The Sun. — London, England, 1859-09-02 00:00:00

FROM CHINA TO JAPAN. (From a Correspondent of the Times.) CANTON, MaY 12. A tropical simmer is upon us; the last few days have brought painful evidence of the fact, all the more untaelponie th.at they have failed to bring the first cargo of ice from America to enable us to meet the enemy. With the thermometer standing at 97 in your bedroom, mosquitoes swarming round your curtains; and too often within, sleep is a blessing which comes but seldom, and never sound or re freshing: In all travels in the East there is a sup preset.° reri in regard to these poisoners of the hu man existence and destroyers of all peace, the mos quitoes, as unjustifiable as it is unaccountable. Not content with sucking the blood out of your veins, they poui a venom into them, throwing the most philosophic of their victims into a state of fever and irritation. The heat itself, enervating and exhaust ing as it is, would be ten times more endurable but for these winged pests of society. The very noise of their trumpet becomes so hateful that the bugle sounding the advance of a line of Zouave skirmishers could hardly be more distracting or fatal to any sense of repose or security ; and, like the small provocations of a bitter tongue, the longer they continue and the oftener they are repeated the more intolerable they become. It is not fair in old East ern travellers to suppress, as they almost invariably do, any distinct reference to this greatest of small miseries, and, with the exception of enlarged livers and sudden death, the most fatal of the drawbacks to an Eastern climate. My conscience is free. If any , youth 'or maiden come henceforth "Eastward ho with halcyon dreams of fortunes or of husbands, taking no account of this future torment of their lives--which will sting them into exasperation under the table while they are smiling kind things above, takelhe savour out of the best viands, render - eating a pirgatory, and sleep an impossibility, or a troubled and feverish dream at best—on their own heads be it ; " they cannot say the truth had never been told," as a Chinese man darin would observe. The sun. is indeed in his strength, and pouring a great blaze of light on the broad waters of the Pearl River as they sweep in dangerous eddies past the rocks in mid streani, and reflect in broken lines the ruined suburbs of Canton.. How are the mighty fallen ! Not only is this city still in the occupa tion of the barbarian, while roofless houses and crumbling walls, with windows like eyeless sockets, tell the tale of weak and unavailing resistance, but here comes steaming up the river a vessel with the British ensign, freighted with the remains of the Viceroy who played his last stake at Canton, and lost it. Yes, Yeh is on his way to his last home in Chinese earth. He has indeed returned, as Lord Stanley in the honse the other day intimated he might, but only to be buried. The Fatalist's creed has ill served so persevering a believer. One would have liked to look within, and to have seen whether in the long solitary hours passed in a foreign land, he ever passed in review his Canton ad ministration, with ..a doubt .. or question in his mind as to the policy or wisdom of his course. As far as can be learned, the thought never suggested itself; but he was too evidently a reserved and uncommunicative man for his silence to form any:guide as to what his thoughts may have been. Certain it is he died and gave no sign, ex pressed no doubt, and, to all appearance, was dis turbed by no regret or misgiving. Had he lived to come back, as might well have been, for we had no longer any object in keeping him—and he had latterly betrayed some anxiety and bestirred him self, especially after the death of his aide-de-camp by cholera, to be allowed to return—he would cer tainly have seen such a changed order of things as might have roused him to reflection even with all his stolid and nil admiriri habits. Not that he would have admired, but he could scarcely have failed to be surprised. He might have passed incog nito through the streets of the great and busy city he had so lately governed, trembling often lest braves from without and conspirators within might snatch it from his grasp, and see how it is now held by a handful :of foreign troops, so easily arid unconcernedly that from street to street a couple of marine police, armed with a switch, keep perfect order, and give security to el the thousands of the bustling throng of shopkeepers, street vendors, and still more numerous purchasers. Their occasional presence is enough, . and. in this city, .which no foreigner might pollute with his presence, Eng lish officers, soldiers, and civilians - on horseback, in chairs, and on foot, are ever passing to and fro, and the Chivaman looks up from his work to notice them as they pass ; and if a coolie meets you, his only notice is the removal of his broad bamboo hat, that it may not incommode the foreigner. Children that used in all the suburbs to be taught by their elders to spit out terms of abuse, the gentlest of which was " fankwei" or "foreign devil," now hail the hrimblest private as " taipan" or " chief," and, with outstretched palm, sometimes insinuate that a " kumshaW," or copper cash gratuity, would be by no means disdained. or unacceptable. A goodly and a pleasant change for the better no one can doubt, by whatever evil purchased; and clearest proof that the long-nurtured hostility of the Can tonese population was of entirely factitious growth, due absolutely and entirely to the . machinations of Mandarins, and a .part of the confirmed policy of the Court' at Pekin. Even the admission of foreign ers into the city •we now see might at any time at their option have been granted. If other proof were wanting, recent events have abundantly demon strated the truth, long suspected by some of the more experienced in China, but always open to question—namely, that the high Chinese officials on the spot, when a necessity becomes apparent, will ventare upon the repeal of even fundamental laws on their own authority. I allude to the re cent proclamation of the late Governor Peihkwei, legalising the emigration of Chinese willing to enter into labour contracts for foreign contracts. The atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese crimps in kidnapping by fraud and violence the unwary, with a view to secure the bonus offered by shippers under Portuguese ' French, and other • foreign flags—not *British, I am glad to say— had at last roused the whole population to such a state of alarm and indignation as to threaten the security of the. officials, hitherto so supine, and the peace of the place. Momentary measures were taken in conjunction with the allies to seize certain receiving vessels, but the true remedy provided under good advice by the Chinese high authorities was by proclamation to remove the ban of illegality, which served as a pretext for these enormities. So would they have removed the ban on our en trance into Califon at any time these 15 years past, if proper Steps had been taken to make them under stand that we were determined it should be removed in accordance with treaties, and that the alternative was the certain capture