The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 20, 1846

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

DEFEAT OF THE KAFIRS.

We have been favoured with the following supple-
ment to the Cape Town Allail of the 13th of June,
which gives the full particulars of the engagement of the
British troops with the Kafirs

We learn from a communication from Reit Fontein
dated June 7th, that "the Kafiri have passed this with
about 20,000 sheep and goats, belonging to the Dutch at
Kill's Lager, which have got safe through into Kafirland.
The authorities at Fort Beaufort have used the inhabitants
very badly in this neighbourhood, never, on any occasion,
giving them any assistance until it was too late, and then
only tbr nights, so that they have been left entirely to the
mercy of all Kafirland. Sir A. Strockenstrom seems to
have gained the esteem of everybody round the neigh-
hood of the Kaja and Bavians river, aiding and assisting
everybody that applies to him."

JUNE 15, 1846.

" The Frontier post, which arrived this morning brings
intelligenne ofan engagement having taken place near Fort
Peddie, in which the Kafir have at last felt the weight of
the arm they had so long and daringly provoked, and which
has been so unwillingly lifted against them.
" The Frontier Times of the 9th instant contains the fol-
lowing particulars, which we hasten to lay before our
readers :

(Graham's Town Journal Extra.)
We have the satisfaction of announcing that dispatches
have just reached town, brought by Lieutenant Bisset, Cape
Mounted Rifles, containing particulars of a very spirited en-
gagement with the Kafirs yesterday at the kraal of the Kafir
chief Stock, and in which the enemy was utterly defeated,
with a loss variously estimated from 300 to 500 men. There
appears to be no mistake as to the character of this engage-
ment, and which may be considered a fair trial of strength
between the combatants, and who appear to have been very
equal in number. The vast superiority of our forces was
never for an instant doubtful. The Kafirs, seduced by their
recent astonishing successes, appear to have exhibited at the
outset great daring, not shunning the engagement, but chal-
lenging the troops to come on—an invitation which, in this
instance, there was no backwardness in accepting. This ap-
plies, however, only to Stock's Kafirs, as in the subsequent
and most successful engagement, the enemy .was taken en-
tirely by surprise, and•appears to have been almost totally
destroyed.

" DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY, NEAR FORTPEDDIE.

" TUESDAY, SIX P.M.
" As we were going to press we received intelligence of a
brilliant•engagement that took place yesterday between the
division under Colonel Somerset and a numerous body of the
enemy, near Fort Peddie. The particulars, as they have
come to hand in private letters, are as follows. The dispatches
were brought in to the General by Lieutenant Bisset, Cape
Mounted Rifles.

" FORT ?EDDIE, JUNE 8.
"Colonel Somerset has just arrived from the most success-
ful trip against the Kafirs which he has teken yet. A party
of the Burghers and Fiogoes were ordered off last night
to scour the Fish River Bush in the direction of Stock's
and Urnkai's Kraals, and Colonel Somerset himself joined
them to-day early with the Cape Mounted Rifles, and two
great guns. Not far from here (I think about the place
where the waggons were burned) the Kafirs were seen in
great force, and then commenced the day. The smoke of
the guns could be distinctly seen from the tower, and from
before nine A.M. till about two P.M. the firing from
cannon and small arms was kept up without ceasing.
At last Colonel Lindsay sent out Captain Hogg with his
troop, and King and his gun, which turned out a most
fortunate circumstance, as it seems that Stock, with whose
men they were engaged, sent off mounted expresses for
I'ato to come to his assistance ; but just before they ar-
rived Somerset had driven Stock from the bush, and met
the others under Umhala, with Captain Hogg in their
rear ; so that they could not retreat, and were
thus between two fires. This was Somewhere about
Mount Somerset—the dragoons charging; through them,
forming, and then charging hack again. The Kafirs being
so knocked up with running and fighting, they could
do nothing, and were cut down by scores. The flats are
covered with dead, and all the kraals on fire, and very strong
suspicions of Stock himself having fallen. I have not heard
the estimated number of slain, but it is thought about 500.
Sir Harry Darell is wounded in the arm and leg by assegais.
Bunbury also wounded in the arm and leg by assegais. Cap-
tain Walpole, Royal Engineers, is wounded in the thigh by a
ball, and severely wounded in the neck by an assegai, which
laid bare the windpipe—none of the cffieers, however, are
dangerously hurt. Five of the 7th wounded—one, I believe,
dangerously, the assegai having entered about the small of
the back, and coming out opposite in-front.
" A Cape mounted sergeant was killed—the only one,—so
this is all the casualties on our side. Two prisoners have been
taken, who say that the Kafirs were just assembling in the
buAl to intercept the waggons from Trompetter's to-morrow.
All the Burghers, when coming in, had bundles of assegais,
and captured guns. A great many good-looking horses were
also taken.
" FORT PEDDIE, JUNE 8.
" Colonel Somerset has been out to-day in the direction of
Stock's Kraal. About an hour after he left we heard heavy
firing, which lasted for two or three hours. It appears that
they were challenged I.)y a lot of Kafirs in the bush; they
went in after them, and gave them a regular mauling, shot a
great number of them, and coming out on the flat when
they had polished these gentlemen off, they fell in with a
body of about 500 to 600, whom they also charged, and shot
like so many dogs. I believe, at the lowest computation, 350
were left dead on the field. This last body that they fell in
with were Pato's Kafirs, who heard the firing at Stock's
Kraal, and were hastening to his assistance, when, luckily
for us, they were caught upon the open flat, and the 7th
Dragoons and Cape Corps charged them and literally rode
over them. I trust that this affair, coupled with the attack on
Peddie, will cool their courage considerably. One corporal of
the Cape Mounted Rifles was shot dead, and Sir Harry
Darell, Captain Walpole, Royal Engineers, and L. Bunbury,
together with some men of the 7th, are slightly wounded,
I think four of them slightly, and one very dangerously.
Colonel Somerset seems the only man that can bring them
to their senses. They were all going down to attack
supply waggons that were to come up from Trompetter's
to-morrow morning, but I fancy, after to-day, they will not
attempt it.

