The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONikION, MOIsTDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 28,

late the cheap country excursion has drawn off its cus-
tomers. A more wholesome and not less effectual
stimulant than spirits is found in the fresh and exhila-
rating breath of the fields and the woods. Can any
right-thinking man have a doubt as to what our choice
should be between such alternatives? Which:is the pro-
fanation of the religion of Christ—which the outrage to
morality—the employment of a few to give the labouring
class the same pure enjoyment on the Sunday which the
rich have at command, or the adoption of a rule which
practically imprisons th OF e toil-worn multitudes,
and drives them to the; momentary,' but mi-
serable and ruinous relief of intoxication ? " Very
plausible," some shrewd and well-meaning formalist may
observe ; " bat what if the Sunday trains only change
the scene of intoxication ? What if the city dram shops
are deserted only that the fair face of the country and
the solemnity of the Sabbath may be desecrated by city
debauchery ?" Yes. if—. But what says the witness
we have referred to ?

" Last summer (when the Sunday trains were run-
ning) I found no occasion to have any extra constables at
Jock's Lodge, the public-houses being less frequented,
and no breaches of the peace committed. The same
applies all around Edinburgh. The sergeant at Mussel-
burgh reports that he saw no increase at the public-
houses in his district, neither did he see more drunken-
ness than on former occasions.

" It is quite true that the Sunday trains lead many
from the town churches ; but it is equally true that
many attend the churches in the country with their aged
parents, who were never able to do so before. Some of
these places of worship are those they attended in child-
hood."

He adds a comparison well worthy of the attention of
the Edinburgh guardians of working-class morality :—t
" I have often contrasted Edinburgh and Glasgow
with London, Liverpool, and Birmingham. In the two
former places there is scarcely any opportunity afforded
the labouring classes to see the beauteous works of na-
ture in the country; but ample facility to waste their
time in public-houses, become drunkards, outcasts, and
ultimately food for the police. On many occasions I
have walked and rode about Edinburgh and the suburbs
on a Sunday evening, and counted no less than 60,
70, 80, and on one occasion 125 intoxicated persons, in
my perambulations of about three hours. Now, looking
at the latter places on a Sunday evening, you may see
hundreds returning from the country—some with their
wives and families—and scarcely one amongst them
the least intoxicated."

In reply to these and similar statements, Bailie Mack
and Bailie Duncan, the champions of Sabbatarian re-
strictions on their poorer neighbours, had little to urge
except that the council should think of the state of its
funds in reference to the expense of going before, Par-
liament, and that the railway directors bad done nothing
contrary to law. "If these gentlemen were wrong, they
were amenable to the laws of the country." ,Oh ! Bailie
Mack, is there nothing wrong amongst us—nothing that
needs redress except what is done against the laws of
the country? Are all things to be endured which an
" action of declarator in the Court of Session" cannot
remove? What do you suppose petitions to Parliament
were intended for, Bailie Mack? Really, most respec-
table of civic dignitaries—approver of things as they are,
and conservative of your own comforts and privileges,
whatever may happen to those of others—your right-
eousness savours more of the righteousness of the law
than of that which the Gospel enjoins.

SIR ROBERT PEEL'S NEW POR-
TRAIT GALLERY AT DRAYTON MANOR.
This magnificent gallery, which has been for some
time in course of erection, is now entirely completed ;
and has recently received -within its walls a large
number of valuable historical portraits, which, added
to the chefs•d'ceuvre in that line of art previously in
the possession of Sir Robert Peel, render the col-
lection altogether one of the most remarkable in the
kingdom.
The gallery itself is attached to the south-east.angle
of the mansion, and forms a wing 100 feet long in ex-
tension of the north front, the style of architecture being
of the Elizabethan period. An arcade extends along the
three sides of the building, and this is surrounded by an
entablature with an attic, upon which are small
carved pinnacles, which break the outline of the building.
The exterior is further decorated by four stone statues,
somewhat larger than lee, the two towards the south
or garden front representing Rubens and Vandyke, and
the two towards the north representing Reynolds and
Lawrence. The gallery has no windows, but there is a
glazed sash door at the south-western extremity, which
leads on to a new terrace, about 160 feet long and 19 feet
wide, which% decorated with a stone balustrade, vases,
pedestals, &c. This terrace joins on to other terraces
surrounding three sides of the mansion, the whole of
which are embellished with a profusion of marble and
stone vases, &c., harmonising well with the building, and
supporting the character of its architecture.
The new gallery is entered from the south side of the
entrance corridor of the mansion, through an ante-room,
by wide folding doors of carved oak. The north end of
the gallery, which is first entered, is somewhat separated
from the main building by a spacious arch, richly or-
namented with carved oak pilasters, archivolts, pendants,
&c. Through this arch the visitor enters. The gallery
is divided into three compartments by groups of 16 mar-
ble colums and pilasters. The ceiling is deeply carved
and elaborately ornamented with the trusses, frets, pen-
dants, and panelling which characterised the Elizabethan
period. In the cove are thirty heraldic lions with
shields, bearing the initial letters of the names
of Sir Robert and Lady Peel and of their children ;
these lions are shaped as consoles' supporting
the roof ; the spaces between them are panelled
with enrichments of foliage and fruit formed into
bands, the horizontal portion of the ceiling being tra-
beated and deeply panelled and ornamented with scrolls
and pendants. At the springing of the cove is an en-
riched entablature, which, with the cove and the whole
of the ceiling, is of various shades of oak and walnut-
tree wood. The walls are painted of a neutral greenish
colour, and the skirtings are of wainscot. The floor is
bordered with an inlaid band, of a small pattern, Con-
sisting of oak, waltnut-tree and ebony woods. The co-
lumns and pilasters above alluded to are of the Doric
order. The capitals and bases are of white veined Ita-
lian marble ; the shafts each consist of a single block of
Belgian marble, of variegated colour. The pedestals are
panelled, and composed of the same marbles. The pic-
tures are lighted from above by horizontal skylights in
the roof, so placed that every part of each picture is ad-
vantageously seen from the proper points of view.
This recent addition to the mansion has been erected
from the design of Mr. Sydney Smirke, F.S.A. It was
finished at the close of last autumn.
The subjoined is a list of the principal portraits con-
tained in the gallery :
Viscount Hardinge, by Lucas.
Sir David Wilkie, by himself.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone by Lucas.
The Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, by Pickersgill.
'I he Right lion. Sir James Gitaham, Bart., by Lucas,.
The late Lord Abinger, by Sir Martin A. Sbee, P.R.A.
The late Earl Grey, by Lonsdale. This full-length
portrait of the above statesman has been recently pur-
chased by Sir R. Peel of the widow of the artist.
The Earl of Aberdeen, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
This picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy, in
1830, the year of Sir Thomas Lawrence's death.
Tae Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., by Sir Thomas
Lawrence.
Lady Peel, by Sir Thomas Lawrence ; a companion
picture.
The late Sir Robert Peel, Bart., by Sir Thomas Law
rence,

