The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-21 00:00:00

FOREIGN SHIPS OF WAR AND PACKETS IN PORT.

French steamer Lycurgue ; yachts Firefly, Petrel,
and Nautilus ; lonian Government steamer Eptanisos ;
Tunis Government brig Suria ; Russian brig Pto-
lomee ; Norwegian corvette Ornen.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAT.—The Ilavannall,l 22,
Captain Erskine, was at Auckland, New Zealand, re-
fitting for another surveying cruise (having just re-
turned from one of 134 days) on the 22d of October
to the Auckland Islands and New Zealand—all well.

The Ajax, 56, is now in every respect ready for
officers and men.

The Phaeton, 50, Captain Elliot, had not hove in
sight from the eastward at six r.m.
Mr. Robert C. Allen, of the Blenheim, will accom-
pany Captain Austin, C. 8., in his expedition in search
of Sir John Franklin.

We believe Captain Ommanney, son of Admiral Sir
John A. Ommanney, K.C.8., will also go on the same
expedition in command of one of the vessels.
WOOLWICH' FEB. 19.—The Right Hon. Sir Fran-
cis T. Baring, First Lord of the Admiralty, held his
first levee for the season, at one o'clock to-day, at
Whitehall, when the following officers were received
by his Lordship :
Captains—Charles Talbot (1830), Henry Wells
Gifford (1844), Arthur Forbes (1846), Richard
Burridge (1646), Erasmus Ommaney (1846), and
William Peel (1849).
Commanders Joseph Richard Raggett Webb
(1828), Henry Worsley Hill (1841), John Elliott
Bingham (1841), George Sumner Hand (1841),
Henry Jsmes Lacon (1842), William Heriot Malt-
, land (1842), Pech6 Hart Dyke (1844), William
Charles Chamberlain (1844), Thomas Chaloner
(1845), Edward Augustus Inglefield (1845), Henry
Edward Wingrove (1846), George Lavie (1846),
Albert Heseltine (1846), Leopold George Heath
(1847), Charles Codrington Forsyth (1849), Bald-
win Arden Wake (1849), and Richard Studdart
(1849).
Lieutenants—Arthur Mayne Noad (1838), Ross
Moore Flood (1840), Charles Ricketts Carter (1840),
George Pechell Mends (1841), Charles William
Hallett (1841), Francesco Saugro Tremlett (1843),
and the Hon. Oliver William Matthew Lambart

(1844).
His Lordship will continue to receive:officers every
Tuesday, at one o'clock, but all the levees that can
be held before Easter are already arranged, the names
of the officers who have expressed their intention of
attending them having filled the whole of the lists.
Rear-Admiral Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C. 8., and
Captain Sir Baldwin Walker, K.C.8., arrived at
Woolwich dockyard at twelve o'clock to-day, and
were accompanied by Commodore Henry Eden, with
Lieutenant Robertson, Mr. Lang, master shipwright,
Mr. Humphreys, chief engineer, and Mr. Chatfield
and Mr. Peake, assistants to the master shipwright,
to the Eider steam-vessel, now in the east dock pre-
paring for Captain Austin's searching expedition to
the Arctice regions. Rear-Admiral Berkeley and
Captain Sir Baldwin Walker inspected the engines
with which the vessel was fitted by Maudslay, Son,
and Field, of GO-horse power, and having a screw
propeller with three leaves or flanges, and then pro-
ceeded to inspect the Retribution steam-frigate, in
the adjoining dock.
His Lordship, with Sir Baldwin Walker, then went
to the west end of the yard, and went on board the
Minx steam-vessel, in the inner basin, where they re-
mained about twenty minutes, examining very
minutely the operation and properties of the disc
engine still on board that vessel. A small model of
the engine enabled the chief engineer to show the
internal movements, and clearly to illustrate the mode
in which the steam performed its duties so effectually
in a small compass, and with a comparatively mode-
rate consumption of fuel. The Megmra steam-vessel,
in King William IV.'s Dock was next visited. She
is in a forward state, and has had her iron bottom
coated with the protecting compositions. The re-
mainder of the two hours' official visit to the dock-
yard was occupied in examining plans and other de-
tails at the office of the chief engineer.
Rear-Admiral J. W. D. Dundee, C. 8., First
Naval Lord of the Admiralty, held his first audience
to officers of the Royal Navy to-day, at Whitehall,
at 2 o'clock, r.m., and a great number of officers
attended. The gallant admiral has announced that
he will, during the sitting of Parliament, receive
such officers as may wish to see him on the first and
third Tuesdays in every month, at 2 o'clock, P.M.
The Vivid Dover mail steam-packet, Captain
Smithett, arrived at Woolwich to-day, from Dover,
to have some defects made good, when she will return
to the Dover station.

