The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-03 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER

LITERARY IN-

STITUTION.
A Lecture on the " Five Senses" was delivered at this
Institution last evening, by Mr. Charles Mackie. He
commenced with a description of Sunrise, being one of
the noblest things that can be presented to the sense of
Sight, and then proceeded to a general examination of
the nature and properties of light and its materiality. In
this part of the lecture he introduced Darwin's lines on
the rapidity of light, and a short account of the 13o-
lognian stone, and gave a clear and familiar explanatio❑
of the theory of colour. In fact, all the phenomena
that are connected with the highest of the outward
senses, and the enjoyment we derive from it, were
treated in au able manner, setoff by a pleasing style of
illustration, and an exeellent delivery. The other
senses, Smell, Taste, Touch, and Hearing, scarcely
admit of being treated at the 481110, length, and with the
exception of Hearing—the medium by which thought is
conveyed to the mind, by which we can enjoy the subli-
mity of sentiment, or the beauty of sound—they do not
furnish so many fine passages from those who have
treated of the sources of our impressions, either in the
prose of science or the language of poetry. The whole
of the lecture was exceedingly interesting from its sub-
ject ; while it abounded in quotations from our best
writers, selected with good taste, and read with an evi-
dent appreciation of their beauty. The room was well
attended by the members of this useful institution.

GREAT PROTESTANT MEETING
AT EXETER.

The second edition of Trewman's Exeter Flying Post
of the 2d January, contains a report of the proceedings
of a great meeting of the inhabitants of that city, con-
vened to oppOse the Puseyite innovations of the Bishop
of Exeter. The meeting was held in the Town-hall, and
the Mayor of Exeter was in the chair.
The Hall was completely filled and the greatest en-
thusiasm prevailed on the occasion—it was an assembly
which proved how vital the importance of the subject to
be diseussed was, and how requisite that a firm and de-
cided front should be maintained. It must suffice to say
that the meeting comprised the wealth, the influence, and
the respectability of Exeter.
Resolutions were passed expressive of regret at the
innovations which had been attempted by the Bishop
and some of the clergy, and a memorial to the Queen and
petitions to both Houses of Parliament., praying for a
revision of the rubric, were agreed to.

REMARKABLE FAMILY FOR
NUMBERS AND LONGEVITY.
A respectable correspondent, residing in Moffat-dale,
writes as follows, under date the 26th Dec.:—
" May I venture to call your attention to a family; re-
siding in Moffat and its neighbourhood, numbering
originally 14, 11 of whom still survive, at ages sur-
passing the 'usual term of human life, as is very briefly
shown by the subjoined simple tabular statement ?
Should you consider the statistics given worthy of pub-
lication, which I myself deem unique, if not remarkable,
you may rely implicitly on the ages, &c., which have
been forwarded to me direct by a member of the family.
" Yours truly, G. W."
Years,

A Female 63
A Male ... 65
A Female .., ... 67
A Male ... ... 69
A Female - 71
A Female ... • 73
A Male Died at 11 years.
A Male ... 77

A Female ... ... 79 Z Twins
A Female ... 79 S
A Male Died at 13 years.
A Male ... Died at 24 years.
A Male ...
A Female ... 86

11)813 Total.

Average
It is further curious, that the above remarkable persons
were equally divided in regard to sex—viz., seven lads
and seven lasses, although few of the latter, or even the
former, whether single or married, can rank themselves
exactly as young folks now.—Dumfries Paper.

