The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-15 00:00:00

APPOINTMXNTS AND PROMOTIONS AT TUE ADMIRALTY.

August 11.—Lieutenant George V. Gardner, to the Sidon ;
Pkiy master and Purser Robert M.' Jeffrey, to the Sidon;
Master's Assistant, William Edward Warren, to the Hound.
August 12.—Master's Assistant William Long, to the
Dasher; Master's Assistant Alfred Forrester, to the Ocean.
Promotion.—Acting Second Master John James Brown, to
the rank of master; seniority, August 6.
August 13.—Lieutenant J. C. Hughes, to the Contest ;
Master's Assistant Alfred Forrester, from the Ocean to the
Trident; Midshipman Nelson G. Spencer, to the Victory, as
supernumerary ; Naval Cadet Richatd Knight, to the
Victory, as supernumerary.

SHOOTING STARS.—Perhaps our readers are not gene-
rally aware that the 10th of August is as famous for shooting
stars as the 12th of the same month is notable for shooting

grouse. This, however, is the case. These singular pheno:
mena occur in periodical showers, the most remarkable of
which are observed from the 12th to the 14th of November,
and on the 10th of August. Unfortunately, Monday even-
ing, on which we expected to witness a magnificent display
of this singular phenomenon, closed over Cambridge with a
cloudy sky and a close drizzling shower, which utterly
excluded from our view the more elevated regions of the
atmosphere and the blue stars beyond. On Sunday
evening it was likewise thick and cloudy. This we con-
sidered a very great misfortune, as we had long looked
forward in the hope of enjoying the spectacle. Humboldt's
theory of these shooting stars is at once novel and
striking_ lie considers them identical with those aerolites
or metoric stones which do certainly fall from the clouds,
and which some have believed to be wanderers from the

moon, projected with immense impetus from active vol-
canoes in that satellite, and prevented from going back by
the superior attraction of this planet. Humboldt's opinion

is more philosophical and more specious, and perhaps mof:
sublime. There is Jupiter so much larger than this earth—
this earth so much larger than Mercury—Mercury so much
larger than those asteriods, Ceres and Pallas. ileasoning
analogically, Humboldt supposes that bodies still smaller,
indeed, infinitely smaller, mere fragments, may be wandering
through space, revolving by the law of gravitation around
the sun, and that in short these aerolites or meteoric
stones are little planets, deflected from their own orbits by
the earth's attraction. He conjectures further that the
shooting stars are simply the temporary appearance of these
aerolites, which, thus revolving, become brilliantly visible
in passing through the outer portions of our atmosphere.
They may glow with heat and emit intense light just so long
as they happen to be in contact with the oxygen which we
breathe. And further, in certain positions of our planet, in
that position which we occupy at present with regard to the
sun, it is quite conceivable that a shower of these aerolites—
a host, as It were, of these diminutive asteroids—may pe-
riodically arid annually, pursuing their own path, traverse
the earth's orbit, and Just graze our atmosphere, so as to be•
come luminous at this season.—Canibridge Advertiser.
ASCENTS OF MONT BLANC.—Accounts from Cha-
mounix
inform us, that the very fine weather which has pre-
vailed
there for some weeks past has led to several attempts
(most of them successful) to explore the summit of Mont
Blanc, and the even more perilous assent and passage of the
' scenery in all the glory of its wild grandeur. On the 30th
of June a French Count Alfred crossed the Col du Geant,
with five guides, to Cormayeur, without accident. On the
13th of July Count Bouille reached the summit of Mont
Blanc, having experienced rough weather. On the 16th of
July, another French gentleman, in attempting to cross the
Geant, with five guides,`was caught in a snow storm, and,
after wandering about the ice and snow for 14 hours, the
party fortunately got back to the Montanvert, where
great apprehensions were entertained about them. On
the 2nd of August Messrs. Greene, Popham, and Dutton,
with eight guides, crossed the Col du Geant in 17 hours,
having nearly lost one of their guides, who was precipitated
headtoremost into a crevice in the ice, from which he was
extricated by lowering down another guide by a rope, his
further fall having been stopped by his mountain pole catch-
ing luckily in the ice. A large mass of the Glacier du Tacul
also fell in close to the party during their passage. On the
sth of August Messrs. Wolley and Hurt reached the summit
of Mont Blanc, with six guides, led by the veteran Coutet,
who thereby performed his 17th ascent, 12 of which suc-
ceeded. The weather during their ascent was so clear that
the party were distinctly observed from Chamounix arriving
at the summit. The courage and skill of the guides in all
these expeditions. 'and their considerate attention for the
safety of the travellers, are highly spoken of. Professor
Forbes, who has been staving for the last fortnight at the
Montauvert, engaged in scientific researches, is about to ex-