The following dispatches refer to an action previous to
that above described :

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Head-quarters, Graham's Town, May 30.
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief publishes the fol-
lowing dispatch, which his Excellency has just received from
Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay, 91st Regiment, commanding at
Fort Peddle :

" Fort Peddle, May 29.
" Sir,—l have the honour to report, for the information of
his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, that on the 27th
instant, about one o'clock P.M., the resident agent informed
me that his spies had come in to say that there were parties
of Kafirs about the hills north of the post, who would pro-
bably try to take off tome cattle grazing furthest from it. I
directed the troop 7th Dragoon Guards, with fourteen Cape
Mounted Rifles, and the light six- pounder, to patrole round
the hills, and protect the cattle. About an hour after this
the gun was fired several titres from the direction of the
north-west bill, about two miles and a half from this; and I
at once caused the infantry to be turned out, and sent out
two companies, amounting together to one hundred men, of
the 91st Regiment, with the view of affording the cavalry
and gun some Support if necessary. I ordered Major Yarbo-
rough out to take command of the whole. The infantry
arrived on the ground where the cavalry were about half-
past three o'clock, and met the gun retiring to the post dis•
abled, in consequence of one of the wheel-horses having been
shot. The cavalry were then in extended order engaged
with the enemy near a dense bush.
" The infantry advanced, and extended one company, and
commenced firing. Major Yarborough after some time
ordered them to retire, so as to draw the enemy more into
the open country, which succeeded, and Captain Sir H. Da-
rell, who had retired behind the infantry and closed, had
opportunity of charging with his troop, and reports having
sabred from 15 to 20 of the enemy before they could get to
the bush.
" The infantry then advanced again, and afterwards tried
the same plan of retiring; the enemy came out a little way,
keeping up a brisk fire though at long range. The 91st
then halted, and ceased firing, waiting for the enemy to come
on, but as they did not do so, and it was getting dusk, the
whole came back to quarters.
" Major Yarborough reports satisfactorily the steadiness
of the men, and the conduct of the Fingoes, about 100 of
whom were skirmishing on the left. He thinks the number
of the enemy actually engaged was from 800 to 1,000, and
considers about 30 or 40 were killed or wounded in the skir-
mish and charge, besides those who must have fallen from
the effects of the shells, which were thrown into the kolof
before he came up, where Captain Sir 11. Darell reports the
Kafirs were in great numbers. The only damage sustained
by the force sent from this was-1 troop sergeant-major,
7th Dragoon Guards, wounded through the shoulder ; 1
charger (Sir H. Darell's), wounded; 1 troop-horse, 7th Dra-
goon Guards, wounded ; and I horse, Royal Artillery, killed.
" The enemy expended a great deal of ammunition. Their
skirmishing was perfect—hiding themselves in advancing
and retiring behind the smallest ant-heaps and cover.
" I have further to report that this post was attacked yes-
terday by about 8,000 of the enemy. About ten o'clock
A.M. the look-out on the tower reported that there were
Kafirs on the ground where the skirmish took place the day
previous; and about half-past ten o'clock a dense body of
Kafirs made their appearance on the southern hill near the
Graham's Town road, with another body some distance to
the right, composed of horsemen. These moved a little
way down, as if to entice the troops out. I was aware, from
the information of Captain M'Lean, that the enemy were in
great numbers all around us, and, therefore, was not drawn
out to leave the post open.
" All the cattle were driven below the Star Fort, pro-
tected by the Fingoes. The wives and children of the Fin-
goes were in the ditch of the fort. About half-past eleven
o'clock an immense number of Kafirs, horse and foot, ap-
peared on the south-west hill, arranged in three dense masses
with detached clumps of horses; other large bodies were
also on the hills all around.
" The force at the post was distributed as follows :—The
cavalry, with 20 infantry, were at the cavalry barrack, and
the rest of the infantry were in the barrack and Star Fort, a
sergeant's party at Mr. Webb's, and pickets in the officers'
and engineer range.
"At twelve o'clock the whole of the enemy moved down
to the post steadily, preceded by clouds of skirmishers.
When they came within range I directed Lieutegant King,
R.A., to send a round shot at one of the masses, which killed
three men. A shell was then thrown and a' 12-pound
rocket. The latter frightened the cattle, which rushed down
towards the Kafirs, and were easily driven off by the Kafirs.
The Fingoes pursued them, and succeeded in capturing a
good number.
" The enemy, as soon as they found our shot so well di-
rected, scattered "and got into the kloofs and hollows. One
party of some hundreds got clown the deep trench to Mr.
Webb's house, from which the defeated party had been
withdrawn, and began to plunder what little was left by
the owner, but a shell pitching into the yard, they quitted
it, but got into the ditch and gardens about it, and
fired at the barrack and fort, without doing any injury;
but several of their number were shot from the Infantry
Barrack.
"A large body came down the small kloof on the left of
the Beaufort-road, but were dispersed by shells from the
Tower, and by shells and rockets from the Fort. Some of
that body Came so near the Tower as to be shot by musketry
from it.
" Whenever a body of Kafirs were seen together, a shell
or rocket was sent at them, generally doing damage. I take
this opportunity of saying that Lieutenant King's practice,
which was under my own observation in the Star Fort, was
much to my satisfaction.
" The Kafirs, finding that their attack on the post had
failed, except as regarded the capture of cattle, retired to
the kloofs about two o'clock, when I sent out the cavalry to
cut up any stragglers, but they did not succeed in getting
near any.
"The resident agent has reported that 4,000 head of cattle
were taken off.
" The attack was made by the combined Gaika and T'Slam-
bie, and the numbers who came down as reported above are
not overrated.
" The enemy's loss was severe ; 92 dead bodies have been
reported, and many more must have fallen, as the Kafirs
were seen putting their dead and wounded on horses, and
bearing them off the field. I should think their loss may
be safely estimated at 200 killed and wounded, most probably
more.
" There has been no casualty on the side of the troops—
two Fingoes were killed, and three wounded, in the attempt
they made to recover their cattle.
" I beg to enclose a sketch of the scene of labour yesterday,
which Sir Harry Darell kindly did for me.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient, humble servant,
" M. LINDSAY,
" Lieutenant-Colonel, 91st Regiment, com-
manding Troops at Fort Peddie."
" The Deputy Quartermaster-General, &c.,
Graham's Town.
" CHARLES LENNOX MAITLAND,
" Grenadier Guards,
" Acting Military Secretary."
" Head-quarters, Graham's Town,
Cape of Good Hope, May 29, 1846.
" His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief
publishes the following extract from a report of the Civil
Commissioner of Cradock :
" Very few depredations have yet been committed in
this division, and where such has been the case, the enemy
has been repulsed with loss. Assistant Field-Cornet P. S.
Van Heerden has been attacked twice in the night, and his
cattle and horses carried ofF. In both instances he has fol-
lowed up the thieves, and captured his property, killing
several of the enemy.'
"Acting-Field-Commandant Alcock reports that a patrole
of 27 men, from the upper part of Sunday's River, with
some waggons, under the command of Mr. Michael Muller,
of Malmarson, who was proceeding to Courney for for-
age, was attacked near Swanenpoel's Kraal ; the enemy
were gallantly beaten back, with a supposed loss on their
part of 10 men killed, besides wounded. The enemy made
two attacks on the waggons during the night, and another
at dawn of day. Mr. Muller succeeded in securing the
forage waggons, and speaks very favourably of the conduct
of his men.
" Sir Andreas Stockenstrom has been patrolling with his
force, from the North to De Bruin's Drift on the Fish
River, and has reported to his Excellency that the enemy
have left that part of the country. Sir Andreas also states
that some of the farmers beyond the border bad joined the
force assembling on the Tarka frontier, against the common
enemy.
"The Commander-in-Chief regrets having to notice the
loss of a large detachment of waggons conveying com-
missariat supplies, which were captured in an attack made by
a numerous body of the enemy on the escort in charge, in
the pass between Trompetter's Drift and Fort Peddle. His
Excellency notices with approbation the gallant conduct
of Lieutenant Dickson, of her Majesty's 91st Regiment,
and of the small advance-guard nuder his command on this
occasion.
" Colonel Somerset reports to his Excellency-that he pro-
ceeded with a strong patrole, on the 22d inst., into the
Zuurberg, where he found no spoor of Kafirs, nor any traces
of there having been there for some days. The Colonel fur-
ther adds, that on the morning of the 23d, at daybreak, he
moved forward 400 infantry in the Bushmen's river Poort,
detaching 100 mounted Burghers, under Field. Commandant
Muller, into the Zuurberg, and down the Tootobie stream to
its junction with the Bushman's river, and proceeded himself
with the cavalry and guns to the left bank of the river,
passing the head of the Buffalo and Swartz Kloofs. The
whole of this force met on the following day at the farm of
H. Bezuidenhout, on the New Year's river.
" During this movement the infantry, under the command
of Field-Captain Size, fell in with a body of about 20 Kafirs,
of whom four were killed by his men, and two severely
wounded.
" Field-Captain Size also succeeded in recapturing a horse
and 66 head of cattle.
"Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson, 7th Dragoon Guards,
acting in concert with Colonel Somerset, has patrolled the
ridge between' Hilton' and the Bushman's River Poort, and
states his conviction that no body of Kafirs are at' present
harboured in that neighbourhood.
"In consequence of a communication received from Field-
Captain Melville, stating that the Kafirs were reported to be
in considerable numbers in the Hell Krantz he was directed
to scour that krantz and the adjacent kloofs; he reports that
he saw no Kafirs, but the spoor of great numbers, and of a few
horseS going towards Kafirland ; that he examined tire bu-h
end every.foutpatb,-and feels confident that not a single Kafir
is now at Hell Krantz. Captain Hogg, 7th Dragoon Guards,
was also detached Willi IS party fr.= C. 7191101 Somerset's

