The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-09 00:00:00

THE POTATO DISEASE.

The following is a copy of the report of the Commissioners
appointed by the Government to inquire into the extent of
the disease in the potato crop in Ireland, extracts from which
mere read by Sir Robert Peel, in his speech on the 22d ult.,
and which has been laid on the table of the House of Com-
mons by Sir J. Graham, at the request of Mr. Newdegate :
" London, Nov. 15, 1845.
_

Sir,— With reference to the conversation we had the
honour to hold with you to-day at the Home-office, and
your wish thAt our individual opinions as to the extent of the
potato disease should be communicated in writing, we have
the honour to make the following statement : _ _

" During oi-kr stay in Ireland, we carefully examined such
official papers as were transmitted to us from the Castle; we
consulted persons acquainted with the facts of the disease ;
we visited the district lying between Dublin and Drogheda,
and inspected varioris potato fields and stores in the counties
of Dublin, Louth, lleath, Westmeath, and part of -Kildare.
Judging from the evidence thus collected, and from what
we have seen of the progress of the disenes in England, we
can come to no other conclusion than that one-half of the
potato crop of Ireland is either destroyed or remains in a
state unfit for the food of man. We, moreover, feel it our
duty to apprise you that we tear t.Lu to be a low estimate.
"It is, doubtless, true that in some: places a much larger
proportion of the crop is apparently safe ; but, on the other
hand, there are districts where it is not too much to say that
the crop is lost. For example, we may mention a large field
at Skerries, where not more than one potato in twenty was
found by us in a state which would admit of preservation ;
and anothea near Oldbridge, in which, from the want of skill
in the owner, all appeared to be perishing in the pits; and
we have proof that these are not rare examples.
" We would even add, melancholy as the picture is, that in
all proability the late rainy weather has rendered the mis-
chief yet greater.
" Of the remaining half thus assumed to be capable of pre-
servation, there can be no doubt that the principal part may
be relied upon as food for the ensuing winter, provided the
methods of storing which we have indicated are followed.
But, considering the means, or rather want of means OR the
part of the Irish peasant, the wptness of the climate, the
disputes between landlerd and tenant, and perhaps the de-
spair or other feelings of the poor cultivators, we dare net
venture to hope that our plans, simple as they are, will be
fully carried out; and in the meanwhile more of the crop
will disappear.
" It is also necessary to direct your attention to tke quan-
tity of seed potatoes which must be reserved for the coining
year, if the celtivation of the land is to be persevered in
We can state that en an average one-eighth of a crop is re-
quired for planting the same quantity of ground; we that, in
fact, only thre-eights of the crop can, in cur view, be at this
moment assumed to be available as food.
" There is an opinion that 'pen the whole the potato crop
is this year a very large one. We regret to add that we
have been unable to obtain any proof of this. On the con-
trary, we have seen that the crop was email, and we have
it in evidence that it is below the average ; but we have also
seen it to be heavy, and we, therefore, cenclude that it may

perhaps be an average crop.
" We are not sufficiently acquainted with the habits if the
Irish peasantry to be able to state at what time the want of
food from the failure of their potatoes may be first expected.
—We have the honour to remain, Sir, your most faithful
servants,
" JOHN LINDLET,
" LYON PLAYFAIR.
" The Right Hon. Sir S. Graham, ➢i.P., &c."

THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY
VERDICT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—lf it will net be encroaching on your valuable space,
will you allow me, through the medium of your journal, to
ask two questions of those enlightened jurymen, who dis-
played so much judgment and humanity in the case of the
unparallelled monster, Captain Johnstone?
The first point on which I should like to be informed is,
whether a man's drinking to excess, with a view to embolden
him to commit some atrocious deed, is a sufficient plea for
insanity ? If so, I should advise all murderers, ere they
proceed to their awful task, to take to drinking a day or two
beforehand, whoa they will undergo a mock ceremony, called
a trial, and be acquitted on the ground of insanity.
Why was Tapping hung, who shot his sweetheart in a fit
of jealousy, which amounts to nothing lees than temporary
insanity?is,
therihr eo
wsneclo,
views
8 qoufetsht ieoncasle wortlhdoseaßokf
thecwohnentih;rfotrhetyh
etodoek-
hgasuldbedeenbyfruthis.
lfae nttdear.nt ?Thu%
trated. Your humble and obedient servant,
wtohusldporeimenairt,
hoebyjewcteroefentirely
JUSTITIA.

