The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 19, 1844,

whipped schoolboys, to be assured that for the powe
" to have thus been exercised is for the public good."
Mr. DUNCOMBE complained—and with reason, too
—that such proceedings were worthy of foreign
despotisms, only—not of an enlightened monarchy
like this :—that not one man in 20,000 was aware
of the "power" thus smuggled into the Act,
1 VICTORIA ;—that in times of peace especially, there
could be neither excuse nor reason for its being put
in action. He affirmed (and Mr. WALLACE con-
firmed his statement by some remarkable facts) that
within these two years the practice of opening and
detaining letters at the Post-office had largely in-
creased. We cannot concur in Mr. LABOUCHERE'S
defence of his own conduct in 1836-37, in incorpo-
rating such a power as that complained of in his Bill,
on the mere principle that it already existed in pre-
vious statutes, and his was but a Bill of consolida-
tion. No Englishman ought to consent to vest such
a power in any hands, except under much more strin-
gent restraints and control. If necessary in time of
war, or under strong cases of suspected treasonable
correspondence, let the detention and opening be
made matters
.of previous specific communication to,
and authority from, Parliament. Dr. BowaiNo, we
suspect, was not far from the truth in his suspicion
that the letters of the petitioners had been opened,
"not for an honest English purpose, but for a discre-
ditable foreign one." With Mr. HUME'S spirited re-
probation of the practice, and its assumed authority,
we cordially concur. But Mr. WATsols brought the
affair to its true constitutional, and Sir JAMES him-
self may find its true responsible, bearing. From the
Right Hon. Baronet's having given no answer to Mr.
WARBURTON'S inquiry " whether he had issued a se-
parate warrant in each case in which a letter had been
opened," Mr. WATsoN read the words of the 9th
ANNE, C. 10, s. 40, which were—" Except by express
warrant in writing under the hand of one of her MA-
JESTY S principal Secretaries of State for every such
opening, detention, or delay." Now these terms
could never be satisfied by " A." warrant, to be kept
in force till revoked, to open all letters coming in a
particular handwriting to a particular individual.
But in Mr. LABOUCHERE'S Act—of "simple conso-
lidation"—the words gave a power "to open, detain,
or delay letters in obedience to an express warrant,"
&c. These are certainly strangely altered in the pro- r
cess of consolidation. But, as Mr. WATSON ob-
served, "In all matters we must look back to sta-
tutes which existed before, and, in doing so, it would
be found they made an express warrant necessary for
each opening." The production of the warrant, or the
warrants, one and all, we trust, will be sternly insisted
upon. Parliament can then form their own construe-.
tion of the Home Secretary's construction of an Act
of Parliament. In the meanwhile, her MAJESTY'S
Government must have discovered that in taking Sir
JONAH GRAHAM on board, they have shipped a de-
serter who is sure to sink every vessel that may carry
his unlucky person !

Madrid papers of the 11th state that the conferences
between the Finance Minister and certain loan con-
tractors still continued, and some of them add that
the parties were not likely to come to terms. The
fact is the Government is bankrupt, and can give no
security either for the payment of interest or princi-
, pal without annulling some previous contract, and
thereby lowering still farther public credit. Letters
from Barcelona announce that the French Minis-
ter was urging the Government to reduce the
tariff duties, and that he would probably be suc-
cessful. Mr. BULWER had a long conference with
the Marquis of VILUMA on the 10th, which was
said to refer to the same subject. The Court still
remained at Barcelona, where the Turkish Ambas-
sador had an interview with the QUEEN, and presented
his credentials.

The Three per Cents. were done at 27 26i for cash,
and 27k at 60 days, and the Five per Cents. at 20-i at
50 days.

