The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-04 00:00:00

117
.Ely DECEMBER 4, 1846.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
GENERAL ORDER.

Woo',mai, OcTossa.-7The following circular memo,
randa from the Horse Guards are promulgated for the
information and guidance of all officers of the Royal
Regiment of Artillery. The Honourable Board directs
the same to be carried into effect in the Ordnance mili-
tary corps.
(Signed) E. JONES, Adjutant-General.
"Horse Guards, 1846.

" The Commander-in-Chief desires that in all cases in
which a soldier has beep wounded in action a specifica-
tion of wounds or wound may be inserted in his dis-
charge, documents in addition to the disabilities that
may be the immediate cause of rendering him unfit for
service. •

" His Grace likewise desires that the dates of grant
and forfeiture of good conduct pay, as well as those of
restoration thereof, may be specified in their discharge
documents.

" By command of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wet-
ngton, Commander-in Chief.
(Signed) "J. MACDONALD,
Adjutant-General."
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.

It is stated, upon very good authority, in the military
circles in this garrison, that his Grace the Duke of Wel-
lington's serious attention has been brought to the demo-
ralising and baneful system of allowing from four to six
gentlemen cadets of this establishment to occupy one
room, and that the mode proposed to be adopted is that
at our universities, that of assigning each young gentle-
man cadet a room to himself, and for that purpose a
most material alteration must take place to enlarge the
academy. Another most stringent regulation, it is said,
will be adopted—that of not permitting, the cadets the
privilege of promenading the garrison after dark, but to
limit them to their barracks, except in cases where it is
known that they are going to,visit their parents or rela-
tives residing within the garrison. -

COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR
OHORLEY. •
FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Another inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon at the
house of Mr. Thomas Glover, the Wheatsheaf Inn,
Coppull (three miles from Chorley, and seven from
Wigan), on the body of Thomas Grime, the man who
was employed in the coal-mine of Mr. J. Hargreaves,
jun., as " fireman," when the melancholy explosion took
place on the 24th ult., when eight unfortunate individuals
lost their lives.
Mr. R. Palmer, the Coroner, commenced the inquiry
at half-past two o'clock, and Mr. J. Gaskell attended on
behalf Mr. Hargreaves,- to afford every facility to the
investigation.
The only witness called was Joseph Ellis, the manager
of the colliery, who stated that immediately after the
explosion on the 24th of November at the Coppull Pit,
he went into the mine with the Davy lamp, and found
Morris about 300 yards from the shaft, lying upon his
face, and nearly dead. He was a little burnt, but it was
suffocation that affected him. He saw him afterwards at
his own house, and asked him if he could tell how the
accident happened? He replied, " I went down at half-
past four o'clock with my Davy lamp, and had put a
lighted, candle is all the places except the last three—
Halliwell's and the two Turners'. I was going into Tom
Halliwell's place when I saw a light inside, and imme-
diately afterwards. an explosion took place." Witness
then said, " Some of the men state that you had your
lamp-top off; is that true?" He said, " No, it is not;
but you will find that out in a day or two, for some of
you will find my lamp." On Saturday morning he
(witness) found the lamp, and the top was on, and it was
all perfectly correct.
The CORONER said he was glad the lamp had been
found, as it corroborated the statement made by the
deceased, and would satisfy the public mind as to the
real cause of the accident. '
Ellis continued—There was another person with him
when he found the lamp. He found it going into
Thomas Halliwell's place, and just where Grime said he
was at the time of the explosion. Candles had been
stuck up in all the places except the last three. The
light had been blown out by the explosion, but the candles
being stuck up with clay were still remaining. There
were no candles stuck up in Halliwell's or Turners'
places. The deceased died at three o'clock on Saturday
afternoon. He died from the effects of the " after-damp,
which suffocated him.
The CORONER said, it appeared to him that the cause
of the accident was now satisfactorily explained, and
that no blame whatever rested with those who had the
management of the works.
The jury immediately returned a verdict of " Acci-
dental death."
The CORONER said he observed that the attention of
the London newspapers had been directed to this melan-
choly accident, on account of women being in the mine,
which was contrary to law. Now, he wished to know
whether something could not be done to prevent them
going down in disguise in this manner.
Ellis—There might be somebody to examine them.
A Juryman—But who will examine them? They
will have them, do what you will, and if any one was
sent to examine, they would stick a pick into him di-
rectly. The women are fonder of working in the pits
than anywhere else, and you cannot keep them out, be-
cause there they get good wages. They " naturably"
like it, though I don't think they should be employed
there. When disguised, they are very bad to detect.
A young woman used to pass our door from a pit at
Blackrod, and I said one day to my wife, " That's a
clever young fellow;" but my daughter said, " Nay, she's
a wench."—(Laughter.)
After some further conversation among the jury, it
turned out that this " clever young fellow," who deceived

the juryman, was the unfortunate young woman Jane
Moss, aged 21 years, who was killed by the explosion on
the 24th of November.

