The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-13 00:00:00

UNION BANK OF LONDON.

The annual meeting of this company was held at the
Bank, Prince's-street, Mansion-house, yesterday, at 12
o'clock. Sir Peter Laurie, chairman of the board of di-
rectors, presiding.
The proceedings having been formally opened, the
secretary read the report. The report having been con-
cluded,
The CHAIRMAN said he had much satisfaction in de-
claring a dividend of six per cent. per annum, free of in-
come-tax.----(Applause.)
Mr. ANDERTON wished to have it stated what the
extent of the losses of the company had been, that
the proprietors might form their own conclusions as
to whether they were inconsiderable or otherwise. He
also objected to that provision of the deed of
settlement which unconditionally empowered the di-
rectors to fill up vacancies occurring in their
own body, for he thought these elections ought to
be made subject to the approval of the proprietors
at their first meeting subsequent to the appointment.
The qualification for a director, too, was exceedingly in-
sufficient, it was merely the possession of only twenty
shares, upon which 2001. in all had been paid up. He
would give notice of a motion to raise the qualification
to 100 shares—(Hear)—and also to require from all
candidates for the office a declaration that they were
worth 10,000/.—(Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Anderson),
would further ask, what was the exact amount the
company had in the bank, as it was not particularized
in the accounts ?
The CHAIRMAN would cheerfully answer all questions
that might be put to him. Their loss from late failures
would not
funds.ex He perfectlyceed3,ooo/.,an agdthreed withyehad4 Mr.o Andersono,ooo/. inthe
English
that the qualification for a directorship was far too small.
It ought to be altered in accordance with the wishes of
the proprietors.—(Cheers.) The truth was, that when
the company started, it was never dreamt that it would
rise to the magnitude and prosperity which it had, and
therefore the qualification of twenty shares had then
been deemed enough. Very few of the direc-
tors had not, however, all along a much
higher stake in the concern than the twenty shares
minimum qualification. Again, the directors were quite
willing that the deed of settlement should be so altered
as to require the filling up of vacancies in their number.
to be confirmed by the proprietors, if the general body
desired the amendment. The eligibility of the gentle-
men selected by the board, however, could not be ex-
ceeded by that of any other men who could be found to
fill the office.—(Applause.)
Mr. YATES (Mayor of Birmingham) congratulated the
proprietors on the flourishing condition of their affairs,
and upon the efficiency and trustworthiness of the direc-
tion. The company bad 2,600,000/. of money in their
hands, and last year they had a larger amount of the
public money than any other joint-stock bank.
The report was then adopted and ordered to be circu-
lated, and the directors recommended for election were
accordingly appointed.
Mr. ANDERTON having formally handed in his notice
of motion above alluded to, for next meeting proposed a
vote of thanks to the chairman and directors, which,
after being seconded by Mr. RAxsDEN, was carried
with unanimous cordiality.
A similar compliment having been paid to Mr. Scrim-
geour, the chief manager and his colleagues, the meeting'
separated.

IRON MASTERS' QUARTERLY
MEETINGS.

WOLVERHAMPTON, W RIONESDA.V.—Tho nrst--of -the
usual series of iron master's quarterly meetings for South
Staffordshire, was held yesterday at Walsall, and the
second today, at the Swan Hotel in this town. The
attendance was by no means numerous, and little busi-
ness was done. The orders for manufactured iron were
represented to be steady, and it was generally supposed,
from present appearances, that prices would not be lower
than at present ter some time to come. The reduction
of 20 per cent., declared at Stewponey, is very naturally
thought to be quite sufficient to meet existing emergen-
cies. Orders to some amount have recently been received
from America, and many of the great London houses are
stated to be without a ton of iron in stock. The present
prices are:—Bars 61. 10s., hoops 71., and sheet 81. Great
hopes are entertained for the future, and, as a proof, it
it may be mentioned that one large firm in the neigh-
bourhood has recently declined to execute an order for
1,000 tons at present prices, on the consideration that
the delivery was extended over a period of nine months.
For pigs the figure may be quoted at from 31. to 31. 10s.;
one order to-day was accepted for 300 tons, at halt-a-
crown higher than would have been given a fortnight
ago. Notices have been given to the men employed in
several of the largest works for a reduction of 20 per
cent. in wages, and owing to circumstances the employed
have generally quietly acceded to the terms dictated by
the masters.