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL.—The annual court of the
Governors of this hospital, which was instituted in the
year 1750, " as a further provision for poor lunatics,"
was held yesterday at the George and Vulture Tavern,
Lombard-street;: Mr. Henry Francis Shaw Lefovre,
treasurer, in the chair. The reports of the general
committee, auditors, and physicians, were read and ap-
proved. It appeared from the report of the general
committee for the last year that, in addition to 101 incu-
rable patients permanently maintained and provided for
in the hospital, 285 patients deemed curable have been
under treatment during the year. of whom, in 167 cases,
the treatment was completed, and 118 remained in the
hospital on the Ist of January last. Of the above 167 cases,
101 were discharged cured, 52 were discharged uncured,
and 14 died in the hospital, 4 of whom, out of 12 seTere
cases, died at the time of the cholera from typhoid fever
and cholera. The report stated that on the 13th ofJtse,
1750, nearly 100 years ago, the foundersofth
wiscahsafirirtsyt
held their first meeting, and that the hospital
opened for patients on the 31st of
by celebrating a centenary feativa lan7ngsdll33.r easniontl uei rs-
proposed to commemorate this e.venit.ninjluaLyt
tions in
saecyceorradlainecgeacwiei tshwtehries
avnienwouwnecreed, adopted
amongst
othersth e
court. Thomas Webster,
wlohOoLs
efrofamt h
etrh a late h i
The secretary,
held 0%1 re. e
period of 99 earsy. financial report stated the in..
come for the year amounted to 8,903 t. 18s. Bd., 3131.
10s. 11d. of which was received from donations, and
4,8291. la. sd. from dividends. The expenditure for the
year was 6,8221. Bs. 6d., of which 3,795/. Bs. 6d. was paid
for ordinary expenses. The balance remaining in hand
amounted to 2,081/. 10s. 4d. This statement was agreed
to, and the meeting separated, after thanking the chair-
, man.

Dispatches for the Governors of New South Wales
and Lab= were sent off from the Colonial•office on
Tuesday evening:.

THE BELVIDERE TAVERN, PEN.,
TONVILLE.
The late lessee of White Conduit-house Tavern,
Mr. R. Rouse, having recently become the.proprietor
I_9l._thisestablishment a numerous and highly respect-
able body of his friends assembled last evening to
celebrate the event. The festival tock place in the
new and splendid room constructed on the first floor
of the tavern, which is capable of accommodating two
hundred persons at dinner, and is fitted up with con-
summate skill by Mr. Thomas Wright, the architect,
under whose direction appropriate paintings, mirrors,
and other decorations have been called into requisi-
tion, and by their combination have produced a most
striking and pleasing effect. Nearly one hundred
and twenty gentlemen sat down to a truly recherche
dinner, which was served up in Mr. House's usual
style of excellence, and gave infinite satisfaction to
the company.

The chair was taken by E. Huggins, Esq., of the
firm of Broadwood and Co., brewers, and the vice-
chair was filled by William Stone, Esq., both gentle-
men performing the duties of their respective offices
in the most effective manner.

