The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, 'THURSDAY MORNING OCTOBER 10 1844.

branches of the Corporation might jointly express
their feelings upon the subject, but if the Court of
Aldermen broke up without giving utterance to what
he was sure they felt, they might be fairly reproached
with indifference.

Sir P. LAURIE seconded Alderman Humphery's
motion. He did not mean to say anything about
peace or war, but he knew that the two nations re-
presented by the Queen of England and the King of
the French were the most powerful nations upon the
face of the earth, and he rejoiced at such symptoms
of harmony and good-will as the visit of his Majesty
indicated.—(Hear, hear.) He had the highest re-
spect for the King of the French. It was impossible
that he could entertain any other feeling towards a
Monarch who, upon being asked by the Mayor of
Portsmouth for a copy of the reply of his Majesty to
the address presented to him by the Corporation of
that town, said, " I have no copy—it is written
in my heart."—(Hear, hear.) He believed that if it
were not for the King of the French, the French
people would not be so happy or so tranquil as they
were, and he most cordially seconded the motion.
Alderman WiLsoN intimated that the Court would
most cordially unite with the Court of Common
Council in an address to the King of the French.
The adoption of an address by the one Court could
net lead to any difference of opinion with the other.
Alderman HUGHES HuGhus also warmly supported
the motion, and regretted that he had been anticipated
in seconding it by Sir Peter Laurie.
Alderman FAREBROTHER—In all probability we
shall have the Kings of other countries here by and
bye, and then we can all take our turns in addressing.
—(Laughter.) Although 1 have been a long time an
Alderman, God help me, I have not had my turn yet.
Alderman Woo» said that, although no man could
admire or respect the King of the French more than
he did for the spontaneous opinion expressed by his
Majesty with regard to peace, and although it had
been agreed upon between him and Alderman Hum-
phery that he should second the motion, he readily
yielded to the claim of Sir Peter Laurie as senior
Alderman.—(Hear, hear.)
The motion was then unanimously agreed to, and
the Court having been cleared, the address was drawn
up and adopted.
Alderman HuMrnErr moved that a place should be
assigned at the banquet of the 9thof November for the
Commissioner of the City Police. A long discussion
took place upon the question, in which Aldermen
Lucas and Hughes Hughes supported the motion,
and Aldermen Copeland and Farebrother opposed it.
The motion was ended by the announcement of Sir
Peter Laurie that there was no Court.

The LORD MAYOR having counted the Court, stated
hat it was adjourned till Tuesday next.

WEST LONDON RAILWAY.

An adjourned meeting of the Directors and Share-
holders of this Company was held yesterday, at their
offices, Abchurch-lane.
Mr. WILKINSON was called to the chair; and in
opening the business of the day, he said that the last
meeting had been adjourned in consequence of certain
negotiations which had been entered into with the
large companies. Those negotiations were still pend-
ing, and therefore it would be necessary to adjourn
the meeting again. He had no doubt that the nego-
tiations would terminate to the advantage of all the
Proprietors.
Mr. BURGE moved that the meeting be adjourned
till the 7th of November.
Mr. CRAWFORD wished to know whether it was re•
quisite to adjourn for so long a time ?
The CHAIRMAN said the Act of Parliament com-
pelled them to give fourteen days' notice of each
meeting.
Mr. CRAWFORD said the Shareholders were exceed-
ingly anxious to know the result of the negotiations
which had been entered into.

Mr. CLAYTON inquired .if any time had been fixed
for the answer of the large compttnies ?
The CHAIRMAN said no time had been fixed for a
definitive answer. They could not call on the patty
with whom they were negotiating to name a day for
a definitive answer.

The meeting was then adjourned till the 7th of
November next.

BANKING IN SCOTLAND.

At a meeting of the Edinburgh Chamber of Com-
merce, the Secretary said that, in the absence of the
Chairman, Mr. Cadell, from indisposition, who had
bestowed much attention on this subject, and was in
the course of preparing a memorial regarding it, he
could not report any particulars, but he might state
that Mr. Macaulay's visit to Edinburgh had afforded
an opportunity of bringing the subject. under his
notice, and the Chairman, accompanied by the two
Deputy-Chairman, Treasurer,'and himself, had a long
interview regarding it, and had set before him the
vast importance of maintaining, in its integrity, the
present system, which had been productive of so
much benefit to the country, without causing the
slightest injury in any quarter whatsoever. The
master and office-bearers of the Merchant Company
had also had an interview with Mr. Macaulay on the
same subject, and he (the Secretary) was satisfied
that Mr. Macaulay was now convinced of the extreme
itnpolicy of interfering with what had worked so well.
A short conversation ensued, in which Mr. Wigham,
Mr. Law, Mr. Ritchie, and others of the Directors
took part, Mr. Wigham stating the necessity of
making it apparent, that, although the system of ex-
changes might not be managed in the same way or
with the same good effect in England as in Scotland,
that, yet with us, it was completely effectual, and
that the system was not only most beneficial but also
absolutely safe. All the Directors concurred in con-
demning any interference with the present system as
most injurious to the country, and instructed the
Committee accordingly, and at the same time added
Mr. Law and Mr. H. D. Dickie.

