The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-09 00:00:00

THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
CONIMISSIOYERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE
INTO THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN
W ALES.
Committee of Council on.EdueatiGn, Connell Office,
Whitehall, October 1, 1846. _ _

GUN COTTON.
(From Galignani's Messenger.)
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, PARIS.—SIFTING OF NOV. 2.
—Most of this day's sitting was occupied with commu-
nications on the recent discovery of the mode of ren-
dering cotton explosive. Our readers are aware that,
since the first announcement of this discovery having
been made by M. Schonbein, M. Otto, of Brunswick,
and at least a dozen other persons, have declared that
they have done the same thing, and some of them have
even published the process by which they render cotton
explosive. The truth is that there is nothing so very
wonderful in the mere announcement of the discovery,
for it has long been known to chymists that any ve-
getable matter would acquire explosive properties when
treated by nitric acid, and a French chymist long
ago announced that, by operating upon starch with
nitric acid, he produced a fulminating power of
great force. The wonder lay in the perfection
to which M. Schonbeiu was said to have brought his
preparation, the secret of which he still keeps to
himself as regards the modes operandi. If we are to be-
lieve the statements that have been made by persons of
high respectability, the explosive cotton of M Schon-
been is a perfect substitute for gunpowder, possessing,
weight for weight, much more strength than that article,
and, at the same time, being free from the many serious
bjections which attend the manufacture of gunpowder.
On the other hand, it does not appear that any of
the specimens of other discoverers have given fully
snal
et iasnf as cot of
sordeessutylrtusc vet h aat pirso pteor ty assay, tthhee o tat roll obfY
M.
Schonbein. Many charges of illiberality have been
brought against that gentleman for not making his pro-
cess known, arid endeavouring to make a good specs3la-
don of it for his own interest, under the protection of
patents. We do not join in this outcry. If M. Schonbein,
who is reported, we know not how truly, to have dis-
posed of his patent right in England I r 40,0001., could
make a million sterling of his different patents, we
should not think him too highly rewarded, if it be
true that his cotton is so much more powerful than that
of his competitors, as his friends represent it to be.
The man who invents the most rapid and the most
effectual means of destruction, as regards war, is the
greatest friend to the interests of humanity. Before
gunpowder was invented war was a very favourite pas-
time of the rulers of nations, for it served to gratify their
bad passions without presenting the chances of utter
ruin to them. By risking a portion of the money de-
rived from the labour of their subjects, and sacrificing a
few hundred lives, they were able to play at the
game of ambition, and, having always the hope of
success before them, they had a constant excitement
to violence and outrage. Nor did the pastime cease
with the invention of gunpowder. The scale on
which it was carried on was greater ; but in a
few years, when military tactics had been improved,
and fire-arms had been made on swer principles, the
game became too hot for the gamesters, and they were
glad to retreat at length from the struggle of vain glory.
The bow and arrow work of the ancients was nothing
more than child's play to the fields of Austerlitz and'
Waterloo, and when once a suspension of hostilities
had taken place, Governments began to reflect that the
game was too costly. Thirty years of peace have
served to give birth to better ideas ; but there is
every now and then an indication of a desire to
involve nations in warfare. We are quite sure,
however, that if any man could invent a means of de-
struction, by which two nations going to war with each
other would see large armies destroyed and immense
treasure wasted on both sides in a single campaign, they
would both hesitate at entering upon another. We re-
peat, therefore, that in this sense the greatest destructor
is the greatest philanthropist ; and, supposing what
is said of M. Schonbein's invention to be
all
lfore coming to
true, we think that all Governments will, in
possible means
hiiiacthtirbytilhe strong as well as
oselnyceoensftsiosnotrfenagdnitffhd:
the comparatively weak must be such great losers.
We must return, however, from this digression to the
atohf et
trial rieennoenewesi
question before the Academy. M. Otto, of Brunswick,
has stated that he has produced explosive cotton by im-
mersing it in very pure and strongly concentrated acid
for half a minute, and then washing it thoroughly and
