The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-12 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

' THE MALT-TAX and PROTECTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SU.2V.
SIR,—As a practical man, and of some observation,
allow me to address the public through the columns of
your paper.
My father was a very considerable farmer through
a long life, and I was with him many years. I have,
too, been a manufacturer thirty-five years. In re-
ference to the motion in the House of Commons on
the sth of July, for the repeal of the whole duty on
malt, it may be a fair question to ask, who are the
parties intended to benefit? Now, we naturally ex-
pect the public good is the especial care of the House
of Commons. But, the repeal of the malt-tax may,
I conceive, be rather a matter of protection to the
landed interest. ,I admit that the reduction of this
duty ought to be the means of at once lowering the
price of beer to the public, and thereby increase
the consumption and demand for barley, so as
to raise the price, and thus benefit the farmer.
The repeal of the malt-tax has been long
agitated, and at the present time agriculture
needs a helping hand, but the means the true
means--of effecting this must be through a different
channel. The malt-tax is important in the Govern-
ment scale, and if Ministers can do without it I could
name a far more direct benefit to the public, viz., the
duty on windows, and insurances against fire, &c.
Let us look soberly at the relief of the malt-tax, and
review the parties who will be benefited thereby.
Mr. Bass, the great brewer of Burton-on-Trent, has
delivered his judgment in the House on this impor-
tant motion. Mr. Bass is a business man, and his
opinion ought to be regarded ; he sympathises with i
the grower of barley, and feels for the consumer of
beer, and the lower classes ; but I take it that the re-
mission of the malt-tax would neither benefit one or
the other, but most certainly be pocketed by the
licensed victualler and retailer of beer. May I ask
how the public are taxed by these dealers at the pre-
sent time ? What is the price of good ale and porter i ,
generally throughout the country ? And are the
consumers fairly dealt with ? I believe that a very
excellent quality of ale and porter may be produced
at ls. per gallon, and where do you go to find either
retailed for less than double that sum ?
Who will not confess that Government made an
awful mistake many years ago, with the view of •
benefiting the poor, by granting a licence to many t
persons to brew and open a beer-shop, expecting a
good wholesome beer at a cheap rate to be dealt out.
And what is the result of the measure ? It has not
only proved itself a failure, but created nurseries of
crime.

The repeal of the duty upon leather is yet warm
upon my mind. Was not this thought a great public
service by Ministers when it took place ? But did it
prove so ? No. The price of leather was much
higber for a time, and the tanner benefited, but
afterwards, although the tanning business became in all
respects amazingly depressed, and leather at an ex-
tremely reduced price (say fifcy per cent.), still who-
ever is measured for new boots and shoes has to pay
the same—the old price. Who is benefited in this
matter? The shoemakers.
With respectful submission, I beg to add a few ob-
servations on the subject of " protection"—protection
of landed property. Now, Sir, to me this outcry
always appears very wrong and surprising. I have
good reason for saying, whenever a farmer loses his
occupation he will meet a fearful difficulty in finding
another. Who dare give up his farm ? Still I have
a word of advice under this head. I had a lesson
(once upon a time) on this subject from a man of
God, the rector of my native village. He took the
tithes, and his father the rents, of the several farms in
our occupation. I well remember that both rents
and tithes had to submit in those days to a land
valuer, who went over the farms time after time to
put on a little more. I also well remember that
afterwards, when the farms came to be sold, the rec-
tor of the parish at the time of sale (by auction)
kindly made an offer to the purchasers to lease the
tithes for his life; but mark—it was at a still higher
rate of rental! Knowing, as I did, that only a year
or two before a rack value was put upon the tithes,
I took the liberty to call upon the rector for an ex-
planation, when he gave as a reason " that land and
tithes had long been increasing in value, and must
always continue to increase, so that, as he never in-
tended to alter his tithes again, he thought it right to
make the addition then." Such was the clergyman's
reason, which I thought a bad one, and the time to
which I allude, more than forty years ago, when
England was at war with France. Now, Sir, this
reverend divine was a learned mathematician, but
why his wisdom carried his calculations ahead in this
way I never learnt; but by setting this truth before
you, Sir, and the public at large, it is evidenced how
time has proved the fallacy and erroneous impressions
so selfishly and deeply wrought upon his mind.
Now, Sir, I never hear of agricultural distress ; but
the true remedy runs in my mind, namely, that the
land agent should be applied as in years gone by,
and the landlord's rent and parson's tithes valued ac-
cording to the times, fairly and truly, so that the
landlord and tenant in farming interest go hand in
hand, as indeed the welfare of every kind of property
and interests at large ought to rise and fall together.
I am, Sir, &c ,
AN ENGLISHMAN.
Leamington, July 8, 1850.
[We give insertion to the above, as it comes from
an old and valued correspondent, but we must not be
understood as agreeing with him in all the opinions
he propounds because we insert his letter.—ED. Sun.]

