The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-11 00:00:00

TritYRSDAY EVIIINING, APRIL 11, inso.

rby reducing the postage to two declines (2d.); Belgium,
Holland, Germany, Russia, Spain, Portugal, and other coun-
tries are granting a similar benefit to their respective popu-
lations, as the means of creating a greater intercourse between
man and man, and at the same time extending their relations
with foreign countries.
A STEAMER NEARLY WRECKED AT LONDON-
BRIDGE—Yesterday, at noon, an alarming occurrence took
place at London-bridge. The Jersey and Guernsey screw.
steamer Collier, arrived in the river, off the Custom-house,
and her anchor was let go to bring the vessel up, so that
she might drift up with the tide to her proper moorings
alongside Fresh Wharf, London-bridge, where she was to
lanepassengers, and to discharge her cargo. Owing, how-
ever to the swiftness of the tide her anchor did not bite, and
the vessel was carried with considerable force against one of
the piers of the bridge. Fortunately, she struck stem on ;
had it been midships, probably she would have broken in
two and have gone down. After striking, she drove under
the arch, and her masts and part of her funnel were carried
away, which fell on her decks with a loud crash. The crew
and passengers luckily escaped injury. When the vessel was
brought up off Bankside she appeared almost a wreck.
AILWAYS.—Prom a return to an order of the
House of Commons, which has just been printed, it appears
that the total length of railway in Great Britain and Ireland
open for traffic on the 30th June, 1849, was 5,447 miles, on
which were employed 55,968 persons. The length of railway
in course of construction at that date was 1,504 miles; and
authorised, though neither open for traffic nor in course of
construction, 5,132 miles; together employing 103,816 per-
sons. Thus, the total length of railway authorised to be
used for the conveyance of passengers on 3uth June, 18-19,
was 12,083 miles; and the total number of persons employed
thereon was 159,784.
DIRECT EXETER, PLYMOUTH, AND DEVONPORT
RAlLWAY.—Yesterday the Master in Chancery, Sir W.
Horne, finally, with some few exceptions, settled the list of
shareholders, in number 735, liable to be called on to defray
liabilities. Sundry individuals returned as gone to Califor-
nia and Australia, and as having revoked their application for
shares before the allotment had been struck off, while others
who paid 3s. per share, is the expectation that they would
be relieved from all future liability, were retained on-the list,
the Master being of opinion that, in point of law, he could
not exonerate them, though the amount they had paid would
be placed to their credit, to be deducted from the general
call to be made on the shareholders, which, as far as at pre-
sent calculated by Mr. Sandeman, the official manager, and
Metiers. Fyson, Curling, and Hope, solicitors to the estate,
will amount to about ss. per share.
HALIFAX FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY. This
society numbers 162 members, who hold among them 212
shares. The land allotted is 41t acres in extent, and cost
9201., or about bid, per yard. On Monday afternoon last
the members and friends of the society assembled in Albion-
street School-room, Halifax, where they formed themselves
into a procession, which proceeded to the field in Hanson-
lane, where the members received possession of their respec-
tive allotments. The inauguration being completed, the
procession returned to the school-room, where the notable
event of the day was celebrated by a social tea party.
MORBID CURIOSITY.—DR. NOLAN.—On Sunday
last the services at Ducie Chapel were conducted by Dr.
Nolan, for the first time since the action for defamation of
character, tried at the recent Liverpool assizes. The chapel
was crowded both morning and evening, great numbers not
being able to obtain admission at the latter service. Both
before and after the time of the services, many persons had
assembled in front of the building, and thel aid of the police
was required in order to keep the footpath clear. Lest any
interruption should be offered, Mr. Chief Superintendent
Beswick and Superintendent Leary were in attendance; but
not the slightest disturbance or expression of feeling took
place. Dr. Nolan, in the course of his address, took God to
witness his innocence of the charges made against him.—
Manchester Guardian,
The second line of tube for the double roadway at
the Britannia-bridge is to be floated in May. The request
to her Majesty to permit the attendance of the Prince of
Wales, with his royal father, at a festival to celebrate the
succesefal progress of this great work in engineering science,
has been declined, on account of the Queen's "interesting
situation," so far as regards the Prince Consort, and the youth
of the heir apparent to the crown.—Chester Courant.
ANOTHER FATAL WRECK.—Letters received on
Tuesday at Lloyd's state the less of the barque Emma, Cap-
tain Christie master, belonging to Dundee, on her passage
from Newcastle to Montreal, on one of the Orkneys. On the
morning of the Ist inst., at daybreak, the vessel was observed
off St. Margaret's, at anchor, about half a mile from the
shore, th 6 wind at the same time blowing tremendously from
the S.E. During the fury of the gale the ship was dis-
covered adrift. Those on board managed to make sail on
her, and she stood to the eastward, and then tacked and
stood to the north, when she drove and struck on the point
of the rocks with terrible force. Her fearful position was
observed from the shore, but it was utterly impossible to
render any assistance to the crew. The poor fellows took to
the rigging, and their cries and gestures for help were truly
heart-rending; their sufferings, however, were but for short
duration, for within half an hour the masts were carried
away, and the whole of the unhappy creatures met with a
watery grave. The hull of the ship was shortly broken up
into a thousand fragments.
GAS-LIGHT IN DWELLINGS.—This desirable system,
the extensive adoption of which, together with rented
meters and fittings, liberal reductions of price, and strict
purity in the manufacture, we have long advocated, is one
certain to promote the interests of companies immensely,
while providing a truly lightsome and attractive home to
cheer and encourage the people in the path of duty. We
are gratified to observe that the importance of it is now being
urged at Manchester, where a lecture was lately delivered at
the Royal Institution, by Mr. D. Stone, one of whose objects
was to urge its adoption. The local Spectator also has taken
up the subject with a leading article, in an excellent spirit,
on " Gas in Dwellings." In the lecture alluded to, the faci-
lities which gas-light affords for the more proper ventilation
of dwellings, and hence for the further promotion of a cheer-
ful spirit and health in the homes of the poorer classes, were
also pointed out. The chairman of the Manchester Gas
Committee itself was in the chair.—Builder.
DINNER TO ALDERMAN SIR JOHN KEY.—A grand
banquet was given on Monday evening at the London
Tavern, by the inhabitants of LangboureWard, to Sir John
Key, Bart., on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of his
election to till the office of Alderman of the ward. The chair
was filled by Mr. G. Moffatt, M.P., and covers were laid
for lio.

