The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,- MONDAY EVEN] 141p.,_ NOVEMBER 17, 1845.

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR IN

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

DREADFUL FIRE and LOSS of LIFE

COBHAM PARK.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 16.—The Thalia, 42, Captain Charles
Hope, arrived yesterday morning at Spithead, from the
Pacific. She saluted the Commander-in-Chief, with 17
guns, before she brought up. She sailed from Mazatlan, on
the sth of June, St. Blas,' on the 15th of June, Valparaiso,
on the 14th of August, and Rio de Janeiro, on the 23d of
September, having on board on freight 1,750,000 dollars on
merchants' account. The Nereus store ship, Master Com-
mander Bateman, was the only ship she left at Valparaiso,
the Commander-in-Chief, Rear Admiral Seymour, having
sailed in the Collingwood, 80 guns, and taken with him the
corvette Modeste, 18 guns, Commander Baillie, to Otaheite,
to meet the Admiral of the French squadron, and arrange
respecting the indemnity to Mr. Pritchard, the British
Consul ; after this arrangement Sir George Seymour had
notified his intention of sailing to the Sandwich Islands,
thence to California, and the western coast of Mexico. The
America, 50; Captain the Hon. J. Gordon, was, on the
coast of California, about to visit the British
settlements on the north-west coast of America. The
Frol c, 16, Commander Hamilton, had proceeded to
meet the Admiral at the Sandwich Islands. The
Talbot, 26, Captain Sir T. Thompson, Bart., was
hourly expected at Valparaiso from Olaheite when the
Thalia left. The Fisgard, 49, Captain Duntze, was at
Callao, and Captain Duntze had hoisted a broad pendant as
Commodore of the second-Blass, being left senior officer on
the coasts of Chili and Peru during the absence of Admiral
Seymour. The Salamander steam-sloop, Commander Ilamond,
was stationed at Otaheite; the Cormorant steam-sloop, Com-
mander Gordon, had gene to Panama to meet the June mail
from England; the Daphne, 20, Captain Onslow, had gone
to Navigator's Island with Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard, whence
she would proceed to New Zealand, in consequence of ac-
counts having reached the Admiral of the alarming state of
that colony. Lieutenant Hunt, and the crew of the Basilisk
ketch, were in the Talbot, on their way to Valparaiso, en
route to England from Otaheite.

IN FINSBURY.

GRAVESEND, SATURDAY EVENING.—An occurrence of an
extraordinary character, which at present is enveloped in
considerable mystery, has been discovered at Cobham Park,
fintr miles distant from this town, the princely domain of the
Earl of Darnley, and which has created the greatest sensa-
tion throughout this part of the county, there being no
doubt that a duel has taken place, and that one of the com-
batants was seriously or mortally wounded_ The particulars
connected with this tragical affair, as far as we have been
enabled to glean, are as follow :
It appears that between the hours of one and two yester-
day (Friday) morning, the keepers or watchers in the ser-
vice of the Earl of Darnley, on duty in the preserves of
the park, heard the report of fire-arms in the direction of
the main road, near the Blue-gate, hnd suspecting that it
proceeded from some poachers, they were ;induced to keep a
more then ordinary look-out, but no one was seen. One of
the keepers, however, shortly after daylight, in going off
duty, and passing through that part of the park where the
unfortunate Mr. Dadd was murdered by his son a few years
since, discovered, probably not more than 30 yards from the
spot where the dreadful affair happened, a brace of pistols
lying in the grass, and in the immediate vicinity were found
the case for the pistols, a pocket-handkerchief, and a ginger-
beer bottle. Ou his 'further examining the pistols he was
mueh surprised in finding one of them loaded with ball and
cocked. The other was unloaded, and apparently had been
recently discharged. The handkerchief, a cambric one, was
saturated with blood, one part in particular appeared to
have pressed against a wound, and was stained with blood.
Near where it was picked up was a large pool of blood,
fully showing that the unfortunate individual had bled
profusely, and from footmarks and clots of blood which
were traced some distance, it is evident that he must have
been carried away. On the ginger-beer bottle being drained
it was found to contain a small portion of brandy. The
gamekeeper, on making the discovery, immediately hastened
to the park-lodge and obtained further assistance, so as to
scour the domain. The ground was strictly examined, and
after the spots of blood had been traced some distance the
track was lost. It was, however, in the direction of the main
road.
Information having been forwarded to Mr. Day, the con-
stable of Cobham, he took charge of the pistols and the other
articles found on the ground, and since he has been most
actively engaged in endeavouring to ascertain what has
really occurred, but up to the present period all effbrts have
failed to solve the mysterious affair. During the whole of
Friday and Saturday the park preserves and adjacent lands
have been strictly searched, with no better success. The
authorities of Cobham have directed the numerous pools of
water in the vicinity to be dragged, and nothing has been
lost sight of that could in any way tend to unravel this per-.
feet mystery. At the principal inns in Rochester, Chatham,
Maidstone, and Gravesend, inquiries have been made as to
whether any postchaise had been heard in the course of
Thursday night, but not the least clue has been obtained.
It should be observed that the pistol which appeared to have
been fired was besmeared with blood. It remains in the hands
of the Cobham constable. Among the many rumours afloat,
it is stated that at a dinner yesterday at Chatham an alter-
cation ensued between two gentlemen, which resulted in a
hostile meeting.
The following account seems to present an explanation :
Amongst the passengers on board the Waterman steamer,
No. 3, which left the Bell Water-gate, Woolwich, en Satur-
day evening, at five o'clock, was a tall, portly, well-dressed
man, about forty years of age, who soon after the vessel left
the pier, seated himself aft, behind the man at the wheel,
with one leg over the taffrail. This unusual position for a
passenger, attracted the notice of Mr. Phillips, the mate,
who was steering, and who told the passenger that he was
acting very foolishly, and that he had better keep his leg on
board. The passenger replied, that he would take care of
himself, and that he always assumed the same position on
board steamers, because it was so much like riding on horse-
back. He then called for a glass of hot gin and water and
a cigar, which were supplied to him, and the mate again re-
quested him to alter his position and take a seat upon deck.
He refused to do so, and said he was very comfortable.
Directly afterwards the mate heard a splash in the water
behind Lim, and on looking round missed the passenger.
He immediately called out there was a man overboard,
and Mr. Smith, the master, gave the order to ease and stop
the vessel immediately. The engines were reversed as soon
as possible, ropes were thrown out, and a life-buoy was also
thrown overboard. The man floated upon his back on the
surface of the water and made no effort to save himself or to
lay hold of any of the ropes thrown towards him. Two col-
lier brigs were drifting down with the tide, and were hailed
by the crew of the steamer. .A boat was lowered from one of
them, and two seamen entered it, and pulled towards the
man, who floated like a cork OR the water, and.never dis-
appeared from the moment he fell overboard. He was again
taken on board the Waterman, and appeared to suffer little
inconvenience from his immersion in the water. The captain,
however, told the men to keep a sharp look out after him.
He was taken into the fore cabin, and as he complained of
being very cold, he was supplied at his own request with a
glass of rum and water. Just before the Waterman reached
the Blackwall Railwayterminus, he put a sovereign on the
cabin table, and said that was for the men who had
saved his life, but soon afterwards picked it up, and
put it in his pocket. On the arrival of the vessel at
the terminus, Mr. Smith gave his passenger in charge
to a policeman on the wharf, who said he could not detain
him unless the captain proceeded to the Poplar station-house,
and signed the police-sheet. Mr. Smith declined leaving the
paddle-box as he had a great many passengers on board who
were proceeding to the Adelphi-pier, and said if the police-
man thought proper to release him he would do so on his
own responsibility. The vessel proceeded on her voyage, and
about half-past nine o'clock the same evening Mr. Smith had
occasion to go aft to inspect some trifling damage, when he
found a large pocket-book behind the steerage-wheel. Cu-
riosity induced him to open it, and the first thing he saw was
a sealed letter with the following address upon it :—" To the
captain on board the steam-boat Igo in. I believe it will
be one of the Watermen's boats, but whether five or half-past
five I cannot say." The captain, not doubting that the letter
was intended for him and that it was written by the passen-
ger who threw himself overboard, opened it, and found the
contents to be as follows