The cloth having been removed, and the usual loyal
toasts having been done honour te,
The CHAIRMAN proposed, in very complimentary
terms, the health cf Mr. Rouse. In doing so he ad-
verted to the new and beautiful room in which they
were then assembled, and to the very splendid dinner
which had been served up to them, which could not
be surpassed by any house in the metropolis.—(Hear.)
Their excellent friend Mr. Rouse had removed from
the Temple of Apollo, and had taken up his abode in
the Belvidere, and he trusted that his new location
would be all that his best friends could desire. Of
this, however, he was satisfied, that if a desire to
please, and a determination to make his friends and
the public comfortable, by supplying them with the
best of everything connected with his trade, could
insure success, then they need have no fear for the
future fortunes of their friend.—(Hear, bear.) He
begged, therefore, to give, which he did with all sin-
cerity, "Mr. Rouse, and success to his new under-
taking."—(Applause.)
Mr. Rouss said he rose with feelings of very great
pleasure to acknowledge the compliment that had
been conferred upon him. He could not express, as
he desired, the feelings by which he was influenced
at that moment, but when he saw so many friends
around him, and when he witnessed the enthusiastic
manner in which his name, and the hope for his future
success, had been received by the company, be would
not be a man if he did not feel deeply the kind and
warm feelings that had been manifested towards him
on that occasion.—(Hear.) Allusion had been made
o.t.he mode in which he had endeavoured to cater for
The coinfbitairlifs'friitidg. —Tibr. could only...ensure
them that it was his intention to go on as be had com-
menced.—(Hear.) If he was successful in his efforts,
why so much the batter for himself and his family ;
but if he failed, why then all he could say was that
it should not be from any fault of his.—(Hear.) In
conclusion, he had only to observe that he drank their
healths in a full huu3per, and wished them every
happiness.—(Hear.)
Mr. SHILLIBEER then proposed the health of the
chairman, which that gentleman acknowledged, and
said that upon all occasions he would feel most happy
if he could in any way promote the success of their
esteemed host.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the
vice chairman, who, in responding to the toast, ex-
pressed a hope that his friend Mr. Rouse, when be
retired from the 1321videre, would do so with as good
a fortune as the late proprietor, Mr. M'Diarmid, who
he was happy to see present in good health.
Several other toasts were drunk, and the evening
was spent in the most agreeable manner, the pleasure
of which was materially brightened by some exqui.
site singing by 'Messrs. Holmes, Jones, ➢Mayne, and
Edney,-the latter of whom presided at the pianoforte
with his usual ability. Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Jory.,s, and
other visitors, also contributed their vocal aid on the
occasion with considerable advantage to the general
satisfaction of the company, who retired evidently
much pleased with the proceedings of the evening.

MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SO-

CIETY.

The half-yearly general meeting of the members of
this society was held yesterday afternoon at the
London Tavern, Mr. Whiskin in the chair.
The minutes of the former meetings having been
read and confirmed, Mr. Hardy, the secretary, read
the report for the year 1849. A considerable in-
crease of business had taken place during the pant
year, the new premiums received during the year
1848 being 2,475/. 135. ld., whilst in 1849 they
amounted to 3,2271.2. 2d. A considerable sum had
during the past year been added to the invested
capital of the society, whilst the expenses of manage-
ment (with an increased business) were lower than
in 1848 by the sum of 2061. The expenses charged
for local boards would continue no longer, as since it
had been determined to allow commission, the direc-
tors had deemed it proper to dissolve these boards;
the society, however, had not lost any of the poli-
cies effected through these boards, the premiums on
which amounted to 3,0001. yearly. There were
1,247 policies in force upon the 31st of December
last, assuring in the aggregate 828,090/., and
the premiums on these amounted to 28,2231. 9s. 4d.
The balance. sheet showed a ►urplus in fa-
vour of the society of 74,096/. 2s. 9d., and this
sum is applicable to the augmentation of the sums
assured to the members under their respective poli-
cies. The accumulated capital of the society
amounted to 146,2171. 2s, 9d., and this amount was
invested in Government and other real securities.
The income of the society, on dividends, mortgages,
bonds, and funded property amounted to 5,9331.
7s. Bd., and the total income was 34,156/. 175., show-
ing an increase of about 3,000/. for the past year.
The general balance-sheet debited the society with
472,4001. as the present value of 828,0901., the aggre-
gate sum assured, and 4,822/. for claims on policies
admitted, but nut yet paid. The creditor-account gave
the present value of 28,223/. 9s. 4d. income on
policies as 465,161/. ; value of funded stock,
87,917/. 17s. ; mortgages, 31,0661. 13s. 4d. ; loans
to members, 2,704/. ; bonds on the London and
North-Western and other railways, 13,0001.; value
of the society's house, 3,014/. 25. ld. ; dividend on
stock and interest on premiums due on the 31st of
December, 6,482/. 1 ls. 7d. ; total, 551,3781. 2s. 9d.
Mr. BOLTON, a member, objected to the expenses
of management as very great; and, after many ques-
tions, proposed an amendment recommending greater
economy to the directors.
The CHAIRMAN explained that the directors had
done all in their power already, and had stated in the
report that no effort of theirs should be wanting
in future. The expenses were not so great as Mr.
Belton would have it appear.
The ;report was received unanimously, and Mr.
Bolton's amendment negatived by an immense majo-
rity, end amidst some marks of disapproval.
Mr. CLAYTON, a director, objected to the practice
of members advertising their own views in a way cal-
culated to damage the society; and upon a show of
hands being asked as an exhibition of disapproval of
such a mode of proceeding, nearly all present com-
plied with the request.
On the motion of Alderman SAMMONS, seconded
by Mr. GROTE, Mr. R. F. Davis was elected a di-
rector ; and
On the motion of Mr. ROUSELL, Mr. Pennythorne,
the architect of the Woods and Forests, was also
elected.
These gentlemen were elected in the rooms of Mr.
Godson, deceased, and Mr. Burchell, retired.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks
,o the Chairman.

