The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-03 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, WEDNESDAT.—DEPEAT OP CROP PLUN-
DERERS BY THE PEASANTRY.—A second attempt at
crop plunder in Clare, has been defeated by the
peasantry. The following gratifying statement on
the subject appears in the Clare Journal of yes-
terday :

"On Monday night last, on Lady Frankfort's
property, near Scarify; a tenant named Daniel Flan-
nery, whose arrears had all been remitted, and his
accruing rent abated twenty. five per cent. (as has
been done on her Ladyship's entire estates in this
county), assembled a large number of persons to cut
and carry away his crop. The neighbouring tenants,
having heard of the intended outrage, collected to aid
the caretaker and drove off the depredators, thus tes-
tifying these feelings of confidence and good-will
which should subsist between landlord and tenant,
and proving that when tenants are fairly treated, they
can and will be grateful. In no other part of the
county was there manifested, last harvest, a more
cletf rmined resistance to the payment of rents, than
in this same locality."
CONVICTION OF CROP LIFTERS.—At the Thomas-
town petty sessions on Saturday, Mr. W. Clifford, on
the part of the trustees of the Earl of Carrick, charged
Philip Cahill, Nicholas Cahill, John Reddy, John
Grady, James Lannigan, Adam Croak, Thomas Croak,
and several others, with having committed a breach
of the Sabbath on the morning of the 22d instant,
by engaging in the reaping of corn on the farm of
PhilipCahill, and the estate of Lord Carrick. It appeared
from the evidence, that notwithstanding that the te-
nant owed three years' rent, the landlord was willing
to allow him to take away the entire crops, upon giv-
ing up possession ; but the tenant declined to accede
to those terms, and still holds the land. The Kil-
kenny Moderator, which contains a long report of the
proceedings before the magistrates, says :—" It was a
case justly characterised by the presiding magistrate,
(the Right Hon. W. F. Tighe) as one of a most fla-
grant nature. In addition to the roguery of the
tenant, the most lawless course was adopted by him
towards the bailiffs sent to watch the crop, who were
seized, imprisoned, and tied hand and foot, whilst the
Sabbath labour was being carried out. Owing to
the timidity of these same bailiffs, some of the
delinquents escaped ; bnt three were convicted and
fined."

THE VACANT BISHOPRIC.—The same vague ru-
mours continue respecting the vacant bishopric of
Meath. Saunders's News Letter of this morning
states that the Very Rev. Thomas Townsend, lately
appointed to the deanery of Waterford, is to be the
successor of the late bishop.

THE AGRICULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK.—
A meeting of the northern shareholders of the Agri-
cultural and Commercial Bank was held in Belfast on
Saturday, when the following resolution was
adopted :—" That, considering the debts due now
amount to nearly 42,0001., and a call of 16s. per
share having been made, this meeting request the
chairman to call a general meeting of shareholders, to
be held at the Imperial Hotel, in Belfast, on Wed-
nesday, October 9, at eleven o'clock A.M., for the
purpose of electing district committees to aid the
Dublin committee in collecting arrears, and seeing
that the funds of the company are employed in reduc-
ing the liabilities, the interest upon which now
amounts to 2,5001. a year."
The Beyast News- Letter thus refers to the present
deplorable condition of the parties interested :—" The
affairs of this company still present a problem, which,
taken in connexion with its past history from the
commencement, will, we venture to say, be for ever
without a parallel in all mercantile experience. A
further call of 16s. per share has been made upon the
remnant of the curving solvent shareholders, which,
when paid, will make a dead loss, in all, of no less
than 31. 7s. per share. The present debt of the com-
pany amounts to 41,493/. 12s. 41., the interest of
which, at six per cent., amounts to 2,5001. a year,
exclusive of solicitors' costs. It is with the alleged
view of liquidating this debt that the further call has
been made, at the instance of the Master in Chancery,
and this sum, it is said, will realise 69,5001., thus
leaving a margin to cover defaulters. This is all the
information of which the shareholders are at present
in possession. Previous experience proves, however,
that the most absolute necessity exists for taking
prompt and active steps to see that this call shall be
the last. The liabilities are daily increasing, owing
to reasons but imperfectly, if at all, known. The list
of liable shareholders is daily diminishing from death,
emigration, or bankruptcy; and the narrower it grows
the more acutely is the pressure of these perpetual
calls felt by the shareholders who have still anything
to lose. Very many cf these are poor people, whom
these calls are literally driving to distraction, and
whose life is a burden while the fear of ruin from
this cause hangs over them. We are glad, therefore,
to find that the acute and intelligent merchants of
Belfast are bestirring themselves to put a final stop to
the evil, by seeing that the accounts of the company
shall be properly investigated—that all the solvent
shareholders shall be m wle to pay the present call in
their due proportion—and by insisting that the funds
of the company shall be employed in liquidating the
debt at one and for ever, so that another 'performance,'
as Mr. Dulling happily expressed it, shall be unne-
cessary. To effect these objects, by means of district
committees, and through the energy of the northern
merchants, a general meeting of the shareholders has
been called for Wednesday, the 9:11 inst., at the Im
peHal Hotel."

