The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-10 00:00:00

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

BOMBAY, AuG. 5.
that last and most important item of intelligence
I have to communicate is the fact of one of the
),Z.viest falls of rain having occurred over India
has been experienced for years back. You
must recollect that we never can have too much
tikloisture when it comes at the proper season ; when
e Proportion to the wetness of rainy season is the
productiveness of the dry. We may, therefore, look
tiaforward to a year of peace and plenty. For fourteen
YS past it has here poured down in an uninter-
rupted torrent ; the tanks, wells, ditches, and canals
,41:e all full, and we begin now to feel anxious for a
little fair weather to allow the husbandman to re-
autne his labours before the latter rains set in. Could
37°11 persuade the military authorities at home to give
4 Passing thought on dispatching troops as to the
season witen it would be best for them to
4'rive, a world of valuable lives would be saved.
From the Ist of June till the Ist of Septem-
ber no man can move out, with impunity, ex-
cept for mere garrison duty soldiers are useless;
4,,t,',1d fatal maladies are sure to assail regiments from
England the moment they arrive, even should they
remain at Bombay. If an attempt be made to march
them into the interior, ten to one that they are deci-
. triatecl with cholera within the week. In 1842, her
, "lajesty's 28th, 78th, and 86th, all arrived in Bombay
during the rains; in the course of the first month
nearly 300 deaths occurred amongst them. Her
Majesty's Bth has just arrived, and the 10th Hussa r
are expected. Here we have no cavalry barracks,
and both regiments must be marched 70 miles inland,
through a country one-half of which is knee deep of
Rater, where they must encamp on ground wet and
so`,t a s a quan-mire, with as much rain occasionally 'falling
41. a single day as the average of the year in England
supplies in two months. The thing arises from mere
neglect and blundering, as the time taken by ships on
and
Voyage can be reckoned with great certainty,
determinable
the beginning and ending of our rainy season is
ueterrninable to a week.
The Governor of Bombay, Sir George Arthur,
has at length been compelled to retire from th
sphere of his duties in consequence of severe indis-
PR°sAition. He leaves this day by thel steamer Alchar ;
;111' so sadly shatterel is his constitution, that it
ileras doubtful whether he will ever reach Europe.
e has been four years amongst us ; and though not
erY Popular here, in such estimation was he held
b
• 113' Lord Hardinge and the authorities at home, that
e has for some time back been in possession of a
provisional commission to assume supreme autho-
rity in case of a vacancy in the Governor-General-
it,,,ll3. His immediate successor is the Honourable'rse • Reid, senior member of Council, and formerly
tteretarY to Government—a man of talent, sound
!I tse, and discretion. We have not heard autho-
CtivelY who will Le sent out from home to succeed
6,• Sir George Clerk and Sir Henry Pottinger
--"T" been, chiefly spoken of. We could wish no

better man than either of them. Should the nomi-
nation be in the hands of the Whigs, the appoint-
ment will, of course, be jobbed—bestowed on some
personal friend, irrespective of qualification.
The appointment of Sir David Pollock, as Chief
Justice of Bombay, is generally approved of. He is
a man of good standing and experience, and Sir John
Hobhouse was not very happy in his selections for
the bench.
Our intelligence from the Punjaub is less satisfac-
tory at present than it has been at the date of any
dispatch since the occupation of Lahore. The Go-
vernment of the Maharaja seems to have no hold
upon the affections of the peeple. The Wuzeer com-
bines in his character the vices of a despot, a de-
bauchee, and a parvenue; he has unruly subjects
enough to deal with, but his measures are somewhat
rough even for a Seikh governor. The hanging of
the Brahmin, on the occasion of the street riot some
months back, was at first favourably regarded from
the boldness and determination he exhibited. Sub-
sequent executions, where the criminal was first
tortured and then roasted on a slow fire, seems
to have made it to be regarded as the first of a
series of outrages upon the customs of the coun-
try. He appears very anxious that our troops
should remain in the capital beyond the period
contemplated in the treaty ; and I suspect we shall
find no alternative, but either to maintain them or
permit anarchy to resume sway in the country. It
is true, we have extinguished the military power; so
that, had the Government possessed any energy or
strength, it might have maintained its authority, we
having relieved it of the most formidable source of its
difficulties. But unhappily the treasury is exhausted,
and the soldiers who have been disbanded have not
had their arrears paid up. The spirit of turbulence
and insubordination is rife from Ferozepore to
Attock, and the quietude now existing is mainly due
to the presence of the English army. The Governor
General was most fortunate in selecting Sir John
Littler for the Lahore command. The troops, not-
withstanding their privations, have been as cheerful
and contented in their exile as if quartered in the
most favourite cantonment in India ; while not one
single instance of misunderstanding or collision be