drying it. This is a very simple process ; but we can
assert from experiment that it does not produce a cot-
ton which could be used as a perfect substitute for gun-
powder. Explosive it certainly is, but by no means to
the extent described in the account of' the experiments
with the Schonbein cotton. Dr. Knopp, of Leipsic,
states that he produces a very powerful article by the
following process :—Take equal parts of English sul-
phuric ac id of commerce and strong nitric acid of com-
merce ; mix them in a porcelain vessel, and then
plunge into the mixture as much cotton as the
liquid will cover. Having done this, cover the
vessel with a ground glass lid, so as to pre-
vent all evaporation, or the entrance of air. After
having left this preparation in a state of repose for a
few minutes, take out the cotton and wash it thoroughly,
carefully separating the cotton, and using sufficient
water to remove the whole of the acid. The cotton being I
then pressed and dried in warm air, will be very ener-
getic. If this colt in be carefully prepared, and tho-
roughly washed and dried, it will have nearly the same
appearance as it had before the operation. With 12
grains of this preparation, says Dr. Knopp, a musket,
which would for an ordinary charge require 28 grains of
gunpowder, sent a ball through two planks, one deal
the other of oak, and each two inches in thickness. The
distance from the mark at which the gun was fired is not
stated, but we presume it was at the ordinary ball range.
Dr. Bley, of Bernberg, announces that he has made ex-
periments with a view of replacing cotton by cheaper
substances. He I repared shavings and sawdust in the
same manner, and found them equally powerful.
After these communications had been read to the Aca-
demy, M. Pelouze, one of the membev, made the follow-
ing observations. He said—" Although M. Schonbein
has not published the nature or mode of preparation of
his cotton, it is evident that the properties which he
assigns to it can only apply to xyloidire. M. Dtuntry as
well as myself, made this remark on the origin of the
first communications of M. Schonbein. Reasoning n
the hypothesis that the poudre coton is nlthing else than
xyloidine, I may be permitted to say a few words with
respect to its history, and of some of its properties.
Xyloidine was discovered in 1833 by M. Braconnet, of
Nancy. He prepared it by dissolving starch and some
other organic substances in nitric acid, and preci-
pitating these solutions in water. In a note insertei in
the Comptes rendus de 1 'Academie des Sciences, in 1838, I
showed that the xyloidine resulted from the union of
the elements of the nitric acid with those of starch, and
explained, by this composition, the excessive combusti-
bility of the substance produced. I ascertained—and
this I think is a very important result in the history of
the applications of xyloidine—that, instead of pre-
paring it by dissolving the cellulose, it might be ob-
tained with infinitely greater facility and economy by
simply impregnating with concentrated nitric acid, paper,
cotton, and hemp, and that these organic matters thus
treated took fire at 180 degrees, and burnt almost without
residuum, and with excessive energy ; but I think it
right to add, that I never for an instant had an idea
of their use as a substitute for gunpowder. The merit
of this application belongs entirely to M. Schonbein.
Eight years ago, however, I prepared an inflammable
paper by plunging it into concentrated nitric acid. After
leaving it there for twenty minutes I washed it in a
large quantity of water, and dried it in a gentle heat.
I have recently tried this paper in a pistol, and with
about three grains pierced a plank two centimetres in
thickness (about three-quarters of an inch) at a dis-
tance of twenty-five metres." After these observations,
made by M. Pelouze,
M.M. Piobert and Morin addressed
the Academy. They stated that several experiments
had been made by engineers of the artillery with
explosive cotton, and that the result was not satis-
factory. It was found to leave behind a residuum of
charcoal and water, and that it frequently escaped by the
touchhole from the cannon without displacing the ball.
They added, that cotton prepared with an equal mixture
of sulphuric and nitric acid was the most powerful, as
it exploded at a temperature of 75 degrees. Some even
exploded spontaneously at 100. The conclusion appears
to have been, however, that none of the preparations
tried appear to be fit substitutes for gunpowder. We do
not place implicit faith in this opinion. Sir Humphrey
'Davey, the greatest chymist of the day, said it was wild
to suppose that coal gas ccu'd be used for general light-
ing ; and another great man, whom we will not name,
for he is still living, said, in his younger days, that a
man mnst be mad to suppose that steam could be used
in Transatlantic navigation.

