The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-03 00:00:00

POSTAL TREATY BETWEEN
BELGIUM AND ENGLAND.

THE MAGAZINES.

made," is veri vividly and poetically p9u#rayed.
"Prometheus -Vinctus " is a clever ironicaltparody
of lEschylus's noble drama. Daniel O'Connell is
Prometheus, and the chorus is composed of fishwives
and repealers. Viscount Maidstone is the author of
this amusing squib. A " Night in a Fog" contains
one or two good theatrical anecdotes, which we sub-
join. The first alludes to the elder Kean :

BENTLEYS MISCELLANY.

In his " Physiology of London Life," which is here
continued, Mr. Murray gives some useful hints to
those unhappy single gentlemen whose destiny it is to
live in lodgings or boarding-houses. He advises them I
by all means to study the physiognomy of the street
in which they think of establishing themselves—a ser-
viceable suggestion, which is not to be neglected with
impunity. Streets, like human beings, have their own
pecular aspects—bad, good, or indifferent—and that
one is the most suited to the views of the lodger,
which is of quiet, respectable appearance, thinly
sprinkled with decent shops, to show that it is devoid
of aristocratic assumption, and not subject to the con-
stant invasion of cabs and carriages. But a street
with a pawnbroker's shop in it should be diligently
eschewed by him who is particular in the matter of
location, for the apparition of the three brass balls
impending over the door, is a convincing proof that
the street has seen its best days—has lost the full
bloom of its respectability, and is just running to seed.
Your knowing pawnbroker never squats himself down
in a district till it is no longer in a condition to resist
his intrusion, as the vulture never pounces on a hu-
man being till he is reduced to the last extremity of
weakness. The " Benefits of Snuff-taking," is a com-
mon-place idea ingeniously worked out. A silly
Frenchman, who had been singularly happy as a ba-
chelor, thought it essential to the full completion of
his felicity that he should take a wife—which he ac-
cordingly did, and as a necessary consequence, never
knew a single tranquil moment till the death of his
spouse, which took place immediately after she had
spent the last farthing of her husband's fortune. The
tale is an amusing commentary on the homely old
adage, " Let well alone." The Sketches of Legen-
dary Cities," is an article from the practised pen of
Miss Costello, who gossips about the antiquities and
traditional anecdotes connected with the fine old town
of Shrewsbury in a very agreeable spirit. "Notes of
a Loiterer in New York" gives us an insight into the
domestic habits and customs of the inhabitants of this
thriving and populous city. At the celebrated Astor
House hotel, the writer met at dinner several hundred
Yankees of the better sort, and observes of them :
They were all well dressed, but all dressed alike,
for there was the everlasting black coat and black
satin waistcoat ; they almost all spoke more or less
through their noses ; they were all grave and ceremo-
nious alike ; they all looked dyspeptic ; they all, to a
man, had their shirt collar turned down ; and dollars
and cents. appeared to be the leading topic of conver-
sation." Mr. Dickens in his " American Notes," has,
if we remember rightly, remarked on the ceremonious
gravity of the Yankee character, which has little of the
freshness of natural youth about it—a consequence,
no doubt, of the peoples exclusive and inveterate at-
tention to business and the accumulation of money.
The writer was delighted with the ladies of New York,
whose appearance he thought extremely prepossessing.
" They are so infinitely superior to the men," he ob-
serves, " that one cannot help wondering how such
very pretty girls should have such exceedingly ordi-
nary-looking
.mortals for fathers and brothers. The
" Tempted" is a story which does not rise above
mediocrity. Our readers, perhaps, may be amused
with Mr. Murray's suggestions to lodging-hunters,
and we subjoin them according
If, then, you like your landlady, and her terms, be as
liberal as you can afford ; have a care of extras, and be
as rigorous as you please in settling what you shall have
to pay for them; but it is judicious, in the matter of
rent, not to attempt putting on the screw ; for if you
put on the screw, your hostess, depend on't, will take off
the lock 1
Insist upon having a street-door key ; this puts an
end to all sorts of nonsense about regular hours, and also
is an act of humanity towards the poor servants who
may be compelled, after the labour of the day, to await
your return from the play, opera, or evening party, half
the night ; if there is an; demur upon thishead, you may
rest assured that you will not find yourself comfortable.
It is by no means necessary, or, indeed, desirable, that
you should be out late at night ; but it is essential that
you should be master of your own hours, and absolute in
your comings and goings ; for, if you are not permitted
the social comforts and cheering influences of a home, it
is hardly necessary for you to put yourself under petti-
coat government.
Insist, alio, upon having cupboard keys, and begin as
you will find it necessary to end, by locking everything
up. No doubt the landlady is strictly honest ;we could
not doubt it for a moment ; Betty, too, carries in her
faoe a perpetual open letter of recommendation ; think
what a sin it would be to throw temptation in the way
of the rigorous virtue of Mrs. Smith, or to endanger, by
promiscuous gin-bottle, or casual tea and sugar, the
immaculate character of Betty ; therefore, I say, lock
up—lock up.
The most curious phenomenon attendant upon London
lodging-houses we have ever noticed, is that of sponta-
neous consumption.
Suppose a bottle of brandy arrives from your wine-
merchant—(of course I mean the public-house at the
corner, but wouldn't say so, except confidentially) ; you
mix one tumbler, which just empties the neck of your
bottle, replace the cork, put it nt the cupboard, and
lock it up ; you dine the next day with your friend
Snooks, the celebrated traveller ; the third day Snooks •
dines with you upon tripe and onions ; dinner over, you
unlock your cupboard with all the confidence of a gen-
tleman not so easily done," taking out your loaf-sugar
and brandy-bottle ; holding the latter up to the light,
you observe with surprise and horror that the brandy
has spontaneously sunk in the bottle at least a quar-
tern. You say nothing about it, lest Snooks should
have the laugh at you, and conclude not to mention it
to your landlady, lest she might think you a mean fellow.
This is what I call spontaneous consumption.
In like manner, when you purchase a pound of five-
shilling mixed—your landlady's canister holds exactly a
pound—you press it well into the canister, and find on
shaking it, that the contents do not make any noise—in
fact, the canister is full ; you breakfast with Snooks, who
is starting for Timbuctoo next morning, and return
home to tea ; taking down your canister, to accept the
polite invitation of Ridgway and Co., whose bill requests
you to " try their five-shillings mixed," you give it a
shake, and discover that it rattles 1
This is another case of spontaneous consumption.
This mysterious law of nature affects sugar, which in the
course of a couple of days we have known to evaporate
from a pound of ninepenny down to not enough for
breakfast ; butter oozes imperceptibly thrcnigh the sides
of your boat, ha hat you cannot for the life of the
make out whats become of the pound you paid for the
morning before yesterday ; coals, though of a heavy
nature, fly off with woundrous rapidity, if you lay them
in yourself ; if your landlady provide them, you have
only to wonder how coals came to be worth a sixpence a
scuttle-full.
Lodging-houses, nice other commonwealths, have their
peculiar taxes, levied " towards carrying on the war,"
upon the subjects of her Majesty, Mrs. Smith, and ge-
nerally collected by Betty. This amounts to from five
to ten por cent. upon every article you require, or have
occasion to send out for, and is something in the nature
of a broker's fee, or transfer-tax. A pound of mutton-
chops pays from a penny to twopence, according to the
taste of the landlady—twopence if she cuts it fat ; deli-
cacies, such as fowl, game, or fish, considerably higher—
the taxation in these cases proceeding upon the income-
tax principle, that you can afford it ; a lobster is charged
in your weekly bill not so much according to its fresh-
ness as your own ; cabbages are taxed according to the
greenness of the vegetable, and of the lodger.
Thus, whichever way you go to work, you are sure to
be " done ;" lay in your own consumables, they disap-
pear by spontaneous combustion ; send Betty for them ;
they pay Mrs. Smith's tax ; you can take your choice.

