The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBIER 251_1844a'

excellence and beauty of the manufactures is admitted.
A most superb dinner and dessert service has just been
completed by Mr. Smith, of Conduit-street, for a Rus-
sian nobleman, which will tend to increase the apprecia-
tion of English porcelain manufactures on the Continent.
At St. Margaret's Church, Leicester, on Friday last,
the officiating curate was about to inter a child of a car-
penter, named Webster, when he asked by whom it had
been baptised. He was told that it had not been bap-
tised at all. He then refused to perform the service, vir-
tually excommunicating the deceased; and the interment
was prevented by the sexton. The parents are respect-
able members of a Baptist church in the town, the chapel
belonging to which has no burying ground.
The scholars of Christ's Hospital (Blue•coat School)
700 in number, and the children of the British Orphan
Asylum, Clapham-rise, will visit Vauxhall-gardens this
day, to witness the exhibition of the loway Indians.
The gala in the evening will be on a scale of extended
splendour.

HER MAJESTY AT BLAIR ATHOL.

at Brigstock-terrace, from a tour ; the Earl of Orkney,
at Cowes, from a cruise off the coast of Scotland, in the
Jack-o'-Lantern yacht ; Lieut.-General Sir H. Bayley,
from Leamington Spa, on a tour ; Countess Grosvenor
and the Ladies Grosvenor, at Bournemouth, from Mot-
comb Park, Dorset.

BLAIR ATHOL, MONDAY.
The appearance of the parish church yesterday dif-
fered widely from that of last Sunday. The congre-
gation then consisted of the resident parishioners
alone, and many of them were deterred from going
to the kirk by the inclemency of the weather. Yes-
terday, however, all parts of the country, within a
circuit of forty miles, sent their bevies of holiday
folk. At an early hour in the morning vehicles of
every description, in as a great a variety as are to be
seen at the Cock at Sutton on a Derby day, rattled
into the quiet village of Blair Athol, and groups of
humble pedestrians made their way at once to the
church, which was literally in a state of siege at ten
o'clock in the morning. The service does not com-
mence until twelve o'clock, but when the doors were
thrown open at eleven, every pew in the church was
indiscriminately invaded, and Lord Glenlyon's
tenantry, the quiet country villagers, who had an
undoubted priority of right to accommodation, were

OPENING of MAIDSTONE BRANCH
RAILWAY.
Yesterday a general holiday was observed at Maid-
stone, to celebrate the opening of the branch line to
that town from the London and Dover Railway, at
Paddock's-wood, a distance of ten miles, and forty-
six from London-bridge.
At eleven, A.m., a special train started from the
Bricklayers' Arm Station, drawn by the engine,
" Kentishman," decorated with flags and evergreens;
containing, amongst others, Mr. J. P. Richards, the
deputy-chairman ; Captain Tyndale, R.N., Mr.
Davis, Mr. Smale, Mr. Lewis Cubitt, Directors of
the Company; Mr. Whitehead, the Secretary; Mr.
Alderman Humphery, M.P., Mr. Alderman Hughes
Hughes, Mr. Salomons, and others.
The train stopped at the Tonbridge station, where
a branch now in course of construction, and which
will be opened in May next, diverges to Ton-
bridge Wells, whence it is proposed to carry an•
other branch to Hastings. The Maidstone branch is
ten miles in length, has cost 100,0001. and consists
of a single line of way, sufficient land having been
taken for a double. The works were commenced
about twelve months since, under the superintendence
of Mr. Robert Stephenson. There are no remarkable
engineering features, the line running parallel with
the Medway for a considerable distance, on a dead
level, and through spacious hop plantations. Taking
a curve in a south-easterly course, it passes through
the property of Lady de Spencer, at Mereworth. It
then pursues the western bank of the Medway until it
arrives at Yalding, where there is a neat station in the
neighbourhood of Sir John Shaw's estate. The line,
which is extremely picturesque in many parts, then
commands a fine open view down the valley to Water-
ingbury, where it skirts Barham Court, the seat of the
Earl of Gainsborough. Here the train, on stopping
to take up Mr. Alderman Lucas and visitors, was re-
ceived with a hearty cheer from the inhabitants.
Sweeping through the property of Sir Henry Fitz-
herbert, the line passes to Barming and East and
West Farleigh, three of the largest fruit-growing
districts in Kent; and after a short circuit enters
Maidstone on the western side, at the foot of the
amphitheatre of hills by which it is surrounded. At
the Maidstone terminus the Directors were received
by the; Mayor and Corporation and townspeople.
Accompanied by the Canterbury band, they pro-
ceeded to the Town-hall, and from thence to the
Corn Exchange, where 250 of the inhabitants sat
down to dinner, the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Day) pre-
siding, supported by Sir Edmund Filmer, Bart.,
M.P. ; Mr. Hope, M.P. ; Mr. Marton, M.P.; Mr.
Pott, late High Sheriff; the company which came by
the train, and a large number of the residents.
The train returned at half-past nine, reaching Lon-
don-bridge at twelve o'clock.

