The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-05 00:00:00

'THE STIN,_LONDON, SATURDAY EvENI

and Bragg's company in a fit condition for the field, as
the hcrses called for from New Orleans might not ar•
rive in time for the march. In this way, these compa-
nies have been recruited at once, and Captain Duncan's
company has already marched for Camargo. The price
has not always been moderate, but in no instance extra-

vagant.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COL. HENRY WHITING,

DATED MATAMORAS, JULY 31, 1846.
General Taylor has just i.sued an order directing the
remaining troops to move up to Camargo without delay.
The trains, it is feared, will be inadequate. To remedy
this he will buy and hire all the mules he can. The
last report from Camargo is favourable. A contract has
been made for fifteen hundred mules and packs com-
plete. General Taylor goes to Camargo in a few days,
when I shall immediately follow to complete all ar-
rangements. Horse shoes are now coming in—we were
likely to suffer for them and for forges. Forage and
subsistence is abundant. The United States steamer
Neva sunk on her way up to Camargo, with cargo on
board. No lives lost, but much company baggage and
supplies.

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION

An invention of, considerable importance is now exhi-
biting at the above-named establishment. It is for the
purpose of ventilating mines. It consists of a capacious
pair of chambers inserted into large tanks filled with
water, forming water-founts somewhat after the manner
in which the gasometers at the gas-works are con-
structed. These chambers are susper ded in such a way
that a reciprocating motion may be given to them. They
are placed in such a position that a communication is
made between them and the up cast shaft of the mine.
On motion being given to the apparatus, a series of inlet
and outlet valves are brought into operation, and are so
arranged, that as soon as the chamber begins to descend
the outlet valves open, and the air is ejected, and so on
alternately a continuous circulation is kept up, the down-
cast shaft supplying the necessary quantity of fresh air
to the mine during the extraction of the vitiated atmos-
phere by the upcast shaft. The inventor states that a
chamber 16 feet in diameter, with an opening of 50 feet
area, would each minute remove 40,200 cubic feet of foul
air, and this, he states, can be accomplished at a very
trifling expense of power. The model is deposited in
this institution, and is well worthy the attention of all
scientific men and those engaged in mining speculations.

HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION

AND DISEASES OF THE CHEST.

The fifth annual report of this institution has just
been issued, from which it nppears that the number of
out. patients treated during the past year at the hospital
and out-patient branch is 1,511 ; tl:e number at present
under treatment is 335. The total number treated
since the hospital was established is as follows :
In-patients, 273 ; out-patients, 4,893. The report
further states that " the committee feel it to be
among the earliest of their duties to express
their gra.eful sense of the many and important
services derived to the charity by the counte-
nance and assistance of the prelates and clergy of the
Church of England; upwards of 7001. have been col-
lected in churches since the April of last year, while
various contributions in addition followed the earnest
and eloquent appeals i❑ its behalf made from the pulpit.
They have to report, with sincere and grateful
pleasure, that the benevolent Bishop of Durham offered
to contribute 501. to a fund for furnishing the
new building, provided that nine other subscribers
of a like amount could be obtained; his example
was almost immediately followed, the required number
was obtained, and a sum of 5001. was thus procured for
this necessary purpose. The committee have also to
report that a sum of 2,0001. was bequeathed to the
charity by the Rev. Henry Campbell, late of Cow-
ley, near Uxbridge; a most liberal bequest, the
value of which is augmented by the knowledge
that the deceased clergyman was the uncle of
the honorary secretary. The committee desire
also to make reference to the generous sup-
port the charity has received from the public press—
of the provinces as well as of the metropolis ; its con-
ductors generally having given to the institution their
zealous and cordial support, and having largely con-
tributed to obtain for it universal recognition as a most
important and beneficial national establishment, the
claims of which to public support rest on the solid
basis of practical good. From all parts of the kingdom
patients have been received and succoured. 'There is
at present within the hospital one who came to it
from Gibraltar; and who has largely benefited by the
medical treatment therein ails ,rded him and the com-
forts he has there received. The committee notice this
circumstance chiefly as showing that the value of this
charity is now appreciated far and near—appreciated as
the first great experiment in behalf of a class of suf-
ferers previously considered beyond the pale of either
relief or care." The report concludes by stating
that the amount of contract for erecting and
completing the western wing and part of the ceetre
of the new building at Brompton, is 11,7621., while
the expenses of laying out and inclosing the
ground, &c., exclusive of fittings, is 1,6841. To meet
these sums, viz., 13,446/., the committee have received
in less than two years 8,749/., leaving a balance of pre-
sent liabilities of 5,312/., and having in hand 6151., the
balance to be provided is 4,6791. It appears that a series
of sermons are about to be preached in the north of
England in aid of the charity, and that, in short, the
prospects of the benevolent founders and supporters are
of the most cheering and gratifying description.