VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.
THE COLONIAL SLANDERER–JOHN LHOTSKY.
(From The Colonial Times, May 14.)
We have, on more occasions than one, had cause to notice the slanders, which have been heaped upon this Colony, as well as New South Wales, by a portion of the English Press; and we have done so, not so much for the purpose of vindication, as for that of neutralizing the poison, which has been thus maliciously poured forth. We have, now, the means, in pursuance of this object, of exposing, to general execration and disgust, the base, cowardly, and ungrateful SLANDERER, who exists in the person of the self-styled and notorious DOCTOR LHOTSKY", once of Sydney, and formerly of this town. Some, perhaps, may imagine, that, in thus acting, we are imbuing this impostor with more importance, than is necessary; but we think differently; because the channels, which he has selected, and most miraculously obtained, for the circulation of his slanders, are neither mean nor obscure, and it is, on this account, that we shall devote a short space to the uncloaking of this bad-hearted man, that the British public may know to what extent his statements may be credited, and relied upon.
It is well known, here, that John Lhotsky came to this Colony from Sydney, because the latter place had become too hot for him; in fact he stole away from his creditors; and, being a man of some glibness of tongue (as all German mountebanks are) and of the most consummate impudence, he imposed himself upon the Government, as a mineralogist, and obtained employment as an Inspector of the Coal Mines at Port Arthur. Thither, therefore, he betook himself, but the deficiencies of his mineralogical capabilities were soon detected, and he was, at once, discharged. While he was at the mines, he procured by the aid of the prisoners sundry "curiosities," consisting chiefly of a few minerals, some petrifactions, and some zoological specimens, which, in the aggregate, he dignified by the appellation of a museum, and offered to the Government for sale, for the very modest and adequate sum of £150! The offer was rejected, but determined to turn this museum, as it was called, to some good account, the Collector proposed to part with it for the same price to be raised by subscription. A subscription was consequently set on foot, and many persons, noting under the impulse of that benevolent spirit which is so prevalent in these slandered Colonies, contributed liberally on the occasion. Be it observed, however, that the ostensible object of Mynheer John Lhotsky was to return to Ins native land by means of this subscription. In the midst, however, of its collection the scientific collector fell sick, and we mention this for the purpose of merely stating that, even now, in his sickness, want, and desolation, this slanderer–this bad-hearted and most ungrateful man, was absolutely supported by (he charity of that community which he has so ungenerously and unjustly vilified. Now, let the British public think only of this simple fact: this man was absolutely sent home by the kindness of the Colonists, in return for which he heaps upon them abuse and vilification. Knowing the worth and standing of the persons upon whom Lhotsky has imposed in England, we were at first surprized at the circumstance; but knowing, also, the eagerness with which new matters relating to these Colonies are received and promulgated, our surprise ceased, and merged into indignation against the ungrateful slanderer. Still we must think that no persons connected with the Press should venture, upon the unauthenticated statements of a stranger, to denounce whole communities,–especially when they appertain to the Colonies.
The match to which we alluded in our last came off on Friday, when Mr. Gregson started from the 41 mile-stone, at Spring Hill, at six minutes after eight A. M , and arrived at the Ship Inn, Hobart Town, about liai '-past three, thus having nearly half an hour lo spare. In the short cuts which Mr Gregson made through Stoney Hut, Valley, and other places, it ¡9 clear to us, that he must have saved, at least, seven miles, thus reducing the distance to 33. In the evening a party of gentlemen sat down to a very excellent dinner, at the Ship, when Mr. Gregson stated that after paying the expenses of the entertainment, &c, it was his intention to appropriate £100 of the wager to the erection of a tomb over the remains or his old friend the Reverend Mr. Knopwood, and the balance to the Benevolent Society
On Thursday evening, His Excellency, Sir John Franklin, dined according to invitation, on board her Majesty's brig Pelorus, Capiain Harding, and was received by a salute of thirteen guns. It is unnecessary to expatiate upon the feast of reason and the Sow of soul, the usual accompaniments of such occasion ; the loyal and gallant toasts, were done full justice to. and at half-past nine Sir John took his leave. Upon pushing off from the brig, the Harbour and surrounding scenery were instantaneously enveloped in a mantle of intense blue -blue lights having been placed throughout the rigging, and simultaneously lighted upon a given signal.
