The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-03 00:00:00

PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM

SHIPWRECK.

A meeting of the Royal National Life-boat In-
stitution was held yesterday, at its house, John-
btreet, Adelphi ; Captain LAMBERT PERROTT in
the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been
read,

A reward of D. was voted to a man named
James Conolly, in consideration of his intrepid
conduct in rescuing, by wading into the surf, at
considerable risk of life, three women and a boy
who were observed by him to be in a very perilous
position off Errislannin, on the coast of Galway.
It appeared that they had been engaged during the
day in collecting some seaweed. The women, at
low water were landed on a rock which was nearly
covered by the sea. In order to make fast the boat,
the lad threw a rope with a stone attached to it on
the rock. It, however, slipped off, and in endeavour-
ing to get it again into the boat, he fell overboard,
and the boat drifted into the sea. C onolly,
hearing the screams of the women, ran to their
assistance, and swam off. After much risk and
considerable difficulty he succeeded in reaching the
boat and in picking up the boy, who was by this
time perfectly insensible. Conolly then proceeded
to the relief of the three women, whom he found
clinging to each other and up to their waists in
water, the tide having flowed and covered the rock.

A reward of £3 was also voted to three fisher-
men for rescuing, at considerable risk of their lives,
one out of two persons from their curragh, which
had, during a gale of wind, been capsized off Innis-
bruin, near Clifden. One poor man lost his life
before succour could possibly reach him. He was
the only support of his widowed mother. The
salvors had performed their laudable services with
much promptitude, and had incurred considerable
peril in saving the man by taking him on board
their curragh.

A reward of £1 was likewise granted to John
Johnstone, in acknowledgement of his gallant ex-
ertions, at the risk of his life, in assisting to save
three out of fiva persons whose fishing-boat had
been capsized by being struck by a cross sea in
attempting to enter Rosehearty harbour, on the
Banffshire coast, during a heavy land surf, which
occasionally breaks over the rocks which line that
coast, particularly after a storm, as was the case on
the occasion in question. Two of the boat's crew
were under the boat, and the other three were seen
struggling for their lives in the surf. In the ex-
citement of the moment, when the people on shore
appeared to be paralysed as to the best way they
could render assistance, Johnstone, although not
able to swim, rushed into the surf, and having
helped one to get a safe footing, proceeded, at the
risk of his life, to the rescue of another man
who was observed to be rapidly sinking to rise
no more. A third man succeeded, unaided,
in reaching the shore, but the two persons
who were under the boat unfortunately perished
It was stated that the National Lifeboat
Institution was building a lifeboat to be stationed
at Fraserburgh, on the Banffshire coast, but several
others are required in the localities of the extensive
herring fisheries on that and the neighbouring
coast, where frequently fearful loss of life takes
place_ Our fishing boats, like too many of our
coasting vessels, are too often found destitute of
any appliance, such as a cork lifebuoy or lifebelt,
to save life when overtaken by an accident such as
the one recorded above. The wretchedness which
is frequently caused by such accidents in the homes
of these poor, but industrious, men is really inde-
scribable.

The institution decided to station a new lifeboat
at Carnsore, on the coast of Wexford, where wrecks
are of frequent occurrence. A lady whose life was
saved from drowning under very peculiar circum-
stances had generously offered to defray the en-
tire cost, about £3OO, of this lifeboat establish-
ment. The society also agreed to place a lifeboat
at Dundalk, where, it will be remembered, con-
siderable loss of life took place last winter. A
gentleman, from London had given £lO5 towards
the cost of this benevolent undertaking. The in-
stitution was likewise building eight lifeboats for
various other places on the English and Irish
coast. The quarterly reports of the exercise of the
sixty or seventy lifeboats which the institution has
under its management, were stated to be of a very
satisfactory character. It is sincerely hoped that,
through the liberality of the public, the society
will be enabled to pursue its successful exertions in
the cause of humanity with uninterrupted vigour.
Last year alone the lifeboat saved 398 persons
from a watery grave.

An interesting report was rea,dby Captain Ward,
RN., the inspector of lifeboats of the institution,
on the state and condition of the several lifeboat
establishments of the society on the Irish coast.
The constant supervision of its numerous lifeboat
stations by a thoroughly practical officer, together
with the system of paid masters and crews attached
to each boat, has secured such a state of uniform
efficiency in all the society's lifeboats as was pre-
viously unknown in this or in any country in re-
gard to the management of lifeboats.
It was reported that the late Miss Church, of
Berkeley, who had been a liberal subscriber to the
institution for some years, had left it a legacy of
£lOO.
The proceedings then closed.