The coal masters have determined not to reduce the
price of coal, so that at the great meeting in Birmingham
the prices of this important material will in all probality
remain stationary.

AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASONS' ASYLUM.—
The annual general meeting of the friends and sub-
scribers to the above institution took place last evening
at Radley's Hotel, New Bridge-street, Blackfciars,
Crucefix, L.L D., in the chair. The minutes of the
previous quarterly meeting having been read and con-
firmed, the Secretary, Mr. John Whitmore, read the
cash accounts for the year, from which it appeared that
at the last audit there was a balance in the hands of the
treasurer (4'3934 I s. 9d., cash since received, 445/. I Is. Bd.;
making a total of 838/. 13s. sd. The payments during
the same period had been, annuitants and general dis-
bursements, 167/. 4s. 6d.; deposited o❑ account of pur-
chase of land, 1001.; making a total of 267/. 4s. 6d.,
which leaves a balance of 571/. Bs. I Id.; of which there
is in the banker's hands, 4621. 13,. 3d., and 108/. 15s. Bd.
with the treasurer. The funds of the institution are as
follows:—Invested i❑ the Consols, 3,553/. 18s. I Id.; in
the Savings Bank, 130/.; in the treasurer's and banker's
hands, 571/. Bs. I Id.; deposited for land, 1001., making
a grand total of 4,3551. 7s. 10d. The report having been
adopted, the officers for the ensuing year were appointed,
amongst whom were the Earl of Aboyne, Lord South-
ampton, the Hon. Colonel Anson, M.P., B. B. Cabbell,
M.P., and Dr. Crucefix, as trustees. After the tran-
saction of business of minor importance, a vote of
thanks was passed to the chairman, and the proceedings
terminated.

EXPENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT MAIL STEAMERS
BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND KINGSTOWN.—In the Post-
office accounts there is a return showing the total ex-
pense incurred for the packet service in the year 1847;
and it appears that the mail packets on the six home
stations cost net 85,8351. 14s. Bd. Of this sum the five
packets between Liverpool and Kingstown, cost
43,9921. 6s. 10d. Deducting from this sum 6,708/. 19s.
received for passage-money, freight, &c., and
273/. 13s. 10d, for miscellaneous items, making a total
receipt of 6,982/. 12s. 10d. It appears that the excess of
expenditure was no less than 37,009/. 14s. The expen-
diture is made up of 28,0411. (including 11,1421. for ithe
engines and boilers of the Medusa and the Urgent) for
hulls, masts, yards, rigging, coals, stores, and repairs;
of 3,2341. 6s. 2d. for pay allowances and wages of parties
belonging to the shore establishment; and 11,398/ 19s. 9d.
for corresponding items to parties belonging to the es-
tablishment afloat. Altogether, there are sixteen mail
packets between Great Britain and Ireland, viz., five
between Liverpool and Kingstown; four between' Holy-
head and Kingstown; five between Milford and Water-
ford; and two between Portpatrick and Donaghadee.—
Lir•erpool Courier.

MONEY-MARKET.--The premium on gold at Paris
is 16 per mille, which, at the English Mint price of 31.
17s. 10i d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an ex-
change of 25.55; and the exchange at Paris on London
at short being 25 45, it follows that gold is 0.39 per cent
dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Ham-
burgh the price of gold is 437 per mark, which, at the
English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10:d. per ounce for
standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.11 ; and the
exchange at Hamburgh on London at short being 13.91,
it follows that gold is 0.69 per cent. dearer in Hamburgh
than in London. The course of exchange at New York
on London is quoted by the last arrivals at 1091 per
cent., and the par of exchange between England and
America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the
exchange is 0.08 per cent. against England;
quoted exchange at New York being for bills at 60
days' sight, the interest must be deducted from the above
difference.
—The Hud-
son's JOHN FRANKLIN'S EXPEDITION.
the Lords of
son's Bay Company, at the solicitation of
their agents
the Admiralty, have issued instructions
Fortt Good Hope
to provide stores of provisions,but the
Maed:tached in the
order that boats' crews which may
and other stations situated on tre"
be
eFranklin and his
searching expedition after Sir John _
d sustained in
Hoed an
gallant companions may be re
their perilous undertaking.
at
k nzie River, in

