The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-19 00:00:00

A~eiERICAN NEWFz

pool was 27s.—so, that unless there be a rise on- the other • - - - LITERATURE: •
HON OUR AND SHA-41E. A Novel.' 3 eds.
side, there is no margin for shipments from this.
As, however, the least alarm about a short or inferior crop This is a verb interesting work, and will prove a great
favourite with the general readers of novels. It is not
gives always a more than proportionate impulse to prices, it
may very well be that flour ou the spot may, in the course of , .
indebted to any historical reminiscer ces or political in •
the next few weeks, be advantageously placed.
Cotton is dull and unsettled, so as to render it difficult to cidenta—it is simply a domestic tale, and depends only
give accurate quotations. . on its own attractions. It is written in a quiet, unaf-
Our. money market continues very easy. The revenue of fected style, and is in many places full of real feeling.
this State from its canals will this year, contrary to expec- Its chief interest consists in the natural pictures of pri-
tation in the earlier part of the season, transcend that of last , -v-ate life, and the correct delineation of human passions.
year, which itself was larger than that of anypreceding year. . The story may be divided into two distinct parts, of
The remarkably fine weather that has prevailed,
ford
is still very different characters: the first is full of action, the
prevailing here, has afforded every opportunity to forwarders second of feeling ; the first unveils the petty intrigues,
rivalries,. and jealousies, which make and mar domestic
life, w ule the second displays the contest of opposing
to hurry produce and goods to market, and all the grain and
flour that can reach tide water will find ready purchasers.
passions, and shows the energy and feeling that may
Exchanges on Europe are still drooping. Sales on London
are made at 9, and the extreme range is 914. On France
5.25 to 5.2614. • . dwell in the most gentle. In the commencement the
Cotton—The sales to-day reach 800 bales, The stock for character of Isabella Lorraine, the heroine, is conspicu-
sale being unusually light, holders are enabled to maintain
caboireutidaes for sincerity and earnestness, and forms a bright
their position. Prices range within 1,4 of a cent of what contrast to the cunning and intriguing dispositions of her
they were before the arrival of the Great Western, in fact, friends or rivals. It is in the latter part that the full
usteairo.
interestdt.
eh eortaicu(, idna....rsa),t,cwmt enpr
aitsbyd qualitiesi s; pilba displayed.
mosteidl.ot
calculatedSului el
3,:gfl il
suffers,l ot
of lovebe xut.
(is net reaul pp al
arnc
de lss, hvaes;ye beeredni
ndairsypofsee dmiddling,
o r6m3Aer
fpnri7cei.
centse
per pound; fair to good fair n good, 814 to 8% and 9,4
cents ; Tennessees and Alabaman; 634 to 7% cents; Mo- feels leer _.
Lee's; Her passions are ardent and her sorrows bitter;
yet she is resolved to endure, and she does endure, the
fbaiilresf,nLogninildsiafanfar,s,2&fco.,ordeeinnatrsy;
gtoondm
and fine,
e,7 toll 7:40
Ic2enatnsd;
bitterest trials—she is forsaken by her friends, suspected
by him she loves, and called upon to sacrifice all her
bales.
cents. The sales since the 14th are estimated at 9,400
The exports, &c., of cotton since the ht of September; hopes and joys. The struggle is hard, but she obeys, and
are as follows :—Total exports, 84,000 bales; last year, .
Tsahceritfiecneds,,eeArveann love itself for duty-
114,000her a. general favourite dlfeadaverove,uosrtaei
tdleov; era'lslfor a fart b er'sh alrlm s. "11
Britain,
5b6a.,10e050;
bales;
desralaar
last year,
52,00019000 bales.hales;
aTnodGyreeaart
charactermusot
sylmsapsethaisweiwirtehnhdeerr
before, 7,000 bales. Receipts, 149,000 , bales; last year,
sufferings, and admire her fortitude. Those' who love
wroinniabnecd,c romance, d sorrow, sad pathos, and who like to see
142,000 bales ; and year before, 115,000 bales. Stocks,
114,000 bales ; last year, 124,000 hales; and year before,
133,000 bales.
eh
led coursew i t
ho f t
itl, true e love
latter
portionsne 'e r runost. ifi
theseo o t h
The reports from the cotton-growing districts continue to
smooth,"
be favourable, and it is expected that the crop will be equal
while those who read reenadterotnaltynmtoenbet amused—hgpour
etpmarseserrsale.
in quantity to that of last year.
Lions and variety of trifling incidents in which the whole
Flour—All descriptions are dull. 5.75 doll. was asked for ,
Genessee this morning, witbout:finding buyers—a few lots
work abounds. Some of the more serious conversations
were taken at 4.684 dolls., and subsequently at 5.62 i dolls.;
1,000 barrels Michigan (in poor order) sold at 5.56} dolls.
Southern Flour is held at 5.25 dolls. to 5.37 i dolls. for Balti- may be of advantage to many; one 'in particular, on the
more, Alexandria, Petersburgh, &c. ; Georgetown 5.50 dolls., powerin of
andand
nthoembpeasnti in,nesa,n
will
ilif
hgeaifindunngdtuhseefanfi
Brandywine 5.621 dolls. to 5.75 dolls. tt coon of friends
6,090 bushels prime GeriesseeWheat were taken for export, to all whom it interests—and who does it not? On the
at 1.23 dolls., and about 5,500 bushels Southern in lots for
ta3livto.lhen,
stnheirsenrorreeal
diss ono wonheichwchaienhscrialarct; lytotdieohatiihye harm
rt
milling at 1 doil. to 1.16 doll.; 8,000 bushels Southern Corn
sold at fsto 66 cents weight, and a small parcel of Northern or imprt ye the temper, but which must afford both in
yellow at 67 cents.
terest and amusement.
3,000 bushels of Barley brought 57 cents.
There has been a good deal of inquiry for Clover Seed,
and several parcels of Ohio have been purchased—say
B,ooolbs. at 8 to 814 eents., and 26,0001b5. at about 9 cents.
—now held at 914 cents.
Nothing of importance was done in provisions.
Ashes are steady. Pots, 3.87 dolls. 1-24 Pearls, 4.12 dolls.
—demand moderate.

