The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-16 00:00:00

THE SUN,

MAGAZINES (CONTINUED).
BANK ER'S.

There is a supplement this month, in which a con-
siderable portion of the evidence taken before the
Secret Committee of the House of Commons on the
Commercial Distress and the Bank Charter is given,
and we are promised the conclusion of this interesting
and most important evidence in another supplement,
to be published next month, which will include that
of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank
of England, and Messrs. Samuel Jones Loyd, Tooke,
Taylor, and Birkbeck. No person desirous of ac-
quiring information on this, the most important ques-
tion of the present day, should omit to make himself
thoroughly acquainted with this testimony. The
several answers of each witness relating to the same
point are given together under the appropriate head-
ing, which will afford great facility to the inquiring
student. The first paper in the magazine itself is a
notice of the report of the Lords' Committee on the
operation of the Bank Charter Act, in which that
able document receives the praise it so justly merits.
" Letters to Branch Managers," the fifth of the series,
is on the subject of overdrawn accounts, the mischief
of which, if permitted as a permanent accommoda-
tion, are forcibly depicted. There are also papers on
" The Preferable Mode of Raising Additional Rail-
way Capital," " The Exchanges with India," " Facts
and Suggestions respecting Savings' Banks," and on
" Banking and Commercial Law.' We have also the
usual amount of information on various topics of in-
terest to the mercantile body.

SPORTING RE VIE TV.
Craven opens the Number with the usual sketch
of " The Racing in July." The Newmarket Meeting
—the Liverpool Meeting—and last, but not least, the
Goodwood Meeting, are commented on by this keen
sportsman with the ability and judgment for which he
is so remarkable. The extent to which the sweep
system is now carried on has excited his ire in no
ordinary degree. Maxwell contributes one of his
inimitable tales, " The Reminiscences of a Grouse
Shooter." Although the denouement is melancholy,
the naive and original manner in which it is related,
in the peculiar style of the gifted author,
-Li mingle a smile with the sadness oc-
casioned by the result. The manner in
which Phil Martin is caught by Amelia Sophia
Brodigan, is richly comic. He is captured at a pic-
nic, which is described as " a sort of out-o'-door trap
3ed by she adventurers to seize on a disjointed sen-
xnce uttered by some simpleton, when three-quar-
ters slewed, refer him to mamma, and regularly
ruin him before he has time to bless himself." We
-,ve also several clever contributions from " Oxo-
"
nian," " Gelert," " Harry Hieover," " Linton,
" Hawthorn," and other worthies ; and two excellent
engravings, one of Cymba, the winner of the Oaks,
and the other, " Once more upon the Moors," con-
stituting altogether a very excellent number.

MISCELLANEOUS.
The Metropolitan Magazine for August opens with
the second chapter of " Swissiana," which is an
amusing narrative of a traveller's wanderings in
Switzerland. Besides the ordinary instalments of the
two novels, " Clarendon" and " Marmaduke Hutton,"
which have for some time occupied a prominent part
in the Metropolitan, this number contains several
short and amusing tales, the best of which are " The
Man Monster" and " The Inspired Poetess." The
latter conveys a not insignificant lesson to would-be
" Sapphos." Poetry, as usual, abounds in the
)Metropolitan—poetry of various kinds and various
qualities, from the lengthy drama of " Pharoah," to
the light and agreeable verses of Mrs. Abdy and Mrs.
Crawford. The most interesting article in the
Eclectic Review is that which criticises Lord Hervey's
" Memoirs of George II." The recently published
" History of Chevalier Bayard," Staughton's
" Sketches of the Puritans," and Davis' " Es-
timate of the Human Mind," give occasion to
three able papers on those diversified subjects.
The last article in The Eclectic on the " Re-distri-
bution of the Representation," contains some very
valuable remarks upon Parliamentary reform, eluci-
dated by facts and figures which enable the
reader to form an accurate idea of the re-
lative political position of the metropolitan,
mining, manufacturing, and agricultural counties.
The article on " Sabbath Economies" is well-
timed and well-written ; but, much as we appreciate
the religious spirit and liberal opinions of the writer,
we cannot but consider him as mistaken in some of
his premises. For example, he condemns Sunday
trading (such as the petty " trading" referred
to in the Bill recently introduced into Par-
liament), on the ground of its injustice to-
wards the working classes, whereas it is the work-
ing classes, chiefly and almost solely the working
classes, who would suffer by the passing of the pro-
posed measure. What does it matter to the rich man
if the public-house or the chandler's shop be closed
on Sunday, he has only to ring his bell and order his
servant to bring a fresh supply of provisions from his
well-stocked cellar, whereas the poor man, not pos-
sessed of such a resource to fall back upon, must
perhaps go without some of the common comforts of
life on the very day he is most able to enjoy them.
This is only one instance of the practical injustice of
the proposed measure. The Belle Assembke is as
attractive and agreeable as ever. The portrait of Rose
Bradwardine adorns the new number of this magazine,
besides the indispensable plates of "fashions." The
literary contents are a melange of poems, tales,
sketches, and other various specimens of " light read-