Lord Lyndhurst, by Pickersgill.
The late Sir William Follett, by Say.
The late Lord Erskine, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Lord Brougham: a most admirable likeness of the
Noble and Learned Lord.
Sir Frederick Pollock, by Say.
The Right Hon. Sir George Canning, by Sir Thomas
Lawrence.
Lord Stowell, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
The Czar Peter : an original of that extraordinary
potentate.
The late Right Hon. William Huskisson, by Sir
Thomas Lawrence.
'The Duke of Wellington, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
A full-length, representing the Noble and Gallant Duke
standing on a raised ground, wearing a military cluak,
and having a telescope in his hand. This portrait was
in the Royal Academy Exhibition in 1825.
The late Earl of Eldon, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Edmund Burke, by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Judge Blackstone. This portrait of the shove cele-
brated Judge was purchased by Sir Robert Peel the year
before last, at the sale at Castle Priory, the seat of Mr.
W. S. Blackstone, 11. P., near Wallingford.
William Pitt, by Gainsborough.
L, )rd Stanley, by Say.
The late Earl of Liverpool, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
His late Royal Highness the Duke of York, by Sir
William Beechey.
The Right Hon. Admiral Sir George Cockburn, by
Lucas.
Shakspere; an esteemed portrait of the immortal bard.
The late Lord Byron.
Southey, the poet, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Cowley, the poet, by Sir Peter Lely.
Otway, the dramatist; this
portrait was painted by
Mary Beale, a pupil of Sir Peter Lely.
Fuseli, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Cuvier, by PickersgilL
Samuel Rogers, the poet, by Lucas.
Mr. Wordsworth, the poet, by PickersgilL
Benjamin West, the artist.
Vandyke, a portrait by himself.
The late Sir Francis Chantry, by Jackson.
Gibson, the sculptor, by Geddes.
Arthur Murphy, the dramatist, by Sir Joshua Rey
nolds.

Wycherley, the dramatic poet.
Professor Owen, by Pickersgill.
Liebig, the celebrated chemist.
John Philip Kemble, by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
The late Sir Henry Halford, Bart., by Sir Martin A
Shee.
Dr. Buckland, by T. Philips, R.A.

THREEPENNY THEATRES.—The Lord Chamberlain
has intimated to the proprietors of these theatres in
England his determination to withdraw the licence from
them unless they raise the prices of adtnission-6d, being
the lowest price to be taken. We believe Mr. Miller, of
the Adelphi, has received a similar notice ; at the same
time stating that the rise must take place on and after
i the lit cf January next.—Glasgow Herald.
UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE.—In the night of Monday
week, the 14th inst., when 'the frost was most intense,
deep thunder was heard in this city, and the flashes of
lightning were extremely brilliant. We observe that the
same electrical phenomenon was noted at Shrewsbury
and Welshpool on the same night and early on Tuesday
morning. At the latter place the thunder was very
near, the report rapidly succeeding the flash.—Hereford
Journal.

