The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-30 00:00:00

RETURN OF THE NORTH STAR

FROM THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The North Star, Master-Commander James
Saunders, arrived at Spithead on Saturday, at eleven
A.m, from tl.e Arctic regions, we are sorry to say.
without bringing the smallest tidings or news of
Captain Sir J. Franklin or his people. The North
Star sailed from Greenhithe about the middle of May,
1849, laden with stores and provisions for the north-
west searching ships, and the last accounts that were
received from her were brought to England by Cap-
tain Lee, in a whaler, dated the 19th of July, in that
year. There has, therefore, been much fear expressed
for the safety of this ship, which has happily been re-
lieved by her safe arrival.
On the 29th of July, 1849, when the North Star
was proceeding up Baffin's Bay, and between the
Devil's Thumb and Melville Bay, she was beset in
the ice, from which every effort and exertion was
made to extricate her without success, and she
consequently drifted about in the pack, in daily
expectation of being nipped or crushed by the
heavy floes, or overwhelmed by the bergs that
towered occasionally far above her masthead. She
slowly drifted to the northward, till the 29th of
September, when Commander Saunders, having been
sixty-two days in the ice, found his vessel off \Voles-
tenholrnes Island, and the sound apparently clear of
ice. It blew a gale at the time, and sail having been
made in the ship, she was forced through the floe
and safely anchored in the sound the same day.

While beset on the ice several bears were seen, but
only one shot. On the 29th the North Star was
again under weigh, and ran further up Wolesten-
holmes Sound, and a safe bay was found and the ship
made secure. The bay was called after the ship,
North Star Bay, the ship lying about half a mile
from the shore.

The ship was now made snug for the winter ;
sails were unbent, the masts struck, and the ship
housed over, and made as warm and comfortable a)
circumstances would permit. The ice soon after
took across the sound, so that the crew could have
walked on shore. The cold was intense ; but two
or three stoves warmed the ship, and the crews
were cheered up and encouraged with all sorts of
games and amusements, occasionally visiting the
shore for the purpose of skylarking. There was, un-
fortunately, but little game to shoot. Former ac•
counts gave this place a high character for deer and
other animals ; but the crew of the North Star never
saw a single head of deer, and other animals were
scarce ; about fifty hares were killed. Foxes were
numerous, and a number shot, but none taken alive.
A few Esquimaux families occasionally visited the
ship, and one poor man was brought on board with
his feet so frozen that they dropped off. He was
placed under the care of the assistant-surgeon,
Dr. Rae, who paid him much attention, and his
legs were nearly cured ; but he died from a pulmo-
nary disorder after having been on board some six
weeks.

The crew of the North Star continued healthy,
only four persons died on board, and these not from
the rigour of the climate, but from other ailments.
From the excellent arrangements made by the com-
mander and his officers to keep the crew of the
vessel cheerful and happy, they do not appear, on the
whole, to have passed an unpleasant time in their
winter quarters—though, from several accounts,
their provisions did not prove so good as could be
wished.

On the Ist of August the North Star was liberated
from her tedious imprisonment, and she sailed from
Wolestenholmes Sound. But in Ross's Bay she again
got into pack ice, where she emained beset for days.
She then succeeded in getting through it, and reached
on the Bth of August Possession Bay, near the en-
trance of Lancaster Sound, where notices of the North
Star's arrival and state were landed. She then pro-
ceeded up Lancaster Sound, opposite to Prince Re-
gent's Inlet, to Whaler Point, where she anchored on
the 13th. She remained off Wheeler Point endea-
vouring to get in for 24 hours, but the ice was too
closely packed along the coast, and there being no
chance of a break-up, notices were landed, and the
North Star proceeded to the opposite coast to en
deavour to land provision at Port Bowen, Port Niel,
or Jackson's Islet, but all these places were so com-
pletely blocked up with heavy land-floes of ice that
the ship could not get in to either place ; she there-
fore bore away for Navy Board Inlet, in lat. 73 deg.
44 min. N., long. 80 deg. 50 min. W., and in a small
bay named Supply Bay, in the inlet, she landed her
surplus provisions—covering up the tea and other
dry articles, and leaving the proper notices and direc-
tions of their whereabouts. She remained here five
days, and then went to Pend's Bay.
On the 21st of August, at the entrance of Lancas-
ter Sound, the North Star fell in with and commu
nicated with the Lady Franklin, Captain Penny, and
her tender, the Sophia, all well. Captain Penny re-
ported that Captain Austin's ships had got through
the ice in Melville Bay, on the 15th of August, and
she had left them on the 17th off Cape Dudley-
Digges ; that some of the vessels would proceed, if
the ice would permit, through Barrow's Straits, to
examine and explore Bankes's Land.
On the 22d of August, the North Star spoke the
Felix, Captain Sir John Ross, all well.
On the 30th of August she communicated with the
Prince Albert, Commander Forsythe, who stated that
he had been trying to get into Port Niel and other
places, but was prevented by the land ice ; that he
had seen Captain Austin's ships in Wellington
Channel; that Captain Austin had tone in the In-
trepid steamer to explore some parts of the coast,and
would visit Pond's Bay ; that one of the small
ricu searching vessels was on shore near Bar-
but as the captain had declined the assist.
81.nocwe'soBtfsir3e'd by the Prince Alta rt it was supposed she
would come off without damega.
We are sorry to state that none of the vessels with
which Commander Saunders had communicated had
gained the smallest information respecting Sir Jahn
Franklin, although this spring has b:en most favour-
able for the exploration in 13affin's Bay, from the early
breaking up of the ice.
The North Star finally left pond's Bay for Eng-
land the sth of S:pte:nber, and has had a good pat—
sage home, coming to the westward and southward al
Ireland, and up the Channel to Spithead. She, ha,
been, we understand, a most comfortable vessel, and
her commander and officers have worked well together
with a praiseworthy spirit, and by their example and
tact the ship's company have been kept in cheerfulness
and good humour (the best preservatives of health on
such an occasion), and we hope the Admiralty will

