The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-20 00:00:00

as long as its prison is a house of refuge, and a com-
paratively happy home to so rate a portion of its out-
cast population.*
" I have collected some statistical information on these
subjects, which I think will be interesting in connexion
with Mexican prisons, and prove hcw theessary it is,
in the first place, to alter their whOle system of coercive
discipline ; and, in the si co❑d, to strike immediately
at the root of the evil, by improving the condition
of the people, by educa:ing and proposing advantages
to them, in the cultivation cf the extensive tracts of
country that now lie barren over their immense terri.

tory.
" Without specify rif,* each of the several crimes for
which these persons were committed to prison, or being
able, from all the accounts furnished me, to state the ex-
act number of those who were finally convicted, I will
present some lists of the numbers imprisoned for the
crimes during the whole year:—
" The total number of prisoners of both sexes for
1842 was 6,055 men and 2,806 women, which, added
together, give the frightful amount of 8,934 males and
females, for the higher crimes and misdemeanors—leav-
ing a balance of 1,927 only to be divided among the
lesser. It should be stated, in addition to the above,
that numbers were committed for throwing vitriol on
the clothes and faces of persons passing along the street;
that 113 dead bodies were found; 17 individuals exe-
cuted, and 894 sent to the hospital.
" The sum of 4,121 dollars is expended in salaries of
officers for this institution, and 30,232 dollars for the
support of the prisoners."
• "As an evidence of the little value these leperos place
upon their lives, an old resident in Mexico told me that he
had once been the witness of a street-tight between two we-
men, which resulted in the use of knives, and the ripping of
one's belly, so that her bowels were exposed. The wound
was not fatal, and as soon' as she had slightly recovered
from the loss of Word, while the attendants were preparing
a litter, she drew forth a cigarrito from her bosom, obtained
a light from a bystander, and was borne off to the hospital
smoking as contentedly as if preparing for a siesta!"

