The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-07 00:00:00

ThE SUN, LONDON, WEDN-ESPAY -EVENLNG JAIVITAI,Y_ 7: 1846.

been in contact. A schooner, name unknown, from Ireland
to Islay, is on shore in the Bay of Luce.
SHEERNESS, JAN. 6.—The Clarendon, Tyall, for London to
Bombay, was towed into the harbour yesterday, to repair
*damage, having been in contact with the Kelso, itt the
Downs.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 6 —The Black Nymph, Rogers, from
,
London to Constantinople, has come into harbour to lighten ;
makes water above waterline.

FALMOUTH, JAN. 6.—The Calypso has been surveyed, and
is discharging.
SCILLY, JAN. s.—The Leonie, Damoing, from Charente to
Liverpool, missed stays in St. Mary's Sound yesterday, and
went on the rocks; assisted off on the flood, after cutting
away her masts, leaky.
MILFORD, JAN. 3.-A piece of Baltic oak, of about 30 feet
in length, was picked up on Newgate Beach, in St. Bride's
Bay, on the Ist inst. Two pieces of bulwark, about 3 feet
long and 1 inch thick, with a union-jack, an ensign, a blue-
peter, and a burgee, with the No. 399 in the latter painted
on it, and some short pieces of deck plank, were picked up
under St. Anne's Light yesterday. A boat, about 26 feet
long, clinch built, fitted for two masts and mizen, with a
large travella aft, and seven thwart , was picked up at New-
ton Weir on the 21st ult. ; the word " Milford," nearly obli-
terated, painted on the stern.
CARRICKFERGUS, JAN. 4.—The Elizabeth, from White-
haven to Londonderry, was on shore at Knee Island, near
Lame, 2d inst., but expected off next tide.
BAY OF LucE, JAN. 4.—The Stewarts, Stewart, from
Drogheda to Islay, was driven on shore in the Bay yesterday.
STRANGFORD, 'JAN. 3.—The Jane Gunning went on shore
dnring a heavy gale at Portaferry, 30th ult., but got off the
following day, after partly discharging, without damage.
SHIELDS, JAN. 6.—The Velocity steamier, hence to Aber-
deen, grounded on the Scaf, 3d inst., got off this morning ap-
parently without damage.
COWES, JAN. s.—Sld. Caledonia, Batavia.
SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 6.—Arrd. Tweed steamer, West Indies.

and sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour
for eigbietn cklendat raOnthih
The Ilstortiothi, in 'Passing sentence, said that the
prisoner had on the former occasion been sentenced to
imprisonment instead of transportation—as he was a
foreigner. It appeared that the leniency then shown
had been misplaced, and that he had returned to his
old courses as soon as he catne out of prison. The sen-
tence of the Court now was, that he be transported be-
yond the seas for the term of ten years.

BOW-STREET.-(THIS DAY.)
Two boys of 15 to 16 years of age, named O'Leary
and Donovan, were charged with stealing a " sleeved
waistcoat," the property of Charles Sairen, a navigator,
employed upon the sewerage repairs now going on in
Charlotte-street, Bedford-square.
It appeared that the prisoners were observed dodging
about by, one of the navigators who was at work at the
sewers, and that, having suspicions of their object, he
watched them, and saw O'Leary take up the waistcoat
(which had been left with some other waistcoats, coats,
&c., belonging to the workmen), and run away with it.
He ran after him, and saw him pass it to Donovan. He
caught them both, and gave them into custody.
Charles Sairen, the owner of the waistcoat, identified
it as his property.
The prisoners being asked if they had anything to say,
answered sullenly that they had nut.
They were committed for trial.

MA RLBRO'-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
Edward James Dell, a young man of shabby genteel
appearance, whQ was described on the police charge-
sheet as having Alis place of abode," was charged with
stealing two shawls from the shop of Mr. William Stent,
of No. 261, Oxford-street, hosier, under the following
circumstances:—

The prosecutor stated that between nine and ten
o'clock last night the prisoner ran into his shop, and
snatching up from off the c,iunter the property in ques-
tion, rushed into the street and ran off. He was pur-
sued by one of the sbopmen, and on his (the prosecu-
tor's) going out directly afterwards he found the shawls
the prisoner had taken lying on the footway pavement
opposite to the next house.

The prosecutor's shopman stated, that on seeing the
prisoner run out of the shop with the shawls in his
hand he pursued him, calling, " Stop thief." He threw
threw down the shawls as he run. He (witness), after
following him through several streets, came up with him
in Regent-street, and gave him into the custody of the
police. On the way to the station-house, he said he
hoped the owner of the shawls would not prosecute him.
Mr. MALTBY (to the prisoner)—You have heard the
charge against you, do you wish to say anything in
answer to it ?