THE PROBLEM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I understand sou have heard of my mishap
with the Problem on the River Tyne,but that circum-
stance, I assure you, was purely accidental, from
want of proper precaution being taken in not having
the haulyard clear to let go when the squall struck
her. When made fait they had been hitched, so that
when I wanted to let them go they were jammed
(and there was no knife at hand) ; the consequence
was, she lay down until the water ran into her hatch-
way, filled, and sank, She did not capsize, as many
persons who did not witness the catastrophe imagined
she did From the principle the vessel is built upon,
it is impossible to capsize her with sail. She may be
overpowered with canvas, and pressed completely on
her beam ends, but her deep angular keel, that is run
full of lead for ballast, will still he in the water. To
render a vessel stiff, under sail, so that every mast
will go sooner than she will lay down to it, is a very
easy matter by giving them p'enty of beam. It is
not on that point I profess any utility rests in my
invention.

The inclosed printed account will give you a true,
just, and correct idea of what really are the decided
advantages the Problem experimental vessel possesses
over every other sailing vessel afloat.
After my mishap, I again recovered her uninjured,
with the exception of her masts being carried away
by some vessel running over her during the night. I
made several experiments on days when there was
much more wind than the day the accident happened,
which gave general satisfaction that the sinking was
no fault to the principle I am working upon.
The vessel is now at Shields, lying where the
public may see her bottom. In a few days (if all
goes well), I will experiment at Shields, and then
move on towards the big city, trusting to her capabi-
lities (of jumping over rocks, keeping her back
straight should she bump on sand banks, weatherly
qualities, &c.) that she will take me safe thither.—
I have the honour to remain, Sir, your obedient,
humble servant, H. DEMPSTER.
Newcastle, Oct. 5. •

The subjoined in the statement alluded to by Mr.
Dempster:—
" The Problem is capable of being made to turn
round and round as if on a pivot, without even a sail
being altered ; attention to the shifting of the helm,
when she takes sternway, being all that is necessary
to perform the evolution. This manoeuvre is well
adapted for vessels of war, as broadside after broad-
side, bow and stern guns, could be discharged with-
out ever having occasion to call a man from his gun
to attend the braces. The vessel can with ease be
propelled stern foremost, and tacked or wore in that
direction ; an excellent rnanceuvre for backing a vessel
clear of dangers suddenly observed a-head—i.e., a
stern-board can be given to a square-rigged vessel, or
they can be boxhauled; but they cannot be tacked or
managed astern the same as the Problem can.
" The fore and aft triangle sails go round with
touching a mast. It is in these sails where the prin-
cipal advantage rests in the rig. Under them a
vessel properly managed will never miss stays in the
heaviest sea or in the lightest wind. They are well
constructed for lying-too, backing, filling, or box-
hauling; and it is Mr. Dempster's opinion these two
sails may be well applied to the largest size fishing
boats, particularly those that from their size are inca-
pable of being rowed, but obliged to set and haul
their lines under sail. _ . _

" The hull of the vessel is angular, being 120 de-
grees at the central point below.
" The advantages are--strength ; not so liable to
stick on a rock ;* nof so liable to break her back on a
sand bank good weatherly qualities ; manoeuvring in
a small compass, &c.
" In the invention there are two distinct points—
the rig can be separated from the hull, and will an-
swer a vessel of the old construction. But Mr.
Dempster does not propose the whole combined for
any other purpose but small pleasure yachts from 20
to 60 tons, or for vessels to instruct the nice nautical
idea how to shoot—;science and action being more
required than strengtt.to'roanceuvre.,the Problem."
Going over a rock, narrow on top,-wherc there is
if or 2 feet less water than what she draws, is an advan-
tage that has been thoroughly tested here at Newcastle.

THE ASSASSINATION OF DR.

THORN.

CALAIS, OCT. 6.—A sad event has placed all Calais in
movement. The Commissairo of Police for Passports,
M. Salior, ha•l been drinking last night with a Mr.
Thorne, an Englishman, and surgeon here, at which
time they were apparently on very friendly terms, when,
about one o'clock in the morning, they went to the Com-
missioner's office together, for what reason is not known,
when a dispute arose, and the Commissaire stabbed the
other to the heart with a poignard, which, after some
search, was discovered in the office. Mr. Thorne fell on
the floor, and died instantly. He was a quiet man, who
has resided here several years, and has left a widow and
several children.

M. Salior was a man not much liked in this town from
his habit of drinking, and in consequence he showed at
times some rudeness of manners. Such a fatal termina-
tion, of course, could not have been foreseen, but it
ought to be a lesson to the Government not to place such
sort of persons in the difficult situation of Commissaire
of Police.

There is a report that IL Salior owed Mr. Thorne
money lost at cards. However, all is uncertain, and
probably will ever remain so, no one having been pre-
sent at the dispute. M. Salior spoke English remarka-
bly well, and had formerly been an actor. Mr. Thorne
has resided here for some years. The murderer was
given into the custody of the guns d'armes, who detained
him at his own house till the arrival of the Procureur du
Roi from Boulogne.