The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-18 00:00:00

APRIL 18, 1851.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—" Ecco iterum Mariner° " Yes, Mr. Editor,
I have been struck with some remarks of yours in your
number of March 29, on the subject of the again
threatened motion of that enemy to the navy, Mr. Jo-
seph Hume. You say—" It would appear as it the cus-
todians of those interests regarded extreme age as a
necessary qualification for fulfilling the duties of a flag-
officer, as was thought by some to be the case among
the Popes at Rome, and among the Doges at Venice."
You then go on to enumerate certain worthies, ancient
as well as modern, who achieved splendid victories at a
comparatively early age; and the inference you draw is,
that flag-officers should attain that rank at least before
they arrive at a certain age. You are perfectly right,
and the "custodians of those interests," whomsoever
they are to whom you allude, must be perfectly wrong.
But, unfortunately, your ideas on the subject, and the
plan you propose fur carrying out those ideas are utterly
at variance. " Metarn properamus ed unam." The cap-
tain grows old together with the admiral. llow then, by
stopping all promotion until the list of flab-officers is re-
duced to 100, or by checking it by promoting one for
three vacancies, are we to have younger admirals?
Under the present system we have only one who is
under 60 years of age, whilst of the whole list 30 only
are under 65. What then is to be lore? I propose the
following plan for your consideration. Place all the
flag-officers above a certain age on a list by themselves;
call them the " Honourable List," if you please (old age
is honourable), or any other term not likely to hurt the
feelings. We do not like " superannuated." This
would leave a certain number on the active list.
Let /hut be the list of admirals—and as they reach the
age fixed upon, let them also go on the " honourable"
list. For every vacancy on this considerably reduced
number of flag-officers (they would not amount to 50,
taking 70 as the age for the "honourable" list) a cap-
tain should be promoted; but should he have reached
the age for this list before it comes to his turn for his
flag, he should be compelled to take the retirement
established by the Order in Council of 1846. Further,
the captain's retirement should be thrown open to the
whole list, age and not seniority being the qualification;
and in this way that list would be reduced and kept
under. These arrangements would, of course, involve
some little expense for a time, but there would be a ma-
terial annual decrease; and as in the navy estimates for
this year there is a saving of nearly 200,0001., of which
upwards of 15,0001. is in the item of half-pay and
superannuation allowances, I think a trifling annual sum
might be afforded for the purpose of renovating the ser-
vice. I think, too, that the " Honourable Gentleman"
who is making such a " dead set" at the old war-officers
might find more highly paid game at which to level his
ahafts of economy, than seeking to deprive them of the
object of their fair ambition when almost within their
grasp; particularly as those officers, after a service (the
seniors) of half a century, and having held the rank of
captain for thirty-five years, are receiving from Govern-
ment the munificent sum of 145. 6d. per diem; or, income-
tax deducted, about 257/. per annum, the salary of a junior
clerk in a public office.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
London, April 5. MARINERO.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.
WALTHAM-ABBEY, APRIL 17.-A great deal of ex-
citement has been occasioned in this neighbourhood

during the past week, owing to its having become known
that a daring burglary, involving the loss of cash
amounting to nearly 5001., had been committed at the
Storekeeper's-cffice of the Royal gunpowder works
situate near this town.

The robbery was effected during the night of the Bth
inst., and all the efforts of the local police were imme-
diately directed to the discovery of its perpetrators. The
lapse of two or three days without any satisfactory clue
to the burglars having been obtained induced the autho-
rities to apply to the Metropolitan Commissioners of
Police for assistance, and by their direction Inspector
Lund and Sergeant Whicher, two intelligent and very
active officers of the detective force, were sent down to

assist in the investigation.
From inquiries instituted by these officers, it appeared
that Mr. Topham, who holds the responsible office of
storekeeper to the Government works, had, on the
afternoon of the Bth inst., placed the sum of 4501.
in notes and gold, to be used in the payment of
the usual monthly accounts, in an iron chest, en-
closed within an iron closet, in his own office.
Mr. Topham left the works at half-past five o'clock
on the evening of the Bth, when all the locks were
securely fastened, and everything quite safe. At six
o'clock the following morning the porter, whose duty it
was to open the storekeeper's office, on inserting the key
into the lock of the outer door found that it was unfas-

