The Sun.
London, England, 1818-04-30 00:00:00

PEDE‘iTRIANISNI.

Captai v Woonronn's Unparalleled Pedestrian .endertak-
ing.—Anitnigst the many astonishing feats of pedestrianism
which have been performed, there is 0.0 hitig on record so
great as that which this gentleman has nudertaLen,to do-
-70 miles per day for three successive days--a task which no-
horse is competent to. The pedestrian started over aRO mile
piece of ground, from Longwood, Hants, after the ctnek had
struck
.12, ins Sunday night, and he did six miles an hcitar f.►r
seven boors. He completed 70 miles at 11 o'clock at night,
and although tired, he was not distressed.. He had dime 60
Inuits at two o'clock ou "rucsday, when the last information
left.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM TUNBRIDGa WELLS,

DATED APRIL 28, 1818.

" This delightful spot, under the genial infitt:
ence of the last fortnight's fine weather, has
given good signs of a very excellent season ; never
were so many houses known to be occupied and
taken at this early period as at present I, all is pre-
paration, hope; and life ; old houses new front-
'ing,-virandas newly coating, beds beating.on'the
heath, holsters airing in the sun.; donkies—l beg,
pardon—animals foraninorians to reereate upon,
potties and poney chairs, all merging front
their dormant state; the Host at the High Rocks
preparing his rock cakes, and the roads to the
surrounding seats and mansions, of ancient date
and day, (opened by the liberality of their Noble
Possessors to public inspection) inviting,' with ail
the charms and beauties of an abundant budding
spring, the inquisitive traveller or curious' anti-
quary, the happy valetudit,arian, or more happy
votary of pleasure ;—in short, Tunbride lVells
expects, now the rage for continental exemsions
has a little subsided, to resume its pristine state,
as at the most flourishing epoch of its hi,toty,
and to reap all the advantages to which its local
beauties, and its high character as the emporium
of lie^alth, the seat of ease, the soul of society for
the upper, and school for civility in the lower,
order of its inhabitants, give such just claim."

CITY op LONDON NATIONAL SCHOOLS.—After
the examination of the children yesterday at the
Mansion House, of which we this day present an
account to our Readers, ti ,e Anniversary Festival of
the above Scho-ls was celebrated at the C it y of Lon-
don Tavern. The LORD MAYOR took the Chair,
the Duke of York on the right Mill the Archbishop,
of Canterhory on his lett hand. The usual Loyal
and Constitutional toasts Wereziven. Mr. Hatch
statedr that the receipts of last year had exceeded
those of the preceding by between 3 and 4001.
He stated also that the East India Company and
Bank of England ,had contHintted 5001. each, and
Frederick Webb, E5(1.• 1051. Many more Sub-
scriptions were announced. The Lord Mayor,
the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
and the Bishop of London, severally addressed
the Company in behalf of the Institutions, and
the day passed in that regulated festivity which was
heightened by the glow of benevolence.

• FIRFS —O Tuesday night a fire was discover-
ed in the upper port of the house of Mr. Seal, toy-
manufacturer, Kent-street, Borough, which; by
the timely arrival of the engines and immediate
supply of wetter, NA' HS soon eNtinguisbed. Last
night a fire broke emt hi the back premises ad-
joining the house of Mr. Price, plumber, New
Cut, Lambeth, neatly opposite the Cobourg
Theatre, which in Ore course of half an hour,
completely destroyed the house, and set tire to
rite adjoining one, which is iu the possession of
anorauge merchant. The latter house sustained
but little damage., The fire contmenrcdin the
work-shop, front a quantity of wood It tying been
put on the fire, and which communicated to some
clothes that were banging on a line to dry.- Very
little of tire furniture was saved. fortunately iu
lives were lost.

Yesterday upwards of 30 large r(stomns 'of friar-
He, scut from the Bey of TatroLt to:the. I'RtNCL
REGENT, were landed at the stairs in Palace-yard,
whence they will he conveyed to the 13i isle
scum. Some of thew are of very great iveigiat,
and one 18 tons.

