The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-08 00:00:00

ROMAN ISW MIRACLES.

Sir,—The sham miracle lately recorded in Galignani's
Messenger, and repeated in your columns of Wednesday
last, is a mere imitation of an old imposture. In Collier's
Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain, vol. 2, pp. 434,
435, Lond. 1714, fol., you will find the following narra-
tive:— _ _ _

"At the arrival of the Earl of Sussex, the Queen's
Lieutenant in Ireland, the Litany was sung in English,
at Christ Church, Dublin (Tuesday., August 30, 1559*).
Some bigotted Papists were much disturbed at this way
of worship, and endeavoured to retrieve their old service
by counterfeiting a miracle. To this purpose a marble
figure of our Saviour, standing in the cathedral, with a
reed in his hand, and a crown of thorns on his bead, was
observed to bleed through the thorns upon the face of
the image. This wonderful appearance happened in
service time, when the Lord-Lieutenant, the Archbishop,
and the rest of the Privy Council, were at church. When
this was perceived by the people they were strangely
affected. especially when ene privy to the contrivance
told them that our Saviour could not chuse but sweat
Wood when heresy was come into the church. In short,
all the audience not being of the same mind, the miracle
occasioned a confusion, and the congregation broke up.
Several of the people, however, stayed behind, tell on
their knees, and prayed before the image.
6, The Archbishop of Dublin (Hugh Curwen, a native
of Westmoreland), suspecting some fc•ul play, ordered
the sexton to wasn and examine the image. This being
done, the man perceived a sponge soaked in blood within
the hollow of the head. This sponge one Lf.e, formerly
a m9nk of the cathedral, had put wW:in the head that
morning, and being loaded with blood, it was strained
through the cracks 0f the marble, and fell dovrt in drops
upon the face. Tho cheat being thus discovered, the
Archbishop preached in the church upon that subject
the next Sunday; and to make the more serviceable im-
pression, Lee, with his assistants, were placed upon a
table before the pulpit, with their hands and legs tied,
and their crime on paper upon their breasts. In this
equipage they appeared.three Sundays, were imprisoned
for some time, and afterwards banished the realm."
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant,
Hawkshead, Jan. 6. D. B. H.
a See Sir James Ware's " Antiquities of Ireland," Anna'.
Temp. Enz., p. 2, Dub]. 1702, fol.

DECLARATION AGAINST THE ENACT-
MENT OF RELIGIOUS DISABILITIES.
We, the undersigned, deem it our duty at the present
juncture to declare our unalterable attachment to the
principles of Civil and Religious Liberty, and our de-
termination to oppose, by every constitutional means,
any measure tending to interfere by legislative enact-
ment with the discipline or doctrine of any portion of
the Queen's subjects.
M. J. Blake G. H. Meagher
Casty rengh J. O'Brien
M. E. Corbally T. O'Brien
W. Sharman Crawford M. O'Connell
J. T. Devereux J. O'Connell
! W. Fagan A. O'Flaherty
J. Fagan The O'Gorman Mahon
R. M. Fox G. Ouaeley Higgins
11. Grattan M. Power
J. Greene N. Power
1 it, Keatinge E. Burke Roche
I C. Lawless J. Reynolds
W. Torrens M'Cullagh J. Sadleir
I N. V. Maher
W. Monsell W.
Scully
J. 11. Talbot
T. Meagher

h Coventry Sessions' on
COVENTRY t-e
late a turnkey in the Co-
Thursday last, Henry Holloway,fcaora front aiding
a nt
hd a tassistinggaol.
Georgeit obn
Thompson, a prisoner, to escape ventry Gaol, was indicted
p
Frazer, committed for the same cflence as Thomson, stated
before_last sessions he hpeard Hollo-
that about the Sunday
way tell Thompson_ that he (Holloway) had 20/. in a building
society. 'Thompson
replied that he had 1201. in such a so-
if Holloway would assist him to effect his
cesiectayPeahnediv that
ould make Holloway's 20/. into 1201. On another
Holloway showed Thompson a
occasion plan of the gaol
which he had drawn on A slate. Mary Hodges deposed that
three months ago she visited Thompson in Coventry Gaol;
that Holloway afterwards came to see her at the City Hotel,
and said that if there was any money he would release
Thompson. He then gave her a wax impression of the
locks of the goal, and she procured keys to be made at Wol-
verhampton to open ninety locks. She also provided the dis-
guise fur Thompson which was found at Holloway's house.
The jury having returned a verdict of guilty, the Chair-
ntan, in passing sentence, observed that the law left no alter-
native but transportation for a longer or shorter period for
this offence ; and as in this instance the offence was greatly
aggravated on the part of the prisoner, by reason of the re-
sponsible situation which he held, it became his duty to pass
the extreme sentence of fourteen years' transportation.
Mary Ann Hodges was then arraigned on a charge of con-
spiring with Holloway to effect the escape of Thompson.
She pleaded not guilty, and was thereupon discharged, on
her own bail, to appear at the next a;sizes.—Birmingham
Gazette.

