The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-16 00:00:00

IMPORTANT EXPERIMENTS AT
THE SUGGESTION OF LORD ELLENBOROUGII.

Further experiments by Captain Chads, C. 8., of t e Ex-
cellent gunnery ship, at Port,mouth, for testing the racti-
cability of destroying floating booms, and made at t' e sug-
gestion and by the order of the Earl of Ellenborough, the
new First Lord of the Admiralty, have taken p' ce this
week in Portsmouth Harbour. Tuesday's trial w..s on a
small spar, which was destroyed by the explosion. Yester-
day the experiment was made on a more extensive scale—
on two large spars, the lower masts of the Thalia, 42, the
diameter of each being about 27 inches and length about 90
feet. A strong chain cable was placed along the spars, and
then both, with the chain, were strongly woolded together
with a ten-inch cable. This was moored at some distance
from the Excellent, and then a breaker, in which
a long copper fuze was fixed, and which contained 56 pounds
of powder, was lashed in a very short space of time under
the boom. At about twenty minutes past eleven the fuze
was fired by Lieutenant Jenner, of the Excellent, the boat in
which he was pulled was rowed out of danger, and in five
minutes and a half from the lighting of the fuze thwater e ex
alo plo-
sion took place. It was a grand spectacle ;
the ng
the whole line of the boom being thrown up to a considerable
height, forming a dense mass, aboveties ; whichone larg ge
pi the framentece of
s of
the spars were seen in great quanti
at least fifteen or twenty feet in length, the entire substance
of one of the spars, was thrown to a height of at least 100
feet. The demolition was most complete ; not only were
they splintered, but they were broken short off in a variety
of places. The chain of course sank, therefore it was not
immediately ascertained whether or not it had been broken.
A number of naval and military officers of all ranks at-
tended this interesting experiment, amongst whom we ob-
served Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, the Commander-in-Chief ;
Vice Admiral Warren, the Lieut.-Governor the Hon. Sir
Hercules Pakenham, Captain Ogle, Captain Sir Richard
Grai t, of the St. Vincent ; Captain Ccllier, C. 8., of the
Rodney, &c.
This experiment has completely and satisfactorily proved
that booms, &c., placed across the mouths of rivers and har-
bours may be easily destroyed by means of a very simple
process. As we have before observed, this has been tested by
order from Lord Ellenborough.
The experiment of firing at a steam-boat funnel will take
place to-morrow. The funnel stands erect on the platform
of the old target stage, which has boarded sides, equal in
height to the paddle-boxes of a small steamer. It was
towed up the lake to its position to-day b boats of the
Y
the
Excellent.

DETERMINED SUICIDE BY A CHANCERY SUITOR.
—Last evening, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest at the
Robin Hood, Holborn, upon the body of Mr. James Ede,
aged sixty-three, late an extensive tanner at Byrinck, Sussex,
and for the last thirty years a suitor in the Court of Chancery
for property said to be to the amount of 100,000/. The jury
viewed the body, which presented a most appalling spectacle,
the throat being cut twelve inches across the spinal bone.
Mary Wheatley, chambermaid to the Robin Hood, stated
that about nine o'clock on Thesday morning deceased rang
for his clean linen. She answered his bell, and told him that
it was not ready. A sheriff's officer was then with him.
She had scarcely got down stairs when she was recalled by
the: officer, who said, " Go in, I think the man has cut his
throat." She went in, and saw deceased with both hands
working at his throat. A large quantity of blood spirted
from the wound against the wall. Mr. William Arthur Ede,
eldest son of deceased, said that his father hadbeen a Chan-
cery suitor for a large amount of property, which greatly af-
fected his mind and depressed his spirits. He was exceed-
ingly reserved, and never let his friends know the exact
state of his circumstances. Mr. Willis, sheriff's officer, ar-
rested deceased about ten o'clock on Tuesday morning, under
an execution obtained by Mr. Thorpe, proprietor of the Robin
Hood, for 1801. When he told deceased under what circum-
stances he arrested him, deceased replied, "Impossible ; I gave
him a judgment, but never thought he would take such
steps. It was foolish for him to do so, as he was certain of
his money, for an estate would be soon sold which would re
alise 20,0001., that would be divided amongst five creditors."
He then desired witness to call Mr. Thorpe, and witness was
so doing, when, hearing a noise, he turned round, and, seeing
that deceased had cut his throat, called for assistance. Mr.