PIER NLUESTY'S VISIT TO TIIE CITY.

[Further Parti.eularsci

It Iraq been publicly announced that the do6rs
of the Minsion-houie were not to be opened Until
half past twelve o'clock, but such w&u the anxiety
of those who had obtained tickets of aArnission,
and so increased was the multitude, that the
door's were literally besieged, and long t( fore the
appointed time an entrance teas indispcn-
Ode to personal safety. The rush upon open-
ing-the 'doors was excessive, and many of the
most elegant.ternales were overcome. Lady Svi."-
vEsTt'a, who was one of the _first to arrive,
so pressed as to have nearly fainted. Iler Lady-
ship was, however, relieved by 'one 'of the May-
shaltnen. . Soon after 'l2 o'clock% eVery seat oil.
lotted to the holders of tickets-, except such as bad
been isSucd for the Hustings,. were Otoinittl•—
Fifteen husulred was the number said to he distri-
buted., but two thousand persons at least, by the
time mentioned, had entered the Mansion-1,60'5,',
and the pressure increasing, it was found neces-
sary to stop the admissions, unless tinder very
particular ciretmistances, ontil further atconnno-
dation could be dtaile. For this purpose, eves y
exertion was retorted -to, but, notwithstanding,
hundreds were obliged 't'o yield to the mortifica-
I lion of•heing shut Out.
• The arrangements Made in the Egyptian -Hall
were of the most admirable natnre. A small chair
of state was placed in front of the busting's for
the QUEEN, as also chairs On either side for rise
other branches of the Royal Family, anti their im-
mediate attendants. This division .Of the hustings
was carpeted, and covered over with chief; scarlet
cloth. 'Three other divisions were made behind
for the reception of the-. Ladies of Nobility and
persons of distinction, the Aldermen and tifeir
Ladies., and other city characters. The north;
south, and west ranges of the Hall, extending
some distance without the pillars, were fitted tip
with elevated benches for the subscribers to the
schools, and the ticket-holders..
The seats exhibited a display of female beauty
and elegance rarely witnessed. The centre of the
Hall, which formed a square area, was set apart
for the exhibition of the children, and about one
o'clock the latter entered the room, preceded by
the Rev. Mr. Hesketh, Secretary to the London
National Schools. Their appearance excited the
most lively feelings, and the admirable order in
which, as they entered, they formed themselees
into a solid square, produced ustooishment. The
ntimber,.composed of males and females, which
could thus be accommodated,- was at least one
'thousand.

About half-past one th'e arrival of her Majesty
''other
announced. The Queen and her suite, and the
"other branches of the Royal Family, entered at
the western door of the Mansion-house, and were
conducted to the receiving room by the Lord
Iklayor arts: bady Mayoress, Lady Sylvester, and
other personages appointed to receive them,—
~Shor ly before two the great state door of the
IS,,typtian Hall was thrown. openTand the entrance
of her Majesty announced: The Aldermen and
other City Officers having ranged themselves on
either side, the. Earl of Morton, Col. Desbrowe,
and others of her Majesty's attendants, ascended
the hustings. The Queen .inonediately followed,
and her appearttuce elicited a spontaneous burst
of applause troth the whole of the assembly, who
stood bowing, as she enterett. Her Majesty was
led to her seat by the Loud Mayor, and her en-
trance was succvedrd by those of the Princess
Augusta and the Princess of liesse ilombure, the
Duke and Duchess of York, 'the Duke of Kent,
and the Prince of Hesse Homburg.