CURIOUS ROBBERIES OF MlLK.—Three boys, about
twelve, thirteen, and fourteen years of age, were charged,
at the Clerkenwell Police Court, under the following
circumstances :—lt appeared that on Taesday morning,
at on early hour. the prisoners were seen lurking about
Islington, watching the milk carriers, who left small
cans containing milk in the areas of customers for
servants to take in. The prisoners, in several instances,
climbed over the area railings and emptied the cans of
milk; and thus would they have deprived all the gentry
of Islington of milk for breakfast, had it not been for a
policeman of the N division, who had been for some time
watching their manoeuvres, taking them into custody.
The prisoners were committed.
ENROLMENT OF PENSIONERS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

-It is intended to enrol six companies of pensioners
each consisting of four sergeants, four corporals, two
drummers and fifers, and seventy-six privates, for service
in New Zealand.
PRIZE CATTLE.-The City of London Aberdeen
steam .ship came up the river yesterday with 250 head of
cattle on board, amongst them are nine fat oxen of
enormous dimensions, intended for the Smithfield Club
cattle show.
SALE OF THE BOOKS, SERVICE OF PLATE, WINES,
&C., OF THE LATE SIR C. WETHERELL, KNT.-Tuesday
the property of the late Sir Charles Wetherell, Knt.,
consisting of the books, the service of plate, the wines,
&c., was entirely disposed of at the Rolls Auction
Rooms, Chancery-lane, the sale having occupied four
days. Some of the plate had belonged to the services of
George IV., the Duke of York, Sir John Leach, &c.
The wines, &c., were brought from the cellars at the
mansion in Berkeley-square, and the chambers, Stone-
buildings, Lincoln's Inn. The plate went at prices
varying from ss. 6d. to 12s. 2d. per oz., and of these
there were 185 lots. The following were the prices
that some of the wines fetched (as much as eight
guineas per dozen being stated to have been given by
the deceased for some of them):-six dozen of port, bot-
tled forty years, 41. 4s. por dozen; 23 dozen of brown
sherry, fifteen years in bottle, 645. per dozen, &c. The
wines realised between 1,1001. and 1,5001. The law
books comprised 253 lots, including an immense number
of reports. The following are the prices which some of
the lots went for:-The Statutes at Large, from Magna
Charm to the 41st George 111. (by Runnington), from
the 41st George 111. to the Bth and 9th of Victoria (by
Tomlins, Baithly, and Simons), 31 vols., 231. 155.;
Calendars of the Proceedings in Chancery, in the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, 3 vols., 1830-34; Corpus Juris
Civilis, anno 1663 ; and Velor Ecclesiasticus, temp.
Henry VIII., 6 vols., 1810.34, 291. 18s. 6d.; Journals
of the House of Lords, volumes 34 to 52, with calendar
and index; and Journals of the House of Commons, with
index, 85 vols., 291. 18s. 6d. Yesterday's sale comprised
the miscellaneous library of Greek, Latin, German,
Italian, and French works of all the most learned authors
of antiquity and of modern times.
THE COBDEN NATIONAL TRIBUTE FUND.-The
usual weekly meeting of the members of the Manchester
Committee for the promotion of this undertaking was
held in the League Rooms, Newall's-buildings, on Tues-
day evening. Mr. William Shuttleworth in the chair.
Mr. Pattisson, the secretary, reported that the fund had
this week been increased by the amount of 243/. Is. 9d.,
making a total, up to the present date, of 77,716/. 6s. 54.
Mr. Nolan stated that 161. 6s, had been received from
Manchester; 251. from Mottram and Mosley; 71. ls.
from Chorley; 41. 2s. 6d. from Hazlegrove; 121. 12s. 6d.
from Accrington and Haslingden; 101. from Blue Pits,
Rochdale; and 50/. from the Altrincham district; giving
a total of 128/. 2s. received during the last week from
those places.-Manchester Guardian.
A clause of the new law for the establishment of
Courts for the recovery of Small Debts enacts, that no
barrister, attorney, or other person, except by have of
the judge, shall be entitled to be heard as counsel in
any proceeding under the Act, and if the judge do allow
an attorney he is not to be entitled to any fee whatever
unless the debt claimed is above 405.; to more than 10s.
unless the debt be above 5/. ; nor to more than 15s. in
any case. The barrister is bound down to a maximum
fee of 1/. 3s. 6d. Fees of barristers or attorneys are not
to be allowed in taxation of costs, in case of a plaintiff,
where less than 5/. is recovered-or in case of a defend
ant, where less than 51. is claimed ; or in any case what-
ever, unless by order of the judge.
SUDDEN DEATH AT A RAILWAY STATioxOn
Tuesday morning, a gentleman, named Francis, a s
citor, of Monument-yard, London, left Hastings, with
his daught-r, to go to • London, but on their arrival at
the Brighton terminus, Mr. Francis, who, we understand
was between sixty and seventy years of age, was taken
suddenly ill, and before medical assistance could be pro-
cured lie was a corpse. - • •