twixt them and the citizens has occurred. The Chief
of Mooltan seems disposed to throw off the mask, and
set up for himself' as independent sovereign. To
him belongs one of the finest provinces in
the Punjaub. Ghoolab Singh has been guar-
rel:ing with his relatives, and experiencing
apparently in his new sovereignty, " how uneasy
rests the head that wears a crown." The forbear-
ance and perfect faithfulness to his engagements
which the Governor-General has exhibited through-
out, seems, amongst the Seikhs themselves, matter
of loud and universal eulogy. Rumours from time
to time rife of a descent of the Affghans, under
Akbar Khan, through the Kyber Pass, the grand
object of twelve years having been the recovery of
Peshawur wrested from them by Runjeet Singh.

Though the rumour is general, I greatly question

its accuracy ; restless, ambitious, and vindictive as
the Sirdar is, and anxious, doubtless, to achieve con-
quest and obtain martial renown on the battle-field,
where, in early youth, he so greatly distinguished
himself, the prudence of the old Ameer must keep
him in check. Since his restoration to the throne
Dost Mahomed has manifested the utmost anxiety
to continue on decent, if not on friendly, terms
with us ; he knows how heavy and how far inclining
are our arms, and can readily understand how light
a matter it would be for us to push forward a divi-
sion from the Jullundur Doab to attack a Jum-
rood, and make mincemeat of the best of his
armies.

The Governor-General and Commander-

in-Chief continue at Simla, and it is said that
he other members of Council are about to join

them, as their stay in these parts is likely
to be a protracted one. Meantime a large
magazine—mainly of artillery stores, is being col-
lected at Phulloor, and the troops are being kept well
in hand, in case of accidents, so that we shall not

again be taken by surprise. The public will look

FOrward with much interest to the events of the next

cold season.

Sinde continues tolerably quiet, but much sickness,
of a very malignant type seems to exist all over the
country. Cholera has quitted the army at Kurrachee,
but lingers among the population of the town. I have

not, as yet, received any very accurate returns of the
total number of deaths among the troops : that for-

merly quoted from the Gentleman's Gazette is,

I suspect, considerably beyond the mark; while
the loss among the townspeople seems to have

been underrated. I believe I am pretty safe in
saying that betwixt the 14th and 30th of June

ten thousand human beings were cut off by
cholera at Kurrachee. It has since then been
fleeting up the river, and is at present making
fearful havoc in the city of Hyderabad. Our troops
appear, hitherto, to have escaped. Fever of a ma-
lignant type has for some time back prevailed at
Sukkur, her Majesty's 17th having been the chief

sufferers. They are at present on their way down to
Kurraehee, and great apprehensions are entertained

of the consequences should they chance to meet cho-
lera on their way. The men are so sickly and broken
down, that they are predisposed for the attack of any
inalady. It is said they will return to India, and
thence probably proceed to the Cape. Her Majesty's

86th will, in all likelihood, be sent immediately out
of Sinde, being the ninth regiment, which has
within three years been rendered unfit for service by

the climate of the Indus. The European part of these

are.her Majesty's 17th, 28th, 78th, and 86th, the Bom-
bay 2d European Regiment and Horse Artillery,
the rest being Sepoys. Between 3,000/. and 4,0001.
, _

sterling has been subscribed for the re-purchase of
the ornaments and attire of the Sinde Princesses now

for sale amongst the prize booty at Bombay.

(From the Times.)