The Reverend Alt. Hesketh and the other offi-
.ciating gentlemen of the institution having made
the necessary arrangements, the examination of
the children commenced. After a hymn had been
snug, appropriate to the occasion, two Imys, -Ino-
oitors, read the prayers in a singularly impressive
manner, and in which her Majesty, and the other
branches of the Royal Family, joined the children

with fervency. These being concluded, the whole
of the schools departed in the order in which they
entered the hall, and being arraigned in classes,
they again entered successively, and exhibited in
the
.most extraordinary manner the result, of the
instruction they had received. Spelling, reading,
numeration, an acquaintance ►cith the Catechism,
lind the knowledge of the Iluly Scriptures, were
.the principal subjects upon which the children
-were examined.
The Queen seemed peculiarly affected during

the examination, and listened with much gratifi-

cation, while site also read and compared ihe va-
rious in ou,,_sirions put to the children. .The female
part of the school exhibited a variety of net-Ale
•woik, in figures, curious samplers, &c. 'These
(Wig-Wed her Majesty •mtich, and, aided by the
Princess Augusta and the Princess of Hesse Hom-
burg, she took much pains in their inspection.—
Throughout the hurt esting scene the Queen fre-
quently conversed with the Archbishop of Can-
tet !ay, the Bishops of London, Chester, &c. who
explained the proceedingt and the system of the
Schools. The Rev. Mr. Hesketh and another
Divine, who examined the children, were particu-
larly addressed by her Majesty, who expressed her
entire gratification and sstisfact.ion tit the result of
their philanthropic labours. The classes having
been gone through, tire whole of the children were
again marched into the hall, and upon a signal
prayers wete again lead. After the Veni Creator
had been pronounced, the children rose and sung
God s'at'e the King, in which also her Majesty
juined.: The lollowing lines were added
Then as the strein we raise,
Which our old Father's praise,
-Still loves to breathe;
Mother of Britain, 'thou
Wilt not disdain the vow;
Mat let thy gentle brow
.Grace the fair wreath.
• Look, where these little bands
Bless with their helpless hands
That blow serene
Kindly approve, chile we
Ji.l their purr infancy
Lisp forth its prayer for thee,
God bless the titteell•
The Lord Mayor came forward and addressed

lie little flock as follows:
.
" My dear little children, It is a source of unbounded gra-
Ification to the to behohl such rt sight as this day presents.—

To see so great u of t lie rising ginterat ion in such a
state Cf iinprvvviiiviit, and learning t lie ways 4A eternal life, is
a source *lo4:light to every feeling but 110 W i 3 this en-

hanccd when the !tumble 701 taken in thtMe objects is this
day sanctiotred by the appearance and smiles of itoya!t...,. Fur
'rich 'eontfescension, I feel, 'on your part.:, zzreat gra-ade
and honoar, and I trust the circumstance have • One
effect upon your Several manners and lives, and that sjo,, kill
duly appreciate tier Itot-ti 'favour Which this day brightens
Vans' hope's ttici seettres yunr protection. I have only to 'add,
that I have it in express command from her Majesty to
distri-
bute to each of.you a small tolien .if her Royal affection, and
of her sense of yoor early exertions and talent. Fm myself I
have only to say, that I shall lie most hal py to offer me mite
in supper; of fire instFtation under which
~en appear to be so
admirably governed.. I have again to express my gratitude
for the gracious cond.esceo,ion which has this day beta mani-
fested tw the appeara:ko, of oar venerable Queen,•and of so
mane of the Royal Family, in the midst of their loyal subjects
of the City of London."

- ,
The Qieett now rose and conversed freely with
sleveral distinguished characters. Among those
who partiettlaily engaged her attention was the
b'en'evolent %.tho leaned upon the arm
of Mr. Alderman Wood. This scene exci!ed on-
bounded gt i heat ion. Nor were the of her branches
of the Itoyalfdmily less interested in the busi-
ness of the slay.

