The New York Herald Newspaper, September 30, 1851, Page 2

a“ ORIGINAL ARTICLES, ‘The Literary Werld. It is an extraordinary fact, for which it is by no ‘moans easy to account, that in England and in this eountry, while am unusual activity is visible in every other department, there is an unprecedented absence of effort in the higher fields of literature. Publishers are busy with new editions and collec- tions, and with books of science, but no great werks are announced by the masters to whom the best half of the world look for their pleasantest en- jeoyment. The Harpers have a portion of the ad- vance sheets of a new novel, by Thackeray; the Longmans have disclosed, in letters to American correspondents, that they have two new volumes by Macaulay; Bulwer has nearly completed “My Novel;” and Dickens has given assurance to Strin- ger & Townsend, that when he writes a new story they shall have the advance sheets, for a thousand guineas, for their International. This is the sub- etance of what we have respecting original works of a high class, from London. In the last year we have had memoirs of the great geniuses, Southey and Wordsworth. Ofthe immortal! company composed of these, and Scott, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Campbell, Rogers, Mont- gomery, and Moore, the last three only remain, and it is not ualikely that they will all be goue by the end of the year. Moore, for the last half dozen years, has been atoning his Tom Little rosebud indecencies by a course of Roman Catholic pe- nances, and for several months has been in mere ehildishness, while his friends have waited with Aecorous patience the approach of the last friendly Visiter; Rogers is feeble, and has lost all the amiable bonhommic that made his breakfasts g0 de- lightfal; and the pious James Montgomery, who | on the fifth of next November will be eighty years of age, is then to be crowned by his fellow-citizens of Sheffield, ins grand ceremonial—in preparation Canada. This work has just been published by Little & Brown, in a large octavo volume, and, for itp style, and the evidences it presents of intelligent research, it must receive am unusual degree of e. The copyright of all the novels and tales of the late Fenimore Cooper are owned by Stringer and Townsend, who bought them several months ago, we understand, for the small sum of sixteen thou- sand doWars. Since the death of the great author twice as much has been refused for it. A com- plete and uniform edition of all the works, with illustrations by Darley, is in rapid preparation, and will be sold at prices to insure a large circulation. We gave, e fow days ago, an account of » meot- ing of literary men and others at the City Hall— Washington Irving in the chair, and Fits-Greene Halleck and Rufus W. Griswold, secretaries—to concert measures for rendering appropriate honors to the memory of Mr. Cooper. At that meeting a committee of eminent persons was appointed for further action, and, though it has come to no very definite decision, it is pretty well understood what will be its course. At the meeting referred to, or in committee, we understand that Judge Duer sug: gested, and very eloquently supported, an American Westminster Abbey at Washington, in whish the first inscription should be to the memory of Mr. Cooper; but Mr. Irving dissented, and, with his accustomed generosity painting the literary merits of Mr. Cooper, said, thatthough his cha- racter was national, and his fame filled the world, yetthe especial glory of his life belonged to New York, and there should here, in one of our most beautiful public squarer, be erected to him a sait- able monument. The committee will endeavor to carry into eflect the suggestion of Mr. Irvizg, and, as coon as practicable, probably, there will be ia augarated, in Madison Square or the new Park, a colossal sta'ue of Cooper, the four corners of the pedestal to which will be supported by figures ef his death, perhaps. Twice has England, which in this respect isalone | amorg the natiors—twive has England reached the highest point in civilization and inte'lectual culti- vation. Spencer, Shakspeare, ben Jonsor, M top, Bacon, and the illustrious men who wera their associates, carried her literature to its zeinth, |. whence it declined, to be elevated again to the same point in the last gencration. Greece, Rome, | Italy, and other nations, have had their golden | age; only England has twice enjoyed its splendors. | There are signs that another such long nigh: will follow as intervened betweon the Elizabethan and — Georgian eras. In the United States, though for the most part eur colleges are below the proper condition of pre- Pparatory academies, we are by the state of leara- | ing here, and other favorable influences, approaching @ fair footing with England for the nex; race. The | end it is understood that there will be imposing of Leather Stocking, Long Tom Coffin, and other creations of the great novelist. Asa means to this solemmnitics at the Tabernacle or Tripler Hail, at which a funeral oration, as is the custom among the French savents, will be pronounced by one of the most eminent of Mr. Cooper’s contemporaries and friends, before the assembled chiefs of Ame- rican literature and art. It is believed that some five or six thousand dollars may thus be easily secured towards the cost of a monument. The revolution that for several years has been going on in the character of the gift books designed especially for the holidays, is now pretty nearly completed. The tribe of annuals may be regarded struct his #0 he tries Unele Sam is wil teach John Bulla g20d many things he is ignorant of, and it isto be hoped he will be je scholar, and mind his lessons. By ‘easiduity he can improve ewspaper line, the United States are far of Old England. ‘The Lon- don Times is the English ‘‘thunderer,” Herald will compare with it in istics. It may be admitted, me of the British journals may beat all the in “ revolving,” yet that in revo- lutionary American mechanios—who also running presses in the world— make the - are su to the gunmakers of London, or Bir- or Shefficld. Their Mantons and their Morrisons must give way to the American Colt, who has run beyond all of them. This is vietory number five. Many years ago onr Wall and Chesnut street operators show- ed the British financiers that our folks wore some pumpkins. The Rothschilds and Palmers, of London, cannot hold a candle to our financiers. The British, forgetting what occurred thirty-seven,thirty- eight, and thirty-nine years ago, say the supremacy in arms, on sea and on the land, must be accorded to ber. Nonsense. On the subject of war, we have heard it said by one who has looked into