On Sunday morning, between twelve and one o'clock, a
fire of considerable extent broke out on the premises termed
the St. Agnes le-Clair Baths, at the north-east angle of Ta-
bernacle-square, Finsbury, and which, we regret, to state,
was attended with the loss of two lives, under circum-
stances of a very distressing character. The premises were
old, being principally composed of wood, and some years since
were much resorted to for bathing. Latterly, however, they
were divided by a thin lath and plaster partition, ono portion
being occupied by a Mrs. Moore, the proprietress of the
baths, which were at the rear of the dwelling house, and
the other by Mr. C. Peel, as a coffee-shop. The fire was
discovered about half•past twelve o'clock by the police-con-
stable on duty in the square, who, perceiving a quantity of
smoke issuing from the parlour shutters of the baths, instantly
proceeded to alarm the inmates by knocking at the door and
springing his rattle. The residents were quickly aroused to
a sense of their danger, and on attempting to make their
escape by the staircase, found it impossible, owing to the
dense body of smoke that was rising from the lower. part of
the building. They immediately hastened to the back
windows that overlooked a narrow thoroughfare that led to
the rear of the baths, and an adjoining public-house called
the Angel and CrOwn. Here their critical position was in-
stantly discovered, they were desired to wait a few moments
for the arrival of the escape and other ladders, which were
on the way to the fire. Ere they reached the scene several of
the terrified inmates jumped to the ground, but those at the
more lofty windows were persuaded still to wait a few nvi-
ments longer, when they would be rescued. The ladders
were at length brought to the spot, and after several had
been got out of the burning property, active measures were
adopted to preserve Mr. C. Moore, a son of the proprietress,
his wife, and their little boy, who were supplicating for assist-
ance at one of the uppermost windows, looking towards Pit •
field-street. Mr. Moore succeeded in making his escape, and
on gaining the ground was perfectly exhausted—his unfortu •
nate wife, however, and child perished, the body of smoke
being so dense as to completely overpower them. He states
that ie used every means to preserve them, and if he had
waited a minute longer in making his retreat, he must have
perished also. During this period the inmates of Mr. Peel's
coffee-house fortunately escaped by the front door, and Dear•
man, the constable, very prudently prevented the street
door of the baths being broken open until the arrival of ad-
ditional assistance and the engines—a step which, probably pre-
vented a greater loss of life. The Shoreditch parish engines
and those of the brigade from the Whitecross-street station
were the first to reach the scene of destruction, but in conse-
quence of the combustible character of the premises, the
flames extended with fearful rapidity over them. Water
from the main was flowing abundantly, and every endeavour
was made to preserve some portion of the property. Other
engines kept arriving alongside the blazing building, and in
less than twenty minutes a powerful force was in operation,
under the direction of Mr. Braidwood, the superintendent of
the fire brigade. All hope, however, of saving the premises
was given up, therefore the exertions of the firemen were
directed to the preservation of the adjoining buildings—the
Angel and Crown, belonging to Mr. Gurney, on the one side,
and Mr. Beeson, a potato-dealer, on the other. In this they
succeeded. The flames were gradually subdued, and by three
o'clock they were safely got under. The firemen kept play-
ing upon the ruins, however, which were sufficiently cooled
by five o'clock to allow a search being made for the missing
bodies. On the floor of the apartment in which Mrs. Moore,
jun., was lat seen were found her remains considerably dis-
figured, and in the course of an hour afterwards those of the
claild were discovered close by. Shells being procured, the
bodies were removed to a neighbouring house to await an in-
quest, which will be held this day.
How the fire originated is at present a mystery. It is
supposed by Mrs. Moore, however, to have been caused by
some embers from cigars, as there had been parties smoking
in the coffee-rooms the previous evening.
Since the above was written the subjoined statement has
been made by the undernamed sufferer :
Mr.
Charles Moore, husband of the deceased, said that he
retired to rest with his wife on Saturday night last, about
half-past eleven o'clock or twenty minutes before twelve.
His wife's son, a youth about twelve years of age, named
George Hall, was also in bed in the same room. Having
been asleep for a few minutes he (Mr. Moore) was awakened
by his wife, who expressed her fears that a fire had hap-
pened. She also asked him whether he did not hear the
people knocking at some door and calling "Fire !" Having
listened for a minute or so he became convinced that an out-
break had occurred. somewhere, from the fact of his hearing
the springing of rattles and repeated knockings at the
street door. He jumped up immediately and got out of
bed, laying hold of his wife and dragging her at the same
time to the door, calling also as loudly as he was able
to her son '.to get up and follow them. Upon opening
the room-door a large body of smoke and flame met
them upon the staircase and compelled them to return
to the bed-room. Upon re-entering he closed the door,

