The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-08 00:00:00

RAILWAYS IN JAMAICA

(From the Jamaica .bispatch, Sept. 8.)
Although the prospect whic'a has been opened to vs of the
general formation of railway:9 throughout the island has been
hailed with universal gratification, not merely on account of
the facilities to traffic and locomotion which they will confer,
but in respect of the coniblence which so large an investment
of British capital in our soil shows to have sprung up among
capitalists in England in the returning prosperity of Ja-
maica, the real and substantial benefits to be derived from
these grand undertakings have not yet been considered or
dreamed of by the great majority of our fellow-colonists.
We look to the:3e undertakings as harbingers of a glorious
day of improvement now dawning upon the gloom which
has overspread these fine islands during a long night of ad-
versity and desolation. We anticipate from them increase
of population, extended commerce, increased productive..
ness, an enlarged field of industry. We hope ere long to see
by the aid of railways and of that capital which seems now
to be flowing in a copious stream towards our shores a
totally different system of estates' management. We hope
to see that which has often been recommended and approved,
but has hitherto been found impracticable from the difficulty
of carriage, the manufacture of sugar separated altogether
from the cultivation of it. The benefit of central manufac-
tories established on a large scale and maintained by wealthy
companies requires only to be experienced in order to be
universally admitted. In all districts through which a rail
way shall be formed these central factories might be esta-
blished, and tram-roads laid at the expense of the company
to each estate in its neighbourhood, by which, for a small
charge per ton on the carriage, the canes of each estate
might be carried for manufacture. We need. not tell the
planter how much more cheaply sugar could be thus manu-
factured in large quantities than it is at present on the
estate. This is no theory of ours. It has been tried and
is at. present, we believe, in operation in the island of
Gaadaloupe under the superintendence of a company raised
in Paris. The title of the company so far as we can learn
is an " Association for the Manufacture of Sugar in the
French Antilles ;" its capital is considerable, raised alto-
gether in France, but we cannot state with precision
the terms upon which the produce is manufactured ;
that would be subject for arrangement according to the pecu-
liar locality of each manufactory. But the advantages of
this system would not be confined to the benefits which
would be derived by the proprietors of sugar estates now in
cultivation from the reduced cost of manufacturing their
produce. It would create 14 new class among us—it would
bring into cultivation lands which never yet have been thus
employed—it would cause to emigrate to our shores hundreds
of small capitalists, who could afford to purchase and culti-
vate their lots of 40 or 50 acres of canes, but who could not
now so apply their means for want of expensive works. The
production of the country might thus be doubled.
In such a parish as Vere the establishment of a central
factory on a large scale would, we should conceive, be most
advantageous. The level tract of country under cane culti-
vation would enable trams to be laid to every estatein the
parish, and the labour now employed in manufacturing the
produce might be exclusively engaged in increasing the
production.

The foregoing observations have been thrown out for the
consideration of planters here and of capitalists at home,
among the latter of whom we have reason to believe the sub-
ject has already been in contemplation. If railroads did
nothing else for us but this they would deserve our anxious
support.

TITCHFIELD.—MR. BRIGHT.—We have just seen
a beautiful piece of plate about to be presented to John
Bright Esq , M.P., on which is the following inscription
" Presented to John Brigh , Esq., M.P , by a few of the ii -
habitants of Titchfield parish, as a small token of their ap
probation of his zealous endeavours to expose the injustice
and iniquity of the game-laws. September lath, 1845."
This testimonial was the result of a subscription originating
with a few disinterested individuals, who have on many
former occasions accelerated by their influence and contri-
butions the cause of freedom and justice. We beg to refer
out readers to our last number, under the Christchurch head,
for information on the oppressive working of the game laws.
—Hampshire Independent,
PROSELYTISM IN RIISSIA.—The Russian Govern-
ment, says the Journal des 7)6bats, has just achieved some
religious conversions in the German provinces of Courland,
Livonia, and Esthonia, where the majority of the inha-
bitants are Protestants. Those conversions had already ex-
cited some disorders in the provinces, but the Russian
clergy, seconded by the civil and military authorities, was
decided to follow up the work with that violence and blind
fanaticism which characterises Russian policy, and which
presents such a deplorable contrast to the mildness
and tolerance of the other European states. The fol-
lowing is an abstract of a private letter from Li-
vonia, published in the Hamburgh Gazette :—" The Li-
vonian clergy met on the 6th, 7th, and Bth of September,
in the small town of Walk, to the number of sixty, for
the purpose of deliberating upon the religious movement
which al present manifests itself among the inhabitants of
Livonia. They came to a decision to remonstrate with the
Government at St. Petersburgh upon the subject. M. de
Golowin had replied to that remonstrance that the natives
or others who wished to enter into the orthodox church'
would be received at Riga, and in the other towns of Livonia ;
for this purpose several temporary churches had been
opened. The peasants who wish to quit their residences for
the purpose of being received ought to be furnished with
certificates from their landlords, who cannot refuse them.
The proprietors and clergy who should hinder or endeavour
to deter the peasantry from following the bent of their in-
clinations would be liable to severe penalties. It is neces-
sary to remark that article 10 of the treaty of peace of Ny-
stadt is in the following terms*:—" Liberty of conscience
will be respected in all the provinces of Estbonia, Livonia,
the island of Esel, Carolia, and Impermanland, ceded by
Sweden to Russia. The evangelical church shall be main-
tained there, such as it existed under the Swedish Govern-
ment."