A TESTIMONIAL to MR. WALKER
AT LAST.

If any manly breast is the better for a badge of
honour, there is certainly one special case in which
that part of the human body ought to be decorated.
The thorax within which is a heart truly philanthropic
should, of all chests, have a star on its exterior. Sa-
nitary heroes in particular—the men of intrepid souls
and indomitable stomachs, who face tpyhus and nose
suiphuretted hydrogen, who brave Death in the mouth
of his own gravepit—deserve to be adorned as to the
pectoral region. A great conqueror in the field of
filth might be most appropriately invested with the
Order of the Bath and iVashhouse. To which might
be added—in case of need, which generally is the case
—another order, a cheque on the Treasury for a cer-
tain annual sum, not less than 251., nor exceeding
12,000/. It is contemplated by Government to ac-
cord some such tribute as that referred to last, to that
really enormous benefactor of his species in general,
and of the metropolitan variety thereof in particular,
the author of "Gatherings from Graveyards," and of all
the good there is in the Interments Bill, Mr. George
Alfred Walker. Vulgar incredulity need not echo
this gentleman's surname. We have stated the fact,
Government is about decreeing a testimonial to
W
Walker. Be it, however, understood that the Govern-
ment alluded to is not the firm of Messrs. Russell and
Co., tax masters and providers for the royal family.
That concern has quite relinquished the higher de-
partments of state business, such as the promotion of
political and social reform, and, with a view to it, the
reward and encouragement of eminent merit. Their
patronage, of late, has been confined to that compara-
tively unimportant district of these dominions termed
flunkeydom ; and they have nearly limited their opera-
tions to the aristocratic estate and agency line. The
Government which is going to grant Mr. Walker a tes-
timonial is the Government of his Majesty the Public,
to which the Downing-street Cabinet leaves the con-
sideration of all matters of higher consequence than
six-and-eightpence—exce pt always, the salaries of
royal dukes, and such like. No other tax will be im-
posed on account of the Walker Testimonial Fund
than a small per centage of conscience-money. In
addition, it is only necessary to state that the sum
now due for this object from national gratitude may
be paid to the credit of Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart,
at the Treasury—Messrs. Coutts and Co., or at the
branch offices, which are all other banks in town or
country.—Punch.

ARRIVAL CF ANTIQUITIES FROM NINEVEH AND
BABYLON.—The brigantine Apprentice, Captain John Hardy,
has arrived in the St. Katharine's Dock, from Bussorah, on
the River Euphrates, having on board a great quantity of
Assyrian and other antiquities, and marbles, consigned to the
trustees of the British Museum. Among them are the
great bull, from Nineveh, with a man's head and dragon's
wings, weighing twelve tons; and a lion sculptured in the
same manner, weighing nine tons. There arc also several
coffins, containing many curious relics of the manners and
usages of Eastern countries regarding the ceremonies ob-
served in burying their dead. This vessel was chartered
by the British Museum some time since, for the conveyance
of these antiquities to England ; they were shipped in April
last, at 13ussorah, under the supenntendance of Messrs.
Stephen Lynch and Co. ; and great care has. been taken by
Captain hardy (who was employed on a similar ser
ivice two
years ago) to bring them home perfect and eptre. The
Apprentice was off the Cape of Good Hope during the late
severe gales, when so many vessels were lost or sustained
severe damage; but she providentially escaped injury, and
has safely arrived with her valuable and interesting freight.
HERIOT'S HOSPITAL, EDINBFROII.—We observe,
from the proceedings of the last meeting of the governors of
this institution, that one or two changes are in contempla-
tion which possess considerable interest. One relates to the
superannuation fund. Annuities are to be purchased for
officers wh:se lives may be uninsurable; and the modes by
which existing cfficers may obtain the hospital's per centage
towards an insurance or annuity are to be extended. All
officials are required to enter as burgesses. There are 34
parties in the immediate service of the hospital, to whom the
improved scheme will ultimately be extended, whose united
salaries amount to about 4,000/. per annum. `l he cost to the
hospital's funds, when the plan shall be in full operation, will
be about 20U/. per annum. The boys are to be indulged with
an instrumental band; and there is to be a triennial scrutiny
of the list of recipients, to ascertain whether the parents of
any boys are in circumstances to educate them without the
aid of the hospital.