history, with a view to ascertain the fact, that while England has been invaded and conquered three times, at least, by foreign foes, no record exists where two hundred men were in the confli:t on each side, in which An- glo-Saxon blood—unassiated by the Irish, or Scotch, or Welsh, or French, or Indians, or Hessians, or Aus- trians, or Russians, or Prussians, or Sepoys—over won a Victory over any soldiers except Anglo-Sax- ons themselvese Culloden is, perhaps, the most favorable instance to be citedin bebalt of the Eag- lish; but wo doubt if they would have been vioto- us there had not the Scotch in that battle hai English allies. But in diplomacy, hitherto, we con- fess, England his had the star: of us. Brother Jonathan is beginning to learn, ho peice oye of this European science, and we advise John Bi stand from under.” He had better keep a bright look out, or some of these days he will ‘‘see sights.” allits great eh however, Law. 2 A question has lately arisen, which tends to af- fect, toa certain degree, the arrangemens of the politicians in regard to the election this fall. We | refer to the law relating to the olection of six Police Justices of this city. The law, as it now exists, is construed by many to provide for the election of Police Justices at the general election in November next—-by others, however, that the election cannot be held until. the next general election of 1852; and as extinct, though a few patch work Irises, Tokens, Souvenirs, and Kecpsakes come eut this year, with old line and stipple or new second rate mezzo- , tint engravings. Another class of books has come still by others, that no election for criminal Justices can take place until further legislation has been hadon the subject. In order, therefore, that our readers may understand the whole matter, and World looks to us for a grcas poct. Bryant has | into fathion, and sumptuous editions of the classics | take such action as their own judgment may dic- Deen read and appreciated by the elec; in Eng- | land; and Longfellow, who writes sweet verses, 3 little way removed from the Haynes Bayley school— @ sort of nice musical sentiment which one is puz- | sled whether to cescribe as Haynes-Baileyish or Tennysonian-~is immensely quoted by cockaies, be- cause, in the absence of an international copyright, | his works are accessible to the refined cham ber- maid and milliner classes of society. Dana and | Whittier, who have masculine energy with but oc | easional grace, are inahigher key, and will for | some time yet be less read. In poetry, we have done and are doing much; but it must be confessed that we have only star:—we have no suns. Ifwe take a fair and really critical survey of what has been accomplished in American literature im the present age, we shall find that our authors, whose immortality is assured, are scarcely more than balf a dozen—Cooper, Bryant, Irving, Web- mer, Dana, Halleck, Bancroft, Prescott, and Haw- thorne. We can go back and take up the names of | Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklis—per- haps two or three others—but of contempor tries, the list cannot well be enlarged. The right of Daniel Webster toa place in this category is as un- questionable as that of Jove to his throne in the Pantheon. We digress too much into the general—having propored for our readers only a brief report of some particular novelties forthcoming from our principay houses this fall. In the last paragraph we referred to the great Serator and Secretary. We have seen specimens of the complete editien of his speeches forensic arguments, state papers, and orations, to be issued in about a month from this time, by Little & Brown, of Boston, in six large and beautifully printed octavos, edited by Edward Everett. Ther* ‘will be copies on paper of extra size, imposing as the fine old quarto tomes of Walpole’s time, and these will have Mr. Webster's autograph on tieir title peges; but the entire edition will be in » style of unusual typographical magnificence. It is to be feared, notwithstanding what some of the journals contain on the subject of his health, that inthis col- lection ofbis works, Mr. Webster gives us his last will and testament—that his whole grand career is to be submitted to posterity in these volumes. Judge Levi Wooodbury, whose chances of a nomination for the Presidency from the democratic party, were thought about equal te Mr. Webster's from the whigs, began, at nearly the came time, the collection ani revision of his writings, and they are now nearly printed, in the same style, to four | Volumes, which probably will include a memoir. j There are many people who would like to kaow | why Mr. Calhoun’s work on the canstitution of the United States and the cheory of government, is not published. ‘The Legislature of South Carolina foolishly appropriated $10,000 for this parpose, when, though its agerts were to ure their best endow | vors, twenty timesas greatacirculation aadirflaence would have been secured for the book by giving to a Jeading book publisher the MS., and one tenth of that amount in money. Dus the work was stereo- typed, and we saw a Complete copy of it in print, nearly a year ago; ad for some reason which needs explanation, it is net yet published The plates, We suppose, are subject to the control of the secs sionists in South Carolina. Lo they find shat Mr. Calhoun’s last words rebuke their policy ? of our language have a liberal sale. The success which attended the publication of two or three volumes devoted to the exhibitionand illustration of our literature—from the press of Carey & Hart—has tempted persons to imitation of them, who appear to be very lamentably deficient in taste, as well as in other necessary qualifications. We have an example ina large and rather hand- fome volume, entitled the Female Prose Writers of America, by Mr. John S. Hart, who rejoices in being an LL.D. Some months ago a correspondent sent us one of the printed circulars of this gentle- man, to literary women, in which he delicately inti- mated as follows :— Authors interested in having their merits placed on a proper footing before the public, will contribute important facilities to the accor ent of thie end by furnishing te with information in regard to the following particu- lars 1. The name in full, (the middle name, as well as the fret apd last,) and written carefully, s0 as to prevent mirpriots. - 2. Date of birth, where there is no objection. 6. Indicate apy passages, amounting in all to five or | six octavo pages, that, in the opinion of the author or her friends, may be taken as fair specimens of her atyle. The ages should be ruch as are complete in themselves, ‘and contain something of general interest. 