The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-31 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

AUNT MARY'S STORY-BOOK.
Darton and Clark, Lond9n, 1845.
We have here a new edition, carefully revised by
the author, of one of the prettiest children's story-books
we have met with for some time. The language
throughout is simple and natural, without being at all
feeble, the incidents are skilfully put together, and the
volume is embellished with several pleasing coloured
pints.

MR. JAMES POLK, THE NEW
PRESIDENT. OF THE UNITED STATES.
(From the National Reformer.)
Mr. Polk is the eldest of ten children. He was
born in the county of Mechlenburg, North Carolina,
on the 2d of November, 1795, and is, consequently,
now in his fiftieth year. His ancestors, whose family
name, originally, was Pollock, emigrated from Ire-
land, more than a century since, and settled in Mary-
land ; Colonel Pollock, the great uncle of the new
President, was one of the promoters of, and the first
to affix his signature to, the famous Declaration of
Independence. In 1706, Mr. Polk's father established
himself on the banks of the river Duck, in the State
of Tennessee, where he founded an extensive agricul-
tural establishment. 'This country, now one of the
most populous and flourishing in the Union, was then
a real wilderness.

Mr. Polk began his academical studies in 1813,
which resulted with the most brilliant success, both
at college and the university, where he won the first
prizes in mathematics and literature.
Returning, in the beginning of 1819, to Tennessee,
Mr. Polk applied himself to the study of the law,
and, towards the end of the year 1819, was admitted
a member of the bar. From this period he followed
his profession of advocate, and, by his talents and the
influence of his relatives, he very soon obtained a
large number of clients.
In 1829, being then in his thirty-fourth year, he
was elected for the county in which he resided a re-
presentative in the local Legislature, where he dis-
tinguished himself by his oratorical powers and his
aptitude fir business. The personal and political
friend of General Jackson, he was one of those who,
in 1824, drew that distinguished and celebrated man
from his retreat by proposing him as a Member of
the Senate. Mr. Polk prides himself in having con-
tributed to this nomination, which has had, and will
still have, a considerable influence on the future pros-
pects of the Union—an influence which some consider
prejudicial, and others beneficial.
In August, 1825, Mr. Polk was elected a Member
of Congress, and carried with him into the public
debates and deliberations the fundamental principles
to which he remained constantly faithful throughout
the vicissitudes .and all the modifications of parties.
From his boyhood he had been a thorough and un-
compromising republican.
His views, approved by the majority of the House,
were converted into a series of resolutions, which re-
produced and put prominently forward the doctrines
of the republican party of 1798.
Since this period, 1825, Mr. Polk has taken an
active part in all questions of importance. During
General Jackson's administration he was one of his
warmest partisans, and gave him valuable support on
all trying occasions.
In 1832 he was one of the Committee of Ways and
Means, and distinguished himself by the famous re-
up onr
itt
emda re-
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ti
ens the
kn.a me
Thiso f
rtehpeo
rtminority
raised
againstagainst
htihme
in his district a formidable opposition ; whereupon he
determined to appeal to his constituents, and he was
re-elected by an immense majority.
In 1833 he was appointed President of the same
Committee, and to him may be attributed, in a great
measure, the resolutions adopted by Congress which
led to the fall of the United States Bank.

In 1835 and 1837 he was appointed, by large ma-
jorities, President of the Chamber of Representatives.
His adversaries have never hesitated to render homage
to his strict impartiality, to his dignified deportment,
to the great talents which he displayed in this diffi-
cult position. At the end of the session of 1837,
Congress honoured him with an unanimous vote of
thanks. Since then he had been twice elected Go-
vernor of the State of Tennessee.
Such are the political antecedents of the man who
is now called upon to direct the Government of one
of the greatest nations of the world.

t OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS.—After the expiration of
the current year of overseers of the poor, their accounts
(in consequence of the appointment of " district" audi-
tors) will not have to be laid before justices for their
allowance.

THE SPY SYSTEM.--We have been informed that
one of the county constabulary was employed to associate
with a gang of poachers, and to accompany them in their
nocturnal expeditions in order to ensure the conviction
of the offenders. We trust this is incorrect, although
we fear it is too true. There may be great beauties in
the Irish police system, but we protest against the in
troduction of this un-English practice into the county of
Gloucester constabulary force. We shall be glad to have
it satisfactorily established that there is no truth in the
information which has been communicated to us.—
Cheltenham Free Press.

UNITED MEXICAN MINING ASSOCIATION.—Wed-
nesday the half-yearly meeting of this Company was
held at the London Tavern. The chair was taken by
Mr. Majoribanks, M.P., in the absence of Sir John
Easthope, Bart. The Secretary read the report, from
which it appeared that in the mine of Reyes the produce
had been 21,438 caryas, or 24 bars, of silver, of which
13,419 were received by the owners and 7,889 by the
Association. Some other ore amounted to 113,152
dollars, and the amount of expenses was 186,274
dollars ; the excess of the outlay was borne by the
owners and the Association. The mine debt was now
reduced to 757,677 dollars, and a large sum remained
to be received for ore on hand. There was new ore
ground discovered, the returns from which it was hoped
would gradually increase. The haciendas were in a
state of profitable employ. The claim on the Mexican
Government for losses sustained at the mine of Zaca-
tecas, amounting to 235,454 dollars, had been sub-
mitted to an eminent jurist, who had reported in favour
of the Company's claim, which opinion had been sub-
mitted to the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, and awaited the decision of her Majesty's Go-
vernment. The prospects in Oaxaca remained the same
as at last meeting. The number of bottles of quicksilver
sent over was 1,105 which cost 19,8831+ The cash ac-
count showed the total receipts for the half-year to have
been 28,665/. 12s. Bd. The available assets in London
wet e 3,2171. 14s. 3d., subject to the monthly shipments
of quicksilver. A remittance of 50,000 dollars was ex-
pected. Oa the motion of Mr. T. Moore, seconded by
Mr. Wood, a sum of 250 guineas was voted for a piece
of plate to be presented to Mr. Shoolbred the late
commissioner in Mexico, for his valuable services to the
Company.
Some discussion then took place, more par-
ticularly as to the further delay in making a dividend,
when the report was adopted, and thanks wero voted to
the Chairman and Directors of the Company.