The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-17 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

We regret to hear that Rear-Admiral Houston
Stewart, C. 8., is suffering severely from an attack of
influenza.

The following officers attended the levee of Rears
Admiral Dundas, at the A.dmiralty yesterday :
Captains H. T. Douglas, J. Dalrymple, Hoy, Quin.
Commanders R. Foster, J. Hope. Lieutenants D.
Edwards, F. S. Trernlet, D. S. Partridge, F. Cutler,
I'. J. Young, G. W. Rabett, G. G. Philipps, C. 0.
13. Hall, C. W. Russell. Master G. A. Waters.
Second Master H. M. Ray. Clerk T. Donald.
Mr. Paymaster Simpson, nominated secretary to
Rear-Admiral Dundas, has arrived home from Lisbon.
Mr. Simpson was paymaster of the Leander, 50, and
has left the station with the hearty good wishes of
the whole squadron.
Commander George Edwin Patey (1846) has been
promoted to the rank of captain on paying off the
Flying Fish, 12, after two years' service on the coast
of Africa, during which time, as we stated last week,
'he Flying Fish had made more captures than any
cruiser on the station, and had served her commission
without the infliction in any one instance of corporal
punishment. This, we presume, may be considered a
special service promotion, although conferred by the
First Lord ; but we are bound to state that there are
many commanders on the list who have been waiting
tong for their advancement whose services hare
equalled, if they have not exceeded, those of Captain
Patey, and who, having earnsd their step before Cap-
tain Patey, ought surely to have received the reward
of their good services before this lucky officer.—
.gerald.

Mate—ll. P. Bunce has been promoted to the rank
of lieutenant.

Lieutenant Charles Gibbons (1848) has been ap-
pointed, from the Growler steam-ship, Mediterra-
nean, to the Encounter, 14, screw-corvette on that
station.

Lieutenant H. W. hire (1841) has been appointed
senior of the Fury steam-sloop, at Woolwich, for the
Mediterranean.

Mr. W. D. live has entered the navy as assistant
surgeon of the Impregnable, 78, flag-ship at Devon.
p
Clerks—John E. Stiles (1844) to the Impreg-
nable; S. S. Boxer to the Britannia, 120, Ports-
mouth.

Commodore Martin, the commander-in-chief of the
western squadron, has been indisposed at Lisbon, but
by last accounts was convalescent. On the night of
the 6th instant a fire broke out at the Gallant Com-
modore's residence, when a great deal of property
was destroyed, and the life of the Commodore was
placed in peril. The fire originated in the drawing-
room. It was caused by the stove becoming over-
heated, and burning away the floor to such an extent
that in the middle of the night the stove itself dropped
through the flooring into the room below, filling the
house thereby with fire and smoke, and causing great
consternation. The Commodore, in rushing through
the house to alarm the servant•, had his candle put
out, and with great difficulty he managed, whilst half-
suffocated with the amoke which filled the passage, to
scramble out to a place of safety. The Lisbon fire
brigade saved the house (the residence of the late
French Minister) from destruction.
Captain R. S. llewlett took up his commission at
Devonport, on Saturday, for the Excellent, and drew
a pendant to hoist on board the Hotspur frigate as a
gunnery tender, but the Commander-in-Chief would
not allow him to hoist the pendant until further
orders.

Mr. Rae, schoolmaster of Devonport Dockyard,
has been elected actuary of the savings bank in that
establishment, vice Scott, resigned. The latter
gentleman fur some time received an allowance of
150/. per annum, but in consequence of the great
decrease in the deposits at the time of the railway
mania, which was succeeded by the establishment of
building societies, enabling the workmen in a great
many instances to become the owners of their resi-
dences, the salary was latterly reduced to 901., which
is to be further reduced on th© new uppointwent,