FLANDERS MAIL.
(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)

BRUSSELS, SEPT. 23.—The King has received two
letters from their Majesties, the Emperor of Brazil, and
the King of the Two Sicilies, announcing the marriage
of his Royal Highness Louis Charles Maria, Count of
Aquila, Prince of the Two Sicilies, with her Imperial
Highness the Princess Donna Janeraria of Brazil.
Great preparations are made at Neuport, to give all
possible eclat to the ceremony of laying the stones of
the new sluice, on which the inscriptions are to be en-
graved. The sluice is to be called " The sluice of the
Dukes," from the two young Princes.
BERLIN, SEPT. 14.—A1l accounts from St. Peters-
burgh speak of the continuance of the profound affliction
of the Imperial Family on account of the death of the
Grand Duchess Alexandra. The melancholy event
made the deepest impression on the mind of the Em-
peror. His Majesty has since been suffering from deter-
mination of blood to the head. The Princess, not know-
ing that the Emperor, who had left her bedside, was
still in the chamber, asked for her father's portrait,
kissed it repeatedly, and requested the attendants to
place it by her side in her coffin. The Emperor was so
overcome by this last proof of the affection of his
daughter, that he fainted. The Imperial Family is now
at Peterhof, and it is doubtful whether the Emperor will
go this autumn to the southern provinces of the empire,
as he intended.
BELGIAN FUNDS.—Bausana, SEPT. N.
Actual Debt, 234 per Cent.,
Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent.................., lO2
Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cnt 9B
Three per
Thirty-seven Millions, ditto 78%
.... loss%
1844. ......... ..... 10414
Loan of City, 1843, Four per Cent. 102%
Society of Commerce, Four and a Half per Cent.
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent 6l
Issue of 1841
—Brussels Papers, Sept. 23.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENt4a, San 17.
Five par Cents. Metalliques. llO 5-16
Four par Cents. lOO%
Three per Cents. 76
Bank Shares .....................«......«....«.«
st llgemeine ......... Sept. 20.

elbowed aside, and were pushed from their stools
which they had occupied from childhood, by the
substantial burghers from the towns in the neighbour-
hood.

As twelve o'clock approached, the congregation
waxed impatient, but before Divine service com-
menced, her Majesty, with her accustomed punc-
tuality, had already arrived at the church. Her Ma-
jesty came in the low close carriage, which was
thrown open ; Prince Albert, Lady Canning, and
Lady Caroline Cocks were also in the carriage, which
was drawn by a pair of horses, and preceded by
a single out-rider; Lord Glenlyon's phaeton fol-
lowed. As her Majesty entered the church
the curiosity of the congregation overcame their
discretion, the majority of them forthwith rose and
stared at the Queen and the Prince with unseemly per-
tinacity, notwithstanding the hushing murmurs of the
gentry of the neighbourhood. Her Majesty came
into the royal pew leaning on the arm of Prince Al-
bert. Lady Canning, Lady Glenyon, Lady Caroline
Cocks, and Lord Glenlyon, attired in his Highland
dress, occupied the front seats of the pew. In the
back seats were Lord Aberdeen, Lord Liverpool,
Lord Charles Wellesley, Sir Edward Bowater, and
Sir James Clark. Her Majesty wore a black silk
dress, with a shepherd's plaid thrown over her
shoulders, and a white crape bonnet. A guard of
honour of the Athol Highlanders, but without arms,
received her Majesty, and were stationed from the high
road to the church. The officers consisting of the
Hon. Captain Drummond, the master of Strathallan ;
Mr. Drummond, the younger, of Megginch ; Mr.
Oswald, of Dunnikier ; Mr. Small Kier, of Kindrog-
gen ; Mr. Way, and Captain Macduff, afterwards en-
tered the church.