The Thalia brings home dispatches from the British Minister
at the Brazilian Court, Mr. Hamilton, and letters from Rio
Janeiro to the 22d of September, by which we learn that the
Reistance troop ship, Commander Patey, had arrived at Rio
prior to the above date, with the 45th Regiment on board,
originally destined for the Cape of Good Hope, but on her
ar -ival at Rio she was orderedto sail with her troops for Monte
Video dire% and she sailed on the 14th of September. This
alteration in the destination and service of these troops was
consequent upon orders waiting the arrival of the Resistance
in the Cyclops steam-sloop brought from England by Captain
Lapidge, 30 days from Plymouth.
On Ole let of September, in let. 54 14 S., long. 59 22 VT.,
the Thalia spoke the Julius from Valparaiso for Hamburgh ;
on the 22d of October, in lat. 19 42 N., long. 36 32 W., spoke
the American ship Splendid, from Liverpool for Mobile; on
the 29th of October, in lat. 29 59, long. 37 29, spoke the
Dutch brigantine De Vrow Elizabethe, No. R. 183, from Rot-
terdam fir Havannah, 34 days out; on the 3d of November,
off the Island of St. Michael, passed- the American ship
Saxony, of Boston; on the 4th spoke, in let. 37 37, long.
23 41, the Azores packet, 11 days from Plymouth, for St.
Michael's ; on the sth, in lat. 38 22, long. it. 27, spoke the
Courier, from Greenock, for Jamaica; on the Bth, in lat.
43 27, long. 15 1, exchanged coloiirs with the American ship
Mary Ann Cleaves, of Kentucky, steering to the westward;
on the 9th, in lat. 44 27, long. 13, exchanged colours with a
Data ship, No. 66, and a Dutch brig, No. 635, both out-
ward bound; on the 10th, in lat. 46 38, long. 10 36, passed
the ship Fyfe, outward bound; on the 12&h, off the Start,
the ship d'Auvergne, from Honduras for London; same day,
off Portland, passed her Majesty's ship Juno, 26, Captain
Blake, from Spithead for the Pacific direct; on the 14th, off
the Needles, passed a Russian line-of-battle ship and a cor-
vette bound to Plymouth, believed to be the Ingermanland,
with the flag of Vice-Admiral Lulka, having on board the
Grand Duke Constantine, second son of the Emperor of
Russia ; same time, exchanged numbers with the barque Iris,
outward bound.

The Thalia will come into harbour to-morrow to discharge
her freight, after which she will be dismantled and paid off
here.

The President, 50, Captain Stanley, flag of Rear-Admiral
Dacres, made preparations for sailing yesterday morning, but
in heaving the anchor she carried away her capstan—a .new
invention by; and brought forward under the approbation of,
Rear-Admiral Bowles, one of the Lords of the Admiralty (!)
Workmen were sent out this morning to replace it. She
'has on board six 9-pounder field pikces, 300 rounds of am-
munition and gun-carriages, for service at Madagascar.
The Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Carrenter, came into
harbour yesterday morning to replerish fuel prior to going
round to Woolwich to be paid off. She left last night.
The Cyclops steam frigate, Captain Lapidge, arrived at Rio
on the 11th of September, from Plymouth.
The Racer, 16, Commander Reed, sailed from Rio for
Monte Video on the 14th of September.
The Ajax, 72, will be towed down to Cowes to-morrow, by
the Driver steam-sloop, Master Commander Driver, to be
converted by Mr. White into a steam guard-ship for this
port. Mr. aohn Fincham, foreman of shipwrights at De-
vonport Dockyard, has been ordered to Cowes to superin-
tend her conversion, and Mr. May, inspector of shipwrights,
who superintended' the fitting of the Avenger steam-frigate
in the river, is appointed acting-foreman of Devonport:Yard
during Mr. Fincham's absence.

