The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-18 00:00:00

THE UN, LONDON, rUESDAY EVENING AUG Els r 1857.

temptation by the same seduction. The pay will
bring abundance of men who will make their pro-
fession and its rewards their idol, their Shasters,

or their Koran, and who will even morally
be no losers by the substitution. It will at least

be one essential to enlist men on the distinct con-

dition that no military duties are to be refused on

religious pretexts. The service, they must be
told is to override all religious scruples or they

are not to accept it. This indeed is the case with
British soldiers themselves, and the recent mutiny
will teach the natives also that we cannot in rea-

son sanction any other rule for them.
Next the natives must be made to understand,
what they can well understand—our simple prin-
ciple of toleration or rather of religious liberty.
Asiatics can comprehend it quite as well as Euro-
peans. They must have it openly proclaimed to
them in every way, that every man in the British
dominions may persuade another to adopt what
creed he likes, but that no man may persecute an-
other for his creed, or use any kind of coer-
cion to back his persuasions. We have mis-
laid the paper just now, but we remember when
the case of Col. WHELER'S preaching Christianity
to Sepoys and other natives was first reported
from India, a native journalist ridiculed the idea
that the Sepoys did not understand as well as the
Governor-General could do, the difference between
Colonel WHELER'S preaching and Colonel WHELER' s
military orders. The writer was opposed to
Christianity, but he denied that his countrymen
did not fully understand the distinction between
WEIMER the Colonel and WHELER the Missionary.
For future peace and quiet, therefore, it is far
boiler to leave to a military officer the same

liberty as is enjoyed by other masters with nu-
merous servants, but to make plain to every
native mind the grand rule, that in regard to re-
ligions matters there is under British rule perfect
liberty and equality ; no man being treated either
the better or the worse for his creed ; and
nn man being permitted to employ force in
any shape. This would avoid all difficulties
about Missionary officers, some of whom, in
the Indian service, at least, have been, and are
amongst our most efficient men. It would avoid
all difficulty, too, in regard to any man in civil
or military authority contributing to or encou-
raging schools, or any Christian or semi-Christian
institutions. We may add, that our notions of
religious liberty are themselves a part of the civi-
lisation we want to bestow on India.
There is another question of vast importance in
regard to the religions or superstitions of the
natives—that is, the extent to which Government
ought to interfere with them. The Company
Began with one extreme, but we must not go to
the other. When it first gained territorial power
it would not suffer even a Christian misssionary to
preach to the natives. It stood in complete
awe of native idolatry, paid for the worship
at its shrines, and bad, we believe, splendid
articles manufactured in English looms to adorn
the car of Juggernautb. It sanctioned the immo-
lation of victims beneath his wheels, and dared
not interfere with the horrors of Sutteeism and
infanticide. They were religious ceremonies—to
touch them might endanger our power ! Lord
BENTINOa inaugurated a better era for India,
and we have since been acting more or leas on the
principle of suppressing gross immoralities and
cruelties, though dignified with the name of reli-
gion; and of declining t i contribute directly to the
irrationality, not to say impiety, of idolatry.
Juggernauth and his car are no longer a part of
our Church and State system for India, and we
have had courage to proclaim that widows shall
not burn to death in the name of religion, much
less relatives participate in destroying them,
except under the penalties of murder.
Somehow the natives have been found able to
comprehend that we had good civil reasons for
punishing murder as murder, whatever name it
went by.

We must sustain this policy. Cruelty and the
grossest indecency are two marked characteristics
of Hindoo worship. With these, at least, on
broad civil grounds, we mast continue to inter-
fere. We must put them down. The native
conscience not only does not rebel, it respects us
for doing in India as Lord CAMPBELL proposes to
do iu Holywell-street. It is a singular fact, that
a recent decree of the Legislative Council, pro-
hibiting indecent Exhibitions, has a clause exempt-
ing the temples from its operations. Of what a
state of things in, the temples must this be signifi-
cant ! Imagine a clause in Lord CAMPBELL'S
Bill exempting St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey
from its operati )n. We know, however,
from the testimony of eye witnesses, that
such are the filthy abominations openly
exhibited in the Hindoo shrines of worship,
that Holywell-street itself would blush at the
sight. We know, too, that, in one instance at
least, when the officer in chief command of the
district Lefased to allow a new building to be
thrown open to the public till the digusting paint-
ings on the walls were obliterated—obliterated
they were at once, and not an objection breathed.
Even heathens have moral natures when they are
boldly appealed t) by a higher moral civilisation.
These two principles ought, then, to be our
guides on the vex 3d religious questions in India.
To publish, and to carry out consistently, universal
religious liberty ; at the same time to suppress
all social iniquities, although they might assume
the cloak of religion. We ought to give them at
once the benefit of the liberty and the social
morality of our Christian civilisation. Mere
superstition, on the other hand, must be dealt
with by other than Government agency.

