The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-12 00:00:00

DEATH OF THE VICE-CHANCEL-
LOR OF ENGLAND.
The Right Hun. Sir Lancelot Shadwell, Vice-
Chancellor of England, expired on Saturday morning
at his residence, the Barn Elms, Putney. The even'
was hourly expected from the Friday afternoon, when
the symptoms of the paralytic attack, under which
he laboured for the last month, became painfully
alarming.
The death of so good and so able a man will be
greatly lamented. He presided over a branch of the
Court of Chancery since the year 1827, and secured the
entire respect of the profession, by the general soundness
of his judgment, by the regularity of his attendance
in his court, and his untiring assiduity in the disposal
of his business.
Sir Lancelot Shadwell was the son of a barrister,
well known in his day in the courts of law. He was
born in the year 1779, and was educated in St. John's
College, Cambridge, at which university he took a
humble degree as 7th wrangler and junior medallist.
He subsequently obtained a fellowship, and in 1803
was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn. In 1821 he
was appointed a King's counse►, and in 1826 he ob-
tained a seat in Parliament for the borough of Ripon,
where he exercised much influence in consequence of
his holding an important office in connexion with the
estates of the late Miss Lawrence, who owned the
major portion of the borough property. A 3 already
stated, Sir Lancelot was made V,ce-Chancellor in
1827. In 1833 he became one of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Great Seal, and he again held the,
office in the present year.
The Vice-Chancellor was in his 72d year, had been
twice married, and has left a numerous family to de-
plore his loss.
His death will also be especially lamented by the
inhabitants of Barnes, Mortlake, and its neighbour-
hood, amongst whom he has resided nearly 18 years,
and had endeared himself to them by his urbanity and
benevolence.

COURT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, SATURDAY.
The Queen and Prince took their accustomed early
walk this morning in Osborne Park.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the
Princess Royal, and younger members of the Royal
Family, walked and rode as usual.
Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland and the Lady
Constance L. Gower left Osborne this forenoon for
London.
There was no addition yesterday to the Royal
dinner party.

SUNDAY.
The Queen and Prince and younger members
of the Royal Family, accompanied by their illus-
trious relatives, walked early this morning in Osborne
Park and grounds.
Her Majesty, his Royal Highness, and her Royal
Highness the Princess Royal, and the ladies and
gentlemen of the royal household, attended Divide
service this morning at Osborne. The Rev. T. Pru-
theroe officiated.

Lord Jocelyn had the honour of being included in,
:he royal dinner party yesterday.

The Queen will hold a Privy Council on 'Wednes-
lay next, the 14th inst., at Buckingham Palace.
Summonses were issued on Saturday from the Privy
Council Office to the Ministers and Officers of State.

His Serene Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe-
Coburg Gotha left Clarence House, St. James's, on
Friday evening, for Dover, en route to Brussels.
The Rev. Charles Prest and the Rev. Thomas
Vasey, a deputation from the Wesleyan Conference,
had an interview with Secretary Sir George Grey on
Saturday, at the Home-office, to present an address
of congratulation to the Queen on the birth of a
Prince.

Mr. W. H. Bland had an interview with Earl Grey
on Saturday at the Colonial-office.
The Duke of Wellington attended the early service
yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The
prayers were read by the Rev. J. C. Haden, and the
sermon was preached by the Rev. F. D. Perkins.
His Excellency Count Schimmelpenninck has re-
mitted to the Baron Marochetti the cross of Com-
mandeur de la Couronne de Chone, which his Ma-
jesty the King of the Netherlands has been pleased to
confer upon him.

" No. 18, ditto, L. Youn
4t No. 17, ditto, the London and County Bank—To-
tally consumed; insured in the Rent-office.
High-street Distiller g, butcher—Burned down.
Y, J. Brenchley—Dwelling-
house burned down, roof of distillery broken, and
insurance not known.
con-
siderable damage by water and removal, building, furni-
turenß u:r n,N
Ne 8:00
..
e d.
sinsured in the Rent-office.
16,0 w in the same street, J. R. May, boot-maker—
;
ditto, T. Butcher, confectioner—Barred
down; insured in the Globe-
,, office.
No. 14, ditto, H. Newman, stationer—Burned down;
insured in the Phcenix-office.
4, No. 13, ditto, unoccupied—Destroyed; insurance
unknown.
" No. 12, ditto, W. Croft, grocer_ Serious damage by
fire and removal; insurance unknown.
" No. 1, Church-alley, let out in tenements. Burned
down.
" No. 2, ditto—similar damage; uninsured.
" No. 3, ditto—ditto ditto
" No. 4, ditto—ditto ditto
"No. 5, ditto—ditto ditto
" No. 1, Princes street, C. Yomvio, pipe-maker—Da-
mage by removal, &c.; uninsured.
" No. 2, ditto, H. Stocks, bricklayer—Similar damage;
insured in the Licensed Victualler'-office.
"Nos. 4 and 4i, ditto, Mr. Bell—Roof destroyed, rest
unknown.
of building and contents damaged by fire, &e.; insurance

"No. 5, ditto, J. Parry, poulterer—Burned down;
insurance not known.
" No. 29, ditto, Messrs. Peters, smiths—Front severely
scorched.