" FORT PEDDIE, JUNE 8.
" I must now give you an account of the slaughter that took
place shortly after. We were all very tired,•having been on
our legs from 9 o'clock last night to inid•day to-day, with
hardly any refreshinent. We therefore hastened to the
camp ; however, we were disappointed in having re •
freshment. We saw the. Colonel's division a mile or two
ahead, marching quietly on. Presently we saw a party
ride ahead, and soon after a race. Then firing com-
menced. I rode up as fast as I could to the ridge; a
spectacle was then presented to my view which I shall not
forget. A large party of Kafirs had collected near the Kies-
kamma, intending to move to-day towards the Fish River
to intercept the waggons and atop the communication.
This party heard the firing, and thought that the waggons
were attacked. They hastened to help, but what was their
astonishment when they found a large force in front of them.
Fortunately there was no bush to shelter them ; they fired
one volley and dismounted from their horses—about 300
mounted and 700 foot. The dragoons then charged them,
and killed many ; a panic seized them—they ran off and
were shot like sheep—Dragoon s,Ca p e Corps, Boers—.all firing at
them, following them up full six miles. They became com-
pletely exhausted—they could not run. The slaughter was
awful! They were followed up to near the Kieskamma.
The slaughter was on the Gwanga, near Mr. Tainton's late
place. The lowest estimate is, I believe, 300 killed; very
few were seen to get away.
" We took three prisoners—one at Umpakati, belonging
to Creili. He said the intention of the Kafirs was to drive
the Umlungu into the sea. We asked how it was to•day.
He said it was all finished to-day. Pato has crossed the
Kieskamma. limhalo and Seyolo were with this command.
How they fared we cannot tell. It is supposed that Stock
was this day killed.
FORT PEDDIE, JUNE 8.
"Colonel Somerset's division left
.this- morning to attack
Eno's Kafir% and fell, in with the enemy in great numbers,
who were, however, in the Kloofs. The infantry, Hotten-
tots; and Fingoes swept the bush, killing- an immense num-
ber. As the: party were returning they fell in with about
600 liafirs on a flat near Somerset Mount, killing at least
350. The enemy were pursued for four miles, the colonial
forces riding within ten paces of them, quietly dismounting
and shooting at them. The Kafirs fought with great deter-
mination until turned.

" One of the Cape Mounted Rifles killed. Captain Sir H.
Darell, Cornet Banbury, of the 7th, Captain Walpole, Royal
Engineers, were wounded—none of them dangerously.
" Sir H. Darell was wounded with an assegai in the thigh
and arm ; Captain Walpole by a spent ball, and by an assegai
in the neck. Captain Donovan had a narrow escape of
being dragged off his horse, but was saved by the bravery
of a man named Brown, formerly of the 75th Regiment,
who rushed up and killed the Kafir. One of the 7th Dra-
goons was badly wounded. Lieutenants J. O'Reilly, Bisset,
and Armstrong behaved gallantly, killing many Kafirs each.
One Kafir killed himself in battle, to prevent himself from
being killed by the troops. The Chief Stock is reported to
have been killed, and there seems reason to believe that
Colonel Somerset's success had baulked a preconcerted scheme
of attack on Trompetter's post, so as to cut off all supplies
from this place. One Fingo was killed. Upwards of 100
stand of arms (muskets) were taken ; also 200 bundles of
assegais, and 20 horses, several of them Cape Corps horses."
" TUESDAY, JUNE 2.
"In consequence of a report received that several houses
in the neighbourhood of the Kareiga were on fire, a party
of Stubbs's corps were sent in that direction to scour the
bush. Mr. Maloney, who happened to be in town, accom-
panied his party. No Cape post. The Malay volunteers
arrived in town at six P.M , with their banners flying, the
crescent united to the union jack (the crescent and the cross),
the first instance on record of such an intermixture. They
appear to be a very fine body of men, and will no doubt do
good service. Their priest and lieutenant rode at their head,
with his rifle slung at his back. They were marched up to
Fort England, where the General himself saw them com-
fortably lodged. The night was remarkably fine and calm ;
the unusual, but not unwelcome, sound of sailors glees were
heard along the moonlit streets.