SOYER'S NECTAR.
In the Abnanach des Gourmands there is, according to
our facetious favourite Leigh Hunt, an engraving which
represents a "Jury of Tasters." Portly are these gen-
tlemen ; lusciousness hangs upon their lips ; every line
and wrinkle has a look of the art gastronomic. " Each,"
says the author of the "Jar of Honey from Mount
Hybla," " is chewing his respective mouthful" with an
air, we doubt not, intensely meditative. Here is their
verdict; and we may observe that it is quoted by Mr.
Hunt with a sort of admiring awe:—" With this sauce a
man might eat his father!" We should have liked un-
commonly to hear the opinion of these twelve good men
and true upon the Nectar just discovered, invented, con-
cocted—what shall we say?—created by the inimitable
Alexis Soyer. We envy the man who is thirsty and
has a bottle of this same beverage within reach.
Emerson has said, " Give me health and a day and I
will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous." Give us
thirst and a bottle of Soyer's Nectar, say we, and we
will laugh to scorn the cup of Hebe. Imagine the
juices of the most delicious fruits mingled with the
scientific dash of a master hand—the saccharine tartness
of the raspberry, the mellow flavour of the apple, a
suspicion of quince, an idea of lemon—and all creaming
up in a state of effervescence. That is Soyer's Nectar.
We undertake to say, that if that respectable old
gentleman, Jupiter—of whom the reader may learn
somewhat in the ingenious dictionary of M. Lempriere—
were still in existence, and if he were to taste but one
bubble of this same nectar—we would advise the bon-
vivants of the Reform Club to be on their guard. For, as
certainly, Jove's eagle would be dispatched forthwith to
ravish up to heaven Alexis Soyer vice Gannymede
superseded. All we can say in addition to that is, that
Gannymede never poured out such nectar for the Gods in
the most glorious revels of Olympus. It surpasses all
the lemonade, orangeade, iced soda-water, sherry
cobbler, sherbet, carrara water, and seltzer water, we
ever tasted.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen took a drive to Kew yesterday after-
noon, in an open barouche and four. Her Majesty
was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Royal, and was attended by the Hou. Miss
Kerr, Maid of Honour in waiting. Major-General
Wemyss, Equerry in waiting, was in attendance on
horseback.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by the
Marquis of Abercorn, Colonel the Hon. C. B.
Phipps, and Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour, left
Buckingham Palace at twenty-five minutes before
nine o'clock yesterday morning, for the Euston-
square terminus of the London and North-Western
Railway, and proceeded to York to attend the agri-
cultural meeting.
Prince Alfred, the Princess Helena, and the
Princess Louisa, accompanied by the Dowager Lady
Lyttleton, took an airing in an open carriage and four
yesterday.
The Princess Alice took an airing yesterday, in the
pleasure-grounds of the Palace.
The following had the honour of dining with her
Majesty, yesterday evening, at Buckingham Palace :
—His Royal Highness Prince George, the Lord
Chancellor and Lady Cottenham, the Duchess of
Sutherland, the Marchioness of Abercorn, Lord and
Lady Charles Wellesley, and Mr. George Edward
Anson.
The band of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards
was in attendance during dinner, in the Palace, and
performed the following pieces:—
Overture—" Nino,"..
Selection—" Bohemian Girl," Balfe.
Waltzer—"Ravenswood,"
Duett—"Nabucco,"
Polka—"Cocquet,"
The Queen's private band afterwards attended in
the Palace.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent left
town yesterday morning for her residence, Frog•
more House, Windsor. Her Royal Highness re-
turned to Clarence House, St. James's, in the after-
noon.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, at-
tended by Baron Knesebeck, returned to town on
Tuesday night from York.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester
had a dinner party yesterday at Gloucester House.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended
by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and
Lord James Murray, and a select party, were present.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and
Baron Knesebeck, honoured Viscount and Viscountess
Combermere with their company at dinner yesterday
evening, at their residence in Belgrave-square.
Mr. num,.Lid 1tr,..401,0.4,0, tz.m
had an interview with the Right Flon. H. Labouchere
yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade.
Mr. J. S. Brick wood, Public Works Loan Office,
had an interview with the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer yesterday, at his official residence in Down-
ing-street.
A deputation, including Sir William Ross, Mr.
Warren, Mr. Ward, Mr. Ridge, and Mr. Lushington,
M.P., had an interview yesterday with the Right lion.
H. Labouchere, at the Board of Trade, to present a
memorial from a general meeting of artists, held at
the Institute of Fine Arts, praying that the Lords
Committee of the Privy Council for Trade will not
persist in interfering with the right of selection, by
the prizeholders themselves, of the prizes allotted
to them by the Art Union of London. The memo-
rial was signed by 26 members of the Academy and
280 other artists.

