The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-29 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

One of the greatest attractions at this institution is.
perhaps, the diving-bell, having for a very long period
of l,rded vast interest and amusement to its numerous
visitors, and, we may also add, the marine experiments
which are daily exhibited in the basin; among these we
may mention a belt for preserving life from drowning,
invented by Captain Smith, R.N., which has proved
highly satisfactory; another also, which answers the
double purpose of a bed and life-preserver, invented by
Messrs. Taylor and Sons, Dover-road, Borough. This
mattress is stuffed with cork, which is cut by machinery
in very small fibre, about the size of small twine, and
consequently is nearly as soft as horse hair, and is well
adapted for the purpose, more particularly for shipping.
as they take up no additional room, and being articles
of daily use, are always at hand and ready for service
in the event of a calamity arising from accident, ship-
wreck, or fire. The buoyancy of the mattresses are so
great that they will with ease float more than twelve
persons, and in the waste of a ship will resist musketry or
canister and grapeshot. The directors of this establish-
ment deserve great praise for their liberality in support-
ing native industry and talent, which in many cases
would be wholly unknown. We also hear these gentle-
men are making great preparation for the Whitsuntide
holidays.

OPENING CRUISE OF THE SEASON OF THE ROYAL
NIEESEY YACHT CLUB.—On Saturday last, the 27th
instant, being the day on which her Majesty's birthday
was kept, the members of this club celebrated the event
by the yachts sailing in company on a day's cruise to
seaward and back. The respected and worthy Com-
modore, Thomas Littledale, Esq., hoisted his broad
pendant on board of his fine yacht the Queen of the
Ocean, of 59 tons. The day was most delightful fcr the
event, with a light gaff-topsail breeze, which continued
steady throughout the day. The fleet consisted. in ad-
dition to the Commodore's craft, of the Drift, 55 tons;
the Vision, 45 tons; the Minona, Hebe, Janette, Ranger,
and Gem, of smaller degrees of tonnage. The latter
yacht had on board the Honourable Secretary, who
officiated as the Vice-Commodore on the occasion. The
yachts were manoeuvred by Acker's yacht signals from
the Commodore's yacht, repeated on board of the Gem.
The owners of each of the yachts had invited on board
a select party of their friends to enjoy the day's cruise,
and the distance sailed over was upwards of forty miles.
All expressed themselves highly delighted with the day's
enjoyment, and the fleet returned to the port of Liver-
pool at seven o'clock p.m.

- Principal contents of the Observer, May 28th :
Upwards of three folio columns of her Majesty's birth-
day, drawing-room, and illuminations; two columns and
a half of the Great Free-labour Meeting at the Loudon
Tavern, on Saturday; Marylebone and St. Pancras
vestry meetings, near two columns; Convocation of the
Clergy, intended Address on Monday to the Queen, near
a column; a column and a-half of Births, Marriages,
and Deaths; about one hundred useful advertisements;
and twenty-five columns of Foreign and Domestic
News. The extensive publication of the Observer ccm
mences at six o'clock on Sunday mornings. Monday's
edition, best for the country and abroad, at four o'clock
on Monday afternoon.
EXTENSIVE FIRE IN MARLBOROUGH-STREET.—
(THIS DAY).—This morning, about three o'clock, a fire
happened on the premises of Mr. Bradshaw, glass mer-
chant, Great Marlborough-street. It originated in the
lower part of the premises, and although Mr. Staples,
with two brigade engines, quickly arrived at the spot.
yet such was the extent to which the flames reached
that they communicated to the ground-floor and draw-
ingcoom. By four o'clock the fire was extinguished, but
not without great loss of valuable property. Not the
least account could be obtained of the cause of the fire.
APPOINTMENTS.—Mr. Bromley, who was a first
clerk in the Admiralty, and who distinguished himself
by the zeal and ability with which he executed the
arduous office of Accountant to the Relief Commission
in Ireland, has been appointed by the Treasury Secre-
tary to the Commissioners for Auditing Public Ac-
counts, as a reward for the efficient discharge of his
public duties. James Scotland, Esq., is to be Solicitor-
General for the island of Antigua. W. Dudley Ryder,
Esq., Assistant Secretary at Ceylon, is to succeed Arthur
&q., as Queen's Advocate in that colony. Fre-
derick Seymer, Esq., is to be stipendiary magistrate at
Antigua. W. De Smidt, Esq., is appointed Secretary
to the Central Board of Commissioners for Public
Works at the Cape of Good Hope. Major Henry Piers
is to be resident Magistrate at Pulburgh, Cape of Good
Hope. Major James Barnes to be Resident Magistrate
at Riversdsile, and Captain J. M. Hill to be Resident
Magistrate at Picketberg, and Major George Longmore
to be Resident Magistrate at Mossel Berg, Cape of Good
Hope.— Observer.

RING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.•••^OOFriday a meeting
of the governors and committee of management was hold
in the board-room of the institution, in Portugal-street,
Lincoln's-inn. The report for the past year stated that
the number of in-patients was 1,253, ai,d 17,901 out-
patients, being a larger number than any preceding year,
end making a total, since 1840, of 107,250 patients, of
whom, 96.810, including accidents and urgent cases,
were admitted without any recommendation whatever.
The expenditure for the year was 4,493/. 15s. ed.; the
receipts, 4,447/. Is. lOd., being an excess of expenditure
of 461. 13s. 10d., and outstanding liabilities of about 200 L
During the past year the permanent fund of the hospital
has been augmented by a legacy of 1,0001. consols, from
the late Miss Ann Colter, of Farningham, Kent. The
wards contain 120 beds, the whole of which are coo•
stt►ntly occupied.