The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-28 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—My attention has been called to a paragraph which
appeared first, I believe, in the Standard, and has siucefound
its way into various other papers. stating that I had pur-
chased 2,0001. worth of rice for my Irish tenants.

This statement is grossly incorrect, as all those who are
acquainted with the actual position of the Devon estates
must be fully aware, but I should not have thought it worth
while to give it a formal contradiction if I had not wished to
take the opportunity of making a few observations upon the
painful subject which has given rise to that statement; more-
over, I am unwilling to tak6 credit for an act of liberality
which I have not performed, or,as others may probably view
the matter, to be supposed guilty of a large and inconside-
rate expenditure ill-suited to the means at my disposal.
But whilst I repudiate the praise, or the blame, which may
be bestowed upon this supposed expenditure, I am fully
aware of the obligation that rests upon all persons connected
with land in Ireland to make all necessary exertions, including
the requisite pecuniary sacrifices, cheerfully and promptly to
assist in averting the evils of scarcity, with which the coun-
try is threatened.

rI
know that the trustees in whom the property of the late
Earl of Devon is vested, as well as many other very excel-
lent friends of mine in Ireland, are prepared to do this, and
are only anxious that the measures which they adopt shall
be rendered as extensively useful as possible.
The purchase of a stock of food to supply, when necessary,
the scarcity of potatoes, is of course one of the essential
points to be attended to; but as I presume that no man
conceives the idea of feeding, gratuitously, the whole agri-
cultural population of Ireland, the next point, hardly se-
cond in importance, is to consider in what manner the
people may obtain the means of purchasing the food so pro-
cured.

I see no advantage in county or public meetings, in re-
solutions or in speeches. It is not necessary to proclaim the
evil. This will make itself felt soon enough. Our busi-
ness is to act, not to talk; and the more quietly we act the
better.

Every landowner, large or small. may have the means,
and assuredly ought to feel the duty, of contributing his
quota of usefulness at the present crisis. There is scarcely a
square mile of land in Ireland which does not call for some
improvement of a nature to increase its permanent value to
both landlord an tenant, and at the same time to add to the
stock of human food.

What a field does this offer for the employment of the
people?
Let each landowner only consider what improyementsmay
be effected upon his own estate, and let him proceed to carry
these out by such means as are within his reach. If he has
capital, he cannot employ it better than to protect from want
the people from whose labour his future income is to be de-
rived, and at the same time to improve permanently the
sources of his wealth.

If bis estate is heavily burdened with debts, or from other
causes he has no command of capital, he has a right upon
an emergency like the present to look for that assistaace
from the State of which the Legislature established the prin-
ciple many years ago, by the statute 1 and 2 William IV.
c. 33.

Other Acts have since passed in the same spirit, and all
founded upon the acknowledged truth " that greatly to im-
prove the resources of any part of the empire, tends to the
welfare of the whole."

The Legislature, in the Act referred to, proceeded with re-
ference only to the constant and ordinary pressure arising
from want of employment. With how much more force may
they now be called upon to give aid towards removing the
extraordinary pressure that is now impending, and to arrest
the fatal consequences of an actual want of food ?
It will be the duty of the Government to propose, and of
the Parliament to decide, the extent to which assistance ought
now to be given, and the terms upon which it shall be granted :
sure I am that terms may be arranged, advantageous alike to
the landowner and to the State!
The proprietor who cannot advance the 1,0001. or the
5,000/. which the circumstances of the time call for, may be
well able and contented to pay interest and an annual instal-
ment ; and even the mortgagee or annuitant may find it to be
consistent with their truest interest to make a small annual
sacrifice to uphold and improve the security upon which they
depend.
The Government have also to look to other modes of giving
assistance at the present moment. Some public works may
be usefully undertaken at the public cost. Many others,
such as extensive drainage for example, may be carried on
under Government superintendence, partly at public, partly
at private cost. I will not assume that Government are
neglectful of this duty because they make no extraordinary
stir; on the contrary, from the constitution of the commission
which they have appointed, I augur that their object is to
take a wide and comprehensive view of the whole subject,
and to be prepared with such measures as the actual state of
the country, after inquiry and examination, shall appear to
call for.

But whilst we look to Government and to Parliament for
aid upon the present occasion, let us not overlook the duties
and responsibilities that attach to each of us as individuals.
Some circumstances at the present time are favourable to the
success of the work that is now before us.

