The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

APPOINTMENT.

Woo Limit, FEB. 27.—Captain Alexander Murray
(1849). to study steam at the factory at Woolwich
Dockyard. The gallant officer joined to-day.
The Governalli Sardinian steam-frigate, Commander
Persiani, commenced unloading the packages she has on
board for the Exhibition into barges for conveyance up
the river to a convenient place for landing them at
Chelsea.
Mr. Macdonald, master-attendant, went on board se-
veral of the store hulks and receiving ships in the har-
bour to-day to inform those in charge of them that they
were to have hawsers in readiness when vessels came
alongside, as several other vessels from foreign Govern-
ments were expected at Woolwich with packages for
the Exhibition.

TIIE LORD RECTORSHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVER-
SITY.-G LASGOW, WEDNESDAY AFTErucoort.—The mem-
bers of the University met to-day in the Common-hall,
when Professor Ramsay read the result of the recent rec-
torial election, showing that two " nations " had voted
for Lord Palmerston, and two for Sheriff Allison, the his-
torian. The Principal then explained that by the consti-
tution of the University the casting vote in case of equality
fell to be exercised by the retiring Lord Rector, or tailing
him, by the immediately preceding Lord Rector. A letter
was read from Mr. Alacaulay, dated the 19th of Novem-
ber last, stating that it would be out cf his power to ap-
pear personally, and he must, therefore, suffer the casting
vote to lapse into the hands of his predecessor. It was
matter of satisfaction, however, that from two such distin-
guished candidates, he could not choose amiss. The Prin-
cipal then stated that the exercise of the privilege of giving
the casting vote now lay with Mr. Mure, of Caldwell, M.P.,
Mr. Macaulny's immediate predecessor. Mr. Mure, who
has up till this time been detained in Italy, then rose, and
atter a graceful allusion to the merits of the two candi-
dates, gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Sheriff Ali-
son, on the ground that he had the greatest number of in-
dividual votes, although the " nations " had been equal.
The election was declared accordingly amid much applause.
The public inauguration of the new Lord Rector takes place
to-morrow in the College, when he will deliver his installa-
tion speech.

SUNDERLAND DOCK COMPANY.—The half-yearly
meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, at the
Royal Exchange-buildings, Sunderland ; Mr. G. Hudson,
Al. P., presided. The report stated that the trade and rev'enue
of the dock had been found, during the few months it had
been opened, in every respect most satisfactory. Although
the dock was opened on the 20th June last, yet, in conse-
quence of the unavoidable arrangements arising from the
change of shipment of coals from the river to the docks, no
coals could be shipped in the docks till September, and then
only half the quantity was brought down the Durham
and Sunderland branch railway, and it was not until the
month of December that the whole of the drops in the
river could be taken. The dock having been, during the
greater portion of the past half-year, only in partial ope-
ration, the directors had not deemed it necessary to sub-
mit any detailed statement of the revenue, but the
following were the monthly receipts :—July, 1850,
191. 16s. 10d.; August, 1361.33. ld.; September, 4321. Is. Pd. ;
October, 5831. 10s. 11d.; November, 6691. Is. lt'd.; December,
837/. 14s. d. The directors of the York, Newcastle, and
Berwick Company, who possessed so large an interest in the
company, were proceeding actively in making the Penshar
branch line with the Sunderland Vtocks, on the completion
of which a large increase of trade and revenue would be
obtained. All the calls and interest had been paid on the
3,000 sharel standing in the name of the railway company,
and the chairman had undertaken to take up the whole of
the 2,325 shares respecting which the misunderstanding had
occurred between him and the railway company, and had ar-
ranged the calls thereon, and interest, in the most satisfactory
and honourable manner. The report, as well as that of the
engineer, was adoped.