We have recehed letters and papers from Bombay
to the sth of August. They came to Suez by an ex-
traordinary occasion, in consequence of Sir George
Arthur's having resigned the Government of that
Presidency. 111-health has been the cause of his re-
tirement. From the 6th of May he was not able to
transact business with the various members of the
Government. Finding that the chances of his reco-
very, during his stay in India, were but slight, he at
length resolved to resign his place. The Hon. Lestock
Robert Reid, the senior civil servant in the Council
of that Presidency, succeeds as acting Governor, ac-
cording to the provisions of the Company's charter.
The powerful steamer Akbar was ordered to bring
the ex-Governor to Egypt. His debility on embark-
ing at Bombay was such that he refused all sorts of
military honours.
The chief political news is, that the spirit of dis-
satisfaction with the Government at Lahore, of the
Queen-Mother, and of Wuzer Lall Singh, threatens
to explode in acts of violence. The notorious fanatics,
called the Akhalees, were collecting in the neigh-
bourhood of that capital, and fears were entertained
of their commencing a bloody struggle. The months
of September and October have been often a signal
for butcheries amongst the Seikhs. Ghoolab Singh
is surrounded with difficultibs in his new kingdom.
Some of his own relatives are clamorous for payment
of his brother's legacies to them. The Chief of
Mooltan was not disposed to yield obedience to the
Government of Lahore, and a contest was expected
in the southern part of the Punjaub, in which the
British will be compelled to interfere. The army
from Sinde is the nearest to Mooltan.

year with abundant rain. The newly acquired pro-
vinces known as the Jullundur Doab has had an ex-
traordinary fall, which must contribute to its fertility.
At Phulloor a large magazine has been formed, which
is already filled with military stores. The Seikhs are
enlisting into the British regiments ; they are a fine
race of men.
The country of the Deccan, which is:subject to the
rule of the Nizam, continues to feel the results of a
most wretched system. His treasury is exhausted,
and his troops are dissatisfied. The British Resident,
General Fraser, however distinguished for his abilities,
cannot devise a plan for the amelioration of that state.
The Calcutta journals describe a most extraordi-
nary act of plunder in that capital. Sixteen men,
well armed, entered a goldsmith and banker's shop,
wounded several people, and then retired with their
spoils. The police of thet city has not discovered
the perpetrators. It is openly stated that the shop-
keepers there pay "Black Mail" to escape from
being attacked. This is an astonishing admission in
the British capital of India.
The city of Poonah was not so healthy this year as
usual ; fever of a typhoid character prevailed. The
Commander-in-Chief, Sir T. M'Mahon, had re-
covered frOm an attack of it.

The old India Navy Mutiny Act must be revised.
A court-martial was assembled on board the Hast-
ings in Bombay harbour, when it was discovered
that some irregularity existed, and a reference was
made to the Supreme Government on the subject.
The Oriental Bank was originally established in
Bombay, where the shareholders are now dissatisfied
with the expense and conduct of their London
directors, and they have, therefore, resolved to put a
full stop to the London direction. A notice to that
effect has come by this mail, with which, if a ready
compliance he not agreed to, a person with
sufficient powers will be speedily sent from
Bombay to carry the wishes of the shareholders
into effect.

A new crime has been found out in Bombay : a
gang of hardened ruffians poisoned a number of buffa-
loes, then brought the carcases, which they sold to the
butchers in the public market, to be disposed of as
meat at the hottest season of the year. They are to
be tried at the next criminal sessions.

News from the. Mauritius to the 11th of July has
been received by this opportunity. One of the most
remarkable circumstances mentioned is the expulsion
by Sir W. Gomm, the Governor of that island, of a
Roman Catholic priest, who, by his skill as a surgeon,
performed the Caesarian operation on the body of a
dead woman, and saved her child, which survived 24
hours. The newspapers of that colony are loud in
their denunciations of this sentence. The affair has
produced a sensation in the Mauritius.

Amongst the recent deaths in India, that of Meer
Sohdar, an ex-Ameer, must be mentioned. He had
passed almost the last 30 years of his life in bed, as a
cripple. The old intrigues respecting Sinde are still
at work, and every means are used to mislead the
British people in this matter.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CALCUTTA MONEY MARKET.
Bengal Hurharu Office, July 18.
The money market continues to exhibit a more
healthy appearance, and the rates of interest in the
Bazaar have fallen. As soon as the prompt of the last
opium sale is provided for, we may expect a quiet state
of things, if the advices from home are favourable.
Government Securities of all descriptions are rising
rapidly in value.

