The Sun.
London, England, 1834-04-10 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

MIDDLEHAM RACES, April 7.
Sweepstakes of 10 sous. each for 2-yr.-olds ; colts,
Bst. 31b. 2- fillies, Bst. Y. C.
Mr. Edmundson'a b. f. Rosamond 1
Lord Eglinton's b. f. Rectitude, by Lottery 2
Even betting. A good race.
The Hunter's Stakes of 5 sovs. each, I2st. each. Heats

one mile and a half. Ten subs.
Mr. Edmundson's bl. m. Fandango
Mr. Douthwaite's b. in. Margaretta
Mr. Swale's g. m. by Grey Middleham
Mr. J. Wray's Buffer 1 3 4

THE STEEPLE CHASE AT HERNE BAY.
The above race came off on Thursday afternoon be-
tween Blean Bottom and Herne Bay, for a Sweep-
, stakes of 5 sovs. each, and 50/. added. The direction
which the horses were to take was marked out by red
flags, extending from Blean Bottom to Mr.' Tassell's
land ; thence to Bullockstone Bottom, over the rise
to the common bearing that name ; thence bearing off
in the direction of Eddington, to the eighteenth acre
field belonging to Mr. Collard at Herne Bay.
About half-past three o'clock a phalanx of horsemen
were perceived making towards Herne Common, and
in the centre of them the individuals who were about
to engage in the race. An unusual proceeding at this
stage of the business gave rise to some speculation.
Although the utmost secrecy had been observed as to
the line of country marked out, the riders were allowed
an examination of the most difficult passes, instead of
being taken to the starting point without viewing the
ground ; the arrangement was no doubt preconcerted
and mutual, though inconsistent we should imagine
with the nature of a steeple chase.
At four o'clock the following horses started for Blean
Bottom :

Mr. Hodges' Fair Ellen, rode by Mr. Seffert.
Mr. Darrell's ch. g. The Swerver, rode by owner.
Mr. Homsley's b. g. Nimrod, rode by Mr. Palmer.
Mr. Fyfe's br. g. Lucifer, rode by Mr. J. Mason.
Mr. Singleton's Kentish Pippin, rode by Mr. Gibbs.
Mr. H. Jennings' Election, rode by Mr. r. Neame.
Mr. Fullager's b. g. Thunder, rode by Mr. Hemsley.
Lucifer took the lead, followed close by Ellen,
Nimrod, and Election ; Swerver, Kentish Pippin, and
Thunder well up, working cautiously; the whole
clearing the fences in admirable style. Nimrod, how-
ever, received a check by falling in a rough shaw. It
was the work of a moment, as Mr. Palmer recovered
him immediately, anS bore away gaily to the flag on
Mr. Tassel's land ; there he topped a rough hedge as
though nothing had occurred, and, bearing to the right
of Jonny's Hill, leaped another hedge which divides
two fields, the one arable, the other pasture and made
for Bullockstone Bottom. In this spot the working
of the horses was admirable, nor less the jockeyship of
the riders. The brook is fenced on either side, the
ground extremely rough, the distance altogether not
exceeding twenty or thirty feet. Every obstacle, how-
ever, was cleverly overcome, and Mr. Mason (who had
previously received a sudden check in consequence of
some indiscreet horseman dashing at a fence at the
moment he was about making it, and at the very spot)
first essayed to make the hill, by clearing a hurdle
which intersects the field, on one side of which there
is a deep gap, intended to carry off the redundant
moisture from the neighbouring high land. Lucifer's
rider failed to make him up in time, as at the moment
the animal was preparing for the leap his near foot
slipped, and he fell with his head doubled under his
fore foot, describing as complete a summerset as the
most expert vaulter could pitch. Poor Mason.fell on
the near side over the wattle, the horse falling with
his whole weight upon him. An immediate cry of the
" youth is killed" was set up ; and several gentlemen
made for the spot, and amongst them Mr. Andrews,
surgeon, of this city. Mr. Mason lay extended, ap-
parently lifeless, and it was not until his neckerchief
and the belt round his waist had been removed that he
exhibited symptoms of animation. It appeared upon
examination that no bones were broken, and in about
a quarter of an hour he was removed to Herne Bay.
Fortunately Mason wore a cap manufactured of thick
sole leather, or it is certain, from the great indentation
in it, either from the animal's hoof or pitching upon
his head, that he must have been killed. The acci-
dent completely removed the excited feelings of the
spectators, who drew their gaze from the running
horses, and made for the spot where it occurred.
But to return to the hurdle, Thunder, Nimrod, and
Election topped it with case, the Swerver, Fair Ellen,
and Kentish Pippin, following close up. In rising
the hill Swerver's rider plied the whip pretty freely,
Nimrod and Election pushing on at a slashing pace,
the whole smartly clearing the different fences. Nim-
rod, however, again unseated his rider, who dexte-
rously avoided a fall, and at top speed pushed into the
bottom with Election, Kentish Pippin, and the
Swerver, Fair Ellen leading at a winning pace ; but
in leaping the last brook she plunged in ; Nimrod also
failed in the same leap ; but Mr. Palmer recovered
himself instantly and again dashed forward, and came
close up with Election, Swerver being considerably
ahead. After a run, the most difficult that could have
been selected, the horses arrived in the eighteen-acre
field as follows :—The Swerver, Election, Kentish
Pippin, Nimrod, Thunder, and Fair Ellen, the
Swerver of course winning the match, but not without
great labour and difficulty.obuoactuskfl
asodtbMrolnnteroh.e
tedoMsocchuahoabs
check
tcvenk.
h,
witha%hwholeet was the
beenLuciferwr
received
se sisvuaeci
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notcwepri
esn svnafi
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horse
osianrtts
oet Shiti
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making
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aafinneßc' sedu,
and so confident, we hear, is his owner of his capabi-
lities that he is ready to run him again over the same
ground for any sum up to 500 guineas. Altogether
there were twenty-one leaps.

