The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-25 00:00:00

The common sort of Highland cattle are almost un-
saleable, and consequently the farmers have turned
their attention to the short-horn, or Teeswall breed
Another " interest," as it may be called in this part
of the country, is the game. Grouse shooting has
not been so successful this year; and I found many
of the English lessees of the moors complaining of
fruitless days and empty bags. Salmon fishing has
also been unproductive. The friths or estuaries are
now so well fished and so set over with yairs, or
stake nets, that the streams are denuded of that ample
supply which formerly crowned the genial toils of
the angler and the river boatman.

GREAT FIRE NEAR THE CORN
EXCHANGE.—TIIE LOSSES.
The subjoined returns will convey an idea of the
tremendous character of this fire. They are the ac-
tual amount of insurances on the buildings and ware-
houses consumed, and also on the contents, which
had been warehoused by numerous merchants in the
City. _

The three warehouses belonging to Mr. Joseph
Barber, in Seething-lane, burned down, were insured
by Mr. Barber for 10,000/. in the Phcenix office (a
sum inadequate to rebuild the premises). They cost
the East India Company 23,000/. to erect, and for
solidity there were few buildings in the metropolis to
equal them. Mr. Barber was further insured
to the extent of 2,5001. in the Alliance office on goods
stored by him in the front warehouse, which he occu-
pied, and there appear to be other insurances of par-
ties to whom property belonged, amounting in the
whole to 8,0001. The whole of these sums are con-
sidered by the office a total loss, making in all
20.0001.
The two back warehouses of Mr. Barber, which
were rented by Messrs. Smith and Co., warehouse-
keepers, contained :an immense stock of mer-
chandize. It was divided among the undermentioned
merchants, who were insured to the extent severally
detailed :
Messrs. Gold and Rigg, merchants, Mark-lane ;
insured in the Phoenix and Alliance offices, for 30,0001.
Messrs. H. S. Samuel and Co., of Fenchurch-
street, in the Alliance •office, for 7,000/.
Messrs. !Taylor and Sons, of Cross-street, Fins-
bury, in the Alliance, 3,0001. ; Imperial, 2,500/. ;
Church of England, 2,500/. ; and Monarch offices,
2,000/.
Mr. Holste, merchant, of Finsbury-square, in the
Alliance-office, for 3,000/.
Mr. Samuel Simon, of Old Broad-street, in the Al-
liance-office, for 600/.
Messrs. T. P. Lloyd, of Abchurch-lane, insured
in the Alliance, 13,000/. ; and Guardian office, 8,000/.
Messrs. Storey and Co., Crutched-friars, in the
Phoenix office, 17,000/.
Measrs. Cox, Hegh, and Co., of America-square, izt
the Union, 5,000/. ; and Guardian, 5,000/.
Messrs. Jones, Mark-lane, in the Phoenix, 3,3001.
Messrs. Hailbirt and Co., in the Phoenix, 2,000/.
Messrs. Adler and Co., in the Phoenix, 1,0001.
Messrs. Bruxner and Co , of Mincing-lane, same
office, 2,0001.
Messrs. Spencer and Co., of Fenchurch-street, same
office, 2,500/.
Messrs. Plimpton, Gracechurch-street, same office,
1,0001.
Mr. Alfred Davis, of Houndsditch, in the Sun,
3,000/.
Mr. Biggs, of Lawrence Pountney-hill, in the
Sun, 1,0001.
Mr. Powell, of Lime-street, in the Sun for 3,0001.,
and General, 2,0001.
Messrs. Scott and Bell, of Alderman's-walk, in the
Church of England, 3,000/.
Messrs. Vibers, Crutched-friars, in the same office,
300/.