hoping to be able to get out of the window and procure
a ladder, so that he might be instrumental in saving his wife
and child, and any other of the inmates with whom he might
meet. Having opened the window, he was about to jump
out, when some one cried out, " For God's sake, don't jump
out; wait a minute, and I'll try to get a ladder." Being
apprehensive that if he stayed longer his wife would perish,
he leaped from the window, and fell upon what he has since
been informed was a water-butt. He had since been insensi-
ble, nor could he recollect what afterwards took place at the
fire. He had not the least idea how the fire originated. It
was not from gas, because none was ever burned on the pre-
mises; the baths are lighted with oil.
The police constable on the beat, 173 G, states that he was
passing on the opposite side of the road when the outbreak
occurred. He instantly gave the alarm, and sprang his rattle
for assistance. Having got the front door opened, he
attempted to ascend the staircase, but the force of the fire
was so fiercely strong and the smoke so dense that it was
impossible to do so. He then went to the rear of the pre-
mises, and at that moment he saw Mr. Moore fall from the
window with his head upon the water-butt, as previously
described. The constable then conveyed the sufferer to the
New Tariff public-house.
The following is a copy of the
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE DAMAGE.

PROMOTIONS.
Commanders—C. H. M. Buckle ( 1836), late of the Growler,
and John Russell (b.), late of the Ardent steam ..sloops, to the
rank of Captain.
Lieutenant—Henry Harris to be retired Commander on
the list of 1830.

Second Masters—J. D. Taylor (1830), late of the Ferret;
W. J. Olive and J. Dillon to the rank of Master.
Mate—lL D. Graham to the rank of Lieutenant.

Midshipmen who have passed their examinations for Lieu-
tenants —Mr. Purvis, of the Excellent, and Mr. A. E. Drum-
mond, of the Vanguard.

APPOINTMENTS.

Commander—F. W. Austin, to the Alecto.

Lieutenants—Murray, to the Terrible ; J. Hunt (first),
and L. B. M‘Kinnon, to the Alecto ; Hon. J. R. M. Byng,
to the Retribution ; A. Tower, to the Shearwater.
Master—J. D. Taylor, to the Alecto.
Surgeon—Dr. Rutherford to the China convict-ship.
Purser—C. 11. Niblett, t) the Alecto.
Second Master—T. W. Sulivan, to the Medusa.

"Nov. 16, 1845 12 30 a.m.—Fire at the Agnes le Clair,
swimmin &c., baths, 3, Tabernacle-square, Shoreditch.
occupied by Mrs. R. M. Moore, landlord Messrs. Roper and
Moore, Thornton-heath, Croydon; cause unknown. Fire
broke out in the front parlour, ground floor. Nearly the
whole of the front dwelling-house is consumed, as well as the
contents therein, and the roofs of the baths at the back
damaged by fire and water ; extinguished by firemen. Three
Brigade, the West of England, and the parish engines
present; 81 assistants employed; building insured in the
Royal Exchange; contents not known if insured. Two lives
lost. and several of the inmates severely burned.
"No. 3. Charles Peel, coffee-house-keeper (adjoining),
house gutted, and the whole of the contents of a seven or
eight roomed house destroyed ; contents insared in the
Phoenix ; building in the Royal Exchange.
" Tabernacle-square (no number) Henry Gurney, licensed
victualler ; side front considerably damaged ; part of the roof
in the spirit-room, bar, and back parlour materially injured
by fire, water, and "smoke : contents insured in the Sun,
building in the Phoenix fire-office.
" No. 2, Tabernacle-square, Mr. George Beeson, potato
dealer, &c. ; window-frames damaged on the first floor back ;
roof off, and sheds damaged : insured in the Royal Ex-
change."
The caiamitous event has caused throughout the neigh-
bourhood the most intense sensation ; and throughout the
whole of Sunday the rains were besieged by persons anxious
to ascertain the fate of the sufferers, and the state of the ruins

"Woolwich, Nov. 15, 1845, Two o'clock.
" Sir,—l, whom may the great God forgive, expect to be
no more before you receive this. This is my second attempt
at suicide. lam now suffering with a black eye, and part
of my face blown away through a pistol shot. t was not, it
appears, to die with my own hand with a pistol. lam now
going to try water. Inclosed is a half-sovereign to defray
any expenses you may be at in sending the inclosed letter to
my house, and letting my unhappy wife know her husband's
untimely end.—l am, Sir, yours obediently,
" J. P. PALMER.

Assistant-Surgeons—R. Sparrow and D. M‘BritiP, to the
Caledonia, for service at Plymouth Hospital ; T. C. Millar,
to the Lizard ; Dr. Main, to the Poictiers.
Mate—J. C. W. N. Taylor. to the Trafalgar.
Naval Cadet—The Hon. Chetwynd, to the President.
SHEERNESS, SATURDAY. —The Blenheim, 72, having been
stripped of her copper and poop, was towed to Blackwall on
Thursday, by the Monkey steamer, to be fitted by the I)lessrs
Wigrams as a steam guard-ship.

The La Hogue, 72,—passed Out from Chatham yesterday
in tow of two steamers, also for Blackwall, where she is to be
fitted by the same contractors.