tened, and secured only by the ordinary catch. On en
tering he found that an inner office hal been forcibly
broken open, and the iron doors of the closet containing
the money chest wrenched off. The chest itself had
been lifted out of the closet, and its shattered appear-
ance soon showed that the burglars in the pursuit of
their nefarious calling had availed themselves of the
agency of gunpowder to obtain easy access to its con-
tents. The chest had apparently been placed on one
side with the key-hole uppermost, and into the key-hole
gunpowder had been gradually poured until a sufficient
quantity had been inserted to blow off the outer lid. It
is conjectured that the robbers laid a train for some
short distance, and then fired it. The effect was shown
in the entire destruction of the outer lid, on the removal
of which the thieves had little difficulty in wrenching
open the inner partition; having done which the booty
was at once secured.
The money stolen consisted of sixteen 201. Bank of
England notes, and about 100 sovereigns in gold.
Inspector Lund has been most actively engaged in
endeavouring to sift the cifeir since his arrival, nod the
re,ult of his inquiries has led to the apprehension this
day of four men—one of there moving in a respectable
class of lite, and two others employed en the Govern-
ment works.
The pereons apprehended are George Rowe, a licensed
victualler, and landlord of an inn called The Compasses,
in this borough; John Cornish, and Charles Eves, two
night-watchmen on the Government works; and Jesse
Griffiths, a costermonger and fish.dcaler, living in the
neighbourhood. The last-named prisoner has been re-
peatedly in custody for felony.
Inspector Lund having obtained informaiion against
Rowe, went to his house this morning fur the pur-
peso of apprehending him. On inquiring for him,
Mr. Lund was told by his wife that she believed he
was in the back-yard. On going there, Mr. Lund
could not find him, and some bystanders referred
the officer to the stable. Into the stable Mr. Lund
went, but here also he was unsuccessful in finding
the object of his search. Perceiving, however, in
the corner of the stable-ladder leading up to a loft, Mr.
Lund ascended, and immediately discovered Rowe ex-
tended upon some hay and straw, in which he was partly
buried. On the officer acquainting him with the nature
of his suspicions, Rowe resigned himself into custody,
and having descended from his hiding place, he sun-
mitted to be searched. Upon him were found 27 sovereigns
and five 101. Bank of England notes. On being asked if
he had any more money in his possession, he accompa-
nied the officer to his bed-room, and pointing out a few
shillings in silver said, " That's all the cash I have."
Mr. Lund now intimated to the prisoner that he should
feel it his duty to search the loft in which ho had found
him, and inquired if he had any more money there.
Rowe replied, "Is it likely, now? But if you have
come to search, you had better do so." Mr. Lund, with
Seargeant Whicher, then returned to the loft, and in a
very few moments the latter officer discovered, amongst
some old iron and other rubbish, a tin canister, which
on being opened was found to eontain 100 sovereigns in
gold.
Cornish and Eves were taken into custody about the
same time by the local police. The former prisoner has
expressed a desire to confess his share in the transaction,
but the officers have great hopes of obtaining sufficient
evidence to convict without availing themselves of the
testimony of an approver.
Among the gold stolen there was about 20/. worth of
half-sovereigns. At Eves's lodgings, among 10/. in gold,
14 half•sovereigns wore discovered, and from the person
of Cornish five half-sovereigns and one sovereign were
taken.
The three prisoners, with Jesse Griffiths, were all
taken before the local magistrates at the police-station
this afternoon, and formally charged with the robbery.
After hearing a statement of the circumstances, the
Bench, on the application of Inspector Lund, at once
granted a remand, and the prisoners were removed in
custody.
The robbery, as before stated, has created no little
excitement here, and a Government reward of 501. for
he apprehension of the thieves was issued on Monday.