GARRISON STEEPLE CHACE RACES.
These races came off on Wednesday, at Ashbourne,
and notwithstanding the unfavourable appearance of
the morning, they were more numerously and fashion-
ably attended than we expected. Towards 12 o'clock
the day brightened a little, and induced numbers of
those who were afraid to trust themselves to the capri-
ciousness of the weather to venture forth. Vehicles of
every description were to be seen hastening towards
the course, and the sun shortly after breaking through
the heavy fleeting clouds which obscured it, put an end
to the anticipations of those who had been anxiously
consulting the barometer. Much confusion was occa-
sioned at the turnpike-gates by the crowds which were
hurrying onward, and owing to this, we presume, the
toll-keeper at the second gate thought himself justified
in imposing an additional tax upon the public by
charging again, on the ground that the printed
tickets issued at the first were fraudulent, and not pro-
perly countersigned. To this fact we beg leave to call
the attention of the individuals to whom the control
of those functionaries properly belongs. Many
respectable persons were not only made to pay this
illegal demand, but were insulted in the grossest man-
ner at the gates.
The arrangements made by the Stewards upon the
course, for the convenience of the public, were excel-
lent, and we were glad to find a large and comfortable
stand-house erected, in place of the former insuffi-
cient one.

About half-past twelve, the following horses started
for sweepstakes of five sous. each, for horses the bona
fide property of officers quartered in Ireland—ridden
by officers on full pay, also quartered in this country.
Weight for age-4 yrs. old, l Ost. 101bs. ; 5 yrs. old,
1 Ist. 101bs. ; 6 yrs. old, and aged, 12st. 31bs. ; 31bs.
to mares and geldings. Over three miles of the Ash-
bourne course:—
Mr. Evans's br. c. Swap, ridden by owner 1
Captain Hamilton's Tremaine, owner
Captain Seville's Despot, owner
Mr. Scott's Shamrock, Captain Scarlet 0
Captain Warde's gr. g. by Bob Gore, owner 0
Captain Guard'a Countess, owner 0
Captain Coldwell's Bobadilla, Captain Griffith