8. Well written critiques upon the author's style of writings, whether published or unpublished, will be acceptable. In almost every care, probably, articles of this kind have been published or exist ia mavuscript, or may le written for the occasion by thoee entirely ac- | quainted with the subject, and. if forwarded, would furnish the present editor the most reliable means of doing foll justice in each particular case. This sounds for a'l the world as if one of the con- tributors to Punch had been trying, in the broadest farce, to show up modern criticism. The quality of the book resulting from Mr. Hart’s unique and curious correspondence, may be conjectured without difficulty. it is lauded with puffs and extracts of the obscure writers for shop-boy and milliner- girl Dewspapers and magasines, while at least one-half of the literary women whe have won any real emi- nence in this country are entirely overlooked. Wedo | not find in the book the slightest allusion even to Mrs. Richard K. Haight, the empress of our fashionable world, whose two volumes of travels, a few years ago, made such @ sensation; or Mrs. Robinson, (Talvi,) who, in many respects, out-ranks all the company; or Mrs. Sedgwick, or Mrs. Willard, or Mrs. Lee, or Alice Carey, or the accomplished wife of our Minister to France, or Mrs. Putnam, the terror of North American reviewers, or Cathorine Beecher. The whole affair is quite too stupid to be | a subject of fun; but it is deserving of the notice we have given it, as an exhibition of the processes and manner in which people who should be kept at | blacking boots, will make books. | ‘The Vieto: er England and the English. | Five victorier—glorious and signal—admitted vio tories—kave been achieved by Brother Jonathan over John Bull, within the last year. A New York merchant, Mr. Collin beat them all to smath” | in the ocean steamer cont: They have given it up. Britannia no longer “rules the waves.” In this respect, as was once said of Carthage, we must now say of her: ‘ Britannia was! She has ceased to be “ mistress of the seas.” The red Poss of Al- bion, on ocean steam must be lowered before the “ little strips of bunt! * decorated with “ stripes and stars.” Thies ir victory number one. Then, our “ clipper ships” have no equals in the British marine. This is victory namber t And to make | the superiority decidedly striking, Commodore Ste In American history, several persoas are engaged on works of considerable impor:anse. Tae collec tion of the writings of John Adams, by Charles Francis Adams, will extend to ten volumes, of which the second, third, fourth and fifth are now published. ‘The same editor will proceed ummoedi- ately with the works of his father, John (juincy | pounds, which he lost, and acknowledged the corn, Adams, Which will be still more voluminous. Ths publication of the works of Alexander /lamilton, which we are glad to see, notwi-hstanding the shave te which the public has to submit in the ie nearly completed, and we believe the ‘process, whole will be incladed in eight volumes. Mr. Jah» |’ hibition—got up in London to enable the English ©. Hamilton, we are assured, baa also compleed for the press the third and fourth volames in which he concludes the History of Alexander Hamilton the author of the Modern Institutions of Liberty’ Mr. Sparks is working on @ History of the Ameri- can Revolution; but it is not to be concealed that the recent dissections of this gentleman's edition of Washington have qaite convinced the public that be lacks one or both of two essentials—eapacity or integrity. Mr. Bancroft is quietly proceeding with hie volumes on the evolution, devoting to his task ix or seven bourse day. He has not yet entered year. Mesawhile, Mr Kichard Hildreth, commenc- ing © dozen years or so after Mr. Bancroft, has rapid. Jy shot before him in space and time, having of bis history published, and « through the press. Mr. Hildreth’; federal ; the last volume, com art of the period of Jetferson’s corrpicuons action, reads like s report prepared for Une of the most credita bie additions that have been made, ia some time, to our historical litersture, ie Me. Francis Park- man’s History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac, and the War of the North American [adians Mgninet the Lvglish Colonics after the Conquest ¢ vens gave them a specimen Yankee yacht, calied the America; and after showing them, for amuse- ment, what she grobably could do, seared them by | a challenge to beat their entire yacht squadron, for ten thousand guineas. Jobn Bull did not dare to accept it, but finally consented to bet a hundred this time, because he could not belp it. This is vietory number three. Uncle Sam's farmers, and inventors, and mechani next followed the ex- ample of his ehipbuilders and steamboat eonstruc- tors, and engineers and sailors, and sent to the Ex- to crow over “the reet of mankind” about ber wuperiority in the arte and the like—divers and sun- dry reapers, and ploughs, and hoes, and other agri- cultural implements; and in thie line, aleo, John Bull has been forced to ‘knuckle under.” He was beaten on hie own ground. This his farmers admitted honestiy and nobly, and with cheers. Thie is vietory number four. There are, also, other pointe of supremacy which were established before the triumphe above par- ticularly notieed. We have beaten the English im the science of government—in parliamentary progress, in judicial reform, and in legislation. The English Commone even formally aeked information and advice of members of Congress, and other citi- tent, who happened to be visiting London, by in- viting them before s committee of the House, to ascertain how oar Legislatures used the previous question, and the effect of the “one hour's speech rule,” and the reeulte of our improvements. And their law reform associations, with Lord Chascellor — Brougham at their head, send hither after our “‘re- | vised codes” and our “ eyeteme of legal practice,” to learn what to do. Some time ago the London Times enid, in an editorial, the beat evidence of | diency ‘one’s ability to teach, was his willingnew to learn.” The Times is ho fool, and in this remark showed ite good sense. John Byll wants to in | Assistant Secretary of Sta‘e and Cor Sppr | ental tate to them, consistent with the rights of all, we publish the various sections of the law on the subject matter now under dispute, so that the peo- ple may learn whether or not they are called upon to elect the said Justices this fall. The legal opinion of some of our eminent Judges and lawyers, on this subject, has been given, and a disagreement appears to exist as to the legality of calling an election for Polise Justices