Sir, —Attention was called, during the last session of
Parliament, to the state of education in Wales, by a mo-
tion in the House of Commons, for en address to the
Queen, praying her Majesty " To direct an inquiry to be
mado into the state of education in the Principality of
Wales, especiaily into the means aff,,rded to the labouring
classes of acquiring a knowl, Age English language.'

The Secretary of State for the Borne Department
undertook on that occasion, on behalf of her Majesty's
late Government, that such an inquiry should be insti-
tuted, and he intimated that it should be conducted
under the authority of the Committee of Council on
Education.

Their Lordships having had this subject under their
consideration, entirely concur in the expediency of such
an inquiry; and, having selected you as one of the per-
sons to whom it is to be entrusted, they have directed
me to address to you the fol!owing instructions, as to
the nature and objects of your commission, and the mode
in which your duties are to be executed.
The object of your commission is, to ascertain, as
accurately as circumstances will permit, the existing
number of schools of all descriptions, for the education
of the children of the labouring classes, or of
adults the amount of attendance the ages of
the scholars asid the character of the instruc-
tion given i❑ the schools, in ordi-r that her Majesty's
Government and Parliament may be enabl,d, by having
these facts before theirs, in connexion with the wants and
circumstances of the population of the principality, to
consider what measures ought to be taken for the im-
provement of the existing means of education in Wales.
The schools for the instruction of the poorer classes
in Wales have chiefly been erected by private benefi-
cence, and some have been endowed from the same
source ; such of them as have no permanent endow-
ment are supported by the small payments of the poor,
by collections in religious congregations, and by volun-
tary subscriptions.
You will be furnished with a list of those schools
which have of late years been erected with aid from par-
liamentary grants. and the report of the Charity Com-
missioners will give you useful information as to the
endowed schools.

You will be able to ascertain by local inquiry, the ex-
istence of other schools not comprised in either of these
classes.

Their Lordships cannot confer on you any absolute
authority to enter into and examine schools, nor to re-
quire from any persons information respecting them
which they may be unwilling to communicate.
Your success will, therefore, in a great degree depend
on your own courtesy and discretion in the prosecution
of your inquiries, and on that sense of the importance
of your commission which their Lordships trust may
pervade all classes; and on a disposition to co•orerate
with her Majesty's Government in the adoption of
means for the removal of pepular ignorance.
Their Lordships confidently anticipate that this dis-
position will be generally evinced, and will greatly faci-
litate your labours. You will explain to the trustees
and managers of the schools, coming within the scope
of your inquiries, what is the object of your commis-
sion ; and that your visit to them will be limited to an
attempt to form a just general estimate of the means of
education available for the poor in Wales.
If no objection is made to your visit, you will person-
ally examine, where practicable, the condition of the
school, keeping in view the f 'flowing particulars, as
those on which it will be important to obtain corret in-
formation :—The tenure of the school, whether held
under a mere temporary occupation, or secured by deed
for ever, or for a term of years—the capacity of the
school-room—the state of the school furniture and ap-
paratus—the number of children on the books—the
average attendance—the organisation of the school, and
the methods used—the subjects professed to be taught—
the time allotted to each—the books used—whetheE the
children are instructed in the Welsh language, or in the
English, or in both—whether in each case in the gram-
mar or not—tbe actual condition of their instruction on
all subjects professed to be taught. You will ascertain
the amount and sources of the annual income available
for the necessary expenses ; the number of teachers—
their ages, whether trained at a normal school or at
a model school—for what period and when. At what
age they commenced their vocation as teachers : their
previous occupation—the salaries of each teacher—their
income of school pence, and other emoluments. Whe-
ther they follow any trade, or hold any other office.
Whether they have a house rent free, a garden rent
free, fuel, or other emoluments.