The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill is
still proceeding slowly through committee. Its
opponents have adopted the Fabian policy, speak-
ing against time, and in every way impeding the
progress of the measure. They are also striving
to introduce quasi amendments, which the Holm
of Lords may refuse to sanction. Thep care not
in fact for the means, provided they can obtain
the rejection or emasculation of the measure, so as
to render it practically valueless for the
suitor, It is manifestly not their intention to
improve the measure, or to render it more
acceptable to the community at large, but to make
it a mass of contradictions, which cannot work
smoothly or beneficially for ,the nation, or for
those particularly interested. Of course, we do
not mean to imply that such is the intention or
desire of all the dissentients. There are no doubt
conscientious men who think that they can ame-
liorate its •
provisions ; but, generally speaking,
they are playing the game of the factious mino-
rity,who, at this
late period of the session,
are striving to disgust and
have continued faithful to th •
all the allurements of pure air and
and during the second
week of grouse shootir.g,
weary members who
cur duties, and resist
of the various
sports and amusements to which they may respec-
tively be addicted.
Iu the discussions that have hitherto taken
place, Mr. GLADSTONE has displayed a degree of
" perverse ingenuity," as it has been happii.7
termed, far beyond his ftllows. It was mainly
through his "objections" (we shall not call them
" pettifogging quibbles") that ten hours were
I msumed ou Thursday last in disposing of a

single clause. The Times asserts that "in that
time, including questions, explanations, and in-
terlocutory suggestions, the Hon. Gentleman
made nina and twenty speeches, some of them of
considerable length.' This was pretty well for a
single day ! Nor was he satisfied with this.
Lest night he announced that he had an amend-
ment to propose, which would require him to
make a statement of some length, which he should
not desire to commence at so late an hour as half-
past 12. The result was that the Chairman was
obliged to report progress and ask leave to sit
again. This is certainly not in conformity with
the general practice, which would prevent the
possibility of many enactments being passed,
although the House should sit de die in diem, for
the entire year ; and if Right Honourable and
Honourable Gentlemen will avail thvmselves of
every pretext to retard the progress of business,
means must be adopted to prevent the abuse of
privileges valuable in themselves, but which have.
been on many occasions greatly misapplied.
The real question respecting the bill lies in a
nutshell. For a series of years Parliament has
been in the habit of receiving petitions for bills
. dissolving marriage, on the petition of the hus-

band, and in some few and exceptional cases, on
that of the wife. Every case was brought within
certain established rules, now as clearly defined,
and well established, as those that regulate the
proceedings of the courts of equity. The process,
or rather series of processes required were of a
very Expensive, and we may add, obnoxious
character. The disgusting and disgraceful action
for crim. con. was one of these indispensable
steps. It could only be justified on the ground
of its necessity for obtaining ulterior relief, which
was not sought for in one case out of ten, for the
very sufficient reason that the costs were far
beyond the means of nine-tenths, indeed, we
might say ninety-nine one-hundredths of the
sufferers. It was, therefore, proposed to
create a new tribunal, which should act
strictly in accordance with the recognised
regulations, and which should, at a single
investigation, be authorised to afford relief at
a comparatively moderate cost. It would
be difficult to conceive anything more plain and
simple, which should command the universal assent
of every disinterested and unprejudiced man.
But, unfortunately, there were points in
this straightforward and bona fide pro-
ceeding that excited sectarian animosity.
Romanists and Puseyites contended for the
indiseoluUlity of the matrimonial chain, and,
although unequivocally defeated on that principle,
they adroitly contrived to raise difficulties that
complicated the question at issue, and raised
mountains out of molehills, on which they had to
work. Mr. GLADSTONE has assumed the position
of leader of this clique. He has certainly de-
layed the measure, but we believe it will not
elevate his character with the community at
large—the country does not esteem such Jesui-
tical ability. It would prefer less eloquence
combined with greater candour. We trust that
the largo majority will not suffer themselves to
be defeated by the obstructive tactics resorted to,
but that they will firmly and unflinchingly per-
severe until the bill has been carried in its integ-
rity, and that the Government will nail its
colours to the mast, and not sanction any proro-
gation until the Divorce Bill has received tlas
Legislative sanction.

The Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire
into the purchase of Commissions in the Army have
made their report, a portion of which will
found in another part of this day's impression of
The Sun. The question is one of paramount, we
might almost say of 'vital, consequence to the
efficacy of our military system. It is one in
which England differs from every other European
country ; indeed, we may say, every country
in the civilised world. It is, however,
"an aged vice : a grey iniquity." It
has been practiced " from the earliest period of
which there are records of a standing army." It
has " grown with our growth and strengthened
with our strength," until " the long-established
usage has so far accustomed officers to the prac-
tice that few of the military witnesses have ever
seriously contemplated any other system of
entry or promotion in the army !" This was
all very well so long as almost every public
situation could be purchased, while corrup-
tion was scarcely tested, and even judicial
officeb were made the objects of bargain and sale ;
but it is totally opposed to the spirit of the age,
and it really seems too absurd that the purchase
of a civil office under Government, or of a com-
mission in the Indian Army, should be made a
high crime and misdemeanor; while a Commis-
sion in the Army might be legally purchased at a
fixed price, and was too frequently made the sub-
ject of bargains, by which particularity in the
subsequent stages large additional sums were paid
beyond the regulation. Indeed, the Commis-
sioners report that an experienced army agent
stated that, "iu the cavalry any sum under double
the regulation price may be considered ♦ery rea-
sonable." There are thus "wheels within wheels."
There is an under current of corruption dove-
tailed on the recognised system, until at last
" the practice of paying sums exceeding the regal,
lacing price must be considered to be an accom-
paniment of the purchase system, which it appears
impossible to prevent."
The Commissioners state the objections to
and arguments in favour of the purchase sys-
tem. There is, however, a manifest leaning to
the side favoured by the military or professional
witnesses. None venture to declare that the

practice is correct, or that it should be adopted
if a new system were to be inaugurated, but being
in existence they wish it to be retainad " until
some scheme shall be devised which may produce
the beneficial effects erroneously ascribed to the
system of purchase." To this they take care to
raise what may almost be regarded as insuperable
obstacles. They st tte that any general system of pro-
motion by selection would not be favourably received
by the officers of our army, and would be equally
offensive to the purchasing and non-purchasing
•orps. Neither would the principle of seniority
be available, regard being had to the efficiency of
the army.

Playing thus quietly disposed of every substitute,
but without considering what might be the effect
of a system combining Selection, Seniority, and
Merit, which ought to be included in selection,
they propose a change which bears to the evil a
proportion similar to that of FALSTAFF'S half-
pennyworth of bread to his two gallons of sack.
The Lieutenant-Colonelcy is to be no longer
purchaseable, but it is to be given as a sop to
the Commander-in-Chief, and the period of hold-
ing the command is to be limited to eight
or ten years. But the whole system of purchase
and sale of commissions is (for the present) to
remain intact, up to the rank of major inclu-
sive. This, to our judgment, appears to
b.tietniiinseiaa a very Until
let way
lame and impotent conclusion.
It
of shelving the question for a
it
comprehensivemay b e
m convenientanner.
Theto grapplepres
e n
present
with
let.
p, IA will not, however, be sasisfactory to the
cou intry ; on the contrary, it will occasion a

greater agitation when it is ascertained that the
obm x;.ous system cannot be got rid of by peaceable
means, or without a stringent application of the
" pressure from without."

CRUISE OF HER MAJESTY TO
CHERBOURG.

PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.

Her Majesty's steam corvette Curagoa, 31, Captain
Forbes ; Osborne, Admiralty yacht, Master-Commander
Bowes ; and Banshee, steam despatch yacht, Master-
Commander H. W. Allen, left this harbour last night
and proceeded to Cowes, where they anchored for the
night.
At 1 o'clock this day her Majesty, the Prince Cansort,
&c., left Osborne Palace, and embarked on board the
Victoria and Albert, Captain the Hon. Joseph Denman,
at 1.20, and weighed immediately for Cherbourg, the
Curagoa, Osborne, and Banshee in company,

Her Majesty will touch, probably, at the Channel
Islands en route.

Royal salutes were fired by the Royal Yacht Squad-
ron-house battery and the Curapa on the Royal embar-

kation.

GALES IN THE CHANNEL.

DOVER, TUESDAY MORNING.