Thorpe, landlord of the Robin Hood, stated that he issued the
execution at the desire of deceased, in the hope that it would
induce the solicitors in the case to pay his demand. Verdict,
Insanity."
THE RECENT FIRE AT CAMDEN-TOWN.—Upon
instituting inquiries yesterday on the spot sufficient informs-
tion
was obtained to satisfy every party that the fire, which
broke out on the preceding evening, in Hawley 's-fields, was
the work of an incendiary. It appears that none of the
workpeople had been upon the premises since twelve o'clock
at noon on Tuesday, consequently the outbreak could not
have occurred from any accident or negligence on their part.
Whilst the firemen were examining the buildings after the
flames were extinguished they discovered quite sufficient • to
convince them that the fire had been wilfully caused. Under
the floorings of the stairs, belonging to the house that was
the least burnt they found the remains of a wooden candle-
stick, such as is used by carpenters, and at the side of it was
discovered about an inch and a half of a candle-wick, the
tallow having become melted, had run away. A similar dis-
covery they made in the next house, and from the fact
of layers of shavings having been found crammed under the
floorings, there is every reason to believe that some one had
entered the buildings at an early hour of the evening, and
had laid the trains of shavings and placed in each a
lighted candle in the expectation that the whole four houses
would become ignited at the same moment. Such, unfor-
tunately, was the case, and bad it not been for the timely dis-
covery made by the police, and the early arrival of the en-
gines, the four buildings must have been consumed. Mr.
Mathew Marshall, builder, of Hustridge-place, Portland-
town, is the owner of the property, and it appears that he
had recently received a threatening letter from some
one, and from a variety of circumstances which had
previously transpired, it is expected that the guilty party
will ere long be apprehended by the police and brought to

justice.
APPOINTMENT OF A SALARIED SECRETARY TO
THE MANCHESTER ATHEN.EUM.-The Directors—after long
and patient examination, by a committee appointed for that
purpose, of an enormous pile of applications, testimonials,
&c., from about four hundred candidates, together with
a voluminous correspondence with referees and others—last
night came to a unanimous determination as to the indi •
vidual to be appointed. We may premise that the list was
first reduced to 30 of the most eligible candidates; this
number was again carefully reduced to five, and of these five
the gentleman who appeared to every one of the committee
and also to the directors, to be in every respect the most
eligible, was Mr. John Baxter Langley, of Blackburn. Mr.
Langley is the son of the Rev. John Langley, rector of
Wallingford, Berks ; was educated for the medical profession.
and was in practice at Blackburn ; but some distaste for his
profession, and a strong bent towards literary avocations, have
led him to resolve to quit practice as a surgeon, his testi-
monials were of the highest character, and as honourable to
him as they were satisfactory to the directors of the Athe-
naeum. Mr. Langley originated and established the Black-
burn Mechanics' Institution, and on that occasion delivered
an opening address, which has been published at the request
of the directors of that institution. In a testimonial which
they forwarded to the directors of the Atheneum, they ex-
press in the warmest terms their sense of his unwearied zeal
and arduous labours, as indicating the deep interest ho took
in their institution, and their conviction that these qualities,
with his love of literary pursuits, would render him eminently
eligible for the office, to which he was last evening appointed.
The salary is 1501. a-year, and we believe Mr. Langley is to
enter on his duties forthwith.—Manchester Guardian.
IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY. GOOD.
—The fishermen on the Pembroke coast are reaping a good
harvest, the consequent effect of the late gales. Immense
portions of wreck are continually being washed on shore.—
Carmarthen Journal. •
SERIOUS CAB ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday after-
noon, between one and two o'clock, as John WiLiams, Esq.,
a gentleman residing in Queen Ann-street, Cavendish-squat e,
was crossing Marley-street into Great Marylebone-street, a
kackney cab came up at a moderate pace, but before he could
reach the footpath he was knocked down with great violence.
He was immediately taken to the nearest surgeon's, where
he remained some time insensible, having sustained a severe
laceration of the scalp, besides a dreadful wound in the right
temple, and we regret to add that he continues in a very
precarious state.
APPREHENSION OF THE CARPIELD-HOUSE THIEVES.
—Wednesday morning, from information received by Barden
and Rivers, the two police-officers who have been on the
look-out since Thursday, they were enabled to apprehend
two of the principal parties concerned in the late impudent
robbery at Colonel Wayde's, by pretended railway surveyors.