Literature and Science.–Substitute for the Sun.- 'I he newly iuvented light of M. Gaudin, on which experiments were recently made at in Paris, is an improvement upon Lieutenant Drummond's While Drummond, pours a stream of oxygen gas, through spirits of wine, upon unslacked lime, Gaudin makes use of a more etherial kind of oxygen, which he conducts through bu uing essence of turpentine The Drummond light is fifteen hundred times stronger than that of burning gas; the m Gaudin light is, we are atsstlred by the Moniteur, as H strong as that of the sun, or thirty thousand times H sti ou^er iii dil gas, and, of couise, te i times more m than the Drummond. 'Hie method by which M. ag Gaudin proposes to turn the new invention to use, is ar s ngularly striking. He proposes to erect in the le Island ol llie Pont Neuf in the middle of the »Vine of and centre of Paris, a lighthouse, five hundred feet w. high, in which is to be placed a light from a li un so dred thousand to a million gas pipes sljoiigthe he power to be varied as the nights are light or dark. In Paris will then enjoy a sort of p(rpclual day, and co is soon as the sun uf the heavens has set, the sun of at the Point Neuf will rise ~Tasmanian May 17.
Hobart Town Markets, MAY l7.– The intelligence from Sydney, by which it appears, that wheat has fallen as low as 12s per bushel, has not at present affected, our Market, although a fall may be very reasonably expected. The flour market also, with other articles of general consumption, at our last quotation. Walker's Mills May 17.–Wheat 13s to 15s per bushel; English Barley 7s 6d to the ditto; fine flour £40 per ton; seconds ditto i 38 ditto ; thirds ditto ¿ 3G .Ufo ; oatmeal £'¿ 2s oatmeal perewt. ; pollard '¿a., ami bran la l)d per bu»hel of 6011)s. New Wharf.-Wheat I3s per bushel ; English Barley 7s öd ditto ; Capo ditto ; 6's hay, pressed, £9 per ton ; loose £5 to £6 ditto ; potatoes £9 to £11 ditto ; c 'al* 14s ditto ; she oak 12s ilit o j gum 9s ditto j two pound loaf Od -Ibid.
Executive Council.–We are in-formed this morning, and the fact is not open to dispute, that, in consequence of some blundering? on the part of the Home Authorities-for future explanation-the Executive Council now consists of the Colonial Secretary, the Archdeacon, the Commanding Officer, and tho Chief Justice, thus excluding Messrs. Gregory and Spo??.
The customery fete at Government House in celebration of Her Majesty's Birth-day is for the present postponed in consequence of the absence of Lady Franklin,-it will, however, we understand take place on her Ladyships return from Sydney–Ibid
(From the Launceston Journal May 8 )
The William by this time is due from Sydney. A detachment of the 51st is expected by her to relieve the remainder of the 5Oth stationed here, and which is under orders for Sydney. Major Turner, 50th regiment, our present Commandant, in the absence of Major Ryan, will, we understnnd, proceed with his detachment to head quarters Major Mainwaring, 51st regiment, it is reported, will succeed to lite Commanduncy of Launceston on the departure of Major Turner.
The Wesleyan Methodists, we under- stand, are holding preparatory Centenary Meetings in the Colony; in the appropriation of the funds we hear it is probable the whole will be expended in the colony. If such be the case, we hope they will not be fritted away to a number of local purposes, and if we can have any thing monumental and connexional too, Iel us have it, but at any rate let us have something monumental.
Our Presbyterian readers will be glad to heir that Air. Lillie has received a letter from the General Assembly, in reply to Hie requisition for two additional schoolmasters. A sub-ronvnittee had been appointed to look out proper persons and to get them forwarded under llie auspices of the
Secretary of State.
A disease ia prevalent at Hobart Town
which IIJH suiiously afflicted several of the inhabi- tant;. Fever and sore throat are ¡13 accompani- ments.' The good folks at the caj ital shruld con- trive to continue in healtn so long as eatables can be procured ; when that is no longer possible, then nili be the time to have a throat toa sore to be put in active service ; then may a man ton ill to desire fool, laug'i at the haalthy and hungry, and jest with famine.
We are enabled to announce that Her Majesty's instructions have been received, appointing the fallowing gen'lernen tn be Members of the executive Council, by which the Chief Police ilagjtrate an.l Colonial Treasurer are no longer members of that Council, whilst Sir John Lewes Pedder resumes his seat in it :-The Chief Justice, the senior officer of (he Land Forces, the Archdeacon, and the Colonial Secretary.- Hobart Town Courier,
May 17