Whenever you have means to form a just estimate of
the qualifications and attainments of the master, it
should be so stated as not to operate as a discourage-
ment to humble but deserving men, who may have had
few opportunities of education.
Where circumstances may render it impracticable to
institute a minute personal inquiry, you will endeavour,
by such means as Rill be available, to obtain as much
information, on which reliance can be placed, as possible.
Numerous Sunday schools have been established in
Wales, and their character and tendencies should not
be overlooked, in an attempt to estimate the provision
for the instruction of the poor. The Sunday school
must be regarded as the most remarkable, because the
most general, spontaneous effort of the zeal of Christian
congregations for education. Its origin, organisation,
and tendencies are purely religious.
The amount of secular instruction communicated is
generally limited to the art of reading : while, there.
fore, you avail yourself of any opportunities afforded
you to enter such schools, you will bear in mind that
they are schools of religion, and that the respect which
is due from you, as an officer of the Government, fer
the liberty which religious communities enjoy, should
render you exceedingly careful that you in no degree
infringe the civil privileges of religious congregations,
either while in the schools, or by the use ycu may
make of the information you may be permitted to ac-
quire.
The results of your inquiries will be important in
proportion as they are complete and accurate, and you
will be provided with such temporary aid as may be ne-
cessary for the purpose of collecting and arranging the
statistical facts which will be embodied in your report.
In some parts of the country, it will probably be necessary
that you should avail yourself of the services of persons
possessing a know ledge of the Welsh language.
In reporting on the number and description of schools
in any district, you will not fail to keep in mind the
amount, character, and condition of the population, and
the means available in the district for the maintenance
of schools.
You will also be enabled to form some estimate of the
general state of intelligence and information of the poorer
classes in Wales, and of the, influence which an im-
pored education might he expected to produce, on the
general condition of society, and its moral and religious
progre.s.
You will be furnished with instructions to civil and
ecc.esiastical authorities, with a view to procure for you
it advice and cooper ition. And you will be supplied
with copies of the printed minutes of the Committee of
Council on Education, containing reports and informa-
tion bearing on the subject of your inquiries..
You will report the result of your inquiries to their
Lordships, limit ng the report, in the first instance, to
the facts which you have ascertained.
I have the honour tpo.beK,
ASiyr, ysoHuruoTreliEen‘tvsoernvTanllt,,.

GARRICK THEATRE.—TO the following
.communi-
cation,n-
s,rthh, forwardedthat
ahtyi
tthe a
Isecretary, e we
ffe
ercetaof
advancing
s,giveanc
the benevolent obiect had in view:—" In consequence of
the late fire at the Garrick Theatre, Leman-street,
Whitechapel, having thrown the numerous company out
of their engagements, it has been determined by the
Committee of a Theatrical Fund fur the relief of dis-
tressed and deserving members of the theatrical pro-
fession, !ately established at the east end, and entitled
the ' Society of Birds,' held at the Weavers' Arms
Tavern, Baker's-row, Whitechap 1, and now in a very
flourishing condition, several leaving members of the
profession be:ng members, to devote the receipts of the
Society's benefit, which takes place on Thursday next,
the 12th instant, at the Pavilion Theatre, Whiteehapel;
towards compensating in some degree for the several
losses of the late company, many valuable instruments
belonging to the musicians being destroyed, besides the
personal properties of the actors. On the above occa-
sion several amateurs, members of the fund, will give
their services. The Committee have already disbursed
the sum of 201. from their reserved fund, for the relief
of the burnt-out company. It is also the intention soon
to hays another benefit for the same benevolent pur-
pose, the lessee of the Pavilion, Mr. Richard Thorne,
having given the use of the house, and the company their
services gratuitously, for the oceasion; and it is to be
honed that other theatres will follow the same laudable
example."
SALE OF A WIFE AND MURDER OF THE FUR..
CHASER.—A butcher, named Claude Offray, residing at
St. Etienne, a man of bad character, and who has al-
ready been convicted of various crimes, had married a
young woman named Francis Foressier, whom he treated
with great cruelty, and almost starved to death.
Offray having reduced himself to a state of poverty,
and knowing no other mode of obtaining money, resolved
to put his wife up for sale, and first offered her to a sca-
venger, of whom he asked 110 francs (4/. 10s.), but who
would not give more than 100 francs, so that the bar-
gain was not concluded. He then offered her to one
of his neighbours, a man named Jean Marie. This
latter agreed to give 150 fr. (61.), and to ratify the sale
by an anthentie document ; the parties all went before
a notary, who, however, refused to have anything to
do with them. On receiving this reftreil, four wit-
nesses were procured, and in their presence the sum of
150 francs was paid down. The goods were immedi-
ately given up to the purchaser by Offray, while the wife,
glad to be rid of such a husband, was only too happy at
he transaction. Offray, however, soon spent the pro
duce of this sale, and hoping, without doubt, to sell her
a second time, wanted his wife back again The buyer
was ready enouch to return the purchase, but on con-
dition that he had his money back. This, however,
did not suit the intentions of the husband, who
publicly announced that he would disembowel his co-
husband, a threat which he was not slew in putting
into execution, for a few days ago. about four in the
morning, Jean Marie on going to work perceived Offray
concealed behind a low wall near the formet's house. He
had no time to escape from the danger by which be was
menaced, for Offrey immediutely fired a gun at
him, the contents of which struck Jean Marie in the
thigh and right, side, completely riddling him with shot.
About six the same morning some one entered a caba-
ret in which Offray was, and told him his rival had
been killed. He answered, " I am glad of it ; if I
knew who it was I would give him something to drink."
1-1 e then went away, and has eluded all pursuit ; the
officers are, however, in his traces.—Gazette des Tibu-
- na