DINNER TO MR. TEMPLETON.
(Abridged from the Caledonian Mercury.)
On Friday evening, about eighty of our most re-
spectable citizens entertained Mr. Templeton at dinner
in the Waterloo Hotel, in testimony of their admira-
tion of his commanding talents as a vocalist, and re-
spectability of character as a gentleman. Alexander
MiNeil, Esq., advocate, filled the chair, supported on
the right and left by Messrs. Templeton and Blewitt,
the Lord Dean of Guild, Bailie Maclachlan, Mode-
rator Scott, Alexander Jamieson, Esq., &c., &c.
Alexander Robertson, Esq., of Eldin, and Peter
M'Leod, Esq., of Polbeth, acted as croupiers.
After an excellent dinner, the usual loyal toasts
having been drunk with all the honours,
The CHAIRMAN rose to give the toast of the even-
ing, and in an eloquent speech traced the history and
musical career of Mr. Templeton, from his birth in
" the land of Burns," to the present moment—from
his first advent as a vocalist, leading the sacred me-
lody in one of our churches, till he found him under-
taking the most arduous characters in the English
version of the Italian opera in the provinces. He
adverted particularly to the characters performed
by Mr. Templeton in the operas of Gustavus, La
Sonnambula, Love in a Village, &c. ; and stated that
while Auber's celebrated work had failed in Paris,
the author himself was astonished at the success of
his scena, " I love her, how I love her !" when per-
formed by their talented guest. They next found
him selected by the lamented Malibran, as the only
tenor singer with whom she would appear on the
British stage a choice, said the Chairman, which was
equally creditable to her discernment as to Mr.
Templeton's deserts—and one which was confirmed
by the united voice of the whole nation. With
Malibran as Amina, and Templeton, Elvino, the
author, Bellini, was both astonished and de-
lighted at the success of his own great work.
Mr. Templeton afterwards, during one season, per-
formed as principal tenor at both the great theatres
in the metropolis—appearing on one part of the
evening at Drury-lane, in La Sonnambula,
and on the after part at Covent-garden, in Der
Freischutz. The Learned Chairman then adverted to
Mr. Templeton's engagements along with Miss Shir-
reff, Miss Romer, and Garcia, and, after the death of
Malibran, which came over the musical world like a
shock of thunder, to his commencing his own novel
entertainments. In one of these—Mary Queen of
Scots—the song of " Put off, put off," which was his
own composition, stamped him alike a master, as a
composer, or a vocalist. The Chairman then passed a
high eulogium on the private character of their dis-
tinguished guest, and concluded by proposing a
bumper to his health and prosperity, which was drunk
by the company standing, and followed by long con-
tinued cheering.
_ _ _

Before the minister entered the pulpit, Mr. Pea-
cock, the precentor, pulE+lished the banns of marriage
for the first, second, and third times of asking, be-
tween Mr. Irvine, the minister of the parish church,
and one of his fair parishioners. After this matrimo-
nial proclamation, Divine service was resumed by the
Rev. Dr. Macleod, one of her Majesty's chaplains for
Scotland, and minister of the St. Columbia Church,
at Glasgow, where the service is delivered in Gallic,
for the accommodation of the vast number of High-
landers who throng the streets of that commercial
city. Dr. Macleod attended at the request of Mr.
Irvine, who did not care to make his public appear-
ance in the pulpit immediately after the whole con-
gregation had been informed that he was on the ex-
treme verge of a matrimonial precipice.
After the usual service, according to the Presby-
terian form of worship, Dr. Macleod preached an
excellent sermon from the eleventh to the fourteenth
verses of the second chapter of Titus. The sermon
was delivered in a broad Scotch accent, and was a
favourable specimen of the style of preaching which
at present prevails in the Scottish Presbyterian
Church. It contained a defence of the doctrine of
Calvanistic Christianity, and we are happy to find
that Dr. Macleod, like his predecessor, had the good
taste to abstain from any allusion to the presence of
her Majesty among the congregation. The con-
chiding prayer was delivered with an earnestness
which came home to the business and bosom of every
member of the congregation, and a distinctly audible
"amen " was heard from every corner of the church
when the clergyman prayed with heartfelt fervour
that her Majesty Queen Victoria might long wear her
crown, and that she might yet see many happy days,
and that at the last, when she left her earthly throne,
she might ascend a throne of imperishable glory.
The service concluded, as before, with a benedic-
tion, after which her Majesty with Prince Albert, the
noble host and hostess, and the members of the suite
returned to the Castle in the same order as they
arrived.

LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY.
The direct line from London by Bedford, Lincoln,
and Doncaster, to York, joining there the North of
England line to Edinburgh, cannot but be hailed as
a great boon by both the manufacturing and agricul-
tural interests of the central and eastern districts of
England. The capital embarked in the present route
to Leeds alone is said to exceed eleven millions ; in
the present improved state of engineering science it
is not too much to presume that the York and London,
by passing through the Leeds and Selby line, will
bring the town of Leeds nearer London by an in-
vestment of not more than a fourth of the above
amount—(thus it is impossible to avoid some degree
of injury to existing interests). On the other hand,
the town of Hull, the third port in the kingdom, will
be brought nearly fifty miles nearer to London ; and
all the towns between these two will be directly
benefited, while the towns on the line at right angles
to that direction, that is to say between York and
London, will, for the first time, participate in those
facilities of locomotion which have already reached
every other portion of England.
The country between London and York (over
which the Savans who are proceeding to-morrow to
the British Association must, if they wish to travel
direct, travel in postchaises or in their own carriages)
presents great natural facilities for railway construc-
tion. The entire line will not have a greater devia-
tion from a level than 1 in 800 ; it will demand neither
a tunnel, nor a cutting exceeding 13 feet ; and with
these advantages it may well be expected that the
experience and errors of others will save the projec-
tors at least 2,000,0001. in their investment.

We are net surprised to observe that Mr. Locke
has retired from the superintendence of a work so
likely to affect the position of the western lines, in
which he is understood to be largely interested. He
is succeeded by the .energetic William Cubitt, under
whose auspices this important and national under-
taking cannot fail of success.

Her Majesty and the Prince did not leave the
precincts of the Castle during the remainder of the
day, but walked in the grounds in the afternoon with
Prince Albert to the falls of the Fender. On the
preceding day (Saturday) her Majesty had been out
in - the Glen Tilt from eleven in the morning until
seven in the evening, and passed six hours on her
pony, luncheon having been brought to her Majesty
on the summit of the mountain of Cairnchlamman.

PRIZE MONEY.
(From Tuesday Night's Gazette.)
London, Sept. 13, 1844.
Notice is hereby given to the officers and crews of
her Majesty's ships Princess Charlotte, Bellerophon,
Benbow, Edinburgh, Ganges, Hastings, Powerful,
Revenge, Thunderer, Cyclops, Gorgon, Carysfort,
Caistor, Dido, Magicienne, Pique, Talbot, Hydra,
Phoenix, Stromboli, Hazard, Vesuvius, Wasp, and
Zebra, and a battalion of Royal Marines, who were
actually present at the operations on the coast of
Syria, under Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford,
G.C.8., between the 9th of September and the 10th
of October, 1840; and at the bombardment of St.
Jean d'Acre on the 3d of November, 1840, that they
will be paid their respective proportions of the grant
voted by Parliament for the said services, at No. 33,
Abchurch-lane, London, on Wednesday, the 16th of
October next, between the hours of eleven and three
o'clock; and all shares not then paid will be recalled
at the same place, every Wednesday and Friday, for
three months, agreeably to Act of Parliament :
Shares of those present from the 9th of September to
the 10th of October, 1840.
£. s. d.
Comman.-in-Chf 1,206 4 5
Commodore
Captains
Commanders
First Class ...... 20 7 11
Second Class l2 4 9
Shares of those present on
X. a. d.l
Comman.-in-Chf. 1,206 2 7
Captains
Commanders ...... 86 19 7
First Class 25 15 5
Second Class l5 9 3
J. PETTI
Substituted Atto

The Prince has again left the Castle this morning
for the deer-stalking in Glen Tilt; and, as the wind
is favourable, it is expected that his Royal Highness
will enjoy some excellent sport. Her Majesty will
not leave Scotland, in all probability, before Tuesday
next, the Ist of October, as her Majesty will be thus
enabled to reach Windsor before the !arrival of Louis
Philippe on the 6th instant. The royal route towards
the sea is not yet definitively settled, but the good
people of Perth are anxious that her Majesty should
embark on the Tay from their fair city. Lord A.
Fitzclarence has pronounced it to be utterly imprac-
ticable for the royal yacht to get over the shallows in
the river, but there are smaller steamers, drawing less
water, in the royal squadron, and her Majesty could
avail herself of one of these vessels to embark at
Perth, and view the beautiful scenery on the banks of
the Tay, as far as Dundee, where the royal yacht is
lying in readiness to receive the Royal travellers.
There will be a grand golf match on the North
Inch at Perth, on Wednesday next, at which the
Duke of Cambridge will be present, as his Royal
Highness will arrive on that day at Scone Palace, on
a visit to Lord Mansfield. Her Majesty and the
Prince will drive to Dunkeld before their departure,
to view Lord Glenlyon's beautiful grounds in that part
of the county.—Post.