and military occupation of the city. However, as regards Canton, the ; know ledge came too late to save both armaments and great destruction of property. Well it is if we can flatter ourselves good has come of evil ; and of this there is no room to doubt. Even as iegards inter course with the authorities there is small evidence of rancune, or ill-blood. The facility for direct and personal intercourse has gone far to remove the pre judice born of • long isolation and the enmity arising from recent collision. A signal in-' stance was furnished two days ago, when Mr. • Alcock, the Biiiish - Consul here, was leaving Canton for his .post as the first Consul-General at Japan. As the steamer passed the Custom-house; an - its • way down the river, a salute was fired' by the Chinese authorities, with abundant - fire.werks and crackers in continuation, telling the surrounding population of the now order of things the consul left behind him. A friendly farewell of the high officer of the Chinese maritime customs was, indeed, 'a novel trait; and he'had pre viously sent an official pn board with his card to take - leave and announce the intended salute. Three years ago this same cfficial could not be approached by her Majesty's - consul, and when an official let ter might be answered, if at all, was always a question, A great step in the way of. progress and permanent friendly intercourse has undoubtedl y been taken, then nd it will be our own fault if that which ' has n',,,,„.8" been 'gained is ever lost. The personal intercourse with the Hoppo and other authorities since the consul's ul'slast return to Canton, in November, I kn ow has be en if irequent, and most sa tisfactory in every resp ect . be abated on the Honan side, whe9;enuthisean f ee had to foreigners are are now:located--:-gambling s h ops to be the channels of a canal which had been built over and made into a filthy sewer to be restored—it re quired hit a request from the consul and it was done at once, where formerly all the power of Great Britain Could not have secured attention. With the Hoppo, notwithstanding many,difficulties a n d continued evasion of duties by foreigners and Chinese combineit it is generally understood the mast cor dial relations have existed, and it is to he hoped will stilt continue, notwithstanding. the departure of the ccmsul by whom these have been first estab lished. • And now we pass the Bogue forts, with their crumbled and battered walls, and fours hours more brings us to Hongkong. The Willamette cleverly steams her way though a very maze of boats and shipping, without collision or accident, her great bell elatiglug a deafening warning to.the market and shore. boats, which evince the most perverse tendency to cross the , bows' of - a - steamer with scarce a yard ta . s . pare--but they do escape generally; and the anchor finally brings her up at her berth,amidst atrush - of sanpanit and .boats of all sizes.and descrip tions, and a mighty clamour of voices, in which the shrill pipes of the women drown all base efforts of the men to be overheard above them. To get into one of these hundred simians with all your, belong ings is truly a service of danger and a trial of nerve. • THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTFMBER, 2, • 1859, activity, enterprise, and capital of British mer chants) a great trade, opening up the resources of both semi-secluded empires, should be developed. This was no part of the original design of the Western Powers in framing the recent treaties ; but only thus will any foreign trade in the proper sense of the term be created and developed. This much already seems more than probable, that the greater portion of such Chinese and Japanese trade will pass into foreign hands, and ours more parti cularly, may be safely inferred from what is now taking place. But that is certainly not the commerce we more especially hoped to open up by our treaty. On the contrary, our aim and hope was to create a trade by the interchange of Japanese products with British goods. -.Thus, as in a thousand instances, we are reminded that— " There's a Divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will." What we have Sought and striven for may indeed be ultimately obtained, but neither in the way we looked for nor by the instrumentality anticipated. The Chinese form a natural and, to all appearance, a necessary link in the development of any large trade between Europe and Japan, just as India has long been the connecting link with China. Just, as we may yet discover, that Roman Catholicism will form the connecting link between Paganism in its many idolatrous forms and a purer Protes tantism, Though I feel this a dangerous ground, and scarce know whether Romanists or Protestants would most vehemently repudiate the inference as injurious, that in the ways of Providence, either could be beholden to the other, or the final propoga tion of Christianity among the heathen be depen dent upon an order of progression. The Jews, how ever, under an inspired leader, did not merge out of Egyptian idolatry into a pure Theism, without many intervening stages of progress of semi-idolatry and assimilations to the ceremonial and material worship they left behind. Men seems ill designed or constituted for such sudden leaps from darkness into light ; and all past missionary experience, I think, goes far to enforce the unwelcome truth at which lam glancing—that the abstract doctrines of a Protestant faith find acceptance among a heathen and idolatrous race with infinitely greater difficulty than Romanism. There stands the fact ; let those who will attach other explanatsons. With one reflection more let me take my leave of China, which bids fair to exercise as much influence on the western world, and their relations with the East, as we can ever hope to exercise on it. It has been in geniously suggested, I see, by Mr. Mill, that the Chinese have succeeded beyond all hope in what Eng lish philanthropists of the present day are so indus triously working at—in making people all alike, all governing their thoughts and conduct by the same axioms and rules. He goes on to say, " that the modern regime of public opinion is, in an unorganised form, what the Chinese educational and political systems are in an organised ; and unless individuality shall be able successfully to assert itself against this yoke, Europe, notwith standing its noble antecedents and its professed Christianity, will tend to become another China." Curious enough that while all things tend to infuse into the Chinese mind ideas of progreis, of change and development—even at the price of great internal convulsions, and the destruction of material interests—one of our most distinguished writers should see in the tendency of our own habits and education, worldly and other, a retro grade action to the dead level mediocrity and im mobility of the Chinese national mind. If so, the two ends of the circle travelling in opposite direc tions may ultimately meet in Japan, which seems less profoundly stirred up - in its depths by the sudden contact of Europe than China, and not so steadily bent on a collective mediocrity as the mind of England. IREL iND. DUBLIN, THURSDAY MORNING. ARCHBISHOP CULLEN'S POLICY. The _Freeman's JO arnal of this morning takes up the cudgels in defence of Dr. Cullen from the attacks of the London journals, and endeavours to vindicate the conduct of the whole body of the Romish prelates in their recent onslaught upon the system of mixed education. The organ asserts that, from the very outset, when the scheme was pro posed nearly 30 years ago, all the bishops, with four exceptions, exclusive of Archbishop Murray, disapproved the system, and these four merely waived their objections in deference to the excellent prelate who then presided over the see of Dublin. As to Dr. Cullen setting himself up as the head of a new Parliamentary party, the Freeman scouts the notion. The Apostolic Delegate, no doubt, has other means at hand for carrying out his policy without permitting the laity to have a finger in the pie. Even the Catholic members of Parliament are to be left free to follow their own will. Here is the semi-official statement :—" Dr. Cullen will not, it is true, be returned for the city and take the lead in person ; but as dogs may be killed in more ways than one, he may accomplish the end of leadership by enlisting under his banner the Oath - Ale mem bers and directing their movements from his Prue torium. We believe we can deuy, on authority, any such intention on the part of the Archbishop. Catholic and Protestant members are at perfect li berty to take whatever side they choose on the education as on all other public questions. No coercion has ever been applied by him, or ever will be. He declares his opinions like any other mem b3r of the bench, and with the modesty , that marks his character, What he conceives right he utters, and nothing can deter him. So it has been with the other members of the Episcopacy. They discussed one of the most vital problem, ever presented to their consideration, with a f. .1 sense of its vast importance. They reviewed the whole question, or series of questions whica the system involved, and after an investigation of all the facts, and a com parison of the evidence which each prelate furnished from his own local repository, they came to the una nimous conclusion which has fluttered so many of our English cotemporaries. We may observe that neither since nor then, did the bishops suggest the formation of a special party to press their views in Parliament. The memorial to Mr. Cardwell was the only result of their deliberations. Not a word was spoken about appealing to or urging Catholic mem bers to give effect to the protest or resolutions in Parliament. If they wished to second the efforts of the prelates by determining on a common line of action, well and good; but they were perfectly in dependent to co-operate or not, just as they thought proper. We wish to be explicit on this point, be cause the voluntary action of some Irish members is connected by the London papers with an express order from the Archbishop of Dublin. The necessity of such a contradiction only proves how little they know of the man whom they force from the strictest seclusion and privacy, compatible with his duties as an Archbishop, to assume the position of public agitator.", Half a dozen sharp prows are edged in contact the enrichment of Macao, but in nothing benefit with the companion leader or thereabouts ; you de- the Chinese Government. Macao would simply scend, and a moment's indecision is enough to cost become what Hong Kong now is, and the contra you n. ducking, if not your life. Nothing but a de- hand trade with China, piracy, and Coolie kidnap ping would each and all take only new proportions termined spring into one can save yo u, ha ppy if a treacherous syren, with a grasp of iron, does not and gileater developments under the mo s t p erfect seek. to turn you into that which li es to t he right or impunity that a willing Government could extend. to the left, or some laggard with a desperate thrust The one oily remedy lies obviously in an im does not send your own selected boat six yard s p roved custom linuSe administration in China, and away, without exactly filling u p the vacant s p ace to this the y are at :.ftst turning their attention by ' over which you see yourself suspended. These perils the organisation of a cOtoplete and uniform system safely passed, you.have then time to look what has for all the ports under foreign inspectors, tide become of your " boy" — a corr u pt i on of the Indian waiters, &c., in the hope that these will supply - the call for a servant—and, more important still, your vigour, honesty, and intelligence they find it so bag and trunk. Most probably you have the sates- difficult to secure among their own people. A shor t faction of seeing him with one foot still on the lad- time will show with what success. But in that der, your boxes passing into another boat, and your direction lies their only hope of remedy for a great bag nowhere. As, however, the same scene of utter and increasing evil. Under the present order Macao confusion and despair takes place at least ten times has repaired her tattered vestments, sole legacy of every day, and travellers do reach the shore, while a hundred years of poverty, and Hong Kong has boy and trunks turn up in safety, you resign your- made the wealth of many in less than 20 years. self to Providence, take the rudder and guide your- Under a different and a better regime for China self to port, where the best of hospitality or the both colonies will have to content themselves with worst of hotel accommodation awaits you, with a more legitimate gains, and it may be smaller re third chance of a room in the club - house — not so venues and lessened importance. But even though good as the first, nor quite so bad as the second. Macao should have to fall back upon lentils and MAY 17. soup maigre six days in the week, as of yore, it is The sun is up, and, through heavy banks of well that the Chinese should succeed in their pre cloud and mist, is struggling hard to light up the sent efforts at reorganisation. bay, the opposite shores of which are still shrouded In getting its legitimate dues from foreign trade, in an impenetrable veil. Ships of many nations, which it only now receives in their integrity at and junks of every size and description are shaking Shanghai under foreign inspection, the Chinese out their sails to take their chance of drying before Government will obtain a direct and increasing another drenching rain comes down. But, fair interest in its development and prosperity, be weather or foul, this Bay of Hongkong, one of the sides the means of a better Government, and finest in the world, is always picturesque—land- a lesson they much need—namely, that to secure locked with bold rocks and swelling hills, and full good and honest service States as well as in of life and movement from the shipping which dividuals must give fair remuneration and crowds its waters. The daybreak gun wakens up adequate salaries, And, though last, not least, all early risers; the loud .screaming whistles or the foreign merchant will find his trade can be scarce less discordant bells of tie:: river steamers carried on with honesty, on principles of fairness to soon after begin the business of the day, and keep all, without any painful effort or sacrifice on