. The stern of the vessel
was attached by strong ropes to the testing machine,
constructed at the west side, of the basin, on a principle
submitted by Professor Daniel Colladon, and capable of
ascertaining the exact capabilities of any description of
engines fitted to steam-vessels 0 the extent of 1,000
horse power. The result is aseeylained by dials with
moveable hands, similar to those of Neighing machines.
The engines of the Grappler are two of 110-horse power
each, constructed by Maudslay, Field, and Sons.
The Garland steam-vessel, Captain Sm:thett, was
kept in dock yesterday to have her decks over the
boilers and in the vicinity of the funnels payed with
marine glue. It was at first doubtful whether that sub-
stance would answer where pitch had been previouhly
applied, but repeated trials have shown that although
the pitch is only partially taken out, or driven further
in, by the caulkers, the marine glue thoroughly amalga-
mates with the remaining part, and renders the decks
perfectly water-tight, and gives additional strength to
them. The engineers of the Garland have availed them-
selves of the opportunity of her being in deck to effect
an improvement in her slides and in other parts of the
vessel, and her commander anticipates that her speed
will be greater than formerly. Being constructed of wood,
her steering qualities and the correctness of her com-
passes are all that her commander can wish for.
The Sphynx steam-frigate, Captain Cragg, has had
her steam up and her engines at work to-day, but the
denseness of the fog prevented her going down the river
on trial. She is fitted with engines of 500-horse power,
by Penn, and the largest ever made on the oscillating
principle. The engines are of beautful workmanship.
Mr. Lloyd, chief engineer at Woolwich Dockyard,
having left to-day for Liverpool, on official duty, Mr,
Murray, chief engineer of Portsmouth Dockyard, has
arrived to superintend and report on the trials of the
engines of the Sphynx and Amphion steam-frigates and
the Geyser and ...:rappler steam-vessels, as they are re-
quired with the least possible delay for service.
An experiment of an interesting and valuable nature
was tried with a boat fitted on a plan submitted by Mr.
Holdsworth, Governor of Dartmouth, and for many
years a Member of Parliament. The object of Mr.
Holdsworth is to render any boat attached to ships of
war, or other vessels, incapable of sinking in the most
tempestuous sea, if the load is not greater than the cal-
culation of displacement of air, the means adopted for
supporting the boat and persons who may be in danger
by shipwreck, or from any other cause. The boat ex-
perimented with on this occasion was one built at Wool-
wich Dockyardf on a plan of Lord John Hay, C. 8., a
present Lord of the Admiralty, and .given to Captain
Henderson, C. 8., Commander of the Sidon steam-frigate,
on his Lordship's ceasing to be Captain-Superinten-
dent pro tem. of Woolwich Dockyard. The boat mea-
sures 32 feet in length by 5 feet broad in the centre,
and weighs 2 cwt. On the inside all round under the
cross beams were fixed simply with cord, which could
be effected in ten minutes, ten hermetically sealed tubes
formed of vulcanised India rubber, each six feet long and
five inches in diameter, calculated to support 500
cwt. without sinking, although the boat was filled with
water. The boat was taken from the boat-house to the
basin at the west-end of the dockyard at 3 o'clock P.M.,
and the experiments were made in the presence of Cap-
tain Henderson, Captain Cragg, Captain Hunt, Colonel
Parker, C. 8., Lieutenant-Governor of the Royal Mili-
tary Academy; Lieutenant Gardiner, Lieutenant Ly-
saght, Mr. Holdsworth, Mr. Brockenden, Mr. Elson,
Master Attendant, and Mr. Reid, Assistant to the Master
Shipwrights. On the boat being dropped in the water a
plug was withdrawn from her bottom, and she was al-
lowed to fill with water. Three persons then stood over
the ankles in water on her cross-beams, but they could
not bring her down. 500 weight of iron was then
lowered into her, which she supported with the greatest
ease, and the three persons in addition stood on the edge
of the side, sinking it about six inches under water, with-
out the boat showing any inclination to sink, but righting ,
herself with the greatest ease.
The Formidable, 84, at Sheerness, it is said, will be
commissioned by Captain Ramsay, of the Terrible,
steam-frigate, on her arrival at Woolwich ; the captain
and crew of that steam-frigate being turned over to the
Formidable.

