The Sun.
London, England, 1833-08-31 00:00:00

ALE OF SHIPS OF WAR.

Yesterday, pursuant to orders given by the Commis-
sioners for executing the office of Lord High klmiral,
there were offered for sale, at the Admiralty-office,
Somerset place, several of his Majesty's ships of war,
which have been found unfit for further public service.

The ships and vessels declared for sale were the follow-
ing : —The Renown, 71 gun ship, of the burden of 1,899
tons ; the Bittern sloop of war, of 422 tons ; the Zeoohia
hr'g, of 385 tons ; the Protector brig, of 178 tons ; the
Plumper gun brig, of ISI tons ; the Manley ditto, of
180 tons ; the Albatross schooner, of 67 tons ; the
Supply transport, of 223 tons; and the Maria tender, of
17 tons burden ; together with a mooring lump of 91
tons burden.
Toe sale took plate before two of the Commissioners
for executing the office of High Admiral, and by what is
termed Dutch auction—that is, the vesseli were put up
by the auctioneer at a given price, and if there is no
nidder, he lowers the sum until a buyer is found for the
ship offered. By the conditions of sale, purchasers are
bound to give an affidavit that the vessels purchased will
not by any private agreement be resold, and that no other
persons have an interest in the purchase than those whose
names were given as the purchasers at the time of sale.
It is also provided that all copper and mixed metal articles
marked with the broad arrow, which shall be found in th e
said vessels, must be returned into the King's stores, at
the dock-yard, an allowance of 82uf1. per lb. being given
for the former, and 6d. per lb. for the latter.
The Renown, 74-gun ship, coppered and copper-
fastened, was put up by the commissioners at 9,0001.,
but no bidder was found at the reduced price of 5,7001 ,
when it was taken in. The Bittern sloop was put up at
2,0001., and the price reduced to 1,9301., at which a
purchaser was found. The Zenobia was bought in at
9001. The Protector brig was put up at 500/., and was
.Itl at 4351. The Plumper was offered at 5001., and
taken in at 460/. The Manley brig was bought i❑ at
6501. The Albatross was offeied at 400/., but the price
educed to 155/., at which it was disposed of. The
Supply transport was put up at 2,3001., and bought in at
1,200/. The upset price of the Maria tender was 601.,
and she found a purchaser at that sum immediately. The
mooring lump was offoreel at 200/., and sold at 1951. The
sale was not fully attended 4

The presentation of Mr. Rice, on Thursday,
:o the House of Commons of the first Report of the Com-

missioners of Excise Inquiry, was omitted to be inserted
in the Votes. This report recommends the immediate
abolition of the system of tea permits and surveys.
_ _

Miss Fanny Kemble has retired from the
stage for ever. A gentleman of great wealth, and of
the highest respectability, residing in the United States,
became enamoured of this young lady, as we understand,
soon after her arrival in that country, and was incessant

in his attentions to her. Arrangements have been made
between the parties, with the entire consent of Mr.
Charles Kemble, who is on his return to this country,
and the marriage will take place with ca little delay as
possible.

VA UXH A L L.-Last Wednesday evening
9,907 persons paid Ls. each for their admission; 3,200
_ _

quarts of porter were drank ; 1,1421. were received in
silver, and 1651. in gold, on the same evening.

James Lewis, - Elwyn, and Henry Ste-
phenson, Esqrs., are to be the three salaried Commis-
sioners for the distribution of the West India Compensation
Fund. Mr. Pepys, King's Counsel, and Member for

MAlton, has accepted the honorary appointment of Chair—
man ; and Mr. Under. Secretary Ltievre, with two other
unpaid Commissioners not yet named, will complete the
Board.— Globe.

The Speaker of the House of Commons has
:aken Lauriston House, Little Waldershare, Dever, for

three months.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Wednesday after-
noon, about two o'clock, a fire broke out in a thatched
cottage at Freabtord, occupied by Jane Usher, situated
near the Church. A brisk wind blowing at the time,
caused the flames to spread rapidly, and the fire soon ex-
tended to two other cottages, occupied by William Head
and Giles Ferris, which were speedily consumed; before
which the fire, notwithstanding all the ashistance that

could be afforded, had communicated to Mr. Smith's (the
carpenter's) yard, where it destroyed a quantity of timber
end tools. Here the flames prevailed against all eff,rts,
and soon extended to the waggon-house of farmer Watts,
which, with the barn, was totally consumed, together with
a quantity of wheat, amounting to 280 sacks, 40 tons of
prime meadow and clover hay, four carts, &c., and a
great quantity of vetches and peas. The entire loss is
estimated at upwards at 2,0001., and has produced great
distress in the village. All three of the cottages belonged
to Giles Ferris, which were all the property he had. The
greatest praise is due to Colonel Napier and family, to
Captain Pairuddock, and all the neighbouring gentry, for
their exertions, and for their liberality in opening their
houses to the use of all.—Sherbourne Journal.

