The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-08 00:00:00

EXPERIMENTS WITH BALLOONS.

Mr. Shepherd, civil engineer, attended at the Ad-
miralty at one o'clock to-day, to exhibit his plan for
circulating printed notices of the positions of the
searching vessels when they reach the Arctic regions
by means of balloons sent up with the notices attached
by a cord, which is liberated, and the notices scattered
in the air, when a slow match burns a certain period
of time. Tneir Lordships, with a numerous arty of
ladies and gentlemen, went into St. James spark,
where the experiments took place, to witness the
balloons being sent up. The first balloon stuck in
one of the trees in the garden. The next was of larger
dimensions, and when it went up it hovered for some
time over the park, and then made rapid progress
for a short period, ultimately alighting in the meadow
ef a dairyman named George Dickens, at Rotherhithe.
In a glass bottle attached to the balloon was a notice
that the person finding it would receive a reward of
31. on bringing it to the Admiralty. Mr. George
Dickens, who, strange to say, is an old sailor himself,
and received a naval medal about a fortnight ago,
brought the balloon to the Admiralty by a quarter
past two o'clock, and received the promised reward
from Rear-Admiral Beaufort. The third balloon sent
up was found at Charlton, near Woolwich, and
the course of the after-
noon.
brought The
tlpieriAntdedmiray in
noticeslt
attached to the experi-
mental balloon had upon one side " Read the other
side, No. 6.—G. B ," and on the other side " Notice.
--Experimental balloon, London, Jan. 30, 1850.
Any person who may pick up this slip of paper is
respectfully requested to forward it immediately (per
post) to the Secretary at the Admiralty, London,
stating the time and where found.
" Found on 1850. kto be filled up.)'

WRECK OF TIER MAJESTY'S STEAM-
PACKET ONYX.
We have received intelligence from Ostend of the
running ashore on Wednesday last, at that place,
of her Majesty's Dover mail steam-packet Onyx, in
endeavouring to make the harbour during the heavy
prevailing gales. The passengers and mails were
safely landed, but small hopes were entertained for
the recovery of the vessel. The Onyx was com-
manded by Lieutenant Raymond. She is an iron
vessel, built about four years since, has machinery of
128-horse power, and cost about 12,5001.
The watchful and experienced commander superin-
tending the packet service at Dover, immediately on
learning the accident, dispatehed her Majesty's steam-
packet Princess Alice to (Mend, with anchors, cables,
&c., to render assistance.

NEW NORTH-WEST ARCTIC EXPEDITION. --- It
having been finally arranged that a new expedition is to
start early
Davis's Straits, Lanett, ter Sound, and Barrow's Straits,
spring, to proceed in the direction of
iu search of Sir John Franklin and his gallant com-
panions, the services cf our townsman, Captain Penny,
late master of the Advice whaler, have been retained by
Lady Franklin at her own private expense, and he will,
we understand, proceed with this expedition to the
Arctic regions, with which he is so well acquainted, and
where his advice and assistance will be most valuable."
—Aberdeen Journal.
Tue. ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—A lecture was de-

livered at thel,Ond;Tinstitution on Wednesday evening
by Mr. Weld, of the Royal Society, on Arctic Expedi-
tions, and more particularly on that under the command
of Sir John Franklin. Some interesting letters bearing
on the subject were read, and the lecturer stated that a
communication had been received from the United States,
in which it was announced that a
.subscription bad been
set on foot, headed by a retired millionaire with trhe sum
of 5,000 dollars, fur a private expedition in tench of Sir
John Franklin. At the conclusion of the lecture a mes-
senger balloon, on the plan adopted by the Admiralty,
was elevated in the theatre, and scattered a quantity of
messaei, printed on slips of paper, amongst the au-
dience.
REPRESENTATION OF COLCHESTER.--The nonaina-

Eiun of a candidate to represent this borough and fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Sir U. H. Smyth,
Bart., took place yesterday. Lord John Manners was
proposed by Mr. Round, the t allter, and seconded by
Mr. W. H. Hawkins, on the Pr, tectionist interest. Mr.
G. Wingrove Cooke, the barrister, was proposed by Mr.
Stephen Brown, and seconded by Ur. W. Havens, as the
candidate of the Free-traders. On the show of hands
there appeared a large majority in favour of Mr. Cook,.
A poll was demanded on behalf of Lord John Manners,
which is fixed for this day (Friday), to close at four
o'clock.
KIDDERMINSTER ELECTION —We are informed
that a petition has been prepared for presetation against
the return of Mr. Best for Kidderminster on the ground
of bribery and corruption.

The Constitutionnel says that " it is asiured that
the Government has received from London news of
a nature to inspire a hope that the differences which
have arisen between England and the Greek Govern-
ment will be amicably settled."

The Journal des .-Debats says—" It is confidently
stated this evening that the Government has received
information that England accepts the mediation of
France in her dispute with Greece."
A horrible murder and suicide were committed in
Paris on Wednesday. A lieutenant of the 56th re-
giment of the line, lo;iging in the Rue du Havre,
killed his mistress with his sword, and then threw
himself from his window into the street. lie was
killed on the spot.
PARIS BOURSE, FEB. 7. Latest Prices :—Five
per Cents., 96f ; Three per Cents., .58f. 15:2.; Bank
Actions, 2,369 f.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT no

LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE. FEB. 7.
Boulogne and Amiens, ►/—Orleans and Bordeaux, 314.

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 2d have arrived.
The Bill authorising the collection of taxes had
been carried up to the Senate, and referred to a Com-
mittee. GONZALES BRAVO was in a very dangerous
state ; the bah, however, had been extracted after two
or three uosucces.,,fal attempts; it had lodged by the
side of his back-bone.
Toe Bolsa was closed on the 2d.