The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-13 00:00:00

THE FROST.

The atmosphere yesterday was again perva fed with
gloomy haze, though of a less dismal character than the
preceding pay. The thermometer at the Royal Humane
Society's receiving-house in Hyde-park indicated 30
degrees at seven o'clock in the morning, at which time
there was a light breeze from E.N.E. ; but between ten
and one o'clock, the wind having veered to the south-
ward, it became somewhat milder, and the mercury
ascended to 32 degrees. Shortly after a brisk breeze
again sprung up from N.N.E., and the mercury sud-
denly receded to 30 degrees, where it remained till eight
o'clock last night, the wind being at N.N.E., rather
violent and cutting.
The attendance of skaters and sliders, as well as spec
tutors in all the metropolitan royal parks, was more nu-
merous than on any preceding day this season.
In Kensington-gardens, on the Long Water, there
were about 4,000, and on the Round Pond 2,000 skaters
and sliders, with a vast number of ladies and gentlemen
spectators on the ice and the banks. The ice was very
strong, and in excellent condition ; several members
of the Skating Club were present. Better skating
has not been witnessed for years, and It was
diversified by the presence of three Dutch gen-
tlemen, wearing their lOng snipe-bill shaped Dutch
skates, who traversed the ice with such extraordinary
rapidity as to excite universal attention and admiration ;
they, however, appeared unable to compete in those in-
tricate, scientific, and many evolutions displayed by
some of our countrymen. No accident of immersion oc-
curred, but a gentleman, name unknown, ;tad a severe
fall near the bridge, which evidently produccd slight
concussion of the brain, for he was taken up in a state
of stupor, and in partially recovering the use of his
speech betrayed wandering of the mind.
The Serpentine was attended during the day by about
5,000 skaters and sliders, as well as numerous spectators
on shore. The ice, though very strorg, excepting at the
sides, the east, and bridge-end, was not in very good
skating condition, in consequence of the eddies of duit
blown thereon from the carriage-drive on the north bank.
About one o'clock a lad named Philip Bury, aged 14, of
6, Christopher-place, St. Martin's-le-Grand, on leaving
the ice, broke through near the south shore, by the
bridge, and became immersed in five feet water. Ile
fell head downwards, and, in rising again, his feet
came upwards, which were seized by his friend,
another lad of the same age, named Robert Mason,
of 76. London-wall, who thus courageously extri-
cated the former, who was instantly conveyed to the re-
ceiving-house, shivering sad suffering both from cold and
alarm. He received from Dr. Woolley stimulants and
the usual kind attention, with warm bath, bed, &c.; and
after remaining till four o'clock, his clothes having been
dried in the interim, lie departed homewards, quite re-
covered, first heartily thanking Dr. Woolley and the
officers of the institution for the care and attention he
had received.

The lake in St. James's Park numbered during the
day about 7,000 skaters and sliders. The ice was strong,
about two inches thick in the centre, but weak and dan-
gerous at the sides. In dragging the water in the course
of the morning a walking-stick with a bent handle v, as
found, and also a hat with a crape-band, and a black kid
glove.
In the Regent's Park the number of skaters and sliders
was about 10,000, in addition to innumerable ladies and
gentlemen who were promenading on the ice as well as
shores. The ice is about three inches thick, but in ;bad
skating condition, having been much cut up, and is con-
sequently much flawed, which will render it very dan-
gerous in the event of a thaw. The only accident oc-
6urred toMr. William Clark, of 6, New-square, Lincoln's
Inn, who fell while skating, and in so doing cut one of
the small veins of his leg, from which the blood flowed
profusely, and after receiving attention at the marquee,
he was conveyed to Mr. Norton's, surgeon, of Upper
Baker-street, whence he was sent home in a cab.