The monthly. meeting of the above
ROYAL
elltarzczaasulrier a
, read the financi 1
"club was held on
HT CLUB'
T hCaptain
evvve 1
in 1:
1 1 .
A—.MES.-----Et nEgL,
Eaßt , theth
ir.
trhe ep
oCr ot
,mwmhoi (lc
ho r es,h ionw tehde
that to
from the 30th of July etel ; Lord A. Paget,
the 30th of September, the receipts, including the
pre-
vious balance, amounted to 749/. 7s. 4d. The ex encl
P i
lure, including 1201. for cup?, 251. to the holder of the
challenge cup, and 2881. 10s. for the purchase of 305/.
Consols, amounted to 5501. 2s. 9d., leaving a balance of
1 1991. 4s. 7d.. in addition to the 3001. funded stock.
Lord A. PAGET said it was necessary to take into
consideration where the future meetings of the club
were to take place, as he understood they could not
a large
continue to be accommodated on the present terms, and
a com-
the question would therefore be, whether they would
choose to accede to an increased deiasnedc,onodreldocabtye exilser-.
where ? He must confess that considering they had a
seventeen,M°RGaN including the Corn
small room for their use every day in the year, with
Commodore, were appointed to report
for the 26th instant.
lights,sum .
Hcoals,would& tshuagtgetshtey the were
ap
appointment
tmp auynitn go f
mittee on the subject.
i thei3,oe esisna
ldm m committeeet
Vice
eiotin neg 00, :0 for
fixedd.
Mr. J. WILKINS called the attention of the club to
the provisions of the Act for the Registration of Sea-
far as it affected yacht-owners, and after some
men, as
discussion, a resolution was carried for referring the
BARER,
o °C
lad On
matter to the. Sailing Committee, who are specially con-
vened for the 26th instant.
THE DAWLISH REGATTA—DISPUTED PRIZE.
The following were ballotted for and elected:—
The Rght Hon. Viscount Exmouth, Pall-mall.
Captain C. Clinton, R.N., Clifton.
Talbot Clifton, Esq., M.P.
W. Tinkler,. Esq., Guildford, Surrey.
Proposed for ballot at the ensuing monthl_
y meeting:—
Boyce Harvey Combe, Esq., Wyndham Club.
J. P. Robertson, Esq., Fore-street, Limehouse.

flollfedtke up and built
Fleet-river
•.-------___
THE FLEET DITCH.---ThiS water course was only,
udpuorinogatthceamprdeesnetTit
Town. No
senocvloessetidg,e
now remains I pen, although ten centuries ago vessels of
three, and even four hundred tons, as it is recorded, were
moored in its waters. The Danish fleet anchored off the
site where Holborn bridge is now acknowledged when
the destructive onslaught took place between the Saxons
and the Danes, upon the spot whereon now exists the
church of St. Clement Dana

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 9, 1816,

during her trip, which gave her paddle-wheels a suffi-
cient immersion in the water.