" Among other anecdotes of this actor, which Mr.
Mulligatawny Jackson's schoolmaster had preserved,
was one of his having, when at the zenith of his fame,
ordered at Ford's, a house at the corner of Vinegar-
yard, Drury-lane, a plain joint and pudding to be got
ready daily for such of the poor actors as might choose
to partake of, it. He also told a story of the great
actor's setting off for Bath, accompanied by his secre-
tary, in his private carriage, who, as night came on, fell
asleep. Towards morning, and while still at some dis-
tance from the town, he awoke, and was astonished to
find that Kean had left the Carriage. He immediately
stopped the postboys to inquire if they had seen him
get out, but they pleaded ignorance. The secretary in-
stantly left the vehicle, and wandered into the fields, de-
scribing Mr. Kean to the few hinds he met, as a little
man wrapped in furs, &c., and offering a reward to any
one who could give tidings of him. But no one had
seen him. The postboys, who had their cue, begged of
him to get into the carriage, and drive to the nearest inn,
which the terrified young man did, after he had made
the fields echo with th cry of Oh, Lord Hamlet
What ho ! my Lord Hamlet 1' the character in which
Kean was to snake his appearance ; but no Lord Hamlet
answered. They drove on ; when just as they were
about to enter the inn-yard, another carriage and four
drove furiously up, and, to the astonishment of his secre-
tary, Kean descended, accompanied by a travelling
pedlar, whom he had met on the road. This man con-
tinued with him while he remained at Bath, drinking
champagne, and feasting sumptuously every day at his
own table. Kean absolutely brought him up to town in
his carriage, setting him down in Bow-street, one cold
November morning, saying to his secretary, as he did so,
Put your hand in your pocket, and the first thing you
touch, give him.' The young man did as he was
directed, and the result was, the pedlar left them some
ten or twenty pounds better off than when they met.
" Yes,' continued the barrister, though Edmund
Kean had many failings, he had some good qualities to
atone for them, and amongst them great and uncalculat-
ing generosity. Ah I' he went on, I was present at
the greatest audience he ever drew—and that was at his
funeral. His son was chief mourner, and Macready one
of the pall-bearers, and about a hundred of the frater-
nity followed. It was a very short distance from his
house to the churchyard, but Riehmond-green was a sea
of heads. Some thousands of people were present.
Yes, I saw the last of him, both there and on the stage
(the demi-negro looked, as he spoke, pathetically) ' - I
remember it as if but yesterday. For many years he
and his son had been at variance, but their mutual
friends at length succeeded in bringing about a recon-
ciliation. And on the occasion of Kean's taking leave
of the stage, they played together ; the one as Othello,
the other as lago. In the first scenes, which are tame,
Kean got on very well ; but when he came to the words,
" Farewell ! Othello's occupation's gone 1" he moved his
fingers beseechingly to his son, who stood at the side
while he fronted the audience, and as the former came
forward he faltered, fell on his shoulder, and was obliged
to be taken out, while Ward came on and finished the
part for him, In a few days after he was no more.
" It is a fact,' he resumed, after a deep sigh, ' that
Edmund Kean could never play till he was three-parts
drunk. Of course,' he said, addressing the cadaverous-
looking barrister beside him, you have heard of Fred.
Cooke, the contemporary of Elliston and John Kemble.
His passion for drink was so great, that when he was
without money, or means of raising it, he has been
known to go to a certain pawnbroker's, where he was in
the habit of applying, and to say, I want five guineas ;
but I have nothing to pledge but myself. Give me the
money, they'll be sure to redeem me when I'm wanted.'
And having sent word to the theatre of his situation, he
has frequently been found seated on the pawnbroker's
counter, with a duplicate pinned to his buttonhole. On
one occasion, when Elliston wished him particularly to
be quite correct, he invited him to dinner, and after-
wards begged he would oblige him by submitting to one
thing, which Fred. promised. He, however, looked ra-
ther funny when Elliston, drawing him into a small room
in the theatre, told him be must content himself there
till it was time to dress. As there was no getting off,
Cook consented ; but after being locked in for some
time, he began to long horribly for punch. By and by,
he heard a noise of a broom on the stairs. Hope revived
—he called, ' Mary, Betsy !—whatever your name is,
come here, for God's sake and he contrived, while
curiosity made the maid pause in her labour, to push a
crown-piece between the door and the floor—' There,
that's for you ' • and Mary (pushing through another), go
like a good girl, and get me a pint of brandy and a clean
pipe with this.'
*" Oh, Sir, I dare not ! Master desired that I
shouldn't come near the door, Sir, nor speak to you upon
any account.'
'" Pshaw ! Go, do as I tell you, and you shall have
another by and by.'
" The girl was not proof against the bribe. The
brandy and pipe were both brought, and the tube of the
latter being put through the keyhole, the bowl was filled
on the outside, and in this way the liquor was sucked up
as the Americans drink sherry-cobler. It is hardly ne-
cessary to say, that on Elliston's coming to let him out,
Fred. was found on his back ; but a plentiful supply of
soda water enabled him to go through his part as effec-
• Lively as ever."

