The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-21 00:00:00

THE FORTIFICATIONS OF .PORTSMOUTIE

Greet (Unman woe nrortannarl 4-n 1;.,e of
earth-works now in course of construction along the
shores of Stokes-bay, near Portsmouth, by the ex-
cessively heavy rain-fall which preceded the setting
in of the frosty weather, and which damage it is
feared will be developed to a still greater extent on
a complete thaw taking possession of the ground.
The nature of the soil and its uncoalesced state
naturally allowed the :water to penetrate into its
very base until it became in many places little
better than mounds of liquid mud, placed to drain
and dry. Much of this was washed out of all form
or shape, but the damage did not end there; the
more advanced portions of the works have received
the greater injury, and more particularly the square
casemated work in front of Fort Gomer. The con-
crete revetments of this battery, with its berm and
parapet, have slipped out of position in large masses
on the front face, and are evidently only prevented
from falling bodily into the diteh by their present
frozen state. It must prove a serious loss to the con-
tractor.
A good number of men are now employed
upon this line, which extends from Fort Monckton
to the swamp in rear of the Brown .down auxi-
liary batteries and in front of Fort Gomer. Pile
driving is being carried on with great vigour in
front of Alverbank, where the principal entrance
to the works will be from the front, and where the
culvert will enter to supply the ditch with water
when needed, or if the construction of the ditch will
bear it. The railway works at the redan in front
of Anglesea are also now being pushed forward.
From the east end of this redan rises a semicircular
plateau in advance of the main plateau, which ex-
tends the whole length of the line of defenee on this
face, and on this the formation of the planking
batteries in rear of the line of ditch and parapet
are being commenced. In the centre of this plateau
is about to be commenced one of the strong posi-
tions which will be the real defence of the whole
of the line. The six-gun battery in the gorge of
the redan, for sweeping its ditch and interior, is
completed. The railroad will be effectually com-
manded by the flanking battery at the western end
of the semicircular plateau already referred to, and
the eastern end of which rests on the inland swamp
.and ditch in the rear of Fort Monckton. The iron
girders have all been fixed to the room ceilings of
the quarters in Fort Elson, and it is expected they
will in a short time be pronounced fit for re-occupa-
tion. The melting of the snow has disclosed fur-
ther defects in this fort, not the least of which is
the evident bulging outwards of its revetments.

MR, WOODINS NEW ENTERTAIN-
MENT.

We remember the time—and though the period

dates some years back, it seems but as yesterday—
when Mr. Woodin astonished the town by the
announcement of his Carpet Bag, from the mysteri-
ous recesses of which he was to draw forth a variety
of characters and incidents, types of familiar things
in ordinary life, for the amusement of the public.
Everybody wondered what the thing could mean
—what sort of a carpet bag it could be to accom-
plish results never before associated with the idea
of a carpet bar; ; and no doubt many strange and
imaginery notions were formed of the peculiar
nature, form, and contents of Mr. Woodin's Carpet
Bag. It was, to be sure, a very peculiar carpet
bag, for it was the only one of its kind. Mr.
Woodin himself was the maker and contriver of it,
and he did not take the precaution of obtaining a
patent to guard his invention. From his brain he
brought forth the design, and it was his creative
fancy that supplied the multifarious contents.
When the bag was unlocked, and its secrets were
unfolded to the public, the fame of it became so
great that the whole town flocked to see it, and in
time the desire of other towns to see the wonderful
_ _

