The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-12 00:00:00

THE GREAT BRITAIN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—The great number of ineffectual schemes that
have been proposed for floating this magificent vessel,
and the length of time she has already lain upon the
beach, induce me to make the following remarks upon
this important subject.

Having received instructions to survey her, and report
on the geological strata of the bay, the tidal flows, her
position, and the mode of floating her, and having as-
certained as near as possible the equinoctial or highest
spring-tides, the mean springs and neaps, and relative
level and strata of the shore and position of the vessel, I
hope I may be allowed to doubt the practicability of any
of the plans already before the public, and consider that
many of them are ridiculous in the extreme.

The following particulars I hope will be of service
to those practical men who are desirous of proposing
designs and contracting for floating this unfortunate
vessel.

She is stranded on the sands on the north side of
I)undrum Bay, between two reefs of rocks, which ex-
tend a considerable distance into the sea, about 1,000
yards asunder. Her position is north-west, with her
stern to the sea, and about 130 yards above low water,
and her stem 300 yards from shore.

The sands average from 1 foot to 3 feet deep, upon
blue gravel from 9 inches to 20 inches thick, resting on
blue mountain limestone rock, on which the hull now
rides. The bay is frequently very rough, and the ♦essel
difficult to board dur►ng high tides. The sands vary
very little in this part of the bay, and whatever accu-
mulation takes place from the southerly winds is removed
when the winds blow eastwardly, which increases the
facility of floating her. _

On the starboard side the plates have been bulged,
and the rivets sprung to a considerable extent, which
admit freely the flowing and ebbing of the tide ; and
several holes, about 1 inch diameter have been drilled
through the bottom in order to prevent her from lifting
or heating.
At spring tides there are from 16 to 17 feet of water
in her hold, and at low water she is left dry, with the
exception of a small quantity of water in the dock she
has naturally formed for herself in the sand and gravel,
and about two feet in her bottom, and she oscillates
freely during high tides. She appears much sprung and
strained, has lost her rudder, and the screw propeller is
slightly damaged. The cylinders, pumps, &c., and part
of the driving gear, are covered at high tide, and exposed
to the action of the salt water. Her weight is about
1,600 tons (without masts, &c.) and the accumulation
of wreck about 200 tons more.

The sands on the beach at low-water are very flat,
with an inclination towards the sea of about 1 in
750, and the 'coast barren of materials, except lime-
stone.

From the practical survey I have taken, I am fully
convinced that the difficult task of floating her can be
accomplished, and that respectable and experienced con-
tractors may be found who will undertake to float her at
a moderate cost.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
W. BILLINGTON, C. E.
Dundrum Bay, Nov. 4.

FIRE AT BERMONDSEY. - Last night, at eleven
o'clock, a fire broke out in the leather factory of Messrs.
Coilison and Co., Star-court, Bermondsey. It originated
in the basement, and, having forced its way through,
extended to the floors above. The firemen exerted them-
selves to prevent the flames attacking the top floors, in
which the stock was deposited, and were fortunately
successful; the flames being entirely extinguished by
half-past one o'clock this morning, but not until a very
serious amount of property had been either burned or
extensively damaged by fire and heat. It was stated
that upwards of 200 men were employed on the premises,
but it is hoped they will not be thrown out of employ-
ment by the disaster.
The Duke of Wellington will leave Weimer
Castle for Apsley House either to-morrow evening or
on Saturday morning, accompanied by Lord Charles
Wellesley. Lord and Lady Cowley and the Honourable
Miss Wellesley have closed their visit to the Noble and
Gallant Duke, and gone to Boulogne for the winter.