PLAY AT WIESBADEN.—The bank at the Cursaal
of Wiesbaden was broken last week by a Prussian gentle-
man. In less than half-an-hour the bank encountered two
heavy losses, which, being backed with spirit, resulted in a
loss to the establishment of 250,000 f. The Prussian played
the highest stakes (8 500 f.) authorised by the bank, and his
example was followed by other players. This success will
doubtless afford immense consolation to those whose hard
cash had contributed to the accumulation of the quarter of
a million thus rapidly swept away..
DEATH OF DR. J. W. WATSON.—Mr. John Wm.
Watson, M.D., F.R.S.E., whose death occurred at Bath
on Monday last, aged 66, entered the army as hospital
assistant on the 10th of December, 1812 ; became assistant
surgeon on the 4th of March, 1813 ; staff surgeon, 6th of
April, 1826 ; and retired on half-pay, with the rank of
deputy inspector-general of hospitals, on the 16th of De-
cember, 1845.
QUARANTINE.—We learn from Malta that, owing
to a mistake on the part of the commander of the Pera in
opening the box which contained the bill of health issued
at Gibraltar, the ship was declared by the health authori-
ties to have communicated with that port. In conse-
quence of this so-called communication the ship will pro-
bably be subjected to the full term of quarantine at Alex-
andria on arrival from Gibraltar. As a further consequence
of this contact, the passengers per Peru have to strictly
undergo a quarantine of 10 days at Malta; but it is not
improbable the period may be shortened.
A Swiss MILLIONAIRE.—We have already men-
tioned the death at Basle of M. Merian, who was probably
the wealthiest inhabitant of Switzerland. He has left the
bulk of his large fortune, amounting to upwards of forty
million francs, to his wife for life, and after her death it
will go to the town of Basle, his birthplace. He has be-
queathed about four millions to some collateral relations,
and a similar sum td be divided among some charitable in-
stitutions, misssionaries, his medical attendants, his notary,
clerks, servants, &c. By a singular clause in his will M.
Merian has given to all parties who were indebted to him
at the time of his death a year's interest on their respective
debts.—Galignani's Messenger.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—One Shilling Day, Thurs-
day, Sept. 2.—Admissions on payment, 4,931 ; ditto, by
season tickets, 620; total visitors, 5,551.
RUSSIA.—A letter from St. Petersburg, dated 24th
of August, in the Independence Beige, says :—" Since the
departure of the Emperor a courier has arrived from Astra-
khan with disastrous news. A powder magazine bas ex-
ploded. It contained 96,000 kilogrammes, a quantity th
appears to me to be exaggerated ; but however that may
be, the half of the town has been destroyed by the effects of
this formidable explosion, and a portion of the other half
has become the prey of the flames. The environs of St.
Petersburg have also been the disaster—the
scene of a
burning of the forests. This is a great misfortune,. for
forests, everywhere precious are particularly so in It assia,
from the scarcity of wood. It was reported yesterday that
fresh disturbances had occuiT .ed Esthonia among the
peasants, and always from the same cause. The fact is
quite possible. It is said also that in the interior of
the empire there are here and there villages the
peasants of which refuse to labour on pretext of being
free, and soldiers are obliged
to be sent to restore
order. Not only is this possible, but it must be so
sooner or later. It cannot be expected that a population
of 50,000 can be made to comprehend in a day their new
social condition. Before Ins departure • the Emperor
promulgated a fresh decree of emancipation. He has re-
stored to liberty all the peasants of the Imperial palaces,
who number about 200,000. The Czar, in manifesting his
will touching the enfranchisement of these peasants, asked
in virtue of what law they had fallen into servitude, and
demanded they should produce it. But no document could,"
be laid before the Inipm:ial eves. The Emperor then asked
what were the regulations 'by which the col ee's ar4 the
labours of the peasants were distributed. The answer was
that the only rule was the written or verbal or' ers of the
• general at the head of that especial administration. What
• follows is prodigious, unheard of, and incredible. The
high dignitary referred to, hearing of the new law re-
specting these peasants, wrote to the Emperor, beseech-
ing His Majesty to grant him, in consideration of his
. long services, the favour of leaving things in static quo
I until the end of his life. This exorbitant naivette gives an
dea of the notions prevailing in Russia among:meniof the
oild regime."

LORD DERBY'S RETIREMENT FROM

THE TURF.