HIS LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS
THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.

We are indebted to the courtesy of Messrs. Taprell,
Holland, and Sons, of Great Marylebone-street, un-
der whose immediate superintendence the details of
the royal funeral will be carried out, for the follow-
ing,:—The mortal remains of his late Royal High-
ness were yesterday, at noon, hermetically soldered
down by the new process, in the leaden coffin which
encases an inner coffin made of the best Spanish ma-
hogany, highly polished, and lined throughout with
white satin. The outer or state coffin is a most
splendid specimen of workmanship; it is manufac-
tured likewise of mahogany, highly polished inside
and out, and covered with the richest crimson Genoa
velvet, thickly studded with silver (gilt) nails, the
ornaments, which are profuse and or the same mate-
rial, are most elaborately chased, as also the massive
handles. The inscription, which will be in Latin,
has not yet been decided on, nor has it been ascer-
tained whether the remains will lie in state or not.
The last resting-place of all that is mortal of the il-
lustrious dead is not yet known with accuracy. It
is probable that those details will be made public this
evening. The whole management of the solemnities
will be under the control of Mr. Banting, of St.
James's-street, and that of the details under the firm
above-mentioned.

Yesterday evening workmen were sent down from
Mews. Taprell and Ho!lands, to Windsor, Hampton
Court, and Kew, for the purpose of covering the
ornaments, &C., in the Chapels Royal at those
palaces; the material used is the best superfine black
cloth. The Royal Chapel at Whitehall is to be simi-
larly covered this day.

VAUXHALL GARDENS.
Yesterday a grand day fete was given at these gar-
dens, on which occasion all the extensive and varied
entertainments of the establishment were called into
requisition. In the afternoon Mrs. Graham, the in-
trepid aeronaut, accompanied by a young lady, her
daughter, and a gentleman, ascended in the Royal
Victoria and Albert Balloon, which'made its debut in
the presence of a large assemblage of spectators. The
young lady exhibited none of that timidity which
might, not unnaturally, have been expected from a
youthful member of the fair sex ; but, on the con-
trary, she displayed as much selt-possession and non-
chalance as her parents themselves. The balloon
ascended very steadily, and was borne gently to the
south-west, where it remained stationary at an in-
considerable altitude for some time. A concert, vocal
and instrumental, followed, in which Miss E. Nelson,
Miss F. Huddart, and Mr. Leffler, assisted by several
other artistes, afforded a rich treat to the lovers of
harmony by the admirable manner in which they ex-
ecuted some of the most popular pieces of music.
The marble groupings appear to have lost none of
their original attractions, and the scenes of equitation,
with Madlle. Valentine, on her docile steed
" Navarino," Madlle. F. Rosseau, and other female
equestrians, are still deservedly popular. Mr. Nelson
repeated his performance on the pine sticks and Nia-
gara stones, and Santa Amerou and his sons displayed
their extraordinary feats on the corde volante, to the
astonishment, not unmingled with apprehension, of
the spectators. The fireworks were, as usual on fete
nights, on a scale of great magnificence, and all the
other attractions of the place were put forward in
great profusion.
[A