In consequence of the strong N.E. wins the mail
packets have for the last two days been unable to em-
bark the mails in the roads at Calais.
The mail from France, Germany, &c., did not leave
Dover this day before 12 noon and arrive in London at
I p.m.

The Prince and Princess Henry de Ligne have arrived
at the St. George Hotel.
His Excellency the Russian Minister left London on
Saturday for Scotland, on a visit to Lord and Lady
Willoughby d'Eresby, at Drummond Castle, Perthshire.
The Duke of Sutherland and the Lords Ronald and
Albert Leveson Gower sailed trom Liverpool in his
Grace's yacht in the early part of last week, for Scot-
land, intending to proceed. via the Caledonian Canal, to
Inverness, and thence to Dunrobin Costle.
Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, accom-
raeied by the Prince Alexander, and attended by the
members of the royal suie, took her departure from
Claridge's Hotel, at three o'clock yesterday afternoon,
for 11,11 and.
About 8,0001. in Russian gold was sold to the Bank
yesterday.
The specie from New York yesterday was 183,6001.,
the greater portion of which will be sent to the Bank of
France.
Tout ATLANTIC CABLE'—Owing to the breaking of the
cable, the 1,0001. shares of the Atlantic telegraph, on
which 9001. has been paid, are now offered at 2501. die
count. Just before the accident there were buyers at 51.
discou• t.

