The New York Herald Newspaper, March 17, 1853, Page 6

SEW YORK COMMON COUNCIL, OFFICIAL. pila Se Bears or Aupsnmen, March 16, 1853. Present—Richard T. Compton, Esq., President; Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Oakley, Boyce, Barr, Tweed, Brisley, Francis, Smith, Tiemann, Pearsall, Bard, Ward, Denman, Cornell, Alvord, Do- » Peck. bends minutes of the last meeting were read and i PETITIONS. Alderman Bristey—Petition of Col and others, for a pier at the foot of Twenty- street, N.R. To Committee on Wharves, &. Alderman ALvonp—Petition of Church of the Incarnation, to have vacant lot on west side of Ma- dison avenue, between Twenty eighth and Twenty- ninth streets, fenced in. To Committee on Streets. By the same—Petition of John O. Robinson, to be appointed a Commissioner of Deeds. To Committee on Salaries and Offices. By Alderman Barr—Remonstrance of owners of property’ the sewer to be built in North To Committee on Sewers. Aldermen Francis—Petition of John McGrane, w id balance of money due on contract. To Comic on Finance. ‘3 the same—Petition of Owen Kenney and others, to have vacant lots from Thirty-eighth to Forty-Third streets, between Ninth and Tenth ave- ues, fenced in. To Committee on Streets. Alderman Twxep—Remonstrance of James H. | Ridabock and others, against further proceedings in the matter of opening Walker street. Sinai Whereupon Alderman Twee» oilered the following | resolution :— Teatly , That the Counsel to the Corporation be, and he is hereby, directed to discontinue all further proceedings in the matter of opening, widening and extending Walker and Canal streets. To Committee on Law Department. By Alderman DouErry—Petition of William 0. Kafe for lease of gore of land be*ween Forty-first and Forty-second streets and Fourth and Madison avenues. To Committee on Finance. INVITATIONS. An invitation was received to witness the pro- ceasion on behalf of the military organization intend- ing to parade on the 17th inst., St. Patrick’s Day, which was accepted. An invitation was received to attend the excursion to be made with the new steamship Augusta, Capt. Thomas Lyon, on the 1sth inst., which was accepted. RESOLUTION: By Alderman Wanp—Resolved, That the resigna- tion from opposite the name of Francis J. Twomey, on the Firemen’s Register, be erased, he having active duty as a member of Engine company No. 45 since the date thereof, said resig- nation having been placed on the books by a clerical & Du- Ble g error. Adopted. By. Alderman Tiemann—Resolved, That the Comptroller report to this Board the amount of | money paid to the late Counsel to the Corporation, Hei . Davies, as salary, for fees, for street open- ings, bill of costs, and for any other services per- formed during the time he held the office. Which was adopted. By Alderman ALvorp—Resolved, That Thirty- fifth street, between the First and Third avenues, lighted with oil, and the Commissioner of Streets and Lamps is hereby directed to have the same done a8 soon as practicable. Adopted. By Alderman Denwan—Resolved, That the Com- missioner of Lamps and Gas be. and is hereby, di- rected, to place a gas lamp in Hoboken street, be- tween Washington and West streets, in the place of an oillamp. Adopted. PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ASSISTANTS. Resolution—That George Hargan be snpinees a ‘Commissioner of Deeds in place of Joseph W. Jones, | resigned. [Passed this Board March 14, was returned amended striking out the name of George Har- | n and inserting in lieu thereof the name of Edward BS MoPherson.] On motion of Alderman Oakuey, this Board ad- hered to their former action. Petition—Of William L. Morris to be appointed a Commissioner of Deeds. Prayer of petitioner grant- | ed by said Board. Concurred in. ition of Theodore Hart as Commissioner of Deeds, accepted by said Board. Concurred in. Report of the Committee on Repairs and Supplies —In favor of certain repairs to the Eighth ward sta- tion honze. Laid on the table—subsequently recon- | sidered and concurred in. Report of Committee on Finance—In favor of re- ducing the tax of William Stebbins. To Committee on Finance. Report of Committee on Streets—In favor of fag: | sidewalk and setting curb and gutter stones in Font of Nos. 1074, 109 and 111 Division street. To jommittee on Streets. Report of Committee on Streets—In favor of lay- | Jag a crosswalk across Washington street, from the | northwest corner of Reade street. To Committee on | Street. | MOTIONS. Alderman TwEED moved a reconsideration of the ‘vote had on the report of the Committee on Law De- ent, 15th instant, in favor of concurring rela- | 8 e to additional aid in the office of Counsel to the pes apc ogac which was carried, He then moved that the report be accepted, and the resolution ap- thereto adopted, which was carried by the following vote, viz.:— Affirmative—Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Oakley, Barr, Tweed, the President, Aldermen Bris- | ley, Francia, Cornell, Alvord, Doherty, Peck—13. ive—Alderman Tiemann—1. A OakLEY moved to take up and consider document 10, the same being the report of the Com- mittee on Public Health, recommending the creation | of two bureaux in the City Inspector's department, | which was carried. The different sections of the ordinance were then severally adopted. After which the ordinance was adopted by the following vote: Affirmative—Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Oakley, Boyce, Barr, Tweed, the President, Alder- men , Francis, Tiemann, Denman, Cornell, | Alvord, Dol rty, Peck—16. COMMUNICATIONS. From Commissioner of Streets and Lamps, with re- | = relatave to cleaning streets for 1352, which was | on the table, and directed to be printed, for which see document. RESOLUTION. By Alderman Denuan—Resolved, That the Man- Gas Light Company be, and are hereby autho- rized and permitted to lay their street mains beyond | the line of Forty-second street, northward.— A ‘On motion, the Board then adjourned until to- | Morrow evening, the 17th inst., at 5 o'clock. D. T. Vatetixe, Clerk. Boarp oF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN, } Wednesday, March 16, 1853. Present—Assistant Aldermen Brown, Tait, Mab- batt, O'Brien, Mabee, Woodward, Hunt, Bouton, McGown, Stewart, Wheelan, Barker, Rogers, the President, Crawford, O'Keefe, and McGonkey. INVITATION. Of B.C. Ferris, colonel commanding military or- ‘Pwizations intending to parade on St. Patrick's day, | preview the procession in front of the City Hall, at «jo’clock. Accepted. PETITIONS. By Assistant Alderman 0’ Bare to be appointed a Commissioner of Deeds. Committee onfSalaries and Offices. | By Assistant Alderman McGown—Of Levi Adams and others to have sunken lots hetween Second and ‘Third avenues ari 124th and 12th streets, filled in. To Committee on Public Health. By Aasistant Alderman Ceawrorp—Of Wm. M. | Baxter and others, to have a pier constructed at foot of Twenty-second street, East River. To Committee on Wharves, &c. Bo Mees same—That Fourth avenue, between Thirty- fo and Fortieth streets, be graded and paved and that the same be laid oot in conformity with the ordinance adopted in 1851. To Committee on Streets. RESOLUTION. , By Aasistant Alderman Mazpatr—Preamble, set- ting forth that the section of ordinance which re “« wagons, &c., in which articles shall be brought ‘Let, to be removed before 7 o'clock A. i, be- tween let May and Ist October, and 8 o'clock A. M., betw on Ist October and Ist May, under penalty of " la ¥ violated, much to the inconvenience of aroccrs, &e. in the"neighborhood:—That the Supe- Tinter dents of the Markets are required to report to the Corporation Attorney all violations of the market | laws, but before the District Attorney can act the violator of the ordinauce is beyond his jurisdiction; with resolution that it he referred to the Committee on Laws and Ordinances ty frame an ordinance in such a manner, that the captains of police can arrest at once any of the persons who violate said law. To Committee on Laws, &c. REPORTS. | Of Committee on Salaries, &c.