IRELAND.
ILLNESS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMATE.—
DUBLIN, TUESDAY.—Fur some days past Dr. Cul-
len, Roman Catholic Primate, has been suffering from
a severe attack, which has confined him to bed. He
is now staying at the College of St. Vincent, Castle-
knock, about three miles from Dublin ; but so much
weakened by illness that he has been unable to attend
to any active duties. There have been meetings of
the Roman Catholic Defence Association, connected
With the election of a secretary and other matters;
but Archbishop Cullen has been prevented, by the
state of his health, from attending them.
THE RIBBON SYSTEM IN ULSTER.—Some steps
have already been taken for convening meetings of
magistrates in those portions of the counties of Ar-
magh and Monaghan where the Ribbon confederacy
extensively prevails. Under the Crime and Outragel
Act, the Government are empowered to
disturbed districts, and place an additionliropcoalilcme
force at the expense of the ratepayers in the locality.
This has already been done in some parishes, including that in which the revolting murder
of Mr. Bateson was perpetrated. The two
persons, named Owen and Francis Kelly, now com-
mitted to the gaol of Monaghan, are, it is stated,
charged with the murder on the evidence of persons
who witnessed the attack on the deceased gentleman.
The Armagh Gazette mentions that those men, when
discovered by the police, were engaged in packing up
to emigrate to America. They had been tried on a
charge of Ribbonism at the last spring assizes of
Monaghan, but were acquitted. In the portion of the
county of Louth adjoining Monaghan the Ribbon
system has also arrived at a dangerous head, and
murders, supposed to have arisen from it, had been
committed some months since. At the last assizes of
Dundalk the jury were unable to agree in the case of
one of these murders; and at the adjourned assizes
subsequently held a verdict of acquittal was returned
by another jury in the same case. Up to this time,
although several most atrocious murders of an agra-
rian character have been committed in those districts,
the perpetrators have escaped the reach of justice.
The Crime and Outrage Act, soon after it came into
operation, had been effectual in crushing secret and
criminal organization in Limerick and Clare ; but
that law has been as yet unavailing against the Rib-
bon confederacy in the north.
The Dundalk Democrat gives a list of 34 families,
numbering 224 persons, who, that journal states, have
been " evicted from the Templeton estate since Mr.
Bateson became agent."

FREE CAA CER HOSPITAL, LONDON.
A meeting of the Committee of Management of the
above recently-founded Institution, of which the
Hon. Colonel Ogilvie is chairman, was held yester-
day, at the hospital, in Cannon-row, Parliament-
street, 'Westminster. The first report of the medical
officers is an interesting document as regards its being
the first established hospital in this country for the
exclusive treatment of this hitherto considered (not-
withstanding the present advance of medical science)
almost hopeless and incurable disease, which is fatal to
more hundreds annually than that much dreaded
disease small- pox ; and as likewise forming a nucleus
for the efficient medical study, and means of combat-
ing the disease, which is not confined to the poor
alone, the wealthy being alike subject to its insidious
advances. During the few months the institution
has been opened, the surgeons state that, even with
the little publicity which has been afforded to the
hospital, it has brought more than fifty patients, and
all these have been truly deplorable cases, and
in every respect most pitiable objects. In three
cases cures have been pronounced, and the remainder
of those under treatment have all been materially re-
lieved. Many of the cases have been sent up by
medical men from distant parts of the country, thus
acknowledging the desirableness of an institution
expressly devoting all its energies to so unmanage-
able an affliction.

It appears from statistics extracted from the Re-
gistrar General's Reports, that cancer, instead of
being decreased by advancing science, has absolutely
increased so alarmingly, that, whereas in the year
1839, there were registered 463 deaths from cancer
in the London district, in the year 1850 there were
registered 889 deaths from the same disease, although
the increase of population during that period was only
to the extent of one•eighth. In the latter year the
number of deaths in England from • this dreadful
malady was 1,298 males, and 3,288 females. These
facts speak loudly of the desirableness—nay, the im-
perative call there is for an hospital devoted exclu-
sively to the treatment of cancer, to alleviate, and, if
possible, to cure one of the most appalling and fatal
diseases known. We cannot too strongly recommend
this charity to the benevolent. •

