The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-17 00:00:00

7, _ 180:

THE POLISH BALL.

The civic authorities having, with prescriptive
liberality, granted the use of the Guildhall for the
purposes o.t the Polish ball, the event took place last
night. This festival is always one of great interest,
the visitors who attend it beingnumerous in the

extreme-r-,more than sufficient to fill the Spacious hall
and the adjoining chambers, while .4lie amusements
that are provided are not confined to dancing alone,
but are varied with a well-selected and attractive

concert. the old features of brilliancy distinguished
it last evening. There were vast numbers present,
including the Lord and Lady Mayoress, Lord Dudley
Stuart, Sir George Carroll, Sir Felix Booth, Bart.,
the French and Sardinian Ambassadors, John Wil-
liams, Esq., M.P., 11Iorgan J. O'Connell, Esq., M.P.,
Mr. Anstey„ M.P., the Hen. Mrs. Maberley, the
lion. Mrs.. Erskine,, Lady George Stuart, and others
who take.an interest in the cause and are disposed to
aid its objects with their countenance and support.
The decorations were bright and splendid. Nething
had btea removed since the banquet of the 9th of
November, and.the profusion of gas jets thickly dis-
posed along the mouldings of the panels shed an
exhilarating lustre over the scene, the glittering star
and trophies at the west end of the hall flaming a
nucleus towards which the eye turned with intense
gratification .
The concert took place in -the Council Chamber.
The•vocalists consisted entirely of English artists, all,
with characteristic generosity,- giving their services
gratuitously. We did not, hear the performances
under any circumstances of'comfort, owing to the
pressure that prevailed at the entrances, but the
voices of Miss Dolby, the Misses Williams, Miss
Ransford, Miss Bassano,
.Mrs.. Weiss, Miss Messeut,
Miss Miram, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Bodda, Mr.
Whitworth, Mr. Harrison,- and Mr. Weiss, reached
us from the distance, and we can bear testimony to
the pleasure which the efforts of these able singers
occasioned. Between the parts M. Chopin played a
series of etudes upon .the pianoforte, with all his
graceful skill and exquisite refinement of style. We
should, however, have listened to trim with more sa-

tisfaction in the retirement of the drawing-room than
amid such a disturbed and unreflecting multitude as
this. The dualities which give him his special
ctiarin are too delicate and intellectual b challenge
the favour of a crowd bent chiefly on physical enjoy-
ment.

We do not know the precise 'number of guests
who supported the undertaking with their presence,
but there did not seem to be any diminution of that
patronage which has for so many years been be-
stowed upon this charitable reunion. Sundry efforts
have lately been made to invalidate the claims of

these suffering foreigners, and to check the current of
'sympathy in their behalf; but whether the arguments
which have been advanced are worthy of considera-
tion or not, there can be no question of the philan-
thropic honesty of the prom6ters of the ball, and of
the sincerity of their wish to succour the unfortunate
and distressed. It is, therefore, gratifying to find
that the original spirit of benevolence which sugges-
ted the establishment of the Association of the Friends
of Poland is still existent, and that those destitute
exiles, whose only crime is patriotism, have yet bene-
factors in this country who can appreciate the degra-
dation of their position, and feel for their un-
happy necessities in a foreign .land. Lord Dudley
Stuart, whose zeal in the cause has scarcely a parallel
in the records of humanity, has published a strong
appeal in favour of the Association, and therein taken
occasion to defend its objects from the cold and selfish
criticisms of a powerful contemporary. In reverting
to the " facts of the case," he states that " some few
years ago there were about 700 Poles receiving a
weekly allowance from the treasury, and about 60
or 70 whose cases did not come within the rules of
the treasury, and who formed a sort of supplemen-
tary body, and received weekly relief from the Asso-
ciation of the Friends of Poland. Thi number of
the former is now reduced to about 350, and that
of the latter to about 30. The weekly allowances
are, however, very small, for no man, let his rank
in the army or in society be what it may (and some
of them are of high rank), receives more than 15s.
per week, while captains and subalterns receive
but 10s. a week, and privates only ss. 3d.
* * * 41j: The money collected at the ball is em-
ployed by. the Association—first, in these small al-
lowances to those not on the Government list, and,
next, in furnishing extra assistance to all Poles of good
conduct who may be overtaken by sickness, accident,
or any casualty. These, surely, are proper objects ;
and those who employ in this manner funds collected
at an entertainment which affords amusement to a