The Vengeance, 84, Captain Lushington, is progress-
ing rapidly in her fittings at Portgmouth, Considering
the small number of hands she has on her. Her top-
masts are fidded. The continuous puffs on her officers
are too barefaced not to be traced. The men are, as we
have said before, working very well, but not better than
the crews of other ships fitting have worked. It must
be borne in mind that this Vengeance was one of the
advanced ships. To show that Captain Lushington de-
serves no credit for the smartness with which the ship is
fitting, the fact h not omitted that he is unwell. Too
much of this will defeat its own object, and the second
and third lieutenants will not get first and second one
day the sooner.

ENFECTS OF FREE TRADE ON THE VALUE OF
LAND.—We are glad to find that the experience of Mr.
W. W. Simpson the celebrated auctioneer, fully shows
the absurdity of the fears which the protectionists pro-
fessed to entertain as to the probable effects of free-trade
measures on the value of land. The free traders were
always convinced of the absurdity of these fears, but the
protectionists would listen to no argument, they were
determined to be ruined, they would not be comforted.
What has been the result of these dreaded measures.
Listen to Mr. Simpson himself at one time a protec-
tionist. As long ago as last April in a speech at Nor-
wich, he said that—" Although he had been a thorough-
going protectionist, he was proud to say, that sliding
and all other scales had fallen from his eyes ;—that it
was his firm and honest conviction, that rents which had
been set on fair and liberal principles within the list
seven years would be permanent ; that the year's pur-
chase on such rentals had risen within the last six
months, and in all probability would continue to rise ;
and that in adopting free-trade measures, Sir Robert
Peel had proved himself to be one of the most talented,
far-sighted, and fearlessly honest Ministers that had
ever lived in the tide of time." The present circum-
stances of the country, as Mr. Simpson justly observes
in one of his advertisements, fully justify the opinion
above expressed, and if higher authority were wanted
we have it in the person of the late Sir Chitties
Wetherell, who, high Tory and ultra-protectionist as he
was, determined, on reflection after the free-trade melt•
sures of last session were passed, not only to retain till
the land which he possessed, but to add largely to his
real estate by investing all his surplus capital in the
purchase of landed property.
MR. FORREST, THE AMERICAN TRAGEDIAN.—
We learn, from a private letter, that Mr. Forrest re-
cently finished a most suceessful engagement at the Park
Theatre, New York. His reception was enthusiastic,
and the house was crowded on each night of his per-
formance. He appeared in Macbeth on the occasion of
his benefit. At the close of the tragedy, Mr. Forrest
being unanimously called for, came forward, amidst the
cheers of the crowded auditory. After returning his
thanks for the honour done him, he went on to say
And, in the hope that you may continue to approve My
efforts, they shall henceforth be employed, most
strenuously, to bring the American stage within the in-
fluence of a progressive movement—(Cheers)—to Call
forth and encourage American dramatic letters—(Ap-
plause)—and, last not least, to advance the just claims of
our own meritorious and deserving actOrs.---(Applause;)
And yet, while I shall endeavour to exert an influence 114-
vour a ble to American actors, you will do me. the justice
to believe that I am animated by no ungenerous motives
towards the really deserving of any other country ;"
(Loud cheers)—for I should blush to imitate that nar-
row, exclusive, prejudiced, and, I may add, anti-Americigt
feeling, which prescribes geographical limits to the
growth of genius and talent.—(Protracted applanse)
True worth is the birthright of no country, but is the
common property of all.—(Applause and cheers.) And,
ladies and gentlemen, if it pleases you to applaud 1!_t!cl to
second, in this endeavour, my humble efforts, I will say
to you, in the language of the old Cardinal in the play,—
There's no such word as fail I' "
MCHES
TT.EBR.RLG IlLTarAgeNDpTlancEal
yesterday, announcing the
IdtsE E A
Rere t
extensively
lOy
throughout the town yes .F
MAN-
yet
have tDLfeotir
enco of the indisposition of Mr.
evening, in conse
gruCourier.
.post-
ponement-of
Bright..—ltranclieste m R
AMWAY
C ANMIDLAND RAILWAY
last two
yeaol3E,:yll.—A-rsir gpilu tAesN,DwTh
occasionally amused the Public, have now happily
come to a close. His Lordship and the Company's
agents have agreed ; the tunnel line towards the south
of Stapleford Park is to be abandoned, and the railway
made across a small portion of the park, at no great dis-
tance from the celebrated " battle-field " of Saxby
Bridge I Lord Harborough is to receive from the com-
pany, for this privilege, and the land taken for the rail:.
way through his estates in Leicestershire and Rutland'
25,000 L—Leicester Mercury.

