The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-27 00:00:00

ACCIDENT TO N. P. WILLIS.—Our neighbour, N. P.
Willis, had sufficiently recovered from his late illness
to resume his daily exercise in the saddle ; but on Friday
his favourite horse took flight and threw him, dragging
him some distance with his right font entangled in the
stirrup. He was very badly bruised with the feet or the
running horse, but fortunately no bones were broken,
and the confinement to his bed will be but temporary.—
Newburgh Naos, May 10.
LAUNCH OF A STEAMER FOR THE NIGER EXPEOI-
TIoN.—A new steamer, called the Rainbow, built by Mr.
John Laird for the Niger expedition, was yesterday
(Wednesday) launched from the works of that gentleman
at Birkenhead. The Rainbow, which is to take the
place of the Dayspring, is constructed of steel plates,
manufactured by the Mersey Steel and Iron Company.
Mr. John Laird has also supplied the engines of the
Rainbow. The dimensions of the new steamer are as
follows :—Length, 127 feet ; beam, 16 feet ; registered
tonnage, 160.
The statue of Napoleon I. intended for the port of
Cherbourg is now being finished in the workshops of
MM. Eck and Durand, the bronze founders. The
statue is 161 feet high ; the horse is modeled of the
Anglo-Arab breed. The resemblance of the Emperor is
considered excellent ; he wears the famous historical
costume—small hat without ornament, chasseur uni-
form, and great-coat thrown open. The left hand holds
the reins and a spy-glass, and the right is extended to-
wards the horizon, which at Cherbourg will be over the
sea.

BEQUESTS BY THE LATE MR. WHYTE, BOOKSELLER.
—We understand that the late Mr. William Whyte,
bookseller, has left some valuable bequests to the Free
Church. He leaves a sum of 7,0001. to found a church
at the Cowgatehead ; 5,0001. of which is to be devoted
to the building of the church, and 2,0001. for an endow-
ment for the minister's stipend. He has also bequeathed
about 1,5001. to found bursaries in connection with the
New College, Edinburgh, and a similar sum for the
benefit of native converts in India ; 2001. to the General
Sustentation Fund ; 2001. to the Scheme for the Con-
version of the Jews • 2001. to the Colonial Scheme ; a
sum of 2001. or 3001. to the Aged and Lefirhu Ministers',
and 3001. or 4001. to Lady Glenorchy's Church, of which
he was an elder, and 2001. to the School for the Indus-
trious Blind.—. Edinburgh, Advertiser.
Advicea from Riga mention that the ceremony of
turning the first turf and commencing the works for
the Riga Dunaburg Railway took place on the 20th
inst. The Greek Archbishop of the surrounding pro-
vinces attending with his choir, as did also the princi-
pal Reformed clergy with theirs. A. procession was
formed to conduct Prince Sawaroff, the Governor-
General, from the Exchange to the spot, in which all
the authorities took part, together with the various
guilds with their banners. The day was kept as a
general holiday, and great interest was manifested by
all classes in the event. After the ceremony the autho-
rities and principal inhabitants, to the number of 600,
dined in a large pavilion erected on the spot. These
proceedings, however, it is added, had nothing to do
with the practical commencement of the works, which
are already in progress on several points of the line, so
that it is hoped to have by the end of this season a eon-
sideiAble portion ready for receiving the rails.
The Earl of Lucan proposes to move the following
amendment when the House of Lords takes into consi-
deration the Commons' reasons for disagreeing with their
lordships' amendments :—"Provided also, that when-
ever any of her Majesty's subjects professing the Jewish
religion shall be required to take the oath appointed by
this act on any occasion other than an application to be
a:!mitted to sit and vote in either house of Parliament,
the words And I make this declaration upon the true
faith of a Christian' shall be omitted ; and that from and
after the passing of this act it shall be lawful fir the
House of Loris and for the House of Commons, respec-
tively, by resolution of the house, to determine that the
form of the said oath, so far as such oath rests upon or
refers to the Christian faith, shall, for tho purpose only
of such oath being administered to persons professing
the Jewish religion, be modified, and to make such modi
faction accordingly in such manner as to each such
house shall seem best calculated to adapt the form of
the said oath to the honest and conscientious sceuples of
the said persons professing the Jewish religion."
NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK LIFE BOATS AND LIFE-
SAVING APPARATUS. YARMOUTH, MAY 24. Tue
Surveyor-General of 'the Board of Trade has just con-
cluded his tour of inspection on the lifeboats and rockets
and mortar apparatus on the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts.
He has, wee believe, expressed his satisfaction with the
renovated life-boats and more ar and rocket apparatus sta-
tioned on this and the neighbouring coast of Suffolk. It
will be remembered that last winter loud complaints were
made of the inefficiency of the life-boats and life-saving
apparatus on the Norfolk coast. Since then the whole
of the Norfolk lifeboats have been transferred to the
management of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
which has already built new lifebeats for Winterton and
Palling, transporting carriages for the same, and has
either built or altered houses for their reception. The so-
ciety is now engaged in building new lifeboats for Yar-
mouth, Mundesley, Bacon, and Cromer, together with
carriages and houses for them. We, therefore, trust that
before next winter sets in we shall have all our life-
boat-stations in a thoroughly efficient state on this dan•
gerous line of coast, along which hundreds of colliers and
other vessels are daily passing to and fro. Much credit
is also due to the Norfolk branch of the above institu-
tion for the cordial manner with which it co-operates with
it. We believe that the best results will follow from
this important inspection of the means of saving life
from shipwreck oa the pert of the Board of Trade, whose
officer performs his duty with much zeal and intelli-
gence. Ho orders the lifeboats out, and superintends
both the ekircising of the boats and mortar appa-
ratus. He proceeded northward on his tour of inspec-
tion, and we doubt not the lifeboats of the institution on
that line of coast will give him equal satisfaction.
THE CROPS AND THE WHEAT MARKET.—AII nature
gives evidence of the influence of the recent showers aid
warmth ; the trees are everywhere in full foliage, and
the postures have made astonishing prograes, so much so
that, to use a common expression, one can almost "see
the grass grow." The fruit trees are everywhere giving
large promise ; in fact, vegetation of all kinds is going
on at a rate that will rapidly suffice to make up for any
backwardness which the earlier cold and dry spring had
induced. The grain crops are looking spleedi ily ; all
traces of the yellow and pinched condition, which had
in places begun to be observable having nearly, if not
entirely vanished. The earlier sown wheats are won-
derfully strong and vigorous with a thick plant and
heavy sag, whilst the latter sown are also "coming
along" most satisfactorily. Peas and beans are also fast
improving since the rains, as are oats and barley. In -
fact, the appearance of all the crops is most promising.
All that remains now to be wished for is a fine summer
to convert that promise into a golden performance. Tae
grain market, which recently was depressed, seems to
have rallied, and effected a partial recovery. Prices
throughout the provinces have been firmer during the
past week ; for, notwithstanding the abundant pro-
mise of the growing crops, farmers do not appear
disposed to sell other than sparingly at existing
prices ; and as millers and factors are short of stock,
what trade is done is transacted at slightly im-
proved rates. But still markets are dull, since neither
holders nor speculators are prepared to act upon aey very
decided opinion—except indeed, it be an opinion that no
one can at present see the way very clearly as to future
prices. Hance op rations are limited, and are likely to
be so for the present.—Sussex A dvertiser.
A MATTER OF TASTE.—A German rag-picker, known
only by the name of Searburgher, who, with his family,
has been until lately living in what is known as the
"Rag-picker'sßetreat," No. 330, East Thirteenth -street,
has disgusted his fellow-tradeemen, and drawn upon
himself considerable persecution by indulging in dead
cabs and rats for food. These he gathered from the etreetes
usually to the number of five or six daily, as ho found
them in the practice of his vocation. Upon his arrival
home he sk nned them, served up their flesh for food, in
the shape of fricassee?, stews, and roasts, according to
his fancy. The fur of the cats he laid aside for waking
pillows, chair cuehione, and mattresses. The skins were
hung up around the room to dry, preparatory to being
sold to dealers in such articles. His associate rag-pickers
noticed his habit of collecting the carcasses of rats and
cats, and thinking it strange, inquired of him what he
did with them. He gave them to under-tend it was for
the purpose of obtaining their skins and furs. They
were not long, however, in discovering the fact tha.; he
ate the carcases, and that his family also derived their
principal sulesistence from this loathsome species rf
offal. Whoa this fact became generally known, the
indignation of the ragpickers living in the same
house was excited to such a pitch, tnat they deter-
mined to stone him out of the premise,. Oa his
return home a day or two since, the incensed crowd
seised his cart, in which were five dead cats and two
rats. They threw the dead carcasses into the street, and
gave them to understand that, unless he and his family
left the house immediately, they would lay violent hands

