The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 15, 1859

OUlt NAVAL DEFENCES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The present all-absorbing question in the
daily papers is, " What nation possesses the largest
and most efficient navy ? " Is not England, as a
maritime Power, undoubtedly the first in the
world? It is not by merely counting the number
of ships, number of guns and their armament, that
an honest view of her superiority can be justly
formed—it requires a careful examination into her
capabilities of production, her immense and nume-
rous stores of the raw material on hand, and well
seasoned for immediate use. This is not all ; look
at the capabilities of producing mechanical power,
such as steam engines—look at her overwhelming
and inexhaustible supply of combustible material
in the shape of coal ; finally, examine into her
pecuniary national resources, and the immense
wealth and untiring energy of her people. We
must now consider steamships of war, with refer-
ence to their capabilities of defence and attack, and
thereby endeavour to point out their good and bad
qualities, as a powerful national arm of defence.
History speaks for itself: our navy has always been,
and always will be, England's floating bulwarks.
No greater proof of the capabilities of our navy, as
our right arm of defence, is wanting, and long may
we continue to have only floating batteries, and not
puff ourselves up with the ill-judged recommenda-
tions of our war authorities, to spend large sums
of the public money in the useless construction of
immoveable brick and mortar batteries ; if we are to
secure arsenals from attack during a time of war
let us trust to our navy.
To fully demonstrate the powers of attack, we
may classify them under two distinct heads, viz.-
1. Attacking ships of war at sea.

2. Attacking the sea faces of land fortifications.

Firstly : the world is fully conversant with the
indomitable and energetic courage of our navy,
when an engagement at close quarters takes place
,between ships of war at sea. I shall therefore
proceed at once to elucidate the second question.
In attacking the sea faces of land defences, when
such are efficiently constructed, our navy is power-
less. For instance, were not the allied fleets com-
pelled to retire out of range of the Russian guns
when they bombarded the sea faces of Sebastopol,
and never again did they venture to attack these
batteries—even the number of our ships and weight
of metal availed us nothing. It is a deplorable
fact that our fleet is powerless as an arm of attack
against the sea defences of an enemy. Sebastopol
laughed at us, and so would Cherbourg and Cron-
stadt. What is to be done ? where is the remedy ?

Let our Government loosen the hands of our
scientific men, and offer a prize for the most effi-
cient, practical, and inexpensive method of enabling
our fleet to destroy all sea•face fortifications, when
the admiral commanding shall think fit.

Did not Mr. Macintosh offer his formidable
system of warfare to our own Government in 1853,
which would enable the admiral to generate at
pleasure an artificial and impenetrable black
smoke, under cover of which he could bring
his ships into position, and either annihilate
the forts by his own guns, or suffer the black smoke
to utterly destroy the enemy's gunners, should they
dare to wait the arrival of this fearful agent ? Was
it not rejected, and finally (after successful experi-
ments had been made) forcibly suppressed by Lord
Panmure (the Minister of War), solely on the
ground of its undoubted efficacy, and the sealing of
his patent interdicted ? Was it not a deadly and
fruitless operation to carry our ships in openly
before the sea-face batteries of Sebastopol, and
how eagerly both fog and darkness were looked for
to enable our steamers to approach unseen within
range of the Russian forts, and then pour in their
broadsides ? Did not the Hon. Captain Drummond
steam into the harbour of Sebastopol (shortly before
war was officially declared against Russia), favoured
by a dense Black Sea Fog. Again, did not the
Russian admiral totally destroy, in a few hours, c
Sinope and the Turkish fleet, under cover of a
thick fog ?
These are historical facts ; but in the face of this,
our Admiralty, confident—alas ! far too confident !
—in their own resources, forbade the nse of Mr.
Macintosh's invention (see Mr. Reed's paper, 15th
December, 1858, on " The Power of Attack and
Defence of our Navy")—the allied fleets went in to
attack the Russian batteries, and very soon with-
drew, all but ignominiously beaten.
Let supplies of money be voted, during the
next session of Parliament, to form an "Incendiary
Steam Brigade," which ought to be at once esta-
blished. This new system will far outstrip all
other plans, and effectually prevent those volcanic
irruptions which occasionally, break out on the
Contineit, thereby disturbing the general peace of
the world.—l am, Sir, E. F.