his up an incessant alarm from seven in the morning part. to eight or nine o'clock, and again from four in the But the sun is rising higher, the rain clouds are afternoon, on their return from Canton or Macao. riven, and now I see a gallant fleet, with the British The snorting and puffing of gunboats diversify the ensign at the mizen, stretching across the bay. sounds, While from the shore and the streets a busy Music comes floating on the breeze from the United hum of cries and sounds untranslateable tell the States' ship Powhattan. H.M.S. Fury is getting drowsy Stranger that a city in the tropics has u p her steam, with 300 marines on board, for the leaped into life and activity before the sun attains north. The Assistance is to follow with more. his scorching power. If he turns out for an early Seven gunboats have been despatched, and others morning Walk, and bends his steps upward to the are on their way. Soon the rest of a goodly fleet, higher ground, he will find the convolvulus spread. with Admiral Hope and our first Minister at Pekin ing its beautiful flowers for the fresh breath of Mr. Bruce, will take their departure for the Peiho. dawn—cieepers of wild luxuriance disputing each H.M.S. Samson leaves to-day with our first Con wall and : bank; and looking seaward, a whole sue- sul-General in Japan on board, and all his consular cession of bays lie at his feet, stretching away into staff. Mr. Alcock is the bearer of the ratified treaty the distance. Market boats laden with provisions which he is to exchange at Yeddo. The American from the main land, with their richly coloured sails Minister, Mr. Ward, just arrived on board the U.S. of matting and many picturesque forms, are crowd- ship Powhattan, is also northward bound. The ing into the harbour. Square-rigged ships are press- French Minister, M. de Bourboulon, is speedily to ing all sail to gain the long-desired anchorage, while follow; and soon the second or rather the third and others are unmooring to proceed to the several ports last act of the national drama will commence, the for their outward cargo. Men-of-war, trading junks, scene of which all men hope will be laid ix Pekin, merchant craft from every country, all are here to and the end whereof we trust may be peace, if not give testimony to the activity and importance of the real cordiality and good will. Not there am I bound, trade which in some way or other finds in Hongkong however, but to Japan, of which I shall have much a connecting link. Craft in numbers from the ad- to tell you both new and interesting. And, as Da joining Oast, each differing in shape and colour, ac- nish and Prussian missions are already in prepara cording to the port; the great bulky Shantung junk; tion—the squadron of Prussia to he commanded, I the Shanghai, with its gaudy colours and mystic eagle hear, b y Prince Adalbert ; while English, French, on the stern but little differing ; the long craft of and American Ministers and squadrons, once free Ningpo, and so on, down to Hainan ; and even from the Peiho, all purpose a visit to the Japanese Siam and Singapore, all have their representatives. ports—Yeddo bids fair to be the great rendezvous A Chinese sailor will distinguish where they come and watering place of the season for the "far East" in strange contrast with its close seclusion for fully from by , differences of shape and rigging, paint and decorations, without difficulty, and if he be honest 200 years. may also tell you where stout-built junks are lying ENTRANCE OF THE YANG-TSE-KIANG, MAY 22. undisturbed with a pirate crew, and nearly fitted The incidents of a voyage up the coast from out with fresh supplies of guns and powder. Only Hongkong to Japan in these days of steam are few. Ido not recommend you to trust him too implicitly, The escape from the sultry heat of Canton and for he may be one of the pirate crew himself, and Hongkong to the fresh cool breezes of the higher will send you on a wrong scent, to the damage of latitudes and open sea is the most noteworthy and some honest trader whom he wishes to ruin, or delightful of incidents. To feel a desire for a blan simply to damage you, and prevent the Hong- ket and to lose the sleep-disturbing hum of the Kong authorities pursuing his fellows on informa- mosquito trumpets make as near an approach to tien given, by letting you into a few deplorable happiness as I can venture to anticipate for many mistakes,. of which, doubtless, Mr. Anstey has al- weeks or months to come. And so, like a philosopher, ready said his say in London, as in Hong Kong. 1 enjoy them accordingly, grateful for the good the With a large harbour full of junks from every sea- gods have sent. We are just entering the wide port and island between Shantung and Singapore, mouth of this leviathan of rivers, and to-morrow Siam, Java, and the Philippines, with 60,000 Chi- may look to see Shanghai much increased and nese and Macaonese on shore, it is not easy for the changed since last I saw it, each y ear addin g to its authorities to put their hand s upon all the rogues trade and wealth. But you shall hear how it looks or. pirate craft that take shelter beneath the sure and what it promises after my arrival. protection of the British flag, were they the best SHANGHAI, MAY 24. and most honest that ever wielded colonial power. The Queen's birthday ushered in by a wet and This barren rock they have made their home, build- stormy morning. In vain the numerous ships of ing a large Chinese town, which spreads along the war are dressed in their gly-est colours ; everything western shore and skirts the bay, creeping upward looks drooping, wet, and miserable. I wandered on the hillside, along the face of the ravine. Nest through the foreign settlement yesterday evening on nest of houses attract the eye, until they dispute before the rain set in, and after Calcutta there is the higher levels with the merchant princes of the nothing more wonderful east of the Cape than the colony, sufficiently attesting the untiring industry, rapid growth of the whole place, and the vast trade perseverance, aye, and enterprise too, of these plod- to which it owes its rise. Fifteen years ag o corn and ding celestials, when in pursuit of gain. N o t 20 rice and cott on fields covered the groun now en years have passed over our heads since England tirely occupied for a mile square with foreign man first took possessien of this pirate haunt, and all sions and packhouses, by a Chinese settlement in the its properties of unlimited granite and bare hills ; rear, their occupants having sought peace and secu and now it is the great centre of a Chinese coasting rity where the flags of western Powers, the chief of trade, to feed which numberless ships come laden these the British, give no vain promise of both. with produce from India, Siam, and Manilla ; Some 16,000, mmy of the better and wealthier from Batavia and Singapore, with the collected classes of Chinese merchants, have thus located tribute of the Malayan Archipelago ; from Eng- themselves of their own free choice, built wide streets land, New York, and San Francisco; even New end extensive bazaars, pay toad and police rates, Zealand and Australia are contributor of and conform to all the municipal reg