The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-17 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

Mr. Minasi, the celebrated professor of the art of
pen-and-ink drawing, has just completed an elaborate
and exquisitely beautiful portrait of the late Sir Ro-
bert Peel, which for the elaborate delicacy of its exe-
cution in the most minute details, and the fidelity of
its likeness, we are inclined to consider as the chef
d'a,uvre of this unique style of art. It is more perfect
than the most perfect line engraving can by possi-
bility be, and it has the appearance of animation and
expression which the art of the engraver can never
give. It is, we repeat, the chef d'oeuvre of Mr.
Minasi.

IMPORTANT TO STRANGERS.—Messrs. Welch and
➢largetson, of Cheapside, have just published, upon a sheet
of silk, in the form of a pocket-handkerchief, a simplified
map of London, containing only the leading thoroughfares.
By this the foreign or English visitor to the metropolis may
find his way from place to place without being bothered by
the vast jumble of smaller streets which turn out of the main
thoroughfares. It will likewise prove very useful to resi-
dents, as it has all the principal buildings, places of amuse-
ment, &c., marked thereon. It is likewise a beautiful speci-
men of printing on fabric. We understand it is to be placed
in one or more prominent places in the Exposition.

GOOD FRIDAY.—To-morrow, being Good Friday,
it will be observed as a close holiday at the Bank of Eng-
land,.South-sea House, East India-house, the Stock and
Royal Exchanges. Lloyd's, the Excise and Custom-house
(an officer, will, however, be in attendance at the latter for
the convenience of passengers arriving by the foreign steam-
packets), the St. Katherine's, London, West and East India
Docks, and all the different banking and insurance offices
both in fhe City and west-end, the Stamp and Taxes, Somer-
set-house, and all the Government departments, with the
exception of the Post-office, where letters and newspapers
will be received and obtained as usual throughout the me-
tropolis, and also at the receiving-houses, with the exception
of the chief money-order-office in Alderegate-street and the
various branch offices, which will be closed either for the
paying or granting of money-orders. The courts of law and
the different police-courts will also be closed, as well as every
place of pablic amusement.

OMNIBUS IMPROVEMENTS.—.—A large meeting of
omnibus proprietors and builders attended on Tuesday at
Guildhall, by appointment, to meet the magistrates and to
produce an omnibus constructed upon the new principle, and
upon which they proposed to alter all the old ones. Alder-
man Wilson, Alderman Sidney, Alderman Lawrence, Sir
Chapman Marshall, and Alderman Hunter were present to
examine the alterations, which were contrived so as to make
three seats at the upper end of the omnibuses separated from
the side seats, to allow room for the knees. After a very
lengthened inquiry, and practical experience on the part of
the magistrates and some of the proprietors themselves, it
was decided that the new plan was more inconvenient than
the old one, and that it was impossible for a passenger to
ride any distance with his knees pressing against the end of
the seat in frost of him. It was resolved by the deputation
to bring other omnibuses on Saturday next, at eleven o'clock,
attended by Mr. Lewis, the solicitor to the Metropolitan
Omnibus Association, in hopes that he may be able to con-
vince the magistrates that the end seat is in conformity with
the Act of Parliament. The deputation, it appeared, had
previously attended the commissioner of metropolitan police,
whose inspector had viewed the alterations, but declined
giving any opinion, leaving the matter quite in the hands of
the magistrates.

