The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-14 00:00:00

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Males ... ••• ••• ••• ... 733
Females ... ••• .•• ... ... 743

Total ... ... 1,476
*ln this number are included 14 by Scarlatina, 29
by Typhus Fever, and 9 by Diarrhoea.

BEETHOVEN Rooms.—Signor F. Ronconi's second
concert took place last night, when a choice selection of
music was performed. Miss Durlacher was encored in
Balfe's sweet ballad " Zillah," Miss Leslie sung an Ita-
lian aria with much taste, Miss St. Marck, Miss Durla-
cher, and Mr. Toulmin, were encored in " Lusato ardir,"
and Signor Ronconi was much applauded on singing his
charming canzone " L'Occhio cerulec'." Mr. Jewson's
pianoforte compositions and performance were much ad-
mired.

THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAMERS.—
The directors of the Peninsular and Oriental SEA am Na-
vigation Company have decided on sailing their ships on
temperance principles, and with that view are making
the necessary arrangements with regard to the allow-
ances of spirits and wine to be shipped as requisites for
medical purposes. It is understood that this new ar-
rangement on the part of the company commenced with
the steamer Jupiter, on the 27th ult., but that it is in-
t mded to apply only so far as the crews cf the several
vestols are concerned, and not to interfere in any way
with reference to the passengers. The crews will be
allowed in money more than the cost of the spirits
hitherto supplied to them.

IRISII LINEN.—The following extract, written
about the year 1775, cannot fail to be highly interesting
at this time :—" It is of great importance to Ireland,
that flax, the basis of this manufacture, is of home
growth, and of the most excellent quality. From the
very moment of the seed being put into the ground, to
the time of its being exhibited in the market, in the
form of a piece of white linen, everything is the native
growth of the soil,—everything the productive labour of
the inhabitant." The exports of linen from Belfast in
1775 were 147,278 pieces; one firm is now turning out
more than that number of pieces annually; and we ray
to the foreigner for flax, flax-seed, and oil•calte upwards
of six millions verling per annum. From the constabu-
lary returns of the breadth of flax sown in Ireland, in
1848, the total is given of 53,863 acres ; the entire
quantity of flax required for British manufacture would
occupy from 350,000 to 400,000 acres.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT I3AsTiNGS.—An attempt
at suicide was made at Hastings on Tuesday morning, by
a gentleman named Hodges, about 28 years of age, who
was staying in Bedford. place on
s visit. It appears that
Mr. Hodges got out of bed at about ten minutes to seven,
and laid hold of his razor, with which be inflicted a
severe wound in his neck, extending from under the: left
ear to the middle of the throat, being from six to eight
inches in length and of considerable depth. On inflict-
ing the wound he fell to the floor, and the noire of his
fall having excited alarm, he was speedily discovered,
and Mr. Savery was called in to render surgical assist-
ance. The unhappy gentleman suffered much from the
loss of blood, but is now going on favourably.—Hastings
News.