'POSTHUMOUS RENOWN:—The Duke of Leeds ha'
closed Glen Lin Beg, the Duke of Athol Glen Tilt,
against the tourist. Long live both their Graces! but
should anything happen to either of them, how apprci-,
priate to him will be the simple epitaph, "Stop, Tra.i
yeller!"—Punch.

BRUTAL MURDER.--A widow woman named Dal.
lenne, living in a lone house near Villiers-eur-Bonnires,
was brutally murdered a few nights back by two men.
who had concealed themselves in a cart-house during
her absence. They strangled her with a piece of cord;
which was found next morning on the spot. Then then:
took away all her money, only 5f., which they divided,
The body being found the next morning, the police were
set to work, and they in the course of the day arrested:
two youths, who confessed their crime. One is a young
man of 22, named Boucher, formerly attached to them
hospice of Bean,rais, and the other a lad, aged 17, bft-
longing to a respectable family of Arcliy,

COMMUNICATION WITH THE

PACIFIC.

(From the Liverpool Standard.)
We have noticed a work written by Mr. IPGeachy,
Crown Surveyor, Jamaica, in which he propounds a plan
of rapid communication, by steam navigation and rail-
ways, between the eastern and western hemispheres.
The author has evidently devoted much of his attention
to the subject, and his suggestions appear to us to be
The
plan worthy of the serious consideration of theßoard b
b
Trade, and of the general mercantile community.
plan embraces, in the first instance, what it is assumed
may be accomplished by continueus lines of rapid steam-
ship and railway communication along the coast of North
America, from Halifax to Tambo Bay, on the west side
of Florida, thence to Havannah, across the island; thence
to Jamaica, and thence to the Isthmus of Panama, which
it is proposed to cross by railway, and thus obtain ready
access to the Pacific Ocean. He properly considers, that
if such a scheme were carried out (either by a great joint
stock company, or by the concurrent operations of the
respective Governments through whose territories the
lines of railway would pass), Panama would become the
grand point of commercial concentration.
The subject recalls to memory a project which we
have entertained for many years, and which, though
much less comprehensive than our author's, would, we
think, accomplish more effectually one of the prime ob-
jects which he has in view, and if completed under Bri-
tish auspices, would be of incalculable advantage, not
only as regards our trade, but as affecting our national
and colonial security in reference to the whole of the
wester* world. A railway (as proposed by Mr.
Peachy) across the Isthmus of Darien, would, un-
doubtedly, be highly advantageous, but our plan would
comprise, in addition to this—or rather as the more im-
portant—a canal of sufficient size to admit of the pas-
sage of the largest ships. The idea is by no means new,
and we had long hoped that our Government would have
taken the project up; but though it has been frequently
talked of from time to time, over a series of years, it
appears to have again fallen into abeyance. Some years
ago the Admiralty ordered a survey of the isthmus
with a view of forming a communication between the
two mighty oceans, and the late Captain Forster, RN.,
of the Chanticleer gun-brig (son of the Rev. Mr. Forster,
of Woodplumpton, near Preston), was appointed to con-
duct the expedition, which he did successfully to a cer-
tain point, when his death* deprived his country of his
further services. We are not aware of any farther
effort having since been made on the part of our Govern-
raent to renew the survey, and arrange for the purchase
of the requisite land. All travellers, however, who have
Grossed the isthmus, and amongst them latterly Captain
