The Sun.
London, England, 1833-05-09 00:00:00

readers. The fist relates to a petition, pry•
sented by Sir EDWARD CODRINGTON, from
the watermen of Gravesend, praying to be heard
by counsel against the Gravesend Pier Bil'.
We remember the time when there was not a
steam-boat upon the river, and the visiters of
Gravesend did not amount to as many hundreds
as they now do thousands. For some years
past, the boatmen have been reaping a rich har-
vest from the steam-boats, but many serious acci-
dents having arisen, many lives having been lost,
by the passengers being obliged to land in the
small boats, it is too much for them to come for-
ward and oppose an improvement which is called
for by the wants of thousands. Doubtless, al'
must lament the temporary distress they will
suffer before they turn their labour into a new
channel ; but all improvement tends not only to
increase the comforts of those actually living,
not only to give them security for their lives,
hut to produce means of living for more than
before existed. The Gravesend watermen cant)°,
therefore be allowed to stop that which will save
many lives, and afford a livelihood to many, in
order that they may continue to land passengers
in an inconvenient and dangerous manner. We
are not surprised that Sir EDWARD CODRING-
TON should sympathize with these poor men,
but we are surprised that he should al.tempt to
support their cause by a misrepresentat;,on of the
fact. He stated that the ,pier would endanger
the navigation of the river, and compared it to a
projection which the Admiralty were putting a
stop to at Woolwich. Now the projection at
Woolwich is solid, and might cause an accumu-
lation of gravel, mud, &c., but the pier at
Gravesend, as he very well knew, is to be built
on iron stanchions allowing the flux and reflux
of the tide. Besides, a projection where the
river is not many hundered yards wide is one
thing, and a pier where it is a mile wide is an-
other.

No official confirmation of the reported treaty
of peace between the SULTAN and the Pacha of
EGYPT has arrived at either of the Embassies.
Despatches have been received by the French
Ambassador, by estafette, from Paris; and we
understand that the Austrian Ambassador has
also despatches from Vienna of a recent date,
but by neither has any confirmation of the report
in question been received. We understand,
however, that notwithstanding the time that has
elapsed since the news first arrived, and during
which some confirmation of it might have been
expected, the account is considered probable, as
the commercial couriers from the East are gene-
rally more expeditious than those of Govern-
ments. It does not appear, however, that this
news, as brought through a commercial channel,
was derived from anv official source in the first

instance.

The accounts from Paris, received this morn-
ing, come down to Tuesday. The chief topic
of foreign interest was the state of Turkey,
some of the political quid nuncs doubting
whether hostilities would not be renewed be-
tween the SULTAN and IBRAHIM.

The only domestic news of interest was a
project of M. ilumANN's, the Finance Minister,
to render the French sinking fund more efficient
It created some sensation on the French Stock
Exchange, and caused a slight rise in the funds ;
but it is only a temporary measure, intended to
operate till a more extensive plan for reducing
the Five per Cents. is brought forward next year,
or whenever the Ministers are able.

We stated yesterday that a communication
written by one of the agents of our Govern•
ment in Portugal, and reflecting strongly on
Marshal SOLIGNAC, had been addressed to an
official person here, and subsequently inserted
in a morning paper. It is but an act of
justice to the writer of the letter to say, that
it was not intended for publication, and that
when the censure was passed upon Marshal
SOLIGNAC for not marching at once against the
enemy, the writer was not aware of the intrigues
which were going on to prevent his assuming the
frAisive.

A new mineral has recently been discovered
in the island of Corsica. It contains particles of gold, ann
some vases that have been made of it, fiorn the brilliancy
of their polish and the beauty of their colours, resemble
enamel.

The Medical Journal of Hufeland, published
at Berlin, states that Belladonna is a preservative against
fever. This effect was first discovered at Leipsic, and has
since be?n confirmed by repeated experiments.
WILTSHIRE SOCIETY.—The seventeenth
anniversary of this society, the object of which is to
apprentice and assist in establishing in business the chil-
dren of poor parents from Wiltshire, residing in London,
was yesterday celebrated at the Albion, in Aldersgate.
street. The meeting was not so numerously attended as
on former occasions; but the company, amongst whom
were-the Duke of SOMERSET (the chairman), the Earl of
KERRY, Sir JOHN ASTLEY, M.P., J. BE rarrr, Esq., M.P.,
P. 111yruuarr. Esq., M.P., J. ?ham), Esq., ALP., tl e
Hon. T. HERBERT, M.P., L. WADHAM, Esq., M.P., M•
GORE, Elq., M P., Sir A. MALLETT, Bart., Major.
General PEACHEY, and many other persons connected
with the county of Wilts, was of the first respectability.
The Noble Chairman, in the course of the evening, took
occasion to advert to the progress of the society and the
state of its finances, which, from his Grace's statement,
and from the report of the treasurer, are in a prosperous
condition. Amongst many other toasts which were drui.k
by the company, the health of Sir JOHN CAM Hosnouse,
who was announced as chairman for the year 1834, was
rapturously received.
HIGHGATE ARCHWAY COMPANY.—A
general meeting of the proprietors was held on Tuesday
at the Auction Mart in the city, to take into consideration
the affairs of the Company, and the state of the Archway.
which has been alleged to be in a condition requiring ex-
tensive and expensive repairs.
SALMON FISHING.—We regret that the
salmon fishing on the Tweed still continues very unpro-
ductive; this week, however, salmon is selling at Is. 6,1.
a pound, and trout at 91. and 10d.—Berwick Paper.
A LUNATIC BURNT TO DEATH.—O
Friday last smoke was seen to issue from one of the win-
dows in the room of a patient, named CHARLES Seznii!rt-
sox, in Lincoln Lunatic Asylum, who had been stttrn:
fire to himself. Although the fire was enclosed by fences
which seemed to prevent the possibility of access, yet tht
wretched lunatic had contrived to effect his purpose. hi
explained that, having twisted a number of pieces or paper,
and inserted them one within the other till they reach.°
the length of two feet, he had insinuated them through of
under the bars of the range, and procured a light ; that
then unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat, and fired his liner
near the breast. The poor creature lingered till Tuesday ;
he showed great insensibility to pain, and it appeare
doubtful whether he would ever have made his dreadful si
tuation known had it not been discovered. An inqut.o
was held upon the body, awl a verdict to the effect that ht
destroyed himself in a state of lunacy was returned. 11.
was 63 years of age, and bad been for five months in tl..
Asylum,—Boston Herald.