" WEDNESDAY.
" Intelligence received of the safe arrival of Colonel So-
merset at Fort Peddie. It appears from a Kafir spy who
has been taken that Colonel Somerset had a very narrow
escape in conducting his long waggon train through the
bush. The Kafirs had been informed that Colonel Somerset
would march by Trompetter's, and it is said that the whole
of the immense body of the Kafirs who attacked Fort Peddie
was lying in ambush for him in the bush beyond Trornpet-
ters's, where they attacked the waggon train under Captain
Campbell. Perceiving their mistake a large number of them
wheeled round to Committees, and just reached it as he was
passing through. Had the whole body been in readiness for
him, as they intended, the struggle would have been a
severe one ; indeed it is very doubtful whether it would have
been possible to defend 105 waggons against such a force.
The recent attacks upon Fort Peddle appear to have
been attended with a greater lose of Kafirs than was
supposed. Many bodies have been found near the post,
and .their loss is now estimated at from 400 to 500 men.
The number of the Kafirs who attacked the post has been ra-
ther under-estimated in the dispatch of Col. Lindsay; it has
been ascertained that there were at least 9,000 men in the
field ; the loss of cattle has also been understated, the Kafirs
having carried off upwards of 6,000. A chief of the Slambie
tribes is believed to have fallen in the second attack, as the
usual cry of lamentation when any great chief is killed (an
unearthly prolonged yell) was heard from the large division,
supposed to be Dushani's tribe, as they retreated. Those
acquainted with the Kafirs imagine that Susani, Nonibi's
son, the great chief of Dushani's tribe, is the person killed.
The Kafirs attacked the Fingoes' cattle the same night as it
was supposed they would, but were repulsed, the Fingoes
killing four of them. We have heard the good conduct of
the Fingoes spoken of with approbation; one instance of
generous forbearance should not pass unnoticed. Several
Kafirs had been pursued by the Fingoes until from exhaus-
tion they fell, and endeavoured to creep off on their hands
and knees; the Fingoes would not shoot them in this de-
fenceless state. . . . . Dysentery appears to be
prevalent amongst the Kafirs ; either from this cause, or
from exposure and want of proper food, most of the bodies
picked up are much attenuated.

"COLESBERG, MAY 20.
" Our district is beginning to be alarmed from the im-
mense number of Katirs (I believe, Tambookies) that are
congregating near the' Witbergen,' where they have droves
of cattle, and many of the Kafirs are coming amongst the
emigrants in that part of the country. The emigrant
Field-Cornet Weber, who had volunteered to assist the
Government, has now declined, as he is preparing to defend
that part of the country from any attack of the Kafirs, and
has written to Colesberg for advice. Thus you see the Kafirs
appear to have spread themselves along the whole border of
the colony. However the country about the Witbergen and
Kraai River is destitute of bush, and the Boers being well
mounted, would very soon cut them up. Besides, artillery
could be brought to bear with great execution,_ the country
being so well adapted for its use. The Witbergen are
situated at least 150 miles from here, therefore need have no
apprehension of danger, the countrybetween being occupied
and very open. You can see a man coming for miles.
"The emigrants of the Modder River are busy making
every preparation to attack the Griquas. They openly de-
clare their intention of taking the cattle that were captured
at Zwart Kopjes and distributed to the Griquas. John Kock,
their leader, has written to the Griqua captain to sur-
render up the cattle, which of course he politely refused.
Captain Warden has sent for the two field-pieces and a sup-
ply of ammunition, all of which went last week, but he has
“nly 46 Cape Corps, therefore how,. he intends acting with
iv- cannon I cannot rtm INceive. hat a joke if the Boer!,
were to capture them ! The Boors always declared imme-
diately the troops were removed from Culesberg they would
hate Anoka phy at the Griquaal and tjle latter hate, since

the letter received from Rock, driven their cattle nearer, I camp, at Cypher Fontein, to reconnoitre in the neighbour-
Phillirpolis, and, by order of Captain Warden, have patroles hood of Hell Krantz, and reports having seen' the spoor of
in various parts of the territory." = I about 100 Kafirs going out to the colony, as well as the spoor
of horses, but of no cattle.
"Colonel Somerset's division reached Cypher Fontein on
the 26th inst., and encamped there. Lieutenant-Colonel
Richardson marched, with the troops under his command,
into Graham's Town, on the 25th inst.
"CHARLES LENNOX MAITLAND,
"Grenadier Guards, Acting Military Secretary"

The following "summary of the week" is given in the
African Journal of June 11. It must be observed that the
summary was written before intelligence of Captain Somer-
set's last success had arrived :
The events of the past week have been of a less exciting
character than for several weeks that have preceded it. As
we intimated in our last journal, the Kafirs have retired,
glutted with the spoil of the colonial farmers, across the
border. There are still a few struggling parties on this side
of the border, chiefly infesting the bushy country between
the Zuurberg and the Addo, and which keep that district in
a state of alarm ; but it seems to be pretty certain that these
are not in any great force, and that the great body of the in-
vaders have been recalled to concert some new enterprise,
and which it will be well for our Government to consider
with the most careful attention. The power of the confe-
derated chiefs should be accurately estimated, and arrange-
ments corresponding thereto be at once made to meet it. The
following, though a rough calculation of tkis force, will be
quite near enough for all practical purposes :
Creli's tribes lB,OOO warriors.
Sandilli, Macomo, and others of the
Gaika tribes lO,OOO do.
Umhala and others of the T'Slambie tribes 8,000 do.
Pato, and the Congo tribes 2OOO do.
Mapassa, and part of the Tambu tribes

