The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-20 00:00:00

THE CALEDONIAN CANAL.

This important national undertaking, the first of its
class in Europe, after much hesitation on the part of
Government, is at length receiving the repairs and im
prOvements so long desiderated, on a scale of magnitude
which will go far to realise the designs originally con-
templated by the great Telford—an engineer Dumfries-
shire feels a just pride in claiming as a native. The
object pressed on public attention in the end of last
century, was to avoid, by inland navigation, the round
about by the Pentland Frith, apart from the delays and
dangers incident to a series of stormy headlands, Cape
Wrath of the number, which either beoalmed or drove
vessels from their course during the storms of winter—
hindrances in the estimation of mariners deeMed more for-
midable than the gulph stretching between Europe and
America. From the evidence collected by Mr. Walker,
under this head, it appears that traders, in seeking
shelter in sounds, or among distant islands, frequently
lay idle for weeks or months ; and that more time,
occasionally at least, was consumed in completing a
coasting voyage of 300 miles than in crossing the wide
Atlantic, unaided by the Archimidean screw, or paddle
wheels impelled by steam power. The first estimate of
cost was under half a million ; but the price of provi-
sions mounted so rapidly during the war that much
hi-her wages were paid to the workmen, and for mate-
rials, than originally contemplated; so that by the time
the Canal was opened, in 1822, the total expense
amounted to pretty nearly one million sterling. Oei-
ginaily, it was intendtd that the width of the water
surface should be 120 feet, the bottom width 50,
and the depth 20, so as to admit the largest vessels
that trade between Liverpool and the Baltic, West
Indiamen of average size, and frigates of thirty-
.

two guns when fully equipped. Brit- so much wis
said in Parliament against expense, estimates exceeded,
jobbing, and so forth, that the engineer was constrained
to cnraph to the Canal in a hurried and insufficient
manner, of which his professional zeal and better judg-

meat totally disapproved. That jobbing insinuates itself
into the execution of too many Government works, can-
not well be denied ; and in Inverness shire it is well
known that certain contractors, in the absence of a
proper Bys:cm of checks, performed so superficially, that
they became rich, by the accumulation of more money
than Mr. Telford left at the time of his death, after
planning not a few of the noblest monuments of British
art, the Menai Bridge included, one of the modern
wonders of the world. Still the engineer was not to
blame, as the patronage of employing subordinates
formed no part of his business. But so great a man
could not escape envy, and the jealousy of rivals; and in
a review of his posthumous works, published six years
ago, we find the following justification of his memory:—
" Our readers will readily conceive the mortification which
Mr. Telford must have experienced when he found the nation
and the Ministry arrayed against him ; and when he felt that
the glory of executing the greateat work in Europe was to
be turned into shame. His powerful mind, however, bore
the affliction, and wisely yielded to what he could not avert.
In his posthumous work even, he has forbonie to give expres-
sion to his feelings ; and has never deigned to make any reply
to those attacks upon his professional character which igno-
rant legislators, and jealous rivals, founded on the excess of
the real over the estimated expenditure.
" In works of ordinary magnitude, where frog practice has
corrected our theoretical principles, and experience has
gathered and recorded her knowledge, a
.great error in his

estimates would justly weaken our —centidence even in an
able engineer; but the case is quite different in works dis-
tinguished for the novelty of their character and the gran-
deur of their dimensions. The mind is here thrown out of
its sphere of knowledge. It has no previous experience to
appeal to; and, even if the records of engineering had pre-
sented some law of strength in relation to works of progres-
sive magnitude, the application of that law to a higher point
of the scale must yet be a conjecture; and still more so in
combinations exposed to the variable, and insidious, and in-
calculable action of water and the elements. But the defence
of Mr. Telford must not be rested on a speculative pleading.
We must look into the estimates of more modern public
works of inordinate magnitude, where the engineer has been
led into the same miscalculation, and where he has been, by
universal consent, permitted to plead the tame excuse."
But, thanks to Mr. Walker andhiS admirable report,

