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

MUSIC.

FEARFUL BUBNING OF THE BUCKING-
HAMSHIRE INDIANIAN, WITH TROOPS ON
BOARD.—SEVERAL LIVES LOST.
A frightful catastrophe has been made known at
Lloyd's—the destruction of one of the largest India-
men, by fire, called the Buckinghamshire while on
her homeward voyage. She was a splendid-looking
ship, nearly 2,000 tons burthen, with high poop
decks.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, THURSDAY, APRIL 1 7.
The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert
walked this morning in the Slopes.
The Royal Family took walking and pony exercise in
the Slopes and Windsor Park.
Ilis Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse-
back this morning, attended by Lieut.-Colonel the Hon.
A. Gordon.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her
Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and
partook of luncheon with the Queen and Prince.

She set sail for England on Thursday, the Ist of
March last, under the charge of Captain Macgregor.
Her crew amounted to nearly 100 hands, 30 being
Englishmen, and 70 Lascars. She had on board, as
steerage, passengers, about 70 of the 80th Regiment of
oot, with their families, and 33 cabin passengers—
namely, MHjor Cooper, Lieutenant Swaly and Lieu-
tenant Wi'kinson, who had command of the invalids ;
Lieutenant Turner, Lieutenant Mason, Dr. Pratt, Dr.
Payne, Mrs. Macgregor, Mrs. Murrey and son, Mrs.
Maxwell, and six children, Mr. Church and one child,
a lady name unknown and six children, Mrs. Goodell,
Miss Clune, Mr. W. Murrey, MT. John Grcnfsl,
Mr., Rich, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Chambers. The,
passage from Calcutta down the Hooghly passed
agreeably, and on the evening of the following Mon-
day, the 4th of March, she was brought up for the
night and to discharge the pilot off Canterbury Point,
about ten miles below Diamond harbour. The wea-
ther was fine, and most of the passengers and soldiers
were on deck, singing, dancing, and otherwise atnus-
ing themselves; all seemed happy and cheerful. As
night approached they one by one disappeared below,
and by halt-past nine, with the exception of the
watch on deck, all had turned in and were asleep.
Suddenly Captain Macgregor received, about
ten minutes before ten o'clock, a report that there
was something wrong in the forehold, as smoke was
coming out of the lower hatchway. He was instantly
forward, and found such was really the case, the
smoke and heat almost overpowering the men below.
The captain suspecting that it emanated from some jute
stowed away in that part of the hold, the pumps were
got to work to prevent it getting ahead, but the smoke
and heat increased so rapidly as to drive the men
away from the hatchway, and in ten minutes a body
of flames burst forth and shot up through the quarter-
deck. Already the noise and confusion on deck had
alarmed the troops and passengers, and some seeing
the fire through the bulkheads, screamed out. The
scene became appalling, and tons of water were dis-
charged on to the burning cargo in the hope it would
be extinguished, but without producing the slightest
effect, the fire, in fact, strengthening itself; and
communicating to the fore-rigging, the whole was
quickly in a blaze. As far as the eye could stretch
nothing could be seen but sky and water, which was
lit up by the glare of the fire, the night being very
dark. Captain Macgregor, perceiving the destruc•
tion of his ship was inevitable, determined, if pos-
sible, to run her ashore, the only apparent
chance of saving the lives of those on board,
and gave orders to his men to slip the cables, which
was at once carried into execution. Although no
land could be discerned, the current fortunately fa-
voured the plan, for, setting strong in shore, it drove
the burning vessel in that direction, and in the course
of an hour she grounded in such a position on the
shore that those who could swim could gain the land
with little difficulty. In the meanwhile the fire had
extended to the main hold, and the whole of the fore-
part of the ship, with the mainmast, presented one
sheet of flame, scorching its living freight, who had
taken refuge on the poop. Many of the passengers
exhibited coolness, others were almost frantic with
despair, and their screams rent the air. Soon after
the wreck touched the shore a steamer cane down
to the spot, the crew of which had heard the firing
of the Buckinghamshire's signal guns, and was guided
to the spot by the light of the conflagration. Her
arrival at the critical moment was beyond measure
fortunate, for had it not been the case, the boats of the
burning ship could not have accommodated one-half
the number on board. Capt. Macgregor, with his first
mate, by their cool and determined zeal, restored
something like order among the invalids, who, the mo-
ment they found that the ship had struck, commenced to
throw themselves overboard. Several did so and were
swept away by the current and were drowned ; the
number was not exactly known ; it was presumed, how-
ever, there were five who thus perished. Directly on the
steamer hailing them the boats were lowered, and the
female passengers and children were conveyed on
board of the steamer in safety. The boats quickly
returned and took on board the remainder of the
passengers, and lastly the crew. Captain Macgregor
was the last to leave the wreck ; it was then, with the
exception of a small portion of the poop, on fire from
end to end, and continued burning the whole night
and two following nights and days before she glided
into deep water and sank. None of the passengers
saved even a change of clothing. Many of the families
were reduced by the calamity to an absolute state of
destitution.
It is as yet impossible to say how the ship caught
fire. By many it is supposed she was wilfully set on
fire by some of the Lascars, but no evidence has been
adduced to confirm this report.
She was laden with a most valuable cargo, consist-
ing of East India produce. The total loss is calcu-
lated to exceed 120,0001.