Mr. Alexander ➢'Ewan (Glasgow) bad an inter-
view with the Right Hon. H. H. Labouchere yester-
day.

SIR ROBERT AND LADY PEEL'S RE-UNION.—
Yesterday afternoon Sir Robert and Lady Peel gave re-
ception to a brilliant circle of distinguished foreigners,
the principal members of the diplomatic corps, and of
the leading aristocracy, at the family residence in White-
hall-gardens. The invitations expressed that it was "to
view the pictures," and the hours appointed for the re-
ception was from three to six o'clock. It is well known
that the private collection of Dutch cabinet paintings,
formed by Sir Robert Peel in the town mansion, are all
of the first rank as works of art, and matchless, as it
includes masterpieces by Wouvermanns, Teniers, Cuyp,
Jan Steen, Ruysdale, W. and Franz MieHs, Vander
Velde, G. Douw, atchhuysen, Wynants, Hobbima, Paul
Potter, Dujardin, Metzu, A. and J. Ostade, Slingelandt,
Netscher, Terburg, P. de Hooghe, Vander Heyde, Berg-
hem, &c. Tho illustrious visitors, on their arrival,
were at once conducted to the gallery where Sir Robert
and Lady Peel gave a courteous welcome to the
numerous guests, assisted in the honours of the recep-
tion by their youthful and beautiful daughter, and Mr.
Arthur Peel, fifth son of the Right Hon. Baronet. M.
Guizot, the Princess Lieven (accompanied by the Duc de
Noailles), M. Dumas, the Duke of Wellington, and
General Sir Charles Napier, were among the earlier
arrivals. The visitors included his Serene Highness
Prince Frederick William of Hesse, his Serene Highness
Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Prince Lowenstein,
their Highnesses the Princess Metternich and Prince
Richard, and the Princess Melaine Metternich, Princess
Lieven, his Excellency Prince Castelcicala, his Excellency
Baron Brunnow, his Excellency the Turkish Minister,
and the Princess Callimaki, his Excellency Count Kiel-
mansegge, and a long list of the English aristocracy. The
majority of the company retired at seven o'clock, appa-
rently gratified with the inspection of the valuable pic-
tures collected by the Right Hon. Baronet, and the hos-
pitable nature of the reception.
A VETERAN.—Mr. J. Hosken (father of Captain
Hosken, formerly of the Great Britain, and now port-
master and harbour-master of the new colony of La-
buan), who died at Penryn on Friday, at the advanced
age of ninety two, had been engaged in most of the
principal naval battles of the last wars. Ho was present
at Rodney's victory over the Comte de Grasse, April 12,
1782, as well as in the actions previously fought between
Admiral Hood and the French fleet in the West Indies;
and few saw more service in the last war. He was after-
wards employed in charge of one of the vessels for con-
structing the Plymouth Breakwater, for which he drop-
ped the first stone. Here he met with a serious accident
by a heavy stone striking the rudder in its fall, and
causing the tiller to fly round suddenly, which, striking
him on the hip, lamed him for life. He suffered. also a
way of the Britannia, 120. But for the conseeqeunenpro.
of these injuries his life would. probably have b
and hearing re-
fracture of several ribs by a fall down the main hatch-
way
beyond a century. His sight t
......_,orn.
r i
afterd g e .
The following
TEE CITY.—....-
EARLY CLOSING IN
ed through the
notice has been extensively circulaotf
ra
ondon, residing
City :—" Notice..—The retail traders
Paul's, and Ludgate-street ;
wmaaiiinGedagreototed., and his faculties clear to the las . G
south of Cheapside,. Saint
notice that it is their in-
tention to close their shops. snat dr. eertespectfully request the
aiitilio:n•lich they rigidly
3cl'a'customers to enable them
cordial co-operation. of thew
object." " The
accomplish so desirable
.an o j .thanks of the
to itveninaon'cd,loecaks,tonofand
friends of the early closing movement are due to the
Lord Mayor, under whose auspices this extension of the
principle has been effected.
street, Blackfrgiajr.usll,Vy.hileiremby g
MondaylVEest tNofran, ReiCx , JULY B.—An illustration of the folly
of attempting to keep up the price of labour by artificial
adhered to by all and sundry. The consequence is eth be
tlfi‘o, an, s
ahonacdve
have
%r,
arhei def.
table
ba
ltbeyDo.tfun ut prices,itme rd
work can be. done cheaper in the surrounding • , at
villages,
and thither it goes. A great accession has been made to
the number of the unemployed in Dunfermline, and
pauperism has so increased that the poor-rate
alweans
thatdehaenrsteo
ensuing year has been raised to 3s. 6d. • for the
in the pound, or
17} per cent. Of course, the unemployed who abide
by the high tariff cannot receiveparochial •
relief, and in
due time weaving will fall in
the district. Dunfermline to the level of