matters have been placed on so different a footing, that
jobbing will be totally disallowed, through the exertions
of Mr. Ally. the excellent resident engineer, who, to
professional knowledge, adds matured experience, and
is so often abroad, that he supervises everything secutz-
dem artem. 'The contractors, Messrs. Jackson and Bean,
who are favourably known for their skill and experience
in this department of engineering, have been allowed
three years for the completion of tasks implying a large
outlay of public money ; and, from the satisfactory
progress already made, there is reason to hope that the
Canal will be re-opened from sea to sea at the time ap-
pointed, unless there be departures in the form of extras,
from the specifications. The total length of the Canal
is sixty miles, twenty-three of which are formed by art,
and the remainder by connecting, and rendering subser-
vient to commercial purposes, a great natural basin,
enriched in one sense, as well as beautified by the ample
waters of Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy.
On threading the locality lately, we found the bustle
not only great, but curiously animated, beyond alike
anticipation and description. The contractors employ
from 1,500 to 1,800 men, according to circumstances,
and pretty near 100 horses, to say nothing of the potent
and complicated machinery impressed into the service
they conduct, for the promotion of peaceful engineering
purposes, infinitely more sensible than the ridiculous
fortifications erected in Paris, half-way through the
nineteenth century, at an expense of nearly fifteen mil-
lions sterling. One way and another, the gentlemen
named above disburse weekly in wages about 2,000/.
sterling. Masons receive from a pound to a guinea,
joiners fifteen shillings, and labourers from thirteen to
fourteen shillings, all by the week. Another class of
workers, who are called " dredgers," are paid still more
handsomely—say a crown a day, which enables them,
to patronise roast beef and mutton, in preference to
the porridge, potatoes, and barley broth of Caledonia.
Strange as it may appear, there is scarcely a single
Irishman in the squads of labourers employed ; of'
eouthrons there were a good many at first, remnants of
whom still remain ; but in a national point of view it is
satisfactory to know that the great .bulk. of the work is
executed by the thews and einews of Highlanders from
various quarters, including Skye, Mull, Lews, and:- some
other islands. In the case of quarrymen, excavators,
smiths, and lime-burners, &c., portions of work are let by
the job to sub-contractors. That much local good is
done by the circulation of so large a sum in wages can
hardly be doubted, but the operators complain of the
dearth of provisions, and in the case of oatmeal they are
entitled to do so. Thiearticle is retailed at 2s. Bd. per
stone of 17 Abich is pretty nearly double the
prices current in Act south of Scotland. Butter is re-
tailed at, is. per lb., and eggs at fivepence per dozen,
with every prospect of the latter rising in price, from
the greatinflux of strangers into districts where sheep
form the great staple, while the few other products the
soil yields, grain included, scarcely suffice for the wants
of the natives. Potatoes, however, are everywhere
healthy, and in wild situations grown in greater breadth
than anything else ; and in proportion as they ripen,
will. be substituted for meal in suppering, if not break-
fastmg many a hard-working labourer. Fresh herrings
have been so plentiful, that they are sometimes sold at
from 20 t 0.24 fur sixpence ; and truth to say, there is no
fish the waters float, whether fresh or salt, which forms
so admirable an accompanyment to a meetly potato.
At the t :anal entrance to Loch Lochy, we observed a
dieing bell, which is to be used, we presume, for the
first time, in deepening fresh water in a Highland lake.
Judging from what occurred at Loch Oich, there are ob-
strticticns below not a little formidable, such as the
trunks of trees containing several loads of timber.
How long these relics of primeval forests had re-
mained submerged it is impossible to tell ; but what
is not a little curious, some of the most gigantic
specimens formerly excavated exhibited at once traces
of the woodman's axe and the agency of fire com-
bined. As all water wa3s are subject to leakage
during dry weather, the precaution has been adopted,
of lining the embankments with clay (pudding), so
that hereafter surrace waste may be confined to ex-
halation. Dredging is another great job, and as regards
deepening, the most important of all ; and few operations
can be more amusing than to see barrowmen
ascending planks rivalling in steepness the knees
of hills, aided by the power of horses above, so har-
nessed as to work double tides, going and returning.
Wherever gaps appear in the canal, the streams have
been shut out by mounds of earth, to be removed when
the water is again required for purposes more im-
portant than feeding fishes. Three steam-engines are
at work occasionally in pumping, which discharge into
Loch Ness as much water as would give a twelve gal-
lon supply daily to every inhabitant of the great
city of Londou. . For moving the huge blocks of
stone used in the quoins and new buildings, setting
frames with an apparatus of cranes, fixed and move-
able, windlasies, &c., were months ago placed in
orderly requisition ; quarries, too, have, been opened
at conveni,nt distances ; side railroads planted to
convey the hugest stones in wheeled trucks to the re-
quisite stations ; and, in a word, all our great modern
inventions found not only beautifully blended, but bear-
ine most beneficially upon one another in the renovation
nodl more perfect execution of a great national under-
taking. Where the hinge stones at the different locks
were found too weak, larger ones have been substituted;
and as most of the doors have suffered so much from
tear and wear that they require to be renewed, the
country was searched in vain for oak of the necessary
dimensions, with the exception of park trees, which the
owners will not cut. But wherever the will exists there
is a'so a way ;, and we were pleased to find that Indian
teak is to be ueed instead ; and eke goodly mahogany
from Honduras, which, in our estimation, will subserve
purposes every way more important than gearing the
dining tables of the highest in the land.
Before the general introduction of steam navigation,
the passage by the canal was tedious for sail vessels
when the wind was contrary. But when four steam-
tugs are placed upon its waters, that objection will be
entirely obviated ; and then, we should suppose, adieu
to circuitous navigation by the Pentland Frith. This
circumstance, of it;elf, formed a cogent argument for
the expenditure of an additional 200,0001. on the part of
Government. And another and still stronger will arise,
wheni the north of Scotland to the shores of the Frith of
o :Lth, is• railroaded in its whole length and breadth.
That such a consummation is not, far in the distance, is
proved by the speculations in posse' and ease; .and when
the whole arrangements contemplated are completed,
canaling and railroading drawn to a common centre, will
be found acting and re-acting beautifully and benefi-
cially upon one another.—Durafries Courier.

[ADvErtrrsEstENT.] —An
sEtanxdtirnaordbinary Cure of
Holloway's Pins
No. 21,
a Diseased Knee of Ten Years'
and Ointment !—Mr. Edward Perrynsg:resid
Fargate-street, Worcester, is now cured of anwlicabslt
knee and a stiff joint, which had been bad for ten years,
ever since he was fourteen. He bad lost from the knee joint
several pieces of bone, one being two inches in length. He
had been under the most eminent of the faculty In Worcester,
and at last was told that his leg must be amputated, as a cure
was quite impossible! A perfect cure has been effected in this
hopeless case by these wonderful medicines. Sold by ill
chemists and by the propriator, 244, Etna, Undo..

GREAT SEA SERPENT.
The following account, duly authenticated, as will be 1
seen, we copy from the last number of the Woonsocket
(R. I.) Patriot. The statement of Captain Powers we
give verbatim. It was sent to the Woonsocket paper
by Mr. C. D. Byron, who dates his letter, Newport,
September 8. The day on which it was seen was the
Monday previous (September 1), while the ship (the
Albatross) was becalmed off Stonington, Ct., about five
miles off land. We would not ridicule these researches
into natural history ; but we must say that this story is
long, tough, and hard to swallow. If true, however,
it shows that antiquity cannot begin to compare with
modern times. Hydrargo3 Sillimanii was not a circum-
stance to the Genus Stoningtonii. We copy from the
Woonsocket Patriot. Any hats that may follow are due
at that office.