"Swan-yard—Let out in tenements, buildings burned
down; not insured. _ .

hi
"Ditto—H. Eleing, stable-keeper—Great damage
to premises by fire and water; insurance unknown." -
LATEST,
STUENSDTA
yl A 9 RpT.
pA
tRo S
ts hour the.
GRAVESEND,
firemen had great difficulty in preventing a fresh out-
break of the fire in consequence of the great body of
flames which continued to rage in the ruins.
The authorities of the town have determined upon in-
stituting a most rigid investigation as to the cause of the
lamentable event. At present, but little accurate infor-
mation can be obtained as to its origin.
Much alarm prevailed lest, in the event of any of the
brigade force being withdrawn during the night, the
flames should get up, and overpowering the operations
of those left behind, destroy more property. The offi-
cers, however, very kindly communicated to the inha-
bitants that sufficient force would be kept on duty to
meet any emergency.
The news of the fire having reached the metropolis,
thousands came down by the North Kent line, and, in-
deed, from all parts of the country throughout the day,
therefore the vicinity of the ruins was densely crowded.

rr, „
THE NEW -NOVEL, " OUR COUNTY," by John
Mills, Esq., author of "The Old English Gentleman," Szo., is
published this day by Mr. Colburn, and may be had at all
the libraries. Also just published-2. Petticoat Govern..
ment, by Mrs. Trollope. 3. Adelaide Lindsay, edited by the
author of " Emilia Wvndham." 4. The Travellers, or
Mornings at Matlock, by R. Shelton Mackenzie, D.C.L.
5. Ann Dysart; or the Scotch Minister's Daughter. 6. Re-
ginald Hastings, by Eliot Warburton, Esq. Second edition.
7. The Story of a Man of Fashion ; or Sin and Sorrow.
8. La Vendee, an Historical Romance, by Anthony Trol•
lope, Esq.
Annette Myers and Pate are amongst two batches
of female and male convicts who will be dispatched for Van
Diemen's Land to-morrow, by the ships William Jardine
and Rodney. It will be remembered that the woman was
convicted of shooting a soldier in the -Birdcage-walk, from
feelings of jealousy, and Pate of assaulting the Queen._
rfreekly Chronicle.