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.—Yesterday work•
men commenced moving the range of buildings from the
south-eastern angle of Cannon-street to Lawrence Pountney-
lane, and thence westward, so as to effect the improved
widening of that thoroughfare. Similar alterations were
also commenced in Fetter-lane, Rolls-buildings, and vici-
nity, to clear a site for the new Record Office, and to pre-
pare for the new streets which are to radiate theiefrom to
Farringdon-street, eastward, and to Lincoln's Inn and St.
Martin's-lane, westward, with branch and avenues by which
the lines of communication between Fleet-street, the Strand,
and Holborn, will be materially increased,.while each of the
many thoroughfares will be relieved of a considerable por-
tion of its present vast amount of traffic. -
THE GOVERNOR or HONG-KONG.—The installation
of Governor Bonham as Knight Commander of the Most
Honourable Order of the Bath, took place at the Government
Office on the 22d of February, with all the usual ceremony.
Major General Staveley, under a warrant from Prince. Ahel-
bert, the head of the Order, invested Sir George with thl-
bert,
insignia.—Hong-Kong Register.
He that would make a real progress in l
knowr ledge
must dedicate his age as well as his youth, the 7
Cook's
as ag '
as well as the first fruits, at the altar of truth. z
Journal.
LAITISCH OF A NEW IRON STEAM-SHIP.—IH
pliance with the invitation of Captain Jackson, a numerou%
party assembled yesterday at the works of Messrs. Robin-
son and Russell, Mill-wall, to witness the launch of the new
iron steam-ship the Baron Osy, which is intended to run be-
The good ship (the largest
tween London and Antwerp.
iron merchant vessel ever built in the port of London) is
800 tons burden, 200-horse power, 16 feet hold, and 28 feet
beam. Her estimated cost is 20,000/. She is expected to
achieve the voyage between Londonstened and AntwerpLic in
hfield four-
teen hours. She was duly by Mrs. ,
the lady of an old naval office-, and at three o'clock was
launched amid the cheers of the bystanders, and the gratu-
lations of the many friends—ladies as well as gentlemen—
to whom Captain Jackson's previous high professional repu-
tation rendered his career matter of interest and importance.
The company next adjourned to the lunch which he had
provided for them in the neighbouring, offices, and there
toasted him, "The Antwerp, Company,' with which he is
connected, "the Baron Cosy, " Messrs. Robinson and Rus-
sell," &c. Frequent allusion was made by the speakers to
the value of the captain's services, and the amount of patron-
age which his private and professional character, his general
complaisance, and unvarying care had brought to the vessels
of which he had previously had the command. To these
compliments he returned a fitting response ; other speeches
followed, and the party broke up.

- _SRO It TIN_G NO TES.
No. XXXVI.
THE NEWMARKET FIRST SPRING MEETING.

We have our eyes upon them, and their deeds
Come to us on the wind."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
EIR,—A sporting writer of the present day ought to
be gifted with the eyes of Argus, and the qualifications
of Briareus, to come anywhere near the expectations of
the racing public. They not only set it down as a rule
that he should know everything' connected with the
turf the instant it occurs, but also expect through him
to receive it minus additions or substractions immedi-
ately likewise; and should it be wrong in any particular
from want of accurate information, his most potent ma-
jesty, " the public," kicks up a't onsiderable dust there'
and then, never taking into consideration the difficulty
there very often is' in 'arriving at the key-stone of a ru-
mour, and the extraordinary quarters many of the
reports come from. I should emezingly like to sea how
the execution of this portion of my work for a' week.
one of the bipedal particles of 01 t'o),Xot would fancy
These remarks have been brcught into existence by the
numerous applications I have received concerning Lady
Evelyn, Grecian, Iris, Payment, Al hredite, &c., &c.;
but, like those well•known sentences of the immortal
Shakepere—" I can call spirits from the vasty deep;
but will they come when you do call them?" I Might
say, You can call upcn 711 e Spirit for mysterious scraps
of information; but, can you raise them front the depths ,
of his mortal machinery if they do not exist there? But, ,
to get to business, I will begin with a few odds and end:
that will probably be of some service to a large portion
of the sporting community. It was announced at Tat-
tersall's yesterday, that the starting of the Flying
Dutchman for the Emperor's Plate entirely depended on
the figure he might cut in the great match at York.
Grecian was declared not to start for the ,
Two Thousand Guineas. It was also said that
Scott would not have either Storm or Newminster
at Newmarket for the Guineas, and that if any-
thing started from his stable it would be Olympian: It
was also reported that Iris was not up to the mark, and
consequently, that her running for the 1,000 Guineas
was very dubious; in fact, our report went so far as to
say, that she was either going or bad gone home.
Citadel, while out at exercise yesterday morning at
Epsom, broke her leg, and was shortly afterwards des-,
stroyed. 800, who has been backed a good deal at the
list houses, does not run for the Guineas. It was also
reported that Lightfoot, carrying a topping weight, had
had a trial on Monday with Voltigeur, Radulphus, and
the Red Deer colt, and that he was beaten a length by
the great gun of last year. I cannot vouch for the truth
of this. The mild weather has set in just in
time for the holidays, and the First Spring Meeting at
head-quarters, which, I anticipate, will be a little more
brilliant than its predecessor, 'yclept The Craven. It
commences on Monday with a sweepstakes of 50 soya.
each,,A.F., 10 subs, a moiety of whom may be found at
the post, viz.:—Balsamo, Bst 71b; Juggernaut, Bst 71b;
The Trapper, Bst 71b; Phlegethon, Bst 41b; The Squaw,
Bst. I feel inclined to go for the first and last named,
with The Trapper and Juggernaut third and fourth,
and,Phlegethon last. A sweepstakes of 200 soya. each,
Ab.M., 5 subs., will have Coticula and Barcelona first
and second. Uriel, in my opinion, if well, can actually
accomplish the task of giving 351bs to Nondescript in
their match over the ditch mile. Bordeaux, in his couple
of matches, receives forfeit in the first from Merry Peal;
and, will win the second over the T.Y.C., giving California
91bs. On Tuesday, the day destined to give us an insight
into the qualities of several Derby candidates in the
race for the Guineas, the sport commences with the 300
soya. Stakes, 100 ft, for four years old colts and fillies
8.C., which the Duke of Bedford has won four times in
the last seven years, with Minotaur, Panther, Leopard,
and, Quasimodo, in 1844, 1845, 1846, and last year; and
will accomplish the same feat this year with Bordeaux,
without Tomboy finds himself at home on the long dis-
tance of nearly four miles and a quarter; at any ,rate
this couple will be first and second; Nutcracker and
Zadoc third and fourth. Next on the list for decision
stands the key to the Derby, the Two Thousand
Guineas Stakes, for which the following will, in all pro-
bability, go to the post, viz.:—Exeter, Glenhawk, Cnmus
or Ilyppolytus, Midas, The Confessor, Hernandez, colt
by Touchstone out of Mountain Sylph, Eolus,
and perhaps ,one from Day's stable, and
Olympian. My opinion of the chances of the
above I gave in my analysis of their
merits, as far back as February or January; at which
time I selected Grecian, Newminster, and the Squire's
colt to furnish a close race home, ending as I have