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.—In consequence of the new
►mprovements in the City, the parish church of St. Benet-
fink, in Threadneedle-street, is about to be pulled down. It
has been determined that the work of demolition should be
immediately commenced, but in consequence of the church
of the adjoining parish (to which St, Benetfink is thereafter
to be united) being closed for repairs, the City authorities,
in order that the inhabitants of both parishes may not be de•
prived of the means of divine worship at one time, have al-
lowed the sacred edifice to remain for a month longer.
PETTY SESSIONS.—On Saturday a very lengthened
Parliamentary return was printed, showing the places at
which petty sessions are held throughout England and Wales.
A great number are held at public-houses, which is much to
be regretted, as the administration of public justice requires a
different place to hold its court. In the Bill which was dis-
cussed last Session respecting petty sessions, there was a pro-
vision to prevent them in future being held in such places.
The return, which was obtained on the motion of Captain
Pechell, the Member for Brighton, has been recalled for some
corrections.

DESTITUTION AND REVERSE OF FORTUNE.—Last
evening Mr. Payne held an inquest at the Welsh Harp,
Essex-street, Bouverie-street, City, on the body of Mr.
Christmas, aged 54, who hung himself at No. 9, Lombard-
street, where he occupied two rooms. The deceased had
been formerly in business as a grocer, but in consequence of
misfortunes he became reduced, and got much in arrear of
his rent, and he was threatened to have his little stock of
goods seized. On Monday morning he was discovered in a
sitting posture upon the bed with a rope round his neck,
which was attached to the bed-post. Life had been extinct
some hours, Verdict, " Temporary insanity."
ALLEGED MUUDEa AT CAMBERWELL.-011 Mon-
day night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, Benjamin
Booth, a plasterer by
.trade, died 2, Alpha-cottages,
Camberwell, from injuries inflicted upon him on Monday
morning by a man named John Walsh. It appears that
the deceased, Walsh, and a third man slept in the same
room, and Walsh being the first up in the morning, Booth
accused him of taking eighteenpenee from his pocket.
Walsh denied the accusation, and went into the
next room, which was occupied by a journeyman tailor,
named Leeney, and complained to that person of the false
accusation that had just been made against him, and seizing
a sleeve-board, rushed to the room where Booth still remained
in bed. He instantly attagked the unfortunate man while in
bed, and struck him several severe blewS about the head with
the sleeve-board. Booth, however, managed to get out of
bed; but before lie could grasp his murderous assailant, he
received several additional blows about the head and upper
part of his person. The third man by this time got out of
bed, and forcing himself between the parties, separated
them, when Walsh made the best of his way out of the house.
Booth, though severely injured, was able to
_get out of bed,
and take one or two cups of tea. Soon after, however, he was
seized with serious illness and stupor, and the symptoms
were so alarming that Mr. Morris, the parish doctor, was sent
for. That gentleman immediately attended, and used every
means that medical skill could devise to relieve the unfor-
tunate man, but It was to no purpose ; the laoor fellow
breathed his last shortly after eleven o'cloc. Information of
the occurrence was forwarded to the Camberwell station, and
the police are in pursuit of Walsh.
__

BURGLARY AT STOCKBRIDGE.—Yesterday morning
the farm-honse of Mr. Thomas Attwood, situated in rather
a retired situation at the back of the church at Stockbridge,
was forcibly entered by, it is supposed, five thieves, who ran-
sacked the lower part of the house of coats and other cloth-
ing, half a round of beef, a barn, some poultry, two hares,
three rabbits, and a loaded gun. Having partaken of beer,
wine, and eatables, they decamped. It is supposed they. took
the road for Southampton, as five strange and suspicious
looking men were met ;by a carter about six o'clock in the
morning, about four miles from Stockbridge, on that road.
VISIT OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO EAST-
BOURNE AND SEAFoRD.—On Friday last the curiosity of the
good people of Eastbourne was in no slight degree excited
by the rumour that the Duke of Wellington had passed
through the town on his way to Seaford. The report proved
true, and it subsegnently appeared that his Grace had passed
the night at Seaford, and next morning, after an early
walk before breakfast, had returned to Eastbourne. On his
arrival, his Grace visited the redoubt, Lieutenant Conjuit
having been summoned to attend and " do the honours."
The Duke, after leaving the redoubt, mounted his horse and
rode towards Hastings by Pevensey Bay. Here a carriage
was in waiting, entering which, the noble Duke proceeded on
his journey. It is almost needless to add, that this visit has
given rise to numberless speculations as to its immediate ob-
ject. The Harbour of Refuge, and the defence of the coast,
afford ready subjects for such speculations.—Svssex Ad-
vertiser,

OssAßuna, SEPT. 28.—A fact, which is the gene-
ral subject of conversation in this city and the country, may
lead to a German Catholic movement in these parts. A
young and accomplished Roman Catholic lady in Oinaburg
was asked by her father confessor whether she believed in
the infallibility of the Pope and in transubstantiation. The
lady answering both questions in the negative, was told by
her confessor that she could not have the benediction of the
Church, upon which, without receiving absolution, she left
the church.

