The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-29 00:00:00

URI TISH.

Aberdeen
Belfast And Ballymena .. ............
Belfast and County Down..
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire
Bolton, Blackburn, and West York ..
Bristol and Exeter • • .... • • .....
Caledonian....

85%
160
943 i

Chester and Holyhead
Dublin and llellast Junction
Dublin and Drogheda. • • •

Dublin and Kingstown .• • ........
Dundee and Arbroath •• •• • • •• •• ~

116%

171%
22
2:;.6
188
262%

12%
518 U
„5%

173'q
239

11%
157 X
9NI

49614

I- : ,is
222

Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen Junction
Dundalk and Enniskillen. • .. • • • • • • • .
East Ang1ian.......... •.............
Eatt Lancashire ••••
Eastern Counties and \orfolk.•
Eastern Union ................

Edinburgh and Glasgow .•• • •• •• •• • •
Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee......
Furness Railway ... ..............

Glasgow, and South-Western• • .•
Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock • • ..
Great Northern and E. L • • • • • • • • .
Great Southern and Western,(lreland)
Great Western •• • •
Lancaster and Carlisle • • • • • • • • • .....
Lancashire and Y0rk5hire............
Leeds and Thirsk ••..•••• • • • • • • • ...
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport....
London and North Western. ....
London and Blackwall.• • • • • ........

London, Brighton, and South Coast..
London aad South We5tern.........
Londonderry and Enniskillen .....
Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, &c.
Manchester, Sheffield, andlLincolnsblre
Manchester and South Junction
Mary port and Carlisle • • • • •
Midland ..... • ..

lland-Great Western (Irish)
Newcastle and Car ......
North British • • •••• •• •••••• • • • •
North Staffordshire
North-Western ........
Scottish Central•
Scottish Midland

.£953
542

442
3,456
6,292
1,454

6O
2,810
14,380
1,809
3,037
2,117

2,999
1,032
3,091
4,150
14,524
3,172
11,170

687
115
40,659

605
7,694
8,466

103
4,757

342
612
20,106
‘1,072
1,995
3,075

1,251
380
1,343

Shrewsbury and Chester •• • • • • • • ••
Shropshire Union ... ..... ........

South 1••••/1.1•• •• •• •., • •• •••• 00000 • ••
South Esstern•—• •• ••..
South Wales ........ ..... .........

'446
1,708
8,593

South York., Doncaster, and Goole ..
Taff Vale • • • • •• • • •• • • •• • •
Ulster. •• •• • • • • • • •• • *
Waterford and Limerick .......... ••
West Cornwall ......
Whitehaven Junction ... ••• • .. •• ••

1,120
2,055
801

1851.

York and Newcastle. and Berwick ...
York and North Midland ...........

£1,280
621
163
1,092
645
3,568
6,5t2
2,141
388
795
546
206
631

642
3,503
12,046
1.754
3,484
1,910
389

FOREIGN.

3,576

975
7,868
4,302
13,204
3,773
14,401

333
40,410

Amlens and 80u10gne.......
Dieppe .. • • • • ...... ..........
Montereau and Troyes .......... • • ..
Northern of France ................

744
7,263
7,U69
165
120
5,743

404
586
20,363
1,125

Orleans to Bourges (Cent.) ........
Orleans to Bordeaux .... • • .. •• ....
Paris and Orleans ................

Paris and Rouen . ..........
Rouen and llavre ..........

2,126
8.087
4,740
432
1,604
501
1,573
535
1,591
8,748

201
11,516
6,793

1,113
2,505
860
827

196
13,417
7,057

1,430

1,119

826
16,102
3,150
8,014
7,435
5,332
2,080

974
15,856
3,070
2,926
7 312
5,b43
2,212

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.
(William Cubitt, Esq., President, in the chair.)
The paper read on Tuesday was " On the Improve-
ment of the Navigation of the River Newry," by Sir
John Rennie, M. Inst. C.E.