"The wind during the day had been light from the
N.E., and at about half-past two p.m., while almost be.
calmed, one of the men who bad gone aloft discovered
him about one point off the lee bow, distant quarter of a
mile. I immediately went aloft, taking with me an ex-
cellent sea-glass, and stationed myself on the maintop-
gallant crosstrees. As he neared the vessel, I was
enabled, from my elevated position, to observe the
peculiarity of his shape, and to reconnoitre all his move-
ments. When first seen he was lying on the surface of
the water, with his head and nearly the entire length of
his body in sight. In this position he remained for about
fifteen minutes, without any apparent motion, though
from his gradual proximity to the vessel, it is evident he
must have been under some headway. After this, he
slowly changed his course, so as to bring his body
athwart our bows, and again appeared to remain station-
ary, until by the current, and slight puffs of v,ind, we had
drifted silently into his immediate neighkourhood.
" The sea being unusually smooth and clear, the view
which was now afforded could not well have been better,
and the opportunity to enjoy it was eagerly embraced by
all hands. I should think his length could not have
fallen far short of 70 feet. The head appeared to be
much the largest and most formidable part, and was of
an oval shape. The end of the upper jaw appeared to
be square, and very blunt; that of the under part was
not much dissimilar in shape to that of the ordinary
snake. About ten feet from the extreme point of the
bead, and on either side, was located a thin apron or ea-
of flesh, of about four feet in length and one in width.
Directly iu rear, and just below, appeared a large full,
orbed eye, of a dark colour, with an elongate horizontal
pupil, surrounded by a white cuffing. Under the throat
and about on a line with the eye, appeared two enormous
fins or flippers, which seemed to be his main dependence
in giving headlong motion to the huge mass of livieg
flesh which lay behind them. About eight or t"n
feet still farther back, and near the surface of the
water. two other fins became visible ; these were
about six feet long, rather narrow, and quite thin. They
lay horizontally on the water, and were occasionally
moved to and from the side with a sculling motion. This
circumstance led to the conjecture that they might have
been designed as material aids in turning the body to the
right or left. The ridge of the back was considerably
notched, and at equi-dis!ances of two or three feet, sharp
transparent protuberances. of a vermillion colour, ap-
peared, to the number of fifteen ; after which the back
became smooth as far as discoverable. These points or
horns were about eight inches long, starting with a dia-
meter of perhaps four inches, and gradually tapering to
an extreme point. It is not impossible this singular ar-
rangement may have been wisely ordained to serve as
weapons of self-defence. The termination of the body
was quite small, ending with a callous or bony projec-
tion, about four feet in length, and nearly white.
" The entire body appeared to be shielded in a com-
plete ' coat of mail,' of a dark brown hue, divided into
regular joints, passing around the body, which were
slightly opened and shut by the motion occasioned
when lying ' head to the sea.' This singular exterior
covering would undoubtedly present an invulnerable
barrier against the attack of any aquatic enemy who
might chance to seek the citadel of his life. Its ex-
treme inflexibility was thoroughly tested before we
parted company, by several well directed shots of a rifle,
which left no visible impression whatever, and did not
seem to disturb his equilibrium even the slightest de-
gree.
" At about half past three we were so contigious to
each other, that fears began to be entertained for the
safety of the vessel. I came doe n from aloft, and or-
dered the sweeps to be put out, to get steer-way" on
her, in order to avoid a collision, as he was then lying
broadside to' just under the bow. At this critical
juncture a scene of confusion and alarm occurred which
can only be imperfectly described. The oars were
scarcely in the water when a terrible commotion was
heard directly under the forefoot.' I jumped forward
at once to the staysail nettings, and looking
down, could see nothing but one complete caul-
dron of bubbling and boiling foam, as white
as unstained snow. Whether the serpent had
taken alarm at discovering his proximity to the vessel,
or from the noise made by the oars as they v. ere dropped
into the water, I could not tell. In another instant the
commotion ceased, and the monster breached from the
water head foremost, coming up in nearly a perpendicu-
lar line, until his head struck the martingale with such
force as to part the guys, and carry away the flying jib-
boom near the boom-iron. The concussion was so se-
vere that the whole ship trembled beneath it, and the
countenance of every man on board was blanched with
fear. Had I not been holding on to the foretopmast-
stay at the time, I should. doubtlessly have fallen over-
board. Immediately after this he slowly settled away,
and entirely disappeared from sight.
" It being now about four o'clock, and the wind be-
ginning to set in from the southward and eastward,
we hauled our 'tacks' aboard, 'sheeted bome' the
topsails, and gathering headway on the ship, stood
in for the land. Nothing more was seen of the
leviathan, though every eye on board long and in-
tently searched for his whereabouts. Whether this
strange inhabitant of the deep is the same which had
been so often seen and described by others, or is
some new visitor in our waters, I have no means of
knowing. I can only say that its appearance was novel
and interesting in the highest degree, and differed en-
tirely in its construction, size, and colour, from any
tenant of the deep which ever came under my observa-
tion, during a nautical life of 25 years.—JAßEZ POWERS."
—New York Tribune.

