The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-25 00:00:00

A HANDSOME OFFER TO LORD

JOHN.
(From .Punch.)
85, Fleet street, Aug. 22.
My dear Rimell,—l perceive that Lord Minto, your
estimable father-in-law, has brought in his Bill for tra-
velling expenses to Rome, Naples, and Sicily (a journey
patriotically undertaken for the abiding good of the em-
pire), a little bill to the amount of 2,0001. The sum,
even for a nobleman and a Minto,.ia rather large; but
then, possibly, his Lordship—for the better dignity of the
English name—was very liberal to boots and waiters.
Now, my dear Lord, your guide, philosopher, and
friend, Punch, feels that he has some private business to
transact somewhere upon the continent. And being
desirous of combining public patriotism with personal
affairs—he Punch, will have no objection to undertake
any little mission for the Whig Government, by which
he may be enabled to lessen—or rather entirely to cover
—the travelling expenses of himself, Mrs. Juditha Punch,
and family.

Be it Understood, my Lord, Punch places himself
entirely in your hands. So that you send him a suffi •
cient letter of credit, you may send him to any part of
Europe (Russia excepted, Punch having no desire to
catch weazels in Siberia)—any part in which the affairs
of this country may be a little out of order, demanding
a delicate hand in the diplomatic art of dove-tailing.
My gear Lord, let us take a glance at the map of
Europe. Ido feel that I might do something in Paris—
(Juditha, who has never been there, and is at this mo-
ment at my side, sewing on a shirt-button, says " she
is sure of do think that the country would
feel the benefit of any dinner I might be empowered
to give to Citizen Cavaignac at the Trois Freres.
It is my opinion that I could employ, say a couple
of hours after dinner, in a manner that would serve the
interest of England—at least in my own person—in the
article of French wines. And then for our iron ; I do
think that, sheathing the sword, I could induce the
French Ministry to take a knife and fork.
Leaving Paris, it strikes me that something very bene-
ficial to our interests might be effected in Belgium. At
all events I feel that I could pass, say three days, very
well at the Court of Leopold. With our present pros-
pect of a limited harvest, is it wise, is it politic, to leave
the question of the tariff unsettled in the matter of Brus-
sels sprouts?
lam told that the discipline of the railway service
throughout Prussia and Austria is worthy the attention
of an observing mind, with a view to a probable
improvement of the railways of England. It may
not be generally known to the people of Great
Britain, that—in 'Germany the trains start to the
sound of a trumpet, and not to the ring of a bell.
Now, my dear Lord, as I have no objection to take a
few of the German cities—(Juditha will now consent to
visit Vienna, " the dear Emperor," as she says—poor-
woman!—" having gone back to make it respectable")—
as I have no objection to Frankfort, Berlin, Dresden, and
so forth, I think a settlement—once and for ever—of
the bell and trumpet question, would be a considerable
boon to the railway interest—(and you know its strength
in the House)—bringing a harvest of gratitude to any
Minster.

However, should your .Lordship see nothing to be
done in Germany, surely myself and family may be made
very useful in Italy. I shall be very happy to go into
the thick of the Austrian garrison (my wife and daugh-
ters arc delighted at the notion) in Milan or elsewhere.
Again, an advantageous visit might be made to Genoa
(Juditha having resolved upon a plum-coloured velvet for
next winter), for it is now pretty well known that Mr.
Abercrombie has lamentably failed. My patriotic ad-
vice therefore is very brief.—Try Punch.
Leaving Milan and Genoa, I feel that the country
could lose nothing were I to put up for a fortnight or so
at Florence. I have no doubt that I might pick up
something useful in the galleries there, for our National
Wigwam in Trafalgar-square. However, should it be
thought otherwise, I will push on for Naples ; and (hav-
ing taken a bath of rose water before and after the inter-
view) confer with his Perjury the King. It must, how-
ever, be distinctly understood, my Lord, that, on no
account, I am to be expected to dine with him.
In the present feverish state of our lucifer trade, I
may venture to suggest a visit to Sicily, with the view
of taking stock of the sulphur of Etna. My (laughter
Juditha (a promising but timid artist) is quite prepared
to illustrate her papa's report with a water-colour of the
crater.

Rome, of course we must see. It is not for me to
brag of the private friendship of his Holiness the Pope;
but if Minto has failed (and, indeed, my Lord, such is
the general impression), it is only that Punch might
triumph. Pio Nono has a yearning love for my Italian
origin, and will not consent to take the hand of Sir
Robert Inglis but from the hand of Punch. To serve
my country, I should have had no objection to become
resident Ambassador at Rome. But, alas! what would
Fleet•street do without me?