The Chief Justiceship of New Z?aland has been con
ferred (according to the Hampshire Chronicle) upon Mr
Arney, barrister-at-law, Recorder of Winchester.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S-INN-ROAD.—The
number of patients relieved at this hospital during the
week ending August 15, was 2664, of which 1008 were
new case?.
REPORTED FORGERIES AT LIVERPOOL.—A merchant,
recently deceased at Liverpool, is said to have left liatn-
tales reaching 300,0001, of which 100,0001. are through
forged acceptances to bills of exchange.
FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE RIVER.—Yesterday morning,
Mr. Th onus Wilson, mate of the West Indiaman, Fer-
miilable, was ascending the vessel's side from a small
boat, as she lay off Shad we I, when the rope by which
he held on broke from its fastenings, and falling into the
river, he was drowned.
NEW HOPS --.A. pocket of choice new mid-Kent hops
arrived at market this twirling, the growth of Mr. Jas.
Hartridge, of Yalding, and was sold by Latter, Austen,
and Sons, t r Messrs. Bakers, White and Morgan, hop
merchants, at 121. 12s. per cwt.
THE SYDNEY ROYAL MINT.—In the year 1856
313,273,075 oz. of gold were coined at the Sydney
branch of the Royal Mint, value 1,219 807/ In 1855
the weight of the coined gold was 132,214,512 oz., and
the value 514,8101.
THE LATE BEVERLEY ELECTION.—We are assured
that very extensive bribery was practised by the adhe-
rents of Major Edwards at the Beverley election, and
that a petition to unseat him on that ground will be im-
mediately presented to Parliament. Mr. E i win James
is retained to prosecute the petition.—Leeds Mercury.
A CHILD BEHEADED BY ITS MOTHER.—On Sunday
morning last a cork-cutter named Woolatt, living in
Beryford-lane, Linculn, left his horse for a few minutes,
hwhaeekn
fhoeu
nwda st
hr eact a l led by
his
wife
the
had
cut neighbours,off the ahned a
don going
of
one of
' his children, a baby about seven months old. The
woman stated to the people who crowded into the place
that she loved her children, but if she had not been pre-
vented she should have killed them all. She is said to
have been lately in a low and desponding way. The
child had been placed on the hearthatone, and its head
chopped off with a cork hatchet.
SUICIDE FROM GRIEF.—Last night a long inquiry took
place at St. Thomas's Hospit.4l, respecting the death of
Mr. Abraham Barlow. The deceased kept the Printers'
Arms beershop, and resided iu K-nnington-lane. Fur
some time past the deceased became depressed in spirits,
in consequence of having to dispose of his business on
account of il:-health. On Saturday morning he was
found in his bed-room with his throat cut, and the razor
cla.ped firmly in his hand. He was conveyed to the
hospital, and expired the same day. The deceased lived
on most affectionate terms with his wife. The jury
returned a verdict of " temporary insanity."
INSOLVENT DEBTORS C.,URT.—This court will sit
again for bail cases on Friday week, the 28th instant.
Oa the last occasion fourteen were liberated on sureties
till their hearing, and considering the number of persons
in prison for debt, and about to petition, a larger num-
ber is exrctecl on the next occasion. A person has
lately petitioned the court whose examination some time
ago created quite a sensation before the Lord Mayor, fur
alleged forgery at the Cape of Good Hope. lie has
petitioned as " Woolf Levy," otherwise Montefiore.'
He has also been known as Langfield.
THE INAUGURATION OF THE O'CONNELL STATUE AT
LIMERICK.—The Freenzan's Journal contains a full re-
port of the proceedings at the inauguration of the
O'Connell Status, which took place on Saturday at
Limerick. Amongst the company present were—the
Earl of Dunraven, the Bishop of Bombay, Major Gavin,
Mr. O'Biien, M.P., and W. Roche, Esq. A procession
was formed, which contained representatives of the dif•
forest trades of the town, and proceeded to the Crescent,
where the statue was erected. The statue, which is the
work of Mr. James Hogan, was unveiled, and the meet-
ing was addressed by Lord Dunraven, Mr. O'Brien, and
other gentlemen. A great deal of enthusiasm was
manifested on the occasion.
THE LAWS FOR THE PROTECTION OF FEMALES.—The
Associate Institute, established for enforcing the laws for
the protection of women, states, ie its report just issued,
that the society, since its foundation, has conducted
about 130 prosecutions ; of these only a small propor-
tion have been unsuccessful. Twenty-three prosecu i, ne
occurred during the past year. Many of then were of
considerable importance and magnitude, an 4 entailed
oppressive and embarrassing expense. The committee
felt compelled to issue a special appeal for funds. That
appeal met, if not with a general, yet with a kind and
liberal answer in various quarters. The Duke of Nor-
folk, in particular, sent to the institution a donation of
1001.
THREE BOYS DROWNED WHILE BATHING.—On Sun-
day afternoon a melsecholy occurrence took place at
Cliffe, near Rochester, by which three lives were lost.
The deceased lads, whose names were Alfred Burgess,
aged 13 years; Robert James Borges., aged 11 ; and
Thomas Kempton, aged 12, proceeded to a place called
Cliffe-creek, in the Medway, for the purpose of bathing.
Robert Burgess, it appeared, entered the water first, and
not being acquainted with the river was soon out of his
depth. The other two lade went to his assistance. whilst
a fourth ran off to some cottages near to obtain help.
On his return he found them all struggling together
in deep water, and immediately afterwards they sank.
The body of Alfred Burgess was got out almost directly,
and the other two soon afterwards, but all attempts to
restore animation were of no avail. An inquest was
held on the bodies on the fello wing day, before Mr.
Thomas Ells, coroner for %Vest Kent, when a verdict
of " Accidentally drowned" was returned.
SHORTHORNS.—The Council of the Durham County
Agricultural Society held a meeting on Saturday, at
which they determined to offer a piece of plite of 100
guineas value as a prize for the best short-horned breed.
ing animal exhibited at their forthcoming meeting, which
is to be held at Stockton in the first week of September.
The plate is to be won thrice before it becomes the abso-
lute property of the exhibitor. The society also offers
several large money prizes, and it is expected that the
new feature of a challenge plate will bring together in
their native country one of the finest collection of short-
horns ever witnessed. Several of the most eminent
breeders have already signified their intention of sending
the best representatives of their respective stocks to
compete for this very handsome prize.
WRECK OF A GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT —The trans-
port ship Julia, having on board a
part of the 4th, Captain M'Gregor,
Troop Horse Artillery from the Persian
Gulf for Bombay, was lost while leaving Kurrachee
H • rbour, on the 29th ult. She was being towed out by
the steamer Bombay, and seems to have struck while
crossing the bar in a heavy sea,
losing her rudder, and
parting the hawser, when she drifted on to the rocks
near Clifton. All possible help
appears to have been
rendered by the authorities on shore and the shipmasters
in the harbour, and the few casualties that oceurred
seem to have been occasioned entirely by the swamping
of boats between the wreck and the beach• It was thus
that a sergeant, three European and nine native
troopers, and a ship's lascar of the Hyderee, unfortu-
nately lost their lives. The following is from a letter
addressed to a mercantile firm here, by its agent at
Kurrachee :—" We are sorry to say the Julia, a Bom-
bay ship, is on shore here, with little prospect of getting
off till after the monsoon. She is on a soft spot, and not
taking in one drop of water. We fear this wreck will do
no good to our much-abused port ; and yet there was
no blame to the bar, nor to any of the naval authorities
here. The captain was told not to go out until the next
day ; but he would, and instead of usicg two hawsers
in towing, as is usual, he only used one, and this, as is
always the case in country ships, was a second-hand one,
and consequently snapped, leaving the steamer to shoot
ahead, and the Julia to fall to leeward, with a strong
wind blowing her on shore. We are sorry to say that
four Europeans were drowned."