GRAND BANQUET to MR. COBDEN
AT MALAGA.
The Spaniards appear unwearied in their enthusiastic
and hospitable reception of our distinguished country-
man Mr. Cobden. We yesterday received an extraordi-
nary supplement of the Avisador Malagweno, containing
a lengthy report of a grand festival held in Malaga, on
Monday, the 30th of November, in honour of the English
free-trader.
The scene of the banquet was the saloon of the new
and magnificent hotel, about to be opened in the so-
called Casa de Campo, a beautiful edifice on the eve of
completion. The saloon was adorned with the greatest
taste and elegance, beautiful draperies were suspended
from the walls, which were also graced by a multitude
of paintings by the first masters of the school of Seville,
representing the portraits of eminent men, especially
Spaniards. Three splendid lustres illuminated the apart-
ment. The staircases and the entrance of the building
were filled with vases of exquisite flowers and odoriferous
plants of all sorts.
The table was spread with the delicate taste which
distinguishes the committee appointed to superintend the
entertainment, consisting of Don Eduardo Delius,
Juan Giro, and Don Juan Clemens. Large China vases,
with flowers and fruits, and rich silver candelabra, were
profusely intermingled with a beautiful and elegant
service of plate, &c. The centre of the table displayed
a magnificent epergne.
The guests invited, it is needless to state, included all
the " notabilities " of Malaga, principally merchants,
and parties interested in trade. These gentlemen awaited
in a drawing-room the arrival of Mr. Cobden and Mr.
Salis Schwabe, who presented themselves at a quarter
before six o'clock. Mr. Cobden's entrance was saluted
by a fine military band, which struck up a piece of music
especially selected for the occasion.
The banquet was then served up. Don Enrique San-
doval, Vices President of the Chamber of Commerce,
presided ; and Senor Don Jose Hernandez, the treasurer
of the same institution, officiated as croupier. Mr. Cob-
den was seated on the right hand of the chairman, and
Mr. Schwabe on the left. The British Consul, Don Jose
Marin Garcia, Don Guillermo Mark (the father of the
English Consul), and. Don Louis Mirasson, also occupied
conspicuous positions at the table. Covers had been
laid for 70, and very few of the parties invited failed to
appear.
The cloth having been withdrawn, the toasts of " The
Queen of Spain," and " The Queen of England," s4re
drunk with 103 alty and enthusiasm. The Spanish band
played our beautiful national anthem on the announee-
ment of the latter toast.
The Panswernethensaid—" I believe that I am the
, interpreter of the sentiments of this assembly, and, of
the agricultural and mercantile interests of my country,
in proposing a toast in honour of Mr. Cobden, M.P., the
distinguished leader of„tile English League."
The toast having been received with every demnnstra-
lion of good feeling,
Mr. COBDEN, M.P., rose, and expressed. himself as
follows (the English version of his speech was aftei'.
wards rendered into Castilian by Don Francisco Crooke;
of Navarot):—Allow me, gentlemen, to manifest to you
the expression of my utmost gratitude for your affable
and cordial reception, which I attribute to your sympa-
thies with the principles with which my name is' con-
nected, and not to my own personal merit. This ban-
quet, gentlemen, is a homage to freedom of trade, acid
not to me, its humble advocate. By "freedom of trade,"
I understand the right of freely exchanging the products
of this beautiful country for those of the rest of the
world. I do not mean to signify by this that there ought
to be no custom-house duties for the purpose of creating
a revenue for the Government; but that these duties
ought not, in my opinion, to be imposed for the ex
elusive benefit of classes or private individuals. In
one word, my ideas are not adapted to what
some call "protection,"- but what in England
we term " monopoly." It appears to me of the
greatest importance.tn.be thus explicit in elucidating the
real meaning of my words, because it is, a favourite de-
vice of our opponents to give a false interpretation to
our object and our motives. They confer upon them-
selves high-sounding names, assigning very erroneous
ones to those who advocate free trade ; and, unfortu-
nately, there are too many who allow themselves to be
hallucinated by vague words and sounds. They call
their own system " the protection of national industry."
What is this that they call " protection ?" and how
does it operate ? An individual goes to the Govern-
ment, and says, I bind myself to supply from Spain a
certain article, provided a law be passed prohibiting
every other merchant from selling it, although it may
be of better quality and far cheaper than my own." This
may certainly be very profitable to the individual, but it
involves spoliation far more than the protection of
public and general interests. The custom house is
alienated from its legitimate object when it is ma le use
of for the purpose of rendering more lucrative the un-
dertaking of any private individual, and preventing others
from following the same trade. The sole and unique object
that can justify thecreation oftaxesandduties, is, as I have
said, the provision of a revenue orresources for the state.
This is the basis of all our present operations in England ;
and I ought to remind you, gentlemen, that we have put in
practice the principles of tree trade, without waiting for
other nations to do as much in our favour. In former times
our Government sent its Ministers to other countries to
enter with them into treaties of commerce ; but the tar-
diness of diplomatists is proverbial, and they never made
less progress than when they attempted to arrange with
each other reciprocal concessions in their respective
tariffs. In truth, they only succeeded in exciting much
envy and many suspicions, which retarded the progress
and development of sound commercial principles. We,
neverth, less, declared when we formed our Leagib. in
England, that every country ought to regulate its tariffs
without regarding those of other nations. We r..pudiate
the propriety of making commercial treaties, and we take
this question entirely out of the hands of diplomatists.
Sir Robert Peel pursued these principles, and did not
leave his successors the opportunity of forming special.
treaties of commerce with other Governments. Hence-
forward no English diplomatist will ever be able to enter
into any negotiations with a Spanish Minister for a treaty
of commerce. In this manner, those who advocate free
trade in Spain, see themselves placed in a much more ad-
vantageous position, being able to promote-their principles
by means of the absence of all foreign interference in the
contest. In future, then, you cannot be accused of advo-
cating the interests of England ; on the contrary, you
can point out the example of that very nation, which has
already put in practice the principles of free trade, and
which will adhere to them, whatever may be the policy
adopted by the Government of Spain or that of any
other nation. I need nut repeat, gentlemen, what I
have so frequently shown elsewhere, that the progress
of the principles of free trade in this country depen Is
entirely on the enlightenment of the people. If you
desire to present, and to further sound opinions upon
this or any other question, you ought to promote its
discussion.—(Applause.) I doubt not that, after ma-
ture reflection upon a matter of so much interest, the
people of Spain will come to the same conclusion as my
countrymen. They will be convinced, as we are, that
free trade promises to all nations the greatest posAb e
amount of prosperity, wellbeing, and felicity ; they will
view it, like ourselves, as the presage of peace between
nations ; this magic word peace expresses in 1,000 ways
the progress of humanity and civilisation ; and they
will see, with us, that the dearest interests of the great
family of the human race are involved in our principles!
—(Prolonged applause.) When the Spanish nation has
had opportunities of a frank and full discussion of our
principles, I am sure that it will place itself in the van-
guard of the nations who may unfurl the standard of
commercial liberty. I will conclude, gentlemen, by
proposing " The prosperity of the city of Malaga."
Don JOSE HERNANDEZ replied to Mr. Cobden's speech
in complimentary terms, and said:—lt were much to be
desired that in our unhappy country, where abuses
abound and flourish, the real meaning of free trade could
be better understood, since many are terrified by the
idea that the frontiers are about to disappear, and,
that there being no duties to pay, the direct taxes
will be increased in order to maintain the revenues of
the state; and that the native manufacturing establish-
ments will be ruined. Free trade, gentlemen, at least
as I desire it, is that nothing may be prohibited and
that the duties may be moderate, as the only means
of abolishing smuggling and increasing consumption.
Spain ought to be more interested than any other na-
tion in the reduction of duties, since our products will
reap the advantage of it in foreign countries. Let us,
therefore, recommend our illustrious guest not to forget
Malaga in his continual efforts to obtain mercantile
freedom, which will more and more unite the interests
of all nations, averting disastrous wars, like those under
which we have suffered. Let us drink a toast, gen-
tlemen, in gratitude to Mr. Cobden and his fellow
traveller.