ulations of the required supplies. Not only . this, tit foreigngrowth with scrupulous fidelity. The Chinese has become the central postal and financial station are certainly among the most easily governed of any whence all the directing wires of the great Euro- in the world, given two conditions only—honesty pean and American trade with China receive of purpose and strength in the governing power. their impulse, and are pulled by heads of houses Under such conditions the latter is hardly ever called located in the. colony, determiningthe ultimate des- into active exercise. It is enough that it should be tination of all the ships and cargoes that enter or known to exist. The city itself has but partially re leave the China Seas. What is the secret of this covered its devastation by the horde of soi disant sudden and enormous growth in population and in insurgents, but unquestionable spoliators and ban trading importance of this barren rock? This is ditti, which gained possession in 1853, and held it among the first thoughts of a stranger. Hong against an Imperial army until the beginning of Kong itself, he sees at a glance, produces nothing 1855. A word from the Treaty Powers might have but granite boulders and the thinnest scrub. The averted such a great calamity, and saved from ruin City of Victoria, with its Cathedral, episcopal a population of 100,00 0 industrious and peace palace, Government house, its Supreme Court, and loving people. But a want of unanimity among the all its palatial merchants' houses, are just on the three representatives of England, America, and spot of earth where no one would have thought of France allowed the opportunity to be lost. Let us placing them. The great Victoria Peak towers hope that, warned by past experience, no more acrosq the whole line of the city, and effectually Consular ports will be allowed to become a prey to shuts out every breath of air during six months of the miserable vampires sucking the life's blood out a most oppressive summer, when every one gasps' of flourishing towns in which we have large com for want of that needful aliment of life, whence mercial and treaty guaranteed interests ! It requires some go home sick every year with spleens much but a distinct announcement that these seaport larger than their fortunes, and not a few leave their cities shall not be pillaged to deter the predatory bones to be laid beneath six feet of Chinese earth. rabble from ever venturing to make the at- The neighbouring mainland has good and commo- tempt. A - greater service 'it has never been in the dious seaports, far nearer to the producing markets power of Western States to render to an Eastern and the purchasers of foreign goods, and apparently people at so small a Cost, or one which more com in every respect better fitted for trade. But it is mends itself in the interests of humanity and a an open secret, and may be told in very few words sound policy. It need involve no espousal of either —though some facts are not acceptable to all par- Imperialist or insurgent cause—no abandonment of ties. Security to life and property is the first and a policy of neutrality in an internecine war; but broadest foundation of such prosperity; a magni- s imply a prohibition issued to those who recog nise ficent bay of easy access, the second condition ; and no law or treaties that at the Consular ports, were the absence of all Customs, with proximity to we have large vested interests and treaty rights, no Chinese ports, where these exist in more or less one by wanton spoliation without influence on the oppressive form, furnish a full solution of the pro- issue of a civil war shall be allowed to destroy them, blem. Given a barren rock in the near vicinity of and with them the lives and property of thousands a wealthy empire, with a base and corrupt Admi- of peaceable inhabitants, with whom we have daily nistration, how shall the trade of the mainland be relations of amity and commerce. The populations made to overflow to the islet ? - To it an enterpri- of these ports will learn to look upon us as their sing and industrial population can bring their pro- best friends, and a sure defence against wrong they duce from the whole seaboard on advantageous are otherwise unable to resist. The insurgent rab terms of export with their own people, as not ble themselves will regard us with all the more re declared for foreign market ; and from it spect for our determined bearing, and the Imperial run cargoes of return goods, with like exemption Government will at least be gratefnl for exertions from import duties. Hong Kong is to China what by which the Custom-house revenues, becoming Gibraltar is to Spain—a great smuggling emporium. every day of greater importance, are preserved from It offers some little premium of facilities to pirates the grasp of the spoiler, giving the Emperor and also, and to those engaged in the trade, and taking his counsellors a direct interest in the preservation up their residence, the protection and security their of foreign commerce and the relations of goodwill own land cannot afford. Thus it happens that Hong connected with its maintenance. Kong, though in a subsidiary sense promoting But I must not dwell too long on these considera foreign trade with China (in the only sense in which tions of general policy, even were the importance of this - was understood by the contracting Powers), the subject more fully appreciated at home. Here really owes its wondrous growth and prosperity to they very naturally suggestthemselves, with the still a vast contraband trade with the whole seaboard evident traces ofthe ruthless and wanton destruction of China, conducted chiefly by the Chinese them- wrought by a handful of horse-boys and rabble selves. Here they can bring their opium, long coolies. Wide spaces lie between the foreign settle cloths, yarns, and woollens, free of all duty, with went and the city walls, which previously were all the chances of laying them down at the points covered with Chinese streets, giving sheltertoalarge of consumption for a small bribe. Hero they can industrial population. Within the walls permanent sell their rhubarb, sugars, camphor, and sundry loss and devastation are everywhere apparent. other produce, and at Macao their tea, at a better Thousands of houses were levelled, and tens of price than at the consular ports, for the same reason thousands of their inhabitants tortured to death, that they succeed in escaping duty on their transit. beheaded, or cast out houseless and penniless to For this state of things, of which the Chinese perish, but it would be hard to find a single human authorities well may and do complain, we are not being who reaped any tangible or permanent bene wholly to blame ; nor is it with us, or in eer power fit. Even the ruffian leader, Chin-a-lin, who alone altogether, to devise a. remedy. As a great depot of ali his-followers made his escape at the - capture for our British and Indian produce, where ample of the city, by the help of a foreign merchant, was security exists, it would be impossible and suicidal prowling abo u t H ongkong the other d a y , trying in to make it oth er than a free port. To attempt any vain, through more foreign agency, to