The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-16 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSIWUTII, Nov. 14.—The Griffin, 3, Lieutenant..
Commander C. Jenkin, arrived at Spithead, this day
at noon, from Port Royal, bringing invalids from
the squadron.
The Vindictive, 50, is reported ready for commission,
and is expected to hoist the pendant in a few days, to
supersede the Winchesterr 50, Captain Eden, flag of
Rear-Admiral the Hon. J. Percy, as flag-ship on the
Cape of Good Hope station.
The Nautilus, 10, Lieutenant-Commander W. Robson,
is equipping in the harbour to protect the fisheries on
the Sussex coast, her former duty.
The Fair Rosamond schooner, paid off on Saturday,
is being surveyed for re-commission.
The Lynx, 3, Lieutenant-Commander Nott, was in
Tarbert Roads on the 11th instant, expecting sailing
orders for Lisbon daily.
The Lark, schooner, Lieutenant-CommanderLawrence,
was at Nassau, New Brunswick, on the 20th jof Sep-
tember, all well.
The Cornwallis, 72, Captain Richards, went into har-
bour at Devonport, on Saturday, to be paid off.
The Amazon, flute 42, at Sheerness, is reported com-
missioned by Captain J. J. Stopford.
The Nimrod, 20, Commander Glasse, was ordered into
harbour yesterday at Devonport, to be paid off. She ar-
rived at Bombay on Saturday, having made the passage
in seven weeks. She was inspected in the Sound, on
Tuesday, by Captain Dickson, of the San Josef.

The legistatice troop-ship, Commander Patey, left
Plymouth Sound for Cork, on Sunday, but was driven
back by stress of weather, on Tuesday.
The Flamer steam-vessel, Lieut.-Commander Postle,
went into Barnpool on Wednesday, her crew having pre-
viously received wages. She will leave in a day or two,
for Gibraltar.

Very heavy gales have been blowing on this coast
since Sunday, from S.S.W. to W.S.W. They somewhat
abated this morning. Extraordinary high tides prevailed
during the gales. The water rose much higher than has
been observed for three or four years, and the houses
alongshore have been deep in water in the cellars, and
considerable damage and inconvenience occasioned.
THE EXPERIMENT AT PORTSMOUTH WITH
CAPTAIN NORTON'S SHELLS.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 15.—The trial of these shells
took place this morning on board the Excellent, in the
presenea of General the Hon. Sir Hercules Pakenhatn,
Captain Sir Thomas Hastings, Captain F. Rowley, Capt
Norton, Colonel Dansey, Ti. A., Colonel Trevor, and
several engineer and artillery officers. The firing com-
menced at nine o'clock, and the shells were thrown from
a 68 and 32-pounder guns. The old Swiftsure is lying
aground at the distance of about 1,400 yards from the
Excellent, heeling over at an angle of about 20 degrees,
her deck exposed to that ship.
A large canvas target was placed at the port side of
the Swiftsure's bow, the intention being to strike her in
that part of the ship ; but a strong breeze blowing
directly across the line of fire, prevented that accuracy
of aim which, no doubt, would have been entirely per-
fect but for this circumstance. As it was, the practice
was most perfect, as the following account of the shells
fired will show :

Shell No. 1. Missed the ship, when striking the mud
a second time exploded.
No. 2. Struck ship at the chestrees and exploded.
No. 3. Struck the fore pole, or mast, and exploded.
No. 4. Missed ship, exploded on striking the mud.

No. 5. Missed, exploded in mud.
No. 6. Struck ship, port side midships, and exploded.
No. 7. Missed ship, exploded in the mud.
No. 8. Struck starboard cathead and exploded.
No. 9. Entered port broadside and exploded on the
main deck.

No. 10. Struck ship's deck_ starboard! side and ex-
ploded._

No. 11. Struck deck and starboard rail and exploded.
N 0.12. Struck the forecastle and exploded in the head,
blowing out the planking.
No. 13. Entered through the quarter-deck by the
main hatchway combings and exploded, blowing out part
of the starboard side.