deem the senior officers worthy of promotion. We
give their names :
Mastet-Commande James Saunders, a master of
1838.

Second Master John Way, of 1838, passed for
master 1842.

Assistant-Surgeon Dr. James Rae, of 1841.
Clerk-in-charge James Rutter, 1837, passed in
1842.

It will be seen that the above-named officers are
gentlemen of long standing in the service, and on this
occatlion we hope to see them receive the due reward
of their onerous service and exemplary conduct.
Master-Commander James Saunders, with Dr.
Rae, landed at Portsmouth dockyard at half-past
twelve o'clock with his dispatches. The former was
ordered by electric telegraph to proceed to London,
which he did accordingly by the half.past two train.
The Prince Albert, Commander Forsythe, may be
shortly expected, as she was about to follow the
North Star for England.

COURT OF ALDERMEN.
On Saturday, after the election of Lord Mayor for
the year ensuing, a Court was held in the Council
Chamber.

Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Carden presented the
return of the City prisons, which had been banded
over to him and his colleague by their predecessors
in office.

ELECTION OF STEWARD OF SOUTHWARK.
The Lord Mayor nominated Mr. William Payne,
of the bar, and coroner fur the city of London, to the
office of steward of Southwark, vacant by the death
of the Hon. C. E. Law, the late Recorder of London;
and

The COURT unanimously confirmed the nomination
upon the motion of Alderman Humphery.
Mr. PAYNE returned his most grateful thanks for
the favour just conferred upon him, and said it was
but the continuance of kindnesses commenced 27
years ago, when he first became an officer of the cor-
poration. It was a source of much gratification to
him to be able to say that he was the senior
officer of the City, and he assured the Court that he
should use every exertion to show that he was not un-
deserving of the approbation exhibited in this new
Act of liberality .—(Bear, hear.)

THE NEW RECORDER OF LONDON.
The Loan Maros ELECT requested to be informed
by the Town Clerk whether any communication had
been made to Mr. Wortley, who had been elected to
the important office of Recorder, upon the fact of his
appointment ?—(Hear, hear.) The new chief magis-
trate and sheriffs were interested in the question, and
an introduction to the Cursitor Baron on Monday
would be the commencement of the ceremonial duties
to be performed by the Learned Gentleman. No
doubt the Common-Sergeant would be able to testify
to the qualifications of those who were entering upon
the duties as well as to the merits of the gentlemen
who had completed the period of their appointment;
but it would be satisfactory to the Court to be in-
formed at what time the Recorder would be ready to
undertake the performance of his own duties.
The TOWN- CLERK said the usual course on such
occasions was, he believed, to summon the gentleman
newly-appointed upon motion made in the Court. He
was not aware that any motion of the kind bad been
made, but no doubt a notice to attend would be at-
tended with due effeet.—(Hear, hear.)
Alderman HllMPHERY—Certainly it is necessary
to obtain some information upon the subject for the
reason assigned by the Lord Mayor Elect, but there
is another reason for desiring to be enlightened upon
the subject. We are not aware whether the Re-
corder knows anything at all about what we have
done for Lim. We do not know that we have not
conferred upon him an unexpected and an unhoped-
for honour.—(A laugh.)
The LORD MAYOR said, he trusted that the Court
would as soon as possible communicate with the
Learned Gentleman on the subject of his appointment
and the necessity of an immediate attention to the du-
ties of the office.

