The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-06 00:00:00

LONDON, 3. I! URSDAY EVENING,

be the 73d regiment, killed, and 5 mule waggons taken,
with drivers, &c. All this is horrid, bu:, we tnu,t luok
forward to venter tim-s.
Another hand writes :

A party of 15 of the C. M. Rifle, and a pwrty of ut
30 of the 91st were engaged from one to three o'clock
yesterday. The C. M. Rifles aro spoken of in the highest
terms.

Nine o'Clock.—The Kafirs have burned a house
within sight of the Rist, about a mile off. A party of
the C. M. Rifles and the 91st went out yesterday. Toe
Kafirs kept them bard at it for two hours. The Kafirs
were never known to fight before as they fight now.
Extract of a letter, dated

Fort Hare, 26th Dee.

The whole of the military villages have been de-
stroyed. A patrol is now going out to ascertain what
damage is done. The Kafirs also have burned the police-
station, only 300 yards from the fort.
Eleven o'Clock.—A report has just come i❑ that the
troops have been fighting the whole of the night at Fort
White. It is supposed that twenty men have fallen
on our side, and that some more havo fallen in
Colonel Mackinnon's division. The murders that have
been committed at the military villages are teuly heart-
rending—men, women, and children share alike. A
girl of twelve years of age was hanged by the Kafirs.

* This is doubtful, subsequent information stating
that the women and children were spared.—Editor of
Graham's Town Journal.

THE ADVERTISEMENT.
(From Eliza Cook's Journal)
" Now, Laura, my love, write as I dictate, and take
care of your stops."
" Yes, mamma, I am quite ready."
. " Well, begin. Wanted a Governess; that is the
usual heading of such things, I believe. Let me see—
comma after Governess—then go on ; to instruct three
young ladies in French, (comma) Music,"—
" Oh, mamma," interpoed the writer, " We must have
Italian too."
" Well, put down Italian before Music, with a comma
between, then go on—Singing, and the ordinary branches
of a sound English Education (cull point). She will be
expected to take the entire charge of the wardrobe (full
point). Size must be of an amiable and social disposition,
(comma) and—now what shall we say hero?"
" Of genteel manners, mamma." _

" Well, you may set down—accustomed to genteel so-
ciety—l think that will do. Ob, yes—add, as she will be
treated as one of the family."
" But these people, mamma, expect something to be
said about salary."
" Ail true; I had almost forgotten that part of it.
What ;hall we say? We gave your last governess fif-
teen pounds: I think for twenty we ought to get quite a
superior person. Add—Salary twenty pounds per annum.
Ample references must be given. Apply to—add the ad-
dress, my love; and now, Harry, will you be good
enough to get that advertisement inserted in the limes
and Herald."

Harry Ferrers, who had been sitting in an adjoining
room during the dictation of this remarkable advertise-
ment, was the only son of the gay Mrs. Ferrers, who
was now on the look out for an accomplished governess
for her charming daughters. He was the eldest of the
family, and had succeeded to the eminent banking con-
nexion of his father, now several years deceased. He
was still young, not yet twenty-five, but he gave indica-
tions of considerable business talents, and his tastes had
been well cultivated in his early years, by a liberal edu-
cation. On being appealed to by his mother, he replied
that he would see the advertisement inserted, and pro-
ceeded to read it over before placing it in his pocket.
"French, Italian, Music, Sitigiog, a sound English
Education,—to take charge of the wardrobe,—amiable
and sociable,—accustomed to genteel society! Why,
such a woman would be a treasure: I too am just look-
ing out for such an one," observed the youth.
" llow ? And for what? asked Mrs. Ferrers. _ _

" Why, fora wife, to be sure! If you find any lady
that at all comes near to this standard, I hope you will
let me know of her. I have never been able to meet
with such a paragon as this."
" Oh, Henry, how you do talk."
" I can find beauty, but without the amiable disposi-
tions; most generally it is allied to conceit. Then, I
find many young ladies sufficiently familiar with French
and Italian, but without anything like a sound English
culture; acquainted with music, but quite ignorant, I
dare to say, of the care of a wardrobe. But one, in
whom all these are united, where, oh! where is she to be
found?"