THE LEGAL REVIEW and QUARTERLY
JOURNAL of BRITISH and FOREIGN JU-
RISPRUDENCE. November, 1844. No. I.
Owen Richards, 194, Fleet-street.
This first Number of a new Legal periodical con-
tains several learned and interesting articles, and a
selection of adjudged points, which we regard as
likely to prove eminently useful to the profession.
Independent of the enormous expense of taking in the
reports of the several Courts—an expense which
places them quite out of the reach of all except the
rich student, or already flourishing practitioner—their
bulk is absolutely
appalling. The present system of
legal reporting is most vicious ; the reporters are paid
by quantity, and the booksellers who have a mono-
poly of the legal branch of the trade are free to charge
by bulk ; and most extravagantly they do charge ac-
cordingly ; while the purchaser is not only condemned
to wade through, but to pay for a heap of useless
matter, and harassed moreover in a wearisome re-
search for the two grains of wheat in the bushel of
chaff, and destined not unfrequently at last to find
them mildewed. For the practice is to report almost
every case without regard to the fact whether it does
or does not come under the governance of some pre-
ceding case, and to report it at the utmost length.
It must, accordingly, prove a great ease, as well to
the pocket, as to the reading of the student, to have
access to a selection of adjudged .cases in which the
points are concisely put ; and the cost is vastly more
than proportionately reduced with the bulk. The
leading article is the first of a series, hereafter to form
a volume, on the subject of " The Science and Study
•of Jurisprudence,"—a subject of the deepest interest
not to lawyers alone, but to all concerned in the busi-
ness of legislation or the administration of the law,
and in fact to every scholar. The paper is written
with great learning and ability. There is also an ar-
ticle on a fearfully important matter to the litigating
portion of the community, " The Law of Fees and
Costs ;" and several others on the principal statutes
lately passed for the amendment of the law, together
with a very able and brilliant biographical sketch of
the late Lord Abinger. The new Review is evidently
strong in its corps of contributors.

HASWELL COLLIERY EXPLOSION. Sermons on
behalf of the fund for the relief of the destitute widows,
orphans, and relations of the sufferers at the late ex-
plosion at Haswell Colliery, were preached on Sunday
morning in Sunderland Church, by the Rector, when
upwards of 121. was collected ; and in St. Thomas's
Church, Bishopswearmouth, by the Rev. Richard Skip-
sey, 8.A., the Incumbent, when 8/. 15s. was collected.
A general meeting of the subscribers to this fond was
held a few days since at Castle Eden, the Rev. H. G.
Liddell, M.A., Rector of Easington, in the chair ; wbek
it was announced that the total contributions up to that
time amounted to the munificent sum of 3,952/. 7s. 6d.:
a sum much larger than was ever before collected for a
benevolent purpose in this district, and showing the
great and extended sympathy felt by the public with the
surviving relations of the sufferers in this very sudden
and terrible visitation. The following gentlemen were
invited to form a committee for the application of the
subscriptions :—The Rev..H. G. Liddell, Rector of Essing-
ton ; the Archdeacon of Durham, the Rev. J. A. Park
Elwick, the Rev. W. C. King, Durham ; the Rev. J.
Graham, Castle Eden ; the Rev. J. Edmunds, Castle
Eden ; the Rev. R. Douglas, Easington ; the Rev. W.
Mackenzie, Essington ;. the Rev. T. A. Slater, Hutton
Henry ; Rowland Burdon, Esq., Castle Eden ; John
Gregson, Esq., Shotton Hall ; Thomas Richardson,Esq.,
Eden Vale ; John Fawcett, Esq., Durham ; Lieut.-Col.
Tower, Elemore Hall ; Henry Morton, Esq., Lambton ;
Ralph P. Phillipson, Esq., Newcastle ; George Hunter,
Esq., Belmont ; Edward Potter, Esq., South Hutton ;
Nicholas Wood, Esq., Killingworth ; and John Taylor,
Esq., Castle Eden. There were upwards of 30 widows
and 60 children, besides numbers of aged parents,
rendered destitute by this awful calamity, to whose
succour and relief this well-timed and truly Christian
subscription will be devoted.
SHOOTING EXTRAORDINARY.—On Thursday last
as a young gentleman, son of Mr. Thomas Lawrence of
this city, was out amusing himself with a gun, he ob-
served something floundering in the narrow gut of water
which was at the Blackrock side of the slob. Conceiv-
ing it to be an otter, he fired at and wounded the object,
and then boldly stripped off and entered the water for
the purpose of securing his prize. This, with some little
difficulty, he effected, when to his own astonishment as well
as that of several persons (amongst them some ladies) who
were spectators of the amusing scene, he brought to shore
a very fine hake, weighing nearly a dozen pounds The
question arises, does such sporting, such unnatural
sporting, involve a breach of the game-laws ?—Cork
Examiner.

AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINE.
Mr. Ainsworth's tale of " Saint James's" is here
brought to a close. The last scene is a quarrel be-
tween Bolingbroke and the Earl of Oxford, in the
presence of Queen Anne, which is described with
more easy, natural vigour than any other incident in
the work. The author has made as much of his sub-
ject as it was possible to make, but the period is not
one very suited to the purposes of romance. The
politics of the day were mean and tricky, without the
slightest particle of elevation and comprehensiveness,
and the statesmen were worthy of the politics ; the
manners of the Court and aristocracy were cold, pre-
cise, and formal ' - and the prevailing literature was
not less stiff and artificial. It is evident that there
is little here for romance to work on—romance which
loves the showy and the picturesque, and which de-
generates into mere common-place if it have not
vigour and variety of character. Instead of being
surprised that Mr. Ainsworth has made so little of
his subject, we are surprised that he has made so
much of it. But if his " Saint James's " be deficient
in the elements of romance, not so his " Revela-
tions of London," which abound in them to over-
flowing. The present chapters are full of startling,
melodramatic incident, but we must honestly confess
it is not much to our taste, for we have no relish for
diablerie, unless—as in the instances of Peter
Schlemible and Undine—it is made to illustrate and
work out some wholesome principle—to inculcate
some great moral truth. This was the redeeming
merit of Godwin's St. Leon, one of the grandest
conceptions to be found in modern literature. " A
Jar of Honey from Mount Hybla" contains some
thoughtful remarks suggested by the " Sicilian Ves-
pers,' with which every reader of history is familiar;
and also a passing allusion to " Young England,"
from which we infer that Mr. Leigh Hunt is strongly
disposed to sympathise with the views of that rising
party. The " Governor's Daughter " is an interest-
ing story, the scene of which is laid in the province
of New Mexico. An "Anecdote of Old Townshend"
is a passable bit of gossip, which should have been
told with more humour. The "Man with a Griev-
ance" is a pleasant essay, full of point and archness.
There is strict truth in the following remark
"All are fish that come to the net of a man with a
grievance. He is not particular about his listener,
but a listener he must catch. In a case of despera-
tion, the crossing-sweeper or the apple-woman—what
sufferings will sad humanity undergo for a penny !
must be seized on as a recipient of the story of his
wrongs." A "Triad of Sonnets," suggested by Wil-
son's picture of Solitude, evince considerable promise.
The sketch of a solitary grass-grown dell, where the
" aged trees look fatherly," and which seems as
though " it bad not altered since the world was

THE MAILS TO SCILLY.—On Sunday, the 17th in-
stant, about three, p.m., a fishing boat from Mousehole
arrived with a mail from Penzance, a month exactly
having intervened since the receipt of the previous one.
The boat took the return mail about six o'clock the same
evening, and, as was naturally supposed, sailed direct for
Penzance; but we have been credibly informed that she
actually proceeded to her customary employment of fish-
ing, with her Majesty's mail on board, and was success-
ful in taking a good catch of fish. What time the mail
was landed at Penzance we have been unable to learn.
IVest Briton.

(From Last Tuesday's Gazette.)
TREASURY WARRANT.
Whereas by an Act, passed in the third and fourth
years of the reign of her present Majesty, entitled
" An Act for the Regulation of the Duties of Postage,"
power is given to the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury, from time to time, by warrant under their
hands, to alter and fix any of the rates of British
postage or inland postage, payable by law on the
transmission by the post, of foreign or colonial letters
or newspapers, or of any other printed papers, and to
subject the same to rates of postage, according to the
weight thereof, and a scale of weight to be contained
in such warrant ; and, from time to time, by warrant
as aforesaid, to alter or repeal any such altered rates,
and make and establish any new or other rates in lieu
thereof; and, from time to time, by warrant as afore-
said, to appoint at what time the rates which may be
payable are to be paid, and it is provided that the
power thereby given should extend to any increase or
reduction or remission of postage :
And whereas, in consequence of a communication
opened with the Post-office of Belgium, it is con-
sidered expedient to alter the rates of postage payable
on letters conveyed direct by packet-boat or private
ship between that country and the United Kingdom :
Now we, the undersigned, being three of the Com-
missioners of her .Majesty's Treasury, do, in exercise
of the power or authority in us for such purpose
vested in and by the said recited Act, and of all other
powers and authorities enabling us in this behalf,
direct, that on every letter not exceeding half an
ounce in weight, transmitted between any part of the
United Kingdom and any place in Belgium (con-
veyed between the United Kingdom and Belgium
direct by packet-boat or private ship), there shall be
charged and taken, in lieu of any rates of British
postage now payable by law on such letters, an
uniform rate of British postage of Bd.
And we direct, that it shall be optional for the
sender of any such letter as hereinbefore is mentioned,
posted in the United Kingdom, addressed to Belgium
(registered letters excepted), to allow the whole of the
postage thereof, British and foreign, to be charged to
the receiver of the letter in Belgium, or to prepay all
such postage at the time of posting the letter ; but
such sender shall not have the option of paying the
British postage thereof only, and leaving the foreign
postage to be paid in Belgium.
And we direct, that on every letter not exceeding
half an ounce in weight, transmitted between any
part of the United Kingdom and her Majesty's
colonies, or foreign countries, through Belgium (con-
veyed between the United Kingdom and Belgium
direct by packet-boat or private ship), there shall be
charged and taken, in lieu of any rates of British
postage now payable by law on such letters for the
conveyance thereof between Belgium and the United
Kingdom, an uniform rate of British postage of Bd.
for such conveyance.
And we direct that the Postmaster-General may
require the British postage, and also (if he shall so
think fit) the foreign postage, from time to time
payable on the letters lastly hereinbefore mentioned,
to be paid on the same being put into the post-office.
And we direct that on every letter not exceeding
half an ounce in weight, transmitted by the post
between Belgium or any of her Majesty's colonies, or
any foreign country, via Belgium, and any of her
Majesty's colonies, or any foreign country, through
the United Kingdom, conveyed direct by packet,
boat, or private ship, between the United Kingdom
and Belgium, there shall be charged and taken, in
lieu of any rates of British postage now payable by
law on such letters, an uniform rate of British
postage of Bd. for the conveyance of every such letter
between Belgium and any part of the United King-
dom; and also such a further or additional rate of
British postage for the conveyance of every such letter
between the port in the United Kingdom of the de-
parture or arrival of the packet or ship conveying the
same, and the colony or foreign country to or from
which the same shall be forwarded, as shall from time
to time be charged and payable for British postage on
letters not exceeding half an ounce in weight, posted
or delivered at the port in the United Kingdom of the
departure or arrival of the packet or ship conveying
the same, and transmitted direct between such port
and such colony or foreign country.
And we direct, that it shall be optional for the
sender of any such letter as lastly hereinbefore-men-
tioned, posted in any of her Majesty's colonies, where
posts have been or shall be established by her Ma-
jesty's Postmaster-General, addressed to Belgium
(registered letters excepted), to allow the whole of
the postage thereof, colonial, British, and foreign, to
like charged to the receiver of the letter in Belgium,
or to prepay all such postage at the time of posting
the letter ; but such sender shall not have the option
of paying the colonial and British postage thereof
only, and leaving the foreign postage to be paid in
Belgium.
And we further direct, that on every letter trans.
mitted, as is mentioned in this warrant, exceeding
half an ounce in weight, there shall be charged and
taken progressive and additional rates of postage ac-
cording to the scale of weight and numbers of rates
in the said Act contained, as to letters, estimating,
and charging each additional rate at the sum which
any such letter would be charged with under this
warrant, if not exceeding half an ounce in weight.
And we further direct, that such printed news-
papers, printed prices current, printed commercial
lists, and printed courses of exchange, as are herein-
after mentioned, may be sent by the post free of
postage, or liable to postage according to the regula-
tions and rates hereinafter set forth (that is to say) :
British newspapers sent direct from the United
Kingdom to Belgium free.
Newspapers published in Belgium, and sent thence
direct to any part of the United Kingdom, ld. each.
Printed prices current, commercial lists, and courses
of exchange published in the United Kingdom, and
sent thence direct to Belgium, Id. each.
Printed prices current, commercial lists, and courses
of exchange published in Belgium, and sent thence
direct to any part of the United Kingdom, ld. each.
British newspapers sent from the United Kingdom
to her Majesty's colonies, or foreign countries, through
Belgium, 2d. each.
Foreign newspapers sent between foreign countries
and Belgium through the United Kingdom (in addi-
tion to any foreign postage to which the same may be
liable), Id. each.
Foreign newspapers sent from foreign countries to
the United Kingdom through Belgium (in addition
to any foreign postage to which the same may be
liable), 2d. each.
Colonial newspapers sent from the British colonies
to the United Kingdom through Belgium, or from
the British colonies to Belgium through the United
Kingdom (in addition to any foreign postage to
which the same may be liable), ld. each.
And we further direct, that every printed supple-
ment or additional sheet to any newspaper shall, for
the purpose of charging the postage under this war-
rant, be deemed a distinct newspaper, unless sent in
the same cover, or together with the newspaper to
which it is a supplement or addition.
And we further direct that printed periodical
publications (not being newspapers, prices current,
commercial lists, or courses of exchange) published in
Belgium or the United Kingdom, and printed Par-
liamentary proceedings (but not including the pro-
ceedings of any Colonial Legislatures, nor any
periodical works published in Belgium, addressed to
foreign countries of her Majesty's colonies) may be
sent by the post direct between any part of the
United Kingdom and Belgium according to the
regulations and rates hereinafter mentioned (that is to