[AnvisaTlllmatzwT.]—Deafness and Defective-Vision
Re I I i • ved . —Tbrin.
heunrdi
etr
efilmeenetti,
o ned
Piccadilly,seit t in
and z. South ctu
totihecouetryfree b!
post. ..39. A
tle-street, Edinburgh.--Acoustic Instruments,—lnvisible Voice
Conductors, when fixed in the cavity of the ears, are let un-
comfortable, tier more perceptible than having a small piece ut
wool in its place. They enable individuals at an advanced age,
aid of extreme deafness of 40 and 50 years' standing, instantly
to joie in general conversation, and to catch the suns( of a
distant low speaker at church, theatre, &e. They poir the
conversation into the ears to such an extent that in the most
severe eases deafness cannot be observed. Also, original
Ear Cornets, French, German, and Spaaish Artificial Ears,
and Improved Hearing Trumpets of every description. Many
of those instruments have received the approbation of the-
Reyal Society and Royal Institution of Great Britain. The
newly-invented Spectacles, immediately they are placed before
extremely imperfect vision, it is brought to its youthful, natural
and original state. Also, Achromatic Teleseepes, Opera
Glasses, Microscopes, Sec. Caution—Messrs. S. and B. Selo-
ZeOnS, Opticians, are net in any way connected with a person
of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood, nor in any
part of the country. Te prevent mistakes, be 'autism', and
Observe—Only to be had at Z 9, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly,
opposite the York Hotel, and 2i, South Castle-street, Edin-
• burgh.
[ADVERTISEMENT.] -- HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND,
OINTMENT.—A RIMARNABLE CURIE or PLIAS, FISTULAS,
AND BLARINIS-DOWN.—A half-pay lieutenant, lately resi-
ding at St. Helier', Jersey, whose name, by request, is
omitted, had for three years suffered from piles and fistula,
besides a general bearing down of the most distressing natare.
He had twice undergone an operation, but to no purpose, and
at last gave himself up to despair. Yet, notwithstanding this
complication of complaints, together with a debilitated con.:
stitution he was completely cared of all his infirmities, and
restored to the fullest enjoyment of health by Holloway's P 7!
and Ointment.—Sold by all druggists and at Professor 11 ,
loway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London
UP of the
FLAX GROWING IN IRIL•ND.—The COMM', Growth
Society for the Promotion and Improyetnent otf the
ofm oFstl a
favourable
vionu
rlarbelleand,
reportme met
of
ft
tßheoltp*arsotgoriets.,thoetfh2thBcherttuciali.tn.y,
troducing the growth of flax into the 11.
of Ireland was read. The secretary sta
of the acciety had visited distfioctemminon,
Longford, Leitrim,
Iwna
s all
highly
these
kenny, Cork, Kerrv, 3
leligne:tiinl:r.::l:l le:gt4rgro wi.ctuh if the
tii centre
the counties woltfiuhnrel :i centre
King's and Queens land
an English flax grower.
they had selecte,
Norfolk, in.which it was stated
Mr NVarnes, 1
of flax, there
cfsro-opuraAblele
J., °tiliel abundant employment to women and chil-
growing and preparing
no poor-rates in his parish.
were now
citi:esintx°c::er;feLdwn . —byWtheeare informed that immediately upon
Sir Robert Peel's financial statement becoming known, orders
hhl were
as so (
been
se speedily
et
nh ethen
complied
ooi s s
snt erl fromwith
itt
to
irbleict) tuthirinitshtteoo firms
.s,‘,..norkt
jai teßi e
whichl pthar
accordingly
radliln the
gly
asttetro
great is the SeillenlCll ay v
ofin having gone
anas
inth that
tt
ttillieeitr)efloirtnnalenr
hparisca"c.tuaSlloy been sent round for the purpose
i of soliciting workmen.— Noitinghunt Review.
rt !
.al
r::"
..i
,?I,Ms. ::fr:
at:, :
it 1 ::::0 ,
d; fi ,latf:nrl:l,:cienn
sdiWo ii

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
VIITAER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.
Orteltet on the Hearth," and " The Enchaated Horse" every

Evening until further notice
THIS EVENING WILL ivr: PERFORMED
TIE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH: ♦ FAIRY TALE
OF HOME.
The Principal Characters by Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Mr.Eneery, Mr.
T. VinineMr. Meadows, and Miss Greve.
To be followed by (drat time in England), the original Redowa
Waltz, muale eompoecd by M. Jußien, by Miss Frampton and
Imeaster Forrest.
After which will be repeated a New Grand RomaPAIS extravaganza,
esititled THE ENCHANTED HORSE; er, Prince Firettz Sshab of
Persia and the Princess of Bengal. Principal Characters by Messrs.
Keeley, Wigan, Y. Matthews, Collier, Turner, Einiech, ; Mes-
dames Keeley, Villars, Iledson, Dawson, Howard, Arden, dco.
/Stalls, Is.; Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, Ss. ; Gallery, sd.

PRLNCRSS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
THIS EVENING
'Will be performed the Tragedy of RICHELIEU; or, the Con-
spirrtey. Cardinal Richelieu, Mr. Macready. Principal characters
supported by Messrs. Cooper, Murray, J. Vining, Granhf, Ryder,
Moaner, Mrs. Stirling, and Mrs. Brougham.
To conclude with THE CRICKET ON TIM HEARTH. The
friaolpal Characters by Messrs. Ryder, Cemrton, Leipt; Murray,
;eurtney, Mrs. Stirling, Miss Marshall, Mrs. Fosbroke, Miss
'smart, *ad Miss Beton.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee, Miss Kate Howard.
*Hier the Patron:l,gs of the Lord Mayor : for the Benefit of
MR. DAV EN.POR r.
THIS EVENTING
will be performed TYE HUNCHBACK. Julia, Miss Davenport
flier first appearance since her return to England); supported by
Mr. Lac?. Mr. and Mfrs. C. Dillon, Mr. Roxby, and Mr. Davenport.
After which ANGELS AND LUCIFERS, ix which Er. Wild
will appear.
Ve be followed by BANKS THE BAGMAN.
And concluding with the new Pantomime, unapproachable for glee
g randeur, called FORTUNATLTS; or, THE MAGIC CA?.
Ilairtasatas, Miss Hamilton; Prince Megrim, Mr. Cockrill ; Fairy
Miss Bromley ; Harlequin, Mr. Smythers ; Pantaloon, air.
217.%; Clown, Mr. Jetlerlid; Colambine, Miss Laidlaw.