The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-24 00:00:00

THE ROYAL NAVY.

PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—The Winchester, 52, Captain
Thomas W. Carter, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning,
from the West Indies and North American station ; she left
Bermuda last, and has made a very quick passage of only six-
teen days. She will come into harbour in the course of the
day, and will either be paid up, or paid off, all standing. In the
event of her being paid off, she will be recommissioned forth-
with, as she is under orders to proceed, as soon as possible, to
the Cape, with the flag of Rear-Admiral Hon. Josceline Percy.
Previous to her being recommissioned, she will be taken into
dock and overhauled. At the time the Winchester left Ber-
muda, the following ships were lying there :—lllustrious, 72,
with the flag of Sir Charles Adam ; Pique, 36 ' - Spartan, 26 ;
Volage, 26 ; and Spitfire steam-vessel. The Racehorse, 18,
had sailed a day or two previous for Barbadoes, and the Illus-
trious was on the eve of leaving Bermuda for the same place.
Commanders Ogilvy, Murray, and Fisher, who have been re-
cently promoted in the late brevet, came home passengers; as in
the Winchester.

Rear-Admiral Hon. Joceline Percy is expected down to-
day or to-morrow, to hoist his flag on board the Winchester,
in which he will proceed to the Cape, to take the command at
that station. There will then be five Admirals' flags flying at
this port—those of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, on board
the St. Vincent (white at the main), he being the Com-
mander. in-Chief of the port—of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward
Owen, on board the Queen (red at the fore), who is about to
assume the command of the fleet in the Mediterranean—of
Rear-Admiral Hon. D. P. Bouverie, on board the Victory
(red at the mizen), the Admiral-Superintendent of the Dock-
yard here—of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, en board
the Excellent (blue at the mizen), who is going out to China
as second in command—and of Rear-Admiral Hon. Josceline
Percy, on board the Winchester (blue at the mizen), about
to proceed to the Cape.
The Formidable, 84, Captain Sir Charles Sullivan, has
proved herself, in her voyage from the Downs to this port, to
be an excellent sailer. She left the ➢owns four hours after the
Alfred. and arrived here half an hour before her, though on
a previous oWsion, when the two ships left Sheerness to-
gether, and anchored at the Sunk, the Alfred had a slight
advantage of her. She has again sprung her capstan, which
will in all probability be replaced by a new one. It is
not expected that she will leave Spithead within a fortnight
or three weeks, as she is nearly a hundred hands short of
her complement.

The aarysfort, 26, Captain Lord George Paulett, has got
nearly ready for sea in a very short space of time. She has
been commissioned but a ♦ery few weeks, and although she
only came out of the basin a day or two ago, she has her
top-gallant masts up and all her running gear rove. In all pro-
bability, she will leave the harbour the latter end of next week.
The Alfred, 50, Commodore Purvis, has some defect in her
rudder. which it is thought, will render it necossary for her
to come into harbour to have repaired. This, however, will
not detain her beyond the time she would otherwise remain to
complete her stores and men. She is about fifty hands short
of her complement.
The Queen, 110, Capt, Rich, with the flag of Sir Edward
Owen, has now got nearly the whole of her hands, and will
leave in about a week, for the Meditterranean.

Ships at Spithead.—Queen, 110; Formidable, 84; Win-
chester, 52 ; Alfred, 50 ; and Wolverine, 16.

Ships in Harbour.—St. Vincent, Victor', Excellent,
Royal George yacht, Vindictive, Carysfort, Ringdove, and
Nautilus.

WESTMINSTER REFORM
SOCIETY.

On Monday night. a meeting of this Society was convened
for the purpose of taking into consideration the course that
should be pursued by the Society, in the present crisis of
public affairs. Strong resolutions were passed, c.mdemnatory
of Sir Robert Peel's measure, and expressing the Society's
determination to abstain from petitioning the Houe of Com-
mons, constituted of a faction o f landowners ; and stating that
the distresses pervading the community at large arose from a
defective state of the represeastation, which it was necessary
radically to reform, and confidently hoped in a firm union of
the people against the taxation of food. The necessity of a
public meeting of. the
,electors of Westminster was also
strongly insisted on fur .a future day, for which purpose a new
Chairman was then appointed by those present, not as members
of the society, but as electors of Westminster, and a resolution
was proposed and agreed to, that. a requisition should forth-
with be presented to the High Bailiff of Westminster, re-
questing. him to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants,
to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning for a
total repeal of the Corn-laws, and also for an Extension of the
Suffrage. A requisition was then drawn up in conformity with
the resolution, and a Committee appointed to make the neces-
sary arrangements.