The announcement that the entire stud of Lord
Derby is about to be disposed of by auction is calcu-
lated to give rise to much misapprehension in the
public mind. The circumstance is likely to cast a
gloom in racing circles, for unwelcome as the tidings
of the breaking up of Lord Derby's stud would
have been at any period, it sounds additionally un-
pleasant while the noble lord holds the highest poli-
tical position, and when his countenance to the pas-
time of the people is likely to operate with such
beneficial results. Still the fact must not be mis-
understood. We do not for a moment imagine that
Lord Derby's determination to dispose of his horses
arises from relaxed ardour for sport, or that he is
partly severing his connexion with the turf from
disgust or indifference to its interests. Certain
people will, doubtless, place such a construction
upon the conduct of the noble lord ; but we trust
that their suppositions may be entirely without
foundation. The announcement has been so sudden,
and the racing public so little anticipated such a
step, that we could almost wish that Lord Derby
had favoured us with another Jockey Club letter,
briefly explaining his motives, in order that all un-
easiness and misconception might be allayed. The
fact admits of no disguise. Were a report to get
abroad that his lordship meant to withdraw entirely
from the turf, the cause of racing would be seriously
damaged. That such is not the case, we have little
hesitation in affirming, and believe we are regard-
ing the matter in its true light if we look upon it
as a sacrifice on the part of the noble lord at the
shrine of public duty. Lord G. Bentinck acted in
a precisely similar manner, and when the cares of
statesmanship fell thick upon him surrendered his
inclinations, in order to devote his whole energies to
the service of his country. Yet, the interest which
that nobleman evinced for the welfare of the turf
remained unabated to the last; and although he broke
up his stable, he never missed an opportunity of
promoting the good of our " Isthmian games."
That the step which Lord Derby has seen fit to
take is merely a parallel one with that of the
" Napoleon of the turf " is tolerably clear, and we
cannot for a moment credit the vulgar idea enter-
tained by a portion of the public, that so true a
sportsman abandons a racing stud because Toxo-
philite disappointed him at the Derby, or because
his lucky star is not in the ascendant. The Pre-
mier can be influenced by no such considerations ;
the motives which we have suggested are, in all
probability, those which have impelled him to dis-
pose of his horses. It is impossible to over-esti-
mate the importance of Lord Derby's patronage to
turf pursuits, for, with a Prince Consort who can-
not top a three-foot hedge after a pack of harriers,
and who thinks an Ascot Cup day a bore, we can
ill afford to lose the support of the Premier of Eng-
land.—Sunday Times.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S.-THURSDAY.

The few subscribers that assembled in the room did not
evince much disposition to resume business. After 3to 1
to nearly 200 had been taken about Toxopholite, 500 to 200
was booked. 7 to 2 was the highest offer against Fits

Roland ; 4to 1 was wanted. 20 Co 1 would have been laid
freely against Longrange. Several inquiries were made
after Governess, but no bet was made about her.
For the Derby, 40 to 1 to a pony was taken about
Gamester.

DERBY RACES.-THURSDAY.

Innkeepers' Plate.

Sly Fellow
Captain Ilredderburn
Four ran.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

(From the Gazette of this Evening)
WAR-OFFICE, SEPT. 3.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her in-
tention to confer the Decoration of the Victoria Cross on
the undermentioned officer and soldier, who have been re-
commended to her Majesty for that Decoration on account
of Acts of Bravery performed by them in India, as recorded
against their respective names, viz. :
Lieutenant (now Captain) Frederick Robertson Aikman,
4th Bengal Native Infantry—This officer, commanding the
3d Sikh Cavalry on the advanced picquet, with 100 of his
men, having obtained information, just as the force
marched on the morning of the Ist of March last, of the
proximtty, three miles off the high road, of a body of 500
rebel infantry, 200 horse, and 2 guns, under Moosahib Ali
Chuckbdar, attacked and utterly routed them, cutting up
more than 100 men, capturing two guns, and driving the
survivors into and over the Goomtee. This feat was per-
formed under every disadvantage of broken ground, and
partially under the flanking fire of an adjoining fort. Lieut.
Aikman received a severe sabre cut in the face in a personal
encounter with several of the enemy.
Gunner William Connolly, Bengal Horse Artillery.—
This soldier is recommended for the Victoria Cross for his
gallantry in action with the enemy, at Jhelum, on
the 7th of July, 1857. Lieutenant Cookes, Bengal
Horse Artillery, reports, that " about daybreak on that
day, I advanced my half troop at a gallop, and
engaged the enemy within easy musket range. The
sponge-man of one of my guns having been shot during
the advance, Gunner Connolly assumed the duties of 2d
sponge-man, and he had barely assisted in two discharges
of his gun, when a musket-ball, through the left thigh,
felled him to the ground ; nothing daunted by pain and
loss of blood, he was endeavouring to resume his post,
when I ordered a movement in retirement, and though se-
verely wounded, he was mounted on his horse in the gun-
team, and rode to the next position which the guns took
up, and manfully declined going to the rear when the ne-
cessity of his so doing was represented to him. About 11
o'clock, a.m., when the guns were still in action, the
same gunner, whilst sponging, was again knocked
down by a musket-ball striking him on the hip,
thereby causing great faintness and partial uncon-
sciousness, for the pain appeared excessive, and the
blood flowed fast. On seeing this, I gave directions for his
removal out of action;. but this brave man hearing me,
staggered to his feet, and said, 'No, sir, I'll not go there,
whilst I can work here,' and shortly tfterwards he again
resumed his post as sponge-man.
" Late in the afternoon of the same day, my three guns
were engaged at one hundred yards from the walls of a vil-
lage with the defenders, viz., the 14th N.I. (mutineers),
amidst a storm of bullets which did great execution. Gun-
ner Connolly, although suffering severely from his two
previous wounds, was wielding his sponge with an energy
and courage which attracted the admiration of his com-
rades, and while cheerfully encouraging a wounded
man to hasten in bringing up the ammunition, a musket-
ball tore through the muscles of his right leg ; but with tho
most undaunted bravery he struggled on ; and not till he
had loaded six times did this man give way, when, through
loss of blood, he fell in my arms, and I placed him on a
waggon, which shortly afterwards bore him in a state of
unconsciousness from the fight."