this fall. The Justices now in power were elected under an act of the Legislature passed in 1848, in pursuance of the following previsions, and were sworn iato office on the second Tuesday of May of that year:— Bee. 1. The city of New York shall be divided into six judicial districts, in each of which there is hereby es- ‘tablished « court, to be called the Justices Court of the city of New York. 2. Ineach of the said districts hereby created, there shall be elected by the electors thereof, having the usual qualifications required of « voter, a Justice to hold the courts in eaid districts. Bec. 6. The said Justices shall be elected at the next annual charterelection tobe held in the city of New York, and in every four years thereafter, at the annual cbarter election; they shall hold their respective offlces for ycur yearr, and shall enter upon their duties on the recond Tuerdsy «f Mey, after their election. See. 7. There shall be elected, ‘meach of the said districts. at the same election. and in the same manner, one Police Justice, for the city of New York, who shall held their offices for four years, and shall enter upon their duties oa the second Tuesday of May next, alter their election. Bee. 10. Ali the provisions of law in relation tocharter elections im the city uf New York, and the notices there- Of, shall apply to the cflicers whose election is hereby provided for, end the eaid cfficers shall be voted for on one ballot, to be endor-ed “Justices,” and which shall be deporited in a separute box, to be provided for that pur- pore by the Common Council of eaid city. This act thall tabe effect immediately. The city amended charter, adopted and carried into effect, June Ist, 1849, provides as follows :— See. 2. The election for charter officers shall be held on the day of the general State election, when all charter officers eligible by the people, shall be chosen, and the officers who shall be elected, shall be sworn into office on the firet Monday of January thereof; and the laws of the State. regulating elections, shall apply to elections of ebarter cflicers Bec. 47. All provisions of law and of charter, which are inconsistent with this act, are hereby repealed. The above sections are the law, as far as we have been able to ascertain, pointing out the mode of election for Police Justices of this city, and we should suppose that both political parties, under the provisions thus set forth, could go on under its clauses, make their nominations and ot their candidates at the coming election, but could not swear them into office until the expired term of the present incumbents. It will be seen, by the fifth section, that the election shall be held every four years, and such election to be held at the anuual cbarter election, preceding, of course, the expiration of the term of office. Now, as the amended city charter carries the spring elections over to the general State elections, in November, it appears consistent to elect the Justices at the coming election. Tho ‘ion Coun- sel have decile: the election to be and the Clerk of the Common Council will, fore, in accordance with that decision, publish the call this week authorizing the election. ‘The New City Cemetery—Onjections to the Project. . New York, September 26, 1851 TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Mr Eprton,—The Board of Aldermen lately Rarted, 4 resclation appropriating that portion of fard’s Island recently transferred from the House of Refuge to the city of New York, consisting of about ten acres, to be assigned to the Governors of the Alms Hou re, for a place of burial for the poor, and for those who may the city, guished The buried at the expense of nd to be hereafter known and distin- he “City Cemetery.” n for establishing a Potter's Field on land, war, | suppose, un‘il after the report im the daily papers of the passage of the resolution above referred to, entirely new, not only to the community at large, but also to those most interest- ed in rf affected by the sa Ard even new, probably, few persons only ai are of the evil consequences that would unavoidably arise if the lan were carried out. For this reason it is that | beg to call your attention to the subject, with the request to bring it before the pubtic, and toexplain ive pature. 4 Petitions from the Commissioners of Emigration and benevolent immigrant societies, have induced the Board of Assistant Aldermen to refer the sub- tS to a special committee from its own honorable ody, for further investigation and report; and it can hardly be doubted that thie inte it com mitree convince themselves of the imminent danger to which the health and lives of that portion of immigrants would be exposed, who, en acsount of want or sickness, bave to take shelter on Ward's lstand. But it is proper and desirable that othors also, should know that the Pry intended to be pro for ® Potter's Field is adjoining the ment known as the [migrant Refuge and Emigration, where thowssose of Immigrants ars where am! are constantly being provided for. Burial are admitted to be unhealthy to those re in their poigprertoets intermaral interments are being abolished everywhere, and cemeteries removed beyond city limits. The desire to discontinue the use of the present Potter's Field on a tah ~ I the appreben: ay ing on or near the ie! them. Now, eince it will not be tulecly when foil bealthy ao ‘ly when in ill health, and after a long sea voy- age, require fresh air and healthy location, more ‘ly than babitual residents of our country, it ie certain that the of Potter's Field so near to the Emigrant Kefage and Hospital, will be productive of the most inj effects. Under cite umstances |ike these, the plea of expe- and eco. omy is not admiseible, and should pot be sustained sor 4 single moment. (ur com- munity, tex-payere included, will no doubt condema all mercenary motives in the rettling of this , ium. Yourt, reepectfully, . that im- to our climate, an Ohier eer, in mis Annnal e ei Nore.