The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-21 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

BALMORAL, SEPT. 18.
Her Majesty went out driving this afternoon,
accompanied by the Princess Royal and the Princess
Alice.

The Marchioness of Douro was in attendance on
her Majesty.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out
shooting to-day.
Lord John Russell arrived at Balmoral to-day.
The dinner party will include Lord John Russell
and Sir E. Landseer.

Summonses were issued yesterday to the Ministers
and Officers of State to attend a Privy Council to be
held by the Queen, at Balmoral, on Tuesday, the 24th
of September. The summonses were sent from the
Privy Council-office.

Dispatches from tbe Governors of New South
Wales and South Australia were received yesterday
at the Colonial-office.

Dispatches were sent off last evening from the Co-
lonial-office, for the Governors of the North Ameri-
can provinces.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUIV.
SIR,—You have been Bo kind as to find space in
your excellent paper for several letters from old cap-
tains in the army, I should esteem it a favour if you
would insert this.

It cannot have escaped the eye of many officers,
that notwithstanding the reason alleged, viz., " that
officers on retired lull-pay are not eligible to brevet
promotion," officers were from the retired list pro-
!noted by brevet rank on the birth of his Royal High-
ness the Prince of Wales ; while other officers were
passed over, there were three promoted on that occa-
sion. I shall further instance two or three other
casts. The late Sir Thomas B. Pechell, Bart., who
had been many years on retirtd full-pay, as a
captain of the late Horse Grenadier Guards, at
lBs. 6d. per day, was promoted by brevet to the rank
and pay of a major-general in her Majesty's service;
and it I greatly mistake not the present Major-
General Eyre, who was also a captain in the same
corps, was promoted in like manner.
So long as invidious distinctions are made can any
one wonder if cfficers complain ? In the cases last
noticed, I am not aware that any particular act of
service occurred, or had anything to do with promo-
tion. The plain question is this—Why should some
officers get brevet promotion on retired full-pay and
others not ?
I hope the present year will not pass away without
the subject being duly looked into.—Yours, &c.,
AN OLD OFFICER.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ELECTION
CAMBRIDGE, SEPT. 20.—Mr. Cowling's friends,
considering that the only real objection urged by the
other side to that gentleman is, that he came forward
without any requisition or vote of a general meeting
of members of the Senate, remark that such a mode
of application to a candidate is not usual, and has not
been adopted in more than one instance during the
last thirty years. Mr. Cowling has arrived here,
and is engaged in making a personal canvass. A
list of his committee has been this day issued. It is
as follows :
The Rev. the Master of St. John's College, Chairman.
The President of Queen's College.
The Lord 13urghley, M.P.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Patteson, King's College.
T. Waterfield, M D., Christ's College.
J. C. Adams, F.R.S., F.R,A.S,
Rev. James Atlay, 8.8., Fellow of St. John's College.
Rev. G. Bainbridge, 8.D., Fellow of St. John's College.
F. Bashforth, M A., Fellow of St. John's College.
J. Buckley, M.A., Fellow of Queen's College.
Rev. C. I3abington, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College.
Rev. W. Brown, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College.
Rev. J. E. Cooper, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College.
P. W. Courtenay, M.A., Jesus College.
Rev. T. Crick, 8.8., late Public Orator.
Rev. G. Currey, 8.D., Preacher of the Charterhouse.
Rev. C. R. Dicken, M.A., Corpus Christi College.
Rev. F. France, 8.D., Fellow of St. John's College.
Rev. J. Graham, 8.D., late Fellow of Jesus College.
E. T. Halswell, F.R.S., St. John's College.
Rev. A. M. Hoare, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College.
J. Kemplay, M.A., Trinity College.
Rev. Francis Martin, M.A., Bursar of Trinity College.
J. Rigg, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College.
A. W. Simpson, M.A., Fellow of Jesus College.
Rev. E. Ventris, M.A., St. Peter's College.
A. Westmorland, M.A., Fellow of Jesus College.
W. P. Wilson, M.A., Processor of Mathematics, Queen's
College, Belfast.