Mr. Evans won this race with ease ; it was indifferent
enough ; the leaps were taken in anything but good
style. There were some falls received, and we under-
stand that one gentleman dislocated his shoulder.
Captain Armitt's Dandy and Mr. Mathews's Nigel
did not start, as was promised in the lists.
The next race was for sweepstakes of five sovs. each,
for horses the property of members of the Garrison
Hunt, previous to the Ist of February, rode by mem-
bers of the hunt, weight for age : 4 yrs. old,
1 Ost. 1 °lbs. ; 5 yrs. old, llst. 101bs. ; 6 yrs. old, and
aged, 12st. 31bs. ; 31bs. allowed to mares and geld-
ings ; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs., if demanded
within a quarter of an hour after the race. Six
horses started.
Captain Beville's cll. in. Falcon ..................... 1
M. O'Connor's Jack ................................. 0
Hon. Mr. Vaughan's Robin
........................ 3
Mr. Alley's Tom Steele .............................. 0
Mr. J. Hume's Mussulman ........................ 0
Mr, F Scott's Miss Weitefoot ..................... 0
At starting, Robin was the favourite, and preserved
the lead for some time, followed by Tom Steele and
Falcon. Robin bolted, and threw his rider, and was
passel by the other two in succession. Tom Steele
now had the lead, and never gave it up until the

third last leap home, when he fell, and was nowhere.
Falcon then got leisurely in.
A private match came off between Mr. Armstrong's
gr. g. Paddy Kelly, and Mr. Bird's b. g. Restless,
which was one by the former. •
Another race followed, for sweepstakes of three
sovs. each, for all hunters ; 25 sovs. added by the
winner, and 10 sovs. to the second horse, out of the
stakes. Ridden by members of the hunt, or members
qualified as for the Corinthians on the Curragh. Nine
horses started.

Mr. Thompson's Hair Pin
Sir M. Wallace's Havannah 2
Mr. Smith's Bravo 3
Mr. Scott's Miller 0
Captain Hamilton's Watty
Mr. Hutchinson's Maid of Mallow 0
Hon. Mr. Vaughan's Robin ..
Mr. Alley's Curate
Mr. E. H. Casey's Harriet 0
This was decidedly the best race of the day, At
starting, Mr. Hutchinson's mare took the lead, kept it
for a short distance, and resigned in favour of Hair Pin,
who preserved it throughout ; Havannah pressing closely
upon her, being occasionally nearly neck and neck.
Bravo came in third ; and Capt. Hamilton was thrown
from his horse, but was not hurt.--Dublin Morning
Register.

MATCH AT CHESS,
NOW PLAYING BY CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE PARIS

AND WESTMINSTER CHESS CLUBS.

As the opening in the two games of which this in-
teresting match consists may now be called complete,
we present them to our readers. The game entitled
the English game was began by our countrymen, while
the French game was commenced by their gallant an-
tagonists. During the three or four first moves the
first game presented an appearance of dulness, which
is now, we are happy to see, entirely removed by the
move of the French. In both games the positions be-
come highly critical and complicated, and " caution"
must be the word on both sides. Since this match
was entered upon, the Westminster Club received a
challenge from the Junior London Chess Club to break
a lance in the same species of tournament. From the
great attention required to conduct the match with
Paris, in a style of play worthy of their skilful oppo-
nents, a second match at the same time was, however,
deemed out of the question, and the challenge was not
accepted.

ENGLISH GAME.

WESTMINSTER.
I. K. P.:two squares.
2. Q. P. two squares.
3. P. takes p.
taking P. with Q., as th
range of the Queen's Bi:
4: K. Kt. to B. third.
5. K. B. to Q. third.
6. Queen cheeks.—Freneh.to
move.

FRENC

PARIS.
1. K. P. two sq.
2. K. Kt. to B third.
3. K. B. to Q. B. fourth,
4. Q. B. P. one sq.
5. Q. P. two sq.
6. French to move.

PARIS.
1. K. P. one square.
2. Q. P. two squares.
,3. P. takes P. Better play than
e latter move would confine the
ishop.
14. K. Kt. to B. third.
15. Q. B. P. two squares.

GAME.
WESTMINSTER,

1. The same.
2. Q. Kt. to B. third.
3. The same.
4. Q. P. one sq.
5. P. takes P.

CONSTANTINOPLE, _ARCH
5.

