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

LONDONDERRY COUNTY AND ClTY.—Leslie Alexander,
Esq.; Richard Hunter, Esq.; John Stevenson, Esq.
LONGFORD.—WiIIiam Ledwith, Esq.; John Cooke,
Esq ; John J. T. Jessop, Esq.
LOUTH.—Richard Thomas Montgomery, Esq. ; Wil-
liam Ruxton, Eget. ; Robert Foster Delap, Esq.
MAYO.—Sir Robert Lynch Blosse, Bart.; Thomas S.
Carter, Esq ; Charles Lionel Kirwan, Esq.
MEATH.—Henry Coddington, Esq.; Anthony Strong
Hussey, Esq. ; William Martley Blackburne, Esq.
' MONAGAN.—Thomas 0. Foster, Esq. ; Edward W.
Lucas, Esq.; Arthur G. Lewis, Esq.
QUEEN'S COUNTY.—Charles H. Bowen, Esq. ; John
H. Leckie, Esq.; Christopher St. George, Esq.
RoscoMMoN.—John Fitzgerald Grace, Esq. ; Arthur
O'Connor, Esq. ; James Kirkwood, Esq.
SLIGO.—John Wingfield, Esq.; Michael Keogh, Esq.;
Henry Griffith, E,q.
TIPPERARY.—Viscount Suirdale ; John Maher, Esq,;
John Carden, Esq.
TYRONE.—Richard Lloyd, Esq. ; Robert William
Lowry, Esq.; Ferguson Knox, Esq.
W ATERFORD.—Sir John Nu,ent Humble, Bart. ;
Simon Bagge, Esq. ; James Barry, Esq.
WATERFORD ClTY.—William Christmas, Esq ; Wil-
liam S. Doyle, &q.; George George Meara, Esq.
WESTMEATII.—The Honourable Charles Handcock ;
Sir John Newport, Bart. ; James William Middleton,
Berry, Esq.
WExFoßD.—Edward Westbv Nunn, Esq. ; Charles
Tottenham, Esq. ; John Roe, Esq.
WICKLOW.—Robert A. Gun Cunningham, Esq.; Peter
Latouche, Esq.; Robert Craven Wade, Esq.
A VOICE FROM CAHIRMOYLE.

NOVEMBER 7.—The following letter appears in the
Nation of this day:—

" Cahirmoyle, Nov. 5.
"My dear Mr. Duffy,—lt has given me much plea-
sure to learn from you that several men, whose patriot-
ism, worth, and abilities are not unknown to the public,
have signified their desire to give effect by their co-
operation to the suggestions offered by me in the letter
which appeared in your last' publication.
"It is desirable that there should be no misunder•
standing as to the circumstances under which this pro-
posal originated.
" A considerable number of individuals, who are ar-
dently devoted to the cause of repeal, having been ex-
cluded from the Repeal Association because they are
unwilling to subscribe a test imposed for reasons which
are not yet fully understood by the public, are naturally
led to seek other opportunities through the means of
which they may be enabled to labour in the service of
their country.
" No other organization being at present available, it
seems to us that the Nation newspaper may be advan-
vantageously made an organ for giving utterance to the
opinions of men of this class.
" We do not contemplate any interference with the
editorial department of your newspaper, nor with your
arrangements for giving that information respecting
passing events which every newspaper is expected to
convey to the public; but we ask whether it be com-
patible with the essential requirements of your journal
to dedicate an assigned space to the reception of such
papers, letters, essays, suggestions, criticisms, &c., as
may be supplied by writers whose capacity for affording
instruction to the people has been sufficiently tested?
"It is not necessary nor desirable to lay down any
unalterable plan for carrying into effect this suggestion ;
but I am disposed to think that it would be sufficient to
allot weekly eight or ten columns of your publication to
the purpose contemplated in this proposal.
" The papers ought to be short, terse, and well consi-
dered. In no case should an article exceed two columns.
A valuable thought may often be communicated in a few
lines. The form of address ought to be left to the judg-
ment of each writer. The subjects should be as much
varied as possible, but the animating principle of each
composition must be the desire to propagate a spirit of
nationality.
" I am much pleased with the title which Mr. O'Con-
nell has, by way of derision, bestowed upon us—the
Phalanx—the National Phalanx—the Patriot Phalanx—
the Irish Phalanx ; any of these denominations cannot
fail to be acceptable to men who are struggling for the
rights of their native land. We trust and believe that
this phalanx—wielding no other weapons than those of
reason and truth—may hereafter become formidable to
the enemies of our country. Mr. O'Connell will find
that it is not easy to laugh down men who are heartily
in earnest, and single-minded in purpose. A misplaced
sneer disfigures no face except that which wears it. He
need not fear, however, that provocation will lead to re-
prisal. We shall endeavour to imitate his virtues, not
his failings. Our duty to our country warns us to avoid
the strife of personal controversy, and bids us devote all
our faculties to the high and holy task of endeavouring
not only to augment the happiness of our fellow-country-
men, but also to place the enjoyment of that happiness
upon the secure foundation of national freedom.
"We challenge emulation in such a career, and shall
rejoice to find ourselves outstripped, even by those who
first flattered, then wronged and misrepresented, and who
now appear disposed to insult us.
"Believe me, very faithfully yours,
" To C. G. Duffy, Esq." " W. S. O'BRIEN.

THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE
INTO THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN
WALES.
Committee of Council on Education, Council Office,
Whitehall, October 1, 1846.

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 an address to the
Queen, praying her Majesty " To direct an inquiry to be
made into the state of education in the Principality of
Wales, especially into the means afforded to the labouring
classes of acquiring a knowledge of th• English language.'
The Secretary of State for the Home 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 following 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 and the character of the instruc-
tion given in the schools, in order that her Majesty's
Government and Parliament may be enabled, by having
these facts before them, 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-
mis-sioners 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-operate
with her Majesty's Government in the adoption of
means for the removal of popular 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 following 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—whether 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—the 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 qualifi3ations 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 will 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, for
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 knowledge 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-
proved education might be expected to produce, on the
general condition of society, and its moral and religious
progress.
You will be furnished with instructions to civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, with a view to procure for you
their advice and co-operation. 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
Lordsh:ps, limiting the report, in the first instance, to
the facts which you have ascertained.
I hare the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. P. KAY SHUTTLE WORTH.

GARRICK THEATRE.—To the following communi-
cation, forwarded by the secretary, we readily give in-
sertion, trusting that it may have the effect of advancing
the benevolent object 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 for the relief of dis-

FOREIGN POLICY.

(From the Times.)

The foreign policy of Lord Aberdeen loses nothing
by the contrast with that of his succcessor ; and a
series of untoward circumstances has cast a remarkable
gloom over Lord Palmerston's return to the department
over which he presides. If we were disposed to retort
upon him, or upon the organs of his confidence, that
angry criticism and unsparing abuse which they lavished
upon the late Foreign Minister, subjects and opportuni-
ties for this kind of retaliation would not be wanting ;
bat we may safely trust to the force of facts to annihi-
late accusations which never obtained the ear of the na-
tion ; and it were well for England if those energies
which were then so exclusively attributed to Lord Pal-
merston could insure to this country as much influence,
security, and respect as it enjoyed under the temperate
guidance of Lord Aberdeen. The sinking tide has, how-
ever, disclosed rocks and shoals about our course, over
which we floated a few months ago in confidence and safety.
We have reason to be dissatisfied with our foreign relations
on more sides than one. The Queen of England can no
longer meet her Parliament with the customary but im-
portant assurance of an undiminished good understanding
with all the world. The Government have loudly and
justly remonstrated and protested against a transaction
accomplished without us, and in spite of us, at Madrid ;
and in the New World Lord Palmerston seems to be
coademned to witness, without even the relief of a re-
monstrance, the incorporation of an empire into the Ame-
rican Union. We are not so unreasonable or so unjust
as to impute to Lord Palmerston evils which he could
not prevent and cannot repair. We shall not even press
upon him considerations arising from the mistrust he
unluckily inspired abroad, at a time when his policy
was supposed to be accomplishing its greatest triumphs,
but when it was in reality sowing the seeds of humiliation
and dislike. If it were possible to separate the present
from the past, our Foreign Secretary might lay claim to
the praise of having done all that could now be done to
maintain the honour and interests of the country, when
we were tricked by our nearest ally ;_ and it is not
Englishhave unfortunately made him
bitter rancour elsewhere. We
pen to recal those incidents
aot hnf e a
object
bu
formersei
cn
te s sot
if ofm time
an
which
h
pointed them out in 1840, when they took place; we
recorded the verification of our predictions when Lord
John Russell failed in his attempt to form a cabinet
eleven months ago; and although the obstacles which
then occurred have since been surmounted, the state of
our foreign relations is certainly not calculated to prove
that they were unfounded or that they have been re-
moved. Nothing is clearer in the history of the late
achievements of French diplomacy in Spain than that
Louis Philippe and M. Guizot took advantage of Lord
Palmerston's return to office to effect a stroke of policy
under pretence of a counter-intrigue on the part of