—To concur to ac- | cept resignation of G. H. Elwell, Commissioner of aaa og appoint R. C. Fellows in his place. 0) 5 Of Committee on Finance—To concur to grant | exclusive use of south half of pier No. 11 North river 4% Commercial Steamboat Co. Adi Of Committee on Sewers ‘Thirty-seventh street, irom Se’ pot east; to concur for sewer in Christopher street, fom the river to Greenwich avenve, in fayor of T in 115th street, from Third avenue to Harlem et. All adopted, euch by the following vote:— Affirmative—The President, Messra, Brown, Tait, | O'Brien, Maybee, Woodward, Ring, Hunt, , McGown, Stewar Ww , O'Keefe, and Me | Committee on Asseasments—On petition of | Riohard R. Throckmorton, recommending that said potion be referred to Committee Al the same—That assessment list for building fewer in Tenth avenue, from Thirty-first to Thirty- | ¢hird street, and in Thirty-third street from Tenth to | “toth avenue, be referred back on Finance. | afternoon and evening | Mr. Robinson, Miss Albertine, Miss Mitchel! | om broadsword dance. | tatives, that body now comprises ninety vig | three mem! to the Assessors | 5.0) nent, for reaseeesement, Committee on &¢.—To concur to chase three pone Hy vin % idemladloan Ragioter. of the Street Hocwtnenale, Both adopted, each by the following vote:— Affirmative—The President, Messrs. Brown, Tait, Mabbatt, O’Brien, Maybee, Woodward, Ring, Hunt, Bouton, McGown,Stewart, Wheelan, Barker, Rogers, Crawivtd, O'Keefe, and McConkey—13. Of the same—To concur to donate to New York Eye In‘irmary the sum of $250. Adopted by the fol- 1 ote -— Al itive—The President, Messrs. Brown, Tait, Mabbatt, O'Brien, Maybee, Woodward, Ring, Hunt, Bouton, McGown, Stewart, Wheelan, Barker, Rogers, Crawford, O'Keefe, and MeConkey—18. Of Commiteee on Croton Aqueduct—In favor of resoluticn that Counsel of the Corporation prepare a memorial to Legislature and draft of a law, confer- ring upon the city government the necessary power to take such ground as may be selected on which to build an additional reservoir. Adopted. Of the same—Asking that petition of Cumming & Pollock, in relation to sewer in Tenth avenue, be re- ferred to Committee on Assessments. Adopted by the following vote :— Aftirmative—The President, Messrs. Tait, Mabbatt, O’Brien, Maybee, Woodward, Ring, Hunt, McGown, Wheelen, Barker, Rogers’ Grawford, O'Keefe and McConkey—15. Negative—Messrs. Brown, Bouton, and Stew- | art—3. Of Committee on Finance—In favor of granting pe- | tition of J. W. Mitchell, in relation to assessment paid in error. Adopted. INVITATION. | revoked. ‘The consequence has Rercrt of the Obief of Police. Yesterday the Chief of Police sent im the following re- port to the Mayor. It was accepted, and the Mayer sent it to the Board of Aldermen to be acted upon :— Hon. Jacos A. Wearanvgur, Mayor, &o.:— ‘The statistical tables accompanying this report will exhibit to your Honor the operations and condition of the Police Department from the “lst day ef July to the Bist day of December, 1862. You will perceive that during the six months there were nineteen thousand nine hundred and one (19,901) persons arrested for the differ- ent offences enumera’ one four bun- dredand forty-eight (1,448) more than were arrested during the period of 1861. I have caused a tabular statement to be made, showing the number of arrests made for each offence during the corresponding months of 1851 and 1862, so that aap may be ableto see the operations of the department in comparison with the previous year. It will be seen that the increase of arrests consists mainty in offences against the person, and offeuces grow- ing out of the too free use of intoxicating liquors. During the first part of the year 1852, offences against the per- son became of such frequent occurrence that peaceable citizens became alarmed, and were afraid to venture be- yond their domiells after a certain hour in the evening, while it was evident that many of the policemen were careless, if not indolent, and rather prefurred to turn away from places where they were likely to get hard usage and but little honor than to interfere with such evil disposed persons. ‘To remedy this evil, your Honor's predecessor directed the whole police force to be placed on duty during the day and night, which had, in part, the desired effect. It was soon manifost that there was increased watchfulness and care on the part of the force, and the order was then ‘been, that in the short space of six months we find that there were two thousand | and thirty-five (2,036) more arrests made for these of- By Assistant Alderman Rogers—To attend ex- | ceacens eencatltadceastat yeopecie’ take Gen eotrant cursion in steamship Augusta, on Friday, 18th inst. Accepted. PETITION. By Assistant Alderman Rivc—Of Engine Com- pany No. 11 to have G. P. Morris restored to mem- rship in said company. To Committee on Fire De- partment. FROM BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Resolution—That the word “ resigned” opposite the name of Francis J. Twoomey, on Fireman’ gister, be erased. Concurred in. Resolution—That proposals be advertised for building a station house for Sixth ward police on loi purchased in Franklin street. Concurred in. Resolution—That propoels be advertised to build station house for Seventeenth ward police, and ward court of Sixth district; also a house for engine 26, and house for hose carriage 17, on corner First avenue and Fifth street. Concurred in. Granting petition of Second Reformed Church, in Eleventh street, for a lamp in front ef their church. Concurred in. Report—In favor of remitting personal tax to Griffith Thomas. To Committee on Finance. Report—-Granting permission to St. Philips Church, to sell their cemetery (for the interment of colored persons) on Christie street, they having | given bond to remove the dead, intending to pur- chase a cemetery in Williamsburg, or elsewhere. Concurred in. Resolution—Granting permissien to owners of pro- erty on Thirty-fourth street, between Fifth and adison avenues, to build a sewer at their own ex- pense. Concurred in. APPOINTMENT. The President announced the appointment of Mr. John A. Towle as reader to the Board of Assistant Aldermen. On motion of Assistant Alderman O'Keers, the same gentleman was unanimously elected deputy | clerk of the Board. On motion of Assistant Alderman Bovron, the | salary for latter was fixed at $600 per annum. The Board then adjourned till the first Monday in April. From the minutes. C. T. McCLENAEHEN, Clerk. Debates in the Common Council. BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN. Maren 16.