ARRIVAL OF THE HIBERNIA.
LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.
The British and North American Royal Mail steamer
Hibernia, Capt. Ryrie, arrived here this morning shortly after
11 o'clock. She was much beyond her usual time, and fears
were beginning to be entertained respecting her safety. On
inquiry,.we find that the cause of her delay arose from hav-
ing touched on the southernmost point of Cape Race, Nova
Scotia, during a thick fog on the sth inst., and then was
obliged to run into St. John's, Newfoundland, where she ob-
tained some trifling repairs, and sailed therefrom on the 9th
inst. She brings 71 passengers.
We have received our usual files of New York and other
American papers to the Ist inst.—three days later than by
the Great Western. The political news is not important. It
was rumoured that Mr. Packenham, the British Minister at
Washington, finding there is little hope of adjusting the
Oregon question, has proposed to leave the whole territory in
its present position for 20 years, under the joint protection of
England and the States, and with the stipulation that at the
end of that period its then inhabitants may attach them-
selves to either country, or erect themselves into an inde-
pendent sovereignty as they may prefer. The New York
papers hope that this rumour will prove authentic. We do
_not believe there is any ground for it. The wish is, no doubt,
on the part of our transatlantic neighbours father to the
thought. The British Government cannot submit to any
snore shuffling. The question must be decided forthwith, and
that Mr. M‘Lane knows. A correspondent of the Commer-
cial Advertiser, writing on the 28th ult. from Washington,

says :

" I am informed, on what seems to be good authority, that
Mr. M•Lane has written to some of his friends in Maryland
that unless the United States shall recede from flick posi-
tion on the Oregon question, war with 'England is inevit-
able."

The Courier and Inquirer, of the 31st, usually so temperate
in its tom., concludes an article upon the possession of Cali-
fornia with the bold remark, "We lay it down as an axiom,
to be enforced by war, if necessary, that when Mexico cea, es
to own California it must constitute an integral part of the
American Union."
The same journal contains the following intelligence rela-
tive to the Oregon question, which, according to all accounts
received is entitled to credit. Polk is resolved to talk big in
his message to Congress, and yield not one inch to the
islanders. In fact, the Americans consider we have no right
whatever to be in that quarter at all :
" There is a good deal of speculation afloat as to the actual
posture of the negotiations between our Government and
that of England respecting the Oregan territory, and some
little uneasiness lest delay should breed discord. A general
impression prevails here, that a proposition to refer the
whole matter to arbitration has been refused by this Go-
vernment ; and as the period approaches for the meeting of
Congress, the first week in December, there is some feverish-
ness manifested as to how the President may treat this topic
in his message. On this point we hazard only this surmise,
that the message will not be less decided in maintaining the
claim of this country to the whole of the Oregon than was
the inaugural message delivered by the President, and to
which exception wag taken in England.
"Whether Congress will go any further than merely to
re-echo in speeches the language of the message, remains to
be seen. We venture not to speculate upon what, in any
mode in which it can be treated, will prove a ticklish
affair."

JACK BORNET; or the March of lutellect. By the
Author of "The- Adventures of an Irish Gentleman."
3 vols.
This is a novel of' the humorous class, yet it presents
a strange compound of exaggeration and good sense. It
is certainly a clever work, and the author is evidently
one shrewd enough to penetrate beneath the outward
mask of society, and read the secret motives which
spire many, apparently, great and good actions. The
hero, Jack Hornet, is a Welsh Radical—a regular re-
former—who arrives in London with the intention of
regenerating the country on the most approved Chartist
and agrarian principles. From the exaggerated descrip-
tion of this character, we should imagine that the author
wished to turn all reformers into ridicule, did not many
of his own observations prove that he himself belongs to
that numerous and daily increasing class. As it is, his
intention is evidently not to ridicule reform itself, but to
check the career of those who, styling themselves
"friends of the people, regenerators, and reformers,"
are ever ready to blame the rich, yet the last to assist
the poor—who long for equality, not for the sake of
raising their inferiors, but in order to abase those above
them to their own level. This intention is laudable
enough; there is too much talkative philanthropy abroad;
there are many who love to speak of the " wrongs of the
poor," the "rights of the people," &c., but we sha:l
find, on inquiry, that most of these, some perhaps uncon-
sciously, are acting according to the very rules which
they are the loudest in blaming. Full many a " village
Hampden" would, had he the opportunity, prove an-
other Charles, and this was the case with our hero,
" Jack Hornet." We are told that
"He hated the wealthy, not because he was poor, for he
took pride in his poverty; but he felt convinced that their
wealth must have been acquired by nefarious means. His
heart was excellent, yet he suspected every one who ap-
proached him of obduracy and want of feeling. He hated
mankind, yet he liked society; and while he shunned the
world, solitude was irksome; while the whole universe made
him wretched, his greatest pride and boast was his utter
carelessness of its opinion. In every re'pect Jack Hornet
was an anomaly. He sighed for the happy days of the
golden age, when men ate acorns—yet, to a certain extent
he was an epicure. He affected great simplicity in his dress
—yet he was most difficult to please in the cut of his coat,
and abominated tailors, whom he called 'living testimonies
of the original sin.' He pretended to scorn the assistance of
domestics, who were the type of slavery—yet he expected
the most assiduous attendance. Like many persons upon
whom fortune has not smiled, he attributed his present posi-
tion to the injustice and ingratitude of society, and blind to
his follies and absurdities, he did not consider that he him-
self had been the greatest enemy he ever could have had."
This strange individual comes to London, intending to
reform the country, his chief object being to improve
the relative positions of the " two nations" of rich dud
poor. His constant quarrels and complaints, his strange
ideas, and his still stranger actions, occasion numerous
extraordinary adventures. At one time ho disguises
himself as a beggar, and accosts a nobleman in the
street; he is given in charge to a policeman, and he
being a beggar and his opponent a lord, he is of course
n locked up." Then he declares that he is himself an
earl disguised for a freak; his assertion is believed, and
the tables are turned. At another time, being wounded
in the leg in one of his skirmishes, he is attended by a
doctor, who charges a guinea a day, and who declares,
that if he moves, he will lose the limb. But nothing
can deter his love of inquiry; he is resolved to know the
difference between medicine for the rich and the poor.
He resumes his beggar's dress, and calls on his phy-
sician, who happens to be doctor for the tlispensary of
the poor. He shows the wounded leg, which cost a
guinea a day, and which was to be destroyed if he
moved, and all the medicine he gets is the following:—
" Get about your business, you lazy vagabond; nothing
ails you ; a walk of ten miles, or a hornpipe on the
tread-mill for a day or two, would soon set you to
rights." All this is (we hope) exaggerated, but it is
amusing, and if it makes people think besides making
them laugh, it will not be read in vain. At length our
reformer gets an opportunity for trying his powers of
improvement. He is given the management of a little
country estate, and there he essays his agricultural
science. He lectures the peasants under pretence of
teaching them; he tyrannises over them in order to
make them " free and happy." The result is, as might
be expected, a total failure; and our ultra-Liberal,
in his anger and disappointment, becomes a "red-hot
Tory." Such is the history of " Jack Hornet;" at
least, such is a brief outline of his interesting and ex-
traordinary adventures. He is accompanied by a Welsh
friend, a Sir Thomas Green, who has just succeeded to
a baronetcy and a fortune. He is a specimen of country
simplicity and vanity; he is taken in charge by some
clever knaves, who kindly instruct him in the tortuous
patio of London life, till he finds himself minus his
fortune, and then, of course, he can dispense with
their aid.