plore the Tacurt3lacier and the Cul du CZ...4 For tho onmi
purpose. It is also currently reported that Mr. Robert Peel
son of the late Premier, is daily expected in Chamouuix,
with the intention of ascending Mont Blanc.
THE LATE STORM—MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT
ALBION HOUSE, Pi.muco.—On Wednesday, Mr. Bedford,
the Coroner for Westminster, held an inquest at Albion
House, Shaftesbury-terrace, Pimlico, on the body of William
Mawby, aged 25, whose death took place under the follow-
ing circumstances:—lt appeared, from the evidence, that the
deceased, who was the son of a farmer in Warwickshire,
had been in the service of Mr. Smith, the proprietor of the
above establishment, for a period of four mouths. During
that time he had slept in one of the rooms on the basement
floor. On Saturday week, owing to the heavy storm that
visited the metropolis, the lower floor of Mr. Smith's pre-
mises was laid upwards of twenty-nine inches under water,
in consequence of which the deceased was obliged to occupy
a room at the top of the house. Not feeling satisfied with
the apartment, he returned to his former bedroom
on Sunday last, where he slept for the night. The
following day he complained of having a bad cold, and
it was agreed upon by his mistress, that a charcoal fire
should be made up to air the room. On Monday afternoon,
some charcoal was placed by the cook in a patent stove, and
put in the deceased's apartment, and at half-past eleven at
night he retired to bed, but whether he was aware of the
stove being in the place, or knew the danger of the same,
could not be learned. On the following morning, on the
cook going to deceased's bed-room to call him, she could
obtain no answer. Having obtained assistance, the door
was forced, and deceased was found in bed, apparently in-
sensible, with a violent movement of the whole frame. Mr.
Baynton, a surgeon, was called in, and he did all that was
possible for deceased, but without effect, and he died the
same day at one o'clock. The cause of death was congestion
of the brain, brought on by inhaling the carbonic acid gas
generated by the charcoal. The jury, alter hearing the
evidence, returned a verdict, " That the deceased died from
inhaling a noxious gas, generated by burning charcoal
incautiously placed in his bed-room by a fellow-servant."
On Thursday last, as the railway train which leaves
Canterbury twenty-five minutes after eleven in the morning,
was passing towards Ashford, the engine-driver observed
several cows on the railway; he immediately shut off the
steam and reversed the engine, but being at full speed at the
time he saw the animals, he was not able sufficiently to check
the onward motion of the train before it had knocked down
one of the animals, which falling under the engine was
dragged by it a considerable distance. The animal was re-
leaseed from its unfortunate position much injured, and
Boorman, the police inspector on the line between Canter•
bury and Ashford, being present, immediately killed and
dressed the cow, thus rendering it fit for human food. The
beast were ascertained to have been the property of Mr. S.
Sutton, of Wye-court; they had, in consequence of the ex-
cessive heat, quitted the field in which they were grazing,
and strayed down the river Stour, and thence got upon the
railroad.—Kent Herald.
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY AFTERNOON.—The Great Britain
steam-ship, now out thirteen days, has not yet made her
appearance. She was not telegraphed when our express bag
was made up at half-past four. There has been a communi-
cation throughout the line to Holyhead all day.
Ibrahim l'acha arrived at Malta in the steam-frigate
Avenger on the 2d: Ile was received with a salute from fort
Angelo, and another salute was fired on the following morn-
ing when lie landed accompanied by Admiral Sir Lucius
Curtis. On landing he was received by Colonel Balneevis,
the acting Governor, and his staff, and a guard of honour of
the 42d Royal Highlanders. When his Highness arrived at
the Governor's house, there was another guard of honour
from the 88th Regiment to receive him. He left the same
evening for Alexandria.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY BY A BARMAN.—Last evening
information was received at the police station of the L divi-
sion, Tower-street, that David Ballance, barman to Mr.
Watson, landlord of the Artichoke Tavern, Lower Marsh,
Lambeth, absconded on Sunday night last with upwards of
500/. It appeared that he was related to Mr. Watson, and
by him entrusted with the management of the business, the
latter residing a few miles out of town. lie also had posses-
sion of all the moneys belonging to the various sporting
clubs held at the house, and most of the cash belonging to
the holders of the prizes. Mr. Watson had no suspicion as
to his dishonesty until Monday morning, when he came to
town to transact some business, and found that Ballance was
away. He then expected to see him return, but on his not
making his appearance on Thursday, Mr. Watson examined
his books, and discovered his serious defalcations. Ballance is
a married man, and his wife lived with him in the house.
She is near her accouchment. Nearly 2001. of the money
was the fortnight's takings behind the counter. He is '24
years of age, five feet seven inches high, light complexion,
high cheek bones, and had on when he left a suit of new
black, with satin vest, and black hat.
An action was brought in the Palace Court yes-
terday, to recover the exact sum of 2/. for a cart sold. As
the case was defended, and counsel engaged, the costs will be
about El., when, by waiving Id., a judgment could have been
obtained in a Court of Requests for as many shillings, and
the judgment equally rigidly enforced, under the Small
Debts Act ; the action was, therefore, clearly to inflict a
punishment in the injury of costs, for making a bona fide
defence.
THE LATE HAILSTORM.—Last evening a meeting of
the nurserymen, florists, and gardeners of the metropolis
was held at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, to receive a
report of the damage sustained during the late storm, pre-
liminary to the public meeting to be held on Monday next.
The report described the principal sufferers to be Messrs.
Chapman, Vauxhall, 3,000/. ; Messrs. Chandler and Son,
Wandsworth, 2,000/. ; Messrs. Dickson, Acre-lane, Brixton,
2,000/. ; Mr. Higgins, Brixton, 1,0001. ; Mr. Myall, Bruns-
wick-road, Camberwell, 8001. ; Mr. Clark, Brixton, :700/. ;
Messrs. Fairbairn, Clapham-rise, 600/. ' • besides a vast num-
ber of others varying from 3001. to 200/. and under, making
a total of at least 18,000 t
FIRST ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY IN FRANcE.—A
cargo of enormous cast iron tubes has arrived at the Quai
des C6lestines. They have been made at the forges of Van-
deuvra (Aube), and are destizied fir the atrac,gipetit railway
01 64 Coapize-.213 AMY.