We learn from the Paris papers that the differ-
ences between France and Morocco will in all pro-
bability be amicably arranged. According to accounts
from Algiers of the 10th instant, the EMPEROR had
disavowed the conduct of the chief who had at-
tacked the French troops, and the affair was con-,
sidered at that place, as settled. The French. Go-
vernment however intend to demand something more
than an apology, and will require the EMPEROR to
give a guarantee that he will no longer afford a
refuge to ABD-EL-KADER, when driven from Algeria.
This, we believe, was the main object of the expedi-
tion to the frontier, under the command of General
LAMORICIERE. The Journal des Debats contains an
article on the subject, which, from all accounts, ex-
presses the sentiments of the Government. " War,"
it says, " has not been declared by either party. A
corps of Morocco troops has, it is true, committed
an act of aggression on the French territory, but there
is every reason to believe that this act will be fol-
lowed by the most prompt reparation. The chief of
that empire cannot have the presumption to provoke
hostilities, the issue of which cannot be doubtful.
If he should fancy that he can rely upon the aid of
other forces than his own, upon the support of a
foreign Power, we are convinced he will very quickly
be undeceived. However this may be, even though
the aggression upon the French frontier, may prove
to have been no more than an act of indiscipline, com-
mitted by fanatical soldiers, the Government of the
country to which they belong is responsible, and must
bear the consequence. A provocation of this nature
cannot be suffered to remain unpunished, and the
Consul-General of France at Tangiers has been in-
structed to demand the most complete reparation.
This, we do not doubt, the Government of Morocco
will at once grant, knowing well that it cannot resist
its being enforced. France does not wish to make
reprisals, being sufficiently assured of her own
strength to render any such useless exertion of it
necessary. When demanding reparation for this ag-
gression, the French Government will also take mea-
sures to prevent a renewal of such acts. It will not
suffer its frontier to remain exposed to the incursions of
bands of fanatics, whose chiefs cannot restrain them,
and will insist upon the recal into the interior of Mo-
rocco of those troops which now occupy the province
which adjoins the Oudjah. But the principal com-
plaint France has to make is against the protection
which ABD-EL•KADER finds on the frontier ofMorocco.
France will no longer tolerate the making the fron-
tier of a neighbouring country an asylum for the
most dangerous enemy to her domination in Africa.
She cannot—she will not suffer that the EMIR should
after every defeat find not only an inviolable refuge
in a neutral territory, but come forth from it again
after every defeat with renewed forces and other
resources, under the abusive protection of an inter-
national right daily violated. The French Govern-
ment will insist upon the Emperor of MOROCCO,
entering into the most unequivocal engagements, to
repel ABD-EL-KADER from his territories, and the
Morocco Government will find this the surest means
of avoiding that war which France does not seek, but
into which she may be driven."
This is all very fair no doubt; but if the French
Government had acted towards Spain on the same
principle, NARYAEZ and the other refugees, including
Queen CHRISTINA would not have overturned the
Government of ESPARTERO. The Prince DR Jour-
viLLE left Paris on Monday morning for Toulon. A
letter from that place of the 12th, says a telegraphic
dispatch, "has been received to-day at the Maritime

Prefecture with orders to recal immediately from
the Islands of Hyeres the Sutfren, of the line, and
have her fitted out with all dispatch for the reception
_ _

of a Rear-Admiral and his flag. This Rear-Admiral,
we learn, is the Prince DE JOINVILLE, who is expected
at Toulon about the 25th, to take the command of the

squadron destined for the coasts of Morocco."

On Monday a discussion took place in Committee
on the Education Bill, which the Government intend

to press forward this session. There seems, however,

;o be a strong feeling against it in the Chamber, as

being too favourable to the Church, for of the nine

Members selected to report upon the Bill only two of
them are supporters of Government, and seven are

determined friends of the University, namely, MM.
LITERS, ST. MARC GIRARDIN, SALVANDY, RB-
MUSAT, QUINETTE, ODILON BARB(); and the elder

DUPIIi

The Courrier Francais states that M. MARTIN
(du Nord) and M. LACAVE LAPLAGNE are to leave
the Ministry, the one to become President of the
Court of Requests, the other " Procureur-General du
Cour des Comptes," and that their removal will give
rise to the following changes :—M. DUCHATEL, the
present Minister of Justice, to succeed M. LACAVE
LAPLAGNE as Minister of Finance, and M. Duslox, j

the present Minister of Public Works, to become
Minister of Justice. M. VITET to be Minister of
Public Works, and M. DE MONTALIVET to be Mi-
nister of the Interior.