The police, in the first instance, came to town, wad in a court
near Drury-lane they found the wife of the individual who
represented himself as the surveyor. The woman expressed
her willingness to give every information, and by her infor-
mation they proceeded to Chelmsford, and on Wednesday
morn;nge they were enabled to secure Mathers, the principal
of the gang, and one of his companions. A large portion of
the property was found on the premises.
THE ATTEMPTED MURDER AT BRENTFORD.—The
deposi'ion of John Lowe, the man who was stabbed by his
father, was taken yesterday by the magistrate, of which the
following is a copy;—" John Lowe, on his oath, saith, I am
the son of Thomas Lowe, and carry on the business of a
shoemaker at Brentford-end. My father lives in Old Brent-
ford. About half-past ten o'clock yesterday I was in the
half parlour talking to Mr. Mallard. I heard my father
come in and ask if I was at home, and my wife said I was
at home. I came forward, and my father said to me that
he wanted his account, and I told him that I had it not
ready just then, but that lie should have it in an hour, and
then came into the shop, and my father asked me if I had a
pair of lasts that were his. Some further conversation about
the lasts took place. I then went towards some last-racks,
and on stooping I found my father had followed me, and I
observed him to make a motion as if lie would strike me, and
I found then something pressed against my side, and I was
wounded, and the blood flowed down. I saw a knife in his
right heed; I then went into Mr. Mallard's parlour, who lives
in the same house, and my father appeared to be following
me, and his countenance looked dreadful. I have since seen
the knife I think my father stabbed me with."

FIRE Ix DRUR-Y-LANE.—On Wednesday night, be-
tween the hours of eight and nine o'clock, a fire, which at
one time threatened very serious consequences, broke out on
the premises of Mr. Masey, carpenter and builder, in Drury-
lane. When first discovered the flames had obtained a
strong hold of a quantity of veneers and other sorts of tim-
ber in the stores on the ground floor, and immediately under
the workshops of Mr. Gray, which were on fire last Sunday
evening. When the alarm was raised two escapes belong-
ing to the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire
arrived, and so did several engines. An immediate supply
of water being at hand, two of the engines were set to work,
and the water being judiciously distributed, the flames were
confined to that portion of the premises in which they com-
menced, but they were not entirely extinguished until con-
siderable damage was done to the valuable stock, and also to
the building. The origin of the fire is wrapped in mystery.
Mr. Masey, unfortunately, was uninsured.
FATa.r. FALL
IN THE STREET.—On Wednesday
afternoon Mr. Bedford held an inquest in the
edeathboard-room
of
of
the St. James's Workhouse, to inquire into
Joseph Walters, aged thirty-seven years. The deceasd re-
sided at 30, Great Pulteney-street, Golden. square, and had
formerly held a situation as clerk in a railway office. He
had been out of employ for the last eight months, and fre-
quently complained of vertigo, he also suffered much from
indigestion. On Saturday morning, about twelve o'clock,
he was proceeding along Compton-street when he was sud-
denly attacked with his disorder, and in a moment he fell
down in a fit. striking his head against the stones. He was
picked np insensible, and conveyed into a neighbouring sur-
geon's, and ultimately to the above institution, where he died
from the injuries consequent upon the fall on Monday last.
Verdict, " Accidental death."
AYR NEW-YEAR HORSE FAIR. The annual
New Year horse fair was held here, at the Fauldbacks, on
Tursday last. This fair is always the best of our annual
fairs, and the present was altogether unequalled of late years.
—Ayr Observer.
ORDNANCE Sugvsr.—The Ordnance surveyors
have " levelled" New-street, Huddersfield, during the week,
for the eleventh time. Finding a slight mistake on their see-
tions, they returned a diatanco 9f 40 miles to correct the
error.--keeds Dprcurp

REVIEW OF THE 4 7,011 N TRADE.
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carefully examined, and the vre riling of her Majesty's
answers to the deputations fru m the cities of London
and Dublin has been closely ',criticised. The general
opinion appears to be that those replies afford grounds
for assuming that the measures ;likely to be proposed by
Ministers will be of a sweepi n g character • and it is
certain that since the day they 'were delivered the tone
of the trade has undergone a die aided change. About
the close of last week there were ,evident symptoms of a
rise in the value of agricultural produce, many being
then still disposed to think that ate change likely to be
made would not be of a characte tr materially to reduce
prices ; latterly, however, a coat. nary opinion has pre-
vailed, and holders, whether farme rs or merchants, have
certainly become more anxious to realise. On the other
hand, buyers have shown the utm')st unwillingness to
enter into fresh operations ,• and ftiongh no actual de-
cline of money has occurred, the upward movement has
been effectually checked.