TUE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT AT CORBYNS HALL
COLLIERY, KINGSWINFORD.—An inquest was held on
Thursday, the 26th ult., before the Coroner, J. M.
Phillips, Esq., on the bodies of the eight poor fellows
who met their death whilst descending the shaft of a pit
the previous Monday.. A verdict of "Accidental death"
was recorded in each case. It appears that whilst de-
scending the pit they were singing carols, and perhaps
looking forward to a merry Christmas, when the next
moment they were launched into eternity. More than
thirty carols were found in the pockets of one of the
boys.—Ten Towns' Messenger.
SUDDEN DEATH IN THE BLACKFRLARS-ROAD.--On
Thursday evening a shocking instance of the uncertainty
of human life occurred at the corner of Charlotte-street,
Blackfriars-road. A poor man, named Gordon, residing
at 4, Collingwood-street, was hawking small toys for
sale, when he fell insensible to the pavement. Several
persons ran to him, but he had ceased to breathe. His
body was subsequently removed to St. Saviour's union
poor-house, where it awaits a coroner's inquest.
STOURBRIDGE.—A meeting of the coal masters of
the district was held at the Talbot lintel on Friday last,
when an advance in the price of coal was agreed upon.—
Ten Towns' Messenger.
ANNUAL RETURN OF TUE FIRES IN LONDON....
The records kept by the authorities of the London Fire
Brigade were made up yesterday. On comparing the
fires during the last twelve months, including the
" alarms," with those of former years—ever since the
brigade force has been established, viz., in 1833—we
find an increase of' no fewer than 333, ie number in
1833 being 593, whilst those during the past year, 1844,
have amounted to 926.

FORGERS OF ANCIENT COINS.—A notice has just
been received from France, to put collectors and anti-
quaries in England en their guard against fresh issue
from the Paris forgers' mint of well-executed imitations
of rare Saxon and English coins. One of the gang,
who in the west of France recently bore the name of
Noffman or Hoffman, is now on his road to this country
with a large quantity of these forgeries, mixed up, to lull
suspicion, with some genuine coins. It is supposed he
is connected with a clever forger of ancient coins named
Rousseau, a man who has not the excuse of poverty or
want of education to shield him from the dishonour that
attaches to such pursuits. By a recent law, the obtain-
ing of money bypassing forged coins is a serious offence,
and the injnred party is empowered to obtain a magis-
trate's warrant for the apprehension of the swindler,
who is liable to transportation upon conviction.—Gen-
_ _

tlentan'sWagazine.
VICTORIA PARK.—The operations for the forma,
tion of the new park have been generally commenced,
and are now in complete activity. The external boun-
daries of the fields and plantations required for the site
have all been removed and levelled; the line of park
palings has been laid out, and a considerable extent of
the latter has already been placed at the termination by
Hackney-wick. A. road, sixty feet wide, is being levelled
across Bonner's-fields, opposite the Greyhound Tavern,
in Old Ford-lane, which will form the principal entrance
into the park across the Regent's Canal by a handsome
suspension bridge. The other leading entrance to the.
park is marked out at Old Ford, from Grove-street,'
which will be the leading thoroughfare from Mile-end-
road, Bow, Poplar, &c.
FOOD FOR A ROMANCE.—On Friday evening, be-
tween six and seven o'clock, a newly-born infant was
left at the door of St. Martin's Workhouse. The infant,
a female, apparently about twenty-four hours old, was
enclosed in a rush basket, with one end left open. It
was dressed in a calico bed-gown, muslin cap, with flannel
underneath. A piece of white calico was wrapped round
the body, as also several folds of new flannel ; but none
of those articles had any mark upon them. In the basket
was found a card, on which was written, in a very neat
feminine hand, the following :—" To the Parochial Au-
thorities. The fear of exposure and shame compels the
mother to abandon for a tame her infant, and commit it
to the care of strangers, whose hearts she prays Goat°
endue with pity and benevolence. In full contideu4e of
being enabled to redeem her child hereafter, she earnestly
requests that this card may be carefully paserved, that
the product of an indented duplicate hereafter may
serve for its identification. Please to have the infant
christened as on back of the card." On the other side
of the card was written, in a bold hand, " Maria M, M,,
born December 26, 1844. The child is placed with a
wet-nurse, and is now doing well.
About eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, the
roof of the railway station; at Rcauford, was discovered
to be on fire, occasioned by the flue in the pay-office.
The parish engine was 'quickly on the spot, and in a
short time the flames were subdued, the injury being
confined to a portion of .the I,oof and the rafters.—
Chelmsford Chronicle, -
The Earl of Jersey, lordTorester, Sir It Sutton,
and a select party, have been enjoying the sports of the
field with the Duke of Rutland, at his tirace'4 sporting
box, Stanton Wodehouse.
",
•

)09;;ki LIC+

ct;LA

1411:7;