ST. MARTIN'S HALL.and Reeves,
the apnedrfoMrmr.alnVc he iwt los rot
Maccabeus, was given here last ni ht, under the con-
ductorship of Mr. Huila's. Theprincipalg
vocalists were
—Handers Oratorio, 'Judas
Miss Birch, Mrs. Noble, Miss Gill, Miss Kent, Mr.
BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS. The usual monthly
meeting was held on Tuesday. Notice of motion was
Sims
ds
given that steps would be taken to compel the railway
nh.tbeTwhheOlffe asalitiwsfascstworeyll.
company to complete certain bridges in different streets.
A letter from the Admiralty, addressed " To the Wor-
shipful the Mayor of Birkenhead"—(Laughter)—re-
specting the use of the Town-hall for investigations
shortly to take place, was referred. From the proceed.
ings of the ferry committee it appeared that the receipts
for February, 1849, were 1,1501. Os. 10d.; for the same
month of 1850, 1,2041. 16s. 5d.; from the 23d of April
to the 28th of February, 1849, 13,646/. Os. 10d.; in
1850, 16,324/. 4s. 3d. The total expenditure for the
latter period was 16,7504 6s. 11d. It was stated that
the opposition to the Birkenhead Improvement Bill had
been withdrawn. The Admiralty is only anticipating a
little. Birkenhead must have a charter of incorporation.
—Chester Courant.
THE FISHMONGERS' AND POULTERERS' BENEVO-
LENT INSTITUTION.—This valuable institution held its
fourteenth anniversary festival last evening, at the
London Coffee-house. Mr. Ebenezer Howard, the chair-
man, in proposing success to the institution, feelingly al-
luded to kite circumstance of its being encumbered with
a dtbt of 7001. 'rho best course for them to take was
in the first place to emancipate the institution from that
debt. The chairman then alluded to the claims that the
unfortunate members of their trade, and their widows
and children, had upon them. It became them not as
Christians to scrutinize with rigid eyes whether the
widows or children for whom they sought to provide had
become reduced to adversity by the imprudence or the
misfortunes of the parents. The Rev. Mr. Sherman, in
adverting to the debt of 7001, mentioned a circumstance
that had occurred in his own life. He had been invited
to go into Yorkshire to plead the cause of an institution
that was in debt 2,700/. He was particularly impressed
with the desirability of appealing for a sum sufficient to
pay the interest upon that sum. When advocating its
claims, however, it had struck him to ask for the prin-
cipal. lie should never forget the looks of the people.
They all seemed to say, " We wish you may get it," as
smiles darted across their countenances. It had so hap-
pened, however, that at the close of his address a stran-
ger said he was so tickled with the notion of paying off
the principal thst he handed a cheque for 100/., and the
promise of a second 100/. The result had been a con-
trihution of 800/., and he had bad the pleasure, on going
doe's a second time that thy twelve months, to sing the
requiem of the entire debt. The reverend gentleman
then exhorted the members of the trade to pursue a
similar course to the Yorkshiremen, by liquidating the
debt of 700/, which encumbered their excellent institu-
tion_. References having, ban made by several other
speskers to the institution having been the means of
providing for 214 unfortunate persona, and the asylum of
the society, at Wood-green, being in a highly efficient
state, if there were but funds sufficient to fill it with in-
mates. The result a the festival was announced to,be the
contribution of a handsome sum.
EKHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS.
—We understand the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of
London has sent invitations to the mayors or chief
municipal officers of the following towns to dine with
his Royal Highness the Prince Albert on Thursday
next. The occasion of the chief magistrate of the capi-
tal of the United Kingdom entertaining the Prince and

the chief magistrates of a large number of cities and
towns, is the desire which tha Lord Mayor has evinced
in promoting the intended Exhibition of the Industry of
all Nations :—Aberystwith, Ashton-under-Line, Barn-
staple, Bath, Bedford, Berwick-upon-Twt ed, Beverly,
Birmingham, Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford (Yorkshire),
Bridgnortb, Bridgewater, Bodmin, Brighton, Bristol,
Buckingham, Burnley, Bury (Lancashire), Bury St. Ed-
munds, Boston (Lincolnshire), Cambridge, Canterbury,
Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Carnarvon, Cheltenham,
Chester, Chichester, Colchester, Congh ton, Coventry,
Darlington, Dartmouth, Daventry, IJr al, Derby, De-
vonport, Devizes, Doncaster, Dover, Dudley, Durham,
Exeter, Falmouth, Gateshead, Gloucester, Grantham,
Gravesend, Guernsey, Guildford, Halira,x, Hastings,
Halstone, Hereford, Honiton, Huddersfield, Hull, Ips-
wicb, St. Helier's, Jersey, Knaresborough, Keadal, Kid-
derminster, Kingston upon-Thames, Lancaster, Laun-
ceston, Leamington, Leeds, Leicester, Lewes, Lichfield,
Lincoln, Liverpool, Lynn, Alacch, sfietd, Maidstone,
Manchester, Monmouth, Marget', Merthyr Tydvil,
New a• k, Ne..vcasee on-Tyne, Ne wcas -untle7-Lyne,
Newport (Isle of Wight), Newport (Monmouthshire),
Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oldham, Oxfor,,,
Petz ince, Plymouth, Pontefract, Portsnym:b, Preston,
Ramsgate, Riper, Rochdale, Rochester, Sal-
ford, Salisbury, Scarborough, Sheffield, Shrewsbury,
Southampton, Stafford, Stamford, Stockport, St .cktor-
upon-Tees, Stoke- upor-Trea', Stroud, Sunderland,
S ansea, Tam worth, Tivez tor, Totnes, Truro, Wake-
field, Walsall, Wa•rington, Warwick, Weymouth, Wi-
gan, Winchester, Windsor, Wisbeach, lverts atnptor,
Worcester, Westminster, Yarmouth (Great), York
Scotland—Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Greenock
Glasgow, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Paisley
Leith, Montrose, Perth, Stirling. Ireland—Belfast.
Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Cole,
raine, Drog,heda.
KILDRICKEN SILVER. LEAD MINING COMPANY.-