ONDO, MONDAY EVENING%

TREMENDOUS CONFLAGRATION
AT GRAVESEND.UPWARDS OP FORTY HOUSES BURNED.
GRAY SEND, AUG. 11.—The most destructive fire
that has ever occurred at Gravesend took place this
morning. The particulars, as far as they could be
ascertained by the reporter from the most authentic
sources and his own observation, are as follows :—At
about five minutes past two o'clock a man, who stated
his name to be Parker, called at the station-house,
and told Sergeant Penman, who was then in charge
of the place, that he had just seen smoke issuing from
the window of a house close by, in High-street. Pen-
man went to the spot indicated, and saw a flame burst-
ing from beneath the weather boarding above the
kitchen window of the house of Mr. Adlington, grocer,
High-street. He immediately gave the alarm, and in a
very short space of time the town engines, together
with those of the Custom-house, and of Mr. Plane's
(the Mayor) brewery, were on the spot, and a
supply of water from the. mains of the waterworks
having been promptly got, every effort was made to
,übdue the fire, which by this time had extended
itself to the house adjoining Mr. Adlington's.
The wind blew rather fresh from the south-west,
sweeping the flames over the houses down the
High-street towards the Town-pier. The engines,
hough well worked and abundantly supplied with
water, gained no influence over the 'fire, which had st
about three o'clock extended to seven houses on that
(the western) side of the street. The engine from
l'ilbury Fort, accompanied by a body of troops,
having now arrived, more vigorous, but equally un-
availing, efforts were made to stay the further pro-
gress of the fire, which had at soon after three o'clock
crossed the street, seizing first upon the extensive
premises of Mr. Young, butcher. From there the
flames spread to the houses all down the eastern side
of the street, including the County Bank, the Savings
Bank, the lient -tavern, Brinchley's Distillery, &c.
The High-street on both sides from the Town-hall
downwards to within a short distance of the Town-
pkr was at four o'clock completely inveloped in
flames, which, when they involved the premises of
Mr. Troughton, tallow-chandler, and an oilshop and
chemist's shop contiguous to it, formed an awful
conflagration. At this time all hope of
preserving a single house between the Town-
hall and the pier was abandoned by all parties, not-
withstanding that the Dartford and Rochester en-
gines had arrived, and a prodigious volume of
water was discharged on the whole line of burning
houses on both sides of the street. There was fortu-
nately sufficient time to save the cash-boxes and the
securities and other documents of the County and
Savings Banks, which were taken to the Custom-
house, all the officers of which were actively engaged
with the military, police, and townspeople in working
the engines. Comparatively little property was saved
from the fire, which, between 5 and 6 o'clock had
completely destroyed 24 houses (as the, annexed list
will show) on both sides ohligh-street, independently
of several houses in Princes street and the courts
leading out of High-street, between the 'Town-hall
and the' Pier. A telegraphic communidationi Cron]
the railway-station, at the instance of the Mayor
(Mr. Plane), having been made to the London- bridge
station, a body of the Fire-brigade and two engines
were as scion as possible dispatched from London, and
arrived in G-ravesend at about 20 minutes to 7 o'clock.
The work of destruction was then done, the fire
having been providentially stayed in its progress down
the High-street, and extending backwards to Princes-
street, by a change of wind to the north and west-
ward at 6 o'clock. The assistance of the brigade,
with their powerful engines and practised skill, was,
however, effectual in suppressing the fire still
bursting forth from the mighty mass of ruins—all
that remained of the property destroyed, and which
is calculated to amount in value to 60,000/.
In the early part of the day it was rumoured that
Mr. May, bootmaker, was missing, and that a man
who sells crockery ware aboufthe town as a hawker
was killed in endeavouring to escape from a house in
Princes-street, in which he lodged. The first state-
ment proved to: be unfounded; and it appears in
reference to the hawker, that the poor man bad suf-
fered severe bodily injury, having fallen down a burn-
ing staircase. He was removed to the workhouse in
a dangerous state. The insurance-offices which will
be the principal sufferers are, as we learn, the Kent,
the Sun, and the Phoenix.
During the morning Mr. Braidwood, the superin-
dent of the London Brigade, and also Mr. Connorton,
the foreman of the West of England Office, and seve-
ral of his firemen, visited the spot for the purpose of
ascertaining the extent of the loss.
Sulijoilled is a copy of Mr. Braidwood's official re-
port a the damage done
"-Sunday, Aug. 11, 1850—Called, by an electric tele-
graph message, to a fire in High.street, Gravesend,
which did the following damage:—
" No. 65, High-street, J. Adlington, grocer and tea
dealer—Premises burnt down and contents consumed;
insured in the Star-office.
" No. 66, ditto,' M. Reed, tobacconist—Burned down;
insured in the Kent Fire-office.
No, 67, ditto, T. C. Barber, eurrier—Dwelliug-
house and workshops totally destroyed. Insurance un-
known.
" No. 68, ditto, belonging to, Mr. Gregory, but un-
occupied—Burned down. Insured in the Mutual-office.
" No. 69, ditto, E. and M. Gregory, drapers—Totally
consumed. Insured in the Mutual Fire-office.
" No. 70, ditto, unoccupied—Burned down. Insured
in the Mutual-office.
" Nos. 71 and 72, ditto, J. T. Feawick, clothier—
Burned down. Insurance unknown.
" No. 73, ditto, Mr. C. Day, surgeon—Premises par-
tially destroyed. Insurance not known.
" No. 74, ditto, Mr. Saunders, surgeon—Roof burned,
and rest of house seriously damaged by fire.—lnsured in
the Phoenix.
" No. 64, ditto, Messrs. Troughton and Co. tallow-
chandlers—The promises and contents destroyed. Sup-
posed to be insured in the Alliance.
" No. 63, ditto, Mr. Hery Creed, victualler (Parr's
Head)—Burned down. Supposed to be insured in the
Alliance.
" No. 62, ditto, J. H. Hatton, draper, &o.—Totally
consumed. Insurance unknown.
" No. 61, ditto, Mr. Newman, stationer—Burned
down. Insured for stock in trade, &c., in the General
Fire-office.
d26ao2lic
contents
ndtdietinttott
contents
di a R.
ale.
ug seriouslye, tec r, e
refreshment
ren,
fs
damageducersaeht
Insured
nie n- htt
horeuob eating-housekeeper—
Building
Globe.ser ee rs,—;
Inmnui:ss;,uel
NdrsNienticloogni in the Kent-office.
Pre-
" No. 21, ditto, C. Spenser, chemist—Burned down.
Insured in the General office.
" No. 20, ditto, J. Temple, tavern-keeper—Totally
destroyed. Insurance unknown.
dNo._l9, ditto, C. Lipseombe, perfumer—Burned
own .

AUGUST 12, 1850.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
P.RADFORD BYFuIiM ASSOCIATION.
Sir,—On Wednesday the 7th, progress was made
in the process of what at the Tinir,,ritics used to be
called " huddling," which is the usual token of ap-
proaching separation. Among the performances in
this line, was the slaughter of the Incumbered Estates
(Ireland) Bill.
On Thursday the Crime and Outrage Act (Ireland)
Continuance (No. 2) Bill was read a second time,
and was further proceeded with in Committee on
Friday. The Member for the Tower Hamlets (G.
Thompson) fell into the error of attempting to speak
for the opponents of the Bill. On which they fell
upon him with a vigour and pertinacity, which made
an example of him to English Members for the
future. It is to be hoped no English Members will
vote on that side who can help it. But what is to be
done with those who cannot help it ? At the same
time there is no necessity for any English Curtius to
throw himself into the gulph ; for the understanding
is understood to be, that the question is not to be
pressed with desperation, and something else is to be
given up instead.
On the same evening Mr. Hume made his motion
for a Commission to examine into late proceedings in
the lonian Islands. The affair altogether is c f
melancholy aspect, and points to evils of indefinite
extent. Here have a number of the finest islands in
the world, the earliest seats of arts and civilisation,
peopled with the most active and ingenious popula-
tion in the world, speaking and yiting the noblest
language of classical antiquity with less alteration
than has taken place in English since the time of
Chaucer, and no more than any man with the Greek
of the schools may master in a month, as I indi-
vidually know from having published in the modern
Greek with only the aid that every Englishman in
India expects from his Munshi,---here have these
islands, which might have been made as efficient a
portion of the British empire as the Norman islands
which stud the Channel, for thirty years been under
British rule, and at this moment the British governor
and government occupy precisely that sort of hob-
goblin position, which little boys and girls shudder
over in the history of Gessler and Austria, till they
are comforted by Mamma's assurance that all such
naughty governors come to an ill end, and are first or
last, in themselves or their successors, sent to the
' place where wicked people go. It is an awful
thing to run counter to the traditions of the
human race. And this in the face of a state
of things, where it is clear and has been all the
time, that England's only chance of holding her
ground against the rivalries and enmities which are
growing up before her, is in running the principle of
free amalgamation against servile annexation, and
extending the benefits, or what might be such, of
British freedom over all portions of the earth that
come within its reach, as a counterpoise to the
slavery-propped power with which she will in the
next generation have to struggle. The slave-grinders
knew their business better; all they can compass,
they " annex." Why should. not treedoni annex, as
well as slavery; 'and Wben. countries in, the course of
talents come or have come uncth' British rule, why
should it not be for freedom, and for addition to the
common force? But it is to be feared all this is
above the pitch, not of the Government, but of the
national mind ; for Governments like ours do not
lead, but follow; they have enough to do, of them-
selves, to get through the business of the session.
The commonest of popular errors, is that there exists a
thing called statesmanship, learned with pains and
treasured up by a small number of individuals who
have a title to it like what our ancestors attributed to
the seventh son of a seventh son ; and all the time
there is not that ordinary tracing out and pursuit of
a reasonable object, which enables two or three gene-
rations of traders to establish and maintain a trade to
the Baltic, or keep up a line of mail-coaches till in
due time they are superseded by a railway.
A "little church" supported the Member for Mont-
rose. But in a stand of this kind, it is not the num-
ber that is of importance, but the fact.
The House met on Saturday for two or three hours
of routine business.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
AN OLD REFORMER,
London, Aug. 12, 1850.
DI

