The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-12 00:00:00

DEAFNESS.

TESTIMONIAL from John Sawyer, Esq., of Hay-
wood Lodge, Maidenhead, Berks, to Messrs. S. and B. Sole-
mom, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Gentlemen, having
been deaf for some time, I was induced, in the month of No-
vember, 1839, to make trial of your Invisible Voice Conductors,
and, although at my advanced age, at that time past my 77th
year, I had no hope of obtaining any relief, yet immediately I
applied them I could hear the general conversation, and my
hearing has become so much improved by their use, that I oan
now hear acutely without their aid. I am, Gentlemen, your
most obedient servant, J. Sawyer. 22d June, 1.842.—Fr0m
the late Henry Cowper, Esq., of Tewen Waters, fleas,:
Messrs, S. and B. Solomons:—Gentlemen, having been dea
for many years, I was induced to try your Invisible Voice
Conductors. They enable me to hear persons in company,
and at a place of worship most distinctly. The Spectacles and
Handglass which you have sent me are very excellent, and
suit my sight perfectly, the transparency of which is so bril-
liant, that although I have passed my 56th year the 22d of
May last, yet they enable me to read, and by candle-light, with
the greatest ease and Comfort to myself. I return you my best
thank, and remain your obedient servant, Henry Cowper.-
2.2 d June, 1839.—Telescopes, Opera Glases, Microscopes,
tic, of the same kind of Lenses.—Caution.—Messra S.and B, So-
'onions, Opticians and Aurists, arc not in any way eauneeted with
a person of the same name in their inuabdiate neighbourhood.
Nor n any part of the country. To prevent mistakes, Ile raw
tious, and Observe,—Only to be had at 39, Albemarle-street,
Piccadilly, °Resits the Yotit Hotel,

THE WEST INDIA MAIL.
SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 11.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BARBADOES.
CAPTURE OF SANTA ANNA.

The Tay Royal Mail steam ship, Commander Richard
Sharp, arrived this morning, at half-past eleven o'clock.
She is four days over-due. The reason of her non-
arrival will be found stated elsewhere. She brings
datcs down to the following :
Honduras, January 20 ; Tampico, 25th ; Vera Cruz,
31st ; Tobago, Feb. 6th ; Jamaica, 7th ; Trinidad, 6th ;
Demerara, 4th ; Jecmel, 10th ; Barbadoes, 9th ; Gre-
nada, 11th ; Havannah, 10th ; Porto Rico, 13th ; St.
Thomas's, 16th ; and Bermuda, 22d.
The Tay brings 151,907 dollars, 10,000 of which are
on account of the Mexican dividends, being 6,000 from
Vera Cruz and 4,000 from Tampico; 2,2071. 15s. in Bri-
tish coin, 191 b. of gold dust, 1731. ss. in silver, 1011 b. of
plata bruta, and 59 serous of cochineal. She also brings
22 passengers, amongst whom are the Marquis de St.
Croix and Lieut.-Colonel Taylor.
I am sorry to announce that a most destructive fire
has destroyed the principal portion of the town of Bridge-
town, in Barbadoes. I gather my information from private
sources, and not my usual file of newspapers from that
island, which unfortunately did not come to hand. It may,
however, be strictly relied upon for its authenticity. It
broke out, it appears, on the morning of the 4th or sth,
in the house of a Jew storekeeper, and was caused
by a little girl, about nine years of age, playing with
lucifer matches. It commenced in the part of the town
principally devoted to commerce, and where the stores
and houses are thickly studded. The buildings being
built principally of wood, old and worm-eaten, it may
be readily imagined that the fire spread with the greatest
rapidity, and denied all human efforts to suppress it.
The tire having been observed by Admiral Sir
Charles Adam, he immediately landed his officers and
the whole of his sailors, together with the fire-engines
on board. It is almost needless to state, that such ef-
ficient services, although they could not put a stop to the
devouring element, were instrumental in effecting a great
amount of benefit by arresting the progress of the
flames. Sir Charles himself was most indefatigable,
and directed his men with untiring energy. The fire,
notwithstanding such powerful aid, continued to burn
with great fury for three days, and was, in short,
smouldering when the packet left on the 9th. The
negroes stood by, and looked on with the greatest
apathy, and could not be induced to assist cheerfully.
Their conduct resembled that at the great fire at
Kingston, about two years since. The whole of the
public officers of the town were at their posts, and ex-
erted themselves to the utmost. A great many of the
principal inhabitants were sworn in to maintain order
and regularity.
I cannot give you a succinct account of the damage
done, but the Barbadians assert their loss will exceed
half-a-million of money. The Post-office is amongst the
public buildings destroyed ; and so is Caroline Lees's
hotel. The house of Moore, Brothers, and Co., are suf-
ferers to the amount of 40,000 dollars ; and there is a
house connected with the Irish trade in Cork who are
also great sufferers ; I could not learn the name. Nearly
all the principal stores, being in the locality of the fire,
are of course destroyed.
I understand that the fire has caused a great rise in
the price of wood, shingles, &c. at Martinique.
The accounts I learn of Santa Anna are—that, after
his attack upon Puebla, he fled, with 1,000 cavalry, to
San Antonio, and from thence he stole away in the
night, with four attendants only, and left his followers
in the lurch. He attempted to reach his farm, that is,
his private property at Encerro, but, on his way, was
caught by a small party of Indians, who captured and
made hita prisoner. This took place at the village of Ilico,
about three leagues from Calopa, whence they escorted
him, their party having been reinforced, and delivered
him over to the authorities. He was shortly afterwards
removed to the castle of Perote. The general impres-
sion is, that he will be shortly put upon his trial, after-
wards banished the country, and the whole of his pro-
perty confiscated to the State. He was careless enough
to write to some friends at Vera Cruz respecting his
money and other treasures, and giving directions for
their safe disposal. The letters were, however, seized,
and an embargo laid upon the whole. General Bravo, it
is supposed, will be the new President. The Country is
now tranquil.

The commander of the Tay reports that he ex-
perienced very bad weather in tho Gulf, and was
obliged to stand off Tampico in a heavy " norther," in
which a sloop upset, and all hands perished. Her name
couldenot be ascertained. He also experienced another
heavy norther off Vera Cruz. A fine American schooner
went ashore there, and soon became a total wreck.
The crew were, however, saved. The Tav had a
heavy gale all the passage home. On the 6th and
7th she could not average more than 130 miles, and
indeed one 'day her speed was down to 80 miles, but she
performed admirably against such a tempestuous sea.
On the 7th she passed the barque Adams, outward
bound, anti on the 10th, 60 miles off the Lizard, passed
a brig, bearing up with fore-yard gone. The Tay not
having left Bermuda till the 22d, and that in severe
weather, and being the short month of February, occa-
sions her apparent lateness of arrival. Indeed, she can
scarcely, untler those circumstances, be considered more
than due.