The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-29 00:00:00

DICISCELLISIVEOUS.

Lord Heytesbury arrived in Dublin on Friday. A great
concourse of people turned out on the occasion and received
his Excellency well, though they showed their dislike to the
Recorder, who accompanied him ih the same carriage.
Our reports from all parts of the country, says the Dublin
Post, are in the highest degree satisfactory. The harvest
will be about a fortnight earlier than the average of years.
Reaping of wheat, oats, and barley, has already commenced
in some few places, and next month it will be very general.
Mr. Master, M.P. for Cirencester, has accepted the chil-
tern hundreds, and Lord Villiers, son-in-law to Sir Robert
Peel, has declared himself a candidate for the borough.
On Saturday, at the weekly meeting of the Committee
of Aldermen, the members of the Navigation Committee
and the Watermen's Company attended, and presented,
in compliance with a recommendation from the Lord Mayor,
a copy of by-laws and rules for the future regulation
of the numerous steam-boats on the river. The alte-
rations proposed by these rules are, that in future no
steam-boat is to carry beyond a certain number of pas-
sengers, according to its tonnage, and that proper persons are
to be appointed to see that the regulation is not violated ; and
also that no boat is to be permitted to go beyond a certain
rate of speed, and the places of embarkation are to be upon
a secure and uniform footing.
On Saturday, at the Brentford Petty Sessions, Charles
Druce and Henry Hunt, two respectable-looking young men,
residing in Old Brentford, were charged with having set fire.
on Wednesday night, to a hayrick, containing thirty-six
loads, valued at upwards of 200/., which was wholly destroyed,
while other property was seriously damaged. The prisoners
were fully committed to take their trial at the next sitting of
the Central Criminal Court.

The lessee of the Haymarket gives the use of his theatre
for a benefit on Thursday, the Bth of August, in aid of the
funds of the British Society of Dancers. Several of the prin-
cipal performers of the company at the Princess's Theatre
have consented to appear on the occasion.
On Sunday, after the performance of divine service in the
morning, the following notice was affixed on the doors of St.
Paul's Cathedral :—" Notice.—There will be no service in

this cathedral during the repairs and cleaning. Due notice
will be given of its recommencement.—St. Paul's Cathedral,
July 28, 1844." It is full time.
The concert for the benefit of the wife and children of Mr.
Hudson, the celebrated comic song writer and singer, is to
take place on Wednesday, the 31st instant, at the Princess's
Theatre. The high patronage under which the performance
is announced will at once satisfy those who know nothing of
the deceased, that he possessed claims of no ordinary kind to
secure for his memory so great a distinction.

THE FLOATING PIER.—The neighbourhood o
Essex-street and Milford-lane, Strand, near the water-side,
has been the scene of great noise and confusion during the
last two days, owing to the erection of a rival floating-pier
alongside the old one at the bottom of Essex. street, and the
attempt of a gang of hired men to destroy the old floating-
pier belonging to Mr. Francis, which is moored in front of the
Ship public-house, his property, and where passengers have
landed and embarked for the last four years. By the side
of the Ship is a passage leading from the steps at the end
of Essex-street to the water-side, and the common sewer
beneath it, and flows along an open culvert, or brick drain,
to low water-mark. Over this culvert a floating pier has
been moored at the expense of the old Greenwich and Wool-
wich steamboat companies, without the sanction of the
City authorities or the Commissioners of Sewers, in whom
the property is vested. The owners of this pier, determined
to effect by violence what they could not obtain by other
means, in the first instance broke down a gate at the end of
the passage on the edge of the river, and placed a gangway
board communicating with the inner barge of the pier upon
it. No sooner was the pier opened, a few days ago, than
several blackguards were employed as touters and to insult
and annoy passengers landing and embarking at the old pier,
where the Watermen's steamers and the wooden steamboats
call. Among them are some of the watermen who formerly plied
at the Temple-stairs, for whose benefit it has been given out
the pier has been erected. These fellows, emboldened by the
supineness of the City authorities, declared they would drag
away the old pier, and destroy it altogether. On Friday
morning a gang of fifty ruffians from Execution-dock, Wap-
ping, the stone pier at Greenwich, and other places, assembled
as early as three o'clock, and began cutting away the sup •
ports of the old pier, and swore with dreadful imprecations
they would murder any one who interrapted them. Two
watermen, named Maynard and Hill, in the employ of Mr.
Francis, who endeavoured to protect their master's pro-
perty, were knocked down and severely ill-used. The police
were sent for, and eight men of the F division came to the
spot, and found a portion of the rioters engaged in the work
of destruction, and the others fighting with Mr. Francis's
servants. Crow-bars, boat-hooks, hammers, and other wea-
pons, were used by die ruffians, who swore they would an-
nihilate the police if they attemptesl to interfere. The noise
and the shouts of the rioters at so early an hour alarmed the
inhabitants, who rose from their beds and went to the spot
to ascertain the cause. In the mean time the crews of
several Thames Police galleys landed, and the ruffians de-
sisted, but not before they had caused damage to the amount
of 100/., and torn away. the gangway board or brow on the
old pier and thrown it into the river. Maynard was covered
with bruises, and Hill was terribly knocked about. One
of the assailants, a fellow named Ash, of Wapping, received
a blow on the eye from a sharp instrument which was in-
flicted by one of his companions, and it is not expected he
will recover the sight of it. The police continued on the spot
and kept a sharp look out; and the rioters having declared
their intention of coming down with a stronger force on Fri
day night, the land and river police mustered in considerable
numbers and preserved order. On Saturday the touting and
brawling was going on, and some of the greatest blackguards
on the river were dragging the people about, shouting in
their ears, and doing all in their power to prevent them
going on the old pier to embark in the Watermen's steamers.
In the course of the day warrants were applied for at Bow-
street Police-court against several of the rioters, and granted.
. A strong body of police were again stationed near the rival
piers on Saturday evening, and will continue there till the
new pier is removed.