THE FATE OF GEORGE HACKETT, THE
_NOTORIOUS PRISON BREAKER.
_ _

This notorious criminal, whose daring acts of
plunder and extraordinary exploits in breaking out of
various prisons in the metropolis created so much
attention, has at length so firmly entangled himself
under the operation of the American laws, as to, in
all probability, terminate, at least for some years, his
violent and plundering career. The last American
mail furnished information to the metropolitan police
of Hackett's conviction for the burglary at New
Jersey. His career in this country was one of the
most desperate description, and since the days of
Jack Sheppard, &c., perhaps the annals of crime
does not afford his equal. He was educated at one of
the principal Ward Schools in the City, but heeded
very little what was done for him in the way
of teaching him a trade. Long before he
had reached manhood, he became very expert
in the art of smuggling, and some very
extraordinary tales are told of him in that
course of life. At length he found himself too closely
watched to carry on that trade, having been convicted
several times before the Lord Mayor, and he joined
a gang of thieves and burglars whose depredations
continua to this day, the gang generally known as
" Hackett's gang" not being effectually broken up.
Providing himself with a swift horse and cart, he with
two or three others succeeded in committing the most
extensive robberies. Whipping off bales of silk, or
other valuable goods, from railway carts as they were
passing along the streets, proved a most lucrative
system of plunder to him. At last the police traced
sufficient to connect him with a daring burglary in
Bond-street. He was seen passing down Bishops-
gate-street in his cart, and an attempt was made to
capture him, but he got away by beating the officer
off with a life-preserver. Shortly after he was seen
with his vehicle in Thames-street, and after some
manoeuvring he was arrested, taken before the Lord
Mayor, and sent to Marlborough-street Police- court
for examination, where he was sworn to as being one
of the parties who committed the burglary. He was
remanded, and at the subsequent investigation he
contrived to get out of the cell attached to the court in
a manner that remains a mystery.
He continued at large for some time, and on the
Derby-day of last year the officer who captured him
in Thames- street discovered him lying at the bottom
of a cart which was passing over London-bridge.
Hackett offered a most murderous resistance, and the
officer was nearly killed by him. However, he was
secured, committed to Newgate, tried, and sentenced
to ten years' transportation. He was then tempted
by handsome rewards to disclose how he got out of
the cell at Marlborough-street, but he declined
affording information. The authorities of Newgate
then began to suspect that their " bird" was not in
such safe keeping as could be desired. Certain pecu-
liarities in his conduct indicated that he was planning
a scheme to liberate himself, and in order make cer-
tain of his due care, he was at once removed to the
Penitentiary. There he was found to be a trouble-
some charge, and his security being considered even
there doubtful, the Secretary of State directed his re-
moval to the Model Prison, out of which it was

thought impossible he could escape. However, he
bad not been there long before he displayed the most
convincing proof of endeavouring to render himself a
" free man. He had made two attempts on the
security of his cell, and on one of the occasions suc-
ceeded in removing two iron bars which protected the
cell window. The governor then placed him, if pos-
sible, in a more secure part of the prison, but he
was not to be long an inmate of the establishment
at all.

The details of his extraordinary flight from the
chapel ef the goal one Sunday evening, duringthe
performance of Divine service, have already- appeared
before the public. Large rewards were offered for
his capture, and the police scoured the country
every reason
country round,
but he was not to be found. There l
to suspect, however, that he sought refuge at a house
in the neighbourhood of Thames street, as some por-
tion of the prison clothing was found. He had pre-
viously become acquainted with a young woman,
who is stated tobae2
be respectably connected, and by
m
some mysterious uvring he was got down to
Liverpool, and
hiswithh fair companion set sail for
New York. On reachingvicious
city
.hse cHoueldnot
divest himself ef his old
asso-
ciated himself with the most
deterbmabit
determined characters,
and eventually he was apprehended, with another
party, for breaking into a gentleman's house, and
carrying off a large amount of plate. He was lodged
in the New Jersey gaol, and there he had not been
detained long before he tried his skill upon the
security of that establishment. He contemplated
the most murderous means of escape. As in the
English gaols, the prisoners are frequently
visited by the turnkeys in the course of the
night, and it was upon one of these rounds that
Hackett and his companion were missed from their
cells. The alarm was then raised, and search was
made over the building. Hackett was discovered
secreted in a dark remote recess, in one of the outer
passages of the prison. He had contrived to arm him-
self with a long poniard, and evidently was prepared
to free himself at all cost. No doubt he intended, as
a part of his plan of escape, to murder the first officer
be wet jwitb, and who would offer him the 1 .egtat ob.

atacle. The sudden discovery of his flight and dates-
tion, however, seemed to have thrown him off his
original intention, and surrounded and seized as he
was by the warders, he was prevented putting in
execution his murderous designs. With his confede-
rate he was more duly secured, and shortly afterwards
they were tried for the burglary, and sentenced to
twelve years' imprisonment. A lengthened imprison-
ment in an American gaol is described as of the moss
dreadful character. It surpasses all our horrible
system of dark cells, solitary confinement, and other
shocking sufferings of prison discipline. Hackett's
previous history will add to the measure of his punish-
ment, and the probability is, therefore, that he may
not survive his term of imprisonment. The girl
who accompanied him is said to have been charged
es an accessary, but in the information sent n• men-
tion is made of her fate.