—On the question of remitting an assessment on St. Lawrence church, in Eighty-fifth street, Mr. Bou- TON opposed the exemption unless it could be’ exempted by law, for many churches are erected solely for money making purposes. There are continual complaints about people being over- taxed, and so churches onght to be taxed as well as pri- vate property. Mr. Mannarr said that a poor congregation requiring help ought to have it. ir. BARKER—This is no new matter. The Board has been in the habit of excepting church property, and I soe no reason why the gentleman should oppose the present | measure. Mr. Bovton—I will soy that where we have remitted taxes it was on account of schools; but when churches have no schools I ho ot reeolleet 8 case of exempulon. But su g we did, we did wrong, and ought to begin todo right, and may ae well borin wow. Mr. TKorreR—In relation to schools being connected to churches, a rem‘ssion of taxes cannot be made. Property devoted solely to religious purposes is exempt by law. I do not know anything about this church but the fact of | the congregation being poor and in debt. Mr. BARKER corroborated this declaration about the we Mr. ManraTt—Although this property may be liabl '3 Re- | Perhaps this might be an exception. | I shall vote for the exemption, for we are bound to help | the congregation. Mr. Bovtos remarked that he could not see the obli- | moved; a fences alone, than during the corresponding period of time in 1851, and itis hazarding but little te say thet beth the persons and property of the citizens of this oity enjoy at this time greater protection than those of almost any other city on this continent. it appears from the statement showing the number of ed to two thousand one hundred and sixteen, (2,116,) while during the carresponding period of time, in'1851, they amounted to two thou one hundred and fifteen, 2116.) being but one more than during the previous year, notwithstanding the large increase of population, ‘and the thousand or fifteen hundred additional houses to be watched. Ihwe felt it tobe my daty to call your attention at this time, perranlas to the internal condition and regu- lations of the Police Department, as regards its efficiency in accomplishing the great ends for which it was orga- nized, and to do which it is fully capable, if properly ad- ministered and its discipline rigid has already been accomplished cannot be denied, while it is freely admitted that much still remains to be done, Considering the extent of territory, the large and con- stantly increasing population, and'the groat_ variety of characters of which that population is composed—em- bracing men of all nations, from the most ignorant to the man of learning—it is not surprising that offences against the person sbould be frequently committed. Nor is it possible for the police force to wholly prevent them, as these offences are often committed under cireumstances precluding police interference. Offences against the person almost always result from evils incidental tothe social and moral conditien of the various individuals composing a community, aud without acomplete moral reformation those offences cannot be entirely prevented ; but they may bs greatly diminished, and those disposed to commit them kept in check by a strict and increasing police surveillance. To maintain this surveillance, it is necessary to place the whole police force on active duty—to restrict the members to the performance of service connected with the criminal business of the city, and to rigidly enforce the rules and regulations of the department. By referring to the daily reports made to you of the condition of the Police Department, you will perceive that, out of {03 policemen, composing the entire force of the city, 178 are detailod to d » special duty at the various Civil Courts, Police Courts, Court of Sessions, bell towers, &c., leaving’ but 725 men to watoh and guard the entire county of New York, and being about an avorage of thir- ty-six men to each district. During the night but one- half of this number—say eighteen—are on duty, while the other helf are sleeping in the station house, 50 that one man has to watch from nine to fifteen blocks, accord- ing to the size of the district. Should any of the men be taken sick, then the size of the beat is increased, so that it is impossible for the mon to prevent crime or detect of- fenders, aa they should do, though they exercised unwont- ed vigilance. The system of detailment has grown to bo an evil of great and increasing magnitude, alike unjust to the citi- zens and to the members of the Police Department; and unless an adequate remedy be speedily applied, incaicula- ble evil must result from it. Every citizen is docply in- terested in the harmonious working of the Police Depart- ment—as the safety of his person. his family, and his property depend upon it—and that result ean only be rotght about by meting out to each of its members equal justices, andl by” iniposing ao more onerous duties upon one than upon another. The greater number of those detailed under the present system have but light duties to perform when compared with those on patrol duty, while on the other de men arduous duties aro imposed, keeping them employed during the day and the greater part of the night; yet they are all included under one head by the present ordinance, and receive $100 per annum less than the pateolmen. Under this system there has been no reward for merit, and the policeman who could obtain the greatest number of influential friends to intercede for him oouldobtain a berth where he might spend his time in comparative ease and idleness, while his less fortunate comrade—who had performed his duty zealously, and with aconscientious re- gard for the oath he had taken—received no honor, no fa- vors, and was not advanced, simply because he had no in- fluential friend to advocate his claim. Thus the incentive to do right, and perform duty with cheerfulaess, was re- all experience has demonstrated the necessity of an incentive to induce men to push forward with ac- tive exertion in any pursuit of life which they ma | undertake; and while none exists in the Police Depart- gation. They were only bound to remit the assessmentif | the law expressly requires it. A division was then called for, when th fifteen in the affirmative and three in the the report was accepted and the resolution appeared ative, and lopted. Theatrical and Masical. Bowrry THeaTRs.—The new spectacle, styled the ‘Arab and his Steed,’’ in which Mr. Wallett, the cele brated clown, personates the character of Barney Bralla- gan, is announced again for this evening. It is placed upon the stage ina style of splendor seldom witne:sed, and bas elicited the greatest possible approbation from crowded audiences. The drama of Poroihme’’ will also be played. Broapway Turarnr —Mr. Forrest is to appear in his famed character of Rolla, in R. B. Sheridan's tragic play entitled ‘Pizarro, or the Death of Rolla,” this eveniag. He will be assisted by Mr. Conway as Pizarro, Mr. Pope as ‘Alonzo, Mme. Ponisi as Cora, and Mrs. Abbott as all. Mr. Forrest continues to attract densely crowded audiences. Brrtox’s Tararre.—Shakspeare’s comedy, entitled the “Merry Wives of Windsor,” is to be repeated at Burton's this evening. The cast includes Burton, Placide, Thomp. ment it cannot be ex ted that the men will perform any greater amount dutics than they ars absolutely | compelled to perform by the vigilance of their superior © Brian | | Elvira. The new farce of the ‘-King and I’’ will conclude | officers. In consequence. continual strife is kept up be- tween the officers and the policemen, ill feelings are en- | gendered, which soon ripen into the bitterest hatred and enmity, and which are carried out of the department inte the private walks of life. If promotion to posts of honor and profit was the re- ward of merit, it would be an incentive for each man to endeavor to surpass his peers in watchfulness, and in the fidelity with which he would discharge his duty o the public He would be making constant and honest efforts ‘to advance hia own interest, and thereby the public inte- rest would be far better served. Citizens would be fully protected in their persons and property, and the charac- ter of the city ephanced. It should not, however, be forgotten that rigid on- forcement of the discipline of the department is equally essential to its prosperity. Punishment in all cases, should be graduated according to the enormity of the offence committed, regardless alike of the person upon | whom it is to be inflicted and cf the influential frieads | who ma; come to his assistance. Every case of com- plaint should be carefully decided upon the sworn testi- mony of reliable witnesses; otherwise gross injustice is | | done to the citizen, or the officer, and, in either case, a son, Johnston, Dyott, Fisber, Skerrett, Mrs Skerrett, | Mrs. Dyott and Mrs. Bernard. ‘This is a combination of talent seldom witnessed. The last new farce of ‘The Smiths’ will also be represented. Narioxat Turatre.