The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-04 00:00:00

TitE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4. 1845.

which either belong to these classes, or are employed
in raising luxuries which are beyond the reach of
the middle and poorer classes. Such is the tax which
some financiers defend. It is a tax on ventilation,
health, and comfort; a tax on light; a tax on archi-
tectural taste ; a clumsy and preposterous tax ; un-
equal in its operation in every way in which it can
be viewed ; and one which, we hope, will be among
the number of those which Sir Robert Peel, with his
surplus of three millions to dispose of in the way of
reducing taxation, will deem it right to remodel or
remove.

MR. POLK, THE PRESIDENT
ELECT.
(From a New York paper.)
During the last summer a variety of wandering
politicians visited Tennessee, for the purpose of casting
an anchor to windward in the affections of Mr. Polk,
and impressing upon his mind, should he be elected,
an adequate idea of their immense importance and over-
whelming influence in carrying his election. But it
seems, according to the best and most authentic accounts,
that all these politicians were quite astonished by the
cool manner in which they were received by Mr. Polk,
patticularly in reference to political matters. On
science, on religion, on all ordinary topics of conver-
sation, Mr. Polk would talk with fluency and interest,
and discovered himself to be a well read, polite, and
agreeable man. But on politics—on the tariff—on
any other public question—on his views—his
policy—he was as silent and mysterious as the
grave itself. It is, therefore argued, from all
these accounts, that Mr. Polk will turn out a
much shrewder man than people have generally
imagined. He was never, it is true, regarded as a very
great man in Congress, but he always maintained his
personal dignity and position, and discovered that the
great element of his character was firmness and stead-
fast attachment to his political views and his friends.
What effect may be produced on his mind, or what
influence may be exercised by the various cliques of
the democracy, it is utterly impossible to make any
probable conjectures. No doubt there are many ready
to punce upon him, but how they will succeed is quite
another matter. .

In reference to the fashionable movements in the
White House (luring the next four years, the prospect
is very brilliant. The lady of Mr. Polk is quite a
good-looking woman, has a great deal of tnct, and a
certain :mount of that genius for society which will
douhtkss give a new tone to fashionable matter in
11 eshton. It is a long time since the White
House was tenanted by a lady possessed of com-
manding poslt:o,-), talents, genius, and personal
beauty, and we should not be at all surprised if
Mrs. Polk were to restore to the White House
the brilliancy, refinement, and gaiety which dis-
tinguished it during the presidency of Mr. Madison,
when Mrs. Madison was the presiding genius. Mr.
Van Buren was a bachelor, and could not, of course,
give the tone and character and refinement of female
genius to that establishment. Mr. Tyler, with all
the disposition in the world, had not the materials ;
and, even if Mr. Clay had been selected, we doubt
whether female elegance and refinement would have
presided to such an extent in Washington as under
the auspices of Mrs. Polk. In fact, the accession of
Mr. Polk brings with it the best prospect of a com-
plete restoration of gaiety, elegance, refinement,
beauty, and fashion to society in Washington.

DAGUERREOTYPE BANK OF
ENGLAND NOTES.
A friend, who has recently returned from London,
assured me that he had discovered a simple method
of making a permanent engraving on a metallic plate,
of a Daguerreotype likeness or sketch. On making
the discovery (the nature of which he explained to
me), being then in London, his application for a pa-
tent in England was enrolled, after which, he was
compelled to specify in six months, or his his.right
to the discovery. When the time was nearly expired
he was seized with anhemorrhage of the lungs, which
prevented his specifying ; whereupon a Frenchman
stepped in and secured a patent for a similar process.
My friend is now about securing his patent for the
United States. He showed me a finely-engraved let-
ter seal, copied by this process from an original en-
graving made by a first-rate artist in London. He
says, that by this discovery he copied several Bank
of England notes upon metallic plates, by merely re-
flecting the light from them to the plates, as is done
in taking miniatures, and by a simple chemical process
converted them into permanent engraved plates, and
then proceeded to take impressions from them, which
exhibited a striking and remarkably exact likeness to
the originals, even showing the waved lines in the
paper. This he did for amusement, showing this
wonderful result to his friends, and deposited them
in the museum, as objects of curiosity. He tells me
he entertains no doubt but the process is known in
France, and that the 1001. counterfeit notes offered
at the Bank of England were e,ecuted by it. So
exact were the counterfeits that the Bank actually
paid some of them, and only accidentally discovered
the second or third note by a genuine note of the
same number, letter, and date, being offered at the
same time. My friend thinks that when the plate is
once thus accurately formed, it might be made more
Perfect, if necessary, by receiving slight touches from
skilful engraver. Ile thinks there is not a bank bill
bra what can, by skilful management, be so perfectly
cootnterfeited as to defy the detection of the bank
which issued it. He supposes there can be but one
probable mode of prevention, and that is, to have the
bill crossed or printed transversely, with a variety
of strong colours. Even in this case he does
not know but the difficulties might be surmounted by
ingenuity and perseverance. If this new mode of
counterfeiting been so successfully practised in
France, what is to prevent the same ingenious scoun-
drels from putting their art in operation in the United
States ? Under these considerations, it may be well
for our banks to keep a close look out for counterfeit
bills of a large denomination, and devise some scheme,
if possible, to forestal or prevent such a fraudulent
operation.—New York Journal of Commerce.

