The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-30 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—We have much satisfaction
in announcing that Lieutenant Michael De Courcy, of
the Charybdis, has been promoted to the rank of Com-
mander, and it is understood that when he has served
his time in that rank, the Lords CommissiOners of the
Admiralty intend still further to promote him to be
Captain, on account of the extraordinary gallantry he
displayed in the late action with the Carthageman
squadron.
Among the numerous dashing affairs which took place
during the war there are but few that hare surpassed
this of Lieutenant De Courcy. The Charybdis is a small
brigantine of only 232 tons, and carrying but three guns
and 55 men, while the force opposed to him was a cor-
vette, a brig, and two schooners, mounting altogether be-
twen 20 and 30 guns, and manned in proportion. Yet,
notwithstanding this immense supet4ority on the part of
his opponents, Lieutenant De Courcy has proved to them
that British subjects and British interests are not to
be injured with impunity. It has already been stated
that the result of the contest was the capture by the
Charybdis of the corvette and the two schooners,
and her sinking the brig. The rebel General Carmona
has for some time past evinced a hostile feeling towards
the English. At the time the Skipjack was lying at
Carthagena, the men were kept at their quarters with
the guns double-spotted, as there was then every dispo-
sition on the part of his squadron to fire into her, as it
eventually did at the Charybdis.
The Albatross, a new 16-gun brig, was launched at
this dockyard yesterday. She vas immediately taken
into clock to be coppered, and will be commissioned in a
few days.
The Prince Albert, 90, which is building here, has had
her name changed, and is henceforth to be called the
Princess Royal. A new first-rate, with three decks, is
shortly to be commenced, which is to be called the Prince
Albert.?

The Thunderbolt steam-frigate, recently launched
here, has her sails bent, and is all ready to proceed to
Glasgow, to get her engines and boilers, and will sail as
soon as the wind becomes favourable. She will call at
Milford to return the masts and spars which were fitted
temporarily in the Collingwood, 80, to bring her round
from Pembroke to this port preparatory to her being put
in commission.

The Ilingdove, 16, Captain Sir William Daniel, bent
her sails yesterday afternoon, and will go out of harbour
to-morrow or Thursday. It was not intended that she
should leave before the 14th inst., but orders have been.
received to expedite her as much as possible, as she is
wanted to convey out despatches, though to what quarter
has not transpired.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are ex-
pectAl at this dockyard on Wednesday next upon one
of their periodical visits of inspection.
The Frolic, 16, was omitted in the list of ships stated
to be building at this port. This will make 18 line-of-
battle ships, 14 frigates, and 17 sloops, &c., now build-
ing at this and other dockyards.
There are no ships lying at present at Spithead.
Ships in harbour—The Winchester, Ringdove, Thun-
derbolt (steamer), St. Vincent, Victory, Royal George
(yacht), and Excellent.