large number of persons, and occasion a good deal of
money to be circulated, seem rather to deserve encou-
ragement than censure."
In another place his. Lordship observes with earnest
eloquence, "The Poles, therefore, who are here do
not reside here, as some seem to suppose, because they
find it an eligible country, but because they cannot do
otherwise ; for, let it be recollected, Prussia and
Austria, while they admit Poles who belong to that
part of Poland which is subject to them, do not admit
belonging to that part subject to Russia. France
supports a large number of Pole 3 ; but, not choosing
to augment the number, does not admit Poles
coming from England- .at.d some who have this sum•
mer attempted to go there have been sent back. Shall
we not assist those foreigners, thus compelled to re-
main among us, to a bit of bread? Shall we not care
for :them in their nakedness, their infirmity, their
sickness, their old age ? It is for men in such condi-
tion that our exertions are made, that our funds are
expended, and not for the encouragement of revolu-
tion or disorder. Some are indisposed to assist the
Poles on account of their conduct on the Continent.
Those who allege such a reason are bound, I think, to
state what they believe the Poles to have done wrong ;
else they will
,be open to the charge of vague preju-
dice. Ido not mean to say that every Pole is imma-
culate. But I really do not know that anything can
be laid to their charge as a body. They have been
grossly calumniated with regard to their conduct in
Prussia ; but I believe that the press of this country,
which last summer repeated stories about them invented
by their German enemies, was grossly deceived on
the subject ; and all those who have taken pains to
inquire into the matter are now convinced that they
were guiltless of the atrocities laid to their charge,
and at all events much more sinned against than
sinning. I knOw they are considered by many as
turbulent, unquiet spirits. For my part, I own, I think
it is surprising they are not much more so. If you
maltreat people, enslave, oppress, and studiously de-
moralise them, deprive them of their country, perse-
cute their religion, proscribe their language, and take
from them every motive and incitement to be good
citizens, or suffer those things to be done, you must
not be surprised if those people are restless, unquiet,
disaffected, or reckless ; if they are filled with resent-
ment and ready for any change. We ought not to
withhold sympathy from the many for the faults of
the few, or punish the unoffending for the misdeeds of
the guilty. Shall the Poles, in England, whose con-
duct has been exemplary, be denied assistance be-
cause some other Poles in some other places are
alleged to have done something worthy of reprobation?"

ST. CLEMENT DANES.—Last night a vestry meet-
ing was held to receive the report of the committee ap-
pointed on the 2d instant, respecting the office of vestry
clerk, and to consider and decide what should be done
relative thereto, Mr. Churchwarden.. R. Jaquet in
the chair. Mr. Edwards read the report of the com-
mittee. It spoke in terms highly eulogistic of the late
vestry clerk, Mr. Steele, and expressed sincere regret
that ill-health had deprived the parish of his valuable
services—services al ways characterized by integrity,
zeal, and honour. The report then detailed the duties
of the vestry clerk, and recommended that in future the
salary should be 901. a year, instead of 100 guineas as
hitherto. After some discussion it was, however, de-
cided by a large majority that the salary should be 100
guineas as heretofore. The vestry then proceeded to
elect a vestry clerk, and on the votes being taken there
appeared—For Mr. Score, 90; Mr. Isaac-son, 49; Mr.
Murrough, 38; and Mr. Bisgood, 8. A poll was then
demanded on behalf of those who were lowest on the
list, which it was agreed should be taken on Monday,
Tuesday, and We dnesday next..

