The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-26 00:00:00

ITALY.

Letters from Rome of the 16th state that the POPE
is kept under strict surveillance by the Obscurantist
agents by whom he is surrounded. No person is
allowed to approach him without previous permission
from Cardinal ANTONELLI, who opens all papers and
reads them before they are submitted to the POPE.
The POPE has drawn up several decrees, but he hag
been forbidden by Cardinal ANTONELLI to publish
them. His HOLINESS is highly displeased with the
state of durance in which he is kept ; he is, in fact,
an Austrian prisoner.

LONDON INSTITUTION.—Yesterday the annual
meeting of this institution was held at the theatre, Finsbury-
circus. The chair was occupied by Thomas Baring, Esq.,
M.P. The secretary read the report, in which the committee
congratulated the proprietors upon the delivery of the first
series of a course of lectures on Paheontolgy, by Dr. Car-
penter, in the theatre of the institution. The first series con-
sisted of twelve lectures, and the second series of twelve more,
which would complete the course, would be delivered in the
course of the session of 1850-1851. These lectures were en-
tirely gratuitous, and were founded under the will of Dr.
George Swiney. It appeared from the statement of accounts
that the receipts during the past year were 1,7601. from sub-
scribers, and that there was a balance in the hands of the
treasurer of 692/. The report and statement of accounts
were adopted. The committee and officers for the ensuing
year were then elected, and after the usual vote of thanks to
the chairman, the meeting separated.
RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.—A return relative to railway
accidents has been published, from which it appears that
the total number of persons killed on all railways open for
public traffic in the half-year ending December 31, 1849, was
106. Of these 73 were killed owing to their own miscon-
duct or want, of caution, 11 being passengers and 62 servants
of the company; 28 were trespassers, killed by improperly
crossing or standing on the railway; 1 was a child killed by
an engine running off the rails and entering a house, and 2
were suicides. Of fatal accidents, arising from causes beyond
the control of the victims, only two have occurred, and those
are among the servants of companies or of contractors. Of
the persons injured owing to their own misconduct or want
of caution, 10 were passengers and 37 servants of companies
or contractors, and of those injured from causes beyond their
control, 54 were passengers and 3 companies' servants. 7
persons were injured by improperly crossing or standing on
the railway, who were neither passengers nor servants of
the company, and one child was injured by an engine running
into a house. The total number of passengers conveyed
during the period referred to in the return was 34,924,469.
The number of miles of railway open at the beginning of the
half-year was 5,447, and the number open at the end was
5,996, being an increase of 549 miles during the half-year.
RUGBY AND STAMFORD RAlLWAY.—Eighteen
miles of this railway, from Rugby to Market Harborough,
are to be opened on Monday next, 29th inst., in time for the
great fair to be held at Harborough on that and following
days. The stations on the line are Stamford, 5 miles ; Wel-
ford, 9 miles; Thedingworth, 13 miles; and Market Harbo-
rough, 18 miles from Rugby. The country passed through
is one of the richest pasture districts in England, and it is
expected that a considerable local and cattle traffic will be
obtained. The remaining portion of the line (17 miles), on
to Stamford, will be opened in about two months.
THE FORFEITED RECOGNIZANCES or LOLA
Motrrx.s.—lt is understood now that in a few days final pro-
ceedings will be taken in the case of an order made by Mr.
Peregrine Bingham, the magistrate at Marlborough-street
Police-court, for the payment of the amount of a recogni-
zance for the appearance of Maria Dolores, Countess de
Landsfeldt (Lola Alontes), on the charge of bigamy, the par-
ticulars of which are familiar to the public. Messrs. Henry
D. Davies and Daniel Davies are the bail responsible for this
amount.

The mixed Railway Committee assembled at Paris
by the Prussian, Belgian, and French Governments has ter-
minated its labours. The result is, that in a short time the
convention agreed to between these Governments in 1848
may be carried into execution. The committee has ex-
pressed a wish to see, as soon as possible, the breaks filled up
which exist at present in the great international line of
railway between Cologne and Paris, a bridge being wanting
over the Rhine, at the former place, and a circuitous railway
at the latter to unite the various lines together. Were this
once effected, merchandize, either from Havre or from Ant-
werp, could go the whole distance without interruption.
On Wednesday last a serious accident happened
to Mr. Thomas Walters, brother to Mrs. Bailey, of the
Glaziers' Arms public-house, Scotgate, Stamford. Mr.
Walters was engaged in delivering some coals at the house
of Captain Orme, in Maiden-lane, and whilst in the cart
lifting a large piece of coal within reach of the porter, he
overbalanced himself, fell with his head on the pavement,
and received a wound on the scalp with concussion on the
brain. He was immediately taken to the surgery of Mr.
Robert N. Newcomb, where his wound was dressed, and he
was then conveyed to the infirmary, where he now lies in a
precarious state.—Stamford iforcury.
LIBERATION OF THE LAST CHARTIST CONVICT
FROM HoasEmoltOEß-LANE GAOL.—Yesterday afternoon Mr.
Keene, the governor of the above prison, received a tree par-
don from 'the Home-office for Patrick Looney, one of the
Chartists et- nvicted at the Old Bailey, at the September
sessions, 1848. He was sentenced to two years' imprison-
ment in Horsemonger-land Gaol. Ile has consequently been
in confinement `0 months.
THE OTLEY TRAGEDY.—On Tuesday the four
"navvies," George Towleston, Robert Farrar, Nathaniel
Scholey, and William Jaques, against whom the coroner's
jury on Monday returned the verdict of "Wilful murder of
John Dawson were taken before Mr. F. Billam, Mr. B.
Thompson, and Mr. G. Pollard, three of the West Riding
magistrates at Otley, and, after a long examination, were
committed on very satisfactory evidence to York Castle for
trial at the next assizes en six separate charges of cutting
and wounding. Mrs. Dickenson, the woman who was
stabbed, is likely, it is said, to recover.
DEVONSHIRE.—We regret to hear that Vice-Ad-
miral Curry is dangerously ill at Devonport. The gallant
officer, we believe, is now at a very advanced age. He com-
manded a bomb vessel in the expedition to Egypt.
THE LATE RAJA OF SATTARA —lt appears by a
Parliamentary paper printed yesterday at the instance of Mr.
Ilume, that the amount disbursed on account of the family
of the late ex-Raja of Sattara, from the period of his demise,
in 1847, to the present time, was 40,8451. 2s. 7d. company's
rupees. A further sum of 50,000 rupees was paid on the
30th October, 1849, to Rajes Bite, the widow of the Raja, for
the funeral expenses of her husband.
In the announce bills of Sadler's Wells Theatre
we see that Mr. G. Bennett intends to take his benefit on
uesday next, and that upon the occasion Miss Jane Bennett.,
his daughter, is to make her first appearance in his success-
ful play of Retribution. The young lady has our most cor-
dial wishes for her success, and we trust that Mr. Bennett
may hare reason to congratulate himself upon the reward of
his and her exertions.