—The following report was submitted to the Board of Engineers had Foremen, convened at Firemen’s Hall, Monday eve September 22, 1851, accepted, ordered to be print man furnished with a copy for his respec! pavy. . G. Asse, Secretary of Board of [. and F. To Twe Exoingers anp Foremen or Tue New Yor« Fire Devarraens :— Special Committee appointed at a regular quaiterly meeting, held September 4, instant, t» whom were referred the suggestions in the late an- nual réport of the Chief Engineer, respectfully sub- mit the fullowing REPORT. That after careful and deliberate attention, they unite with the Chief Engineer, that the interests of the Department would be greatly promoted by sur- rendering to it the of the subjects alluded to. Inthe plan offered by your committee, the re- sults are nearly identical with those proposed by that officer, though the mode of attaining them differs in several respeets; but they flatter them- selves that for reagons to be stated, the change will be acceptable to him, and also moet the approval of their associates. Your committee do not consider i; neceszary to discuss the great object to be attained—a separa- tion, as far as practicable, of the affairs of the de- partment from political influences—as thoy believe that its propriety will be admitted upon the strength of arguments that have been repeatedly advanced, and must be familiar toall. True it is, that much heavier responsibilities will devolve upon us, should the plan proposed, ora similar one, bo adopted ; but your committee have the faith to believe that the de ent can sustain them, and prove t> the authorities and citizens of New York, by Promat- ness of action aud integrity of decision, its ability for relf government. Your committee respectfully submit the following Proposition FInSi—KE-ORGANIZATION OF ENGINEERS AND Fonemen.--That, in liew of the present Board of Engineers and Foremen, and for reasons that will appear in succeeding propositions, there shall be two separate end distinct organizations, viz :—One, to consist of the engineers, and to be styled the “Board of Engineers of the New York Fire De- partment;” the other to consist of the foremen of the engine, hose, hook and ladder, and hydrant companies, and to be styled the ** Board of Fore- men of the New York Firs Department ;” the Chief Engineer to be @ member, and the presid- ing ¢fficer, of each board. Seconp—Jupiciary Commitree.—Your commit- tee cordially unite with the recommendation of the Chief Engineer, that cases of insabo-dination should be entrusted to a committee of exempt firo- men for adjudication; but they respectfully differ with him upon the Propricty of the mode of appoiat- ment by the Board of Kepresenta:ives. The representatives, by virtue of a charter from the State of New York, constitute the “ Fire Do- ent of the City of New York;” the act of in- corporation provides specific objects connected with the Charitable Fund accruing to the depart- ment from various sources; it is an impor- tant trust, and the body to whom it is con- fided should be freed, as far as practicable, from becoming entangled, even remutely, with any subjects arising from sectional difficulties that may exist. Your committee, therefore, are of opinion that the incerests of the department might be pro- judiced by mingling the repressntatives inany man- ‘ner with its controversies; and they recommend that there chall be a Judicirry Committee of five mem- bers, to be styled the "Commissioners of the New York Fire Departmen:, and to be chosen from ex- empt firemen, who shali not have been active or certificate members of the department daring the year immediately agen their appointment, and who shall not, at the time of said uppointment, nor while serving as such commissioners, hold ai other offices in, or connected with, the department. Said commissioners to be elected as follows:—At a regular quarterly meeting of the Board of Fore- of the or men, the Chief Engineer shall nominate a commit- tee of five, whose duty it shall be to nominate fif- teen exempt firemen, Ue Ceged as before provided), as candidates for commissioners—their acquiesceneo to serve as such having first been obtained—and re- port said nomination to the Board of Foremen at its next quarterly meeting ; and at which meeting the board shall go into an election for commissioners ; the five of said candidates receiving the highest number of votes, to constitute said ‘‘ Commissioners of the New York Fire Department,” for the term of three years, next ensuing ; the said commission- ersto be confirmed by the Common Council, aod sworn or affirmed faithfully to dischargo their trusts, and, also, to be qualitied to administer oaths or affirmations. In case of the death, resignation, election, or appointment to any other effice in, or connected with, the department, or the re-election as a certificate member of a company, of one of said commissioners, the vacancy to be filled ina similar manner as above mentioned. The duties ofsaid commissioners shall be, to hold a meeting within ten days after being requested so todo by the Chief Enginer; to hear all complaints against members of the department or compani t shall be laid before them by that officer; to in- vestigate such complaints, examine witnesses uader cath or affirmation, and render decisions in aceord- ance with the testimony given. Said dommission- ers to recommend the suspension or expulsion of in- dividuals, and the suspension or disbanding of com- panies, as the nature of offences may require, ac- cording to their judgment; but suspension shall not be for lose period t! three months, nor ic than one year. The commissioners shall keep a full of their proceedings, and all the evidence produced before them, and from which they shall prepare written — of their decisions, to be signed by at least of said commissioners, and submit to the Common Council with as little delay as possible, for confirmation. The resignation of a member of the department, reported by the Chief Engineer, for a breach of order, is not to be acted upon by the Common Council, pending the investi- gation and decision of the Commissioners and Com- mon Council. Turmp.—Surriigs ann Repairs anv OrGantza- tion oy New Comranirs.—Your committee be- lieve that motives of delicacy—that very natu- rally way be imagined—would be aserioas ob- stacle to impartial action by financial commit- tees of the rd of Foremen, upon this impor- tant branch of the department's affairs. To ob- viate this, they propose—Ist: That the Chief En- gineer be empowered to order such supplies and re- pairs as he may deem necessary, provided, the ex- pense of any article or articles embraced in one ap- plication, shall not exceed in amount the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. 2d. Applications for new apparatus, and for Supplies and repairs, amounting to more than one hundred and fifty dol- lars, to be reported by the Chief Engineer to the Board of Engineers, who shall report their decision, if in favor of granting said application, to the Com- mon Council, for confirmation. Your committee are of opinion, and recommend that the construction and repairs of buildings to contain the apparatus of the department, and of the bell towers, should be placed upon the same basis, within the control of the same parties. Petitions for the ones of new companies are to be made through the Chief Engineer to the Board of Engineers, and if = y them, re- ported to the Common Ceuncil for confirmatioa. Fountn.