DISEASE OF THE POTATO IN
BELGIUM AND ENGLAND.
At this moment, when the disease of the potato in
various districts in England seems to be rapidly spread-
ing, the following paper on the subject will be read with
extreme interest
A general disease, as our readers are perhaps aware,
has attacked the potatoes in Belgium, and it seems that
the crop of that first-rate necessary esculent is very
seriously endangered iu that country. The disease is
said to threaten also the potato crop in certain parts of
France. We republish, therefore, the advice which M.
Morren, professor of Agriculture in the University of
Liege, has addressed to the public, in a letter in the
Independence, a Brussels paper. M. Morren, after saying
that the evil had prevailed in Belgium for several years,
though to a less alarming degree, proceeds :
" The real cause of the evil is a fungus, or sort of
mushroom. a mouldering which the learned will classify
under their genus botrydis, but which agriculturists, or
without further specification, will call a spot, a blemish,
blotches, and which they will attribute, some to humidity,
and some to dryness—some to a bad wind come from
France, and some t) insects. It is not, however, matter
of indifference to know the true cause of the pheno-
menon, for that knowledge will put us in the way of
diminshing or destroying the evil, if it is possible.
"For some time I have been following, day by day,
and step by step, the progress of the evil, by keeping
my observation fixed on some potato fields. The disease
decidedly begins with the leaves, and at the top of the
leaves; I have even seen the flowers and fruit attacked
first. A part of the green tissue, however, loses its hue
and quickly turns to yellow; the spot soon becomes more
grey at the bottom, and it is always at the lower surface
of the leaf, or on the fruit that a whitish down makes its
appearance the next day or the day but one after the
formation of the yellow spot. By applying the micro-
scope, you then see that th's down proceds from a fungus
or mushroom. that is fructifying amids the numerous
hairs that cover the inner side of the leaf of the potato..
" This mushroom is of the same tenuity, but it breeds
amazingly, and reproduces itself by thousands. Its
stems are formed of little straight hollow threads, which
bear on their summits one or more branches always di-
vided into two, and at the end of these branches repro-
ductive bodies are found, which have the form of eggs,
but which have the form of a millimetre, in size, and even
less. It will be said that this is a very small body to do
so much mischief, but I answer that the itch is not a
disease less to be feared, because the acare which pro-
duces it can be seen only by the aid of the microscope.
" After the formation of the yellow spot, and the
development of the botrudis on the leaf of the potato,
the stalk receives the deleterious influence. Here
and there its epidermis turns brown, and blackens,
and following with the microscope the phase of the
evil, you perceive that it is by the rind that the stalk is
attacked. The morbid agent carries its action from the
rind on to the epidermis, and though the epidermis does
not always disclose mushrooms, it is not the less for that
struck with death. Whoever has any notions of vege-
table physiology will easily understand these effects.
The sap modified into living juices, into vegetable blood,
is formed in the leaf, whence it descends by the rind into
the stem and the root. Here this sap is diseased, it
carries death ; it bears the poison of the leaf to the stem,
Mnd the latter perishes. Indeed, as soon as the black
spots show themselves on the stems, the leaves dry up
and die ; they fall to the ground propagating, unfortu-
nately, the source of the evil, or depositing its germs in
the earth. I shall presently point out means of stoppirg
this fatal communication.
"The infection soon descends into the tubercule it-
self. If the disease follows its course, the tubercule
mortifies forthwith. A potato is not a root but a real
branch, whence it follows that a tubercule contains
a marrow, which is the eatable part to be preferred,
and a separate rind • between the marrow and the
rind there is a zone of vessels, which represent wood.
This construction is apparent to any one who chooses
to cut a thin slice of potatoe, and place it between
his eye and daylight. The infection attacks that
part which receives the sap on its descent that
part by which the morbid agent has itself come
down. When a potato is attacked, you perceive a
series of livid, brown, or yellow spots, sometimes grey
and blackish, and the series extends over the whole of
the ligneous zone. By following the progress of the
evil upon a great number of tainted tubercules, I have
been able
ege
vegetable
how the evil, by one continuous progress,
at length reaches the heart itself of the potato, and cor-
rupts the table entirely. The skin of the. diseased
Potato oNnes off easily • the flesh no longer cracks
under t 6-knife, a flatulent liquid drips from the potato,
a mubt3 , and presently an animal smell, analagous to the
smell of mushrooms recently cut _ manifests itself, and
occasions considerable nausea. The very animals re-
fuse to eat of a food that may be considered as hurtful
al dekt4349113 A 24849015 themselves,

" As soon as the inside of the potato: hai mortified,
three days at the utmost ere sufficient for the botrydis
to make its way to the exterior. 'The white efflorescence
shows itself in the eyes of the tubercules, arid then it
spreads itself like little white fleeces upon the surface
that is rcundish at firs', but which finishes by invading
the whole of the tubercule ; then the potatoe is alto-
gether destroyed.
" The evil being traced to its source, the cultivator
must direct his attention to the destru, tion of the fungus
or mushroom, for it is unfortunately but too true that
all the parasites of this genus once introduced into a
country, remain there and propagate. This year the
epidemy has been general ; the germs that exist every-
where ; thousands and thousands of propagules, if their
numbers are not diminished by times, will next year be
attacking the plants, and it will then be more difficult
than ever to eradicate the scourge.
_ _

" It is essential to adopt the following precautions :
" 1. When, then, the leaves are decidedly spoilt, cut
them down forthwith and burn them on the spot, in-
stead of taking them away. The ashes may serve to be
scattered on the soil. In collecting them, shake them
as little as possible. I have seen with regret cultivators
cut down the diseased leaves and keep them in heaps on
the field, or throw them over the hedges. It is preserv-
ing the scourge for the following year.
" 2dly. Whcn certain varieties' or certain localities
are free from the scourge, at the time of the harvest, it
is always prudent to burn the leaves, for a field may
appear secure from the butrydis when it is not so ; se-
veral leaves are attacked ; these leaves throw the pro-
pa,Aules, on to the tubercules which, being preserved
for purposes of reproduction, will spread the plant the
following year. •
"idly. If the tubercules themselves are attacked, it
is essential to take them out of the earth, and to
speedily choose amongst them, which is an easy pro-
ceeding, for habit soon enables one to distinguish be-
tween the tubercles that are tainted and those that are
not. The tubercules that are still sout.d must be turned
to account as soon as possible, for they are not noxious
so long as the rind does not become yellow. The smell
alone is sufficient to indicate the development of the
disease. The diseased tubercules must be burnt.

