The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-15 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, JULY 10. - Yesterday at one o'clock, his
Majesty gave a private audience at Lacken to the de-
putation from the house of lloulers and Isighern. The
deputation was well received, and withdrew entirely sa-
tisfied with the attention paid to them by the King, and
much surprised at the extensive knowledge which his Ma-
jesty manifested of everything concerning the linen manufac-
ture, and of the interest of the country in general. It seems
to result from what the King said, that the Government is pre-
pared to resist any unju3t pretensions on the part of France,
but that it is likewise inclined to consent to the equitable sa-
crifices which may be necessary to obtain the exception which
the manufacturers of Flanders solicit.

We believe that we may assure our readers that the journey
of M. Van Praet to Paris is connected with the conclusion of
negotiations relative to the linen manufactures.

A letter from Doesburgh has the following story .—" A man
names Doues Kelderman has caught and brought to this place
an enormous sturgeon, which the Chronicle pretends is the
same that was thrown into the Uwe' nearly two hundred years
ago with a ball fastened to its neck. This copper ball is still
fastened to the neck of this fish, which weighs 300 lbs. It is
publicly exhibited."
Bitussims, JULY 12.—The Nouvelliste de Bruges publishes
a letter which it has received from Roulers, and which gives
an account of the interview of the deputation with the King.
His Majesty, it appears, said that he hoped to be able in a few
days to announce to them agreeable news. In short, from all
the kind words of the King, they concluded " that a treaty for
three or four years with France was nearly concluded, and
that on the 21st of this month our linens will be allowed to
enter France as before."
BELGIAN uNDS—BaussoLs, JULY 12.
Actual Dem, 2 per Cent.
ttothachild's Lean, 5 per Cent lO2
Loan ol Thirty Millions, 4 per Cent. lO2
Sper Cent....

Thirty.seven•

71%
(1 40) 102%
Loan of City, 1,32, 4 per Cent !3%,
Society of Commerce, 15, per Cent 1,6
Bank of Belgium, 5 per Cent ., 76
National Society
Exchange on London (short) -
-Brussels Papers, July 12.

BLOWING-UP OF THE VESTA.

During the past week much interest has been manifested in
the operations being pursued under the superintendence of Cap-
tain Fisher, chief harbour-master of the port of London, in
order to entirely destroy and remove the wreck of the bark
Vesta, of 400 tons, which has for the last two years so ma-
terially impeded the navigation of the Thames off Gravesend,
and which was finally completed on Tuesday last. From the
statement of Captain Fisher, which is most interesting, it ap-.
pears that the owners, crew, and those engaged in endeavour-
ing to raise the Vesta, having entirely abandoned her, he re-
ceived instructions from the Corporation of London to use some
means for clearing away the wreck. Believing the only ef-
fectual means of doing so was to blow her up with gunpowder,
he caused two lighters to be moored near the place, and
having obtained the valuable assistance of Mr. W. Downes,
the celebrated diver, he succeeded in ascertaining the
exact position of the wreck, which was found to lie with her
head towards the shore, fixed on a very hard bed of chalk, on
to which she lkad run. His first attempt was with a tin canis-
ter containing 401bs. of gunpowder, with a fusee attached, and
which was placed by Downes immediately underneath the main
hatchway. On being fired, its effect was such that it not
only blew the deck completely out, hut also removed the vessel
bodily from the spot where it had previous lain. He repeated
this experiment with eight other canisters, containing the
same weight of powder, in all 3601 b., but discharged them by
means of galvanic batteries, which he found more efficacious
than the fusee. The effects of the discharges were not so
great as might have been expected from the havoc corn
mitted by the first; and he (Captain Fisher) was fearful
of increasing them, lest injury should result to the
houses on shore. The firing took place from the lighters,
which were moored 250 feet from the spot where the wreck
lay, in seven fathoms water at low-water mark. Finding
the small charges were insufficient to blow the hull to pieces,
Captain Fisher directed two canisters, containing each 1161b3.
of gunpowder, and another containing 1651b5., to be placed
inside the vessel. It was found that the two former were
effective in loosening the timbers, and the cylinder having been
placed in the body of the wreck, it was fired. In an instant a
loud rumbling noise was heard, accompanied by a violent com-
motion of the water, and immediately after the air became
blackened by immense masses of the wreck shooting above its
surface, surrounded by a dense volume of smoke, to the extent
of twenty feet. The larger portions were secured and
dragged ashore, but a great mass was floated away down the
river. On examination, the whole of the Vesta's larboard
quarter was found to be completely carried away from her
keel to her bulwarks, as were also her bows. The starboard
quarter and stern were much shattered. On Downes again
descending, he found that all which remained of the vessel
was the bottom, which was shivered to pieces, and may he
easily got up. In consequence of the success of the experi-
ment, it is expected that the Corporation will direct the
steamer Apollo, run down off Nortlifleet some years since, also
to be blown up.