CARITABLE QUESTS.
DUBLIN, Ocr. H s.—Mr. Michael BEBlake, of Frenchfort, in
the county of Galway, one of the rather select number of
gentlemen favourable to a repeal of the Union, died at his
residence last week, and left by his will the following bequests
to " charitable institutions :"-
1,0004 to the Widow and Orphan Asylum.
5001. to the Magdalen Asylum, Lombard-street.
2001. to the Female Breakfast Institute at the Pre-
sentation.
2001. to the Male Orphan Breakfast Institute, Lombard-
street.
2001. to the Sisters of Mercy for the Poor.
100/. to the poor widows of Claddagh for clothing.
100/, to the Sisters of Charity, Clarenbridge.
50/. to the Rev. B. J. Roche, for a bell.
201. to the poor widows on his estate.
20/. to the poor widows of Oranmore.
And " 100/. to Daniel O'Connell, in trust for the Repeal
Association," which, according to the terms of the will,
comes in under the denomination of a " charitable institution."
Mr. Blake was, it seems, a very ardent Repealer; indeed,
his love for domestic legislation is described as intense. " One
of the last requests made by the expiring patriot," says the
Galway Mercury, "was to have his card of admission as a
member placed on his coffin, immediately near his heart."
LAW APPOINTMENT.
According to a provincial journal, Mr. John Pennefather,
a young and rising barrister on the Leinster Circuit, son of
the Baron and brother of the Under-Secretary, has been ap-
pointed to succeed Mr. John O'Dwyer as counsel in Crown
prosecutions in Green-street.
ARRIVAL OF THE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD.
The following account of the Noble Marquis's arrival and
reception in Lisburn, is abridged from the -Northern Whip The Marquis of Hertford arrived in Belfast on Thursday
evening from Glasgow, by the Thetis steamer, and, after a
short delay at the Donegal Arms, proceeded the same even-
ing to Lisburn. He was accompanied by Captain Meynell,
Member for Lisburn. The illuminations determined upon at
a late meeting of the inhabitants of Lisburn were postponed
from Thursday night until last night, on aceount of the in-
clement state of the weather on the former day, and some un-
certainty with respect to the time his Lordship would arrive.
When we entered the town, yesterday evening at five o'clock,
there was no unusual bustle in the street, a state of things
which continued till a quarter to seven o'clock, when we
heard the sounds of a fife and drum, playing, of course, the
" Boyne Water." The paraders were of that class who
usually follow such exciting music—a class it is quite un-
necessary for us to give a name to. This very in-
judicious way of endeavouring to pay respect to the
Noble Visitant, was, at the instance of Dean Stannus, we
believe, put a stop to ; at least, after one or two other tunes,
of a like character, we heard no more of the musical gents.
At eight o'clock the streets were much crowded, and the dis-
charge of guns and pistols was frequent. In the Market-
square, at half-past seven o'clock, three tar barrels were set
on fire. On ]coking at them and their attendants, they re-
minded us of the witches in Macbeth around the cauldron.
The only words calculated to give offence to any one were
those uttered by a half-naked person, at the Hillsborough-end
of the town, who seemed all alone in his glory,' shouting
To hell wid the Pope, any way.' The Noble Marquis made
his appearance several times, at the drawing-room windows of
the Rev. Dean Stannus, where his Lordship is residing, and
appeared to appreciate the warm feeling which his presence
among his tenants called forth."
BALLINASLOE FAIR.
SATURDAY, Ocr. 4.—The great sheep-market, wherein the
west barters its overflowing produce with the east, corn
menced this day. To one who has beheld it, the difficulty of
describing the scene will be well known. Spread all through
the extensive pai k of Lord Clancarty are multitudes of sheep,
which might be considered innumerable, but that his Lord-
ship's toll-takers count them off on their entrance and exit.
Each group is.surrounded by its frieze-coated shepherds, with
Arcadian crooks, whose yells and cries to their flocks and to
each other in English and Irish, frantic gesticulations, and
wrestling-matches with recusant rams, contribute to produce
a general effect the most novel and curious in the world.
Files of policemen with bayonet and carbine wander up and
down to keep the herds in order. Far as the eye can reach
over hill and vale, and through the vistas of the park, ap-
pears one vast white surface of wool dotted here and there
with sellers and buyers—thus pouring in at one gate and out
at the other in one great stream, from ten in the day till six
at night, whilst a great mass still remain in the park. The
number of sheep to-day has not been ascertained, but it may
be safely asserted that the fair was far above the average as
regarded numbers and prices. The breeder obtained such
rates for his stock as gave him from 10/. to 12/. per cent. on
his capital, and seldom have sales been more quietly effected.
The average price for 60,000 sheep was.nearly 2/. each. Mr.
Persse obtained 4/. 10s. for a lot of 20 ewes ; 'Mr. Taafe sold
300 at 3/. ' • and the stock of Mr. Smith, of Loughrea (who
sent upwards of 2,000 into the market), Mr. Balfe, and Mr.
Darcy was in much request, and brought prices varying from
2/. ss. to 21. 10s., the general rates rising from 4s. t 053. above
those of last year. As yet no official returns, and conse-
quently precise information, can be obtained, as the re-
turns are not made out until after post hour. The attendance
of buyers from the west was very good, and nearly all pur-
chises were paid in cash.
DUBLIN, Oar. 6—The Earl of Devon arrived in Dublin
yesterday, from Ballinasloe, and proceeded on a:visit to the
Duke and Duchess of Leinster, at Carton. His Lordship, in
the course of a week or two, is to proceed to Tamworth, on a
visit to Sir Robert Peel.

THE ORDER OF ST. PATRICK. —Lord Farnham is to obtain
the ribbon of St. Patrick, held by the late Marquis of Ely.
QUIT RENTS OF IRELAND.
There is a rumour in town that the quit and Crown rents
of Ireland, valued at about 30,000/. per annum, are to be
given to the Roman Catholics of Ireland for the building and
repair of their churches.