Prisoner (despondingly)—No, Sir, its all true that is
said against me.—He was committed for trial.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—TUESDAY.
DERBY.-6 to 1 agst Sting (offered)-15 to 1 agst Bro-
cardo, 30 to 1 agst Malcolm, 30 to 1 agst lago, 6 to 1 agst
Scott's lot.
CIIXSTER CUP.-40 to 1 agst Warrior, 40 to 1 agst Alice
Hawthorn. Offers to back the field agst 20.

THE ARMY.

'PROMOTION FROM THE .1,
arArIA. AND REWARDS

FOR GOOD SERVIGES.:

A warrant was
,prod iuigated ,yetterdity; I'On:tidal:id of
her Majesty; for tho jiiirpose of affording "a greater en-
toliragement to the non- conmissioned officers and soldiers
of the army who may have distinguished themselves, or
who ma 3 have given good, faithful, and efficient service."
It is dated Windsor December 19, and is comprised in forty
four articles; by the first of trhieh, a Whenever her Majesty
shah sandtibh the grant of a commission without purchase to a
non-commissioned-officer, selected and recommended for this
distinction by the Commander-in-Chief, there shall be
granted to such officer in aid of an outfit as a commissioned
officer, a sum of 1501. if appointed to a cavalry regiment,
and 1001. if to an infantry regiment."
2. That a sum not exceeding 2,0001. a year be distributed
for the purpose of granting annuities, as rewards for dis-
tinguished or meritorious service, to sergeants who are now,
or may be hereafter in the service, either while serving or
after discharged with or without pension, in sums not :ex-
ceeding 20/., which may be held during service and with
pension.

3. Sergeants selected for this honorary distinction en-
titled to receive and wear a silver medal.
4. Commander-in-Chief to select individuals for this mark
of approbation.

5. With the view of further rewarding meritorious sol-
diers when discharged, and encouraging good conduct in
others, warrants of 1829 and 1833 altered, and a gratuity in
addition to ordinary pensions may be granted upon discharge,
to men who shall have served twenty-one years in the in-
fantry, or twenty-four in the cavalry. Gratuity to sergeants
who shall have served ten years as such, 15/. ; corporal seven
years as such, 104 ; private, 51.
6. Commanding officer of every regiment may annually
recommend such individuals while serving as he shall consider
best entitled to gratuity, provided amount recommended in
any one year does not exceed 30'. for regiment of establish-
ment of 700 rank and file and upwards, and 201. for regiment
of lower establishment than 700 rank and file.
7. Men recommended must have completed twenty-one
years actual service in infantry, and twenty-four in cavalry,
and have borne irreproachable character, or, if not strictly
within latter conditions, must have particularly distinguished
themselves in the service.

8. Soldiers recommended to receive gratuity for good con-
duct shall, by approval of Commander-in-Chief, be entitled
to wear silver medal.

Articles 9, 10, and 11 further refer to medal gratuities, &c.
12. Directs that all corporals, trumpeters, drummers, fifers,
buglers, and private soldiers, enlisted or re-enlisted after the
Ist of September, 1836, shall have no claim to additional
pay after any pei iod of service, but that a reward of addi-
tional pay for good conduct be granted under rules in
articles 13,;14, 15, 16, 17; and 18, by which a progressive in-
crease of ld. a day up to 6d., and certain distinguishing
marks under regulations specified to soldiers who shall have
completed ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, or thirty years'
service.

19. Soldiers who shall have completed eighteen years' ser-
vice without having names entered in regimental defaulters'
book for last sixteen years shall be allowed good conduct
reward after twenty, twenty-five, and thirty years of actual
service, two years earlier.
20.' Service to entitle soldiers to rewards granted after each
period of five years must be service ih the ranks.
21. Soldiers who accept employments will receive good-
conduct pay, by special sanction only, in consideration of
circumstances:mentioned in this article.
Articles 22, 23, and 24. Regulations as to good-conduct
pay, distinguishing marks, &c.
25. Service requisite to entitle men to distinction and re-
wards granted may include former service in all ranks after
age of eighteen.
26. Regulations as to men discharged on reduction or for
disability.
27. Forfeiture of service attaching to individuals in re-
spect of additional pay, in consequence of sentence of Court-
martial, or of conviction for desertion, will equally attach to
them in respect of good pay.
28. Soldiers of good conduct, who may be permitted to
purchase or obtain free discharges at their own request, shall
be allowed discharges upon terms in this article specified.
29. Soldiers enlisting since March 1833, who are in enjoy-
ment of two or more distinguishing marks, and of good con-
duct pay, may obtain permanent pension as an indulgence, at
rate fixed in warrant of Feb. 1833, two years earlier than
men who have not earned this distinction, and receive same
amount of good-conduct pay which would have been added
to their ordinary pension, under rules laid down in this war-
rant if they had been discharged as unfit for further service
or by reduction.
30. States that as it is her Majesty's pleasure that this
reward shall be strictly an honourable distinction, to be con-
ferred only upon the well-conducted soldier, commanding
officers of regiments are strictly enjoined to enter in defaulters'
book the name of every soldier who in consequence of
misconduct shall have been subjected to any punish-
ment beyond six days' drill or seven days' confinement to
barracks, and the commission of every offence which shall
impose upon commanding lacer the necessity of recording
the soldier's name in the regimental defaulters' book, shall
render the man ineligible for this reward for, two years from
that date ; and, if he be already in possession of this distinc-
tion, shall deprive him of his distinguishing mark and good
conduct pay for one year ; and a second recorded offence
within twelve months shall render two years of uninter-
rupted good conduct necessary to obtain a restoration of such
reward.