COURT-MARTIAL IN THE TOWEH•—Wednesdav the
Ist battalion of the Coldstream Guards, under the command
of Colonel Shaw, now stationed in the Tower, were mustered
upon parade to hear the finding and sentence of a regimental
Court-Martial on Sergeant Sharp, who had been tried for di.-
obedience of orders and neglect of duty. This proceeding arose
out of the case of Mr. Elder, senior clerk of the Ordnance-
office in the Tower, who had been held to bail for an assault
on William Youl, a private in the regiment, while on duty as
a sentinel at the Jewel-office in the Tower. Elder was given
into the custody of Sharp after the alleged assault was com-
mitted, but instead of taking him to the guard-house, as
Sharp ought to have done as sergeant of the guard, he allowed
the accused to go to his own residence, and did not report the
occurrence to his officers. The Court-Martial found Sharp
guilty of the charge of disobedience of orders and neglect of
duty, but in consideration of the excellent character he had
maintained in the regiment for 19 years, sentenced him only to
be reduced to the ranks. After the sentence was read over,
Sharp had his stripes denoting his rank as a sergeant cut from
his dress, and took his pla,e in the ranks as a private. Much
commiseration is fe't for him in the regiment ,as his conduct
previous to the transaction in question was that of a steady and
careful soldier, and he had never been reported before for any
breach of military discipline,

