The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-12 00:00:00

THE

SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH

AT PORTSMOUTH.

We are enabled to supply the following additional
particulars respecting the submarine telegraph laid down
across our harbour. It is now about three years- since
the telegraph from the Nine Elms terminus to the ter-
minus at Gosport was first established. Subsequently,
from the inconvenience experienced at the Admiralty-
office here, because of the distance to the telegraph
station, the wires were continued from that place to the
Royal Clarence-yard. With this addition, however,
although the inconvenience was lessened, it was far from
being removed, the harbour intervening, leaving a dis-
tance Of upwards' of a mile to the Admiral's house un•
connected, and, notwithstanding the wish of the autho-
rities, both here and in London, that the telegraph should
be carried to the dockyard, no attempt has hitherto been
made to do so, because it has been considered almost
impossible to,convey it under water. An offer, indeed,
was made to the Admiralty to lay down a telegraph en-
closed in metallic pipes, which were to be fixed under the
water by the aid of diving.bells. This scheme, having
been found to be impracticable, has been very prudently
abandoned. Whatever difficulties may have hitherto
interfered to prevent the establishment of submarine
telegraphs appear now to have been entirely overcome,
for the time occupied for the commencement of carrying
the telegraph from shore to shore, and transmitting
signals, did not occupy a quarter of an hour. The tele-
graph, which has the appearance of au ordinary rope,
was coiled into one of the dock-yard boats, one end of
it being made fast on shore, and as the boat was pulled
across the telegraphic rope was gradually paid out over
the stern, its superior gravity causing it to sink to the
bottom immediately. The telegraph consisted of but
this line, and, unlike those along the various railways,
required no return wires to perfect the circuit. The
electric fluid was transmitted from the batteries in

the dockyard, through the submersed insulated wire,
to the opposite shore, the fluid returning to the
negative pole through the water without the aid of
any metallic conductor, except a short piece of wire
thrown over the dockyard parapet into the water,
and connecting it with the batteries. The fact of
the water acting as a ready return conductor was esta-
blished beyond question; for to test this most thoroughly
repeated experiments were made in the presence
of some of the principal dockyard authorities, including
the heads of the engineering departments. There can
be no longer any übt that, without reference to dis-
tance, the water will act as a return conductor in com-
pleting the circuit. It will be recollected that in 1842
Mr. Snow Harris, when proving the efficiency of his
lightning conductors in his experiments from this dock-
yard to the Orestes, exemplified that water would serve
to complete:the electric circuit. On that occasion, how-
ever, the distance traversed by the return current through
the water was but trifling compared with the space ac-
complished in the present instance. The batteries used
were Smee's; and a very delicate and accurate galvanic
detector, invented by Mr. Hay, the chymical lecturer of
the dockyard, who was present throughout the whole
proceedings, was also brought into requisition. Inde-
pendent of the simplicity of this submarine telegraph, it
has an advantage which even the telegraphs on land do
not possess—in the event of accident it can be replaced
in ten minutes. The success of the trial here has, we
understand, determined the inventors to lay down their
contemplated line across the channel from England, to
France, under the sanction of their respective Govern-
ments.—Hampshire Guardian.

DEATH OF THE VAUXHALL 11ERMIT.—Yesterday
a man, well known about London as the Vauxhall
Hermit, expired in Guy's Hospital. His name was
William Racket, aged 77 years. He had a most extra-
ordinary appearance, always wearing an immense white
beard and long white hair. Ile formerly exhibited him-
self at Vauxhall Gardens as the hermit, but latterly he
ha,

d been in a state of great privation, obtaining a liveli-
hood by selling lueifer matches in the Borough, and
sleeping in the low lodging-houses in the Mint. He had
been an inmate of the above institution only a few days
before his death.