THE FIRE IN MARK•LANE.—A vast body of fire
still remained in the ruins and walls of several of the ware-
houses last night, and occasionally the wind blew the flames
to a considerable height. During the night of Thursday
the bond timbers of one of the warehouses having been con-
sumed, the fire penetrated into the warehouses of Messrs.
Cape], the extensive coopers, o
adj ining the premises of Mr.
Barber; but two engines were
set to work, and the fire was
extinguished. The wall at the back front of Mr. Barber's
warehouse in Seething-lane has fallen in; but Inspector
Todhunter, perceiving that it would not stand any longer, hadjust removed every person from this part of the premises.
One of the houses on the opposite side of the street was
forced in, and several others injured; fortunately the occu-
piers had removed with their furniture. It has been ascer-
tained that no less than 20,0001. worth of bristles have been
destroyed. An immense quantity of oil was lost; when the
flames reached the casks it ran down the sewers into the
Thames, and a great many watermen and fishermen reaped
a rich harvest by skimming the surface of the river. The
fire is considered to be the largest there has been in the City
since the destruction of the Royal Exchange. The cause of
the fire has not been ascertained; but it is certain that it
began in the premises of Messrs. Allnutts and Co., 58, Mark-
lane. When the porter found it out, he states that the
flames were progressing so fearfully that it was impos-
sible to tell precisely in which room they commenced; he
was obliged to rush to the street with only his shirt on.
FIRE AT PENTONVILLE.--LaSt night, shortly be-
fore ten o'clock, a fire broke out on the premises belonging
to Messrs. John, Thomas, and William Barns, carpenters
and builders, Queen's-row, Pentonville, immediately facing
the chapel. The lire was discovered by one of the neigh -
bours, when instant alarm was given, and numerous engines
of the London Brigade, parish, at.d West of England Company
attended as quickly as possible. Plenty of• water was pro-
cured from the fire-mains, from which the engines were set
to work; but before any impression could be made upon the
fury of the flames, the roof fell in. The firemen, however,
were enabled to cut off further extension • but the carpen-
ters' workshops were gutted, the storehouse considerably
burned, and some damage was done to the painters' work-
slier. When the men left off work at half-past six o'clock,
there was not the least appearance of anything burning.
The firm was fully insured.

LOSS OF AN EXCURSION
STEAMER.
On Monday last (t 1 e 16th instant) the Superb
steamer was to have started from St. Heliers on an
excursion trip to St. Malo, but, in consequence of her
machinery requiring some repairs, the La Polka was
substituted, and started with between thirty and forty
passengers. When about six or seven miles from St.
Heliers it was discovered, to the great horror of all
on board, that she had sprung a leak, and was fast
foundering, but that, in consequence of the wind be-
ing adverse, it would be useless to turn back, as be-
fore she could have performed half the distance she
would be at the bottom of the ocean ; in this strait
' existed but one chance—that of reaching some small
rocks called the Minques, on the coast of France, and
which were then about six miles a head. Every pre-
caution was immediately taken to keep her afloat till
the rocks were gained. The passengers and luggage
were collected on the starboard bow, in order that
the larboard side might be kept as much as pos-
sible out of water, that being the locale of the
leak, the engines were wotked as fast as possible,
a small sail was set, and the crew, assisted by some
of the passengers, betook themselves to the most
vigorous exertions in baling with buckets, there be-
ing lao pumps on board. The consternation was
great, there being but very small hopes that the rocks
could be gained, and from the heavy swell which pre-
vailed, and the little way she made, it was feared she
would cLps:z-. When she was about two miles from
the rocks an immense cloud of steam and ashes an-
nounced the fact that the water had reached the
fires; all hope was now ebaedoned, and planks and
other modes of keeping rfloat were eagerly sought
for, but to the surprise of all, it was perceived that
the paddles still kept slowly revolving (the engine
working, it was afterwards ascertained, upon a va-
cuum). The baling was now continued with re-
newed exertion till the buckets, three in number,
were literally knocked to pieces, and the vessel was
ultimately brought up to within a quarter of a mile
of the largest rock. The anchor was immediately,
dropped, and two small boats which the vessel pos-
sessed instantly lowered. To the great credit of
all, the utmost order prevailed, the ladies were
sent off first, and not a man thought of leaving
the vessel till they were all cleared, with the
exception of one Frenchman, who endeavoured
to get among the first boat load of women, but
was instantly seized by the other passengers, and
forced to wait. By reason of the smallness of the
boats' only four could be taken off at a time, and, as
may be imagined, all eyes were strained eagerly
watching their slow going sad coming ; at last, under
the providence of God, all were saved, the last boat
(
pushing off as the ill-fated vessel went down, the
water covering her masthead. After passing a dismal
night on the bare rocks, the passengers were picked
up by the steam-boat South-Western, from Wey-
mouth for St. Malo, the captain having luckily per-
ceived through his glass something unusual in the
appearance of the rocks, and imagining that it might
be a wreck, steered for them, to the great joy of those
who were upon them, as it was only by reason of a
spring tide that the South-Western was enabled to
come within sight that day, and if they had not been
perceived the chances were that they would have re-
mained for a very considerable period, as, from the
very dangerous nature of these rocks, vessels seldom
even approach them. Limpets, &c., were already their
only articles of food, and the want of water bad began
to be felt.