APPOINTMENTS.
Captains—Wallace Houston (1847) and Woodford
J. Williams (1841) to study at the Royal Naval
College, Portsmouth.
Commander—George S. Hand (1841) to study at
the Royal Naval College.
Lieutenants —Lumley W. Peyton (1846), James
D. Curtis (1849), and Edward Marshall (1843), to
study at the Woolwich steam-factory ; Thomas Davies
11844), to the Cygnet, 8, fitting at Devonport on the
coast of Africa.
Surgeon—C. N. Wilkinson (1849), to the Niger,
8, screw-sloop, at Portsmouth, for the coast of
Africa.

date,—G. L. B. Hamilton and F. S. Dalison, to
the Excellent, gunnery ship; Philip Homen to the
Victory, flag-ship, Portsmouth.
Assistant-Surgeon.—J. M. Duffus (acting 1849)
to the Niger screw-sloop, at Portsmouth.
Second Master.—George Read (1842) of the
Howe, to the Ocean flag-ship, at Sheerness.
Midshipmen—Thomas Baker, to the Cygnet ; J.
G. F. Dyer, to the Niger ; H. P. Knevitt, to the
Leander, 50, Lisbon.
Masters Assistants—H. B. Dowling, to the Niger;
T. C. Jones, to the Cygnet ; G. Rorie, to the Im-
pregnable flag-ship, at Devonport.
Naval Cadets—C. E. Martyn, to the Fisgard flag-
shin, at Woolwich.

Boatswain—G. D. Maxvvell, to the Scout.
The following officers attended the levee of Sir F.
Baring at the Admiralty on Tuesday last :—Vice-
Admiral Sir Francis Mason, K.C.8., Vice-Admiral
Sir L. Curtis, Bart., C. 8., Captain the Earl of Hard-
wicke, Captain Sir Thomas Thompson, Captain C.
Freemantle, Captain H. Edgell, Captain T. H. Mason,
Captain A. Tozer, Commander H. Phelps, Comman-
der W. S. Lockyer, Lieut. H. J. Blomfield, Lieut.
M. H. Rodney, Lieut. W. Wood, Lieut. T. H.
Butler, Lieut. P. Rainier, Rev. Mr. F. Hannan, Pay-
master and Purser S. Winter.
Captain Washington is at Devonport on the subject
of harbour improvement. On Tuesday be met, by
appointment, Mr. E istlake, Queen's solicitor, and
Commander Walker, late Qieen's harbour master, at
Commodore Lord John 11,1's office, in the dockyard.
Crocodile, old frigate, was taken into dock at Dept-
ford, yesterday, to be fined for a receiving-ship at the
Tower, to take the place of the Perseus.
Edinburgh, 60, screw steam-guard-ship, has been
taken into dock at Portsmouth, to be immediately
fitted in every way similar to the Ajax.
Elfin royal yacht-tender, Master Commander Bel-
liston, went out from Portsmouth on Wednesday to
try her engines; she was taken on the graving slip
yesterday to have her copper cleaned.
Express, 6, packet-brig Lieutenant-Commander
Lowry, having been paid wages, sailed from Devon-
port on Tuesday for Falmouth.
Fairy, Master-Commander Welsh, royal yacht
screw-tender, has bad her mouldings regilded, and is
now ready for service, at Portsmouth; it is expected
she will be required to convey the court to Osborne,
about the 18th instant.

Inflexible steam-sloop, lying in Woolwich basin,
is now ready for commission.
Niger screw steam-sloop, to be commanded by
Commander Heath, has been taken out of the. old
basin, alongside the Victorious hulk, at Portsmouth,
and it is expected her pendant will be hoisted to-day.
Retribution steam-frigate has been put out of the
basin at Woolwich, and will be ready to leave for
Greenhithe and Portsmouth so soon as the Polyphe-
mus arrives.