The Duke o: Devonshire arrived at Rome, at the
end of last month, from Milan, and contemplates a
sojourn of about five weeks in the " eternal city," from
whence his Grace departs for Naples, in which capital
the Noble Duke has made arrangements to pass the ap-
proaching winter.
On Monday last J. M. Carter, Esq., was elected, for
the fifth time, Mayor of the borough of Hertford.
SLOP-WORK AND DESTITUTION.—Yesterday Mr.
Baker held an inquest at the Duke of Welling,ton, Lime-
house-fields, on the body of Julia Fitzgerald, aged 16
years. The body lay in a small back room at No. 17,
George-street. The room presented bare walls, no fur-
niture but a single chair, and a few broken articles' of
crockery. It appeared, by the evidence of several wit-
nesses, that the mother of deceased, a widow, and two
other children, of whom deceased was the eldest, obtained
their living by making slop waistcoats, and were in great
distress. Not being able to pay 12s. 6d. for five weeks'
rent, the landlord distrained, and took away every article
of furniture they were possessed of ; on which occasion
a row took place, and the son and two married daughters
of the landlord beat the deceased, saying, "You
take that." She subsequently fainted. Mr. Horton,
surgeon, said he had attended deceased. She died from
pleurisy, which might have been accelerated by violence.
The Coroner said the case assumed a serious aspect, and
adjourned the inquiry.
REPRESENTATION OF CAMBRIDGE.—Judging from
present appearances, we are dispo.sedtmq
to baerliezo f Granbythatinthe
event of a vacancy for this county the
is likely to be returned.—Cambridge Advertiser.
An extra Gazette was published last night, extend-
ing to sixteen sheets, containing announcements of Rail-
way and other Bills, which will be applied for in the next
session of Parliament. A similar Gazette will be pub-
lished this day (Thursday).

THE TRAFALGAR-SQUARE FOUNTAINS.--Yesterday
the play of these fountains was suspended during the
eleanaing of the basons. When the water was drawn
off many eels were discovered.

NEW STATION AT LONDON.BRIDGE.—The London
and Brighton and South Coast and South- Eastern are
making preparations for the erection of a large station
in ft.:u of the present ineommedioul one, The enlarge.-
merit will extend from Joiner-street and Now-street, co
the west; Maze-pond and Wells-street, on the south and
south-west, to the London and Greenwich Railway on the
north of Crucifix-lane. The streets at present passing
under the station are to be blocked up.

Kik
Z
THE BELGIAN CHAMBE
OPENING OF THE SESSION OP—I •
ri,.f),.;, • ,
THE BING'S SPEECH.
Gentlemen,—ln opening the course of yoile,
I am able to congratulate myself at seeing my
with foreign powers preserve a pacific and arnica
ranter.

" The treaties concluded with the United States, France:
and Holland, have for their object the consolidation and
extension of our 'commercial relations. The discussion
of these treaties, the law of
,general responsibility, the
laws upon depots and upon sugars, have rendered your
last session happily remarkable.
The manufacture and the trade in sugars resume their
ancient importance, and the Exchequer retains the pro-
fits which you have wished to secure it.
Among the propositions which it remains for you to
consider, I would point out especially the law respecting
secondary instruction. This project, which has received
some new developments, will complete our system of
public education. My Government recommends this
great question of social government to your. enlightened
consideration. It expects with confidence its solution
in the present session.
The prosperity of the principal branches of commer-
cial wealth is generally maintained and developed. The
next national exposition will enable us to appreciate the
success of our manufacturers. Unfortunately, in spite
of our progress and our hopes for the future, other in-
terests, to which I have devoted all my sympathy, are
suffering
in a portion of our country under a crisis of
which itis impossible to misunderstand the importance..
The state of the population which is employed in the
linen manufacture requires immediate measures of relief.
To encourage. and to render effective labour, with a view
to the increase of wages, to organize industry, so as to
render the products more in harmony with th necessi-
ties of commerce, to increase the exports—such are the
.principal cares
.of my Government. The means for an
active intervention on the part of the State in these re-
spects will be proposed to you.
The measures taken to secure the alimentation of the
country, the numerous works of general utility, public
and private succour have powerfully assisted the neces-
sitous classes in supporting the privations resulting from
the defective crop of potatoes in 1845. This year the
crop of potatoes has been satisfactory ; but the high
price of provisions, and particularly the failure of the
rye harvest, demand the serious attention of the Cham-
bers and the Government. The prorogation of the law
relative to subsistence,—the allocation of the necessary
subsidies for public works and exceptional 'aids, which
circumstances may require,— will, no doubt, produce
fortunate results.

'The canalization of the Campine advances with entire
success. The irrigation, which may hencet-orth be con-
tinued and extended, the construction of roads, and
other measures which will be proposed to ycli, will
insure in a few years the clearance of this part of our
territory.
The projects of law relative to agricultural and vete-
rinary instruction will be immediately submitted to your
examination.