A person just arrived from the Dardanelles, after
having made there a stay of some weeks, has com-
municated to us information which will probably be
held in England in the same important light it is
considered here. Implicit confidence may be placed
in it, as the mission with which he was charged, by
placing him daily in contact with the principal of-
ficers of the garrison, whose language is perfectly
familiar to him, afforded him repeated opportunities
of ascertaining the feelings which animate them
and the troops under their orders. Mehemet
Pacha, indebted for his elevation to the rank of
Governor of the Castle to the recommendation and
express demand of Count Orloff, is entirely devoted
to Russian interests. Anxious to give additional
proofs of gratitude for past and present marks of
attention, unsparingly showered upon him by his
protectors, he has, to the utmost of his power, as-
sisted the engineers they have- recommended to his
care ; so that the works of defence theyhave had the
direction to erect are by this time completed to their
entire satisfaction. The forcing the passage of the
Dardanelles has, in consequence, become an arduous
undertaking indeed now ; and, according to a dis-
tinguished officer's opinion, the landing of 15,000
men would hardly suffice to take the new forts
erected by the Russians to prevent an enemy from at-
tacking the fortifications of the straits in the rear. For-
tunately, however, Mehemet Pacha's example has
found but few imitators among the officers and gar-
rison. They mourn in secret over the loss of Tur-
key's independence, and, ashamed of being at the
disposal of Russia, they sigh after the day when the
appearance of an English fleet shall enable them
openly to exhibit their real feelings. It were diffi-
cult, according to the said traveller, to convey an
idea of the disappointment they betrayed when in-
formation reached Galipoli that the English and
French fleet, which they confidently expected, had
sailed from Vourla to return to Europe. Unable to
contain their indignation, officers and soldiers vented
themselves bitterly against the English for allowing
Turkey's independence to be sacrificed at the shrine
of Russian perfidy. A last ray of hope seemed to
animate them when, on Halil Pacha's arrival at
Galipoli, they perceived that apprehensions of war
had induced Government to order this General to
place the fortresses in the best state of defence.
What determination our Ministry may come to we
know not ; although aware of their complete igno-
rance with regard to the real state of things in this
country, we tremble to see their credulity leading
them into the snare Russia and her artful allies have
prepared for them. But of this we can assure them,
for it is every one's intimate conviction among the
Turks, of all classes, that if Turkey's pre-
servation is dear to them, war only can accom-
plish it. Not to lose the position she now occupies,
one insuring the ultimate success of her views, Rus-
sia will spare no pains to blind them. Diplomatic
arrangements, whatever they are in appearance, will
be worse than useless ; by inspiring us with security,
they will afford Russia, profiting of the intimate
knowledge she possesses of Turkey, of the poWerful
means she has at her disposal in the provinces, the
towns, the council, and the court, the opportunity
of undermining, in the dark, the yet remaining
foundations of this devoted empire. The protecto-
rate she has forced upon it must be overthrown,,or
else this country is inevitably lost. Material force
has established it, material force upholds it, and
nought but material force can succeed in upsetting
it. This noble task it is England's duty and inte-
rest to undertake ; its execution will be the more
easy, as public feeling is here entirely at her disposal.
With so powerful a lever at her command, can she
once doubt of the result ? They should not allow
the present opportunity to slip unheeded ; the loss
or the regeneration of this empire depends on the
determination they shall adopt. We are, unfortu-
nately, but too much aware, having had to deplore
so often the numerous evil consequences that have
arisen from this cause, that public opinion has hi-
therto been so misled by the erroneous statements
regarding Turkey advanced by prejudiced and igno-
rant men, that the realization of its regeneration will
Yet thimepmoratsasnocef,
tfaheatts wwheicshhasllurnrootunhdesiutas
by most be considered in the light of an Utopia.
teistoofdseo
m-
claurcehit as our conviction, after ten years' observa-
tion in this country, that not only is the regenera-
tion of the Turkish nation possible, but that the
elements of it have for some time been in full ope-
ration. Denying the existence of this fact appears
to us as absurd as calling into doubt the sun's light
at noon-tide. Ever since the destruction of the
Janissaries, the endless prejudices of which they
were the obstinate upholders have disappeared ra-
pidly ; and though, during the state of transition
from an obsolete to a new system of things, nu-
merous errors have necessarily been committed, and
retrograde movements momentarily impressed by
the reaction operated by this change at home and
abroad, yet an impartial observer, by instituting a
parallel between the nation of to-day and what it
was before that memorable event, will feel asto-
nished at the wondrous difference. That the re-
sources of this country are great,—that they are
capable, if properly husbanded, of becoming im-

