The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-29 00:00:00

EVENING, JUNE 29, " 1848.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen gave a concert yesterday evening at Buck-
ingham Palace. The company amounted to about four
hundred, and comprised the members of the Royal
Family, the Foreign Ministers and their ladies, and a
large party of the nobility and gentry.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager arrived at half-past
nine o'clock, accompanied by their Serene Highnesses the
Duchess Bernhard of Saxe Weimar, Prince Edward and
the Princesses Anne and Amelie of Saxe Weimar, and
was attended by Frances Lady Clinton, Hon. Miss Eden,
Earl Howe, and Captain Somerset. The Vice-Chamber-
lain, Colonel the Hon. N. Hood (Groom in Waiting),
Colonel Wylde (Groom in Waiting to Prince Albert),
and Colonels Buckley and Bouverie (Equerries in Wait-
ing to the Queen and Prince Albert), were in waiting
to receive the Queen Dowager, and his Royal Highness
Prince Albert received her Majesty in the sculpture
gallery, and conducted her to the royal closet, where the
Queen received her illustrious visitors.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was attended
by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and Sir
George Couper.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duko and Duchess of
Cambridge were attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan
and Mr. Edmond Mildmay.
His Royal Highness the Count of Syracuse was at-
tended by Prince Castelcicala, the Sicilian Minister.
The suite of state saloons were all opened for the re-
ception, and were brilliantly illuminated; the recesses
were all tastefully filled with groups of rare and beauti-
ful exotics and plants in flower.
The general company arrived between half-past nine
and ten o'clock, and were ushered up the Grand Stair-
case to the Picture Gallery.
Shortly before ten o'clock the Queen and Prince
Albert were conducted by the Lord Chamberlain into
the Grand Saloon, which was fitted up as a music-room.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness were accompanied
by the qlueen Dowager, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge, the Count of Syracuse, the
Duchess Bernhard of Saxe Weimar, the Princesses Anne
and Amelie of Saxe Weimar, and Prince Edward of
Saxe Weimar. The illustrious circle was followed b the general company, and the concert then commence/
The following is the programme of the concert: --
PA RTE PRIMA.
Quartetto, " Noble Chatelaine," Signori
Mario, Gardoni, Tamburini, e Lablache
(Comte Ory) ..• Rossini.
Aria, " In questa tomba oscura," Madlle.
Alboni Beethoven.
Duo, " Per comporre," Signori Lablache
e Tamburini (La Prove) Gnecco.
M6ditation Poetique, " Ainsi tonjours
pouss4s," Sig. Gardoni (Le Lac) Niedermeyer,
Curo di Gondolieri, Madlle. Viardot, Sig-
nori Mario, Gardoni, Tamburini, e La-
blache (La Reine de Chypre)... Halevy.
Aria, " Ah, rammento," Madame Grisi
(Eleonora) •.. Mercadente.
Finale, " Gl' infiamma it cor," Madame
Viardot, Madlle. Alboni, Signori Mario,
Gardoni, e Lablache (n Serraglio) ... Mozart.
PARTE SECOND A.
Trio, " Le faccio un inehino," Mesdames
Grisi e Viardot, a Mademoiselle Alboni
(Matrimonio Segreto) Cimarosa.
Aria, "Le Pate chantait," Sig. Mario
(Le Pate Mourant) Meyerbeer.
Duo, " Senza tanti complimenti," Madlle.
Alboni e Sig. Lablache (Ilßorgomastro) Donizetti.
Mazurkas, Madme. Viardot, arranged by
Madme. Viardot.
Duo, " Di conforto," Madme. Grisi e
Madlle. Alboni (Vestale) Mercadente.
Finale, " Tu mi dici," Mesdmes. Grisi e
Viardot, Madlle. Alboni, Signori Mario,
Tamburini, e Lablache (Matrimonio
Segreto) Cimarosa.
M. Costa presided at the pianoforte.
Supper was served to the distinguished circle in the
green drawing-room.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert took a drive yester-
day in an open carriage and four. The Equerries in
Waiting, Colonels Buckley and Bouverie, attended on
horseback.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Colo-
nel Wylde, honoured by his presence, on Saturday, the
Promenade of the Zoological Society in the Regent's
Park .

Sir William Colebrooke had an interview with Earl
Grey yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Mr. Brunel had
also an interview yesterday with the Noble Earl.
Sir Thomas Fremantle, Chairman of the Customs, had
an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Yesterday, at his official residence in Downing street.