And now, my Lord, as I must leave England for a
few weeks—(for here we are upon the threshold of Sep-
tember)—dispose of myself and family as you will. I
don't know that I should even object to Turkey; though
Juditha insists, for safety sake, on lodgings at the Bri-
tishEmbas!y.__

My Lord, I am aware that—in this application—l
suffer under disadvantages. I am not in the Peerage;
my name is neither Howartp nor STANLEY—names ex-
pressly made to denote a race of politicians—it is simply
Punch. I have, nevertheless, one recommendation—
I'll go very cheap; I'll travel "an alarming sacrifice."
MINTO sends in a bill for 2,000/. Punch will go for
half that sum. Yes; for 1,0001. Punch feels that—for a
month—say a month—he can, in himself and family,
support the credit of England abroad, and smuggle a
few things to cur, a dash with at home.

I remain, my Lord, yours with esteem (and carpet-
bag), PUNCH.

P.S. Please send an early answer. Because, in the
unlooked-for event of Government refusing to pay my
expense to Rome, I shall be compelled to go at my own
cost to Herne Bay.
T---

_IIE STORM ON THE EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.—
ABERDEEN, MONDAY, AUG. 21.—T0 the disastrous
results of the terrific gale of Friday morning, as realized
on the east coast, we have now to add at least as deplor-
able an account of the effects of the storm at Wick and
other seaport towns on the opposite shores of the Mur-
ray Frith. From letters received here to night, it
appears that the storm overtook the fishermen when at
sea, about two o'clock in the morning, and there being
upwards of 1,000 boats exposed to the fury of the ele-
ments, many of them well laden with herrings, the loss
could not be otherwise than great. At the break of day
the coast was literally strewed with wreck. At the portt
of Wick four or five boats' crews perished within sight
of their relatives and friends, and altogether more than
the
50 fishermen were drowned within a short distanceastwrecks of
harbour. At all the other ports along th
have been cast ashore, and at the date oef coast
the last ac-
counts no true estimate could be formedh of the actual
loss of life that had been occasioned
gale
y the storm. One
of Friday thirg appears certain, that hf
tt l
the value of the the
150 boats have
morn-
inghee
been
Oowrecked,fishermen
and,htaavkei
taking
ri
the ('
account
netsr()yendd,as well as the herrings de.
s
ear,uldgno cover the dra
onge done by
this awful gale. From Peterhead we learn that 70 boats
ta 20,0001.er fishing
wo
are wrecked or missing, and the estimate of the sad
repcon-
sequencesorted. of the gale is fully as large as was at first
THE LATE EXPLOSION IN ALBANT•STREET.—DIS-
INTERESTED KINDNESS.-At the conclusion of the in-
quest on Mary Bentley, the unfortunate
iseuaffeirnetrerbe)s•
ttinhge
explosion in Albany-street, the f
circumstance was publicly communicated to the coroner
and jury by :lir. Sudlows, jun., the solicitor for Mr.
Loten, the proprietor of the house where the explosion
took place. Mr. Sudlows stated, that on the night of
the explosion Mr. and Mrs. Loten were from home, and
on their return after the occurrence, they were met by
Mr. Clarke, a tradesman in the street, but who was a
perfect stranger to him. Mr. Clarke broke the unfor-
tunate news out to him, and then, in the most disinte-
rested manner possible, told Mr. Loten to make his
house his home, and his purse his also, as long as he
thought proper. Mr. Sudlows said he had en re-
quested to mention the circumstance thus publicly, as
such disinterested kindness from a perfect stranger
ought not to go unnoticed. The Coroner said it re-
flected the highest credit on Mr. Clarke, and he was
very glad the circumstance had been mentioned.
THE RECENT COLLISION ON THE LANCASTER AND
PRESTON RAILWAY.—The investigation of the circum-
stances attending the death of Hemel Airey, the unfor-
tunate woman who was killed on Monday evening last by
a collision between the London express train and one of
the Lancaster old company's trains, as reported in this
paper, commenced at Lancaster on Tuesday afternoon.
After the testimony of the medical witnesses, the most
important evidence was, that both the express and the
other train were considerably out of their regular time.
A respectable witness, named Dunderdale, deposed to
seeing the engine-driver of the express train endeavour-
ing to check its speed when the signal of danger was
flying at the Bay-horse station, by letting off the steam,te
and having the brakes put on, but in vain, owing to h
slippery state of the rails from the wetness
andwe Prestontnessofth cetn-
ewea-
then On the part of the Lancaster
Com-
pany it was also shown that the usual care
a
t ehvaedrybL:tnateiexe-
hibited in displaying the proper signals
as the express train came up. The inquiry was then
adjourned till Monday. Captain Laffn , one of the in-
spectors of theltlnsvdaeyn aßonadrdNoefrthTrlavdees,tearned, theLaan
cstrepre-
sentativesLancaster
of the
and Carlisle, Lancaster Canal, and other companies in-
terested in the result, were present. Miss Bland, one of
the sufferers, is in such a state as to engender the worst
apprehensions. Some of the others, it is expected, will
have to undergo amputation.
A Hem MEETING.—At Lieutenant-General
Lord Hardinge's dinner party on Wednesday, at Cruise's,
Limerick, to Major-General Napier, Colonel Cox, Colo-
nel Doyle, and the officers commanding corps in gar,!-
son, a distinguished guest dropped in quite unexpectedly,
who came from England to see his Noble Friend, Lord
Ilardinge, and this was Sir Henry Lawrence, Governor
of Lahore, and a field officer of the Bengal Artillery.
Ile was received in the most cordial manner by the gal.
lout host, who introduced the welcome visitor to his
guests, and subsequently proposed his health in the
most complimentary terms, declaring him to be one of
the very best and most efficient officers in the India
Company's service. The company enjoyed a most
festive evening, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sir H. Law-
rence, K.C.8., left Lieutenant-Colonel Doyle's residence
on Thursday for London, en route, overland, to India, to
accelerate from Lahore the expedition ordered to pro-
ceed against the revolted province of Moulton, where
two British Commissioners were assassinated by the na-
tives. General Lord Gough is expected to command in
person the British force.