Total..
If we allow for all who may remain neutral of this host,
2,000 men, it is, we apprehend, as far as we can go, thus
leaving 38,000 infuriated savages to be resisted, driven back,
and, if possible, subjugated by the power of the colony. It
should also be borne in mind, that the principal Tambu, or
Tambookie Chief, Umterara, is at present doubtful; but
should he join in the league he will throw an additional
12,000 men into the scale against it. To meet this large
force we have, according to the estimates made, say 20,000
men, including 4,000 disciplined troops of all arms. But
then we have other resources. We have several ships of
war upon our coast, and reinforcements of military may be
speedily expected. We have a right, too, to expect the co-
operation of Faku, the Fetcani, or Amaponda chief, and who,
if he take the field, Neill at least furnish full employment for
Creli, and thus diminishing by 10,000 warriors the estimated
force opposed to the colony. Besides this, it must be borne
in mind that all the warriors in Kafirlaud cannot possibly
engage, any more than all the men among us, in the active
duties of the field. The wealth of the Kafir is cattle, and these
must be tended, an employment in which the woman and
children are never permitted to engage. Subtracting, there-
fore, all so employed, it is probable that the total amount of
the Kafirforce which may actually take the field will amount
to 30,000 men. And when we reflect that these are all prac-
tised to the use of arms from their childhood—that their
mode of conducting war are is extremely harrassing to dis-
ciplined troops; when we estimate their boldness, and the
tact displayed in all their enterprises, and then add to all
this the difficulties of the country, the result may well make
our Government proceed with the ;host watchful circumspec-
tion, as well as awaken a full determination to carry forward
whatever measures may be resolved on with that determined
courage and perseverance without which the colony cannot
reasonably hope, ultimately; for decided success. It is un-
derstood that his Excellency the Governor will quit Graham's
Town in the early part of next week for Fort Peddie.