FlRE.—About three o'clock yesterday morning a
fire broke out on the premises of ➢lr. Carr, carpenter, of
Shouldham- street, Bryanston-square, which entirely de-
stroyed the workshops ; but, by the prompt arrival of
the engines of the London establishment, and the assist-
ance afforded by the West of England County Com-
panies, the dwelling-house was saved. The warehouses
of Mr. Wellstead, a cabinet-maker, near Mr. Carr's, and
which contained upwards of 15,0001. worth of property,
had a narrow escape from the flames. .
DEATH OF DR. JAMES HOME.—We regret to an-
nounce the death of Dr. Home, late Professor of the
Practice of Physic in the University of Edinburgh, and
one of the Physicians in Ordinary to the Queen for
.Scotland, which took place at his house here on Thurs-
day last, in the 84th year of his age. In the year 1799
he succeeded his father as Professor of Materia Medica,
of which for many years he was a distinguished and
popular teacher. After the demise of Dr. Gregory, 1)r.
Horne was appointed to the Practical Chair in our Uni-
versity ; and, if he did not obtain an equal degree of
popularity in this as in his former situation, it is to be
attributed to the late period of life at which he entered
on its duties, and to the uncommon talents of his pre-
decessor. In the Clinical Department he was a decided
and judicious practitioner. In private life Dr. Home
was esteemed by all who knew him for genuine kindness
and singleness of heart, and high integrity of character.
—Edinburgh Paper.

Tim 13LyrirriRLD BLOODBOUNDS.—The sale of the
celebrated pack of hounds, the property of the Hon. W.
Bagot, M.P., entrusted to Mr. B. Payne, took place on
Wednesday last, at the Midland Hotel, Derby. The
following aro the purchasers and prices :—Bowman, 16
guineas, Harvey Coombe, Esq. Countess, 11 gs.,
Prince Albert. Comely, 6 gs., Mr. Whitnall. Duchess,
17 gs., Mr. Pell. Forester (1), 9 gs., Mr. Etches. Fo-
rester (2), 15 gs., Prince Albert. Fugleman, 6 gs.,
Duke of Leeds. Gamester, not sold. Gambler, 7 gs„
Duke of Leeds. Governor, not sold. Gaylass, 9 gs.,
Harvey Coombe, Esq. Norman, V. I2s. ed., Mr. Pell.
Needwood, 6 gs., Prince Albert. Rackwood, 6 gs., Mr.
Sanders. Rummager, 231. 25., Prince Albert. Rarity,
6 gs., Walker, Esq. Ruby, 5 gs., Mr. Statham.
Ranvas, not sold. Racket, 3 gs., Vengeance, 9 gs.,
Prince Albert. Vaulter, 6 gs., Mr. Sanders.
TROTTING AGAINST TIME, FOR 101. A SlDE.—Yes-
terday the match made by Mr. Guy, to trot his grey
mare fifteen miles within an hour, came off on two miles
of road in the Green •lane, Tottenham, in the presence
of a good sprinkling of spectators. The snatch made
was to contest the distance in harness, subject to trotting
rules. Umpires were appointed, and the mare, harnessed
to a heavy chaise-cart, was brought to the starting mark,
and the driver seating himself, the mare started off at a
slashing pace; and passing the first mile in three minutes
and thirty-four seconds, she continued at her task, and
completed the fifth mile in eighteen minutes and five
seconds. When the eight miles were turned she was
pulled up and refreshed, and in two minutes resumed her
journey, performing ten miles in thirty-five minutes and
forty seconds. She ultimately accomplished the fifteen
miles in 59 minutes. • She was ably dril en, and, at the
conclusion of the match, appeared competent to retrace
the distance.