PASSION WEEK.—On Monday and Tuesday in this
week the customary bounties were issued to the aged
and meritorious poor, at tho Aimonry in Whitehall,
under the direction of the Lord High Almoner and the
Sub-Almoner. The recipients included numerous cases
of blinds ess kind other infirmities. In the gate alms un •

limited number.
MAUNDAY TIIIIIIBDAY.—These ancient and Royal
Cli:iritias were distributed yesterday to 32 :ged men and
32 axed women, with the usual formalities, iu Whitehall

Chapel.
At two o'clock in the afternoon a procession, consist-
ing of a &tachment t,f the Yeomen of the Guard, com-
manded by en usher (one of them carrying the Alms on
a gold salver of the reign of King William and Queen
Mary); the Rev. Dr. Jolt', the Sub-Almoner; Joseph
Hanby, Esq., Secretary and Yeoman of the Almonry ;
the ti,sistant, eccompauied by six children, three boys
and three girls, from the National Schools in Westmin-
ster, who had been sel.cted for their good conduct to
participate in this privilege, proceeded to the Chapel.
The procession was joined by the Rev. Dr. Wesley,
Sab-Dettn of the Chapels Royal; also by the priests,
gentlemen, and choristers.
The procession then advanced to the communion table,
and having taken their respective stations, the Church
service appointed for the afternoon was read.
After the exhortation, confession, and absolution, the
41st Psalm (the grand chant) was sung, and was followed
by the first lesson, 25th chapter of St. Matthew, com-
mencing at the 14th verse," For the kingdom of Heaven
is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his
own servants and delivered unto them his goods," and
ending with the 31st verse, " And cast ye the unprofit-
able servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping

and gnashing of teeth."
Then fullowed the first anthem (41st Psalm)—
" Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy, the
Lard shall deliver him in the time of trouble."—Nares.
The sum of 1/. 153. was then distributed to each
woman, and to each man was given shoes and stockings.
The second anthem (a Prayer) was then sung:--
"Hide nut Thou Thy face from us, 0 Lord, and cast not
off Thy servants in Thy displeasure; for we confess our
sins unto Thee, and hide not our unrighteousness. For
Thy mercy's sake deliver us from all our sins."—

