The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-09 00:00:00

:CE IN TUB HOT ASHES Of MOUNT ETNA.-

main crater is about 500 feet deep at this time (so say the
guides); but I think this must be measured down the
slope of the funnel. I could not, however, see to the
bottom, owing to volleys of sulphureous smoke, whirling
up ever and anon, accompanied by a rumbling noise, and
occasionally by a slight vibration of the ground under
foot. Here I found, amid warm ashes, on the slope of
thQ,, crater within, heavy crystals of ice set all at one
ankle, and curved like sharks' teeth. I picked up one
bit as big as a walnut, and asked the guide if ho could
account for its presence. Far be it from him to give a
rationale of anything of the sort; it would derogate from
the dignity of Etna. It reminded me of a chemical ex-
periment played off by a French savant at one of the late
" Scienziati" meetings. He made water freeze in a red-
hot cup. The silver platina being brought to a red heat,
a few drops of water are thrown in, which do not evapo-
rate, but jump about. Sulphuric acid is now poured in,
which in the act of boiling produces so intense a cold by
the disengagement of its latent heat, that the drop of
water at once turns to ice. I opine the chemical process
here to be the same, only on nature's grand scale. The
morning mists supply the moisture, and within the crater
there is no lack of sulphureous mixture boiling as if in a
retort; hence as hot fumes ascend, the crystals of ice are

precipitated. If any one rejects this solution of mine,
let them find a better, remembering that they are to ac-
count for pieces of ice forming on a bed of warm ashes.
This principle of "disengagement of latent heat" may
also help to account for the severity of the cold felt on
Etna, which is far greater than is due to its elevation.—
Francis's Notes on Italy and Sicily.

THE REWARD OF MERIT.—"A Lochaber-man in
London" sends us the following:—" Some years ago
Duncan Macnaughten left Fort William, his native
Highland home," in the humble but honourable
capacity of a private soldier of the Ist or Grenadier
regiment of Foot Guards, ie which aristocratic
corps, with no patronage or other aid save his
own good conduct and other soldierly qualities,
with a sufficient quantum of Highland pride to spur
him on, he gradually attained to the highest grade
under a commission. A short time since, in presence
of the whole regiment, drawn out on parade for the
purpose, his colonel, after a flattering eulogy
upon his uniformly good behaviour, decorated his
breast with a handsome silver medal, bearing on one
side the likeness of his Sovereign, and on the
other the inscription " for long and meritorious
services." To crown these marks of Royal favour, this
day (15th August) his name appears in the Gazette as
' Quartermaster of the 13th;' that regiment which bore
so conspicuous and distinguished a part in the recent
operations on the banks of the Sutlej. This proves that,
even in these piping times of peace,' merit will ensure
promotion in the British army."—lnverness Courier.
THE LATE SUSPICIOUS FIRE IN FETTER LANE.—
Last night, Mr. Payne held a third and last inquiry at
the White Hart, Fetter-lane, into the circumstances at-
tending a fire which occurred on the morning of Wed-
nesday week last, on the premises of Mr. Thompson,
machine ruler, of No. 17, King's Head-court. It will be
remembered that, at the last meeting, Mr. Thompson
stated that he entertained strong suspicions against a
certain person, and that the inquiry was then adjourned
at his request. Mr. Thompson was again in attendance,
and so also was Mr. Elliott, to whom Mr. Thompson had
alluded. The first witness of importance called was
Robert Gloag, of No. 15, Blackmoor-street, Drury-lane,
stationer. He said—l met Mr. Elliott about a week
before the fire. Mr. Elliott was Mr. Thompson's
landlord. I knew there was some animosity be-
tween them. I said to Mr. Elliott, " I understand
Mr. Thompson is going to leave your premises;"
and he replied, that he would follow him wherever
he went, and make him pay for it. Understood that
the disappointment arose in consequence of Mr.
Thompson having made some irregularity in his notice
to quit. Mr. Elliott, of George-yard, Drury-lane, ex-
plained that the disagreement between Mr. Thompson
and himself was such as constantly occurred between
landlords and tenants. Ile had merely expressed his
determination of following Mr. Thompson if he left
without proper notice. Several of the jurors said they
were perfectly satisfied with the explanation, and they
were sorry that Mr. Thompson should have brought so
frivolous a charge. After some further evidence the
Coroner summed up, informing the jury that they were
not called upon to investigate any charges. It was
merely a court of inquiry to ascertain how the fire ori-
ginated. The jury, after a lengthened deliberation, re-
turned the following special verdict—" That the house,
No. 17, King's Head-court, was burnt on the morning of
August 30, by fire; but there is not sufficient evidence
before the jury to enable them to say how that fire oc-
curred; and the jury cannot separate without expressing
their censure that Mr. Thompson should have brought
so many shavings from his last place of residence, and
have lett them in a loose state in the room in which the
fire occurred."
ROYAL CALEDONIAN ASYLUM.---A quarterly ge-
neral Court of the Governors of this institution, t3ok
place on Thursday at the rooms in Crane-court, Fleet-
street, when the chair was occupied by Mr. Simpson, the
treasurer. The minutes of the recent meetings of the
committee were read by Mr. Burney, secretary, the chief
feature in which was the appointment of himself as se-
cretary and superintendent. Mr. W. Hamilton move€l
the confirmation of the minutes, with the exception of
that portion relative to Mr. Burney, with whose appoint-
ment he felt much dissatisfied. He considered it impolitic,
on the part of the directors to have appointed an in-
dividual who had encouraged and fostered all kinds of
in
theur-
unpleasantness amongst the officers. The speaker then
Bur-
ney preoe,eseudeehd
at
so
irregularity, make a ser easnodf charges
gross
extravagance
e
payment of accounts. Dr. Stuart seconded the motion,
his deep regret at the want of harmony in
the institution. The Rev. Dr. Cumming defended Mr.
Burney, whilst he admitted that there had been a want
endeavoured to explain, but was advised not to of prudence and discretion on his part. Mr. Burney
perse-
vere. At length the motion was carried by a majority
of seven to three. The next business was the selling
out of stock. There was at present only 1001. in hand,
and it was likely that the quarter bills would amount
to nearly 1,0001. The chairman moved that the direc-
tors be empowered to sell out 7501. stock. The motion
was carried. Mr. Lindsey said the female children
should be retained in the school until they were 15
years old, instead of 14. The matter was referred to a
committee.