Many more speeches were made in the course of the
evening by Mr. Schwabe anti the Spanish gentlemen
present. After taking coffee, &c., Mr. Cobden and his
friends retired at halt-past ten o'clock, infinitely satis-
fied with their cordial reception.

. _
THE CONDE DB 2,IONTEMOLIN.—The Conde de
Montemolin returned to town on Thursday evening from
a visit to the Earl of Carnarvon at Highclere, his Lord-
ship's seat in Hampshire. In the course of this visit the
Conde de Montemolin shot over the beautiful preserves
of his noble host, and enjoyed excellent sport. The
Conde was everywhere received with the most hearty
respect and enthusiasm. His amiable and condescend-
ing manners endeared him to all with whom he came in
contact, and he left amidst general expressions of
affectionate regret. The Conde de Montemolin, after
attending divine service on Friday, received and paid
several visits; amongst the visitors were the Earl of
Lonsdale, the Marquis de Barbancois, Lieutenant-
Colonel J. S. North, Mr. J. A. St. John, Mr. M. D.
Talbot, &e.
I IPOST-oFFICE Nonce.—On Friday notice was
issued at the General Post office, St. Martin's-le Grand,
that the mails for Madeira, Lisbon, Vigo, Oporto, Cadiz,
Madrid, and Gibraltar, appointed to be dispatched on the
morninz of the 27th instant, would not be forvvarded
till the morning of the 28th instant, to be conveyed by
the mail steamer Madrid. Letters in time on Monday
morning.
A CHRISTMAS FAIR.—On nilay there was a fair
of some magnitude held on a piece of ground situate be-
tween St. George's Church and the Bricklayers' Arms,
Kent-road. There is a theatre, circus, a number of
shows, and Van Auiburgh's pierrurining animals. This
portion was, however, closed on Friday ; but the swinge,
round-abouts, ariel machines, and fancy stalls, were in
great request, notwithstanding the coldness of the day,
by the numbers who visited it.
RAMSGATE.—From the many families of distinction
at present sojourning here, it is clear that Ramsgate has
become a favourite winter residence. Perhaps scarcely
at any place in the kingdom is this season and its at-
tendant festivities better or more worthily observed ;
and it is satisfactory to find that the poor are not for-
gotten. We are informed by a credible authority that
the value of the beef distributed among the poorer
classes of Ramsgate during this week alone will amount
to between 2004 and 3004—Korth:eh Observer.

