The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-26 00:00:00

GREAT DISCOVERY OF DIAMONDS.

PLYMOUTH, July 24.—The Cape Mail steamer Norseman
arrived here to-day. Startling news had been received of
extensive diamond discoveries on the Vaal. Considerable
numbers of diamonds had been found—some of them very
fine gems and a rush was being made to the diggings.
At present the land was in dispute between the Free State,
the Transvaal Republic, and a host of native chiefs, and
diggers paid nothing for digging, but the Free State had
just proclaimed it Free State soil, and it was expected a
small royalty would shortly be demanded by that Go-
vernment. It is believed diamonds to the value of
£lOO,OOO have been picked up by Europeans alone.
The diggers are all armed, and turn out promptly on any
threatened Clare invasion.

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF TWO GENTLE-
MEN.

Mr. James Bradshaw, of Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich,
and his friend, Mr. Henry Godolphin Clarke, of
Queen's College, Cambridge, arrived at Lowestoft yes-
terday on a pleasure excursion. They engaged a bath-
ing machine opposite the Wellington Esplanade, and
swam out some distance, although cautioned not
to do so, as there was rather a heavy sea on. Mr. Clarke
was seen to hold up his arms and heard to call for assist-
ance. Mr. Bradshaw, who had been making for the ma-
chine, retnrned to assist Mr. Clarke, but after a few mo-
ments they both sunk. A boat was launched by some beach-
men in order to go to the assistance of the two gentlemen,
but the first attempt to launch the boat proved fruitless,
and it was upset, valuable time being thus lost. Even-
tually the bodies of both Mr. Clarke and Mr. Bradshawe
were recovered. Mr. Worthington and Mr. Clubbe,
surgeons, were promptly in attendance, but the efforts
made to restore animation proved unavailing.

FALL OF RAIN.

At seven o'clock this morning there was a tremendous
downpour of rain, accompanied by heavy peals of thnnder
and frequent flashes of lightning.

The Hon. Francis Charteris was still alive at six
o'clock this morning. Upon inquiry, we were informed
that he continued much in the same way as yesterday.
The Queen, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince and Princess
Teck, and a number of other friends sent in the course of
yesterday to inquire after the condition of the unfortu-
nate gentleman.
AUSTRIA'S POLICY DURING THE WAR.—VIEENA, July
19.—The Government here has decided, in order to pre-
serve the strictest neutrality during the war, not to make
any military preparations. The troops are to remain at
their present stations ; all that will be done is to com-
plete the prescribed number of artillery waggons, so
as to provide for unforeseen contingencies ; this, how_
ever, will cause no excess in the peace establishment of
the army. It is proposed to convoke the Reichsrath as
soon as possible. The report which has appeared in some
English papers as to an understanding having been
arrived at between Count Beust and the Duke de Gra-
mont in anticipation of the war is a pure investion.—
Eastern Budget.
The Post is authorised to contradict the announce-
ment that the Dean of St. Paul's has appointed his
brother-in-law, the Rev. H. A. Taylor, to the living of
Tottenham, and also to state that he never had any inten-
tion of so doing.
THE FIRST SHAVE.—A story has been told with
with considerable circumstance, names and dates being
given, of two English steamers having been brought to,
off Heligoland, by a French iron-clad on Monday week
last. The Frenchman vessel is said to have fired
shotted guns across the bows of the Tyne and the
Southwick. That the tale may be true in some respects
is possible, but the iron-clad cannot have been French, as
at that date no French ship of war was in the waters of
the German Ocean. _ _

'rIlE NORWICH CROWN BANK.—The following
may be considered to be the present position of the Nor-
wich Crown Bank :—The sum provisionally accepted from
Messrs. Gurney's, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxton for the
transfer to them of the bank is £21,000 for the goodwill,
and £21,000 more for the premises of the central bank and
the branches. The unsecured partnership liabilities of
the Crown Bank are estimated at £1,677,447, while the
partnership assets are estimated at £1,040,000. There
are certain heavy brokers' claims against the private estate
of Sir R. Harvey ' • but even if these are admitted it will
produce £lOO,OOO. The private estate of the Messrs.
Kerrison will also realise another £lOO,OOO at least.
Taking the worst view of matters, the assets of the bank
thus amount to X 1,240,000, to meet liabilities of £1,677,000.
The liquidation of the affairs of the bank is expected to
extend over at least three years. The dividend to he
received by the creditors can scarcely be less than 12s. 6d.
in the pound, and may be 15s.

D UNV I I,LE and Co., Belfast, are the largest holders
of whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is r ommended
by the medi,al profession in prefert•uce to French brand . ,up.
plied in casks and cases for home use or exporfalion. quotations
on application to Messrs I)UNVILLE & t 0., Royal Irish Dis-
tilleries, Belfast ; or at their London Offices, 4, Beaufort Buildings,
Strand, gr.e.