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

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—A Correspondent, under the signature of " A
Constant Reader," suggests that each guard's carriage
should be furnished with a small, but strong aeam-
boiler, to which should be attached a powerful whistle,
for the purpose of conveying signals to the engine-
driver. I think that compressed air would be a more
convenient agent than steam, as it would not require any
fire, and would likewise be more economical, and the
receiver could be easily refilled with air by means of a
small pump attached to it.—l am, Sir, &c.
LOCOMOTIVE.

London, Sept. 9, 1546.

DEATH OF A GREENWICH PENSIONER.—Died, last
week, of extreme old age, a noted dependent on Green-
wich Hospital, named " Old Hardy." Some ten years
ago, a large water-dog, of the Russian breed, escaped
from a vessel when off Greenwich, and wandered about
that town for several days, without any one paying any
particular attention to him. During that period, a
child, while at play on the esplanade of the Royal Col-
lege, fell into the River, and would have met with a
watery grave but for the timely assistance of the stray
animal. He had been watching there for his lost ship,
and, on observing the accident, he plunged over the
pier, seized the child, and swam with it a considerable
distance to the landing place. Such an heroic action at-
tracted the sympathy of the gallant old tars, and the
noble animal now shared the rations of many a mess.
Nor was this liberality confined to the pensioners, but
was shared in by the Governor, Sir T. Hardy, from
whose patronage and kindness to him he received the
soubriqua of " Old Hardy." The dog now found his
way into the hospital, and took up his quarters in the
main guardhouse. He never attached himself par-
ticularly to any individual, but was constantly to
found among the men on duty for the day, to whom he
became a valuable assistant, and in whose mess he was a
welcome mate. It is a regulation of the hospital to ex-
clude all dogs unless led by their owners, and Old Hardy
soon took upon himself this office—a duty which lie
carried out to the letter, as well as to the discomfit of
many an unfortunate cur that dared to intrude.
Among the visitors he had many patrons, and a
halfpenny or .a penny bestowed upon
i him was im-
mediately carried to the tripe shop n the market,
where he would deposit the money on the counter,
and wait for the full value of it. He knew the difference
betwixt the two coins, and a farthing he would re-
fuse with scorn. Latterly be would not go to the
market alone, but when he received any gift he would
go to the guardhouse, show his money, and appear rest-
less until some one offered to accompany him. It is
supposed that he had been frequently waylaid and
robbed, his old age preventing him from avoiding or re-
senting such an outrage, and that he adopted that mode
for security. The late warm summer was a severe trial
to " Old Hardy." During the hottest period of the day
he was often to be seen wandering along the beach, im-
mersed to his chin in the water, and occasionally in-
dnlging in a swim after a piece of wood some urchin
would throw in for his amusement. " Old Hardy" was a
noble appendage to a seamen's institution, as a finer speci-
men of the curly-haired water-dog was rarely to be seen.
The old pensioners buried him in the shrubbery betwixt
the outer and inner west gates.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH ON THE EASTERN
COUNTIES RAlLWAY.—Although little more than five
months has transpired since the first step was taken to
erect this important medium of communication on the
above lines, upwards of 167 miles of wires has been fixed,
and 70 instruments erected at the various stations, all of
which are in active operation.
THAMES AMATEUR REGATTA.—We have been re-
quested to state that the Sphynx Cutter Club have pro-
tested and intend to appeal against the decision of the
committee who awarded the four-oared prize to the
Ariel Club on Monday last, upon the ground that the
Ariel crew were disqualified from rowing in the grand
heat, not having rowed their trial heat, and that there-
fore the second boat was entitled to the prize.