placed them; but, in consequence of the declension of
the stars of Scott's and Day's stables, I must entrust the
Mountain Sylph colt with the important task of render-
ing my judgment triumphant; should he not be quite up
to the mark at the time of running, then commend me
to The Confessor or Hernandez, former for choice; and
were I requested to place them as they stand in my esti-
mation at the present moment, it would be thus:—
MOUNTAIN SYLPH COLT 1

THE CONFESSOR
HERNANDEZ
MIDAS 4
(To bo concluded to morrow.)
I am, Sir, yours,.&c.
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.

April 18, 1851.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S—THur,snAY.
A few investments were made on Hernandez and Glen-
hawk for the 2,000 Guinsss Stakes, but the only horses
really in force were Tte Mountain Sylph col Land Tile
Confessor, it being difficult to say which bad the call at
the finish. Confessor also came into high favour for the
Derby, Bonnie Dundee having several friends. 700 tk,
100 was laid once against Prime Minister (offers after-
wards to take 1.200 to 200), and 8 to 1 to a considerable
amount agst Teddington; 20 to 1 offered agst New-
minster, and 1,000 to 10 laid agst Grecian. The Ches-
ter Cup movements were confined to an improvement in
Rhesus, Nancy, and Ruashorough, and a decline ut
three points in Montague. Latest prices:—
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
3 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Mountain Sylph colt
—7 to 2 taken freely
10 to 3 agat Sir J. Hawley's The Confessor—taken
6 to 1 agst Lord Enfield's Hernandez
8 to 1 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Glenhawk
30 to 1 agst Sir R. Pigot's Bolus—taken
Grecian was declared not to start at half-past four P.M.
CHESTER CUP.
8 to 1 agat Mr. Treen's Rhesus, 5 yrs, 7st—taken
13 to 1 apt Ld. Strathmore's Montague, 5 yrs, 7st 21b
15 to 1 agst Mr. Mangan's Rnssborough, 4 yrs,Bst 61b
100 to 6 agst Mr. T. Lister's Nancy, 3 yrs, 4st 121 b—t
18 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's The Italian, 4 yrs, 7st 51b
20 to 1 agst,Sir J. Hawley's Vatican, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b
—taken