Carpet Bag grew so strong that Mr. Woodin took
it on a provincial tour.
The Carpet Bag having established the reputation
of Mr. Woodin as one of the greatest humorists and
most accomplished monologists of the day, it was
laid aside. This was done not because it had lost
its hold on the public, or was " used up," but be-
cause Mr. Woodin, feeling the impulse to achieve
something still greater, thought the time had come
for a development of his Carpet Bag entertainment,
and this development he called the " Olio of Od-
dities." The fame of this is known to everybody
in town and country, and, with the exception of
Mr. Albert Smith's Mont Blanc, no monologue en-
tertainment ever achieved so great a success. This
Olio of Oddities, like its predecessor the Carpet
Bag, had lost none of its original freshness. It
would live and flourish for years to come, but Mr.
Woodin, who ever rejoices in new creations, be-
thought of producing a further development ; and
this we have under the very appropriate title, the
" Cabinet of Curiosities," which forms the subject
of the present notice.
In our appreciation the new entertainment as
far surpasses the Olio of Oddities as that did the
Carpet Bag. The Cabinet of Curiosities is drawn
after a higher dramatic standard, there is a better
grouping of characters and incidents, and the cha-
racters are more strongly marked; there is a deeper
insight into human nature, a keener perception of
the ludicrous, a finer colouring, and a more har-
monious blending of details. It is a decided success,
and the critics seem to speak but one voice in pro-
claiming it to be such. Mr. Woodin's cabinet does
indeed contain many great curiosities, but the
geatest curiosity connected with it is how, single-
handed and alone, and without any stage contri-
vances beyond the necessary changes of costume,
he can transform himself almost instantaneously
into so many opposite characters, giving to each
the distinctive voice, manner, habit, and natural
lineaments that distinguished the originals in
real life. He stands before the audience one
moment representing Mr. Griddles, an individual
who sees nothing new under the sun; he then
stoops, and in an instant reappears as Mr.
Tom Galloper, the very antithesis of Griddles, who
thinks everything new. But the next transforma-
tion is a still greater curiosity, for he no sooner
stoops as Tom Galloper, than he rises again in the
person of Mrs. Poppies, the pew opener, and repre-
sents the character in a manner so true to nature
that it requires some effort to persuade oneself that
a real specimen of the class is not present instead
of Mr. Woodin.
The Cabinet of Curiosities comprises characters
so numerous and diverse that it would be impossible
in a notice of this kind to describe them in detail.
We shall therefore merely call attention to a few of
those which appear to us to be the most finished
portraits in Mr. Woodin's Cabinet. The first of
these is Mr. Halcyon Higgins, one who likes no
"bother" about anything, and who rejoices in the
pleasures of a yacht for this very reason. It is
hardly possible to conceive a more complete trans-
formation than is effected by Mr. Woodin in this
character. His identity is no longer discernible.
There is nothing in the appearance, manner, voice,
or gesture of Mr. Woodin. He stands before the
audience as unlike himself as if the ideal of Mr.
Higgins were to appear before them in the flesh,
and after his own natural fashion relate the par-
ticular bent of his inclinations and his aversion e
bother. This is:one of the gems of the Cabinet.
It to
mar
so perfect in its way that any alteration would
andthe
Widow effect of it. Another portrait drawnthe life
is that of Thomas Gubbins, the ostler; to
Widow Whimperley, as the type of a class, is con-
ceived in the happiest vein. There are scores of
others in Mr.Woodin's Cabinet, each and all display_
ower-
ing his amazing versatanility,
unrivalled his extraordinary p
a transformation, d Command of
voice.
The Cabinet of Curiosities is a great triumph.
Cyeryone ohQuid go and PO 74. Two hours could,

I hardly be more agreeably spent than in con-
templating its curiosities ; for it must be remem-
bered that they are all lessons or illustrations of
real life, and only attain their excellence by the
fidelity with which they pourtray it. The enter-
tainment is a better cure for melancholy and low
spirits than any recipe In the doctor's prescription
book. It is a relief from dulne3s to be able to step
into the new world which Mr. Woodin has created
without the necessity of having to pass through the
ivory gate or the glass gate of the ancient poet, and
there enter into new companionships, which live in
the memory long after leaving the scene, and which
are often familiarly recalled by the fireside, and
give occasion for much social conversation and
mirth. It is something to be able to shake off the
cares and anxieties of the world for two hours, and
we hardly think that any one can revert to it in
thought while Mr. Woodin is unfolding his Cabinet
of Curiosities.

CRUELTY .BY .;d SCHOOLMASTER NEAR
LEEDS.

At the Leeds Town-hall, on Saturday, George
Purchon, schoolmaster, Hunslet, was charged before
John Crofts, Esq., and Wm. Kelsall, Esq., with an
aggravated assault upon Joha Warrington, a boy
nine years of age. The defendant was the master
of the school belonging to Messrs. Wilkinson, flax
spinners, and the complainant was a half-timer,
and worked at Messrs. Wilkinson's. The mother
had made a complaint to Mr. Chorley, surgeon, on
Thursday night, and a warrant was thereupon
LLp defavatint. The boy ,had been
examined by Mr. W. N. Price, surgeon, and im
reply to Mr. Chorley, that gentleman, on being
sworn, stated that he found he had been severely
beaten over the back sad shoulders, and was
covered with contused wounds. Both on the
shoulders and the back there were long weals, but
though there was considerable discoloration the skin
was not broken. The beating had been very severe
and though he could not speak positively, he fancied
there had been twelve or fifteen blows struck.

Mr. Chorley—Did you notice the right thigh ?
Mr. Price—Yes, and I found one mark extend-
ing from the buttock to the knee.
Mr. Chorley said he thought the magistrates
ought to see the boy stripped, for he had himself
counted 12 blows on one side. The boy was then
taken into a private room, and on being stripped
his body presented a most pitiable spectacle, the
shoulders and back being covered with discoloured
contused wounds. On returning into court the
boy was sworn, and stated that he was a half-
timer. On Thursday morning another bey said he
was talking, and the schoolmaster called him up,
and told him to hold out his hand, He refused,
and then the master flogged him.
• The mother said that the master was sorry, and
she hoped, therefore, that the bench would deal
leniently with him.
Mr. Purchon, in reply to the charge, said that
the half-timers were very saucy and difficult to deal
with, and unless he got master of them it was im •
possible to go on. In this case he asked the boy
kindly to hold out his hands, but he refused, and
commenced laughing. He sat by him nearly two
minutes, and then became irritated and excited by
the boy's conduct.
Mr. Kelsall—What did you use ?
Mr. Purchon—A gutta-percha whip.
Mr. Chorley—Did he make use of bad language
to you?
Mr. Purcheon—No ; he only laughed.
Mr. Chorley—Have you any witnesses to prove
that he provoked you.
Mr. Purchon—No ; I whipped him because he
laughed at me and irritated me.
Mr. Crofts—Then you are not fit to be a school-
master.
Mr. Chorley said that, whatever might be the
decision of the magistrates, in which he should take
no part, he should report the case to the,factory
inspector.
Mr. Purchon—l will be more careful in future.
Mr. G. Elmsley, solicitor, said he had known the
defendant for many years, and he was a very
respectable man.
The magistrates having conferred together,
Mr. Crofts said—We think it a very disgraceful
case indeed, and though we shall not go to the full
extent of the law, as it is your first offence, we shall
commit you to prison for two months.
Mr. Kelsall—We could send you for six.
The defendant, who was astounded with the
decision, was then placed in the dock. Hi is mar-
ried, and has two children.