SOUTHERN WHALE FISHERY COMPANY.--Letters
have been roceived by this company from Sydney, dated in
August hot , announcing that the Samuel Enderby had ar-
rived from the Auckland Islands, having been very success-
ful iu whaling for the time she had been out.

NAVAL INTELLIGEN C.E.
I DEATH OF SIR H. M. BLACKWOOD, BART.,
CAPTAIN OF H. M. SHIP VENGEANCE.

We stated last week that the Gallant Captain of the
Vengeance, 84, at Portsmouth, had been seriously 'Lelia-
posed. It is now with the deepest regret that we an-
nounce the decease of that officer, yesterday morniug, at
his lodgings, Portsmouth, in the 49th year of his age.
The following is O'Byrne's biographical notice of the late
Sir Henry:—
" Sir Henry Martin Blackwood, born June 11, 1801,
was only son of the late Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Henry
Blackwood, Bart., K.C.8., G.C.H.,K.F.M., by his se-
cond wife, Elias, fourth daughter of Captain Martin
Waghorn, RN.; half-brother of Captain F. P. Black-
wood, R.N., and cousin of Lord Dufferin and Chine-
boy. He entered the navy July 22, 1814, as third-class
boy, on board the Liffey, 50, Captain John Hancock,
stationed in the Channel, where he served until April,
1815. He next, in May, 18/7, joined the Bulwark, 74,
Curtain George Mqiinley; and afterwards officiated
as midshipman on the Cape of Good Hope, Brazilian,
East India, and home stations, of the Favourite,
26, Captain Hercules Robinson ; Leander. 50,
bearing his father's 114; Eden, 26, Captain
Francis Erskine Loch; Tees, 26, Captain Thomas
Coe; and Dover, Captain Arthur Batt Bingham. The
Eden was actively employed, in 1820, against the pirates
of the Persian Gulf. From July 6, 1822, until his pro-
motion to the rank of Commander, Dec. 1, 1823, we find
Mr. Blackwood, whose first commission bears date, Nor.
30, 1821, serving on board the Nimrod, 18, Captain
Rochfort, and Active, 46, Captain Andrew Icing.
He obtained command, July 26, 1826, of the Jasper
sloop, on the Mediterranean station, and there served
until his advancement to post-rank, April 28, 1827. His
next appointment was on Oct. 14, 1843, to the Fox, 42,
in which frigate, after being for some time employed on
particular service, he sailed for the East Indies, where
be discharged the duties of Commodore. Sir H. M.
Blackwood married August 12, 1826, Harriet Louisa,
youngest daughter of J. M. Bulkeley, Esq., by whom
he has issue."

Since his East India Commodoreship the gallant de-
ceased has commanded the Vengeance, first succeeding
the Earl of Hardwicke in the Mediterranean, and then
recommissioning the ship on paying her off in July
last. The reformers of the service have lost a friend in
the death of Sir Henry, for he has been reported as
an approver, if not an active supporter of, a revisioa
of naval titles, and the establishment of a general mess
oa board ship. Lady Blackwood and ten children sur-
vive the Gallant Baronet.