" P.S. I say the inclosed letter, I mean another letter in
my pocket-book addressed to my wife. c 4 J. P. P. 92
In the same pocket-book were a quantity of papers and
memorandums, and three sealed letters, of considerable thick-
ness, all addressed " Mrs. Palmer, 3, Beauvoir-terrace, Kings-
land-road," and upon each the following direction, which was
written above the address :—" To the Captain—deliver this
with the other two." On the back of one of the letters there
were three spots of red sealing-wax, and below them the fol-
lowing words were written :
" My dear wife, kiss the three wax spots and you will know
my lips have been there. lam in death yours truly, P."
Mr. Smith had no sooner read the letter addressed to him-
self and the address upon the others, than he proceeded with
all possible expedition to the Kingsland-road, with great mis-
givings as to the fate of his passenger, whom he never ex-
pected to see alive again, supposing that he bad been liber-
ated by the policeman, and that he had sought his death some
other way. On reaching the house No. 3, Beauvoir-terrace,
he made known his errand as delicately as possible to Mrs.
Palmer, who at first denied that her husband had reached
home, and delivered to her the letters and the pocket-book.
She was much agitated on hearing that her husband had at-
tempted to commit suicide in the river, and then admitted
that he had been brought home in the course of the evening
by one of the police of the K division, and a porter belong-
ing to the railway station, and that he had informed her
he had fallen into the water by accident. After some
delay Mr. Smith was introduced, at the patient's own re-
quest, to Mr. Palmer, whom he found in bed, and labour-
ing under delirium tremens. Mr. Palmer immediately re-
cognised the captain of the steamer, thanked him for his
kindness, and said that he had left Erith in the after-
noon in a gig, and that on his way to Woolwich the horse
had taken fright, and the vehicle was dashed to pieces. Mr.
Smith asked him if it was true that he had shot himself with
a pistol, and he said that he had received a wound in a duel
in Cobham-park on Friday morning. On being asked how
the affair originated, he said he was dining with a party at
an inn " the other side of Rochester," and that a gentleman
gave him the lie, and he called him out; that he received
his adversary's ball in the mouth, and that Mr. Coward, a
surgeon, in Beauvoir-square, had extracted the bullet since
he came home. He also stated that he was a little excited
when he wrote the letter addressed to the captain, and that
he never had any intention of shooting or drowning himself.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Palmer appeared very anxious to obtain
possession of the captain's letter ; but he declined parting with
it. After a long interview with Mr. Palmer, who assumed
an air of indifference and jocularity, and said his adversary
was too high to get a shot at, Mr. Smith proceeded to the
residence of Mr. Coward, in Beauvoir-square, and learnt
from that gentleman that he had been called upon about eight
o'clock the same evening to attend upon Mr. Palmer, and
found him in a highly excited state, and very cold from his
immersion in the water, and that Mr. Palmer informed him
he had fought a duel, and that a pistol shot was lodged in his
mouth. Mr. Coward added, that he discovered, by the light
of a candle, a bullet fixed in Mr. Palmer's upper jaw, and
succeeded in extracting it. In doing so, he was compelled to
remove a small portion of the jaw. The ball entered Mr.
Palmer's mouth in an oblique direction, carried away part of
the upper lip and two of his front teeth, and then entered the
upper jaw. The ball, when extracted, was nearly flattened.
Mr. Smith handed the letter he had retained to Mr. Coward,
who perused it with great attention, and said it was his firm
conviction that Mr. Palmer was labouring under temporary
insanity, and that he had giveudirections he should be kept
very quiet, and not allowed to receive any visitors.
The mystery in which this extraordinary affair was in-
volved at Chatham and Gravesend is partially cleared up by
the subsequent conduct of Mr. Palmer, and the letter addressed
to his wife, which contained a full statement of his affairs.
There is no doubt whatever that lie shot himself in Cobham-
park, and after he had discharged the pistol, threw it on the
ground, where it was found, with a loaded one beside it. What
favours this supposition is that his left eye was blackened, and
his face slightly burnt with the powder. This could not have
happened if he had been shot in a duel by another man, a few
paces distant. On the other hand, it is stated, among the
many rumours afloat, was one that two gentlemen quarrelled
at a dinner in Chatham, which ended in a hostile meeting.
This tallies with the statement made by Mr. Palmer to the
captain of the steamer, that a gentleman with whom lie dined
gave him the lie, and he called him out. The report of one
pistol only was heard in Cobham-park, between one and
two o'clock on Friday morning, a most unusual hour for
an affair of honour, and the statement in Mr. Palmer's letter
negatives the supposition that he was wounded by
any other person. The pistol, not loaded, found in Cob-
ham-park, was besmeared with blood. Had it been fired by
any other person than the wounded man those appearances
would not have been observable. A cambric handkerchief,
saturated with blood, was also found in the park, and there
is no doubt it is Mr. Palmer's ; for, during the conversation
with Mr. Smith, he observed to his wife, " I have lost my
handkerchief ; I left it in Cobham-park."
Mr. Palmer is a leather factor, and has offices in Coleman-
street. He left home on Thursday. evening, and proceeded to
Rochester vid Gravesend, where he is supposed to have slept on
Thursday night, and to have strayed towards Cobham-park
on Friday morning. There is no doubt he lost a good deal of
blood, and it is extraordinary enough that he should have
been enabled to proceed to Woolwich afterwards and write
several letters in a firm bold hand while the bullet was in his
mouth. His escape from drowning was as miraculous as his
escape from another and more violent death. He was
actually in the water a quarter of an hour, and in addition
to his ordinary dress, he carried a large top coat under his
arm, but he never sunk.
Last night at eight o'clock, a gentleman connected with
the Waterman's Steam Packet Company called at No. 3,
Beauvoir-terrace, to inquire after his health, and was in-
formed that notwithstanding his dangerous condition, and
in opposition to the wishes of his medical attendant, he had
been removed into the country at an early hour in the
morning.