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, OCT. 17.—The following gratifying state-
ment is embodied in the Cork Examiner's weekly re-
view of the corn trade, a document which appears to be
drawn up by a person conversant with the subject upon
which he treats :
" The injury done to the potato crop is an evil of the
first magnitude, but an evil which, we now believe, has
been somewhat over rated. That the plant has not
been totally destroyed, as many have imagined, is, from
recent investigation, becoming manifest. A portion of
it, there is no doubt, will be found fit for consumption.
The quantity remaining sound will be about one-third
of a crop, or may even exceed that amount. Still the
loss is very great, and, as this loss must be supplied by
grain of some description, it follows that a large amount
of corn will be required to make up the deficiency. As
respects this country, we believe, and our opinion is
founded on an inspection of the export returns, that a
sufficient quantity of grain to supply the wants of our
people is grown in the island—that is, provided ncne
were sent out of it. This admitted, we shall have the
necessities of the sister country only to provide fur.
Those necessities will be large, but not so large as that
they cannot be met.
"It is true consumption is going on, or perhaps, more
properly speaking, has been going on at a most rapid
rate. Employment has been general, wages have been
good, and while this is the case the English artisan will
never pinch his stomach. But with a continuance of
high prices it is more than probable we shall have by
and bye a depression in trade; employment will not be
so general; lower wages will perhaps have to be sub-
mitted to; the labouring population, unable to purchase
so largely, will begin to economise, and prices, as a
necessary consequence, must decline. All this of course
on the assumption that we are not likely to experience
actual want. If we add to these di-posing causes a
tightness in the money market (and we see every reason
to apprehend it) we shall have abundant arguments
against the advance of prices to a famine figure.
"But, it will be said, whence are we to receive the
necessary supplies, seeing that we have France and
Belgium competing with us in those markets to:which
we generally look for aid ? We answer, English gold and
the enterprise of English merchants will ever command
the markets referred to, and will therefore ensure
supplies to the extent of their producing ability.
As regards one market especially, America, while we
place little faith in the exaggerated statistics, which
they supply us with, we are disposed to think the res
sources of that vast country are somewhat under-rated,
and that we shall have far more extensive importations
than most persons look for.
" Our own late advises represent the grain crops as
having been most abundant, and lead us to expect large
arrivals. A few months will suffice to test the exporting
capabilities of the States, and prove or disprove the
allegations which are made.
" In the meantime, we re! t satisfied we shall have
larger supplies than may be altogether pleasing to our
speculators.
" Reviewing again the position of matters, taking into
account the saving of at least a portion of the potato
crop in this country, regarding the excellence of quality
of the wheat crop, and the little consequent waste, re-
membering the many sources from which we are likely
to receive supplies—small, perhaps individually, but ex-
tensive in the aggregate—remembering above all Ame-
rica, the cupidity of her people, and the high prices to
tempt them to ship even to their own inconvenience,
looking to the prospect of a pressure in the money
market, and the economisation of food—ever the result
of scarcity—we cannot bring ourselves to believe that
prices will reach a famine figure. That they will con-
tinue high we have little doubt. There may be, and
there will be, changes and fluctuations in the market,
but we shall be much disappointed if there be any con-
siderable advance on present prices. As for "famine"
it is a bugbear, which a few months, we trust, will re-
move, for be it remembered the scarcity and distress, at
present existing in this country, arise, not from want of
food, but from want of means to purchase that food."
The subjoined announcement also appears in the
Examiner. The report to which it alludes has been
current in Dublin for several days past :
" We have heard it stated, by authority, that Govern-
ment have sent down orders to have the stock of whisky,
malt, &c., taken at the various distilleries of this city.
We presume this is with a view to the stoppage of dis-
tillation from grain in this country, as a measure of pre-
caution against impending famine. It may be in conse-
quence of this step taken by Government, that whisky
has advanced to 7s. a gallon."
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
Mr. Evelyn John Shirley, M.P., one of the largest
proprietors in the county of Monaghan, has favoured his
tenants in that quarter with a " letter of advice," con-
taining some extremely prudent and discreet suggestions,
The following is a copy of the circular:—
"TO THE TENANTRY OF THE SHIRLEY ESTATE.
"Sept. 15.
" My Friends and Tenants,—Application having been
made to me by some of you on the subject of the exist-
ing distress and alarm caused by the failure of the pota-
toes, I take this method of stating my opinion and advice
on the occasion.
"It becomes the duty of all classes, under this afflic-
tion of Divine Providence, to exert themselves to alle-
viate the distress occasioned by the awful dispensation;
the poor, to exert their patience and to calm their fears;
the rich, to aid in devising the best plan to secure food
for those whose means will soon be exhausted. The
Government is ready and willing to assist in the good
work; and grants of money arc making, under certain
regulations, to enable proprietors and landlords to em-
ploy those in want of work; and thus all such will have
means to provide for their families. The larger tenants
must take care of their cottiers, and supply them with
money, or meal in lieu of their potat. es: thus, the burden
will be divided, and all will bear a share of the general
calamity.
" Meanwhile, let the tenar.try take advantage of the
blessed weather, by increased exertion in securing,
threshing, and selling their corn while the market is
high, and paying their rent, aiding the landlord to help
the distressed. Thanks to a merciful God, the corn is in
a good condition, well saved, no wind to shake it out, no
wet to injure it; the hot sun we are blessed with must
be beneficial to the potatoes.
" Let us by cheerfulness and firmness soothe the timid
and encourage the active and industrious; remembering
that tit's affliction is intended as a trial for our good, and
must be borne with resignation to the Divine will. But
above all things avoid the counsel of these bad men,
who, with their rents in their pockets, delay in paying
it, while they endeavour, for their own selfish purposes,
to increase the alarm in the minds of the poor and weak.
If such should be found in Farney, let them beware;
fur, if detected, neither their wealth nor their station
shall, secure them from the utmost punishment an injured
landlord can ieflict.—l remain, your faithful landlord,
" E. J. SHIRLEY."
ARMY MOVEMENTS.
The 3d (the Buffs) regiment of infantry, under Sir
James Dednis, K.C.B , arrived in two divisions—the
first yesterday, the second this morning—from England,
and took up their quarters in Ship-street and Ald-
borough- barracks.
The Carahieeers will arrive here on the 30th inst., and
the 3_leof November. They are to be stationed at Nee
bridge and out-quarters.

MR. OSBORNE MARKHAM.
TO THE EDITOR OF TEE SUN.
SIR,--The distant friends of Mr. Osborne Markham
must necessarily be deeply shocked by the paragraphs
which have appeared in your paper of to-day and yes-
terday, and I trust that you will have the goodness to
relieve their anxiety by stating that the occurrence in
the railway carriage took place when fie was in a state
of del.riain from approaching brain fever, under which
disease he is now labouring. Yesterday he was consi-
dered by the physician in attendance and myself as in
imminent danger, but to-day lam happy to be able to
pronounce him decidedly better. His escape from ex-
ternal injury may be deemed almost miraculous, for,
with the excpption of a brokim leg and a few trifling
cuts, he has not materially suffered from his perilous
lea
van ,
P—• I have the honour to 130, Sir, _your obedient ser-
£7, Brook-street. GEORGE HARRISON.
Hanover acimr,,, Oct. 17.

DEATH OF SIB,EDWARD PAGE TURNER, BART.
We have to announce the demise of Sir Edward Get rge
Thomas Page Turner, the fifth Baronet of his line, who
expired on Friday last at Tonbridgo Wells, aged fifty -
the
seven. e was the second son of the third
the daughter of Joseph Howell EFq., of Elm, Nor baronet by
folk.
He was born in 1789, and married in 1818 the daughter
of John Williams, Esq., of Southampton. Ile succeeded
bis brother, the fourth baronet, in 1843. The first
baronet was second son of John Turner, Esq., a London
merchant, who was chosen chairman of the East India
Company in 1733. The second baronet assumed the
name of Page on succeeding to the estates of his grand-
uncle, Sir Gregory Page of Wrickle Marsh, Kent. Thefamily estates, which chiefly lie in Bedfordshire, with
the title, are succeeded to by Edward Henry, son to the
deceased,