The works upon railroads which are already in progress in
Ireland are very generally performed by the labourers of the
neighbourhood ; and although the work is heavier than that
to which they have been accustomed, and they were at first
hardly willing to undertake it, yet, by judicious management,
they have, in various quarters, been led to apply themselves
manfully to their new task, and, by taking piece-work, are
enabled greatly to increase their earnings and generally to
improve their condition.
Much praise is due to Sir John Macneill for the judgment
and perseverance displayed by him in dealing with his
countrymen at their first introduction to this new kind of
work. His example has been followed by others; and the
same course may be adopted most usefully both in public
and private works; and I am sanguine enough to believe
that if Paddy is fairly put into the right way, he will bo both
ready and willing to earn more money, and to get better
food for himself and family, by a more energetic exertion
of his bodily powers than circumstances have hitherto called
upon him to make.
This visitation of Providence may teach us all some useful
lessons; if we profit by them rightly, good may arise oat of
the present evil ; and I indulge the hope that the result of
the next year's exertions in Ireland may be a great and last-
ing improvement in that country, and a large amount of con-
sequent advantage to the empire at large.—l remain your
obedient servant,
Nov. 26.

DEVON.

SUSPENSION BRIDGES.—Mr. Dredge has just com-
pleted two bridges in Ireland—one across the river Bann,
county Down, the other over the Blackwater, county Tyrone.
This last is for the Earl of Caledon' and is the second built
across the same river, which Mr. Dredge has built for his
Lordship within the last year, and the fourth he has erected
within the last four months. Two of them are county bridges,
and all of them are calculated to contain a heavier load than
can possibly come upon them.—Mechanics' Magazine.
THE TURROM Antes POWER OF SMELLING.—An
extraordinary power of smelling in a Turkomaun was indi-
cated to me :—" I smell a caravan of Usbecks," said Khan
Saat, drawing up his nostrils; and in a few hours a caravan
from Organtsh arrived, full of them. It is remarkable how
the Turkomaun's know, by the footsteps in the desert, the
person who has been there; nay, the very tribe of Turko-
mauns or Calmucks see people talking from a distance. I
frequently heard them say, "Let us draw our ears." They
then lie down on the ground, and hear from a distance what
even two persons whisper together, and relate the exact con-
versation.—Dr. it iff's Mission.
STATE OF TRADE IN MANCHESTER.—The depres-
sion which has characterised this market for some weeks past
continues without much alteration. Goods are generally
offered at lower prices than last week ; and some business has
been done at the reduction. There is little more demand for
qualities of yarn suitable for the Indian markets; and a fair
amount of business has been done in them at full prices of
last week. Other sorts, however, continue much depressed.
—Manchester Guardian of yesterday.
DEATH OF A MILITARY KNIGHT OF WINDSOR.—
We regret to state that Captain M'Lachlan, one of the Mili-
tary Knights of Windsor, who left that town for London, a
few days since for the purpose of taking leave of his two
daughters, who were about to proceed to Ceylon, expired at
his apartments in Northumberland-court, Strand, on Satur-
day. The late Captain M'Lachlan, who was in the sixty-
eighth year of his age, had enjoyed excellent health until
within a very few days of his disease. The Misses M`Lachlan
sailed on Monday, from Gravesend, in the Tigris.
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
—On Wednesday morning an accident of a very serious
character happened at the works of the new Houses of Par-
liament. In the :early part of the morning, as two men
named Patrick Malyn and Henry Lott were at work on souse
scaffolding at the Victoria Tower, nearly forty feet high,
some part of it gave way, and they fell to the ground.