IJA I
-

SINGAPORE, JUNE 28.
lie French Squalron is now setting sail for

Hong Kong.

The English frig-ate, the Shwom, having on
board the Regiment of Fusilers (he sth), has shaped
her course for India.

JUNE 30.
Lord Elgin has embarked for China. All the
honours were paid to him here.

JASSY, JULY 30.

The elections are all finished. The inhabitants
of the towns, the small proprietors, and the peasants
have abstained from voting.

HAMBURG, AUG. 16.

The Diet of Holstein opened yesterday. The
Royal Commissioner, M. de Levitzau, pronounced
a very conciliatory speech. Baron de Scheel-Plas-
sen, Mader of the opposition, was nominate I presi-
dent without a division; and M. de Reinecke, also
of the opposition, vice-president.

THE WELT INDIA MAIL.

SOUTHAMPTON, AUGUST 17.

The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship Magda-
lena, Captain Al.abott, arrived this afternoon at
five p.m., frotn the West' Indie4, with the usuil
mails, in charge of Lieutenant Jara3s Irwin, Ad-
miralty ag..nt.
Oa Ler homeward voyage the Magdalena expe-
rienced fine weather, with light breezes.
The latest da•ei brought by the Magdalena are :
—From Nassau, July 13 ; Greytown, 20 ; Cha-
gres, 24 ; Demerara, 25 ; Santa Martha, Trini-
dad, Carthagena, Jamaica, and Grenada, 26 ;
Barbadoes, 27 ; Jame], 28 ; Antigua, St. Kitts,
Nevis, Monserrat, and Porto Rico, 29 ; and St.
Thomas, Aug. 1.
She brings 148 passengers, among whom were—
Governor Wodehouse and lady, from Demerara ;
the Rev. Mr. Reece and family, from Barbadoee ;
and Major Bertram, from Jamaica.
The Magdalena bring; on freight 848,865 dols.
on merchants' account, of which 519,650 dols. are
in gold and 9,692 dols. in platina ; 1,062 serons of
cochineal ; 73 bags cocoa ; 60 dols. jewellery ; and
a general cargo, consisting of 23 cases of cigars, 67
bales of tobacco ; and 46 bales merchandise. The
total amount of specie is 1,378,267 dole. 1
His Excellency C. H. Darling arrived at Jamaica
on the 22d, and was received with great enthusiasm.
Some fine rains have fallen - on the island, which
was generally healthy. Exchange as last quoted.
At Demerara the market was firm, and produce
scarce. The rumour of gold fields having been dis-
covered with'n the boundaries of British Guiana
has been confirmed, and many persons were hasten-
ing there.
The yellow fever had considerably abated, and
there were very few cases during the stay of the
Magdalena at St. Thomas. She had eight cases
coming home, three of which terminated fatally.

O❑ the 29th ult. an extensive fire broke out on a
wharf at St. Thowas, commonly known by the
name of Stubbs' Wharf, and owing to the quantity
of coal deposited there, it very quickly assumed a
serious aspect ; but from the prompt attention of
the crews of the royal mail ships Magdalena and
Solent, aided by the engineers of the company, the
larger range of buildings was saved, although the
coats continued smouldering when the Magdalena
left.

H.M.S. Tartar was at Colon, the Brilliant at
Grenada, the Imama' Perseverance, and Arachne
at Jamaica and the Termagant at Havana.
The United States frigate Sonatoga was at
Greytown receiving filibuit era.
The following were the stations of the com-
pany's steam ships :—The Thames, C 'pt. Wool-
ward, at St. Thomas, for Main ; the Trent, Cap-
tain Leeds, Spanish Main ; the Dee, Captain
Woolcott, Gulf of Mexico ; the Clyde, Captain
Keenan, at St. Thomas, for Islands the Con-
way, Capt. Lewis, at St. Thomas ; the Eagle,
Cape. Hall, at Jamaica the La Plata. Captain
Weller, arrived at St. Thomas, at 6 a.m., Aug
Ist. ; and the Solent, Capt. Baynton, at St.
Thomas, for Jamaica. •