NNER OF THE EAST INDIA
COMPANY TO SIR WILLIAM GOMM.
On Saturday evening the chairman and directors of
he East India Company gave a sumptuous entertain-
ment to Sir William Gomm, on occasion of his proceed-
ing to take the command of the army in the presidency
of Bombay. Mr. Shepherd, the ch,irman of the board
of directors, occupied the chair, and there were also pre-
sent the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, Lord
Viscount Hardinge, Mr. Masterman, M.P.; Sir James
Weir Hogg, Bart., M.P., Mr.- Wilson, M.P.; Lieutenant
Generals Sir T. M'Mahon, K.C.8., Sir H. Douglas,
Bart., G.C.8., Sir J. Law Lushington, G.C.8., G. Car-
penter; Major-Generals Sir G. Polluck, G.C.8., Sir W.
Herries, C. 8., Sir J. Rolt, P. Delarnotte, C. 8., D.
Macleod, W. Sandwich, C. 8., J. F. Salter, C. 8., IL G.
A. Taylor, C. 8., R. Which; Colonels Cornwall, D.
Capon, C. 8., F. Schuler, Sir H. Dundas, K.C.8., G. R.
Pemberton, Mackeson, C. 8.; Lieutenant-Colonels D.
Forbes, H. M. Graves, J. Lloyd, 0.13., A. Mercer, C. 8.,
R. W. Wilson, C. 8., A. Woodt,urn, W. Alesandtr,
C. 8., Sir Henry Willook, K.L.S., Sir R. Jenkins,
G.C.8., Sir J. H. Telly, ILrt., Sir:John Easthoie, Mr.
Wigram, Scc.
After the usual loyal and constitutional toasts had
been drunk,
The CHAIRMAN said they had met on that occasion to
congratulate a distinguished officer on his appointment
to the command of the army in Bombay. When they
considered the importance of the duties that attached to
such an appointment, having the command of 6,000 men
—when they considered how much the efficiency and
discipline of the army depended an the military talent
and energy of their commander—when they remem-
bered how much the fate and fortune of every individual
in that army might be influenced by the manner in
which the sterner qualities of the head were tempered
in their commander by the milder qualities of the heart
—(Applause)--when they remembered how much the
cordial and harmonious administration of the Govern-
ment depended on the chief civil and military powers
being animated by a spirit of wisdom and
conciliation, he was persuaded they would all agree
with him in the importance of a good commander of
the army, not only to the East India Com-
pany, but to all India. He was happy to say that the
Court of Directors had full confidence that in his gallant
fiend Sir W. GOMM they had an officer who eminently
combined the qualities and virtue which he had de-
scribed. Sir W. Gomm commenced his military career
at a very early period in life. He had distinguished
himself in various important positions. He bad been in
from fifteen to twenty battles. He had been with the
British army at Roleia, at Vimiera, at Corunna, at Be-
saco, at Salamanca, at Vittoria, at the siege of Burgos,
at the siege of St. Sebastian, at the passage of the 13i-
dassoa, and, last of all, at the crowning victory of Wa-
terloo.—(Applause.) At a subsequent period Sir W.
Gomm held the command of the forces in Jamaica, in
1842; and as the duties he was then called upon to per-
form were somewhat analogous to those that would de-
volve upon him in Bombay, it was with great pleasure he
had to state that he received the unanimous thanks of the
House of Assembly for the manner in which he had dis-
charged the duties of his position. This he thought au-
gured well for his future career; and it gave the direc-
, tors of the East India Company the utmost confidence
that Sir William Gomm would maintain that high repu-
tation in India which he had earned in other quarters of
the globe. Ho regretted that they were not on this oc-
casion honoured with the company of that great man
the Commander-in-Chief, because he was certain that
he would gladly have availed himself of this opportunity
of expressing the confidence which he reposed in their
distinguished guest, Sir William Gomm. But at the
same time he was happy to see around him so many
distinguished officers who could speak from personal
knowledge of the high merits and services of Sir Wil-
liam Gomm. They had met not only to congratulate
him on his appointment, but also to bid him God speed
in his new sphere of duty—to express their earnest
wishes that it might please God to bless him with health
of body and vigour of miad—and that after his period
of service was fulfilled, he might return to his native
country with increased honour and reputation, bearing
with him the esteem and regard, not only of the Bombay
army but of all classes in India.—(Applause.)
Sir %qualm Gomm returned thanks. Except as re-
garded the zeal and diligence with which he trusted he
had always endeavoured to discharge his public duties,
he could not but feel that their kindness had overrated
the services of his past career, and for the time to come
he knew and felt that it would tax his best energies to
show that he was not unworthy of the confidence reposed
in him by her Majesty's Government and this honourable
and renowned country whose interests fie was sworn to
protect to the best of his ability. For the last eleven
years he had been constantly employed in the service of
the Crown in duties at times sufficiently arduous; but
the military portion of them was fur the most part re-
stricted to watching over the health and discipline of the
troops it had pleased her Mujesty to entrust to his com-
mand.—(Hear, hear.) He was delighted to find present
a Noble Lord whom it was his privilege and pride to
call his friend from early years, and with respect to both
of them it had been their good fortune and their pride
to serve under the same illustrious and unrivalled Chief
in other days and fields, and even since then the Noble
Lord had achieved for himself imperishable renown.--
(Applause.) Ho trusted that the peace which that Noble
Lord had secured for India would be permanent, and
that, under the watchful exertions of the statesmen and
administrator who now held chief rule in India, British
civilization and enlightenment would have free course in
that country, under the blessing of the Supreme Power,
for ages to come, without let or hiudrauce.—(Applause.)
But if these anticipations should prove too fond, if they
should again be called upon to rouse themselves to an
energetic war, he had seen to.) much of the bearing of
the British soldier in the tented field, and he knew too
mach of the bearing of the Native army, he knew too
much of the zeal and energy of their well-tried officers
from the officer in command of a platoon or a squadron
up to the commanders of corps—men like Gilbert and
Pollock, and Whish, and many others with whose
names " all Europe rings from side to side,"—to leave
him in any doubt as to the issue. Ho had no doubt
they would do their utmost to rival the glories of the
recent victories in India, and for himself he trusted that
the distinguished leaders in the late battles had left
some portion of the spirit which made such glorious
achievements behind them, and that the precious hag-