Exchange is less brisk. We have notheard of first-rate
paper going off better than 2s. 2d. at ten months' date.
Bank Stuck looking upwards.
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
Transfer Stock Paper 5 per cent premium 10 0 a 11 0
Bombay 5 per cent 0 8 a par.
Old Sicca 5 ditto according to numbers 1 0 a 1 8
New Company's 5 per cent 4 0 a 4 8
Third 4 ditto discount 6 8 a 7 8
Now Co.'s 4 ditto.... .5 0 a 5 8

From Sinde we learn that cholera had ceased to
ravage Kurrachee and Hyderabad, in both
of which places it had spread devastation. Sir
Charles Napier, who has gained golden opinions by
his kindness to the sufferers, had ordered the old walls
cf Kurrachee to be demolished and the town to be
improved. His nephew and secretary Captain John
N apier, of her Majesty's 62d regiment, has fallen a
victim to the relentless malady; he is much re-
gretted. The only officer who died at Hyderabad
was Lieutenant A. D. Campbell, of the 17th Regi-
ment Native Infantry. Fever had abated at Sukkur.
ller Majesty's 17th Regiment, which had suffered
much there, were stated to be about to come to the
coast, in order to embark either for the Cape of Good
Hope or for England.
The Governor-General and the Commander-in-
Chief remained at Simla, where they were about to
be joined by some of the most experienced officers of
the north-western province, in order to arrange defi-
nitively their plans for next fair season.

The whole of the western part of India from the
rtuijitlib to Ceylon Appeap to hve been West this

BANK SHARES.'
Bengal Bank ... Co.'s Rs. (4,000) prem. 2,675 a 2,700
Union Bank ... „ (1,000) „ 175 a 180
Agra Bank „ (500) ~ 260 a 270
Oriental Bank ... „ (1,000) ~ 150 a 170
North-Western Bank „ (500) „ 100 a 130
PRICES OF BULLION, &C.
Sycee Silver, Co.'s rs. 101 12 0 a 105 0 0 per 100 sa. wt.
China Gold Bars ... 15 8 0 a 16 8 0 per sa. wt.
Gold Dust ... . 15 80a 16 8 0 per sa. wt.
Spanish Dollars ... 221 10 0 a 221 12 0 per 100
Mexican ditto ... 221 00 a 221 4 0 per 100
Sovereigns 11 3 0 a 11 4 0 t
each
Madras Gold Mohurs 16 4 0 a 16 8 0 S
THE BOMBAY MARKET.
(From the Chamber of Commerce Overland Price
BomBA.Y , A UG. 5, 1846.—We avail ourselves of the de-
parture of the steamer Akbar to issue a short circular
on the state of the market sieve our last dispatch; but
as the commercial season is only now on the point of re-
opening, there is little of importance to communicate.
The monsoon has been most favourable—the fall of rain
having already exceeded the total annual average, and
the accounts received from the major part of the agricul-
tural districts continue satisfactory.
Metals—We have few changes to notice in the prices
of any denomination of these. We quote tile copper
about a a rupee lower than before, and noiles are quite
nominal. In iron but little alteration has taken place in
the value of any variety. We are informed of a sale of
184 tons of flat bars at rs. 30 per candy; and another of
1,000 bundles of hoop, at rs. 6.10.0 per cwt., is likewise
t.ti.d to have taken place. Pig lead has slightly ad-
vanced in price, and quicksilver has declined to the ex-
tent of about rs. 5 per maund. Sales of 300 tubs of
Swedish steel at rs. 10, and 200 cases of the same at rs.
11 per cwt., have been reported in the papers.
COTTON MANUFACTURES.—The market for these has
been, till now, almost entirely closed, and we have, con-
sequently, but few transactions to record. The only
sales, indeed, communicated to us, are the following:—

Per .
210 pieces grey longcloths 38 yds, by 45 in. at R Piece
s. 6 4 0
100 ditto 38 yds. by 39 in. at 54 0
150 do. grey domes. 60 yds. by 26 in. at 66 0
It is expected that the favourable character of the
monsoon will lead, ere long, to a renewal of business
transactions on an extensive scale—unless counteracted
by a renewal of the scarcity of money.
Yarns—Prices remain without much change, and no
transactions have been reported for publication, though
we understand that sales to the extent of about 6,0001b5.
of Water, at 71 annas for No. 20, and 8i annas for No.
30, have had effect since our last.