EAST INDIA HOUSE-(THIS DAY).
The quarterly general meeting of the Proprietors took place
at the East India House this morning. The chair was taken
at twelve o'clock by Captain Shepard.
Certain returns, laid before Parliament since the last
meeting, were ordered to be laid on the table; also an ac-
count of the superannuations granted since the last annual-
meeting.
Mr. TWINING brought up the report of the Committee on
Bye-laws. Committee reported that the bye-laws had been
duly observed and executed during the past year. They
expressed their regret at the decease of one of their body,
namely, Sir James Shaw, by which the Company had been
deprived of the services of one whose upright and manly con-
duct had deserved and obtained for him the respect of all his
colleagues. The Hon. Proprietor said it might be expected
that he should add a few words to the report, so far as re-
garded the death of Sir James Shaw. He could not but
express the respect and affection with which he had uni-
formly regarded him. There had never been a man in the
city of London who enjoyed more of the respect and con-
fidence of the public at large. As a magistrate, he was
uniformly zealous, mild, and firm in the discharge of his
duties; as a member of the Committee, he had been distin-
guished for his upright conduct, and for the courtesy of his
manners.
The CHAIR3IAN said it could hardly be necessary that he
should assure the Hon. Proprietor that the Court of Directors
entirely concurred in the tribute of respect which had been
paid by him to Sir James Shaw.
The Committee was then appointed for the next year, and
Henry Sullivan Graham, Esq., was chosen to fill up the
vacancy created by the death of Sir James Shaw.
Mr. POYNDER withdrew his motion with respect to the
payment of 6,0001. a year to the temple of Juggernaut, on
the ground that no answer had been received to the dispatch
of the Directors on that subject. The Hon. Proprietor com-
plained strongly of the delay which had taken place.
APPEALS FROM INDIA.

