The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-22

FATHER MATHEW IN LoNpoN.-The apostle of tenn
perance commenced his London mission at ten
o'clock on Monday morning last on the new
Catholic burying ground in the Commercial road
AT noon, when there were about 10000 persons pre-
sent, Earl Stanhope arrived and was loudly chez red
Alter shaking hands with Father Mathew, his Lord
ship addressed the multitude for nearly an hour and
said he had been teetotaller for many years, and
invited his hearers to follow his example He de-
cared his intention of publicly taking the pledge
from Father Mathew, and warmly eulogized the
Rev gentleman for his useful and patriotic exer-
tons in Ireland. and expressed fervent hope that
bis mission to England would be attended with
similar results. Father Mathew then called
upon those who were anxious to come forward and
take the pledge with Earl Stanhope TO do so. A
semi-crce was formed and three hundred men and
women knelt down and received the pledge. Earl
Stanhope, who labored under considerable agita-
ton, was directly afterwards embraced by Fa her
Mathew, who, IN the enthusiasm OF the moment,
kissed his cheek The Noble Earl smiled, and
grasped Father Mathews hand, exclaimng. "God
bless you sir" The administration of the pledge
was continued until dark, when Father Mathew left
| the ground, after announcing that he would attend
every day during the week for the same purpose.
Abou; 5000 persons took the pledge. The consump-
ton OF beer and sprtuous liquors on the ground by
antleetotalers is said to have been immense.
LAUNCH OF THE GREAT BRITAIN This vessel was
launched at Bristol, on the 10Th ut Suitable pre-
parati0ns were made at the railway station Tor the
reception of Prince Albert. special train left the
Pdddington terminus at seven, and reached Bath at
nine, where the mayor and corporation were in at
tendance, to present an address TO his Royal High
| ness. The tram then proceeded EDWARDS to Brls
to, and arrived at the station at ten. The mayor,
| corporation and town clerk, and deputatlon from
| the Society of Merchant Venturers, and from the
clergy, were In waiting, and had the qualification OF
presenting the addresses which had been prepal ed
These his Royal lIlghness was pleased 10 accept,
and &C knowledge in very appropriate manner:
Having arrived at the works of the Great Wes
tern Steamship Company, his Royal Highness was
| received nv the directors and conducted IN The
| room prepared for his use. His Royal Highness
then proceeded to inspect the stupendous vessel,
with which he expressed his admiration after
which his Royal Highness proceeded to the ban
quoting room, on the premises of the company,
which was elegantly and tasefully decorated for
the occasion. About $50 sat down to the banquet,
and the usual loyal toasis proposed land thanks
duly returned by his Royal Highness and the other
distinguished guests, amongst whom were the Prus-
sian and American Ambassadors, Lord Wharn-
cliffe, the Marquis of Exeter Earl of Lincoln Lord
G. Somerset, Sir E Codrngton, the Hon, f. Berk-
lev, and p: w. S. Miles, Esq, NJ P.'s for the city,
the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, &c.
| During the banquet the weather again became un.
favorable, but as the time for floating The ship out
approached it cleared up, aud at hall past-three the
Great Britain was floated out of her dock, amidst
The acclamalions of hundreds of thousands of peo-
pie.
The NAVIGATION OF THE MAGELLAN sTRATrs-We
have been favored with a letter from naval officer
belonging to one of her Majesty's vessels in South
America on this subject, from which we extract the
| following: "The Chillians are endeavoring 10 es-
| tabllsh steamtugs Tor towing vessels through the
Straits of Magellan. l do not think the plan will
answer, as great power would be required to move
vessels in safety, the winds being very violent and
uncertain. The more feasible plan would be TO
tabllsh colony at port Fumna, and have a village
oil pilots at each end OF the Straits viz at Profession
Bay, on the coast of Port Refuge, on the west, or
perhaps even better than this would be to establish
the town at Port Refuge, which has every requisite
| fora colony. The pilots going from thence might
al PrOfeSsIOn RpV thew hrO,Io Inf
sci from the Eastward. To England these Straits
would, III few years, prove OF great value as de-
an immense expense of GOALS for the steam navi-
cation OF the Pacific might be left with advantage.
valuable timber trade might also be carried on
All that is wanting is the transporting colony
| there from the Falkland Islands
The passage OF the Straits is generally considered
a very difficult one, probably from reading accounts
| OF the old navlgators, some OF whom were enabled
to get through but with well-tound ship it might
be easily done IN from three to four days. and at
much less cost OF wear and tear than in doubling the
Cape and certainly with infinitely less danger 10
the safety of the vessel The time taken in beating
against the heavy southwest winds to the southwark
OF the Horn is well known 10 all who have naviga-
ted these seas. The Falkland Isles cannot be made
by vessel going to the west coast OF America from
any part of the eastward without great sacrifice OF
time and labor. They are the dwelling places OF
storms, which, from their fury, destroy all vegeta-
ton, and render the coast despite theimany harbors,
| difficult Of access. The idea entertained by some
OF Supplvlng peat 10 steamers navigating the SCUM
Pacific is absurd The labor of cutting and prepa-
ring it, with any population the Falkland Isles are
likely to have, Is out OF the question and even
peat good substitute for coal, the expense OF
| shipping it would be immense. with ever so large
population. "-Piym. Times
SINGULAR DISCOVERY AT WINDSOR CASTLE.
| Amongst The various necessary additions which
have Just been made to the royal residence, and
completed on Wednesday, previously TO the arrival
| of the court may be mentioned an extensive cold
arder, for the preservation OF game, &c, which has
been constructed underneath the north terrace, with
| a communication to the interior of the castle, IN
the immediate vicinity OF the kitchen. In making
an opening on the north terrace, after digging
through about three feet Of earth, of brick
work presented itself of nearly two feet in thick
ness u on this being penetrated, the opening was
| found to lead 10 arched subterranean vault OF
81 feet in height, 20 teet long, and III feet wide,
constructed of most beautifully finished pointed
brickwork in apparently, as fresh state as when
first erected. In proceeding to the eastward,
along the under portion of the north terrace, six
more arched chambers, communicating with each
other by means Of low arched openings, were dis
covered, constructed OF the same materials, and in
the same highly fnl. he'd manner. There were like
wise the same number of chambers, of the like cha
racter and construction leading to the eastward to-
wards the Winchester tower. IL has been ascer-
| tanned that these works were constructed IN the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, at the period of the erec-
ton of the part OF the North-terrace by the iden
| Queen, now above 200 years ago. and that they
have remained closed ever since. Upon descending
into this subtenanean vault, or rathervauts, most
extraordinary scene presented itself. The arched
roof in many places was tlickly studded with innu-
merable staactites, and many of them of the extra
ordinary length of upwards OF three feet. The sides
of the vaults were also covered with beautiful spe-
cimens of the staagmites, several of which have
been carefully preserved as great cioslties by those
who permitted the opportunity OF visiting this
curious cavern. The opening from the crown of
the arch has now been bricked up, and the vaults
will probably remain closed for another couple of
centuries
The herring fishery has commenced on the coast
OF Northumberland and Berwickshire, and at this
early season, the Oldest fisherman does not remem.
Der so large shoal OF fish upon the coast.
/ Wales.
CARMARTuEN, Wednesday Night, the 81 inst -
The county magistrates day held meeting a! the
Town Hall for the purpose of swearing in special con-
stables TO act in the several parishes in the neigh.
l. ludn