Mr. TEMPLETON, under evidently overpowered
feelings, shortly expressed the pride as well as the
gratitude he felt at the honour bestowed upon him by
so distinguished a company of his fellow-countrymen.
If anything could stimulate him to greater exertions
in order to merit their favour, it must be the flatter-
ing reception he had met with here, and the kindness
—the overpowering kindness—shown to him on the
present occasion.
Glee—" Glorious Apollo."

The " Memory of burns, Campbell, and the Poets
of Scotland," " The health of Mr. Blewitt," " The
living vocalists, Mrs. Wood, Mr. Wilson," &c., " The
Duke of Buecleuch, the Lord-Lieutenant of the
county," and a number of other toasts, were given.
The festivity was wound up by Mr. Templeton sing-
ing " Auld Lang Syne," the company joining in
chorus.

£. s. d.
Third Class 6 2 4}
Fourth Class - 7
Fifth Class
Sixth Class 1 7 2i
Seventh Class . 0 13 7

Among the company present was Mr. Begg, a
nephew of Burns, whose health was drunk with great
applause during the course of the evening.

the 3d of November, 1840.

X.
X. s. d.
Third Class 7 14 7i
Fourth Class
Fifth Class
Sixth Class 1 14 4i
Seventh Class
'.. MUSPRATT,
!ney of John Loudon, Esq.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN SMITH, R.N.—Captain '
Matthew Smith (b), died on Saturday, at Richmond-
hill, in the 76th year of his age. Captain Smith was
number four on the list of seniority, and was only junior
from the first by about ten months. On the 14th of Ja-
nuary, 1839, he received a good-service pension of 1501.
per annum, when the following . official account of his
services was recorded :—" Captain Matthew Smith en-
tered the service in 1779, was made a lieutenant in 1794,
commander, 1801, captain, 24th April, 1808. He com-
manded the Millbrook in the expedition against Ferrol,
under Sir J. B. Warren ; he engaged and beat off a
French privateer of very superior force, after an action
of nearly two hours, for which he was promoted to the
rank of commander. As captain, he commanded the
Comus and Nymphen frigates. He had been in actual
service as a commissioned officer fifteen years."
PUBLIC DINNER TO DR. BOWRING, M.P., IN THE
ISLE OF MAN.—The Hon. Member for Bolton is now on
a visit to the Isle of Man, and has accepted an invi-
tation to dine with the inhabitants of Douglas this
(Wednesday) afternoon. To-morrow and Friday he is
to make a tour of the island, accompanied by Mrs.Bow-
ring, and will leave for London by the steam-packet
from Douglas for Liverpool on Saturday morning. It
will be remembered that Dr. Bowring was, in the late
session of Parliament, mainly instrumental in obtaining
for the Isle of Man alterations in their fiscal regulations
most beneficial to the island, and hence the present de-
monstration. _

PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTER FOR 301.—Yesterday the
fight between Trigg (the Paddington Champion) and
Heffernan came off at Greenhithe. The parties engaged
a steamer to convey them to the selected locality, and
having arrived, the usual preliminaries w ere arranged,
and the combatants made their appearance in the ring.
They are of heavy weight, being upwards of twelve
stone, and exhibited great muscular shape and form.
Trigg has for some time been the terror at Paddington,
owing to his apparent power and pugilistic pretensions.
Heffernan is an athletic man, about twenty-four years of
age, and had never fought in a prize-ring. In betting
Trigg was in favour. M'lntyre acted as second to Hef-
fernan, and Trigg was waited upon by Crony. The fight
commenced with severity, whenHeffernan soon displayed
much courage, while his opponent fought with shyness.
Heffernan drew first blood, and they fought with great
desperation, Trigg falling frequently. It was quite evi-
dent that Heffernan was the best " General," and after
fighting rapidly seventeen minutes, Heffernan was de-
clared the winner. There was a strong muster of spec-
tators, and a good deal of money speculated.(
WATERMEN AND LIGHTERMEN'S ALMSROUSES.—
Yesterday, a special general meeting of the donors and
subscribers of this institution was held at the Bridge-
house Hotel, London-bridge, for the election of four
additional inmates to the asylum, out of a list of thir-
teen candidates. John Duden Brown, Esq., vice-presi-
dent, in the chair. This institution, which is situate at
Peage-common, Surrey, was founded for the reception
of poor, aged, decayed, and maimed freemen of the
Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River
Thames, and their wires or widows. Tho report stated
that the Committee had much pleasure in announcing
that they have completed all their buildings, and are free
from debt ; that there are now forty-one houses occu-
pied, one of which, being a double house, accommodates
two inmates, and that there are therein fifty-nine poor
old watermen and lightermen, and their wives or widows.
The allowance to the inmates is Gs. per week for married
persons, and 4s. 6d. per week for single persons, with
two two tons of coals for each house. The expenses of
the allowance and coals amounts to about 7001. per
annum. The annual subscriptions and the interest of
the endowment fund produces together about 4001. per
annum, thus leaving an annual deficiency of 3001. The
Committee are very anxious to make up the deficiency,
as they would be most unwilling to make any reduction
in the small allowance granted to the inmates. The
business of the day having been concluded, and the
names of the successful candidates announced, thanks
were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting broko up,
MARRIAGE IN HIGH LlFL—Yesterday the mar-
riage of Henry Tufnell, M.P. for Devonport, and the
Hon. Frances Byng, second daughter of Lord and Lady
Strafford, and niece of Mr. G. Byng, M.P. for Middle-
sex, was solemnized at Marylebone Church, in the pre-
sence of the principal family connexions. The Rev.
Lord John Thynne, Prebendary of Westminster, offi-
ciated at the religious ceremony. The bride was at-
tended to the altar by the Misses Hope Vere, Miss Tuf-
nell, and Miss Stirling, as bridesmaids. The wedding
circle subsequently adjourned to Lord and Lady Straf-
ford's mansion in Portman-square, to partake of a
dejeuner, at which Mr. Byng, M.P., and Mrs. Byng, the
Right Hon. George Stevens Byng, M.P., and Lady
Agnes Byng, Sir Walter George and the Hon. Lady
Stirling, Miss Byng, Colonel Byng, and a select family
circle were present. The bride and bridegroom left town
in the afternoon for Miss Byng's villa, at Twickenham,
to pass the honeymoon.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE Towles.—After consider-
able delay preparations commenced yesterday morning
for the extensive improvements about to be made in the
Tower, agreeably to plans submitted to, and approved of
by, the Government. Barracks are to be built on the
site of the small armouries which were destroyed by fire
in 1841, but as their width will be greater than the late
buildings, the frontage of the new barracks will encroach
several feet upon the consecrated ground extending
eastward from the Royal Chapel of St. Peter, in which
are deposited the mortal remains of many distinguished
and respected personages. Their hallowed remains are,
however, to be carefully raised and placed in a vault at
tho rear of the Royal Chapel, and for that purpose a
wooden barricade, to be covered, is now in course of
erection (to prevent the idle gaze of the public) on the
parade at the White Tower. When this solemn duty is
completed, the erection of the barracks will commence,
along with many other improvements ii the garrison, for
which a grant of money was included in the estimates
last session of Parliament. The alterations in the Jewel-
office proceed with snail-pace rapidity, to the great dis-
appointment of strangers visiting the Tower desirous of
viewing the Crown jewels, &c., at present deposited in
the Haymarket. Notwithstanding the abolition of fees
from visiters to the warders, in lieu of which they re-
ceive full compensation, these worthies seldom or ever
refuse to accept a gratuity when it is tendered to them ;
they, in fact, expectsemething, and if disappointed, their
snarling propensities are not unfrequently exercised.
We believe his Grace the Duke of Wellington, who is
Constable of the Tower, is totally ignorant of these il-
legal practices. The Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume)
who exerted himself in getting the charges for the ad-
mission of the public to the Armouries and Jewel-office
reduced,
.and
.the. warders' perquisites entirely
FATAL ACCIDENTsn
abolished, ldinqurirßeoii;nto:rthe matter.
81ILL.—Yesterday morning, between ten . W
elevenlN D
HE SliArTs oPati;ta
o'clock, Mr. George Sidingham, an extensive miller,
residing at Datchet, near Windsor, met his death from a
stroke of the shafts of his windmill. The mill had been
stopped, and while Mr. Sidingham was standing at the
door, giving some change to a customer, a sudden gust of
wind sprung up, which sent round the sails of the mill
with great velocity. The shaft struck the unfortunate
deceased on the temple, hurling him to a considerable
&Mace, stud when picked up, life woo extinct.

THE LORD MAYOR.