mense, no one can deny ; that the people arc
high'y gifted by nature with germs of improve-
ment, every one who has lived sufficiently long
amongst them will ►•earl;1: admit. I men-
tioned formerly sc:ce flu! ; ,t point out how
greedily they thirst after l.l!owledge and im-
provements ; and I am rea:iv, shw:l,l it prove
agreeable to your readers, to point out at length the
striking amelioration which the condition of the in-
habitants of this empire has undergone in consequence
of the regulations gradually- int roduced by government.
Freed from the incubus of Russia, and placed for
some years under the guardianship of England, gi-
gantic, we doubt not, will be the steps of Turkey in
the career of improvement ; and then she will as-
sume again among nations the importance she should
possess to put a stem to the truly alarming aggrat-
disement of her ambitious and perfidious neighbour.
Let us remember the maxim—" Were there no
Turkey, it were necessary to create one."
Achmet Pacha is shortly expected. It is confi-
dently reported, that before his departure from St.
Petersburgh he not only obtained from the Emperor
the assurance of the evacuation of the provinces of•
Wallachia and Moldavia by the Russian troops, but
received also the authority to select 'out of the six
candidates proposed by Russia the two individuals
he judged most worthy of being raised to the dignity
of Hospodars. The situation of course will be given
to the highest bidder.
The fleet, in about eight days hence, will be ready
to put to sea. 0.

FUNERAL OF MRS. BURNS-EXHU-
MATION OF THE POET'S SKULL.

( Abridged from the Dun fries Courier.)

The remains of Mrs. Burns were interred in the
family vault on Tuesday, the Ist April, with all the
solemnity the occasion demanded, in presence of an
immense crowd of spectators. Independently of
the Bard's Mausoleum, St. Michael's churchyard is,
perhaps, the most remarkable cemetery in Britain ;
amidst innumerable tombs thousands on thousands
sleep below ; and on the day alluded to public in-
terest or curiosity waxed so intensely that it be-
came, if such an expression may be used, instinct
with life as well as death. The magistrates and
commissioners of police politely offered to mark
their respect for Mrs. Burns' memory by attending
her funeral in their public capacity—an offer so
honourable that it was at once acceded to by the
trustees. The magistrates issued cards to the
whole of the Council, appointing a meeting at half-
past 11 on the morning of Tuesday, at which hour
they assembled, and shortly after moved in a body
to Burns'-street; amidst a throng of people (many
of whom had voluntarily arrayed themselves in
sables) such as has rarely been witnessed in the
streets of Dumfries.