get posses supervision of the Chinese crafts without the levy sion of a plot of ground in Shanghai where lav of duties, or to allow the Chinese officials to do so buried in gold and silver of his plunder, wrung —as contemplated in the supplementary treaty of from the tears and agony of tortured victims, a lac 1843, but never acted upon—would be equally de- of dollars. And all this ruin and misery, I repeat, structive of any development of trade. Whether we may be averted in future by a word spoken in Wile, should not be prepared to sacrifice all that is not with the authority of the Treaty Powers. Let the legitimate and consistent with treaties is aquestion decrepid Government and its insurgent subjects which it cou ld answer l i ttle purpose to discuss fight their battles elsewhere ; the empire is wide here, for very certainly there will never be a Colo- enough. And we do these Eastern races mischief nial Minister at home, or a Coldhial Government enough, more or less voluntarily or consciously, by here, that willattempt the thoroughgoino- measures the dissemination of Western vices, if by no other necessary to carry out the princi 1 Th ° first - wonld doubtless be to depopulate the island of its tunities like this offer for conferring the Messing o f Chinese population, drive away all the Chinese coast- peace and security on a number of large popula ing trade , and em p t y the pockets of our merchants tions to a great degree identified with us. of large gains poured into th em from good Chinese Tomorrow Tmorrow or next day we shall leave Shanghai, w hich is not in exact accord with faith or bound for Nagasaki. It will not be among the least treaties. And were there any chance of a Colonial curious or important of the incidental results at- Secretary of State or Governor being willing g to taching to the enlarged traffic and intercourse ra face the outcry and clamour such an attempt in the pidly developing between this port and Japan that mildest form would inevitably raise, there is yet chiefly by and through the Chinese ports (the another consideration very fatal to such a scheme. more nearly assimilated wants and tastes of the L The sacrifice of interests at Hong Kong would be two races mainly aiding, in combination with the THE STRIKE IN DUBLIN. A Dublin paper came, it seems, to.a rather hasty conclusion in its announcement that the dispute between the masters and men had been amicably adjusted by five-sixths of the former yielding to the demand for an increase of wages. Such is not the case. Some of the most extensive employers, on the contrary, have refused compliance, and mean to look elsewhere for zt supdly of hands to cover the deficiency caused by the strike. THE MARQUIS OF DROGHEDA'S YACHT. Intelligence reached Dublin yesterday of the loss of Lori Drogheda's schooner Fancy, 140 tons, off the coast of Sligo. Lord and Lady Drogheda, and Major Foster, Aide•de-Camp to the Lord. Lieutenant, and crew have all fortunately been saved ; but a vast amount of valuable property has gone down with the vessel. Subjoined are a few particulars of the catastrophe:— _ _ " Sligo Tuesday. " This beautiful, schooner-rigged yacht, 150 tons, became a total wreck in Sligo bay on Saturday even ing. On the schooner entering the bay a pilot offered his services, which the marquis would not accept, he feeling quite confident of his ability to pilot the schooner into the harbour—a thing, indeed, he could without difficulty have managed to do, the bay being deep and remarkably free from shoals, had it not been that the buoy on Bungar Bank was removed, owing to high winds or some other cause which I cannot take upon myself to determine. I have not heard that it was mentioned to the noble owner of the yacht that the buoy was off the bank, and, unfortunately,- the vessel got aground there. She lay so easily that, undoubtedly, if it had not been that a more than usuary heavy sea was run ning she could have been get off with little or no damage. As it was, the beautiful craft went to pieces in the course of two or three hours, the crew after conveying- the marquis and his noble lady on shore, only succeeding in saving some plate, leaving behind guns, clothes, and some valuable property, part of which became the prizes of sea bathers from Roscommon and Longford, some of whom are al ready brought to account for their covetousness by the pike. I to t y mention here that one fellow was caught with a lady's fine woven jacket on his brawny shoulders. The marqui-; seems to be a little grieved for the loss of his yacht. which was insured fio: £4,000 only, which I am told, is little more than half her value, and intends inquiring of cer tain knowing gentlemen who generally wear horse hair wigs if some quarter is not to blame for not, as they were bound to do, having had a buoy placed on the unlucky bank." [ADVERTISEMENT.]—ErFs's (Homoeopathic Chemist) Cocoa.--:l'his esteemed preparation is sold by the prin cipal grocers at ls. 6d. per lb., in 11b., 3 / 4 1b., and 4 1b, packets. Each packet is labelled " James Epps, Homoeo pathic chemist, London." P 01,WE INTELLIGENCE.—Sept. 1. BOW-STREET.--Henry Wm. Boynton, land lord of the White Horse, Holborn, attended before Mr. Henry, to answer the charge of having brutally ill-treated his wife on Sunday last. The complainant, whose face presented a fright ful spectacle, stated her case on Wednesday, the defendant offering no other justification of hic con duct than " that he ordered her to go upstairs, and she refused to go." He claimed the privilege, how ever, of consulting a legal adviser, and the case was remanded till 11 o'clock yesterday, the defendant being permitted to leave on his own recognisance. At the appointed time the defendant was again present, with his solicitor, but neither the wife nor her witnesses were in attendance. Mr. Lewis, jun.; said he was instructed to appear on behalf of the wife, who waited upon him at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, and told him that the defendant had gone home and packed up most of her things and taken theM out of the house. He could not account for her absence this morning, unless the defendant's friends had managed to keep her away. The defendant's solicitor said he believed Mr. and Mrs. Boynton had lived on very good terms until the present unfortunate occurrence. He had not seen his wife or her servant since last evening. He believed they had left the house. Mr. henry said it was a very bad case, and he could not allow it to be settled in this way. He should detain the defendant in custody, and send an officer to inquire for, and, if possible, to bring the complainant to the court. Smith, F 87, one of the summoning officers of the court, was accordingly sent to make inquiries, and at four o'clock he reported that complainant de• dined to attend. In consequence of some communi cation from her husband she desired to withdraw the charge, believing that to press it would ruin them both. Mr. Henry—l cannot have it settled that way. I shall leave the warrant in your hands, and adjourn the case to give Mr. Lewis an opportunity of seeing the complainant, to ascertain what is really her in tention. In the meanwhile I shall enlarge the re cognisance. The defendant's solicitor said his client was no party to the arrangement. Mr. Henry—We all understand these things, of course. The Solicitor—lf you think justice would be met by his entering into recognisances— Mr. Henry—Certainly not. She must attend here, or Mr. Lewis must see her. I adjourn the case for that purpose. Tin; PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS.-Mr. Marmaduke Langdale, who has recently caused to be erected, in Ende,l-street, St. Giles's, a drinking fountain for the use of the public of the district, waited upon Mr. I - lenry to make the following complaint : M - 7. Langdale stated that, induced by the bene volent example of Mr. Gurney, and supposing it would be a real boon to the crowded inhabitants of the district, he had directed one of these fountains to be placed in Endell-street, and supplied with drinking cups, which were secured by strong chains to the walls. He had himself presided at the opening of the fountain, when at least 500 persons were assembled, and a degree of approba tion was expressed which afforded him the utmost gratification. Shortly after this ho left town, and he now learnt with regret that during his absence the w ater had ceased to flow, and the cups, chains, grating, &c., had been stolen, although much force must have been used to wrench them off. For days the public were deprived of its use ; but now he had caused fresh cups and still stronger chains to be attached, and the water was again flowing. His object in addressing the magistrate was to beg that the police on duty there might be requested occasionally to keep an eye on the fountain, for really these depredations are extremely discourag ing, and, if repeated, would put a stop to private gifts of this sort altogether. Mr. Henry was sorry to hear of such occurrences, and would mention the subject to the police, although, of course, it would be impossible to place a constable on duty at every fountain in London, A gentleman in court stated that he frequently passed the fountain in question, and had noticed large crowds of disorderly boys, playing with the water and making a great mess on the pavement, but no constable was ever seen near it to interfere with them. It was a district where a constable might alwaYt be profitably employed within siOit of the fountain, and it would cost a very little extra trouble to clear the pavement of the ragged urchins and idlers who congregated there, and often prevented decent people from drinking the water. CLERKENWELL.—VIOLENT ASSAULT AND CHARGE OF Cram. CON.—Thomas Dillon, a glass blower, residing at 16, Dorrington•street, St. An drew's, was charged with violently assaulting Francis Henry Russell, an optician, of 13, Brewer street, Clerkenwell, in Fox-court. The prosecutor, who appeared in the box with a very : bad eye, said that he called at the defendant's house about business, and saw the defendant's wife. About 11 o'clock the defendant came home and abused his wife, and, without his (the complainant) interfering, he was knocked down, and when he got up, the defendant struck h'm a tremendous blow in the face and blackened his eyo. • The defendant did not deny the charge, but said he thought he was justified in what he had done. His wife was a very dissolute woman, and he was compelled to live apart from her. He went home to see if the children were attended to, and found the complainant and his (defendant's) wife in such a position that there could not be the slightest doubt of their immoral connection. The complainant got liehind the door, and if he (defendant) could have got hold of him, he would have kicked him . down stairs, and all suc h 4 . ‘ con t emp tible hounds' like him. The complainant, who looked very sheepish, did not deny the statement of the defendant,.but called his mother, who said " she really could not believe it." The complainant abused the defendant, and said he did not sleep with his wife. Mr. Tyrwhitt told the complainant he had nothing to do with the defendant's business, and being of opinion that the defendant had received great provocation, he should dismiss the charge. The complainant, who seemed very chop-fallen, then left the court. GREENWICH.--A WIFE CHARGED BY HER HUSBAND WITH ATTEMPTING SUICIDE.--A re spectably-dressed young woman, named Jane Foster, 22 yea rs o f age, of 5, Morden-street, Green wich, was charged before' Mr. Seeker with attempt ing to commit suicide by throwing herself into the river Ravensbourne, at Lewisham. The charge was preferred by the prisoner's hus band, from whom she has been separated during the past three months, it being alleged that he had deserted her. From the evidence given it appeared that between seven and eight o'clock on Sunday evening the husband and the prisoner entered the Royal Albert, Blackheath-road, and called for some ale. Having been seated in the back parlour some time the husband left her for the purpose of speak ing to a person, and stayed away a considerable time. During his absence the prisoner obtained some writing paper and pen and ink from the land lord, who was aware of the differences between her self and her husband, and from what he observed of the hurried manner in which she wrote, he came to the conclusion that it was her intention to com mit suicide. This, fact he communicated to the husband on his return, whose reply was, "If she does it, it will not be the first time. I have pulled her cut of the water once, and I then told her I would not trouble myself again if she attempted to make away with herself." The prisoner had then left, and about two l io urs after the attention of two young men was called by a gentleman to something floating in the Ravensbourne at Lewisham, whi c h was found to be the body of the prisoner, who was rescued in a state of insensibility, and conveyed to a neighbouring ,inn, where medical aid was pro cured, and she eventually recovered, when she ad mitted having deliberately walked into the water, alleging as a reason that while talking to a young woman her husband ma her and accused her of talking to a person of improper character, adding that he had long suspected she was unfaithful to him, and that he had then proved it. Mr. Inspector Mott said there were witnesses to speak to the cruel conduct of the husband towards hi s wife, but • Mr. Seeker declined hearing them, and ordered the prisoner to find two sureties in £l5 each, to be o f good behaviour for the next three months. lA D vrn-risnmENT.]:ltis with pleasure we notice the daily- increase of cures without medicine of indigestion (dy s pepsia), flatulency, constipation, nervous, bilious and qi li v er e;iplaints, cough, asth ma , consumpt i on, and debility, by Dit Barry's delicious Revalenta Arabica. We quote the following :—Cure No. 52,087, Field Marshal Duke of I'luskow, of a gastric inflammation of the stomach. Cure No. 51;611, Baron de P o tent ; P re f ec t of Langenau, of nearly years' horrible sufferings of the nerves and obsti nate constipation.- Cure No.. 48,721, General Baron de Znlusk,)wski, of many years' fearful 'disorders of the diges tive function. Cure No. 71, of dyspepsia, from the Right Hoenurable the Lord Stuart de Decies :—" I have derived considerable benefit from Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food, a .d consider it due to yourselves and the public to authorise the publication of lines.