The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-25 00:00:00

A Voice—The right of search.
M. Guizot—That he should refer to to-morrow in its pro-
per place. At present the discussion was on M. Billault's
amendment. The Honourable Gentlemen then alluded to
Spain, and enlarged on the explanations which he had given
in Saturday's sitting. He then briefly referred to the insult
at Jerusalem, and spoke of the reparation given to an Austrian
vessel in 1841 (alluded to in a former sitting). He next al-
luded to Servia, and was explaining the particulars of the case,
when our express left.
M. de Lamartine was in the Chamber during the sitting,
having just come to Paris.

NEW EXPLOSIVE POWER.
We have received some information on which we
can safely rely, respecting a discovery which is likely
to triumph over the difficulties that have hitherto
seemed insurmountable to those who have previously
pursued their experiments in the department of science
to which it pertains. The discovery relates to a com-
bination of chemical substances so subtle, and yet,
when brought into action, so immense in their explo-
sive results, as to bid defiance to resistance by oppos-
ing substances, however powerful; while the period
of the explosion can be so nicely regulated as to enable
those who employ them to calculate with precision the
time when the explosion shall take place. The form
of this tremendous missile is globular ; the size of it
regulated to the purpose for which it is to be employed.
It may be propelled from a musket, a cannon, or a
bomb, and may be thrown with the same precision as
common balls or shells. At four yards' distance a
ball prepared of the substances we have alluded to,
and after lying in a perfectly quiescent state for
several minutes, split asunder a large tree, in the
presence of our informant. So perfectly harmless is
this extraordinary agent, except under the conditions
which are essential to bringing its occult powers into
action, that the balls may be carried about in the
pocket, or conveyed from place to place, in any num-
bers, in boxes, or barrels, without the slightest dan-
ger; it may even be cast down, with any force, upon
iron or stone, and no other effect can be produced
than if the ball itself were a solid mass of stone or
iron. The attention of the Board of Ordnance
has, we understand, been called to this newly dis-
covered application of chemical properties to the
purposes of military operations. Several experiments,
each exceeding the former in the force opposed to the
explosive power, have been made in the presence of
the Master-General of the Board of Ordnance and
several of the most eminent officers of engineers, and
with the most decided success, both as to the destruc-
tive energies of the explosions, and the precision with
respect to time and place when and where the effects
were to be accomplished. As a final test of the na-
ture and extent of this newly-discovered power, we
understand that the Board of Ordnance has directed
a building to be constructed in the Woolwich marshes
of the strongest description ; its several parts to be
fastened together by bolts and bars so as to bid defi-
ance to any mode of bombardment now in use. The
inventor has, we are assured, requested that no effort
should be spared to render this building impreg-
nable, and places the efficiency of his discovery on
this test. We have given this account as we have
received it, from a source on the integrity and means
of information of which we can rely. The name of
the scientific discoverer has been communicated to us.
Though for obvious reasons we are unable to de-
scribe the elementary parts of the composition, or the
process by which the result is produced, we are
assured that the facts we have stated respecting its
tremendous powers are within the truth. If, in the
approaching trial of its efficiency, to which we have
alluded, it achieves the results predicted by its in-
ventor, we need scarcely say that no discovery in
chemistry since the invention of gunpowder will have
operated so entire a change in the mode of carrying
on military operations, or have caused so salutary a
dread of military bombardment, as this new power
will produce. We have said enough to whet the
curiosity of men of science, and especially of military
men. 'We shall shortly be in a situation to state
whether failure has exploded the pretensions, or suc-
cess has rewarded the labours, of this new candidate
for fame and fortune.-2 imes,

DISCOVERY OF A HUMAN
SKELETON.

A discovery was made on Blackheath on Saturday
last, indicating the commission of some " deed of
darkness," which will probably, from the long time
that must have since elapsed, remain for ever buried
in oblivion. At about thirty yards from the high
road leading to Shooter's-hill, a labourer employed
upon some improvements making upon the heath by
the resident gentlemen, came upon some bones ; he
made the circumstance known to some persons near,
and, proceeding cautiously in his search, discovered
an entire skeleton. It was of the usual stature, indi-
cating a young person ; but all doubt on this head
was speedily removed by finding the hair perfect, of a
light gold colour, and of great length, and beautifully
plaited. At the back of the head was a deep distinct
fracture, of a circular form, though irregular ; the skull
being quite beaten in. These circumstances seem clearly
to indicate a murder, particularly as the remains
were at no greater depth than two feet under ground ;
but the length of time since the deed was committed
must be considerable, as not the slightest remains
except the bones and hair could be discovered. Some
speculations might perhaps be indulged in as to the
date of the transaction, and the station in life of the
deceased, from considering the style of the hair, the
period of the introduction or disuse of hair-powder,
of which latter no trace could be found; also as to
the spot itself, which, at no very distant period, was
much more secluded than at present, and the ground
covered with furze; but whatever may be conjectured,
it is quite unlikely that anything certain will ever be
known. At the same time it seems but right that
the discovery, as a mere matter of fact, should be
placed upon record ; and it is probable that some fur-
ther examination will be made of the ground, to as-
certain whether any other remains are to be found.