her child down and grappled the fellow, who struck
her a severe blow on the head with a heavy stave ;
notwithstanding this, she still stuck to him, and had
nearly overthrown him, when an accomplice entered
the house, and taking up the infant, threw it on to the
Forest. The mother left the dastardly plunderers,
and ran to the assistance of her child. Immediately
the first man found himself at liberty, he went up
stairs, where he ransacked the drawers and boxes ; as
soon as the poor woman had recovered her child, she
returned to the house, and had the door closed upon
her by the accomplice. Fearing the approach of the
husband, or the alarm of the adjacent cottagers, the
man upstairs quickly descended to the house-place,
and rejoined his companion at the door ; they both
then ran away together, down the Larkdale. When
they had arrived about half-way down, they met a
man and a boy, when they turned off through the
fields, in the direction of the cemetery, and escaped.
They were in so great a hurry to avoid detection,
that they decamped without taking away anything of
value, and leaving in the house the bludgeon with
which the poor woman was struck. We believe the
fellows have hitherto eluded detection.—Nottingham
Review.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—On Saturday night last
a worthy ploughman, residing in Inchinnan parish, Ren-
frewshire, while wending his way homeward with a
" wee drap in his e'e," by some chance or other lay down
on the road, and fell fast asleep. A cart belonging to a
neighbouring farmer, attended by a servant man, hap-
pened to come up shortly afterwards. The night being
dark, the man saw nothing on the road, but was suddenly
startled by a crash under one of the wheels, followed by
a loud roar. The horse being stopped, the driver
alighted, and to his great horror discovered a human
being apparently under one of the wheels. Ae imme-
diately bawled lustily for help, but none appearing, he
proceeded to a neighbouring house, and having alarmed
the inmates, described all the horrors of the case. Lights
being procured, the party repaired to the spot, expecting
to see nothing but the remains of a mutilated human
being, when, to their astonishment, they discovered
their old neighbour apparently in perfect health and
good spirits. The wheel of the cart had passed over his
hat, crushing it in two within half an inch of his head.
It may truly be said of this man that he was " within an
inch of his life."—Glasgow Journal.
PROJECTED NEW DOCK AT BIRKENHEAD.—It is
in contemplation to turn Tranmere Pool into a floatiecr
dock, and, :we understand, (application will be made to
Parliament in the next session for powers. From the
Parliamentary plan of the proposed docks, it appears
that their position will be between the two slips of
Birkenhead and Tranmere, a site which is covered with
water every tide, just the same as Wallasey Pool. It
is intended here to construct—suppose the Act should
be obtained—one wet dock, the area of which will be
eleven acres and 1,980 yards, and also a graving dock,
at the point nearest the Chester Old-road. The quay
to the northward of Tranmere slip will be 100 feet
wide; and the dock will be entered by gates of 70 feet
width. The land belongs partly to Mr. Chamberlayne,
of Chester; and partly to the corporation of Liverpool;
but it is understood that the Admiralty have refused to
give any sanction to the undertaking. The Dock Com-
mittee of Liverpool have agreed to petition, so as to
give them a standing to be heard when the case is under
Parliamentary investigation.—Liverpool Mercury.
NEWARK AND SHEFFIELD RAILWAY COMPANY.—
On Saturday a deputation, consisting of the Mayor of
New, ark, Mr. Thorpe, and Mr. Godfrey, accompanied by
Captain Salmond, chairman, Mr. Denuiston, secretary,
and Mr. Sanderson, surveyor and assistant engineer to
the Newark and Sheffield Railway Company, waited, by
appointment, on his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, at
Clumber. His Grace inquired minutely, and with much
interest, into the objects and prospects of the proposed
line, more especially as to its probable bearing on the
town of Newark, the best interests of which his Grace
expressed himself as most anxious at all times to pro-
mote. After an interview of upwards of an hour, the
deputation retired, much gratified with their reception,
and especially with the kindness and urbanity of manner
which so peculiarly distinguish his Grace on all occa-
sions. We understand that his Grace the Duke of Port-
land has expressed his intention to support this line.—
Doncaster Gazette. _ _ _