THE PRINCE OP WALES IN
BRUSSELS.

On Wednesday the Prince of Wales, accompanied by
the personages of his suite, and by the Duke of Brabant and
the Count of Flanders, visited various parts of Brussels ;
the party dined afterwards at the chateau of Laeken. In the
evening the King of the Belgians, the royal family, and the
Prince of Wales went to the palace of Brussels, to the second
quit ball given by the King. More than 1,200 f, aezts
filled the magnificent salons. The entire diplomatic corps,
the ministers, with the exception of M. Rogier, Minister of
the Interior, the high civil and military functionaries from
the various provinces, and foreigners of distinction in great
numbers, assisted at the fete. The Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr.
Gonella, after having been received first of all by the King,
withdrew, as usual, after the entry of la's Majesty and their
royal highnesses into the grand salle d'honneur. The
duchess wore a very rich and cha-ming ball dress, rose-
coloured, and trimmed with lace coiCare studded with
diamonds. The King and princes wore the grand cordon
of the order of Leopold upon their brilliant uniforms. The
Prince of Wales wore a rich English uniform, with the
royal insignia of England.
•
The princes took part in several dances. The Prince of
Wales, giving his arm to the Duchess of Brabant, walked
through the rooms in the midst of the crowd of guests. The
King withdrew into his apartments at supper-time, after
joining in conversation with several of the guests. The
ball was kept up until 2 o'clock yesterday morning. The
King, the Prince of Wales, and the royal family remiened
at the palace.

On Thursday his Royal Highness the Pi;nee of Wales
left Brussels on his way to Italy.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

M. Remusat, the spirited entrepreneur of this theatre, is
progressing, apparently determined at least to merit success.
"Le Domino Noir," one of Auber's chefs d'oeuvres, was
repeated last evening, and certainly had ample instice done
to it by the company. The burthen of the .opera, of course
rest 'on Madame Faure, who, in the character of Angele,
fully sustained the favourable impression she had already
made, and by the sweetness and excellence of her singing
amply compensated for any trifling deficiency. of voice.
Her "Rondo Aragonnaise" was a most brilliant and finished
performance, and, as it richly deserved, was enthusi-
astically re-demanded. Madlle. Celine Mathieu made a
pretty and interesting Scour Brigitte. M. Berger, the new
tenor, has not a powerful voice, but he sings pleas-
ingly, and enters fully into the character of Horace,
which he plays well. Favourable mention may also be
made of the Juliano of M. Emon and the Gil Perez of M.
Montelar. The Lord Elfort of M. Montreuil was a very
fair caricature, although the accent was far from that of an
Englishman in speaking French ; it was not assez prononce.
Be it observed, however, at the present day it is not rare to
find English ladies and gentlemen speaking that language
with a purity of accent and expression which somewhat
astonish the natives. The orchestra, under the very able
direction of M. Remusat, was perfect. At the termination
of the opera loud calls were made for Madame Faure, who
presented herself and gracefully acknowledged the compli-
ment. The house was full, and among the visitors were
several members of the beau monde.

MR. BRIGHT AT BRADFORD.—The meeting at
Bradford next Monday will be looked forward to with deep
interest, when we state that Mr. Bright will there lay be-
fore his audience a clear statement of the provisions of his
new Reform Bill. The suffrage, the distribution of repre •
sentatives, and the machinery by which the hen. member
for Birmingham p4poses that elections shall hereafter :be
conducted, will be exactly described. The natural anxiety
of the people to learn these particulars will thus be satisfied
at the earnest possible moment. To frame a new electoral
system for a country like Great Britain is not the pastime
of an idle day. On this bill we need, perhaps, scarcely say
its author has expended many weeks of patient and careful
ixclustry.—Manchester Examiner.
MR. BRIGHT'S INVITATION TO LIVERPOOL—The
Liverpool _Daily Times, in an article upon this subject,
says that Mr. Bright has' been compelled, from his delicate
health and number of engagements, to decline the invita-
tion to Liverpool. This loss, the Times states, will be
deeply felt by the Liberal party, or at least by those who
have a real title to this appellation ; but as Mr. Bright
cannot come, the editor recommends the Liberal electors to
meet, discuss the subject of Parliamentary reform, and to
have petitions prepared ready for presentation at the open-
ing of Parliament.

