The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-03 00:00:00

SEPTEMBER 8,
.1€L50..

IRELAND.
HARVEST PROSPECTS.
DUBLIN, MONDAY MORNING.—Again is it the
pleasing task to announce that all the last reports are
hig! ly favourable, and that it is not presuming too
much to anticipate the certainty of an abundant har •
vest. The accounts of the potato blight every day
are becoming more rare, and, although there is no
doubt that a portion of the crop is unfit for use, the
quantity that will remain for consumption far ex-
ceeds the expectations of all who, but a few weeks
since, entertained such dreary views with regard to
the prospects of the ensuing year. North and south
pauperism is rapidly diminishing, and other symptoms
of improvement among all classes are gradually tnani-
festing themselves. A moderate Conservative journal
(the Downpatrick Recorder) has the following re-
marks upon the subject :
"It is gratifying to consider that,:at present, there is
much general comfurt, even among the lower classes,
arising from the improving state of several branches of
trade, and the moderate prices of the necessaries of
life. Pauperism is on the decrease. It appeared frcm
the usual return of the state of our own woelt-
house last week that it contained then but 450 paupers,
though it was built to accommodate I,ooo—that is
to say, it is not half full. It is the same with re-
spect to other workhouses; their inmates are diminish-
ing in numbers. This diminution does not arise solely
from the employment required at the harvest, as it was
going on gradually for several months past. Now, if
pauperism be on the decrease, it is not only a blessing to
those who were paupers themselves, but it indirectly—
almost directly—benefits both farmers and the whole
ratepaying community; for it diminishes poor-rates, and
consequently strikes off a part of the heavy burden with
which the upper and middle classes are chiefly saddled.
The diminution of pauperism is also attended with ano-
ther consequential advantage, namely, the decrease of
crime, which is alike an annoyance and a source of loss
and expense to the honest portion of the community.
But while prices are reasonable to the consuming
classes, they are at the same time such as to encourage
the farmer. The prices of new grain in our markets
are surely calculated to give him confidence. We
see that new oats have opened at from ss.
to 65. per cwt.; wheat, from Bs. to Bs. 10d., while
an advance in barley has lately taken place. W hy,
we remember oats 45. to 4s 6d per cwt. at the com-
mencement of the season, in corn-law times too, and the
crop not better than it is at present. It 4s. per cwt. was
the occasional price, under such circumstances, surely
the present prises, from ss. to 65., with oats an abundant
crop and trade free, are not to be despised. We are
strongly of opinion that the advantages of corn-laws
were over-estimated, and that too great a panic was ex-
cited by free trade. Both landlords and tenants have
suffered by what was called protection. War prices, and
subsequently protection prices—for when the stimulus of
war was removed the stimulus of corn-laws was substi-
tuted—led to high rents; high rents led to improvidence
and extravagance, the consequences of which have been
partially seen, and only partially, in the Encumbered
Estates Court."
The Drogheda Conservative states that the wages
of labourers in that district average ls. 6d. a day,
and that harvest operations have produced their
effect on the pauper population, which is vastly de-
creased in the union workhouses. Out and in-door
relief is not one-half of what it was this time twelve-
month.

DEATH OF A FLAG OFFICER.
The morning papers announce the death of Ad-
miral Robert Dudley Oliver, for a number of years
resident of Dublin, and an active member of the Bible
and other religious societies established in this city.
His demise, which was occasioned by a severe attack
of paralysis, took place yesterday, at his country re-
sidence, Barnhill, Dalkey. The gallant officer had
reached the mature age of 83 years.
-

SERIOUS AFFRAY 'NEAR /lALLINASLOE.
The Western Star contains the following state

ment :
"On Wednesday last Mr. John Kelly, poor-rate col-
lector, proceeded with three assistants, named Murray,
Gavan, and K.nny, to distrain for poor-rates due by a
mac named Turley—the amount 11/. 3s. After going
on the lands of Ballymana, and seizing eleven head of
cattle, several people collected and succeeded iu rescuing
the cattle, with the exception of one cow. Some blows
were given at both sides, when Mr. Kelly and his men
were attacked with stones. Murray was struck by a
stone on the forehead, which forced the blood through
his ears and nose; and Mr. Kelly was hit on the back of
the head and some other parts of his body. He bad a
double-barrelled pistol in his hand, and when knocked
down two or three of the rescuers' held him, wrested
the pistol from his hand, searched his side pocket for
another pistol, which they got, and when taking it out
also took 501. in notes, either through mistake or de-
sign. So Mr. Kelly states. Mr. Kelly and his party,
however, got away, and came into town, when Murray,
who received such dreadful injuries, was put into the
hospital. Ile is the only support of a widowed mother.
We understand that the lands on which the seizure was
made were waste, and the cattle found there belonged
to a number of poor farmers living in the neighbour-
hood."

THE SEA SIIIIFENT AGAIN.
The present being the age of wonders, it will ex-
cite no surprise to learn that his mightiness the sea
serpant has been sporting his dimensions in the peace-
able waters bounding the west coast of Cork. Let
those who may be incredulous of the fact read the
following letter, addressed to the Cork Constitution,
by a gentleman, who, sailing in his own yacht, had
the apocryphal pleasure of seeing the monster so-
lacing his idle moments by a comfortable scratch
against a neighbouring lighthouse, with a view, it
would seem, of ridding itself of its old and useless
scales. But let Mr. Travers tell his own story :
" Courtmasherry, Aug. 29.