CAL/JDONIAN SOCIETY.--The anniversary dinner of
this society took place yesterday evening 'at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. Captain Lamont, 'R. N.,
presided, and was supported by Major Adair Captain
Smith, R.N., Mr. Hepburn, and other friends of the in-
stitution. The objects of the society are to support and
educate, and eventually to apprentice, the children of
poor Scotch parents resident in London, in order to
Fe-
vent their becoming burdensome to the parishes. It was
stated in the course of the proceedings that a fund had
been opened iii connexion with the society, with the ob-
ject of apprenticing children who were educated in the
institution, and the Vice-President expressed an earnest
hope that this' project would be supported by the Scotch
residents in the metropolis. The proceedings of the
evening were enlivened by the singing of the Misses
Birch, and by the performance of several national and
popular airs -by the juvenile pipers and band of the
Asylum, headed by Mr. A. Mackay, the Queen's piper.
Mr. Iligga officiated as toastmaster.
Evidence is being taken by a solicitor with respect-
to the bribery practised at the recent municipal elections;
and we are assured that there is no doubt that actions
can be successfully sustained, not simply against parties
hired to take the responsibility of dangerous acts, but
against persons who have furnished the means for buy-
ing " free and independent electors." Of the details of
the cases we know nothing; but that bribery is carried
on to an enormous extent is as notorious as that Lincoln
Cathedral stands on the top of the hill; and it is well
known that there is no road tor any person to the Council
table except by purchase. The usual shield adopted is
payment fur lois of the voter's time; but in many cases
the sum of 108. or 12s. is given for a vote. Houses too
are let upon the condition that the landlord shall hive the
disposal of the votes.—Stamford Mercury.
DEATH OF JOHN RiNliT, M.D.—This venerable
gentleman, the oldest memter of the medical depart-
ment of the British army, died a few days since, at his
residence, Royal Hospital, Kilmainhain, Dublin, at the
advanced age of 92, and alter a service of man) years;
he having, indeed, been connected with $llO medical de-
, pat talent of ihti army from kojlictetl,

BURIN IN G
_ _

Ii

--
-----k4l6e'
This day (Wednescliy)litelf-1 Vet:,;,, .
broke out in the Adelplii...lhe'it're
_es. eli,., 3e..te •
market-street, and in alew raiiiiit . ?1,4 ..tiklf,:A.,49ld ef
the immense building, .ihat . tle.pree4o,fo_ 'thirty
0
minutes it was entir:ly destroyed. •144lisel fil.A44-..
present how the tire origineicel, bleu; : ; -titats.t,
~,,,,t
half-past one o'clock , the..:pas•s`eiigerT' wivpittifi
were alarmed by the Ariel.; -ef .)mo wonien in - eta
neighbourhood, who pointed to the, top of the ;Alentre as
if something-extraoriliraitylieuVcaUght their attention,
and on looking to the roof of the wuoucu front a vohnsia
of clear white smoke was perceived issuing therefrom,
which was immediately sueceeded by a flash of
ire, and • in. less than :five Minutes the entire top
of the building was in ablaze,. An alarm, of c, ur.qe
was quickly conveyed to the different pace c fees,
but ,before the .....piival: cif -_the fire engiries ad
prospect of saving • any part of the pre: perry was hop, -
less ; theXest, in fact, wag- serieteris•_,, that the men eon
netted with the teigado- could not steed itearer lb
twenty or thirty feet troen the Li,. rang Fife.
we reed scarcely say, was fes.vully grand and inii.
the flames Lici m! forth as if irule a furnace, ,
mounted in volumes far above all the surrounding buil.
i roc's. In, a few minutes ,after the occurrence, thous:tele
of spectators speedily thronged - aroend the spot, whose
±'faces, from the intensity of die heat, were scorched, as
if subjected to the rays of'a summer sun. Even t:s far
back from the building vs the gaoh, fully 100 ysrde, the
i!crowd of Loulookers were at une,:tirne unable to bear the
! heat, but had to betake Jinni:elves to greater
distances. To add to the appallingappearance of the
I scene, the wooden buildings used- as stores and theatri-
cal boothsalong part of Green-street, opposite the Add-
phi, took. fire, and requited the utmost rffors-ef the
t'fire brigade to prevent them communicating with the
rEnglish Chapel, and the other valuable stone edi-
I fices ut the foot of the Saltmarket-street. At the hour
I we write, part of the ruins of the theatre are still burn-
i ' ing and the firemen are busily engaged in extinguishing
1 the flames in the wooden stores. No such conflagration
I has occurred iu Glasgow, for extent, rapidity, and. strik-
iing effect, since the destruction of the City Theatre,
which was burned on the Green, near the same place.
‘ The theatre, we understand, was not insured, the fire
insurance offices having refused to have anything to do
with it since the burning of Coeke's and Anderson's
j wooden buildings on the Grcea. The principal losers,
I therefore, will be the parties who had shares in the
3 building, and Mr. Calvert, the lessee, along with his
corps drdmotique who, by this unfortunate casualty, have
lost a quantity of their little propenies. The building,
although composed entirely of wood, must have been
worth several thousand pounds, as a great many
important additional alterations were' lately made
upon it along with the fitting- up of the new
scenery, &c. During the time the blaze lasted,
which would be about twenty-five minutes, the shop•
keepers and others at the foot of Salt:market-street were
fearful for their premises being ignited, but fortunately
the weather was calm, and there being little or no wind,
the flames shot almost directly upwards. Had it been
otherwise, the consequences would have been dreadful,
or had it accidentally happened at night, when the per-
formances were going on, hundreds of lives must have
been sacrificed. As it is, we rejoice that no person has
been injured, although at the time, or shortly previous,
the actors were at rehearsal. It is rather an odd cir-
cumstance, in connexion with the burning of the theatre,
that a piece illustrative of " the burning of the Ocean
Monarch," was announced as in preparation, and to be
brought out at the Adelphi with thrilling effects. The
cause of the fire has not been ascertained. Some allege
that it arose from an escape of gas, but be this as it
may, there can be no doubt that it originated in the
front, and commenced apparently immediately above the
portico.—Third Edition of the Glasgow Chronicle.