Mr. LEWIS said he had postponed at the last meeting his
motion on the subject of appeals from India, because he was
anxious to ascertain what alterations were to be made by a
Bill which was before Parliament, referring to the cOnstitu
tion of the Judicial Committee' of the Privy Council. The
report on that subject not having been presented up to that
time, he must again postpone his motion. He must
state, however, that if the constitution of the Privy
Council was not changed, so far as it referred
to Indian appeals, he should take the earliest opportunity of
bringing the subject under the notice of the Proprietors. It
appeared to him monstrous that the points of Hindoo and
Mahomedan law should be referred for final decision to a Court
which was totally unacquainted with the subject.
SINDE.
Mr. SULLIVAN said, that after the Executive Committee
had vindicated their authority in such a noble manner on a
late occasion, it was not his intention to press for the papers
with regard to Sinde.—(Hear, hear.) He relied with the
most perfect confidence on the good feeling of the Directors
with regard to the Ameers.
EMPLOYMENT OF NATIVE LNDIANS.
On the motion of Mr. SULLIVAN, the clerk read the peti-
tition of native inhabitants of Calcutta, dated April 18,
1843, and presented at the General Court of the 20th of
March last.
The HoN. PROPRIETOR then proceeded to call attention
to the subject of the petition. He said the matter had been
so fully discussed on former occasions, that it was not neces-
sary that he should go into it at any great length. Sir John.
Monroe had given it as his opinion that justice and sound
policy alike required that the natives of India should be en-
trusted with a larger share of power than they at present pos-
sessed. It was not necessary for him to prove that the
natives were qualified to exercise the functions of civil admi-
nistration, for it was well known that they had already exer-
cised them in the most beneficial manner. The whole
original civil jurisdiction of India was at that moment
in the hands of the natives ; and all causes, whatever the
amount at stake, or whoever might be the parties concerned,
were in the first instance decided by them. Natives had
been recently appointed deputy magistrates in Bengal, but
that had been done by the creation of new places.
It was impossible, under the present system, to
maintain the European establishment, and employ, at
the same time a sufficient number of natives. Either the
situations of the natives must be suppressed, or the salaries
of the Europeans must be reduced. A further reduction of
the salaries of Europeans, was fraught with the most mis-
chievous consequences. The finances exhibited increasing
charges, and a stationary revenue. The llon. Proprietor
then went into a statement of the finances, from 1838
down to the latest returns. The increase of expense had not
been attended with increased efficiency in the civil adminis-
tration. ;It was the declared opinion of Lord William
Bentinck that notwithstanding the. immense expendi-
ture which bad taken place, every part of the Indian
administration was a failure, and in this opinion he believed
Sir Charles Metcalfe and many other eminent men entirely
concurred. The remedy for this state of things was an in-
creased employment of the native population. There were
many reasons which should induce them to give their serious
consideration to that subject. They should recollect
the impoverishment of many of the great fami-
lies of India, and the large drain, amounting now
to about three millions annually, of Indian resources.
The native states would now soon be absorbed in
the English empire, and there would then be
hibited a state of things wholly unprecedented in the
history of the world. In all conquests, the conquerors had
studiously identified themselves with ie country of which
they had obtained possession ; but the very first act of
those who bad resided and made a fortune in India, was
to free themselves from all connexion with it as soon as pos-
sible. The Hon. Proprietor concluded by moving for certain
cOrrespondence in reference to the employment of the native
population of India.
Mr. G. THOMPSON seconded the motion.
The Cnartnnts said the object of the Hon. Proprietor was
to impress on the Court the importance of extending the
employment of the natives as far as it could be done with
propriety and prudence. The Court of Directors were as
anxious to promote that object as the Hon. Proprietor himself.
The only difficulty arose out of the want of qualification for
civil offices, and even that difficulty the Court had endea-
voured to remove by sending out schoolmasters to India, and
encouraging the natives to receive instruction, which would
remove this objection. It was not necessary, however, that
they should turn out Europeans in order to show their con-
currence in the principle. He concluded by reading some dis-
patches, for the purpose of showing the concurrence of the
Directors in the object of the mover of the resolution.
After a short discussion, the motion was withdrawn.
In reply to a question from Mr. SunnivAre,
The CHAIRMAN said it was true that, in consequence of the
repeal of the transit duties, the duty on salt had been in--
creased ; but the Directors did not intend to confirm that
proceeding. ..
Mr. G. THOMPSON complained of the over-crowding of ves-
sels returning to India from the Mauritius.
The CHAIRMAN said that was a matter over which the
Directors had no control ; it came under the operation of
the Passengers' Act.
Mr. G. THOMPSON then gave notice, that at the next
quarterly meeting he should call the attention of the Pro-
prietors to the treatment of his Majesty the King of Delhi
by the Governor-General; and also to the state of the police
in Bengal and Agra, and to the state of the gaols in all parts
of India.

Mr. Minnyorr said he thought the Court should not
separate without expressing their approbation of the course
pursued by the Directors in recalling Lord Ellenborough.
Mr. Cr-t.nitz said, the difficulty which occurred to his mind
was, that they had not the facts before them.—(Hear.) He
thought, however, they might safely go so far as to say,
that they had such confidence in the Directors, that
they were convinced that they would not have exercised
their prerogative as they had done had they not felt
such a step to be absolutely necessary. They should
not altogether pass by the observation of one of the
greatest men in this country, that the Directors had been
guilty of the greatest indiscretion.—(Hear.) Such a declaration
coming from so high a quarter, could not but have the
effect of impairing the authority of those by whom
the Governor-General had been recalled; and though
he felt the greatest pain in thus alluding to the
subject, he could not but think that in the language he
had used, the Gallant Officer himself had been guilty of
great indiscretion.—(Hear, hear.)
The subject then dropped, and the Court adjourned.