31. Refers to forfeiture and restoration of good conduct
pay and distinguishing marks.
32. Any soldier who, by having been recorded in the re-
gimental defaulters' book, shall have been adjudged to have
been guilty of an offence by which he is to forfeit the whole
or a part of his reward for previous good conduct shall, if
he denies the commission of such offence, have the right of
appeal to coin t-martial.
33. A soldier may, for first offence of serious nature, be ad •
judged, by court-martial, to forfeit all or any part of the ad-
vantage he had derived from previous good conduct, abso-
lutely, or for period not less than eighteen months.
84. The distinction and rewards for, good conduct do not
extend to sergeants and other non=commissioned officers
above the rank of corporal,. and they will not be allowed,
while serving, any addition to established pay; but if per-
mitted to purchase, or obtain free discharges at their own
request, they will be admitted to benefits of article 28, and if
discharged to pension they may for peculiarly good conduct
be allowed id., 2d., 3d., 4d., 5d., or 6d. a day to pensions,
provided aggregate pension shall in no case exceed for a ser-
geant ls. 10d., quartermaster-sergeant 2s. ld., and sergeant-
major 2s. 4d. a day.
35. Soldiers in her Majesty's service who enlisted before
September, 1836, shall have the option of relinquishing addi-
tional pay of 2d. a day, to which they are now entitled after
completion of fourteen years' infantry or seventeen cavalry
service, and shall then be entitled by good conduct to advan-
tages of good conduct pay while serving, of pension on dis-
charge, and deferred pension, granted to soldiers enlisted
after September, 1836.
16. Soldiers now serving who enlisted on or before the let
of March, 1833, by relinquishing right to additional pay for
length of service, be entitled to claim advantages of good
conduct pay while serving, hereby granted; but as warrants
which were in force at the time of their original enlistment
give them a right to higher rates of pension on discharge
than those to be granted to men enlisted after March, 1833,
not entitled to good conduct pay added to
_pensions on dis-
charge.
37. In special cases of men enlisted on or before March,
1833, who have obtained one or more mark or marks, and
who after short serViee May be diScharged for disabilities or
rediletion, either without pension or with temporary, condi-
tional, or permanent pensions, the good conduct pay may,
by consent of the Secretary at War, be added to pensions;
and such men, if not placed upon permanent pensions, be re-
gistered at Chelsea fbr deferred pension,
38. Soldiers Seriiirtg who enlisted on or before September,
18$6, mid Who have completed twenty, twenty-five, or thirty
years' service may, on relinguishing right to additional pay,
receive 4d., 5d., or 6d. a day good conduct ' pay provided
name shall not have been entered in defaulters book im-
mediately preceding exchange for periods prescribed by this
warrant.

89. Soldiers who hang completed fifteen years' service
may; on relinquishing right to additional pay, receive 3d. per
diem good conduct pay, provided names shall not have been
entered in regimental defaulters' book six years preceding
exchange.
40. Soldiers of less than fifteen years' service, already in
receipt of additional pay at 2d. a dap for length of service,
may, on relinquishing right to additional pay, receive Same
amount as good conduct pay, provided names shall not have
been entered in defaulters' book two years preceding ex-
change;
41.. Soldiers already in receipt of additional pay of ld. a
day for length of service may, on relinquishing right to ad-
ditional pay, continue to receive same amount as good con-
duct pay, provided names shall not have been entered in
defaulters' book at least two years immediately preceding
eidhano.
42. Soldiers not yet in receipt of additional pay for length
of service may, by relinquishing right to same, receive good
conduct pay on completing periods of five, ten, fifteen,
twenty, and thirty years, if names not entered in defaulters'
book two, four, six, eight, ten, or twelve years immediately
preceding.
43. In establishing claims to good conduct pay, soldiers
who were present at the battle of Waterloo shall be allowed
to reckon two years in addition to actual service, and those
enlisted before December, 1829, shall be allowed to reckon
three years for two of actual service after the age of eighteen
in East and West Indies (in other than West India Regi-
ments), but in claiming discharge under 28th article actual
service only shall be reckoned.
44. Soldiers enlisted before September, 1836, shall be en-
titled to distinguishing marks whether they accept or not
the option of relinquishing additional pay for good conduct
pay, and be entitled to same addition to pensions as number
of distinguishing marks ;they may severally possess at the
period of discharge as is allowed to men in the receipt of good
conduct pay.