The i)ee, steam transport, called in here
.on Tuesday from
Woolwich, and took sonic supernumeraries on board for Ports-
mouth. _ _ .

The Ocean, 80, has all her guns and heavy stores on board,
and being complete, with the exception of a few light jobs
connected with the cabin fittings, will be discharged from the
basin on Monday.

The Fury, steam-frigate, will be ready for launching about
the 20th of December. A party of caulkers were put to
work on her bottom yesterday.
The Sampson, steam-frigate, it is rumoured, will be very
shortly commissioned by Captain R. F. Stopford, son of Ad-
miral Sir R. Stopford, Governor of Greenwich Hospital.
The Bittern, 16, has been seported ready for the pendant.
The Havannah, 20, razee, has again been taken in hand to
complete her for the pendant; quarter galleries are being
added to her present unsightly stern.
Sir W. Burnett, the Director-General of the Medical De-
partment of the Navy, paid an official visit to the Dockyard
on Wednesday, and the Hon. Mr. Fitzroy, with Captain
Brandreth, the Director of Engineering and Architectural
Works, on Thursday. The latter gentleman also visited the
new fortifications going on here under the direction of Captain
Alexander,'R.E. These works are progressing very rapidly,
together with the repairs and alterations of the old fortifica-
tions. The earth battery now erecting opposite the Dock-
yard-gate is already carried to a considerableficight, and a
foundation of concrete is now being laid down in the excava-
tions which have been made for the musquetry walls, of
which there is to be one at each angle, connecting it on the
one hand with the old works at the garrison, and on the other
with the works extending from the Medway to the Thames ;
which also are to be put in a state of thorough repair, and the
ditch along these works is to be continued around the battery
now forming.

YORK AND CARLISLE AND DURHAM, WESTMORE-
LAND, AND LANCASHIRE JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY.—
The Directors of the above Railway Company have at length
succeeded in purchasing from the Stockton and Darlington
Railway Company, the Haggerleazes branch of the latter
railway, from West Auckland to Cockfield-fell, thus securing
the influence and assistance of the Stockton and Darlington
Railway Company, as well as getting several miles of railway,
already made over a difficult country.
ARRIVAL OF THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE OF
Russia.—For several days the arrival of his Imperial High-
ness the Grand Duke Constantine, second son of the Emperor
of Russia, has been expected at Plymouth and Devonport,
and the Russian Ambassador, Baron Brunnow, and suite, have
been staying at the latter place for more than a week in
readiness to receive the Grand Duke. About three o'clock on
Satirday morning the Russian line-of-battle ship, Ingerman-
land, and the flag of Vice-Admiral lailka, of the Russian
service, having his Imperial Highness on bnard, entered Ply-
mouth Sound, and just before nine o'clock the Port Admiral,
Sir John West, went alongside to pay his respects to the Royal
visitor, the Mount Wise battery tiring a salute of 17 guns,
which compliment was returned by the Russian man-of-war.
The Russian Ambassador and suite in the admiral's tender
the Sylph, accompanied by the admiral's barge, a short time
after proceeded to the ship, and it was expected that the
Grand Duke would come ashore, but to the disappointment
of a great many persons who had assembled at Mount Wise,
his Imperial Highness would not land until Sunda morning.
THE MINISTERIAL DIFFERENCES.—MT. Cobden in
his clever speech at the Birmingham Free-trade meeting, al-
luding to the late Ministerial differences, supposes that Sir
Robert Peel was for opening the ports, and that the Duke of
Wellington opposed it. We believe the truth to be that Sir
Robert Peel obstinately adheres to the sliding scale, and we
doubt whether it was on this question that the Duke dis-
agreed with him. The question whether some thousands of
the people should perish of want or not is not of sufficient
importance to cause a difference between Ministers. They
are much more likely to quarrel about so momentous a mat-
ter as whether Lord Ellenborough should have Uplace in the
Ministry or not; or whether our claims to some barren ter-
ritory should be carried with a higher hand, and the peace
of the world endangered for the pride of insisting on an ex-
treme and sterile right.—Exanuner.
ACCIDENT TO SIR C. CONSTABLE, BART.—We
regret to hear that Sir C. Constable, Bart., while out with
the staghounds on Friday, met with an accident which in-
jured his arm, and prevented his joining the'annual dinner at
the Holdernesse Hunt on the following Monday. The injury
is not, however, of on alarming nature, and we are happy
to understand that the Hon. Baronet is doing well.—hull
Packet.
ADELAIDE GALLERY.—CURIOUS OLD PAINTING.—
We have seen a very fine painting by the great artist Ribera,
generally known as Spagnioletti, now exhibiting in the Ade-
laide Gallery. It is a fall-length portrait of the famous St.
Anthony of Padua, and its history is very curious. It was
purchased from the Pope in 1780, by Archbishop Dillon, Duke
of Narbonne, who fled to this country from the horrors of the
French revolution, and was interred in St. Pancras old church
in 1806. On the Duke's death, this painting became the
property of Henry Count Dillon, Commander of the Irish
'brigade in the French service, who discovered it among the
lumber in a garret, from whence it was withdrawn in 1829,
and has recently come into the possssion of the present pro-
prietor belonging to the same family, by whom it will be
transferred to some of the Catholie Nobility or Hierarchy
previously to his embarkation on a distant voyage of dis-
covery.
DEATH Or Ma. BACKHOUSE. A considerable
pension has reverted to the Crown, in consequence of the
demise of John Backhouse, Esq., Under-Secretary of State
for the Foreign Department during the administrations of
the Earl of Liverpool, Mr. Canning, the present Earl of
Ripon, and Earl Grey. Mr. Backhouse died at his resi-
dence, in Hans-place, on Thursday, after a lengthened indis-
position.— Observer.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Mr. Vincent Wallace's long-promised opera was pro-
dueed at this theatre on Saturday evening. Great ex-
pectations had been raised with regard to this opera,
and we are rejoiced to state that they have not been dis-
appointed. Mr. Wallace is a musician who would do
honour to any country. Like Balfo, and Hooke, and
" all the better brothers," Mr. Wallace is a native of the
land of song, and poetry, and eloquence, and imagina-
tion, " Green Erin." lie was nurtcred in that land of
melody, and having perfected his musical education, he
travelled in the United StateQ, from whence he passed
to Mexico, and then became thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of Spanish melody. He arrived in
England last season, and has already acquired high
fame as a flautist and a pianist, and on Saturday he proved
himself a most accomplished and thoroughly educated.
musician. The title of his opera is Maritana, and the li-
bretto is a version of the well-known Don Ca sar (le !loran ;
and so closely has Mr. Fitzball, the author of the libretto,
clung to his original, that we are spared the necessity of
describing the plot. The opera is scene for scene iden-
tical with the play. The overture is thoroughly Spanish
in its composition, full of abrupt transitions, and is, what
overtures seldom are, a fitting introduction to the opera,
of which it forms an essential part. It is the work of
a thorough musician—a perfect contrapuntist—of a man
who knows exactly the capabilities cf every instrument
in an orchestra, and knows how to develop those capabi-
lities completely. Rich, musical, perfectly, nay,
elaborately, instrumented, it is one of those compost.
tions which are a study to an artist. There was one
sostenutl movement in it which struck us particularly
beautiful. It was such a movement as Corelli might
have written and scored had he lived in these days of
brass instruments. The combination of the stringed and
wind instruments was exceedingly artistical, and if Mr.
Wallace were to follow out the idea of that movement, he
might become the founder of a completely new school
of instrumentation. The following was the cast of the