Marine Stores—Paints have given way in price about
rs. 2 to 4 per cwt., and Cordage about rs. 4, whilst in
Coal Tar an improvement of rs. 2 per barrel has taken
place. We hear of no transactions.
Beer—The dealers having supplied themselves prior to
the issue of our last Price Current, sales have been sub-
sequently very limited, and we have only heard of one of
about 50 hhds. of Allsopp's at rs. 60 per hhd.
Spirits are unchanged in value. We hear of a sale of
20 hhds. of brandy at rs. 3 1 0 per gallon.
Cochineal has slightly declined; we quote the article
nominal at 3rs. per lb.
EASTERN PRODUCE.
Cotton—The transactions in this staple have not been
extensive, and there is but little alteration in prices to
record. We quote Broach and Surat at 80rs. to 82irs.
per candy, which is about l3rs. lower than last month.
Other sorts are without change. The quality of the
cotton now at market is inferior.
In other articles of Eastern produce we hear of no
variation in price, save Cassia, which is 4 rs. per lb.
dearer, nor are there any purchases of importance to
notice.

Freights—Freights have latterly sustained a further
decline, owing to the heavy arrivals of tonnage.
Money Market—Government paper may be quoted as
follows:

Five per Cent. Loan of 1825-26
Four ditto ditto 1832-33
Four ditto ditto 1835-36
Five ditto ditto 1841-42
Four ditto ditto 1842-43

Exchange—The money market having become easier,
exchange on England has given way. Since our last
bills have been sold at 2s. id. downwards, and the rate
of transactions for this date may be quoted at ls. 1 I—d.
to 2s. per rupee, at six months sight. On Calcutta, at
60 days the rate is at par ; on Madras at 30 days, 99i
rupees ; and on China at 60 days, 206 rupees to 208
per 100•;z,;.
Banks—.We quote Bank of Bombay Shares at rs. 410
premium, and those of the Orientalßank at rs. 155 to 175
premium per share. _

- Price of Bullion—Sovereigns, rs. 111 ; Bank of Eng-
land notes, per X, rs. 11.

THE MILITIA.—The annexed communication,
which was issued from the War-office last evening, Sep-
tember 9th, will put at rest, at all events for the present,
any further speculation and excitement regarding. the
embodying of the militia. What the intention of the
present Government may be with regard to the future
it is impossible to say, but the fact that nothing can
occur until the next meeting of Parliament should be
generally known, The later, dated September 9, and
signed by Mr. Fox Maule, Secretary-at-War, pro-
ceeds :—" With reference to the circular communications
from the War-office, dated 23d of May and 27th of June
last, on the subject of re-organising the staff of the
regiment of militia, under your command, I have the
honour to acquaint you that it is not intended at present
to take any further measures for revising the laws re-
lating to the militia, nor for assembling that force for
training and exercise. I have therefore to request, that
in all cases where any sergeant belonging to the corps
under your command shall have been admitted to the
out-pension; list, you will be pleased to suspend the
filling up of the vacancy, and also any vacancies which
might have existed from other causes on the reduced
establishment of the staff, until the course to be taken
by her Majesty's Government in reference to the militia
shall have been further considered."
FLEET-STREET.—Yesterday the paving of this
thoroughfare reached opposite St. Bride's Church. The
street, it is said, will be opened throughout on Eriday
WtudAy.

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENIVd-, SEPTEMBER 1

1846

WEST LOI4,:nON RAILWAY COM-

PANT.

The half-yearly general meeting of this company was
held yesterday, at the London Tavern, for the purpose of
receiving the report of the directors, and also the award
of Messrs. Glynn, Hudson, and Stevenson, who had
been appointed arbitrators for the purpose of determin-
ing what course should be adopted with respect to the
first and second class shareholders, the shareholders in
the Thames Junction line, and also the original share-
holders ; and also as to what ought to be done with re-
spect to the Knightsbridge Extension line.
H. H. Grounds, Esq., took the chair shortly after one
o'clock, and after some discussion, the report of the di-
rectors was adopted.
A resolution was then proposed by Mr. CAMPLIN and
seconded by Mr. WHITE, and carried unanimously—
" That the directors of the West London Railway Com-
pany be requested to apply to their lessees to work the
railway efficiently forthwith, in conformity with the
covenants of their lease."
The awards of the arbitrators were then opened and
read to the meeting, by which the arbitrators ordered,
that with respect to the first class, or preferred shares, a
dividend of 10s. per share should be paid in preference
to any dividend to be paid on any other shares;
that with respect to the second class shares, a
dividend of IL per share should be paid
after the dividend of ten shillings a share
had been satisfied on the first class, or preferred shares ;
that with respect to the Thames Extension line, the
shareholders were not entitled to any compensation, and
the original shareholders were to have the surplus, after
the first and second class shareholders had been paid
their dividends. The costs of the arbitration to be
borne by the West London Railway Company. With
respect to the Knightsbridge Extension line, the arbi-
trators awarded that it should be abandoned, and the
deposits paid to be returned, and repaid without interest
by the West London Railway Company.
These two awards were, atter some discussion, adopted,
ordered to be entered on the minutes, the important
parts of them printed,
.and circulated among the pro-
prietors.

