The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-14 00:00:00

ACCIDENT TO A SMUGGLER.

At six o'clock on Monday morning last a man was
found lying on a ledge of the cliff, about 60 feet above
the level of the beach, a short distance to the east of
the Beclesbourne coast-guard station. On the ledge
were 15 tubs of spirits, and on the beach below were
a quantity more, making 58 in all. Two of the tubs
on the ledge were broken, one being quite empty, and
the other standing upright about half full. The man,
whose name is John Tilden, lay helpless on the
ground, being evidently much injured by falling from
the cliff above. His head was severely wounded,
and it was afterwards found that his body was much
bruised, especially on one of the thighs. It is
supposed that he had lain there from the hour of
two in the morning. The upper part of his dress
was soaked in blood, and he was saturated with
water from the rain which had fallen. He was
unable to move, and was benumbed with cold,
but not insensible. The horrors of his situation dur-
ing the night were aggravated by fears as to the fall-
ing of the overhanging cliffs, a fragment of which fell
as he lay and struck him on the stomach. Close by
bim was the half tub of brandy, from which he would
fain have refreshed himself, but he was unable to
reach it owing to the injuries he had received. On
being discovered be was removed to the Preventive
Station, where he remained a short time, after which
be was conveyed to the Hastings Infirmary. On
examination it was found that he had broken no
bones, though he was severely bruised and shaken.
The coast-guard knew nothing of the occur-
rence. He was very reserved, showing no dis-
position to commit himself. On the morning of the
occurrence a boat containing two men landed on the
beach at Hastings, its occupants stating that they
were come ashore for beef. Haling landed, they,
forthwith decamped. The coast-guard took posses-
sion of the craft, which is a French punt without any
name on her. Rumour states that two tubs of spirits
were " run " over the cliff. How fax Tilden was
concerned in the matter remains to be seen. He is
well known in the town, and has for many years been
foreman to a builder. The locality selected for this
daring enterprise was a most dangerous spot, the cliff
rising to a great altitude. Of course the tubs are in
safe custody. Neither the spirits nor the boat are very
likely to be claimed.—Brighton Herald.

ROYAL MARINES.
(From the Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette)
THE NEW MESS QUARTERS.—Within the past week
the splendid new mess quarters at Forton have been
given over to the Admiralty, for the lodging of the
officers of this division of the Royal Marines, and more
complete, spacious, and even magnificent quarters the
realm does not contain. A personal inspection by one
who has frequently been a visitor to the old quarters of
this corps in Portsmouth, furnished ample food for re-
flection on the bountiful generosity of the naval admi-
nistration of the country in thus providing such comfort,
elegance, and convenience, for the gallant, meritorious,
and always loyal and faithful Royal Marines. We
scarcely know which to admire most in the structure,
from the descriptive report furnished by our representa-
tive, who was escorted over the building on Wednesday
by a gallant veteran officer, and the contractor. To
begin, however, with an effort—the cellarage is ample
enough to contain stock for a siege three times the length
of that of Troy if compulsory. The kitchen is replete
with every appliance of modern art and culinary per-
ft ction, lofty, commodious, and healthy, even the palace
of the sovereign is not Letter supplied with the neces-
saries and auxiliaries of the cuisine to a more generous
extent. The arrangements of the pay department are
unique, but must be inspected to be understood and pro-
perly appreciated. The field officers' and subalterns'
quarters are as ample and elegant as a generous com-
mission could design, and yield the most general satis-
faction. The grand entrance to the mess-room
is capa-
cious and classic in its design, and exhibits in its ex-
ternal features the welcome to its hospitalities within.
Branching off on either side of the entrance hall are
handsome proportioned dining-room and library, large,
well lighted, and in suitable keeping with the grandeur
above. Facing the hall of entrance a gallery for the ac-
commodation of the band of the corps has been erected,
and proved to be admirably placed for giving effect to
the performances of the talented occupants. Ascending
the grand staircase (and it is grand in the truest accep-
tation of the term) we first arrive at the banqueting-
room of the corps, a right regal hall of state,
pro-
portions are commensurate with the extent of the
hospitality known to be so generally exercised. by the
Roy al Marines. When equipped thy; whose n
banqueting-room
e ting-roorn
gate to
_he parade
. ground,
will be the most magnificent of the kind in the kingdom,
oned officers in connexion
adjutant's room, court-martial room,
and most probably out of it. The commandant's
t offices
on the right of the entrance
mistress, on the left of the
andwit h those
it;
also
o f the
then
orderly room, the school-rooms for boys and girls, and
present features of accommodation and
e ntta residencesfor
nweei,th: ut,
convenience which. no official can occupy, or visitor be-
hold,eaet of the utmost convenience and comfort having
impressed with the everywhere ap-
parentbeen studied in this removal of the Royal Marines to
Forton, where they may now be considered as established
bre.mansgter
en permanence. All unite in giving the Admiralty the
warmest. praise for their generous bounty and considera-
tion in so handsomely berthing their gallant representa-
tives
in arms. First cost is generally the least, and
assuredly it was far bettor and more economical in the
Admiralty thus to expend a little more at starting in
this matter than by botching up a heterogeneous mass
of shapeless buildings (which on the first exigency for
increased accommodation would have to be pulled
down), pay, after all, through the nose for the requisite
accommodation.

Captain Thomas Fraser of this division proceeded on
Monday to Chatham, to embark for service in the Cum-
berland, 70, the flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Sir George
Seymour, but has been found on medical inspection
unfit for active service, and will no doubt be surveyed
with the view, we hope (from the value of the past ser.
vices and excellent character of the gallant officer), to
his retirement on tull pay.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mercer went to Haslar Hospital
on Wednesday, to be treated for the effects of a fall on
the pavement whilst returning to his quarters at Forton
at night.

BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE.---Yesterday the Corpora-
tion Committee appointed to inquire into the most efficient
means for securing Biacktriars-bridge against further subsi-
dence paid an official visit to that structure. It was found
that the sinking. had been checked by the works lately car-
ried on at the pep, and no further damage is anticipated.
The model of :an iron stay, which it is proposed to apply to
the arches, was inspected and approved. It is expected
that the necessary repairs on the road of the bridge may be
completed without closing the bridge.
SHETLAND.--it is stated that a promise has been
obtained from Sir Charles Wood, Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, of assistance from Government towards the completion
of the trunk lines of road in Shetland.

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SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.