•
SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
WINCHESTER RACES.—TIIESDAY (CONCLUDED).
A Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, and 25 added, one
mile, 9 Subs., was won, in three heats, by Mr. Kimber's
Tantivy, lust (Mr. Elvves), beating Lady Frances, 7st
61b, New Forest Deer, I Ist 41b, Pickpocket, 9st 131 b,
and four others, by two lengths. The winner was
claimed for 2001.

WEDNESDAY.
The Two Yrs Old Stakes of 10 sovs. each, and 25 added;
colts, Bst 91b; fillies, &c., Bst 61b. T.Y.C. (16 Subs.)
Mr. Greville's Puffy ... ••• (Nat) 1
Mr. Drinkald's Dark Lady . ..• . 2
Romantic, Wet Nurse, Lady Day, Loup-garon,
and
the Nautch Girl, also started.
Won by a neck. Wet Nurse was third, and Nautch
Girl fourth. Run in 1 min. 27 secs.
The Winchester Stakes of 10 soya. each, 5 ft, and 50
added. Heats. one mile. (11 Subs.)
Mr. Greig's Lancaster, 3 yrs, 75t... (J. Sharp) 1 1
Duke of Richmond's Nectar, 3 )rs, Est 91b ... 3 2
Mr. W. Sadler's Mountain Dw, 4 yrs, 7st 131 b... 2 3
Mr. Fcllowes's Thiitledown, 3 yrs, 6st 91b ... 4 4
Both heats won easy.
The City Members' Plate of 50/., added to a Sweep-
stakes of 3 sovs. each, two miles, 8 Subs., was won ill
three heats, by Mr. Sadler's Antagonist, Bst 81b, beating
Urania, 7st slb (won first heat), Perseverance, 7st 121 b,
Madge Grey, Est 131 b, Huntsman, sst 91b, and two others,
in a canter.

A Handicap of 3 sous. each, and 20 added, three
quarters of a mile. 7 Subs., was won by Mr. W. Etwall's
b c by Thistle Whipper, out of Jack Cade's dam, 3 yrs,
9st 6lb (J. Sharp), beating Hippona, 9st 10Ib, Hasteway,
9st 61b, and three others.

THE CURRAGH MEETlNG.—(Tuasniy.)
The Curragh Derby was won in a canter by Justice
to Ireland, beating the King of Kildare, and Maras•
chino.

The Handicap was won by Crazy Lad, beating the
Perdita filly, and some others.

. ...a
The Ktrwns were won by Plunder, Bst. 41b., beating
Ballinafad, Bst. 21b.
The Scurry Stakes were won by the Miss Chance,
filly.