—The Irish drama of -‘ Brian Boroibine,”’ extraordinary evolutions on the tight rope, the ‘‘Stage struck Yankeo,’’ and “‘Mons. Dechalumeaux,”’ comprise the bill of entertainment offered for the evening atthe National Leon Javelli, Charles Winther, Yankee Locke; Master Jerome and La Petite Winther, are ail to appear. Watiack's Treater.—The drama of ‘“ Pauline,” whieh is increasing in attraction at every representation, is an- nounced agsin for this evening, Mr. Lester appearing as the Count, Mr, Rernolds as Lucien de Nerval, and Miss Laura Keene as Pauline. The admired comedietia cf “Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady,’ and the amusing farce of the ‘Handsome Husband,’ are also to be per- formed. Avmnioan Museo —The performances selected for this atthe Museum, comprise the new ue Beara,” and the farces of “Allow spectacle entitled Me to Apologize,” “My Friend in the Straps,” and ‘Your | Life's in Danger.’ St. Cran TaesTre—Mr. J. R. Scott, the popular American tragedian, is to personate the character of the Stranger to night, in the beautiful play of that name. and Mrs. Mason, will like: appear in it. The farce of the “Lottery Ticket’ be the concluding piece, Canety's Overa Hovst.—This establishment continnes to be crowded to excess nightly, to witness the excellent performanicos of Christy's Minstreis. Woov's Minyrnas —This extremely popular band of minstrels advertise a well seleeted programme of Ethio- pian entertainments for this evening. Growoey Rupeatsp.—One of the largest audienoes ever | aucombled in Metropolitan Hall was present at Dr. Boyn ton’s closing lecture, on Tuesday evening, at the conclu sion of which Dr. Boynton announced a second course, or repetition, tocommence this evening. These lectures haye attracted the most fashionable people of the city. Rongxt Hrusn’s Evewincs ov Dianuerte.—Professor Heller's soirées mystériewes continue to be attended by large aasemblages. Risixy's THaMes.—This splendid painting of the River Thames is very well patronized. Baxvarn’s Hory Lanp.—The addition of the “Shrine of the Holy Cross”) to thie magnificent panorama has proved quite attractive Saxpworp’s ExmortaN Oren Trrore are to open in Paterson, N.J., tomorrow evening, and continue on Friday and Saturday, This will bea rich treat for the citizens of Patorson Mur. Vatextist is to commence a sorios of concerts at | the Society Library next woek Mr. T. Watson, the Irish comedian and national dancer, was one of the passengers in the Q een of the West, just arrived from Fogianl We understand he was a oat | favorite in the Ol Country, and danced befora the Queen R ‘oysi Family at Balmoral, also ing the pri ‘at the Royal Caledonian "tor hie Highland Sports, for his Highland There is san ao pak eh no doubt he will be an ac Tarety-Tump Concress. By the election of six democrats in South Carolina and three in New Hampshire, to the United States Honse of Represen- ht demo crate, fifty whigs, and three abolitionists. “The «: districts sent to the last Congress eizhty eight domo. crats, sixty whigs, and two abolitionists, Highty- r4 of the new Honse are yet to be elect- ed. Total two hundred and thirty-four. The demo- cratic members will be tothe whigs in about the 34) poate of two to one. The democratic majority in he Senate will be fifteen or twenty. For the next two er at least, every department of the govern- ment will be democratic, divaghor lett Richwoud, for Cisarieston, Thomas on the 12th inst. | and in lieu thereof | "citizens become error ee wrong is inflicted which eventually recoils with fearful effect upon the best interest of the department. If a policeman is unjustly punished, he becomes indit- forent, morore and sullen: he feels that he is not safe when he faithfully Performs his du y, and rather thac be again subjected to fal ees he passes by offenders and offences when he can do so without fear of detection. If one ; olicemsn is subjected to a greater punishment for a breach of discipline, of the same grade, than another, Gissatisfaction and jeslousies are fomented, alike injari- ous to the department and the public; but, on the other hand, when a policeman is suffered to ‘go unpunished, or is but slightly punished for gross breaches of ducipline, nd will not complain when they have ample cause to ; while the officer is en- couraged to progeed in hiv unlawful sete until ke brings the whole department into disgrace by his outrages or in- famous conduct. Over cases of discipline the chief of police has no power, aud it depends entirely upon you whether the de- partment shall be shorn of its effects for good, by having 6 bear under such an oppressive weight, or whether it shall prosper by means of the just decisions of your Ho- nor in all matters of discipline. In regard to detailments, I would rospectfully suggost to your Honor an entire abandonment of the present sys- tem, which is oa of producing evil and only evil, to select from the Police Departmeat | one hundred men—a number amply sufficien’ to perform | ploces ax | all the criminal business now performed by detailed mea. In selecting the men, strict regard should be paid to thelr qualifications, and the manner in which they have here- totore performed their duties. The men can be divided into squads of five, with a sargeant to each squad, who should be held responsible for the good conduct of the men placed under him. During the day time they may be sent to perform duty at the various police courts, office of the Chief of Police, Court of Sessions, Court of Uyer and Terminer, steam beat landings, ferries, railroad depots, and at such other eir services may be needed In the evening they should report themselves to the Chief of Police to be ured as the exigencies of the department ana the wants of the public might require. It is not proposed that the «quads should remain at any one place for @ longer space of time than one month, so that they may all have an equal opportunity of beccming acquainted with criminals, and the manner in which crimiaal busi- ness is transacted in the various criminal and police courts. At the end of each year, a certain proportion | of the one hundred men (to be determined by lot) might be returned to patrol duty, and others solected to fill their places. Heretofore, tho bell ringers, and the persons seleoted to attend upon the several civil courts, and at many other lacesfwhich it is not necesaary here to enumerate, have detailed from the Police Department. Aa those several in no wise connected with the administration al Justice the duty should be performed by per sons specially appointed for that purpose, as there is no yo priety in weakening the police force by detailing po- en for such purposes. Under the ‘act of 1844, it was made the duty of policemen to attend at such places; but that section of the Jaw has since been repealed i part, and it is now competent for the Common Council or Loard of Supervisors to provide other persons to di charge such duties. It is therefore proposed that tl duties of policemen be confined to the crimiual businoss of the city. The decided advantages of this plan over the present system are clearly obvious to persons familiar with police Duriness and the workings of the deoartment, ani if adopted, Iam confident it will tend greatly to benefit the niembers of the force, and aubserve the best interest of the city. I we uld also call your Honor's attention to the condition of the apartments ‘alloted for the office of the Chief of Po Hee, They are sivuated in the basement of the City Hull some four feev below the serface of the ground, #0 that they are always damp and unhealthy, uniess a large fre ie Kept continually burning. size they are in nowise adapted for the purposes for whic. they are ured. The main office 1s about 20 by 26 feet, into which, during the business hours of the day, on an averege, from thirty to fifty persons are crowded at one time, “ro that it is frequently difficult to finda place to stand, and often it is almoat impossible for a person to boot Irom ove oud of Ue xooi to the other, Ia this room ladies and gectlemon are often crewisd together, | ret Monday in April ly enforced. That iach | In thelr arrangement and | | Board of Educatien. Maxcu 16.