The Sun.
London, England, 1842-10-21 00:00:00

In one thick Volume, closely printed, prise 14.. cloth.
DICTIONARY of the ARTS of LIFE and
CIVILIZATION; with Accounts of all the Useful
Products of Nature and Industry, and Practical Details of Pro-
ceases in Manufactures, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Building, Me..
chanics, and other social Sciences; forming a complete Library
if Reference relative to every pursuit of profit, industry, and
production.

By Sir RICHARD PHILLIPS.

" I have often regretted that we have not such a dictionary
of the chemical, mechanical, and useful arts practised in civil-
ised society as would enable a willing savage or a barbarous
people at once to profit by all our discoveries."—Franklin.
London : Sherwood, Gilbert. and Piper, 23, Paternoster-row.

DR. PARIS ON DIET AND REGIMEN.
Price 12s. cloth lettered,

A TREATISE on DIET, with a view to esta-
blish, on practical grounds, a System of Rules for the
Prevention and Cure of the Diseases incident to a disordered
state of the Digestive Functions; including Disorders of Old
Age; Animal and Vegetable Food; Luncheons; Quality,
Quantity, and Periods of Meals; Exercise; Ventilation of
Apartments; Sleep ; Digestibility of different kinds of Food ;
Plan for ascertaining the Causes and Seat of Indigestion ;
Headache ; Acidity; Flatulence, &c. ; with Rules for Dys-
peptic Patients, &c., &c.
By J. A. PARIS, F.R.S., &c., &c.
" Dr. Paris's book has become one of authority in the pre-
fession."—Annals of Medicine.

4‘ It forms an excellent manual for the investigation of all de-
rangements of the digestive functions."—Edinburgh Medical
Journal.

London . Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, Paternoster-row.

CEYLON BANK.

A general meeting of the Proprietors and Share-
holders of this newly-established undertaking took
place yesterday at one o'clock, at the London Tavern,
for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Direc-
tors, and declaring a dividend. As this vas the first
meeting that has taken place of the Proprietors, the
Company having been in existence only twelve months,
considerable interest seemed to be excited to hear the
Directors' statement of the affairs of the Company.
JAmEs J. CUMNIINS, Esq.; on taking. the chair, after
readil, the advertisement calling the meeting, pro-
ceeded read the Report, from which it appeared
that although commercial distress had existed to a
great degree in the Eastern possessions of this coun-
try, yet the Bank had gone on prosperously, and was
likely to do so ; that during the year tha it had been
established not a single bad debt had been incurred ;
that a Committee of Management had been established
at Colombo ; that the Company had obtained from
Government an extension of three years for paying up
the capital, that authority had been sent out for the
establishment of a Branch at Candy, that the nett as-
sets of the Company were 80,5281. ls.'6d. on the 30th
of June last, that the paid up capital in London at the
same period was 68,7301. and that in' Ceylon 5,1451.,
and that after deducting all current expenses there
was a nett profit of 6,6531. ls. sd. Taking, therefore,
all these circumstances into consideration the Direc-
tors had thought it consistent with their duty to pro-
pose a dividend of 6 per cent., carrying forward the
balance that remained to the next year's account.—
(Cheers.)
Dr. BOWRING wished to know what was the amount
of notes the Bank had in circulation in the Island ?
The 'CHAIRMAN said about. 900/.
Dr. BOWRING—Are the notes payable on demand ?
The CHAIRMAN—AII the notes issued by the Bank
are payable on demand
A PROPRIETOR wished to know what was the rate
of interest in the Island ?
The CHAIRMAN—Nine per cent.