REPEAL ASSOCIATION.
The proceeding in the Repeal Association this day of most
importance was the reading, by Mr. John O'Connell, of a
letter from Mr. Thomas Campbell Foster (the Times Com-
missioner), denying the authorship, and totally disclaiming
all knowledge of, and all connexion with, the letter previously
read in Conciliation Hall, and attributed to him ; and the re-
traction on the part of Mr. J. O'Connell of all the observations
he had made respecting Mr. Foster in connexion with that
letter, and tendering him an ample apology. The rent was
announced to be 2321. 6s. 4d. fur the week.

TIIE LATE MURDER AT CLONFERT.—An investigation has
been held in the Bridewell, before the Earl of Clancarty, and
Messrs. Douglas, R.M., and Seymour, and one or two other
magistrates, to inquire into the facts connected with the
murder of Mr. Butson's steward. One of the prisoners,
Christopher Coates, the coachman, has been fully committed
for trial for the murder. His brother, John Coates, has
been discharged, as it appears he accounted satisfactorily
for his time upon the evening in question; but the other
prisoner, Thomas Bergin, is yet in custody, although nothing
more has transpired to create further suspicion of his being a
party to the crime.
___

THE HARVEST IN IRELAND.
THE MARKETS.—The farmers are likely to be paid well
this year for both their stock and agricultural produce.
Cattle brought a high price at the fair of Boyle, held this
week. Oats are selling in our market at 18s. 6d. a sack,
and there is every probability of a considerable advance upon
that article. Barley of the best description brings 10d. per
stone ; potatoes.are reasonable (Is. a peck, or 3d. per stone),
which shows that there has been no failure in this primary
article of food in this locality. Batter has got up to a war
price, without, as it appear to us, any sufficient cause.
SLIGO, OCT. 4.—Most of the grain has been got in ; there-
fore serious consequences are not likely to ensue from the
continued wet. The general impression in this part of the
country is that the harvest will be fully an average one.
LONDONDERRY, OCT. 4.—A comparatively small portion
of the corn crops has yet been gathered into the haggard,
while, in some backward districts, the greater part of them is
still uncut. From personal oliservation, we can say that in
the line of country between this city and Armagh the greater
part of them still remains on the fields. The prices of agri-
cultural produce generally are higher than usual, owing, no
doubt, to this circumstance.

The late Ell.' Spencer's remains are to be removed
from Wiseton Hall, near Baw try, at an early hour to-mor-
row morning, and will be conveyed by railway, by a special
train, to Weedon, where the funeral cortege will be formed at
nine o'clock, A.M. ; the deceased Earl's remains, by his ex-
press wish, being placed in the family vault in the village
church of Brington, near Althorp, so that not the least un-
necessary parade may be occasioned at the hall. The body
will be removed direct to the place of interment. We can
positivelystate that all the arrangements are to be conducted

in a private and unostentatious manner, agreeably to the late
Earl's desire. Earl Spencer has arrived at Althorp Hall, to
be present as chief mourner at the funeral of his venerated.
brother; and the Dowager Lady Lyttelton and Lord Lyttel-
ton are no arrive at the Hall to-day from Nagley Park, Wor-
cestershire, to attend on the mournful occasion. The Hon.
and Rev. George Spencer will also be present.
THE POTATO PRODUCE.—From Andover, round
by Stockbridge to Salisbury, Winchester, and Southampton,
the farmers and cottagers are digging up their potatoes. The
produce is very large, and not a quarter so badly touched
with the disease as generally reported in the above districts.
The increase in quantity more than counter-balances those
diseased. Many farmers boil or steam the decaying ones as
soon as dug, and are fattening the hogs with them, on which
the animals appear to thrive, and not to be in the last in-
jured by eating them, Potatoes last Saturday were sold in
Salisbury market at Is. per bushel, one farmer from Stock-
bridge buying 506 sacks of beautiful pink kidneys, of first-
rate quality, at tkat price.

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 8, 1845.
IRELAND.