" Well, there will be applicants enough, I can assure

you."
" What! Can there be more than one such woman
upo❑ earth?"
" Why, only last time we advertised, we had above
thirty applications."
" And were they such paragons as you have described
here?"
" Oh, we selected what we thought the best of them.
You remember Miss Fribsby?"
" Ah!"
" But this time we may be more fortunate."
" True; your high salary may induce some gifted be-
ing to enter the lists."
" High I do you think it; why"—
" On, don't lower the salary on any account—let the
figure stand as it is; seriously, it seems to me that you
hold the languages, the graces, and the virtues very
cheap: that is what I really mean."
" It we offered more we should be positively inun-
dated with applications. You have Lio idea of the
number of —"
"Of paragon young women—l see. But I shall have
the advertisement properly inserted," placing it in his
pocket and leaving the room—" Adieu; au revoir."
The advertisement appeared in due season, amongst
a long list of similar announcements, in the leading
journals. Ah! many are the palpitating hearts that
beat over these invitations to hard work, a slender sa-
lary, and the vision of a home! Daughters, retaining
the delicacy of past affluence, but now condemned to the
privations and trials of poverty; orphan girls, bred in
luxury and ease, but whom a sudden bereavement has
rendered penniless and destitute; young ladies, full of
accomplishments, and endowed with all the learning that
the most fashionable schools can bestow, but unable with
the aid of these to relieve the almost insupportable
tedium of a poverty-stricken home—hang eagerly over
the Governess columns, and proceed forthwith to indite
their applications, fearful lest, through the slightest de-
lay, they should incur the risk of another disappoint-
ment.
The day after the appearance of the advertisement in
question, a host of letters lay on the boudoir table of
Mrs. Ferrers, which she proceeded to deal with in a
most business-like manner. In the course of less than
half an hour she had sorted the letters into three several
lots, namely, those decidedly rejected, on account, some
of defective punctuation, others of ungraceful diction,
and a few because of bad grammar and writing. A
second, and much smaller lot, consisted of applications
tram persons " likely to suit," and a third consisted of
doubtful applications, wanting in proper references as to
character, qualifications, &c. Having at length finally
selected six of the most likely applicants, she proceeded
to address notes to those, requesting the favour of a per-
sonal interview.
The next morning the great hall-door knocker of Mrs.
Ferrers was disturbed by the timid tat-tats of a succes-
sion of young ladies, to whom the honour of a personal
interview had been conceded. The first who presented
herself was a slender girl, dressed in black, in appear-
ance scarce over eighteen years of age. The deep
crape upon her garments indicated a recent family loss,
and her pale cheeks and heavy eyes showed that grief
had nut been a stranger to her. The interview held
with her was brief and unsatisfactory, as appeared by
the struggling tears she could not conceal, and which
dropped from the long, black eyelashes upon her cheeks,
as she emerged from the hall-door. She was " too
young," and Mrs. Ferrers decided that she was incom-
petent to undertake the office of finishing governess to
her daughters.
The next that appeared was a thin, hectic-cheeked
girl, in a faded silk dress, and plain straw bonnet, neatly
trimmed. She hesitated before she ventured to lift the
massive knocker, and seemed scarcely to have nerve
enough to raise it. She wrung her bands, half turned
to go away; but summoning up her courage anew, she
at last lifted the knocker, let it fall, and a plush-liveried
footman appeared, answered her inquiry, and ushered
her into the house. In a few minutes she re-appeared,
with her head bowed, her shoulders stooping, and she
seemed to stagger, rather than walk away down the
street. Mrs. Ferrers had found her" shabbily dressed,"
and not at all a likely person to impart proper ideas of
gentility to her daughters.
A third came up, knocked without hesitation, and in-
quired " whether Mrs. Ferrers were at home?" The
answer was " Yes, ma'am." " I desire to be shown to
her?"—and she presented her card. The footman cast
his eyes askance at her, and wondered—" can this be
another guvniss?" This lady had no doubts nor mis-
givings. She was evidently accustomed to plush foot•
men; she was not abashed in the least, and was ushered
into the presence of the lady of the house with perfect
self-possession. Indeed, you could scarcely infer from
the expression of her features, when she lent the house,
whether she had been successful in her application or
not, so indifferent and thoroughly self-satisfied did she
seem.

