The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-28 00:00:00

MODERN FRENCH MANNERS.

By this time I became aware of a truth which bad
dawned on my mind, that the French common people
have lost much of that grace of manner which once
distinguished them above all other people. More
courteous than the Italians they could not be ; but,
while their manners were more artificial, they were
more playful and winning. All this has changed. I
did not remark the alteration so much with regard to
myself as in their mode of speaking to one another.
The " Madame" and " Monsieur" with which stable-
boys and old beggar-women used to address each other,
with the deference of courtiers, has vanished.- No
trace is to be found of it in France. A shadow faintly
exists among Parisian shopkeepers when speaking to
their customers; but only there is the traditional
phraseology still used ; the courteous accent, the soft
manner, exist no longer. I speak of a thing known
and acknowledged ,by the French themselves. They
want to be powerful ; they believe money must
obtain power; they wish to imitate the English,
whose influence they attribute to their money-making
propensities, but now and then they go a step beyond,
and remind one of Mrs. Trollotie's description of the
Americans. Their phraseology, once so delicately,
and eveu, to us more-straigittf.rwani penpin, pranc-
ingly, deferential (not to superiors only, but toward
one another), is become blunt, and almost rude.
* * * Perhaps more than any people, as I see
them now, the French require the restraint of good
manners. They are desirous of pleasing, it is true ;
but their amour propre is so sensitive, and their
tempers so quick, that they are easily be-
trayed into anger and vehemence. * * *
On board these long, narrow river-steamers
I found the same defects : the air most agreeable
to a traveller, of neatness and civility, was absent.
There is, however, no real fault to be found, an'. I
should not mention this were it not a change ; and
I sincerely wish the French would return to what
they once were, and give us all lessons of pleasing
manners, instead of imitating and exaggerating our
faults, and adding to them an impress all their own ;
a sort of fierceness, when displeased, which is more
startling than our sullenness. As I said, this has no
reference to any act towards myself; but the winning
tone and manner that had pleased me of old no
longer appeared, and it was in the phraseology used
among each other that the change was most remark-
able.—The Young Widow.

GREAT FOOT-RACE FOR 20/.—On Monday a very,
large number of persons assembled at the Beehive-
ground, Walworth, to witness the race between Bad-
cock, of Birmingham, and E. Smith, of London, both of
whom have acquired some notoriety. The contesting
distance was one mile. In betting Badcock was the fa-
vourite, Smith's friends being very shy and cautious.
At the start Badcock took the lead, which he maintained
and came in a gallant winner, his opponent and his
friends appearing much discomfited and chagrined at the
result.