By her Majesty's command,
(Signed) SIDNEY HERBERT.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 6,1846.—Her Majesty's steamer Janus,
the projection of Lord Dundonald, arrived at Spithead in the
course of the night, and went in the harbour early this
morning. She carried the broad pendant of Captain-Super-
intendent Sherriff until coming under the command of a senior
officer. It appears the Janus left Chatham in the forenoon of
Saturday, and by aid of steam and sails got to Margate Roads
the same night, where she anchored.. On Sunday morning
she put to sea again, and contrived to reach Dungeness on
Sunday night. During Monday she managed to work up
to Spithead, and anchored during the night. At no
time could more than seven knots be got out of her,
and it is therefore very evident that, although Lord Dun-
donald's rotatory engine may be a good one, it is not a
powerful one in this vessel. The Janus is an ugly.
looking steamer, of about 800 tans; her head and
stern are unlike others, but that may arise from
the plan of her projector. She 'has two funnels. It is, how-
ever, satisfactory to know that before any further expense is
to be entered into about her, a. committee of scientific men
are to be sent to Portsmouth to try her engines, and make a
full report to the Admiralty if it is desirable to introduce
them into her Majesty's navy, or let the Janus be the first
and last expense. Professor. Airey, and Mr. Lloyd, chief
engineer and inspector of maduriery at Woolwich, will form
two of the committee. Lord Dundonald, of course, came
round in the Janus. She was 'node fast to a buoy off the
Dockyard. The people who. cal ne in her say she is a good
and safe sea-boat under sail. Ti le foregoing is an account of
the Janus's trip to Portsmouth, and her appearance in the
harbour. Soon after one the st earn was got up, and Lord
Dundonald, Capt. Sherriff, Capt . Denison, R.E., Director of
works in the dockyard, Mr.Taplin , chief-engineer, and some per-
sons connected with the metal in ills, went on board, intending
to try the Janus's engines by an excursion to Spithead. The
necessary preparations were ma' 1e as much as if she had been
going over to France, 'the boats being hoisted up, and men
with lead lines put in the cha ins. Captain Sheriff's broad
pendant was displayed,
and ire pilot went on the paddle-
box ; the signal was given to cast off from the buoy, and
after about six revolutions cif her wheels the Janus stopped,
and to prevent her getting. foul of the dockyard wall her
anchor was let go, and the steam commenced blowing off.
She was then hauled back to the buoy, it being evident to
the spectators that something had gone wrong. So much for
the trial. The Janus's engultv 8 and boilers generate a great