ing." 'll'he opening paper, a letter from Italy, on
" Cathedrals," gives a description of St.. Peter's—a

theme upon Which travellers, from Childe Harold
downwards, have almost exhausted the powers of lan-
guage, but apparently without conveying an adequate
idea of the "ark of worship." The writer of this letter
throws an entirely new light upon the interior of St.
Peter's. It has been left for him to tell us that " You
go round and round the tremendous building, and are
penetrated with the same lively emotions as on view-
ing the stock of a great London upholsterer ! "
In penning such a sentiment as this, we
think the writer might, in common courtesy,
have employed the pronoun I instead of you,
for we doubt not he is as solitary as he is original
in his opinions. One of the most interesting, be-
cause one of the most appropriate papers in the
Patrician for August, isAthe biography of the Arch-
duke John of Austria. Under the head a
mantic Heroes of History," this magazine contains
very attractive memoir of Cola Rienzi, a memoir not
rendered less attractive because the opening scenes of
the great Tribune's career are taken from Gibbon and
the closing scenes from Bulwer. Sharpe's London
Magazine is visibly improved. The present
number is adorned by two steel engravings,
and a fanciful portrait, and the other a view of
Yere-Batan-Serai, in illustration of a tale of
that name by Miss Pardoe. The Yere-Batan-Serai,
or Swallowed-up Palace, is, Miss Pardoe tells us, the
great subterranean wonder of Constantinople. It is
an juonense cistern, supported by columns of marble,
and floored by several feet of water. The engraving
of this singular scene is most effective. The dim
recesses of the cavern in the background, and the
marble pillars in the foreground, revealed by a
vivid light carried by some solitary boatman,
have a most enthralling effect. The Farmer's
Magazine contains "portraits" of Van Tromp,
the winner of the St. Leger, 1847, and the " Baron
of Ravensworth," a short-horned prize bull. Besides
a variety of articles valuable and interesting to the
farmer and agriculturist, the Farmer's Magazine
fo r August gives a full report of the great Agricultu-
ral Meeting at York, and some account of the first
formation of the Agricultural Society. The London
Repertory of New Inventions, in addition to its ordinary
monthly catalogue of new patents, contains some in-
teresting remarks upon the "Organization of Labour."
The Church of England Magazine, as usual, furnishes
a series of religious and interesting reading for the several
Sundays of the month. Lowe's _Edinburgh Magazine
contains several interesting articles, the best of
which is on " European Politics—France, Germany,
and Austria." The following explanation of
the causes of the rapid disorganization of the
Austrian empire are well worthy of general consi-
deration :—" Last February the Emperor Ferdinand
ruled over thirty millions of subjects, the greater
portion of whom were believed to be peaceful and
well affected ; and his vast territories, which included
some of the fairest provinces of Europe, were de-
fended by a numerous, highly-disciplined, and faithful
army. Life and property throughout his dominions
were rendered secure by an admirable though de-
spotic system of police, and the material prosperity of
the people, as evinced by the progress of industry,
was upon the increase. The empire was at peace
with all the world, and could boast of the firm alliance
of the two greatest of the continental powers, France
and Russia. Abroad it was represented by diplo-
matists eminent for their experience and their rank,
and at the head of the civil government at home
there was placed a statesman inferior to none of the
present age in the splendour of his reputation. There
were many elements of human grandeur, and much
promise of stability in this fair and complicated struc-
ture ; but the event has clearly shown that there was
something wanting to ensure its safety in the hour of
danger. What
whichwas affected.
th e fatal source
the p
oe
o political
tweakness,
frameo the
hidden f
thisas
simply
this, great empire throughout its vast peoportions ? It
w
aloud that man wasthat
the
unworthy,
n thew
rh Austriany
entirely upon a false foundation.frem It proclaimed
re
pnraotculalm, e
edf
civil liberty,
raenpdl i e d
with the dust." voice.by
levelling of
outragedsystempublic
opinion has
.ine is, as usual, exelSuusizi2vneollnterests. In speaking of the y ids' Colonial Maga-
z devoted to colonial
Van-
couver's Island, one of the writnereswf colony at
magazine
this
I
very justly observes, " The settlement of the North
American coast will determine the future empire
of Great Britain in the Pacific Ocean, and
so it becomes the duty of Parliament to