Rear-Admiral Dixon, the Commander-in- Chief at
Queenstown, accompanied by his flag captain, secretary,
and Sage lieutenant, proceeded on board the Hogue, 60,
screw-ship, Captain Macdougall, on Friday morning,
and, after having inspected her throughout, exercised
the ship's company in shifting yards and sails, and sub-
sequently at toe guns, both in the ship and in the boats.
The gallant Admiral was much pleased with the general
efficiency of the crew.
Captain Superintendent Richards, C. 8., Commander
Cammillierl, and the officers of the Cumberland, 70,
commissioned the Boscawen, 70, on the 6tii, as the ordi-
nary guard-ship of Chatham.
Captain G. H. Seymour was to commission the Cum-
berland, 70, and to commence entering a crew of 650
officers and men, for service in the West Indies, as the
flag-ship for his father, Vice-Admiral Sir G. F. Sey-
mour, C. 8., G.C.H. Paymaster Rowe remains in this
ship.
Lieut. Charles T. Leckie (1845) has been appointed to
study steam at the factory, Woolwich.
Lieut. Thomas Saumarez (1848) has been appointed
additional to the Centaur, flag steam-frigate, on the
cuast of Africa, and proceeds in the Volcano.
PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—Fantome, 12, Commander
Genneys, sailed this morning for Plymouth, to receive
her wages and the dispatches and letters for New
Zealand.

Commander Heaslop and Mr. Horton's newly invented
night signal lights were tried last evening from Seaview
to the dockyard semaphore, the distance between the
points being about live miles. They appeared to answer
remarkably w ell, as the lights and their different colours
could be clearly seen without a telescope. The number
of lights in use at one time could not be distinctly made
out without a telescope at so great a distance. They ap-
peared to spectators from the platform in Portsmouth to
be one body of fire. These lights, we are informed, are
not intended for the use of ships, being too cumbersome,
owiLg to their weight and biz?, but are intended for use
along the coast, i❑ case of necessity.
PJAMOUTLI, 'TUESDAY.—The Right Hon. Lord John
Hay, Cutrnodore-Superintendent of the dockyard, re-
sumed his official duties yesterday, vi hen the red burgee
was hoisted at the main on board his flag-ship, the St.
George, 120, Captain J. Nies.
Voicano, steam.vessel, Commander W. J. Rivers, ar-
rived on Sunday from Portsmouth, and is appointed to
sail on Friday with the mails for the coast of Africa,
touching at Madeira.
The Samson steam-ship, Captain Jones, was placed
in dock yesterday to have her copper examined.
The Bloodhound steam-tender arrived yesterday with
marine artillery for the Samson.

Thu crew of the Diligence transport were paid wages
yesterday.
The Crane packet-brig, which arrived from Falmouth
on Saturday, is gone up to Ilaruoaau to be fitted for ser-
vice on the coast of Africa.

A notice has bLen posted at the police stations, dated
Devonport, January 5, 18441, and signed by Captain
Robert Smart, offering a reward of 1/. each for the ap-
prehensen of the captain of the wizen-top, 12 able sea-
men, four ordinary seamen, and tour privates, Royal
Marines, stragglers or deserters, from her Majesty's fri-
gate Indefatigable.
Two divisions of shipwrights have been placed on the
Narcissus frigate to get her ready fur launching in the
summer.

Letters have been received from her Majesty's steam-
ship Gladiator, Captain J. Adams, dated Bights of
Benin, September 25. She had taken five prises, one of
which, with 250 slaves, was sent to Sierra► Leone.
FALMOUTH, DEC. 29.—His Netherlands Majesty's new
steam-frigate, the Ardjoeno, of heavy armament, Cap-
tain A. J. Voet, arrived here this morning from Flush-
ing, prior to proceeding to Java, and will be supplied
with from 200 to 300 tons of coal. The Dutch Govern-
ment has selected Falmouth for upwards of ten years as
the fuel depot and port of departure for all their steamers
to the East and West India colonies. The Ardjoeno is
the largest steamer in the Dutch navy.