---------
Q TEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.)
(Sittings at Nisi Prius before Lord DENMAN and a Middlesex
Common Jury.)
WCARTIIY V. VARTY.
This was an action to recover damages for an alleged false
imprisonment. The plaintiff had been employed by Mr. Dun-.
can to cut some trees on Buckingham-terrace, in front of his
residence. The defendant, one of the trustees of the terrace,
claimed to have a right in that capacity to preVent any person
meddling with the trees, and he gave the defendant into
custody, who was taken to Bow-street, and subsequently
discharged. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff
--
Damages, 5i
_

Mr.Platt conducted the case for the plaintiff; and Mr.
Knowles appeared for the defendant.

TILE QUEEN V. ANN HAMMOND.
This was an indictment for perjury. The case, however,
went off, in consequence of a technical error in the indict-
ment, and the defendant was acquitted, without going into
the merits of the case.

Mr. Platt was for the prosecution, and Mr. Whately and
Mr. Huggins for the defence.

MARLS OROU'GH-STREET.
(THIS DAY.)
A person of very gentlemanly appearance, whose name
was entered on the police charge-sheet as William
Wilmot, of No. 17, Southampton-row, Russell-square, sur-
veyor, and a good-looking, showily-dressed female, who gave
her name, Eliza Elliott, living at No. 16, Warren-street,
Tottenham-court-road, were placed at the bar on the follow-
ing charge :
Police-constable 161 C, stated that about two o'clock this
morning, as he was proceedirig on duty along Argyle-street,
Oxford-street, he found the defendants standing together
under the portico of the house No. 9. He desired' them to
go away, which they did, but in about tett minutes after-
wards he discovered them in the court-yard of the Earl of
Aberdeen's mansion, under such circumstances as induced him
to take them to the station-house.
Mr MALTBY asked the male defendant what he had to say
in answer to the charge ?—He replied that he:had been taking
too much wine, and had not the slightest recollection of what
had passed. lie was extremely sorry for what had- taken
place.

Inspector Frowd of the C division said he certainly was in
toxicated when brought to the station-house.
Mr. MALTBY said he was liable to be indicted.
The female pleaded having been persuaded to drink more
than she was accustomed to.
The Inspector said she certainly was not in liquor.
Mr. MALTBY said he should fine the defendant, Wilmot,
405., or one :month's imprisonment to hard labour. Elliott
he should commit for seven days to Westminster Bridewell,
without imposing any fine.
The female, in a paroxysm of grief, begged that she might
not be sent to prison.
She was, however, consigned to the lock-up cells; and the
defendant, Wilmot, not having the required sum about him,
was obliged to submit to farther incarceration until he could
procure it.
_ _

Mr. MALTBY afterwards imposel a fine of 20s. on the female.

QUEEN-SQUARE.—(THIS DAY.)
Samuel GrO7ths, a painter, and Nary Watson, a young
woman fashionably attired, were placed before the Magistrate
on the following charge :
Policeman 153 B said, that shortly after 12 o'clock last
night, he heard a noise which proceeded from Rochester-row.
He hastened to the spot, and found his sergeant ordering the
defendants, who were disorderly, to go away, and, as they
would not comply with his request, he (the sergeant) told
him to take them to the Station-house, which he did. The
female defendant was drunk, and the male defendant, who
was sober, appeared to be endeavouring to get the young
woman home.
Mr. BOND inquired if the sergeant was in attendance?
Inspector Pearce said lie:was at the Home-office.
The policeman, in answer to questions from the Magis-
trate, said he should have taken the women into - custody
without the intervention of any other person, had he himself
found her in the condition she was in when taken into cui-

tody. The female defendant told the sergeant that she had
as much right in Rochester-row as he or any one else.
Mr. Bo:ND—And so she might, for anything I know to the
contrary. He should discharge the defendants, but had any
additional evidence been offered in support of the charge, he
should have felt it his duty to detain them.
The defendants then left the Court without having been
called upon to answer the charge, and after having been in-
carcerated for eleven hours for an offence which the principal
witness was not in attendance to prove.
Mr. BOND appeared indignant at the conduct of the police,
which, to say the least of it, appeared unjustifiable.