Liott (the superintendent of the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company) concur in opinion that a railway may be
formed at no very extraordinary cost, and there can be
no doubt but that, with the engineering experience and
appliances of the present day, an ample ship canal may
be formed, a choice of several points more or less eligible
also presenting themselves. The difference in the levels
of the two oceans (of, we believe, about 70 feet) would
form ne obstacle, as locks might as readily and
safely be employed as in our ordinary canals, not-
withstanding the respective breadths of the two oceans.
The isthmus is but thirty miles across at one place, and
the highest land not above 640 feet above the level of the
Pacific. It is said that a company of French gentlemen
contemplate the project of a communication between the
two ; but it does not appear that they have yet com-
menced operations, and it is high time that England
shot adept the motto "carpe diem," and bestir herself
while she may. She has but few possessions, and these
comparatively minute and far between, on the South
American continent—namely, Damerara and Essequibo,
British Guiana, and Honduras. The recent "doings"
of the United States of America, and their grasping at
new territorial dominion in Mexico, California, &c., ren-
der it imperative in us to endeavour to obtain by fair
means, a further footing in that country. Our proposi-
tion, therefore, is that a strip of land of some consider.
able breadth should, after survey, be selected for a slip
canal across the isthmus, and that negotiations should bs
made by oar Government for its purchase, and if possi-
ble its integrity under the flag. The canal might then
readily be formed either by the Government or a joint
stock company. The purchase could, in all probability,
be easily effected, for the Government of Panama is
proverbially poor, and the commerce which such a canal
would bring to themselves would be an inducement to
accede to moderate terms.
The advantages of such a project appear to us to be
so obvious as to supersede the necessity of detail.
We should, in the first place, hold the key to the Pa
cific and its boundless shores on the west of both the
American continents, and a ready access for European
shipping would be afforded to all the ports in the North
and South Pacific, from California (or even farther north)
to the southern extremity of Chili. No ship, sailing or
steam, bound direct to Valparaiso, Lima, or Guayaquil,
would require to double the stormy apex of the South
American continent, Cape Horn, if this canal were opened
out to them. To reach most of the principal ports, they
would save some thousands of miles of sailing. Our own
ships might pay a moderate toll for passing through tin-
canal, and foreigners something more. All, indeed,
would gladly pay a considerable sum to save time, tear
and wear, wages, &c., and at the same time the western
coats of the Americas would be commercially ap
proximated, and the trade probably doubled. Direct
steam and sailing conveyance could also be had from
Panama to Canton, and also to New Zealand and
New Holland, &c. Another grand advantage of a ship
canal ostr a railway across the isthmus would be
that the expense, inconvenience, and loss arising
from trans-shipments would be entirely done away with
and Panama would, moreover (warehouses being con
strutted), become a grand depot for British and Europete
goods tend manufactures, as well as for American pro
duce,—to be dispensed as required throughout the severe
countries in the two hemispheres.

• This amiable young man was drowned from a canoe in
the Rio Chagre, but whether through the treachery of eomc
of the natives, or by accident, was not precisely ascertained.