REPRESENTATION OF BOSTON.—The death of
Capt. Dudley Pelham, M.P., has again created a vacancy in
the representation of this borough. At the general election
i❑ 1847 three candidates were in the field, namely, Sir James
Duke, Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, and Mr. David Williams
Wire, when the numbers stood as follow : —Sir Jame Duke
(Liberal), 590 ; Mr. Cabbell (Protectionist), 466 ; and Mr.
D. W. Wire (Liberal), 339. Some time afterwards, on the
death of Mr. Pattison, Sir James Duke was invited by the
electors of the city of London to become their representa-
tive, an honour which he accepted, and another election for
Boston was the result. The contest was between Captain
Dudley Pelham (now deceased) and Mr. Wire. The Gallant
Captain, who was a younger brother of the Earl of Yar-
borough, had on his side the tremendous influence of the
noble house to which he belonged, while Mr. Wire's support
was derived mainly from the tradesmen of Boston, and from
those amongst the agricultural party who do not hold Pro-
tectionist views.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemen, having undergone the necessary examinations
for the diploma, were admitted members of the College at
the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 11th inst.:—
Messrs. William Johnson Rowland, Wargrave, Berkshire;
Edmund Umphelby, Belstead, Suffolk ; Frederick Hezeklah
Hartshorne, Broseley, Salop ; Thomas Spencer, East Shilton,
Leicestershire; John Hall Bywater, Knottingley, Yorkshire;
Edward Abraham. Hancock Head, Stoke, Plymouth ; Benja-
min Baker, Broadway, Worcestershire; James Rouse, Wal-
ham-green ; John liender Tickell, East Love Cornwall;
and John James Bird, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. At the
same meeting of the Court, Mr. Wm. Ross passed his exa-
mination as naval surgeon. This gentleman had previously
been admitted a member of the College, his diploma bearing
date December 23, 1844. The President and Council have
awarded to Mr. Charles Toogood Downing, M.D., Great
Russell-street, Bloomsbury, their Jacksonian Prize, for his
Essay on Neuralgia.
PARISH OF ST. LURE, CHELSEA.—ELECTION OF
GUARDIANS.—For a considerable time past there has been
great dissatisfaction expressed in this very important and
populous: parish respecting the management of its affairs, in
consequence of which several gentlemen, of high standing in
society, consented to allow themselves to be put in nomina-
tion for guardians of the poor, and were elected by a great
majority. Under their able management great and most
desirable parochial reforms have taken place, and a reduction
of no less than one-third been effected since the same period
last year, in the poor-rates. A very strong opposition
sprung up in the parish on the occasion of the present
election for guardians amongst that class of persons known
by the appellation of " compounders," id est, those com-
pounding for property at one-third or one-fourth of its
proper amount, thus escaping their fair contribution to the
relief of the parish burdens. The propriety of returning
such persons to office has been now fairly tested in the
election which terminated on Tuesday evening, which has
resulted in the exclusion of almost all the compounders, and
the appointment of gentlemen of the first position. The
following were returned as duly elected by a large majo-
rity :—Lord Chelsea, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Augustus
Liddell, Colonel Gascoigne, Colonel Wells, M. James
Higgins, U. W. Cripps, E. C. Egerton, W. H. Whitbread,
J. Fielding, and J. B. Ryder, Esqs., and Messrs. Simmons,
Birch, T. A. Young, F. Gaskell, G. Todd, J. H. Tuck,
C. IL Collier, D. Murray, W. B. Crabb, and H. Aldin. The
board met yesterday, when Mr. Ryder was re-elected
chairman, Lord Chelsea as first Vice, and Mr. Fielder,
second.

THE STEAMER SINGAPORE.—The Peninsular and
Oriental Company's steamer Singapore, bound to the Cape of
Good Hope with troops, left the Needles on the 18th of
March at noon, wind strong, from W.S.W. at midnight,
blowing a strong gale, and increasing in violence and heavy
head sea by eight A.m. 19th. From this time until midnight
of the k2d the gale continued without intermission, with a
terrific sea running and violent passing squalls, during which
time the engines were eased and the ship brought up to the
wind to prevent the high topping seas from breaking on
board ; wind from S. W. to W. Notwithstanding, the.
Singapore, although deeply laden with coals and 800 troops
on board, which prevented keeping the vessel in proper trim,
could at any time be driven, head to wind and sea, six knots
per hour. On the 26th, at four r M., she arrived safe at Te-
neriffe, having steamed the 24 hours previous to arrival, in
light airs and heavy southerly swell, 276 miles. She has
proved herself a fine sea boat, and it is expected, with assiSt=
once of canvas, the Singapore will run to Sierra Leone in five
days WWI legging Wig port. .441 are well on board.