The Prince and Princess de Croy have left the
Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, for Paris.
The Duke of Richmond' has arrived at Portland-
place, to attend a militia commission.
The late Duchess of Cleveland's mother was
daughter, not heir, of Admiral Sir George Pocock, K. 8.,
not K.H., as appeared in our paper of the 12th inst.
The Earl of Warwick left town on Thursday, on
a visit to her Majesty, at Windsor Castle. The noble
countess is detained in town by indisposition.
The Earl of Norbury has left Edwards' Hotel, for
Ireland.

We regret to announce the demise of the Dowager
Lady Gray, which moutaful event took place on the 31st
ult., at Warriston House, near Edinburgh, in her 90th
year.

Lord Alexander Gordon Lennox, M.P., has left
town on a visit to Lord and Lady dhurcl.4ll, at Cornbury
Park, Charlbury, Oxon.
Lady Blanche Balfour has arrived at the Queen's
Hotel, Upper Norwood, from Wbittingham.
Mr. Augustus Paget, who has been on a visit to
her Majesty, at Windsor Castle, has been lately appointed
Minister at the Court of Dresden. Mr. A. Paget is son of
the late Right Hon. Sir Arthur Paget, K. 8., who was far
many years a distinguished ambassador at the Courts of
Vienna and Constantinople, &c.
THE PRINCESS FREDERICK WILLIAM.—Sir Jas.
Clark left London on Monday for Berlin, in order to be
present at the approaching accouchement of the Princess
Frederick William, The Princess will be attended by the
Prussian physician who was present at the last accouche
meat of our Queen.—Medical Times.
The Brussels Independance states that the fact of
the approaching marriage of Prince Napoleon Bonaparte to
the eldest daughter of the King of Sardinia has been com-
municated to the Court of St. James's, and that "England
replies that she views the marriage with satisfaction ; and
Queen Victoria has presented her congratulations to the
imperial family."
ACCIDENT TO THE DUKE OF ARGYLL.—OD
Thursday night, as his grace was proceeding to the City
Hall, Glasgow, to deliver a lecture on geology before the
members of the Athenmum, his carriage came in contact
with another, the pole of which, entering the panel, struck
the duke upon the head. Fe/tunably the injury which
his grace sustained was very slight, and in a few minutes
'after the accident he was able to deliver his lecture.—North
British Mail.
At the meeting of the Commercial Dock Company
held yesterday, a dividend of 2i per cent. for the six
months was recommended and agreed to.
WARWICK ASSIZES.—An order in Council ap-
pearing in Friday's Gazette, directs that in future assizes
for despatch of civil business will be held both at Warwick
and Birmingham.
The convocation of the prelates and clergy of the
province of Canterbury was yesterday prorogued in the
Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster, by the Vicar-General,
Dr. Travers Twiss, under a commission from his Grace the
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England
and Metropolitan, pursuant to the Royal writ, to Friday,
Feb. 4.
MR. W. CopKE, JUN.—We are happy to state
that this young and clever artiste is progressing favourably.
He was enabled to quit his bed, for the first time, since lifs
late severe accident, on Wednesday last, and we hope soon
to be able to record that he has re-assumed his professional
duties.--Sunday Times.
MR. BARNUM'S THIRD LECTURE.—Mr. Barnum's
third Lecture on Humbug and Mottey-maldng took place
last night in St. James's-hall, in the presence of a large
and respectable audience. It is right to stab that a large
proportion of Mr. Barnum's audience on the three occasions
on which he has lectured consisted of the fair sex, the lec-
ture being one quite as interesting to the ladies as to our
sex. The lecture last night was as successful as on the two
former occasions.
THE LATE MADAME VESTRIS.—We understand
that the monument about to be erected by Mr. Charles
Mathews, in Kensal Green Cemetery, to the memory of the
late Madame Vestris and which has been so long delayed
by his absence in America, is now near completion. It is of
quiet and unpretending character, consisting of a plain slab
of white marble, surrounded by a small scroll of vine leaves,
and bearing a simple inscription, to mark her resting place.
It is expected to be placed on the ground in the course of
the next two or three weeks.—Stvaday Thies.
SHIPPING ON THE MERSEY.—FrOM statistics
presented yesterday to the Mersey Dock Board, it appears
that during 1858 16,726 vessels passed inwards through the
Victoria and other northern channels to and from Liver-
pool. This makes a total intercourse of 34,402 vessels.
During 1857 the total intercourse was 39,139 vessels.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.—Friday's Gazette
contains a notice, signed by the Speaker, stating that at the
end of 14 days he will issue his warrant for the election of a
member for Linlithgowshire, in the room of Mr. George
Dun das, who h,-,9e3cepted the office of Lieutenant- Governor
of Prince Edwel Island. Another notice is given that
after 14 days the Speaker will issue his warrant for a new
writ for Boston, Mr. William Henry Adams having vacated
his seat by accepting the office of Recorder of the borough
of Derby.
SUPPOSED MURDER AT OLDHAM.—Yesterday