And we declare, that the rates hereinmentioned on
printed newspapers, prices current, commercial lists,
courses of exchange, periodical publications, and
printed Parliamentary proceedings shall he payable,
whether the sea conveyance be by packet-boat or
private ship, provided the conveyance of such news-
papers, prices current, commercial lists, courses of
exchange, publications, and proceedings between the
United Kingdom and Belgium be direct, and not
through any foreign country.
And we further direct, that the Postmaster-General
may cause the postage on any such printed newspa-
pers, prices current, commercial lists, courses of ex-
change, periodical publications, and Parliamentary
proceedings to be paid on the same being put into the
post-office.

And we further direct, that nothing herein con-
tained shall be deemed or construed to annul, preju-
dice, or affect any of the exemptions and privileges
granted by the said recited Act, or by an Act made
and passed in the first year of the reign of her pre-
sent Majesty, entitled " An Act for the management
of the Post-office," and that all such exemptions and
privileges shall remain in full force.
And we further direct that the terms and expres-
sions used in this warrant shall be construed to have
the like meaning in all respects as they would have
had if inserted in the said Act of the third and fourth
years of the reign of her present Majesty.
And we further direct, that this warrant shall come
into operation on the Ist day of December, 1844.
Provided lastly, and we hereby declare and direct,
that it shall be lawful for the Commissioners for the
time being of her Majesty's Treasury, or any three of
them, by warrant under their hands, at any time here-
after, to alter or repeal any of the rates hereby al-
tered, or the regulations hereby made, and to make
and establish any new or other rates or regulations in
-ieu thereof,
_a_tyl,„from time to time appoint at what
ime the rates. hat may be payable are to be paid.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers, Nov. 22.
HENRY GOULBURN.
HENRY BARING.
J. MILNES GASKELL.

..._.

AFFECTING EVENT.—We have received intelli-

Bence of the almost sudden demise of Mr. William

Hetherington, a fine promising young gentleman of
eighteen years of age, son of the late W. Hetherington,
Esq., of Birkenhead, and recently appointed a second
lieutenant in the 60th Rifles. Last summer he had been
engaged in a rowing match, and, from the exertion at
the oar, his hands becoming blistered, he incautiously,
whilst in a state of perspiration, dipped them into the
cold water. Eruption and gathering ensued, causing
much pain and annoyance, and this continuing for a
considerable time, he went to London, and, it is appre-
hended, took unskilful advice, by which, though he ap-
peared to be cured, the disease was probably thrown
into the system, by the too rapid drying up of the sores,
He returned home to his family apparently quite reco-

vered, and, after remaining a short time, resolved to re-
turn to the military college at Brussels, where he had
before studied, to make the best use of his time in profes-
sional acquirements. On his arrival there he was con-
gratulated by his former companions, to whom he was
much endeared; but alas, on Wednesday week, when he
sat down to dinner with them, he suddenly remarked
that he felt extraordinary sensations, and could eat
nothing. Being observed to be ill, and afterwards to
faint, he was immediately carried to bed, and received
every possible attention ; but, to the grief of all around
him, he expired early the following morning. We need
scarcely say that his relatives in this country are plunged
into the deepest affliction by the mournful intelligence.—
Liverpool Standard.
TilE LATE BANK ROBBERY.—Up to a late hour
on Saturday night nothing had transpired of a certain or
tangible character, relative to this most singular robbery,
although there was a vast number of rumours in the City
and elsewhere about the matter. We are informed by
one correspondent that since John Forrester's arrival
from America with his prisoner Burgess, he has been in-
vestigating the whole affair ; and we are told by another
correspondent that an offer has been made to the house
to give up the whole of the stolen notes, &c., upon re-
ceiving a consideration of 4,0001., which terms Messrs.
Rogers and Co. indignantly refused to concede to. It is
said that a confidential clerk slept nightly in a bed with
its head against the iron chest from which the property,
was taken, so that the robbery could not have been com-
mitted during the night without his being aware of it,
which circumstance is dwelt upon by some parties,