Another and another followed—and at last the sixth
applicant draws near. She looks timid and hurried, as
if too late, and she walks rapidly up to the door and
gives a double knock. Let us describe her as she waits
there, anxious and tremulous. She is tall, round, and
graceful; dark-haired and dark-eyed, a clear, beaming
sweetness mantling her features, and almost speaking
from her delicate ripe lips. Her complexion is fair; and
a warm, rich colour mantles in her cheeks, almoSt
heightened into a blush by the exercise of her walk,
and the agitation of the moment. She is carefully but
plainly dressed in black silk, her neat mantilla falling
down her back only serving to reveal the outlines of her
finely turned figure; and a little collar, of the finest
point lace, sets off to the best advantage the pure white
of her taper neck. along which float a few glossy curls
of her waving dark hair. But here comes the footman,
and to the young lady's inquiry of whether Mrs. Fer-
rers was at home?" his answer was—" She is, walk in;"
when she flits through the doorway, passes through the
vestibule, in which two other footmen in livery are in
waiting, is ushered up the grand staircase, treading upon
piled carpet, soft and mossy under foot; then entering a
drawing-room full of classic bijouterie and ornaments,
porcelain and vases, profusely decorated with drawings,
mirrors, bronzes, and pendent chandeliers, intro-
ducedsheaissuperb
f through a door leading out of the further end of
this apartment, into the boudoir of the stately Mrs.
Faeurtreeuirsl:
waitingwhe t re t ho
receiveladyat
her.
sits
movement
yunenotag lmoandgy
hbo,rwed , and
letters.
Mrs. Fe
she took r rre
thes
made a
card
winch
was handed to her by the servant—
" Ah, Miss Vernon, you are late! I appointed twelve
o'clock in my note to you, but I see (glancing at the

ora rlu cluck on the )it is now foil ten mi-
nutes past the hour."
"I aak pardon, Madame; but I have been detained much
to my regret, in cons, quence of not being sufficiently ac-
quainted with the localities aoout tiwn."
You are from the country, I believe?"
"My family has been living in the neighbourhood of
London for a short time past."
" Ana you consider yourself competent to undertake
the education of my daughters in the branches which I
have snecified ?"
" I have a complete knowledge of French, from having
resided abroad for some years; and have sufficient ac-
quaintance with music, to be able to impart instruction
in that department. I do not feel so thoroughly grounded
in Italian, but I can read it with ease, and have no doubt
I shall he able to impart a sufficient knowledge of it to
my pupils."
"You have observed, that I also require that my go
verness should be able to impart a sound English educa-
tion. What are your capacities in that respect?"
"It scarcely becomes me, Madame, to speak of my
own culture; but I may say, without vanity, that I have
received a most careful education, at the hest schools"—
" Al 1 I'm afraid that sort of thing is becoming far
too general among your class. It is quite astonishing
what a number of young persons apply for these situa-
tions: hero have I had letters (tossing the pile from her)
from I do not know how many people."
The aspirant for place hung down her head, and was
silent at the remark et the distinguished lady, whose lot
it was mot to go a governessiog.
"Have you been at all accustomed to take charge of a
wardrobe. My daughters have been accustomed to
very superior service from their last governess, and I
wish every attention paid to them in this department."
"I shall do my hest, Madame; and having had con-
siderable experience iu this way, I feel greater confidence
than in some of the other branches."
"Pray what experience have you had?"
"I have entirely managed the clothing and wardrobe
of my own family."
" Slender enough, perhaps, if that be all your expe-
rience." and she glanced at the dress of the candidate.
"It has been better with us than it is now," she an-
swered with a sigh, and her eyes filled.
"I
meant no offence, young woman; but let me ask,
how am Ito know that you can do all you say?"
The young lady stept forward—for Mrs. Ferrers had
not bethought herself all this time to point her to a
chair—aud presented ts letter.
"I have the' honour to present a testimonial from a
lady to whom I am well known."