The rates of freight are—To Liverpool, %d. per lb. for
cotton in square bales, and 7-16 d. in round; turpentine and
flour, 2s. 6d. per barrel. To London, Naval stores and flour,
3s. to 3s. 6d. per barrel. To Havre, Cotton, %to 76 cents.
per lb. ; Ashes, 8 dolls. to 10 dolls. per ton. Rice, 10 dolls,
per ton.
NEW ORLEANS, Ocr. 22.—There was a slightly improved
feeling in the cotton market yesterday, but the business
continues rather limited, as neither buyers nor sellers are
willing to operate largely until the Gteat Britain's advices
come to hand. The sales yesterday amounted to 8,500
bales, and this morning about 1,000 bales have changed
hands, at prices ranging from 71.4 to 734 c. for low middling to
good middling; Bc. for mid fair, and 8-1 to 84c. for fair to
fully fair. • Corn, in consequence of an export demand, went
up yesterday to 40c. to 41c. per bushel, at which about 500
bushels were taken. Nothing was done either in flour or
provisions. Exchange is very steady at 8M to 83/4 per cent.
prem. for sterling ; francs, sf. 20c. to sf. 25c. New York
Bonds, 1 3/4 to 2 per cent. discount; checks, % to 3/4 per cent.
dis. Freights have given way, a vessel having been taken
yesterday for Liverpool at ;id.

The following extract from a private letter received by
the Hibernia was posted in the Underwriters'-room, Liver-
pool, on_Tuesday :
" On the subject of the Oregon, the President will main-
tain fully, and even in stronger language, in his message of
December next, the right of the United States to the terri-
tory than he did in the message of December last, unless,
in the meantime some conciliatory proposition emanate from
your Government, such as permitting the matter to rest. for
twenty or more years, which, as it would be considered here
as virtually surrendering the territory, would be accepted by
the United States.
" The President is very indignant at the remarks made
in and out of Parliament, and will use angry language in his
forthcoming message. Of course you can decide better than
we can whether this course will create difficulty, or, in other
words, whether England will maintain her position on this
subject.
" Of the literal correctness of these remarks regarding the
feelings, views, &c., of President Polk rest assured. They
come direct to me through one of our —, who, for two
weeks past, has dined daily at the table of the President, and
heard him on these occasions express himself openly, unre-
servedly and determinedly."
FROM OREGON.—within a few days we have read several
letters from a gentleman in Oregon, written at the close of
the spring, which speak of some suffering in consequence of
great freshets, caused by excessive rains during the early part
of the season. Lands that had not before been known to
overflow were submerged, and a good deal of injury was done
to crops and buildings. The same letters speak of the conti-
nued arrival of emigrants over the mountains. Some of these
have suffered much during their journey, particularly the
latter part of it, from want of food. Cases are mentioned of
great destitution, and one instance of a family not having a
particle of food remaining when they reached the settlement.
The writers give it as their opinion that persons advanced in
life should not attempt to pass by land from the States to
Oregon. They find unexpected difficulties, and some which
their strength cannot surmount. SOme of the last emigrants
will add energy and strength and moral worth to the present
feeble population of Oregon, and there is now a nucleus being
formed, which, with discreet management, will give import-
ance to that fast growing region.
DANGERS OF MR. POLK'S ADMINISTRATION.—Mn Polk
and his administration, and his Cabinet, and its newspaper
organ, are getting into a very dangerous position, and may
be upon the breakers before those at the helm know where
they are.
There is a vast combination of interests throughout the
country, comprising all the leaders of the cliques, for the
purpose of opposing both Mr. Polk and his organ. The
friends of Mr. Calhoun, ig the south, are dissatisfied because
he was rejected from The Cabinet on the inauguration,
and they will make their opposition from the free-
trade direction. The friends of Dallas and Buchanan,
however, differing amongst themselves in Pennsyl-
vania, are beginning to feel very much dissatisfied
with Mr. Polk and his administration, because Mr.
Buchanan's removal has been threatened, and they are
determined to get up a general convention in favour of a
high tariff, and to oppose the policy of Mr. Polk. Then the
old offipe holders of the Tyler dynasty are also in the field.
We may also add the friends of Cass in the West, and those
of Van Buren at the North. A general coalition, indeed,
of all the opposing elements temporarily united in the Bal-
timore Convention that elected Dlr. Polk, now appears to be
forming for the purpose of opposing and thwarting him.—
New York Herald, Oct. 20.
LAKE SUPERIOR MINES.—A correspondent of the Cleve-
land Herald writes from the Sault St. Marie as follows :
" ' I have seen heading towards this mineral region
ex-Cabinet Ministers and Governors, Congressmen and Pro-
fessors, Bankers and Capitalists, Adventurers, Woodmen and
Miners; and I have seen them on their return with their
pockets full of rocks.' That this region abounds in ore to an
inexhaustible extent, and of a quality vastly superior to any
elsewhere discovered, are not matters of conjecture. That
this is now positively known, has become a fixed fact,' and
that gold and silver also abound, recent explorations abun-
dantly establish. In this greedy scramble for sudden wealth,
in which all men are more or less inclined to engage, some
will obtain it, and others will be disappointed; but the great
truth still remains, that the precious metals here abound, and
if energy and enterprise be only tempered with discretion
and. perseverance, the efforts of such will be crowned with
success. But the existence and locality of this mineral wealth
are no new discovery, as is generally supposed; nor are
' Lake Superior Mining Companies' devices of these modern
days. In 1665, Father Allouez heard of the existence of a
mass of pure copper' on the southern shore of Lake Supe-
rior, and searched for it. And as early as 1721, says Char-
levoiz, the bracelets of the Indians, the candlesticks, crosses,
and censors were made for the use of the church, by a gold-
smith at the Soo,' from the masses of pure copper found on
the shore of Lake Superior."
The writers speak of the excitement pending the first elec-
tion for Government officers. Although so far removed, as
it may be thought here, from political strife, the citizens of
Oregon had their caucus meetings and popular meetings, very
much the same as they had been accustomed to in the States.
There were two parties, as we have before mentioned—the
Hudson's Bay Company, and the American emigrants; the
result was in favour of the latter by a large majority.—
Commercial Advertiser.