" 4thly. In order to obviate the disastrous conse-
quences of a scanty harvest, it would be important to
adopt in our country the practice now prevalent in Scot-
land of cultivating potatoes during winter.
" sthly. As it is infinitely probable that the tuber-
cules which will be preserved for putting in the ground
will be infect, d with the spawn of the mushroom, it
would be advisable, by means of the Government or in
the course of commerce, or in some way or another, that
our cultivators should have at their dispssal for re-
rroduction tubercules perfectly pure and non-infected,
and in that regret the potatoes of Pennsylvania or of
Ireland would suit us extremay. The present scourge
is unknown in these t.vo countries. You must be aware
of the German potatoes, in which the high gangrene,
the crispure, and the ulceration of the tubercules are but
too apparent. The occasion of the proposed importation
on a large scale should be sized to introduce into our
country the 'varieties the most useful to our soil.
6thly. Should the agriculturists persist in using fur
re-production he tubercles harvested in the country this
year, it will bt necessary to submit the tubercles to the
agency of lime, as is practised with wheat, barley, oats,
and all plants chat are liable to the invasion of parasiti.
cal bodies. Trite process ought to be by the immersion
of the tubercles, because a study of the botrydis shows
that it is the eye of the pototo. a point that is most
often sunken in, that is attacked. The lime •water should,
therefore, bathe this lethiferous eye; 25 hilogrammes
(50 lbs.) of lime, a quarter of a pound of sulphate of
copper, and three kilogrammes (6 lbs.) of marine salt,
for twenty-five liters (quarts) of water, consiitute a pre-
paration, the utility of which in the destruction of para-
site plants has been recognised by a great number of well-
informed cultivators.

" In the plantations, whether of the winter of
1845 or of the spring of 1846, it is essential to plant
with potatoes only such districts as are as far as pos•
Bible removed from the districts annually infected; for
it is clear that the chance of transmission by the pre-
servation in the soil of the spawn of the mushrooms
is much greater it plantations that gre close to each
other than when the plantations are at a greater
distance.

" Bthly. When M. de Martins visited Belgium and
invest.gated, in our different provinces, the state of
our potatoes, he informed me, in 'one of his interest-
ing conversations, that the cultivators on the banks
of the Rhine had observed that the dry gangrene
attacked oftener the potatoes planted in the afternoon
than those planted in the morning, and he explained
the phenomenon by a very simple fact. When the
sun has passed the meridian, the heat of the coatings
of air is at its maximum; this heat accelerates the
vitality of the plants; their propagales float about
more easily in a dilated air; the insects, in their flight,
disperse more Easily a mass of little bcdies of which the
atmosphere is the vehiculum, and the dissemination of
these germs is then at its maximum too. The cultivator
is then in the very midst of this atmosphere, and the
potato which he is planting has to go through it too ;
the potato gathers on to it the spawn, which is thus
sown with it, and there then happens to the potato,
what happens to the corn that has not been submitted to
the action of lime-water—namely, that the poison grows
with the plant, and at a later period attacks it and kills
it. Cultivators, consequently, would do well to plant
their potatoes in the morning.
" 9thly. The use of lime and of marine salt with a
slight mixture of sulphate of c spper, is, as I have already
said, of acknowledged efficacy in the destruction of the
germs of parasite plants. Consequently, to powder over
with such a mixture a soil that has been planted with
diseased potatoes, is a good operation for destroying in
that land the germ of the scourge. The operation ought
to be strongly recommended everywhere.
" 10thly. The preserving of the potatoes that shall
have escaped the scourge this year, in caves, cellars, &c.,
will certainly be to deposit the spawn of the mushroom
in those very places. The cellars must be thoroughly
cleaned, and scoured with lime, which will destroy the
spawn, and then scattering lime or ground coal on the
soil where the tubercles have been spread, will conclude
the series of operations, the most rational and the most
certsin for destroying, if it is possible, the evil at its
root.

" CH. MORREN,
" Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, &c., &c.
" Leige, Aug. 18, 1845."

THE CROPS IN THE UNITED

STATES.

The season has so far advanced, that we are able to
take a general survey of the crops throughout the
whole country. We can now speak with some confi-
dence, because most of the crops have been harvested.
First, as to the great northern staple, wheat. The
crop is undoubtedly a large one, more than an average,
and it has been secured in excellent condition. This is
the tenor of advices from all quarters. Even in Ohio.
where the wheat crop is probably less than an average,
the wheat is very clean and the berry very white. We
hear neither of rust nor smut. Though the farmers
have lost in quantity they have undoubedly gained in
quality. In Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and lowa,
the wheat crop is magnificent. Everything has been
favourable. So likewise, we understand, is the wheat
crop in Pennsylvania. In Virginia, Maryland, North
Carolina, and Georgia, it has been effected by the
drought, some say so seriously as to shrivel the berry.
In Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri, the crop is a
noble one. In New England and New York it is pro-
bably less than an average.
The hay crop is remarkably light in nearly every
State in the Union. From all sections, the complaint is
almost universal that hay is very light. This is par-
ticularly the case in New England, New York, and
Ohio. Further west, and in Michigan, we hear of a
heavy crop of hay, bat it 's not to be disguised that the
hay crop is shorter now than it has been in many years.
The protracted spring drought stunted it, and the in.
tense summer drought nearly killed it. The farmer
will have to make up his deficiency of fodder by an in-
creased sowing of late root crops.
Rye, oats, and barley, are a fair crop, but not a heavy
one. Like grass, they have suffered from the drought.
The corn crop is now ripening; it is therefore impos-
sible to speak conclusive; but it seems to be the general
impression that it will be less than an average crop, ex-
cept in the Western States, where the drought has not
been so severe. Yet it is acknowledged that the quality
is uncommonly fine.
Potatoes are of an excellent quality, and though here
and there there may be a failure, we shall have our
u‘ual abundance of one of the finest and most whole-
some vegetables ever cultivated for man. The rot has
got into it in some sections, but this is not so general as
it was last year.
Our survey would not be complete unless we said a
few words about the great crop of the South—cotton,
rice, tobacco, and sugar.
alsn
reSdouuctehd
iti
soma,
one—probably reach
Carolinais,issipapnidanGdeAorrgkiaan,
stahse.
The cotton crop will be a heavy
nuitathis
adeficiencyndin N or
tNorth
2i
et intenseodor ob ua gl ehs
iTllhbee more
tobac wed
ctohacnrsoupppisliligbhyt
in
Virg
and South Carolina, but heavy in Kentucky and Mis-
souri, and we think the whole supply will be a full
average.
Rice, which is mostly raised in South Carolina, will
not be a full crop. If we are
burnedtobelieve the papers of
.everything
these effects are
that State, the drought has up almost
as the sufferings of heat make it seem more
like a blast of fire, but probably ex-
aggerated,
intolerable than it really is.