FRENCH AC.ADEMY of SCIENCES,
, SITTING OF SEPT. 29.
The communications this day were exceedingly numerous,
and on a great variety of subjects, but, generally speaking,
they were not of commanding interest. There were several
on the disease of the potato, without, however, adding at all
to the information which has already been obtained on that
subject. Mr. Keller, an officer of the British navy, sent in a
paper in which he declares absurd and foolish the theory of
tides adopted in science.
M. Gary sent in a note on a new mode of making sewers,
which furnishes us with an occasion for expressing our regret
that the system of cleansing sewers by flood-gates, the inven-
tion of Mr. Roe, in England, and for which Mr. Carpenter is
patented in France, has not been tried in Paris, after the very
liberal offer of Mr. Carpenter to the municipality to make the
trial at his own expense.
Several communications were made respecting meteors
and whirlwinds, and improvements in mathematical instru-
ments, several respecting new chemical compounds, and two
containing new systems of atmospheric railroads, making the
total number on this subject before the Academy at least
one hundred.
N. Dumas read the first part of an interesting paper on
the nature of the milk of different animals. He observes
that the milk of herbivorous animals always contains four
orders of substances which form part of their food, viz., the
albuminous represented by the caseum, the fatty substances
represented by butter, the saccharine portion of their food
represented by the sugar of milk, and, finally, the salts of
different kinds which exist in all the tissues of these animals.
In the milk of carnivorous animals there is no sugar, and
there are only the albuminous, fatty, and saline substances,
which form the general constituents of meat. If, however,
bread be added to the food of these animals, the sugar of
milk will be found, although not in large quantities. M.
Dumas concludes his paper by stating that his investigations
have enabhal him to arrive at a perfect analysis of milk.
M. Boussingault made a communication relative to a
new ammoniacal manure. Having remarked that magnesia,
the basis of which has always been regarded as injurious to
vegetation, was found in the ashes of all vegetables, and in
a proportion in accord with the quantity of phosphorus
also found in the ashes, and of that of the azote, which
enters into the composition of plants, he .was led to
infer that vegetables must assimilate with' ease and advan-
tage the ammoniated-rnagnesian phosphate. Being desirous
of verifying this by experiment, he planted on the Ist of May
last some early maize, which had already germinated in two
series of pots, into the h alf of which he had poured 15 grammes
(about half an ounce) of double phosphated salt for each pot.
The two series of pots were then placed in the open ground.
During the first twenty-five days the vegetatation was the
same with both series; after that there was a difference in
favour of the pots which had been watered with the phosphate.
On the 25th of July the plants in them were double in height
to those of the other series, and the diameter of the stems was
two-thirds thicker. By the 25th of August the proportion
had diminished; the height of the plants watered by the
phosphate was then only one• third greater, and the size of
the stems double. At the moment of their coming to matu-
rity, the phosphated plants bore two sound ears, and one that
had failed to come to maturity; the other plants had only
two ears each—viz.: one complete, and one that had failed.
This was not all; each grain of the ears of the phosphated
plants was double in weight to that of the non-phosphated
plants. M. Boussingault concludes, therefore, and with great
reason, that the salt in question may be used with great ad-
vantage as an artificial manure.
M. Arago communicated to the Academy, in the name of
M. Breguet, one of the commissioners appointed by the
Government to report on the electric telegraph from Paris
to Rouen, a note on a new mode of transmitting signals.
With a pile of Bunsen of eighteen element, says M. Arago,
and in all weathers, it is possible to communicate between
Paris and Rouen with a single wire, the two extremities
of which are placed in a hole or well. No return wire is
needed. We are quite sure that neither M. Arago nor M.
Breguet would have made this communication to the
Academy if they had been aware that it has no novelty,
neither would M. Bregnet have taken credit to himself for
a discovery which was long since made by another indivi-
dual. -What is here announced as new is only part of the
telegraphic system of Mr. Bain, which is at work in Scot-
land, and is patented in France by the purchaser of the in-
vention, Mr. Boggett, -of London, who happens, we under-
stand. to be at this moment in Paris, as also Mr. Bain, with
a very important improvement in the insulation of the
wires. Mr. Boggett's telegraph, which works with a single
wire, was exhibited here long • before the electric tele-
graph was established on the Paris and Rouen Railroad ; and
as the.expense of putting it up is only one-fourth of that of
the telegraph in question, some members of the Academy of
Sciences, and other persons, who saw the model at work,
were astonished that a trial on a large scale should not have
been made of his plan. It has been stated lately in some of
the journals that the Government has at length resolved, on
the ground of economy, to adopt Mr. Bain 's system. We
trust that if, as we have every reason to believe, the improve-
ments announced by M. Arago really form part of Mr. Bog-
gett's
patent, no attempt will be made to deprive him of the
fair commercial advantages attached to his patented right.
Amongst the recent improvements made by Mr. Bain in his
telegraph are a rapid mode of communication from station to
station of railroad, still with a single wire, by which means
many accidents are to be prevented, and also a very simple
mode of printing by electricity any Government dispatch..
Mr. Wheatstone's apparatus for printing is highly ingenious,
but it is complicated and tedious as compared with the new
mode.
M. Bravis communicated to the Academy some interesting
information on halos and parhelions, and on the white rain-
bow. All these phenomena are due to the same cause, viz.,
the refraction of light through water in its different conditions.
The ordinary rainbow is due to refraction through an ordi-
nary cloud; halos and parhelions, which are images coloured
by the sun dispersed in variable numbers over two circles
always placed alike, are due to refraction through crystals of
snow.

A paper was received from M. Leverrier on the last pas-
sage of. Mercury over the disc of the sun. This commenced
in Europe on the evening of the Bth of May last, and did
not come.to 'a termination until a late hour of the night, but
was not,visible in our hemisphere. This was not the case,
however, in America, where the entire phenomenon was
visible._ M. ,Leverrier has received an account of the obser-
vations made at Cincinnati by Mr. Mitchel, and has verified
the correctness of them by the tables of Mercury which he
published recently.
A letter was received from M. Martin de Mousse, of Monte
Video, stating that he perceived two tails detached from each
other to the comet of 1845.
M. Carillon informed the Academy that he had invented
a perfect machine for polishing looking-glasses with much
greater effect than is now the case.
There were a great many medical communications towards
the close of the sitting, amongst them was one by M. Sedille,
of Strasburg, on the anaplastic treatment in cancer, which
he states to have been v successful.
M. Vierordt, a physician of Carlsruhe, gives the result of
some eXperiinents on the respiration of man under different
circumstances, and at different hours of the day, but we do
not find in it much that is new, the same subject having
been treated at great length in a communication which was
made to the Acadcmy several months ago. The writer
states that the respirations are increased in the proportion of
1-72 upon
.14 per minute after eating. He adds, that the
proportion of carbonic acid given out by the lungs is almost
instantly dimished after drinking spirituous liquors, and that
this continues for nearly two hours.
A note was received from M. Pierre, in which he states
that the disease and death of animals are attributable to
the same cause7-the parasilism of worms ! Galignani.
Bo