GRAND DINNER TO HER MA-
JESTY'S MINISTERS.
Yesterday the Lord Mayor gave a splendid entertain-
ment to her Majesty's Ministers, their ladies, and a very
large party. It was one of the most magnificent banquets
given even in the present most brilliant and hospitable
mayoralty. The present Lord Mayor has, in the perform-
ance of the duties of the office, known no party. The mo-
ment the Whigs came into power his Lordship, although the
supporter of the Conservatives on all occasions which
furnished opportunities of advocating their views, in-
vited Lord John Russell and the rest of the Government
to the Mansion-house. The invitation was most warmly
accepted.
The dinner was supplied by Messrs. Ring and Brymer, and
in every respect supported the high character of that house.
Amongst the company were the following:—
The Right Hon. Lord John Russell, Premier of England,
and Lady John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Mar-
quis and Marchioness of Clauricarde, Earl of Auckland,
Earl and Lady Grey, Earl and Countess Minto, Earl and
Countess Clarendon, Viscount Palmerston, Viscount Mor-
peth, Sir George and Lady Grey, the Right Hon. Charles
Wood, Chancellor of the Exchequer ; the Right Hon. J. C.
Hobhouse, Earl and Countess Fortescue, Earl and Countess
Morley, Lord and Lady Carnoys, Lord and Lady Langdale,
Lord Monteagle Lord Ebrington, Lord Paget, the Lord
Chief Baron Pollock and lady, Chevalier Bunsen, Right
Hon. Sir Thomas Fremantle and Lady, Admiral Sir C. Adam,
Admiral Dundas, C. 8., Lieut.-Colonel C. M. Burgoyne, Bart.,
Sir Hesketh Fleetwood, Bart., M.P., and lady, Sir John
Hogg, Bart., M.P. (chairman of the East India House), Sir
Moses Montefiore and Lady, Sir Allan M'Nab and lady, Baron
and Baroness de Rothschild, Baron Goldsmid, the Right
Hon. Fox Maule, the Right Hon. R. L. Sheil, the Right
Hon. G. S. Byng, the Solicitor-General, the Hon. Captain 1
Berkeley and lady, the O'Connor Don, Lieut.-Colonel
Maberly and lady, John Masterman, Esq., M.P., George
Lyall, Esq., M.P., Barry Baldwin, Esq., M.P., James Mor-
rison, Esq., M.P., and lady, the Governor and Deputy
Governor of the Bank of England, the Rev. Charles and
Mrs. Charles Farebrother, Mr. David Salomons, the Sheriff
Elect, and Mrs. Kennard, Mr. William Johnson (the Lord
Mayor's brother), and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Wombwell ; Alder-
men Lucas, Farebrother, Humphery ; Mr. John Humphery,
j un. ; Aldermen Kelly, Wilson, Sir George Carroll, and their
ladies; Mr. Sheriff Chaplin and lady and Miss Chaplin, De-
puty and Mrs. Brown, Miss Lucette 'Lewis, Mr. and Mrs.
John Wood, Mr. Michell, and Mr. Harmer.
After the cloth was removed, grace having been said by
the Lord Mayor's chaplain, and the loving cup having gone
round with the usual formalities,
The LORD MAYOR successively proposed the toasts of
" The Queen," " The Queen Dowager," " His Royal High-
ness Prince Albert," " Albert Prince of Wales, and the rest
of the Royal Family," which were received with all the
honours in the most enthusiastic manner.
The Loral Mayon, in proposing the next toast, expressed
his regret that the honour lie had anticipated of the attend-
ance of a numerous body of the prelates of the Church had
not been fulfilled, owing to their unavoidable absence from
town on their diocesan duties. He was, however, honoured
with the presence of one prelate, and he begged leave to pro-
pose "Prosperity to the Church," and to couple with that
toast the name of the Bishop of Oxford.—(Cheers.)
The Bishop of OXFORD, in returning thanks, observed that
so unable did lie feel duly to acknowledge the unexpected
honour just conferred upon him, that if he consulted his own
feelings he would silently acknowledge it, but rather than
be guilty of any seeming neglect, after the manifestation of
such kindness, he would venture to say thus much :—He
attributed the magnificence and abundant hospitality this
day displayed, the greatness of the country, and of its desti-
nies, to the institutions of the country, as connected with the
Church.—(Cheers.) It was a proof of what that Church
was intended to accomplish, and what, with God's blessing,
lie would venture to say it should accomplish in the world.—
(Cheers.) He begged to thank the company for the honour
done him.
The next toast proposed by the Lord Mayor was that of
" The Army and Navy," which was suitably acknowledged
by Admiral Sir Charles Adam and Colonel Maberly.
The LORD Mawoii next rose, and said that he was per-
fectly satisfied the guests who honoured him that day with
their company would perfectly understand the object for
which they were assembled—namely, to give a welcome to
her Majesty's Ministers. He felt great pride and pleasure
that the office he had the honour to hold as Chief Magistrate
of the City was not a political office, but one in which it was
his duty as it was his pleasure to welcome her Majesty's Mi-
nisters upon all occasions.—(Cheers.) He was confident his
fellow-citizens would join him and the distinguished com-
pany assembled round the table in giving that welcome. He
begged to propose " The health of her Lord John
and to unite with the toast the name of Lord John Russell,
first, as Prime Minister of the Crown, and next, as one of
their own representitives in the Commons House of Parlia-
ment. He called upon the company to rise and do all honour
to the toast.—(Great cheering followed the announcement of
the toast.)
Lord Joilx RUSSELL rose, and was received with renewed
plaudits. His Lordship said—l rise to return thanks in the
name of my colleagues, and in my own name, for the honour
you have just done us. Your Lordship has rightly said that the
office you hold is not a political office, and should not be so
used ; and confident I am that every one present can bear
testimony to the perfect fairness and impartiality with which
you have held the reins of authority and power in this great
and important city.—(Cheers). It is quite true, as your
Lordship has said, that I am not only the First Minister of
the Crown, but that I have also the honour to be one of the
representatives for this great city, and I believe I am the
first person who ever held the office of the First Minister of
the Crown and at the same time been intrusted with the re-
presentation of the City of London.—(Cheers.) The duties
which my colleagues and myself have taken upon ourselves
are both arduous and anxious, but in the performance of
those duties we are encouraged not only by the favour which
is shown to those who intend to perform honestly their
charge, but we are likewise supported by the aid which in
every department of the State is given to the Ministers of
the Crown. My Noble Friend at the head of the
Department for Foreign Affairs knows that any representa-
tion he may make. to foreign powers will be received with
that weight which is due to the authority of one who speaks
in the name of this great and respected nation.—(Cheers.)
Those who are intrusted with the commercial concerns of
this country know that they have no slumbering or sluggish
energies to reuse. They know that it is only their part to
watch the course of the sagacity, enterprise, and power
which are displayed by British merchants, and which are
added year by year to the wealth, the prosperity, and the
strength of this empire.—(Loud cheers.) Those of my col-
leagues who are charged with the naval and military depart-
ments feel confident that those engaged in its army and navy
would emulate the example shown in former wars by their
predecessors, and that the valour displayed during former
wars will, if required, be repeated in every quarter of the
globe, under every disadvantage of climate, and every cir-
cumstance of privation and peril by those who now serve
the Crown in the army and the navy, and who will be ready
at the call of their country to shed their blood in her defence.
So likewise with regard to all other departments of the state
our task is lightened by the confidence we have in the good
feeling of the people; and I say for myself and those who
have to guard. the general concerns of this country, that we
believe that in the spirit of this country, in the industry of
this country, and in the love of freedom which prevails in
this country, there is a security which may make them sleep
easy and unconcerned, even with the great task and immense
responsibility which attach to them.—(Great cheering.)
If any part of this empire is suffering distress and
privation at the present moment we shall be sure of the
sympathy of the other part of the empire to carry their
suffering fellow-countrymen through those periods of dis-
tress and suffering; and last of all I believe there is that
sense in the people of this country of the blessings which
they, under the signal favour of Providence, enjoy, as will
prevent them from lightly hazarding the safety of those in-
stitutions under which we live; and whilst we see the epis-
copal bench adorned by men of learning and eloquence—
whilst we see the judicial bench upheld by men of great
ability and acknowledged impartiality—all these institutions
derive strength and stability from the increased hold they
have upon the affections and regard of the people.—(Loud
cheers.) These are circumstances which make it possible
for the Ministers of the Crown to carry on the affairs of this
great empire with the hope of success. Having said thus
much, I now turn to perform that which I think is my
duty to this company—namely, to propose to you the health
of the Lord Mayor. We have all heard how well he has per-
formed the severer duties of the high office he holds, and we
all know and see how well lie discharges the more pleasing
task of displaying hospitality. Assured that you will join
me heartily in drinking this toast, I beg leave to propose to
you" The Health of the Lord Mayor."
The toast was received with every mark of respect and
enthusiasm.
The LOAD MAYOR said he could assure Lord John Russell
and the company, that when he was placed by the choice of
his fellowscitizens in the honourable post he held, he under-
I took it with a determination to discharge its duties to the
best of his ability. If he had so far succeeded, nothing
could give him greater pleasure than to carry out the same
principles to the end of his year of office, when he hoped to
restore the trust to his fellow-citizens without having re-
laxed any of those powers or influence which he hoped would
be long continued without being at all disturbed.—(Loud
cheers.) His Lordship next proposed "The Health of the
Forego Ambassadors," coupled with the name of the Prussian
Minister, Chevalier Bunsen.
The CHEVALIER returned thanks in a few words.
The LORD MAYOR next proposed The Marquis of Lans-
downe and the House of Lords. '
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that by connecting his
name with those of the other Peers there present, the Lord
Mayor had constituted the representation of a more nu-
merous body than at this period of the session was to be
found in the House of Lords itself. He and his Noble Friends
were deeply sensible that the House of Lords were indebted
for the strong hold, he hoped the permanent hold, which that
House had on the opinion of the public to the frequent inter-
course and social relations which the members of the House
of Lords had at all times, and at none more than the present,
maintained with all other classes of the community—with
none more beneficially than with those great institutions and
corporate establishments which were all, in a greater or less
degree, essentially interwoven, or connected with the free-
doni, prosperity, wealth, and happiness of this great country.
The Lord MAYOR next proposed "Lord Morpeth and the
House of Commons."
Lord MORPETII—My Lord, I must confess that my name
has certainly been coupled rather unexpectedly with so
distinguished and important a body in the State as the
House of Commons ; and though numerous as are the
names of the Members of that House here present, asdetailed
to us previously to pledging the loving cup, I am sure I can
venture to speak in behalf of all of them, that they value to
the utmost the extending enterprise, the expanding wealth,
the developing industry, and the practical benevolence and
virtues of that great metropolis, that wonderful city, in the
midst of which they meet for the public weal.—(Great
cheering.) Your Lordship has been pleased to advert to the
office, which 1, by the favour of her Majesty, at this moment
fill. lam sorry to find that in. this office I inherit some little
matters of dispute with the august body of which your Lord-
ship is the head; but I trust we shall so consult together in
all such matters, and so dispose of them that we shall find
that our differences are of that sort which may be likened to
the quarrels of persons tenderly attached to each other;
and that it will be found that an arrangement may be made
which shall not only detract nothing from, but add some-
thing to the Crown's grace and the City's loyalty.—(Loud
and universal cheering.)
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE proposed " The Health of
the Lady Mayoress," which was drunk with enthusiasm, and
the ladies withdrew.
The remaining toasts included " The Bar of England,"
" The Members for the City," and all the great public
institutions.
To the proposal of the health of the visitors, Mr. Harmer,
the late respected Alderman of Farringdon;Ward, replied in a
speech of much feeling.
The company parted at a late hour, evidently delighted
with the very great efforts used to make them all happy.
Mr. Harker, the City toast-master, performed the duties of
his office to admiration, and the band of the Coldstream
Guards, under the direction of Mr. Godfrey, greatly en-
livened the scene.