Last night an inquest was held at the Cock,
Grafton-street, Soho, on the body of Jacob Schmid, aged
34, a native of Germany. The deceased, who was a
surgical instrument maker, was passionately attached to a
young female, but his affection was not returned. He be-
came addicted to drink, and frequently acted like a mad-
man ; on one occasion having attempted to shoot a friend.
Yesterday morning he was found in his room, at 21,
Grafton-street, Soho, with his throat cut. He was
sitting in a chair before a looking glass, with a dreadful
inci•ion in his throat, and a razor by his side. His body
was quite cold. One or two of the jury thought they could
not return a verdict of temporary insanity, as there was
no direct evidence to prove it. One juror said that
gentlemen came to inquests as if prepared in their own
minds that all who committed self-destruction were
insane. Nothing was more likely to encourage the crime.
The Jury, not being able to come to a decision, adjourned
till Monday.
\\re feel great regret in stating that A. Pri-
deaux, Esq. of Totnes, died on Friday last, under the most
painful circumstances—by his own hand. Shortly after
breakfast he retired to his office, and his daughter perceiv-
ing his low spirits followed him, and remained with him
some time. Having left the office, however, for a few
minutes only, she heard a groan, and returning perceived
her father with his throat cut in so horrible a manner that
death immediately ensued. Mr. Prideaux was a man of
very extensive property, and of a very amiable and es-
teemed character ; his death will he much felt and deplored
by the inhabitants of the town. This lamented gentleman,
we understand, has been in a state of great despondency
for many months past, occasioned, we believe, by the toss
of his son, to whom he was greatly attached.— IYestern
Luminary.

From the decline in Exchequer bills, which
commenced yesterday and has continued to day, the no-
tion has become prevalent that there is some connexion
between it and the reported contraction of the issues of
notes by the Bank of England, and that the sale of Ex-
chequer bills is the mode adopted for effecting that o, ject.
It is perfectly vain, however, to attempt to trace the
actual operation of this establishment; and all that can
be affirmed is, that such sales have been made by
brokers who usually act for the Bank. But though
the mode may be concealed, it is not the less strongly
inferred from circumstances which leave little doubt of
the fict that such contraction of the issues is going on.
The precaution may be a prudent one at the present mo-
nsent, but the charge against the Bank by our best men,
of business is, that the Directors first create the evil by
greater issues of paper than the country requires, and
then inflict another in their attempts to restore the equi-
librium, which they ought never to have disturbed. It
is hoped, however, and believed by many well-informed
persons, that they have commenced sufficiently early on
this occa-ion to render further contraction of a great tx-,
tent unnecessary.

The structure of the Manchester and Liver-
pool rail-road is a raised edge rail of rolled iron, two
inches broad and one inch thick, in lengths of 25 feet each.
These are firmly knitted together and placed upon cast
iron chairs or pedestals, and the whole supported at inter-
vals of three feet by stone blocks 20 inches -ruare and
12 inches deep. Into each at the blocks twOr-t '7 are
drilled and filled up with oak plugs, and to these t7.0'.0e..
destals bearing the rail are spiked down. O❑ the etedatik-
ttlents, and other places where the foundation Inky be ex-
pected to subside, additional firmness is secured by the in-
troduction of oak sleepers. The whole length of the road
is 32 miles, and posts are placed every quarter of a mile to
mark the distance.—Railway Companion.

Much inconvenience is experienced by the
mercantile interest at the delay which has arisen in
making public an act of vast importance—the Caaroins'
Duties' Act. Various alterations have been maae, some
of them at the suggestion, it is suppose'' of cleintta—
dons from the city, which had interviews with the
President of the Board of Trade during the pro, ress
of the measure through Parliament. The anxiety at
present felt is to ascerta:n the extent of such a!teratit,us,
fur although passed both Houses a fortnight:An"...
mercantile kept
in a state of total igraluirce
as rtoioc men .
vn s e
ra s .