This navigation naturally divided itself into three
districts. The first division, extending from the source
of the river, to the town of Newry, was shallow, cir-
cuitous, and obstructed, and from the great inelination
of the bed of the river, the current was very rapid,
which combined causes prevented any other than small
boats from navigating this part of the river. The se-
cond division, from Newry to Warren Point, was car-
ried through the narrow channel of the river, for a
length of 1 mile, then through an extensive tidal lake,
for a lengtn of 3 miles, as far as Narrow Water Castle,
and from thence to Warren Point, a further distance of

1i mile, where it entered Lough Carlingford. The na-
vigation through this division was originally so defec-
tive, that only vessels of about 100 tons burthen could
reach Newry at spring tides. The channel was ex-
tremely irregular, crooked, full of eddies, and difficult of
navigation; in some places it was dry at low water, and
in many had not more than 2 feet 6 inches depth of
water over shoals, with occasional rapid falls. The
third division extended from Warren Point to the Irish
Channel, through Lough Carlingford, a distance of 12
miles. In this division there was little difficulty, as the
depth of water varied from two fathoms at Warren
Point, to 20 fathoms at the entrance from the Irish
Channel.

Such was the state of the Newry navigation in the
year 1760. At that time the Irish Government di-
rected the Board of Inland Navigation to examine the
Port of Newry, and point out what was considered the
best plan for improving it. After much investigation, it
wfis finally decided to make a canal from Newry to a
place called Fathom, on the south side of the river, and
about 2 miles below the town. This canal was 80 feet
in width at the top, and 9 feet 6 inches in depth. The
entrane3 luck, at Fathom, was 128 feet in length. and
24 feet in width. This canal was opened for traffic in
1769, and eacted a grea►t improvement in the naviga-
tion, and consequently in the trade, as vessels of 120
tons were readily brought up to the town. Simulta-
neously with the completion of the canal, a floating dock,
or basin, was made through the centre of the town of
Newry, and from the upper end of it, another canal of
smaller dimensions, fur barges, was' carried 9 miles up
the valley, to the summit between the Newry and Bann
rivers.

Again, in the year 18:2.9 eq., abolition of the Irish
Board of Inland Navigatio _'ompany was formed, and
an Act of Parliament was yaGsed, for transferring the
whole of the works into their bands, and binding them
to complete the navigation,2 according to a particular
plan, within seven }Tars .rom the passing of the Act.
According to this pion the river was straightened and
deepened, in the first instance by giving full effect to the
flux and reflux of the tide, and increasing the quantity
of backwater, or natural scour, upon the bed of the
river, and afterwards by means of dredging, blasting, and
diving• bell work. The portion of the navigation from
lloyle'n Hole upwards was so liable to be silted up, and
there was already so much alluvial matter requiring to be
removed, that it was thought advisable to extend the
canal from Fathom to this point. The size of the entrance
lock was also increased, and the original canal itself much

improved and deepened, so that vessels of about 500 tons
burthen could reach Newry and discharge their cargoes
directly into the warehouses.
The works for the improvement of the river, and the
construction of the old canal, were commenced in 1830,
and the extension and enlargement of the canal in 1842.
The paper minutely described the details of the various
locks, gates, rubble walls, embankments, with pitching,
and other constructions, the whole of which had been
completed by April, 1850, at 9. cost of 170,0001., of which
100,0001. was the estimate for the new works, and about
60,0001. for the old works.
In conclusion the author directed the attention of
members to the question, as to how far the advantages
of dredging, and other artificial means, might be carried
in the improvement of rivers, and where the canal be-
came superior, both as to economy and certainty of
result.

The Paper announced to be read at the meeting of
Tuesday, April 1, when the monthly ballot for members
will take place, was: " A Description of the Lockwood
Viaduct, on the Huddersfield and Sheffield Railway," by
Mr. John Hawkshaw, M. Inst. C.E.

BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT SOCIETY.—The repor
of the directors of this institution for the year 1850 states
that they have expended nearly 4751. during the past year.
Two hundred and ten pounds has been distributed in tempo-
rary relief among six retail booksellers, ten booksellers' as-
sistants, one widow ofa wholesale bookseller, two widows of re-
tail booksellers, and four widows of booksellers' assistants ; the
same parties having received upwards of 8001. in former
years. For permanent relief, or annuities during the past
year, seven booksellers' assistants, one widow of a retail
bookseller, and ten widows of booksellers' assistants, have
received above 2601.; the same parties having previously
received nearly 4001. Four of the booksellers' assistants
receiving permanent relief have had comfortable and happy
homes provided for them at the booksellers' provident retreat.
The sums granted for assistance have yearly increased ;
2,5001. having been thus expended since October, 1840, when
1 the institution began to grant relief; and, up to the present
time, one wholesale bookseller, fourteen retail booksellers,
forty-eight booksellers' assistants, one widow of a wholesale
bookseller, five widows of retail booksellers, and thirteen
widows of booksellers' assistants, have experienced the
timely and valuable aid of this institution. Notwithstand-
ing these and ether necessary demands upon the funds, the
directors are enabled confidently to anticipate that the per-
manent fund of 20100/. will be obtained before the next
annual general meeting.
YACHT ACCIDENT.—SOUTHAMPTON, FRI
George
DAY:.
Last evening the yacht Sea Dog, the pp y
ert
Parren, Esq., left the Southampton river at about half-past
ro of
six o'clock, with her owner. accompanied by his brother,
Robert Barfet, Esq., for Yarmouth, Isle of
WhWight, the
Cal sh winotd
at the time blowing from the westward. en off ,
she came in contact with the steamer Duke of Buccleucb,
and with such force that the yacht immediately sunk, and
those on board were immersed in the water. Mr. Parren,
with the commander and man, succeeded in getting hold of
the steamer's boat, but Mr. Barfet lost his hold, and was in
the water for about ten minuted, when the captain of the
steamer (Mr. Gilpin) most heroically jumped overboard and
succeeded in holding Mr. Barfet until the boat came to their
rescue anti picked them sip. Mr. Barfet was a good deal ex-
hausted, but irons the exertions of those on board the steamer,
and medical assistance having been speedily procured when the
steamer reached the pier, we are happy to say he is in a fair
way of recovery. The exertions of the captain and crew of
the steamer are highly spoken of by those who were in the
yacht. An attempt, we believe, will be made to raise the
yacht in the course of the day.
APOTHECARIES' HALL.—The following
names of the gentlemen who passed their examination
the science and practice of medicine, and received
cates to practise, on Thursday, the 27th of M ar e
t.hii. in
il certifi-
cates
Duncalfe, Walsall;' Robert Vaile Skianer,.
William Pilkington, Leyland, Lancashire • John F.wens,
Axminster, Devon ; Henry Benjamin Wood,' New Romney,
1-1 earadece'rn, Kent.;
Kent; George Dawson Armstrong, Cumberland.
DESTRUCTION OF TWO HOUSES BY FIRE AT CHAT-
HAM, MARCH 28.—This morning, shortly after two o'clock,
a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. .John Clift, pawn-
broker,
the next
x
i gnhe-st house,
High-street, re e Chathamt,
in
t the occupation es ou
rapid were the flames,
that
pation of Mr. Moses
Goodman, clothier, was soon in a blaze. Both houses are
burned to the ground ; owing to the ravages of the fire very
little property is saved. The entire stock of Mr. Clift, the
greatest porttop being pledge., is reduced to ashes,