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, July 14.
Their Lordshipa met at Five o'Clock.
DEAN FOREST ECCLESIASTICAL BILL.
On the motion of the Duke of WELLINGTON,
the Dom Forest Ecclesiastical Bill was read a second
tittle, and ordered to be committed to-morrow.
The British roasessions Abroad Bill passed through
Committee.
Several petitions were presented for and against the
Mines and Collieries Bill.
RAILWAYS BILL.
The Raise then went into Committee on the Rail-
ways Bill. •
The Earl of RIPON meted the insertion of a
clause to repeal that which restricted the use of car-
riages exceeding four tons in weight, including pas-
sengers. • The effect of this would, he said, be to pre-
vent the most important improvements in railway
travelling.
The clause was agreed to. •
Lord CAMPBELL moved the insertion of a clause,
forbidding the locking the doors of railway carriages
against the censent of the passengers.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said the clause
was quite unnecessary, as the Railway Companies
had discontinued the practice, to the great annoyance
of many of the passengers.
Lord CAMPBELL contended for the necessity of
the clause. When the controlling power of Parlia-
ment was withdrawn the Directors might revert to
the practice, and it was necessary to forbid it.
The Earl of RIPON opposed the clause. It was
not desirable that any part of the Executive Govern-
ment should assume over the railways more power
and control than necessary. There was not the
slightest reason to apprehend that the railways would
revert to the practice as soon as the active control of
the Government was withdrawn, and the session of
Parliament over. In every instance the Railway
Directors had shown every disposition to comply with
the suggestions of the Government.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE supported the
clause ; there had not been perfect sincerity in the
matter. As the Railway Directors did not lock the
carriages, there was no necessity for the clause ; but
if it should sometimes .be necessary to lock them the
clause would be vexatious to them.
Lord CAMPBELL said he must press his clause to
a division.
The Earl of WICKLOW said that the Railway
Companies knew their own interests as well as any
other body of men, and if they found that the public
disapproved of locking the carriages, they would
abandon the practice.
Lord COTTENHAM said that the argument of
the Noble Earl opposite (Wicklow) would go
the length of showing that the Railway Directors
ought not to be interfered with at all—that they
ought to be left to themselves, and to do as they
liked ; but the object of the Bill was to regulate their
practices, and he thought it was absurd to leave it to
the discretion of the Directors whether or not they
should return to so dangerous and unnecessary a practice.
It was monstrous that people, in travelling by the
only public conveyance that could be had, must
be imprisoned all the way.—(Hear, hear.) It was
not enough that they should have but one mode of
conveyance,.but they must also be kept under lock
and key, at the peril of their lives.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL could not agree
with the Noble Earl (Wicklow) in his opposition to
the clause. He thought it was absolutely necessary
for the public safety, after the shocking sacrifice of
life which happened lately in France, to put down
the practice by law.
The Earl of RADNOR would oppose the clause,
because he thought the locking of the carriages was
not dangerous, and he did not know but it might
under some circumstances be necessary. The outcry
against the practice originated in a prejudice
arising from the erroneous rumour that the
carriages were locked on the Versailles Rail-
, way when the terrible accident occurred ; but
that was not the case ; the carriages were not locked,
and if they had been it would have made no difference.
The carriages were all smashed to pieces, and in a
heap in an instant, and they were burnt in a heap, so
that if the doors had been open, it would have availed
nothing.
The Earl of CLANCARTY opposed the clause.
The Earl of RIPON ridiculed the clause, on
ac-
count of the provision which it contained, that all the
persons inside a carriage should be asked whether they
would be locked in or not, so that if the majority
thought that precaution necessary to their safety, one
passenger, like the one juror, might overrule the
sounder judgment of all the rest.
After some further conversation their Lordships
divided. The numbers were—
For the clause
Against it
Majority against the clause —4
Messengers from the Commons brought up the
Bill for the better protection of her Majesty's person,
the Irish Rivers Bill, and other Bills.
PROTECTION OF HER MAJESTY.
The Duke of WELLINGTON moved the first
reading of the Bill for the better protection of her
Majesty's person, that the Bill be printed, and read a
second time to-morrow, and that the Standing
Orders be suspended, in• order that the Bill should
pass throUgh its other stages.
Lord CAMPBELL cordially supported the motion,
but suggested that it might be necessary to introduce
a clause, providing for the punishment of individuals
who might be found with any pistols or other weapons
in their possession, and making any attack on her 'Ma-
jesty by other ,means than those stated in the Bill.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said he would take the
suggestion of his Neble and Learned Friend into his
consideration, and he had no doubt the Bill would be
re-framed so as to meet the concurrence of all their Lord-
ships. He was not aware that alterations had been made
in the Bill in Committee.
LONDON BRIDGE APPROACHES BILL.
The Duke of WELLINGTON moved the first read-
ing of the London Bridge Approaches Bill.
, MINES AND COLLIERIES BILL.
! The Bishop of LONDON presented two petitions in
favour of the restricting clauses in the Mines and• Co-
llieries Bill.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY presented a
petition to the same effect.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a peti-
tion from Bradford, in Yorkshire, praying the House not
to prohibit the employment of children above eight years
of age. He complained that the Bill had been hurried
through the other House of Parliament, under an ex-
cited state of mistaken humanity, and denied what had
been stated, that the Bill had received the assent of the
coal-owners of the North. The Committee at Newcastle
I had prayed the House to defer the Bill, at least, till next
session. He protested most solemnly against the Bill
in all its stages, and if he had the power to influence
their decision, he would most certainly vote for its re-
jection.
The Earl of CLANRICARDE would not go into the
general question oldie Bill at present. But as the Noble
Marquis had again referred to the letter of Mr. Budile,
he would read a letter which had been received by Lord
Ashley from a coal-owner, (whose name we understood
to be Mr. Lambton), who was present at the Conference
between the deputation and Lord Ashley, of which
Nobleman it was not necessary for him to give any eulogy.
' The Noble Marquis then read a letter from Mr. Lambton,
! expressing surprise that Mr. Buddle, who was the agent
of the Marquis of Londonderry, should have written that
Noble Marquis the private letter read by him in the
House of Lords on a former night, and denying that he
had consented to the compromise. His letter from Mr.
Lambton contradicted those parts of Mr. Buddle's letter
which disclaimed any consent to the compromise.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY was proceeding to
defend Mr. Buddle, when he gave way to laughter and
cries of " Question."
Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition against the
Bill from miners in the Newmarket Colliery in the West
Riding of Yorkshire.
Lord WHARNCLIFFE presented a number of peti-
tions against the Bill.
Viscount MELBOURNE presented three petitions to
the same effect.
The Duke of BUCCLEUCH presented a petition from
West Lothian, to the effect that the time allowed by the
Bill for discontinuing the labour of women in mines was
too short. He did not agree with the petitioners.
The Earl of DEVON presented a petition in favour
of the Bill, from places in Yorkshire and elsewhere.
The Noble Earl then proceeded to move the second
reading of the Bill. In doing so he would not call their
Lordships' attention to anything that occurred at public
or private meetings, or any compromise that had been
entered into, but would lay it betbre them to be judged
of by its own merits. The Noble Earl went through the
history of the Commission which was appointed in con •
sequence of an address to the Crown froth the other
Huse of Parliament, and on the Report of which the Bill
was founded. He had read that evidence most care-
fully, and he was convinced that any of their Lordships
who had done so, must agree with him as to the neces-
sity of some such enactment.. When he undertook the
charge of the Bill in that House, he told his Noble Friend
that he could not expect that all its clauses would be
passed. But after a full examination of all the evidence
in their Lordships' Committee, he was induced to hope
that they wouldpass every one of them. It was impossible
to deny the abominations arising out of the system
of employing women under ground, where there was no I
control over the conduct of the men with whom they
worked. He read from the Report of the Commissioners
several details of the monstrous evils belonging to the
system. The men and women worked together at the
same kind of labour ; the men altogether naked, and the
women naked down to the waist. The women who were
examined by the Commissioners testified to the demo-
ralizing effect of such a mode of life upon all the fenial,!s
engaged in it, from the age of six years upwards. Ile
would not read the more disgusting and deplorable. parts I
of the Report, but would leave it to their Lordships to
judge what the rest must be from what he had read.
He must at the same time say that there
:were many
collieries in which those disgusting, indecent, and abo-
minable practices were not allowed—as, for instance,
those of the Duke of Buecleuch. . He wonld.
not further waste their LordshipN' tune on
this part of' the subject. but would proceed to state the
alterations he proposed. The Bill provided that, the em-
ployment of females in Minos should ebase in six montl.s
after the passing- of the Act. He proposed to extend