—Arrointuent or Beut Rixoers.— Your committee need only mention this subject to cail up in your minds, memories of numerous an- poyances to which the members of the department have been subjected, in consequence of the very in- efficient manner in which the duties of this have generally been performed—the result of a tem as injudieious as it is vexatious, of selecting the bell ringers from a department whose sympa- thies are totally at variance with ours. Your committee asimple remedy—That the bell ringers shal) be ex: iremen, appointed by the Chief Engineer, the consent of the Mayor. and that Chief aati shall have the power of removal for ne; of duty. Your committee beg leave to refer to two snb- Joe te Sie Ee seer os * partment Committee of the Beard of Aldermen, in review of the annual repert of the Chief Engineer. Ist. In reply to his recommendation for the ap- pointment of a Judiciary Committee, those gentie- it Your committee have not thought it advisable any alteration to be made in the fly consequence of turba: that unfortunately existed at that De apeen ment of a committee the Teeed at it ; & i £ tt s } the Koginecre :y Foremen Syl Ae hould a complain’ themeelven to heal differences, and pi te fature f jadgment. ittee wae inte but the frst phd a RL to pot ip the premises, and refused to appear ; | was abandoned, whether by tacit consent, or ‘eather ity of the board that established it, is not stated. It will at ouce be per- Fee ay it the features of resemblance between ‘sdopted then, and the one pro- now ;—they cannot be cited as parallel cases. our committee have referred to the matter for» two-fold object—to cor. ect the error which the gentle- men of the Fire ent Committee referred to, have, unintent dispel im posed, that ma; quence of the misstatement. 2d. Your committee most respectfully, but ur- gently, advance against the plausib!e theory of t! ~ con’ trol over the appointment of the bi gers, the notoriously practical inefficiency of his iafluence, where other interests aro at stake; the operation of the present eystem is too familiar to you, to require argument, and the committee ap- peste your candor as to the relative merits of our positiors. Soon after their appointment, your committee were courteously invited by the Speciv! Committee of the Board of Aldermen, to meet with them at a time stated; your committee attended, and were re- quested to mention such changes in the ordinances as they supposed would be satisfas‘ery to the de- partment; but not being authorized to report at that time, the conference ended in an informal and free interchange of opinions, each party represent- ing in his individual capacity the views supposed to be prevalent on either side. Your committee avail themselves of the opportunity to acknowledge the courtesy and candor of the gentlemen composing said Special Committee, and to express our obliga tions for their friendly interest ia the department, and the disposition manifested to promote its wel- fare by all reasonable means in Shen poses. In the belief that it would meet with the appro- bation of their associates, as much as it accordei with their own feelings, your committee have sub- mipted their views to, and conferred with, old and a friends of the department; and the gratifying confidence in the plans meopiaeds generally ex- essed by them, emboldens your committee to toa that the unanimity with which they propose, will be met by a corresponding fee.ing on your part to endorge a system that has for its sole object the prosperity and well being of the New York fire De- partment In conclusion, your com mittee sub mit the follow- resoluti esolved, That a copy of this report be furnished tothe Specia) Commi:tee of the Board of Aléer- men, and that they be, and are hereby, carnestly and respectfully requested to take the same into consideration, with reference to reporting in favor of amerding existing ordinances, or ad opting others, in Gr amen with the suggestions herein con- ed. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, te adopt measures to carry out the provisions of the foregoing resolution, as far as practicable. of which is respectfully submitted. Geoxge C. Baker, Engine Co., 2, ‘Wa. C. Lyons, Engine Co., 5, Hunry W. Banxs, Hose Co., 19, | Committee. H. P. McGown, Engine Co , 49, | 8. Smiru, Hook and Ladder Co.,5, New York} September 20, 1851. ‘The Boston and Liverpool Line of Propel- lers. The recent jubilee in Boston was not simply for the purpose of celebrating the completion of a line of railway connecting that city with Montreal, but likewise the establishment of a line of propellers to run between Boston and Liverpool. The line is composed of two very fine vessels calkd the S. S. Lewis, after the enterprising and spirited gentleman who organized the line, and who owns a great portion of the stock, and the Benjamia Franklin. Both are beautiful specimens of naval architecture, and will, no doubt, give a good ac- count of themselves. These vessels are so much alike that a description of one will answer for the other. The hull of the S. S. Lewis was built by Meesrs. Birely & Sons, and is most substantially built and fastened. Her frame is almost entirely'of white oak, and the planking and ceiling principally of the same material. Her floor timbers are a solid bed of oak, from the stern post to midships, each piese being bolted hingontally to one another, and vertically through the timbers. The frame is bound together with diagonal iron braces, each sixty feet long, five inches wide, and one inch thick. ‘These braces cross one another, are let into the timbers, being. bolted through them, and rivited on the outside, and at every intersection are bolted together. In iron fastenings alone, exclusive of the frame brace,‘she has 125,000 lbs., beside 10,000 lbs. of copper, and 5,000 Lbs. of composition. Below the main deck, 12,000 bolts have been driven from the outside, through all, and riveted on the inside. The number ot knees used in her construction is 545. The interior arrangements of the S. S. Lewis are admirable. No space is lost, and she can carry as many passen, and as much freight as any vessel of her sizein the world. She has on deck @ peel feet in length, ~ top of eS ome! r her e sides an presest ed by a tasty Deossealing. railing. Theafter division extends across the deck, and contains the I-house. On either side of the house there is a gangway of seven and a half fee: wide. This house contains the messroom and state rooms for the officers and engineers of the ship, captain's cabin, hatchways leading to the cabins and engine- room, the