PRICE SD.

AGRICULTURAL UinLimTpoUrtßanAceLto REPORTFboOdyRat
NOVEMBER. -
(From the Farmer's Magazine.)
the agricultural
this particular period 'of the year is the state of the
weather for out-door farm operations. That experienced
during nearly or quite the whole of the month just
brought to a conclusion has proved unusually propitious
to the sowing of the winter wheats '; hence, 'as a matter
of course, that work has progressed with considerable
rapidity, and under the most favourable auspices. In
many parts of England the plants have already appeared
above ground, and it is highly gratifying for us to be
enabled to observe that we never recollect to have seen
them finer or in a more healthy state. These observa-
tions refer, be it understood, not to any particular
locality, but to most our large corn districts, over which
we have travelled for the purpose of forming oar con-
clusions respecting the many features of interest to our
farmers. The:value of the opinion frequently expressed,
that a change in our import laws must have the effect of
throwing out of cultivation a large portion of our wheat
lands, from the inability of the home growers to compete
with the foreigner, is now about to be tested. We our-
selves have looked upon the late alteration in the corn-
laws as indicative of low prices here in years of great
abundance ; but, at the same time, we have endeavoured
to enforce our honest conviction that it would be utterly
impossible for farming to be carried on in this country,
unless wheat—by far the most valuable crop we can pro-
duce—continue to form the principal article of growth
with us.- This point of our argument cannot be more
fairly illustrated than by experience ; and,- from what we
have recently witnessed, and from the remarks of our
numerous correspondents, we maintain that the year
1847 will show a- much larger breadth of land under
wheat than has been the case during the last tea years.
We would observe this is no idle assumption, though it
is a -most Conclusive proof of the energy of our
agriculturists to keep pace with the rapidly increasing
wants of the 'population. Many parties may feel dis-
posed to argue that the increased cultivation we have
here alluded to, is purely the result of the prevailing
comparatively high ' prices. To an extent, such is un-
questionably the case ; but feeling strongly impressed
with our extensive and increasing wants as a nation, and
the great necessity for supplying these wants, in
order that at future periods we may be independent as
far as possible of all contingencies, the result of depen-
dence upon the foreign cultivators, and, further, the im-
portance of keeping the labouring population fully em-
ployed and well fed, all which matters are closely con-
nected with native industry, we very much doubt whether
—unless indeed our general policy, commercial as well
as political, receive an unexpected and, by some, long
dreaded convulsion—the prices of wheat will ever bt.
lowered to that point at which it will be impossible to
cultivate it. It would perhaps be unfair for us to Craw
inferences from the past season, what has been one of
extreme interest, and in which we have had to report the
failure not only of the potato crop, but likewise a consi-
derable falling off in the produce of all kinds of spring
corn ; all which circumstances have increased the con-
sumption of wheat far beyond that of the ordinary run
of years. Still, in our judgment, it would be opposed
to a practical view of matters to argue that the cultiva-
tion of wheat will be materially affected by the import-
ation of a few hundred thousand quarters of foreign
grain annually.
The next point to which we shall direct attention is
the state of the stocks of wheat, both old and new, in
the hands of the home growers. The stocks of last year's
growth are very limited, and a few weeks will make a
total clearance of them ; but, notwithstanding the un-
usually large deliveries at the various markets, which
have been made in excellent condition, those of the pre-
sent
season are good and of prime quality. Here, then,
is a matter which cannot fail to have some influence
upon future prices, and maintain a sensible effect upon
consumption. This subject being one of the most vital
interest to our readers, a few observations upon the
statements which have found their way into many con-
temporary prints may he 'useful. On the subject of
the relative value of wheat we have already expressed
ourselves to the effect that though the imports of grain
from America and elsewhere' may be large during the
coming year, the demand will not be more than ade-
quately supplied ; hence present rates may be consi-
dered tolerably safe.
We have read with much attention the numerous
highly-coloured statements respecting the capabilities
of the United States to supply us with " bread stuffs;"
yet we see nothing whatever in 'them to create any
uneasiness—circumstanced as we are at the present
moment—or that a great fall in our quotations will be
produced thereby, for the simple reason that from no
other quarter of the globe can we expect to derive large
supplies of corn for a considerable period. High prices
—at least much higher than those now ruling. in our
markets—we do not anticipate, because we feel justified
in the assertion that the evils resulting from the partial
failure in the potato crop—partial we only consider it—
and the comparative falling off in the supplies of barley,
oats, beans, and peas, have been greatly alleviated by
the large quantities of grain and flour which have passed
the customs for home consumption, since the commence-
ment of the present year. Again, it is placed beyond
a doubt that the wheat produced this season is of a very
superior description, consequently is yielding a much
greater amount of really good flour than ordinary. These
circumstances, therefore, induce us to conceive that we
can entertain no idea of a famine, of famine prices, or of
a great depression in our market.
In the early part of the month—at which time the mil-
lers and others were well in stock, and the supplies of most
grain on offer considerably on the increase—compara-
tively little business was transacted in wheat or other
articles, and the quotations suffered a pretty general de-
cline ; but towards the close the demand became steady,
though the actual abatement previously submitted to was
not recovered. Less activity has been observed in the
demand for both fat and lean stock, and, in some in-
stances, the currencies have bad a downward tendency.
This latter circumstance must, in a great measure, be
attributed to the immense importations of foreign stock,
which have taken place under the new tariff, in London
and at the various outports, which have greatly exceeded
those of any month during the present yeiir.
The fact that the potatoes have been on the increase
in the metropolis and elsewhere, and that the condition
of that esculent has much improved, is strongly corrobo-
rative of the views we have all along expressed, espe-
cially as prices have fallen from 10s. to 15s. per ton,
viz., that the actual losses by the disease have been over '
estimated, as far as England and Scotland are con-,
cerned.