"Ah! La ly Lovemore; I see. A lady of distin-
guished rank. I wish I had known this sooner. The

fact is, I have been induced to engage a young person of
high recommendation, who waited upon me this morn-
ing, and who, I think, will quite suite me. lam very
sorry; but should I be disappointed in her. I shall let
you know. I think I have your address. Yes, here it
is. Good morning, Miss—l shall not detain you longer.
Good morning!"
And the young lady turned, with a heavy heart, and
left the boudoir, walked through that gorgeous drawing-
room, her small foot sinking amid the pile of the rich
Persian carpet at every step, scarce glancing at the
precious statuary and artistic works with which the
place was filled—for the hollow grandeur struck a chill
to her heart—then proceeding down the grand stair-
case, she passed again the liveried footmen, and had
nearly reached the half-opened door, when a young gen-
tleman, who had just dismounted from his horse in the
street, brushed into the hall, without knocking, and en- •
countered her full in the face. There was a recognition;
a blush mantled her cheek; and making a hurried bow,
she proceeded quickly towards the door.
" Miss Vernon! This is unexpected. I regret that I
should not have been within at the time of your making
this visit. I was not aware"— And he hesitated.
" There is some mistake, Sir. I have only been ap-
plying about the governess situation which was adver-
tised in the papers"----
" On! I remember! Some young person in whom
you are interested, I suppose?"
" No, Sir, I was applying for myself; but I was quite
unaware that I should na,et you here, or that you were
connected with the lady of this house:'
"Indeed. For yourself! How can that be? I had
no idea of such a thing. Your connexions"—
" Connexions go fur little, Sir; we must live. My
family has been plunged into poverty, and there is no
alternative for us but to take our place among the hired
labourers for bread ;—but I detain you. Sir; and it is not
fitting that I should;--_ Adieu, Sir."
" One word—allow me to ask your address before you
go. I cannot understand all this."

"I have left my address with Mrs. Ferrers; but should
now feel most reluctant to enter upon the engagement
which I had proposed with her. Adieu."
And she left. Harry Ferrers—for it was he—felt that
a light had departed from the place, as the door closed
upon her. Why, this was the face which had haunted
him ever since he had last encountered her, like some
beautiful vision, at Lady Lovemore's soirée—to whom be
had learned she stood related. And now—that she
should be a supplicant at his mother's, for the situation
of governess!—he could not comprehend it.
He sprang up stairs, and met Mrs. Ferrers on the
landing. She was about to give her orders, in passing,
to bring the carriage round, that she and her daughters
might take their forenoon drive. _ _ _

"You have had a young lady here?" Harry asked of
his mother.

" Young lady? I have had six young persons
inquiring after this situation ; and I might have had
fifty. There seems to be no end of governessee new-
a-days."
" But the young lady I met just now—Miss Vernon
I msan. Surely, you cannot have had six, far less fifty
applicants like her."
Harry! I think you are foolish. What should you
know of such people?"
" I have met that young lady at Lady Lovemore's. I
wish to know her address. She told me she had left it
with you."
_ _