Fal-ran t.
Woollen and linen cloths were then distributed.
After which the third anthem (61st Psalm) was sung:
—" 0, Lord, grant the Queen a long life, that her years
may endure throughout all generations. She shall dwell-
before God for ever: 0 prepare Thy loving mercy and
faithfulness, that they may preserve her."
And the 18th verse of the 132 d Psalm:—" As for her
enemies, clothe them with shame; but upon herself let
her Crown flourish."—Nares.
The purses, containing the Maundy money, were then
distributed.
The second lesson, from the 25th chapter of St. Mat-
thew, was then read, beginning at the 31st verse.
" When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all
the holy angels with him, then shall be sit upon the
throne of his glory," to the end of the chapter, " And
these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the
righteous into life eternal."
Which was followed by the fourth anthem, from the
Ist and 16th verses of the 631 chapter of Isaiah, and the
9th verso of the 21st chapter of St. Matthew. " Who
is this that cometh from Bdom, that is glorious in his
apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I,
that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Doubtless,
Thou art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy name is from
everlasting. Hosannatt to the son of David; Blessed is
he that co eth in the name of the Lord: Hosannah in
the highest! Amen."—Arnold.
Two prayers, composed for the occasion, followed,

viz
" 0 Lord, the Sovereign of the world, we acknowledge
that Thine is the greatness, the power, an the glory,
and the victory, and the majesty; for all d that is in
the heaven and in the earth is Thine. Thine is the
kingdom, 0 Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head
above all; both riches and honour come of Thee, and
Thou reignest over all. In Thy hand is power and
might, and in Thy hand it is to make great, and to give
strength unto all. Now, therefore, our God, we thank
Thee and praise Thy glorious name, that Thou halt not
only bestowed greatness and majesty upon our Sovereign
Lady Queen Victoria, but host given her a heart also to
take compassion on them that are below her, and show
mercy unto the poor and needy. Accept, Most Gracious
God, of this tribute, which she pays unto Thee, the
giver of all good things, and make her still more fruitful
and abundant in these, and all other good works, that,
by mercy and truth she may be preserved, and her
throne upholders by mercy. And stir up the hearts of
all those who have now been partakers of her bounty, to
be truly thackful unto Thee for it, and both to bless
and praise Thee continually for setting such a pious
princess over us, and also pray most earnestly that Thou
wouldst reward her charity with a long and prosperous
reign in this world, and with a heavenly kingdom in the
world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and only
Saviour. Amen."
" Most blessed God, who art good and doest good, and
takest pleasure in those that fear Thee and imitate Thy
goodness, look down from Heaven, the throne of 'llly
glory, upon us Thy servants here prostrate before Thee,
who thankfully acknowledge that we have nothing but
what we have received from Thee, and, therefore, can
give Thee nothing but what is Thine own. Fill our
Hearts, we beseech Thee, with a lively sense of Thy
fatherly goodness, which hath bestowed so many Lenefiis
upon us that we are not able to number them, and, like-
wise, given us to understand the happiness of doing good
with them; and assist us with the power of Thy holy
spirit, that we may be faithful stewards of Thy mani-
fold gifts and graces, following the steps of our Lord
and Master, Christ, whom Thou hest sent into the world
to be a pattern to us of humble goodness; into which we
pray Thee to quicken us by the consideration that we
are but strangers and sojourners as all our fathers were,
our days on the earth being as a shadow, and there is
no abiding; that so nothing may tempt us to be high-
minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in Thee the
living God, who givest us all things richly to enjoy that
we may do good, and be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for
ourselves a good foundation fur he time to come, that
we may lay hold on eternal life. And we most humbly
beseech Thee, in a special manner, to bless her Ma-
jesty, whom Thou bast set over us; keep this ever in
the thoughts of her heart to endeavour to do much good
with the power which thou bast given her, and thereby
magnify Thee exceedingly in the sight of all the people
of these realms, and bestow upon her such royal ma-
jesty as bath not been on any Prince before her. All
which we beg for the sake of Jesus Christ, our most
blessed Lord and Savour, to whom, with thee and the
Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without
end. Amen."
The usual prayers followed, which concluded the
service.
The Lord Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner,
who usually officiates in person, was this year unavoid-
ably absent through indisposition.
The clergy present were, • the Rev. Dr. Jelf (Sub-
Almoner), the Rev. Dr: Wesley (Sub-Dean), Rev. Dr.
Vivian, Rev. Clarke Haden, Rev. Thomas Helmore, Rev.
J. U. Thomas, Rev. W. Hall, Rev. Edward Repton, and
the Rev. Mr. Povab. The prayers were read by the Rev.
Dr. Vivian.
The gentlemen of the Chapel Royal were Messrs.
Salmon, Chapman, Bradbury, Machin, Lamb, Barnby,
Benson, and Gray. The anthem, " Who is thins?" sung
by Messrs. Barnby, Benson, and Machin, was composed
by Dr. Arnold for this occasion. •
Sir George Smart presided at the organ.