—Erastus C. Benedict, Esq., in the chair. The minutes of the last proceedings were read and approved. DEATH OF KK-JUSTICR MORRILL. ex Justice, apd 8 member of this Board up to its last sitting, proposed the following resolutions:— Resolved, That the Board of Education have learned with deep concern the decease of Elisha Morrill, Esq, lately a member of this Board, and Commissioner of Com- mon Schools of the Twelfth ward of this city; that the deceased in all his official relations, while a member of this Board, exhibited the utmost mal in the discharge of his duties, and set an example of devotion to the interests of public education rarely equalled; thatin the numerous civil offices filled by him, during a long life, he approved himself a man of Intogat , industry, and fidelity to his trust; and that in his death the community have sus- tained a loss which will not easily be sup) . Resolved, That the above resolutions entered upon the minutés of this Board, and a copy of the same, duly signed by its officers, be communicated to the family of the deceased. ‘The resolutions were unanimously adopted. APPOINTMENTS. The appointment of Edgar Ketchum as Commissioner of Common Schools of the Twelfth ward. recommended by the school officers of that ward, to fill the vacancy cre- ated by the death of Judge Morrill, was confirmed, Rodo- rick C. Androus was appointed Trustee of Common Schools of the Twelfth ward, in the room of Eagar Ketchum, re signed. John A. Hows was appointed tutor in’ the Free Academy, at a salary of per annum, on the re. commendation of the Exccutive Committee. THE FREB ACADEMY. The following resolution was offered by Mr. C. H. Smith, and adopted as a substitute for one submitted by the Executive Committee, for an appropriation of $6,800 -— Resolved, That $6,500 be appropriated to pay the sala- ries of the Froe Academy falling due the 1st of April next, and for bills due for the Free Academy, the sum to be expended under the direction of, and accounted for by, the Executive Committee; and that the old appropria- tions, reverred to in the report of the committee, be deemed at an end. Resolved, That the sum of $200 be appropriated for fitting up cabinets in the Free Academy. Adopted. APPROPRIATIONS. Resolved, That the sum of $38,000 (thirty-cight thou- sand dollars) of the annual apportionment to the ward schcols be, and the same is hereby, appointed for the support of sald schools. Adopted. esolved, That the sum of $8,765 73 be, and the same fs, hereby appropriated to the Public School Society, on account of the annual apportionment to that Society for the year 1803. Adopted. Resolved, Taat $3,251 40, (being on account of the an- xual apportionment ‘o the corporate schools other than the Public School Society,) be, and the same is, hereby appropriated for the support of the schools entitled to participate therein. Adopted. The report of the Finance Committee, containing an estimate of the amount of money which will be required from the city treasury to meet the payments of the Board on the Ist of next month was presented. The committee es- timate that there will be required the sum of $64,712 13, of which they have in hand $7,935 92—leaving the sum of $57,876 21, as the estimated amount required to bo placed subject to the drafts of this Board. ‘A resolution authorizing the appropriation of that sum was proposed and adopted, together with the report of the committee. The Board adjourned to Wednesday next, at five o'clock. Court of General Sessions. | Before Judge Beebe and Aldermen Tiemann and Cornell: CHARGE OF BURGLARY. Marci 16,.—Thomas Burton, a respectable looking young man, was charged with burglary, in the dwelling house of Dr. George A. Sandham, situated at No. 141 Weat Thirty.fifth street, on the 9th of February. The prisoner was found in the garret; but the evidence was not conclusive that the outward or hall door was locked before he entered the premises, and, as the indictment contained no other count, the Court directed a verdict of not guilty, which was returned accordingly. The pri- soner was remanded, to await the action of the Grand Jury, before whom another complaint, for an attempt at grand larceny, was sent. In the afternoon, an indictment having been found, the prisoner was arrigned uponit, and Mr. R. Holmes, for the défence, interposed a plea of autrefois acquit, an attempt to commit same offence in that house being embraced in the first indictment. ‘The Court overruled the pe as insufficient, and direct- ed the trial to proceed. The defendant’s counsel took ex- ception. A plea of not guilty was then recorded, and the witnesses recalled, who testified as to the quantity and description of clothing, &c., that were on the premises. ‘The prisoner's counsel argued that there was no act that would constitute an attempt, and that entering with the full intent, (a fact which he would admit,) was insuffcient without an asportation, or some such act. Judge Beebe overruled point, and said he would barge, tbat if they believed, or it was admitted, that the tent was formed, the entrance was an overt act. To his counsel excepted, and the Court eharged upon the principle laid down, leaving them to say, with reference to the value of the property, wheter it was an attempt at grand or petit larceny. The jury, without retiring, ‘ound him guilty of the offence ‘as charged, and he was emanded for sentence till Saturday next. PLEADED GUILTY. Jnmes Gillespie pleaded guilty to an indictment charg- ‘ng him with an assault and battery on William Byxbee, on the 9th instant, under circumstances lately detailed in the police intelligence. Sentence deferred, defendant being on bail. BURGLARY. Thomas Gibbons, impleaded with James Varick, was laced on trial, charged with breaking into the store of Sohn Garm, in Fifteenth street, on the night of the 9th Of January last, and stealing a quantity of segars, hams, teas, coffee, &c. Considerable amusement was caused b; the manner in which the prosecutor, a German, gave evidence. His constant answer as to the quantity of code stolen, &c., being ‘That is more as I can tell.” He, jowever, proved that the store had been opened by break- ing the shutter, and a large quantity of goods taken. A pitcher, resembling one stolen. was found on the premises of one of the defendants The prisoner on trial, had, moreover, made a confession on his examination before the magistrate. in which he ee che was induced to the commission of the offence by Varick. This, anda revious good character, was in fact the only thing urged 8 the shape of a defence. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. james Varick, above mentioned, a colored boy, some- what older than'the last prisoner, was next placed on his rate trial. The circumstances were of course identi- cal, and in his examination, Varick had stated that he did not break in, but remained outside while Gibbons and another did ao. At the close of the prosecution, the Court asked the prisoner whether he had anything to say to the jury. He rope, “Oh, I don’t know what to say’’— which oxeited loud Janghter, the prisoner heartily fota- ing. ‘The jury returned a similar verdict as in the last esse. Gibbons, when placed at the bar, showed some kind of contrition; and, under the circamstances, tho Court minde a distinction, sentencing him for two years only, and Varick for two years and six months, to the State prison. CHARGE OF RECEIVING STOLEN @OoDs. Gabriel V. McCoy, who keeps a store room or ware- house corner of South and Jefferson streets, was indicted for receiving three bales of cotton, knowing the same to have been stolen. Mr. James R. Whiting appeared for the defence. William H. Hazard sworn —Was connected with the shipping and commission business: knew the ship Hu- guenvt, Capt. Gardiner; in March, 1852, she came to this port consigved to him; there were seven bales of cotton an 4 the last he saw of any or them wasst the ‘Tombs here; there were three cf them; recogni ono by the mark, which they thought they had cut off, but which bad in the begging of the cotton become folded in. To the Court—Did not know of his own knowlodge that there were any bales missing. Tierre Van Hoosen sworn—Was a private watch- man; knew the ship Huguenot; in 1852, about March, she Inid at pier No. 45; saw her cargo, but did net know the marks, and could not identify any pert of it; found the cotton in the junk shop, low the defendant's store; had a conversation with Mr. Mc- Cy within two or three weeks after; he said the cotton bolonged to him, and if any one could identity it they might have it. They had taken it away at that time. Cros#-examined—The place was at the corner of South street and Jefferson; the defendant kept a store house for cotton there; told witness hegbad had it to store; that be had orders to store 160 bales, for Colwell & Co., and these three bales were brought with them; that they remained over when he came to deliver the others, and to clear the loft above, he caused them to be placed below. with or- Gers that any one might have then: whe identified them. Patrick Hayes, © man in the employ of Mr. Harkeney, the junk-store keeper, wan called:— The Court interposed, and intimated that it was use. lesa to pursue the pea further. Mr. tall coincided He doubted whether a scienter could be shown, even if a larceny were established, ‘the Court would first, however, hear what Hayes knew of it. He Lepeb a doa the fact of the removal of the govds below, as before stated by permission; and the jury, under the direction of the Court, returned a formal ver. dict of not guilty. Adjourned till to morrow (Thursday) morning. Bonrd of Supervisors, A ppecial meeting of the Board of Supervisors was called Jast night by the Siayor, who presided. Mr. DrwMan proposed the following resolution :-— Resolved, That the Register of the city and county of Now York be directed to report to this Board, at an early day. the number and amount of mortgages on real éstate in each ward, with th te of the record in each case, end tbe amount of the whole, Alderman SrurTRVANT—That would be an herculean fark, and one that could mot be performed in less than twelve months. /idcrman Bock sould not nee the = to be gaived by sucha procedure. Many persons might feel oelionte about the amount of their property being published Alde:nion Domerry thought they could not ask the Register {o turnish such matter, It would cost more than a $1 000 to make puch a re} and he believed the Register would refuse to furnish it without they agreed to pay bim for it and it would take rix months to do that. “ihe Recorder thought the resolution @ proper one. Re- ferred toa special committes of Aldermen Denman and Ward. After further dis he the evssion, the Board adjouracd until ne xt, H reached the ocean. THE GEOGRAPHY OF ICELAND. nae Another Lecture on Iceland by Mr. Pliny Miles, before the American Gico- prephical and Statistical Society. Mr. Pliny Miles delivered a very able and interest- ing lecture, Tuesday evening, on Iceland, at the Chapel of the University, Washington square. George Bancroft, Esq., presided, and introduced the lecturer to the meeting, who said : Mr. Presipent, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The tract of country to which I propose calling your attention this evening, though within range of @ ten day voyage with a steamship, is, I believe, less known than any other inhabitable territory of equa! size within ten thousand miles of our city. Iceland, from its very name, gives us an idea of a cheerless region, where we should naturally imagine that almost all animal life would be extinct. Though near the Polar circle, it is nota terra incognita—an un" known land—for travellers, a few in number, from various countries, have trod its rock-bound eoasts and snow-clad mountains. Having myeelf visited nearly all the habitable parts of North America and Europe, and witnessed the most remarkable natural curiosities from the Arctic circle to the African coast, and from Labrador to the Caribbean Sea, I must think that Iceland presents a greater array of remarkable natural phenomena than can be found throughout the whole of these two great continents. It presents to the naturalist and the man of science, to the geologist, the mineralogist, the botanist and ornithologist, a rarer and more unex- plored field than probably any equal tract of accessi- ble country on the face of the globe. I hope, sir, I hall not be classed with those biographers whe in- variably, under all circumstances, hold up their own heroes as exceeding in every great quality all the he- roes of every age and nation. I come here to state facts more than to express opinions. We learn much, however, DYE CODEREE A) ‘things little known with things well known. We are all more or less ac- uainted, either personally or through ‘vell written Geecripeioay) and pictorial representations, with the famous volcanoes in the Mediterranean—Astna, Ve- suvius, and Stromboli—the last so constantly burn- ing that it is called “The Lighthouse of the Mediter- ranean.” We have seen numerous descriptions, and some of us have toiled up the sides of some or all these celebrated mountains. In a historical and classi- cal point of view, these scenes are second in inter- est to few on the earth’s surface. They are made fa- mous by the Muse of Homer, they gave dnspirasion to Horace and Virgil, and are minutely described by the pens of Strabo, Diodorus Siculus, and Pliny. How often are the volcanoes of Sicily, Naples, and Iceland mentioned together, as Atna, Hekla, and Ve- ‘ius. As volcanoes they all have some features in common, and in some respects they are widely dif- ferent. Hundreds of our countrymen annually scramble to the summit of Vesuvius, and a few score see, at least, the base of the Sicilian mountain; but | how few—scarcely one in an age—go to the volcanic regions of the far north. he lecturer here remarked, that he believed he was the only person living who had climbed th three celebrated mountains and looked down their burning craters. In the Mediterranean, art and nature can both be studied ; but in Iceland, nature alone—but nature in her wildest moods. But how will those mountains in the south compare with these in the north? All the volcanoes in the Mediterranean would scarcely extend over more ground than a single county in | our State, while Iceland is one entire volcanic crea- tion as large as the State itself. If not in a state of constant activity, throughout the length and breadth of the land may be found smoking mountains, burn- ing sulphur mines, hot springs that will boil an egg, and jets of blowing steam, that keep oe a roar like the whistle of a gigantic steam engine. The volcanic region of Iceland may be set down as covering an area of at least sixty thousand square miles, for vol- canoes have repeatedly rose up from the sea near the coast, and sometimes as faras seventy miles from land. Iceland, too, is classie ground. Not, however, in the same sense that Italy, Sicily and Greece are. The hundred different kinds of verse, now existing in many volumes of Iceland poetry, the , and im- portant documents of the northern historians, have not been read and re-read, translated and re-transla- ted, like the works of Herodotus, Xenophon, Tacitus and Cicero, and all for very good reasons. The country is not one of such antiquity—it is not a country renowned for arts and arms, and overflowin, with a numerous