A meeting was held at the Swan-with-Two-Necks,
Lad-lane, of the friends of Mr. Alderman Thomas
Wood, to support his election for the office of Lord
Mayor on the ensuing day of nomination, which was
most numerously and respectably attended. Mr.
Coates in the chair.

Mr. COATES, having taken the chair, stated that
they were assembled together as a few of the per-
sonal and private friends of Mr. Alderman Wood,
with a view of promoting his election to the office of
Lord Mayor of the City of London at the next an-
nual period of election. And they did this, first, be-
cause he was the senior Alderman, and, secondly,
because they believed he had never, in word or deed,
done one thing which should prevent that distinction
being awarded him by the Livery of London.—
(Loud cheers.) The question now to be tried was,
whether a gentleman, supported by men of the highest
respectability, men of all opinions (whether in politics
or religion), was, through gross and false charges, to
be driven from those honours which were not only
due to him, but to those whom he represented ?
(Cheers.) It had been said that the worthy Alder-
man was not qualified to be Lord Mayor of London;
for what then was he qualified ? "What was his pre-
sent position ? He was an Alderman of the City of
London, with the approbation and support of one of
the most respectable and wealthy wards in the City.
He was chairman of some of the most important
Committees in the Corporation ; and he was
daily engaged in administering justice with
honour to himself and advantage to his fellow-
citizens.—(Cheers.) And yet he was told that, though
fitted for all these offices, he was not fit to be Lord
Mayor with its tinsel finery. Every attempt to prove
a charge against him had signally failed. He had
passed through a very trying ordeal, and yet he was
to be denied the privileges and honours to which his
seniority and position entitled him. He could assure
them, that so far as the worthy Alderman himself
was concerned, he had little ambition to serve the
office ; but there were two considerations moving him.
So long as a charge was made a reason for an exclu-
sion, if he submitted to it he would acquiesce in the
justice of the accusation ; and, in the next place, be-
ing the Aldei man of a wealthy and respectable ward,
he could not be denied the privilege of rising to the
civic chair without some reproach upon that ward
itself.—(Hear, hear.) The friends of Alderman
Wood had gone into the whole of the case against
him as well as the answers he had made to it, and
they were one and all perfectly satisfied of the injus-
tice of the charges ; and the whole he could collect
was, that in Mr. Wood's connexion with the Talacre
Company he had been an unfortunate man, but that
he had never, in a single instance, dishonoured him-
self.—(Cheers.) Alderman Wood had come out of
that trying business with no loss of character, honour,
or reputation whatsoever. In supporting Alderman
Wood they must understand that his friends opposed
no other candidate, nor would they coalesce with any
one ; they stood on their own ground. Should he be
elected, he would venture to assert that as Lord
Mayor, he would prove himself to be a man of educa-
tion in mind and manner, and in the duties he would
have to perform, a perfect gentleman.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman Wool) then rose, and was re-
ceived with loud cheers. He said it would ill
become him to let this meeting pass without some
few observations from himself. It was true he had
been assailed in a transaction which, so far as regarded
himself, was as honest and fair as ever man entered
into. He might have been the credulous dupe of
others, but he had been conscientiously acquitted of
intentional wrong. He was the last man to be in-
duced to retire from a position in which he had been
placed by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens. He did
not merely represent the ward, but of its honours and
character he was as jealous as of his own. Looking
at the show of hands at the time of the last election,
he felt that he still possessed the confidence of the
Livery. With regard to the Talacre Company, the
matter had been investigated by his friends, who were
satisfied with his explanation, and he found that other
gentlemen, residing in Liverpool, were now in pos-
session of a part of the Talacre property; and though
it had been sworn that there were no coals there,
those gentlemen were finding them in great abun-
dance, and he hoped they would make a'rich and suc-
cessful harvest. The affairs of that Company spread
over a wide field, and it had been found impossible to
bring them fairly and fully before the public. There
were those who would read only a distorted account,
but would omit to read any answer or explanation.
His friends, however, had gone fully into the facts,
and minutely examined all the evidence; and they,
judging as honest men would judge, had come to the
conclusion that he had been grossly deceived.—(Loud
cheers.) Some persons had told him he ought to re-
tire and wait till called forward ; but, with a clear
conscience, as long as he lived he was determined to
fight for his own character and honour. If they
could make a charge, he was ready to meet it, but he
was not to be silenced by sarcasm, or put down by
slanderous misstatements.—(Hear, hear.) Should he
be elected, they would find in him a person deter-
mined to support the rights and dignities of the City,
not regardless of those duties he owed his poorer
brethren, to administer justice with firmness and de-
termination, but with mercy and kindness.
Mr. Under-Sheriff ANDERTON said he thought they
had heard enough. He had left the performance of
duties at another place, to come there to perform a
greater duty—that of doing justice to a persecuted
man.—(Hear, hear.) He had for some years narrowly
watched the worthy Alderman as a private indi-
vidual, as a magistrate, and as a professional man, and
he would defy any one to put a finger upon any one
act dishonourable to him, either as a magistrate, a soli-
citor, or a private individual. In all the relations of
life there was not a single act which his enemies had
ever pointed against him. They had made charges,
and confined them to one unfortunate act in his life—
that of being connected with bad men ; but if it was
to be said that, because men chose to embark in un-
successful speculations, they were to be unfit for any
public office, what would become of three-fourths of
our public men ?—(Cheers.) There was not a single
advertisement for a bubble company in which they
would not find an alderman's name. He did not
oppose any other alderman, because they were all his
personal friends ; but he supported the gentleman who
by right was entitled to the honour. No man had
performed the several duties of the Corporation with
mere credit or honour than Mr. Wood, and he trusted
the Livery would support him. He
.begged to pro-
pose the first resolution.