Several of their fellow-workmen went to their assistance,
and both the men were found in a nearly insensible state.
Without loss of time they were conveyed to the Westmin-
ster Hospital. Malyn is suffering from a severe concussion
of the brain. Lott has one of his shoulders dislocated, and
is otherwise much shaken. Notwithstanding the magnitude
of the works at the new Houses of Parliament, an accident
of this character has not lately happened.
PEEL'S GAMES.—We understand that the Premier
is shortly about to publish a new edition of 1141 e, embracing
all the new games and tricks of which, by a skilful know-
ledge of how to play his cards, Sir Robert Peel has become
master. Ire intends devoting an entire chapter to shuffling,
which is an art of itself, and one which the Premier has ear-
tied to the utmost perfection. There will be a few pages de-
voted to hints on cutting, with remarks on the proper time
to cut, and a few general observations on the treatment of
the pack, so as to make a good hand of it. Tricks will oc-
cupy a very large space in the Premier's work, but the games
will be the chief feature. Cribbage, as played at the expense
of the Whigs, will be elaborately explained; and a chapter
on revokes will explain how it is that there is nothing irre-
vocable in the games of the Premier. The work will be em-
blazoned with a splendid portrait of Sir Robert Peel as the
Knave of Spades, in which character he appeared the other
day, at the commencement of the works on the Trent Valley
Railway.—Punch.
FATAL ACCIDEW—On Wednesday Mr. Wakley,
M.P., hold an inquest at the King's Head Inn, in the village
of Acton, on the body of George Graham, aged 18 years.
Deceased was the son of Mr. Graham, a carrier, at Acton.
On the sth instant, in the evening, the deceased was in a
cart with a younger brother, nine years of age, and they
were returning home from town, when, at Shepherd's Bush,
his brother discharged a cracker, by which the horse was so
frightened that he started off at full spied, and the deceased,o_e
i
in his endeavours to stop him, was thrown out asf.t
cart, the wheel of which passed over his body. Hwej7o
mediately picked up by policeman Dale, T
veyed him in his cart to his father's residence,
internal
here every
proper surgical assistance was rendered him; but 113,
he
injuries he had received were so severe that he expired on
Sunday last. Verdict—" Accidental death through the in-
cautious discharge of a firework."
SAPIENT VOLICY OF TIIE ENGLISH CUSTOMS.—One.
(lay last week the Mary Ann _Purdy, Cook Master,
cargo of seventy came into
this port (Yarmouth), and discharged
tons of nutmegs, which being the produce of Dutch colonies,
cannot be admitted here for home consumption, although
such is their ultimat destination. These are consigned to the
care of Messrs. Shelly and Co., and were placed under the
surveillance of the Customs in the bonding warehouse of Mr.
William Saunders, whence they are to be shipped to the Cape
of Good Hope, there to be reshipped back again, to be sold
here as the produce of British colonies.— Cambridge Advertisek
ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY, AND ESCAPE OF THE ,
TlllEVES.—Yosterday morning, a few minutes after one o'clock ,1
police-constable 24 F, discovered the shop-door of Mr. Dav,
the poulterer, of 73, 131ackmoor-street, Drury-lane, open, and,
from the appearance of the shop, it was evident that the
place had been forcibly entered. An alarm being given,
Mr. Day, with two officers, went over the house, but the
thieves had made their escape. The next house is under-
going repairs in consequence of a recent fire, and it is sup-
posed the fellows had effected their escape that way. Some
suspicious characters, a short time previous, were noticed
near Mr. Day's.
No fewer than seven children in Lancaster and its
neighbourhood have died within the last few days from the
effects of burning, in consequence of their clothes having
caught fire during the absence of the persons who had the
charge of them.—Cumberland Parquet.