HER. MAJESTY'S STEAMER
GORGON.
Commander Astley Cooper Key, late one of the
Lieutenants of the Gorgon steam frigate, has just pub-
lished a narrative of the stranding of that ship in the
Bay of Monte Video, on the 10th May, 1844, and of her
recovery through the indefatigable exertions of her
Captain, now Commodore Sir Charles Hotham, KC. 8.,
and his officers and crew, aided by men and stores sent
from her Majesty's vessels in the Bay and other sources,
The book contains several plates exhibiting the position
of the ship when first embedded in the sand, and
drawings of the various articles and methods
adopted in getting her afloat. It is full of
instructive information for naval officers how to
act, should any have the ill luck to experi-
ente the same similar calamity. Commander Key states
that the Gorgon, in the beginning of May, was lying
at single anchor in the River Plate, with fifty fathoms on
her best bower, the small bower and sheet cables bent,
and the anchors clear ; 280 tons of coal on board, and
the engines in a high state of efficiency; they had been
disconnected and all the bearings examined, and proved
to be in perfect order; and then follows Commander
Key's narrative of the cause of the Gorgon's getting on
shore, viz—" On the morning of the 9th of May a breeze
set in from the S.W., steadily freshening during the day.
At noon the barometer stood 'it 29.7 in., but before dark
it had fallen to 29.5 in., thereby indicating an approach-
ing gale. At sunset, after evening quarters, the yards
and topmasts were sent on deck; and best bower cable
veered to 75 fathoms. It did not escape the observe
tion of those on board that the Gorgon was the only
man-of-war in the bay that had taken this precaution; at
eight. an anchor watch was set, Capt. Hotham's orders for
the night being, if the wind increases so as to require
it, let go the small bower, before veering more on the
best bower.' Between midnight and daylight, on the
10th, the wind had gradually freshened, the sea hav-
ing risen considerably ; and the squalls becoming more
frequent and of greater violence, the boats and guns
were resecured with additional lashings, and all made
snug on deck for the approaching gale. At 7h. 40m.
A.M. the ship began to drive, the small bower anchor
was instantly let go, and the cable veered to 30 fathoms,
veering at the same time to 92 fathoms on the best
bower. The fires were lighted, and the steam got up
in all the boilers ; the main trysail was bent, and close
reefed. The ship still driving, the small bower was
veered to 42 fathoms, and the ship steamed ahead to ease
the strain on the cables; from the peculiar set of the
tide, the Gorgon, as well as the other vessels in the bay,
rode with the wind and sea three points on the p';rt
bow; it is evident that, owing to this important circum-
stance, the paddle-wheels, on which a steamer at anchor
usually relies to relieve the strains on her cables, proved
of no service to her. The close-reefed main topsail
was then set to assist in bringing her head to the
tea, but without effect; as the ship was still being
set in towards a reef of rocks. stretching out from
the town, it was determined to pick up the small
bower, slip the best bower, ani steam ;out to the outer
roads, clear, of all danger; the attempt was made, but
such was now the force of the gale, that not an inch of
the cablp,.co9loe hove in; every nipper carried away;
in fad, owing to`the direction in which the cable grew,
the strain on the hawsepipe was so great, that it was
in one send literally shattered in pieces, and the two
hawse-holes nearly forced into one. Our cables were
now buoyed ready for slipping, if required. At 11 A.M. the
small bower cable parted from the bitts. Our course
was now clear; a few minutes more and the ship
would be on the rock astern; two anchors had
failed to hold her, and there was no reason to anticipate
that one could do better ; the best bower was therefore
slipped and full power given to the engines. The fury
of the gale baffled all our attempts; truly mortifying
was it to observe that with full steam power, the helm
hardsa-starboard, and the main topsail set, she would
not come nearer than three points of the wind, and
would then pay off. The position of two Brazilian cor-
vettes was also sadly against us—we were obliged to
bear up under their sterns, and were consequently
thrown so much further to leeward. The ship
was now approaching a dangerous vicinity the
western side of the bay. The remainder of the
small lower cable was shackled into the sheet,
and at 11 40 A.M., the sheet anchor was let go,
veering to 75 fathoms on the cable. At noon the
gale had fearfully risen, and showed no sign of breaking;
but the anchor was holding well, and • she ship riding
easy.
.It behoved us, however, to guard against the
worst. Not a moment was lost in clearing the stream
anchor and hacking it with the kedge, banding thereto
the twelve-inch towing cable ; but before these anchors
could be got ready, the sheet chain parted. A last
effort was made to bring the ship's bead to wind by
steam, but this failed ; the vicinity of the land, and
shoalness of the water, soon obliged us to stop the
engines. A more disheartening situation could not be
conceived. Here was one of the Queen's finest steamers,
with her engines, wheels, and gear in splendid order,
perfectly unmanageable, able to steer but one course by
the wind, which course would not carry her clear of
danger: to wear was impracticable, the attempt would
have endangered. the merchant ships in the harbour, and
a glance of the ep showed that she could not weather
the opposite point of the bay. A sternboard in such a
gale would have been madness. What then remained to
be done? Excepting the stream and kedge, our anchors
were all gone; the guns were slung, and the stream and
kedge let go, but as the latter failed to check her for
a moment, it was deemed useless to risk the loss
of the first; in the meantime, the ship paid round
off before the wind, and about four o'clock P.m.,
struck abaft ; on this, Captain notham gave
immediate orders to take in the main trysail,
draw the fires, and pump the boilers full, to
check her going through the mud. A dreadfully
dark night succeeded a, disastrous day; the mo•
Lion indicated that stthe ship continued to drive
through the mud, arid as a matter of precaution, the
topmasts, fore and topsail yards, were got ov3r as shores.
Still we imagined that the shoalness of the water woukl
soon arrest our progress, and that we should be able at
the conclusion of the gale to day to drag her afidat
without any difficulty. Judge, therefore, of our horror,
when daylight broke,- and we found the ship broadside
on the sandy beach at the top of the tide, with three-
and-a- half feet water under the paddle-wheels. Nor
was this the worst: the fall of the tide WI the Gorgon
buried thirteen feet in the sand (Cu the starboard side,
and nine feet on the port, with the water just washing
up the gangway. Daylight on the 11th disclosed to us
our truly deplorable situation; in the course of the day
the gale gradually abated, and the water receding,
leaving the Gorgon perfectly dry to within a few feet
of her stern-post, and embedded in sand—a sad position
for a 1,100 ton ship. In the same gale, nine merchant
vessels became complete wrecks —Then follow the mea-
sures adopted by Captain Hotham, first to recover the
anchors; the assistance which was rendered by her Ma-
jesty's ships, the American frigate Congress, and General
Oribe, commander-in-chief of the Buenos Ayres army,
to get her out of the sand, and the final accomplishment
of the exertions of Captain Hallam, his officers, and
men, by getting the Gorgon into deep water on the lst
of November, after being nearly six months imbedded
in sand and mud; the ship, during that time, was cleared
of everything but her engines. The narrative then details
the proceedings of the Gorgon until she quitted the
Brazils. It is known that she recently arrived at Spit-
head in good order, and was sent to Woolwich, where
the now lies in ordinary.