on him. Fearing that they might carry their threat
into execution, he gattier2d up his store of rags, and a
few articles of furniture, and left with his family. They
compelled him to leave behind his stock of fur, and aLo
the skins of the cats and rats which were hung upon the
strings, covering nearly the entire walls of his apart.
meets. Tee exile made his way to 121, Willet-street,
house occupied exclusively by rag-pickers, and was re-
fused admittance. It is not known where he finally suc-
ceeded in finding quarters, but it i 3 rumoured that he
moved to the vicinity of Ninetieth-street, on the east
aide of the town. They folio Ned hin until he left the
Eleventh Ward, when they gave up the chase. Health
Warden Green, of the Eleventh Ward, in his report to
the City Inspector, confirmed tee story of Sbarburgher's
col ecting dead cats from the streets, and dressing and,
together with his family, eating them lie says this
strange individual is about 40 years of age, a roba't,
healthy-looking man, and that his wife and two children
compare favourably with people of their elms. The Reg-
pickers' Retreat alluded to is a four-story brick tene-
ment, and is entered through an alley-way. There are
11 families in the house, embracing 63 p reona, besidts
about an equal number of dege, which they employ in
dragging t%eir carts.—Nevi York paper.
DR. MUSPRATT AND THE NEW YoEK COLLEGE OP
PHARMACY.—At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the New York College of Pharmacy, held at their rooms
on the evening of April 1, 1358, the following preamble
anti resolution was unanimously adopted :—" Whereas
it has been reported that Dr. Sheridan Muspratt, Presi-
dent of the College of Chemistry, Liverpool, contemplates
making a visit to the United States, and the eminent
services rendered by him towards the advancement of
chemical science entitle bins to our special regards ;
iherefere, be it resolved,—That a committee be appointed
from the board of trustees, whose duty it shall be, in
the event of the arrival of Dr. Muspratt, to wait upon
him, and extend him a welcome on the part of the
college, and proffer such attentions as may be deemed
proper on the occasion." In pursuance with the above
resolution, the following gentlemen were named to act
as the committee—John Meakin, President; George
Berrien, Secretary.—Now York, Tribune.