THE AUTHOR, OF " THE MISER'S SECRET."--The
utmost curiosity has for some time past been evinced in the
literary and fashionable circles, as respects the author of the
above popular romance, which has everywhere excited so
marked a sensation. Although it has not yet been ascer-
tained who is the writer of the work in question, one fact
has transpired, namely, that the author is one of the gentler
sex. To the honour of our fair countrywomen be it re-
corded, that three of the most attractive modern works of
fiction, namely, "Jane Eyre," " Mary Barton," and " The
Miser's Secret," all prove to be the production., of lady-
yfritero.

SANITARY MOVEMENTS.
THE DRAINAGE OF THE CITY OF LONDON.

The following are extracts from a plan of draining
the city of London, devised by Mr. Beardmore, and
alluded to by Mr. Morris, one of the Commissioners
of the City Sewers, at the last court but one. It has,
we understand, been ordered to be printed and circu-
lated amongst the members of the Corporation, and
it is expected that the subject will speedily be taken
into consideration.
rRINCIPLE OF DRAINAGE BY AN AQUEDUCT SEWER.

" The principle of this design is to drain the
ut-
most possible extent of the metropolis by a free out-
fall in the Thames at least as low as Barking Creek ;
to give the aqueduct effecting this such fall and ge-
neral arrangement that it shall discharge with the ut-
most rapidity, free from the control of rising tide,
and requiring no mechanical aid, that everything
should be accessible for ready examination and re-
pair, so that on any required occasion such
could be done without expense or new contrivances,
which would be a serious drawback to the adoption
of many plans, considering likewise that the separa-
tion of house and surface drainage as a general mea-
sure in the metropolis almost savours of impossibility
as a practical question. The plan herein described
contemplates that the aqueduct shall take everything
which falls above its level, except in cases of extra-
ordinary and sudden floods—a time when surplus
running into the river could be of no detriment.
Any plan for draining the metropolis should be also
free from all doubt or difficulty in its construction.
Granting that every effort should be made to keep
sewage out of the Thames ; so also should any gene-
ral plan be equally designed not to interfere with the
dock entrances, creeks, wharfs, and future power of
deepening ; it should likewise have perfect capabi-
lity of repair, and be free from the serious evils aris-
ing from any failure in machinery; and similar con-
siderations attached to artificial or mechanical con-
trivances.

" DESCRIPTION OF AQUEDUCT SEWER AND LINE FOR

NEW STREET.

" The plan proposed would be to form an aqueduct
or sewer, commencing at the Thames near the outlet
at the Barking river, passing direct across the marshes
towards East Ham Church, thence taking the rising
ground to Plaistow, and across West Ham Marshes
to Bromley, crossing over the River Lea, near the
Four Mills distillery, thence near the Lime-
hruse- cut, across Bow-common, and over the
Regent's Canal just below where it is crossed by the
Bow Branch Railway; from this point the aqueduct,
or sewer, as it would now become, would take its
course straight across Bow-common and the adjacent
open ground, passing near Stepney Church to the
Thames Police-office, where it would be carried along
Charles-street into the Commercial-road, and thus to
Great Alie-street (widening out Church-street, which
for a short distance is now a very inconvenient
thoroughfare). From the junction of Mansell and
Great Alie-street, a new line will be required to
John-street, whence the sewer would pass along
Crutched-friars to Alark-lane, and fall into East-cheap,
by a new line passing near the Corn Exchange and
Commercial Sale Rooms ; it would then cross by King
William's statue, down new Cannon-street to Queen-
street ; here a new line of street would be formed out of
the narrow and dilapidated streets, viz. :—St Thomas's-
lane, Distaff-lane, and Carter-lane to Bridge-street,
Blackfriars, which would be raised at the point of
crossing 7i feet. From Bridge-street the new sewer
and street would form the south side of St. Bride's
Church, and would be passed through Salisbury-
square direct into Fleet-street. The line from this
would follow the great thoroughfare, but along Holy-
well-street, which would be thrown into the Strand,
diverging along the south side of St. Martin's Church,
and in front of the National Gallery up to Suffolk-
street; here a short new line of street would be
advantageous for carrying the sewer in a
more direct line through Charles-street, down
which it would pass directly across St. James's-
square to St. James's-street and St. James's-place,
where an opening can be made at a trifling expense
so as to bring the sewer clear into the Green Park.
Thence it would pass on towards Hyde Park Corner,
along Hyde Park into Kensington High-street, pass-
ing by south side of the church arross to Holland-
street, along north-east corner of Holland Park, the
lower side of Notting-hill, and along some of the new
streets, under Lansdowne. square to the foot of
Wormwood Scrubs.