morning, about half-past seven o'clock, a man named James
Robinson, a mechanic, was found lying on a road from
Sheepwashes-lane, Oldham, with a wound in his neck from
which he shortly afterwards died. When asked, "Have
you done this ?" he only shook his head in reply. A knife
was found near him, and from the traces of blood it ap-
peared that he had staggered about 60 yards. He was
found by a gardener named Whittaker.
FIRE IN THE HACKNEY-ROAD.--Yesterday Merri-
-1 ing, shortly before three o'clock, a fire happened in the pre-
mises of Mr. Steel, coffee-shop keeper, Hackney-road. Upon
the alarm being given the Royal Society's fire-escape, under
the direction of Conductor Eilbeck, attended. On their
arrival three females on the first floor, and two men on the
third floor, were just upon the point of jumping out of the
windows. Eilbeck having ascended the escape he succeeded
in bringing them down in safety. Barton having attended
with the parish engine, the fire was soon extinguished.
FIRE AND LOSS OF TWO LIVES—On the evening
of the 10th inst. a man named Robert Cowan, aged 27, and
George Wardrobe, about 18 years of age, were engaged in
pouring some naphtha out of one vessel into another on the
premises of Mr. W. Cass, ship chandler, Goole, in the West
Riding of Yorkshire, when, by some means not clearly as-
certained, the naphtha became ignited, the premises were
set on fire, and the two men enveloped in the flames. The
fire raged for upwards of an hour, and did damage to the
amount of £6OO or £7OO ; and both the unfortunate men,
after suffering severely, have died from the injuries they
received in the fire. Wardrobe expired on Sunday, and
Cowan on Wednesday last.
IMPORTS INTO HoLL.---The duty paid on grain
and flour imported into Hull during the past week was as
follows :—Wheat, 735 qrs., £36 15s. ; barley, 8,420 qrs.,
£4/1 ; beans, 205 qrs., £l3 55.; peas, 37 qrs., £1 17s. ;
wheat flour, 964 cwt., £lB ls. 6d. ; potatoe flour, 700 cwt.,
£l3 2s. 6d. The imports of cattle during the same period
were as follows :—Per Seahorse, from Rotterdam, 6 calves ;
Helen Macgregor, from Hamburg, 11 horses; Graaf van
Rechteren, from Kampen, 206 pigs ; Norfolk, from Rotter-
dam, 61 cows, 11 calves, 9 sheep. Total, 61 cows, 17
calves, 206 pigs, 9 sheep, 11 horses.
THE WEATHER IN THE NORTH.—Yesterday,was
not such a stormy day as its predecessors, but still there
was a strong ts ind blowing, and at intervals very slight
showers of rain fell. The steamer Clansman, which arrived
from the north yesterday. reports having seen several ves-
sels ashore at Lewis, and along the shore of the west coast.
One vessel, Spanish, loaded with Indian corn, had arrived
at Stornoway, with the master dead from hunger. They
had been out 130 days, and had suffered much from want of
provisions The steamer exnetienced severe weather on
Monday and Tuesday last.--Glasgow Bulletin.
REPEAL OF THE PAPER DUTY.—One hundred
members of Parliament have now identified themselves with
the Newspaper and Periodical Press Association for obtain-
ing the repeal of the paper duties. This amount of strength,
organised without fuss or noise, and in the course of a few
weeks, speaks well for the cause. Nothing succeeds like
success, says the French proverb. Now, an agitation that
starts with 100 vice presidents, each writing M.P. behind
his name, must be held to have commenced its tamer with
a very remarkable success. The rest will follow. Arrange-
ments are in progress for a deputation to the Government—
and it will include leading men connected with the press of
Scotland and Ireland, as well as of England..—Athencewm.
!ail-WELLINGTON COLLEGE.—Thursday, the 20th
instant, is the day announced for the opening of this college.
It is generally anticipated that her Majesty, who laid the
foundation stone in 1856, will honour the interesting cere-
monial connected with opening the institution with her pre-
sence. Even should her Majesty be unable to attend, it is
confidently believed that the Prince Consort will be present,
with the Earl of Derby, the Premier, and the governors of
the college. But little. of these extenetve works now remains
to be finished. The building is capable of accommodating
240 students, but this number, it is stated, can only be
received by the fund for the maintenance of the establish-
ment being considerably augmented.
LECTURE BY A PRIVATE SOLDIER.—It would
seem that the general opinion with regard to the scholarly
attainments of our soldiers is not a correct one in all cases.
The men belonging to the 96th Regiment, stationed at D even-
port, are in the habit of meeting once a week to hear lectures
delivered by their comrades, and on Friday evening last
Private Charles Usher addre-sed about 50 men of the
regiment on the subject of "The Lives of Great men."
Byron, Cowper, Napier, Goldsmith, and others came under
his notice, and he showed in each case what had made them
great. The lecturer came eventually to the great stumbling-
block in the way of the advancement of the men he was
addressing, strong drink namely, and induced several of
them to join the pledge then and there. A colour 'sergeant
spoke on the same subject when the lecture was over, and
the chairman (Dr. Brown) also entreated the men present to
join the temperance cause.

