The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-10 00:00:00

struction of the new prison of La Force, and declared

that the cells were insufferably small, ill-ventilated,
and irr fact unfit for human beings. This gave
offence to the scientific skill and pride of M. ARAco
and Co., and on the adjournment of the Chamber, it
would appear, they hurried to the prison to make ex-
periments ; and the next day M. ARAGO reported the
result to the Chamber, amidst loud laughter. " I
can take on myself to declare," said he, that the
Hon. Deputy was completely mistaken. It was not
alone the size of a cell that was to be considered, but
its facilities for ventilation and heating. In the con-
struction of those cells, all the improvements which
modern science—represented by such men as M.
GAY.LUSSAC, PECLET, POUILLET, and Du NI AS—
could suggest, had been adopted. Experiments had
been tried as to the exact quantity of air which was
necessary for each cell—the Committee had shut up
one of their members in the cell—(Laughter)—and had
endeavoured to ascertain, by the most delicate pro-
ceedings of chemical analysis, to what degree of ven-
tilation it was necessary to arrive in order to obtain. a
perfectly pure.air. It was found that their object was
more than attained by giving to each prisoner a cell
of 10 cubic metres (about 12i English feet). M. DE
LA ROCREJAQUELIN may be certain,' said the Hon.
Member, that the ventilation of those cells, which
he had so loudly exclaimed against, is far superior to
his own bed-room—(Laughter)—is certainly better
than that of mine—(Laughter)—and in comparison
superior to that of this Chamber.'—(Loud and con-
tinued laughter.) Not only, continued the Hon.
Member, had excellent means of ventilation been em-
ployed, but an apparatus had been invented to verify
the state of the air at any period. In fact, every pos-
sible precaution had been taken to render the pri-
soners' cells perfectly well aired." This statement
seemed to convince all but M. DE LA ROCHEJAQUELIN,
and the discussion on the clauses continued. Indeed from
all accounts, the reforms to be introduced by the Bill
will be of great benefit, - The chief prison in Paris,
called La Force, will cost 3,000,0001. (200,0001.),
and each cell is to be more than 12 feet square, and
of the name height. The domestic intelligence is des-
titute of interest.

The Phare of Bayonne states, from Madrid, that
one of the measures on which the late Ministry was
deliberating, and which will probably be adopted by
the new Cabinet, is the restoration b the clergy of a
portion of the Church property remaining unsold—
the pensions which were allotted to them when the
Church property was taken by the State, being very
irregularly paid—and the re-establishment of the
Four per Cent. tax, voted by the Cortes in 1839 in
substitution of tithes. This measure is said to be in-
sisted upon by the POPE, as the preliminary condi-
tion of a renewal of the relations of the Court of
Rome with the Spanish Government.
The Journal des Debals gives the following biogra-
phical sketch of the members composing the new
Cabinet :

"All the Ministers have professed under the Regency of
Maria Christina, as well as under that of Espartero, constitu-
tional moderado principles, and were at the head of the par-
liamentary party which was formed after the fall of the Duke
de la Victoria. All have already filled high functions in the
State, and three amongst them have been Ministers at various
periods, under the constitutional regime. General Narvaez,
President of the Council and Minister of War, acquired a
great reputation during the civil war, in fighting against
Don Carlos. It was he who succeeded in reaching and beat-
ing General Gomez in Andalusia. He also pacified the pro-
vince of La Mancha, by creating, in a short space of time, a
fine army of reserve. General arvaez has sat several times
in the Cortes as a Deputy and a Senator. Without being a
brilliant orator, he has great facility in speaking, and at the
time of the discussions on the Queen's majority and the accu-
sation against M. Olozaga, he often spoke in the Senate,
where he was always listened to with favour. The Marquis
de Viluma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was brought up at the
Royal School of Artillery, and followed in his youth his mili-
tary career ill that body, which in the midst of civil wars and
popular risings has always preserved its old reputation for ca-
pacity, and attachment to order and the monarchy. Under
the absolute Government M. de Viluma was persecuted for
his liberal opinions, and resided at Florence for many years
as an emigrant. His firm character, and the uprightness of
his intentions, caused him to be named Political Chief of
Madrid during the Ministry of Martinez de la Rosa. After
that period he was made a senator, and always showed an
elevation of views, and a strictness of political principles, which
gained for him general esteem. Notwithstanding his repug-
nance, the orders of the Queen and the solicitations of his
friends, had induced hitn to accept the post of Minister Pleni•
potentiary of Spain at London, where he has scarcely arrived.
M. Mon, Minister of Finance, was the colleague of M. Torreno,
as Deputy for the province of Asturias, and a strict friendship
has always united him to that statesman. M. Mon had
already succeeded as Finance Minister to M. de Torreno in
the Cabinet of Count d'Ofalia, and there gave proofs of talent.
His probity is acknowledged even by his bitterest enemies.
M. Mon is one of the cleverest speakers in the Cortes. He is
known for the energy and vivacity of his chhracter, and for
an eminently practical knowledge of business. Pidal,
Minister of the Interior, is M. Mon's intimate friend and
brother in-law. He professes the same political principles, and
they have always fought under the same colours. M. Pidal,
a magistrate of integrity and information, was the last Pre •
sident of the Cortes. It was he whom the Queen called to
the Palace on Olozaga's affair, and he showed in that de-
plorable crisis a great impartiality as well as an extreme re-
serve. M. Mayans, an esteemed magistrate, was Minister of
Justice under the Ministry of Gonzalez Bravo, and he made
great efforts to re-establish order in the law courts, and to
ameliorate the condition of the clergy. He got several
Bishops recalled from exile, and sought with zeal to bring
about a reconciliation with the Court of Rome. He preserves
in the new Ministry the place which he had in the Cabinet
of Gonzalez Bravo. General Armero, Minister of the Marine
and the Colonies, rendered an important service to the cause
of the Queen, by disembarking on the coast, and fighting
with success in the memorable night which decided the
deliverance of Bilboa in 183.7. Espartero, witness of his
bravery and intelligent activity, recompensed him after the
triumph, and made a friend of him. When the struggle
against
_Espartero was declared, General Armero was at
Seville, and he was one of the first who placed himself at the
head of the insurrection in favour of the Queen. Appointed
Governor of that city, he was of great assistance to General
Figueras, who had the chief command, and he exhibited,
during this crisis, the same firmness that he had before given
soay
proofs He was, under the last Cabinet, Captain-
General