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. GRINNELL.
The contemplated testimonial to Mr. Henry Grin.
nell, of New York, is a mark of respect and gratitude
most worthily due to his truly noble exertions on
behalf of our missing countrymen in the expedition
under Sir John Franklin. It will be remembered that
the American Executive having found itself unable to
redeem the promise made in 1849 to our own Govern-
ment (in reply to the appeal addressed by Lady
Franklin to their President), that two ships should
be sent in search of Sir John Franklin, M.
r.
r. Gri9-
nelln
stood forward to carry out this intention by his
individual exertions. He purchased and com-
pletely equipped two vessels for the search, the
martial law
dispatched. to Barrow Strait lasts
Li: being provided by the American
; thesoardvearasetlos
assecuisrewtehlei
known,advantage
weroef
advancing as far west as the rest spring, and,
asenad;cafhitnegr ships, returned to New York for the winter. With
what zeal and efficiency the officers and
. men em-
ployed acquitted themselves of their
.duhes, will be
elsewhere, in which their al
seen from the President's message, wharcn.hawcte
g antry is honourably
recognised as a fitting subject for "
anldtgisensceraosrcietlyy.'m'
more in warm and admiring acknowe
ledgment of a deed which is, as theappoamr of
fugrbliasceh
WthiteheguetneraotuaNeltel
his-
tory,testimtohnainaliajugsrtalytituasdseerfto,r
ranklinwnefeeetrr —be
sentimenta e in ir .
.5.0 f tsh so
lately uttered by a public meeting
" May the search for Sir John I`
abandoned until his rescue be effected, or his certained !"—that we desire to see this tribute to the
-
munificent benevolence of an individual carried out
in a manner worthy of the country and the cause.

FIRE A2VD LOSS OF LIFE.
Yesterday, between the hours of twelve and one, a
fatal fire took place in the vicinity of Whiteehapel. As
the extreme end of a narrow passage, called Ball's-
court, on the north side of High-street, near Osborne-
street corner, stood some old dilapidated premises, °mu.
pied by a man named Lacy, a carpenter, as workshops.
lie was an old man, nearly 80 years of age, and was in
the habit of occasionally sleeping in the place. Late 9a
Monday night he was seen at a neighbouring public-
house, and on leaving took up his quarters for the night
in the lower part of his shop. IN ithin an hour after-
wards some people living in the court were awoke by
cries of " Fire, fire," "Help, help," and almost imme-
diately discovered that the old man's place was
on fire. What was worse, the old man was
in the. midst of it, unable to extricate himself,
and his cries, "For God's sake, pull me out, I SM
burning; oh, save me!" were long and protracted;
but, on account of the intense heat and overwhelming
persons who were on the spot, and whom he
smoke, it was impossible to save the unhappy sufferer.
Several
called by name "to save him," made desperate efforts
to do so. One actualiy penetrated the burning building
to such an extent as to reach him, but found that he was
lying in such a position as to be utterly unable to move
him. The party nearly lost his life in the attempt, for,
before he could regain the passage, be met with severe
burns about the face and body. Lacy, there is no doubt,
perished quickly after, for nothing was heard of him
more. A large number of engines subsequently arrived,
and were brought to play on the fire. which, by that
time was pouring forth out of the windows and roof of
the building. As soon as it was got under, the brigade
entered the ruins to search for the remains of the un-
fortunate man, and in a short time they were found hor-
ribly disfigured. There is every reason to suspect that
the fire was produced through the carelessness of the
sufferer.

ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.
WOOLWICH, DEC. 16. A board of officers, con-
sisting of Lieutenant-General Sir John F. Burgoyne,
K.C.8., Royal Engineers, and Inspector-General of
Fortifications, President; Lieutenant-General Sir
Hew Dalrymple Ross, K.C.8., Deputy Adjutant-
General, Royal Artillery ; Major-General Griffith
G. Lewis, C. 8., Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant-
Governor of the Royal Military Academy ; and
Brigade-Major Walpole, Royal Engineers, assembled
in the Hall at the Royal Arsenal to-day, for the
purpose of examining the gentleman cadets who had
finished their course of study in the practical class
preparatory to their passing for commissions in the
Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.
Amongst the officers present to witness the exami-
nation were Lieutenant-General Sir Charles William
Padey, K.O 8., Royal Engineers ; Major-General
F. Campbell, superintendent of of the Royal Military
Repository; Colonel Gordon, inspector of the Royal
Cirringe department ; Colonel W. B. Dundaa, C. 8.,
inspector of Artillery ; Lieutenant-Colonel litirdinge,
K.H., director of the Laboratory ; Lieutenant-
Colonel Portlock, Royal Engineers, inspector at the
Royal Military Academy ; Major Savage, Royal
Artillery, assistant inspector; Captain F. Eardley
Wilmot, of the Cadet Company ; Captain Williams
and Captain Bainbridge, Royal Engineers; Captain
Talbot, Captain Boxer, and Captain Anderson, Royal
Artillery. . _ _