population. As a State, it is near! destitute of works of art, and its scanty ig ee can only procure the bare necessaries of life. Scarce ascrap of Icelandic literatare ever put on English dress, and found its way among the Anglo-Saxons, until the pen that gave us Waverley and Rob Roy furnished us with a translation of some of the more mportant of the Iceland Cav iee ‘The author of the Pealm of Life and Hyperion also given us trans- jations of I¢elandic poetry. Iceland lies just south of the Polar circle, between 63 ee }0 minutes and 66 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, and 13 de- greos 15 minutes and 24 de; 45 minutes west ongitude from Greenwich. Its average length is about two hundred and eighty miles from east to west, and its breadth from north to south about one hundred and fifty miles. Its surface is es- timated at forty thousand square miles, or a trifle larger than Ireland. It is three hundred miles east of the cast of Greenland, about five hundred from the north of Scotland, one thousand from Liverpool, one thousand three hundred from Copenhagen, and about three thousand miles from Boston. A ship would have just about the same distance to sail in going from New York to Iceland as from New York to London. A glance atthelarge mapof Iceland will show that the coast is deeply indented with bays, its val- leys drained by large rivers, and every partabounding, more or less, with lofty mountains. On stepping ashore in Iceland, the total absence of trees and for- ests, and the astonishing purity of the atmosphere, strike the spectator as among the most remarkable characteristics of the count The fields are beau- tifally green, the mountains, clothed in purple heath, appear so near that you are almost tempted to reach forth your hand to touch their sides. At fifteen or twenty miles distance, they OY ed but three or four, and at seventy or eighty miles they seem to be not more than ten or fifteen. Such is the effect of the magical purity of the atmosphere. In other countries you go and visit cities and ruins; here you see Nature in her most fantastic forms. In other States you pay a bern fie franc, or & pias- tre, for a warm bath in a vat marble; here you bathe in a soring of af desired temperature, or | singe into a cool luke and swim to the region of a ot spring in the bottom, guided by the steam on the surface. In other lands, you step into marble palaces that are lined with gold and precious stones, and find hereditary legislators | making laws to keep the people in subjection; here you see a grass-gown amphitheatre, where an elective congress met and legislated in the open air for neatly a thousand years. In other and more favored climes you find comfortable houses, and “ fruits of fragrance blush on every tree;” here not a fruit, save one small and tasteless berry, and nota single variety of grain will ripen, and their houses ure mere huts of lava and turf, looking as green as the meadows and pastures. In other lands, coal and wood fires enliven every hearth, and mines of iron, lead, copper, silver or gold, reward the labor of the delver; but here not a particle of coal, not one single mineral of value, and not one stick of wood, can be found larger than a walking cane, Many of their mountains are clad in eternal snows, and some jour out rivers of fire several times every century. (ekla is the most remarkable and conspicuous vol- cance in Iceland, and not more than seventy-seven years have passed at one time, since the country was settled, without its being in a state of activity. Its last eruption was in 1845, and at the time of my visit, in 1852, seven years after, the long black river of lava that run out had not done smoking. In its effects and the amount of lava thrown out at one time the eruption of Hekla never equalled that of Skaptar Jokull in 1743. A brief notice of this eruption may not be out of place. Abouta month previous to its commencement, in May, a vol- cano rose up from the bottom of the sea, more than seventy miles from land, to the southwest of Cape Reikianess, the southwestern point of the island, and over a hundred and fifty miles from this moun- tain. This was one of the most remarkable sub- marine eruptions ever recorded. It formed an island of considerable size, and ejected vast quan- tities of pumice, a light volcanic substance that floated on the surface of the water. It covered the sea for more than one bundred and fifty miles, and in such vast quantities that ships were retarded in their progress while saili by the const. ‘The sea- birds paused and screamed in their wheeling flight, and the more adventurous tuok a ride on a new vol- cenic raft. His Danish Majesty, on hearing of a creation of new territory near his ancient possession of Iceland, sent a ship with orders for its immediate annexation. The commander took formal pos of it, in the name of the king. But the end was not yet. Man proposes but God dispores. The flag of Denmark had not waved above it for a twelvemonth, before it sunk back into the. ocean, and disappoared, never to rise again till the sea shall give up its dead. From the ist to the 8th of June, in the vicinity of Skaptar Jokull violent earthquakes were experfenced, and clouds of smoke darkeved the air for, some days. It was often so dark in the middle of the day that a sheet of white paper could not be seen when held up before the eyes. An immense shower of ashes, sand and sulphur, filled the air, and completely covered the land. It poisoned the vegetation, de- stroying every green thing where it fell. Fortunate- ly, the wind carried it to the south, and it soon Incredible as it may seem, this shower of sabes and sulphur was borne over the Ee 4 ue HE sound was heard, and immense quantities of steam filled the air. Gees torrent idickly flowed dowa the bed of river, from, to 600 feet deep, quently running in seams or cracks of the lava, are often Lee, deep in proportion to their breadth. Lightning flashed through the heavens, thunder and concussions of the earth were constantly heard and felt, and the volcano kept up a continued and terri- ble roaring. In its course down the bed of the river the lava came to an immense chasm or pit, into which for many hours it poured with a deafening noise. The stream of lava flowed first south, then east, destroying farms, houses, and churches, and burning up the thickets of wood near Kirkubcer, Often great chasms in the earth would get filled with melted lava, and then, ag it cooled on top, the heat below would cause it to Sxploie, and large masses of it high in the air. For three months the lava continued to flow; but it was not till the next February that the mountain ceased thro out ashes, sand, flames, and hot stones. The effects of this eruption were more terrible than saying of the kind that ever happened in Iceland. showers of ashes, sand and sulphur, completely destroyed every green thing for a long Another most ‘singular effect of this eruption ex- ended to the ocean. The fish that had always frequented the coast were entirely driven away, and never returned. A terrible famine ensued. Within two years over 190,000 sheep, 28,000 horses, and 11,000 cattle, died of starvation. About 10,000 peo- ple—one-fifth of the entire population of the island— erished from want and Capen The amount of fava ejected from this volcano is believed to be greater than was ever discharged from one moun- tain within the same period of time. It covered a tract of country 600 square miles in extent; and had it lain of equal thickness over the entire surface, would have been over 300 feet deep. The lava would have filled the channels of fifty rivers as large as the Hudson, from Albany to New York. It is said that the personal appearance of a certain uadruped does not give an unfailing indication of e distance he can heed That can true of Skaptar Jokull. If size is an indication of power, the