Mr. POTTS was anxious to be informed whether the
Bank was in the habit of lending money on real pro-
perty in the Island ?
The CHAIRMAN said the Bank confined its business
to the discount of commercial paper. —(Cheers.)
Mr. POTTS was extremely glad to hear this, and
trusted that the Bank would persevere in the course
it had adopted.
Dr. BOWRING suggested the propriety of publishing
the Reports before the meetings took place. He
thought the adoption of such a course would be at-
tended with great convenience.
The CHAIRMAN did not think the printing of the
Report would be attended with the advantage many
Proprietors apprehended, but if it was the wish of
the Proprietors, of course it could be done.—ln an-
swer to a question from Mr. Wilkinson, the Chairman
said he was happy to be enabled to state that the pre-
liminary expenses were very small, that they did not
amount to more than 2,0791., that of that amount
425/. was paid, and that the balance was proposed to
be paid off in six years.
On the motion of Mr. BROOKS, seconded by Mr.
Ronists, the Report was unanimously agreed to.
The. CHAIRMAN, in answer to the question of a
Proprietor, said the list of the Proprietors would be
published, and that any gentleman might see the
Charter who was anxious to do so.
Mr. POTTS wished to know whether the Directors
mant to pay the Income..tax, or deduct it from the
Proprietors ?
The CHAIRMAN said they were bound to deduct the
would not keep more
fromthey mtihgeh tdepend
Proprietors upo upon
hiatn theythe
Income-tax from the dividends of thhaed to
Propprineytortso, buttile
y
Crown. 'With respect to the prospects of the Bank,
he was happy to say that without a single exception
all the commercial houses in Ceylon had opened
accounts with their Bank.—
(Cheers.) From the
Government also they had received the greatest
encouragement ; in addition to giving them an
extended time to pay up the capital, they
had given up the practice of giving to merchants
and planters bills on Candy, thereby affording
to the Bank an opportunity of taking up the
legitimate business of banking; and he would add,
that it was with the concurrence of the Government
that a Bank had been established at Candy. He could
assure the Proprietors, that it was with great satis-
faction that he announced the prosperity
of the Bank.
In all his experience, he did not know of an infant
establishment like the present, one that had only been
a year in existence, that had done so much, or any-
think like so much, business as the Bank of Ceylon.
—(Cheers.) He begged, in conclusion, to assure the
Proprietors that, in declaring the dividend of 6 per
cent., the Directors had not gone beyond the earnings
of the Bank in Ceylon—(Cheers)—and that, if they
had not a strong confidence in the progress of their
business, justifying a continuance and perhaps an in-
crease, they would not have declared a dividend of
6 per cent.
Dr. BOWRING wished to know whether the Direc-
tors intended to make further calls on the Proprietors ?
The CHAIRMAN said, that as soon as the business at
Colombo exhausted their capital, they would make
another call upon the Proprietors, but not till then.
Mr. HANKEY observed, that the Directors did not
intend to levy any contributions on the Proprietors
for their services up to the 30th of June last.—
(Cheers.) If the Proprietors were satisfied with their
exertions, that was all the remuneration they required.
A PROPRIETOR lamented that some proposition had
not been brought forward that day to remunerate the
Directors for their great and successful exertions.—
(Cheers.) He hoped it would be considered at a
future meeting.
A vote of thanks was then proposed and carried
unanimously to the Chairman and Directors, and the
meeting separated.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTI-
TUTION.
MR. LINGARD'S THEORY OF FUNGI, AND
OF THE DRy ROT.
Dr. Ryan, Professor of Chemistry at this Institu-
tion, read a lecture yesterday in the theatre of the
Institution, before a crowded auditory, on the subject
of Mr. Lingard's theory of the origin of fungous ex-
crescences in timber,
and of the decay of vegetable
substances. Mr. Lingard, who was present, ex-
hibited several diagrams in illustration of his
peculiar views. This
8 bull;, ol
1 r il
k of
so portions of timber,
gentleman has devoted
the last twenty years to the investigation of this in-
teresting subject, and the result of his observations
has been to convince him that the commonly received
opinion that fungi spring from seed is incorrect. Ile
contends that fungi are produced by heat and mois-
ture,
portionsincrements , ofof the timber
ex
itself. Now as water, under_
pt I:itin.ed, s causing sli,n7goo thetimeexspiatns
under the same agency, expand into various forms.
Thus, according to Lingard's theory, fungi arc only
portions of matter in which the attraction of
cohesion has, in a great measure' been occa-
sioned by the expansive Power of heat, and are
not the produce of seed. Mr. Lingard further
states that all fungi take the peculiar form of
the tree from the timber of which they have sprung.
Mr. Lingard's means for preventing dry
-rot seem to
be the exclusion of moisture, and filling
the pores of
the timber with some composition known only to him-
self, which will for ever prevent the action of water
upon it. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as
to the truth of this theory, there can be only one opi-
nion as to the importance, m a commercial and na-
tional point of view, of investigations of this nature.
Mr. Lingard seems to have considered the subject
with great attention, and if his discovery should prove
the means of preserving timber from decay, he will
be entitled to a high rank among the benefactors of
the human race. We had not visited this admirable
institution for some time, and were delighted
to witness the progress which it has recently
made. In the ante-room was a steam-engine,
a Napier's printing-press at work, and a most inge- I
'lions invention, a pin •making machine. This, which
is one of the most complete machines ever invented,
manufactures 45 solid headed pins per minute—the
wire is gradually uncoiled at one end of the ma-
chine, and the perfectly formed pin is delivered at the
other. Here also is the steam-engine, which works the
colossal electrical machine, and sets in motion the various
models. In one of the rooms up stairs is a beautiful
specimen of art—the Table des Marechaux—a table
of the finest Sevres porcelain, embellished with mina-
ture portraits of _Napoleon and his Marshals, exe-
cuted in the highest style of art. This unique table
is valued at 5,000 guineas, and is put up at that sum
to be raffled for. Napoleon paid 12,000 guineas for
it. It is worth paying a visit to the Polytechnic to
see this superbly elegant table. During the
afternoon the of coining was exhibited.
„..process
i ne method of exploding gunpowder under water, as
practised for the remo‘ al of sunken wrecks, &c., was
next illustrated. A model of a ship was sunk at the
bottom of the well ; tho diver, attired in his helmet
and dress, descended and attached a small canister of
gh WhiCh a wire had been passed, to
gunpowder, through
i the model; a stream a voltaic electricity was pas,sed