BURIQING A HORSE. SOHAM, CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
—On Wednesday last Mr. Thomas, the secretary of the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
wasg visited
acted
carting
r ptto.ehl
inri
ssgeortnwuo
ewhrl
wheat,
yas
natognabpdthpa
here fore rhyi daeeptdnet crhaepe
eahvt greot
tarr
tissinoeosngt and
t,
iotnheciui
assistoe prose-
cutelsltoi
oy,rinn:
fewdeoorhaaas
length
coaxed,
dn
is
,geatflaue
orswgme
Determined,gadege
termed
fiaanrnehd,
toe
ii
iobvbc: yeel
vdi
rgl
eaerthdt.h,
tueeesnndweh,oduaotwnsr
thsdtoseoeehnrbponbuoctehetkl
al eia.t
nhlfaglonTltityi
hlomehedenaba,
ol
undbhri
prnmeei
uievanardelg-tr.:
e
which made desperate efforts to escape from the flames;
but, being unable to do so,
These circumstances, t is stated, could have been proved,
but the time within which proceedings could be taken'
under the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
had elapsed a few days, and a prosecution could not be
sustained.
WHOLESALE ESCAPE OF CONYICTS.—On Thursday.
night, after or during prayers, six convicts in the York
hulk, moored off Gosport, effected their escape in a boat
belonging to that ship, and got away, steering up the
harbour, where the boat was found yesterday morning
near Portchesterur
oC f them areastle, about
said to havemilesoutthreeel
hoofroged to
the from the
ship's
dockyard.
gi g Four
used in conveying to and from the shore
ntheeetceodnit
with
vc ktheeopeersst,ahlcihshaprolealonand other o
t:
ttnd
oneofffiers n
them ca co-
con-
vict who has been twice before sentenced to transporta-
tion. Up to last night none of the convicts had been re- 1
captured.