;,--7
...1...
r
.'----- .- /--er---,-7--,
, .- --
THE GREAT EX , .ITION•
----::::-D,
We find upon inquiry that all i . it is removed as.= ~.
opening of the Great Exhib. i/i i on the day ory
_ amed, the Ist of May. The •mmissioners of the ding
)
re of opinion, that however difficult it may be to bring that
vast assemblage of objects and commodities into shape and
er within the ensuing month, any inconvenience is pre-
fer eto a postponement of the Exhibition and an apparent
breac of faith, however involuntary, with the exhibitors
and e public. This definitive resolution of the Commis-
si rs has been announced by placards in red letters on the
pre-
fer
external hoarding of the edifice.
A second point on which considerable doubt ban been en-
tertained may now, we believe, be considered as equally set
at rest. The heavy rains of the last fortnight came upon the
building before it had received the external coat of paint
which is always found necessary to render any skylights
watertight. In addition to this circumstance a considerable
number of the glass compartments had sustained injury and
breakage in the process of construction. The consequence
was, a considerable and alarmed dripp'ng of rain into the
Exhibition. The broken panes are now being replaced as
the external painting of the building proceeds, and the
utmost confidence is entertained by the contractors and
building committee that the rapid progress of this work in
the course of a few fine days will remove all apprehension on
this subject.
With reference to the internal arrangements of the objects
to be exhibited, the progress is now equally rapid, and that
honourable rivalry which has brought the products of all
nations for competition to Hyde Park is now chiefly direoted
to the rapid transmission and arrangement of innumerable
packages and stores from every part of the world. The
foreign agents employed in clearing and arranging goods are
contending successfully against the greater facilities of access
and conveyance in the United Kingdom; and the same ex-
cellent spirit continues to animate the whole body.
In order to save some of the enormous labour of the Exe-
cutive Committee, and to give a greater variety to the Ex-
hibition, different courts or quadrangular spaces have been
allotted to :ifferent bodies of exhibitors. The Austrians are
about to furnish a suite of four rooms ; a cotton-spinner, from
Lancashire, will exhibit the whole process of the cotton
manufacture in another; and a similar space has been given
to Messrs. Pugin, Hardman, of Birmingham ; Crace, Minton,
and Potter, to fit up a mediaeval court, or chamber, in which
one side will be hung with church furniture, the three re-
maining sides with domestic furniture of the same era, and
in the middle there will be a mixture of flowerpots, fonts,
armchairs, tables, &c., which will remove the impression of a
strictly ecclesiastical character in a secular exhibition.
The Council of the Society of Arts have determined to ap-
propriate their rooms in John-street, Adelphi, to the hoe-
pitable duties which the international character of the Great
Exhibition suggest.. As a first step is that direction, they
have elected all the representatives of foreign countries at the
Exhibition honorary members of their body, and they have
decided on the formation of reading and writing rooms for
the use of our Visitors from abroad.' They eotudder that their
odieesivill form a convenient and central spot to which Op
letters" of foreign exhibitors maybe directed, and theyjprss. isig
pose to hold weekly conversaziones at- which inn? irtair 7 -
visitors will probably attend. As the Exhibition ii, to a cer-
tain extent, the offspring of the society, this attempt to fill
up agreeably the gaps which the attractions of the world's
fair may still leave unsupplied cannot be too highly praised.
By such aids as the performances of glee and madrigal club,
can supply, and by the collection of those specimens of
British art in painting and other departments which are now
in private hands, those who come to see oar industrial
wealth may also be enabled to appreciate the genius of oar
country upon points wherein the collection of prodactiAn
Hyde-park will necessarily leave them uninformed. The
society, too, will have the satisfaction of contributing in a
material degree to the comfort of those strangersjihom we
have invited to a peaceful rivalry, and who have cihie to us,
we trust, in the same liberal and confiding temper as that
which induced us to throw open to them our Exhibition.
The connecting-rods for the louvre beards began to be fixed
yesterday, and the Executive Committee propose issuing a
notice to the thermometer-makers, offering them space for
the exhibition of thermometers of all kinds, in order to test
the efficiency of the system of ventilation adopted in the
building. The Executive Committee are also, with the as-
sistance of Dr. Lindley, endeavouring to carry out plans for
the decoration of the interior with choice flowers.