CLERKENWELL-(THIS DAY.)
A ruffian, named Kent, was :charged with. assaulting Mr.-
Francis.
It appeared from the evidence, that on the previous night
the prosecutor went into a house of ill fame-in Church-street,
St. Giles, to pay the rent (as he stated) for a young. female
who had once prevented him from being robbed. He was
standing in the parlour when the prisoner came in, who im-
mediately recognised him (prosecutor) as having given evi-
dence against one of his associates some years ago. The
prisoner ran out, and seizing a shovel, cam 3 running into the
room with it, brandishing it in his hand. He aimed a des-
perate blow at the prosecutor, who, however, succeeded in
warding it off. The prisoner hen struck him on the face
and cut his mouth, from which he bled profusely. Police
constable Allen fortunately came in, and prevented further
violence. The prisoner applied the vilest language to the
prosecutor.

He was fined 2/. or a commensurate term of imprisonment

UNION HALL.-(THIS DAY.)
George Mugglestone, a man of respectable appearance, was
charged before Mr. Cottingham with committing the follow-
ing fraud.
Air. Folkard, the pawnbroker of the London-road, stated
that the defendant came to his shop on the preceding after-
noon, and producing what he termed a gold guard chain, said
that it was fine
.gold and asked the loan of 50s. on it. His
shopman, examined the article and discovered, by the usual
test, that it was of a very inferior description ; and as the
prisoner had succeeded in-pledging one of a similar descrip-
tion previously; and which was since ascertained to be what
is called jeweller's gold, he was given into custody.
The defendant, in reply. to Mr. CormiGHAm, said that he
was a chemist and druggist out of business, and that he pur-
chased the chains, and thought they were worth the money
he asked upon them.
Mr. Corrixolum said that it was a fraud, for which the
prisoner rendered himself liable to transportation on convic-
tion ; and as some inquiry would be made into his character,
he should, therefore, adjudge him to enter into his recogni-
zance of 1001. to appear on Wednesday next.
Ann Musgrave was charged with stealing a valuable gold
ring, the property of Mr.. Bradberry, pawnbroker and sil-
versmith, of the London-road.
It appeared that the prisoner went into the complain ant's
shop the preceding afternoon to pledge a shawl, and while
there she contrived to steal a gold ring, by reaching over and
taking it out of the window. When charged with the
Offence, she denied it, and dropped the ring on the floor at
her feet.

The prisoner persisted in her innocence, before the Magis-
trate, and in reply to his questions, said that her husband
was late quarter-master sergeant in the 54th regiment, at
Gibraltar, from which garrison they had only recently re-
turned home, and that he had no pension, as he retired from
the service before the expiration of his time; that they had
five children, all dependent on them, and that two out a the
number were afflicted with illness.
The MAGasTRATE remanded the prisoner.

FLANDERS MAIL.
BRUSSELS, JUNE 14.—Several persons of distinction
have arrived here within these two days. Among them
are Lord Ashburton, Lord Elcho, General Sir G. Ha-
milton, and Vice-Admiral Sir J. Sykes. The celebrated
Fanny Elssler has arrived from Vienna, on her way to
London.