BIRKEMIEAD DOCK COMPANY.—Yesterday the
half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in this com-
pany took place at the London Tavern, for the purpose of
receiving the general and financial reports, the election of
directors, &c. Sir I. L. Goldsmid, Bart., presided. The
report, as read by the secretary, showed, that the works
being still incomplete, water access could not yet be gained
to the company's wharfs and premises, but it was expected
that the lower part of the float would be open in April next.
To secure an early completion of the entire works, a Bill had
been introduced into Parliament, which had been read a
second time. The directors had taken up the new lease of
the company's property from the corporation of Liverpool.
The gross receipts of the year had been 950,6951. 175. 3d.,
the expenditure 943,1021. ss. 3d., leaving a balance of 7,5331.
12s. Joseph Bailey, Esq., M.P., recommended unity with
the dock trustees, who, he understood, were opposed to the
present Bill in Parliament. He thought during the next
two years that the docks would produce about 25,0001. to
this company, and about the same sum to the dock trustees.
Atter some explanation from the chairman, and some re-
marks from Mr. T. Poynder, urging the propriety of har-
mony and unanimity, the report was adopted. The meet-
ing, after some discussion. was adjourned to the Bth of May
next.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF ,Ma BOOTH, RAILWAY
CONTRACTOR.—Wednesday, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an in-
quest at the ➢Lorton Arms, Hawley-road, Kentish-town,
on the late Mr. John Booth, sub-contractor on the Birming-
ham Junction of the East and West India Dock Railway,
aged 49. The body presented an appalling spectacle, the
skull having been literally driven in. James Stutter said
that he was working the crane at the viaduct by which they
were hoisting stone of 5 cwt., when, in consequence of the
chain being foul, the stone came in contact with the side'of the
viaduct, and its progress was stopped. Deceased, who was
standing on the parapet, leaned ad his weight against the
chain to drive it trout the wall, when the chain swerved, and
deceased, losing his balance, fell amidst bricks and rubbish to
the road below. In hi:, tall he (ailed out, "Hold of 1; hold
off," and tried to grasp the scaffolding as he fell. Richard
Whittaker, the foreman carpenter, substantiated the above
evidence. Several other witnesses were examined, and the
Coroner summed up, commenting upon the frightful nature
of the fatal occurrence. The jury, after a brief deliberation,
returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Deceased, who
was beloved by the workmen, has left a widow and child to
deplore his untimely end. _ .

NVe regret to state that Mr. Henry Edwards, of
the Weymouth Arms, who for many months past has been
in a bad state of health, yesterday evening terminated his
existence by hanging himself. Mr. Edwards has long been
highly respected for his unbending and inflexible integrity,
and few men have lived better in the estimation of his
fellow-citizens ; but recently it has been apparent to those
who knew him that his milid had undergone a great change,
and that the greatest care was necessary for his protection.
His health hadapparentiy much improved during the last two
months, but yesterday evening, atter leaving his usual rou-
tine of business for only a few minutes, he was discovered
Origies`nika and cheitenhani Gauge OWl4llefidaY.

GREAT FIRE NEAR ST. PAUL'S
CATHEDRAL.
Last evening, at a few minutes past five o'clock, a fire
I of a very extensive character broke out in the premises
belonging to Messrs. Treacher and Cuthbert, wholesale
tallow-melters and candle-manufacturers, carry ing on
business at No. 43, Paternoster-row. The property
in question has long been the dread of the inhabitants
residing near St. Paul's.
The premises, which have a considerable frontage in
the " Row," extended in depth some 60 or 70 feet, where
an exceedingly narrow space separated them from a
range of lotty workshops and warehouses, which had a
frontage in London-house-yard. It was in the last-
named buildings that the conflagration commenced, and
which, fur the space of an hour, continued to rage with
the greatest impetuosity. The structure was five floors
high, including the basement, and was adjoined on one
side by the Goose and Gridiron Tavern, the property of
Mr. W. Making; whilst Hewitt's coffee and chop-house
flanked the other side. The Rose and Crown Tavern,
belonging to Mr. W. Davies, stood immediately opposite
the burning premises; the only separation between the
two was a sort of cart-way, probably 8 or 9 feet wide.
The refreshment-rooms of Mr. Inglis, the pastrycook, of
St. Paul:s Churchyard, also extended to within a few feet
of the flames.
A copper of fat, from some cause not clearly ascer-
tained, but which is believed to be a fracture in the
metal, took fire. All hands were immediately summoned
to the spot, and every endeavour made to smother the
flames, but without success; they speedily rose terrifi-
cally, igniting the flooring over the copper, and then
rushing in one immense sheet through the warehouses
till they reached the roof.
The various engines of the London brigade, parish,
and West of England Company were on the spot in the
course of a few minutes after the outbreak, and a most
copious supply of water was furnished by the New River
firemains iu the district. The fire, however, notwith-
standing the short time that bad elapsed, assumed such
a threatening aspect that every building near seemed
doomed to destruction. Out of every window in the
spacious premises the flames were rolling, and reached
within a foot of Mr. Inglis's refreshment-rooms, and the
Rose and Crown Tavern.

The engines, under the direction of Mr. Braidwood,
Mr. Colf, and Mr. Connorton, were placed in the most
commanding positions, some in Paternoster-row, and
others in the Churchyard, whilst a number were set to
work from Ave Maria-lane. The first thing sought to
be accomplished was to throw up a stream of water
between the building on fire and those immediately op-
posite, which were smoking and cracking with the in-
tense heat. The firemen, i❑ so doing, ran great risks,
but, fortunately, the expedient proved successful, and
the latter premises were saved from destruction entirely
through the exertions of the brigade.
It was past seven o'clock before it could be said that
the mastery over this fearful conflagration was obtained,
and not until the entire range of premises belonging to
the firm, in London-house-yard, were burnt completely
through, the front building severely damaged by re-
moval and brealcge, and several others in immediate
proximity, materially injured by fire, water, &c.
The crowd, at one period, numbered sem° thousands,
and it required the services of a strong body of police to
keep the spectators out of danger.