- ouantity of steam, for she was several times enveloped in I
steam, which found ifs way out of a variety of places, and if
h is alwaye, to. be so, must render every per§On and thing in
her miserably (Lanni, and uncomfortable. The people's clothes
and bedding must be constantly moist possibly it was thz
cause of her stopping, or it might be by accident, brit the
rotatory engine, while at work, resembled the noise of a
person sawing stone. It is understood that Professor
Aircy is in the port, and the committee doubtless will
asiemble in a day de Oro, tb inspect her and make their re-
port, after one or two more trials.
The Admiralty have given notice to the superintendents of
the different dockyards, that they have appointed a com-
mittee of officers to revise the rigging warrants of all her
Majesty's ships; so many alterations have been made in the
masts and yards of ships, and the ships differently classed,
that such a measure is absolutely requisite; with the assist-
ance of the masters' attendant, master riggers, and a few ex-
perienced masters and boatswains, the business at each dock-
yard will soon be concluded.
The Fairy yacht has tried her new screw, and found it
answer exceedingly well. The great vibration caused
throughout the vessel by the former one has ceased.
The Barretto, jun., transport, with convicts for Bermuda,
is still detained at Spithead.
The Carysfort, 26, is fitting alongside her hulk, and has
made considerable progress in her equipment.
Shipwrights are at task-work on the Wanderer and
Childers brigs, and they will be ready to be moved into the
basin on the Bth or 10th of February, and fit for officers and
men by the end of the month.
On Thursday we gave a list of the ships and vessels of war
paid off, commissioned, launched, and broken up during the
past year; and also the number of all classes in commission
at the present time. We now proceed to give an analysis of
those out of commission at the several ordinaries of Ports-
mouth, Plymouth, Sheerness, and Chatham, and notice at
the same time the number of the several classes building.
The number and condition of those in ordinary we find to be
as follows, viz.
Line of battle ships of from 70 to 120 guns—" advanced
ships," and, therefore, in excellent condition 32
Ditto, in good condition, and fit for any service on under-
going a slight repair
Ditto, defective, and, perhaps, not worth repair 9
Ditto, in various stages of building
Frigates of from 26 to 50 guns, in good condition, and fit
for any service on undergoing a slight repair 5B
Ditto defective, and scarcely worth repair
Ditto in various stages of building
Corvettes, brigs, and schooners, in good condition, of
which number eleven are now refitting for commission
at the several ports ..
Ditto defective, and scarcely worth repair
Ditto in various stages of building
Steam frigates, steam sloops, and ordinary steamers, in
good condition l6
Ditto defective, and scarcely worth repair
Ditto in various stages of building 2B
Total effective, 59 line-of-battle ships, 58 frigates, 32 cor-
vettes, &c., and 16 steamers.
Total defective, 9 line-of-battle ships, 12 frigates, 6 cor-
vettes, and 3 steamers.
Total building, 22 line-of-battle ships, 14 frigates, 22 cor-
vettes, and 28 steamers.
In this summary the convict ships, store ships, coal depots,
&c., are excluded, the most of which being sound ships, could
be available on an emergency.
As a contrast to the above we may annex the number of
vessels composing the United States navy, which we take
from the last number of the United Service Gazette.
Line-of-battle ships, 10; frigates, 14; corvettes, brigs, and
schooners, 39 ; steamers, 8 ; store ships and brigs, 4 ; total,
75. Of these between forty and fifty are in commission, but
they are principally small vessels ; the line-of-battle ships
are not all launched, and of the others several are unfit for
sea.
At no one period of her history, as a contemporary ob-
serves, " did England ever possess so many beautiful, large,
and efficient men-of-war, as those now lying at the different
principal ports, denominated advanced ships,' which are
ready at a moment's notice for the reception of their crews."
They have their lower masts and bowsprits in, and have their
water-tanks, gun-carriages, anchors, cables, and some portion
of their heavy stores on board, while on shore their other
masts, yards, sails, gun-tackle, and all their other necessary
stores are arranged in such a manner as to be instantly
available. In accordance with an Admiralty order of
August last, two main and fore and one mizen topmast and a
jibboom were put on board each ship, but by a recent order
these are now in course of being returned on shore for better ,
preservation.
The following are the advanced ships :
AT PORTSMOUTH. Bombay
Britannia l2O Foudroyant 7B
*Neptune
*Nelson
Camperdown
Powerful B4 AT SHEERNESS.
*Vengeance
Bellerophon 7B Howe ... 120
Carnatic
Pembroke
Hastings
AT PLYMOUTH. Ganges B4
*St. George
*Royal William l2O Hawke 72
*Royal Adelaide lO4 Russell 72
*Nile 92 Hercules
Clarence
Calcutta ... .4. 84 *Cumberland 7O
Those marked with an asterisk are new ships, and have
never been at sea.
The following are the sloops of war refitting for immediate
commission at the several ports :—At Portsmouth, Harle-
quin 16, Childers 16, and Wanderer 16. At Plymouth,
Tweed 20, and Favourite 18. At Sheerness, Dido 20, Elec-.
tra 18, Snake 16, and Ferret 10. At Chatham, Scout 18, and
Columbine 16.
SHEERNES,S, JAN. s.—The Janus steam-sloop, with her
constructor, the Earl of Dundonald on board, passed out from
Chatham, en route to Portsmouth, on Friday afternoon, about
three o'clock. His Lordship feels most sanguine that he will
yet accomplish the objects he proposed to the Admiralty to
realise when he induced them to grant him permission to
build the Janus. The following is the progress she made in
her last trial to reach Portsmouth :—Started from Chatham
at 1 P.M. of the 16th ultimo, with a fine breeze aft, her
wheels revolving about at 13 turns per minute; arrived here
at 3h. 15m. P.m., anchored off the Mouse, at 4 P.m.,
and at half-past eight A.m., of the 17th, proceeded
for Portsmouth, in fine smooth water, and with
light breezes aft, her wheels revolving 13 turns per
minute. At 2 P.M. her speed became reduced, and kept
gradually slackening in consequence of a Slight swell of the
sea, and at 9 P.M. she could only make nine turns per
minute, On the 18th, at 3 A.M., only seven turns per
minute; and in conseqUence of a head wind springing up,
it was ound that she could riot Make head way against
it; she was therefore compelled to retraee her ste'pe to the
Downs. On the morning of the 19th, she started with
a light brews aft, engines revolving about thirteen turns
per minute, but ultimately lay to for the night. On
the 20th, the engines were ordered to be started, but it
was found that something was broken, and on the 21sti
at 10 30, A.M., she started for this port, but owing to a
strong wind she could not go ahead, and it was found
necessary to come to An anchor about two miles from
Margate. Early on the 22d she started again for Sheerness,
and attempted to beat up, not being able to stand against
the wind, but at eleven, A.M., she got aground, and after some
difficulty was got off again, and anchored for the night. On
the 2ndi the wind blowing strongly, she remained at
anchor. On the 24th, the weather being fine again, she
continued her course to this port, where she arrived about
two, P.m., and was then taken in tow by the Fearless steamer
for Chatham.
The Fury steam-frigate was undocked to-day, and con-
tinues in the basin completing some light jobs connected
with her hammock nettings and boat devits, prior to being
towed up the river to receive her engines.
The Tartarus steam surveying vessel, Commander James
Wolfe, was hauled into dock to-day to refit for further ser-
vice on the coast of Ireland.
The African steamer, Second Master J. Barker; towed the
ill-fated Eclair steam-sloop to Woolwich on Friday, and re-
turned here yesterday.
The Calypso, 20, Captain Henry J. Worth, progresses ra-
pidly with her fittings at Chatham. Lieut. C. M. Shipley is
appointed to her, vice Lieut. H. B. Everest, to the Phcenix.
She has a few hands on board, but seamen come forward very
slowly for her.
The Columbine, 16, sloop, of the Surveyor's earliest con-
struction, is ordered to be refitted for commission with all dis-
patch.
The Eurotas, 44, has been taken into dock, and the hired
workmen; recently employed on the Fortitude, are pro-
gressing with her conversion into a steam guard-ship.
These ships (block ships) are to be fitted with the galvanised
wire rigging, which is now being adopted in all our steam-
vessels.
The Scout, 18, was undocked at Chatham on Wednesday
and masted, and will, with the Snake, 16, fitting here, be
ready for commission in the course of a week.
The Cumberland, 70, and Raleigh, 50, fitting as advanced
ships at Chatham, will be completed as such in the course of
a few days.