The magistrates and commercial council of Walheim
have just addressed a petition to the Chamber, soliciting
the imposition of a duty of at least 10f. per 1,000 killo-
grammes on hay imported into Belgium over the Dutch
frontiers. The cultivation of the meadows and the trade
in hay are the only resource of , that commune since the
completion of the iron railway ; it has, therefore, been
carrried on with great spirit to arrest the distress which
threatened the inhabitants. For some time they sent
very large quantities to Brussels every week, but foreign
competition threatens to deprive them of this last re-
source. The Chamber of Representatives is still dis-
cussing the project of law relative to labour. It is not
easy to perceive what may be the result.
TURKISH FRONTIERS, JUNE I.—The Montemgrins
have again committed great excesses against their
Turkish neighbours, attacking a caravan of Turkish
merchants from the Herzowina, returning from Rajura ;
they murdered part of the merchants, and carried off all
their goods. They sent the heads of the murdered per-
sons as trophies to the Vladika, who, however, immedi-
ately sent back the heads, and ordered the goods to be
restored. The plunder was, indeed, dispersed in all di-
rections, but search was making for it, and the Vladika
sent to the Turkish Pasha assurances that satisfaction
should be given.

THE KING or SAXONY.—I-fis Majesty went early
yesterday morning to St. Paul's, and ascended the
cathedral, at .5 A.M., to have a panoramic view of London
before the fires were lighted. From St. Paul's his Majesty
went to Smithfield, and from thence to Billingsgate.
The King afterwards went to Covent-garden Market.
His Majesty was on foot, and was attended by:Abe gen-
tlemen of his suite.
Mr. Thomas Hudson, well known for his comic
songs, died this morning at his residence in Museum-street.
An entirely new race of horses has been introduced
into France, called nedjdi, the pure blood of which will be
preserved by means of stallions and mares presented to the
King in 1842 by the Viceroy of Egypt. Crosses between the
stallions, and the finest French, German, and English mares,
promise a great improvement of the breed of horses in
France. The nedjdi are kept at the Arab stud-house founded
by the King in the park of St. Cloud.—Paris Print.
It is intended to have a grand national meeting of
the Archers of Great Britain, in the city of York, during the
present summer.
LAUNCH OF THE GIPSEY QUEEN.-011 Monday,
at high water, the launch of the Gipsey Queen steam-ship,
from the yard of Messrs. Samuda Brothers, of Blackwall,
her builders, took place. The usual interest excited on
those occasions, was, in this instance, increased by the fact
of the vessel being the largest iron steamer that has hitherto
been launched in the river Thames. The following are a few
of her leading dimensions and particulars :—Length from
figurehead to taffiail, 197 feet 6 inches ; between perpen-
diculars, 175 feet ; breadth between paddle•boxes, 24
feet ; burthen, 495 tons. She is to be fitted up with a
pair of Messrs. Samuda's patent engines, which have been
constructed by them at their factory at - Southwark.
They are of the combined power of 240 horses, and their en-
tire weight, including boilers (which are tubular), water,
and paddle-wheels, is only 87 tons. The steam cylinders are
placed fore and aft, directly over the keel, and the two en-
gines are in one frame work, so that all strain to any part of
the ship is avoided. Her great rise of floor, very fine lines,
and model generally, were greatly admired by the assembled
company, amongst whom were many scientific and practical
men. Her build seems calculated to combine the advantages
of a good cargo boat, and at the same time she promises to
be a very fast ship. She has been built for the Waterford
Steam-packet Company, and is intended to sail regularly
between the port of London and the city of Waterford.
After the launch, an excellent cold collation was given by
the builders to a distinguished party of visitors at the Bruns-
wick Tavern.
WILFUL MURDER AT GRAVESEND.—On Monday
afternoon, Mr. Carttar, the Coroner for Kent, resumed and
concluded an inquiry, which had twice been adjourned, at the
Town Hall, High-street,Gravesend, on the body of Elizabeth
Hartnell, aged 35, who died from the effects of violence used
towards her by a man-named Thomas Jury;-with whom she
cohabited. For a considerable time past the deceased and
Jury, who possesses much property in the above town; 'have,
led a most dissolute life, and resided in Ilfeild-street. The_