Being, as we have already intimeta)d, perfectly in the
dark as to the nature of the laws by which the trade in
grain with foreign countries may hereafter be regulated,
it is almost impossible to determine A ith any degree of
accuracy how prices are likely to affected ;on the
whole, however, we are still inclined to think that the
value of wheat cannot, at least, for some time, even under
the most adverse circumstances, be greatly depressed.
Our reasons for this belief are, in the first place, the fact
that all parties have become convinced that an important
alteration is sure to take place ; the effect has therefore
in a great measure been anticipated ; and further, it
must be remarked, that the Premier, before he can
attempt to recommend the repeal of the present laws,
must make it clear to the House that there really exists
such scarcity as to warrant so dangerous an experiment.
This being proved, the quantity of wheat now in bond,
even though immediately liberated, would not, we think,
be likely to produce much effect on the markets ; and as
no material supplies from the Continent can be expected
to reach this country until the spring or summer, farmers
might still have the opportunity of disposing of what
they have on hand, without overloading the markets
before the new order of things could come into full
operation. The only circumstance, in our opinion, which
could depress the value of wheat materially, would be a
panic among the producers, but should the deliveries
from the growers be as moderate as they have been of
late, the liberation of the wheat under lock in the
kingdom would, we think, have no very great effect on
quotations.
At some of the principal markets sellers appear, how-
ever, already to have become alarmed; and at Liverpool
a sale of bonded wheat by public auction produced a
marked effect of Tuesday. Later in the week the anxiety
to make sales had not subsided, and at Friday's market
the millers found no difficulty in securing what they re-
quired for immediate use at prices 2s. 3d. per 701bs.
below the rates current on that day se'nnight. At most
of the other principal consuming towns, as well as the
chief markets in the agricultural districts, holders have
generally declined acceding to lower terms, and pur-
chasers having refused to pay the prices asked, business
has been nearly at a stand.
From Scotland the accounts are likewise very dull
this week. At Edinburgh, on Wednesday, the attend-
ance of buyers was unusually small; but notwithstand-
ing the limited nature of the inquiry, sellers remained
firm, and neither wheat of good quality nor the best
sorts of barley or oats receded in value. The Glasgow
advices are of a similar character, and the determination
to wait until something definite as to the future shall
have transpired, appears to be quite as general in the
northern as in the southern markets.
From Ireland we learn that the supplies brought for-
ward by the farmers had fallen off so greatly as, to a
considerable extent, to counteract the effects of the dimi-
nished, demand and that prices of grain had rather
tended upwards than otherwise.
We have again to report a moderate arrival of wheat
coastwise into London, 6,649 qrs. having come to hand
up to Saturday evening. The belief which preVailed
last week, viz., that the shortness of the supply had been
occasioned by the then boisterous weather, does not
therefore appear to have been correct. It is conse-
quently fair to infer that farmers are not particularly
anxious to sell at present rates, which is further con-
firmed by the scanty nature of the arrivals by land car-
riage samples from the home counties.
On Wednesday there was scarcely anything 'fresh up
from Essex, Kent, or Suffolk; and though the demand
was the reverse of active, purchasers were unable to buy
below, previous prices. On Friday affairs remained in
nearly the same position, the extreme insignificance of
the supply rendering sellers unwilling to submit to any
decline; but from the cautious manner in which the mil-
lers conducted their operations, we are inclined to think
prices could not have been maintained if there had been
any increase in the arrivals,
Foreign free wheat has been quite as difficult of dis-
posal as that of home growth, and towards the close of
the week there were indications of a slight giving way
on the part of sellers; this failed, however, to lead to
business, and in the absence of transactions of import-
ance, quotations remained nominally unaltered.
The belief that a considerable modification will be pro-
posed in the duties on the meeting of Parliament, has
not produced much effect in the value of bonded wheat,
and no disposition has been manifested to speculate in
the article. Importers have, nevertheless, remained very
firm; indeed, some holders have withdrawn their samples,
preferring to wait until the intention of Ministers, as re-
gards the corn-laws, shall have become known, to parting
with their property, at the rate now current. From the
present state of the averages, it is pretty certain that the
duty will rise to 16s. per quarter on Thursday next, but
this is, under existing circumstances, regarded with in •
difference, as few parties now anticipate that the present
scale will remain in operation. The scale of flour
has been very limited, but as the metropolitan bakers
have for some weeks past bought with the utmost caution*
it may be presumed that their stocks will not hold out
much longer. As yet, howeier, there are no indications
of an improved demand, and considerable difficulty has
been experienced since our last in effecting sales at pre-
vious prices.
