The Sun. — 1847-04-09 (London, England)

SIR JOHN ROSS TO REACH THE °ETU POLE.—The following is an extract of a letter 41.,0113 Captain Sir John Ross, RN., to Captain W. H. 13:taYth, RN., President of the Royal Astronomical SoeLetY Sir,—l beg leave to submit the following plan and proposal to the President and Council of the Royal Aatronotnical Society for their consideration :—The Measurement of an arc of the meridian has long been a Fesideratum, and the failure of every attempt that has been made at Spitsbergen for this desirable object, as Well as the attempt made to reach the North Pole, has been because the summer has been selected for that purpose, whereas the spring should have been the seaSOD chosen, namely, the months of April and May for both services, but which could not be put in execution by the means hitherto adopted. I hare now to inform the President and Council of the Royal Astronomical Society that I have submitted a plan to the Admiralty for carrying into execution these double and desirable objects, by wintering at Spitsbergen, and employing my officers and crew under the direction of the talented son of the celebrated Professor Schumacher, whom I have engaged for this purpose ; while, at the proper season, it is my intention to attempt to reach the North Pole on sledges drawn by Swedish horses, being a modificatioa of the plan proPosed first by Dr. Scoresby, and of which that highly talented and well•informed individual has given his most unqualified approbation. And, from the year's experience I hare had in Sweden in that mode of travelling, can safely assert that there is no other officer in the 'tan' that possesses these advantages so necessary to complete success, of which neither Dr. Scoresby nor Myself have the smallest doubt. I have made this statement in the hope that, when duly considered by the President and Council of the Royal Astronomical Society, they will be pleased to signify to me their opinion on the importance of the objects in question, and such a recommendution for its be' ng put into execution as they may think fit."—Cambridge Advertiser. The celebrated Sculptor Bartolini, of Florence, has arrived in Rome, to execute a bust of the Pope. DEATH OF A PRISONER IN THE MILLBANK PEUrrENTlAßY.—Yesterday Mr. Bedford held an inquest at the Millbank Penitentiary, on the body of Henry Wood, aged 21, late a prisoner at that gaol. The deceased was admitted there on the 15th of September, 1846, having been convicted at the Central Criminal 0 Gun on the 17th of the previous month, of larceny, on previous conviction, and sentenced to seven years' transportation. He died in the infirmary, on the 6th !nstant, of pulmonary consumption. On the 3d of last bDecember he attempted to commit suicide by hanging, Itt Was prevented by the warder. He was visited by ut friends, and during the last five weeks of his illness he had everything requisite for his delicate and melancholy condition, under the express orders of the go&c-o ot the prison, including wine, arrow-root, broth, His friends-expressed their entire satisfaction with the treatment he had received. Verdict, " Natural death."  NARROW ESCAPE OF THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF GUILDHALL By FlRE.—Shortly before three o'clock this morning (Frida)), the utmost alarm was created in the vicinity of the Guildhall, City, by one of the private 'fwatchmen who are employed to watch the hall discovering that the contents of the cellars were on fire. The first intimation arose from observing a dense body of smoke filling the hall. An alarm was instantly given, when the whole of the watchmen proceeded to the entrance of the cellars, and on opening•the door a fierce fire was found raging. Tne engine which is kept on the premises was instantly got to work, and the fire-plugs having been opened, a plentiful supply of water was obtained. In a short time there were engines in attendance, and continued playing until the devouring element gave way. The cellars being filled with coals anti faggots, and the flooring that is laid down on the occasion of banquets and balls being stowed beneath, occasioned an im!loose mass of inflammable property to be in the cellars. Some thousands of faggots were destroyed, while several rug of coal were reduced to cinders. The fire must have been burning for several hours before the discovery Was made, and but for the flooring of the hall being covered with stone, the building would have been dettcoj_ed. An inquiry, it is understood, is to be instituted Y,Mr. Payne, the coroner.