The Prince of Ifee liontbu'rg was throughout
a most anxious a'ni; interes.ted attendant, and Ire-
-fluently-Made inquities as to the nature of the
proceedings. A little African boy, not more than.
seven dears of age, was a peculiar object of no--
tice with hiS Selene liighnest, as well as her Ma-

Shortly before 'five o'cloek tier Majesty prepar-
ejedsitYii:
l learethe 11411, and was only interrupted
by the most Unbbiluded acclamations, in which
the children spotaneou:dy joined.
The Royal Party. were ushered into the Lord
Mayor's principal 'State Room, mime an elegant
collation; cot SiSting `every delicacy, and a pro-
fusion of choice wines; Were prepated for their
refreshment. After remaiiling nearly. an hour,
the Royal 'Cavalcade returned westward, and was
greeted with loud hoizzas on itsapiogress.
Her Majesty's suhscriptiOn ro the Institution
t' as not announced; blit it is said to be consider-.
Able.

•
It will 'be seen by the following docittnent 'char
the port of Dunkirk is to be considered in haute
as a port of France under the Navigation Act :
" 7'nasury Chambers, .0)414, 1818.
TO TIIE 'CoISIMISSIO'NERS OF CUSTOMS.

" GENTiAmFN,--.-1 have laid befOre you, the Coomaissinners
of his Majesty's Treasury, your lteprt on a Memorial, pray-
ing That three cases of French Wine, imported at this Port
from Thiniiirk, May be admitted to entry for private use on
payment of duty ; and I am to desire you will give orders for
the-delivery of this Wine, on payment of the proper duties:
and I am to acquaint you, that it appears to my Lords, that
upon a fair construction of the principles of the Navirtiorr.
Act, the Port of Dunkirk must new be considered, to all in-
tents and purposes of the said Act, as a Port of France, and
entitled to all the privileges thereof.
(Signed) "S. R. LIISHINGTON."

SEIIYANTS.—On Monday evening last, the
Fitch Anniversary Meeting of the Society for the
Ituproventet,• and Encouragetne4 of Female tier-
"ants, by Annual and other Rewards, was held at
the London Tavern, liishopsgate-street, which
was respectably and numerously attended. The
Loan nod. LADY \!AYORESS were present. It
appeared from the Report, which eras read •by
the Reverend Mr. Watkins, thai four hundred.
and ten Servants had obtained bitnations wittx
Subscribers, th: °tog!) the means of the Gratuitous
Registry in Hatton •Garden ; that 76 bibles, witls
a suitable inscription, and 1791. had been given to
200 Servant's in the course of the past year ; anti
that 372 Servants are duly nominated by the Sub-
scribers for the Annual Rewards.--The Report,
which enters'much into detail, was o dered by the
Meeting to he printed..—As this Society is pro-
jected to prevent vire, and to promote domestic
hAppiness, we must heartily with it success ; anl
that similar plans were adopted in, our large pa-.,
rishes and great towns.

EDINBURGH; APRIL 27.---011 Monday last, a
general meeting of'the burgesses, heritors, and
householders of Aberdeen, was held in the IVest
Church t called by Mr. Bannerman, interim Deati.
of Guild), . fo r the purpose of preparing and.
forwarding a PetAion to the King in Council,.
for the restoration of a regular Magistracy, by a
free poll of the guildry and inow porated trades;
and praying that Its Majesty would be graciously.
pleased to concede, that in all time coming the
guildry should be empowered to elect their dear.
and his court ; and that a majority of the council.
shotild be annually elected by the suffrages of the
guildry and trades respectively. Mr. Still, Chuir
mao of the 'committee of burgesses, opened the
business of the meeting ; atter which the petition
was read. Several members of the incorporata
trades strongly objected to the general terms
of the petition, its not comprehending 'any
reference to the particular grievances under
which their body laboured ; and as contain-
pug no pledge on the part of the guild bur-
gesses to an amicable discussion of those
points on which their joint Committees had so
much differed. Their objections were cotnbated
by several tnembers of the guildry. In the sequel,
a protest tvas entered on behalf ofthe incorpora-
tions against the whole proceedings; *and the
mee•ing broke up. The petition was pretty nu-
merously signed by the guild burgesses, and we
understand was to be sent off on Wednesday. The
inewpordtions ate preparing another petition.