The Waterlily, a screw propeller steam-vessel, with
engines on the direct action principle, by Messrs, Mauds
lay. Field, and Sons, recently left the river for Naples,
land went from Blackwell to Falmouth is thirty-two
hours, and from Falmouth to Gibraltar in 113 hours,
although she had to encounter the storm in which the
Ripon went on shore, having left Falmouth on the 18th
of October. The Waterlily is only 180 tons,- with engines
of 50-horse power, and yet she gallantly accomplished
her voyage to Gibraltar when numerous other vessels of
greater tonnage and power suffered from the severity of
the weather.
The Teazer, gun steam-vessel, with screw propeller
and engines by Miller and Ravenhill, proceeded down
the river to-day to try her engines and speed, but she
did not appear to have a great degree of velocity,
although her engines worked well. The Teazer was
built of wood at Chatham, and was under the charge of
Commander Smith, of the William and Mary yacht.
Mr. Atherton, assistant to the chief engineers of the
Woolwich dockyard, was on board to witness the work-
ing_ of her engines, and report her speed.
SHEERNESS, Nov. s.—The Belleisle troop-ship, Capt.
Kingcome, was towed into harbour on Monday, where
her defects can be more conveniently and expeditiously
made gond than at the Nore.
The .plus, 44, being completely fitted as a store-ship,
was discharged from the basin on Tuesday, and taken In
tow by the African steamer to-day, for Deptford.
The Dragon steam-frigate, of 560 horse power, was
ordered on Tuesday to be fitted for sea, with all despatch;
she is now all ataunt in the basin, and taking on board
her sea stores and provisions. No appointments are as
yet down for her.
The Birkenhead steam-frigate, the Formidable, 84,
and the Horatio, 44, continue in dock.
The Rochester lighter arrived from Portsmouth on
Tuesday. with stores, for the dockyard, and the Sinbad
lighter, from Woolwich and Devonport, on Thursday.
Captain David Price (1815) has been officially nomi-
nated to succeed Captain Arthur in the superintendent-
ship of this dockyard, and the command of the ordinary.
Captain Price is an old and distinguished officer ; he was
midshipman of the Ardent at Copenhagen, in 1801, and
in the Centaur at the capture of four French frigates, in
1806 ; the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 ; the
destruction of a Russian 74 in 1808. When lieutenant
of the Hawke he frequently distinguished himself in
her boats in the Channel, and on one occasion was se-
verely wounded ; was in the San Josef in the partial
action with the French fleet off Toulon in 1813 ; and in
command of the Volcano bomb was actively employed
in America. particularly against New Orleans, siege
of Fort Bowyer, &c., where he was again severely
wounded. APP )INTMENTS

Nov. 6.—U. S. Suliven, lieutenant, to the Birkenhead;
G. H. K. Bower, mester, to the Birkenhead ' - S. J. But-
cher, purser, to the Birkenhead •, Richard Wall, gunner,
to the Birkenhead; Jacob Matthews, boatswain, to the
Birkenhead; Thomas Ankers, carpenter, to the Birken-
head; Arthur Wilmshurst, lieutenant, to the Albatross;
W. H. Crane, acting master, to the Albatross ; H. K.
Conquer, acting purser, to the Albatross ; Joseph Paul,
boatswain, to the Albatross; John F. Tottenham, lieu-
tenant, to the Medea; R. B. Mudge, acting master, to
the Medea; 3. C. Pinhorn, acting purser, to the Medea;
Thomas Cass, acting boatswain, to the Medea; George
Wall, lieutenant, to the Rosamond; J. H. Ashton, mas-
ter, to the Rosamond; William Stanway, purser, to the
Rosamond ; John Campbell, acting boatswain, to the
Rosamond ; Manser Bradshaw, master and commander,
to the Alban; James Taylor, second engineer, to the
Alban ; George Walter, second engineer, to the Spbynx;
John Gilmour, third engineer, to the Sphynx ; George
Griffiths, third engineer, to the Sphyux; L. J. Palmer,
clerk, to the Belleisle. _

Nov. 3.—Charles Bleach, promoted to be acting
gunner.

