The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-18 00:00:00

SACKED:

The Dublin Evening Post gives the following brief letter
from Carrick-on-Suir, county of Tipperary, received just as
that journal was going to press :
" April 15.—This town is in a horrible state. The popu-
lation rose and broke into all the meal and provision stores;
and afterwards into the shops generally, Unfortunately,
our excellent resident magistrate was absent from town on
some necessary duty; and there was no local magistrate to
bring the military out, The moub had it all their own way,
and the Own is just as if it had been sacked by an army
of Seikhs. '

We have seen another letter from Carrick,onguir, which
states that the flour stores of M. O'Donnell and Mr. O'Neill
were broken into and plundered, every bacon-yard was
robbed of its eohtents; and the retail provision-shops were
cleared bilt:

FATAL ACCIDENT CiN. THE CAgHEL RAILWAY.
The particulars of the following fatal accid.nt (the first,
we believes that hits octured on this line), which took place
on Tuesday night, have been communicated by a gentleman
who resides near the scene of the catastrophe. It appears
that on Tuesday Sir John M'Neil and some other gentle-
men had been up towards the end of the works (so far as
such has firogressei in a direct line from Dublin), and on
their return by a special train they arrived about ten o'clock
at a place called Rhandboon, about eleven miles from Dub-
lin, in the county of Kildare. Here the road was flat, and
some bullocks, belonging to Mr. James Mitchell, of Borehard,
were grazing in a field. It is supposed that the noise of the
engine frightened the animals, and several of them ran across
the line. One of the beasts 'came in contact with the en-

gine on the rail and was cut in two, the ei;Wnei-;;sing-o;er
it. This Caused the engine to diverge off' the rail, and by a
most fortunate, but unaccountable, circumstance the link or
chain which attached the carriages to the engine was either
broken or loosened, and the carriages remained stationary on
the line. The engine, by its own impetus, dashed forward
and was thrown into an adjoining field. The unfortunate
driver was killed on the spot, and his body was mangled in
a fearful manner. lie was married enly on the previous day.
Not the slightest blame is attached to any party in refer-
ence to this sad affair. The gentlemen who were in the car-

riages escaped quite unhurt, with the exception of one, who
received a few slight bruises.

DEATH OF DRAGONETTI.

We regret to announce the decease of this celebrated
double-bass performer, who expired at his house in Leicester•
square, on Thursday afternoon. Count Pepoli, the Italian
poet; Mr. Novello, Mr. Piggott, and M. Tolbecque were
with the musician during his last moments. He was a Vene-
tian by birth, and was born in 1764 or 1762, for Dragonetti
was never positive about the date. His father was also a
contra-basso. At nine years of age Domenico began to play
on the guitar. He then studied the violin, and at twelve years
old began to play on the double bass, to the amazement of the
whole city. He practised much with Mestrino, the famous vio
linist, and at thirteen Dragonetti was nominated primo basso
at the Opera Buff& At fourteen he was promoted to the same
position at the Grand Opera Seria, at San Benetto. At eighteen
he was engaged in the chapel of San Marco, performing at
concerts the violoncello parts on the double bass. He then
went to Vicenza, where he purchased his well-known Amati
double bass. From Vicenza he visited Padua, after which
he was offered an engagement, as principal contra-basso, at
the King's Theatre in this country, in which he remained
up to his death. Dragonetti was eccentric in his habits, but
had an ardent attachment for his art. His conversation was
curious and amusing, from the strange mixture of French,
Italian, and English words. He was most punctual and
honourable in his engagements. For thirty years he and\ his
colleague Lindley were always the first to take their places
in an orchestra. Dragonetti kept his beloved instrument
as close to the stage-door of the Opera-house' as pos-
sible, in order that it might be saved in the event of a fire.
As a performer he was the greatest executant ever known.
He was the Paganini of the double bass. His wonderful
power of keeping an orchestra together and sustaining singers
was not the least of his gifts. The conformation of his
hands was particularly favourable for his muscular power.
A periodical has supplied some anecdotes of interest
" Dragonetti was full of anecdote. The account of his first
introduction to Beethoven was highly characteristic. When
the impetuous German put before him a violoncello accom-
paniment to some piece, displaying' a forest of notes,' at the
completion of the performance he jumped up from the piano
and embraced him. Also his accompanying Mrs. Siddons in
a song at Mrs. Darner's, the sculptress. Her musical decla-
mation, he said, was unpractised—unprofessional, but it was
in character with her acting. Her tones were deep, solemn,
breathing and majestic. When Dragonetti first visited Paris,
he carried with him letters of introduction from Viotti to
Cherubini and Gretry. Ho called upon the former, who was
from home, and then proceeded to Gretry's residence at
Montmorency. In the course of conversation Gretry asked
his visitor in what quarter of Paris he had taken his lodg-
ings, and then contrived to have all Dragonetti's effects re-
moved to his house. Friends must not part thus,' said he ;
while you remain in France you must consider my house
your home.' " A " Complete System of Doubleßass,"written
by Dragonetti, was destroyed unfortunately in a fire. His
last illness was confirmed dropsy. His faculties were good
until the last. Il Drago has left a gap which cannot be
filled. Aufassi takes his place at the Opera-house, but it
would take the concentrated power of four of our best
players to constitute one Dragonetti.
fie has bequeated his double bass, his beloved Amati, to
San Marco, at Venice. We learn that his second best basso
has been left by him to his countryman Casolani, of the
Opera orchestra. 11 Drago had an extraordinary collection
of dolls and snuff-boxes, of every country, which he has dis-
tributed amongst his friends in his will. We believe that
Count Pepoli, Mr. Heath, and Mr. Novello are the executors.
The members of the musical profession are anxious to attend
the funeral of Dragonetti, as a mark of respect for his
genius.

James Matheson, Esq., of the Lewis and Achany, M.P.,
has purchased the estate of Bennetsfield, in Ross-shire, for
12,6001.—Inverness Courier.
General Lord Gough has remitted 70,0001. from India,
for the purchase of an estate in Ireland.
GENERAL ANNUITY SOCIETY.—Yesterday a special
meeting of the Society was held at the offices, 36, Colman-
street, fer the purpose of receiving the report of Mr. Stephen
Aldrich, the secretary, as to the result of his application for
her ;Majesty to patronise the Society. Richardson, Esq.,
was unanimously called to the chair. Mr. Aldrich read the
following letter from Sir Henry Wheatley—" St. James's
Palace, April 11th, 1846.—5ir,-1 beg to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your letter accompanied with a memorial from the
General Annuity Society, which I have not failed to submit
to the Queen, and I am honoured with her Majesty's com-
mands to send thirty guineas as a donation from the Queen
towards that valuable institution, and her Majesty will also
be pleased to allow the Charity to be called the Royal General
Annuity Society. I beg to inclose a draft for 311. 10s., as
the Queen's gracious donation, the receipt of which you will
have the goodness to acknowledge.—.l have the honour, &c.,
W. WHEATLET.—Stephen Aldrich, Esq."—Mr. Richardson
highly eulogised the exertions of the secretary, and felt sa-
tisfied that the result would greatly benefit the society.
Several resolutions were then moved and seconded, and
amongst them one thanking Major-General Sir H. Wheatley
for his attention, and soliciting him to become Vice-president.
few
e.an sold his wife in the
Votes of thanks werethen passed to the Secretary and Chair-
man,Earl of Cawdor has agreed to give a suitable site
for Tate church to the congregation in the parish of Caw-
dorA. Inverness
d wn
the
rcs
days sseparated.
meeting
Courier.ago
market-
place at Apt (Vaucluse) for four years, receiving 100 f. for the
barioin.