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

PROGRESSIVE DUTY.

The same stamp as on the first skin, unless it exceed
10s., and then 10s.; except progressive duty on dupli-
cates or counterparts.
Duplicate or counterpart, the same stamp as on the
original deed, unless it exceed 55., and then ss.
For every 1,080 words beyond the first 1,080, 2s. 6d.
Agreements under hand, 2s. 6d.
And for every 1,080 words beyond the first 1,080
words, 2s. 6d. _ _

Bonds for payment of any definite sum of money, or
for any further sums with or without a limit, the same
duty as on mortgages.
Deed of covenant, collaterally on sale or mortgage, the
same duty as on the purchase deed or mortgage if under
10s., otherwise 10s.
Memorials of deeds, 2a. 6d.

Warrant of attorney as security, the same duty as on
bonds, except it be given as collateral security or for
more than 2001. by a person under arrest, and then ss.
SETTLEMENT.—Any deed or itstrament, whether vo-

luntary or gratuitous: or upon any good or valuable
consideration other than a bond fide pecuniary conside-
ration, whereby any definite and certain principal sum
or sums of money (whether charged or chargeable on
lands or other hereditaments or heritable subjects, or
not, or to be laid out in the purchase of lands or other
hereditaments or heritable subjects, or not), or any de-
finite and certain share or shares in any of the Govern-
ment or Parliamentary stocks or funds, or in the stock
and funds of the Governor and Company of the Bank of
England, or of the Bank of Ireland, or of the East
India Company, or of the South Sea Company, or of any
other company or corporation, shall be settled or agreed
to be settled upon or for the benefit of any person or per-
sons, either i❑ possession or reversion, either absolutely
or fur life or other partial interest, or in any other man-
ner whatsoever.
If such sum or sums of money, or the value of such
share or shares in all or any of the said stocks or funds,
or of such one or more of the said articles as shall be so
settled or agreed to be settled, or both such sum
or sums of money and the value of one or more of
such articles together, shall not exceed in the whole
100/., ss.
And if the same shall exceed 1001., then for every
1001. and also for any fractional part of 1001., ss.
The foregoing are the items of main importance in
which an alteration has been made with reference to
England, although as regards bonds, conveyances,
leases, and mortgages, there are various points of
change which we have not thought it necessary to
particularise.

THE SERPENTINE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—During the last two or three years numer-
ous promises have been given by the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests that an increased supply of
water should be thrown into the Serpentine. No
such additional supply having been furnished up to
the present period, there has been much disappoint-
ment manifested at the apparent want of faith on the
part of the authorities.
Having been repeatedly applied to as honorary
secretary of the Serpentine Purifying Association as
to the cause of the additional quantity of water not
being supplied, I thought it better to communicate
with the Chief Commissioner on the subject, and now
beg to forward you a copy of his Lordship's official
reply.
I shall feel obliged by your inserting the letter for
the information of that large portion of your readers
who are interested in the question.
It is almost needless to observe that no change
worthy the name of improvement will be effected in
the Serpentine till the filth be removed from the bed
of the river, and till the cascade at the eastern end is
again brought into play. It was quite expected that
the last-named point at least would have been gained
this summer, but so far from such having been the
case, it is a well-known fact, that during the major
part of the last several months the water has been
absolutely below its ordinary level.—l am, Sir, &c.,
JOHN LILWALL.
Park-place, Albert-gate, Oct. 9.

Office of Woods, Oct. 8.
Sir,—l have received your letter respecting the
Serpentine. That piece of water is supplied from
two sources—the Chelsea Water-works and the
Orange-street-works. I am informed that large
quantities of water have been poured into the Serpen-
tine from both sources. I am now taking steps to
procure the means of accurately measuring the supply.
With regard to the plan you suggest of bringing the
rain water from the temporary building into the Ser-
pentine, I have not applied to the Commissioners of
the Exhibition on the subject, and I think that there
would be many objections to the plan.
Your obedient servant,