The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-04 00:00:00

Admission, is.

THE ROYAL POLYTECHNIC
INSTITUTION.
LECTURES on MUSIC by Sir HENRY It. BISHOP resumed,
with an increased number of VOCALISTS for the Illustrations on
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Eight, and on Tuesday, Thu• s-
day, and Saturday, at Three o'cleck.—Dr. Bachhoffner'a Second
Lecture on the Philosophy of Scientific Recreation with Optical
Effects, daily at Two, and on Tuesday and Thursday Evenings at
a .-quarter-past Nine.—Lecture ley .T. 11. Pepper, Esq., in the
Chemistry of Hydrogen, with special reference to its application for
conveying by Balloons Pyrotechnic and oilier Signals to Sir John
Franklin, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Three, and on
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings, at Eight.—Dissolving Views,
illustrating the Arctic Regions and Ceylon ; also Views of London in
the Sixteenth Century, and as it now is.—Diver and Diving-
bell, &c., &o.

Admission, lg.—Schools, half-price.
Analyses and Chemical Experiments conducted in the Laboratory,
under the direction •f J. H. Pepper, Esq.

ARGYLE SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS, Great
Windmill-street, St. James's.

Musical Director and Conductor, IL LAURENT, jun.
This ACADEMY, for Tuition and Practice of DANCING, Is
NOW OPEN for the Season. Teaching by Professors Calkins,
Mexen and Franconi.
For Terms of Private Tuition apply at the office.—Terms •f Sub-
scription, for morning and evening practice:—Six months, 61. is.;
one month, 1/. Is.; one eyeaing, Is. Subscribers' tickets not
transferable.

___....._.....,....
Tho Academy will open for evening practice at a Quarter to Eight
o'clock, and terminate at half-past Eleven precisely.

THE WEST INDIA MAIL.

Excepting a few items of news purely local, our
files of Jamaica papers, which extend to the 7th ult.,-
do not contain any intelligence whatever of political
interest. The want of rain in nearly every part of
the island was much felt. There had been some
showers on the north side, but they were most par-
tial. Kingston, on the morning of the packet's de-
parture, was also visited by a refreshing fall, which,
however, was not of long duration. Throughout the
whole country rein clouds were gathering, and it was
thought that the " May seasons" would commence
early. The island was perfectly quiet, and, with few
exceptions, healthy. ' '
A most melancholy accident, resulting in serious
loss of life, ,occurred in the harbour of Port Morant
on Stturday,. the 30th of March. The Blimp Caro-
line, having on board several ladies and gentlemen
of respectability, was about leaving the port for
Kingston, when she accidentally ran upon a reef. Un-
necessary alarm being excited—for their situation
was not very perilous—the passengers rushed to the
boat which was lowered to receive them, and which,
being overloaded, almost immediately sank. Seven
lives were lost, among them a Mrs. Duffus and four
children, comprising the entire family of Mr. Duffus,
who was amongst those rescued. The sad affair
created much excitement. Another alarming acci-
dent occurred on Hazelymph estate, in St. James's,
by the bursting of a retort filled with boiling
liquor. By this accident three persons, in-
cluding the book-keeper of the estate, Mr.
Edward G. Clarke, meta painful death.
The House of Assembly of Antigua was prorogued
on the 4th of April by Governor Higginson, who
delivered a lengthy speech. An address was after-
wards presented to him by the Legislative Council
expressive of their regret at his departure from the
colony. The treasurer of the island has been autho-
rised to raise by loan on the public credit the sum
of 7,500/. There was a slight improvement in the
weather, a few showers having fallen. During the
absence of the Governor the affairs of Antigua will
be administered by the Lieutenant-Governor of St.
A cutaneous disease, closely resembling small-pox,
has appeared in St. Christopher, proving fatal in some
instances.
Our advices from Dominica mention that the ex-
port tax on sugar had been fixed at 3d. per cwt. by
the Board of Council. The new General Tax Bill is
to be preserved in force till September of the present
year.

RAILWAY RETURNS
RAILWAY TRAFFIC.—The following are the Total Receipts of Rail-
way s for the past week—that is to say, up to the date to which the
respective returns are made, together with the receipts of the same
weak in the previous year:—