Messrs. Phillipps and Co., Finsbury-square, in the
Sun, 3,4001.
In Mark-lane—Messrs. Hayter and Howell, army
packers (whose warehouses are destroyed), are in-
sured in the Sun to the extent of 21,0001.
Messrs. Gilbert and Co., army clothiers, of North-
umberland-street, Strand, on goods destroyed in
Messrs. Hay ter's premises, in the Union office, 1,5001.
Messrs. Allnutts and Co., wine-merchants, of
Mark-lane, premises burned down. Insured in the
Atlas, 3,500/. ; Phceoix, 5,5001. The wine-cellars of
the firm escaped injury. Several corn-factors and
solicitors, who tenanted portions of these premises, are
reported to be insured, but the various amounts have
not yet been ascertained.
Very little salvage is expected to be cleared from
the ruins of Messrs. Barber's warehouses. They have
been given up to Mr. Toplis, sen., the agent of the
several offices interested, who, with another gentle-
man, has taken the most prompt steps to recover all
the property supposed to remain buried beneath the
immense mass of rubbish ; but as yet their efforts have
failed on account of the body of fire that still rages in
various parts.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.
MarnsronE.—Picking in this district is proceeding
in full activity, and on the whole the result is found
to be satisfactory. Some complaints are made of the
hops coming in two crops, but in most instances the
bulk fully realises anticipations as to quantity, and
the mould in this immediate district is much less pre-
valent than was apprehended.
MEREWORTIL—Some planters will finish picking
in the course of the week; most of them complain that
they get their hops very slow. There are some good
samples, but the crop will be very short.
TALDIING AND HUNTON•—Our hops come down
light, and more bushels are wanted to the cwt. Some
very good samples are made.
Wniternasi.—The hops come down short of what
was expected. Some grounds are not worth putting
a bin into, the mould having made such havoc. As
far as can be judged at present, they will weigh light.
HORSMONDEN.—Picking progresses satifactorily,
and the samples are very fine. There is still much
complaint of the hops weighing very badly, and the
opinion prevails that the duty is estimated too high.
ROLVENDEN.—The hops tell up as regards bushels
more than was E'xpectcd; they weighed very light at
first, but are now a great deal better. The pickers
complain about getting them, as there is so much
bine. If the fine weather continues to the end of
picking, the parish, it is supposed, will average 15 cwt.
per acre.
IGHTLIAM AND SEAL.----Picking was commenced by
most planters by the 12th instant, and the hops ale
generally found to come short of expectation.
GOUDHURST.—Picking progresses very slowly in
most of the plantations, and there is a prevailing com-
plaint among the pickers that they can get no quan-
tity. The hops are getting discoloured, and the leaf
fire-blasted, in consequence of the long drought. The
quantity will fully meet expectation.
BRENCEILEY.—Picking is very favourably pro-
gressing. The late congenial weather has much im-
proved the quality and condition, and they weigh
well ; but even now we do not realise the estimation
on the poles.
TENTERDEN.—Picking is progressing rapidly, and
the quantity as to measure is fully as great as was an-
ticipated, but there is a deficiency in weight ; in many
cases from 80 to 90 bushels are required to the cwt.
There are, however, exceptions; one planter is said to
have a kind of hops that run from 60 to 7o bushels to
the cwt.

CANTEREURY.—Picking has been proceeded with
very rapidly. In tact, enough pickers could not be
obtained—and there is reason for the haste, as the
colour is fast going off. The hops in various in-
stances have come down better than was expected.
We have heard of the hops turning out quite small
in many gardens.
lIAWRITURST.—The hops tell up for bushels, still
the weight is light, and it wants a great many bushels
for a hundred-weight.
IVADMURST.—The hops come down light, having
been begun before they were fully ripe. They gene-
rally run about eighty bushels to the cwt., but one or
two gardens come heavier. The same complaints
occur at Burwash, Ticehurst, 8:c.
ASEII3URNHAM.—The weather has so far been fa-
vourable, and hops in abundance, but weight is short.
WARTLING.—The hops are plentiful, but upon the
average we want from eighty to ninety bushels
per hundred-weight.

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE MAIL CONTRACT.---WE
understand that the decision of the Lords of the Admiralty
relative to the contract for the conveyance of mails to the
Cape of Good Hope will shortly be officially announced.
Mr. Laming's tender will be chosen; and pending the con-
struction of screw steamers of large size and power for the
line, probably several of her Majesty's finest screw steam-
ships may be chartered for the execution of the service. On
the question of a port of departure for the steamers, we
understand that as yet no ultimate decision has been arrived
at; but it is in some degree not improbable that the advan-
tages offered by Liverpool may decide the directors of the
British Screw Steam -ship Company in favour of the Mersey
as the central station of the line. For passengers this port
is unquestionably superior to the Thames or Southampton.
Outward freights of merchandise are also more readily ob-
tainable, Liverpool being the central point of export for
the manufactures of all Lancashire and the North of Eng-
land, whilst coal supplies can without doubt be procured
here on terms much more favourable. Moreover, we kelieve
there is reason to anticipate from our dock authorities hence•
forth a spirited and liberal policy towards the promoters of
o2ean steam mail services; and no scepticism can possibly
prevail as regards the value of securing to Liverpool the
great advantages which arise from enterprises of such com-
mercial and national importance being centred in her waters.
We may perhaps with advantage suggest to the Council of
the Chamber of Commerce the policy of moving in this mat-
ter promptly and spiritedly. Lira pool Albion.
MILFORD HAVEN FORTIFICATIONS.—The first of
the cor.templated erections and fortifications for the defence
and safety of the Haven and the Royal Dockyard at Pem-
broke, will be immediately commenced. It will be a mar-
tello tower, built in the most substantial manner, and capable
of carrying the heaviest artillery. The Stack Rock, at the
entrance of the haven, has been selected as the site, and a
more commanding and appropriate position could not have
been fixed on, sweeping as it does the approaches to the
haven. The contract has been taken by the Messrs. Jack-
son, of London, and the whole work wilt be completed with the
least possible delay. An engineer corps has been engaged in
§WYeYiDg tilt Met to tit 11944 9f ;he hATen.