A DIATRIBE ON BOXING-DAY.
The denizens of this great leviathan—London—the
Babylon of the nineteenth century—were never blessed
with a finer day than Saturday—bright, clear, bracing—
a day to knit the human frame with iron threads, and to
lighten and warm thor heart.--a day, coupled with th
memory of Chrismtty• day;-t,O. win men from the sin and
woe of the past to gentler aspirations—kindness, good-
fellowship, charity !
London seems mad on such a day as this ! quite mad !
There's not a nook, or frowzy court or alley, whose
fetid vapours, in the warmer seasons, load the air with
contagion and death, with direst fevers, but pours
[ forth to-day its myriads, anywhere, everywhere.
The crime-stained, the virtuous—for virtue is not wholly
banished from the dirtiest nooks--and the sickly, leave
fur the nonce their plodding way of life, and hurry into
the wide streets and mix with the throng. The well-
toiled maid of all work--too often the harshly ruled.
over British slave—the apprentice, the errand boy, and
the rest of the domestic fraternity, find at least, after
their useful toils a day without alloy, a respite from the
labours of the kitchen and household affairs, from the
shop and the street—and sally forth, decorated to the
best of their ability, to make the best of it, and
maybe, to " spend their hard won penny fee."
Those of other trades and occupations, from the small
shopkeeper to the veriest costermonger, take ease to-day,
and fill the streets and public-houses, or—for the public
taste is turning another way—take advantage of the
national exhibitions—those which, being free, truly de-
serve the appellation—and with their wives arid families
enjoy their refining influence. We passed by many
en Saturday, and, measured by those who passed in the
brief space of a minute, how many would visit them in
the course of the day!
The Thames was alive, too ; the "silent highway"
took no small number from the crowded arteries of the
as crowded city, for the cheap boats along the whole
course they run were liberally patronised.
Greenwich, London's nearest " watering place," had
its sprinkling of visitors, and the suburbs, which do
not wear a very inviting aspect at this time of, the year,
looked charmingly on Saturday, for troops of young and
old, and children released from school, made them raerry.
Truly this is a national holiday—a supplemen-
tary day of rest, which, like Christmas-day, brings
kinOred together—lets the anvil cool, in order that
those who toil at it from year to year may
make-merry and holiday indeed ! which sets the toil-
worn by unanimous content and approbation free, and
who, by boisterous mirth, provokingly uneven gaits,
and communion too frequently with their mother
earth," testify their respect for such occasions, which
are, unhappily, too rare.

THE ORDNANCE CORPS.—Sergeant-Major Jones of
, the Itoval Sappers and Millers at Woolwich, has been
caowmaiinid:;isitt)hriee: 001.ffigcerarnin tedthaant bniriaalnh of
lycbytth:e(sieor,,,.di,,t(,:onTduhcist
Warrant of January lust, to the most deserving non-
] sum is given in addition to his pay, as he still remains
on active service. Thirty-four tine young men, recruits
for the raga I regiment of Artillery, arrived at the head-
quarters at Woolwich on Thursday, from Coleraine, in
Ireland, milder the charge of Sergeant Anson, for the
Ist battalion; and upwards of 100 recruits have been
reported as enlisted by Lieutenant Clarke, at Lisburn,
in Ireland , and they are expecte i to join head-quarters
before the end of the present month.
' CouNTY COURTS.—Friday night's Gazelle contains
an Order in Council fur the division of the county of
Worcester into three districts, under the " Act to
amend the It 'w respecting the office of County Coroner."
The districtts to be styled the North, Middle, and South
di' tricts,

STATUS OF THE EDUCATOR.
Dr. Leonard Schmitz, r_ctor of High School,
Edinburgh, has addressed the following letter to Mr.
Connor, Chairman of the Glasgow Teachers' Associa-
tion :