Wizard, old brig, bas been commissioned at De-
vonport by Lieut. Barnard, of the Ajax, 60, screw-
ship, for the apprentices tender at Queenstown, and
will be fitted and navigated to her station by a crew
from the ordinary depot ship.
Vengeance's marines were expected to arrive at
Portsmouth from Chatham last evening by railway.
Captain Sir H. M. Blackwood, and nearly all the
officers have joined the Vengeance.
PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—A RUSSißH•Finland
ship, laden with hemp for the dockyard, in coming
into harbour yesterday at ebb tide grounded on the
Spit, and remained till the tide flowed. She theu came
off without damage, and anchored at Spithead ; she
was towed into harbour to-day.
PLYMOUTH, JULY 10.—Toe Thetis was on Mon-
day, the Ist, towed up harbour by the Confiance
steamer; Tuesday and Wednesday, got out guns and
stores; Thursday and Friday, returned shells and
tanks, and struck lower yards and topmasts : and on
Saturday she was paid off, and part of her crew con-
veyed to Portsmouth by the Fearless steam- vessel ;
on Sunday she was re-commissioned by Captain
August L. Kuper ; and on Monday she received
seamen gunners from Portsmouth, by the Sprightly
steam-vessel, which returned same day.
The Sealark sailed on Friday for the coast of Africa.
The Express packet sailed yesterday for Falmouth.
The sloop Arachne was on Tuesday warped from
her moorings to the sheer hulk ; her masts will be
taken out and stored to-day.
Messrs. W. B. Cuming and John Mare bave sur-
-1 veyed the merchant steam-vessel Queen, which blew
up this morning in Hamoaze. It is stated that the
accident occurred through the incompetence of a lad
in charge of the engine-room. The iron work of the
machinery and boiler was in good condition. The
Queen is five years old ; the boiler was made about
thirteen months since, and the vessel and machinery
surveyed five weeks since. When Mitchell, the
engineer, was blown off the paddle-box, his face came
wirh some force against the mast of a smack lying
alongside ; he still survives.

WOOLWICH, JULY 11,—The Geyser steam-sloop,
Commander Francis T. Brown, arrived at Woolwich
yesterday from the Cape of Good Hope, to be paid off
here. Commodore Henry Eden went on board shortly
after her arrival, and the crew were mustered, and
went through their exercises in a satisfactory manner
in his presence. Professor Airey, from the Observa-
tory at Greenwich, went on board to-day to superin-
tend the landing of one of Bradley's compasses,
which was sent to the Cape 22 years ago from Green-
wich Observatory, and has now been returned to this
country.
Captain Varlo, three subalterns, four sergeants,
four corporals, three drummers, and 162 privates of
the Royal Marines of the Woolwich division left
head-quarters here this morning, and proceeded by
the North Kent Railway to London, en route to
Portsmouth, to embark in the Vengeance, commis-
sioned at that port.

FURTHER EXVERIAiENi'S ON THE EF-
FECT OF SHOT ON IRON VESSELS OF

WAR.

PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—The new butt which
we described in yesterday's paper, as an exact copy
—as to both wood and iron—of a section of the side
of the main or gun-deck of the iron steam-frigate
Siinnom, was practised at to-day under the superin-
tendence of Captain Chada, from the fixed battery,
near the Excellent. The commander-in-chief, Ad-
miral the Hon. Sir Bladen Capel, Rear-Admiral-Su-
perintendent Henry Prescott, and a number of cap-
tains in their several barges, with ma. y other officers,
were present, and after every st-ot that struck visited
the butt to insp-ct their several effects ; 32-pound solid
shot with a few 8 and 10-inch hollow shot, were
fired, the digtance being, as at the former trial, 500
yards. From the report of this day's trial,
we suppose that all parties will now be
thoroughly convinced that an iron vessel
cannot in any way compete in action with a wood-built
vessel. There was no diminution in the deadly and
terrific effect from the fractured shot and splinters of
iron that flew in all directions on the shot striking.
The wood fillings-in did, we believe, occasionally
stop some of the sheet-iron splinters; but the shot en-
tered and broke, and the iron ribs flew as in the
former trials, and the latter ripped off the wood-plank
lining, when struck by a shot, in large pieces. As
we stated yesterday, the ribs run perpendiculir at
intervals of way fifteen inches. They are fastened
to the iron plates by a three-inch lap, sal-project
inwards six inches; the interstices were filled in
with oak six inches thick ; and over these pieces and
at right angles with the ribs, was a wood lining
of three-inch planking, oak and fir. A large 'shot
could hardly enter without striking a rib, and
to-day one of these ribs drove off a whole sheet of
planking; indeed, at the conclusion of the practice
nearly all the woodwork had been driven off the iron.
No doubt these splinters and pieces of wood would
have made direful havoc to a ship's company on board.
The iron shelf-piece section (a broad piece of iron
running round the ship to support the deck), was
struck and knocked to pieces. This is not covered
with wood, but in iron steamers oak might be substi-
tuted for iron, and would perhaps be better for the
purpose than iron. One shot to-day entered the
waterway, where, besides t the iron work, the timber
is solid oak, about fifteen inches thick. The shot
went clean through and was fractured to pieces. The
hollow shot were most destructive, breaking ia pieces
exactly like shells. Altogether it may be considered
conclusive that iron vessels, built as the Simoom is,
at all events, are not adapted for war purposes.—.
Herald.

vr DVP.RTISEM ENT.] —An astounding Cure of 35
l oti
ds
n by Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—Extract of a
etter from Mr. Jeremiah Reed, of Molong, near Sydney,
dated 25th Sept., 1848. "To Professor Holloway. Sir, 1
owe a debt of gratitude to you for my almost miraculous cure
by the use of sour Ointment and Pills, after seven years in-
tense suffering, caused by exposure to wet and cold. When I
commenced using your remedies I had already expended up- RIT AI, NORTHERN YACHT CLII/3.—The regatta of
wards of 2001. in other medicine and advice, without any be- the Royal Northern Yacht Club is fixed to come off at
nefit, and had 35 ulcers on my body, a dreadful headache, and Greenock, on Thursday and Friday, the Bth and 9th of
pains all over me ; bat your Ointment and Pills have cured August. A number of valuable prizes are offered for sailing
me, and lam now enjoying excellent health." Sold by all matches, open to yachts belonging to members of all Royal
Druggists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, yacht clubs, as well as several for ships' long boats, jolly
Strand, London
boats, gigs, skiffs, punts. tee. The value of the prize will no
law' MASTERS' QUARTERLY MEETINGS.—BIR• doubt induce many ves.els from a distance to enter the lisle
with those of this neighbourhood, and there is a certainty of
g
MIN, T HURSDAY.—The prices fixed at the prelimi-
nary GHAM
meetin. held at Handsworth a fortnight ago, have
been maintained. The Shropshire iron masters were in-aquatic
the approaching regatta being the most successful and *X-
On the close of the
sports on Thursday, the members of the club and their
clined to an advance—a reduction they would not submit
to—and that influence contributedgreatly the firmness of '
to
'citing ever held on this coast.
the market
,on Friday, a ball will be given in the Assembly Rooms,REV. PATRICK BREWSTER SUSPENDED.—At a 1 which, from the arrangements already_ making, will,- Iva
meeting of the Presbytery of Paisley, held last week, it wax
understand, be numerously and gaily atterided.4./VerfFe
resolved, by a majority of eight to two, to suspend the Rev'. , --Britijh Mail.
Patrick Brewster from the exercise of his judicial functions Lord Gough passed through South Molten on
for a period of six months, for having conducted himself in I hie way to Lwow, where be Waldo sojwiriaing for a thort
a rumor lasigtin to the Presbytury..4oalerlonian gercuris 1 gacs

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