It is very satisfactory to observe that the turnip and
carrot crops are exceedingly good and of excellent qua=
lity. In all quarters the markets are liberally suppliid
with them, at very moderate prices.
Depastured stock has fared remarkably well, ant]
supply of food continues abundant. In some parts the
disease has made its appearance amongst the beasts, yet
actual losses have not been extensive.

In Ireland and Sotland the various markets have been
moderately well, but not heavily supplied with corn and
cattle. _ A full average amount of business has been
transacted in most articles, at full prices.

THE MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 2. The
Oriental Company's steam-ship Oriental, Captain Soy,
arrived in the docks this day, 10•30, from Alexandria,
with the Indian mails ; she left Alexandria Nov. 15,
Malta 20, Gibraltar 25, and Cowes Ist inst. Her cargo,
not a large one, consists' of India packages, silks, gum,
ivory, &c. The Oriental has brought home 46 passen
gers, among whom'are Colonel Van de Cour, Colonel
Biddulph, C. 8., and Mr. R. Eaton, M.P. Her Majesty's
ship Tyne was to leave Malta for England on the Mb
ult. Vessels been on the voyage :—Royal Tar, Oct.
27th, and Queen steamer. The weather experienced by
the Oriental was bad throughout. The Thames, Cap-
tain Hast, left the port at three o'clock, P.M., this day
with the West India and Gulf mails, 100 passengers, a
good general cargo, and 700 bottles of quicksilver.
A CHILD LEFT IN A HAMPER AT MISS BURDETT
CouTTs's.—On Wednesday an inquest was held before Mr.
Bedford, at the Barley Mow, Mount-street, Grosvenor-
square, on the body of a male child, found under the
following circumstances :--Mary Hanley, the wife of
Miss Burdett Coutts's coachman, said that on Saturday
night she was going in by the coach-house gates, in
Stratton-street, Piccadilly, when she saw a hamper
placed on the outside. A policeman coining by at the
moment, she called his attention to it, and he opened it.
It was found to contain the body of a fine male child,
wrapped up in a linen napkin, and a sheet of paper was
placed on the top. • It was taken to the workhouse, but
there were no marks to lead to the discovery of the
parties. Mr. Bloxham, surgeon, had opened the body,
and had no doubt the child was born alive. On examin-
ing the head, he found effusion of the brain, which had
been produced in the labour, and was the cause of death.
Verdict—" Died from natural causes."