FREE-TRADE MEETING in LEEDS.

- - - - -----
LORD MORPETH'S ADHESION TO THE LEAGUE.
A large and respectable meeting assembled on Tuesday
evening, in the Music-hall, Leeds, to "consider the result of
last year's registration labours, the urgent importance of
renewed exertions, and also the impendiii•P' deficiency in the
supply of the people's food." Long before the appointed
hour, which was seven o'clock, the hall was filled to overflow-
ing, when upwards of two thousand persons were present ,
and we observed several ladies in the gallery behind the
platform. At seven o'clock, the Mayor of the borough, J.
D. Luccock, Esq., who was unanimously called to the chair,
made his appearance, accompanied by Richard Cobden, Esq
M.P., and John Bright, Esq., M.P., who were received with
the most vehement cheers, and took their seats on either
side of the chair.

On the platform were Alderman Stansfeld, Alderman
Medea, Alderman Birchell, Robert Jowitt, Esq., Edward
Baines, jun., Esq., Samuel J. Birchall, Esq., George Hyde,
Esq., Obaiah Willans, Esq., John Marshall, Esq., Peter
Willans, Esq., Joshua Wordsworth, Esq.,Rev. Charles Wick-
steed, Joseph Lupton, Esq., R. L. Ford, Esq., Chas, Lupton,
Esq., H. H. Stansfeld, Esq., Thomas Plint, Esq., Walter
Stead, Esq., &c.
The most important feature of this great meeting was the
announcement which was made to it of Lord Morpeth's ad-
hesion to the League. This was communicated to the meet-
ing by means of a letter, addressed to Edward Baines, jun.,
Esq., by Lord Morpeth, inclosing a subscription to the funds
of the League. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with
which this important announcement was received.
Mr. Baines, in commencing to read Lord Morpeth's letter,
requested that silence should be observed until he had finished
its perusal, but it was impossible for the assemblage to, retain
their feelings, and the reading of the letter was frequently
interrupted by the cheering.
It will be seen from his Lordship's letter, which we here
subjoin, that he had formed his opinion on the corn-law with-
out any concert with his old colleagues.
" Castle-Howard, Nov. 24, 1845.
"My dear Mr. Baines,—l perceive that you are about to
have a meeting at Leeds, to promote the qualification of
electors, with a view to further the objects of the Anti-Corn-
law League.
" You will probably remember being present. upon an oc-
casion when, amidst very strong surrounding inducements, I
forebore from pledging myself to the extent of those objects.
All that has since intervened—especially all that is now oc-
curring—a fellow-feeling with my old friends in the Riding
(althonp I lees than ever anticipate any probable renewal
of a political connexion between us), and a sense of what
has been effected by the Anti-Corn-law League to advance
their great end—alike combine to put an end to all firther
doubt or reserve on my own part, and I write this without
concert or consultation with any one else.
"The contribution (51.) I enclose for your immediate pur-
poses is of very trifling amount ; it would not be 'easy to
foresee what calls may not be made upon any of us in the
course of the ensuing year ; but I wish to record, in Om
most emphatic way I can my conviction that the time is
come for a final repeal of the corn-laws, and my protest
against the continued inaction of the State in the present
emergency.—Yours very respectfully,
" Edward Baines, jun., Esq." " MORPETH.
The speakers on the occasion were—Mr. Baines, jun., Mr.
Cobden, and Mr. Bright, and resolutions were passed in ac-
cordance with the objects of the meeting.
EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.

On Thursday forenoon, William Carter, Esq., the Coroner,
held an inquest in the board-room of Newington workhouse,
Walworth-road, on the body of Isaac Drew, aged forty-five
years.

James Harding, of Brandon-street, Walworth, deposed that
he had known the deceased for some time past, as occu-
pying a small shed in the same yard, belonging 'to
Mr. Riddle, a cab-driver. The deceased was a breeder of pigs,
and was well-known as a most eccentric character. On Mon-
day morning last, between six and seven o'clock, whilst wit-
ness was in the yard, he observed the door of the shed wide
open, and on looking in he saw the deceased suspended to one
•f the cross beams. Witness raised an alarm and sent for
Inspector Collier, of the P division, who cut the deceased
down. He was placed in a shell and removed to the work-
house. Witness slept in a van the night previous, at the and
of the yard, and in the middle of the night the deceased came
home very much intoxicated, and caused great annoyance
by knocking at the aide of the vehicle with a large hammer.
He forced in the panerof the door, but was subsequently per-
suaded to go to his bed, which was made of a blanket placed
at the end of a large pig-sty. The deceased was of very
filthy habits, and was very evidently in a deranged state,and
generally spoke in an incoherent manner.
Inspector Collier, of the P division, stated that he was
called by the last witness to the deceased, whom he found
hanging by a rope, which was fastened to a beam over a pig-
sty. The place was in a horrible condition; and how any
human person could exist in such a dreadful den, he could
not conceive. The deceased sold his pigs on Saturday. for •
51. There were only 6s. and a few coppers in his pocket.:
Hannah Drew, the wife of the deceased, said that•she had
been in the workhouse of St. George's, Southwark. The-de-
ceased was formerly a master butcher, in a large way of .
business, in High-street, Southwark, but from his dissipated
habits had been much reduced. About three weeks since
he called to see her at the workhouse, he was then in an ex
cited state.

Sarah Drew, the daughter of the deceased, was next called,
and said that she was in service. The deceased called to see
her on Sunday last; he was dejected, and appeared very,ill.
He told her that he had sold his pigs, and showed her about
five sovereigns, which he placed in a dirty stocking, and put
in his pocket. He left, saying, "If anything should happen
to me, you will know where to find them." He then left the
house, and she did not see him alive aiirain.
The deceased attempted to drown himself some years past
by leaping into the water at Blackfriars-bridge, but Tras
saved.