OTTERS.—A few weeks ago, when Sir Juckes
Clifton's keeper was taking his nightly rounds in Clifton..
grove, accompanied by a large dog of the mastiff and bull
breed (which, from its ferocity, is always muzzled when
at liberty), the keeper was surprised by his faithful com-
panion giving a low growl, and starting off as if scenting
something to which it was unaccustomed ; in a few
minutes the crackling of dry sticks, and the loud rustling
of the leaves, told the keeper his dog was engaged in a
contest ; he hastened to the scene of action, and found
his muzzled dog engaged with an otter ; the battle was
short, but severe ; in less than five minutes the otter lay
dead at the keeper's feet. The same night the dog fell
in with another otter in the grove, not far from the spot
where, according to the old legend, the " Fair Maid of
Clifton " was dragged down the steep ; during the fight,
both otter and dog rolled down the declivity into the
Trent, from whence the keeper dragged them both out,
the dog never having relinguished its hold ; the combat
was renewed with increased fierceness, but the
dog was again victorious ' • a minute or two was sufficient
for this high-bred animal to kill the enemy of the finny
tribe. Perhaps there is no animal whose sense of hear-
ing is more quick, or which is more careful in avoiding
than the otter, whom instinct ap-
the presence of man,
pears to have taught to regard as its determined enemy;
and therefore, whenever a human being approaches the
haunts of the otter, the amphibious creature retires to its
watery apartments, and remains generally concealed for
hours. On the 3d inst., Mr. Robert Clifton, whilst en-
gaged in duck-shooting, saw one of these solitary animals
emerge stealthily from the river, and on its reaching the
bank that young gentleman, with a surpassing quickness
and an unerring aim, poured the whole contents of his
piece into his body, and killed it on the spot. It proved
to be a fine specimen, weighing 251 b., and measuring
4 feet 1 inches from the nose to the tip of the tail ; its
onslition proved the ravages it had committed among the
finny tribe. The otter was sent to Mr. H. Cutts, Carlton-
road, who is deservedly
celebrated as au animal preserver,
to be stuffed, &e.—Nottingham Journal
AMUSSIKENTS IN BRIGHTON.--In no former season
have so many public amusements been announced in
Brighton as during the lastthre months, and, what is
rather-unusual at this time the year, the majority
have proved successful. Our Correspondentof
i says, that
within the period named, in to thelis ordinary
amusements of the theatre, we havet
Scot-
tish Songs, Two visits from C. Kean, Les En°fnair3i'ss
Cas-
telli, an unusual number of Concerts by Wright,
Sivori, &c., and the Entertainments of Love, theraPoalnP
phonisy, who has been drawing crowded houses at the
Old Ship Rooms for upwards of fifty nights, and the ex-
citement still runs so strong that it is frequently im-
possible to obtain places to witness his performances un-
less they are secured some days before. In addition to
these, we have had a host of minor attractions, most
of which have answered the purpose of the projectors.
THE LATE NEFARIOUS AFFAIR AT NEWCASTLE.—
Louis, the Assistant Tithe Commissioner, who escaped from
custody while charged with an unnatural offence, has not been
since apprehended. Carter, the police. constable, out of whose
custody the person charged with the offence escaped, was to
have been brought up before the Magistrates at Newcastle, on
Tuesday, when the evidence against him would be gone into,
and if it'is thought capable of sustaining the charge of his har-
ing wilfully permitted the prisoner's escape, he would be com-
mitted fix trial for the offence, which is an indictable sue.

stood the Honourable Gentleman's way of thinking. M.
Thiers did not at present appear to belong to any decided
opinion. He was at one time on the side of the Conservatives
en some questions, and again he sided with the Opposition. He
seemed to desire to float between both, and erect a new system
of his own. But such uncertainty was most dangerous : it was
necessary to have decided views, for that was the only mode of
acting properly on any grave question or system of
policy. What the Government had arrived at was to exa-
mine, discuss, and prove the questions that might come be-
fore them from the force of circumstances; and when it had
seen what course was best, to adopt it. This he called a na-
tional policy, and this he thought the Hen. Gentleman was not
inclined to adopt or follow—yielding, as he did, to first im-
pressions. The accusation against the Cabinet appeared to
amount to this, that without cause, or sufficient reason, it had
re-established the English alliance, such as it had existed in
1836. But the Hon. Gentleman seemed to forget that this
alliance was established for purposes of common interest, and
specially named and decided on by both Cabinets. Neither
party could take advantage of the other; they were both treating
of matters known to both, and often notorious :to the whole
world. He had never denied that his policy tended to this al-
liance, and he could not see why, when the intercourse that
took place was loyal, correct, and friendly, it ought to be given
up or modified. For, looking at the points of their policy which
the Honourable Gentleman had discussed, if he referred to
Spain

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
As usual, the funniest and most successful Pantomime.
TH IS EVNING, ARY 25,
Will be repeated a New Drama, JA
entitle
d STELLA RITTERS-
DORF. Supported by Messrs. Saville, Hughes, Hicks, R. Honner,
Neville, Vale, Smith, Johnson, Lewis, t estop. Mrs. R. Honner, Mrs.
Daly. Mrs. Hughes, Miss Terrey, and Mrs. H. Vining.
After which an entirely new Grand Comic Pantomime, with
splendid Scenery, Superb Dresses, Inimitable Properties and 'hicks,
every thing new and of the most costly description, HARLEQUIN
GRAMMAR, or, Lindley Murray, and AEI 0 U. Harlequin, Mr.
W. H. Harvey ; Grotesque, Mr. Stilt; Clown, Mr. Fuller; Pants.
loon, Mr. Hawkins ; Columbines (alternately) Alias DC R. Fair.
brother and Miss Sharpe.
Places and Private Boxes to be had of Mr. Kerschner, at the Box-
office, from Eleven to Four.