WITCHCRAFT IN TIPPERARY.
The following most extraordinary instance of Irish
superstition has just occurred in the town of Roscrea.
The facts are as follows :—A poor little girl, aged
six years, named Mary Anne Kelly, daughter of
Thomas Kelly, a resident of this town, has been for
six months past in a dying gate, under the care of
the dispensary physician. An old hag, who pro-
fessed to be one of those rare characters a " fairy
woman," persuaded the parents of the child that it was
" fairy struck," and offered to cure her if they would
comply with her directions. To these terms they
agreed. The child was to be placed on a shovel at
night in the open air, in the name of the D—l, after
having a prayer or invocation in the same name said
over it. In the course of the night the mother was
to say to her, " Mary Anne, if you are able to come
in, do so." This was done for three nights in suc-
cession, on the last of which the child died, a victim
to the credulity of its father and mother. While
enduring the cold of the nights the cries of the little
sufferer were most piteous ; and who can but wonder
that a woman, and that woman a mother, should not
be softened y the distressing cries of the child of
her bosom, who was an idiot, had been born blind,
and, although six years of age, had never walked ?
On Sunday last Mr. O'Mesgher, coroner, held an
inquest on the body of the child. The following per-
sons ware sworn on the jury, namely, John Delany
(foreman), W. Corcoran, Michael Doherty, Patrick
Cahill, Richard Quin, Thomas Healey, John Cor-
coran, Jeremiah Maher, W. Saunders, Joseph Glen-
non, J.imes Phelan, jun., and Solomon B. Matthews.
Bridget Pesters, the " fairy doctress," and Mary
Kt-ffy, the mother of the deceased, were present in the
custody of the police.
The first witness produced was Mary Maher, who
stated that the "fairy woman " administered herbs
in milk to the child, and said that it did nut belong
to Mbry Kelly, as it was a fairy. Mary Kelp's
own child she represented as having been taken away
by the "good people ;" she also stated that she would
either "kill or cure" the child. She blistered the
child, and steeped it in water, after which she put the
child out cn the shovel in the air for three nights.
The child cried and called to its mother to bring her
in. The "fairy woman" used to say to the child,
" Mary Anne, get up and come in." The mother
and she helped the child in. The " doctress" said
that on the last night the child would be very black
as there would be some faries beating it; and that
she would either live or die after it. The witness
also added, that " the witch" had been in the house of
the mother of the child for several weeks for the pur-
pose, and that she heard Mary Kelly, the mother, say
to the doctress, " Why don't you do it quick ?" On
the third night the witness, who was a servant in the
house, was ordered to put out the child on a shovel,
and, having refused to do so, she was discharged.
Another woman, named Mary Whitford, deposed
that she heard Bridget Peters, "the fairy woman,"
say that she had stupifled the child three times, and
had given her verbena and foxglove.
Surgeon Pow ell deposed that he knew the deceased
child, who had an affection of the brain and was very
delicate. Ile was of opinion that death was caused
by the treatment of Bridget Peters and Mary Kelly.
The Coroner charged the jury, who returned a
verdict of "Manslaughter" against both prisoners,
who were then committed to gaol to abide their trial
at the next assizes at Nenagh.