The arrivals of barley have consisted of 1,156 qrs.
from our own coast, 937 qrs. from Scotland, and
3,025 qrs. from abroad. The inquiry for this grain has
not by any means improved ; and though choice malting
samples have, in consequence of their scarcity realised
full terms, all other descriptions have hung very heavily
on hand. This was more particularly the case towards
the close of the week, and on Friday the general runs
were certainly obtainable a shade below the currency of
Monday. The duty on barley is now 6s. per quarter,
having risen is. last Thursday. Of the trifling quantity
previously under lock at this port, the greater part was
released before the advance took place in the duty.
The inquiry for malt has been of a retail character ;
but factors have generally insisted on previous rates,
and the little business done has been at similar prices to
those current last week.
Though the wind has been favourable for making the
passage from Ireland, the supply of oats from thence has
not exceeded 2,970 qrs., which with 3,902 qrs.' from our
own coast, 1,699 qrs. from Scotland, and 2,663 qrs. from
abroad, affords only a small weekly arrival. Notwith-
standing this circumstance. the trade has not maintained
the firm tone it assumed about the close of last week ;
which we think must in a great measure be attributed to
the general doubt and uncertainty as to what may be
done with the corn-laws.
Many of the principal dealers appear to have deter-
mined to refrain altogether from purchasing until some-
thing positive shall have become known on the subject ;
and buyers who hare been compelled by their immediate
wants' to come into the market, have taken just sufficient
for present purposes ; it has, therefore, been difficult to
Sustain the recent slight advance. In our last number
the quantity of foreign oats on which duty had been
paid during the past year was, in mistake, stated to be
50,000 qrs., instead of 500,000 qrs.
There has not been much doing in beans and peas
since Monday. The former article has been held firmly
at the rates of that day; but the value of the latter has
continued to tend downwards.
Besides the rise in the duty on barley, the rate
chargeable on oats and rye advanced is. per quarter on
Thursday.

FOREIGN CORN TRADE.
By the moat recent advices from the Baltic we learn
that winter had set in, and that the navigation of many
of the principal rivers had been rendered impracticable,
in consequence of the ice.
Letters from Dantzic, of the 30th of December, in-
form us that very little business had been done there in
grain dining the preceding fortnight, only about 150 lasts
of wheat having changed hands within that time. Frost
had set in there early in the month, and since the 15th
December the navigation had been closed; up to the
period named, fewcontracts for spring shipment had been
entered into. The prices asked for moderately good
qualities of (new) mixed wheat, weighing from fifty-nine
to sixty-one pounds, had varied from 475. to 495. per
quarter free on board.
At most of the Lower Baltic ports business seems to
have been quite at a stand, and nearly as much interest
appears to have been felt on the Continent as in this
country respecting the alterations likely to be made in
our corn-laws. From Rostock we learn that, though
the deliveries of wheat from the farmers had rather in-
creased, no disposition to accept lower terms had
been displayed, and few merchants had been willing to
enter into engagements to ship good qualities of wheat
in spring below 453. to 475. per quarter, free on board.
At Stettin, on the 3d instant, the grain trade was very
quiet ; fine qualities of red Pomeranian and Ukernsark
were then held at 48s. per quarter, free on board in
spring, and secondary sorts at corresponding terms.
Our Hamburgh advices reach up to Tuesday last,
Since the previous post-day there hid been a sharp frost
and a good deal of ice hal formed in the Elbe, so as, in
some measure, to interfere with the navigation. In
wheat little or nothing had been done for export, but
holders of the article had been very firm, and high rates
had been paid by local buyers ; say 635. for the best 62
to 631bs. Waren, and from 50s. to 523. for fair to good
parcels. From outports there were not many offers' and
the prices asked for the few cargoes offered having been
too high, the contracts closed for spring shipment had
been altogether unimportant.
In the Dutch and Belgian markets the value of
wheat appears to keep up ; but prices, though r ther
above those current here, are too near a level with our
own to admit of shipment from hence with a fair
ehance of profit. At Antwerp on Tuesday last soft
Polish Odessa wheat was selling at prizes equal to 48s.
to 503. per qr. ; aid at Rotterdam quotations were
equally Op.