STATE AIIiTRADE.
MANCHESTER, JULY 11.—The confismation of the'
armistice between Denmark and Germany, in reference
to the unfortunate Schleswig-Holstein dispute, the in-
crease of purchases both of goods and yarn, by the Ger-
span merchants, and the favourable change which has
/taken place in the weather, have exercised a very favour
able influence upon our market to-day; and it has been,
,on the whole, one of the most cheerful and encouraging
that we have had for many months past. The advanes
in prices has certainly not been large in any case; but
it has been much more general than on any recent occa.
sion. In goods, for which there is a fair demand, ex-
tending to almost all descriptions of fabrics, whether
suitable for the home or the foreign trade, an advance of-
lid. to 3d. per piece has been pretty readily paid by the
buyers; and many manufacturers have refused to take,
orders, except at a further advance. In yarns, neither
the demand nor the advance of prices has been so gene-
ral as in cloth. Low numbers of water and mule yarn
—especially the former—are in good request, and com-
mand rather higher rates. There is also a good demand
for cop-yarns from the home manufacturers, at ad-
vanced prices. For the higher counts of mule yarn,
however, the demand is by no means active; and, though
the spinners are not very willing sellers at the low rates
recently current, they have not succeeded in establishing
any noticeable advance 114 prices. It is, perhaps, neces-
sary to remark, that in the common description of Ame-
rican cotton at Liverpool, there has been an advance
quite equal to the enhanced rates obtained for goods and
cloth; so that the spinners and manufacturers have not
improved their position, to far as prices are concerned.
We do not believe, however, that the improvement here
has been materially influenced by the cotton market, to
which, recently, the buyers of yarn and goods have not
paid much attention. It has arisen rather from a ge-
neral impression that the market has seen its lowest
point; and as stocks have not been allowed to accumulate
to any excess, there is fair reason for believing, that,
_with a moderately increasing demand, a remunerative
business will shortly be reestablished. We understand
that arrangements have been making for re-opening a very
large spinning and manufacturing establishment in Man-
chester, which employed a considerable number of hands,
but which has been entirely closed for many months
past. We have received a copy of the circular, contain-
ing a series of resolutions emanating from a meeting of
the English and other important firms at Rio Janeiro,
held on the 10th of May, for the purpose of taking into
consideration the relations subsisting between the im-
porters and purchasers of goods. These resolutions are
intended for the purpose of providing that, for the fu-
ture, no sales of goods shall be made without duplicate
contract notes being exchanged between the buyers
and sellers; that, from the Ist of July, no credits shall
be allowed beyond twelve months, and that, in case the
term of credit should be exceeded, interest shall be
charged at the rate of three-quarters per cent. per
month. These regulations were to be observed by all
parties signing the engagement, under the penalty of
1,060 milreas for the first, and 2,000 for the second in-
fraction; and they were to be communicated " with all
possible delicacy," by a committee named for that pur-
pose, to the purchasers of goods. Whether the resolu-
tions of this meeting will have the effect of limiting the
extended and ruinous credits which have done so much
injury to the import trade in Brazil, remains to be seen..
It is certainly a consummation much to be desired. The
official return, prepared under the direction of Captain
Willis, shows the state of employment of the whole of
the operative classes within the borough of Manchester
who are employed in the various descriptions of mills
and works specified. A comparison of this return with
that of the previous week gives the following results:—
One cotton mill has gone from short to full time. Of the
hands employed in the cotton mills, there are 144 more
employed on full time, and 600 fewer on short time. Of
the total works included in the return, there are eight
more on full time, seven of which were previously on
short time, while the other was stopped altogether.
There are 213 fewer hands included in the table; there
are 212 more hands employed on full time than there
were last week, and 425 fewer employed on short time.
The return is, therefore, upon the whole, not of a very
favourable character.
ROCHDALE, JULY 10.—We have had less business in
flannels today than last Monday, but there has been a
better demand for kerseys and heavy goods. Prices
continue low. Great inactivity prevails in the wool
market, the manufacturers buying for immediate use
only, notwithstanding that there is a prevailing belief
that the price of the raw material has seen the lowest
point.
DERSFIELD, JULY 11.—We have had a decidedly
better market. Extensive purchases have) been made,
especially in old stocks, upon which manufacturers have
been willing to make considerable sacrifices, in conse-
quence of ithe great reduction in the price of the raw
material. German wools are improving in price.
HALIFAX, JULY B.—Scarcely any alteration, either
for better or worse, is perceptible in the trade of this
district, either as regards worsted goods or yarn. Wool
is somewhat lower, but the consumption is greatly re-
stricted, and very little is changing hands.
LEEDS, JULY 11.—Our market to-day has not been so
well attended as last week, nor was the amount of busi-
ness done so good as on Saturday. Still a better feeling
is gaining ground, and strong hopes for a revival in trade
are entertained, in consequence of the splendid harvest
prospects, and of the better accounts of continental affairs,
which bid fair to be settled peaceably.—Manchester
Guardian.