vast magnitude of this mountain would seem to show that its eruptions would be terrible. Mount tna, whose smoking summit attracts the attention of the mariner while far out at sea, and whose bage is 180 miles in circumference, will not compare with this monarch of the north. . Th /¥tna attains & greater elevation, yet, if reckoned bulk, or solid contents, it is not half as large. vast mountain is over 100 miles in diameter at its base, and more than 330 in ciroum- ference. Wrapped in a pall of eternal snow, and inaccessible except around the edges, it ap] from different points of vi like several separate mountains, and in different parts it goes by different names. On the west it is known aa Reaeae Jokull, and on the south it is called Orcefa Jokull; and at this point it is the highest mountain in Iceland, being a little over 7,000 English feet in height. Its vast central surface, and all throughout its northern boundary, is known as Vatna Jokull— ronounced ‘“Vatna Yokull’-—vatna, water, and jokull, ice mountain—and is supposed to contain in its hollows large poals of standing water. This ticular account I given me in conversation with Boe Biarni Geer icieat the beepers nen landie geographer, who travelled through eve: of Iceland icing @ period of over twelve Nearaana which time he saw the entire country, and executed all the drawings for this most elaborate and valuable map ofthe country. Ican also myself lay claim to considerable pearea acquaintance with Skaptar Jokull. Stan ing on the summit of Hekla, 6,200 feet high, I could look directly over the surface of the most of Skaptar. It does not rise from all sides to one peak in the centre, like Hekla, tna, and Vesuvius, but to the eye it presents the appearance of one vast plain of snow and ice glistening in the sunshine. Towards the Orcefa Jokull it rose up oon- siderably higher than the rest. The few travellers who have ascended these Jokulls have described them as Roseaiting tneiente cracks in the snow and ice, atts them the most dangerous to ascend, in proportion to their pees probably of any moun- tains in the world. Next to Skaptar Jokull and Hekla, the -most noted in Iceland are Eyjafjalla Jokull, and Tindfjalla Jokull, south of Hekla, the Spefell Jokull, in the western part of the The is a mountain of ag magnitade, pi ing a profile (somewhat like tna, and can be seen at least one hundred miles. I have a drawing of it that I made rye hg | miles at sea. As an instance of the effects yeni Cetra aa ae “ Se ee geogray reapec' iceland, one fact may rentals On almost any map where the compte has condescended to place Iceland, will see just one lake inserted—a large sheet of water, between Hekla and Skaptar Jokull. This is called the Fiske Vater, or Fish lake. Now, there is not such a lake in existence, nor has not been fora great many years, A volcano one day became thirsty and drank it +4 atadraught. A very truthful illustration of this given in Bailey’s poem of ‘Festus.’ One of his giants, ng a dranght of water, “lays him down and drinks a rivér dry!’ The poet, after all, is wiser than the hers, for he shows us the dry land geogra where itis, and they tantalize us with a picture of water where none exists, like a ee in the desert, which deceives the weary traveller. Where the Fish lake once stood now stands a mountain, and you cansee iton Mr, Gunnlangeson’s map. It is called Fiske-vater-avege. I made considerable inquiry Seen the currents in the sea around Iceland. Either a continuation of the Gulf Stream, or else a new current from the At- lantic, seta strongly through the Greenland strait, and flows east, along tho north coast of Iceland. At the northeast point Of the island it meeta o current thet flows west from the Arctic Sea, between a bergén and the northern point of Lapland. currents are known to some navigators; and, as striking proof that they exist and encounter one ano- ther here, it is not uncommnun to find among the drift wood in the northeast bays of Iceland a log of ma- hogany from Honduras, one of oak from the St. Law- rence, and a pine from Lapland or Norway. Timber being very valuable in Iceland, it is well known what coasts gather the most drift wood, and at this point far more timber is drawn ashore than on any other part of the island. As I have spoken of the inacou- Tacy of many geographers, in their representations of Iceland, I will take occasion to say that the maps of the well known Scottish geographer, Alexander Keith Jobnaton, of Edinburg, possess great acourasy in the delineations of Iceland and the Northern Sea, as I am sure they do of all other parts of the worl that are known. The ocean currents are shown with minutenesa and :. lity; and the isothermal lines drawn through Iceland andactos- ‘2 Atlantic and the American continent show what parts of out counir? and others have the same average climate. In Mr Johnston's “ Physical Atlas’—undoubtedly the most scientific of all the maps ever published—the showers of ashes and sand from Skaptar Tokull are represented as reaching clear on to the continent of Europe, just as recorded by the historians of Ice- and. much clearer description of some other por- ions of Iceland can be given extemporaneously, sided by the map, than could be read from a paper. The lecturer then went on to describe the geysers, or waterspouts of Iceland, and pointed out their po- sition on the map, and concluded his interesting re- marks by producing some purple heath and native cotton, which he had gathered with his own hand in hat country. Mr. Joshua Levett proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer for his able statement, which was secend- ed by Mr. John C.Zimmerman. Carried unanimous- y, and the meeting separated. + United States Commissioner’s Court, Before Joxeph Bridzham, Esq Manca 16.—Charye of Wedeaver to male a Revoll ond Confning the Master.—The United States vs Geo. W. Smith The defendant, on being arrested, demanded an exami- nation, ard the case was Feta Hl proceeded with, Mr. Ridgeway appearing for the United Sta James W. Porter deposed—I am master of the ship Sheridan, defendant was one of the crew; on or about the 8th March, on homeward Ne ag I sont for this man to come aft; they said he was sick; T waa preparing medi- cine for him; he.came down ond refused to take it, and started to run up the steps, I caught him by the trowsers Sea him back; he hollowed for the men to come aft and rescue him, or help him: I sung out for my third of- ficer to brig the man down; Smith came back, and seiz- ed me by the threat, and backed me over on the other ride of the cabia; in the ¥cufiie he went down; I then or- dered "he second mate to get the irons; with his assist- ance and the third mate, we put them on; I went into the water closet to hear what Smith had to asy; I beard him tell the boy to go forward and tell Tom and some othera to bring the pistols aft, if not to send them aft, for he warted to shoot the captain; | had him in iron; six hours; I veat to him; he accuowledged that he was in the wrong ond Llet him out; I went armed on deck all night in oonsequente of what I had seen and heard. Crosr examined by prisoner's counsel—Smith did about three days work on the passage; he was sick with the ve- nereal; he wax among the passengers all day long; whom he first came into the cabin T asked him what kept him 60 long; he raid he bad jurt got out of bed; the medicine was raiteina tin pot, a small do-0; he refused to drink it; he took part of the salts eventually; he held me till E ot him down; did not see any one kick him; thers was Biood on me and some on him; I tied him around big woist; he was tied afterwards in the Indicy’ cabin, tow stanchion; did not shove him up with my foot; seoond and third ‘mates and a boy said thoy aaw Smith or some one of the men, have pistols cleaning them. At this stage of the case an adjouroment was dirested by is unciomiober.