As many persons were received into the house as
it could possibly contain, including various clergy-
men, citizen friends, and country gentlemen, amonc,
the latter of whom we observed Sir Thomas Wal-
lace, a kind personal friend of the deceased ; Sir
Thomas Kirkpatrick ; Mr. Dunlop, Southwick ;
Mr. James M'Alpine Leny of Dalswinton ; Mr.
John Dunlop, Rosefield ; Mr. ,Macadam of Castle-
dykes ' • Major Adair ; Mr. Hannah of Hannah-
field ; Major Davies ; Mr. John Staig ; the Provost
and Magistrats, &c. &c. Eloquent prayers were
put up on the occasion by the Rev. Messrs. Wight-
man, Fyffe, Dunlop, and Wallace ; and after the
usual forms had been observed, the coffin was placed
on spokes, and borne by many to its final resting
place. Throwing a stone to a chieftain's cairn was
deemed an honour by our Celtic ancestors, and a
similar feeling obviously prevailed in regard to the
funereal obsequies of the poet's widow. Before one
person had well touched a spoke, he was succeeded
by another, eager to share in the same mournal
duty ; and although the distance was extremely
short, several hundred hands bore the body along by
shifting as frequently as St. Michael's bell tolled.
So great was the anxiety to enter the Mausoleum that
the pressure in the first instance, occasioned a slight
degree of confusion ; but in a minute or two order
was restored, and the body lowered slowly and so-
lemnly into the family vault. The chief mourners then
descended, took the stations assigned them, and after
everything had been adjusted, placed the coffin in a
grave dug to the depth of four feet. Five relatives
attended the interment, viz., Mr. Robert Burns,
eldest son of the poet, Mr. Robert Armour, the
widow's brother, and the husbands of three nieces,
the Messrs. Irving and Mr. M‘Kinnel. But there
were other chief mourners, and amongst those we
observed Mr. Dunlop, Southwick, Provost Murray,
Dr. John Symons, Mr. Bogie, and Mr. M'Diarmid.
The grave was covered in a brief space ; the chief
mourners then withdrew ; and after everything
foreign had been removed from the vault, the exe-
cutors gave the necessary directions for restoring the
large stone which guards the entrance to the tomb
of our great national poet.
It is generally known that the remains of Burns
were exhumed privately, on the 19th September,
1815, and deposited, with every regard to decency,
in the arched vault attached to the Mausoleum,
then newly erected in honour of his memory. As
a report had been spread that the largest coffin was
made of oak, hopes were entertained that it would
be possible to remove it without injury, or public
examination of any kind. But this hope proved
fallacious ; on testing the coffin it was found to be
composed of ordinary materials, and liable to yield
to the slightest pressure ; and the lid partially re-
moved, a spectacle was unfolded, which, consider-
ing the fame of the mighty dead, has rarely been
witnessed by a single human being. There lay the
remains of the great poet, to all appearance en-
tire, retaining various traces of recent vitality, or,
to speak more correctly, exhibiting the features of
one who had newly sunk into the sleep of death.
The forehead struck every one as beautifully arched,
if not so high as might have been reasonably sup-
posed, while the scalp was rather thickly coveredwith
hair, and the teeth perfectly firm and white. Alto-
gether the scence was so imposing that the commonest
workmen stood uncovered, as the lateDr.Gregory did
at the exhumation of the remains of King Robert
Bruce, and for some moments remained inactive, as if
thrilling under the effects of some undefinable emo-
tion,while gazing on all that remained of one "whose
fame is as wide as the world itself." But the scene,
howevec imposing, was brief ; for the instant the
workmen inserted a shell, or wooden case, be-
neath the original coffin, the head separated from
the trunk, and the whole body, with the exception
of the bones, crumbled into dust. Notwithstanding
the solemnity the occasion required, at least a few
felt constrained to lift and examine the skull—pro-
bably under the inspiration of feelings akin to those
of Hamlet when he leant and moralised over Yor-
rick's grave.
Every thing, as we have said, was conducted with
the greatest propriety and care ; and, after the se-
cond grave-bed of the poet and his offspring had.
been prepared, the original tomb-stone was placed
above their ashes, and the vault closed for a period
nearly nineteen years—that is from the 19th Sep-
tember, 1815, till the 28th March, 1834. The
well-known Mr. Matthews, a man of high and origi-
nal genius, on one occasion paid a visit to Dumfries,
and it fell to the lot of the writer to accompany him
to the house of Mrs. Burns, and St. Michael's
churchyard. On entering the mausoleum the great
comedian became obviously highly excited, and, after
a little pause, inquired eagerly, " What has become
of the original tomb-stone ?" and, on this question
being answered, expressed the greatest regret that
it had not been inserted as part of the pavement in
front of the sculpture, as was done in the case of
Shakspeare's mausoleum at Stratford-upon-Avon.
The remains of Mrs. Burns, as has been stated,
were interred on'Tuesday, the Ist of April. On
the day preceding the yr ult was opened by Mr.
Crombie—a work of considerable difficulty and la-
bour, and the keys of the mausoleum, which is
guarded round and round with high iron-pillared
doors, were placed temporarily in her own possession.
And here it may be best to confess the whole truth,
and conceal nothing. Ever since we became ac-
quainted with what occurred on the 19th of Sep-
tember, 181.5, we have regretted that so favourable