LORD BROUGHAM AND THE BURNS CENTENARY.
-.—The following extract from a letter received yesterday
from Lord Brougham will be read with much regret :—" I
do assure you most unfeignedly that it gives me very great
pain to find myself after all in the utter impossibility of
being in anything like time to assist at the meeting of the
25th. Even should the reports which have reached us of
Parliament meeting before the usual time prove well-
founded, I shall be wholly unable to leave this part of the
country in time to attend. The very earliest moment I can
possibly be in London is the beginning of next month. I
always, as you, may remember, considered my return as
most doubtful; but accidental circumstances, which I could
not foresee, have rendered it impossible. It is needless to
add how great a disappointment this is to me, and I can
only hope that it may not have proved inconvenient to those
who arrange the
.meeting."—Scotsman.

NIGHT POACHING NEAR BLACKBURN.—On Wed-
nesday night, about half-past eleven o'clock, as four
keepers, in the employment of Edward Petrel Esq., who
Preserves the game in the township of Billington, near
Blackburn, were on duty on a farm occupied by Paul
Craven, they came upon four or five poachers, who had
about 200 yards of netting set, and had already "bagged"
five rabbits. On seeing the keepers the poachers made a
stand, and commenced throwing stones. As the keepers
were gaining upon them they ran, and the keepers pursued,
but succeeded in capturing only one, Thomas Walsh, who
belongs to Over Darwen. Walsh was taken before two
county justices at Blackburn, on Thursday, and admitted
the charge, at the same time begging that the magistrates
would be as easy with him as possible. He refused to tell
who his companions were.—He was sent to prison for•three
months with hard labour.