THE FAIR AT CHALK FARM.
A few years ago the itinerary caterers for the public
amusements, conceiving that Greenwich was too far re-
moved from the metropolis to allow the inhabitants of
North London to partake in its festivities at this time of
the year, conceived the idea of establishing a rendezvous
at Chalk Farm. The project was put into execution,
and at that time a few paltry swings, one or two merry-
go-rounds, a stand or two of gilded gingerbread, and two
or three stalls of children's toys, were the only induce-
ments to visit the spot. livery half year new attractions
were added to the place, and as the attractions increased
the number of visitors increased with them, till now the
fair extends over a large space of ground; all the usual
attendants on a regular fair are there ; everything which
can tend to attract the idlers is put into requisition, and
the numbers that attend prove the estimation in which
it is held. The fair for this Easter commenced here on
Monday, and the number of visitors was very great. We
should think during the course of the day there were
certainly not less than from 10,000 to 15,000 persons
present. Amongst the principal attractions were a
grand show called " Richardson s," under the manage-
ment of Nelson Lee and Co. Here were Motleys
in their party-coloured dresses, silicons, as they
are termed, with their jackets, pinbefores, and
straw caps ; here were emperors, kings, knights
of the cross, counts, and parsons, queens, princesses,
and ladies of a nondescript appearance. The kings and
knights marched up and down as theatrical kings and
knights will do, the queens and princesses tripped along, as
andq queens and
gdpureienncse, kssesnsigelts
seldom do.
counts,The
pbrainndeestrikes
tip
mot-
leys and silicons, join in one incongruous dance, hands
across, turn round, tip and down, chassez and re-chassez.
In another corner of the fair stands the show of " Clarke
from Astley's." Here beautiful maidens and beautiful
horses, mingled in the festive dance. On other shows
gongs were sounded with a mighty noise, guns discharged,
large drums wore beaten, trumpets clanged forth in
mighty discord, hoarse voices bawled through hoarser
trumpets. " Now then, just going to show ; walk up
ladies and gentlemen, only 3d. to the gallery." Such
were the noises which prevailed, and with this brief out-
line, we leave our readers to judge of the confusion which
reigned, and which we have so imperfectly described.
Here also were dancing boothS, and wild beasts, gilded
gingerbread, and wizards froni north, east, west, and
south, halfpenny peep-shows and penny roundabouts ;
high-flyers and steady-goers. Here were beef-stakes
and onions all hot, twopence a lot ; sausage
rolls, fried fish; beef, mutton, and kidney pies ;
baked taters, and every delicacy of the sea-
son, all hot, nice' and hot. A little further off were
frisky donkeys gaily caparisoned with white saddle-4-
cloths and red rosettes, who walked very slowly fror 4
their standing place ; but who when their heads wer
turned towards home, went along at such a gloriou
gallop as to delight and astonish the gallant little riders.
We have not half described the fair, yet we feel that w
have. already taken up too much space with a recita',
The company was not very select, but every one seemet
happy and joyous—care seemed at least banished ft.
that day. A scene like this is one of the best argument '5
which could be urged against existing distress, becaus
here all seem merry ; yet this is an enjoyment whic
the haughty aristocrat would tear from the hands of th -
humble artisan, and deprive him of that source of amuse
inent which, in his mind, compensates in a great degrt t.
for months of labour, toil, and oppression.

Greenwich Palace was the favourite residence (
Anne Boleyn. The Park was laid out in the same sty •!
as her native Bickling, and planted under her direc
tions with the same kind of trees.
CAPTAIN MANGY.7----Wp have much pleasure i
announcing that Sir Henry 'Wheatley has received h.
Majesty's commands to forward to Captain Manby " C
gold Coronation medal, begging his acceptance there -
as a small mark of the sense her Majesty entertains
the utility of his inventions in the preservation of liv
from shipwreck."
A remarkable individual died on the 4th instant
Lons-le-Saulnier. This was aM.C. T. born -•
Paris, and one of the wealthiest butchers in theFaubou ,•
St. Antoine. He was better known by the name
Chariot, which he in some measure immortalised. j
passed in our town for the butcher who carried on t:
top of a pike the head of the unfortunate Princess
Lamballe. He came to settle a few years afterwards ,
Lons-le-Saulnier, where his name was not known, a)
where he continued to follow the profession of a butch
until his death.—Sentinelle de Jura.

The BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE.
On Monday a meeting of electors and others, who
had signed the Memorial of Mr. Sturge, was held at
Thornton's Coffee-house, Brompton-road, Knights-
i dge. The Chair was taken by Mr. BARNETT.
Mr. WESTERTON read the Circular appointed to be
ea d at Delegate Meetings, and it having been agreed
o as of the utmost importance that as many advocates
of the People's Charter as possible should be sent to
the Conference, concluded his remarks by proposing
the Rev. Dr. Wade as a proper person.
Mr. THOMPSON seconded the motion, which was
supported by Messrs. Minchins, Brown, eesoull and
others, and carried with acclamation.
Mr. SPENCER read a letter he had received from
Dr. Wade, requesting him, in his name, to propose
his friend Mr. Westerton, which he did, and, for his
own part, cordially seconded the proposal.
Messrs. Simpson, Henderson, Renshaw, Neesom,
Barnett, Wilson, Davy, and other gentlemen sup-
ported the resolution, and it was finally agreed to
that both these gentlemen should proceed to Birming-
ham ai'their representatives.
A Committee was immediately formed to receive
the Report of the Delegates on their return, and to
increase the subscription, which was liberally com-
menced in the room, to defray the expenses of the
mission.
The meeting, after the usual vote of thanks to the
Chairman, separated at a late hour.