THE SCREW STEAMER BOSPHORUS.
The following is the copy of a letter addressed to the
Secretary of the General Screw Steam Shipping Com-
pany, dated off Madeira, Dec. 24, 1850:
" Being about to touch at Madeira and land our
passengers, I take the opportunity of sending a few lines
to inform you of our proceedings. We left Plymouth
on the morning of the 18th of December, weather much
finer, but we were scarcely out of the harbour when the
appearance of the weather changed, the wind backed to
south-westward, and it luoked dirty. However, off the
Lizard it became equally, and in a heavy puff, with hard
rain, about 3 P.M. the wind shifted to west-north-west
and north-westward, with which we stretched to the
south-south-westward, and, notwithstanding being
rather a deep and heavy sea, we made tolerable pro-
gress and good weather. The wind continued favour-
ing us till on Sunday last, at 1 P.M., having a fine fresh
breeze and appearance of continuing, we let the fires
down and feathered the screw, which we did with no
difficulty. We ran 24 hours without steam, under stud-
ding-sails and royals, making 215 miles. At 1 P.M.
on Monday, we tried the speed of the ship, with the
screw, in steaming position, and afterwards feathered;
rate 64- knots steaming position; 8 knots feathered.
Yesterday evening, wind becoming light, at 9.30 got
steam up, and the asrew was replaced in steaming posi-
tion in one minute. Thus far it has proved quite satis-
factory, and with the precaution of not letting the screw
go too long without changing its position, lest it should
get set fast, I feel it will be a great advantage and no
trouble in any way. It dries the ship as fast as the
old one, the engine making perhaps two or three revo-
lutions on the average more than with the other. The
engineer complains that the fuel is not very good; it
runs away fast, and evidently seems to have too much
tar in it, making much flame and dense black smoke.
The engineers themselves ate going on very well, very
attentive., and appear quite satisfied in all respects. The
passengers, I believe, are
quito happy and comfortable,
end, I doubt not, will continue so. 'l6e mail
.officer
is
very companionable, and rather an
acquisition than
otherwise. In fact, I consider everything is going on
with us as well as can reasonably be wished or hoped
for. The weather appears now settled from the north-
the fuel, consistent with dwoaradl,l alnedanwitlol,eclonexompeiczre, run us into the trades. I shall
keep-
ing up a good average speed, towards which I shall take
care thexi
t r THE Lo
eAacriv does its part."
oart.:
r
THE SCREW-STEAMER

IBOSPIIORI) F.
ss WeduFsday, Dec. 18.—At 8 A.m. passed ti e Break-
water ; wind south-westerly. 3 o'clock P.M. off the
Lizard; squally, wind to W.N.W.
" Thursday, Dec. 19.—Distance, 165 miles ; in lat.
48 deg. 1 min. N., long. 6 deg. 28 min. W.; very heavy
westerly swell, squally, N. wind.
" Friday, Dec. 20.—Distance, 195 miles ; in lat. 44
deg. 45 min. N., long. 8 deg. 25 min. W.; very heavy
westerly swell, N.E. wind.
" Saturday, Dec. 21.—Distance, 188 miles ; lat. 42
deg. 17 min. N., long. 11.15 W.; light N.E. breezes.
" Sunday, Dec. 22.—Distance, 211 miles; lat. 38 deg.
58 min., lung. 12.40 W. Wind N.E. and fine; 1 P.m.,
feathered screw.
" Monday, Dec 23.—Distance, 215 miles; lat. 35 deg.
31 min., long. 14.50; wind fresh, N.E. No steam.
" Tuesdav, Dec. 24.—Distance, 190 miles ;
"between
Porto Santo and Desertas; off Port of Madeira.

It has been the custom in France to take a census
of the population every five years. The last having taken
place in 1546, the present year will therefore see this great
and useful operation renewed. The following is the rate at
which, according to historians and official documents, the
i
population of Paris has gradually ncreased :- In the 13th
century Paris contained 120,000 souls; in 1474, 150,000;
under Henry 11., 210,000; in 1590, 200,000; under Louis,
XIV., 492,600; in 1719, 509,640 ; from 1752 to 1762,
5
according to Buffon, 658,000; in 1778,
according 76,6"; in 171otto 3n, 6,0,000 ; 1784, according to Neckel,
660,00:1; end of the reign of Louis XVI., 610,620 ; 1798
according to the cen4us, 640,5 '4; 1802, 672,000; 1806,
54",756 ; 1808, 580,609 ; 1809, 794,595 ; 1817, 743,966;
1827, 890,431; 1831, the commencement of quinquennial
census, 774,328; 1836, 909,126; 1841, 912,033 (exclusive of
soldiers, absentees, and children at nurse); 1646, 1,053,897 ;
and the department of the Seine, 1,365,467. The population
of the dc:partinmt is thus divided:-Ist arrondissement,
111,245; 2d, 117,768; 3d, 64,675; 4th, 48,233; sth, 96,628 ;
6th, 104,484; 7th, 72,593; Bth, 12,170; 9th, 52,604; 10th,
106,878 ; 11th, 66,119 ; 12th, 100,208 ; 13th (St. Denis),
187,513 ; 14th (Sceaux), 123,057. The population of France
in 1701 was 19,669,0J0 souls; in 1831, 32,560,934; in 1846,
35,430,486.
It is said that 500 guineas have been offered for the
privilege of advertising on the last page of the catalogue of
. the great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.