ome years since the master tailor of a battalion of
Lhe Foreign Legion and his wife and child were found mur-
dered in their bed in the barracks at Pau. Two sub-officers
of the regiment were tried for murder, one of whom was ac-
quitted, amt the other, notwiths. ending his protestations of
innocence, condemned and executed. An old cantinie of the
regiment, has lately, it is said, made some revelations on her
death-bed relative to the said murder, which completely
prove the innocence of the sergeant who was executed, and
seriously compromise other individuals.
CHAMPIONSHIP OF TUB THAMES.--A match has
been made for a boat-race between Robert Coombes, the pre-
sent Champion of the Thames, and Thomas Mackenny, of
Richmond, who aspires to that honorary distinction. The
conditions of the race are a clear right away waer no
fouling) from Putney.bridge to the Ship at Mortlagke,( for
2001. aside, and in order that the most ample opportunity
may be affoid :d for requisite prepartion for this great event,
next May has been determined upon as the period at which
the contest shall take place. 59/. has already been posted
on either side, and deposits will be made on the first Monday
in every month at various pl..ees until the whole amount is
made good. It is difficult to say which of the two men has
the preference. Coombes, although many years the cham-
pion, has always taken great care (f himself, but his oppo-
nent has the great advantage of being many years his junior,
and although he has rowed but little compared with Coombes,
has acquitted himself so ably. and exhibited so much game,
as to induce his friends to back him for the above large
stake.

DEPARTURE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR W.
M. Gomm, K.C.8., ron INDIA.—We understand that Lieu-
terant-General Sir W. M. Gomm, K.C.8., the newly ap-
pointed Commander-in-Chief of the forces in the East Indies,
had intended to have left London for Alexandria, rid Mar-
seilles, this week, to assume the high duties he is appointed
to in India, accompanied by Lady Gomm, and his secretary,
Captain Yates. The Gallant General leaves ;this country
in
the course of the ensuing week, but the precise day is not
yet decided on. It has not transpired who is to be the com-
mander of the Indian army at Bombay, to which Sir W.
Gomm was appointed previous to the receipt cf Sir Charles
J. Napier's resignation by the East India Company.
INDISPOSITION OF LORD COCRBURN.—We bear
that this Learned Lord was so indisposed at Dumfries, on
Monday, that he intimated his inability to proceed with the
business of the Circuit Court, which was appointed to com-
mence on Tuesday morning.— Caledonian Mercury.
THE BISIIOP OF OXFORD'S FAMILY'. Of the
members of this family the following ex-transitionists have
gone to Rome :—The Rev. G. Dudley Ryder, married to his
sister-in-law; Mrs. Ryder, his sister-in-law; Mrs. William
Wilberforce, another sister-in-law; Mrs. Ilenry Wilberforce,
another sister-in-law; the Rev. Henry Wilberforce, a
brother.—Church and State Gazette.

NOTHING LIKE ',RATIO:R.—We have seen a sam-
ple of potatoes grown by Mr. Verner, shoemaker, in a garden
in the I.3snitield, three of which, our informant says, weighed
four pount s :ii ounces. The ground was dressed with lea-
ther cuttings.— Western Times.
Abuse is the penalty levied on the bond of praise,
and can be rendered effective only when noticed. -
Eliza
Cook's Journal.

THE STEPHENSON TINTINIONIAL.—A movement i now making for the erection of a national monument at New-
s castle to the late George Stephenson, " the father of railwa, 5."
rADVERTISEMENT.j—TILE EARL OF A LDBOXOI3OII
AND Hottowat's Pmts.—An astounding cure by this miraculous
medicine, alter every other means had failed. See extract from hie
Lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 21, 1845.
Professor Holloway—Sir : I beg to acquaint you that your pills have ef-
fected a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach which all the most
eminent of the faculty, at home and all over the continent, had not
been able to effect; nay, not ever the waters of Carlsbad or Ma.
rienbad. (Signed) " AtDsolonon." These wonderfld pills win
cure any disease of the liver or stomach.—Sold (also Holloway's
Ointment) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, IStraiid, ga4 07 411 MOZCille Ye d9ll thrQUalliZdt tbl.oll/004 WO*