Sugar—Hogsheads, tierces, and barrels were sold at from
225. 3d. to 28s. per 1001 b., according to quality.

EXCHANGES ON LONDON.
Jamaica Bank-60 days, % per cent. prem.
Colonial Bank-60 days, % per cent. prem.
30 days, 1 per cent. prem.
Planters Bank-90 days, par.
60 days, % per cent. prem.
30 days, 1 per cent. prem.
Commissary's Bill-14 per cent. prem.

THE NAVY.
THE RETIREMENT AND PROMOTION.
We this day present to our readers the Admiralty scheme
of retirement and promotion as introduced into the House of
Commons, on Monday night, by the civil member of the
board, the Hon. W. F. Cowper :
THE PLAN OF RETIREMENT FOR TWO HUNDRED
CAPTAINS, 1846.

First—The rank of retired' rear-admiral to be given by
seniority to such applicants from the 14s. 6d. half-pay list as
may be willing to accept it, with the pay of 255. per day,
and the correspondent pension to their widows, under the
usual restrictions.
Second—An addition of 7s. 6d. a day to be given to ap-
plicants, by seniority, from the 12s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. half-
pay lists, being captains of not less than 20 years' standing
and 55 years of age, officers from both lists to be promoted to
assume the title of rear-admiral at the period when they
would have obtained the flag by seniority had they re-
mined upon the active list; their widows to be entitled
to a pension of 1101. per year, and to the pension of rear-
admirals widows when the rank of rear-admiral has been
attained.
Third—The vacancies upon the U. list to be filled up by
officers now accepting the 18s. per day; but the permanent
retired list to be reduced to 100, by making one appoint-
ment for every two vacancies, and no higher retirement
to be given hereafter than 1/. per day, with the right of
assuming the rapk of rear-admiral when entitled to it by
seniority.
Fourth—The active list of captains to be reduced to 500.
A corresponding reduction to be made of the 14s. 6d. and
12s. 6d. half-pay lists. The first to consist of 75 captains,
and the latter 100.
Fifth—Good service pensions to be retained by captains
until they reach the rank of rear-admiral, or of retired rear-
admiral.
Sixth—No flag promotions to take place until the plan of
retirement is carried out. The admirals' list of 140 to be
then completed to 150, and to be maintained at that number
by continuous promotion of qualffled men.
Thirt) admirals, or 10 of each squadron.
Forty-five vice-admirals, or 15 of each squadron, and
Seventy-five rear admirals, or 25 of each squadron.
Seventh—ln the event of a general promotion, such officers
as may have served the time required to qualify them for their
flag, to be placed on the active list of flag-ofctrs, and those not
qualed for their flag to be placed on the list of retired rear-
admirals, the active and retired lists not being increased until
they shall, by deaths or other causes, be reduced to the original
numbers of 150 or 100 respectively.
Eighth—The plan of retirement to come into operation on
the let of October of the present year, and all letters relating
to it to be treated as strictly confidential.
On the above plan the Morning herald remarks:—
This is the plan on which Mr. Cowper made his state-
ment; but we have much gratification in announcing that,
from the objections taken to some portion of it, the injustice
and harshness of which we took occasion particularly to
point out, that part of the 6th paragraph printed in italic,
and the entire of the most obnoxious 7th article, upon recon-
sideration, have been expunged; and that too, it should be
stated, by the Admiralty themselves, before the interview
of Sir Charles Napier, yesterday, with Lord John Russell
on the subject ; which circumstance gave the Noble Premier
the satisfaction of most agreeably anticipating the objec-
tions which it was the Gallant Commodore's intention for-
cibly to urge, by informing Sir Charles that they no longer
existed.

The above alterations have not, however, reconciled the
navy to the amended plan, and it is generally held that its
susceptibility of further alteration is very great, that its
only recommendations to notice are its obnoxious provi-
sions, and if they were removed it would then be merely
a clumsy, useless, and inefficient measure. For the last
two or three years the general inefficiency of our flag list
to provide admirals to command our fleets and squadrons
at sea has been insisted on; but, although the number was
reduced far beyond that on the list since the year 1800, no
promotion has taken place to recruit it, whilst the num-
ber of captains have been periodically increased. In
fact, the number of admirals at present on the list is ac-
tually thirty-four below the number on the list in 1841, before
the promotion, and the captains' list which should have been
reduced by the promotion of one to three vacancies has been
increased to the extent of thirty officers; so that the service
has suffered by the growing infirmities of the un-recruited
admirals, the captains' chances of employment have been re-
duced by the large additional number made to their rank,
and the seniors have had the mortification of standing still
at the head of the list, witnessing the growing decay of their
superiors, and, at the same time, feeling their own infirmities
of age coming on with rapid strides, and debarred from suc-
ceeding to that rank which they had earned so many years
before, and in which only they could be usefully employed.
A reduced flag-officers' list, and a crowded and overloaded
captains' list, compelled the suggestion of a scheme which
failed only from the small proportion of money to the num-
ber required to retire, but, doubtless, would have answered if
the money voted had been given to a smaller number; points
of form, narrow-minded scruples, and a too strict adherence
to exploded precedence, have combined to prevent the adop-
tion justof and liberal views, and thus the old officers have been
kept on the tenter-hooks of expectancy month after month,
nntil such a measure is brought forward as the above ill-
reflected shadow of what the old officers deserve, and the
nation desire they should have.
It is naturally remarked that the naval officers at the
Admiralty, including Vice-Admiral Sir C. Adam, Rear-
Admiral Dundas, Captain Berkeley, Lord John Hay, as
members, with Captain Baillie Hamilton as oue of the secre-
taries, and Captain Eden as private secretary, ought to know
what is required to make an efficient flag-officers' and cap-
tains' list, and must be well aware of what is due to captains
of 1808 down to 1820.