Thanks were then voted to the arbitrators, the chair
man, and the directors, and the meeting separated.

COMMISSION OF LUNACY ON
MRS. CUMMING.
FIFTH DAY.

Yesterday morning the inquiry as to the state of mind
of Mrs. Catherine Cumming was again proceeded with
at the Horns Tavern, Kennington.
With the view of bringing this case more speedily to
a close, the Court fixed half-past nine o'clock as the hour
of meeting, and precisely at that time Mrs. Cumming
walked into the court unattended, and took her usual
sert on the left side of the Commissioner, app caring as
calm and collected as hitherto, but with more evident
cheerfulness. Previous to the commencement of the
proceedings she was for some time in close consultation
with her counsel and solicitor.

Mr. James, with Mr. Cole, in support of the com-
mission ; and Mr. Petersdorff, with Mr. Parry, for Mrs.
Cumming, appeared as before.
A great deal of evidence was gone into, but eventu-
ally, on the application of Mr. Petersdorff for an ad-
journment for the arrival of witnesses from France,
after a long and desultory conversation between the
counsel, Commissioner, and the jury, an adjournment
was granted until the 24th instant, for the witnesses
from Paris.

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE

NOTTINGHAM AND LINCOLN RAILWAY.

NOTTINGHAM, WEDNESDAY.—The death of the WI-

fortunate stoker, Henry Glover, taking place within nine
hours after the accident on Monday, on the Nottingham
and Lincoln Railway, a jury was summoned for Tuesday
afternoon, at four o'clock, at the General Hospital, when
an inquest was commenced before Mr. Browne, general
Coroner. The inquest was adjourned till Wednesday
(yesterday), on which day several passengers were
examined, but who deposed to no material fact beyond
what was mentioned in our account of the accident.
After a wish had been expressed by several of the jury
to come to a conclusion that day,
The CORONER again said that an inspection of the line
of rails must take place, in order to satisfy the people in
the immediate neighbourhood, and the public generally,
as to the safety of the line. It would, therefore, be
necessary to give time, as Captain Coddington is to make
his inspection, and consequently he thought the jury
could not re-assemble till Monday.
Mr. J. F. Bell said he made a report to the Board of
Trade of the accident the same evening it happened,
and as General Pa,sley happened to be on his way to
York, he communicated the circumstance to him, and
he investigated the cause of the accident, and was quite
satisfied upon the subject. He had before inspected the
line, and reported favourably of it to the Board of Trade,
and the General thought it would not be necessary to
take further trouble respecting it. He (Mr. Bell) had
ordered the engine to be at Derby, to be further exa•
mined by General Pasley, but the General said he did
not think he should want it at all.

The CORONER raid he had a public duty to perform,
and he must have an adjournment.
The jury agreed to re-assemble en Monday morning
at ten o'clock. The adjournment took place at half-paa
twelve o'clock.