STRANGERS' FRIEND SOCIETY.—The annual ge-
neral meeting of the Benevolent or Strangers' Friend
Society, established in 1785, for the purpose of visiting
and relieving the sick and distressed poor at their own
habitations throughout the metropolis and its vicinity,
was, held last night at the office in Exeter Hall, Thomas
Farmer, Esq., in the chair. The report showed that the
exertions of the society were unremitting in the efforts
to relieve the distresses of the poorer classes, and that
upwards of seven thousand cases had been relieved
within the past year. About 2091. had been distri-
buted in charity throughout the year. The officers of
the society were re-elected, and a plan sanctioned by
the meeting, which, it is calculated, will have the effect
of materially extending the means of the institution.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
(RECEIVED THIS DAY. )
BETTING AT MANCHESTER—FRIDAY.
There were not more than half a dozen speculators present
to-day, and not a bet made. Bto 1 was offered.on the field
for the Derby, and 50 to 1 in small sums ou the field for the
Chester Cup. -
LYTHAM CHAMPION COURSING MEETING.
This meeting commenced on Wednesday, and, after two
days' coursing, unexampled for excellence, variety, and
quantity, terminated on Thursday evening, the frosehaving
rendered a division of the stakes indispensable. The follow-
ing is an outline of the results:—
The Great Clifton Cup, 48 dogs, was divided between Mr.
Craven's Canine, Mr. Temple's Topsail, Mr. Sampson's
Clown, Mr. A. Graham's Conciliation, Mr. O'Grady's Oliver
Twist, and Mr. Craven's Clarina.
The Talbot Cup, 32 dogs, was divided between Mr. E. G
Hornby's Heresy, Sir 'l'. Heskctt's Hope, Mr. Robinson's
Blanche, and Mr. Coupe's Handy.
The Lytham Cup, 32 dogs, was divided between Mr. Ball's
Breeze. Mr. E. Taylor's Blue, Mr. Gardner's Grace Darling,
and Mr. Jebb's Christabel.
The Veteran Stakes, '24 dogs, were divided between Mr.
Wanklyn's Reality, ‘lr. A. Graham's Sir Edward, Mr.
James's Dresimaker, Mr. Ely Hornby's Hill Coolie, Mr.
Smith's Topper, and Mr. Bale's Birdlime.
NEWMARKET CHAMPION COURSING MEETING.
Na coursing to-day,ntrli:eAYsniON-NE•NbleNitG)g. a foot deep in the
town. We wait until morning, expecting a change of wea-
ther; but we think there is no chance, and that the Stakes
will be divided.