whilst the whole of the people Of London look one at
another, and ask the natural question, " How and when
was it effected ?" Before another week we have little

doubt that some light will be thrown upon this mysteri-
ous subject.— Observer.
PASSENGERS' BAGGAGE.—An order issued by the
Commissioners of Customs has been posted in the bag-

gage examination floors of most of the foreign steam
wharfs on the side of the river, for the information of
passengers and the public generally, to the effect that
the officers are to remain in attendance, awaiting the
arrival of steam-vessels expected from the Continent,
until seven o'clock in the evening in the summer, and
until five o'clock in the winter ; but that, in the event of
any particular case occurring, so that the attendance of
the officers may be required to await the arrival of ves-
sels after these hours, the landing-surveyors, upon spe-
cial application being made to them, are authorised to
extend the time one hour in summer, but not later, ex-
cept upon Saturday, when those officers are empowered
to extend the time two hours in such special cases ; and
in the event of any vessel arriving after the landing-
officers have left duty, the tide-surveyors aro to deliver a
necessary change of linen to such passengers as may re-
quire the same, and to retain the remainder of the bag-
gage until the following morning, the same not being a
Sunday, on which occasion it will be retained till the
next morning, at the legal hour of attendance. We
understand, in reference to this subject, which is of
much importance to the public, and particularly that
portion who are in the habit frequently, either on
business or pleasure, of travelling to and from the Conti-
nent, and who,on their arrival, are anxious to be dismissed
and to have their baggage examined and delivered to
them with as much dispatch as possible, that instruc-
tions have been given to the examining officers at the
several steam baggage wharfs not to fail, on every occa-
sion when they, in consequence of the arrival of more
than one steam-vessel at the same time, or of au unusually
large number of passengers, consider it to be necessary,
to require the assistance of extra officers, and also of
subordinates, to forward the deliveries ; it being the
wish and intention of the board that every possible faci-
lity should be given for the convenience of the public,
consistently with a due regard to the interests of the
revenue. This is a very important advance upon the old
system, and, though not of so much moment at this com-
paratively dull season, will no doubt be appreciated when
the busy time approaches ; and we believe we may take
upon ourselves to say that it is in a great degree owing
to the paragraphs and letters which have appeared in
our own and other journals on the subject. This is in-
dependently of the general consideration of the regula-
tions for the examination of passengers' baggage by the
Board of Customs ; and it is expected that an order,
containing some very important improvements in the
matter, will be issued previously to the approach of the
ensuing season.
SUICIDE FROM AFFLICTION.—An inquest was held
on Thursday before Mr. Higgs, at St. George's Hospital,
on the body of Mary Ann Jones, aged fifty-two. Isaac
Jones, her husband, a shoemaker, residing in Peter-
street,:Kensington, said that for a long time past de-
ceased had been afflicted both in body and mind, the first
by an illness of sixteen years' duration, aiel the second
by the misconduct of her two daughters by her first hus-
, band. The last information she had of them was that
theyiwere in Birmingham, living in an improper manner.
Recently she had been very fond of reading a book en-
titled " Letters from the Dead to the Living," and this
tended to increase her grief. Upon awakening in the
morning of last Sunday week he found her trying
vainly to kiss him. He stretched out his arm, end was
horror-stricken at placing his hand upon a large wound
in her throat. [Here the husband could not conceal his
emotion.] He continued that she had inflicted the
wound with a knife which he used for cutting leather,
and as soon as he saw the state she was in he obtained
the assistance of two surgeons, and afterwards had her
conveyed to the hospital. While the surgeons were at-
tending upon her she endeavoured to tear ()pen the
wound, and repeatedly called for somebody to blow her
brains out. She died on Tuesday last. Verdict, " Tem-
porary insanity."
The Gazette of Saturday last consists of no less
than eight sheets and a half. The first article in it is
the copy of an order of her Majesty in Council assign-
ing districts, under the 16th section of the 59th George
cap. 134, to eight chapels, all in the parish of Roch-
dale, in the counties of Lancaster and York. The rest
of the Gazette is filled with advertisements, chiefly re-
lating to railway schemes. Among these is a notice of
an intended application to Parliament for a railway
(called the Grosvenor Railway), to commence in the
parish of St. George, Hanover-square, at or near the
entrance from the Thames to the Grosvenor canal, and
then passing over the Thames by a bridge near to the
Red-house public-house, Battersea. It is intended that
this railway should join the South Western Railway,
and connect it with the Brighton Railway near the God-
stone stone bridge.
We are happy to learn that the long-expected Wa-
terloo medal, commissioned to Mr. Pistrucci of the Royal
Mint, many years back, will soon be completed by that
accomplished artist. Our readers are aware that the
delay has been owing to some misunderstandings which
have existed between Mr. Pistrucci and the successive
Masters of the Mint, ever since the time when the Earl
of Auckland'fheld that office. These differences have
been eatiefe.Ctiirily arranged by the present Master, Mr.
GladstOne'; and Mr. Pistrucci has resumed his labours
on this very extraordinary work of art in a manner to
give us hopes that the dies will be completed in the course
of next year. These dies are not less than five inches
and a half in diameter ; and we are assured that the
different groups engraved upon them contain noless than
54 figures.
Sir Samuel Brown proceeded to Dieppe on
Saturday, in order to submit to the inhabitants of that
place a plan for a fixed breakwater inside the harbour,
by which vessels would be enabled to enter at any time.
It was most favourably received, and there is every
prospect of its being carried into execution.—Brighton
Herald.

say) :
For every such publication or Parliamentary pro-
ceeding, not exceeding two ounces in weight, ld
each.