HARWICH, DEC. I.—The Lords of the Admiralty
arrived here on Saturday on a visit of inspection of the
extensive works now in progress. Their Lordships
were accompanied by Commodore Sir Walker 0. Pell,
and were attended by Mr. James Walker, the engineer
to the Board of Admiralty, under whose charge the con-
struction of the breakwater and the improvements of
the harbour have been placed. Her Majesty's steam-
ship Porcupine, Captain Bullock, R.N., was in readiness.
Their Lordships (Admiral Dundas and Lord John Hay)
proceeded to view the state of the breakwater, at the
point of the Royal Naval-yard, and having giiren direc-
tions regarding it, at once proceeded on board the Por-
cupine, for the inspection of the dredging of the shoals
in the harbour. The contractor, Mr. Williams, was on
board, to afford all necessary information ; and after it
cruise round the harbour, the ship returned and landed
their Lordships, who forthwith repaired to the Cliff-
point, whence the magnificent breakwater springs. Their
Lordships were accompanied by Mr. B. C. Bolton (our
worthy Mayor), Messrs.. Cottenham, Randfield, Nalbo-
rough, George, and many others of our townsmen, who
take an interest in the improvement of our locality, and
were met by Mr. Freeman, the contractor of the works,
and his able staff. Their Lordships were received by a
salute of 19 guns from the Cliff, and by the loud and
welcome cheers of the workmen, drawn up in two lines
for the occasion. Their Lordships most minutely in-
spected the work, and were pleased to express their en-
tire approbation at the efficient way in which, so far, it
has been constructed. It is, we understand, to extend
800 yards from the base of the chit More than 120
yards have been completed ; so that it will be seen that
the work cannot be finished under three years.—lpswich
Express. -

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
MILLTA, Nov. 25.—The Peninsular and -Oriental
Company's steamer Oriental, with mails and pas-
sengers from India, left the quarantine hal nour on
the afternoon of the 20th inst., fur Gibraltar and South-
ampton.
Her Majesty's ship Tyne, with invalids and officers
appointed to other ships, left port for Algiers, Gibraltar,
Tangiers, and Englafid on the 21st inst. On arriving in
England, after being. in commission upwards of three
years and a half, she will be paid off.
The Neapolitan steamer the Ercolano, from ports of
Sicily and Italy, arrived on the 22d inst., and left on the
following day on her return voyage.
The Anglo-Maltese steamer Scotia, with a full cargo
of barley, arrived here from Athens on the 22d 'inst.
The attempts made to sell her have proved a failure.
The Dutch squadron, under the command of his Royal
Highness Prince Henry of the Netherlands, comprising
the Prins von Orange frigate and the Juno and -Sambre
Corvettes, left port on the morning of the 22d inst.,
steering for the westward. On going out salutes were
exchanged between his Royal Highness and the forts.
The French steamer Nil, from Beyrout and Alex-
andria, arrived here this day, and will proceed without
delay to Marseilles direct.
The French steamer Telemaque, from ports of the
Levant, which his been performing• quarantine in this
harbour, will proceed to
,Marseilles, touching at ports of
Italy.
The French steamer Leonidas, with mails from the
Levant, due in the quarantine harbour, has not yet
arrived.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Achilles, from the Black Sea and Constantinople and
Smyrna, is not yet arrived, but is hourly expected.
After taking on board the mails and passengers from
India brought by the Ariel, she will proceed on her
homeward voyage, vid Gibraltar.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Ariel
has just arrived with the, India mails on board. They
go on-by-the Spitfire, via Marseilles, at noon.
PORTS MO ITYII, WEDNESDAY.—The melancholy yet
truthful detail of the condition in which the widow and
family (seven daughters and three sons) of the late Lieu-
tenant William Pringle Green, who was upwards of 40
years a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, have been left,
we had hoped would have been productive of some pecu-
niary benefit from those in office, whose predecessors,
and the country generally, have benefited so largely by
his inventions and services, towards the survivors of,that
ill-used man. We. have waited in anxious expectancy
some benevolent offering from the Lords of the Admi-
ralty towards the relief of that distress under which the
family are now suffering; and which becomes more
poignant as the incleMency of the weather increases.
Immediately after our announcement of the death of the
veteran, his fourth daughter, Harriet, addressed the First
Lord of the Admiralty, asking assistance. The follow-
ing was the reply:—