THE POTATO DISEASE ; its Origin, Nature,
and Prevention. By G. Phillips, of the Excise, and
Member of the London Chemical Socitiy.
This little pamphlet is the best treatise on the potato
disease which has yet appeared. The author, in order
to ascertain the nature of the disease, begins by making
a quantitative analysis of a sound and of a diseased
tuber. The results of these analyses are given, and the
effect produced on the potato by the acting of various
re-agents are described. The great differences between
the healthy and diseased tuber seems to be that the
latter contains more water and more gum, but less al-
bumen, less potateine, than the healthy tuber, which
also contains sugar, of which none his found in the dis-
eased tuber. The author then gives a minute descrip-
tion of the appearances presented by the various parts
of a potato plant when subjected to microscopical ex-
amination. With regard to the indications of the ex-
istence of the disease, Mr. Phillips tells us
" The outward appearance of a tuber is no indication of its
soundness, for the disease invariably commences in the cuticle
of tbs string or pendulum at the part where it joins the tuber.
If a potato be diseased at all . (unless by some external in-
jury), it may be known by cutting a transverse section at
and perpendicular to the pendulum. The cutting should_ be
made immediately below the bark or outward skin, and if
the tuber be diseased, a brown spot will be sees, more or less
extended, according to the severity of the disease, and the
length of its duration."
Although the starch in diseased tubers is at present
still existing, -yet Mr. Phillips thinks it probable that
after a lengthened attack of the disease, that, too, might
disappear, and therefore he recommends that it should
he secured as soon as possible after the disease has made
its appearance. He ascribes the origin of the disease
entirely to the wetness of the season, which gorged the
plant with water and pnastrated its powers ; and he
considers that the disease might have been prevented
by trenching the ground to the depth of twelve or four-
teen inches, so as to have drained off from the plant its
superfluous moisture. The following directions for
storing the tubers for winter use are well worthy of
attention :--
"In storing tubers for winter use, certain conditions should
be observed, or the tubers may decay before the disease is
outwardly perceptible.
" These conditions are—
" First. Absence-of moisture.
"Secondly. Plenty of air—a current passing between the
tubers is the most efficacious, as it dries their surfaces.
" It is of no moment in what way these conditions are
complied with, so long as they are observed and maintained
in some form. I would recommend that the tubers be laid in
layers, placing between each layer straw and wood, or any
other substance by which a current of air may be passed
through the layers and between the tubers. I would have
extended heaps rather than thick ones, and avoid a close
atmosphere. The tubers ought not to be placed in pits, and
covered with earth, or shut out from the atmosphere. Pota-
toes of this season are not to be trusted to pits, or to any of
the old modes of storing, for the outward appearance is de-
ceptive and no criterion of soundness.
" Sand, lime, and other substances have been recom-
mended to be used as a medium in which to store tubers, but
I would say, avoid them and trust to the atmosphere. A
current of air will always carry off moisture from a damp or
wet. substance, but sand and lime will not do so; on the
contrary they will, although dried bed.re use, soon absorb
and retain a portion of moisture natural to them when ex-
posed to the atmosphere at certain temperatures. But the
evil rests not there; they prevent the escape of water from
the tubers, and maintain a temperature around them favour-
able to the spread of the evil they were intended to prevent.
" Stored potatoes should be frequently examined, because
although the putrefactive fermentation may be checked by
the means suggested, yet decay silently proceeds in another
form if the tuber be diseased."
With regard to seed potatoes, he says :
"In selecting tubers for seed, great care should be ob-
served, all the bruised and brown skinned ones should be re-
jected, and those only taken that are clean and healthy in
appearance. If cuttings be used, all that have brown spots
in them are to be refused, and if a suspicious or doubtful one
presents itself, cut it open and examine it. The examina-
tion will occupy tine, but it will afford security and impart

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 19, 1845.

knowledge that will be useful and important to the-possessor
of it.
" In selecting cuttings take none that have the slightest
brown speck in them, or that are stained beneath the skin
Oa brown colour, and if cuttings must be taken from a
diseased or suspicious tuber through necessity, cut the brown
part away with at least half an inch, if possible, of the white
and sound part of the tuber with it. The sooner the seed is
selected the better, and where cuttings are made, dip the cut
parts immediately the cutting is made into dry plaster of
paris, which will unite with the water that issues from the
! cells, and form a dry coating over the surface of the potato,
that will tend much to preserve it from decay."
Mr. Phillips does not consider the present as at all a
new disease, and does not believe that it has been pro-
duced by either fungi or insects. The work con-
cludes with minute directions for laying out potato-
fields so as to avoid a recurrence of the disease. The
work is illustrated by plates, showing the structure of
the potato plant, and the appearances produced in it by
the disease.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, TUESDAY.—The Queen will hold a Privy Conn-
cil on Thursday next, the 20th inst., at the Castle. The
' Council will be held at half-past two o'clock.
Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal Highness the
Princess Augustus of Saxe Cobourg, promenaded in the
vicinity of the Castle some time this morning.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Royal were taken their early morning airings in the
grounds around the Castle.
At half-past twelve o'clock her Majesty and her Royal
Consort, and their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Saxe Cobourg Gotha, attended by Lady Portman and
Madame Angelet, left the Castle in the char-a-bsnc, to pay a
visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, at
Richmond Park, where the royal party partook of luncheon
with the;Royal Duchess, and afterwards returned to the Castle
Lord Charles Wellesley was in attendance on horseback.
Sir Henry Wheatley left the Castle to-day.
In the afternoon the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal,
and the Princess Alice, were taken an airing.
His Royal Highness Prince George arrived at the Castle
this afternoon, on a visit to her Majesty.
Viscount Hawarden has arrived at the Castle, and has suc-
ceeded Lord Byron as the Lord in Waiting to the Queen ;
and Captain the Hon. Arthur Duncombe has succeeded
Major-General Sir Frederic Stovin as the Groom in Waiting
to her Majesty.
The royal dinner party this evening will include her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Anna Maria
Dawson, and the Baroness de Speth.
The band of the 2d regiment of Life Guards attended
during dinner. Her Majesty's private band afterwards
attended at the Castle.

His Royal Highness Prince George left town yesterday
afternoon for Windsor Castle.
Sir Robert Peel arrived at his residence in Whitehall-gar-
dens yesterday afternoon, from Drayton Manor, Staffordshire.
The Earl of Lonsdale had au interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence
in Downing-street.

MR. SHRAPNEL AND THE DUKE
OF WELLINGTON.
We published on Monday a letter from the Duke of Wel-
lington to the late Colonel Shrapnel, highly eulogising the'
merits of the celebrated shell which bears his name, and for
the invention of which his Grace thought him entitled to
" very ample reward," and professed his readiness " to assist
by every means in his power to procure a reward for Lieute-
nant-Colonel Shrapnel.' We now subjoin a letter of some-
what opposite character, addressed to the representative of
Colonel Shrapnel, who during his own lifetime had been in-
duced, by the Duke's representations of the advantage to the
public service which would arise from the enemy not being
made aware of the peculiar effect of the shells, to forbear
from pressing his claim :

" eldsa April
" Field-Marshal the Duke ofStratbfi Wellingtoyn e,
presents hisB com-
pliments to Mr. Shrapnel.
" Colonel Shrapnel was a servant of the public, who ren-
dered services to the public under former Boards of Ordnance.
Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington cannot constitute
himself, or permit others to constitute him, as the solicitor-
general for favours for the families of all who have rendered
service to the public; they must apply to those who are in
office.