ice-house, and a large gallery, with one of Wood’s patent caboose stoves. The main salcon contains ty state-1 ed, set off with pilasters and cornices, edged with beautiful carving, and fringed with = and silver. The arrangements for securing ventilation are per- fect; between each beam there are perforated ven- tilators communi with the rooms.. The wood work of the cabin is plain enamelled white. There are four stern windows, with a most luxuri- ous gofa beneath, which accords with the rest of the furniture. The forward part of the main deck is fonenee for second class passengers, and is venti- lated in the same manner as the principal saloon. The forward and after portions of the lower deck, clear of the engine room, which occupies but a small comparative space, can be devoted to steerage passengers or the stowage of \ The ss. S. Lewis bas one of Deer's propellers, worked by engines, which, for compactness, strength, and excellence of a are the admiretion of all who have seen them. ‘The cylin- ders are of the angular pattern, tho cylinders being atthe ~ inclined to an on le be es, the arms of the piston, grasping the crank in the centre, and acting — it Crapresally. The bed plate is of cast iron, 14 feet long, 17 wide, and 4 inches thick, with the channels from the cylinder to the air prmps themselves formed in it. The main crank, or driving shaft, is of wrought iron, 17 inches in diameter, and 14 fect long, with a driving wheel 8 feet in piameter by 34 feet face, geared to the pro- peiler shaft to drive it at the rate of 1j turns to every revolution. propeller shaft is 11 inches in eter, 67 feet long, and is in three pieces, coupled ene The air pumpsare so constructed that, should any accident occur to thom, they can be detached in five minutes, and the engines work a= Sa pressure principle as if nothing had Her is an object of great interest, and bas excited general admiration. he diam»ter of the wheel is 13 feet 4 inches, with four fan shaped blades, set at an angle of 30 degrees. The oxtreme width of the outer edge of the “ ” is 7 feet, while the direct widih across th 3, While re~ volving, is 34 feet. The wheel is of solid iron, and is sot at a piteh of 24 fect. The people of Boston are proud, and very justly 80, of there beautiful pro They redect credit on the city. The e is fast aching when Pe oy of the class and deseription of the the greater pat ofthe sarging trade bet wean the the greater tween United States and the Old The Great Telegraph Case at Philadelphia, IN THE UNITED STATES ClactiT Cort. Before Judges Grier and Kane. The Morse Telegraph Company vs. Rogers and others. — ‘The arguments in this case commenced on the 10th inet, and probably closed yesterday, The suit was brought by the assignees of Professor Morse against Rogers and others. owners of the Bain line between this inventions om the defendants’ tine. The bill sets up three patents to Morse; one of 1840, one in 1846, both surren. dered and reissued in 1848 and one fesue of 1849, which it is alleged the defundants violate. The defendants in their answer, and om the hearing, set up numerous de- fences. and among them the following — to most patent to Alexander Bain. patent i* e protection. as to such pealed or vacated by apc ile aa Rat until it is re- things claimed in bis reepective patente. 4 That many ef the material contained in them Phat in sure: being Inoperstive snd ttivalid, en Sevoact ot nebo: Ceatalog ‘selevose for sdlieeen’ sonra ih oad Io. was evidevee of fraud and sar ser codes, sioner To higrimel Rigel ” ‘4 10. \oree’s pat May because it was not issued for the ah il es ta decreed to Morse, on the trial before Chief Just Cranch, who decided, on a question of Bain’s invention wos different from that. such decree was binding upon both parties until set aside oe te Horses pata t of May 1. 1840, if for the " ¥ nt be thing as Bain’s, which defendamts deny, itis void, because it wes granted ¢ Bain’s, which was in could not be indirectly impeached in this cause, 12. That it was vold, because the claim thereon for - the exclusive use of the single circuit of electric conduc- tors, was for a thiog that Morse did not invent, and one which was not patentable. 18. That Morse’s claim, that, because he hedinvented s . system of telegraphing by recording. and showed one mode - Of doing so, gave him the right to all modes of: reeording, is not in accordance with the itution, laws, or public policy, and therefore not valid. 14. That if this claim were to be allowed to the extent . claimed, it would vitiate hia patents of 1846 and 1849, which desembe and cover new modes of talegespeiacs and he beiug as snuch within the law of e: mm as other “ers i ia me 15. That the claim of telegraphing being an art, that Morse had patented that art, to the exclusion of all others, was not authorised by the constitution and law, the prcvisions in them beieg intended not to authorize @ patent furan art. but for inventions which should pro- mote the arts ; that Morse’s pretensions. instead of pro- mocting theus, would keep them stationary during the existence of his patent. There were other points, of more or less importance, made on the argument The property directly involved in unis cause i very large. Indirectly, an immense in- terest 1# to be atiicced by the decision; few cases have ever been tried 1 more importance, or which included so mapy ivtrivate and difficult questions, The tertimony forms two large quarto yolumes, besides numervus cowpleted drawings. Some four days were devoted, on the hearing, to experiments in electricit; and chew: try, in presence of the court. Itis groves that no case has ever been tried in this country which. mn counsel. impored greater labors or more research About twenty of the most learned electricians and chemists in the country, were examined as witnesses. We have no ivtimativus of what the decision is to be, nor do we know how fur the various positions are sus-, tained by the evidence Judges Grier and Kane will, doubtless. give the » ail the consideration ita import- ance, and the nove! { the yuestions involved, require. Counsel fer complainants— Messrs, Harding and Camp- | bdeil, of Philadelphia; Kendall, of Washington; and Gif- ford, of New York. For the detendants—R. H. Gillet, of New York; and P. McCall and W. M. Meredith, of Philadelphia. Obituary Notices. Lieutenant Wilson R. McKinney, of the United States Navy, died at Marseilles, in Franee, on the 16th ult. He was a native of Tennessee, but was appointed to the navy from Alabama. He was attached to the razee Inde- pendence, of the Mediterranean squadron. He had been seriously ill for some time, and his disease assuming a more favorable aspect, it