IRONMASTERS' PRELIMINARY

MEETING.

DUDLEY, FRIDAY.—The customary meeting of ironmasters
immediately preceding quarter-days was held in this town
yesterday. These meetings are held for the purpose of de-
termining, if possible, the prices of iron for the ensuing
quarter; that is, the first houses, who are what is termed

•
" members of the trade," after duly considering the present
position and future prospects of the manufacture, tix upon
rates to which they generally abide; but it is needless to
say that many respectable ironmasters, carrying on a seocnd-
rate business, and who do not feel bound by the decisions of
these assemblages, are in the constant habit of selling at
lower prices. The attendance yesterday afternoon was nu-
merous' and comprised many, if not most, of the largest and
most influential ironmasters of the district.

The decision at which the meeting would, in all probabi-
lity, arrive, had been for some time anticipated by those
who had watched the progress, or rather the decline, of the
iron trade, since the quarter-days of January. An advance
of rates appeared to be out of the question ; a maintenance
of present prices, or their reduction, was considered the only
alternative. The former of these two courses, after much
deliberation, has been resolved upon, but it remains to be
seen whether it will be strictly enforced at the several quar-
terly meetings which will be held in the course of the ensu-
ing fortnight.
In January it will be recollected that a slight advance of
prices occurred, and, from appearance', hopes were enter-
tained that orders, then more than previously numerous,
would enable the ironmasters to continue the works of the
district, if not in full, at least in moderate or average em-
ploy. The result has not justified those anticipations. At
an early period after the last prices were fixed their mainte-
nance was found extremely difficult, and purchasers dis-
covered within a month that they had bought!' at higher
rates than the subsequent state of the iron-market warranted.
The second-rate masters pursued the system of underselling,
arid even makers who were parties to ihe settlement of the
January prices were glad to accept orders from merchants
at figures considerably lower than only a few peeks
before they bad resolved to exact. A gentleman practically
connected with the ion trade of South Staffordshire
writes thus :—" An entire absence of all speculative im-
pulse still prevails; orders continue to be par-
tially distributed, some works being plentifully pro-
vided, while others have scarcely half employment.,
and it is a subject of universal complaint that business is
being transacted without remuneration. Luring he last
fortnight buyers have again had the advantage; but, al-
though for a short time the tone of feeling rallied, there was
still underselling, which would have been carried further
were it not impracticable with the present scale of wages.
The depression of the home trade, which bears peculiarly
upon the Staffordshire market (alluding, it is presumed, to
agriculture), and the low figures by which the Vi elsh makers
are endeavouring to secure the lion's share of rail and fo-
reign orders, added to the introduction into our distict of so
much inferior material, seem to have put aside all prospect
of obtaining any improvement of prices during the spring or
autumn months.