VISIT OF PRINCE WILLIAM OF PRUSSIA TO LIVER-.
POOL.—LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—His Royal Highnesa
Prince William of Prussia arrived at the Adelphi Hotel
last night, en route from Scotland. He left Glasgow on
Friday, slept at Carlisle on Saturday, and yesterday
proceeded to Lancaster, whence, after having taken a
view of the castle and the localities generally, he came
by railway to Parkside, and thence to Liverpool. On
his arrival at Lime-street station, he was met by the
Prussian Consul, in full uniform, the Mayor, and Mr.
Alderman Bramley Moore. His Royal Highness, ac-
companied by the Mayor and two of his suite, then pro-
ceeded in the Mayor's private carriage to the Adelphi
Hotel, where he dined, the President Von Garlach, a
Prussian judge, forming one of the royal dinner party
His Royal Highness took a tour through the town this
morning, viewing the principal objects of interest with
as careful an inspection as his limited stay would admit
of. He started from the Adelphi at seven o'clock, ac-
companied by the Mayor and others members of the
Corporation, and took his departure for Warwick Castle
at half-past eleven o'clock A.M., by railway. His Royal
Highness, after leaving the Adeiphi Hotel, visited the
Brunswick Dock, the Custom House, the Royal Mail
steam-ship Britannia, steamed along the line of docks in
the Redwing, visited the Waterloo and Prince's Decks,
the Fish Market, the Assize Courts, and, finally, passed
through the beautiful suite of rooms at the Town Hall.
From Warwick Castle the Prince will proceed to
Hampden, and thence to Drayton Manor, where he will
make a brief stay with Sir Robert Peel.
DETERMINED SUICIDE ON BLACKFRIA.RS-BRIDGE.—
Monday evening, about a quarter to six, a respectable-
looking young man committed suicide by throwing him-
self off the balustrades of Blacktriars-bridge, near the
centre arch, when the deceased immediately sunk, the
tide running down strongly at the time, and was never
afterward seen. The deceased was observed to mount
one of the recesses with the apparent intention of look-
ing at the craft on the river, and nothing particular being
observed in his manner no notice was taken of him until
he was suddenly seen to jump up on the balustrade, and
before any assistance could reach him he had_
precipi-
tated himself into the river. Boats immediately put off
and the drags were put in use,
it does not afford any clue to who the un-
fortunate person was. The name " Binden, maker, Cam-
berwell," is on the lining.
ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAIL.,
fobunudt.
night the body had not been was picked
up
His hat to a late hour last
up, but
WAY.—As the last down train, on Sunday night, was
proceeding in the neighbourhood of Balcombe tunnel,
William Johnson, Jackson's stoker, while engaged in
oft.f. coke His or
right
ht
th the
rm tender,unio overbalanced
rtunately ffell
across the rail, and the wheels of the train passing over
it crushed it in a dreadful manner. The train was im-
mediately stopped, and the sufferer was conveyed by
means of one of the engines and a single carriage with
all possible expedition to Brighton. On arriviag at the
terminus the poor fellow was placed in a fly and sent to
himselfemptyin
the Sussex County Hospital, where amputation of the
emptying
ad
s faeclkl o
limb was performed, and the sufferer remains in a very
precarious state.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.--Friday
afternoon, as one of
the Paisley trains, drawn by the
Greenock Company's engines, was on its way to Glas-
gow, and when about two miles from Paisley, the axle
of the tender broke, when both •
tender and engine were
thrown off the line. None of the passengers or servants
were seriously hurt ; three of the former were slightly
injured, and were able to walk away soon after the acci-
dent happened. The tender, engine, and a third-class
carriage, were considerably damaged. A detention to
several trains took place inconsequence of the obstruc-
tion, but, by about half-past three o'clock, the rails were
, had stnd the line clean—Glasgow National.

On the day of the death of the Princess the Court
went into mourning for several weeks.
ST. PETERSBURGH, AUG. 13.—After the delivery,
the Princess felt herself relieved, and conversed for a
considerable time with her beloved parents, brother
and sister, and other relatives, who were all assembled
round her in the last hours of her life. At four in
the afternoon she took au affectionate leave of them
all, and fell into a tranquil sleep from which she never
awoke here below. She expired at a quarter before
five. The body of the Grand Duchess,' as well as
that of the Prince, were embalmed 'yesterday, and
will be conveyed to-night without pomp froth Zarsko-
jesela to the cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul.—
Hamburgh papers, Aug. 23.
ST. PETERSBURGH, AUG. 16.—The mortal remains
of the Grand Duchess Alexandra are deposited to-day
in the cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The Military Governor of St. Petersburgh has re-
ceived, this morning, the following Imperial Rescript,
in his Majesty's own hand, and hastens to communi-
cate it to the inhabitants of the capital.
" After following the mortal remains of my be-
loved daughter to their final resting place, the impulse of
my heart is to desire you to announce to the inhabi-
tants of the capital how deeply all our hearts are af-
fected by the general interest which they have mani-
fested, as well during the long and mortal illness of
our beloved daughter, as likewise on her death, and,
lastly,"on this night. These expressions of the general
feeling are, indeed, not new to me ; hitherto they
have been displayed only in days of joy, but mine it
has pleased God to try us by the most painful. loss.
We submit to his unsearohable will, and what can
be more consolatory to our paternal hearts than the
affecting proofs that our sorrow is the universal sorrow
of the whole people entrusted to us by God. We
thank them for this affection which is our coniolation,
and gives me strength to proceed in my arduOus
course. May those mortal feelings be the pledge of
the future happiness."