In some quartefs it will not be believed that naval officers
have had anything to do with the formation of the measure,
or the veterans of the service would have been better consi-
dered, whilst in other places, where its failure is confidently
predicted, the flattering hope is entertained that finally it
will be left entirely to the Board of Admiralty to remodel it,
and nothing short of a most complete revision of the rule of
naval promotion will be made.
This measure is objectionable in very many respects, and
clumsy and inefficient in most of the others. 'To say nothing
of the absurd test of eligibility and ineligibility by which
captains, some of them having 40 years of seagoing service,
are to be measured, grossly inconsistent, inasmuch as
those who are considered not qualified were to be retired,
and not reckoned in the active list, whilst the admirals'
active or efficient list would actually contain the
very officers who were formerly retired, we will point to the
ultimate remuneration of the permanent retired list. The
officers are not to have more than 20s. a day ; and to force
them to take this at once, 25 have been cut off from the 100
at the top of the list, on the pay of 14s. 6d. a day, and 50
from the next 150 on 12s. 6d. a day. This " save-all " re-
tirement is to be at the expense of the 2s. a day promotion
from the junior to the senior lists—a sort of stealing from
Paul to make Peter poorer. And what inducement, we
would ask, is there to the 12s. 6d. list to retire, containing
as it does officers who, in the event of the adoption of the
scheme, must, in regular course, succeed in about eighteen
months or two years to 255. a day, and the rank of rear-
admiral ?

It is well known that the captains of the upper portion of
the 12s. 6d. list are, for the most part, quite as aged as those
on the 14s. 6d. list. They are, in fact, the incubus
which forms the barrier between the young and active
captains and the old experienced officers who should be
on the admirals' list ; and that plan must be considered
clumky and ineffective that should fail in its offers to
induce the officers on that list immediately to take the re-
tirement.

In order to make the proposed retirement acceptable to the
service, and at the same time to insure the completion of the
object in view—that of causing the old and ineffective officers
to retire—it would be much better that the first 100 who are
to be entitled to the rear-admiral's rank and half-pay should
not be limited to those on the 14s. Gd. list only, but it should
be extended to such of the 12s. 60. list also as had completed
30 years' rank as post captains.
Further, it is considered that with the view of inducing
those old officers to retire, who, though they have served the
time to qualify them for their flags, are too old ever to ex-
pect to serve again, they should have guaranteed to them the
higher rank and pay as flag-officers, it they should live long
enough to attain them, which they would have received had
they remained on the active list, by declining to accept of
the proffered retirement.

This proposition we hold to be in every sense fairer and
more just, and therefore, in order to carry out this act of jus-'
tice, and at the same time to benefit the service thus essen-
tially by the removal of these gallant officers from the effec•
tive list, we hope the offer will be made to them, and our be-
lief is a great number will accept of it, inasmuch as they
will lose nothing by doing so.
We submit these remarks with deference, but with a strong
sense of what is due to the gallant and much neglected
officers on the captains' list, and to follow up the exposition
of the "eligible" and "ineligible" distinctions, we invite
from the latter a statement of their services as commanders
and lieutenants.

The Archbishop of Dublin, accompanied by his family,
Lady Mary Hope, and suite, and Captain Campbell, R.N.,
were among the distinguished passengers that arrived yester-
day morning by the General Steam Navigation Company's
steam-ship Soho, from Ostend.
In announcing the arrival of the America, 50, Captain
the lion. John Gordon, from the Pacific, with freight, we are happy
to have it in our power to give a contradiction to the many absurd
rumours which have been so industriously circulated to the pre-
judice of Captain Gordon. It has been stated that that gallant officer
had left the station on the coast of Mexico at a time when his ship
and his own services were doubly required, as the then existing state
of the Oregon dispute warranted the supposition that war with the
United States was inevitable; that he had left without the orders
and, indeed, against the will of the Commander-in-Chief on that
station, for the purpose of deriving the pecuniary advantage accruing
from the shipment of a freight. We are authorised to state that
Captain Gordon left the station solely at the urgent entreaty of the
merchants who had intrusted their money to his keeping, they being
convinced that their property would not be safe in an 18-gun sloop.
The idea of a freight having any influence in inducing the gallant
captain to bring home his ship is monstrous, the very amount giving
the lie to the reports which have been put ix circulation.—Times.

EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH- WESTERN RAILWAY.-
Preparations for the extension of this railway to the vicinity of
Waterloo-bridge are actively progressing; a number of houses in
the Wandsworth-road and Vauxhall-gate are already demolished,
and the occupiers of premises in the Westminster-bridge-road are
now vacating them. It is intended to cross this thoroughfare by a
viaduct extending in a diagonal direction from the Upper Marsh, near
the Old Marsh-gate, towards Waterloo-bridge,

PEDESTRIANIS3I.-RICHARDS AND BENNETT.—James
Richards (of Shepherd's Bush) and J. Bennett (of Ealing), walked
their seven mile match yesterday, for a 20 sovs. stake, at Bedfont,
over a measured mile, near the Black Dog. By' the condition.,
Bennett received half a minute start; the "Novice" made good use
of this advantage, gaining full 125 yards. Richards went off speedily,
and in the first mile and a half had lessened the distance consider-
ably, but from this time ho fell off. The pace told on him, and
Bennett, so far from losing his given lead, increased it steadily. At
the turn of the sixth mile the " Novice" led by some 200 yards, and
at a quarter of a mile from home Richards gave up the contest.
Time Ih. 2m. 15s. Bennett, for a first appearance, gave good pro-
mise of proving an excellent pedestrian.

STEAM COMPETITION.—Within the last few days the
town and vicinity of Richmond have felt the advantages of steam
competition by some of the steam-boat companies carrying pas-
sengers for Bd. The fare is to be reduced by some of the boats to 6d.
next week.

HORSE STEALING IN THE METROPOLIS.—Yesterday
the police received information that a gentleman, named Rushton,
residing in Laurie-terrace, Walworth-road, had been robbed of an
iron-gray horse, worth 100/., which he had entrusted to a man to
convey to Barnstable's livery yard, Blackman-street, Borough.
Gentlemen ought to be very careild of leaving their horses in
charge of strangers in the streets of Loudon, as the practice of steal-
ing them under similar circumstances has become very prevalent
of late.
THE POPULATION OF ROME.—According to official
returns for the year 1846, the city of Rome is divided into 54 parishes,
inhabited by 35,988 families. There are 41 bishops, 1,533 priests,
-2;845 monks, and 1,472 nuns. The Jews, who are about from 8,000
to 10,000, are not comprised in this census. The whole population in
337 was 156,552 ;in 1840, 104,632 in 1845, 167,160 ; and in 1846,
170 190(
#

In consequence of the Great Britain requiring repairs,
she will not leave Liverpool till the 224 of September neat, at eleven
♦,Dt,