" Sir George Murray, the Master-General of the Ordnance,
must be as well informed as the Duke of Wellington of the
merits of Colonel Shrapnel. He is the person to be applied
to, and not the Duke of Wellington, who is not in office.
" He positively declines to apply for Mr. Needham Scrope
Shrapnel in any manner, or to any authority."—Times.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
One of the most artistically-constructed dramas that
has been represented for years, was last night produced
at this theatre, under the title of The Viola. A young
lady, too, made her debiit in the character of Blanche,
the heroine, " her first appearance on the stage ;" and
unlike most young ladies who make their " first appear.
ance on the stage," the young lady in question is a most
accomplished artiste, possessing every requisite for the
stage—a good person, a powerful well-modulated voice,
graceful action, and a thorough knowledge of stige
business—indeed, it is with great difficulty that we can
persuade ourselves that this is " her first appearance on
the stage." If it be so, hers is certainly the most
promising debUt since the days of Fanny Kemble.
The plot is very simple. Andre, a working jeweller
(Mr. Wallack), has brought up two girls as his
daughters, Blanche (the young debutante), and Blan-
chette (Mrs. Stirling). He is an old soldier of the
Empire, and the two girls were born in 1815.
One of them is the daughter of his general,
confided to his wife to nurse. The general is killed
at Waterloo, his wife having died a short time pre-
viously in giving birth to this daughter. On his re-
turn from Waterloo, Ands 6 receives a letter from his
wif,, stating that sha will join him in Paris on a certain
day. Night- comes, she arrives not ; morning dawns,
still she comes not. Andib sets off in search of her.
At an auberge he finds the corpse of his wife, who hai
been murdered by a marauding band of Cossacks, and
the two infants. He knows Lot which is his own child,
and therefore he adopts them both. They grow up to
womanhood. Blanche falls in love with Armand (Mr.
Leigh Murray) the son of Trenquet (Mr. Granby), a rich
jeweller ; the other falls in love with the Due de Lauzac.
The Marchioness D'Orville (Mrs. Fosbroke), who, during
the revolution has emigrated to Russia, arrives in Paris
to be present at the marriage of the Due de Lauzac.
Her daughter had married Andre's general, and one of
these girls is her grandchild. She demands that the
girls is

grandehild should be delivered up to her, and it is at
this juncture that the action of the play commences.
She calls upon Andre and questions him ; he is out-
rageous in his denunciation of the unfeeling Marchioness,
who had left her daughter to perish because she had
formed a mesalliance with the soldier of the revolution.
She demands her grandchild. Andre claims them both
as his ; and Wallack's acting in this scene was very
fine. He knows not which to give up—he loves
them both alike—they are both his children. In
the meantime Trenquet has got some inkling
of the real state of affairs, and he at once endeavours to
hasten the marriage between his son and Blanche,
believing that she is the heiress. The Duc is about to
contract a marriage for money, and poor Blanchette is
au desespoir. Trenquet hastens the marriage between
Blanche and his son ; but the Marchioness, in the
meantime, gets a legal injunction against the mar-
riage proceeding, and poor Andre iis obliged to make
the girls acquainted with the real state of affairs. He
leaves it to them to decide who shall quit him. Neither
will consent ; they leave it to him. He is equally un-
able to decide ; he loves them both. The Marchioness
threatens to have him arrested, and Blanchette writes to
the Dec de Lauzac, demanding his protection for her
father and her sister. Andre takes this letter to the
Due, who immediately breaks off his intended marriage,
and promises to protect Andre and his two girls.
In the meantime the Marchioness discovers a letter
from her daughter to her husband, stating that
her child is marked with a violet, the emblem
of Napoleon. Thus she is enabled to recognise
'Blanchette as her grand•daughter. Blanchette gives
Blanche a rich portion, which enables her to be
united to Armand, and with Blanche and Armand
Andre is for the future to live, Blanchette, who is mar-
ried to the Due, promising to visit Andre every day,
but, as Andre pathetically says, " It is not like living
with me." The Andre of Wallack is perfect. Never
has the kindheartedness, the jovial carelessness, the
utter abnegation of self, the pure, the pathetic affection
which distinguishes the old moustache from every other
created being, been more beautifully, more feelingly de-
lineated. The domestic drama is Wallack's forte, and
his Andre is certainly his greatest character in
that line—it is superior to his Martin Heywood.
The debutante was admirable as Blanche. Mrs.
Yates, in her palmy days, could not have acted the
character better; indeed, we know of no one on the
stage who could have surpassed this young lady. She
has a bright and brilliant career before her. Her suc-
cess was complete; not only complete as regards this
one character, but it must have been evident to every
one who saw her last evening, that she possesses talents
which only require an opportunity of development to
secure the highest position in her profession. Mrs.
Stirling, too, was excellent. Indeed, the play was ad-
mirably cast throughout; and it will not only draw
crowded houses for the season, but become a stock piece.

DRURY-LANS THELTRE.--The new opera of
Maritana bids fair to become as popular as we had predicted.
The principal singers have acquired smoothness and an im-
proved knowledge of the nuances of their characters, and the
chorus and orchestra have attained unity and precision. The
dramatic action has been brought closer together, and the
third act excised of its super- abundance and qui& succession
of ballads. A second hearing has convinced us that Mr.
Wallace possesses a rich vein of original melody, poetical
imagination, and an intimate knowledge of orchestral treat-
ment. He seizes with vigour the dramatic points of his cha-
racters, and carries out the thought by picturesque harmonies.
Last night the theatre was crowded at an early hour—the
encores were numerous, and the applause vigorous. The
principal performers were called for—and the successful com-
poser summoned before the curtain to receive the loud gratu-
lations of the audience.

DEATH OF THE VISCOUNTESS CANTERBURY.-
The Viscountess Canterbury, widow of the late Lord Can-
terbury, who for so many years filled the office of Speaker
of the House of Commons, expired at Rodney-place, Clifton,
near Bristol, on Sunday evening, at half-past eight o'clock.
Her Ladyship had been for a long time suffering under a
complication of painful disorders. Latterly, by the advice
of her sister, the Countess of Blessington (whose attentions
during her illness have been unremitting), Dr. Storer, of
Bath, attended the deceased Countess, and treated her mes-
merically, rather, we believe, with a view of alleviating her
Ladyship's present suffering, than with any hope of effecting
a cure. The Countess of Blessington left Clifton, for London,
on Saturday forenoon, under the impression that her sister
was somewhat better. In the course of the day, however,
Lady Canterbury's symptoms became more urgent, and an
express messenger was dispatched to the Countess of Bles-
sington, who returned by the day mail on Sunday, and
arrived at Bristol at about half-past two o'clock. A post-
mortem examination of the deceased Viscountess's remains
was made yesterday by Mr. Mortimer, surgeon, and Dr.
Bernard, of Clifton, who discovered the mortal disease to
have been abscesses formed in the liver. Lady Canterbury
was in her 55th year. Her son, Captain Purvis, of the
Guards, was in attendance on his mother, and still remains
at Clifton. Her Ladyship's remains will be conveyed to
London, and from thence to the family vault at Addington,
in Surrey. It is understood that the funeral will be stnetl
y
private.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