TUE RAILROAD TO TIIE PACIFIC OCEAN.
(From the New York Herald.)
Since we first gave this subject our attention, we have
examined it in all its details, and the more we have
examined it, the more we are convinced of its great
importance and benefit to the United States in a corn-
raercial and political point of view, and as the means of
accelerating the progress of civilisation over the habitable
world.
On the one side we have Europe, with a population
of nearly 230,000,000 of human beings, and a super
ficies of 4,075,425 square miles ; and Africa with a
supposed area of 12,000,000 square miles, and a popu
lation supposed to amount to 60,000,000 ; making a
-population_ on one side of us of 310,000,000 of people.
We cirri cross over to the continents of North and
South' America—the former of which contains an area
of 9,078,000 square miles, and a population of 33,748,000;
and the latter an area of 6,676,000 square miles, and a
population of 15,497.840 people ; both containing
greater quantity of cultivatable land than the rest of the
world besides. The most direct route from Europe to
our continent is from latitude 50 north to 41.
On the other side of us we have, at a distance of some
5,000 miles from our westernmost boundary, the whole
of 4.sit and Australia, comprising an area of 18,243,000
square miles, and a population of over 706,000,000 of
human beings. The population of Europe, on the one
side, is above the 40th parallel of north latitude, and on
the other side two-thirds of the population of Asia lit
rigrth of the 20th parallel of north latitude. Mr. Whit-
nay proposes to connect Europe and Asia by steam
across our continent, by means of a great railroad to the
Pacific—passing over a distance of some 2,400 miles,
through a territory, now a wilderness, containing a soil
unequalled for richness and fertility, but which cannot
be settled by civilised man, in consequence of the want
of channels of communication. This railroad would
make us the centre, and be itself the thoroughfare for
both.

Let us see how much it would shorten the communica-
tion between England and China as an example.
The sailing distance by the old way, around the Cape
of Good Hope, is generally computed to be 18,000 miles,
and taking from four to six months to accomplish it. By
a railroad across the United States the distance would be
as follows, viz.:—
From England to New York ... 3,000 miles.
From New York to the mouth of the Co-
lumbia, or to San Francisco Bay
From either of these places to China direct 5,400 „

Making the total distance 11,400 miles.
Or a saving of more than 6,000 miles in point of dis-
twice. Let us see how much quicker in point of time
the connexion between these far distant countries would
be by railroad. At fifteen miles per hour, as is proposed
for the steamers, it will require eight and a half days
from England to New York, or other ports.
But say
From New York to the Pacific, 3,000 miles,
by railroad, at 30 miles per hour, allowing
one day for detention .

From the Pacific coast to Chang-hae in China, 7
mouth of the Yang-tse keang, which crosses
the great canal, where all the commerce of
the vast empire centres, is 5,400 miles ; at
1.5 miles per hour (which can be performed
as easily on the Pacific as 12 on the Atlan-
tic), allowing one day for coaling, &c....... 16 „

From London, via New York, to Chang-liae... 31
As the voyag as now performed takes at the least four
months, or 120 days, we have a saving of 89 days in
farmer of the railroad.
These tables refer to the communication between
Europe and China. Let us see how it would affect the 1
communication between the United States and China.
The distance between New York and
China, as the voyage is now performed,
is
18,000 miles.
By railroad, iic., from New York
to the Columbia 3,000
And to China 5,400-5,400 miles.
Or a difference
of nearly 10,000 miles. And the number
of days in which the distance would be accomplished lis he d is
twenty ; so that, in fact, we would be within twenty-
one days of China.
T road is by he plan by which Mr. Whitney proposed to construct
ils d .
Olands, for money and
labour, in such amountsg of
as shallt suit the ability of the
settler, so that every man in our country, however small
rytion of all the old
his means, and all the over
world, can have a home, with incillu 't' plenty, com-
fort, virtue, and happiness, placed direr if
in the centre
It appears
of all the world, and on its grand highway
to us that this project must succeed—thait must draw
to it all the enterprise of the world, it is so
Iverber ev
the results to be produced so stupendous, sogsr* thata"
the mind on investigation cannot resist it, and
that when it is commenced, a rush will be made forithee
land ,- that settlement and population will precede it,
and if once begun must go on, and cannot be stopped.
We also believe that Mr. Whitney's plan is the only
plan, and the VIDY means by which A; etal be dvn©. J