No. 14. Struck bulwark of forecastle and exploded.
No. 15. Passed over Swiftsure and exploded in the
mud.

No. 16. Entered ship's deck abaft forehatch and ex-
ploded on main•deck.
No. 17. Entered the deck near main-hatoh and ex-
ploded on main-deck.

No. 18. Entered the deck near fore-hatchway and ex-
plodedon main-deck.

No. 19. Entered the deck by after •hatch and exploded
on main-deck.

No. 20. Entered the deck abaft the mainmast and ex-
ploded.
No. 21. INlissed, and explodod on striking mud.
No. 22. Struck deck by fore-hatchway and exploded.
No. 23. Struck the canvas target a fm inches above
the bull's7eyo entered the ship at the port side, forward,
and Ciploded.'
It will be seen, from the above list of shells fired, that

the firing was veri splendid, very few shells missing
the ship. _ _

We visited the Swiftsure after the firing ceased, and
we were most astonished at the destructive power of these
shells, and at the extreme accuracy of the fuzes ; every
shell exploded in an instant after striking the object ;
even the concussion on striking the mud had the effect
of bursting it, the iron of the shell splitting into small
fragments. The quarter deck, main deck, and even the
lower deck, were literally strewed with the fragments,
accompanied by quantities of splinters of deck stanchions,
&c. Had the Swiftsure been fully manned, the decks,
from the twenty-three shells fired, must have been com-
pletely cleared of men—hardly any could have escaped.
We are decidedly of opinion that this shell is by far the
most deadly and destructive that we have ever seen,
principally from the correct and timely bursting, from
the ingenious effect of the concussion on the fuze ; and
we have no doubt but the competent officers that are
ordered to report thereon will give a very favourable
account of it.

To-morrow, we understand, a further trial will take
place, and likewise a trial of Colonel Dansey's shells.
(From the Devonport Independent.)
Her Majesty's ship Cornwallis, 72, Captain Peter
Richards, C. 8., was towed into harbour on Saturday by
the Plainer and Confiance. She will be paid off on
Thursday next.
Her Majesty's steamer Alban, Lieut. Frederick Lowe,
arrived on Thursday from the Cove of Cork.
Her Majesty's sloop Pelican, 16, Commander Justice,
may shortly be expected from the East Indies, with the
second instalment of the Chinese ransom ; and we have
reason to believe she will bring home the officers and
crew of the Minden, orders having been received to pay
that ship off at Hong-Kong.
Her Majesty's ship Inconstant, 36, Capt. Fremantle,
and the Spartan, 26, Captain the Hon. Charles Elliot,
were at Vera Cruz on the 2d ult.

Tier Majesty's sloop Rose, 18, Commander henry
Sturt, was at Tampico on Sept. 25.
ller Majesty's surveying vessel Lark, Lieut. G. Law-
rence, was at Nassau on the sth ult.

Her Majesty's ship Vestal, 26, Capt. Charles Talbot,
arrived in Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, from Hali-
fax, on her way to the East Indies, on Sept. 13.
Her Majesty's sloop Bittern, 16, Commander Edmund
Peel, from a cruise ; and the Thunderbolt steam-sloop,
Commander George N. Broke, from Algoa Bay, arrived
in Simon's Bay on Sept. 13.
Her Majesty's ship Cambrian, 36, Capt. 11. D. Chads,
C. 8., arrived at Madras on Sept. 2, on her way to Eng-
land to be paid off.

ENTERTAINMENT TO MR. JUS

TICE ERLE.