LONDON,

exercise a vigilant watchfulness over the arrange-
ments that are made, and to guard against an unwise
or ignorant step in the formation of a colony."
Politics for the People has reached its third part, and
closed its brief career. The object for which it was
commenced, and the causes of its cessation, are satis-
factorily explained "to the reader," and that object
was so good that we shall be glad to see it more suc-
cessfully carried out on some future occasion. As a
parting memorial of this little publication we quote
one of its aphorisms, which is not the less true for
appearing in a somewhat homely dress :—" How
seldom, in the midst of any trial, do we look on it as
anything else than a thing to be hurried over with
much repining. How little do we carry ourselves
forward in imagination, and think that the time may
come when we shall see that the passing away of
this trial was a loss to us, and when we may long for
it to return, like the young soldier who would
almost die to have the day of battle hack
again in which he behaved at all unworthily.
_McPhail's Edinburgh Ecclesiastical Journal is,
as its name imports, wholly occupied with eccle-
siastical subjects, and the Colonial Church Chronicle
is in like manner chiefly devoted to missionary in-
terests. The best sentence in this volume is un-
doubtedly that on its title-page, from Bishop Butler
—" Christianity is to be considered as a trust de-
posited with us, in behalf of mankind, as well as for
our own instruction. No one has a right to be called
a Christian who cloth not do somewhat in his station
towards the discharge of this trust." We have left
Chambers's Journal to be nearly the last in our cata-
logue. It is unnecessary to say that it is anything
but the least ; and it is almost as unnecessary
to say that the contents of the number for August
are instructive, entertaining, and interesting,
for such are inseparable characteristics of
Chambers'. One of the tales in this number, " A
Honeymoon in 1848," is an amusing account of the
strange adventures of a newly•married couple who
endeavoured to make a tour of Europe in the midst
of revolutions. Every month we express our admira-
tion of the very beautiful illustrations of Le Follet.
The number for August is fully as attractive as its
predecessors. These plates may not only serve to
pourtray the ephemeral fashions, but are worthy of
being transferred to the album. The Family Herald,
as usual, contains a variety of highly amusing
sketches and anecdotes, original and select. Many
of the latter, the selections, are taken from Punch
and other periodicals and journals, and are well
worthy of being thus amassed and treasured up, but
of some of the " original" matter we can say no-
thing in commendation. Here and there, in the
Family Herald, we are sorry to find silly sentimental
tales and trashy verses, which ten years ago might
have been tolerated, but which are now quite un•
suited to the fastidious taste of the reading public.

SIR JAMES ANDERSON'S STEAM

CARRIAGE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—ln The Sun of the 4th inst. I observe a commu-
nication from Mr. Thomas Motley, C.E., upon the sub-
ject of Sir James Anderson's steam-carriage for common
roads, in which he states that Sir James had arrived at
perfection, or very nearly so, and that he has no doubt
of the success of the invention. It would have been de-
sirable if Mr. Motley had given in detail the results of
his inspection of the "steam horse;" for without this it
will be difficult, if not impossible, to convince the public
that this attempt on the part of the patentee will not end
like his former ones—in failure.
An advocate myself for steam on common roads, I am
far from desirous of detracting from the merits of Sir
James Anderson's inventions ; on the contrary, his un-
conquerable perseverance under so many discouraging
circumstances deserves support; yet I cannot but think
that, however perfect his contrivances are, they must
fail, from the enormous amount of friction to be over-
come, from the imperfection of the road surface, and
consequent wear and tear of the working parts of the
engine.
To succeed with steam on common roads, the subject
must be dealt with in a manner different from that to
which inventors have hitherto turned their attention;
the effort must be to reduce friction, and not to create a
power to overcome it, for even if power can be created in
the requisite apace, the cost attending it must at once
put the subject out of consideration in a commercial
point of view. More than this, lam of opinion that the
following objects must be accomplished:-
1. The condition of the road surface must be of small
consequence to the economical action of the engine..
2. The arrangement of the springs should be such
that there cannot be any violent strains in the working
parts of the engine.
3. Inclines so steep as 1 in 15 must be overcome with-
out the necessity of creating extra bite, by the addition
of more weight than would be required upon the level.
Now, Sir James Anderson's invention does not accom-
plish these conditions, nor am I aware of any invention,
yet publicly tried, that has done. I believe, however,
that these objects have been attained and patented by
Mr. Henry Wrigg, C.E., who did me the favour of show-
ing a large-sized model of his:invention, which was put
through various severe tests. This model was afterwards
exhibited, and its properties illustrated before the insti-
tution of civil engineers, of Dublin, in May last, and I
believe is on the point of being submitted to trial on a
larger scale, which I am of opinion will be attended with
perfect success.
Mr. Wrigg seems to have devoted his attention alto-
gether to the essential conditions which I before stated
were, in my opinion, necessary; and, to illustrate them,
I cannot do better than give you an extract from the pa-
tentees description of his carriage, which is as follows:
"The principle of construction which I use is that of
making every description of carriage carry its own rails,
but instead of the wheels (as in ordinary carriages) mov-
ing on rails, I reverse the condition, and make the rails
slide upon wheels, which are supported on pedestals,
attached to, and forming part of an endless chain or belt,
revolving upon drums in such a manner as to present to
the rails a continuous succession of bearing wheels; the
rails being immovably fixed tolthe bottom of the carriage.
The bases of the pedestals can be constructed of such an
extent, without any increase of friction, (except so far as
the additional weight is coneerned,) as to present an area
to the surface on which it rests, incapable of being
forced into it, by any ordinary weight placed on the
carriage; in this way the passage of enormous loads over
imperfect roads is accomplished with the same facility
as if the surface was perfectly sound.
" I am also enabled to ascend steep inclines without
ttootnal,
aatm2ouin oilfesfriacntiohnonlr
;cailliciuslabteeinsgo
el
oonws taa
the necessity of adding weight to create bite, and the
nigs itno remp
ra
.irmo
or
tnlooyt. sn
tl Gl b s per
whether
ther
Now,oad
acsucrfoardcei "this friction is about
half of that which Sir James Anderson has to deal with
under the most favourable condition ; yet I am aware
that Mr. Wrigg does not pretend to ascend an incline
of 1 in 23, with a gross load of 21 tons, at a greater
speed than one mile an hour; the power of his engine
being 2,2501b5. How limitd then must be the load
which Sir James Anderson's engine can convoy at 4
miles an hour, upon an incline of 1 in 20, with an imper-
fect road surface, notwithstanding that the engine, water,
and fuel are to weigh only 3 tons and its power equal to
3,0001b5.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
London, August 1848. CHAS. WEEKES, C.E.

