The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-07 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

CAPTAIN AUSTIN'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION.
SATURDAY EVENING.—We all (Resolute, Assist-
ance, Pioneer, and Intrepid) anchored off Orfordness
this evening, at seven o clock, and start again to-
morrow, at four A.M., the African and Dasher steam-
vessels accompanying us. I send this by the steam-
tender Advice, which returns to Woolwich to-morrow
morning. . - -

On the eve of the sailing of Captain Austin's ex-
pedition, the officers entertained at dinner, on board
the Resolute, Mr. Biggs, late of Sir James Ross's
expedition, who has acted as secretary to Captain
Austin in fitting out the ships under his command ;
and in the course of the evening the senior lieutenant,
Mr. Aldrich, on behalf of the officers of Captain
Austin's squadron, presented Mr. Biggs with a very
handsome silver salver, purchased at Hunt and Ros-
kell's, prefacing the presentation by reading the fol-
lowing appropriate letter :
" My dear Biggs,—The officers of Captain Austin's
expedition feel so much their obligations to you for all
your kind care and attention to their wants and comfort
in the fitting out of the Resolute, Assistance, Pioneer,
and Intrepid, that they cannot say ' Good bye' with a
mere expression of grateful thanks. They feel, indeed,
that they Are so much indebted to you for your watch-
ful labours in anticipating their requirements, and for the
good offices you have rendered them by devoting your
great experience and your kindly services to their special
oadvantage,
generalthat they
esteem, begr oe
regard,
toai
dfriendship,
accept as a mementothe
ac-
companying small present,' and wish you with all their
hearts health and prosperity in your future career, and
success in every relation in life.
"Given at Greenhithe the 3d of May, 1850, on behalf
of the officers of the expedition.
"B. D. ALDRICH, Lieut. H.M.S. Resolute.
"F. L. M•CLINTocx, Lieut. H.M.S. Assistance."
The salver bore the following inscription:—" Pre-
sentedEExscipe"dition, May 3, 1850."
RN., by the officers of
said that Mr. Biggs's health
Captain
etu:Andkju ass
wrianiert'scBhellAltyhirgrcgbet ieesc, times three on the occasion,
and that he returned thanks for the distinguished
compliment unanimously paid to his services in be-
fitting terms.
APPOINTMENTS.

E. K. Barnard (1841) from the
_ ._.....
Queenstown.
Excellent to Lieutenant—
the Ajax, GO, screw-
guard ship, for
Second Masters—M. C. Maynard and Samuel
Wayth (1847) to the Ajax.
Midshipmen—Thomas L. Pearson to the Archer,
screw-sloop at Devonport, for the Coast of Africa ;
James W. East, W. F. A. Harris, and Charles Clut-
terbuek, to the Ajax.
Masters' Assistants—Daniel 0. Burdwood, to the
Archer ; Bernard B. Dowdling, to the Ajax •
W. T. Clifton, to the Woodlark, surveying-vessel,'
Ordneys.
THE CAISSOON AT ICEYHAM.-ThE attempt to place
the great caissoon in the new dock at Keyham failed
last week, but other trials are to be made, with anti-
cipated success.
PLYMOUTH, MAY 4.—Her Majesty's steam-vessel
Birkenhead arrived here this morning between four
g companies
at
t
and five o'clock, from Portsmouth, with the remain-
imenkwho were disem-
barkedinbejtoofythaiel4vthg
victualling-yard.illtem She
then took on 'board the remainder of the 28th Regi-
ment, and at 9 A.M. was steering out of Plymouth
Sound on her return.
The crew of her Majesty's steam-vessel Archer,
Commander Strange, will be paid advance of wages
on Monday, the Gth, and on Tuesday will sail with
mails for the coast of Africa, touching at Madeira.
She was delayed by breaking her hawse-pipe when
letting go the anchor in Barnpool.
Her Majesty's ship Hibernia, 104, was on Friday
towed from her moorings to the jetty by the Cenfianee
steam-tug to be taken into dock.
Wind S.W.

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT
CLAPHAM.

ta n cree- d connectedyester-
sopene
The inquiry into the circurna
the mysterious death of Sarah Snelling, aged 53, late
housekeeper to Mr. John Maddle, of 14, Claremont_
place, 'Wandsworth-road, was
day afternoon, at three o'clock, by Mr. T. Higgs,
the coroner for the duchy of Lancaster, at the Nag's
Head.

surgeon,
Mr. John Parrott, of Clapham•comtnon,
said he had proceeded with the analysis of the sto-
mach. He had, as minutely as he could, analysed
for those poisons frequently given, such as arsenic,
prussic acid, and oxalic acid. He had also endea-
voured to detect the presence of chloroform, but
there was not the slightest trace of any of the
above poisons laving been used. He felt, there-
fore, quite unable to account for the death of the
deceased.
Mrs. Jane Stevenson, of 2, Claremont-place, stated
that on Sunday, the 28th ult., about 20 minutes to
eleven o'clock, she saw Mr. Maddle leave the house,

BOTANIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Last evening the quarterly general meeting of this
society took place at the Medico Botanic Hall, Duke•
street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, Dr. Coffin, the founder of
the institution, occupying the chair.
There was a very numerous attendance of the friends
and members cf the society present, all of whom partook
of tea before the business of the evening was commenced.
The hall was very tastefully fitted up for the occasion.
Some routine matters having been disposed of,
Dr. COFFIN gave some very pleasing and interesting
details of the success of the system of botanic medicine
which he was the first to establish in this country.

The report laid before the meeting by the secretary,
Mr. William Ford, stated that branch associations were
being formed in nearly every one of the principal towns
in England with the greatest success.
Resolutions pledging those present to support the
botanic system were unanimously adopted, and the
meeting separated on passing a vote of thanks to Dr.
Coffin, who briefly replied to the compliment.

FRENCH PLAYS-ST. JAMES'S
THEATRE.

M. Lafont made his first appearance for this season
last evening in Alexandre Dumas' comedy Les De-
moiselles de St. Cyr. This comedy, which has
always been a great favourite with the audience of
this theatre, went off last evening as brilliantly as
ever. Lafont, who appeared in excellent health and
excellent spirits, acted admirably, and was applauded
to the echo. He was excellently supported
by Msdemoiselle Nathalie and M. Regnier. The
house was well and fashionably attended.