ALARMING FIRE IN ST. GILES'S—(YESTERDAY).---
About eleven o'clock yesterday a fire broke out in
a narrow street called Maynard-street, off Buckridge-
street, in the very heart of all that now remains of the
once noted " Rookery." A portion of the premises was
in the possession of Messrs. Bridge and Co., the extensive
cork-cutters and manufacturers of No. 29, High-street,
St. Giles's, who deposited there a large quantity of ma-.
nufactured and raw stock in consequence of which the
utmost consternation and alarm pervaded the whole
neighbourhood. An area of only about one-tenth of the
original size of the " Rookery" now stands in conse-
quence of the new line of street, from Oxford-street to
Holborn, and in this small, and more particularly May-
nard and Buckridge-streets, a large portion of the,
possessed inhabitants had crammed themselves, so that
when the first alarm of fire was given, the greatest con-
fusion prevailed in consequence of the efforts of the poor
people to save their furniture.. Fortunately, however,
the fire having broken Uteri the day time, it was atones
discovered, and information forwarded to the different
Fire Brigade stations. In a short time no less than ten
engines were upon the spot, and a plentiful supply of
water being at hand, the flames were speedily subdued,
without doing any considerable damage. Owing to the
number of thieves and daring characters which infest the
neighbourhood, it was necessary to have a strong body of
police to keep order.
ASTLEY'S THEATRE.—After the various perform-
ances which at this theatre generally precede the eques-
trian feats of the circus, and after Mr. Wier ,(as the
Lion Tamer of the Niger) has exhibited his extraordinary
power over the lions, tigers, end, panthers, bdfb in a
cage and on the stage, a miniature horse was exhibited
in the circus. This wonderful little animal, which is
called Tom Thumb, is well made, and something like a
Shetland pony, though not so shaggy ; he stands only
twenty-five inches high, and weighs butrs73lbs., was
presented to Mr. Batty by the celebrated equestrian
Mr. Wells, and has not his equal in the three kingdoms.
Tom Thumb (the original) will appear in the circus at
Astley's, we are told, during the week in a miniature
carriage, which has been built for him by Mr. Beaton,
of Soho-square, and which will be drawn by this little
horse. Man, carriage, and horse will all then be in pro-
portion, and such another equipage is only to be found,
probably, in the description of fairies.
I...bit..t.mat-actuARE.--t he enclosure of this square
is at present in a very dilapidated and disgraceful con-
dition. The iron railings have in many places been
taken away, and, until the last few days, when the in-
habitants have placed a constable for its protection, it
has day and night been a scene of most disorderly
conduct. The title of the property to the enclosure is
disputed,
EGG Two THOUSAND YEARS OLD.—An egg :Was
brought the other day from the island of Ichaboe, by the
master of the Eliza Kincaid, to Leith, which was found
at a depth of twenty-five feet from the surface, and
must, therefore, according to the best calculation, have
been upwards of 2,000 years old. It is now to be seen
at the National office, in Argyle-street.—Glasgow Na-
tional.

SUICIDE AT CHELSEA.—On Monday morning, about
a quarter to one o'clock, Mr. Jerome, of No. 8, Queen-
street, Chelsea, was passing along Cheyne-walk, when
he observed a woman walk down the floating pier oppo-
site to Manor-street, and precipitate herself into the
water. He raised an alarm, and drags were almost in-
stantly in use, but the unfortunate woman, who sankirn-
mediately, was not recovered.

- -
DAILY MAILS TO AND FROM BELGIUM.—The
following notice has been issued by command of the
Post-Master-General:--" General Post-office, August,
1844.—The Belgian Government having entered into a
contract for the conveyance of mails twice in each week
betwcen Dover and Ostend, in addition to the present
communication
,by British :packets, mails for Belgium
Will in future be made up at this office every day in the
week (Sundays excepted), and return mails from Bel-
gium will be due in London daily, with the like ex-
ception."
PRICE OF BREAD.—Mondav the prices of bread
fell generally in the metropolis id. per quartern loaf on
account of the abundant harvest. The general price is
now 7d., although at many of the underselling bakers
it is 6d.