...._,„
meats would be recovered and cherished and turned to
good account in the hands of him who now so imper-
fectly expressed his thanks.—(Applause.)
The CuarnaraN then gave " The I.,Zavy," for which
Captein COLLIER returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then gav , " Tice Army."
Sir HENRY DUNDAS returned thanks, and said it had
been his good fortune to be acquainted with Captain
Gomm many years ago, and he had then admired him as
an accomplished scholar and a gentleman, as well as a gal-
lant soldier, and he was sure that he would one day earn
for himself great distinction. He had been trained in
the school of their great captain, and had followed him
through all his brilliant achievements in the last war,
till at length the sword was sheathed on the glorious
field of Waterloo, which gave retributive justice to
Europe and peace to the worlda(Applause.) At that I
time Sir WTm. Gomm gave high promise of future success,
and be felt confident that come what might, the Els&
India Company would not he disappointed in the antici-
pations they had formed of his higt, qua litiee,—(Cie erso
The Cnarnsieze then proposed " the Health of the
Scrutineers of the Company," for which Mr. IVeccling
returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN thee proposed ' the Theilth c f the
Committee on Bye-laws," for which Mr. wining :e-
-turned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " the Health of Lord
Harrlinge."—(ApplausP.)
Lord Haenraca returned thanks; and in refrenee to
the compitteclit which the Ch:Airtilan had paid him on
his moderation in India, he cuu!d truly tt), that he. had
drawn the sword at the last nicammt, and that he bad
sheathed it on tie earliest opportunity.—(Laud ap-
plause.) Ho was always happy to accept of the invite.
ta ions of the Chairman of the Court of Ditactors to their
festive board, hut especially on this occasion, when they
Isere met to do honour to his Gallant Friend Sir William
Gomm. He had known his Gallant Friend for forty
years, and had served with him from the earliest
period of the Peninsular war. Even then he had
acquired a high reputation as an able, active, energetic,
and intelligent officer. The Chairman had alluded in
detail to his services; and it was greatly to his credit
that, in conjunction with that eminent statesman the late
Sir Charles Metcalfe, he had distinguished himself by his
wisdom, his good sense, and his moderation.—(Applause.)
In taking the command of the Bombay army his Gal-
lant Friend would find an army ready to perform every
service that could be required of them, whether by sea
or by land.--(Applause.) The army which he was
about to command had marched through the Bolan
Pass to Ghuznee and Caubul—had fought at
Mesnee and Hyderabad—had marched through
Sinde to Moultan, and, after storming that
important fortress, in conjunction with the army
of Bengal, it achieved the victory of Guzerat.
That was not all. It had marched across the Indus to
Peshawar under the command of his Gallant Friend Sir
Henry Dundas, and again under Sir Walter Gilbert.
He knew his Gallant Friend would have diffieulties to
contend with, for it was no light matter to follow such
well- beloved and truly popular commanders as his recent
predecessors had been—men who had acted with such
mingled firmness and wisdom as Sir Willoughby Cotton
and Sir Walter Gilbert.—(Applause.) But he had no
doubt that even in this arduous situation his Gallant
Friend would acquire distinction and. honour.—(Ap.
plause.) He would not detain them longer than, to say
a single word on the political operations Of the army
which' had been so ablrcominated by, a dietinguished
officer present on this occasion, who had acquired dis-
tinction in Affghanistan—he alluded to Colonel Mack-
eson.—(Applause.) That officer had afterwards in-
creased his reputation by his conduct in the Punjaub;
and he was confident that he stood high in the estima-
tion of the Governor-General, on account of his being
selected as the bearer to this country of the Koh-i-Noor,
or mountain of light. He knew that that gallant officer was
distinguished among the officers of that army—fruitful
as that army was in gallant officers. He concluded by
again congratulating Sir W. Gomm on his being ap-
pointed to the command of the Bombay army, and in
wishing him health and strength, and that every good
fortune might follow him in his command.—(Applause.)
The Caramelize then proposed " Sir John Hobhouse
and the Board of Control."
Mr. WILSON, M.P., returned thanks, and apologised
for the unavoidable absence of Sir John Hobhouse.
Sir WM. GOMM then proposed the health of the Chair-
man, for which the Chairman returned thanks.
The other toasts were " The Lord Mayor," for which
his Lordship returned thanks; " The Bank of Eng-
land," which was acknowledged by Mr. Thomson Han-
key, the Deputy-Governor; " The City Companies,"
which was replied to by Sir John Easthope•' " The
Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor-General of India,"
" The Civil Service of India," for which Sir John
Duckworth returned thanks; " The Army of India,"
which was replied to by General Taylor; and " The
Visitors," for which Sir Thomas M•Mahon returned
thanks.
The company separated about eleven o'clock.