PRINTING INY.—Among the various improvements
made in the arts by the aid of chemistry, there is, perhaps,
none more valuable than what has been lately effected in
printing ink, both for colour and durability. Hitherto many
inks which looked well immediately after press- work soon
lost their freshness of hue, becoming yellow, and smearing
with the least touch. These defects have now been com-
pletely obviated by a new process, invented by Mr. Benja-
min Smith, of Hackney, and Wine-office-court, Fleet-street,
who has produced ink possessing deep colour, clearness
in working, and the rare quality of drying immediately
after impression. These desirable results have been achieved
by a happy process of chemical combination in the manu-
facture of the ink. A fine specimen of its working is now
before us in the present number of the Art Journal for
April, the press-work of which looks exceedingly clear,
throwing up the illustrations in a style of great beauty and
taste, and reflecting much credit on Mr. Smith for his valu-
able discovery.

LOWESTOFT: FIRST BURGOMASTBR IN ENGLAND,

—The inhabitants of the rising port and town of Lowestoft,
have unanimously elected their fellow-townsman, Richard
Till, Esq., late secretary of the Norfolk Railway Company,
Burgomaster, and a fete will be shortly given to commemo-
rate his entering upon the duties of his office.—Norwich
Mercury.

THE CITY SHERIFFS' COURT.—This morning R.
Gurney, Esq., Q. C., who was yesterday elected Judge of the
City Sheriffs' Court, took his seat, and was assisted in point
of practice by the late Judge, Mr. Common Sergeant Bul-
lock. Mr, Buchanan, Mr. Gary, and other practitioners of
the Court appeared in their gowns on the occasion.

NATION4;f. REFOR➢[ SOIREE AT THE LONDON
TAVERS.-A soiree: of the delegates of the National Reform
Conference:was held last night at the London Tavern, as a
final meeting of the friends of Reform before their separa-
tion, after the completion of their labours at the Conference
M.P., Mr. Sharman
during the week. The room was crowded, and a great pro-
portion of the visitors were ladies. After tea Sir Joshua
Walmsley, M.P., took the chair. In the course of the
Mr. Parry, Mr. Thomas Clarke,
evening addresses were delivered by Lord Dudley Stuart,
mCNr..apPw!omrladr,.r.osll,lC.Pnomn.,neobro,ilorinP.epl.,SAarlrw.eyFtoxiLP., Mr. Thompson,
Mr. Charles Gilpin, and other friends of the Reform move-
ment. A quadrille band stationed in the gallery at the end
of the room filled up the intervals between the speeches
with a selection of popular music ; and the company sepa-
rated at a late hour, after an evening, we hope, profitably, as
well as pleasantly spent.
A ROYAL LOT.—At the sale last week at North-
wood-park, Isle of Wight, of the property of the late George
Ward, Esq., lot 112, was purchased for the Queen. It con-
sists of a beautiful Egyptian statue of Antinous, in dove-
coloured marble, the size of life, displaying the finest sym-
metry and proportion. It is a splendid specimen of sculp-
ture, and in fine preservation, &ft. 4in. high, and stood on a
atone pedestal. This statue was sent by Napoleon Bonaparte
as a present to the King of Naples. The vessel having been
intercepted' and captured by a British ship, the case contain-
ing the statue was taken to Gibraltar, at which place it was
purchased by the late George Ward, Esq., and removed to
England. An offer of 1,000 guineas for this work of art was
made to the late proprietor.

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FREIE LECTURES TOE THE WORKING CLASSES.--
A number of gentlemen at Ealing have subscribed to a fund
for the purpose of paying competent persons to deliver lec-
tures, which the working people of the locality are admitted
to, free of charge. On Tuesday, Mr. Wallis lectured at the
rooms of this new and well-Intentioned society, " when 84
members of the working classes attended by free tickets, and
seemed much gratified."

A cowslip was gathered a few days ago in Stam.
ford•field with the enormous quantity of 77 gips of one stem.
•-Sta►nford Mercury.