Isaac Drew, the son, stated that he saw the deceased on
Friday last in Trinit}••square. He was then in a stale of
great nervousness, and wanted witness to take 41., as he leas
going to make away with himself. Witness remonstrated
with him, but he; replied, " I must, I must do it 1" He then
left the deceased, and did not see him again until Monday.
when he was dead. Witness thought he had destroyed Ilia
own life, but could not make out what had become of .the
money which he had in his possession on the night before his
death. He was of opinion that he had been robbed, as the
empty stocking in which he carried his money was lying in
the pigs-sty after his death.
Inspector Collier said he had ascertained that the deceased
left two sovereigns with a publican, and probaUly he had
placed the other portion which was missing in some indiri-
dual's hands to take care of, which he had been in the habit
of doing for years past.
The jury returned the following verdict :—" That the.er
ceased had destroyed his own life, being at the time in
state of temporary mental derangement, brought on by his
habits of intemperance."

BEGINNING WITH A STOCK.—On the D3th instant
was married at St. Mary's, Scarborough, Mr. Nicholas Queen,
fisherman, to Mrs. Mary Smith, both of Scarborouh. The
happy bridegroom, by two former marriages, is already fa-
ther to five, and step-father to seven children, and his bloom-
ing bride brings him an additional supply of seven, in all
nineteen.—Yorkshire Gazette.
Our Keswick correspondent remarks that during
the past week they have experienced a great variety of
weather at that place—namely, rain, snow, strong winds
and hard frost. On Sunday morning the frost was intense,
and yesterday morning old father Skiddiw was presented in
his winter garb, being well capped with snow.—CumberlSnii
Puequct of Tuesday.
THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINB.—PLTMOUTR,
Nov. 25.—0 n Sunday his Imperial Highness visited the Earl
of Mount Edgcumbe at Mount Edgcambe, where he remained
three or four hours. The day was exceedingly fine through-
out, and his Imperial Ilighness was highly gratified with the
gardon and grounds of the Noble Earl. Yesterday his Im-
perial Highness called on the Port Admiral, General Murray,
and Sir Samuel Pym, Superintendent of her Majesty's Dock-
yard. In the evening his Imperial iftghness returned to the
hotel, Plymouth, to dinner, after which he attended the
Plymouth theatre, in company with the ambassador, Baron
Bruilrfow, the secretary, M. De Bey, and his Imperial High-
ness's suite. There were also present Lady West, Sir Henry "
and Ladv Leeke, B. Parham, Esq., Mayor, Captain Douglas,
Colonel Hamilton, and the Misses Smiths. They took their
seats in the stage boxes, which were fitted up for the occasion.
About twelve o'clock this day (Tuesday), his Imperial High-
ness and suite, left the Royal Hotel in the beautiful carriage
which has been appropriated to his service during his stay in
this country, and proceeded to the Barbican pier, and from
thence on board the Ingermanland, for the purpose of putting
to sea this evening, or to-morrow morning.
A RAILWAY ANBCDOTE.—III a village in the
neighbourhood of Lancaster is a knight of the thimble, who
is in the habit of working at the office of his employers;
and being sent for the other day to measure a farmer for a
pair of " smalls," the conversation turned on the merits of a
certain railway now in progress, which has excited consitter-
able local interest. The farmer was anxious to know the
nature of the embankments, viaducts, &c., and snip being
desirous of obliging him, as he was one of his best customers.
took a piece of chalk, and drew on the cloth intended for the
" smalls" a fac-simile of the undertaking, which, with the