England. They hoped, in the first place, to throw the
blame and disgrace of the rupture that must ensue on a
rival statesman whom they hate; and they expected, in
the second place, that their statements would obtain
credit in Europe, in opposition to those of an English
Minister who does not personally enjoy the confidence
of the Northern Courts. In both these expectations we
are convinced they are signally deceived. We are per-
fectly satisfied that the whole course of the
British Government, with reference to the
Spanish marriages, was as plain, straightforward,
and disinterested under Lord Palmerston as it
had been under Lord Aberdeen, and that the forbear-
ance and good faith of this country have been as
complete as those of our neighbours have been the re-
verse. As long as our case stands thus high, we en-
tertain no fears for the consequences to our character and
influence in Europe ; and we are convinced that the
means and acts by which Louis Philippe and his instru-
ments have filched this Princess and her inheritance from
Spain have done far more injury to his station and cha-
racter in Europe than that which we have sustained by
these intrigues. Some of the journals of the French
Court have amused themselves in speculating on the for-
mation of new alliances with the continental Powers. Do
they imagine that the best means of earning the confi-
dence of those states who view the dynasty of Orleans
and the character of the King with profound aversion is
to show that no obligations are sacred in his eyes, and
that the only country which has made a hundred ge-
nerous sacrifices to the French alliance has made those
sacrifices in vain ? The Presse is ready to purchase a
Russian alliance at any price—the partition of Turkey,
and the final abandonment of Poland. The alliance of
England was proffered on more moderate terms : we re-
quired nothing but good faith and plain-dealing, but
those are qualities which are sometimes more rare
than offers of joint spoliation and combined injus-
tice. As a matter of fact, however, we are confident
that these speculations on a Russo-French alliance are
entirely visionary and unfounded. As long as M.
Guizot adhered steadily to the cause of peace, which
was identified with the alliance of England, he stood
better at Vienna, at Berlin, and at St. Petersburgh, than
any former Minister of France since 1830. But in pro-
portion as he has receded, or diverted his course from the
original principles of his administration, he becomes an
object of suspicion at the other Courts, as well as at his
own. In 1810 a combination of the four Powers, pro-
jected by Russia and adopted by England, was instantly
regarded as a hostile coalition by France ; and the
isolated position in which she stood shook her frame to
the centre. The deliberate and spontaneous act of the
French Government has now placed her in a position
equally isolated, unless indeed she boast of her
alliance with Spain, and her strength in the Peninsula.
The apprehensions and distrust of Austria are
heightened to a state of terror by the attitude of the
Papal Government, the increase of French influence in
Italy, and the disturbances in Switzerland, whilst Paris
is still regarded as the seat of those revolutionary doc-
trines which infect under peculiar forms several pro-
vinces of the empire. In Prussia, as well as in Austria,
any act which threatens to disturb the balance of power
and the tranquillity of Europe is viewed with dismay;
for the Court of Berlin is perfectly aware that its sub-
jects will make the discharge of their military duties
contingent upon the recognition of their constitutional
rights. In Prussia, the finances of the kingdom could
only be supported in the event of war by the concur-
rence of the estates of the realm. In Austria, they
could not be supported at all. In Russia, we know not
what the French expect after having endured fifteen
years of incivility and insult from the Court; but if they
are content to supplicate for the favour of Ni-
cholas in humble guise, they make up for their ser-
vility at St. Petersburgh by their arrogance at Madrid.
In all these Courts the late transactions are vie eed
with indifference as regards Spain, with a little malicious
diversion at the expense of England, but with indigna-
tion and disgust at the duplicity of France. The main
support which M. Guizot gave to the Government of
Louis Philippe was derived from the supposed integrity
of his character—a quality more valuable by far in the
eyes of Europe than his Parliamentary eloquence or his
diplomatic address. The King, however, has made so
large a draught on the virtues he wanted, that he seems
to have exhausted the supply, and he has proportionably
weakened his Minister and impaired his fame. To the
King such sacrifices cost but little, and be will probable
not stop there, if the destruction of the Cabinet can cover
his own share in these performances; but to the real in-
terests of France and the reluctant confidence of the
European Powers, he has given a shock from which they
will not soon recover ; and nothing could tend more
effectually to strengthen the closest understanding be-
tween our own Government and the other great Powers
of Europe, in case more agitated times should follow the
termination of his reign.