prisoner had been heard threatening deceased the night be-
fore her death, which was caused by a wound on the fore-
head. The jury returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder
against Thomas Jury." The Coroner then made out his war-
rant for the committal of the accused, and in the course of
yesterday morning he was removed to Maidstone gaol.
A WEST INDIAMAN.—A novel specimen of what
may be safely navigated across the wide Atlantic arrived in
the St. Katherine's Dock yesterday. The vessel is only 41
tons burthen, and has come from Bermuda with a cargo in
the short space of 31 days. She is built of cedar, and when
closely examined, is evidently of amazing strength, consider-
ing the size, for she is in appearance actually more like one
of the small steamers which ply between the bridges on the
river, than a ship capable of journeying a voyage from
the West Indies. She has not the appearance of half the
strength of one of the small Mediterranean fruit vessels, the
sides are not raised more than a foot from the deck, having
a hand-rail about a foot higher, and the stern part of the
deck quite flat and open, after the manner of some of the
small steam-boats on the Thames. She is manned entirely
by blacks, was built at Bermuda, hag not the slightest vestige
of paint or ornament, and her cargo consists almost entirely
of arrowroot. Altogether this lilliputian, vessel is quite a
curiosity, and is exciting a great deal of attention.
The railway communication between London and
Newcastle (303 miles) was travelled throughout, for the first
time, yesterday, .by a deputation of the London and Bir-
mingham Railway Directors, headed by Mr. Glyn, their
chairman, who started from Euston-square about five o'clock,
after an early breakfast.
Preparations are being made at Ravensworth
Castle for the reception of the Marquis and Marchioness of
Normanby, who are expected to visit our races, where the
Noble Marquis will officiate as one of the stewards.—Tyne
Mercury.
ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.—In the month of June
1837, the schooner Ebenezer, -a regular trader for coals to this
port, J. Little, commander and part owner, sailed from Ply-
mouth for Shields, for a cargo of coals, having a regular crew,
and a passenger named Edward Jeffery, son of the late Mr.
Thomas Jeffery, who died about three years since, and was
for many years a faithful servant of J. and W. Collier,
Esqrs., timber merchants, of this town. It appears the
Ebenezer arrived safely at Shields, took in a cargo of coals,
and sailed again for this port, having still on board the
young man Edward Jeffrey, whose design had been to take
a summer's excursion to Shields and return again. Coming
down the North Channel when off Yarmouth, the schooner
experienced a severe gale, which lasted a day and a night,
when,. by the violence of the storm, she was shattered, and
went down ; and it was believed at the time, for no one heard
anything about her for two months after, that every soul on
board had perished; however, the desk of Captain Little,
, with some papers inclosed, was washed into Yarmouth, at
the latter end of July, when no doubt existed in the minds
of the friends of those on board, but that every soul
I had perished—and the captain's widow, Mr. and Mrs.
Jeffery and family, went all into deep mourning. But the
sequel of the story is, that Jeffery and another, after having
clung to the wreck for several hours, were picked up by a
foreign vessel bound to India, which' touched at the Cape.
There Jeffery and his companion were put •on shore, but
being destitute of money and clothing, to return to his friends,
he entered on board the Arrow, which was then lying there,
bound on a surveying expedition to the Falkland Islands—.
there it appears she has been for the last six years, and after
returning and cruising on the coast of Africa for some time,
has taken two very large slavers—and on Saturday, she ar-
rived in Portsmouth Harbour, where Jeffery sent a commu-
nication to his friends, announcing his arrival.—Devonport
Independent.
HERRING FISHERY.—We are glad to say that there
is a great appearance of herrings on the coast, and that al-
ready has the take been so good as to permit the fish to be
disposed of at from 3d. to 4d. per dozen. As yet the nets
have not been put into operation, the mode of capture being
by hook rigged upon what are called " dandy handlines,"
the abundant produce from which holds out every hope of a
successful fishing when the ordinary means are brought into
Play.—Aberdeen Journal.