" Sir,—The following particulars, the accuracy of
which need not be questioned, will, I doubt not, interest

many of your readers :
" The different fishing establishments on the shore of
this extensive bay, extending from the Old Head of
Kinsale to the Seven Heads, have been within the last
few days abundantly 'supplied with fish of every de-
scription, and the greatest activity prevails to profit by
the bounty which has been thus sent to us literally in
shoals. It has been noticed, too, that some description
of fish, hack for instance, hare been captured further
within the limits of the inner harbour than was ever
known before. In fact, as I heard it observed, the fish

was literally leaping ashore.
" These novel appearances, however, it was my lot to
see fully accounted for yesterday. At about one o'clock
A.m., when sailing in my yacht, with a slight breeze off
shore, about two miles to the south of the beacon erected
on the Barrel rocks, on of the party of four gentlemen
on board (Mr. 8., f Bandon) drew attention towards
the structure mentioned, with the interrogatory of Do
you see anything queer about the Barrels?' In an in-
stant the attention of all on board was rivetted on an
object which at first struck me as like the up-heaved
thick end of a large mast, but which, as it was made out
plainer, proved to be the head of some huge fish or
monster. On bearing down towards the object we
could distinctly see, with the naked eye, what I cab
best describe as an enormous serpent without mane or
fur or any like appendage. The portion of the body
above water, and which appeared to be rubbing or
scratching itself against the beacon, was fully 30 feet
long, and in diameter I should say about a fathom. With
the aid of a glass it was observed that the eyes were of
immense site, about nine inches across the ball, and the
upper part of the back appeared covered with a furrowed
shell-like substance. We were now within rifle-shot
of the animal, and, although some on board exhibited
pardonable nervousness at the suggestion, it was resolved
to fire a ball at the under portion of the body whenever
the creature's unweildly evolutions would expose its
vuluereble part. The instant the piece was discharged
the monster rose as if impelled by a painful impulse to
a height which may appear incredible,—say at least
thirty fathoms,—and culminating with the most rapid
motion dived or dashed itself under water with a splash
that almost stopped our breaths with amazement. In a
few moments all disturbance of the water subsided, and
the strange visitor evidently pursued its course to sea-
ward. On coming up to the beacon we were gratified
to find adhering 'to the supports numerous ceonrnuetteg
scaly masses, such as one would wouldthink b
fnreowmobjectschangeganitsbeoldeesekninatfotrhae
eanec.reaTtunreese'
Horse Rock Coast Guard station, and will repay a visit.
coating,'
interesting or
" These particulars I have narrated in the clearest
manner I am able, and if others, in other boats, who had
not so goal an opportunity of seeing the entire appear-
ance of the animal as those in my boat had, should send
you a more readable account of it, I pledge myself none
will more strictly adhere to the real facts.
" I am, air, your very obedient servant,
" ROGER W. TRAVERS."

BEARS Timm CAurourire..---Atnong the passengers
brought by the West India mail-packet Avon, which arrived
at Southampton on Sunday, were three grisly hears from
California. They were caught in the following manner :
At one of the gold diggings the carcase of a bullock had been
hung up in an open place. Its magnitude was reduced con-
siderably one night, and the owners suspecting that a human
thief was in the vicinity, set a watch, when an enormous
grisly bear was seen approaching the carcase. Bruin was
caught violating the laws of meem and Num, and, of course,
\was killed by the watchers. It proved to be a she bear
giving suck. Her den was tracked, and three very young
cubs were found. They were purchased in California by one
of the passengers on board the Avon, who brought them to
England. They were very docile on board, and were allowed
to run loose about the deck. One of them particularly was
so tame that it would play and roll about the ship with the
boys on board. They grew amazingly after they left
Chagres. The passenger who brought them home brought
to Southampton 25,C30 dollars' worth of gold-dust in skins,
after paying his passage for himself and bears, which coat
bins about 800 dollars.
PROPOSED FORTIFICATIONS IN MILFORD HAVEN.
—The contemplated fortifications and defences for the more
efficient protection of the important naval station and esta-
blishment at Pembroke-dock, will shortly be commenced.
During the week Lieutenant-Colonel Victor, of the Royal
Engineers, with the other officers of that corps, have been
busily engaged in examining and inspecting all the com-
manding situations, with the view of selecting the best sites
for the erection of the proposed works. The Stack Rock,
Thorn Island, Dale Point, &c., have been severally exa-
mined ; and it is now understood that on the Stack Rock,
situate at the entrance of the harbour, a fort will be erected.
and martello towers be constructed on other commanding
positions. These will be mounted with guns of heavy calibre,
fixed on traversing carriages. The works will entail the
erection of additional barracks for the accommodation of the
men necessary for their defence.
b y Ofi rne
-Td
ahmupr,s do
cacyu
rl
raesdt
e, by which three persons
Heys Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyn
came to their deaths. At the inquest the jury returned a
a at
the dreadful
works o accident,
cbclieds se rust. ' 1 f ecr: so
fined
s,
verdict that there was no evidence to satisfy them how and
by whit mans the sulphur was ignited'