,XFORD.—DESPERATE AFFRAY WITH THE Po-
ucit.—Early on Friday morning last, as Rogers, Carlo, Ben-
net, and another policeman (all under Superintendent Ray
of the Western division) were on duty, and when near to the
residences of some suspected thieves, near to Polstead Heath,
they suddenly came across three men, when a desperate
encounter ensued. Bennet and his companion being fore-
most, were the first to 'make the attack, and when Carlo
and Rogers came np, Bennet had closed with his man, and
they were both upon the ground, the other policeman was
being kept. at bay, by one of the villains holding over him
in one hand a tremendous bludgeon, and in the 'other a
pistol. Rogers, however, in coming up at all hazards of his
life, made a_desperate rush, and ultimately succeeded in
felling the man to the ground, and secured him with the
hand-cuffs... The villains had each a bludgeon ; one of them
had also two sacks, a brace of pistols loaded, two dark lan-
terns, list shoes, and a hard brush. The two men that are
taken are father and son, by the name of Humphery; the
third man, it being so very dark, managed to get away.
They are supposed to be the party who the same night broke
the letter-lock, upon the door of a malt-office at Layham.
The two.Humpherys are committed to priSon to take their
trial for the assault.—lpswich Express.
THE WEATHER IN VALES.--A sudden change has
taken place in the weather during the last few days, from a
mild, and even warm temperature, to cold bleak winds, and
showers, with occasional frosts. The operations of harvest
have been considerably checked in various parts of this
county. At the end of another week, however, they will be
nearly brought to a close. The yield, notwithstanding the
unpropitious state of the weather, has proved much better
than was expected.—Carmarthen Journal.
A GIRL KILLED BY A FORGE. HAMMER.—A
daughter of Mr. Nicholls, of the Bedford Foundry, Tavistock,
aged rather inure than eight years, came to her death under
the following painful circumstances. On Thursday last she
was in the smithery too near a man who was striking. She
was standing behind the man, who did not see her, and while
he was swinging the sledge he struck her on the head.
She lingered until Sunday morning when she expired.--
Plymouth Times.

The weather, during Friday and Saturday, was
such as entirely to suspend all harvest operations in this
quarter. From about ten o'clock on Thursday night till the
afternoon of Saturday, there was an almost continuous fall of
heavy rain. On Friday, the Water of Leith, the Esk, and a
number of the small rivulets in our locality, were more
charged with water than they have been known to be for the
last twelve years. They not only overflowed their banks,
but in many parts in the low and flat grounds flooded whole
fields to the depth of a foot or two. A number of low lying
houses were flooded, and their inmates were glad to run for
their lives, the water being from three to five feet deep in
their domiciles. From this rather alarming state of the
weather, a sudden change took place on Saturday evening.
The wind got round to the north, and a sharp frost prevailed
through the night. Yesterday the sun shone out again with
almost unwonted splendour, with not a single speck of a
cloud to be teen in the clear blue sky ; and this morning the
hemisphere is brightly studded with stars. Should we have
a feW weeks of this, all fears with regard to the harvest will
be.over.—Caledonian Mercury of Monday.
A HINT TO SNUFFERS TO SAVE THEIR NOSES.—
The following simple method of detecting adulterated snuff
may be relied upon :—Take a few pinches of snuff, lay it on
a bit of paper, and indent a small hole in it with your finger,
then fill it with vinegar. If the snuff hove and boil (or ra-
ther effervesces), you may be assured that there is some-
thing cexceedingly hurtful both to the nose and stomach.
When the snuff is pure the vinegar sinks quietly through it.
Country dealers should try this simple plan with every hogs-
head of snuff they receive before selling to their customers,
which would prevent the cry of sore noses. They also run
the risk of the Customs seizing it in their possession, if
found impure.

ACCIDENT nr FIRE-ARMS.—Yesterday morning,
between ten and eleven o'clock, a serious accident occurred to
James Strasburg, aged sixteen years, the son of J. F. Stras-
burg, Esq., of Finchley-road, St. John's-wood. He had
procured from his father's bedroom a large horse-pistol, and
proceeded with it, accompanied by three of his companions,
to amuse themselves by firing small shot at a target, which
they fixed to a tree at the back of the infantry barracks at
St... John's-wood. After firing several times, a dispute arose
as to the number of shots that had hit the target, and to
decide it Mr. Strasburg ran up to the tree at the moment
discharged of his companions discarged the pistol, when nearly the
whole of the contents entered his right side. He was carried
home by his companions, and two surgeons were immedi-
ately sent for. A great portion of the shots were extracted,
but so extensive are the injuries sustained, that for the pre
sent he lies in great danger.