SUICIDE AT GREENWICH.
Yesterday evening Mr. C. J. Carttar held an inquest
at the Greyhound inn, Greenwich, to inquire into the
circumstances attending the death of Mr. James Coro,
late of the firm of Messrs. Corns and Roberts, clothiers
and outfitters, 63, Shereditch, who was found weltering
in his blood, with a pistol by his side, at that inn. Mr•
James Corse, sen., identified the body of the deceased
as that of his son, aged 22 years. The deceased, who
was engaged in the business of the firm, left home about
ten o'clock on Tuesday morning to purchase goods at a
warehouse in Wood-street. Witness found that de-
ceased had purchased several hundred pounds worth of
goods, which were sent home that day. Never saw the
deceased afterwards.

Thomas Roworts, the waiter, said deceased came in
soon after ten o'clock on Tuesday night, and engaged
bed, and then sat for about twenty minutes in the coffee-
room, when he went to bed. He seemed low and de-
sponding. In the morning witness was called up stays
by the maid servant, and he found the deceased lying
undressed, prostrate, and bleeding from a wound in the
head.

Mr. John Sewell, surgeon, proved that death had
been occasioned by the deceased's shooting himself with
a pistol. The ball had lodged in the head near the left
temple.

The following is a copy of a letter which was found
upon the person of the deceased :
" Greenwich, Monday Evening.
"My dear Father,—My madness has at length con-
quered me. Now, when in possession of everything I
wished, all around me seems nothing but gloom. That
great defect of my character, want of determination—ft
defect that I have laboured day by day and hour by hour
for the last three or four years to cancel—grows upon
me and spoils me in everything I undertake. I dare
not look to the future, for I see it there making a beggar
of me. For myself I care not, but time must reconcile
those whom I would rather undergo any torture thka
bring into trouble. It is the certainty that this day
would come, sooner or later, which determines me now,
while unfettered, to end all. Did I, my dear father, see.
one ray of hope for improvement in my nature, I would
live. The only future that I can paint to myself is
wife and children beggars, and myself hearing theirs
and the world's curses for bringing them to that state.
Be it cowardice, or be it laziness, it is not to be eradi-
cated. How many times have I tried, and how many
times have I flattered myself improving, and yet it remains
an indelible black spot, as even at school. It was
the same in America to a great extent, but
since I have been home the thing becomes
worse and worse. I cannot write—it unnertes
me for that which I now feel to be my duty. I had
intended not to have written, but felt that I owed to all
who might otherwise have thought themselves in some
way connected with my determination. I state again
that my only reasons are the feeling of thorough incom-
petency to grapple with the world in business—a feeling
of disgust for rn) self every day, for doing so little, so that
my brain wanders, I can scarce see what I write. Give
my love to all. I could not bid them good bye. Let
Lizzy have the disposition of my things, and ask her to
see to the letters and journals. I die, as I have lived,
the wretch of the family.—Good bye! Good bye!"
Mr. Corss, after hearing the letter read, said it was
mere delusion of the brain, as not one young man in a
hundred had better prospects or more dsmestic comforts.
The family were united, and lived on excellent terms.
The deceased, who laboured at times under great depres-
sion of spirits, left home one morning, and the next tuve
he heard of him was by letter dated New York.
Dr. Coulson, of the Old Jewry, in a letter, said that be
attributed the act to physical causes, constitutional di
facts which had been coming on for a length of time.
The CORONER remarked at some length upon the case,
and said that after reading the letter in the deceased's
own hand there could be no doubt as to his state of
mind.
Verdict—" Insanity."

b 92 bition
YORK RACES.
(THIS DAY-BY EXPRESS.)

The Convivial Stakes of 30 soya. each. T.Y.C.
Ada Mary ~, ~, ...
Post tem pore ... ... ... •••