The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-20 00:00:00

COWES, ISLE OF TPIGIIT.—Dec.I9.

ARRIVAL or HER MAJESTY.—The junior branches of
the Royal family arrived this afternoon in the Elfin yacht,
and landed at the Trinity Wharf; and the Queen arrived
in the Fairy this evening, landing at the same wharf, and
proceeded to Osborne. The royal yachts were so altered in
their appearance as hardly to be recognised—all the gold
mouldings and other ornaments have been painted out. All
looked black, and no standard was shown.
BRITANNIA.—It is reported that this ship is to
be removed from Portsmouth harbour to Cowes roadstead.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. George
Granville Harcourt, M.P., in his 77th year. Although
not the oldest man in the House of Commons, he was the
oldest member—the " Father" of the house.

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UNITED STATES' MAILS.—The Inman steamship
Etna sailed from Liverpool on Wednesday, taking out the
United States mails and 25 cabin passengers. Besides
these she also took out a full cargo of valuable goods, and
£l,OOO in gold.
MAILS TO NORTIr AMERlCA.—Yesterday a mail
for Canada and North America was despatched from Liver-
pool per the royal mail steam-ship Norwegian, which sailed
with 12 cabin passengers for Portland. The next mail will
be taken out on Saturday, when the Cunard mail steamer
Asia will sail for New York. _ _

MILFORD HAVEL—A further increase in the
Royal Artillery force at this port is anticipated so as effec-
tually to man the forts on the haven. It is also rumoured
that cruizers will be placed on the station.
TROOPS FOR NORTH AMERICA.—The screw
steamer Cleopatra will sail from Liverpool on Saturday
next for Queenstown, en route to North America. At
Queenstown the Cleopatra will embark 22 officers and 510
men of the second battalion of the 17th Foot ; and she will
also take on board a large quantity of commissariat stores,
&c. On the same day the Cunard steamer ABiP, which
carries out the American mails, will sail from Liverpool
with nine officers and 80 men of the Royal Artillery, 17
officers and 303 men of the Military Train, besides 180 tons
of cargo, which will consist chiefly of camp equipage and
warm winter clothing for the troops. _ _

THE GREAT EASTERIir.—The repairs rendered
requisite to the Great Eastern, at Milford Haven, are pro-
gressing satisfactorily. The it iterior fittings, furniture, &c.,
demolished during the great storm, have already been re-
placed, and the various saloans and berths re-arranged and
put in order. Her paddle-w7aeels, rudder-head, and sailing
gear are also being replaced, and it is expected that the
great vessel will be ready to go to sea again by February.
She will shortly be put upon the girdiron, for the purpose
of finally fixing her paddle-wheels and fitting her new stern
post. It is understood that the original calculation as to
the total cost of refitting her, made at the late meeting of
the proprietors, will not be exceeded. It is not yet det r-
mined on what service she will be engaged.
A FARMER'S WIFE DUPED OUT OF £43 BY A
Grrsir.—A.t the Macclesfield Police-court yesterday Pris-
cilla Heaps, a gipsy, was charged with stealing £43 10s.
from the wife of John Sheldon, farmer, Adlington.. The cir-
cumstances occurred some time ago, but until the last few
days the prisoner had succeeded in eluding the police. Mrs
Sheldon said one morning, as she was going from Adling-
ton to Stockport, she saw the prisoner sitting by the way-
side with a jug in herhand. She asked witness whether she
wished to speak with her. 'Witness asked her if she could
see into futurity. She rel?lied " Yes." Both sat down, and
then prisoner told witnests she was in trouble, and told her
many things about her flimily concerns. Witness was ill at
the time, and prisoner to; her she was poorly, asking whe-
ther she knew what wasth e matter with her. Witness replied
that she did not. Prisoner then told her that she was be-
witched, and that for money prisoner would tell her all
about it. Witness offers d all she had (2s. 4d.) but the pri •
Boner said that would not do, explaining that she wanted
the money only for a little 'while. 'Witness met the pri-
soner a few days afterwards, and told her she had no more
money, and cou'd not get any. Prisoner said " This is not
the place to call you a lie r, but you are one; for you have
four pieces of paper in money, and four pieces of gold."
Witness felt frightened on hearing this, because it was
quite true. Prisoner said she only wanted the money a
little while. At last witness gave her the money, on the
understanding that it should be returned in six hours. She
said it would ease witness: of her troubles, which had arisen
from money matters, and that as money had done it, money
must undo it. Witness wE ,nt to the spot in the lane where pri-
soner promised to meet :her, and waited a long time, but saw
nothing either of her or the imeney. Mr, Norris, solicitor,
who had been instructed on prisoner's behalf, submitted
that a charge of felony would not lie. The prisoner's cha-
racter was that of bailee, liable to be sued for breach of con,.
tract in not returning the; money as agreed upon ; but not
amenable to a criminal prosecution. The bench over-ruled
the point, and committed. the prisoner for trial at the ses-
talons.

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