The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-16 00:00:00

JRES FOR 1859.

Northampton 29

Epsom Spring 15
Durham 25
Newmarket Craven 25
Catteriek

.Y.
Ludlow 19
Bath 24
Harpenden o-
Epsom Summer 3l

MR. WHITWORTH'S GUN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,--Would you allow me an opportunity of
correcting the impression which I find has got abroad,
that cannon made by me have failed in practice?
As this impression may, perhaps be strengthened
by the report of the observations made in the
House of Commons last week, I feel myself called
upon to stats the facts that have given rise to
reports which arc really without. foundation. My
experiments have fo_ some time past been mainly
directed to the subject of rifled small arms; but,
as the system which I have adopted is equally
applicable to ordnance of all sizes, I bored and
rifled several pieces of cannon, which were supplied
to me in the solid by the Government. Some of
these were brass guns. which have stood the teat of
continued firing, and three were of cast iron, which
have burst. For the strength of these guns I was
in no degree responsible; they were the ordinary
pieces made for the smooth-bored cannon used in
the service, and proved too weak to bear the strain
of firing long rifled projectiles.
1 should most certainly not have undertaken to
rifle them if I had foreseen, or could have supposed
that their failure, which was caused by want of
strength, would have been imputed to my system
of rifling.
Being dethrous of immediately rendering all the
aid I could to the service, I considered the experi-
ment, of rifling the pieces, as they are ordinarily
supplied, worthy of being tried, and I think I may
venture to state that their trial has furnished re-
sults of no inconsiderable importance.
All the guns rifled by me belonged to and were
at the time at the disposal of the War Depart-
ment. I had not the means of firing cannon at
long ranges, but I hoped to have been furnished
with the results of experiments that would have
enabled me to form correct. conclusions. I hope,
soon, however, to be enabled to make trial of two
guns which, on my own responsibility, I am
constructing of the requisite strength, and which,
I doubt not, will fully realise the expectations en-
tertained by those who witnessed the first experi-
ments in April, 1856, with the 24-pounder brass
, howitzer which I bored and rifled. At that time pro-
. jectiles,varying from twoto six diametem in length,
having quick rotary motion, were fired with great
' success.—l am, sir, yours most obediently,
JOSEPH WHITWORTH.
Manchester, March 14.

THE IRISH SECRET SOCIETIES.—The trial of the
prisoners on a charge of conspiracy against the CroWn,
which has occupied the Court for some days at Tralee, was
brought to a conclusion, for the present at least, yesterday.
The July were unable to agree in theirverdict, and the trial
was postponed till March 30. The jury were discharged.
PUGILISM.—JOSEPH NOLAN, OF BIRMINGHAM,
AND JOHN HICKS, OF LONDON, Fon £loo.—The contest
between these men took place yesterday. Nolan was the
victor.
CHURCH RATES.—A contest took place at Bahl
Ardsley, near Wakefield, on Saturday last, for a church-
rate in this parish, which terminated by a majority of 22 in
favour of the rate.
" I say, Sambo, does you know the key to de
prosperity of de Sour?" " Rey to prosperity of de Souf
—big words, Juno ; guess you must hab been eating
massa's dickshunary. Golly, I ain't lamed nuff to answer
dat." " Well, chile, 'tis de darkey."
THE BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY BILLS.—
A meeting of merchants and other traders took place to-
day, Mr. It. W. Crawford, M.P. in the chair, upon the
question of the amendment of 'the law of bankruptcy.
At a meeting in November last a committee was appointed
to consider the bills introdncrd into Parliament by the
Lord Chancellor and Lord John Russell. After a care-
ful examination of the provisions of the two Acts,
pps
Russell's scheme,
ch
e they
me,
the committee are of opinion that the " Debtor and
John
Creditor" Bill of Lord Chelmsford exhibits many de-
ficiencies, and shouldsn b
recommend a steal' ore firm]
Support tclrLol oophpno sduryd Re
which it was state will receive some important additions.
Tha committee also propose to refer the bill to a select com-
mittee, under, whose superintendence every proper amend-
ment may be introduced. After a short discussion, in the
Icourse of which the evils of the present system were forcibly
pointed out by Mr. S. Morley and other speakers, a resolu-
tion was carried to present a petition to Parliament, -em-
bodying the views of the committee.
An analysis of the position of the 17 principal
railways of the United Kingdom on the 31st of September
last, has been published to that date, Tables A and B exhibit
the total capital raised and expended, table C the gross and
net receipts, D the amounts available and paid as dividends,
E the ratio of expenditure to receipts and of preference lia-
bilities to ordinary share capital, and F the ratio of receipts to
capital and the present market value of each stock. Three
calculations, which have been prepared by Mr. John Grin-
steel, by whom previous similar abstracts have been fur-
nished, show that as regards the rate of dividend the
London, Brighton, and South Coast occupies the leading
position, and the Great Western the lowest (with the
exception of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Linco n, which
panothing)), while in the ratio of expenditure to receipts,
tlie)Bh fac kwa, the Great. Southern and Western of Ireland,
and the Great Western present the most favourable
figures, those of the Eastern Counties being the
most unfavourable. In market price the Man-
chester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, and Great Western
Stocks are Vie lowest, while the Brighton find Great
outhern and, Western of Ireland, are the -; highest.
It also appears that the preferential and loan *Ad #e-
vested in these 17 lines, averages 441 per cent. of the
total capital raised, that the gross traffic receipts
realise but 8 1-6th per cent. upon the whole capital ex-
pended, and that the next receipts give an average interest
011 the total capital expended of nearly 41 per cent., but
that the preferential charges and guarantees reduce the in-
terest on the ordinary capital to 3/ per cent.