MR. DUNCAN, Till AFRICAN TRAVELLER.--It
gives us much pleasure thus to be enabled to announce to
the friends of Mr. Duncan, who is a native of Galloway, that
a letter has reached Loi don from him, that he was at the
date of its despatch at Popo, in the kingdom of Dahomey,
About 400 miles from Cape Coast Castle.— Wigton Free Press.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.
BUTRWASH.—The picking of the hops still goes on slowly,
and unsatisfactorily to both pickers and planters. The latter
are in fear that many more hops will be blown away or be-
come worthless, before they can be picked; the former, not-
withstanding their " strikes," still say they can earn no-
thing. We have heard of no instances in which the hops do
not weigh tolerably; still, the produce per acre cannot by
possibility reach the average; for although the ground is not
gone over quickly, the owners continue to get little more
then half a supply. One planter here, who, we understand,
will have finished picking to-day or to-morrow, had his crop
set at six tons, but it will not realise three. We have just
heard of some thousands of pickers being wanted in various
parts of Sussex, Kent, and Essex.
EAST HOTIILY.—Most of our planters are now drawing
their labours of picking to a close, and many of them have
forwarded their first pocket to market, the result of which
has been quite satisfactory, as was expected, the samples
ro pving much better than from the bruised state of the hops
they could have any reason to expect. There is still a great
lack of pickers, and long prices have been offered and are
given for hands; the fact is, that where the poles have been
so terribly laid by the wind, the hops are found to be so
much bruised that if they are not immediately placed under
the process of drying, it will be next to impossible to make
the sample in any way marketable.
FARNILUL—TIie hop-pickina is nearly at an end in this
neighbourhood, and the crop will fall very short of what was
anticipated, as there is a number of acres without any hops,
and others with so few as to be scarcely worth picking, The
general opinion.seems to be, that the duty must be much
lower than the present estimation.
MAYFIELD,— The rains have very much retarded the pro-
gress of picking this week, and consequently injured the hops
as to samples, after they have been battered so much before,
still they weigh remarkably well. It will be late before it
is finished. Some of the planters have sold, varying from
61.85. to 71. Picking will last a fortnight longer, without
more hands are set on. Much dissatisfaction has prevailed
this season among the pickers, but they are more generally
reconciled, the planters having made conciliatory arrange-
ments with them.
EYE. —The hop-picking is progressing, but, owing to the
roughness of the bine, and the smallness of the hops, at a
much slower rate than is consistent with the interests of the
grower; for, should there be a recurrence of the gales with
which we have lately been visited, the injury to the planta-
tions would be attended with considerable loss. About 40
persons arrived from London on Wednesday night last, to be
employed by Jeremiah Smith, Esq., on his grounds at Iden.
Much discontent prevails amongst the pickers on account of
the very few bushels they are able to pick in a day, and
which is insufficient to keep the casts properly supplied.
The weather, too, has been very unpropitious. The gene-
rality of the hops continue to Weigh well.
WARTLING. —Our picking is very protracted to what it
was expected at first, through the hops rising so badly; and
some gardens that were set at one ton per acre, fall off to 17
or 18 cwt.—Sussex Express.

THE SLAVE TRADE.
The following is an extract from a letter written by an
officer on board the squadron on the west coast of Africa,
dated July 26, 1845
Here we are, on the most miserable station in the wide
world, nigger hunting—attempting an impossibility—the
suppression of the slave-trade. We look upon the whole
affair out here as a complete humbug. You may make
treaties in London, and send the whole combined squadrons
of England and France to this coast, and then you will not
have gained your object. So long as a slave, worth only a
few dollars here, fetches 80/. or 100/. in America, men and
means will be found to evade the strictest blockade. The French
ships trouble themselves so little about the affair, that they
have never yet been known to take a priie. The absurdity of
blockading a coast 2,000 miles in extent must be obvious to the
meanest capacity. Even if successful, you must be prepared
to continue the force for ever and a day, or your labour is
lost; for the moment the ships are removed the business
recommences. The market is the true centre to aim at; put
an end to that, and the supplies will not be required. The
loss of life and demoralising effect to our service are very
great, the climate and service being of that nature to pre-
vent the proper exercise of discipline, and ships are anything
but men-of-war; and many officers acquire habits neither
beneficial to themselves nor ornamental to the navy. The
best method of suppressing the trade we may leave to spe-
culative theorists; but the naked fact of our exertions in ,1
favour of the African :lave having increased his miseries to
an awful extent, with an immense sacrifice of life, is uncon-
tradicted by the best-informed advocates of the slave mea-
sures—l mean men of practical information employed on the
coast. I will cite one or two instances within my own know-
ledge. At the spot we are now blockading
.about 3,000
slaves have been collected by the agents for exportation, but
the difficulties to get them away have been so great, that
few have been known to be shipped for twelve months.
Provisions have been exhausted, and dreadful expedients,
if report be true, have been resorted to for subsistence.
Among others, and the least revolting, is driving them into
the woods every morning, like herds of swine, to pick berries.
Again, the slavers are obliged to make the most of any the
slightest opportunity that offers. Frequently the heavy surf
on the open coast beech prohibits the passage of ship's boats,
and sometimes also the native canees; when this occurs, and
the slaver is anxious to run his cargo, the unfortunate devils
are dragged through the surf to the boats, anchored outside
by lines attached to their persons. Men, women, and chil-
dren are served in this way; you may imagine what numbers
must be drowned in such an operation. Prior to our inter-
ference they could not afford to trifle with their lives in this
way, as the supply equalled the demand ; prices were
low, and it was an object with the slaver to preserve all
his cargo ; the loss of a few slaves carried off the cream
of his profits. Now a few survivors will give a hand-
some return. Some of the vessels, apparently not much
larger than our coasting vessels, have been taken with hun-
dreds on board. Seeing is believing, but nothing less could
have convinced me it was possible to stow so many in the
space ; the slave-deck where they are packed is not three
feet high, sometimes it is merely a space between the beams
and the water-casks. Whrn a full vessel is taken we are
obliged to make use of the slaver's crew to pack them away.
At sunset this is done in the most clever manner, by the
Spaniards making them all lay on the same side and fitting'
them in one by one, the projecting part of one body filling
up a corresponding hollow. Our men are not sufficiently
skilful to do this. lam told long practice is required. As a
set-off to this we sometimes catch a few lucky rascals and
liberate them at Sierra Leone; but you may see by the Par-
liamentary returns that the per centage is very small. The
station is now and has been considered healthy, although the
few ships we have as vet communicated with have afforded
a dead list of nine officers since our arrival, and men, no
doubt, in proportion.