Mn. HARDY, M.P.—We are sorry to hear that the
health of the Honourable Member for Bradford, which
has for some time past been in a precarious state, has
been recently still further impaired, by an attack of
paralysis.—Leeds Mercury.
On Wedneseay afternoon a butcher, named Rey-
nolds, residing in Orchard-place, Northgate, in Canter-
bury, committed suicide by firing a pistol through his
heart.—Kentish Observer. _

PEDESTRIAN FEAT FOR TEN PouND3.—Last week
the match in which O'Connor undertook to pick 100
stones from the ground, each being laid a yard apart, in
fifty minutes, was performed in Copenhagen-fields. The
stones were deposited in a line, and were fetched sepa-
rately, the pedestrian making 100 starts in the perform-
ance of his task, and eventually ho accomplished his
match in forty-seven minutes. In the course of his
match he had to travel over 5 miles, 5 furlongs, and 200
yards of ground.
THE PAVILION.—Mr. Slight, the c'erk to the
Commissioners, had an interview with Lord Alfred
Herv•y in London on Wednesday, and with Captain
Pechell, at Castle Goring, yesterday, on the subject of
the proposed sale of the Pavilion, and preparatory to a
meeting with Lord Morpeth ; when the whole of the
facts connected with this property will be submitted to
his Lordship's consideration ; and, from what we hear, a
sale of the Pavilion, as it now stands, for building pur-
poses, cannot take place.—Brighton Herald.
ROBBERY AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.—Friday,
information was forwarded to the London police, that
between the hours of two and seven o'clock on Tuesday
last, some thief stole from the rooms of Thomas Acton,
Esq., oc Emmanuel Colley-e, Cambridge, a dressing box,
conoining ale t-r of redit n the London and Dublin
Bank for 30'., four 5/. Bank of England notes, four or
five sovereigns. and about twenty shillings in silver ;
ako, several bills and letters of coistquence, and a va-
riety of articles of value.
SINGULAR AND FATAL ACCIDENT. --- Yesterday
afternoon a female servant in the employ ot. Mr. Terry a
►inen-draper in C hi,well street, was currying a tie-dish
in the street, when by some accident she tripped and
fell, and her throat was cut by the sharp edges of the
broken dish. Dr. Jeffi, of Finsbury-square, who hap-
pule i to be near at the moment, rendered el ery aszAst-
ance, which proved unavailing, the carrotid artery and
juogular vein had been completely severed, and the poor
woman expired in a few moments.
JUVENILE PREACHER.—During several nights of
the past week s, rmons hare been preached in the Town
Hall by a boy of only ten years of age. A good many
people attended through curiosity to hear so young a
teacher of righteousness, who certainly displayed ac-
quirements not often attained at his early years. The
boy is very smart, and delivers his discourses with
wonderful ease and volubility, and if they are his own
productions one would be induced to call him a preco-
cit u; genius. Be that as it may, he has estowished not
a few. The reason given for his thus appearing before
the public is. that money may be obtained to further his
education.—Kelso Chronicle.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPII.—CoIoneI Greenwood
states-the following application of the electric telegraph:
—" On Thursday last I bought a two-year-old colt at
Newmarket, and embarked it in the 10-41 up train from
Cambridge-, but, having some difficulty in persuading
him to be of the party, I forgot my portmanteau in the
cons quent hurry. I mentioned my omission to the
guard at Bishop's Stortford ; he gave me a pencil and .a
sheet out of his memorandum book, on which I wrote,

A portmanteau, directed —, Cambridge station,
to be forwarded to London.' The clerk at Bishop's
Stortford said he would telegraph the message, and as-
sured me that I should receive my luggage by the next
train. When I arrived in town, the superintendent has-
tened with me to the electric telegraph. The question
was asked, When will —'s portmanteau be for-
warded?' The immediate reply was,' By the two o'clock
train." What have ito pay?' You are a passenger
and with a horse?' Yes." There's nothing to pay,
sir.' The question and answer conjointly travelled abut
120 miles before my young one was disembarked."