Yesterday evening a banquet was given at the Albion,
Aldersgate-street, by the Western Circuit, to Mr. Justice
Erie, on his elevation to the bench. A most sumptuous
entertainment was provided on the occasion by Messrs.
Staples. Mr. Rogers, the leader of the circuit, was in
the chair, and was supported not only by the present
members of the circuit, but in addition the body were
rejoined by Sir Thomas Wilde, Mr. Sergeant Merewe-
ther, Sir John Audrey, W. Hayter, Esq., M.P., and
others, who having some time left the circuit, were
anxious to express their concurrence in the unanimous
feeling which had prompted this token of respect to their
distinguished guest. The party were also joined by Sir
Frederick Thesiger, as representing the Attorney-Ge-
neral, Sir W. Follett, who was also a member of the
Western Circuit.

After due justice had been done to every delicacy
which the accustomed efforts of the proprietors of the
Albion could provide, and the usual loyal toasts had been
duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Health of Mr. Justice
Erle."

The company, by their long-continued acclamations,
' indicated how much they concurred in the sentiments
expressed by the chairman.
Mr. Justice ERLE, in returning thanks for the hearty
reception and princely entertainment he had received,
begged to add that he accepted the kindness of his
friends around him not more for the hearty good,Aill
which their applause indicated than for the satisfaction
which their applause expressed of his conduct during the
years which he had spent in intimate connexion with the
members of the Western Circuit. The maintenance of
the high character of the bar was essential to its posi-
tion, and the expression of kind feeling which he had
received he hoped might be taken as an approval on the
part of those with whom he had so long associated that
his efforts had been directed to that end.
" The Health of the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals"
fullowed, for which

Sir F. THESIGER returned thanks ; and the evening
‘s as concluded with the most perfect concurrence of a
large body of the bar in a sentiment expressed by the
Solicitor-General, that " the only credit due to the
Government was, that they had selected the best man."

111"

THE CRY FOR THE REPEAL OF
THE MALT DEVY.
The English farmers are now raising a cry of dis-
tress—a thing they never fail to do food is cheap
and the country prosperous. On such occasions they
do not look for relief to the parties who ought to
afford it, their land:ords, but they besiege Parliament
with petitions, either for the imposition of some new
tax under the name of protection, or the repeal of
some old tax which, in their opinion, presses particu-
larly upon their order. Accordingly, a movement
is now commencing for the repeal of the malt
duty, an impost which is invariably attacked when
the farmers do not find themselves comfortable.
Sometimes it is avowed that their motive is to
raise the price of barley by increasing the con-
sumption, but in general the false pretext is
put forward of compassion for the working classes, or
a benevolent desire "to cheapen the poor man's pot
of beer." This was the cue taken up at a meeting held
upon the subject in London last week. One orator,
a Mr. Ellis, declared that "it was more than human
nature could put up with for a man to do field-labour,
and to be compelled to drink nothing but tea or
water." Mr. Baker " considered beer almost as
necessary as bread," and was willing to pur-
-1 chase the more liberal use of this beverage
for the poor, even at the expense of an addi-
tion to the incomo-tax! But Mr. Hobbs capped
the climax by announcing the great discovery that
water-drinking is fatal to life. " They must all
(he said) have seen, in going through the union
houses througho-zt the kingdom, numerous children
who had lost their fathers from being obliged to drink
water ;" and for the benefit of the faculty, he states
the type which the water-ill assumes. In the southern
counties, " Some men with large families had drunk
water till they brought on consumption !" Such are
the pitiful fictions with which these men colour over a
scheme purely selfish.