The operations of the census proceed with regularity.
The returns already collected, although incomplete,
establish a remarkable increase of population. As the
political situation of the country is calm, I am now en-
abled to announce to you the presentation of a project of
law for the augmenting of the number of members in
the two Chambers. This law will have, with respect to
its operation, an urgency referable to the period of the
approaching elections.
In conformity with the aim of the constitution, deli-
berations having for their object the revision of different
portions of the legislation have been continued. Projects
respecting the tribunals of commerce, personal arrest,
delays, bankruptcies, have been transmitted for the opi-
nion of the judicial body and the universities. I hope
that they may be presented to you in the course of the
present session. The modifications projected in the
code of criminal instruction, as also in the new discipli-
nary code for the merchant sea service, will shortly be
laid before you.
The attention of the Government has also been directed
to the regulation of the lunatic establishments, of the
Monts de Piete, and to the creation of agricultural co-
lonies. Propositions will be submitted to you for the
realisation of those ameliorations which humanity and
the state of society require.
I desire the prompt discussion of the project of law
relative to the penitentiary system.
The state railway traffic has received, in 1846, a fresh
and remarkable extension. The completion of the double
lines now in course of execution, and of the railways
conceded, the works of which are begun at several points,
will likewise react in a favourable manner on a state of
things already very prosperous.
It has become possible to endow with a legislative
organization this grand national enterprise, and propo-
sitions will be submitted to you for determining the
bases of the charges, and for the regulation of the rail-
way system.

Thi most important public measures remaining for
examination relate to the management of navigable
waterways. Various projects are under consideration,
and the means of execution will be asked of you suc-
cessively as the condition of the Treasury will permit.
In order to increase the resources of the working
classes, my Government will give a powerful impulse to
the construction of the roads already decreed, and to the
amelioration of the cross-roads.
The army, one of the firm supports of the indepen-
dence of the country, and of its institutions, continues
to render itself worthy of my entire confidence and of
the interest which you manifest for it. The efforts of
my Government are directed to maintain in its ranks a
useful emulation, and the sentiment of its duty towards
its country. All the measures calculated to advance it
and to secure its well-being will, I doubt not, obtain
your hearty concurrence. The modifications of the law
respecting the militia, the reforms proposed with re-
spect to the system of penalties, and the law relative to
the service de sante, will powerfully contribute to effect
this end.

In spite of exceptional circumstances, affecting the
produce of certain sources of public revenue, the equili-
brium between the i eceipt and the expenditure of the
State can be maintained without imposing fresh sacri-
fices on the taxpayers.
The greater part of the budget of expenditure for the
year 1847 has already been presented to you : the
budget of reeeipt and the completion of the budget of
expenditure for that year will be immediately laid before
you. In the course of the session, and as soon as esti-
mates can be formed, you will have communicated to you
the budgets of expenditure and of ways and means for
the year 1848.

Gentlemen,—Belgium, in the bosom of peace, has de-
veloped the germs of a fruitful activity. In reflecting on
the results already obtained, we are enabled to contem-
plate the future with confidence. The accord of tho
great powers of the State,—the support which you have
given to my Government, and on which I continue to
depend, will enable us to preserve and consolidate our
institutions. The aspiration breathed by our country
for ages, that she might have an existence for herself,
and the disposal of her numerous resources, is realised
in our days. It will always be a source of great happi-
ness to me to reflect that my efforts have contributed to
insure to Belgium the precious advantages of free and in-
dependent existence.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I am truly sorry to trouble you upon a matter
of so little importance, but I really trust you will as
hitherto stoop to do an act of justice.
In the account (reported in The Sun of yesterday) of
the examination of a young woman at Brentford for
robbery, you state that a Miss Warren, of Hanway-
street, identified the prisoner as a person who had pur-
chased stays, and to whom she had given change of the
stolen note. Now, Sir, being certain that there is only
one Miss Warren in Hanway-street (that is, Miss
Harriet Warren, in the employ of Mr. Stone, stay-
maker, &c.), I am requested by Miss H. Warren to
inform you hat she is not the person mentioned in your
report. I can assure you that Miss H. Warren was in
my company on Saturday last at Gravesend.
Trusting you will do me the favour to publish this
contradiction, I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
WILLIAM TIPTON.
1, Hanway-street, Tottenham-court-road,
Nov. 11, 1846.