EXECUTION OF A MURDERER IN
SCOTLAND.

On Friday morning, shortly after eight o'clock,
Patrick Lunnay, who was sentenced to death at
the last Glasgow Winter Circuit Court for the
murder of James Cassidy, at Alexandria,
Dumbartonshire, on the 11th of November last,
suffered the extreme penalty of the law in
front of the County Buildings, Dumbarton.
Lunnay and his victim were bedfellows—had been
so for several weeks—and on the evening prior
to the murder had supped together in their lodging-
house in Bank-street, Alexandria. In consequence
of some jocular expressions made use of by Cas-
sidy, Lunnay became excited, and insisted that their
difference should be settled by a fight. The unfor-
tunate Cassidy did not appear anxious to fight, and
the inmates of the house having, to all appearance,
pacified Lunnay, the men, after some little delay,
left the apartment for the purpose, as was believed,
of retiring:to bed. Lunnay, however, returned to
the apartment he had shortly before left in such a
condition that the inmates of the house had no
doubt that he had been after mischief. This sur-
mise proved too true ; for it was ascertained that
he had attacked. his unharmed opponent with a
clasp-knife, stabbed him, and left him lying on the
street, with blood oozing from fourteen wounds.
By six o'clock on Friday morning, a few spectators
had assembled in front of the County buildings,
probably to secure a good position. A posse of
policemen was stationed at the gate, and some time
afterwards the whole police force was mustered,
and formed a semicircle round the scaffolding, leav-
ing an open space in front. The crowd gradually
increased; but there was little excitement in the
town, and the number of spectators at the time of
the execution may be estimated at 2,500. The pri-
soner retired to rest about ten o'clock on Thursday
evening, and, after lying in bed for about an hour,
he rose and resumed the devotions in which he had
been previously engaged. Shortly after midnight
he went to bed again, and slept soundly till he was
awakened at five o'clock by the Rev. Mr.
M'Donald, Roman Catholic clergyman, who
remained with him. Bishop Murdoch, who
came from Glasgow on Thursday night, arrived
at the prison at seven o'clock, and in
company with Mr. M'Donald continued with the
prisoner till the execution. Shortly before eight
o'clock, after the governor of the prison had handed
the prisoner over to the charge of the provost and
magistrates of the burgh, Calcraft pinioned him in
the vestibule of the jail, in presence of Bishop Mur-
doch and Rev. Mr.M'Donald. The murderer evinced
no emotion while being pinioned. He did not utter
a single word, but appeared firm, and exhibi+ca as
much as possible the same callous inainerence, as,
indeed, he had done from the moment the murder
was discovered. His appearance was nevertheless
haggard, and his face very pale. The procession
was then formed, headed by two constables with
drawn swords. The prisoner, behind whom was
Calcraft, attended by the Roman Catholic bishop
and priest. There were also present the Rev. Mr.
Gray, the chaplain of the prison, and Sheriff Steele.
At the prison gate they were received by n MY:
theere
Macintosh, provost of the burgh, and the diat'p
e
strates. On the scaffold the bishop ff :words
prayers, the unfortunate man repeating
of tremor
distinctly after him, but with some deg
lin his voice. The white cap
twas drawn over his
d and he still an-
face, prayers still being rep
and, with. a sudden
swering. On a signal from the beishohe execu-
' tioner, the spring was touched,
jerk, the unfortunate manf was as suspended in the air.
slightly or minute and a half, after
He struggled
-which he ceased to live. he body was taken down
at ten minutes past nine o'clock, and interred within
the precincts of the prison. The convictrepeat-
edly assumed a cheerful deportment in his cell,
but it was always evidently much forced, and for
the purpose of" make believe." On Wednesday--
although he had slept badly the previous night, and
rested worse that evening—he whistled some
Irish jigs ; and subsequently asked the warder, in
rather a facetious style, whether the locks of the
cells were on Chubb's patent, and whether they
could be picked inside. Lunnay made no public
acknowledgment of his guilt, and indeed, in the
latest letters he despatched to his friends, he con-
tinued to affirm himself innocent of the crime for
which he has suffered. He was recommended to
mercy by the jury, but the recommendation was not
noticed, and an attempt to get up a petition.in
Dumbarton in his favour completely failed. Lunnay
was born in Tarravally, county Fermanagh, Ire-
land, and was 28 or 29 years of age. He was a
strong-looking, middle-sired man; was bred to the