" SIZE AND LEVELS.

" The proposed sewer would not be of less diameter
than 12 feet from Charing-cross downwards; the
total length is about 15 miles, the aqueduct portion
commencing at 2 feet 6 inches below Trinity
high water mark, at Barking Creek, rising at the
rate of 28 inches per mile for a length of 6 miles ;
the remaining 9 miles to rise uniformly at the rate
of 8 inches per mile. The above dimensions and fall
would enable the sewer to discharge at all times a
minimum of 8,000 cubic feet per minute in its upper
portion, increasing to 12,000 cubic feet in its lower
portion. From the Fleet River eastward the aqueduct
would drain everything higher than 18 feet above high
water level; westward the line of drainage would
be from 18 feet to 24 above high water level. The
aqueduct would pass over the River Lea, with a clear
head-way of 7 feet 6 inches above Trinity high water ;
and if spanned by a wrought- iron girder would offer
far less obstruction to navigation than Bow-bridge.
The Regent's-canal lock, near the point of cros,:ing,
would have to be set back, to get a good line for the
aqueduct, and the lower pond reduced 18 inches in
height ; this would give a clear headway of 7 feet
6 inches, and with a wrought-iron tube would be far
more convenient to the navigation than any of the
present bridges.

"CONNEXION WITH FLEET RIVER AND OTHER DRAINS

"The Fleet sewer would, of course, pass under
the aqueduct at Blackfriars undisturbed, its ordi-
nary run would be diverted into the aqueduct sewer
by a branch intercepting the Fleet at the nearest pos-
sible point in Clerkenwell-valley ; in fact, some uf the
old sewers may bo probably available for this.
Proper sluices, forming a kind of waste weir, would
be required at all the great natural drains, in
order that sudden surface floods might have access to
the river ; occasional floods are far too large to be
provided for by any artificial drain, for such would
be then necessarily of a magnitude inconsistent with
any reasonable outlay. Tnese arrangements would
likewise at any future time enable the aqueduct to be
repaired and examined, an object that should not be
lost sight of in a work designed to last for ages.

"ESTIMATE.

There are six miles of suburban aqueduct
to form ; take this at 30,0001. per mile... £lBO,OOO
Nine miles of sewer through streets, pro-

- -
perty not to be bought except where esti-
mated below say at 20,000/. per mile .. 150,000
Nine miles of removal of gas and water pipes

repairing, paving, B:e., being at 10,0001...
There are about 2,500 yards of new pro-

90,000

perty to be purchased, say at one-third
the cost of the new streets made by her
Majesty's Commissioners of Woods (see
20th Report, page 10), where the various
streets are stated to have cost a sum which

amounts to 3001. per yard lineal in their
extent ...
These 2,500 yard► lineal at 1001.
Compensation at Bridge-street, Blackfriars 15,000
Junction with various sewers on line
Branch from the Fleet, 1,500 yards, at 30/ 45,000
Hackney-brook branch aqueduct, two miles,
at 30,0001.
Resevoirs for flood-tide at Barking-
marshes, say
Contingencies, 10 per cent.

Total £1,000,000

, .
" This estimate is charged only with the actual
cost of driving a leading sewer from Wormwood
Scrubs to the Thames at Barking, awl of putting
dawn the buildings necessarily required to form a
direct line—that is to say, one-third of the cost of
such streets.
The completion of 2,500 of new streets, on
the same data, will require the remaia-
ing two-thirds—i. e., of 750,0001. ... 500,000
Adding cost of aqueduct sewer, as before... 1,000,000

We have a total of expenditure required of £1,500,000
for a work which has, to say the least, advantages ap-
parently commensurate with the expenditure of a
large sum of money.