Alderman SIDNEY said, it was quite obvious that
upon the appointment of a gentleman to an office no-
tice should be sent to him of what had taken place.
Was it not the case that it was contrary to custom to
elect a person to a City office who had not been a
freeman for two years ? Was it not a necessary
qualification that a candidate for the office of Re-
corder should be free of the City for that period ? If
so, he wished to be informed whether Mr. Wortley
was possessed of that qualification ?
Alderman llumrnExtr said, he did not suppose the
appointment could be at all affected by any regula-
tions with regard to the freedom of the City.
The TOWN-CLERK said, the candidates for law
offices were exempted from the obligation to become
free at all, and there were several instances in which
Recorders never took out their freedom.
Upon the motion of Alderman UUMPHERY, se•
corded by Alderman SIDNEY, it was then ordered
that notice should be immediately sent to Mr. Wort-
ley of the fact of his election to the office of Recorder.
It is well known to the old members of the Corpo-
ration that Mr. Newman Knowlys, who retired from
the Recordership in 1833, and was succeeded by the
late Mr. Law after having been Common Sergeant
and City Pleader for several years, never was a free-
man of the city of London.
Upon the motion of Alderman W. HUNTER, se-
conded by Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL, the thanks of
the Court were unanimously voted to the Rev. W.
Marshall, chaplain to the Lord Major, for the admi-
rable sermon preached by the rev. gentleman o❑ that
day before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs
at the church of St. Lawrence Jewry.
The Court then adjourned.

RHUDDLAN ROYAL EISTEDDVOD.
SATURDAY MORNING.—The ball which took place
last evening was magnificently attended by the nobi-
lity and gentry of Wales. At the hour appointed
for the commencement (nine o'clock) several persons
bad arrived, and notwithstanding the wind blew a
fury, and the rain came down in torrents, before ten
o'clock the place set apart for dancing was filled to
inconvenience. About this time Lord Mostyn ar-
rived, and was received with loud plaudits. Soon after
the ball was opened by Lady Mostyn and Sir W.
Shiply Con wy, Esq., with a country dance. After
several dances had been performed, the wind, which
had continued blowing a perfect hurricane, caused the
roof to creak, and occasioned great alarm • many per-
sons, Linking it unsafe, left the place. Miss Mostyn
was carried out in hysterieks, end one or two other
ladies fainted, and nothing could prevail on them,
after their recovery, to return.
The alarm was not altogether groundless ; the wind
blew so strong that the covered footway leading to
the castle, measuring some fifty yards, was levelled
with the ground, and the flag at the top of the castle
was blown to ribbons. The confidence, however,
which was placed in those gentlemen who had sur-
veyed the castle after the late accident, caused no
diminution in the dancing, the dance being kept
up until near five o'clock, without any accident
occurring.
This morning the remainder of the.prizes were
contested for, and after the closing of the festival,
Mr. Jones (Talhairn), the architect, came forward
and expressed a wish that an architect or surveyor
should examine the building at his expense, and
report whether the blame of the late accident rested
with him, or with the contractor.
The committee immediately appointed a competent
person to survey the building.

COURT CIRCULAR.
BALMORAL, SEPT. 26.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert
went out walking this morning.
His Royal Highness afterwards went out shooting.
In the afternoon her Majesty drove in an open
carriage, accompanied by her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent and the Princess Royal ; the Mar-
chioness of Douro being in attendance on her Majesty.
The dinner party this evening will include her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Augusta
Bruce, Baroness Spetb, the Earl of Aberdeen, and
Sir George Couper.
Sir Edwin Landseer left Balmoral this morning
for Strathspey.

SEPT. 27.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert went out walking this morning.
In the afternoon her Majesty drove in an open car-
riage, attended by the Marchioness of Douro.
The younger members of the Royal Family took
their usual exercise.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived
at his residence, in St. James s Palace, on Saturday
night.

FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM, .LAMBETH.—Much
irterest was excited in this institution yesterday morning,
on the occurrence of the first thanksgiving Sunday since the
lamented death of the late royal president, the Duke of
Cambridge. The chapel and the royal chairs were hung
with black, and the 160 orphan girls appeared in deep
mourning. The sacred edifice was crowded to hear the
Rev. J. Jessopp, the morning preacher ; after which the
school-room was opened to the public, when the Ravi.
Stephen Reed Cattley, the chaplain, most feelingly addressed
the guardians and orphans, and distributed purses containing
five guineas each to five young wumen, who, having been
brought up at the asylum, had faithfully served in private
tzmilies, and attended to receive this reward of good service.
Her Majesty has lately become patron, and the Duke of
Cambridge has succeeded his royal father as president of the
institution. founded in 1758.

Ex ninrrioN or 1851.—The Central Committee
of Denmark has forwarded its demands for space to her Ma-
jesty's Commissioners. From this it appears that the Danes
prei ose to Exhibit printing machinery, porcelain painted and
bisque, shell carving, bronzes, clockwork, rifles, musical in-
struments, furniture, ivory turnings, stylographic plates, oil,
cloths, lace, wool-netting, rauders gloves, with leather specie
inens, tur carpets, stearine candles, playing cards, white glue,
and statuary.

An order in Council appears in Friday Light's
Gazette, assigning a district for ecclesiastical purposes to the
consecrated chapel at Broadstaira, Kent.