ALARMING FIRE. Last night, between the hours
of ten and eleven, a fire broke out in the Globe Tavern,
situate at the corner of Drummond and Seymour-streets
and nearly facing the North-Western Railway termi-
nus, Euston-square. It originated in the second floor
front, and was discovered by a gentleman connected
with the Royal Navy, who was sleeping in the room.
He succeeded in getting out of bed, but so fiercely was
the fire burning, and so dense was the smoke, that be
was unable to get to the door. Police-constable 302 S
made several atteralts to enter the room, but the smoke
was of such a suffocating nature that he was forced to
give up the task. The lodger all the time kept crying
outbe
e forn
obtained,some
several save him. e
scattered Buckets
twoe
trb having
fire,
I tu
°lige
which in a great measure get it under, w
the gentleman ouetlt.
Theen
gines of
wasnparlylexhais ed with smoke and h
smuecncecerdaewdliend
puupollnintgheir hands and kneesb,auntdnfuotrtuunyntis
fortunately, their Company, and several of tte
London
the Birdmbtionriggt
ser-
vices were not required, the damage done having been
destruction only of the contents of that
confine . .
hhaftedmedeaßsttatreiulnded, but, .
oinracwihNicoh
AN
Ne
IfiLreucommTmenced.
James-street, Peckham, who STILL.--MT.
fdaNisnlalrtluirner, and Mr. Thomas Herdern, of
de-
scribedjpaarmc tHeosAf
Junes,
theoGimuseebs;:iolr
No. 3, Charles-street, East-lane, Camberwell, who ate', d
himself to be an agent, were placed at the bar before Mr.
and
ntdhe thieves,ex first
teextensive
wsiihnv-
oe
Elliott, at the Lambeth Police Court, on the charge of
working an illicit still. From the evidence it appeared
that the prisoners had been suspected,
in
haveatanc
lea,
tct
ef
rbl
ye i ng
committed concerned
various
iiothu s a
daringgan g of
robberies at different parts of the town, by starting out
of the slops of silversmiths, jewellers, and watchmakers
with vsluable property, and then getting into a light
chaise-cart with a fast horse, and getting out of sight in
a short time, but the officers who followed them home,
observing the contents of the cart to be molasses, had no
doubt as to the nature of their trade, and gave informa-
tion to the Excise officer. The prisoners were both
taken on the premises occupied by Jones, in which a
60-gallon still was at full work, and a quantity of wash
in preparation for distillation, and it was evident, from
tie appearance of the place; that an extensive illicit trade
was carried on. Jones endeavoured to get his fellow.
he said, many
prisoner
hoffe
chary
rsiaevdinognh. e kNnoerwwnasothhine,g whateTer of the
minutes in the house when the officers made their ap.
pearance; but Mr. Elliott was of a different opinion, end
defaultconvio to three convicted bothee wpths
prisoner, op
siniztinpeumnaletnyt.of 204 each, or. in