Yesterday the winding•up of this company's aff-Airs was
proceeded with before the Master in Chancery Richards.
According to the petition of Mr. Henry Crockfird, of
Queensferry, Flint, it appears that the enterprise was
started in 1846, to work the iilbricken mines, near
Ennis, county of Clare. The proposed capital was
13,000/., in 1,300 shares of 101. each, of which petitioner
had had allotted to him 650 free shares, the deposit to
be in two instalments of 5/. each, and the company to be
conducted on the cost-book system of Cornwall. Soon
after the establishment cf the undertaking it was disco-
vered that no company, unless formed for working mines
in Cornwall, could be carried on under the cost-book
system, and the Court of Stannaries could have no juris-
diction over a company in Ireland. The calls made were
not paid, and the concern became embarrassed. Mr.
Crockford, in his examination, stated that after two
calls had been made the directors found they had no
power to enforce them. Was the owner of the mines
and the machinery. After it had been agreed to wind
up the concern, he bought it for 2,2701., there being some
intention of creating the company anew. The property
was more unsaleable ilow than mining property in ge-
neral, being in Ireland. Gave to Evans 100 free shares

on starting the company, and to his brother, Frederick
Crockford, sixty. Mr. Wryghte, and his solicitor Mr. H.
Harris, report that there will be a call of about 11. per
share to defray outstanding liabilities.
ENGLISH HOMCEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION.—The an-
nual general meeting of the friends and supporters of
the homoeopathic system of medicine was hold on Tues-
day at the Freemasons' Tavern, Lord Robert Grosvenor,
M.P., in the chair. The Noble Chairman, in addressing
the meeting, stated the objects of it to be to protect
their medical advisers from legal and other sorts of op-
pression; to place the truths of the system on such a
basis that men would he compelled to examine the facts
they had collected and systematised; and by examina-
tions of medical practitioners, to ascertain and certify to
the public whether homosopatbic practitioners were fit
to discharge their important duties. The means by
which they proposed to accomplish these objects were the
establishment of an hospital on a broad and catholic
basis, with a medical school attached. The association
hat already served its purpose, by keeping the principles
of the system before the public, and by publishing and
distributing the volumes of Mr. Sampson and the
lectures of Dr. Epps. The report read by the secretary
stated that 156/. 2s. sd. had been collected for the estab-
lishment of an hospital; that the committee had de-
termined not to proceed with that building until 600 Z
had been raised; that the pamphlet on the symptoms
and treatment of the cholera had been extensively
sought for, and distributed with good effect; and that
the receipts during the year had been, by Dr. Epps'
lectures 341. 10F., from the "Pearce fund" 1901. 145.,
and the general account 981. 18s. 10d. The Rev. Mr.
Kennaway, Mr. Asburst, Mr. Case, Dr. Epps and other
gentlemen addressed the meeting. The report was
adopted; the committee and office•bearers appoint-2d;
and a petition to Parliament, praying for compensation
to Mr. Pearce, on account of illegal imprisonment on a
charge of manslaughter la,t year, during the prevalence
of cholera, was read and approved. After a vote of thanks
to the chairman, the meeting separated.
REDUCTION IN THE ARMY.—The following circular
memorandum, issued from the Horse Guards respecting
the reduction in a e army, comes into operation on tbe 31st
inst.:--The sth, 20th, 36th, 42nd, 44th, 45th, 56th, 67th,
69th, 76th, and 2d battalion of Rifle Brigade, are to be
converted into regiments of one battalion of 1,000 rank
and file each, will a recruiting depot, simi'ar to regi-
ments serving in India. The 11th, 58th, and 65th Regi-
ments (now serving in New Zea'and and Australia), are
to be reduced to 750 each, and to be Otis divided:—
Service companies, 540; depot, 210; tct'sl rank and file,
750. I; may be added with regard to the regiments in
New Zealand and Australia to be reduced, the men are
to be discharged on the spot, so as to allow such as desire
it to colonise, but such as desire to return home wilt be
obliged to pay their own passage. The 6th Foot (hi-
therto 1,200 rank and file), is to be reduced to 750. The
following depots cf regiments serving in the colonies are
to be reduced 20 rank and file each—viz., Ist battalion