INDIAN NEWS.—Yesterday a Court of Directors
was held at the East India House, when Mr. George
Russell Clerk was unanimously appointed Governor of
the Presidency of Bombay.
IMPERIAL AND CONTINENTAL GAS ASSOCIATION:—
Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of proprietors in the
above association was held at the offices of the company,
7, White Hart-court, Lombard-street. Sir Moses
Montetiore, chairman of the board of directors, presided.
The secretary read the report detailing the operations of
the association since the last meeting, by which it ap-
peared that the affairs generally were in a healthy state.a
The association had expended in furtherance
objectpaid -o paid-up
oeraNpvihtai el h(
ii tso7oaosoei.s)tablis
authorisedhed thteouernbnetirraeisaemdoobuf
by the
hot?
might be in
Act of Incorporation, and a greateer
gestions by honourable proprietors
teh operations of the asso-
ciation with advantage. After s
advisable mode of extending ?mdissacsusstoiontahned
mstiogst.
dividend of 2/. 2s. Gd.
of thanks to the declared, and the customary
per syheaterefor the half-year was
proprietary,a large num-
berciation in the various continental towns of Europe, a
of w
CAusED BY LUCIFER MATcuEs.--Yesterday
DKR
fire, caused by children playing with lucifer
forenoon a
chair-
man havhino
broke out in the first floor of the premises
matches, gal attended,be en pass escle'patrhaeted.
Occupied by Mrs. Hood, No. 31, Union-street, Somers-
town.
The cries of the children brought up Mr. Flin-
dell, the landlord of the house, who succeeded in saving
them from being burnt to death. With the aid of a
few buckets of water the fire was extinguished, but not
until considerable damage had been done.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A CHELSEA PENSIONER.—
Yesterday an inquest was held by Mr. Bedford, at the
Rising Sun, Charles-street, Grosvenor-square, on the
body of Hugh Galagher, aged GO. The deceased was an
went to
out-pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, having formerly be-
longed
whichiCmoisonnpfasgdret:renoab,rdnieoir,
tnoslibl
)sn:e:ui
e.f,an:ttnntglaeadn,arhtt dti. 1
mtlenheaiaidnebnri
r.
nine o'clock
o the,e l
oekevening
quitew
longed to the 27th Inniskillen Regiment. On Thursday
fast pace,
~
wheel
s,el
Ip whenhoapas
trssigleieadeas cart
thoevo.
sertrs
Barker,be-
longingreehieias
alapstubbleicr-ehcoeuivseed,
HIN
which
iN,
head,
it
dwch h,
oa
ksukitini,intioonectagkhm:elidleairm.hcatli
was taken into custody, and stands remanded till this
day (Thursday) from Westminster Police-court. The
evidence having been carefully gone into, the jury re-
turned a verdict of accidental death.
The ancient and !Ale abbey of Dissentis, in the
cut ;‘,ll of 1.11,,,‘ Gri,:_.ns, was entirely consumed on the
night of the 28th ult. Its magnificent church, its tree-
sure, and its rich and splendid library, were completely
destroyed. The friar who discharged the functions of •
cook perished in the flames

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
BRITISH AND BELGIAN FARES.
One of the most mischievous effusions of absurdity has 1
been founded on a comparison of English and Belgian
lines.
It is stated that the average fares per mile stand thus:
England. Belgium.
Ist class 2.60 d.
2nd class
3rd class .
It is, therefore, assumed that the wide difference
and
be-
tween the fares arises from the extravagant profits
dividends of the English companies, and for their fond-
ness for keeping up high fares.
We propose to examine into this more closely than we
did last week, and we believe we shall be able to prove
to the satisfaction of every one, that a worse founded
argument was never put forward. If we fail, it will be
for want of clearness only, not from want of truth in our
arguments.
We would, in the first instance, observe, that the ave-
rage assumed is not of the least value, as it is a false
average of the various fares on the English lines,
while the uniform rate of the Belgian state lines is set
against it.
The average of the first and second class English is
made up of the express and ordinary fares, which have
no correlation. The Great Western charge 3d. a mile
first class for trains which go fifty miles an hour, which
does not admit of comparison with the Belgian fares and
BelgPsn speed.
An average in an investigation of this kind is of no
good, as the complaint of excessive fares has nothing to
de with an average fare, but with the fares above the
average.
A comparison of actual fares is, however, enough to
show that the average is no criterion, because there are
fares in England absolutely as low as the Belgian fares,
and which cannot be matters of complaint, whatever
ground of complaint there may be against those which
are higher than the Belgian fares.
We take the Board of Trade returns for 1845, as more
easy of reference, though the rates are higher than the
actual rates.

2d Class. 3d Class.
Exp. Ord. Ord. Slow.
1.45 1.
1.5 1.

Arbroath
Ardroman