was deemed advisable to re- move him from the ship to the shore; the opinion of the surgeon being that he would recover. He lived but a few hours after his removal to the shore. He was generally beloved by his comrades. On the occasion of his funeral all the American shipmasters in the port, and a large number ef French officers, attended, to pay the last tribute of regard to one whom, in life, they all re- spected and admired. He entered the service on the 2th of March, 1834, and received his commission ae Lieutenant on the 3.1 of March, 1847. is fellow officers of the Independence will erect # monument to his memory. Mr. Elias Barcroft died of cholera, at Jefferson City M_ ouri, on the 26th ult.,at the age of seventy years Mr. B. was a native of New Jersey. About the year 1809 he emigrated to Kentucky—from thence he removed to Kaskaskia, in Illinois, where he remained until about the year 1813, when he removed to St. Louis; there he remained, pritctpally employed in the Surveyor General's office, and im surveying the public lands of the United . States, until about the year 1819, when he removed to Howard county, in Missouri, and represented in part, the district composed of the counties of Howard and Cooper, in the Senate of the Stave for two sessions, in the years 1821 and 1822. In the winter of 1823-4, he was appointed Auditor of Public Accounts for the State of Missouri— an office of great labor and responsibility. In this office he remained until the spring of 1833, mearly ten years> discharging the duties and performing the labor, in person, with scarce an absence of single day. He wae a man of extracrdinary industry and energy; of exem- plary moral character aod sentiments. He removed with the seat of government, in the fall of 1326, to Jefferson City, where he continued to reside until his death. Rev. Henry McVicker died at Morristown, New Jersey, on the 16th inst, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. His first ministerial labors were spent as a missionary at Glen's Fails, in bis native State; after which he removed te Mariapna, in Florida. He was universally beloved as faithful and self denying minister of the church Mr. Nathaniel Heury died at Floyd Court House, Vir- ginia, on the 6th inst., at the age of sixty years. He was geon of the great orator, Patrick Henry. Mre. Mary Griffin died recently at Warrenton Springs, Virginia, at an advanced age. She was relict of the lste Major Thomas Griffin, of Yorktown, Virginia, and of the revolutionary army, This truly estimable lady was well known and esteemed throughout lower Virginia for her many virtues and truly benevolent and christian cha- racter. Bhe iv deeply regretted oy a large family circle, and by all who knew her; and none knew her but to love her. She was niece of the present Earl of Traquair, in Scotland, being a daughter of the Earl's sister, the Lady Christina Stewart, who married Cyrus Griffia, Bsq., Pre- sident of the first American Congress. ‘The Earl of Donoughmore died at his residence, Pal- merstom House, near Dublin, Ireland, recently, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He was for some yeare known as “Lavalette Hutchinson,” for the aid he ren- dered in the escape of General Lavalette from a French prison, after the downfal of Bonaparte, while condemned to death for treason against the Bourbon family. He was # Privy Counsellor. Mrs, Elizabeth Prudden Tucker died at St. George's, Bermuda, on the 8th inst , at the age of thirty-six years. She was the wife of Hon William Tader Tucker, the Con- sul of the United States for that place ; who, together ‘with @ family of nine children, she has left to lament her death. Mr. William Nicoll, F.R.S E., died at Inverleith, on the 2d inst, in the eighty third year of his age. Mr. Nicol; commenced his carcer as assistant to the late Dr. Moyes the eminent though biind lecturer on natural philosophy Dr. Moyes, at his death, bequeathed his apparatus to Mr. Nicol, who then lectured on the rame subject as his deceesor, Mr. Niool’s contributions to the Edinburgh Philosophical Journas were various and valuable ; the more important being his description of his successful repati- tion of Dobereiner's celebrated experiment of igniting spongy platina by a stream of cold hydrogen gas: also his method of preparing fossil woods for microscopic in- vestigation, which led to his discovery of the structural difference between the arucarian and coniferous woods, by far the mort important in forsil botany, But the most valuable contribution to physical reience, and with whick his name will ever be associated, was his invention of the tingle image prism of caloareous spar, known to the reientifie world as Nicol’s prism. Lord Riverrton died at bis residence, near Galway, Treiand, on the 6th inst. This peerage was granted by James I1., when he was Sighting in Ireland for his crown Lut was nct achnc wledged by the Engtish government Lord Riverstcn was heir presumptive to the Earldom of ‘Westmeath. Patrick Neill, Beq., UL D., died at Canonmills, [reiqnd, on the Sd inst. Dr. Neill was the sentor partner of th ‘well known printing firm of Neill & Co. and was the au- thor of the artiole, “ Horticulture” in the Encycloptdia Britannica, which has been subsequently reprinted, amd has gone through several editions, under the title of the “Kitchen, Fruit and Flower Garden.” He alao contri- buted largely to the transactions of various literary and fic societies, Rear Samuel Lealie, of the British navy, died st Resebank. Doneghadee, on the 3d inst., im the seventy third year of his age He entered the navy in May, 1793, ‘and was in full pay service for thirty-two years, He served. im the battle of the Nile, in 1798, and was takem prisoner by the French at Malta, in 1800, He commanded several ships of the line of the British navy, and distinguished himeeif inthe conftict with the pirates in the Persian Golf, in 1609, and at Samba, in Borneo. He was put on. half pey rervioe 1823. Paddy Coneely, the celebrated Irish piper, died near Galway, in Ireland, on the 1th inst. Ie waa blind, and was employed by all the leading families of Galway to play the bagpipes, bat would never receive compensation when employed by the humbler classes. Bit Heary Bletcher died at Ashley Park, ow the 6th of Bept., in the forty-fourth year of his age. Mre Findlay died at Greenock recently. She was one of the six “Mauehlin belles” of whom Burne wrote in 1786. Bhe was them in the opening of womanhood. She ‘was an intimate sequaintanee of the peasant poet. Majer Gea, William Clapham, B. A., an old officer of the East India Company's service, died recently, at ar. Agvanced age, and pfter a n>gtbened Petigd of Ferien,