The largest elm-tree that has been brought into
Worcester for the last half. century was on Thursday
safely deposited in Mr. William Tunk's timber-yard,
Ty-bridge-place. It grew on Lord Sandys's estate, Om-
bersley, near Worcester ; it measured thirteen feet long,
and fourteen feet in circumference at fifteen feet from

the butt ; weighs from fourteen to fifteen tons ; and there
is supposed to be 150 cubic feet of timber in the top, left
behind on the estate.—Worcester Journal.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE
(YESTERDAY.)
MANSION-ROUSE.
James Lathbury, butcher, of Whitechapel, was
summoned for having refused to pay two quarter's
poors'-rate. The assessor appeared with his books to
prove that the amount demanded upon the assessment
of Mr. Lathbury's house at 951. per annum was due.
The defendant admitted that he had objeoted to
pay the sum demanded, but if he thought it was a
just and legal claim, he would not for one moment
have hesitated. The authorities, however, had
thought proper to assess him a great deal more than
his neighbours were assessed.
The LORD MAYOR—Who of your neighbours are
assessed less than you are ?
The defendant mentioned a few names of which
that of Mr. Smith, the eminent distiller, was one. It
had, he said, been considered fair, for what reason he
did not know, to assess the proprietor of the immense
premises which cost 150,0001. or 160,0001., known as
the Whitechapel distillery, at no more than 1,1001. a-
year, while he was assessed at 951.
The LORD MAYOR—How much rent do you pay ?
Defendant-1001. a year.
The LORD MAYOR—You are only rated at 95/.,
notwithstanding your own acknowledgment as to
your liability to a higher rate.
The defendant said he was a tenant-at-will, and
that the rating had crept up year after year until it
had reached its present amount. He had stated his
objection, but the board, instead of taking it into
consideration as he supposed they would have done,
directed that he should be summoned before the Lord
Mayor. For two years he had been subjected to
what he considered to be an unequal and unjust ex-
action.
The LORD MAYOR—It is your own fault if you
have paid what you considered to be an illegal claim,
without inquiring into the matter.
The defendant said his surveyor had assessed him at
521. a-year. •
The LORD MAYOR—How was that, when you say
you pay 100/. a-year for your premises ? Defendant
—I only paid 60/. a-year at that time.
The LOUD MAYOR then examined the parochial
books, and said to the defendant, " I find that the 7th
of December was the day of appeal. Now you have,
by inattention to the subject, lost your appeal, so
that, as far as the rates for which you have been sum-
moned are concerned, you will be obliged to pay.
You ought to have known the process, for notices is
regularly posted upon the church doors."
The defendant—But, my Lord, I very seldom visit
the church.
The LORD MAYOR—Then, perhaps, you may put
down this as one of the bad effects of not going to
church. You must pay these two quarters, as it is too
late for you to appeal ; but you can object to the dis-
charge of the next quarter's poor-rates, and I would
have you do so for your own satisfaction.
The defendant said that he should certainly act
upon his Lordship's suggestion, and instantly pay the
present demand.
Hannah Haines, who was charged, on Wednesday,
with having intended self-destruction, was brought
up for re-examination. The defendant had mentioned,
upon her first examination, some particulars about
her husband's relations, and the Lord Mayor directed
that care should be taken of her by the matron of the
Compter. His Lordship yesterday stated that he
found, so far as he had been able to ascertain, that
the poor woman's statement was unexaggerated,
and that she was really an object of compassion. He
then handed her a sovereign, which, he said, he had
received for her, and desired her to leave her address
with 111 r. Goodman, and to call at the Mansion-house
on Monday next. The appearance of the defendant
was much altered for the better.
A lad, named George Ford, was charged by Mr.
Goldhain, the clerk of Billingsgate-market, with
having impeded the ticket-porters in their work in
Billingsgate-market.
Mr. Goldham said the defendant was a most annoy-
ing nuisance, for it was his practice to watch for and
tempt the industrious boys who laboured in the fish-
market to gamble away their earnings. Of late the
tossing, a game at which the defendant was the prin-
cipal player, had become a serious evil, and the ticket-
porters were greatly obstructed by the crowds of
blackguards who attended to gamble.
The defendant said he had only tossed like others.
The LORD MAYOR—I shall send you to hard
labour in Bridewell for fourteen days ; and I think
the knowledge of that, and the assurance from me
that every one brought before me under such circum-
stances shall have similar punishment, will cure the
evil.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
WATERFORD TO VALENCIA.
We are enabled to state in regard to the above pro-
ject, announced in our journal last week, that Mr.
Vignalles has been engaged to make the necessary sur-
reys, &c. It is considered that this will be one of the
best paying lines in Ireland, and several of the most
influential personages in the county of Waterford ex-
press their appri,bation of the plan, and have signi-
fied their intention of becoming shareholders, as have
also the Bonmahon Mining Company, who are most
anxious for its promotion. The English Great
Western Railway Company have, likewise, intimated
their intention of taking shares, and that to a consider-
able amount, in case the required number of shares
should not be taken up in the several localities. It will
also receive the support of the Marquis of Waterford,
the Earl of Huntingdon, Lord Stuart de Decies, Ralph
" &c. Should this plan be carried
out, become the Kingstown of Waterford,
Osborne,
rrr am E 0
rseq. will ,
and the Bonmahon Mining Company will be essentially
served by it. It will pass through the towns of Tra-
more, Annstown, Stradbally, Dungarvan, Cappoquin,
Lismore, Fermoy, Millstreet, Killarney, &c.—Cork
Examiner.