TRANSPORTATION.—TDE UCKFIELD BURGLARS.—
On "Wednesday thirteen convicts sentenced to transportation,
including the seven Uckfield burglars, were :removed from
the Lewes prison to the House of Correction, Preston, Lan-
cashire, by order of the Secretary of State, there to undergo
eighteen months' confinement in separate cells. This, we un-
stand from authority, is, by receat Government arrangement,
to form the first stage in every sentence of transpertation.
The second stage is labour upon public works in some con-
vict establishment, which is to continue until the first half
of the sentence is expired (transportation for life being
reckoned as twenty-four years). The last stage is transporta-
tion itself, when the convict is sent abroad to undergo the
remaining half of his sentence, under circumstances varying
according to his behaviour in the previous stages. Were it
to be generally known that transportaticn is to be carried out
in this manner, beginning with a long period of separate
confinement, the sentence would not be so lightly thought
of as it sometimes is. The Uckfield burglars, we are in-
formed, are quite of this mind now, as it regards them-
selves. We are able, however, and thankful to add, that
during this solitary stage the work of instruction, so greatly
needed by these men, for scarcely one of them can read, will
be carried on, and every means used to correct the minds
and habits of those depraved and unhappy criminals.— Sussex
Express.
MURDER IN PENIBROKESIIIRE.—On Saturday, on
the occasion of some rejoicings at Rosemarket, situate mid-
way between Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, on inau-
gurating Mr. G. L. Phillips into the possession of 'an estate
just dropped to him, a fatal occurrence took place, which has
caused a painful sensation in the district. It seems that
Mr. Phillips had given away several barrels of ale to the
people of the neighbourhood, and the consequence was that
there was drinking and mirth up to midnight. Mr. Stephens,
a respectable farmer of Westbury-hill, near Rosemarket, had
been enjoying a social glass and pipe at the New Inn, and
was leaving that house about midnight in company with
another person. After he had gone out of the house he
encountered something in the dark, which he mistook for
a horse, and gave it a tap with his stick. It turned out,
however, to be a man named William Jones, a powerful
fellow, who, receiving the tap as an insult, retorted upon
Mr. Stephens, and dealt him several very heavy blows,
knocking him with considerable force against a wall. Mr.
Stephens was picked up and carried into the house,
but he was in an insensible state, from which he
never rallied, and died at ten o'clock on Sunday morning.
The deceased was between 60 and 70 years of age, and death
is supposed to have been caused by concussion of the brain.
The man Jones, who is a young fellow at least six feet in
height, and not bearing a very good character, was taken
into custody, and on Monday a coroner's inquest was held on
the body, when a verdict of Wilful Murder was returned
against him. The magistrates also inquired into the matter
at Haverfordwest, and committed the prisoner on a charge of
manslaughter.
THE RAILWAYS AND EXCURSION TRAlNS.—Yes-
terday, in consequence of the directors of the various railway
companies having made arrangements, during the holidays,
to allow return tickets in many cases, at single fare charges,
to and from the different towns on their several lines, a great
number of persons went by the different trains,while there were
numerous applications for return tickets en the other days, it
having been determined upon to afford similar accommoda-
tion, on most of the lines up to Tuesday next. The fol-
lowing are the arrangements entered into by the com-
panies :—By the East and West India [Jocks Junc'ion to the
North-Western, trains will start from Camden Town,
Islington, Highbury, Kingsland, Hackney, &c., to take
passengers to Gravesend, yid Blackwall, from whence they
will proceed to Gravesend, at I.s. 6d. each. The North
Kent Railway will also convey the holiday folks to
Gravesend, calling at Woolwich, the fares being, first
class, ls. 6d. ; second class, Is. ;' and third class, 6d.
each. By the South Western, excursion tickets, to perform
a double journey, issued on Thursday (yesterday) will be
available until Tuesday. Open seated carriages will be at-
tached to the trains, by which the fare to Windsor will be
2i. each. There will be return tickets for the Isle of Wight,
Southampton, the New Forest, Hampshire, and Portland. On
the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway return
tickets are to be available to Brighton and back, and the
several trains along the line, from Friday to Monday, the
fares being 7s. 6d. first class, and 3s. 6d. third class. The
South-Eastern Railway has excursion trains to Boulogne
and back on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, to return any
day during Easter week. On Good Friday, Sunday, Monday,
and Tuesday, return tickets will be available, at tingle fares,
on the day they are issued, to Dover, Folkstone, &c. By
the Great Western return tickets are to be issued, as also the
North-Western and Great Northern. The Eastern Counties,
in addition to allowing return tickets to the different statics, s
from the terminus at Shoreditch, have appointed a special
train on the occasion of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at New-
market, on Tuesday next.
DEATH OF MR. JOHN STEPHENS, OF ADELAI?E.
—The Adelaide papers bring intelligence of the death of Mr.
John Stephens, proprietor and editor of the South Australian
Register. Mr. Stephens, we' believe, was in the Kith year
of his age ; the nature of his disease is not mentioned. He
was second son of the late Rev. John Stephens, Wesleyan
minister, and younger brother of the Rev. Joseph Rayner
Stephens, of Ashton. In this country the deceased gentle-
man was best known as a strong opponent of the Wesleyan
Conference. In Adelaide he was much respected for his in-
telligence, probity, and incessant activity in following out
his own convictions of what tended to the public good. He
was mainly instrumental in bringing to light the horrible
treatment to which female emigrants to Adelaide were in
some instances subjected by the captains and surgeons of
ships.—Patriot.
AN ENORMOUSDEB.—WiIIiam Barry, Esq., of
Abney House, Little Alarh.W, killed on Saturday last a pike
d
rrather c o
in the river Thames, fronting his residence, which weighed
,
tnicoanr.ly saldb.it beenlt.w eras
taken afemre
alittle
have weighed upwards of 401 b. Mr. Barry, after three
quarters of an hour's sport in an ineffectual attempt to land
it. 9313PCIled W alappt iti
fish,e andlie r
in t h
e aout
o season,t*
it
n musti-