an opportun:ty w.:1•3 inis-sed of taking a cast nom I e
poet's skull—and ii.o.e so, when informed
that the phrenologists had made an imaginary one
from the portrait, and on this theory assigned to
Burns all the qualities of a great statesman. In
this regret we were joined by many, and not a few
persons here and elsewhere, by word and by letter,
prompted and urged the propriety of a measure we
had previously determined to adopt, if possible. But
one difficulty remained behind—soothing the repug-
nance, and conciliating the feelings, of those who
alone had a right to decide—the principal male rela-
tives of the bard and his late relict. Mr. Armour
arrived from London by Monday's mail, and we
confess it was six o'clock, p.m., before we could find
courage to introduce the subject. We did, how-
ever, name it at last, aud, after much anxious con-
versation, obtained a reluctant and conditional con-
sent. From this moment matters were put in train,
and at seven a small party repaired, one by one, and
by different routes, to St. Michael's churchyard.
Mr. Blacklock offered his services at a favourable
moment, and it was well we had a gentleman with
us qualified to give a scientific account of the ap-
pearance, preservation, and peculiarities, of the
skull. While one of our number kept watch above,
the rest of the party descended into the vault by
means of a ladder and a muffled lantern ; and we
shall not readily forget the mingled emotions that
arose in the mind, passing away and returning with
the most thrilling influence, as we stood solemnly
on the poet's grave, and recalled the awful maledic-
tion Of Shakspeare. Mr. Crombie's knowledge of
localities tendered the process A disinterment com-
paratively easy, and Mr. Bogie, who had seen the
skull in. 181.5, proclaimed its identity the moment
it appeared. But in the absence of such a witness
its size and character were qUite sufficient to avouch
the fact, and, after it had been carefully cleaned,
a cast was taken from it. Just as the party
were about to separate the clock chimed the
hour of one ; and although ten individuals were
present at the last, including our chief magi-
strate, Mr. Hamilton, and Rector M‘Millan, the
largest hat of the whole was found too narrow to re-
ceive the skull—a sufficient proof of its extraordi-
nary size. Early on Tuesday morning a leaden box
was made, and carefully lined with the softest ma-
terials, and on the same day we, as in duty bound,
witnessed the reinterment of the sacred relic it con-
tained, previous to the funeral of Mrs. Burns. The
pious wish expressed by Mr. Matthews has at length
been gratified, by removing the original tombstone
from the vault, and placing it within the iron rail-
ing which protects the sculpture.
What follows is from the pen of Mr. Blackloc-k
" On Monday night, 31st March, 1834, Mr. John
M'Diarmid, Mr. Adam Rankine, Mr. James Kerr,
Mr. James Bogie, Mr. Andrew Crombie, and the
subscriber, descended into the vault of the Mausoleum
for the purpose of examining the remains of Burns,and,
if possible, procuring a cast of his skull. Mr. Crom-
bie having witnessed the exhumation of the hard's re-
mains in 1815, and seen them deposited in their pre-
sent resting place, at once pointed out the exact spot
where the head would be found, and a few spadefuls of
loose sandy soil being removed, the skull was brought
into view, and carefully lifted.

" The cranial bones were perfect in every respect,
if we except a little erosion of their external table, and
firmly held together by their sutures ; even the delicate
bones of the orbits, with the trifling exception of the
os unguis in the left, were sound and uninjured by death
and the grave. The superior maxillary bones still re-
tained the four most posterior teeth on each side, in-
cluding the dentes sapientim, and all without spot or
blemish ; the incisores, cuspidati, &c., had, in all pro-
bability, recently dropt from the jaw, for the alveoli
were but little decayed. The bones of the face and
pallet were also sound. Some small portions of black
hair, with a very few grey hairs intermixed, were ob-
served while detaching some extraneous matter from
the occiput. Indeed nothing could exceed the high
state of preservation in whyi we found the bones of the
cranium, or offer a fairer opportunity of supplying what
has so long been desiderated by phrenologists—a cor-
rect model of our immortal poet's head ; and in order
to accomplish this in the most accurate and satisfactory
manner, every particle of sand, or other foreign body,
was carefully washed off, and the plaster of paris ap-
plied with all the tact and accuracy of an experienced
artist. The cast is admirably taken, and cannot fail
to prove highly interesting to phrenologists and others.
" Having completed our intention, the skull securely
enclosed in a leaden case, was again committed to the
earth precisely where we found it.