STATE OT TRADE.—MANCHESTER, Jan. 14.-

The market is not very active, the foreign news having the
effect of checking operations, though the feeling seems tolbe
more cheerful on this score than at the commencement of
the week. The letters from Calcutta received this morning
have produced a favourable effect, on goods suited for that
market, and orders for India are Still given out at extreme
prices. The German houses are also operating more freely,.
but there is not much doing for the continent generally.
The yarn market presents much less animation than a week
ago, buyers displaying great caution, but spinners are
apparently indisposed to extend their contracts, being
already well engaged and mostly without stock. Prices
are, consequently, very steady.
The following notice Was issued by the Post-
master-General yesterday—viz.: "The steamship Kan-
garoo, under contract with the United States Government,
is to sail from Liverpool with the mails on the evening of
the 18th instant. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam
Navigation Company being about to despatch their steam-
ship Malta to Sydney (touching at St. Vincent, Cape de
Verds) to take up her station between Australia and Suez'
under the company's new cpntract with her Majesty's Go-
vernment, the Postmaster-General intends to avail himself
of the departure of this steamer for the transmission of ad-
ditional mails to St. Vincent and Australia. The Malta is
appointed to leave Southampton on the 20th inst., after the
arrival of the day mail from London, and will convey ship
letter mails for St. Vincent, and the Australian colonies,
Tasmania, and New Zealand. All letters, newspapers, &c.,
intended for transmission by this steamer,:must be specially
addressed By steamer Malta.'
Last night's Gazette contains several orders in
council for the closing up. of the vaults and catacombs of
churches, chapels, &c., in the metropolis, in addition to
those previously issued, and now in course of being carried
into effect. For instance, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, St.
Anne, Soho, St. Pancras, and others have received formal
notice for closing by the Ist of February next, after which
day all coffins, &c., not previously removed, will be collected
in one common vault, which will then be closed and built
up, never afterwards to be opened or inspected on any pre-
tence whatever. These proceedinga have caused great ex-
citement and uneasiness amongst persdns having relatives
buried in these places of sepulture, and who, until now, had
considered the family vault, often purchased at a high price,
an inalienable possession, sacred to all time. The London
Necropolis Company have, in many instances, received in-
structions for the removal of remains from the above
churches to their cemetery at Woking, which indeed may
now be said to be the only.place of sepulture available to
the metropolis—where, owing to its immense extent and
resources, and the statutory regulations applying to it, the
dead, once laid in their graVe, may rest in peace for ever,.
free from all risk of desecration by disturbance or removal.
THE SECOND ACCIDENT FROM THE FALL OF A
HOUSE IN LIVERPOOL.—The Liverpool borough coroner
yesterday (Friday) held an investigation relative to the fall
of Lumb's public-house, 13, Tithebarn-street, on Thurs-
pay morning last, which resulted in the death of Timothy.
Hunt, a labourer, who was at the time of the accident en-
gaged in working in one of the top rooms of the premises.
From an inspection of the premises made by the coroner
and the jury, and also from the evidence given, it appeared
that the flooring of the room where the deceased and some
other men were working at the time of the accident, was
very rotten from the leakage of the roof, and that the un-
usual strain upon the joists and flooring caused them to give
way. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death,"
with a presentment that the contractor had been guilty of
great, but not criminal, negligence.
SUDDEN DEATH OF THE CORPORAL MAJOR OF
THE BLUES,. AT A FUNERAL.—Yesterday afternoon an in 7
quest wits held by Mr. Wakley at the Bull and Last Tavern,
Kentish-tewn, on the bbdy of Corporal Major Harris, of_
the Royal Horse Guards Blue. It appears that on Tues-
day afternoon last the deceased, accompanied by part of
his regiment, now stationed at the Albany-street Barracks,
Regent's-park, was on his way for the purpose of paying
the usual military honours to a brother corporal of the same
regiment, who had died, and whose corpse was on its way
for interment in the Highgate Cemetery. Whilst the funeral
and the military cortege was passing through the upper part
of Kentish-town, near Grove-terrace, the deceased was seen