HUNTING APPOINT &LENTS.
Mr. Horndou's lids., meet on Monday at Callington New
Bridge; Thurs., Lifson .Park-10S.
Monmouthshire lids., Mond., Ragland; Thurs., Graig Fin-
ger Post.
Montgomeryshire lids., Tucs., Cock Inn, Forden ;
Bryncseinisen-10.
Shrop,hire lids., Mon. Kennels; Wed., Oateley Park ; Fri.,
Adderly._. to 11.
Wheatland lids., Tues., Pitts Morville ; Fri., Hampton-10.
Brighton hrrs., Mon , Patcham ; Wed., Racecourse ; Fri.,
Dyke—i- to 11.
Brookside hrrs., Mon., Newmarket Hill; Thurs., Tels-
combe -rye-10
Thanes hrrs., Mon., Gore End; Wed., Dandelia.
Findon lids., Tues.,Kennel; Thurs., Dial Post ; Sat., Tod-
dington-11.
Crawley and-Horsham lads., Mon., Star Inn, Horsham
Common ; Wed., Crab Tree ; Fri., Baleombe Village.
Glyndbourne hrrs., Mon., Niirton Top; Fri., Broyle.
Eastbourne hrrs., Mon., Eastdean Lighthouse; Thurs.,
Wiudore Miil—M to 11.
Worcestershire hds., Tues., Grafton Manor House, near
Bromsgrove; Fri., Kennels.
Ledbury lids., Tues., Kennel ; Fri., Feather's Inn Stamith.
Holderness Ms., Mon., Sancton Village; Tues., Froding-
ham Bridge; Thurs., Bainton New Inn.
Sir Tatton Sykes's lids., Mon., Whimnor Build; Wed.,
Westew • Fri., Settrington House-10i.
Her Majesty's stag lids., Mon., New Lodge; Fri., the Twy-
ford Station-11
Cheshire hds., Mon., Twenalow Hall; Wed., Wrenbury ;
Thurs., Hankelow; Sat., Hurleston.
Sir W. W. Wynn's hds., Mon., Gresford; Wed., Carden,
Fri., Penley Hall; Sat., Wynnstay-10i.
North Staffordshire hds., Tues., Walgherton Lodge, Dod-
dington ; Fri., Stallington-101.
Essex Union hds., Wed., Tiptree Windmills; Sat., Kits
East Essex hds., Tues., Belchamo Bells; Thurs., Blue
Bridge; Sat., Notley Gate-101.
B. V. H., Tues., Hammoon Bridge; Fri., Milborne New
Town-1 1.
Somerset Subscription hds., Tues., Wycke Park, Fri.,
Raleigh's cross-101.
Sherwood hrrs., Tues., Robin Downs Hill ; Fri., Par-
liament Oak-11.
Ruflord hds., Mon., Thoresby Park ; Tues., Thur-
garton Priory ; Thurs., Cocking Moor ; Sat., Cloun
Village--10f.
Mr. M. Ingram's hds., Mon., Catton ; Tues., Bretley
Park ; Sat., Wichnor Park-10-2.
Donnington hds., Mon., ,Kegworth Station ; Wed.,
Morley Toll-bar ; Sat., Coleorton Toll-bar-104.
Quorn lids., Mon., Skearsly Inn ' • Tues. Bidgate Park;
' Thurs. I3iliesden Kennels ; Six Hills-11.
Lord Henry Bentinck's hds., Mon., Carlton-le-More-
land ; Tues., Hackthorn ; Wed., Thorney • Thurs.,
Normanby, by Stowe ; Fri., Langworth-bridge ; Sat.,
Bardney-11.
Duke of Rutland's lids., Mon.. Goadby ; Tues.,
Kirkly Laythorpe ; Wed., Saunton Hall-101. Fri.,
Stubton-12.
Essex and Suffolk lids., Tues., Woolpit Heath ; Fri.,
Brockley Green.
Badsworth hds., Tees., Wentbridge; Thurs., Askern;
Sat., Strethouse Bar-101.
Mr. Lumley's hds., Mon., East Markham ; Tues.,
Bebworth ; Thurs., Rossington Bridge; Fri., 80l Guide
Post-10A,
. Earl ot'Harewood's hds., Mon., Cross-road, Bramhan
Moor; Wed., Ribston Moor; Fri., Bickerton Bar.
Suffolk hds., Tues., Woolpit Heath 3 Fri., Brockley
Green.
Duke of Beaufort's- hds., Mon., Ncston; Tues., Alder-
ton; Wed., Trouble House; Sat., Stoke House.
Mr. A. Smith's hds., Mon., Red Rise; Tues., Dare-
hill; Wed., herwell- wood; Thurs., Wcyhill; Fri.,
Little Durt W
ford; Sat., Speery Well-11.
Mr. Locke's hds., Tu s., Five-mile-stone, Shaston;•
Fri., Haskings Penning-11.
Cottes•nore hds.. Tues., Glaston; Wed., Grimsthorpe
Castle ; Fri., Thistlf_Aon ; Sat., Owston Wood-104.
Cambridgeshire lids., Mon., Sandy Warren ; Wed.,
Henlow ; Fri., Whaddon-91.
South `Vold Hunt, Mon., Raitlihy by Louth ; Tues.,
Horsiugten Mill ; Thurs.. Burgh ; Sat., Greenfield-93,
East Kent h,:;.s, Mon., Elhatu Park ; Wed., Selling°
Lees ; Fri., Swanton-101.
Mr. Deacon's hrrs., Vs ed., The Thorn,
.Roborough
Down : Sit., Shetps Torr Village—M.
Whitleigh hrrs., Mon , Knackersknowle ; Wed.,
Hemmendon
A therstone •lids,; Mon., Congleston Village ; Wed.,
Shuttentou -Bridge ; Fri., Aftixtdek Castle ; Sat., Cress
Hands Toll Gate—lL
IVarwielc;hire [Mile:ley Clinton • Tues.,
Weston Houiv ; Thurs.. Gramlborough 3 Fri., 'Church
soe ; Whirn-z.tonti PrYge-101-.

COURT CIRC ULAR.
The Qoeen and. Prince Albert walked in the planta•
Lions of Osborne Howe on Thursday afternoon.
There was no addition:to. the royal dinner circle in
the evening. Yesterday morning her Majesty and her
Royal Cozisort took their usual early walk.
- Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince
Alfred, the Princes Royal, and the Princess Alice, rode
on ponies-ypsterday. Her Royal Highness-the Princess
Helena seas also taken,an airing yesterday in the plea.
sure grounds of Osborne House.