aid of a little oral explanation, completely satisfied the
querist, who then went to look after his labourers. And now
comes the cream of the affair. The tailor, to make np for
lost time, plied his shears with unwonted energy; but rail-
way matters being uppermost in his mind, instead of the
" unmentionables" having a grand trunk and two malt
parallel lines, he cut a communication from one end of the
cloth to the other, and did not discover that he had followed
the chalk marks denoting the " rail" until it was too late to
rectify the blunder.—Lire2ool Courier.
LORD MONTAGU.—This deceased nobleman has
left personal estates in England to the amount of 140,000/.,
the whole of which he has bequeathed to his wife, the
on gs aftert his her
four
Baroness Montagu, for her life, subject to a few annuities
ca enads el,egbaicsiesLotordshbisipserbNas'aut
property,tequTehaetheda
daughters, the Countess of Home, Mrbs. Clint otonf 10000/, Mies Jane
Montagu, and M
rs. Hope, subject to aeques
his daughter Jane, and specific bequests of family portraits
to
its
in the gallery at Ditton-hall, and other works of art, which
his Lordship has left to his nephew, the Duke of Buccleuch
and the Duchess, and Lord John Scott. The portraits, by
distinguished artists, of the Honourable Campbell Scott,
Elizabeth, Duchess of Buccleuch, Henry, Duke of Buccleuch,
and Sir Walter Scott, are then to be sent (under an arrange-
ment of Lord Douglas) either to Bothwell or Douglas Castle,
Scotland. Other pictures, armour, antiquities, and the like,
in and about the Hall at Ditton- park, Windier, are to
remain as heir looms. His Lordship recommends all his
pensioners to the kind consideration of his nephew, the Mike
of Buccleuch. The executors are—Lady Montagu, and his
Lordship's sons-in-law, the Earl of Home and G. W. Hope,
Esq. Ilia Lordship died on the 30th ult., in his 69th year.
Marlborough Sheep, Cattle, and Horse Fair, was
held on Marlborough-common, on the 24th, many graziers
and dealers present. About 45,000 sheep were penned, prin-
cipally of the Southdown breed. Not more than from five
to six thousand Dorset and Somerset sheep offered for sale ;
a few pens of tine Leicester sheep, and some Merino
lambs, the wool of whicb, being of superior quality to even
that from the Southdown sheep, seems to induce graziers to
favour the breed of them. Prices were equal to those ob-
tained at the last Applesham Fair, and from le. 6d. to 3s.
per head higher than those obtained last Monday at An-
dover. The quantity did not exceed the usual average;
nearly all were sold early in the day. The prices Way be
quoted as follows :—Southdown ewes from 265. to 36e. per
head; Southdown lambs, 18s. to 355. per head; Southdown
wethers, 28s. to 40s. per head ; fat wethers, 4e.
to 4s. Bd. per stone of 81bs. ; fat lambs, 4s. Bd. to j ss. per
stone of 81bs. Horse Fair.—This fair is noted for
the sale or
show of cart colts, and other horses of a superior kind_ brought
from Rugby large horse fair, held therethtews preyyms ;
many dealers attending to purchase from me West of Eng-
land, as also from London. Great prices were obtained ter
dray-horses used in London, which iust be of superior size
and strength. Fine young
ol
ca3rtcolns fetched from 20/. to
50/. each ; inferior ditto, 151. to . ditto.
RELIC OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART.—
A gentleman in Zetland has in his possession a snuff-box
which belonged to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. This
article is highly 'prized by its owner, who, about thirty years
ago, received it from his father, in the Island of Bute. It is
rather well finished, is neatly mounted with silver, and has, at
the bottom, what in the Highlands is called a scruggag.--•
John o'Groat Journal.