144.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAT.—The Dwarf, steam-tender
to the Royal Yacht, Commander Chamberlain, left the
dock after having had a new screw fitted on Monday,
and went out of harbour yesterday to try her rate of
speed ; she had proceeded to Southsea Castle once, and
was running into harbour about one o'clock, and sheered
over to Blockhouse-fort, to bring her round with her
head out to run down to the Castle again, but the eddy'
tide catching her upon the starboard-bow between the
buoy and the Victoria pier, did not allow her to come
round, the tide making out very strong, and notwith-
standing the word was given to " back" in ample time,
she drove stem on to the starboard paddle-box of the
George IV., Portsmouth and Southampton steam-vessel,
then lying at the above pier with her head to the south-
ward. The paddle-box was smashed to pieces, which
prevented the vessel making her usual passage to South-
ampton. The Dwarf left her figure-head aboard the
George, but proceeded after the accident to Southsea
Castle again, prior to returning to harbour for the day.
No accident happened to the crew of either vessel.
The Princess Royal transport, Lieut. W. Harris agent,
which arrived from the river on Saturday with troops,
embarked detachments of the 23d and 71st from Park-
hurst (Isle of Wight) barracks on Tuesday, and sailed
from Spithead for Barbadoes yesterday morning.
The Scourge, steam-sloop, left the harbour in charge
of Mr. Aylen, master of the Victory, and a patty of
riggers from the same ship, in tow of the Comet steam-
vessel, Lieutenant Commander Pretynsan, yesterday
morning for the river, to receive her engines.
The Duck, naval lighter, left yesterday for Sheerness
and Chatham with stores.

The Siren, 16, Commander William Smith arrived this
morning at Spithead from the East Indies.
The following circular has recently been issued by the
Admiralty :
"It having been represented to the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty that the word ' port' is fre-
quently, though not universally, substituted on board
her Majesty's ships for the word larboard,' and as the
want of a uniform practice in this respect may lead to
important and serious mistakes, and the distinction be-
tween ' starboard' and port' is so much more marked
than that between starboard' and larboard,' it is their
Lordships' direction that the word larboard' shall no
longer be used to signify left on board any of her Ma-
jesty's ships or vessels.

" By command of their Lordships,
" SIDNEY HERBERT.
" To all Commanders-in-Chief, captains, and com-
manding officers of her Majesty's ships and vessels."
DEvosPoaT.—The Daedalus, 20, Captain P. M‘Quhre.
is ( xpected to receive advance wages this day, and sail
to-morrow for the East Indies.
The Superb, 80, was commissioned on Tuesday by
Lieutenant Fellows (1340) for Captain Sir Charles Sul-
livan, who brought home the Queen.
The Seagull, 6, was undocked on Monday for masting,
having undergone a thorough overhaul and refit.
The Canopus, 84, is alongside the jetty, preparing for
docking and commission. It is reported that when ready
for sea, she will try her rate of sailing with the Albion,
90. The Canopus was captured from the French.
The Cruiser, 16, Commander Fanshawe ; the Mutine,
12, Commander Crawford ; and the Espii4e, 12, came
into harbour from the Sound on Monday to re-fit ; and
the Daring, 12, Commander Matson ; the Osprey, 12,
Commander Patten ; the Flying Fish, 12. Commander
Harris ; and the Waterwitch, 8, Commander T. Francis
Birch, came in on Tuesday. The Pantaloon, 8, Com-
mander (acting) Wilson, is in the Sound, expecting orders
for Spithead.

The Firebrand steam-frigate, Captain Corry, is await-
ing orders in Barnpool.
Shipwrights are engaged in laying down the timbers
of the Avenger steam-frigate on the slip lately occupied
by the Amethyst, 26, launched on Saturday last.
It is rumoured here that the Queen, 110, at Sheer-
ness, is to be razed to a two-decker at Chatham.

In Harbour.—The Caledonia, flag-ship ; San Josef,
the experimental brigs Cruiser, Daring, Osprey, Flying
Fish, Water.witch, Espiegle, and Alutine; the Netley and
Sylph, tenders ; Tartarus and Confiance, steamers;
Goodwill, Tortoise, Hamoaze, and Devon, lighters ; and
Snipe, cutter.
In the Sound.--The Daedalus, Firebrand, and Panta-
loon.

Yesterday morning two convicts, on board the York
hulk in Portsmouth Harbour, quarrelled, when one drew
a knife upon the other, and stabbed him, inflicting a
wound of which he has since died. The names of the
parties are unknown, but the termination of the inquest,
which is being held on the body by Mr. George Gree-
sham, Admiralty Coroner, will disclose the whole par-
ticulars. The conrict who inflicted the wound was sen-
tenced to transportation for cutting one of his wife's
breasts of.