LAUNCH OF AN IRON STEAM-
PACKET AT GREENWICH.
On Saturday last a steam-packet, named the City
of Paris, was launched from the premises of Joyce
and Co.'s ironworks, Greenwich. The event appeared
to be one of some moment to the proprietors and
builders of the steamer, from the extensive prepara-
tions made to give eclat to the launch, and from the
numerous concourse of spectators, ashore and afloat,
on the banks of the river, and on board the old hospi-
tal ship Dreadnought, and other craft; the public of
Greenwich took special interest in the affair, and
bore with exemplary patience the tedious delay of an
hour from the time previously appointed to the tno•
merit of the vessel quitting the slip. The whole affair
Its one of as much ostentation as if the launch had
been that of the Royal Albert, 130, and the premises
one of the royal dockyards. Platforms and stages
were erected ; a band of music was provided ; the
ship was decorated with flags of all colours. The
bop of the Greenwich Hospital schools were invited
to the treat of a ship-launch, and a strong force of
policemen kept the gates and guarded the access to
the various seats of honour and places of distinction.
At length it was agreed that the time for starting the
vessel had arrived. Mrs. Hopkinson, the wife of one
of the company, performed the ceremony of naming;
the blocks were split out, the dog-shores were knocked
off, and away she went gracefully and rapidly down
the incline, and rose upon the water, a handsome
structure of naval architecture, amidst the cheers of
the spectators ashore, from the company on board the
Dreadnought, and from the hearty lungs of the de-
lighted Greenwich boys, commingled with the loudest
clash of the industrious band.
From a printed description of the City of Paris we
learn that she "is an iron steam-ship, built for the
Commercial Steam Navigation Company, and in•
tended to ply with passengers and goods between
London and Boulogne. She is constructed from the
design of Oliver Lang, Esq., and it is considered by
competent judges that she will prove herself an ad-
mirable specimen of the skill of that eminent naval
architect.
"Her principal dimensions are—
Length between the perpendiculars...l6s ft.
Breadth of beam .. ....... 23 ft.
Depth of hold
... .... ... 14 ft.
Draught of water
Burthen 425 tons.
" The vessel and engines are constructed by
Messrs. Wm. Joyce and Co.. of the Greenwich Iron-
works, and as a matter of interest it may be men-
tioned that this is the first iron steam-boat ever built
at Greenwich, and may be considered the precursor
of similar works, creating a new and important
branch of industry in that town.
" Her engines are of the collective power of 120
horses, and are of the direct action kind. Each piston
has two rods, between which there is a recess in the
piston which allows of a corresponding recess in the
cylinder covers, and thereby permits the connecting
rods to descend considerably lower than is practicable
in the single rod direct-action engine. The arrange-1
ment is most compact and simple, and it is manliest
that the cylinders being fixed, an important advan-
tage is secured. These engines occupy less. space
than any other description of marine condensing en-
gines yet known, and both engines and boilers may
be taken as a fair specimen of the great reduction of
space and weight effected by modern arrangements
over the earlier examples of steam machinery as ap-
plied to naval purposes."
W e believe she is the first design of Mr. O. IV.
Lang, assistant-master-shipwright of the Royal Dock-
yard, Chatham, constructed of iron, all the other cele-
brated productions of that gentleman (Garland, Vivid,
Banshee, Elfin,) having been built of wood. She
was much criticised and generally admired. She was
launched in rather an unfinished state, but good
speed if not much stowage is predicted for her. The
proportion, however, of 120 horse-power to 450 tons,
is comparatively small.
The builders gave the usual entertainment to some
friends and visitors, on which occasion the customary
complimentary congratulations were interchanged.