UNITED STATES.
LIVERPOOL,... SATURDAY EVENING.
'have received this evenfni'NeVYork papers
to the 6th inst., being six days, later than before,
brought the Neiv York packet ship Patric
Henry, Captain Delano, which vessel being detaine
off Holyhead by light winds, sent up her letter bag.
and passengers by the Irish mail-boat, which boarded

her. The news does not possess any feature of imp
portance. The 4th of July being the 68th anniverl
sary of the declaration of American Independenc(i
was celebrated with great rejoicing and self-glorific
tion throughout the cities of the Union. In Ne
York, the proceedings of the day were marred b
the accidental burning of the Washington Hall, o
of the finest hotels in the city, and which was totail
consumed, at a loss of 40,000 dollars, of which abo
two-thirds was insured. A few other casualties o
curred, but, altogether, the day passed off ye
joyously. '

Very, great floods again prevailed upon the lVfissi;
sippi and its tributary streams, caused by the ince:
sant rain which had prevailed from the 17th to tl
24th of June ; much damage had been done to growin
crops, as- well as to warehoused goods and produce
and in some instances lives had been lost. - In S
Louis great distress prevailed ' amongst those wk
were rendered houseless by the calamity.
The Mormon Prophet, Smith, had fled fro]
Nauvoo to lowa, and peace was therefore likely no
to prevail.
The Britannia arrived at Boston on the 3d, ar
the news by her was received at New York early c
the 4th. It was looked upon very favourably,
had the effect of advancing the price of stocks, as w
as to cause the cotton market to rally. There h
been little done in foreign exchanges since t
sailing of the steamer, and the rates continued toll
quoted as before.
We give the following outline of the celebration
the sixty•eighth anniversary of Independence, frol
the New York Sun :

The anniversary of our nation's independence w
yesterday celebrated with more than usual demoi
strations of joy and festivity.. For many years N
have not seen so large a concourse of citizens ai
strangers, and never was greater cheerfulness or bett
order maintained.