Main, 21s ; .Budclles's West Hartley, 20s ; Carr's Hart-
ley, 21s 6d ; Chester Main, 21s ; Charlotte Main, 21s ;
Hasting's Hartley, 20s 6d ; Holywc..ll Main, 21s ; Jar-
row Low Main, I9s ; Morrison's Hartley, 218 ; Nel-
son's West Hartley, 21s ; New Tanfield, 19s fid ; Old
Pontop, 19s ; Ord's Redheugh, 19s; Oakwell-gate Main,
17s 6d ; Pontop Windsor, 19s ; Putt's Primrose (un-
screened), 18s ; Ravensworth West Hartley, 20s 9d ;
Shipcote, 16s 3d ; Tanfield Moor, 21s ; Taylor's West
Hartley, 20s 6d ; West Hartley, 21s 6sl ; West Wylam,
21s ; Wylam, 21s W. E., Acorn Close, 22s ; W. E.,
Bell and Brown, 22s ; W. E., Clennell, 29s 9d ; W. E.,
Gosforth, 22s ; W. E., Gibson, 22s ; W. E., Heaton,
21s 6d ; W. E., Hilda, 22s ; W. E., Killingworth, 21s ;
W. E., Newmarch, 21s 3d ' • W. E, Northumberland,
2ls 6d ; W. E., North Durham, 2is ; W. E., Riddell's,
21s 9d ; Eden Main, 22s ; W. E., Belmont, 22s 6d ;
W. E., Braddyll's Hetton, 25s ; W. E., East Hetton,
22s ; W. E., Haswell, 24s ; W. E., Hetton, 25s ; W. E.,
Houghall, 22s 6d ; W. E., Hylton, 22s ; W. E., Lamb-
ton, 25s ; W. E., Lumley, 22s 6d ; W. E., Morrison,
228 ; W.E., Pemberton, 22s ; W. E., Richmond, 23s ;
W. E.. Russell's Hetton, 23s 9d ; W. E., Sherburn, 245;
W. E., Shotton, 24s •, W. E., Stewart's, 24s 3d ; W. E.,
Whitwell, 22s 6d ; W. E., Caradoc, 23s 6d ; W. E., Fox's
Hartlepool, 21s ; W. E., Hartlepool, 24s 3d ; W. E.,
Harvey, 20s 3d ; W. E., Heselden, 21s 6d; W. E., Kelloe,
24s ; -W. E., South Hartlepool, 20s ; W. E., Trimdon,
23s 6d; W. E., Adelaide, 23s 6d ; W. E., Barrett, 22s 6d;
W. E., Bitchburn, 22s 6d ; W. E., Brown's Deanery,
22s 3d ; W. E., Coundon Tees, 22s ; W. E., Evenwood,
2ls ; ;W. E., Gordon, 213 • W. K, Maclean's Tees, 21s ;
W. E„ Seppings, 20s ; W. E., Seymour Tees, 22s 9d ;
W. D., South Durham, 22s ; W. E., Tees, 23s 6d ;
W. E., Tees Hutton, 20s ; W. E., Tennant's, 21s 6d ;
W. E., West Tees, 21s 6d ; W. E., West Hetton, 21s ;
W. E., Woodefield, 19s; W. E., Cowpen Hartley, 21s 6d;
Howard's Netherton, 21s.—Ships arrived, 422.