HORRIBLE DESTITIITION.—A WOMAN EATEN BY
RATs.—Yesterday week, Mr. Jewison, coroner, held an in-
quest at the Hand and Shuttle, Tong, on view of the body
of Sarah Holdsworth, a woman 84 years of age, who was
found dead in her house on Thursday morning. The old
woman, it appeared, resided In a hovel somewhere in the
neighbourhood of Dudley-hill, and though so far advanced
in life, resided alone. For two days previous to her death
she had been confined to bed, having no one to attend on her
but a step -son, nearly as old as herself. On Wednesday
night, at eight o'clock, he left her in bed, and retired for the
night. Next morning he found her laid upon the floor dead,
and presenting a most horrible spectacle. Her right eye was
nearly eaten out; her left eye was also eaten; her forehead
and nose, and the edges of a sore on one arm had been
gnawed. It appeared from the eviiimaa that the residence of
the deceased was infested by rats, lait had become so bold
that they had on former occasions Actually eaten the old
woman's chemise as she lay in bed, likewise her other cloth-
ing and the bed clothes into holes. To keep them from at-
tacking her person she had been accustomed, as was the case
on Wednesday night, to have a stick laid on th e bed. Nothing
had been heard in the night in her cottage. It is believed
the vermin, more ravenous than usual, had attacked her in bed,
and that, to free herself from their ferocity she had made an
effort too great for her feeble state. A fit ensued in which
she died, but it is supposed the rats made their horrid feast
before life was extinct, The unfortunate old woman was in
the receipt of 3s. a week relief from the union, and but a
short time ago it was sought to take her to the workhouse,
but her opposition was so great that the relieving officer was
obliged to desist. She paid 6d. a week rent for her hovel,
and when found had saved up 7s. i,i. to pay her rent. In
connexion with this little hoard a simple but affecting inci-
dent was related. On Wednesday her step-son, who appears
to have been a tender, affectionate nurse, gave her some tea
without sugar or milk, and a piece of dry coarse bread. The
poor old woman said she could like something nice, the ad-
dition of milk and sugar to hot tea, and of butter to her
bread, would probably be quite a luxury ; but though so ill,
not a word was said of dipping into the rent funds,—Brad-
ford Observer.
POSTAGE ON NEWSPAPFRS TO AND FROM THE
BRAZILE.—The following notice was issued yesterday at the
Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, and branch offices:—
" General Post-office, January, 1846. Her Majesty's Govern-
ment having ascertained that a charge for postage has been
re-imposed by the Brazilian office upon newspapers from the
United Kingdom delivered by the post in Brazil, British
newspapers addressed to that country will hereafter be liable
to a charge of 21. each, which must be paid in advance.
Newspapers received from Brazil will be also chargeable with
a rate of 2d. on their delivery in the United Kingdom. Her
Majesty's brig Penguin, for the Brazil mail of the 6th inst.
Letters and newspapers in time on Wednesday evening, the
7th inst."
DEATHS FROM DRINEING.—On Saturday evening,
the wife of a shoemaker, living in the High- street, was found
in Brodie's Close, apparently in a state of intoxication.
When discovered, she was able to speak, but on her removal
to the police-office, Dr. Tait, the surgeon, found, on exami-
nation, that she was dead. Yesterday morning a woman
living at the south back of Canongate was found dead in bed.
The proximate cause was suffocation arising from excessive
drinking.—Caledonian 4fercury.