THE DUCHESS or KENT.—Her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent arrived here last night with the express
train from London. The train, owing to some detention, did
not reach the North British Railway station till twelve
o'clock - being about three hours beyond its usual time. Her
Royal Highness was accompanied by Lord Jatnea Murray,
Sir George Cowper, and Lady Augusta Bruce. Two carriages
were in waiting at the station for the distinguished party,
who immediately proceeded to the British Hotel (Barry's)
in Queen-street. It is the intention, we believe, of her Royal
Highness to remain in Edinburgh till Monday next, when
she will start for Blair Castle, on a visit to the Duke of
Athol!. Alter spending a few days them, she will proceed
northwards to her Highland residence in the neighbourhood
of Balmoral. Two of the royal carriages and a large quan-
tity of luggage arrived by a previous train.—Scotsman.
THE POTATO CROP.--It is with exceeding regret
we find the mysterious potato blight has very extensively
made its appearance in the adjoining county. We are in-
formed that particularly in the district of Penzance, and ex-
tending to the Land's End, scarcely a field has escaped.
The haulms are burnt as with lightning; but up to Thurs-
day the root had been less affected than from the devastation
seen on the surface might bo concluded. The renewed ap-
pearance of the disease is later this year than last, but one
reason may be that the growth has been rather more back-
ward. Of course it is not'possible to ascertain yet how far
or bow destructively the blight prevails, but should it turn
out to be only partial through the country, the yield of edi-
ble potatoes will be larger than we have had for the last few
years, as there has been a greater acreage planted with this
root. —Derenport Independent. • •
YOUGHAL, AUG. 10.—The Fame, Cork to this port,
which went on shore at Bally Cottun Bay, has gone to
pieces.

THE PUBLIC DEBT OF SIC IL Y.
(From the Evenement.)
." The Sovereigns of Niples bare successively com-
mitted a series of agpref;sions agtinst the Sicilian na-
tion. They have violated the constitution which they
had promised to observe; they have destroyed. the •
nationality •.which they had promised to respect.
There has also bean committed a systematic violation
of the engagement that was originally entered into by
the predecessoi‘s of the present King, at the period
when the island passed under their domination."—
Louis-Pnizarps, King of the French.*