NI

---
ENGLISH HARBOURS of REFUGE.
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE.

SITTING Or MONDAY, Nov. 17.--M. MATIHEU IN THE
CHAIR.

Baron CHARLES DUPIN read the following paper:—
" It is now twenty-eight years since I laid before the
Academy an account of great works undertaken by the
British Government, with a view of making Plymouth
the finest port of defence and refuge for the royal navy
and merchant vessels. These works, carried on with re-
-aarkable activity, although begun thirty years after
hose of Cherbourg, have long since been completed.
" At the present moment England is projecting the
caking of new ports of aggression, or, if you prefer it,
if defence and refuge, nearer and nearer to the coast of
France. Under more than one point of view these works
interest the arts and science; and such is the reason
which leads me to communicate them to the Academy.
" In 1843 a Select Committee of the House of Com-
mons, appointed to inquire into the accidents to trading
vessels off the coast of England, in its report recom-
mended to the Government the establishing of ports of
refuge in the British Channel. This Committee, acting
/lost judie,iouely, :lb-gained from pointing out any par-
ticular situations for such parts ; it, on the contrsry,
gave it as its opinion that the suhject would be much
better treated by scientific persons having practical
knowledge and specially appointed for the purpose:.
With a view of carrying out this recommendation, Sir
Robot Peel, the Prime Minister, first ascertains that
the persons the most capable will undertake the inquiry
just mentioned.
" Baying taken this first step, Sir Robert Peel ob-
tained from the Lords of the Treasury the appointment
of a Commission, consisting of Sir Byana Martin, who
was for many years Chairman of the Navy Board, and
who during the war had been a member of several im-
portant commissions in inquiry as chairman ; Lieutenant-
General Sir froward Donglas, formerly High Commis-
sioner at the lonian Islands, and previously Governor
of the Military College at Sandhurst, author of several
very valuable military works ; Rear-Admiral Deans
Dundee, an officer of great experience ; Sir William
Symonds, Surveyor General of the Navy, and successor
to the celebrated Sir Robert Seppings ; two naval Cap-
tains, John Wa.hington and Fisher ; Colquhoun, a co-
lonel of artillery ; Alderson, a colonel of engineers ; '
Sir H. Kelly, deputy master of the Trinity-house ; and
Mr. Walker, President of the Institute of Civil Engi-
neers of Great Britain, and worthy of such an honour
from the important works of which he has had the su-
perintendence.
"1-Lsre is the forrnal instructions given by the Lords
of the Treasury to this grand Commission as to the ob-
jects to he forthwith more immediately considered:—
"'First. To determine whether it be advisable to
have a port of refuge in the British Channel, with a
view to the public benefits which such a work shall hold
out; and, on the other hand, what would be the cost of
executing the works to be recommended.
" ' Second. To determine the spot which will be best
suited for a pert of this description, so as to combine,
in the highest degree, the three following capacities:—
" 1. That it may be entered with ease at any state
of the tide by vessels in danger from bad weather.
" 2. That the port be such as to be suited to a naval
station, in case of war, and may at the same time serve
for purposes of defence and attack.
" 3. That it may ofFer ready means of defence in case
of attack from an enemy.'
" This is not all; should the Commissioners not find
that all these requisites can be obtained by only one
port of refuge in the British Channel, they are autho-
rised to extend their surveys in consequence, and then
to report on the advantages peculiar to the different
situations they shall deem advisable to recommend,
pointingout such as they may consider the most eligible.
"These remarkable instructions are dated the 2d of
April, 1844.
" These Commissioners lost no time in setting about
the duties imposed on them. The English coast and
ports on the British Channel were surveyed. The Com-
missioners had the assistance of the information pos-
sessed by persons of special knowledge. They examined
the most experienced pilots, the officers of the Coast
Guard, the most celebrated engineers—such as Mr.
Brunel, Mr. Rennie, Captains Samuel Brown and Vetch;
learned geologists—such as. Mr. Beebe, President of the
Board of the Geological Map ; Mr. Philipps, President
of the Society of Geological Economy, &c.
"As early as the 7th of August,lB44, the Commission
bad got through its labours, and presented its report to
the Lords of the Treasury. Finally, in consequence of
an address to the Crown on this subject, the First Lord
of the Treasury laid on the table of the House of Com-
mons the Commissioners' final report.
" I shall, in a succinct analysis, lay before you the
chief results of their labours, looking at them with re-
ference to hydrography and nautical arts.
" At the first view it might be thought that the south-
west coast of England, liberally provided by nature, and
during a long period seconded by art, offers a sufficient
number of ports of refuge, possessing all requisites.
"Ws have already mentioned Plymouth, to which
must be added Falmouth, the situation the farthest to
the westward. Returning eastward we successively find
Dartmouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Thames.
" Not only did the Commission not find these chief
ports of refuge to be sufficient, but it found that the ad-
dition of one great port to the preceding would not suf-
fice ; it recommends works and an outlay for four new
stations, which I shall successively mention.
" The Commisssioners made a survey of the whole