VAUXHALL-BRIDGE COMPANY.—The directors and
shareholders in this company held their usual half-yearly
meeting yesterday, at the George and Vulture Tavern.
Lombard-street ; Mr. Barron, presii'ent of the com-
mittee, in the chair. The secretary read the minutes of
the proceedings of the last board, and the report of the
directors for the present half year, Pram which it ap-
peared that the balance n)w in hand, in Exchequer-
tills, amounted to 4,5001. ; that the unpaid dividends
amounted to 965/. ss. ; that the receipts by tolls for the
half year ending October, 1845, were 6,481/. 12s. 4d.,
while those for the present year were 8,063/. ss. Id.,
being 1..5811. 12s. 9d. over the receipts of October, 1845;
that the receipts from the steam-boat pier amounted to
138/. 6s. 6d., from which was to be deducted 921. Is. 9d.
expenses, leaving a profit in favour of the company of
46/. 4s. 9J. The account current was then read, by
which it appeared that the expenditure of the company
was 11,0861. 16s. 9d., less by balance brought forward
from last half-year of 2.6471 12s. 9d., and the creditor
side showed a balance in favour of the company of
3,6291. 10s. 7d., less the above balance. A good deal of
discussion arose upon the subject of the liability of the
company to be rated to sewage rates by the Commis-
sioners of Sewers. It appeared that the rate had been
demanded, and was refused, a distress levied, and notice
of appeal served ; but as the trial of the question would
involve an expensive law suit, it was agreed upon to
suspend legal proceedings for the present, with a view to
an amicable arrangement. It was then agreed upon to
pay the directors 200 guineas per annum, after which
the meeting broke up.
MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—On Saturday, the
maniaze of George Charles Constantine, Earl of Elgin
and Kincardine, the newly-appointed Governor-General
of Canada, with the Lady Mary Louisa Lambton, eldest
(laughter of the late, and sister of the present Earl of
Durham, was solemnised at St. Peter's Church, Eaton-
square, in the presence of a select circle of the aris-
tocracy. The bride arrived at the church at a few
minutes before twilve o'clock, in company with her
uncle, the Earl Grey, by whom she was conducted to
the vestry, where a large party had previously assembled,
Grey,
the the Duchess cf Hamilton, the Countess
the Earl of Durham, Lord George Lennox, his Ex-
cellency Baron Brunnow, Lady Elizabeth Bulteel, and
the Misses Bulteel, Lady Caroline Berrington, the
Right Hon Charles and Lady Mary Wood, Lady
Emily Cavendish, Hon. Colonel and Mrs.: Grey, Hon.
Mrs. W. Lambt ,n, Hon. and Rev. Francis Grey, Hon.
Frederick Bruce, &c. The bride was attended at the
altar by a train of eight bridemaids, viz :—The Lady
Alice Lambton (her Ladyship's sister), the Misses
Lambton (2), the Misses Bulteel (3), Miss Mary Bar -
rington, and Miss Cavendish. The Hon. and Rev. John
Grey (brother of Earl Grey, and uncle to the bride),
performed the service, the Earl Grey officiating as the
father of the bride. At the conclusion of the service the
parties retired to the Earl Grey's mansion in Belgrave•
square, where an elegant dejeuner was served in celebra-
tion of the happy event. Early in the afternoon the
bridal pair left town for Coddicute, the seat of Lady
Emily Cavendish, in Hertfordshire. The Earl of Elvin,
our readers may remember, is a widower, his first wife
having died in Jamaica during his Lordship's g overnor
sh.p of that colony. A daughter is the only issue of
that marriage.