" I I, Carlton-terrace, Edinburgh, Nov. 26. 1846.
"Sir,—ln reply to your circular and letter of the 24th
inst., I beg to say, that I most cordially approve of the
movement which is going on in Glasgow for the purpose
of improving the education of the young, and of elevating
the standing of the teacher. The subject is one of the
utmost importance, and I am glad to see that associa-
tions are forming in England as in Scotland to effect
those most desirable objects. It is scarcely yet a twelve-
month since I had an opportunity of observing Scotch
education and the status of Scotch teachers, but lam al-
ready so deeply impressed- with the deficiencies in both
respt eta, that nothing could give me greater pleasure
than to make my views public, and thus to contribute
my mite to the amelioration of both ; but unfortunately
my hands are at present so fully occupied with other
matters, that I cannot spare the time to draw up such
a pamphlet as I would wish to put forward. The same
circumstances also prevents me taking a prominent, or
as you seem to wish, the leading part, in the movement
here at E linburgh. I regret this the more, as many of
the leading teachers here seem to be satisfied ; and be
ing comfortable themselves, like to think that others are
so also, or at least- are disinclined to bestir themselves
forimprovement,•as it is far easier to go on in the way
one has been accustomed to than to strike into new
paths. I have not yet had an opportunity of consult-
tug my colleagues, but I shall make a point of doing so
as early as I can ; and I ad tress these lines to you :hat
you may, without delay, be in possession of my personal
views, the principal ones of which I will here put down,
because by their adoption I feel convinced that edtfca-
tian would rise, and that the teacher 'would become
honoured and respected here as he is in the continental
states :

" 1. No boy should be allowed to advance from one
class of a school to a higher one until he is really fit for
it. Much useful time would thus be gained, parents
would be more honestly dealt with, and would know in
proper time whether their suns are fit for a profession
or not.

" 2. Teachers should not, like artisans, receive the
fees- from• the ban& of the boys, but all fees should be
paid to a secretary or treasurer appointed for the pur-
pose.

" 3. All the income of a school should go to a com-
mon fund, out of which the teachers should have salaries
proportionate to their rank and merits, like all other
public functionaries.

" 4. The present system of making teachers dependent
upon the number of their pupils is wrong in the ex-
treme, in as much as it compels the teacher, like a shop
keeper or tradesman, to have recourse to puffing and all
manner of trickery to get customers. It places the
teacher on a level with shoemakers and tailors ; with
this difference, that every man can judge of the goodness
of a pair of shoes, and the fairness of their price, whereas
few are capable of judging of the merits of a teacher. In
the present system, the trickster has often the advantage
over a sound and intelligent teacher.
" 5. In order to raise the intellectual character of the
teacher,_ it is necessary that no one should be admitted
to thegeneral class of a university who cannot give evi-
dence of having previously acquired a certain amount of
knowledge. There must be a standard for admission to
a university. At present unripe lath go to a university,
and after attending a session or two, during which the
professor has been obliged to act the part of a drudging
schoolmaster, the young men get into office, and become
teachers, without the slightest notion of the high voca-
tion of a teacher. There should in every university be
separate courses on Piedagogic, &c., for those who wish
to become teachers.

"6. No one should be appointed teacher, without
passing through a strict examination, not only in regard
to his acquirements, but also as to his qualifications for
communicating knowledge.
" 7. There shoull be proper authorities to dismiss a
master, if he is found unfit or negligent in the discharge
of his euties.

"I might mention many other points and prove the
the truth of my assertions by argument, as well as by
my own experience, but I trust the few remarks I have
here made, and which I consider to be of vital im•
portance, may be of some use to you. If any one will
undertake to form an Association in Edinburgh, of suffi•
cient respectability, I shall, with pleasure, do all that
lies in my power to promote its objects.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
C. W. Connor. I4:sq." L. .SCIIMITZ.

INTERESTING ANTIQUARIAN
DISCOVERY.
Friday last, the 19th current, the excavators on the
Caledonian Railway, working in the Avon valley, die.
covered, a few miles above Beattock, some highly in-
teresting relics of antiqUity, coeval with the period when
Britain was under the sway of all-conquering Rome.
The first object which attracted attention was the re-
mains of what appeared to have been the foundations of
a house. Some copper coins were next turned up, about
the size of our halfpennies : on one side there is it male
head, probably of one of the emperors, arid on the ob-
verse " Caesar Roma'," in Roman characters very similar
to those now in use. A sword was ,next discovered,
which appears to be formed of brass. By far the most
interesting discovery, however, was that of a small
stone trough, inverted, and placed upon a flat block of
the same material, which upon examination was found
to contain a brazen or bronze :case, .-round in its
form, two fret in length, and six inches in dia-
meter. Within this case was a precious manu-
script, which at the time it was 80 carefully
concealed must have been of high value in the
eyes of its possessor. The manuscript, or rather book,
is written on vellum, in rolls, as was the Roman custom,
each roll is connected with the other by a slip of the
same material. In length it is altogether about 30 feet
and two in breadth. The writing is.beautifully executed
in the Latin language, and at the top the words "His-
toric Romm," in large characters, are quite distinct. A
cursory examination has led some to suppose that it is
a copy of part of Livy's celebrated history ; and as it is
expected that the whole of the manuscript can be deci-
phered, perchance some of the lost books of the Roman
historian may be now restored to the literary world. A
small manuscript was also found in the case,also written
on parchment, and about a foot square in size, but the
writing of this is very illegible ; on the back are the
words "Ad Agricolatn." Agricola is the Latin for a
husbandman. But it was the name of the Governor of
Britain under the Emperors Vespasian, Titus, and
Domitian. These interesting relics, which, probably, owe
their good preservation to the close manner in which
their case was sealed up, have been, in the meantime,
carefully taken to Moffat Manse, aid the Society of Anti-
quarians has been informed of the discovery. It is an
historical fact, that the Romans entered Scotland by
Annandale, and distinct evidence of their presence may
be seen at Burnswark and other places in the vale of
Annan. Some years ago a copper cooking vessel, appa-
rently of Roman workmanship, was found a few miles
below Moffat. The Avon valley presents at the present
time a very remarkab:e appearance. In a wild, pastoral
district, where farmhouses and cottages are miles apart,
and where, until lately, everything seemed in a state of
nature save the line of the mail road, thousands of met',
aided by modern machinery, are now engaged in the
stupendous works nec, scary in railway formation. A
valley which lately looked as if it had been undisturbed
since the creation, appears for the first time to be brought
ceder the influence of the acive world without, to take
its part in one great object of the age—the increase of
intercourse and annihilation of distance.—Dumfries
Counir.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, DEC. 26.—Wind this day at nocn, N.W., mode-
rate breeze, and fine, with sharp frost.
DIAL, DEC. 24.—Wind, E.S.E.-25.N.E. to E.N.E., fresh,
And. Mirzapore, Hickman,China ; BowAs of Streatlem, New-
holm, St. Jago de Cuba; William Forster, Kellick, Nassau;
Canada, Quebec; Thomas King. Robbins, Sydney; Barbara,
Smith, Lima • Feja, Geizing, Monte Video; Bolivar, Leith,
Trinidad; Eliza, Jones, St. Vincent's; Benjamin Greene,
Laws, St. Kitt's. Sld. Medora, Simpson, Jazaica ; Ne!eid,
Escott, Norfolk.