LONDON GAZETTE-(THIS EVENING).

At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 2d
day of September, 1&58, present, the Queen's Most Excel-
lent Majesty in Council. Her Majesty having been pleased
to appoint the Right Honourable Edward Henry Stanley
(commonly called Lord Stanley), to be one of her Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State, he was this day, by her Ma-
jesty's command, sworn one of her Majesty's Principal So-
retaries of State accordingly. It is this day ordered -by her
Majesty in Council that the Parliament, which stands pro-
rogued to Tuesday the 19th day of October next, be further
prorogued to Thursday the 18th day of November next.
WAR-OFFICE, SEPT. 3.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders for
the appointment of Lord Bloomfield, K.C.8., her Majesty's
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the
King of Prussia, to be an Ordinary Member of the Civil
Division of the First-class, or Knights Grand Cross, of the
Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 3.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint James Douglas,
Esq., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Vancouver's
Island, to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief, in and
over the colony of British Columbia and its dependencies.
Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint Matthew
Baillie Begbie, Esq., to be Judge in the said colony.
COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORDS-LIEUTENANT

Cornwall Rangers Militia—Ensign Edward Saint Aubyn
to be Lieutenant, vice Ernest Frederick Peel, resigned.
RESIGNATION.—Lieut. John Borlase has resigned his
Commission.

Hampshire Regiment of Militia—The Hon. Oliver George
Lambert, late Lieutenant in the 12th Regiment, to be Cap-
tain, vice Capt. Thos. Buckner Henry Valentine, resigned;
George Francis Birch, Esq., late Captain in the West Mid-
dlesex Militia, to be Captain, vice Capt. Henry Augustus
Brander, deceased; Edmund Wm. Crofts, Esq., late Cap-
tain in the 23d Royal Welsh Fusiliers, to be Captain.
County of Sussex—James Graham Domville, Esq., to be
Deputy-Lieutenant.
Ist Royal Lanarkshire Militia---r eorge Johnston Goss-
ling, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Townley, resigned.
sth or Royal Elthorne Ught Infantry Regiment of Mid-
dlesex Militia—Ens:n Joseph Balderson to be Lieutenant,
vice Seaton, resigned; D'Nyley William Battley, Gent., to
be Ensign. ;ice Nash, promoted.
BANRUPT S.

Thomas J. Taylor, grocer, Stoke Newington-road, Mid
dlesex' to surrender Sept. 17, at eleven, and Oct. 15, at one,
at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Phineas Hall, contractor, Bolton, Sept. 21 and Oct. 12,
at noon, at the Manchester District Court.
Jonathan Marshall, grocer, Tadcaster, Yorkshire, Sept.
16 and Oct. 8, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court.
Edward Catterns, hatter, Coventry, Sept. 13, and Oct.
6, at ten, at the Birmingham District Court.
George White, grocer, Birmingham, Sept. 16 and Oct.
7, at half-past eleven, at the Birmingham District Court.
Abraham David Lewes, wine merchant, North Shields,
Sept. 15, and Oct. 28, at one, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyro
District Court.

Joseph Wright, watch manufacturer, Coventry, Sept.
17 and Oct. 9, at half-past eleven, at the Birmingham
District Court.

Richard Smith Bull, baker and confectioner, Newcastle-
under-Lyme, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7, at half-past eleven, at
the Birmingham District Court.
Thomas Jobson, shipowner, West Hartlepool, Durham,
Sept. 9, at eleven, and Oct. 26, at one, at the Newcastle-
upon-Tyne District Court.
William Roberts Coole, grocer, Great Bridge, Stafford-
shire, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7, at half-past eleven, at the Bir-
mingham District Court.
Thomas Barnard, bookseller, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-
square, Sept. 16, at twelve, and Oct. 15, at two, at the Court
of Bankruptcy.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
David Turner, spirit dealer, Glasgow.
D. and M. Monro, boat-builders and fishermen, Inverary.