opera:—
Charles the Second (King of Spain) ... Mr. Borrani.
Don.Czesar de Bazan
....... •

D ~n Jo3e de Santarem Mr. H. Phillips.
Marquis de Montefiori Mr. H. Horneastle.
Lazarillo

Mr. Morgan.
Mr. S. Jones.
Mr. Burt.
Mr. New.

Alcade
Captain of Guard
Noble
Boatman

Soldier Mr. Hodges.
Old Man

Marchioness de Montefiori Mrs. Selby.

Maritana (a Gitana)

Miss Romer.

The opera opens with a gipsy chorus and a romanza,
which was very nicely sung by Miss Romer. Then fol-
lows some dialogna, after which we have another romanza
from Miss Romer, which is, perhaps, the most artistically-
constructed piece of music in the opera. It commences with
a very simple harp symphony. Upon this simple basis is
constructed a beautiful melody and a most elaborate
accompaniment, but still throughout the whole is heard
the simple harp symphony, the centre around which all is
grouped, the string running through the pearl chain of
melody and harmony. This romanza; " I hear it again—
'tis the harp in the air," is a composition of which any
maestro might be proud. This is followed by an
angelus, and then comes a duct, admirably given by
Miss Romer and H. Phillips. The next song is a
spirited cavatina given to Don Cmsar, to which Harri-
son, who seemed out of spirits and out of voice,
scarcely did justice. Then comes a concerted piece
between Don Caesar, Lazarillo, the Captain, and the
mob ; after which comes the gem of the opera,
the beautiful chorus, " Pretty Gitana tell us,"
which is an exquisite composition, and which was
admirably sung by Miss Romer and the chorus. This
is followed by a concerted piece, which forms the finale
to the first act. The second act opens with a beautiful
air, " Alas ! those chimes so sweetly pealing,"
which was most tastefully and feelingly sung
by Miss Poole, and which elicited an unani•
mous encore. This was followed by an aria by
Don Cmsar, concluding with a trio by Don
Cmsar, Don Jose, and Lazarillo, which was well
given by Harrison, Henry Phillips, and Miss
Poole. The cavatina, " Yet let me like a soldier
fall," was evidently written for Harrison, and 11r.
Wallace has certainly taken his measure accurately,
and fitted him to a nicety. Then came a ballad, the
words " by Alfred Bunn, Esq., at the request cf the
author and composer," which, as far as the piece is con-
cerned, is a hors d'oeuvre, but which, being suited to the
powers of Mr. H. Phillips, has been introduced to
make the part of Don Jose a better part for that
gentleman, and which introduction we can easily
excuse, inasmuch as it is a beautiful melody, and
is exquisitely. sung by Mr. H. Phillips. Then
follows a drinking chorus, by Don Caesar and the
soldiers, and the scene concludes with an ensemble by
Don Caesar, Maritana, and the chorus. The second
scene of this act is laid in the saloon of the Marquis
Montefiori, and opens with a chorus of ladies ; then
follows a dance ; and then comes a fine recitative, " Hear
me, gentle Maritana," which was superbly given by Bor-
rani, and which was followed by an aria, " The mariner
in his barque," hardly worthy to follow such a splendid
composition as the recitative, but which was also most
effectively given by Borrani. A lively quartette between
Don Caesar, the Marquis,,the Marchioness, and Don Jose
succeed, and is followed by the finale to the second act. The
music of this act, although beautiful in parts, is, as a
whole, scarcely equal to that of the first or third acts.
The third act opens with a recitative and aii by Miss
R )mer. The air, "Scenes that are brightest," which
forms one of the themes of the overture, is a delicious
bit of melody, and was deligtfully given by Miss Romer.
It was enthusiastically encored. Then comes a bravura
air to a march tune, spiritedly given by 11. Phillips, and
then a concerted piece by Don Caesar and the King, well
acted by Harrison and 13orrani. Then follows a gem—
the duet, " A stranger here," by Miss Romer and
Harrison. The last movement of this duet, " This
heart with bliss o'erfiowing►," is exquisite. It
was beautifully sung and beautifully instrumented, and
its repetition was called for as a matter of course. After a
short orison by Maritana, then follows another duet " Pity
oh! sire," well given by Miss Romer and Borrani; then
comes a cavatina by Don Cmsar, " There is a flower that
bloometh," which gave rise to almost a row in the
theatre. It was sung by Harrison, and at its conclusion
there was much applause, and many persons called for
its repetition. This call was vehemently opposed by
others, and for ten minutes Harrison stood bowing to
the audience, doubtful as to what he was to do ; the
ayes eventually carried it, or rather a compromise was
entered into, and he repeated the last verse. Then came
the finale by all the characters, and the curtain fell
amidst loud applause from all parts of the house, which
was crammed to suffocation. Mr. Wallace was called for,
and received with all the honours ; and the principal
performers were also honoured with the usual ovation.