Mr. HARRISON, in seconding the resolution, felt
assured that it would be unanimously adopted. He
had felt it his duty to come forward to support Mr.
Wood, because he considered he had been unjustly
persecuted. He had no doubt they would be suc-
cessful in their efforts, and that Mr. Wood would be
elected. He had everything to recommend him, and
was an honour to the City and Corporation.—(Cheers.)
The resolution was then put, and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. Deputy MUDDELL proposed the next resolu-
tion, which was seconded by Mr. HOLT.
Mr. HARRIS would take the liberty of saying a
few words before this resolution was put. There
were many charges, as they were aware, which had
been made against Mr. Wood ; some of them were
of great magnitude, others were but trivial; he
would, therefore, only allude to the former. The
first charge was that Alderman Wood, with the
other Directors, had passed a resolution that a cer-
tain quantity of shares in the Talacre Mining Com-
pany were to be appropriated to him, as paid-up
shares, with the view of putting the produce into his
own pocket. Now, that was false.—(Cheers.) It
was done by the other Directors, but refused by Mr.
Wood. In his absence from London an opportunity
was taken to send for his son, and ask him to receive
those shares ; he, young as he was, hesitated—it was
' insisted that he should take them; he said, " I
know nothing about them," but, ultimately, he said
he would take them, and scaled them up and put them
into his strong box. On his father's return he de
sired them to be sent back, and back they went—
(Cheers)—stating that the Directors had no right to
treat the proprietory so unjustly. He (Mr. Harris)
thought that was a sufficient answer to that charge.
—(Cheers.) The next charge against Mr. Wood
was, that he held various offices under this Company
—he was a Proprietor, a Director, a Trustee, and
Chairman. Now, one thing he certainly was not,
and that was auditor of his own accounts, which the
man was who had made these charges.—(Cheers.)
But he believed there was nothing unusual in this.
Mr. Wood had taken his shares and paid his money.
At a meeting of the Proprietors he was elected a Di-
rector, and the Directors had selected him for their
Chairman, knowing him to be a man of great expe-
rience, deep knowledge, and sound judgment.—
(Cheers.) If men were to be assailed with lies and
slander in this manner, who was safe ?—(Hear, hear.)
There was another charge—it was stated most
wickedly that Mr. Wood had lent himself to get coals
of a most excellent quality from some pit not belong-
ing to the Talacre Company, and had sent
that coal over to Dublin, as Talacre coal,
with a view of inducing persons there to take shares
in the Company, now
uttered ; there were three a grosser falsehood never was
ree pits belonging to this com-
pany known by the names of the Pictou, the Bryn,
and the Marsh, but there was no mine called by the
name of Talacre—that was merely the name of the
Company, and the coals in question came out of the
Bryn pit, and did belong to the Company, so that the
public were fairlydealt with in this matter.—(Cheers.)
There was but one other charge. It must be under-
stood that Levason and Baker had assigned their in •
terest in this property to the Talacre Company, for
which they were to receive a considerable sum of
money, and the charge against Mr. Wood was that he,
as chairman of the Directors, had refused to sign pro-
missory notes for the payment of that money, alleging
that he could not do so on account of an arrangement
between himself and partner ; but it had been clearly
proved that Mr. Wood had previously entered into a