through the wires, the gunpowder exploded, the
wreck was blown up, and the fragments ascended and
floated on the surface. After this a party went dowr
in the diving-bell. The amusements terminated by
the exhibition of a beautiful series of dissolving views.
A band of music was in attendance, and performed
several popular airs during the course of the morning.
The Institution was crowded during the whole clay.

THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.
FRAUDS ON THE REVENUE.

We have to announce the sudden termination of the
investigation into the charges of fraud and peculation,
brought against the officers of the Landing Depart-
ment of the Customs, at least so far as the Board of
Customs is concerned, it having been intimated to this
body by the Lords of her Majesty's Treasury that it
was the intention of Government at once to appoint a
Commission of Inquiry to investigate, not only the
truth of the present charges, but fully to analyse the
whole constitution of this important revenue establish-
ment. It appears that this early termination of the
labours of the Commissioners (if labour it may be
called), has been brought about in consequence of it
having reached the ears of the Secretary of State that
it was the intention of the Board to suspend no less
than seven other landing waiters, men of unimpeach-
able character, and of many years' service, upon the
bare charge of having given credit, or accommodation,
toimporters, and this, too, upon the statement of a
man whose conduct has been bad for years past.
There is one feature connected with the above re-
marks which deserves mention. The facts by which
these men were to be suspended were known weeks
since, yet they were retained on their duties in per-
fect ignorance of the charges, brought against them,
until the day their salaries became due, when an
order was sent to prevent the payment; luckily,
however, for the seven gentlemen (whose names we
are in possession of) the communication from the
Treasury above alluded.to reached the Chairman, Mr.
Deane, and the order was countermanded.
The announcement of the suspension of the Sur-
veyors-General, Messrs. Dowding and Penning, in
the Times of Wednesday, is without truth, these
gentlemen having been actively on duty at the
Custom-house yesterday, where the statement ex-
cited much surprise. As the names of these gen-
tlemen have been thus prematurely introduced to
public notice, it may prevent misapprehension to state
briefly the grounds upon which our Contemporary
may have come to the conclusion that they had been
suspended.
The recrimination between Hastings and Burnby
has led to some very disagreeable statements in re-
ference to the former gentleman, who, however inno-
cent, must nevertheless suffer in some measure by the
reflections of even such acknowledged delinquents as
these. It would be unwise on our parts to specify
here the particular charges brought against Mr.
Dowding by the man Burnby, whose evidence in
too many instances has proved unworthy of credit ;
but we may observe that they have been neither of a
very limited nor scrupulous character, and that they
are such as no doubt Mr. Dowding will necessarily
find it expedient to clear himself of, especially in re-
ference to the Irish affair. The case of Mr. Penning
is, however, different, being in some measure connected
with that of Mr. Rolls, whose dismissal arose from
his having admitted that an overture was made to him
by a silk firm, which he alleged he_communicated to
his superior officer, Mr. Fenning, at the time, but
which this latter gentleman denies. As a matter of
course, under these circumstances, the dismissal of
Mr. Rolls on so slight a charge could not but in jus-
tice be followed by that of Mr. Penning, supposing it
were established that such information had been given,
but which does not yet appear. It is true that Mr.
Penning has been recalled from the port of South-
ampton, where he had been investigating upon a spe-
cial order the conduct of the Customs' business. Three
or four dismissals among the previously suspended
officers have occurred since our last.