Above two ounces, and not exceeding three ounces,
6d. each.
Above three ounces, and not exceeding four ounces,
Bd. each.
And for every additional ounce in weight above the
weight of four ounces there shall be charged and paid
an additional rate of 2d.
And every fraction of such additional ounce shall
be charged as a full ounce.
And we further direct that all such printed news-
papers, prices current, commercial lists, courses of
exchange, and periodical publications, if published
in Belgium, shall, in order to be entitled to pass
by the post at the reduced rates aforesaid, be
printed in the language of Belgium, and be posted
within Belgium ; and all such printed newspapers,
prices current, commercial lists, courses of exchange,
and periodical publications, if published in the United
Kingdom, shall, in order to be entitled to pass by the
post at the reduced rates aforesaid, be printed in the
British language, and be posted n ithin the United
Kingdom ; and all such prices current, commercial
lists, and courses of exchange (whether published in
Belgium or the United Kingdom) shall, in addition
to the name and address of the person to whom the
same shall be sent, contain only the particulars and
prices of the goods or other articles to which the same
shall refer, and shall not contain the name or address
of the vendor, or of the person forwarding the same ;
and all such Parliamentary proceedings shall be
posted in the United Kingdom, and all such
printed newspapers, prices current, commercial lists,
courses of exchange, periodical publications, and
Parliamentary proceedings shall be forwarded
without covers, or in covers open at the sides,
and there shall be no words or communication
printed on the paper after its publication, or upon
the cover thereof, nor any writing or marks upon
it, or upon the cover of it, except the name and ad-
dress of the person to whom sent, nor shall any
paper or thing be inclosed in or with the same ; and if
any such newspapers, prices current, commercial lists,
courses of exchange, periodical publications, and Par-
liamentary proceedings shall not be printed, posted,
and forwarded in conformity with this warrant, the

same shall, respectively, be liable to the like rates of TRANSFER of L ICENSES—EXOR-
postage as would have been chargeable on such news- BITANT and ILLEGAL FEES.
papers, prices current, commercial lists, courses of ,
exchange, periodical publications, or Parliamentary
proceedings, if the same had been letters so conveyed
by post.
And we direct, that no such printed papers or
periodical publications as shall exceed sixteen ounces
in weight, shall be forwarded by the post under this
warrant.

In a case which came before Mr. Henry, at Lambeth-
street Police-court, in which Mr, N., an old and respect-
able licensed victualler, was concerned„ some facts trans-
pired with respect to the enormous and illegal fees
charged on the transfer of licenses, of the greatest im-
portance to the trade generally. In the course of his
inquiry as to what appered at first an irregularity In the
transfer of the license, Mr. Henry elicited from /lir. N.
that a fee of 15s. had been demanded and received by
Mr. Reynolds, the High Constable for the Tower Ham-
lets division, on his taking home the • license te.v. trans-
ferred ..
by the magistrates in Petty Sessions. Mr. Henry,
considering this most exorbitant, referred to the Licens-
ing Act, the 9th of George the Fourth, which, by the
fifteenth clause, enacts—" That it shall be lawful for
the clerk of the justice to demand and receive from
every person to whom a license shall be granted under
this Act, for the trouble of such clerk, and for all ex-
penses contracted therewith, the sum following, and no
more. For serving notices, and for all other services
hereby required for such petty constable or other peace-
officer, the sum of one shilling ; for the clerk of the
justices for the licenses, five shillings ; and for preparing
the precept to be delivered to the high constable, and
notices to be delivered by the petty constable, as re-
quired by this Act, the sum of one shilling and sixpence;
and every such clerk who shall demand or receive from
any person for such respective fees on this behalf any
greater sum, or anything of greater value than the sum
heretofore specified, being in the whole the sum of seven
shillings and sixpence, shall on every such offence, on
conviction before a justice, forfeit and pay the sum of
five pounds." After reading the above clause Mr.
Henry remarked that it was quite clear that Mr. N. had
been charged double the amount allowed by the Act.
Mr. N. replied that he had been cognisant of the fact,
and said that he had made an application to Mr. Smith,
one of the licensing clerks, on the subject, and that gen-
tlemen at once acknowledged that he had been imposed
on, and recommended him to communicate with Mr
Reynolds, the high-constable, who, he had no doubt,
would return the overcharge. He (Mr. N.) did com-
municate with Mr. Reynolds on the subject, and the re-
sult was that that person called and returned half a
crown only, saying he was justified in charging the other
five shillings for Is own trouble in serving notices.
Mr. Henry remarked that it was quite clear he pos-
sessed no such power, as the law did not sanction the
receipt of a farthing beyond the 7s. 6d. ; and he (Mr.
Henry) was quite prepared to receive the complaint of
Mr. N. against the party for the overcharge, and who,
on conviction, would be liable to a penalty of 51.
Mr. N. replied, that as some time had elapsed since
this overcharge, he should respectfully decline proceed-
ing in the matter, but wished at the same time to say
that he had made up his mind that, should such a thing
occur again, to adopt immediate proceedings against the
high-constable, Reynolds, or any other person who
charged more than the fees sanctioned by law.
Mr. Henry observed that he had not the power to
compel Mr. N. to proceed in the matter if he did not
think proper; but in a district like the Tower Hamlets,
where transfers were constantly taking place, the subject
was one of considerable importance to licensed victual-
lers, and the excess of fees enormous.
Mr. N. admitted that such was the fact; but for the
reason he had before stated he would leave the correc-

tion of the fraud, for such he must call it, to other
hands Land then retired from the court.

Mr. Henry, again adverting to the subject, observed
that he considered it one highly deserving the attention
and interference of the legal gentlemen connected with
the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society, as the fees
thus illegally exacted must be very considerable, and
was a severe tax on a large body of tradesmen.
On referring to the list, it appears that there are in
the Tower Hamlets division no less than 1,046 licensed
victuallers, and from each of those Mr. Reynolds de-
mands and receives, at the annual licensing, a fee of
2s. 6d. beyond the clerks' is. 61., and this, on a calcula-
tion, will be found to amount to 1301. 15s. It is also
said, that a third of the whole number of transfers an-
nually takes place, so that if Mr. Reynolds, as he has
been in the habit of doing, charges 7s. 6d. each upon
those transfers, this will amount to 1311. 55.; so that in
these illegal fees no less a sum than 2621. is exacted an-
nually to go into Mr. Reynolds's pocket. Such a sum,
added to the funds of that excellent institution, the
Licensed Victuallers' School, would enable the friends
of that charity to add a dozen children to the present
number of the recipients of their bounty.