GREAT EXHIBITION or 1851.—Yesterday evening
a public meeting of commercial travellers was held in the

large room of the George Inn, Aldernmnbury, for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the means to be adopted for
collecting a suns of money to be presented by that body to-
wards the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations in 1851.
Mr. J. B. Walker presided, and in the course of a forcible
address said that, although comparatively few in number
were present at the meeting, yet they had in their pockets
the proxies of many scores, he might say hundreds, of their
fellow-travellers, who as commercial men were deeply
anxious for the success of the exhibition, and joined them
heart and hand in the objects they were met to forward.
The first resolution. which was moved by Mr. D. Blyth.
seconded by Mr. Bedingfield, and carried unanimously, was
to the following effect :—" That this meeting, feeling deeply
sensible of the beneficent result which the great exhibition
of 1851 is calculated to produce, particularly to those who
are immediately connected with commerce, by the effect it
will have of strengthening the bonds of friendship between
this and other countries, by which international commerce
will necessarily be increased, the manufactures of nations
improvev, and the civilization, peace, and happinees of the
while world promoted. resolves to use its utmost endeavours
to further the noble intention of his Royal Highness Prince
Albert by inviting the commercial travellers of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to unite in contri-
buting a sum of money towards defraying the expenses of
the said exhibition." The next resolution, which was also
carried nem. con., and was moved by Mr. M'lntyre, and
seconded by Mr. Sprinkling, was to the effect that a commit..
tee should be appointed for the purpose of adopting and car-
rying out such measures as might be deemed efficient for
raising such a fund. Several other resolutions were then
proposed, appointing officers for carrying the forementioned
objects into effect, and the meeting separated after the usual
acknowledgments to the chairman.