A decree of the Bourbon of Naples, dated the 18th
of December, 1849, has created a new institution in
Sicily, under the name of the great book of the public
debt. In accordance with the amount proeoaed by
General Fitangieri, the debt of the Sicilian Treasury
was increased to 17,370,993 ducats, which amount
has been complacently put down at twenty mil.
lions, so as to obtain a round sum, and called, ac-
cording to the conventional phrase of re-action, the
fatal inheritance of the late political events.
Upon this, the ukase of the petty Neapolitan Czar
was obtained, tv s,:netion the consolidation of this
debt, by the institution of the above-named great
book ; and at the prrsc•nt moment the bonds are being
negotiated upon foreign exehangss.
It is our duty briefly to state this last fact, inter-
esting not only to Sicily, but to corunn-rce in ge-
neral, that it may be properly appreciated by our
reader s.
After the formal deolaration of the Government,
one might feel entitl«l to suppose—
lst.—That the Sicilian debt does not exceed these
twenty millions of ducats (86,658,000 francs).
tad.—That this debt, which was contracted by a
revolutionary Government, and is now liquidated and
consolidated by an absolute Government, has thus
become one which, although nominally constitutional,
ought to be held sacred alike by both.
3rd.—That being established in this manner this
debt would offer all the security necessary for the in-
stitution of a grand-livre.
Finally—That no political event would ever in-
fluence its validity.
Well ! nothing is more erroneous.
A first protest against the decree, of the 18th
December, had been published, even at Palermo,
where the Neapolitan bayonets take away every
means for the manifestation of public opinion, except
those of the secret press and of armed insurrection.
But those Sicilians who are in exile have thought
it their duty to echo the indignation of their country,
and whilst re-producing the protest of Palermo,
they wished, by their'signatures, to take upon them-
selves the moral responsibility of the official docu-
ments attached to it. We sincerely congratulate
them on doing so.
The protest before us is accompanied by sixty-
one signatures of persons who have formed part
of the national representation of Sicily, of the army,
and of the civil and military administration. Amongst
others„we remark the names of MM.' R. AnOri,
Vice-president of the Chamber 'of Commons ;
Amari, late Minister of Finances ; Lafarina, late
Minister of War; Stabile, late Minister of Foreign
Affairs ; Errante, late Minister of Justice; Marano,
late Miuister of the Interior.
And, first of all, we will observe that the Neapoli•
tan Government has not inserted, in the new grand-
livre, more than one-half of the old public debt,
which existed in Sicily before the revolution of 1848,
and relating to its own administration. So that,
with unheardsof injustice and inconsistency, out of
the twelve millions with which the finances of Sicily
were burdened in 1847, more than seven millions re-
main open.
With regard to the debt contracted by the Revolu-
tionary Government, the greater portion of that is
not comprised ; for there is no account at all, either
of the capital produced from the recovery of the
funds possessed by the State, and which re-purchase
has, however, been annulled, or of the paper-money
which was circulated (and which was recognised by
the Pope himself and by Austria, at Rome and at
Venice); nor, lastly, of the three millions of ducats
that the King of Naples, in his diplomatic notes ad-
dressed to France and England, was pleased to say
had been extorted from his most faithful subjects of
Sicily !
Thus, the new institution of credit, so-called, has
served neither entirely to consolidate the debt ante-
cedent to the revolution, nor to assure the debt con-
tracted by the revolution.
All this, however, does not prevent King Bombs
from telling us, with his usual effrontery, that the 20
millions imposed on Sicily are the fatal inheritance of
revolution !
How then can the 20 millions have been completed?
We refer those of our readers who may be interested
in the question to the list of the chapters inserted in
the grand-livre which is added to the protest, hut
from which we can only give a short extract and a
few examples.
They begin by saddling upon poor Sicily the small
gratification of 240,000 ducats, granted to Filangieri,
as the price of the crown of laurels that the King of
Naples was so gracious as to join to the title of most
Serene Duke of Taormina.
%Vu then find a double article of expenses of war,
and of expenses in common, between the two kingdoms
of Naples and Sicily—a most convenient amphibo.
logic, which places Sicily in the position at the same
time of a conquered country and of a country which
has spontaneously returned to the dominion of its legi.
timate King.
Now, and we ask the question of that journal,
which in Paris is the ilfoniteur of the King of Naples
—ls Sicily, in your estimation, the country of an
enemy ? You have conquered it—you now present
it with a bill of two millions, for the expenses of the
conquest, the reward of Filangieri, and other things,
with unforeseen expenses in addition. That is all very
well ; but how with the other hand can you present
it with a bill of six millions as its assessment of ex-
penses in common with Naples?
If, against a handful of the factious, she has lost
the support of your arms, you have lost the contribu•
tion from her treasury.
We ask in one word, is King Bombs playing the
foreign prince or the king of the country ?—the new
conqueror or the old master? Is Sicily to defray
both the expenses of the bombs which destroyed her
towns and the expenses of a government which did
not govern her ?
This, indeed, far surpasses the logic of the lion in
the fable.
Having said thus much upon the justice of the
principle, we will add a few words on the legality of
the form.
Is there a legislative guarantee of the debt that has
just been established ? Has the power that contracted
it the right of doing so?
The answer is easily made. The Sicilian nation,
having resumed her rights, and being represented by.
her legislative chambers, freely elected, by the solemn
act of the 13th April, 1848, declared Ferdinand 11.
and his dynasty deposed from the throne of Sicily.
From that day forth the King of Naples is no-
thing but an usurper in this island; he governs it,
in fact, but not by right, relying upon his bayonets,
but not upon his title. This is our firm belief.
But if we go back to other concessions and shut
our eyes to the acts of the Sicilian Parliaments of
1848-49, we find that a constitution was always
existing in Sicily since the twelfth century, was re-
formed in 1812, was recognised by all the great
powers, was respected by the treaties of Vienna, and
was never abrogated by the kings of Naples or by
Ferdinand 11. himself. According to this constitu-
tion it would be impossible to 'contract a public
debt otherwise than by a vote of the Parliament.
Descending still further, we find the political law
of Sicily, in the acts of December, 1816, by which
Ferdinand 1., in taking to himself this right, together
with so many others, himself fixed the annual sub-
sidies to be paid by this island to the Government of
Naples. But these Acts also impede the recent in-
stitution, for the elder Ferdinand had at least the
complaisance to declare that the subsidies could ne-
ver be raised without the consent of Parliament, and
the new debt increases the figure by a considerable
amount.

Finally, still descending from concession to conces-
sion, and admitting that there is no law in Sicily but
the good pleasure of the Bourbon, he must always
stop short before an act of his own, the constitution
of February, 1848, which even he has not dared to
revoke formally.
By what title, or by virtue of what law, does the
King of Naples take upon himself the right of making
Sicily endure these fresh impositions ? We ask the
question, but we are not surprised at his doing so.
We think that we are only acting conscientiously
in pointing out the above facts at the moment when
such bonds as these are brought to be discounted
upon foreign exchanges.
* Dispatch from Lord Notmanby to Lord Palmerston,
of the 27th of January, 1848.

A deplorable acci4 nt took
driving a waggon of malt, belon.gienig t
about one o'clock, in the WhltechaPplegol-road.
wharfinger of Pickle-herring.-
in
endea)%i,ohuriingoptpoosailt.eowthe
h_La7cadornt
Hospital the, poor man,.
head, falling under the wheels of his own d
passing from the Wlntechapel market,
wfeallgodeltv, , d
gthescLattlietrleOn Hospital it
sp:s
Upon being
bsneliansghteadi,seldlisanbdrtaainksenbetion
oared that death was instantaneous ; and his remains ItUlf
await the inquest.
'THE POST-OFFICE DJ ILANGEMENTS.—Lord Clall•
ricarde (Postmaster-General), Mr. Labouchere (President of the Board of Trade), and Mr. G. Cornewall Lewis (Seere-'
tary of the Treasury), to whom the new postal regulations
have been referred, will present their report, we understand,
on Tuesday next. Whilst recommending every possible
concession to the religious feelings of the community, not in-
c4.nsistent with public convenience or the necessities of par-
ticular cases, it is most likely that they will advise a re-
laxation of the strict order against the transmission of letters in town and country on SUndays, which has been
found to work so injuriously and so unequally since it was
imposed by the vote of a majority of the House of Commons.
--.Unday Paper.