GENERAL NAPIER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—In your able remarks upon the case of Mr. Carus
Wilson, in Jersey, you labour under a mistake in sup-
posing General Napier to be governor of that island.
General Napier commands in Guernsey. The difference
is in the locality; the islands are much the same as re-
gards the ignorance and obstinacy of their Courts. Some
months back, General Napier thought fit to apply for a
Queen's pardon, in behalf of a soldier under punishment
by the civil authorities ; it is needless to say his requi-
sition was at once complied with, but on the sign manual
being presented by him, the gaoler refused to liberate
the prisoner—Audite DU—without the authority of the
Court. Now, Sir, any one that knows William Napier
will be prepared for the fact, that notwithstanding this
refusal, the soldier was on his way to barracks in
ten minutes. The islanders declare that the Court's
" authority" or " registration" (or whatever it was) re-
quisite to make her Majesty's sign manual valid, was
only a form. Now, it seems to me to be a question,
not of forms but of fiddles, whether the Queen or the
Court are to play the first. The late business in Jersey
is a very pretty running commentary upon the treatment
her Majesty's pardon would have met with, had General
Napier sent it to the Court. But he knew them too
well to do that, and the Queen's dignity was not to be
lowered in his keeping. The case will shortly be before
the Privy Council, and it is to be hoped that Ministers
will seriously turn their attention to these islands. They
are as fair spots as the sun ever shone upon, but the
ignorance, frivolity, and prejudice of the people, obsti-
nately clinging to the civilisation of Robert the Devil's
time, is a disgrace to the nineteenth century and the
British dominions.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Nov. 30, 1844. HABEAS CORPUS.

IRON HousEs.—The late frightful earthquakes in
:he West Indies, in which the brick and stone buildings

of whole towns have been levelled with the ground, said
the wooden ones consumed by the fires which usually
burst out after the overthrow of the other buildings,

have drawn the attention of many persons residing in
districts subject to those awful visitations to the advan-
tages of houses constructed of iron, which have been
found to stand the shocks of the severest earthquakes
uninjured, and which are, of course, proof against such
conflagrations as those which swept away at Point-a-
Pitre, in Guadaloupe, all that the earthquake had
spared. Some time ago, we gave an account of an iron
palace, built by Mr. W. Laycock, of this town, for the
use of one of the chiefs of the African coast, and at the
same time we showed that buildings of that kind would
be invaluable in countries subject to the ravages of
earthquakes. We find that this article, which was copied
into the London papers, has attracted much attention in
several of the West India Islands, as well as in Nova

Scotia, and in the East Indies, and that Mr. Laycoek has
since received innumerable inquiries and applications for

plans of iron houses from different parts of the world.
He has now in his workshop, just finished, a very neat
iron cottage, which he has just built for the use of two
maiden ladies residing in the island of St. Lucia. It
consists of three rooms, each nine feet high—viz., one
room 20 feet by 14 feet, and two rooms 12 feet by 10
feet. There are six large jealousy windows and two
small ones over the front and back doors; these and the
floor are the only parts made of wood. There is an in-
side ceiling of iron in panels, and the roof is in a wrought
iron frame and covered with galvanised plates of iron.
The walls are formed of double plates of iron, with a
thin stratum of air between them, an arrangement which
will prevent the passing of the solar heat into the inte-
rior of the building, at least through the walls, and keep
the interior delightfully cool. The weight of the build-
ing is fourteen tons, and the cost rather more than 2001.
—Liverpool Times.
CAROLINE MURAT AND TALLEYRAND.—The Globe
contains the following unpublished autograph letter from
Caroline Murat, sister of Napoleon, to Prince Talley-
rand, dated Portici, Oct. 3, 1812 :—" Prince,—l have
recived your letter of the 18th instant, and I must tell
)ou that it is nut by writing so handsomely that you
will justify )ourself from the unpardonable charge of
being gifted with wit. lam sorry for you, but I believe
that it has aided somewhat the mind to express its ideas,
and then, as you say, all the rest follows. lam con-
vinced of that fact when I read your charming epistles.
What you tell me of your nephew by no means surprises
me. In this war every Frenchman has become a hero.
Their allies have not been inferior to them, and conse-
quently nothing could withstand this army, of which the
valour doubled the force. I trust that a peace will re-
store us the Emperor. His return is ever a period of
happiness. lam sure that it will have an influence on
the affairs of Spain, and that on his arrival they will
change their appearance. I receive news from the king
regularly. He assures me that the Emperor enjoys per-
fect health. He himself is wonderfully well. When we
shall receive letters from Moscow, we shall, I trust, hare
nothing more to desire. I love much the occupation of
the inhabitants of Saint Brice. Tell them that I am
much pleased with what I have learned from you, and
that I am grateful for the attachment which they enter-
tain for me. But I can assure you that that which I feel
i for the Prince of Benevento is as unalterable as my
sincere esteem,—CAROLINE."
METROPOLITAN CARRIAGE ACT.—At Queen-square
Police-office on Saturday, Mr. Burrell gave judgment in
a case which was argued a short time since, as to whe-
ther a porter at the Golden-cross, ilho was in the habit
of attending to the Norwich coach, which booked pas-
sengers throughout, including railway, came within the
terms of the Metropolitan Carriage Act, which directed
that all persons employed on coaches running within the
said
eo fwtahseoffn
oe tirdonpols did I,,l3itis,
ihso u
casel (1b cennoste d.
c 0
mAelvyr.i
tßh
iunrrtelhle
meaning of the Act; the defendant was employed by the
owners of a coach which booked its passengers and
commenced its journey at the Golden-cross. The de-
fendant could not be considered more or less than as a
porter. He accordingly dismissed the complaint.
rt.hal
aab
ytl
yt
chuoenmps
etrao t
sep oe
rf
ot
se a fflani rtsh (i)
sf
at hs ei
nG rnaons
THE OPREA IN PARIS.--We are sorry to learn
deplo-
rably oOthpeerracaisseds
out of evil, for it is to be hoped that Govern-
ment, seeing the ill-effects of the present system, will in
future confide the direction only to efficient hands.
24,0001. sterling per annum, and a splendid theatr
gratis, would appear to ordinary minds not so very diffi
i cult a concern to manage without danger of bankruptcy.
What would Mr. Lumley or Mr. Bunn, the London
directors, say to such a subvention ?—Galignaxi's Mes-
Myer.