The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-24 00:00:00

OPENING OF ST. JAMES'S BALL.

The noble Music-hall which is to be opened to-
morrow evening for the first time, is to be inaugu-
rated with a concert in aid of the funds of the
Middlesex Hospital. Probably few persons are
aware of the necessity which has urged the com-
mittee of that important charity to resort to this
exceptional mode of recruiting their pecuniary
resources. The Middlesex Hospital was instituted
in 1745, and enlarged in 1848, to meet the pressing
wants of the sick poor. Situated in one of the
poorest districts, of the metropolis, those who seek
relief are the most deserving objects of charity, and
their number is constantly increasing. The annual
expenditure exceeds 11,0001., whilst the income is
now under 7,0001. In consequence of the gradual
migration of the richer inhabitants of the neigh-
bourhood to new parts of the town, the number of
annual subscribers has lamentably diminished of
late years. To meet this serious deficiency the
governors, within the last three years, have sold
out large portions of the capital stock, and no longer
ago than the 28th of May of last year, they were
obliged to effect the sale of a further sum of 4,8061.
The hospital contains 310 beds for in-patients; bur,
unless the funds can be permanently increased, a
third part of this old institution must be shut up.
The cancer wards, one of the distinguishing features
of the hospital, and containing 33 beds, are always
full. It is hoped that the concert of to morrow will
not only bring an immediate and temporary acces-
sion to the funds of the hospital, but that the
attention of the kind-hearted, once drawn to the
claims of this ancient and beneficent institution,
the number of its permanent subscribers may be
considerably increased.

THII ATLANTIC! CABLE.

PLYMOUTH, TUESDAY.

The Niagara, steam-frigate (14 days from New
.York), an ived here this morning. Her machinery
is slighted damaged, having encountered a succes-
sion of toutherly gales. This vessel is to take part
in the laying down of the Atlantic telegraphic
cable ; an event which is expected to take place as
early in June as the necessary preparations will
admit of. Her Majesty's ship Agamemnon is
alread3 in her position in the Keyham steam-basin
at Devoupoit ; and the coiling of 50 miles of the
cable on her upper deck has thus f,r been accom-
plished. The Niagara will be laid in dock nearly
alongside of the abandoned powder magazine at
gKreaynht
eadmt, tthhee tAt s
tei
aorif
et hie, e
lneigargaapzhi n e having been
o
y ever
s nce last August, when the accident to the cable
occurred. The new is, ue of capital authorised at
the meeting of shareholders on the 18th ult., has
been taken up to a considerable extent by theex-
fisutnindgs hhr.advdee ibse;e
been
ipidroA\v,eidetdmtdoe understand rifclor that
the sufficient
additional
length of 300 miles of cable which the directors in
their report considered it desirable to take to sea
this year. This additional 300 miles will make the
total length to be taken out fur this year's opera-
tions 2,805 miles. It is hoped, however, that if
the weather be favourable, a large proportion of
the provision fur "slack" will be saved.