EXETER AND WEYMOUTH.

best consulted by the steady support and encouragement of
the inhabitants being given to the Wilts, Somerset,and Wey-
mouth Railway, upon the reliance of their proceeding as
rapidly as possible with the construction of their line between
Dorchester and Weymouth, and affording assistance to the
general improvement of the harbour.
"That it is therefore inexpedient to give any eicourage-
ment to the competing line, proposed as the Exeter, Dor-
chester, and Weymouth Coast Junction Railway.
" That the extension proposed from the Wilts, Somerset,
and Weymouth Railway, at Yeovil and Bridport, towards
Exeter, called the Exeter Great Western, will be serviceable
to this port, as affording railway communication with the
intermediate towns of Crewkerne, Chard, Axminster and
Honiton, as well as with the city of Exeter."
Capt. MANNING seconded the resolution.
Mr. ARDEN, the local agent for the Exeter, Dorchester,
and Weymouth Coast line, proposed as an amendment..
" That it appears to this meeting highly desirable that a
coast railway communication between Weymouth and Exeter
be made, in order to afford increased facilities to visitors
frequenting Weymouth ; and that a survey of an intended
line having been made by the Directors of the Exeter, Dor-
chester, add Weymouth Junction Coast Railway, and its
details fully explained, this meeting considers it perfectly
adapted to serve the above purpose, and hereby pledges itself
to support the same, and respectfully requests their county
and borough Members to further it in Parliament."
Seconded by Capt. MEECH.
R. GORDON, Esq., requested to be permitted to say a few
words before the resolution or the amendment was put. I
congratulate Weymouth in having so many companies to
court their patronage.—(Laughter.) I hope you will con-
sider that it is not for your interests alone that they thus
came forward.—(Hear.) They hare their own interests
to serve, and it is for you to consider how you can promote
their interests in conjunction with your own.—(Hear, hear.)
On a former occasion I recommended you to make the Great
Western your friends; well, have they deceived you ? (Hear.)
lam told they have not began ; other lines are being con-
structed, but the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth show no
symptoms of a commencement; but can we wonder at a little
delay when we know what a demand there is for efficient
hands? Why, the master of our workhouse has just deserted
us, and is employed by some railway company at the rate Of
two or three guineas a day. We have no reason to doubt
their sincerity, but as another Company is present, this is a
good time to ask them what they intend doing for the im-
provement of the harbour and the port generally, and I will
take this opportunity of urging on the merchants, and those
who have the management of the harbour dues, the necessity
of reducing those charges so as to place you on an equal foot-
ing with the competing ports of Bridport and Poole. If the
present charges remain until you are connected with Poole
and Bridport by railway, I am told that coals can be im-
ported at either of those places, and conveyed to Weymouth,
and sold for a less price than they can be landed for at Wey-
mouth. If the harbour dues cannot be removed, I want to
hear Mr. Sanders and Mr. Brunel say that we shall have a
harbour and docks elsewhere, and thus make you indepen-
dent of the corporation ; and, to carry out those views, I shall
propose that a committee be appointed at this meeting, to
confer with the Great Western, and see if the port of Wey-
mouth cannot be materially improved.—(Hear.)
We. EuoT, Esq., here read a prospectus of a company to
be formed for the purpose of constructing docks, and other-
wise improving the port of Weymouth, but which, not meet-
ing with general approval, was withdrawn, and a committee
was formed in accordance with Mr. Gordon's suggestion.
Mr. SANDERS said—l am not prepared to make any spe-
cific pledge as to the intentions of the Great Western Com-
pany with regard to the port of Weymouth, but this I will
promise, that if you appoint a committee, I will undertake
that the Directors of the Great Western and the Directors of
the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway shall appoint a
committee, and they shall sit down and examine the case in
a business way—(Hear, hear)—and my committee will be
quite ready to bear their portion of relieving you from your
harbour debt, and also to aid in other ways in the improve-
ment of }-our port. (Mr. Sanders took occasion, to deny the
statement made by the engineer of the Exeter, Dorchester,
and Weymouth line, that they (the Great Western) had
come forward at the eleventh hour to construct a direct line
from Loudon to Exeter. The construction of a direct line
had long been contemplated by the Great Western Com-
pany, even before the commencement of the last session of
Parliament. He also denied that the concession of the clause
inserted in the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway Bill
(that they would not oppose a direct line to Exeter) at all
led them into difficulties, or caused them to make alterations
in any of their plans.) The Great Western could not in good
faith have come out with their scheme at an earlier period, on
account of our connexion with the Bristol and Exeter Company,
but as soon as their arrangements were made with that Company
our plans were announced. And as to the charge of occu-
pying the ground of the Exeter, Dorchester, and Weymouth
Coast line, I never knew, until I received a' letter from Wey.
mouth a few days ago, that such a company as the Exeter,
Dorchester, and Weymouth Coast Railway was in existence.
Our projected line from Bridport to Exeter has already ob-
tained the sanction and support of all the noblemen and
landowners in that part of the country. In conclusion, I
would say, trust to us, and we will not forsake you; we will
carry
out every plan we project ; for though we may be fools
enough to make them, we are not knaves enough to forsake
them.—(Cheers.)