• PIIBLIC EXECUTIONS.
(From the Advel user of Tuedclay.
Yesterday was a sad and sorrowful day in the me-
tropolis, A double tragedy of the most dreadful kind
was performed early in the morning. The public mind
received EL teirible shock by the execution of two indi-
viduals—on tit elght o'cloels, wt the Old Bailey, and the
other two hours afterwards at nordettOnger-lane gaol.
The first victim of our sanguinary criminal code-s-sans
gssinary so far as the crime of murder is concerned—
was a female. WheS added to the dreadful character of
her death under such circuineteneet, was the fact of her
extreme youth, being only in her twehty-second year.
There was, too, something in her person and manner
which gave a peculiarly touching interest to her execu-
tion. She was no hardened criminal—in fact, in the
proper acceptation of the word, she had previously
been no criminal at all. It is appalling to think
of such an exit from the world in the case of
any fellow-being, but to think of a young female,
unacquainted with the ways of crime as re-
gards society, dying by the hands of the public execu-
tioner, is a doubly dreadful idea. Effort% were made by
humane persons to obtain a commutation of the sentences
of the two wretched creatures, now in another world.
Apart from the abstract abhorrence, which every rightly-
constituted mind must feel at the judicial murder—for it
can be called by no other name—of any fellow-creature,
there were peculiar circumstances in the case of each
which would not only have warranted, but which ought
to have insured a departure from the extreme penalty.
We need not recapitulate these mitigating circum-
stances, as we adverted in detail to some of them a few
days ago.
But though the Home Secretary lent a deaf ear to the
reasonings and entreaties of those who sought a eons•
mutation of the sentences passed on the unhappy beings
who were y esterday suddenly sent by our laws into the
presence of their Maker, it is some consolation to know
that the public mind is not in this instance faithfully re-
presented at the Home office. Among the better and
more intelligent classes of the community, there was, all
yesterday, but one feeling of horror and regret at the
tragedies performed at the Old Bailey and Horsemonger-
lane goal. Not one solitary approving voice was to be
heard among those whose opinions or feelings are wor-
thy of respect.
The hostility to capital punishments has increased
with wonderful rapidity within the last few years. It
is still extending at a corresponding rapid rate. Its
progress is irresistible ; it must eventually triumph.
Nor can the day of its victory be much longer deferred.
Even if the convictions of the public on this subject
should not be shared in Downing-street, it will be impos-
sible for the functionaries in that locality to act in defi-
ance of public opinion. What they will not do from the
sense of right and justice, they must do from considera-
tions of policy. In this reflection there is ground for
joy. It would doubtless be more grateful and gratifying,
were Ministers to sympathise with the feelings, and con-
cur with the views, of the better portion of the commu-
nity, on this question ; but-since this may not be so, it
is no small satisfaction to know that Ministers will
eventually be forced to prevent the exaction of death
punishments.
We refer our readers to the reports of what took place
at the execution of the two unhappy creatures who
were yesterday hurried by the hangman into the pre-
sence of their Maker. What was seen and heard on the
occasion was only what are seen and heard on all such
occasions. The most revolting absence of all right
feeling, was displayed by the immense concourse of
persons who assembled to witness the frightful spectacles.
The crowd, we are told, who were drawn together to
witness the execution of the female, extended to Smith-
field-market. Then the number of spectators could
not have been less than 20,000. We blush while we
write it. Fearfully morbid must be the state of feeling
which could prompt human beings to witness such a
scene. It need not, therefore, to surprise our readers to
be told, that, instead of conducting themselves with
solemnity and decorum, the most revolting ribaldry were
ever and anon indulged in.
Nor was the improper conduct of the spectators con-
fined to words. It was still more strikingly exhibited
in actions. At the very moment, we are told by the
reporters, when the miserable creature was in the act of
being strangled, and during the violent struggles which
followed the falling of the drop, " several transfers were
effected of pocket handkerchiefs, purses, &c." And a
correspondent, it will be seen, records some repulsive
circumstances that marked the manner in which the ex-
ecutioner performed his duty.
And yet we are told that capital punishments and
public executions are necessary as examples to deter
from the commission of murder. This. indeed, is the
only plea now urged in defence of our Draconian pu-
nishments. The answer to the plea is furnished in the
fact of what occurred yesterday at the foot of the
gallows, and what invariably does occur at public exe-
cutions.

No man, we boldly affirm, ever yet learnt, or ever
will learn, humanity or morality by witnessing the legal
butchery of fellow beings. Such revolting spectacles,
on the contrary, have a necessary tendency to debase
and brutalise the mind. Thousands have dated their
initiatory step in crime to their attendance at public
executions. The gallows is the most effective school-
master which could be employed for bringing to the
gallows. Many a young man who was yesterday a
spectator of the horrible tragedies at the Old Bailey and
Horsernonger-lane gaol, is now much more prepared for
the commission of atrocious crimes than he was when
he arose from his bed in the morning.
There is one fact connected with the executions of yes-
terday, to which %se ought not to omit referring. We
allude to the statements of the reporters, that such was
the haste of many who had witnessed the one execution,
to be present at the other, that several accidents occurred
in consequence. Who can read this statement without
being struck with horror ? Not feeling their revolting
curiosity satisfied with one such spectacle, they must
needs hurry away with breathless eagerness to gloat over
another ! But comment on such a fact would only
weaken ita effect. The naked statement is enough.
There are volumes of meaning in it. Though we were
to fill every column of our paper with proofs of the
hardening and brutalising effects of public executions,
e could not accomplish our object half so effectually, as
it is done by the simple fact we have just recorded.