The sugar crop will be a splendid one. The culture
in Louisiana is extending beyond all former example.
It is so much more profitable than raising cotton, that
the cotton planters are rushing into it. The last year's
crop was 200,000,000 of pounds—by far the largest ever
before raised in this country. The next may reach
250,000,000 pounds. There is yet a large room for in-
crease, as the consumption in the United States is about
500,000,000.
In this connexion we can very properly speak of the
crops of Texas, which are uncommonly good. Cotton,
sugar, corn, and wheat, are all fine. There is a glorious
abundance of everything for sustenance or comfort. As
that country may now he considered a part of our•
Union, its prosperity will be chronicled with as much
interest as that of its sister States.—Albany Argus.

LEITIT.—GREAT FLIGHT OF BIRDS.--The Mary,
Captain Small, from Rotterdam, which arrived here a few days
ago, encountered a severe gale off the land on her passage home;
and during its continuance an immense number of small birds
boarded the vessel, covering the rigging and uttering wild
cries, as evidently glad of the shelter from the great wind
which had driven them so far to sea. Safe from one disaster, they
soon were overtaken by another in the shape of a large hawk, that
pounced upon the timid songsters and killed several of them before
he could be secured. A number have been brought home, dead
and alive, consisting of nearly all the variety of our European
songsters. The hawk is perfectly tame, and a great favourite with
the crew of the Mary,,Scotsman.

THE SUN, LONDON M eNDABY EVENING, OCTOBER 20, 18-15

FRENCH RAILWAYS and ENGLISH

CONTRACTORS.
Some months since we stated the particulars of a dis-
puted claim which had been set up by the authorities of
the city of Rouen for the levying of a sort of municipal
toll or tax upon all material included in a certain
schedul,e the terms of the municipal regulation im-
posing the tax being as follows:—" That every person
ho shall gather, prepare, or manufacture (qui recolte,
prepare ou fab,ique), within the limits over which the
(o< t- oi) city toll extends, is bound, under pain of con-
fiscation of the articles gathered, prepared, or manu•
factured (recoltes, preFires nu fahriques), as well as of a
penalty of from 100 to 200 francs, to make a declaration
of the same, and to pay the taxes thereupon." Now it
appears that amongst the articles enumerated in the
schedule affixed to the above regulation are included
two kinds of stone, known by the distinctive appellations
of moellons and bizets. illoelion signifies a rough sort of
boulder stone, and Giza a stone of rough blackish hue
and of similar character, and both are used in the em-
bankments of railways just a's they are dug up with the
earth, without the slightest employment of any labour
in their fashion or shape ; so that they can scarcely be
said to be iv quit's, or prepared. This was the question
at issue between the city authorities and Messrs.
Mackenzie and Brissey, the contractors of the earth-
works of the Rouen and llavre Railway.
The minutes of the proceedings which originally were
commenced before the local tribunal at Rouen, show the
facts of the case to be as follows :--That, on the 16th
of May last. the officers of the city tolls saw a certain
number of waggons containing nthellons et hints travel-
ling on the line of railway then in course of construction,
and coming out of the tunnel which is under and within
the city of Rouen, and so proceed from the interior to
the commune or district he) ond and without the bounda-
ries of the said city. The fact is, that the hoe of rail-
way runs by a tunnel under the city of Rouen, and, alter
leaving the tunnel, it is carried forward on• an embank-
ment, and the moellons et bizets aro nothing more than
the interior stones of a certain siz, which, being dug out
with the earthwork, are heaped pell-inell into the wag-
gons, and sent forward to furnish material for the em-
bankment. _

VARIATIONS IN THE VALUE OF

RAILWAY I ROPERTY.

The fluctuations which take place in the value of
railway pimperty are often the subject of remark. In no
other description ofjoint-stock shams do equally sudden
and extensive changes occur. Most persons who have
paid any attention to whit is passing in the railway
world are aware of the high prices of sew rag of the
leading lines, as compared with what they were in 1843.
In that y 4 ar the Great Western shares of 801. were as
low as 11 premium; lately they were 140. In the same
year the Great North of England 100/. shares were
scarcely saleable at 40 discount; a few months ago they
were 150 premium. The Midland Counties 100/. shares
were, little mere than two years since, at 35 discount;
they were lately at 90 premium. But a greater increase
than in either of the instances we have mentioned has
taken place in the shares of the Dublin and Kingstown
Railway. Little more than twenty months ago, the 100,
shares ware selling at 75/., being 25 discount. Seven or
eightweeks since they brought 2501., being 150 pre-
mium. But still greater than these have been the varia-
tions, considering the amount paid, which have taken
place in the value of some of our new lines. The
Goole,-Pontefract, and Waketield shares, on which a
deposit of 21. 105. has been paid, and which remained
stationary for many weeks at a premium of from 14/. to
161., have recently mounted up to 401 Even this sudden
and extensive rise, however, is surpassed by that which
lately took place in a new line which is scarcely known
in this country—we allude to-a Scotch line, called the
Glasgow and Barrhead Railway. The shares in this
line were selling, six or seven weeks ago, at 61., in-
cluding the deposit of 21. 10s. ; they rose in a very
short time to 241., and then as suddenly fell back to
17/.; but, strange to say, they again took a start, which
has, we believe, no parallel in any description of joint-
stock property. They bounded up in a few days from
171. to 40/. Those who were fortunate holders to any
extent of the scrip of this hoe must have realised large
fortunes in the brief space of a few weeks. A holder
of 250 shares, at par, trust have realised little short of
10,000/. by the transaction.—Railwey World.