PROPE&.SOR FABER'S SPEAlliit"rG

AVM:RATON, OR EUPHONIA.
This is the tht724 "straordinary production of in Imlay
anc! paYseveratot that it has aver been our good fort vile to
observe. It is, wjthout any cheat or fraud, in real &
speaking machine, mad an object of the highest wonder. We
are told that the inven,tor, Mr, Joseph Faber, is sixty N 'eam
or'.2.ize; he received his education at the Royal Polytecl Mic
lnstitt,,tion in Vienna; he 1.% a Proff,asor of Mathematics, s ead
was for maziy years Premier Calculator and Land Surveyqr
to tbe Empeo 1,
r of Austria. lie ,as devoted more than
twenty-five yeara to the discoveiv anc,' construction of a It e.
chanical combination which should possOss all the powers of
articulation. After obtaining the power of pronouncing at
the other vowels by mechanical contrivanc, he spent severe
years in finding means of artificially pronou, acing the letter
E. Professor Faber was the first man who ate.`iysed " Caou-
chonc," or India rubber; from this material he Itas formedi
the various organs of articulation, so es exactly to. resemble-
those appertaining to humanity, and by means of keys, and
bellows (for lungs); he has at last conquered every olt,stacle,
and bas: succeeded in constructing au instrument whici,t will
plainly and distinctly speak all languages, sing, whiez-ier,,
laugh, &e. This Teonderfnl result is now achieved for the
first time, ali,hough it has often been before attempted with.,
out success, aid has often, during the last few centurion
been pronounced an impoOibility by sarong of all countries.
'We should recommend those of onr readers who
are not so deficient of reasonablie curiosity as -to neglect st
visit to this wonderful exhibition, to glagot at'
nost Mr. Faber's
neen
book of Memoranda, inscribed by yof ibe e Flour's
ns
guished persons of the day. We recommend the
book
highly amusing. Some of the inscrietiOne are rein ImahlY
characteristic. The greatest captain of the at writes T A,
wonderful piece of mechanism.—Wellington: The
Chief Baron bears his testimony to its excellence in t.'w
pithy sentence :—" The machine speaks for itself—rerbienr!
sat." Mr. J. S. Buckingham, in a long memorandum, re-
quests the visitor, whose notions of perfect articulation may
not he quite realised by the performance of the automaton,
"to remember that it is a human work, and that man can-
not equal the work of his Creator." Some half-dozen deep
thinking inscribers content themselves with expressing their
" entire agreerztent " with that original and profound ob-
servation of Mr...T, S. Buckingham's. Perhaps, however, the
testimony of such :nen as Dr. Ryan, Profe,.sor Bachhoffner,
Mr. Sievier, Mr. Longbottom, and On learneu editor of the
Westminster Review, will go as far with Vie publiC. as the pious
exhortation of Mr. 8., and the satirist, who fu,'lY agrees
with him.