SUICIDE OF A LADY.
A case of suicide, under circumstances of a peculiarly
painful nature (and connected with which rumour speaks
of facts still more distressing), took place at Bideford on
the afternoon of Wedneaday last.
The unhappy victim of her own rashness is Mrs. Mary
Madelina I3ourmaster Douglas, aged 39, wife of Major
Douglas, of the Royal Infantry, daughter of the late
General Sir William Dixon, and sister of Capt. Dixon,
of the Caledonia, flag-ship, Plymouth. She had been
married to Major Douglas about twenty-one years; and
the fruit of their union was ten children, seven of whom
survive their ill-fated parent.
The deceased had been in India with her gallant hus-
band almost ever since their marriage, and only returned
therefrom to her native shores about twelve months ago
(on the ground of ill-health). Major Douglas (hastened
home unexpectedly, it is said, by painful intelligence
which reached him abroad), landed at Southampton
some three weeks since, and posted immediately to
Exeter, where he met the deceased, with whom he re-
paired to this place, and engaged a suite of apartments
in the Ili,la-street, where they were lodging when the
fatal event occurred.
Nothing particular happened, at all connected with the
sad catastrophe, until Thursday se'nnight, when the de-
ceased lady called at the shop of Mr. Joce, druggist, arid
asked for a poison to destroy cats, mentioning prussic
acid. Mr. Joce had not a supply in stock, but sent out
to another druggist, from whom he procured an ounce
bottle, with which he furnished her, at the same time in-
forming her, in answer to her question, that it might be
mixed in milk, On this bottle (a small green one, with
a glass stopper) there was the usual printed label as it
came from the manufacturer--" Hydrocyanic acid :
Scheele's strength. Should be kept in a well-closed
bottle and in a cold place." On the following Monday
she called at Mr. Joce s, stating that she had accidentally
dropped the bottle and spilled its contents, and asking to
be supplied with a second quantity. Mr. Joce again sent
out, and obtained a similar bottle, which he sold the de-
ceased. This bottle was labelled as the other.
The deceased had appeared as usual up to the after-
noon of Wednesday, although the person with whom she
lodged deposed that she was frequently much dejected,
and that her manner often suggested to her doubts of
her perfect sanity. The family had all dined together
(Major and Mrs. Douglas and three of their children),
and deceased seemed in good spirits, and talked with her
husband with apparent pleasure of their proposed em- I
barkation for India in October.
Somefter dinner, at nearly five o'clock, deceased rose
from table suddenly, and went up stairs to her dress-
ing-room, and after the lapse of about half a minute
came hurriedly down, and rushed into the drawing-room,
where she immediately fell senseless on the floor.
Major Douglas called for assistance, and the domestics
were instantly in
attendance, and raised the untbrtunate
lady to the sofa. Messengers were dispatched for a sur-
geon, and within five minutes Mr. T. Mackenzie Smith
(who chanced to be at home when the servant came) was
on the
occurred spot
within , and a found life not quite extinct, but death
m
showed the surgeon a bottle
the deceased's dressing-table, an
se ich he had taken from
°f his arrival. The Major
mediately pronounced that it had
It was almost emptied, although its
d on looking at it he im_-.
contained prussic acid-
cient to have destroyed, not merely ne contentsbut
were
lies.
lodged Smith applied the stomach-pump, anrreef% Idvr
lodged from the stomach sufficiently indicatedthue cause
of death, the peculiar odour of that deadly mixture be-
ing strongly betrayed.
On going to the dressing-room, Mr. Smith found on
the platform of the looking-glass upon the dressin-table
a pair of scissors, and the stopper and covering btelong
ing to the bottle, so that there could be no doubt that the.
infatuated lady precipitated herself from her husband's
presence, and instantly repaired to the fatal dose.—
Devonshire Chronicle. -

MMERCIAL TRAVELLERS'
SCHOOLS.
ELECTION OF CHILDREN.
A general court of this institution was held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, yesterday, for the
purpose of receiving the reports of the board of manage-
ment and the auditors, and electing fifteen children into
the schools; John Masterman, Esq., M.P., the president
of the society, occupied the chair.
The CHAIRMAN having formally announced the object
of the meeting,
Mr. Nesu, the secretary, read the quarterly report,
from which it appeared that, taking into consideration
the depressed condition of trade, very gratifying progress
had been made by the society. The funds had been in -
creased during the quarter by the addition of new dona-
tions and annual subscriptions to the amount of 1,0001.,
and the educational progress of the children, and general
goodness of their health, were referred to as being highly
satisfactory. The report also contained an earnest ap-
peal to the commercial body to come forward with that
energy of character for which they are distinguished to
support an institution so peculiarly their own, and one
which appeals to the best sympathies of human nature.
The subject of the building fun I was also urged strongly
upon the attention of the meeting. It was stated that a
comparatively small sum had as yet been contributed,
not much over 600/.. and an earnest exhortation was ad-
dressed to the stewards for the year, and the great body
of subscribers, to use their utmost exertions for the ac-
complishment of an object so desirable as the possession
of a building which should be the property of the
society and at the same time an evidence of the taste
and liberality of the commercial body.
At twelve o'clock the election commenced, and at
throe o'clock the poll closet], for the result of which we
refer our readers to our advertising columns. The
fifteen children elected on this occasion complete the
number of fifty now enjoying the advantages of this ex-
cellent charity, and we cannot but congratulate th..
society upon its having been able to accomplish so much
within the brief period of a year from the opening of
the school.
At the conclusion of the proceedings a vote of that-11;s
was unanimoudy accorded to the chairman, and the
meeting separated.