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committedmo i
committed
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ee bdn et
confidential
by
calledyl
Isis
Lordship
We believe that in the beginning of October it is
intended to call out the pensioners for training, but that
only two days, instead of five, will this year be employed
for that purpose.
, IthiaaTensT ground,
docL thereby
E conveyed
sta:ptceot
aohimhonirshisseEe
quarters
Seton being
aeLeanffir Tnsekgcßi riderr
utnAualcEldhl fell most
I:
be'
haltYmeset :
BRIGHTON, SATURDAY EVENING.—The Fame, Cer-
tain Harty, arrived from Dieppe this afternoon, in six
hours and three quarters, with fifty-five passengers,
among whom were Lady Hotham, the Marquis De la
Granja, the Marquis De la Caltovar, Mrs. Swinfih Jer-
vis and family, &c. About one-thir of the passengers
were enabled to clear their baggage at the Custom-house
and proceed to London by the last regular train from
here, at half-past six ; the rest of the passengers, who
were desirous of proceeding to London this evening.
were forwarded by a special train, the Railway Com-
pany always affording this Bread accommodation to our
packet passengers, arriving from Dieppe or Havre, under
similar circumstances.
On Friday afternoon last, between four and five
o'clock, as Captain Alexander Seton, of the 74th Regi-
ment, was riding his horse on Chatham Lines, the
animal, on passing the stands about being erected for
the accommodation of visitors, took fright and bolted
across the lines at a tremendous pace, taking the direc-
tion of New Brompton. The Captain seemed to have
lost all control over the animal, which, in attempting to
clear the fence round the lines, caught with its fore-foot
the case
ot orn
pre.
rsons Crouch t h (reported epl o rlt,ed in
servants servants,
o f and
the must
said tend
p e rs
ot
n,o
or
r placep
te,. isenornass state
snwere
where he lies in a very precarious state.
violentlys,Bh the
oacrir.pip Barracks,
rw
rsH,at
oi e IA
our Bristol assize intelligence), a judgment was delivered
pwahtitechs,oni:, ctohnafitrminedc,asweiollf parnejyudaiectiaolfly
of continual insecurity numbers of most respectable
individuals. It was ruled by his Lordship (Mr. Justice
for all sums paid by them after the act of bankruptcy,
although they did not, or could not, know when it was
estate,o f the
the
admitted assignees
thehardnesslaw, and hoped he was wrong in its interpretation, but
directed a verdict to be recorded for the plaintiff, with
leave to move to enter a nonsuit, or to reduce the damages
to such an amqunt as the Court above might direct.—
Bristol Mercury.
WOOD PAVEMENTS AND FEVER.—At a late meet-
ing of the Westminster Medical Society, Dr. Copland
drew attention to the probable extension of fever in tb.,
metropolis from the extension of wood pavetnent- Froll
his statement it appeared that, when wood paving was
taken up for repairs, there might be observed for severs
urated
inches below the surface, the pores of the wood sat
with black matters, from the decomposing organic sub-,
stances which are carried down and absorbed with the _
water. These, on further decomposition, wuoitilledfaopperm tt
very likely to evaporate, producing some b
woulds be aided,
atmospheric impurity, besides which
the theystreets, and by the water. employed in watering
would greatly fall-
ingex-'
from rain. These he considered_
of thatlow form of typhoid.
tend and prolong the influence
in .
the metropolis.
fever which has been common
H i
Tier Majesty's steam-frigate Blazer is now on_ 'kb.,
coast of Scarborough, engaged in making a survey for
the Admiralty.—Yorkshire Gazette.
CATCH OF WHALES—LERWICK, AUGUST 1.1........
Tuesday, at West Woe, Samburgh, a lot of these. mon-
sters of the deep made their appearance. An immediate
attack was made upon them by the natives, who aue..,
seeded in capturing 79. The blubber sold at 94 to
PA los. per ton.—Scotch Reformers' Gazette.