The incautious over-extension of works in times of sudden
unexpected, and temporary prosperity, combined with the
formidable competition of the Scotch and Welsh ironmasters,
are justly deemed among the principal causes of the continued
depression of the South Staffordshire iron trade. The make
and the means of making, and with such formidable rivals,
are far too great for the regular demand of home or fo-
reign markets; for, although during the last six months
the exports of iron to North America, owing to
peculiar circumstances, have been very considerable, that
market is already becoming dull, and in all probability, if
report speaks truly, some degree of stagnation, so far as iron
is concerned, may be anticipated. There is no probability
of the tariff of 184 ). being rendered higher, and the large
cargoes of iron which, in anticipation of such an event, have
been imported into New York, will now be thrown into the
market. The intelligence brought by the Cambria and the
Ent ope bear out this opinion.
A reduction of make, or a reduction of wages, are the two
remedies suggested, the former of these palliatives being of
Scotch origin. Let either the one er the other be adopted, it
is clear the workpeople must be the sufferers. The iron-
masters of South Staffordshire, are, and ever have been par-
ticularly anxious not to curtail the employment or
reduce the remuneration of their men; to such an
extent has this considerate feeling been exhibited that
many works have been carried on which, if profit only bad
entered into the masters' minds would have been closed, for
the purpose of giving employment and support to the neigh-
bouring population. But the question aries, what is to be
done? For a time, in a certain portion of the iron district
the manufacture received a temporary impetus from work
executed for the erection of the Crystal Palace; and, again,
the iron culverts required for the sewers of the metropolis
gave a little spirt to the iron trade of this immediate neigh-
bourhood. The orders for the former are completed, and
those for the latter fast progressing. To add to this gloomy
representation of the iron interests in the midland counties
the iron trade of Wales and Scotland, according to latest ac-
counts, is not in a much better condition. Orders are scarce,
and prices declining.

COMPLETION OF NELSON COLUMN, CHARING..
cnoss.—As there seems no probability of the lions mounting
guard at the foot of the Nelson Column this year, I would
suggest, by way of a temporary finish, that four field gnus
complete be placed on the four projections. Correspondent of
the Builder.

.....
ROYAL ORTIIOP2EDIC HOSPITAL. The annual
meeting of the friends and patrons of this charity took place
yesterday, at the Freemasons Tavern, Great Queen-street;
Quarles Harris, Esq., in the chair. The report stated that
there had been a considerable increase in the funds of this
institution during the past year, as well as in the number of
patients who had received relief from it. The fluids, how-
ever, had been merely adequate to the requirements, for in
the ggerneaertaalttioatinent a benefit not
many cases the patients remained in the wards for a wallw
considerable period, which of course tended to i...
proveeo s o inf
theeresse the
annual expenditure. Many most important imprevenientil
thehad p
been made dwe
hbiychthweosuulrdgn
only to C
had,fes, but to the community at large Her
Majesty by a donation of 250 guineas to this cliarity,
purchased for his Royal Highness the prince of Wales the
perpetual right of having an in-patient in the wards; and
there was, at the present time, a girl twelve years of age
pro
severely afflicted in both feet, progressing most satisfactorily,
placed there by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
'The number of in-patient, admitted during the past year
was 79, of whom 56 were discharged cured, 23 were relieved,
and there were now remaining in the wards 36. The total
number of in and out patients during last year was 1,455,
which was an increase over last year of 160. Since the open-
ing of the caarity there bad been 10,570 cases admitted. The
receipts for the past rear amounted to 2,1621. 3s. 2d., and the
disbursements to 1,8-861. 12s. Bd., leaving a balance of 27M.
108. 6d. The repo t was adopted, some formal resolutions
passedl Officers for the ensuing year electe', and, after a vote
of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.
New IRISH ENCUMBERED ESTATES ACT.--We be.
lieve we are correct in stating, that it is the intention of
Government to introduce a Bill, probably before the Easter
recess, extending the duration of the Irish Encumbered
Estates Commission for seven years. The new measure will
also enable the Commissioners to include arrears of rent in
the sale of any property brought within their jurisdiction,
and on the determination of the Commission, all their powers
are to be vested in the Irish Court of Chancery.

A too fastidious moral, like too fastidious a taste in
diet, impairs enjoyment. Those are best constituted for
happiness whose refinement is of the average quality, con•
genial to the world they live in.—Eliza Cook's Journal.
INTEREST ON RAILWAY DEBBNTUUES.—Notwith-
standing the unprecedentedly high rate of interest charged
on what are called railway " continuations," at the Stock
Exchange, railway companies of ordinary credit have no
difficulty in borrowing money at 4 per cent.

We regret exceedingly to learn that the latest ac-
counts received from Bowood represent the Marchioness of
Lansdowne to be gradually sinking•