LOYAL UNITS]) PRIENDS.—On Wednesday last a
numerous party of this highly respectable social order
partook of a very handsome entertainment, given by
treasurer Garrett, of the No. 14 Lodge, at the Victory
Tavern, Canal-bridge, Kingslaud road, on the occasion
of the removal of the lodge from the Camel, Philip-
street. P.S.P. Randle, in the absence of P.S. Burgess,
presided, and was supported by the president, officers,
and several past presidents of the ludge ; as also by
P.S.B. Bull, No. 3, P.P. Delinett, No. 3, P.P. Hill, No.
7, P.l'. Williams, No. 15, P.P. Dormer, No. 7, P.P.
Drasey, No. 4, P.P. Aldridge, No. 2, P.P. Dearing, No.
5, P.S. Wintle, D. Dormer, and several other influential
friends. After the cloth had been withdrawn, and the
usual loyal and other appropriate toasts had been given,
and warmly responded to by the company, the Chair-
man, in a very neat speech, gave the health of treasurer
Garrett, whom he congratulated upon the great majority
he obtained at the recent election, " with many thanks
for his liberal hospitality on the present occasion, and
good wishes for his future prosperity and happiness."
This toast was received with great applause. Mr. Gar-
rett, in a few but very creditable observations returned
thanks, evidently much to the satisfaction of his friends'
P.S. Burgess, who arrived in the course of the evening
(having come expressly from Gravesend to be present),
then in a complimentary speech proposed the health of
the worthy chairman, past special president Randle,
whom he justly described as one of the most eminent
members of the order, held deservedly in high opinion
for his integrity, independence, and firmness, and whose
courteous behaviour as president during the evening he
was much pleased with. The toast was received with
much cheering. Mr. Randle acknowledged the honour
done him in a few words replete with good sense.
Several other toasts were drank, and some amusing
songs sung, particularly one from deputy Green ; and
at a late hour the party broke up, highly entertained by
their excellent host, and mutually satisfied with the
evening's proceedings.
CORONERS' INQUESTS.—AWFUL INSTANCES Of
SUDDEN DRATR.—Yesterday Mr. W. Carter, Coroner
for Surrey, held two inquests on the bodies of persons
whose deaths were awfully sudden. The first was at the
George and Dragon, High-street, Vauxhall, respecting
the death of Miza Cowper, aged 42, a single lady, lately
residing at No. 9, New Bridge-street, in that neighbour-
hood. It appeared that on Sunday last, whilst the
deceased was in the act of dressing for dinner, one of
the vessels near the heart gave way, and she died almost
instantaneously. The second inquest was on the body
of Abraham Monk, who had been residing at 11, Plea-
sant-place, Kennington Oval. The inquiry took place
at the Clayton Arms, and the evidence proved that,
whilst the deceased was driving one of the Kennington
omnibuses, he was taken unwell. He returned to his
home, and a medical man was sent for, but the deceased
died in the space of two hours afterwards. Verdict, in
each case—" Natural death."

---
REMOVAL OF TIM TOWER ARMORY.-Yesterday
the removal of the collection of ancient arms and armour,
hitherto kept within the -ante-room of the Tower of
London commenced. They will now be deposited in
that part of the fortress formerly used as a menagerie,
and which has been fitted up for their reception. The
ante-room, old guard-house, and the celebrated canteens,
called the Stone Kitchen and Golden Chain, are all
being demolished to make way for the improvements.
DEATH OF A MERCHANT FROM PRUSSIC ACID.—
Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Castle,
Castle-street, Finsbury-, on the body of Mr. James Met-
calfe, aged thirty.seven years, late a hop merchant and
importer of isinglass, residing at No. 20, Artillery-place,
Finsbury-square. It appeared by the evidence that on
the 25th instant, about seven o'clock in the evening, the
deceased retired to his bed-room, and not again making
his appearance, the servant went to call him, but found
the door locked. Not answering, the door was forced,
and lie was dis Covered lying on the bed full dressed, and
quite dead. Deceased for some time had been low and
dejected in spirits, and complained of pains in his head.
From the suddenness of his death suspicion was excited,
and a post-mortem examination was made, when he was
found to be labouring under an extensive disease of the
heart, but nothing was then discovered of a deleterious
nature; but his friends not being satisfied, the contents
of the stomach were submitted to Dr. Letheby, of the
London Hospital, for analysation, the result of whose
experiments fully proved that deceased had taken a large
quantity of hydrocyanic acid of Scheele's strength,
causing death. Pending the examination by Dr. Letheby,
a phial was found under the deceased's bed, which had
contained prussic acid. It was stated that he was in the
habit of taking the acid for his complaint. There being
no positive evidence, the jury, at the suggestion of the
Coroner, returned a special verdict to the effect that
"Deceased's death had been caused by taking prussic
acid, he labouring under a disease of the heart, but
whether by taking an overdose, or otherwise, there was
no evidence to show."

LEGACY DUTY SAVED.—We are informed that a
benevolent individual has placed 7001. in the hands of
Mr. J. Soul, of the Orphan Working School, to distri-
bute to the seven following institutions in equal propor-
tion, viz.:—The British and Foreign Bible Society, the
London Missionary Society, the Home Missionary So•
ciety, the Religious Tract Society, the Orphan Work-
ing School, the Society for the Relief of Aged Ministers,
and the Society for Assisting Widows and Orphans of
Ministers. By this arrangement the friend referred to
becomes his own executor, and the societies save the ten
per cent. which they would have had to pay on his de-
cease as legacy duty. He has, moreover, the satisfac-
of knowing that none of his money will be wasted in
litig4ti9n2:4ll4 rpolisla law xpeuses at his death•