The day was beautiful. A cloudless sky and
fresh breeze from the north-west added much to t
happiness of the people.
The little boys, as is their custom, opened the p -
lude on the preceding evening by the firing of pig s,
crackers, &c., which, with a short intermission, c -
tinued throughout the night and following day. e
earliest riser woke amid a general volley of these
small fire-works, and at sunrise was added the range
of a grand national salute tired from the battery, the
forts, and the vessels of war in the harbour, and tlae
joy-bells which were rung throughout the eity. i
Between seven and eight o'clock, the various militafy
companies, and the Civic and Trade Societies begun
to meet at their respective head-quarters, and to form
in procession. The military formed on the batty,
and between. nine and ten were reviewed by theo-
vernor, accompanied by his staff. The Civic and
Trade processions formed in Blealker-street, and
marched down Hudson- s treet,through Chambers-str#et
to Broadway, where it was met by the military frem
the battery. The whole procession, with the military
in front, at twelve o'clock, passed in at the east gate of
the Park, and passed in front of the City-hall in re-
view before the Governor and his staff, who were ac-
companied by Major-Generals Stryker, Pent; and
Kierstedt, and other officers, and the Mayor and Coiii-
mon Council. Major Popham, who had just been
elected President of the Order of Cincinatti, in place
of Major-General Lewis, deceased, and several
other members of this Order were present. This
company stood on the State-house steps • the
Mayor and the Governor together, with heads Un-
covered With the exception of the Governor and
his Staff, they had been in waiting in the Mayor's
room, whiph was, during the whole morning, crowded
with distinguished citizens and strangers. he
Governor's room—the Mayor's room—the balcony,
and other parts of the City Hall were crowded with
ladies and gentlemen. The park and streets adjacent
were crowded with human beings. The trough bqwl
of Croton-Ice-Punch—the park fountain—vicas,
during the day, surrounded with visitors of both
sexes, who repaired thither to slake their thirst. The
inmates of the city hospital—those who , were able—
were out on the grass-plat in front of the buildin4 to
watch the procession. Flags waved from the city
hall, old Tammany, the public houses, and places of
amusement ; yet all was quiet and orderly—not a
a booth in the park, nor any scene of disorder 1 or
drunkenness. Thanks to the glorious Washing-
tonian Reformation ! and the great Croton Punch
Bowl!
At about a quarter before eleven, while the im-
mense concourse in and around the City-hall were
waiting for the procession, which did not come up
until twelve, a fire broke out in Washington Hall; at
the corner of Reade-street and Broadway, but a few
rods from the Park. The ringing of the alarm bells,
ascending volumes of smoke, the masses rushing: to
and fro, the windows and the roofs of the adjoining
buildings filled with excited and eager spectators,
formed a scene of terrible sublimity. The fire, it is
supposed, originated from one of the chimneys in the
south-east corner of the building, and near the roof.
For nearly an hour, with the exception of that corner
only smoke was seen to ascend from the roof, and the
opinion generally expressed was doubtless correct, that
by the seasonable aid of three or four good engines the
building all but the roof might have been saved. But it
was half-an-hour before the engines came, and the
whole service performed did not exceed what two or-
dinary engines might accomplish. Added to this, the
frequent bursting of
the hose, and the delay in
getting water, for they had to go to a distance for
hydrants ; the one in front of the Hall for some cause
or other not having been opened. Had it not been
for the slate tiles of the houses on Chambers-street,
the entire block to Centre-street would probably have
been destroyed. The fire continued for upward's of
two hours, and has left nothing but the bare walls
standing. Washington-hall had just heen thoroughly
repaired and re-decorated throughout, and had the
most elegant and commodious assembly or concert
room in the city. The damage to the Hall is not less
than twenty thousand dollars.
At twelve o'clock the Governor and his suite arrived
at the Mayor's
room from the company, and pro-
ceeded to review the military and civic procession in
front of the City-hall. The military consisted of the
three brigades of artillery, with the independent com-
panies attached to them belonging to this city, under
the respective commands of Brigadier-General
Storms, Colonel Vermilye, and Colonel T. F. Peers.
It would perhaps be deemed invidious to select any
one company far praise, as all made a fine appear-
ance; but we cannot forbear to notice the Italian
Guards and their pioneers. The Jefferson Guards,
the Lancers, the State Fencibles, forming the Go-
vernor's Guards
; the Washington Greys, and the
National Guard—all
are deserving of commendable
notice. When the latter company, under Colonel
Vermilye, passed by Colonel Jones, the High Sheriff,
formerly Colonel of this regiment, could not with-
hold his approbation at their exact and well dis-
ciplined military step. " The boys step well," said he.
From the review in the Park the Civic and Trade
Societies proceeded to Tammany-hall, where the De-
claration of Independence was read by Christian Hen-
glowing and beautiful oration was pro-
nounced WilliamWallace,Esq., who was raptu-
srhouawsl'yandba
applaudedy Wallace, throughout the delivery. His theme
was the scenes of our revolution, the leaders in it, and
the cause in which they were engaged.
where the day was cele-
From General Sanford's the Governor and suite
ived the Governor stand-
proceededing
bra t
Guards.i n to
Tahtehb
company
oamutpiafTabernacle,unl
y re
cmanner
by the Independence
e
playing
the oration. The religious exercises were read by
" Hail Columbia." General
Mather
the Rev. Mr. Giessenheimer. Col. Hillyer read the
Declaration of Independence.
The steamboats and railroads (and their number
t he
presided.band James T. Brady, Esq., delivered
was a legion), went out well filled with ladies and
gentlemen, on the various excursions. The beau-
tiful fields of
Hoboken were visited by thousands,
and the olympic exercises of the celebrated Otto
Motty, were witnessed with great delight by a vast
assemblage.
In the evening the city presented a more lively
appearance. All the omnibuses were crowded and
dashing through the streets at a swift rate, some
taking passengers to the Museums, to Castle Gar-
den, to witness the exhibition of fireworks given at
that place; others going to Niblo's, to Washington
Parade Ground, to Tompkin's-square, and to the
Park, at all of which were splendid exhibitions of
fireworks, the three latter at the public expense.
Several accidents occurred from the bursting of
pistols. A man, early in the morning, had his left
hand much injured owing to placing it over the
muzzle while he attempted to cock it. A fine boy,
named James Cassidy, sixteen years of age, had his
left hand nearly blown to pieces in Cherry-street in
the same way. - He went home to dinner, when he
prevailed upon some person in the neighbourhood to
lend him a pistol ; soon afterwards he met with the ac-
cident. He was carried to the hospital. One of his
fingers was blown entirely off and fell into the street.
A lad named Thomas Weaklain, thirteen years of age,
also had his left hand shattered in a similar manner,
while attempting flWock a pistol in the park.
MONEY MARKET.
SALES AT THE STOCK EXCHANGE, JULY 5.
3,000 State Sevens, 1849 -
3,500 State Fives, 1858 ......

TIME SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 29, 1644.1