Ist Foot, Its, 16th, 19th, 34th, 38th, 54th, 66th, 72d,
73d, 79th, 88th, 95th, and Ist battalion Me Brigade.
The above Rill give a reduction cf 3,680 rank and file.
With respect to officers, the lieutenant-colonel,, cap-
tains, and subalterns are to remain in full pay on the
strength of their regiments (en second) until their ser-
vices are actually required; but the quartermasters and
medical officers are t.) be placed upon half-pay from the
Ist of April next. The saving to the country by this
reduction will be about 120,000/. for the present year.
THE EXPLOSION AT HOUNSLOW.—A corre-
spondent at Brigh'on informs us that the late fatal ex-
plosion at Hounslow was distinctly felt and heard in
Sussex, at a distance from Hounslow of between 50 and
60 miles. At Petworth, upwards of 40 miles off, three
reports were distinctly heard, and a corresponding num-
ber of shocks were felt, so that the inhabitants ran out
of their houses, imagining that they had felt shocks of an
earthquake. At Brighton, Mr. Heslop, a teacher of
languages, while walking near the mansion of Sir Isaac
Lyon Goldsmid, at Hoye, near Brighton, heard a noise
as of distant thunder, but as the sky was clear, he ima-
gined that he must ave heard a roar of artillery. It
was then 25 minutes to four by his watch. Mr. Smith,
a gardener and nurseryman at the north part of Brighton,
also distinctly heard the noise. The most conclusive
evidence, however, that the explosion was felt between
50 and 60 miles from the spot is furnished by the follow-
ing paragraph, copied from the Sussex Advertiser of
Tuesday, a paper which was printed and in town before
the news of the explosion reached Lewes:—" Accounts
have reached this office from several persons living in
different parts of Lewes, who depose to having expe-
rienced a slight shock, as if of' an earthquake, at about
20 minutes to four o'clock on Monday afternoon. There
was no train passing through the tunnel at that hour.
Moreover, the shock was felt in parts of the town not
affected by the passage of trains. All the persons
alluded to experienced the shock at the same period of
time." From various other places there are similar ac-
counts, all agreeing as to time, but varying a little in
description. Some heard a noise, others felt a shock,
while still others both heard and felt the effects of the
explosion.
ST. HELEN'S SAVINGS-BANS.—The trustees of the
St. Helen's savings-bank are preparing to ray a first
dividend of 6s. Bd. in the pound. It is expected that
there will be funds to pay all legal demands in full; per-
sons who had deposited money beyond the legal amount
can only claim the surplus, if there is any money re-
maining from the property of the Johnsons after the
legal claims are satisfied.—Sheffield Times.
JOURNEYMEN TAILORS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.
—The anniversary dinner of this charity took place last
night at the London Tavern, and was remarkably well at-
tended. About 250 guests assembled on the occasion,
and the festivities of the evening were presided over by
Sir De Lacy Evans, who was supported by his colleague
in the representation of Westminster, Mr. Lushington,
and other gentlemen. The proceedings differed in no
respect from the usual routine on similar occasions, the
secretary announcing a long list of subscriptions, amount-
ing altogether to a sum of 1,154/. This includes a le-
gacy of 5001., duty free, left by Mrs. Anstey, of George-
, street, Hanover-square. By the rules of the institution
its benefits are open to all journeymen tailors incapa-
citated from labour who have subscribed for three years
to the funds. It appears that 101 pensioners have been
placed on the funds of the charity since its establishment,
and that 57 are now enjoying an allowance of 20/. 16s.
a year, with coals, medicine, and medical attendance.
The dinner, provided by Mr. Bathe, was excellent, and
the musical and other arrangements were unexception-
able. Mr. Harker was toastmaster.
ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE.—A meeting of the
members of the College of the Freemasons of the Church
(a society funded for the recovery, maintenance, and
furtherance of the true principles and practice of archi-
tecture) was held on Tuesday evening at the College
House, 10, Carlisle-street, Soho-square. Mr. G. R.
French, grand master, occupied the chair. The object
of the meeting was to propose a series of resolutions in
supper:, ef the intended Exposition in 1851, which were
unanimously adopter'. The Rev. Mr. Pocock, Mr. 11.
Rogers, Mr. J. W. Archer, and other gentlemen, in sup-
porting the resoltriou, strongly urged the advantages to
the people of au extended cultivation of the arts, on the
ground that if they could but be "imbued with a tone of
the good and the pure, they would thereby be weaned
from that which was gross and corrupt." Sir Walter
Jame', Bart., after the passing of the resolutions, read an
able paper "On the use and abuse of the imaginative
faculty with ref_rence to the arts." Tho meeting then
adjourned.
A POACHER KILLED,-.CHESTER, MARCIa 12.
A fatal poaching affray occupied the attention of Mr.
Hostage, the city coroner, and a respectable jury, seve-
ral hours yesterday. Owing to the alarming rumours
that had been circulated in re-pcct to tie death of the
unfortunate man, the proceedings excited the deepest
interest. Mr. Roberts, a solicitor, attended to watch the
evidence on behalf of the friends of the deceased. It
appeared from the testimony of several witnesses, that
on Wednesday night last, between eleven and twelve, a
police-cfficer in the Chester force, named Hughes, ac-
companied by a brother comtable, came up with a man
named William Jones, on a road leading from Curzon
' Patk, ih the egokizte of the city. The ceastege seeing