" PRINCIPAL AND SUBSIDIARY DRAINAGE.

"The plan described would relieve the complicated
question of the general drainage of London from
much of its difficuty ; the low districts will be re-
lieved of the sewage and drainage of the upper, or of
three-fourths of the whole metropolitan present area
north cf the Thames, increasing as the high lands are
built over. So large a portion being thus disposed of
on a basis free from all doubt and difficulty, and by a
plan that, giving the utmost fall, would carry off the
sewage far quicker than by any plan of engine
drainage or of flat sewers laid at a low level, without
refereece to freedom of outfall by gravitation.
" The sewage of the great Westminster and
Chelsea levels will, in a few weeks, be carried to
Scotland-yard ; thence it could be raised by engine-
power direct into the aqueduct sewer at Trafalgar-
square at an annual expense merely nominal com-
pared with the advantages of seeming an outfall into
the Thames so distant as the outlet at Barking
Creek ; a similar principle can be applied to the few
remaining low districts adjacent to the north bank of
the Thames. These should be each formed into
drainage areas fcr discharging into the aqueduct by
mechanical means at the several points most suitable
to the circumstances.
" GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF AN AQUEDUCT •SEWER.

"Finally, the plan proposed will carry the most
essential portion of metropolitan sewage to the
Thames at the lowest practicable point, and with the
utmost expedition. The aqueduct avoids the Thames
and its creeks, dock entrances, chores, wharfs, and
other interests, and is placed at a level that will en-

sure its use as a sewer and prevent the risk of infiltra-
tion of Thames water and other springs which pre:
vail near the river bed, which alone would be a serious
evil in a plan designed for the application of engine
power on an extensive scale.

"The City of London i., in a twofold point of
view, interested in reform of the system of outfall—
first, for relief of the various nuisances caused by the
several streams (from outlying districts) which de-
bouch on its river margin ; secondly, because the
City must of necessity be on the line of any leading
drain. For both reasons therefore a general measure
should be arranged to afford the greatest advantage
to the important district between Temple-bar and
the Commercial-road, which can only be effected by
constructing such a line of aqueduct as shall secure
future sfficieney in draining the whole metropolis.'
" A work of this character must be as near as pos-
sible perfect; there must be no trifling with the de-
sign and execution, for a drainage as heretofore into
and through the urban portion of the Thames will be
preferable to a new but imperfect arrangement. In
fact, I would beg most distinctly to suggest that no
great line of drain fit for the case under consideration
can be made without an effort worthy of the great
object in view. To attempt a great leading sewer
through any of the ordinary narrow thoroughfares
would be attended with the chance of failure, for the
ground is already amply occupied with the local
sewers and with gas and water pipes."

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
The French Admiral, Baron Mackau, accompanied
by a capitain de fregate, and an ingenieur de la marine,
paid a visit to the Admiralty, Whitehall, yesterday,
and being formally introduced to their Lordships and
principal officers at the Admiralty, inspected the
whole of the departments. The gallant officer took
his leave after lunching with the first naval Lord, Rear-
Admiral Dundas, C. 8., M.P.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—The Blenheim steam
guardship, 60, Captain Henderson, C. 8., came into
harbour to-day from Spithead.
The Retribution steam-frigate, Captain Warden,
sailed last evening from Spithead for Queenstown, to
await further orders.

The Dragon steam-frigate, Captain Giffard, sailed
yesterday for the Mediterranean.

- The Caradoc steam packet was paid off here yes-
terday. _ _

The Ocean Queen, American line of packet-ship,
arrived this morning from the river, took in stock,
and sailed again at noon for New York.

The Sutlej Indiaman arrived at Spithead this
morning.

The Niger steam-sloop, Commander Heath, arrived
at Madeira on the 31st of August, completed coals,
and sailed on the Ist tilt, for the coast of Africa. The
Salamander steam-sloop, Commander Eliman, arrived
at Madeira on the same day, and sailed again for the
East Indies, touching at Rio en route. The Aboukir
transport put in at Madeira with troops on the even-
ing of the 31st of August, and sailed on the Ist ult.
for Bombay with detachments of various regiments.
The United States ship-of-war John Adams was at
Madeira at the same date, from the coast of Africa.