" ARCHD. BLACKLOCK.
" Dumfries, Ist April, 1834."

The General Steam Navigation Company's
mail-packet, the Superb, from Hamburg, arrived off
the Custom-house, at three o'clock yesterday.

OUR TowN.—There is a great deal of
clever Dutch painting in these two unpretending.
volumes. The inimitable truth, the clear daylight of
the picture, the natural grouping of the figures, are
all admirable. " Our Town" is, in fact, a clever
series of cabinet pictures. It is, however, a work
difficult to describe--difficult to illustrate by extract.
We should perhaps give a sketch of the town itself,
but it is brought before us by so faithful a pencil, that
an extract would be, necessarily, " Our House," or
" The Doctor's," or some other, and not a sample of
the infinite variety which characterises the town, one
"irregular row of houses following another, some
high, some low, like a large family of children indis-
criminately huddled together." The same may, with
equal truth, be said of the inhabitants ' • but, occasion-
ally, we meet many of them assembled at a party.
Athenwuni.

TRADES' UNIONS.—Mr. Fabian, a builder,
of Brighton, hearing that most of his men had joined
these confederacies, called his foreman before him,
and enquired if he knew any thing of it. The fore-
man said he believed that nineteen out of twenty-one
had joined the Union, and he had joined it himself.
Mr. Fabian immediately gave the men a week's notice
to quit his employ if they persisted in the course they
had adopted, and was about to discharge his foreman
instanter, but after some conversation he was induced
to show him the same lenity he had given the men,
with the same understanding that he was to quit his
employ if he did not leave the Union. The foreman
acknowledged to Mr. Fabian that he deeply regretted
what he had done, but that he was too strongly fettered
to recant. The whole of them will be discharged on
Saturday evening if they do not leave the Union. We
understand that since this happened Mr. Fabian has
been induced to decline a lucrative building order.
CORONER'S INQUEST—AFFLICTING CASE
OF SUlClDE.—Yesterday evening an inquest was held
before W. Baker, Esq., Coroner,. at the Blue Ball
public-house, Whitecross-place, Moorfields, on the body
of a young married woman, named Sarah Coombs, who
destroyed herself in a fit of insanity, occasioned by the
ill usage of her husband. The unfortunate deceased,
a very industrious and sober female, was the wife of a
costermonger, to whom she had been married about
eight years. He had been in the habit of ill using her,
and threatening her life. On Tuesday morning the
deceased called upon Mrs. Brickley, an acquaintance,
living in Foreman's-alley, Moorfields. She appeared
much agitated, and was crying bitterly. She inquired
after her mother, who was in the habit of calling at the
house, and said that she had been severely beaten by
her husband on the preceding night, and that in con..
sage
equeinactehoefhheiassberouftaalfitryiesande,
whereas compelleda d tpoa ss es
ee
dk
trhe ,
f
night. She also stated that her husband had threat-
ened to kill her with a poker, and that she met him that
morning in the Kingsland-road, when he abused her
for stopping out all night, and threw a large flint stone
she
at, her -head, which brushed her clothes. He swore he
would have her life if she came home at night.
After conversing with Mrs. Brickley for a few minutes,
e n some
creatureer fu l poison.
burst
she asked for a cup of tea, which she drank. Soon
afterwards she began to vomit, her countenance changed
colour, and she exhibited all the symptoms of a person
who had taken
ih e
poorpw
She told Mrs.
Brickley that she did not intend to go home again, but
had
her friends begged her to think better of it, on account
of the child.
into tears, and
said that day would end her troubles. Mrs. Bricklov
assisted her towards the bed, on which she caught hold
of her hand, and said, " Don't be alarmed, I have come
here to die." Mrs. Brickley asked her if she should
fetch a doctor, but she replied, " Oh no, I am too far
gone." Mrs. Brickley, however, called for assistance,
and left the deceased in charge f some other females,
while she went in search of a surgeon, but before slie
relurned the deceased was a corpse. After hearing
the evidence of the surgeon and other witneP,se:,
"ury returned a verdict that the deceased conintivx
suicide while in a state of mental deranaelnent.