suddenly to stagger and fall into the road. Mr. Sandys, sur-
geon, of Grove-house, Kentish-town (the gentleman who
was some years ago called to attend Colonel Fawcett when
shot in a duel by Lieutenant Munroe, of the same regiment),
was driving by at the moment. He got out of his carriage
and examined deceased, and pronounced him dead. The
body was conveyed by his comrades into the Bull and Last,
and the funeral proceeded to the cemetery. Disease of the
heart was the cause of death, and the jury returned a ver-
dict accordingly.
EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY IN A RAILWAY CAR-
RIAGE.—A few days since Captain Kruze, the master of a
foreign ship called the Ocean, lying in the river, entered a
first-class carriage at the Limehouse station of the Black-
wall railway, on his way to London, and had scarcely
seated himself when a well-dressed man entered the same
carriage, and took a seat opposite. The train was no sooner
in motion than Capt. Kruze's fellow-passenger addressed
him, and said, " There is some dirt on your face, some
black, allow me to wipe it off." Capt. Kruze nodded
assent. The stranger advanced towards him with a hand-
kerchief in his hand and put it on the face of the captain,
who immediately became insensible and did not return to a
state of Consciousness until the train reached London, when
he found himself alone in the carriage and missed his
pocketbook containing £6O in gold and notes. The captain
returned to limehouse, making inquiries at the Shadwell
and Stepney stations on the way, and ascertained that a
man had left the first-class carriage of the train on its way
to London at the latter station, and that amidst the throng
of people constantly awaiting the arrival and departure of
the numerous trains at the place no particular notice had
been taken.
EXTRAORDINARY CHASE.—The little town of
Roscrea was on Monday thrown into an unexpected state of
excitement by an arrest, escape, chase, and capture, by the
Sheriff, of Sam Moore, of known sporting propensities.
Moore is a small farmer, living adjoining the railway, and
Cof into litigation with the Great Southern and Western
ompany in an action for compensation, in which he ob-
tained reverdict ; but it was set aside on an appeal in Dub-
lin, and execution having been issued for the costs, he was
arrested and brought into Mr. Brown's hotel. aking an
excuse to go into the yard, he there shook off the sheriff's
grasp, when the latter fell, and Moore got well into the
street, followed at about 30 yards by Mr. Fitzgerald, with-
out his hat, and encumbered with a heavy outside coat. The
chase continued up the hill towards the Market-cross,
where a large crowd were assembled, the pursuer, however,
gaining on the pursued. When above the barracks the
sheriff was observed to " shake " himself out of his top-
coat, and leave it in the street. This decided the issue of
the race. Moore, finding himself hard pressed, made for a
house, expecting to be able to close the door after him ; but
in this he was disappointed, for the agile sheriff was upon
him, and, clutching him by the collar, both parties rolled
into the reception-room of a confectionary establishment.
Here one of the sheriff's men, blowing like a porpoise, came
up, accompanied by, some of the constabulary, and, private
information having been given that a rescue would be at-
tempted on the road, after a lapse of about two hours, the
prisoner was escorted by Sub-Inspector Morgan and a large
force of police, to protect Mr. Fitzgerald ; so that you can
imagine our town was in a pretty state of commotion. Re-
cently some attempts have been made to upset the trains
near this place, but as yet the perpetrators of these outrages
have not been discovered.—Cionniel Chronicle.
VACANCIES, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS
IN THE CIVIL SER'VICE.—The Rbyal Household.—Dr. T.
Watson has been appointed physician extraordinary to her
Majesty, in the room of Richard Bright, Esq., M.D., de
ceased. Trinity House.—The office of one of the elder
brethren of the Trinity House has become vacant by the
death of Captain J. Shepherd. General Post-office.—Mr.
J. White has been promoted from a second to a first-class
clerk in the Birmingham. Post-office, and appointed chief
clerk in the Money Order;office, vice Mr. J. J. Stephens,
deceased ; Mr. G. Mullens has been promoted from a sup-
plementary to a second-class clerk, Birmingham, vice Mr.
J. White, promoted ; Mr. Henry Smith has been appointed
supplementary clerk, Birmingham, vice Mr. G. Mullens,
promoted. Customs.—The office of coastwaiter at Langhern
and St. Clair, Llanelly has become vacant by the death of