The gentlemen cadets of the practical class were
examined in surveying and fortification by Lieute•
narit-Colonel Stotherd, Royal Engineers, and in prac-
tical artillery by Captain John Travers ; and at the
conclusion the following passed for commissions in
the Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers, on the selec-
tion for the respective corps being made by the Mar-
quis of Anglesea, Master-General of the Ordnance:—
Alfred George Goodall, John Mervin Cutcliffe Drake,
Edward Bens vi erd, Charles William Townsend,
Thomas Bland Strange, Francis Lyon, Markham Le
Per Taylor, Raynsford Cytherus Longley, Edward
Keate, Thomas Wright Blakistou, Arthur Lister
Kaye, Jones Julius Smith, Eardley Maitland, Mau-
rice Edward Covey S-ocker, William Arnold Bur-
rowes, John Lardner Clarke, Algernon Purling Joy,
Henry Thornhill, Arthur Thornton Gratwick Pease,
Thomas Priaulx Carey, William Francis Walker.
Lieutenant-General Sir John P. Burgoyne, after
congratulating the gentlemen cadets who had passed,
presented the following prizes to the respective reci-
pients, who came forward to dila Board table to re-
ceive them :

Itaynsford Cytherus Longley—a regulation sword,
for exemplary conduct while at the institution ; H.
Thornhill being next in merit.
Alfred George Goodhall—A telescope, for prod -
cieney in practical artillery. Mr. Taylor next in
merit.

Mr. James—A pocket sextant, for proficiency in
surveying. Mr. Goodall next in merit.
Algernon Purling Joy—Lamartine's " Histoire,"
for proficiency in French. Mr. Pears next in merit.
Charles William Townsend—A selection of book;
for proficiency in German. Mr. Drake next in
merit.
Maurice
Edward Covey Stocker—A selection of
books, for chemistry. Mr. Alderson
next in merit.
Mr. Taylor—A case of mathematical instruments,
crloatstsemayth—class
prismaticaties compass,
for Mr.mpo, for second-
formfitrr.slv-
sleclass mathematics. Mr. Stirling x in merit.
Mr. next in motif.
orit.
Mr. Cuthbert—A selection of books, for third and
fourth class mathematics.
Mr. Edwards—A selection of books, for first-class
fortification. Mr. Moore next in merit.
Mr. Stirling—A ' selection
ar
Mr. Light—A
of books, for second class
fortification. Mr.
Elumm' next in merit.
selection of books,
nex
for
t in
krszitmaaeraits"
cond class French.
Mr. MiDonnell—Ar' selectionSc
third
and fourth class French. Mr. Heneker next in merit.
ra t cb 1
07
books,
Mr. O'Grady—A selection of books, for first and
second class German. Mr. Warren next in merit.
Mr. Pringle—A selection of books, for third and
D
fourth German. Mr. M
onnell next in merit.
Mr. MADonnell—A selection of historical and goo-
graphical works, for History and Geography. Mr.
goof; next in merit.
Mr. O'Grady—A selection of books, for military
and sketching. Mr. Somerville next in
merit.
Mr.
inplearn drawing
merit.
Mr.
neat
sixth
in
oom
Mr. W. Eden—A selection of books, for fifth
- room
selection
O of o
landscape
Hall—A sle
drawing.
landscape drawing. /Ir. Bayley next i
Mr. Stirling obtained the first prize,n merit.
_ Mr. Kensall
the second, and Mr. Macquay for the third and fourth
classes of descriptive geometry.

DIABOLICAL MuRDER.---011 'Saturday last some
person or persons cut the rope of a pit called Will Vaugban'e
Pit, at Red Lake, Ketley, add when the overlookers wen, going down, with a boy, just after they were let down a Halo
way, the rope (which had been cut) broke, and tbe7 %sre
precipitated to the bottom. One of then), named lr"n3wan.
llard, was killed almost instantaneously. The other
died
John Pritchard, was taken out of the pit 11,1,71.' 0 Rigby,
almost directly after. The poor boy, named 'Thomas whn,
was taken home alive, but lingered in pain_
frttanate men have death put an end to his sufferings.
left wives and families, and w
bourhood ; and the sorrowful:circani.
_s
ful impression in the whole local ty
was held before Mr. IL
green, to inquire into the case,
day. The rope was cut about
fifty-three
and the depth of the Pi being
tunate men were precipitated
The perpetrators of
Conservative.,
triiced.—/ShroPhir
ce has left a warn-
On Monday last an inquest
i•ll,at the Wheatsheaf, Mosey-
D.
Nevlvrlbioh was adjourned till this
were wiellltesnruesnpe°cted in the neigh-
eleven yards from. the end,
yards, the unfor-
tunate to a depth of forty-two yards.
this diabolical act have not yet beck
e