SHOCKING OCICIFIRENCE.--A poor man, whew
resides in Bottle-street, Manche“er, Ceti"
days ago, gathering herbs in the fields, and afi.
fortunately picked up (it is supposed) some hem.
lock, of which he ate a part, and his '-five 410idfett
also partook of if, one of whom died on Monday'
evening, and the others are still lingering under,
the fatal effeco of this deadlypoison,

On Saturday afternoon, between three rind fon:
o'clock, the foundation-stone of the new ObserVa.
tory, for the Astronomical institution, on- the
Calton BA-Edinburgh, was laid with the usual
cerettanies. A list.of the directors, contributors,
and members of the society, tngraved 'on a plate
of platina, also the gold, si-Iver, and copper coins
of lit kingdom, were deposited with the stone.-
tebrd Provost and Magistrates, and a num..
',er of the Members of the institution, ‘vere
present. The site of
,the new erection is on the
east of the old observatory, and will be,a neat aßtl,
elegant building. _

P IA E NT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, WF.DNpsnAy, APRIL 29.

WIDOWS' ENSTONS',

The NlarquiS O LANsnoWNE, in rising to move
that the T'ap'ers relating to the Pensions- of
Widows of OlE'cers should he printed, stated, that
'it kv.is not his ioterition to take anylart her steps
on thefiithjec consequetwee of what bad taken
• t,„•
phtre ont of •the HOuse : he had. learned with
great satisfaction that the intention of abridging
those Pensions had been 'abandoned, awl that it
was- inset-0111 to• 'continue the allowances' tree
from all deductions-, which,- if they had been
made, 'Would have had the appearance of an un-
worthy niggardliness, and have been quite contrary
to their Lordships' usual strain of feeling. He
hoped that the PensiOns to the Widows of Naval
Officers would be put on the same footing as
those ,of the Widows of Officers of the Army;
awl wished to know whether-thttWidoWsof Naval
01qcers on the Compassionate_ List were still
obliged, on receiving their pensions,' to'make an
affidavit that they continued single, which was d
great hardship, and ought to be removed ? He
mentioned this, because be thought it might
have escaped their Lordships' notice ; Ihnugh, if
the'practice were to be altered, he should rather
the amendment came from the side of Govern-
ment than any other quarter.
The
,Earl LivatiPoot. replied, that the sub-
ject-would be considered with a view to further
the wish expressed by the Nohlt Marquis
Whatever his individual opinion might be as to
granting pensions where the widow possessed
other property, .there could be no possible prin-
ciple'under which the Navy was to be on a dif-
ferent footing from the Army. The purchase of
CoMmissions in the Army ought not to make any
ti-;fference ; for that was not a tax hut a boon, and
was no argunlnt whatever for establishing a dif-
ference between the pensions.
Tit* Earl of Rosstx:g expressed his desire that
the regulations of the two services in this tespect
should he alike, especially as the Officers of the
Navy made contributions out of their pay.
Lord MRLVILLE stated, that_ the contribution
out of the pay of the Navy did not bear any pro,
portion to the value of the Widows' Pensions--;
the contribution was about 34. per amium, for
what at the insurance offices-would cost 40/. How-
everithis did not aift•et the merits of the ease,
and' (lie Pensions in the. Navy ought certainly to
'he on the same footing as those of•the Army,—
'Such was already the case with the Marines.
The. Ilarqiiis- LAVtDoWNE stated, that in the
navy the unmarried ~deers all contrihnted. He
ti.asglad of the agreement on the other side, and
should have moved for a return of the affidavit
*node 1w widows, if the concessions made had not
reoffered it unneceisay.
Earl BRAUCHAMP presented the Report of the
Conimittre on the Standing Orders, 185, 186,
.187, and 191.