MOORISH PRESENTS TO THE QUEEN.--The Bull-
dog steam-sloop, Commander A. C. Key, which arrived at
Portsmouth on Sunday,,went into harbour in the evening. On
Monday morning she moved alongside the land jetty to land the
9 barb horses and 4 cases she has brought home as presents
from the Emperor of Morocco to her Majesty. The Bulldog
embarked them at Tangier on the 29th of last month, with
two Moors in charge. The steamer had several gales during
her passage from Tangier to Lisbon; but from Lisbon she
had moderate wea her, and made a good run home. The
horses stood the bad weather well; but when embarked were
much finer-looking animals than they appeared yesterday.
Before their embarkation they travelled twenty-five days,
coming from some part of the Emperor's dominions famed
for the breed of horses; a pedigree of each horse and mare
has been sent with the Moor in charge. They are of different
colours, and all appear young ; two are mere colts. Several
of them are fine horses, standing about 15 or 16 hands, and
show great blood and courage, and are particularly well
formed about the bead, neck, and forehand. The hair about
the mane and tail is partially rubbed off from chafing against
their boxes during the motion of the steamer. They were
all landed safely; but whilst being held by the seamen,
near the wharf, two of the full horses slipped their
heads out of the halters, and commenced a most
furious battle, biting each other, and striking most fiercely
with their forefeet. They soon cleared a space, nor could
they be separated till a rope was got between them, and the
grooms lashed them most unmercifully with whips. One of
the grooms drew his sabre, but did nut use it. Both grooms
are dressed in the Moorish costume, and the principal has a
ferocious appearance, but both treat their horses kindly, and
looked after them well during the passage. They were taken
to the George Hotel stables, but owing to some bad arrange-
ment they were a considerable time in the dockyard, and
when the two got adrift and began fighting there was
some danger that they might plunge over the margin of
the docks.

DEATH OF ANOTHER FLAG••OFFICER.—Retired Rear-
Admiral Hills died on the Bth instant, at his seat, Asker-hill,
Essex, aged 73. He became a lieutenant in 1798, and a
post-captain in 1814. The deceased was midshipman of the
Eclair at the occupation of Toulon, and was lieutenant of the
Amethyst at the capture of the French frigate Dedaigneuse,
and of other smaller prizes, belonging to the French and
Spanish, during the late war.

She ship Ellenborough, Captain Lambert, belong-
ing to the Messrs. Smiths, which brought the latest news
from the Cape of Good Hope, has made a very remarkably
quick passage, having been only 96 days from Calcutta, six
of which she was at anchor at the Cape.
TIIE PETER. TAVY AND MARY TAVT CONSOLE
COPPER. MINING CODWANY.—A dinner of the shareholders
of this company took place on Tuesday at the London Ta-
vern, Bishopsgate-street ; Mr. Gibson in the chair. The
cloth having been removed, and the usual loyal toasts dis-
posed of, the business of the meeting was commenced. It
appeared that the company has been commenced with a
capital of 2,5001. in 5,030 shares at 10s. each, with no further
calls, on the cost-book system; and that it is a revival of
the old East Wheal Friendship Company, which expended
upwards of 12,0001. upon the mine. It is situated on the
river Tavy, in the county of Devon, and on the run or course
east of the Great Wheal Friendship lode, which has proved
a most profitable adventure to the shareholders; and it has,
of course, the benefit of the expenditure of the old company
which it succeeds. The chairman promised, for himself and
the directors, that the most rigid economy should be observed,
and as little money as possible spent upon offices or other-
wise, in order that there might be the more for the actual
working of the mine. The statements of Mr. Heading and
others, practically and personally acquainted with the con. j
(Utica' of the mine, were highly favourable, and received
with much applause. The secretary was directed to convene
a meeting of the/shareholders for Thursday next.
SOUTII AMERICAN WnEAT•—The vessel Courier'
arrived from San Antonia and Chili, South America, has
brought the large quantity of 5,222 sacks of wheat; and the
vessel Mary Worrall, from Valparaiso, has brought on the
same day LO7O bags of wheat, consigned, and the produce
of that district of South America.