Ili; Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge visited
and inspected the Smithfield Cattle Show, yesterday.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
honoured the performance at the Haymarket Theatre
with her presence 3 ealerday evening.
The Duke and DuchcLs of Cambridge visited her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at
Gloucester House.

Mr. C. K. Murray had an interview yesterday with
Sir George Grey. Mr. Wilberforce had also an inter-
view with. the Right lion. Baronet yesterday at de
Home office.

The Judicial Committee of her Majesty's Most Ho-
nourable Privy Council sat yesterday, and concluded
the hearing of the appeal—" Her Majesty's Proctor v.
the Solicitor of the Duchy of Lancaster." The Attor-
ney-General for the Duchy of Lancaster finished his
address, and the Queen's Advocate was heard in reply.
Judgment was not given.
Mr. sergeant Channel, Sir John Bayley, and Mr.
Wig ram, Q.C., were heard on an appeal from Bombay—
" CraWford v. Spooner." The case was adjourned.
The Lords present were the Master of the Rolls, Lord
Brougham, the Judge ,of the Prerogative Court, Mr.
Baron Parke, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall,
and the Judge of the Admiralty Court.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OITA OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
DEC. 11.

OSBORNE PALACE.—The Royal Family leave Cowes
for Windsor on Friday next, and are not expected to
return till February, when the season opens for planting.
They have planted an immense number of trees and
shrubs this autumn. The new palace is progressing very
rapidly.

withausc„vti
hisedifice
sp iehnadsi
dboereann dgies
ap
no sde di e
mo f by n
EAST COWES CASTLE.—The furniture of this princely
eorna lt lit
hi models,
s anl sti
trees, publices ,
Mr. John Nash's valuable collection of casts and wee.
:41r.
valuable plants,go to the hammer next.Theesent proprie-
tor then proposes to pull down the castle and sell the
materials, absurdly thinking that the ruins will produce
him more money than the beautiful pile which is the
admiration of all who have seen it—but there is no
accounting for some folks.
THE Poou.—About three years since eight or ten of
the tradesmen of this town, at their evening meetings to
enjoy their glass, proposed to subscribe sixpence each
per week to form a fund for the relief of cases of distress
occurring within the town. From this small beginning
the present compassionate fund took its rise; but it is
now subscribed to by almost every inhabitant that has
the means; and from it 150 families were this day sup-
plied with coals, and that number of widows and others
of the deserving poor will be relieved with bread and
coals fortnightly during the next three months. Every
recipient must pass a strict scrutiny as to character and
means, but no deserving object is refused; and none such
need even apply—it is sent unasked; and the subscription
still is but sixpence per week. No town in England
should be without such a society of men. The ladies,
not to be behindband, have a Dorcas society, and next
week give away 300 garments.

REDUCTION OF PRICES AT MINOR TREATR.ES.:---
The authorities at the Lord Chamberlain's Office are 'in
communication with the managers of those theatres who
have lately reduced their prices of admission in order
to compete with the innumerable musical and dramatic
saloons and concert rooms in and about the metropolis.
On Friday week, Mr. Osbaldiston, lessee of the Vic-
toria ; Mr. Robert Bonner, lessee of the City of London •
Mr. Richard Thorne, lessee of the Pavilion ; Mr. C. Y.
James, lessee of the Queen's ; and Messrs. Johnson and,
N. Lee, lessees of the Standard, were summoned to
attend nt the Lord Chamberlain's Office, to explain to
his Lordship the reasons which had induced them. to
galetnetrletmhe pen,riocres of
their to theiraccordingtlhyeaattrteesi.idelliaensdo
represented that it was in consequence of the theatrical
saloons and concert-rcoms bang now licensed by his.
Lordship as places of dramatic entertainment, arid
possessing advantages which were refused to the
theatres. The subject excites considerable interest in
the theatrical profession, and the managers are anxiously
avOttiting a final communication from tho Lord Cham-
berlain's Office. ... .

REPRESENTATION OF REl4lFREW.—Colon'el Mure;',
of Caldwell, was yesterday e'ected Member of l'irlitc=.
went for the county of Renfrew, in the room of the late
P. M. Stewart, Esq., deceased. There was no oppositivu.
—Wasgow Cork,- of Thursday.