ii.o vd,t,

SPILSBY.—SALE or A WIFE.—One of these dis-
graceful proceedings, happily now of rare occurrence,
took place in the public market here on Monday last. A.
person named Charles Mays, of Bratoft, brought his wife
in a halter decorated with pink ribbon, and cold her for
two shillings to William Bailey, a sweep, from Sleaford.
The bargain, however, had been no sooner completed
than Mr. Chambers, police-officer, from Burgh, who bad
watched the proceedings, apprehended the whole party,
and immediately proceeded with them to the magistrates'
office, where both buyer and seller were committed for
trial at the sessions. The woman was discharged.
DEATH OF A MISER.--Last evening an inquest was
held on the body of David Thomas, aged 75, formerly a
solicitor but lately a money lender. The witnesses
stated, that although possessed of immense wealth, his
habits were most penurious, and that his favourite din-
ner was half of a red. herring. On being taken ill, he
peremptorily refused to incur tho expense of medical
advice. Mr. Charles Croft, surgeon, proved that the
deceased died from exhaustion, consequent upon bron-
chitis and the want of proper food. Verdict—" Died
from natural causes."

WONDERFUL ESCAPR.-- L ast week, a clog, belonging
to Mr. Charles Clarke, of Boston, was walking on the
East Lincolnshire line, near the town, when a down-train
came up and frightened him, The dog started forward
at full Speed, and was presently met by an up-train; he
now turned round, but the up-train soon overtook him,
and he cowed down between the rails, whilst the train
rapidly passed over him, and the poor animal escaped
uninjured.

,
' JUVENILE REFUGE AND SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY,
MANCHESTER.-1 he supporters of this institution,
which has now been established for two years, held a
public meeting in the Town Hall yesterday morning,
the Bishop of Manchester in the chair. The attendance
was numerous and respectable. Lord Mahon' the Mayor,
the Rev. Hugh Stowell, the Rev. Cenon Clifton, and
several other gentlemen addressed the meeting. Much
good has already attended the labours of this society,
and it is intended to increase their number in the city.
It is said that Jenny Lind and her partners,
Messrs. Lumley and Knowles, netted 10,0001. in a fort-
night, in poor distressed Ireland
There are already eight manufactories of woollen
cloths, to eeds, and Iganketings, in New South Wales and
Port Philip. ._ _

Mr. Baron Alderson and Mr. Justice Earle have
appointed the sth day of December next, at Chester
Castle, to hold the winter assizes fur the county of
Chester. A winter assize is also to be held at Liver-
pool and York.

The Glasgow Skating Club meets every day while
the frost continues, on Hogganfield Loch, each day at
two o'clock. The ice is strong and in good condition.
SELLING HORSES WE WEIGHT.—On Thursday last
Mr. Fickling, dealer, of Brandon, who attends that
market, offered two young colts for sale, for 121., but
finding no person willing to purchase at that price, he
either offered, or was offered, ss. per stone for them,
which he accepted. The colts were taken to Lakenheath
next day, when the weight was found to be 65 stone,
winch, at ss. per stone, amounted to 161. 55., thus real-
ising a good profit to the seller, and not making so cheap
a bargain to the buyers as was expected by the contract-
ing parties.—Bury and Suffolk Herald.