Total.:. 63

" SONG" BIRDS.—If you are open to good advice,
studiously avoid, all ye who go to buy good song birds, such
" Babel" shops and wire-workers, such Pantheons and
Bazaars, as sell parrots, macaws, monkeys, dogs, Esc. The
shrieks, hideous outcries, and " unknown tongues" in which
these horrible creatures momentarily hold converse, would
effectually destroy the value of any " song" bird. I have
pften remonstrated with the (so-called) bird-dealers, for
keeping so heterogeneous a collection of brute beasts ; but
their answer has been, always, to the effect " that ladies
cannot live' without dogs, parrots, and such like ; they will
give any price for them." This, alas, is too true. We all
know it, but too well! It may be said, that nearly all the
bird-dealers in London have these animals on sale. I admit
it, and greatly is it to be regretted. All young birds, aye,
and even some older ones, will copy these at, ange noises;
and the worst of it is, they invariably become stereotyped
in their memory. Therefore, let me again raise a warning
voice, and caution my gentle readers against all dealers in
the above monstrosities; u-gently recommending the more
extensive practice of private breeding.— William Kidd, in the
Gardeners' Chronicle.
JUMPING OUT OF A WINDOW THREE STORIES
HIGH. AT Bovrox.—On Sunday night, about halt-past eleven
o'clock, a man named Thomas Chambers, a travelling hawker
of cloth, who appears to be a person addicted to drinking,
jumped from a window in the third story of the Temperance
Hotel, Newport-street. He applied for, and obtained lodg-
ings
at the hotel, and retired without anything peculiar
being observed in his demeanour. About half-past eleven
o'clock, however, he was heard screaming, and immediately
afterwards ho threw up the bed-room window, and jumped
into the yard. The window being three stories from the
ground, it was. feared that he would be killed, but, to the
surprise of all who saw him, he was comparatively little hurt.
When picked up he was still labouring under the delusion
that some one was going to murder him, and it was deemed
necessary to take him to the police-station for safety. On
Monday morning he was removed to the workhouse, where
he still remains, labouring under the effects of delirium
tremens.—Manchester Guardian.