line of the coast between FalmAnth and the port of
Harwich to the north of the Thames and beyond the
limits of the British Channel.
"They took new soundings for the purpose of ascertain-
ing whether the depth of water at the principal naval sta-
tions along this whole line of coast had not varied since
the publication of the most recent maritime charts. All
this was effected under the skilful direction, at the ports
of the eastern part, by Commander Sheringham, and at
the ports in the western division under the superinten-
dence of Captain Brown, one of the members of the
Commission. Besides this, the Commission received
all the assistance which the Lords of the Admi-
ralty could afford it, and was further assisted
by the knowledge possessed by Captain Beaufort, the
chief hydrographer of the Royal Navy, and correspon-
dent of the Academy. It availed itself of the opinions
of the two great societies of Lloyd's and of the ship-
owners, as to the selection of naval stations, which may
be or become the best as to places of refuge.
" A special Commission, appointed in 1840 (this is a
period worthy of remark), gave the preference for
creating new ports of refuge—first, to Dover ; secondly,
to Beachy Head ; thirdly, to Foreness, near the North
Foreland.
"The following are the particular instructions to the
Commission of 1840 :
" To survey the coast from the mouth of the Thames
to Selsea Bill ; to examine the ports with reference to
the shelter they may be eapable of affording in case of
had weather to vessels sailing in the British Channel,
end as to their being places of refuge for merchant
vessels chased by armed vessels in time of war, and
mere specially as to their becoming stations for armed
steamers, in order to protect British trade in the narrow
parts of the Channel.
"Forencas, nearer than Margate to the extreme poift
of the southern coast of the Tisames, is a fine situation,
which was recommended by the Commission of 1840,
but only as a third place, fur a port of refuge ; it re-
commended, in preference, two other points—first,
Dover ; second, Beachey Head. Most certainly, Fore-
ness, converted into a port, would often present a very
favourable anchorage, whether for trading vessels sail-
ing from the Thames, and which encounter gales of wind
when off Foreland ; or for vessels returning to England,
and which are detained by contrary winds.
" The new Commission observes, that the same advert-
teges may be more fully and conveniently obtained by
improving the port of Harwich, on the other side the
Thames, as the point of the coast where the North Sea
begins. In fact, this port, which will be the natural
station for a fleet of war-steamers, will afford the best
refuge for merchant vessels; whilst the neighbouring
anchorage afforded by the hay of Hollcsley will suitably
receive ships of war. In consequence. it does not ap-
pear that the secondary situation of Foreness is to be
selected for making a port of refuge. One is strengthened
in coming to this conclusion on looking to the advance-
ment in a commercial point of view of Ramsgate, which
is but at a very short distance from Foreness. In 1748
Ramsgate was no more than a stnall creek—an open
bay without importance ; it is now a harbour of suffi-
cient extent to receive a considerable amountof shipping.
" The following is the increase in numbers of mer-
chant vessels having entered Ramsgate harbour in the
following years : --
Years. No. of vessels.
1780 time of war
1785 time of peace
' 1790 time of peace
1841 time of peace
1842 time of peace
"Four years ago tho 31 largest vessels which entered,
Ramsgate harbour measured on an average 457 tons—a
greater tonnage than that of two-thirds of the British
merchant vessels in foreign trade.
"In 1032 as many as 434 vessels were at the same time
in Ramsgate harbour if the new basin about to be
formed to the westward be added, Ramsgate will then
be capable of containing simultaneously 600 vessels.
" Sir .John Pell y, deputy-master of the Trinity-house,
had proposed,
as a plats
thef o r constructing a port of refuge
between RainsgatoThames, at the anchorage-
ground called the Brake. In support of this proposition,
he produced plans made by Sir John Rennie, the second
. of w
son of the celebrated engineer Rennie, l
ose works
London, &
~I.have given a
at Plymouth, Sheerness,
description. Sir John Rennie, jun., proposedto erect
on the top of the longitudinal sand-bank,
within which
is the anchorage called the Brake, a breakwater,
centimetres
(23
w similar to that at Cherbourg, but only 60
plan ould
(23 inches) above the highest water. His
lead to an expense of 80.000,000 f. (3,200,0000, includ-
ing the necessary deepening of the projected anchorage..
ground, which would not have been less than five miles
in length.
"If so large an expenditure were objected to, Sir
.John Rennie would reduce to I,HO yards the proposed
length, in which case the cost would only be 850,0004
that is about 21,000,000 f. Finally, Sir J. Rennie, as a
middle course between these two extreme plans, pro-
posed a third, which would have led to an expenditure
of 1,200,000 L, or 30,000,000 f.
" Among the reasons adduced against the adoption of
any of these plans, and several others proposed by Cap-
tain Vetch and by Sir S. Brown, I must mention the
strongest.
" A naval officer employed on the hydrography of the
choa.
et,_lias found that the sand-bank called the Brake
shifted nearer to the land by 700 yards, or 640
metres. So soon es the corporation of the Trinity-
h"se became acquainted with this fact, it altered the
situation of its buocinfirtom the south and the middle on
to the Brake sand- at the same time publishing,
for the information of all seamen and the public in ge-
neral; an account of this very remarkable change.