DESTRUCTIVE FlRE.—Yesterday afternoon, about
one o'clock, a fire broke out in the extensive premises of
Messrs. Kingwell and Wicks, wheelwrights and tire smiths,
situate at the back of those densely-populated streets, Crown-
street and Pllcenix-street, Soho. The premises were well
stocked with timber, and there were a vast number of new
carts and vans as well as many for repair in the yard ; the
latter, for the most part, were removed, but the whole of the
timber, &c., together with the extensive workshops, was
destroyed, notwithstanding the exertions of the firemen con-
nected with four or five of the brigade and the County and
West of England engines, which were promptly on the
spot. The fire, with the exception of some slight damage
to the shop of Mr. Dyson, wholesale picture-frame maker,
was fortunately confined to Messrs. Kingwell's premises.
The stock, worth 1,000/., is insured in the Licensed Vic.
tualler's.

Lord Farnham is to have the blue ribbon, vacant
by the death of the Marquis of Ely. Never was an honour
more worthily bestowed.—Herald.
GREAT FAIR CATTLE SHOW, &C., AT NEWARK,
U.S.—The exhibition of the Horticultural Society of the
State of New Jersey, and the Agricultural and Horticultural
Society of Essex county, at the city of Newark, last week,
was attended by a large number of ladies, gentlemen,
farmers, and gardeners The articles exhibited were in some
particulars of a high order of excellence. Grapes from the
garden of Mr. Field, equal to any ever seen, especially the
Syrian green grape, and the black Hamburg, were of the very
largest size and excellence. The peaches were of the highest
perfection, one of them measuring in circumference, one foot
and a quarter of an inch.—Americanpaper.

- -
EXTENSIVE SEIZURE OF GOODS BY THE REVENUE
OFFICERS.—The present time appears rife in the seizure of
goods of the most valuable description, by the officers of the
Customs, which have by some means been obtained by the
parties holding them without payment of the proper duties
due thereon on importation into this country. - A day or two
since notice was made of an extensive seizure of goods, con-
sisting of cameos, &c., and previous notice has been made of
the successful operations of two more of the Customs officers
in another quarter in the capture of a large quantity of
watches. If we be correctly informed. which there is not
the slightest reason to doubt, the officers alluded to will,
before they have completed their operations, make one of
the most extraordinary and extensive seizures of the
same valuable description of merchandise, and that in the
most circuitous manner which has been under notice for
a very considerable space of time. The first seizure made
by them was in London, which gave them a dye to a
further quantity at the port of Liverpool. Their informa-
tion in the second instance was so sure and unerring, that
they pounced upon the parties and the goods without the
slightest difficulty, and as if they were already to their
bands, although they met with desperate resistance from
the parties concerned—foreigners, we believe—and it was
ultimately found necessary to obtain the assistance of the
police before they were enabled to depart with their cap-
ture in safety, and to preserve them from being assailed
and severely injured. This further seizure at Liverpool led
to a variety and vast amount of information being fur-
nished to the same officers, which caused them to return
immediately to London, where they have since prosecuted
their searches and inquiries to a very wide extent, and
have succeeded in making several subsequent seizures of the
same article. In fact, by some means, these officers have,
from what we can understand, evidently got a clue which
will ultimately enable them to obtain possession of, and re-
store to the revenue, the largest amount of contraband
goods of this very valuable description which has hitherto
been heard of. In fact, the officers themselves speak in so
confident a manner of such an extensive amount in view,
certain ultimately to be obtained, that to make mention of
it in our columns would appear like an exaggeration and
perfectly incredible. The extent of their wishes and expec-
tations will shortly be made evident, and it is much to be
hoped that they will meet with success, and thus destroy
what appears to be an organized gang of persons, who would
seem to have hitherto successfully carried into effect their
well-concerted plans to defraud the revenue, and at the same
time inflict a vast amount of injury on a very important
branch of British trade and manufacture.

SMUGGLERS' ItEVENGE.—A letter from Harburg
(Hanover), dated the 25th ult , in the Gazette des Tribu-
flaw; says :—"On the night of the 23d ult. the village of
Flehrsberg, situated near Harburg, was the scene of a dread-
ful act of revenge. A little after twelve o'clock six men,
dressed like Harburg sailors, each carrying on his back a
large parcel, landed in front of the Custom-house port, not
far from the conflux of the Seve and the Elbe. The
moment they landed they hastened to Flehrsberg,
and entered precipitately the court-yard of a house stand-
ing by itself. About a dozen of the Custom-house men
followed close at their heels, and they in fact entered the
gate together with them. The moment all were inside
the walls, the gate was at once closed, and a number of men
attacked the officers with sticks, beating them most crie
They then tore out their eyes, and mutilated them ldread-
fully,
after which they made off. A patrol that happened
to pass, hearing their groans, entered the yard, and re-
moved them to the hospital'. of Harburg, where they had
been paid every attention, though no hope' is entertained
of saving their lives. Two men have been since arrested,
and they without hesitation acknowledged that they formed
part of a great number of smugglers who determined to en-
tice the Custom-house officers into a snare, and take ven-
geance on them. They have, however, refused to state the
names of their accomplices. The packets were found in the
court-yard ; they were tilled with sawdust."

RAIN NEAR GLASGOW.—The quantity of rain which
fell at Yoker Lodge, five miles west of Glasgow, during. the
month of Sept., 1845, was fuur inches 12.4Uths; and in Sept.,
1844, one inch 24-40 the.— Glasgow -Argus.