Dovza, DEC. 25.—Wind N.N.W. to E.N.E.—Off port,
Johanna Roper, Port-au-Prince, for Hamburg') ; Maria
Ann, Philadelphia; Albion, Norman, New York, for Antwerp.
LwErtrool., DEC. 25.—Wind N.N. E.—The American
whaler Otranto, of New Bedford, was in contact with the
America, from Nev York (arrd. here) 20th ult., at night, in
lat. 41, lon. 72. One man from the Otranto got on board the
latter, which saw nothing further of the whaler. Arrd. Hen-
rietta, Corran, Bonny; Europe, Furber, New York; Far
West, ditto; Mary Woodr, Bartlett, Valparaiso. Sld. Sa-
muel, Gribble, Newfoundland; Sarah Trottuan, Brown,
Hong-Kong; Rajah Ba)sa, Glover, Calcutta; Ennerdale,
Roadie, ditto; British Queen, Wise, Antigua; Euphrates,
Gifford, Bombay; Cambyses, Smith, Trinidad. Off port,
Douro, Duke of Wellington, alcutta, Grace, Savannah; In-
verman, Pictou.

Orr DUNGEITESS, DEC. 22.—Emma Edward, New York,
for Amsterdam ; 23d, Catherine Weilers, Surinam, for Am-
sterdam.

OFF HASTINGS, Dim 25. Wind N.E.—Countess of
Durham, Tyler, Pernambuco.
SHOREHAM, DEC. 25.—Wind E.N.E.—Arrd. Mary Brett,
coast of Africa.

DUBLIN,
25, N.N.E.
Hitchings,
PORTSMOUTH. DEC. 24.—Wind N.N.E., hazy;
sDt.ecioh2n4.7s,
NWeiwndßNni.nEs.w—icAkrr. d.' Ninian Lindsay,
fine.—Sld. Bi itannia, Simmons, Demerara. Oil port, Na-
,
gaski, Bunnemeyer, Batavia, for Rotterdain ; Christiana
Hanmer, New York.
Cowzs, Dac. 24.—Wind light ; 25, N.N.E., fresh.—Arrd.
Paradies, Zubrantz, Monte Video ; Richard Reynolds,
Quebec, for Southampton. Sld. Victor Clark, New York.
OF. THE ISLE OF WIGHT, DEC. 24.---Antoinetta Maria
Day, Batavia, for Rotterdam ; Pallas, New Orleans. ,
KINGSTOWN, DEC. 23.—Arrd. Hillsborough, Lamb, St.
John's, New Brunswick ; 24, London, Boylun, Bombay.
CASTLETOWN, ISLE OF MAN, DEC. 2l.—The San Joaquim,
Arios, from Liverpool to Havannah, was wrecked in Port
St. Mary's Bay last night.
CLAY, DEC. 23.—The Tritonia, Furze, from Cardiff to
Wilts, which was on shore near Blakeny on the 19th instant,
has b, en got off, and is now at Blakeny quay.
WIVENHOE, DEC. 23.—The Vesta, Mealing, from Liver.
pool to Newcastle, has put into this harbour leaky, and must
discharge to repair.
The Cornelius, of Glasgow, waterlogged and abandoned,
nd dismasted, was passed on the 23d ult. in lat. 34 N.,
on. 51 N.

ACCIDENT TO THE 1-10 N. GRANTLEY BERKELEY.
On Thursday last, the Hon. Gentleman being engaged
to shoot at Heron Court, the seat of the Earl of Maims
bury, finding himself somewhat later than his appoint-
ment, he rode his horse over the rails into the pleasure
grounds. The spirited animal on which he was, having
jumped very freely on landing in the pleasure grounds,
he was obliged to swerve suddenly to the left, to prevent
contact with the laurels. The heavy double gun on the
right arm, and the sway of the shotbelts, threw so much
stress on the left leg, that, though the rider was not
shaken in his seat, he retained it with a severe strain to
the back tendon of the knee. The Hon. Gentleman was
obliged.ki return home on wheels ; but the accident is
not 6onsidered of any serious consequence, rest being all
that is requireiL