TIIE CENSIIS.—Among a variety of curious returns
made in different parts of the kingdom, notwithstanding the
vigilance and advice proffered by the enumerators who were
employed in taking the census, the followingwas made in the
Dudley Union.—Joseph Jones, the declarant, describes him-
self as " Alias Old Joe ;" " Head of family but no members,
a paradox;" "Inflexible miserly bachelor;" and he ap-
pends the following poetical illustration of himself to his
tohedule--
" I have no wife to vex and tease me,
No child to trouble or displease me ;
No lodger to intrude his feet
Into my dwelling—quite neat;
No visitor to share my roof,
And after that to stand aloof;
No servant keep, but save her pelf,
And do things better for myself;
A miser surely, tho' not fat,
My household's cover'd by my hat.
" Rowley, 31st March, 1851. JosErii Jortzs."
The Lord Chancellor did not take his seat in the
"4'4 Yegtr4sYt in consequence, we belie Yet of iilneea.

c_. r. _ . .

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING,

THE CORNOPEAN. ~Hints by an Officer of the
Bengal Army. Koehler's Improvements.
The experience of the last twenty-five years is
sufficient for an appreciation of the vast advantages
which the orchestra, no less than the band, has de-
rived from the improvement of brass instruments.
The music written for them now-a-days would not
have been attempted a quarter of a century ago by
any brass band in the world ; whereas we are now
daily accustomed to hear from them, in the highest
perfection, at the Palace and in the parks, the most
elaborate harmonies and most rapid and intricate
movements of all the learned composers, who, in these
times of transition, seek for fame more in the mazes
of perplexing counterpoint, than in the fair field
of natural harmony. The orchestra has come to avail
itself of the brass instruments with an avidity
which needs no stimulation from Mr. Koehler's im-
provements, important though they are, and amateurs
turn naturally enough to them for their instrumental
recreation, without the hints of the Bengal officer ;
because those tunes in which the notes are distinctly
sounded are better adapted for the brass instruments
than those in which there is a succession of rapid pas-
sages, and it is therefore more easy to make an im-
pression in private company by a display upon the
cornopean, than upon the " brisk awakening viol," or
the almost vulgarised " table of harmony" itself. In the
Indies amateurs have taken to this and other brass in.
strurnents with the greater eagerness, because they are
not affected by the sudden transitions from heat to
cold; they do not swell, like other instruments, with the
moisture of the atmosphere,' or warp by the tropical
heat. The accomplished officer of the Bengal army,
in his " Hints to Amateurs on the Cornopean," has laid
down, in amazingly small space, a comprehensive set
of practical instructions for good, effective, and easy
play upon this instrument, which may put to shame
the volumes of complicated and often impracticable
rules that have been published on this subject. To the
students of the Bengal officer's treatise, to the ama•
teur and the bandsman, the improvements in, the cor-
nopean, trumpet, trombone, and French-horn,
patented by Mr. Koehler, and allotted a place of de-
served prominence at the Great Exhibition, must
prove a great and treasured boon. It is clearly ob-
vious to every player of valved instruments, that the
acute angles formed by the valves necessarily occa-
sion an obstruction to the free passage of wind, and
injuriously affect the tone, in a manner which it re-
quires great labour in early practice, and constant
attention afterwards, to modify with satisfaction to
the ear. Mr. Koehler has entirely done away with
that angularity, both in the complementary and in
the main passages, by the substitution of a valve,
formed of two plates, or discs, with perforations in
them of the same diameter as the windways of the
instrument. These two plates are made with true
faces, which move upon each other, by the action of
a lever, which, by moving the upper plate, open a
communication between the supplementary wind-
ways, giving thus, in perfect roundness, the whole
tone, the semitone, and the tone and half. In these
few words are substantially described the im-
provements of the cornopean and other valved
instruments of its class; nor is the aid of
diagrams necessary to satisfy the practised
player, or even the ordinary men 'of science, of
their value. Those who had the good fortune to hear
the brass bands of the Life Guards at the Palace of
St. James's, during her Majesty's last drawing-room,
had an opportunity of fully appreciating the great re-
sults that may be produced by apparently simple
means. It is difficult to suppose that any band or
any amateur will henceforth make use of instruments
with valves upon the old construction.