It was urged, on the part of the city, that the stones
were, there could be no doubt, included in the tariff, and
subject to a duty or toll to the city of 70 centimes
per stere. On the ether hand, it was urged that these
ntoellons d biztts found on the waggons could not be con-
templated by the tariff, since, in their actual condition,
they were only rubbish, misshapen unhewn masses,
and, in fact, were stone and flint, dug out from
the excavation in the railway, and because in
that state they were, in fact, only fit for
making embankments on another part of the rail-
way, where they were being carried at the time,
as we should say, laid in the declaration; an 1 that this
destination, the only one for which they were calculated,
should protect them from the opera'ion of the law in
question. The argument that there had been no labour
bestowed upon them was met by the single fact of labour
being employed in their excavation, and that the stones in
question might have been used for building purposes in
their then condition. It was in vain that the defendants
again urged that the terms of the article imposing the duty
did not apply—that the stones in question were neither
recoltes prepay es ou fabrigues ; for the Court de-
sired it to be understood that the article was in-
tended to include, tout erection, without excertion,
every production from the interior of objects sus-
ceptible of being subjected to the droit d'entree.
In vain Messrs. Mackenzie and Brassey declare
that they only intended to employ these stories in
the aforesaid embankment, and that they bad no inten-
tion of employing them for building purposes—had
they 4o used them, they would confess the justice of the
ease, but the Court would hear no plea of the sort, and
pronounced the contractors guilty. The decision (dis-
engaging the question from the mass of legal quibbling
which surrounds it) appears to us an absurdity. In nar-
rating the circumstances of the case we have mentioned
that the case first came on before the tribunal at Rouen
on the 12th of June, 1845. On the 18th of July, again,
an appeal was lodg-d before the Court at Rouen, and the
final decision was, through another appeal to the Court
of Cassarion, on the third of this month. The costs fell
upon the contractors—Railway Bawd._

THE LATE MELANCHOLY OCCUR-
RENCE AT HOUNSLOW BARRACKS.
FINAL EXAMINATION OF LIEUTENANT KERWAN.
Saturday being the day appointed for the further examina-
tion of Lieutenant Martin Frsncis Kerwan, of the 4th Regi-
ment of Light Dragoons, stationed at Hounslow Barracks,
on the charge of having, on the 28th of September last,
stabbed with a sword Quartermaster Thomas Tarleten, of the
same regiment, whereby his life was for some time in danger,
the large room at the Three Pigeons Inn, New Brentford, in
which the magistartes customarily held their sittings, was
long before the hour appointed (twelve o'clock) densely
crowded by respectable persons, anxious to witness the
proceedings.
The magistrates who took their seats, were Mr. G. Baillie,
of Hanwell (Chairman), Rev. Dr. Walmesley (Hanwell),
Mr. T. Twining (Twickenham), Mr. J. B. Armstrong
(Southall), Mr. J. Frere (Chiswick), and Mr. Roe
(Chiswick).
Mr. Clarkson attended as counsel for Lieutenant Kerwan,
as at the previous examination that day fortnight.
Lieutenant Kenyan took his station at the bar, where a
chair had been previously placed for his accommodation.
Quartermaster Thomas Tarleton was then called forward,
and took his station in the witness-box. He was a much
taller and more powerful man than Lieutenant Kerwan, and
although he looked rather pale, he exhibited no weakness
from the effects of the injury, but stood all the time he was
giving his evidence. Having been sworn, he deposed as fol-
lows :—I am quartermaster of the 4th Regiment of Light
Dragoons, now stationed at Hounslow-barracks. On the
the evening of Sunday, the 28th of September last, about ten
o'clock, some of the officers were showing feats of strength
in the ante-room of the mess-room. Amongst others, Lieu-
tenant Kenyan, with Lieutenant Grevile, of the 2d Regi-
ment of Life Guards, were wrestling, and Lieutenant
Kerwan was thrown twice, when Captain Fane
came forward and put a stop to it. Lieutenant Kerwan
immediately addressed Captain Fane, and asked him why
he interfered, when he was not the senior officer of the regi-
ment then present. Captain Fane almost immediately left
the room, and directly afterwards Lieutenant Kerwan also
left the room. I was standing with my back to the fire,
when Major Parlhy came to the door of the ante-room and
called me out. When I went to him in the passage he told
me that Lieutenant Kerwan wanted to go into Captain
Fane's room. I went to the front of the barracks, and there
saw Lieutenant Kerwan with two other officers. I saw that
Lieutenant Kerwan was exceedingly excited, and endea-
voured to soothe him. After some little time Lieutenant Ker-
wan said he was ordered to the guard-room, and would go
there. I tried to dissuade him. He then ascended the
stairs to go to his room to put his cap on, and I accompa-
nied him. When we went into the room I shut the door,
and when Lieutenant Kerwan had procured his cap, he
wanted to go out of the room, and I prevented him, by
shutting the door, and standing with my back to it.
Lieutenant Kenyan then seized a sword which was hanging
near to where he had taken the cap from, and after flourish-
ing it about, and threatening be would cut me down if I did
not allow him to pass, he made a pass at me, which went
under my left arm. Another sword was hanging close within
my reach on the door in a scabbard. He said, "There is an-
other sword, defend yourself." I reached out towards it,
and had got hold of the scabbard when I thought he wanted
to pass between me and the door, and I threw myself back
against the door, and then felt the blow which inflicted the
wound. I immediately said, you have stabbed me, and went
towards the fire, and by the light of it saw blood on my
shirt.. There was only a fire in the room. I then left the
room, and meeting some person, told them to fetch the doctor,
and hen went to my own room. The doctor came almost
immediately.
By the 13eneb—My motive in preventing Lieut. Kerwan
from quitting the room, was to prevent his going to the
guard-room where the guard was at the time. I have
omitted to state that at the moment that I saw the blood on
my shirt the door was burst open by Lieut Warde, who
rushed into the room, and I told him I-was stabbed. I rather
think we all left the room together. From the exceeding
kindness I have on all occasions experienced from Lieut.
Kerwan since my promotion, I am perfectly confident that,
bad it not been for the excited state in which Lieut. Kerwan
was at the moment, arising from the blows he had received
in the falls while wrestling, and the effects of the wine he
had drunk, he would not have done me an injury; and, on
my oath, I am also convinced that at the moment Lieut.
Kerwan did so, be entertained no malice or against
me. I sent a message to that effect to Lieut. Kerwan within
half an hour after the occurrence took place.
By Mr. Clarkson—l have attended here to-clay because
I considered it my duty to do so ; but I shall not, of my own
accord, take any measures with a view of prosecuting
Lieutenant Kerwan, should the magistrates not require me to
do so.
Mr. Clarkson then said that Colonel Daly had ordered
that Captain Warde, and all the other officers present on the
evening in question, should attend the examination, and were
then present, should the magistrates desire to put any ques-
tions to them.
The Bench said they thought it would be better to take
the examination of Captain Warde, as he was the only person
who had entered the room after the occurrence had taken
place.