Complaints on the other hand are made of the want
of discrimination on the part of the Customs' officers
in distinguishing between the fair trader and the frau-
dulent dealer, a case in point, to our knowledge, being
that of the firm which had its tea unjustly seizedafew
days since, much to the prejudice of its character
among several of its connexions, who were abused by
the ex-purse statements which got abroad on the sub-
ject, at a time when excitement caused imperfect ru-
mours to gain ready currency. The best proof, it
may be observed, of the entire conviction of the Board
of Customs that no fraud was about to be practised,
may be inferred from the fact of the usual satisfaction
money paid to the officers as an incentive to vigilance
having in this instance been withheld.

THE NEW ROYAL STABLES AND
RIDING HOUSE AT WINDSOR.

These extensive and most substantially erected
buildings, for 'defraying the expense of which Parlia-
ment voted the sum of 70,0001., shortly after her Ma-
jesty's accession to the throne, have just been com-
pleted (the sum expended having been brought
within the amount of the Parliamentary grant) ac-
cording to the original designs of the late Sir Jeffrey
Wyatville, under the immediate superintendence of
Mr. Ashton, the late Sir Jeffrey's successor.
As in the course of a very few days they will be
given up to the Earl of Jersey, the Master of the
Horse, for occupation, and the horses and carriages of
her Majesty transferred to them from the upper and
lower mews, at Windsor, and the chief of Prince Al-
bert's horses from Cumberland Lodge in the Great-
park, the following description of the new stables and
riding house (which, in each of their vast internal ar-
rangements are most admirably adapted for all the
purposes for which they will be required), cannot fail
to interest our readers ; the more especially, when it
is known that the miserable and inconvenient sheds
into which the Royal horses and carriages have for
years past been " poked," are of such a confined and
meanly constructed character as to have excited the
surprise of all who have seen them, that the Sovereign
of England should have been, for so long a time, so
wretchedly provided with stabling and carriage houses
at Windsor.
The buildings (the aichitectural style of which is
in perfect keeping with that of the castle) are on the
south side of, and about 150 yards from the Royal
residence. The whole frontage towards the Home
Park extends to upwards of 300 feet. The stabling
and coachhouse department occupies three large
quadrangles, quite distinct from each other (being
divided by high stone walls), each quadrangle, which
we will now describe, being perfect in itself. We will
commence with the
UPPER OR NORTH QUADRANGLE.
This portion of the Royal stabling (which is
situated the nearest to the Castle) is to be entirely
appropriated for the saddle horses and ponies of her
Majesty. It contains five distinct stables for thirty-
eight horses, viz., one with twelve stalls, three with
six stalls each, and one with eight stalls. It likewise
contains standing room for twelve carriages, in two
portions (six in each) of the square.

THE CENTRE QUADRANGLE,
which is divided from the north by the riding-house,
is intended for the exclusive use of the saddle horses
of his Royal Highness Prince Albert. It is divided
into four distinct stables, to accommodate twenty-five
horses, viz., one with seven stalls, one with ten stalls,
and two with four stalls each. It likewise contains
three loose boxes (most admirably contrived) with
saddle and cleaning rooms, and appropriate offices.
There are no carriage houses in this division of the
Royal stabling.

THE LOWER QUADRANGLE.
Is intended for the carriage horses of her Majesty,
and such portions of the Queen's ponies and saddle-
horses as cannot be accommodated in the upper
quadrangle. The stabling is divided into six divisions,
viz., two stables for ten horses, one for eight horses,
one for three horses, and two for four horses each,
making together ample room for thirty-nine horses.
The coach-houses consist of three, each of which con-
tains standing room for eight carriages. Attached to
this quadrangle are likewise ten loose boxes and a
break-house, and contiguous to them is also, most
conveniently constructed, the forge of theiveterinary
suriieon to her Majesty, Mr. Goodwin, who is also
the inspector of the Queen's stables.
Accommodation is thus afforded, in the aggregate,
for 102 horses (exclusive of thirteen loose boxes) and
thirty-six carriages. •
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
In theangles of each quadrangle are extensive forage
lofts, constructed with every regard to convenience.
Each quadrangle contains extensive saddle and-
harness-rooms, cleaning rooms, and other appropriate
and necessary offices, with water laid on throughout,
large coppers for heating water, extensive dung-pits,
and other appurtenances. The harness-rooms, which
are heated by stoves, are about tvvanty feet square.
The cleaning rooms are of triflingly larger dimensions.
The coach-houses, which are very lofty, are heated
by means of hot air. Some idea may be formed of
their dimensions when it is stated that the extent of
room appropriated for each carriage is eight, feet in
width and. tweuty foot ih length.