On Thursday afternoon, a very sudden death oc-
curred at Greenock. Captain Hugh M'Gregor and his
wife were on their way to visit the grave of a lately-
deceased daughter, wl o is interred in the cemetery,
when, in passing along Roxburgh. street, Mr. M'Gregor
felt his lady mate, as he thought, a false step, and on
on looking on her she was falling to the ground. He
took hold of her, but after a sigh or two she expired.
Medical aid was got, but was of no avail.—Glasgow
Constitutional.

Admiral Sir C. :Ogle' Bart., the late commander-
in-chief at Portsmouth, has presented to Mr. Eames, the
secretary of the Royal Naval School, an elegant silver
teapot, on which the following inscription is engraved:—
" Presented by Sir C. Ogle, Bart., to A. J. S. Eames,
Esq., on his marriage, as a tt ken of regard for his able
and indefatigable exertions during a service of seventeen
years, and the excellent judgment he showed, on several
trying occasions, while Sir C. Ogle was the president of
the institution."
RETURN OF THB DUKE OF WELLINGTON FROM
WALIJER CASTLE.—Last evening the Noble Duke ar-
rived in town by the 5, 45, P.M. train, at the London-
bridge terminus of the South-Eastern Railway from
Warmer Castle. His Grace appeared in excellent spi-
rits, and was loudly cheered on leaving the station.
Mdlle. Jenny Lind is about to honour /filanehester
with another visit. Having offered her distinguished
aid for the benefit of the Royal Infirmary, two
grand
concerts are to be held—the first on the 19th of
in the ,Contert-hall (which has been offered for Dec.,th
occaiion), and the second on some day not yet decided
on, in the Free Trade-hall (which has also been offered
gratuitously). Arrangements are being made' on an
extensive scale to secure the most efficient and talented
performers for the occasions.

OPENING OP A NEW RAGGED SCHOOL.—Last
night a public Meeting to celebrate the opening of the
ragged school under the Royal Infirmary for the Dis-
eases of Children in the Waterloo-road, was held at the
York-road Chapel, Lambeth; Mr. Benjamim Hawes,
in the chair. The Chairman said, the great friend
of ragged schools was and is Lord Ashley. To his
Lordship were entirely owing the measures which bad
been taken to reward those scholars who showed the
best conduct and greatest diligence, by fitting them to
gain
~an honest livelihood-in the distant colonial pos.
sessions of this empire.—(Hear, hear.) This tact,
when fully ,known and appreciated, would materially
facilitate the exertions of the teachers. It was com-
monly supposed that the scholars in the ragged schools
would be utterly unmanag,able; but experience proved
that these children of misery and vice were open to
the best impressions: instruction, when accompanied
by' disinterested kindness, is sure to reach the heart.—
(Cheere.) The secretary stated that the school would
bo opened ou Sunday, and on evenings during the week.
In the. course of a few. weeks it will be opened as a
regular day school. After having been addressed by
several clergymen and.- gentlemen, the meeting
sepa-
rated.

EMIGRATION.—PLTMOUTti, Nov. 15. The Pa-
kenham emigrant ship, Boyce commander, arrived here
yesterday, from Liverpool, bound for Adelaide. The
Osprey, Honeymoon, and Britannia, Robson, both from
London, to-embark emigrants for Port Philip, arrived
here to-day, atn4 will take in their passengers forthwith.
ROXBURGHSHIRB Nov. 13.—The weather is fa-
vourable for back-end ploughing and other agricultural
operations. We have mild frosts, which is admitting of
an entire clearance of .'dho ,outstanding beans and peas,
which have been so much exposed. The glass is rising,
and it looks like a set-in of that fine sort of weather
which we frequently enjoy in the month of October.
HAMPSTEAD.SACRED CHORAL INSTITIITION.--TES
society held its tenth open meeting on Tuesday evening
last, in the Boys' National School-room. The perform-
ance consisted chiefly of selections from Handel, and
evidently gavel the greatest satisfaction to a numerous and
ihighly-respectable audience. The president, the Rev. T
A irtger; rector •of the parish, sppka in the highest terms
Of the iustitution. _