' Mr. D. Humphreys • Mr. Sydney F: Gibbons has been ap-
pointed a clerk in the Controller General's-office • Mr. H.
S. Starke, a clerk in the Solicitor's-office ; Mr. G. J. Kent,
Mr. C. R. Ford, and Mr. J. Cooper, clerks in the Examiner's-
office ; Mr. John White, a clerk in the Long Room; Mr.
J. F. Luscombe, a clerk in the Tea-office, London ; Mr. A.
W. Roberts, a clerk in the Legal Quays-office; Mr. F. Hoe,
a clerk for general business ; Mr. J. E. Browne, Mr. H.
Lewis, Mr. Alfred Rusby, Mr. G. H. Moody, and Mr. J.
Lawson, clerks in the London Docks ; Mr. Frederick Dya-
son, a supernumerary clerk in the Receiver General's-office,
London • Mr. T. Earle, a landing waiter at Newhaven ;
Mr. John Routledge, fourth clerk at Gloucester; Mr. John
Linane, tidewaiter and patrol at Liverpool ; and Mr. F.
Anderson has Peen appointed tidewaiter and boatman at
Portsmouth. Mr. W. Robinson has been promoted from
third to second class clerk ; Mr. Colin Chisholm, from
fourth to third class clerk ; Mr. A. Wood, from fifth to
fourth class clerk ; Mr. James Parrott from sixth to fifth
class clerk in the Examiner's-office, London ; Mr.
Benjamin T. Hall has been promoted from second
to first class tidewaiter 'at Folkestone. Excise.—
Mr. William 'Watson, Redford second division, has
been appointed examiner ; Mr. W. G. Todman has been
appointed officer of Retford second division ; Mr. Edward
Mettam has succeeded Mr. Todman; Mr. Charles Davies
has been appointed first-class assistant to Keith division,
Elgin collection ; Mr. Patrick Dooly has been appointed
officer of Birr Ride, Birr collection; Mr. William Cooke
has been appointed officer of Nottingham second ride, Not-
tingham collection ; Mr. F. G. Kent has been appointed
officer of Oswestry fourth ride, Chester collection ; Mr. T.
Rynne has been appointed officer of Letterkenny second
ride, Londonderry collection ; Mr. Joseph Patrick Molloy
has been promoted to be officer of Gainsborough ride, Thirsk
collection ; Mr. W. B. Paine has been appointed to the
Isle of Wight collection.—Civil Service Gazette.
AN IMPLACABLE FATHER.—The Boston Traveller
gives an entire copy of the will of one Augustus Thorndike,
of that city, who had just died, leaving property of about
hale million dollars. The Traveller states " that a daughter
of deceased offended her father by marrying against his will,
she being at the time 27 years of ago. It is said that the
father reached the place of marriage of his daughter a few
moments after the ceremony had been performed, but finding
that he was too late, he left the house, and ever since has
evinced his hostility to this daughter, repulsing her from his
bedside on the occasion of his last sickness. This will, which
is of great length, and in the handwriting of the deceased, is
ono of the most remarkable documents of the kind ever drawn
-up. The deliberate design exhibited in every page, and in
almost every paragraph, to cut off his child from any par-
ticipation in his accumulated wealth, because she had, at
fall age, obeyed the dictates of her heart in the choice of
her companion for life, is sad to contemplate. It is abso-
lutely terrifying to observe the careful malignity with which
throughout the document, he provides for the carrying out
of his almost demoniacal purpose. The mother is forbidden
to give aid to the child of her love,; the brothers and sisters
are debarred from the exercise of their fraternal affection ;
all who are named in the will are subject to the same penal-
ties. Old Ha: 7.. rd has a donation of 20,000 dols. for a pro-
fessorship of na: sic, but with like provisions if a copper
should, go to aid the proscribed couple or their children. A
pittance of 400 dols. per annum, to save the law, is alone
awarded to the discarded one. His wife is liberally pro-
vided for, but only on condition that she remains a widow.
A pew is lest to her in Trinity Church, but with liberty to
sell it and purchase in any other church, if she may desire
it. On that point a liberality is apparent not manifest in
other portions of the will. The wife of the deceased is now
absem from the country. She is, however, upon her return
from urope, and upon her arrival the question of probate
will be decided. It may be without impropriety added,
that the husband of the offending daughter is described by
one of the executors named in the will as a person of most
excellent character, who holds a high position in the com-
munity. They have several children. It appears that a
son has also offended his father by contracting a marriage
without his consent, but in that case the father contents
himself with cutting off, as far as possible, the relations of
his son's wife from any participation in the division of the
property,"