tressed and deserving members of the theatrical pro-
fession, lately established at the east end, 'and entitled
the Society of Birds,' held at the Weavers' Arms
Tavern, Baker's-row, WhitechapA, and now in a very
flourishing condition, several leaving members of the
profession being 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 20/. 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
hoped that other theatres will follow the same laudable
example."
SALE OF A WIFE AND MURDER OF THE PILTR-
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 authentic document ; the parties all went before
a notary, who, however, refused to have anything to
do with them. On receiving this refusal, 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 enough 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 slow 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 former's house. He
had no time to escape from the danger by which he was
menaced, for Offrey immediately 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-
rat 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."
He then went away, and has eluded all pursuit • tee
officers are, however, in his traces.—Gazette des 77; ibu-
naux.

THE MILITARY FRACAS AT DE-

VONPORT.

The dispute between the military and police at Devon-
port, of which an account appeared in our columns yes-
terday, has been followed by criminal proceedings
against the man Webber, who was brought before the
magistrates on Wednesday, charged with keeping a dis-
orderly house and with assaulting and resisting, by
causing their detention, two policemen, while in the
execution of their duty, On each charge he WAS fined.
making altogether 161. and costs, and in default was com-
mitted to hard labour to the county House of Correction
for four months.

In reference to this case, the subjoined letter has been
received by the mayor, stating the result of the court
of inquiry:—
" Brigade Office Department, Nov. 3.
" Sin—l am directed by the major-general command-
ing the western district, to acquaint you that a court of
inquiry has been held for the purpose of ascertaining
the facts connected with the detention, by a military
guard, of two police-cfficers of Devonport, on the 30th
of October.

" The facts elicited by the inquiry only show an error
of judgment in that detention, and no desire on the part
of the military to interfere with or oppose the police in
the execution of their duty.
" The major-general, has, therefore, merely issued an
cyder, of which a copy is enclosed, that will prevent any
similar mistakes from compliance with an irregular de-
mand upon a guard to interfere in a concern of a civil
nature. " I have the honour to be,
" Your most obedient humble servant,
" C. F. MAXWELL, Captain-major of Brigade.
" To the Wor..hipful the Mayor of Devonpert."
The general now states that the military shall not-assist
the civil power, except upon the written requisitiion of
a magistrate.