UNITED FRIENDS.—On Monday last the
.wenty-sixth anniversary of this important social body
was celebrated at the White Conduit Tavern, Islington,
when above 400 members partook of a dinner, served
up in Mr. Rouse's excellent style. P. P. Watson (No.
29) presided as chairman, as did P. P. Shiers as deputy,
and were supported by several distinguished past and
present officers. After having done ample justice to
good things provided for them by
the liberality of the
the
stewards, and the cloth withdrawn, the
usual loyal toasts
were given and responded to by the company. The Chair-
man, in a neat speech, gave " Prosperity to the Order
of Loyal United Friends." This was received with great
applause. Several other appropriate toasts were given,
and several songs sung, until about nine o'clock, when a
ball took place, which was graced by a large number of
ladies, and the evening's entertainments kept up until a
late hour, when the party broke up, evidently much
gratified with the day's proceedings. TOTAL Loss OF THE
oF THE CREW GIPSEY STEAMER ...ESCAPE
.—The particulars concerning the com-
plete loss of this unfortunate steamer, on a voyage from
the Thames to Bahia, in South America, have just been
received at Lloyd's, from which it appears that the cap-
tain, Mr. Lock, and the crew fortunately escaped, after
exerting every effort to save the vessel. She was manned
by a crew of ten in number, and on the 15th instant left
London for her destination in South America. In her
progress down channel she encountered a fearful gale
from the S.S.E. and laboured heavily. At length it
was found that she had sprung a leak, and the feel
getting rather low, and it being hoped that the wea
ther would moderate, she was run into Falmouth on the
18th instant. On the day following she renewed the
voyage, and on the 22d, when about 70 or 80 miles
west of the Scilly Isles, more tempestuous weather was
experienced. Iler leakage considerably increased, and
it appearing very evident that she could not be kept
afloat by the pumps, it was resolved to run her for the
nearest port. This, however, was a work of no easy
accomplishment. The crew continued to work the
pumps with great vigour, in the hope of getting
her
into port. In this, however, they failed. On the fol-
lowing day, the 23d, a pilot boat, named the Active,
belonging to St. Mary's, Scilly, fell in with the disabled
steamer, and the crew of the latter, finding not the
least chance remained of saving her, set to work to
reseue what stores they could from her, and having suc-
ceeded in the attempt, they then abandoned her, and
took shelter on board the Active. Wishing, however, to
know the fate of their vessel, they cruized about her for
three or four hours, when she gradually went down in
deep water. The pilot boat then made for St. Mary's,
and landed the captain and crew. The loss of the steamer
is considerable, but she is understood to have been insured
to some extent.

THE SCOTTISH HOSPlTAL.—Yesterday at one a
quarterly court of the governors and supporters of the
Scottish Hospital was held at the office of the corpora-
tion, Crane-court, Fleet-street, to receive the report of
the affairs for the quarter, ending June last, and " to
consider the propriety of erecting an asylum, in connec-
tion with the Hospital, for the reception of a certain
number or the whole of the pensioners to re-
side therein." The Duke of Argyle, the president, in
the chair. Major Adair, the secretary, read the report,
which showed that the sum paid in charity amounted to
1,5051. 15s. Bd., and that after deducting all necessary
expenses, the balance in hand was 2991. 14s. There was
received at the festival 262/. 10s. 2d. The report having
been received and adopted, Dr. G. Webster, in reference
to the notice of motion, said that he had spoken to se-
veral of his friends, who fully agreed with him as to the
necessity and importance of the proposition. They had
a fund in hand of 40,0001., part of which might be ap-
propriated to the erection of a suitable building where
their aged pensioners might reside.— (Hear, hear.) A
gread advantage would be derived in a sanitary, religious,
and moral point of view, as they would have rooms
which would be more convenient and better ventilated
than those they now occupy, while their clergy and me-
dical officers would be in a better position to afford their
services.—(Hear, hear.) He moved that a committee be
appointed to take the subject into consideration. Mr.
John Matheson, M.P., seconded the resolution. The
Duke of Argyle observed that it was of importance a
committee should be appointed. It appeared to him
that it was desirable to carry out the plan to some ex-
tent, as a large number of pensioners would have better
accommodation than they now have, and would be able
to enjoy greater comfort.—(Hear, hear.) The amount
of the expenses ought to be limited, and he thought it
would not be necessary to erect an ornamental building.
—(Heer, hear.) Mr. Donaldson, Mr. J. Stewart, &c.,
addressed the Court, when it was resolved that a com-
mittee should be appointed for the purpose in question.
The Duke of Argyle, Lord J. Stuart, Mr. James Ma
theson, M.P., The Chisholm, Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P.,
Captain Lamont, &c., were on the committee. Thanks
were voted to his Grace, and the Court separated.
SLIGO ELECTION.—Mr. James Heatley, of London,
and Mr. John Ball, a son of Judge Ball, are candidates
for the vacant seat in Sligo.