[The following is a continuation of the report of the meet-
ing held at the Guildhall, Weymouth, on Monday afternoon,
which was not concluded when the post left] :
EDWARD STRICK, Esq., on the part of the proposed Exeter,
Weymouth, and Dorchester Coast Junction line,- said, while
I admire the tact of the Hon. Gentleman who last :poke, yet
could not but regard his statements as clap-trap to catch the
people of Weymouth—l allude to his putting the Exeter,
Dorchester, and Weymouth Coast line in opposition to the
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway. We approve of
the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway, and quite
agree in all the arguments employed in support of that line :
they are so many arguments in our favour. The question is,
will not a coast communication westward be of advantage to
Weymouth. Our line furnishes facilities for persons coming
from North Devon, and other places in that direction, which
no other line will so well supply. Your best policy will be to
support such a line. The engineer of the Great Western Com-
pany has stated that it will be to their interest to complete
the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth line; and why? Be-
cause it would feed their own trunk line. But he has not
said a word about their line from Bridport to Exeter. This
new scheme of theirs would be of advantage to Bridport and
Dorchester, but it would be death to Weymouth, and I would
ask your calm and deliberate opinion whether a line that
connects you with the west coast would be detrimental to
your interests. The gentlemen representing the Great
Western attempt to convince you that their proposed line
from Bridport to Exeter provides accommodation equal to
that we offer you, but advert to the map. By their route
you are to go to Bridport via Maiden Newton, just ten
miles longer than the way we propose to take you. Here
then is a saving both in time and expense, and is this no
advantage? I would again repeat that it is to the interests
of the people of Dorchester and Bridport to support their
scheme, but it is to your interests to support us. Give us
then your free and frank opinion as to which of these two
lines will be most beneficial to yonr interests.
Barstow, Esq., Director of the Great Western Com-
pany, on the behalf of that company pledged himself
for the fulfilment of whatever promises they made
to the people of Weymouth. Does not the
Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway give you
a safe and excellent line ? 'Which Company was
earlist in the field? Did not the Great Western come for-
ward and assist you when no other Company would ? and
common gratitude should lead you to give your support to
any line which that Company may carry out. lam cpiite
sure that the Directors of the Great Western will direct their
attention to the improvement of the town, and encourage
the formation of any Company having that object in view.
—(Hear, hear.) I therefore hope that you will be prepared
to support the scheme of the Great Western, and rest assured
that what they propose will be carried out to its full extent.
EDWARD STRICK, Esq., rose to complain of the conduct
of the Great Western in coming forward several months after
they had possession of the country. When their plans
were announced and matured, the Great Western, borrowing
the idea, and in the eleventh hour, comes farward with a
competing scheme. He very much questioned whether the
Great Western intended to carry out this as well as many
other of their schemes, and in confirmation of his opinion
he would read a letter which he received from a Mr. Chap-
man, at Warminster. (The letter was to the effect that the
Great Western Company were ever actuated by a selfish spirit,
and never consulted the interests of the community. They
projected no new lines until other companies came forward
to supply the wants of a district. That in regard to the
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway scheme, they had
already broken faith, and it was the belief of the Wiltshire
people that -the Great Western Company was not sincere in
their proposal of constructing a line to Weymouth.)
Some interruption followed the reading of this letter, which,
when subsided, the meeting was addressed by
C. SANDERS, Esq., Secretary of the Great Western Com-
pany, after a few preliminary observations, proceeded to direct
the attention of the meeting to the relative merits of the va-
rious schemes introduced to their notice. He said I wish the
matter submitted to your reason, and would ask whether it
is best for you to be connected with the Great Western,
with all its ramifications, or with the Exeter, Weymouth,
and Dorchester line? When I had the honour of appearing
here a twelvemonth since, I was told that a coast railway
was not what you desired, but a communication with Bath,
Bristol, the midland counties, and to the north of England.
Your language was, Give to us a connexion with the interior of
the country that will best subserve the interests of Weymouth.
We have given you such a line, and is it now to your interest
to neglect us for the purpose of adopting a more direct line
to Bridport? The promoters of the Exeter, Dorchester, and
Weymouth line admit that the Wilts, Somerset, and Wey-
mouth line will benefit Weymouth, and they wish it success,
and yet advocate a line which, if constructed, will intercept
the traffic of that line. You are this day called on to make
choice what line is best for Weymouth, and not what is best
for the Great *Western. I maintain that the Wilts, Somerset,
and Weymouth, with its continuation to Hungerford and
Westbury, and to Exeter in the other direction, will best
supply your wants. If by your vote you adopt the Exeter,
Dorchester, and 'Weymouth Coast line, you may perhaps lt,se
both lines. (In referring to the letter which was read, charg-
ing the Great Western with breach of faith and neglecting
the public interests, he said it was a most unjustifiable attack,
and that it did not contain one word of truth.) Do you think
that the Great Western Company, after incurring the expenses
of procuring the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway Bill,
would abandon it? yet such is the insinuation of that letter,
and I cannot refrain from saying that it is a most libellous
and infamous letter, and that it ought not to have been in-
troduced. In again referring to the Exeter, Dorchester,
and Weymouth line, I admit that it is a shorter line to
Bridport, but that is not the question for you to decide. Will
you identify yourselves with that line, and which would de-
prive you of another -line giving you so much greater ad-
vantages ?—(No, no.) Look then well to your interests, and
not take up with a Company who is looking for an alliance
with the line to Southampton. Such a connexion cannot
benefit you.—(No, no.) Would the London and South-
Western Company seek the re-establishment of the mail
packets to the Channel Islands? We (the Great Western)
shall have a clear and undivided interest in doing what we
can for Weymouth. We wish you to be a large importing
port—(Hear, hear)—and as I believe the day is not far
distant when the Government intention of establishing an
harbour of refuge at Portland will be carried out, the
formation of docks and other improvements will necessarily
follow. I look to you to place confidence in us, to support
us, and rely upon it you will come to a right conclusion.
Mr. FIOPKINS, in reply, begged again to repeat that they
were not opposed to the Great Western. We were first in
the field ; our surveys were made, our capital subscribed
for, and then the Great Western Company, as was usual
with them, comes forward, and says we will adopt a line
which shall swamp this Company. I will ask why did
the Great Western now come forward to construct a direct
line to Exeter, of which the Bridport line forms a branch,
—was it with a view of serving the district ?—(Hear.) Our
Company comes to Weymouth, and says to you, you have a
railway to the east, a railway to the north, and we will sup-
ply you with one to the west. lam told that such devia-
tions are contemplated in the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth
Railway; that the line cannot be completed without a new
Act:of Parliament. Mr. Hopkins then directed attention to the
desirableness of a coast communication westward, as offered
by the Exeter, Dorchester and Weymouth Company, and as
regarded the gauge they intended to adept, they had not yet
decided. They were waiting the report of the Government
Commission, who were investigating the relative merits of the
two gauges.

Sir JOHN AUDREY stated that though the Directors of the
Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway contemplated a
deviation of a portion of their line, yet that would not pre-
vent them from commencing on those parts of the line where
no alterations are intended.

Mr. J. F. HODGES thought the meeting was not in a con-
dition to come to an unbiassed decision. They had heard gen-
tlemen advocate their several projects, in which each had their
separate interests. I will, as a Weymouth man, give my
honest and fair opinion. I am not identified with either
scheme ; I hold no shares in these or any other railway
companies. In looking at the country through which the
Exeter, Weymouth, and Dorchester Coast line proposed to pass,
I find it is* for twenty miles a competing line with the
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway. I am of opinion
that the line in itself would be injurious to the interests of
Weymouth, and•if we act in good faith to the Great Western'
we are bound to support their line. The Great Western is
called a great monopoly, and why? because it forms a com-
bination of talent and enterprise which entitles it to our sup-
port. They promised us the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth
Railway, and they have obtained the sanction of Parliament
for that line ; and though there appeared to be some delay in '
its commencement, we are assured that the result of that
deiay will be an improvement in its construction. Is this new

The amendment being put, not half a devai hands were
held up in favour of it. The resolution, being submitted, was
carried with acclamations.
Thanks having been given to the Chairman, the meeting
was dissolved.