" The address! My dear child, leave such things to
me. You may be competent for many things beyond
my reach; but leave me to choose a governess."
" I am not thinking of a governess, my dear mother."
" Then, what can you be thinking of?'
" By-and-by I shall tell you."
Harry succeeded in obtaining the address, with many
misgivings on the part of Mrs. Ferrers; but she had
faith in the prudence and integrity of her son; and, be-
sides, he was his own master.
We must explain the mystery of the rencontre between
these two young persons in the ball of Mrs. Ferrers'
mansion. Many months before, Miss Vernon had moved
in society equal to that of the Ferrerses. The father
was a merchant, carrying on an extensive trade with all
parts of the world, and was deeply engaged in large
speculations in Eastern markets. But the war with
China threw all his affairs into confusion, and involved
him in sudden and unforeseen ruin. He withdrew from
trade, a broken man, with scarcely a wreck of what
had before seemed a gigantic fortune: such casualties
are of every-day occurrence in the mercantile world, in
seasons of reverse and disaster. He retired, with his
family, into a suburban district, where they found the
limited means which had been saved from the general
havoc insufficient for their maintenance. Old Vernon
was poor, but still proud, and his sons and daughters in-
herited his spirit. They had relatives of high rank, but
could they consent to live upon the pittance they could
beg from them? No! the Sous would carve their own
way in the world, as their father had done before them,
and meanwhile, the daughters, each of whom had re-
ceived a first-rate education, would endeavour to main-
tain themselves. Lady Lovemore, related by blood to
Mr. Vernon, deplored this change in the fortunes of her
friends, but was unable to dissuade them from the reso-
lution they had formed. It was at her house that young
Ferrers had met Miss Vernon, shortly before her father's
reverse; he had been suddenly struck by her—haunted
by her face—and his heart had been secretly touched to
the quick. He had returned to her Ladyship's house,
mixed in her soirdes, joined her
parties, but had never
her, until suddenly and unexpectedly
he ahade nmecotuhnetriend hismother's hall. It was her first ex-
periment in the career slit had resolved upon; her first
unsuccessful attempt to obtain a situation as a governess.
And it was also her last. Henry Ferrers' soul was
moved with pity for the position of this beautiful girl—
aud " pity is akin to love." He sought her at her home:
he wooed and won her honourably; they were fitted for
eniesewinaitirele in harmony, the disparity of mere
intelligence, heart,
fheelatrats,
anbeciabustyta,claen. d love;
rs again introduced Miss Vernon to his
Gover-
ness for his sisters!
as Miss Vernon—and not as a emwaanooeHdrthlhedwel°llryhriefenibllrriltettuhritrn€o.

meeting
genof Rthaielway Junction Company was
DUNDEE AND PERTH
AND ABERDEEN RAILWAY.—
pally, presided. From the report of the di-
shareholders of the Dundee
reared that the revenue for passengers and
haTnehldedhlo)areilrfF;Yhr.iedaaarid,),in the °lice, Dundee. Lord Kinnaird, chair-
man
the Dundee and Perth line, for the half year,
period of the previous year of upwards of 1,5001.,
151/. 18s. 4d., being
The working an increase over the cor-
respondingarm di-
rectors, ca
goods
tonouron of theeriaat
fl t
ap
15 ,
expenses and other charges
2s. Ild, being a decrease as compared with
the previous year, and thus making the present clear surplus
upwards of 2,0001. above that of the corresponding half-year
ending 31st January, 1850. The report was approved of.
Or:3,
On the motion of Mr. Kennedy, it was unanimously agreed
to present Mr. Anderson with the sum of one hundred gui-
neas for the time and valuable services he had given to the
company as an engineer.
amountoo 01.
to a 6, year.2B 1 .
LORD CAMPBELL'S BILL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE.—
Lord Campbell's Bill to Improve the Administration of Cri-
minal Justice, now in the House of Lords, has been printed.
It contains 34 clauses. The object of this Bill, as expressed
in the preamble, is to prevent offenders escaping conviction
by technical strictness in the proceedings. A criminal court
may amend any variance not material to the merits of a
case. In indictments for murder and manslaughter the man-
ner and means in and by which the crime was committed
need not be specified. In trials for felony, if the offence be
not completed, the parties may be /min ,
u guilty of an attempt
to commit the same, and in that case are to be liable to the
same consequences as if they had been indicted and convicted
of the attempt to commit the felony only.
Among various
alterations contemplated is one of a novel character on the
arraignment of a defendant either for felony or misdemea-
nour. He is not to be called upon to plead "guilty," or "not
guilty," but shall be asked, "whether he wishes to plead
' guilty,' or any other plea, or to be tried?" If he shall say
he wishes to be tried, then the officer shall enter a plea of
" not guilty," and when a refusal to plead is apparent then a
plea of" not guilty" is to be recorded.
SENSIBLE HousEs.—Laing, in his Travels in
Norway, says that the horses in that country have a very
sensible way of taking their food. Instead of swilling them-
selves with a pailful of water at a draught, no doubt from
the fear of not getting any again, and then overgorging
themselves with dry food for the same reason, they have a
bucket of water put down beside their allowance of hay. It
is amusing to see with what relish they take a sip of the
one and a mouthful of the other alternately, sometimes only
moistening their mouths as a rational boing would do while
eating a dinner of such dry food. A broken-winded horse
is: scarcely ever been in Norway.