THE NAVY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—ln my letter of the Ist of October, 1850, I told
you that the Admiralty, after ten years' consideration,
had adopted my suggestion of making efficient ships do
the duty of the ordinary at the different ports; and the
sooner they did the same with the flagships the better.
I now find they have brought forward the London (an
efficient ship) for the flag at Sheet ness ; but even that has
been done without due consideration. It was only the
other day the Powerful came home (a perfect ship), and
was paid off. Had she been sent to Sheerness, to take
the place of the Ocean, instead of bringing forward the
London, some thousands would have been saved. It is,
however, a step in the right direction; and, when they do
the same at Portsmouth and Plymouth, we shall have
seven sail-of-the-line ready for sea, besides the three
half-manned ships, which had much better be replaced
by two full-manned. This would give us a home squa-
dron of three sail of the line, including the Regent; and
the three screw line-of-battle ships, together with the
reserve steamers, put us out of danger from a coup de
main, provided we can man them; and I again implore
the Government to bring forward a good measure for
that purpose. In 1847 I introduced a Bill to improve
Sir J. Graham's, which they opposed; let them bring
forward one of their own. I think the seamen have
given a hint that they will not stand impressment, and
the sooner wo take it the better.
I wish to impress on the country, that continuing the
system of building ships to rot is throwing away money.
They are only floating barracks, and, without men, quite
uselesa; ned men now. a-days inuat...have extraordinary
nerves and discipline to stand up under the fire of sh,}t
and exploding shells, which, together with splinters, will
be showered about their ears the first broadside.
On looking over the last NavyLiat, we have of line-of-
battle ships—

guns. guns.
17 three-deckers, from 102 to 10
6 two deckers, „ 90 „ 92
20 „ 80 „ 84
7 97 ,1 78
11 SI „ 72
2 of „ 70

4 screw liners „ 58
besides 14 or 15 of different sizes, some fit for repair,
others not. We have on tho stocks—