/This opera is evidently the work of a thoroughly ac-
complished—nay, more, of a very learned musician.
Mr. Wallace has shown himself worthy of the fame
which had preceded his avatar. Maritana is
an elaborately instrumented scientifically constructed
work. Mr. Wallace takes the whole orchestra
within his grasp, and plays upon it as though it were
one instrument. This opera is not only excellent in
itself, but it gives promise of more excellent things to
come. It contains the germs of future triumphs—it will
neither be the last nor the greatest of Mr. Wallace's
works. We look forward to the future career of this
maestro with much interest, for he may if he gives his
genius fair play, become the founder of an English—a
national—school of operatic music. The time is come.
The man will not long be wanting. Will Mr. Wallace
be that man ?

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
THE AMATEUR PERFORMANCE FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE SANATORIUM.

Who has not heard of the amateur performance of Ben
Jonson's Every Man in his Humour, which took place about
two months since, at Miss Kelly's Theatre? Who has not
desired to see how Buz, the immortal, would act Captain
Bobadil ?—how Jerrold and Mark Lemon, so long known as
dramatic writers, would appear as actors ?—what food for
criticism would be furnished by Forster, prince of critics?
It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that when it was
known these performances were to be repeated, for the benefit
of the Sanatorium, and to be repeated at the St. James's
Theatre, the applications for tickets should have been over-
whelming, more especially as Prince Albert had signified his
intention of honouring the performances with his presence.
On Saturday evening the Theatre was crowded in every part
by all that is illustrious by rank or by talent in the metro-
polis. Among them were the Duke and Prince George of
Cambridge. the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Melbourne, Lord
Nugent, Dwarkanauth Tagore (in Indian costume), the
Dowager Countess of Essex, the Hon. Mrs. Norton, Baron
de Rothschild, the lion. Jas. Macdonald, and Mr. Macready.
The arrival of Prince Albert and his suite was the signal for
the commencement of the play.
The comedy was thus cast :
Knowell ... Mr. H. Mayhew.
Edward Knowell Mr. Frederick Dickens.
Brainworm
George Downright
Wellbred
Kitely .v Mr. John Forster.
Captain gobadil Mr. Charles Dickens.
Master Stephen
Master Mathew Mr. Jehn Leech.
Thomas Cash .. Mr. Augustus Dickens.
Oliver Cob ... Mr. Leigh.
Justice Clement ...... Mr. Frank Stone.
Roger Formal ..... Mr. Evans.
William
James
Dame Kitely
Mistress Bridget Miss Hinton.
Tib .
This, with one slight exception, is the same cast as at Miss
Kelly's, and the performance went off in a manner which
would have conferred honour on an old-established company.
The Kitely of Mr. Forster was a most artistical peerfolrintia atnocne,
based upon the Kitely of Macready. It was no seyvilin
but an elaborately finished development of his own idea of
the character, that idea being the result of much careful
study. The Bobadil of Charles Dickens lvas the very beau
ideal of the vapouring bully of our older dramatists. It was
glorious to hear him detail his marvels to Master Stephen,
and to see the latter (admirably acted by Douglas Jerrold),
standing, struck dumb with wonder, looking at him with the
most intense stupid admiration, varied by an occasional attempt
to look knowing—the reckoning up on his fingers the number
of the killed, as Bobadil went on with his " twenty more,"
was one of the finest pieces of comic acting we have seen for
many a day. Mark Lemon—the versatile Mark Lemon
—who might, if he chose to adopt acting as his vocation,
become one of the greatest comedians of the day—took
the part of Brainworm, and there is certainly no actor, pro-
fessional or amateur, at present on the stage who can at all
approach him in it. ~We make no exception even in favour
of Charles Matthews. He was rapid in his change of dis-
guise, and his assumption of the various characters was ad-
mirable. His old broken-down soldier was beautiful, and
truthful, and pathetic—pathetic for its very truthfulness.
The other chararters were all excellently sustained. The
costumes were rich and appropriate, and the piece was put
upon the stage with the greatest possible care. Loud and
long-continued was the applause at the fall of the curtain, when
all were called for, and all appeared; and Mr. Forster,
advancing to the front, announced that a_ third performance
would take place for the benefit of Miss Kelly, on which occasion
another comedy would be revived. This performance, we
believe, will, take place about Christmas, and the comedy
will be The Alchemist. The farcej of A Good Night's Rest