WONDERFUL FEAT.—A woman verging on seventy-
four years of age, travelled on Thursday last from
Abernethy to Kinross ; where, after her little business
was done, and as she was preparing to return home, she
entered into an agreement with a cattle dealer to drive
some beasts to Perth, he having failed in finding any
other person. She executed her task faithfully. The
cattle dealer, who had gone in his gig to Perth before
her, in the evenin.,.. went out on the road a little way to
meet her ; and had his considerable apprehensions al-
layed by hearing her " shoo, shoo," at the top of the
South Inch. He rewarded her with something more
than he promised, on which the poor old creature turned
her steps to Abernethy, where she arrived at good
supper time. The distance she travelled was thirty-four
miles.—Pertfishire Courier.
ADVENTURES OF A JACKDAW.—A few days ago,
a carriage arrived at Gilstrap's Hotel, Newark, for the
night. On the following morning, prior to starting, a
jackdaw, belonging to the hotel, resolved to convert the
same into an observatory. He was driven off, but John,
having taken a liking to the carriage, or bent upon
having an excursion, found a hiding place on the under-
works of the vehicle. He remained unobserved, and,
on arriving the following morning at the Red Lion
Hotel, Worksop, was recognised by the servant accom-
panying the carriage, and by him and the ostler at the
Red Lion was driven off. He immediately mounted a
" fly" in the yard, and in a very amusing and command-
ing manner called out for the "Boots." He was packed
up in a hamper, and sent back to his old quarters at
Newark, and appeared to be much gratified on his re-
turn.—Derbyshire Courier.

THE SUN,
LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 9, 1846.

GUN COTTON. •
(From Gatignani's Messenger.)
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, PARIS.—SITTING OF Nov. 2.
—Most of this day's sitting was oceupied 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. Schonbein was said to have brought his
preparation, the secret of which he still keeps to
himself as regards the modus 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
objections 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
satisfactory results ; that is to say, they are by no
means of so destructive a property as the cotton of M.
Schonbein. Many charges of illiberality have been
brought against that gentleman for not making his pro-
cess known, and endeavouring to make a good spece,la-
don of it for his own interest, under the protection of
patents. We do not join it] this outcry. If M. Schonbein,
who is reported, we know not how truly, to have dis-
posed of his patent right in England fur 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 surer 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 chive
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
true, we think that all Governments will, in
the event of differences, try all possible means
of concession and conciliation before coming to
a trial of strength, in which the strong as well as
the comparatively weak must be such great losers.
We must return, however, from this digression to the
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 acid 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
then pressed and dried in warm air, will be very ener-
getic. If this cotton 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 prepared 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 member:, 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 xyloidine. M. Dumas, as
well as myself, made this remark on the origin of the
first communications of M. Schonbein. Reasoning on
the hypothesis that the poudre coton is nothing 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. Braconiiet, of
Nancy. He prepared it by dissolving starch and some
o!her organic substances in nitric acid, and preci-
pitating these solutions in water. In a note inserted 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 ea ploded 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 could 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.

ROYAL THAMES Y tuHT CLUB•
The monthly meeting of the above club was held on
Thursday evening, at the Piazza Hotel ; Lord A. Paget,
the Commodore, in the chair. _ _

Captain WHEELER, the treasurer, read the financial
report, which showed that, from the 30th of July to
the 30th of September, the receipts, including the pre-
' vious balance, amounted to 7491. 7s. 4d. The expendi-
ture, including 1201. for cups, 25/. to the holeer of the
challenge cup, and 288/. los. for the purchase of 300/.
Consols, amounted to 5501. 2s. 9d , leaving a balance of
1991. 4s. 7d.. in addition to the 300/. fund.,,d 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
continue to be accommodated on the present terms, and
the question would therefore be, whether they would
choose to accede to an increased demand, or locate else-
where ? He must confess that considering they had a
small room for their use every day in the year, with
lights, coals, &c., that they were not paying a large
sum. He would suggest the appointment of a com-
mittee on the subject.
On the motion of Mr. MORGAN, seconded by Mr,
BAKER, a committee of seventeen, including the Cora-
modoce and Vice-Commodore, were appointed to report
to a special meeting, fixed for the 26th instant.
Mr. J. WILKINS called the attention of the club to
the provisions of the Act for the Registration of Sea-
men, at far as it affected yacht-owners, and after some
discussion, a resolution was carried for referring the
matter to the Sailing Committee, who are specially con-
vened for the 26th instant.

THE DAWLISH REGATTA--DISPUTED PRIZE.
The fallowing were ballotted for and elected:—
The R ght 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 monthly meeting:—
Boyce Harvey Combe, Esq., Wyndham Club.
J. P. Robertson, Esq , Fore street, Limohouse.

THE FLEET DITCH.—This water course was only,
during the present %eek, enclosed, filled up and built
upon at Camden Town. No vestige of the Fleet-river
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 Danes.