Lieutenant Warde was then called, and deposed—l heard
a noise on the occasion, and went up stairs and burst the
door open, and then found Lieutenant Kenyan and Quarter-
master Tarleton inside. Tarleton, on seeing me, exclaimed,
"By God, Warde, Kenyan has stabbed me 1" and Lieu-
tenant Kerwan immediately said, " Good God ; I had no in-
tention of doing so 1" I instantly left the room for the pur-
pose of fetching Mr. Dime, the assistant-surgeon of the
regiment.
Mr. Clarkson said he wished at that stage of the pro-
ceedings to ask a question of the medical gentlemen present.
Either of the medical gentlemen would, he dared say, be
able to give him an answer. The Learned Counsel then
asked Mr. Frogley if he had probed the wound when he was
first called in.
Mr. Frogley replied that he had not; Mr. Mure, the as-
sistant-surgeon, who was the first who saw Sir. Tarleton, had
however done so, he believed.
Mr. Edward Mure was then examined and deposed—l am
assistant-surgeon in the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons.
When I was called to attend Quartermaster Tarleton I
found him lying on a conch in his own room. He said he
had been stabbed. I felt the wound and probed it, and
found it bad taken a course inclining upwards. It was
situated about three-quarters of an inch beneath the naval on
the left side. Mr. Tarleton is now quite recovered, and the
wound is healed.
The magistrate not calling any other witnesses forward,
Mr. Clarkson proceeded to address the bench on behalf of his
client, which he did at considerable length. He began by
stating that he had nothing to complain of in the proceedings
instituted on the part of the magistrates, and he was sure that
he had still less to complain of that high-minded and noble•
spirited man,
fairly given his evidence, and expressed his feelings in the
matter. He did not on the part of Lieut. Kerwan complain of
anything that had transpired during the inquiry, having been
from the first fully convinced of his innocence of intention,
for it would have been a fearful thing if it could
be possible that an officer like Lieutenant Kerwan would
commit an act that would endanger the life of another;
He felt most deeply for the situation in which Lieutenant
Kerwan was placed when he saw him at the bar on the pre•.
vious occasion ; but now, when it appeared in evidence
what the real circumstances of the case amounted to, he felt
no longer any fear as to the result. The Learned Counsel
then proceeded to recapitulate the principal parts of the evi-
dence, commenting on them as he proceeded, and submitted
that for the charge against his client to assume a statutable
offence it was necessary that there should be proved that the
accused entertained in his mind some malice or or
some intention of doing the act ; but the evidence proved
nothing to that effect. The depositions gone into, on the
face of them, proved quite the contrary. There was in fact
no evidence to support a felonious charge. He felt convinced
that the justice of the country would be fully satisfied by the
enquiry which had been already gone into, and that the
minds of all persons must be convinced that no felony had
been committed. Quartermaster Tarleton had expressly de
dared lie had no desire to prosecute, and lie was sure that
if the magistrates thought that Lieut. Kerwan ought to
enter into recognizances to appear again before that bench,
or any where else, so as to enable Quartermaster Tarleton
fully to make up his mind as to his preferiing any charge,
'his client would readily do as. He would now leave the case
in the hands of the bench, feeling confident that their de-
cision would be founded in justice, and that it would be
favourable to his unfortunate client.
The Magistrates then withdrew to another roam. After
an absence of nearly an hour they returned into the Petty
Sessions Room, and having resumed their seats,
The Chairman said the bench had given their anxious con-
sideration to all the facts of the case, and also to the able
arguments of the learned counsel, and although they did not
consider it necessary to send Lieutenant Kerwan to trial, or
to bind over Quartermaster Tarleton to prosecute, they felt it
to be their duty to hold Lieutenant Kerwan in recognizances
to appear at the next, or any other session, of the Central
Criminal Court, to answer any indictment that may be pre-
ferred against him. The bail that would be required would
be the same as on the last occasion, viz., Lieutenant Ker-
wan in 50e/. and two sureties in 2501. each.
Mr. Clarkson immediately tendered Charles Lionel Mait-
land Kerwan, of Dalgin Park, in the county of Mayo, Ire-
land, brother to the accused, and Richard Raven, lsq., of
King's Bench-walk, Inner Temple, both of whom entered
into the required recognisareses.
The Bench then declared Lieut. Kerwan to be discharged,
upon which he rose from his seat in the bar, and, bowing to
the magistrates, retired from the court, accompanied by his
brother officers and friends.
The inquiry occupied several hours.

THE ASHBY MAGISTRATES.--We are glad to be
able to inform our readers that R. G. Cresswell. Esq., one of the
Ashby magistrates, whose names are so uaznviahry associated wi h
the cruel commitments and imprisonments of Thomas Lakin, has
resigned his commission of the peace for this caunty.—Leicester.
shire Mercury,