The Fox, 42, Commodore Lambert, after sailing
from Plymouth, encountered strong westerly winds,
and, on the 27th ult., bore up in thick weather for
St. Mary's, Scilly, and now remains at that ancho-
rage waiting fair weather to proceed.—St. Mary's,
Sept. 29.

PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.--The Firefly steam-ves-
sel, after a passage of thirty-six hours, having expe-
rienced very bad weather on Monday night, arrived
yesterday from Portsmouth to take the snails to the
coast of Africa, touching at Madeira.
The Dragon steam-vessel is hourly expected from
the Eastward. She will ship at this port a fire-
hearth for the Arrogant steam-vessel, now on the
coast.

The Kite steam-tender is to be fitted up for the
purpose of conveying the dockyard artisans from the
yard to ships afloat under repair, and the use of row-
ing.boats for that purpose is to be abolished.
The Thetis frigate will be placed in dock on Satur•.
day at five r.m., and the people of the yard will
work late to " butt-shore" her.

The Greenock steam-vessel left Hamoaze at ten
A.M., on Saturday, and, having been round the Ed-
dystone, returned at 2.45 r.ar. The recent altera-
tions made in this ship have in no way improved her
qualities.
Mr. T. B. Mallet, of Birchin-lane, charterer of the
emigrant-ship Harpley, arrived at Plymouth this
morning. The Harpley, accordirg to a paper found
in a bottle, and signed by one of her passengers
" Courteny Powell," is said to have foundered at the
entrance of the Cnannel on the 24th of September.
Mr. Fowell is represented as rather a reckless young
man, and the entire statement is considered here to
be void of truth. Mr. Mallet, nevertheless, purposes
to go to Falmouth and the Scilly Islands to endea-
vour to find some pilot who may have seen the Harp-
ley subsequent to the 24th ult., and thus be enabled
to give an indisputable contradiction to the contents
of the paper.

APPOINTMENTS.

Lieutenant Henry J. Raby (1850), to the Wasp
steam-sloop, commissioned at Woolwich.

Master William H. adliston (1845), to the Wasp.
Surgeon James J. Paul, M.D. (1845), to the
Imaum, 72, receiving-ship at Jamaica.
Paymas!er and Purser James D. Gilpin (1849), to
the Wasp.

Mates:—George V. Phillips (1850), to the Wasp ;
Frederick Pyne (1850), to the Albion, 90, at De-
VOll port.

Acting-Assistant Surgeons James Johnstone
(1849), from the Victory flag-ship at Portsmouth, to
the Fox, 42. on the East Indies station ; Richard
Picken, M D. (1850), from the Victory to the Fox.
Biidshiptnan W. Walsh, to the Wasp.
Blasters -Assistants—E. P. Hutchison and John
Moss, to the Wasp.

ClE4k Charles IV. Motherwell (1646), to the Wasp.
Clerk's-Assistant William Young, to the Wasp.

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

WOOLWICH, OCT. 2.—When the first accounts of
the expeditious fitted out this year to beach for Sir
John Franklin and his gallant companions were made
public on the arrival of the North Star, the greatest
surprise was experienced by all at the concluding
statement, that Commander Forsyth was on his re-
turn homewards in the Prince Albert, and might be
daily expected. The dispatches subsequently made
public do not contain the slightest allusion to such an
intention on the part of the gallant commander. On
the contrary, he was persevering to the utmost extent
in his power, on parting with Captain Austin, to
penetrate farther into the icy regions. If any of the
ships return this season they will be the Felix and Alar,y,
under the command of Sir John Ross, as he says,
when referring to the account he had obtained of the
ships supposed to be Sir John Franklin's being de-
stroyed in the winter of 1846, and the crews mur-
dered, " in the event of no intelligence being found by
any of the ships, I shall feel it my duty to return to
Cape York, and to make further inquiry into Adam
Beek's statement, and then proceed to England if
possible this season, and if not early in the next."
It is in some degree satisfactory to know that not one
single nautical man acquainted with the arctic regions
believes Adam Beek's statement of the remaining part
of the crews saved from drowning on the breaking up
of the ships being murdered. The Esquimaux of
these regions are not of a savage disposition, and are
never found in such numbers as to overpower a few
hardy seamen. The statement that the vessels were
broken up in the winter when the snow was fall-
ing is also improbable, as the ice is immovable at
that period of the year, and the ships would have
been securely frozen in on the station previously se-
lected as best adapted for passing the winter.