The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-03 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. I.—Her Majesty's steam-frigate
Cyclops arrived at Spithead this morning from Ply-
mouth ; she is to be inspected by the shipwright de-
partment of the dockyard, and her defects reported.
If unimportant, they will be made good here ; if other-
wise, she will be sent to Woolwich.
Her Majesty's steam transport Dee is expected at
Portsmouth with volunteer seamen, 'who have been col-
lected at Liverpool and Bristol. She is to transfer them
to the St. Vincent, and then return to her station at
Cork.

The Admiralty are anxious to have the Amphitrite,
26, undocked these spring tides, and her fitting com-
pleted in the basin. On her going out, the Alfred, 50,
will be brought down, and put in dock, to be inspected
and prepared far immediate commission. The Java,
50, is in a more forward state, and will be fitted in the
basin. The Amphitrite and Trincomalee are to have
the same armament of 68-pounders and two shell guns
each.

The Scourge mortar steamer has been brought along-
side the dockyard, and an additional streak of copper
has been put on her, but that is already nearly under
water abaft, and she has to take in about sixty tons of
coals, besides additional stores and ammunition, which
-will estimate forty more. She has but two species of
armanent, a mortar and a 56-pounder long gnn. A trial
of her qualities at sea will be made before the squadron
of steamers is sent out to cruise.

The RattlEr steamer is quite ready for sea.
The Carysfort, 26, when ready, is to go to Sydney
with the newly-appointed Governor. The steam-ship's
funnel, perforated by shot and shell from the Excellent,
has been brought to the dockyard, there to await the in-
spection of the First Lord and the Board of Admiralty,
upon their official visit to the arsenal.
An officer belonging to one of her Majesty's ships at this
port has during the week visited and inspected the Ter-
rible, first-class steamer, fitting at Woolwich. She is
reported to be, in every respect, a most efficient man-of-
war, both as respects her armament and stowage of coals,
provisions, and water. She is capable of conveying
troops to the West Indies with great facility ; and this
officer, whose judgment is undoubted, asserts that a finer
steamer has not been introduced into the British navy.
The Terrible, Sampson, and Gladiator, will all rendez-
vous ut Spithead in March.
The Grampus, 50, will be ready to go out of harbour
in a week or ten days, if the weather will admit.
The Harpy and Myrmidon, two of the new steam-
vessels built at Blackwall, are intended for service at the
Brazils. The Oynx and Garland are for the packet ser-
vice at Dover.

Her Majesty's ship Superb, 80, and the Barretto, jun.,
transport are at Spithead. The latter, with convicts for
Bermuda is detained, with a large fleet of merchant ves-
sels, by the very stormy weather which prevailed all
the week. The schooner Ana and Elizabeth, of Cardiff,
is still in the Swash, filled, but the agents at Lloyd's
hope to get her clear this day, having a high spring tide
in their favour.

INSURANCES FROM FIRE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-It is a matter of surprise to me, and no doubt to
many others, that among the numerous and various articles
from which the duties arc proposed to be reduced or removed
for the benefit of the community, one alone (if I mistake not)
remains entirely unnoticed, or perhaps not intended to be so
removed—l mean that most unjustifiable and heavy tax on
insurances from fire. Surely, if the insurance ollices are
willing to afford protection from so destructive an element,
on the lowest possible terms, it is but right and reasonable
to expect that, among the many other reductions or removal
of duties, the entire reduction of this most pernicious tax
may be one of the first from which the public (the agricul-
turist particularly) will or may derive a real benefit. Millions
of property are sacrificed as a consequence, and thousands
of persons annually incur the desperate rick rather than pay
the enormous duty.
Should this important subject, therefore, not have been
already noticed, perhaps you will do me the favour to insert
this in your paper.—l am, Sir, respectfully yours,
J. CRAMPHORN.
Belle Vue-terrace, Southsea, Feb. 2.

RED HILL CHURCH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR—Your paper of Thursday, the 22d January last,
contained a most exaggerated account of the damage
done to the church at Red Hill, by the gale of the pre-
ceding Monday night ; and I shall feel greatly obliged,
if you will, at your ea.rliest convenience, introduce the
following statement of facls,Tor the truth of which I can
vouch, as I have recently had an opportunity of examin-
ing the building.
Instead of part of the steeple having fallen down, one
stone from the upper part of a pinnacle to a buttress
was dislodged by the violence of the wind ; and, instead
of the injury occasioned by the falling of this stone,
being of such a nature as to render it uncertain when
the building can again be used for the performance of
Divine worship, the damage was repaired at a cost of
three pounds ten shillings, and the performance of
Divine worship neither has been or will be prevented
for a single day. I have the honour to be, Sir, your
very obedient servant,

JAMES THOMAS KNOWLES.
1, Raymond-buildings, Gray's Inn,
Feb. 2, 1846.

THE WEATHER.—The unusual mildness of the
present season has brought forward the early flowers, and
hastened the fruit trees to such extent as will hardly qualify
them to sustain late frosts without injury. The benefit of
such weather to the poor during the present 15C,Arcity of food
been very great.—Nath thurnal.