THE BOURSE-WEDNESDAY, MAY 8.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents •••••• 122 35 • • 122 50 .. 122 30 . • 122 30
Three per Cents.• •• • 84 65 .• 84 70 .. 84 60 .. 84 60
Bank of France .3100 —3lOO . 3100 ..3100
Belgian Bank.. •.•••• • • • • • • 690 • • 690 .. 690 .• 690
1841— •••••••1110 —lllO ..1110 ..1110
Belgian Fives, 1831 ••.• • • • lon • • lon .. lon .. 1031
1840 1051 .. 106 .. 1051 .. 104
1842••••••• 188# •• • 108/ .. 1081 108;
Spanish Active •••••• • • • • • 32 • • 321 .. 32 .. 321
Threes •••••• • • • • • • 35,.. • • 35 • • 35 .. 35
Passive 6 • • 6 .. 6 ..
Portuguese Five per Cents • • 461 • • 461 .. 46f .. 461
Neapolitan • 102 20 • • 102 25 .. 102 15 .. 102 25
Roman, ex city. 104 f •• 1041 .. 1041 .. 1041

RAILWAY SHARES.
Versailles,R.B.... ..... •. •• 378 75 •• 378 75 .. 378 75 .• 378 75
257 50 .. 257 50 .. 257 50 .. 257 50
Rouen to Havre 737 50 •• 737 50 .. 735 735
Orleans ......... ..
Strasburg to Bale.. •....... 277 50 .. 278 75 .. 275 .. 275

RAILWAY SHAR7E4OS, FOR.. T 7141: ACCOUNT.
07U35NT.
735
..... 380 • • 380 .. 380 .. 380
............260 •• 260 .. 257 50".. 258 75
Rouen .... •••• •••• •• •• •- 970 •• 972 50 .. 970 . 972 50
Rouen to Havre
Orleans • 971 75 .• 978 75 .. 976 25 .. 976 25
Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 278 75 .. 278 75 .. 275 .. 275
Avignon to Marsellles•• •• .. 763 75 •• 761 75 . 768 75 .. 768 75

CommissioNs or SEWERS.—The Lord Chancellor,
deeming it very desirable to improve and reform the
present Commissions of Sewers for 'Westminster and
part of the county of Middlesex, has added the follow-
ing Gentlemen to the list:—Sir John Hall, Colonel
John Castle Gant, Cktptain Robert J. •Hansler, W.
Leverton Donaldson, Esq., George Dodd, Esq., C.
Barry Baldwin, Esq., Thomas W. Marriott, Esq.,
Philip Hemery Le Breton, Esq., John Frederic
France, Esq., George Drew, Esq , Henry Arthur
Hunt, Esq., William Crake, Esq., James Harvey,
Esq., George Spencer Smith, Esq., John Hardwick,
Esq., Edward Baylis, Esq., Edward Page Clowser,
Esq., Thomas Moss, Esq., George Wigg, Esq., George
Pownall, Esq., Jacob Birt, Esq., John Boodle, jun.,
Esq., Lancelot Bathurst, Esq., John Wheelton, Esq.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(rum ova OWN CORRESTONDENT.)
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.
The annual general meeting of the members of the Royal
Yacht Squadron takes place at the Thatched House Tavern
to-morrow (Saturday), when there are nearly twenty candi-
dates to be balloted for, for members and honorary members,
and the whole business of the season to be arranged, the num-
ber of cups to be sailed for, &c. We have no doubt that the
manner in which her Majesty's visit to Cowes is to be noticed
by the Royal Yacht Squadron will be discussed.
NORRIS CASTLE.—So many stories are told that there is no
knowing what to believe, but we think we are correct in
stating that Norris Castle was yesterday sold to her Majesty
for 60,000/.
The inquiries about houses at Cowes are out,of number; the
number of houses really taken very few.

THE DECORATIVE WORKS FOR Trtz NEW PALACE
AT WESTMINSTER.—During the week the public have been
admitted gratuitously to the exhibition of the decorative
designs and compositions at King-street, St. James's, which
have been sent in pursuant to the notices issued by her Ma-
jesty's Commissioners. on the Fine Arts in furtherance of their
object for ornamenting the new palace at Westminster. In
the course of the previous fortnight admission could be ob-
tained only by payment of a shilling each person. It has not
been generally known that the doors are now open free to the
public, and in consequence there have been but few visitors.
it has been arranged by her Majesty's Commissioners, that
except on Saturdays and levee days, all classes may view the
exhibition, the hours being from nine o'clock in the morning
till seven at night.
HIINGERFORD SUSPENSION-BRIDGE. Yesterday
morning the workmen commenced placing the tackling by
which the chains are to be carried over the piers, and before
two o'clock, had succeeded in carrying a length of Smith's
patent wire rope from the platform on the Surrey side, over
the first pier to the Dolphin, in the centre of the river. At
an early hour this morning the line was carried over to
the pier on the Hungerford side, and continued to the shore.
When eight lengths of this rope shall have been carried
across the river, arrangements will be made to convey over
the massive and elegant iron chains, and the whole is ex-
pected to be completed in about two months.