ANTI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE.
(From the Times.)
We publish to-day reports of two meetings, at each of
which strongly-worded resolutions against the corn-laws
were unanimously adopted ; the one held at Newcastle
in a splendid building erected for the purpose, and
thronged by all the wealth and intelligence of that
thriving town and port, and graced by the fervent
eloquence of the two best speakers the League has pro-
duced ; the other held by a party of half-starved agri-
cultural labourers on a winter's night, in the open air, at
a cross-road, by the light of a clouded moon and a few
flaring candles, in a remote village of North Wilts. It is
to this latter meeting that we wish to call especial atten-
tion. Messrs. Cobden and Bright, and the closely
packed four thousand whom they addressed, are
well able to plead their own cause, and to en-
force their own views upon a reluctant Legisla-
ture. They represent wealth and commercial activity,
and do not fear to embark both as their stake in the
adventure of free trade. But what say the labourers of
Goatacre, the representatives of a class for which we are
told that protection must be maintained ? Do they meet to
protest against a measure which is to involve them and
their masters in one common ruin—to reduce corn fields
to commons, and assimilate their condition to that of the
Polish serf ? No. They point to their wan figures and
wretched apparel ; they recount their sad attempts to
support existence upon the pittance that a " protected"
agriculture doles out to them ; they compare notes in
their misery ; and, confident in the value of their own free
hands, and persuaded that nothing can add to their pre-
sent destitution, they unite with the merchants and
pitmen of Newcastle in a demand that what is called
" protected" shall cease, and that they, the " protected"
I shall be freed from " protection," and have the opportu-
nity of earning a fair day's wage for a fair day's work.
It is no light emergency that has brought together
these poor men to confer upon their grievances, and
to petition for relief. They come of a long-suffering
race, and belong to a class which has always
content to exchange the labour of their ..hancl_s_i_fo_sr
been
little more than the means of feeding tnera""'
and their children. They have struggled long to learn the
do this
difficult task of making six shillings a week
for them; they have stinted themselves of clothing and
of food ; they have anxiously practised all the hard
economy of their little households, and weak with in-
anition, and broken-hearted with despair, they proclaim
that they can bear this no longer, and that they, too,
are ready to throw up the ideal benefits of protection,
and to try another system in lieu of that which, for
them at least, has brought only famine or the workhouse.
Their prayer deserves attention. If protection has pro-
duced nothing but mortgaged landlords, bankrupt
tenants, and starving labourers—and we can adduce the
evidence of landlords, tenants, and labourers to prove
this fact—then we say, with the poor men of Goatacre,
as well as with the merchants of Newcastle, the manu-
facturers of Manchester, and the citizens of London—
Let us try free trade.

CLASS LAWS.—Until within the last few years
none but the landed gentry were returned to Parliament, so
that they had a good opportunity (and embraced it too) of
legislating for themselves. Hence their stubbornness against
the Reform Bill, and their present alarm (for it is evident
they are alarmed) on account of the Anti-Corn-law League
"manufacturing" votes, as the lords of the soil choose to call
it. They have no liking, it is evident already, of the 72,0001.
raised in furtherance of the just principle of free trade. It is
high time that class law-making was, like the iniquitous corn-
laws, totally abolished.
FOOT RACE.—Tuesday the running match between
Allen and Ben Caunt's novice was decided. The pedestrians
were matched for 101. aside, to run 120 yards of road, and
the contest was fixed to come off at Jem Bum's, the Grey-
hound, Fulham-fields. The novice had an advantage at the
start, but Allen strenuously exerted himself, and succeeded
in coming up with his opponent. The struggle was then
made for the goal, and Allen gave evidence of his superiority
in speed by running in the winner by a yard and a half.
HORRIFYING OCCURRENCE.—On Tuesday, a pri-
vate in the 60th Rifles, stationed in Dumbarton Castle, on
being relieved from sentry at five in the morning, attempted
to kill himself, by piacing the muzzle of his gun to his head,
under the chin, and then discharging it. The poor fellow
was so far successful—he discharged his gun, but did not
kill himself. The ball entered at the lower part of the
face, but in place of going up through the head as he in-
tended, it came out above the nose, leaving the brain un-
touched. The victim of the rash act was therefore left in
life, but desperately wounded. The jaw, the greater part of
the tongue, the nose, and indeed the whole face nearly, have
beex destroyed. e poor uffere has been taken to the
barracks in PaisleyTh, where s
the mar
in part of the depot is
stationed.—Glasow Argus.
FARMERS' FRIENDS.—At none of the " protection"
meetings just holden has any one of the landholders told
tion ,
the
farmers that they would protect them from game destruc
by breaking up their preserves. No; not one syllable about
that! If the landholders really were the "farmer& friends,"
they would have shown it before now in the destruction of
their destructive preserving system*