The froth is, that with the single exception of the
tobacco duty, there is not a better tax in our whole
fiscal system than that on malt. First, it is
very productive. Last year it yielded a clear
revenue of 4,873,0001., which, if given up, we
defy the ablest financier to replace by any impost
which would not be attended with tenfold
difficulty and tenfold inconvenience to the public.
Secondly, the malt duty has the advantage of being
fairly levied, for there is little smuggling in the ma-
nufacture. Thirdly, it falls on an article more a
luxury than a necessary of life, and nearly as much
abused as whisky and gin. ourthly, it presses so
lightly as scarcely to be felt by the great mass of
those who pay it. Upon the species of porter called
beer in England, which constitutes the favourite drink
of the working classes, it amounts precisely to 66,
upon the barrel of thirty-six gallons, that is two-
pence per gallon, or one-third of a penny on the pot.
The fourpenny pot, therefore, if the duty were abo-
lished, would cost the retailer about one farthing less
than is now charged. Abatements, however, are
never made by farthings on such articles, and the re-
sult would be, either that the price would be lowered
a halfpenny, and the beer reduced in strength;
or the price would remain at fourpenny, with a pro-
mise to raise the quality, which the brewer would not
long be able to fulfil, if the abolition of the duty Oa
fected the objected of those who carried it, that of en-
hancing the price of barley. Like the tobacco duty,
the malt-tax being chiefly paid in pennies and far-
things, its weight is scarcely felt. We ask how a
sum of nearly five millions could be raised in any
other way so easily, and with so little injury to any
person ? Moreover, who could gain by the change ?
flow could even a reduction of one halfpenny on
the fourpenny pot (one-eighth of the price), produce
any sensible increase of consumption, or any sensible
rise in the price of barley ? Any person who ex-
amines the subject patiently may easily satisfy himself
that the sole effect of the abolition of the malt
duty would be to throw away five millions of re-
venue, without benefit to any class. Absurd and
mischievous as such a step would be, our rapacious
landocracy are daring enough to attempt it. Twice
within the last twelve years has the House of Com-
mons, with blind selfishness, passed a vote against the
continuance of this tax ; and twice has the Chancellor
of the Exchequer prevailed upon the Members, by
his prayers and tears, to stultify themselves by recall-
ing their vote! It behoves the country, then, to be
on its guard, and watch their manceuvres
re-
peal of a tax yielding five millions, IP:' i for the
iis inevitably
to the imposition of another, 'ai others, of equal
amount. The present inait-tax is but a remnant of
that which existed in 1815. While the duties on tea
sugar, soap, avilPlows, fire insurance, and many others
felt to be Oppressive, were left untouched, the land-
holders lost no time in reducing the duties on malt,
always acting on the idea that these duties kept down
the price of barley. In 1815 the tax on malt, in-
cluding the beer duty, was about 565. or 58s. the
quarter, or nearly triple its present amount. In the
first year of peace, when rents were falling, away went
the " war malt duties," equal to Hs. the Winchester
quarter. In 1822, a year of agricultural distress,
what was called the "annual malt-tax" of Bs. the
quarter was thrown overboard. In 1830 the
same parties procured the repeal of the beer
duty, which was equal, we believe, to 12s. on the
quarter of malt. About seven millions of revenue
were sacrificed to appease the cravings of the
landholders, and aid them in their vain attempt to
uphold war prices in time of pence. They are still
not satisfied ; and we should not be at all surprised to
see the residue of this duty, which burdens nobody,
and is very productive, swept away because such is
their will and pleasure, while a multitude of unjust,
unequal, and grinding taxes are spared. What the
farmers have gained by these and all the other real
or pretended efforts for their relief by legislation,
their present complaints and outcries show. We
could scarcely believe the testimony of our senses,
when we saw so sound-headed a statesman as Lord
John Russell drop some expressions on the last day
of the session, intimating that the repeal of the malt-
tax was a subject worthy of consideration I We sup-
pose his Lordship, when lie made this remark, was
prepared to render the income-tax permanent, or to
re-impose the house duty, or the higher duties on glass,
paper, and soap, or to adopt some measure equally
strong.—Scotsman.

