The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-22 00:00:00

IRISH DISTRESS.

The following letter from Sir George Grey has been
receive,l by the Lord Primate of Ireland in acknowledg-
ment of the address of thanks for the relief afforded to
the poor of Ireland during the late famine:—
" Whitehall, August 9.
"My Lord Archbishop,—l have had the honour to lay be-
fore the Queen the loyal and dutiful address transmitted by
your Grace for presentation from the proprietors and occu-
piers of land and residents in Ireland, of every class in
society and of all religious persuasions, expressive of their
gratitude to her Majesty the Queen, to their fellow-subjects
in England and in the dependencies of Great Britain, and also
to the benevolent persons in foreign countries who contri-
buted to the munificent subscriptions which were raised for
the relief of the distressed poor in Ireland during the late
famine. And I am commanded to inform your Grace, that
her Majesty has received with much gratification the ex-
pressions of grateful acknowledgment contained in this ad-
dress for the assistance rendered to the poor in Ireland at a
time of peculiar suffering and distress.
" I have the honour to be, my Lord Archbishop, your
Grace's very obedient servant,

" G. GREY."

NORTHERN AND EASTERN RAILWAY.--The half-
yearly general meeting of this railway, for the purpose.
of declaring a dividend, was held on Saturday in the
board-room of the direction at the Bishopsgate•street
Station. Richard Paterson, Esq., presided, and at his
request the Secretary read the report, declaring the di-
vidend on the shares for the half-year ending the 301 h
of Jnne last, to be as follows :—" On shares guaranteed
5 per cent. per annum: 501. paid, it. ss. each : 231. paid,
I Is. 6d. each. On shares guaranteed 6 per cent. per an
num : 50/. paid, 11. 10s. each: 231. paid, 16s. 6d. each ;
and become payable on and after Saturday, the 2d of
September, less property-tax. The dividend on thy
quarter shares, payable on the 30th of November next,
will be at its present guaranteed rate of 6 per cent. per
annum, or 7s. 6d. per quarter share less property-tax.
The directors take this opportunity of reminding the
proprietors of new shares, that an instalment of 11/. per
share becomes due on the 27th of September next, and
as the money is required for the payment of debentures
then falling due, they urge upon the proprietors
the necessity of punctual payment. The two direc-
tors retiring from office by rotation are Ebenezer
Fuller Maitland, Esq., and 11. Lewis Smale, Esq., and
the board recommend these gentlemen for re-election."
The Chairman : I have nothing to say in addition to the
report now read, but to move that it be adopted and
agreed to. Mr. Kennard seconded the motion, which
was unanimously carried. The motion for the re-elec-
li tion as directors of Mr. E. E Maitland and Mr. H. L.
Smale was agreed to. After some formal proceedings
the meeting broke up.

PLUNDERING MAGISTRATES AND POLICE-OFFICERS.
—Yesterday information was received at the Head Police-
office, Scotland-yard, that some fellows were going about
plundering the provincial magistracy and police authorities
by representing themselves as police-officers in pursuit of a
Chartist delinquent, or a detachment en route to bring
deserters to head-quarters. On Saturday Mr. J. Jacombs
of Coventry was duped of 21. 12s. 6d. by a fellow who said
he was an inspector of police from Weedon, in pursuit of a
prisoner, and who found himself suddenly without funds, and
George Hussey Packe, Esq., justice of the peace for Lincoln,
of 21., by three fellows who were dressed in the uniform of the
Artillery, and pretended they were carrying on a prisoner,
one actually haring his wrists in handcuffs to keep up the de-
ception.
THE JUDGES.—ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH.—Yester-
day forenoon Mr. Justice Erie and Mr. Justice Cresswell, the
Judges presiding over the assizes now being held in Liver-
pool, attended Divine service at St. George's Church. T. B.
Horsfall, Esq., the Mayor, with several of the aldermen, coun-
cillors, and public functionaries of the borough, also attended
in state, with the regalia of the corporation. The church
was crowded in every part. Prayers having been read, a
brief sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Ilesketb, the
chaplain of the High Sheriff. The Rev. Gentleman took his
text from the 39th Psalm, Ist Verse, "I will take heed unto
my ways," on which he founded an artless and effective ex-
hortation to a religious life. The strength and efficiency of
the choir was a general theme of comment and of admiration.
—Liverpool Albion.
SUICIDE OF A CALUMNIATED WIFE.—Yesterday
an inquest was held at the Bear and Ragged Staff, Upper
Ground-street, Blackfriars, before Mr. IV. Cuter, on the
body of Sarah Burgess, aged 23, of No. 1, Hatfield-street,
who committed suicide under very distressing circumstances.
It appeared in evidence that the deceased was married about
three years ago, and lived happily with her husband until a
short time since, when a young man who had known her in
the country Caine to London, and in the presence of her
friends made certain reflections on her character. These
were clearly proved to be false, and her husband told her not
to care about what was said, for he did not believe a word of
it. After that, however, the deceased was nearly always in
tears, and frequently told her friends (soma of the witnesses)
that she should never be happy again, that her peace of
mind was ruined, and she should " do some harm to herself"
On Friday night last, while her husband was asleep on a
chair, she suddenly rushed to the window, opened it, and
leaped out. She was picked up immediately, still breathing,
but she died in a few minutes, her skull haying been frightfully
fractured by the fall. The jury returned a verdict " That the
deceased destroyed herself while in a state of Unsound mind
caused by slanderous imputations."
IMPORTATION OF ASPHALTE.--A
from Philadelphia, United States, has vessel arrived
brought thirty casks
of asphaltum as a portion of her cargo. W e have no. recol-
lection of a previous importation of asphaltum from that
place, and believe it has not hitherto been an article of
supply from the United States of America.