NAVAL IN'T'ELLIGENCE.
woomivicH.— The Br.silisk steam-sloop, to mount
eight guns, and be fitted with engines of 400-horse
power, is to be launched at this docknard ahout the end
of the present month, when the spring tides are at their
greatest height. The I3asilisk is of similar construction
to the Niger steam•vessel, the former to be fitted with
paddle wheels, and the latter with a screw propeller to
test their comparative merits.
The lieynard steam-vessel, Commander Cracroft, will
be ready for an experimental trial on Friday, and on
being found perfect will immediately proceed to Ports•
ineuth.

The Monkey steam-vessel, on returning from towing
the Athol' troop-ship to the Nore on Monday, overtook
the Maria Soames, hired freight ship, and towed her to
Deptford.

The Onyx, Dover mail steam-packet, is under the
South Shears, at the basin, having new boilers put on
board.
Experiments were carried on in the blacksmith's shop,
at the factory, on Saturday and Monday last, before
Mr. Lang, master shipwright, and Mr. Atherton, chief
engineer, to test two portable smith's forges, or heat-
ing apparatus, submitted by Messrs. Brown and Red-
path. They are both on the same principle, only one
is worked by hand and the other by the foot,
to allow the workman to use both hands in turning
the iron in the fire, and are intended as substitutes
for the cumbrous and inefficient forges at present used by
the engineers, smiths, and armourers in the Royal Navy,
the leather and wood of the common bellows being so
liable to injury from insects and other causes in tropical
climates. The forges made by Brown and Redpath are
wholly of iron, and so compact that when folded up for
stowing away, they do not occupy a space of three feet
six inches by two feet six inches, and eight inches thick.
The blast is produced by an eccentric fan thirteen inehes
in diameter, with three blades, which revolves with great
rapidity by means of an endless gut-band and crank
handle, making upwards of 2,000 revolutions per minute,
and producing a more powerful blast than can be ob-
tained by the common forges. The experiments were
conducted by Mr. Caplin, engineer to the firm, under
whose superintendence the machines were constructed,
who introduced pieces of iron 14 inches in diameter
into the fires produced by the forges, and in four minutes
the iron was brought to a good welding heat in the small
one, and in SI minutes in one rather larger, set in mo-
tion by the foot. A piece of iron of the same dimen-
sions was put into one of the fires produced by the engine
blast in the blacksmith's shop, and it required 34 mi-
nutes to bring it to a welding beat—exactly the same
time as that required by the portable forge, showing a
power of producing sufficient heat to enable engineers
in charge of engines at sea to cast or repair many
parts of the works which, without such aid, would