LOSS OF THE KENT STEAMER.—Monday morning
intelligence was received in the city, by the underwriters at Lloyd's,
of the loss of the Commercial Steam Navigation Company's steamer
the Kent, Captain Lakeman, which happened on the morning of
Saturday last, during the heavy fog, on the coast, off the village of
Barton, in Hampshire, but was happily unattended with loss of
human life. It appears that the Kent, which was a fine two.
masted vessel, upwards of 120 feet in length, and of about 200 tons
burden, has lately been running with another steamer between Tor-
quay, in Devonshire, and Southampton. She left Torquay on Fri-
day evening at the usual time, with about 50 passengers, and all
went on smoothly till about four o'clock on Saturday morning, when
a heavy fog came on, The weather not being boisterous, though
extremely cold, the master, Captain Lakeman, considered it prudent
to proceed on the voyage, but, at the same time, the speed was
greatly slackened, and extra" look-outs"were ordered forward. On
arriving off' Poole, the vessel was kept well out from the land, and
was supposed to be continuing in that track, when suddenly, to the
amazement and consternation of all on board, she went ashore
between Hurst Castle and Christchurch Point. She struck
with immense violence ; in fact so great was the shock that
all those on deck were knocked down, and two of the seamen
thrown overboard, but fortunately they regained the deck. The '
scene that ensued amongst the passengers, amongst whom were
several females, was of a most distressing character, for it was fully
anticipated that the vessel would momentarily go to pieces. Capt.
Lakeman avted with the greatest fortitude. and to that alone is at-
tributable the preservation of all on board the itl.fated vessel.
After a sh set delay the boats were lowered, and in the course of an
hour the whole of the passengers were safely placed on shore. In
the meantime assistance came up, and also a body of the Coast
Guard service, when the most strenuous exertions were made to
get the vessel off, but it was found utterly impracticable, and, ac-
cording to the accounts received, it is feared that she will become
a total wreck. It is understood that she was insured for 2,0001.
The Kent was launched at Gravesend about 16 yeamago, and till
purchased, five years since, by the Commercial Steam Navigation
Company, was employed running between London and Gravesend.

This is our Paisley Candlemas fair week, but a
more dispirited and unbusiness fair never passed over in town. On
Thursday there were scarcely any cattle in the market, and, with
the exception of a slight addition to the number of country visitors,
nothing was observable beyond an ordinary market-day to the
town's-people, who have, in general, no other thing to think of,
but in bitter despair to reflect over their losses, or to ,contrive
where the next meal may come from, fair days and ordinary days
come now all alike. The voice of mirth, and the half.day's enjoy-
ment, dressed out in their best attire, are alike completely gone.
The farmers in general in this quarter are becoming, from dear-
bought experience, ardent converts for the repeal of the Corn.laws.
Low prices for their produce, a difficulty to find purchasers, and
a still greater difficulty.to obtain payments is leaving them with
doubtful prospects as to their ability to provide for the rent day,
and with no hope whatever of being able to fulfil their engagements,
if a speedy change do not soon take place in the Condition of the
manufacturing population.—Glasgow Evening Post.
WIEL A N TILE: POET.—The night that followed
the battle of Jena was a terrible one to the inhabitants of Weimar.
The contest raged in its streets and walks ; showers of balls fell
into the town ; all around houses were seen in flames; plunder
and devastation were at their height. But amidst this general con.
fusion, Wieland, the poet, received a proof of the high estimation
in which his talents were held by him who had thus directed the
storm of war ; for, by Buonaparte's orders, a guard was placed be-
fore his house for its protection. Next morning Marshal Ney
waited upon him in person. He found him in his room, which
had been stripped of its furniture before the guard had been
placed. Wieland had only his own chair remaining, which he
offered to the Marshal ; but Iley, with politeness and kindness,
gently re-seated theold man in his chair, and observed that he
knew better whose duty it was to stand in the presence of Wieland.

WILSON'S LECTURES ON SCOTCH MUSIC.—This po-
pular vocalist gave a lecture on Monday at the Music.hall, Store-
street, on the music and song of his native land. He chose for the
immediate subjeet connected with his series of lectures the adven-
tures of Prince Charles in his attempt in the year 1745.6 ; and
illustrated his narrative with the songs of the times, and the airs
which were played during tht events of that stirring period.
Amongst the songs were—" Welcome, Royal Charlie," " WWII be
King but Charlie ?" " Wha wadna fight for Chat lie ?" "0, this
is no my ain Lassie;" the well.known song Johnnie Cope;"
" Allister M'Allister." All these songs were sung by Mr. Wilson
with exquisite taste, and roust, to lovers of Scotch melody, be a
perfect treat. The part that was purely a lecture was well delivered,
and was made very entertaining by the great variety of anecdote
and the aptness of many pootical quotations. The room was
crowded with company.

SUDDEN DEATH IN COVENT-GARDEN MARKET.
On Monday night an inquest was held at the Unicorn, Henrietta.
street, Covent-garden, before Mr. Higgs, o•i the body of Michael
Hare, aged 52, a porter, in Covent.garden Market. On Saturday
morning last he was employed to carry a load of vegetables to
Chancery.lane, and on returning with the empty basket on his
head, he suddenly fell on the ground, and he never moved after-
wards. Verdict—" Died by the Visitation of God."