---
THE CONSPIRACY in LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL, TCESDAY.—To-day the prisoners, John
Cuddy and James O'Brien, who have been in custody
for the last few days on a charge of supplying arms to
the Irish rebels, and being in other respects mixed up
with the physical-force repeaters, were again placed
before Mr. Rushton and the sitting magistrates, when
the evidence which had been taken against them was
read over to the prisoners. It was of a most voluminous
character, and occupied a considerable time in reading.
The evidence went to prove, in a variety of ways, the
connexion of Cuddy with the Irish clubs and the leaders
of the rebel party. It exposed an organized system of
correspondence between the Confederate clubs in Dublin
and those in Liverpool, connecting the prisoner Cuddy
and Dr. Reynolds (for whom Cuddy sold pikes)
with them in their several movements. The fact of Cuddy
being discovered with a bag full of pikes, was followed up
by evidence proving him to have regularly attended the
confederate and club meetings in this town, and the
public meetings generally where Dr. Reynolds was in the
habit of speaking sedition. Other evidence of a corro-
boratory nature was added, which represented the ac-
cused to be prominently mixed up in the entire proceed-
ing connected with the intended outbreak.
The evidence having been read over, the prisoner, who
was represented by Mr. Yates, solicitor, of this town, was
asked what he had to say in his defence; when, by the
advice of his solicitor, he declined to say anything.
Mr. Rushton then told him that it became his duty to
e
crlemit him to take his trial at the assizes for a treason-
aonspiracy, by supplying arms to the disaffected in
Ireland.
' prisoner was then removed in charge of the police,
and the
the
assizes several
commence
m
and
oodprtohe setcruialte:
which
The prisoner O'Brien was remanded until Saturday.
The
it is expected will divulge some of the princip • •a designs
of d • ns
of the rebels on this side
the Channel, is looked forward
.o with much interest.

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT NOTTINGHAM.....
On Monday evening, a rumour was current in this town,
that a young woman, named Frances Green, had been
murdered by her lover, Thomas Ball, a youth of nine-
teen. Upon inquiry, it appeared that the female men-
tioned had sustained a wound in the neck from a pistol
ball, and that Hall (by whom she had had a child) had
been taken into custody. Yesterday (Tuesday), the
prisoner was taken before the borough magistrates, when
he made a statement in effect as follows;—" About half-
past eight last night, I :was standing in Cross-street,
when a man came up to ,me and said he was in great
distress, that he had walked a long way and had no-
thing to eat, and that he should be obliged to go to the
workhouse if he could not obtain some money for a
pistol, which he drew from his pocket. The pistol had
a flint lock; I was not told that it was loaded. After
some conversation, I agreed to give the man eighteen
pence for the weapon. Immediately afterwards I went
to the house of Frances Green; she, her mother, and a
little boy were in when I got there. I took the pistol
from my pocket, shoed it to them, and told them how
much I had given for it. I then cocked and snapped it,
when the pistol exploded and proved to be loaded with
ball. The contents entered Frances Green's neck, and
she instantly fell." The prisoner was remande.d.
The
unfortunate young woman now lies in the hospital in a
very dangerous elate, the ball not having at present
been extracted.