NEW SYSTEM OF LOCOMOTION.
A system of locomotion on railways, altogether different
from any hitherto invented, has recently been put forth ; and,
whatever may be its merits or demerits when applied on a
working scale, it is important as evidence that there is still a
wide field for discovery in the application of power to pro-
pulsion on railways. IVe witnessed on Saturday the action
of a working model of the new plan, in a large room at
Messrs. Keene and Nickells's saw-mills, in the York-road,
near Westminster-bridge; but, before we describe the appa-
ratus, we will insert the account given by Messrs. Keene and
Nickells themselves of the wonders to be achieved by their
ingenious mode of applying the power of compressed air to
propel carriages on railways :
"They can now confidently state that, in addition to the
general advantages possessed by competing systems, they
may subjoin the following as peculiarly characterising their
invention :
"1. Perfect safety. 2. Great economy, in construction, in
simplicity, in motive power, in reparation, in facility of
adaptation. 3. Less oscillation. 4. Less vibration. 5.
Steeper gradients overcome. 6. No leakage or loss of power
beyond the actual amount required for working. 7. Absence
of piston, wheels, racks, pinions, and longitudinal valves.
8. Most perfect control."
With the exception of the seventh characteristic feature,
the working model affords no test whatever whether the ex-
traordinary advantages held forth will be realised. It is
quite true, however, that without travelling piston and
longitudinal valve, as in the Clegg and Samuda Atmos-
pheric Railway, and without racks and pinions, as in Pil
brow's invention, the carriage is propelled by the pressure
of air with great velocity, and a tractive power is attained
superior to that of the working models on the same scale of
either the atmospheric railways. We will endeavour to ex-
plain how this is done, though without drawings we fear the
description will not be perfectly intelligible. Between the
two rails there is laid down, as in the atmospheric rail-
ways, a pipe to contain the air which acts as the
moving power; but instead of being a circular rigid iron
pipe, it is square, and on each side of this square pipe there
is a flat flexible tube, through which the propelling coin-
pressed air passes. Two small wooden wheels fixed upon
vertical axles press against these flexible tubes, or air pas-
sages, so tightly as to arrest the progress of the air along
them. The wheels are fixed to the body of the carriage,
which is mounted on flanged wheels, as in ordinary railway
carriages ; no part of the weight resting on the two wooden
wheels, which serve merely, as propellers. When the com-
pressed air is admitted into the elastic tubes, they become
instantly inflated, and the air presses against the wooden
wheels, and forces them onward. It is really extraordinary
to witness the force with which the compressed air acts when
applied in this manner, like a wedge, and apparently at great
disadvantage. Compressed air, with an acting pressure of
forty pounds to the square inch, admitted through a pipe not
more than one inch and a half in diameter, propelled a car-
riage holding four persons with great velocity; and the
tractive power was so great, that a gentleman standing on
the ground could not hold it back. The material of which
the flexible tubes are made is a peculiar composition, adapted
for the purpose, and the external part, which presses against
the wooden wheels, is nearly a quarter of an inch thick, and
esugprpeosateetri
seems well protected against abrasion.
The experiment was perfectly successfnl, and the tractive
thanf •c e
would,o fthe
ona
firstcompressediu
inspection
uon applied,
ee veryda,pipsa;atus tmuchbe
possible. The mode by which a train in motion is to be con-
trolled was not explained, as the inventors do not wish at
present to make known the whole of their plans, but we were
assured that the most perfect control may be attained.

line (the Exeter, Dorchester, and Weymouth) calculated to
benefit Weymouth? I say no ; .and for this reason, internal
lines are always deemed the most valuable to an importing
port.—(Hear.) Look at the line of country through which
the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway passes. It
also connects you with the middle and the north of England,
and it is from these places that the great stream of visitors
come to watering-places.—(Hear.) What advantage will
it be for Weymouth to be connected with other watering-
places? We have to consult our own interests. The Ex-
eter, Weymouth, and Dorchester Coast line connects us with
Bridport, but what are we to expect from Bridport? and
farther westward, what do we meet with but watering-
places, which are all rivals to Weymouth? The distance
from Weymouth to Bridport, by the Wilts, Somerset, and
Weymouth Railway, is twenty-five miles, by the Exeter, Dor-
chester, and Weymouth Coast line it is fifteen ; but the po-
pulation between this and Bridport coastwise is so small,
that there is not even a turnpike-road, and the only coach
from Weymouth to Bridport is obliged to go through Dor-
chester in order to mak it pay. The saving of a fewjninutes
between Weymouth and Bridport is a matter of small impor-
tance; besides, is Weymouth in a condition to take up so
many schemes ?--(A voice—"We are not called on for our
money.") I admit it; but the construction of a line
rested on the probability of its paying. I think we shall not
be acting judiciously in separating ourselves from the Great
"T

A RAILWAY RACE.—A railway race is a sufficiently
exciting and interesting event; but it is rarely witnessed, and
scarcely ever in
it would be sufficiently exciting; but
perfect safety. Between a pair of well-
matched locomotives
system,t eeh alriakeetetrh eand rep otatmospheric,reputation
aonfd
bothits riavyagl.,
onma wontieve, h
tems for speed depending upon the issue, a well-matched
tbheetw locomotive,
contest would be of no common interest. In this case we
were lucky enough to see such a race ; and we believe that
any of our readers who leave London-bridge station at
twenty minutes past two,• and take an atmospheric ticket,
may do the same. We were standing at the Forest-hill
station, preparing to start, when it was announced that the
Dover express train was in sight ! Immediately we (the
atmospheric) made preparations to start, and were just in
the act of starting from rest when the locomotive train
" whisked " past us at probably some thirty-five miles an
hour. We started, but before we got into motion at any
velocity, the Dover train was a mile a-head of us, and was
evidently gaining rapidly in speed. However, on we went
like a whirlwind, and it soon became evident we were gaining
on our rival. Three or four minutes decided the race. IN. re
passed tha express train at a rate exceeding her own by fif-
teen or twenty miles an hour. Our velocity could not be
less than sixty miles an hour. It was easily and steadily
maintained, and we were over the Brighton viaduct and con-
siderably beyond it before the Dover reached it. But consi-
derably before this time, the brakes were put on, and the
vacuum destroyed by the valve, to avoid danger in running
upon the workmen round the sharp curves; and when we
reached Croydon in 6 minutes, it was found that the journey
as a whole had occupied more time than it has frequently
been performed in.—Railway Chronicle.

CONTEMPLATED INCREASE OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.
—lt is in contemplation of the directors of the various fire
insurance -offices to Increase the number of brigademen, and
to form the whole body into a police fire brigade. The cause
of the required increase arises from the number of firemen
required to keep watch day and night on premises where
fires have occurred, to guard the property saved until it is
removed, or arrangements made with the directors of the
fire-offices. The forming the force into a police brigade will
be advantageous to the public, as the metropolitan police con-
stables will not be required to remain on the premises.

W estern, and would urge on you to give them your strenuous
support.—(Hear.) We cannot better bring out the resources
of Weymouth than by connecting ourselves with such a
powerful and spirited Company.—(Cheers.) lie concluded
by moving the following resolution :
" That the interests of this borough and port will be