" Admiralty, Nov. 2.
" Madam,—l am desired by Lord Auckland to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your memorial, and to say,
that in consequence of the numerous prc,sing claims
upon his Lordship he much regrets that it is not in his
power to afford you any relief.—l nave the honour to
be, Madam, your obedient servant.
AlibE H. C. Green. `• HENRY EDEN"
Will it be believed that Lor, Auckland has 416

• numerous" claims upon hi_ pur,.. as First Lordof
the Admiralty, as to tie compeiui r f..se considera-
tion to the appeal ~f one xhos., claim was infinitely
more " pressing" than an) his Lordship can possibly
have upon his list?
_

This application having failed in its effect upon the
benevolence of the head of the Admiralty personally,
Miss Green next addressed a petition to the BNard in an
appeal to the Compassionate Fund. The following was
the result:—

" Admiralty, Nov. 4.
" Madam—Having laid before my Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 27th instant,
I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you
that your claim to an allowance from the Compassionate
Fund will be taken into consideration at the usual pe-
riod next March.—l am, Madam, your very humble
servant,
" H. G. WARD.
" Miss H. C. Green, 4, Mile-end-terrace, Landport,
Hants."

This cold reply is scarcely an improvement on the
First Lord's, as it appears the family must starve until
" March next," before any sustenance can be awarded
them from this " compassionate " fund.
Miss Green next addressed the Royal Naval Bene-
volent Society, but this body, with far more humanity
than is exhibited by its " compassionate" contemporary,
or the First Lord, has not deigned any reply whatever
to her appeal.

-
n Captai Pasco, of the Victory, who is well acquainted
with 'all, and much more than we have stated, of this
distressing case, will be but too happy to receive any
subscriptions in behalf of the family, an object which
our correspondent at Portsmouth will also be happy to
further. Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, with a true spirit
of benevolence, which reflects increased lustre upon
his character, has himself set on foot a subscription
among his private friends for the benefit of the widow
and fatherless.

The Myrtle steam tender, Second Master Balliston,
commanding, sailed on Monday evening, to bring back
Lieutenant Moorson and the men belonging to the St.
Vincent, employed in taking the Avenger steam frigate
to Plymouth.

The Mercury tender, which returned from her trip
to the coasts of Sussex and Kent, to obtain men, yes-
terday, sailed this afternoon for Plymouth to assist the
Myrtle in bringing back the St. Vincent's crew. The
Mercury did not bring more than eight men and boys.
The Echo steam-tug has been employed to-day ia
embarking a cieticEment or the 97th Foot, from Cowes,
on board the Florentia freight ship, for passage to
Malta.

The Rattlesnake surveying-ship, Captain Owen Stan-
ley, was towed out of harbour yesterday Morning, and
anchored at Spithend.
The Grappler steam vessel, Lieutenant .commauding
T. H. T_Aysaght, came into the harbour last evening.
The Wanderer,. 16, Commander Somerville, was off
the Pongas; on the 12th of October, expecting to be at
Sierra Leone in a month or thereabouts.

The Frolic, 16, Commander Hamilton, is expected to
arrive in England, from the Pacific, about the end of
May next.

WoormrcH, DEC. I.—Commodore Sir J. J. Gordon
Bremer, K.C.B. and K.C.H., assumed the superinten..
dance of this dockyard to-day, and hoisted hi,. broad.
pendant (blue) on board her Majesty's vessel the William
and Mary yacht.