DEATII OF Da. ADERCROMBIE.—We are sorry to
announce the sudden demise of this celebrated and phi-
lanthropic physician. The deceased was seised with a
fit of apoplexy, at his residence in York-plkee, this morn -
ing, which proved almost immediately fatal. The loss
of 1)r. Abercrombie will be deeply and severely felt.
llis benevolence was unwearied. In his character we
have a beautiful combination of intellectual talent and
moral excellence—genius surrounded with the halo of
Christian virtue.—Scottish Herald of Thursday.
MELTON MOWIIRAY.—The arrivals at this place
of sporting celebrity are unusually numerous. Among
the first-rate Leicestershire studs which have already
arrived are those of the Earl of Wiltoa, Colonel Wynd-
ham, Lord A. St. Maur, Captain Oliver, Sir J. Muigrave,
Bart., W. S. S. Crawford, Esq., C. P. Leslie, Esq., H-
G. Surtees, Esq., R. M. Oliver Massey, Esq.; and stab-
ling are taken for many more studs, which are expected
in the course of the ensuing week.

THE CIIRISTENING AT BURLEIGII.—An amuting
mistake occurred at this ceremony. The Bishop of Pe-
terborough, who performed the ceremony, had com-
menced it and was going on, when it was dise,vered that
the infant who was to be christened was rot in the room.
The young lady was immediately bri2,-,lght in, however,
and the ceremony recommenced.

EXTRAORDINARY SPORT A:r Ins GRACE TUE Duty
OF RUTLAND'S.-011 Tuesday week, in a small cover
called the " Links," near Newmarket, his Greco
the Duke of Rutland, Colonel Anson, Mr. Stanley,
and Mr. FaiTlie, with only four hours' shooting,
bagged th 3 txtraordinary number of 714 head of
game—nsraely, hares, 336 ' - pheasants, 265 ; partridges 3,
rabbits, 80 ; and the following day upwards of 50
.cares, pheasants, &c. (wounded the previous day),
were picked up. Out of the four hours shooting, two
of the party were absent an hour and a half, attending a
meeting at Newmarket—namely, his Grace the Duke of
Rutland and Mr. Fairlie. In the evening a considerable
portion of the game was distributed to the tenantry,
tradespeople, &c.—Leicester Journal.

INCREASE OF PAUPERISM.—SiIICe Thursday last,
not less than seventy-seven persons have been admitted
into the workhouse of Banbury Union ; and we believe
we ar© not mistaken when we state that an equal num-
ber are ready to present themselves for a like purpose.
Of the seventy-seven, forty-one are from the parish of
Bloxham, and they entered together on Friday last, pass.
ing through our town in a melancholy procession.—Ban-
bury Guardian.

HER MAJESTY'S STAG IlouNns.—A large field, in.
eluding the Earl of Rossiya, several of the officers of
the regiments stationed at Windsor and Hounslow, and
a considerable muster of neighbouring gentry and yeo-
men, to the number of upwards of 150, were at the meet,
yesterday morning, at Littleton, near Staines. The cele-
brated stag,Jim Crow, which affbrded some excellent runs
during last season, upon being uncartod near Askford,svent
away towards the Staines union workhouse, doubling to
the left between Ashford and Bedfont on to Feltham
hill, and then away for Sunbury Common, crossing the
high road for Shepperton. Jim Crow then wheeled to
the left and made for Sunbury, where he took to the
Thames, crossing the riser near the weir to the Surrey
side. The hounds were then drawn off, and taken round
over Walton-bridge, and again laid on near the weir,
the stag taking away for Moulsey Hurst, where there
was a check, Jim Crow again taking to the Thames,
and landing on an eyot in the middle of the streams A
punt was soon manned by the yokels of Moulsey, and
the stag driven from his place of refuge ?;,to the
Thames, swimming again to the Surrey side, making
for West Moulsey, where it was taken on the farm of
Mrs. Edwards, after a run (the first eight or nine miles
w ithout a check) of an hour and a half, and upwards of
seventeen miles from the kennel at Ascot. In conse-
quence of the late rains the waters were out in all di-
rections in the vicinity of the Thames, and the country
exceedingly heavy. The meet, on Monday, will be at
Broomhall-hut, and on Friday next at Stoke Com.
MOIL