guns. guns.
7 three-deckers, from 116 to 120
5 two-deckers of 90
„ 80

6
2 screw-steamers „ 80
1 100
Now, Sir, I am of opinion that the ships on the stocks
should remain as they are to season, and the steamers
alone should be finished. We cannot tell what new in-
ventions may be brought forward to supersede our pre-
sent system. We have 67 sail of the line in the water.
They ought to be ready to receive men the day they are
ccmmissioned, and the expense of hulks should be done
away with, except for full manned ships which come in
for repairs. The repairing, caulking, and painting the
number of hulks we keep is money thrown away. The
other ships in the water, if good for anything, should be
repaired or broken up; they are a constant expense.
Should war break out it would be quite impossible to
man the 67 sail now in the water with a proportion of fri-
gates, steamers, and small craft in two years, and long
before we could launch. it necessary, every ship we
have in all the shipwrights in
the e
m o n
materials would, no doubt,
p ire. the stocksT he wages
e calling lal inndg
rise in price, but they would bear no comparison to the
waste and the interest of the money according to the
present system. Everybody must see at once, if this
plan was adopted, we should require fewer men and
expend fewer materials. I should therefore recommend
the House of Commons to refuse the house-tax, and tell
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to raise his supply out
of the savings in the dockyards. Government would
no doubt make an outcry, as they did when the addition
to the income-tax was refused, but they did without it.
Let them withdraw the men employed on building
ships, except steamers; let them burn fewer coals in
steamers, which I know, from experience, is practicable;
let them send down to the ports all the used-up logs,
journals, and accounts that lumber our offices—they will
make capital fuel.
Cut off at least 200,0004 from the 10th vote; that will
stop further building, and make fewer men necessary.
Discharge useless men, and discontinue entries; they
will soon reduce themselves, without doing injustice to
those employed, and it will give them a hint that more
work and less waste is expected. Appoint an active as-
sistant to each superintendent, who will be constantly on
the alert. His salary will be saved half-a-dczen times
over. In addition to this, take a slice off the 11th vote.
It is high time a check should be put to the constant
alterations and improvements that are inconsiderately
establishments. remain your obe-
ES
going on in all our esta
CHARL N APIER.
dient servant,
Albemarle-street, April 14,, 1851.

A LITTLE TOO FACT.—Dr. Hendren, the new
"Bishop of Clifton," who has for some time past figured so
prominently before the public, in eonnexion with the case of
Miss Talbot, has got himself, if we be not misinformed, into
a very unpleasant predicament. We are assured that his
newly-made reverence, never for a moment doubting that
the young lady would become a nun, and transfer the whole
of her 85,0001. to him, for the purpose of building a magni-
ficent cathedral in his " diocese," actually bought, for 1,5004
the ground on which the sacred edifice was to be erected.
This fact will go far to account for the excessive interest he
took in the young lady's case, and the profound anxiety he
manifested to see her retained in the Taunton Convent. The
newly improvied Popish Prelate of Clifton, will find to his
cost that he has been a little too fast in his motions. It
would not be easy to imagine a more awkward affair .than
that of purchasing the site for the contemplated cathedral,
when the money with which he was to build the edifice has
eluded his grasp. And to render it all the more mortifying,
the whole of the circumstances connected with the case are,
we are told, about to be laid before the public. Dr. Hen-
dren's experience will prove a lesson to other " Bishops" of
his class. Before they expend 1,5001., or any similar sum,
in the purchase of a site for a cathedral, they will take care
to have in hand the funds for the erection of the edifice.—
Morning Advertiser.
IMPERIAL BANK OF EINTGLAND.—On Wednesday a
meeting took place before Master Farrer, on the case of Mr.
Samuel Buckley, of Manchester, whom it was sought to fix
as a contributory for at least ten shares. Mr. Prior appeared
for the official manager, Mr. Soultly, and Mr. Hare for the
alleged contributory. After an investigation of more than an
hour's duration the matter was adjourned.
PUBLIC SALAMIES.—During the year 1850 there
has been an increase in the salaries of public offices of
17,1241. Bs. 7d. ; in emoluments of 477/. 14s. 4d.; in retired
allowances of 18,0481. 6s. 4d. ; and in expenses of 12,8811. ;
reeking a total of 48,5311.95. 3d. At the same time dimi-
nutilns to the following amounts have been effected :
salaries, 61,0971. ; emoluments, 16,285/. 13s. ; retired allow-
ances, 13,0371. 3s. 3d. ; expenses, 25,3661. 78. 6d. ; total,
105,7861.4*. sd. The number of persons added to public
establishpseate *qua 499; and of thole removed 361.