DERBY.
6 to 1 agst Mr. Halford's Prime Minister—taken
8 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Teddiogton—taken
12 to 1 agst Mr.J Clark's Marlborough Buek—taken
15 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Constellation
20 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Bonnie Dundee-25 to
1 taken freely
25 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Confessor—taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. G. Higgins's; Theseus —taken freely
,000 to 20 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Glenhawk—taken
100 to 1 agst Mr. Howard's Grecian

OAKS.
7 to 1 agst Tar. Gratwicke's Hesse llomburgh
8 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Aphredito—t to 1001.
8 to 1 agst Lord Staulo)'s Iris
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN AND VOLTIGEUK—We are
authorised to state that whatever may be the result of
the great match between the above horses, it will not be
determined uotil after it has been run whether the Ft -
ing Dutchman will start for the Emperor's Plate or not.
A similar announcement having been made yesterday at
Tattersall's, the public will do well to refrain from spe-
culating on the Ascot event until after the York Spring
Meeting.
Mr. Payne's Citadel broke her leg yesterday morning
at Epsom, and has since been shot.

STATE OP TRADE.—MANCHESTER, APRIL 17.-
The indications of a falling market are very plain to-day, es'
pecially hi yarns. There is always considerable irregularity
when changes are taking place, whether they be t Peetdvantage of sellers or to their disadvantage; and the of
things this morning has been one of much fluctuation, when
compared with the characteristics of Tuesday. In some in
stances', low prices have been taken, and that featur
ise
scarce lof the
day's business induced more inquiry generally. It y
possible to quote any description of yarns that are in request,
but as an illustration of what is stated above, we may re-
mark that 40's double, an article largely exported to Naples,
was in comparatively request, and was throughout the
day the readiest to sell, but at a decline in price. The news
as to cotton brought by the Arctic has had little effect,
holders apparently clinging to the belief that cotton must go
up at the ports of America, with as much pertinacity as pur-
chasers assure them that it must come down. The deal'
_ ings
at New Orleans have strengthened the want of confidence
the apparent largeness of the crop. In cloths we have no
demand. The private letters by the Indian mail are not
considered favourable. Sales at Bombay had been large;
but the excbangcs having given way excessively, the returns
are much worse than they were, and the consequence is the
utmost caution on the part of the buyers here for that
market. 'These tidings are dispiriting, for, if the exchanges
had been in our favour, from the reported state of the stocks
at both Bombay and Calcutta, we must have experienced a
large demand both for grey shirtings and madapollams.

RAPID DELIVERY OP LETTERS.—POST• orricE
NOTICE.— The extended adoption of street-door letter-boxes,
as recommended in the notice to the public of May, 1842,
has considerably promoted the rapid delivery of letters. The
Postmaster-General, in renewing this recommendation, takes
occasion to advert to the great increase of Post-office duty
which will arise out of the approaching Exhibition, and whicu
will render it still more important that the postman should not
be unnecessarily detained. Householders who have not al-
ready provided street-door letter-boxes, are therefore re-
minded that it is peculiarly desirable that such provision be
made before the Ist of May.
TUE POISONING CASE IN NOTTS.—ThiS long-pro-
tracted investigation came to a conclusion this day (Thurs-
day) at twelve o'clock. Yesterday the town street of
Last-
wood, the place where the murder was committed, was
lite-
rally besieged with crowds of people awaiting the result
the inquest, both the prisoners being well known...l "falls;
coroner (Mr. C. Swann) summed up at great. lentye
ti_nner
night, and the witnesses spoke in the most decisive
rarn,
as to the purchasing of the poison by the prisoner.fter
the co-
and also at the desire of the deceased's wife. A
roner had summed up, the whole of the jury
jiute some
I decided upon
ception of one man, were almost immed
n with the ex-
me degree re-
lated ttnir verdict ; but this individual,
out
of the jury,
to the female prisoner, heldht.lfloirogailifotteietny hours, at the
end of which time be agreed with
and consequently a verdictdofE‘ ilful Murder' was returned
lizabeth Barber. The female
against Robert Ingram
prisoner was greatly affected,an but Ingram did not appear to
be much moved by
his awful situation. The most extraor-
dinary excitement was manifested both in and out of court
during the whole of the proceedings. The prisoners, upon
the conclusion of the inquest, were committed to the county
gaol. at Nottingham, to take their trial at the next Notts as•
me fvr lOW zulioutr*