The Illiadatnanthus steam-vestel, Mr. Aylen Master
Commanding, arrived on Saturday from Portsmouth and
Ireland, to have hor det.-ets made good, which ,will
occupy the remainder. of ti e prey(-tit w. ck.
' The Avott•steam-vessel, Captain Denham, rats., was
paid nff

The Amphion steam-trigate, of 36 guns, with screw
propeller, Captain Williams, is having her masts and
rigging put up in the East-dock, and will be made ready
for sea as early as possible.
The Sidon steam frigate, Captain Henderson, C. 8., is
reported to be still at Greeohithe

Mr. Keyse, the inventor of a r,‘yal li.e preserving and
Swimming apparatus, attended fit Woolwich dockyard
tb-day, by order of the Lords of the Admiralty, to make
experiments with his invention, but in consequence of
the coldness of the weather, the experiments were post-
poned until a more favourable opporttinity of testing
them occurred. Mr. Keyse exhibited his appall+ tus to
Rear-Admiral Sir Francis A. Collier, Knight, C. 73, and
K.C.H.

DEC. 2.—The Sidon steam-frigate, Captain llender-
son, 0.13., left her anchorage ground at Green} Tithe, on
Sunday, with the intention of proceeding some . distance,
hut in consequence of the great number of N,essels in
the river was obliged to anchor off Graves er.d. A
strong ebb-tide was running at the time, which acted so
strongly on the great length of the frigate, and the en-
gines not being under command as she swung, tie cable
parted at the hawse, and rendered it necessary to let go
another anchor, one of Porter's, of 40 cwt., hay ing been
supplied to the Sidon previous to leaving her x noorings
at Woolwich, and the vessel was brought up cast ely with
the second anchor. The Sidon returned to Gmenhithe
in the afternoon. On Monday she made an. experi-
mental trip to the Nore, and returned to Gr eenhithe,
where she is expected to remain about ten days, i
order to have some alteration made in the sts rting gear
of the engines, and to shift a defective era nk on the
paddle-shaft.

PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENT S.

Nov. 30.—Lieutenant and Commander--Wm. Swain-
son, to the Penguin.
Captain Superintendent of the RoyalClareneeVietual-
ling-yard and Hasler Hospital—Sir W. E. Parry.,
Clerks' Assistants—Edward Marcom, to the Caledonia;
William 0. Naylor, to the Lightning.
Surgeon—James Wilson (B), to the Caledonia.
DEC. l.—Lieutenants—Walter W.. Morris, to the
Penelope; Horace Bullock, to study at the Steam-fac-
tory, Woolwich; Shirley Apthorp, to the Recruit.
Naval Cadets—James J. Bartow, to the Endimion;
F. M. Kelsall, to the President.
Captain—Alexander Ellice., 'to be Comptroller of Steaut
Machinery.—Times.

THE GIP..EAT BRITAIN
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN

- - -
SIR, The Grev,t Britain weighs 1,600 tons. 400' tons
of cork, firmly attached to her by timber, &c., i aside,
outside, or a part to either side, as low down as pc ssible
will floatas
a ayvessel her lknd eepw
or
arws a
wreck, withoutithanypartofhe da
her up wards,,
either Waging
the cork, which will require 60,000 cubic feet o f apace
for stowage-room and displace above 1,600 tons o.f water,
rendering the result certain. A room or rooms. 200 feet
long, 50 feet wide, and 6 feet high, gives the space
required.
Experiment.—One ounce of cork has for a week
floated four ounces of iron, without perceptibly lower-
ing, in fresh water. Salt water, being I'.eavier, buoys up
three per cent. more. If five per cent. more cork be
used, the materials will then be jointly about the gravity
of ice, and the water cannot cover the whole, 500 tons
of cork should float the Great Britain with half her
weight of iron above water. lA. cubic foot of iron weigfis
7.645 (avoirdupois) ounces; salt water, 1.030; fir tim-
berietaken tl',
itrtoordneo
does
will
Ofi
not
101 at,
44nsrodeaopwac:rn
thekt
se, 2tf lighter 4;
oOe
from
r o
tuc,hraAeecss(t,
materialsr
ekpaerar en 4 cubicmdtouhwset
nf
wobt
ti
towing the Great Britain to her destined dock.--Yo tu.a,
W. SLIALDER $.
Bank-place, Norwich, Dec. 2, 1846.

REFORMS IN THE PAPAL STATES. The Pos,
Gazettd of Frankfort,. ,of the 28th ult., states ft.(' in 'Rome
that the Pope intends to abolish the salt tax. e
our', some
other taxes that press particularly on the it id ustrious
classes, and to supply the deficit, which this, abolition
Bill cause, by a tax upon real property. -