require the return of the vessel to port to have them
effected.

DRILLING THE POLICE.—The Secretary of State
has given orders to the Commissioners of the Metropo-
litan Police to have all the constables drilled in the
exercise of the small sword, in consequence of the late
disturbances, which have caused the men to have cut-
lasses distributed among them. The Commissioners
have selected two constables from each division to per-
form that duty, and they have been for some time re-
ceiving lessons from Mr. Angelo, to perfect them in the
exercise of the cutlass. In the early part of next week,
it is stated, the drilling will commence at the respective
stations.
DE3TBUCTIVE FIRE.--NOTTINGIIAM, WEDNESDAY.
—One of the most serious conflagrations that have oc-
curred in this town for many years past, broke out
about half-past eleven o'clock this morning, in an exten-
sive factory
situated in a dense range of buildings be-
tween the market-Place and Parliament-street.
steTamhe)
mill was fitted up with machinery (worked
for preparing wool, cotton, and silk for manufacture, and
is in the occupation of Messrs. Hollins and Son, who
only purchased it a few months ago from John Mills,
Esq. The fire originated in the teasing-room." A
youth named Steele was engaged in carding and mixing
cotton, when a quantity of the yarn became entangled
round a portion of the machinery, the rapid evolutions of
which caused the material to ignite, and before assist-
ance could be rendered, the whole frame was in a blaze,
and the flames speedily spread to other parts of the ma-
chinery, and at length
we write, men are en reached the roof. At the time
gaged
in throwing water upon the
smouldering ruins, and removing bundles of damaged
goods. It is impossible to estimate the amount of da-
mage, but it must reach fully 1,000/. We understand,
however, that the premises were insured in several offices
to a large amount.
PAYNE'S PRESERVATIVE PROCESS ron TIMBER.—
Leaving out of sightthe question of who really
invented and brought d perfection
a the mode
of preserving timber
oproteess, con-
corning which we were once called on
it appears to be a patent of considearabloe speak,value
available with usefulness to a much larger extent'
than it has been yet applied. The chief object is, by
filling the pores of the wood with an indissoluble sub-
stance by means of exhaustion and pressure, to preserve
it from rot and the attacks of insects. Beyond this,
however, the process is said to make the timber unin-
flammable, and a few days ago some experiments on a
large scale were made on the patentee's premises in
Westminster which appeared fully to bear out the state-
ment. Two model houses were subjected to the
action of ignited shavings ; one of unprepared timber
was destroyed, while the other, formed of timber, which
had been impregnated, remained little injured.—The
Builder.

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