A FOUNDRY ON FlRE.—About eight o'clock on
Wednesday evening last, Messrs. Sanders and Williams, of this
town, were alarmed by the upper part of the foundry taking fire.
The fire was extinguished before it had effected any material
damage, and was caused by the overheating of the furnace.—
Bedford Mercury.
ItApir, RECOVERY.—Henry McVay had his leg
amputated above the knee in the Westminster Hospital, by Mr.
Lynn, on Saturday, the sth inst. On the Thursday week following
it was perfectfy healed, and he was walking about his ward. He is
now taking his walk daily in the Park.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEB. 23.

The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four
o'Clock.
General MomsoN was introduced by Mr.
Macaulay and Mr.. Fox Maule, and took the oaths and
and his seat for Clackmannan and Kinross.
On the motion of Mr. BARNARD, the London
and Greenwich Improvement Bill was read a second
time, and ordered to be committed.
The South Eastern Railway Company's Bill was
read a second time.
Mr. THORNELY presented a petition from Wol-
verhampton in favour of the Severn Navigation Bill.
The Birkenhead Improvement Bill was read a
second time, and ordered to be committed.
Sir J. Y. BULLER brought up the Report of the
Committee on the Southwark Improvements Bill.
Mr. -GODSON presented a petition from Stour-
port and Kidderminster, in favour of the Severn Na-
vigation -
AIARYLE.BONE VESTRY BILL.

Colonel T. WOOD brought in the Marylebone
Vestry Bill.
Sir B. HALL wished to know when it was the in-
tention of the Hon. and Gallant Member to move the
second reading of the Bill.
Colonel T. WOOD said he should move the second
reading in 10 days or a fortnight, as he thought in
that time the inhabitants of Marylebone would be
enabled to become acquainted with the nature of the
Bill.

Mr. R. CLIVE brought in the Grantham Pier
Bill, which was read a first time.
CORN-LAWS.

Captain BERKELEY presented a petition from a
place near Bristol praying for the abolition of the
Bread and Provision tax.
Mr. BROTHERTON presented thirty petitions
from different parts of Manchester, praying for the
total abolition of the Corn-laws.
Mr. MARSLAND presented a petition from
Stockport, signed by a magistrate, a minister of the
Established Church, and many others, who are la-
bouring under great poverty and depression, which
they, ascribe to the fatal effect of the Corn-laws, pray-
ing the House to pass a law for the repeal of the Corn
and Provision-laws ' • also, another petition from the
inhabitants of Stockport, agreed to at a public meet-
ing, expressing surprise and indignation at Sir R.
Peel's proposed plan for the alteration of the Corn-
laws, respectfully demanding that the franchise be
extended to every man of twenty-one years of age,
and that the Corn-laws. be totally and immediately
repealed.
Alderman WOOD presented a petition from South-
wark, praying that the toll be removed from South-
wark and Waterloo Bridges.
Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petition from
Marylebone to the same effect.
Mr. FOX MAULE presented a petition, praying
for a repeal of the Corn-laws, and an extension of
the Suffrage ; a petition from Berkshire for the re-
peal of the Corn-laws, and a petition from the Mayor
and Aldermen of Birmingham, praying that certain
clauses in a Bill before the House, investing the Com-
missioners of Improvement for that borough with ir-
responsible powers, be expunged from that Bill. The
Hon. Member cordially agreed with the prayer of the
petition.
Dr. BOWRING presented twelve petitions from
various places, praying for a total and immediate re-
peal of the Corn-laws. One of the petitions came
from a body of persons who had hitherto suffered but
little distress, men engaged in the manufacture of
chains and anchors. They stated that they were not
now able to supply themselves with a sufficiency of
nutritious food ; they, therefore, pray for a repeal of
the laws that tend to produce such distress.
Mr. JONES presented a petition from Ayr, against
the Corn and Provision-laws.
Lord DUNCAN presented two petitions from
Bath, against the Corn and Provision-laws.
Mr. GIBSON presented several petitions having
the same prayer.
Mr. T. DUNCODIBE presented a petition from
inhabitant rate-payers of Brighton, stating that under
the local Act, the overseer of the poor had the power
of compounding with landlords of houses for the poor
rate, under the sum of 20/. ; that much inconvenience
arose from this power ; they, therefore, prayed the
House to repeal the rate-paying clauses of the Reform
Bill, and as the best and shortest way of doing so, also
pray the House to pass the people's Charter.
Sir J. EASTHOPE presented petitions from
Loughborough, in Leicestershire, from a parish in
Leicestershire, and other places, for a total and imme-
diate repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. O'CONNELL presented four petitions from
Scotland, and three petitions from Ireland, praying
for a total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws ;
one of these was signed by several hundred persons ;
another was from the City of Cork, signed by more
than 5,000 persons and the other from the city of
-Dublin, with more than 66,000 signatures.