—Stuart de Dccies." In tins, at Is. 6d. •, 11b., 3s. ; 21b., ss. 9d, ; 51b., 125.; 121 b., 265. The 101. b. and 121 b. tins carriage free, on receipt of post order. Du Barry and C0.,-77, Regent-street, London' Fortnum, Mason, and Co, 182, Piccadilly; Abbis, 60, Gracechurch-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 63, and 150, O x f or d. greet ; 330 and 451, Strand - ; 49 and 60, Bishopsgate• street ; 85, Tottenham-court-road. Also at Dublin, Bewley and Draper ; at Edinburgh, Raines and Co.' at Liverpool, Nixon and Thew; at Manchester, Sharp and Scott; at York, Itaitilcs, , Blanchard, and Co., at South ampton, ItandoJl and Son. THE BUILDERS' STRIKE. On Wednesday evening on open-air meeting of building operatives took place on Wray-common, near Reigate, for the purpose of devising means to assist the lockouts of London. Between 250 and 300 persons assembled, which number represents the whole body of building operatives employed by the various firms in this locality - . To all appearance but few persons unconnected with the building trades were present, Mr. Job Apted, a tradesman of the town, though he disavowed all sympathy with the movement, consented to take the chair. Mr. Patching, a delegate from London, addressed the meeting. He stated that he attended there in accordance with an invitation which the Conference had received from Reigate. Detailing the history and causes of the present struggle between the masters and workmen of London, he represented that there was a large amount of surplus labour in the metropolis, and that the men were determined to reduce it, because machinery was making such vast inroad and doing away with hand labour, and consequently the men had to walk the streets of London for many months in the year. There must be something wrong in this. If machinery was to be a blessing to mankind in general, he wanted to know how it could be so unless the builders and the working classes generally partici pated in its benefits. The London workmen desired a reduction of the hours of labour, so as to employ more men and give more time for mental improve ments and domestic comfort ; and there was no law in nature to say that any class of men should work ten hours more than any other number of hours. The time had arrived when the working classes should work less hours. Remarking that progress was making rapid strides in every department of art and science, trade and manufacture, the speaker argued that the condition of the working classes ought to progress also. It was found that specula tive men raised up buildings as cheaply as possible, and cared not whom they crushed so that they at tained their ends. He did not blame them, but the working classes did not wish to be ridden over roughshod by them. The speaker went on to con trast the condition of those who are accustomed to be driven in their own equipages in Rotten-row with the condition of hungry workmen out of em ployment, and submitted that a workman, seeing so much wealth in the country, while he and his family are perhaps 'starving, naturally concludes that there is something wrong. He did not wish to be a leveller, but he wished to see the working classes partake of a portion of the profits of labour. There was plenty of wealth in the kingdom, if it were only more equally divided. Having addressed the meeting at considerable length to this effect, the speaker dismounted. Mr. Barton, a working man of the neighbourhood, proposed a resolution pledging the meeting to support by their contribu tions the present movement of the workmen in-Lon don. This was seconded by another working man and unanimously carried. The meeting, which had been conducted without the least manifestation of enthusiasm or disorder, then quietly dispersed. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. DERBY RACES.-TUESDAY. The Chatsworth Stakes of 50 soya, added to a Handicap Sweepstakss of 10 sovs each, h ft, and 3 only if declared. One mile. 11 subs. Mr. Crawfurd's M. Phillippe (late Odd Trick), by Sleight of-Hand, b yrs, Sst 71b (Wells) 1 Mr. Saxon's Ancient Briton, 4 yrs, 7st 71b.. (L. Snowden) "2 Mr. Morris's Hop Merchant, 3 yrs, 6st (Bray) 3 Betting--Even on Hop Merchant, 2 to 1 agst Ancient Briton, 5 to 2 agst M. Phillippo. Won by half a length ; Hop Merchant was beaten off. The Juvenile Stakes (Handicap) of 50 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, 3 ft, for 2-yr-olds. About half a mile. 18 subs. Mr. Smith's Ringlet, ist (Grimshaw) 1 Mr. Dennis's Rising Sun, 7st 131 b (including 101 b extra) (Edwards) 2 Mr. W. Moseley's Diamond, Tat 71b (Fordham) 3 Herman and Gwellyan also ran. Betting-3 to 1 agst Rising Sun, 7to 2 agst Herman, 4 to 1 agst Diamond, 5 to 1 agst Ringlet, 7 to 1 agst Gwellyan. Won by a neck; a length.between the second and third; bad fourth. The owner of Rising Sun objected to Ringlet on the ground of a cross, which was investigated by Lord Chester field and Col. Forester, who decided that the cross was not proved. The Selling Stakes of 30 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 soya each, for two-yr-olds and upwards. One mile. 4 subs. Mr. Harland's Ochiltree, 3 yrs (X2O), 7st 71b.. (Hibburd) 1 Mr. Blanton's Arminius, 3 yrs (X2O), 7st 21b.. (Edwards) 2 Mr. J. Osborne's Alfred, 6 yrs (i2O), Bst 61b (Challonor) 3 Mr. Wrigley's Emerald, 3 yrs (X2O), 7st 2113.. (Bottom) 4 Betting-5 to 4 agst Ochiltree, 6to 4 agst Alfred. Won by half a length ; a head between the second and third. The winner was bought in for 150 guineas. The Sudbury Stakes of 50 sovs, added to a handicap of 5 sovs each, 2ft ; the second to save his stake. Si; fur longs. 18 - subs. Mr. Barratt's The Rover, 3 yrs, 7st 41b.. (L. Snowden) 1 Mr. T. Cliff's Lansquenet, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b.... (Gardiner) 2 Mr. T. Stevens's Ardour, 3 yrs, Bst 81b (Keeler) 3 The following also ran--Hop Merchant, Little Poll, The Deer, Yorick, and Jim. Betting-2 to 1 each agst Ardour and The Rover, sto 1 agst any other. Won easily by a length and a half ; bad third. The Innkeepers' Plate (handicap) of 50 sovs ; winners extra. About a mile and a quarter. Mr. T. Cliff's Cast-off, 3 yrs, sst 61b (Grireshaw) 1 Mr. Saxon's Ancient Briton, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (L. Snowden) 2 Capt. Christie's The Dane, 3 yrs, 6st 41b (Bray) 3 Eltham Beauty and Antidote also ran. Betting—Even on Cast-off, 7 to 4 agst Ancient Briton, 4 to 1 agst The Dane. Won by a neck ; two lengths between the second and third, and the same distance between the third and fourth. HORSES STRUCK OUT OF THEIR ENGAGE MENTS. Aug. 29, at 9 a.m., Burgomaster, out of all engagements. Broke his leg, and has been destroyed. Aug. 27, at noon, Infanta, out of Juvenile Stakes, Derby. Aug. 27, at 4.30 p.m., Market Gardener out of his Lich. field and Doncaster engagements this year. Aug. 27, at 4.30 p.m., Oxford, out of Champagne Stakes, at Doncaster. Aug. 27, at Oxford (to the clerk of the course), Ratla goon' Guerilla, Mixture, and Jenny L ong l egs, out of the i r Derby engagements. Aug. 29, at 9 a.m., Clydesdale, out of Welter Cup, at Warwick. Aug. 29, after 6 p.m., Nimrod and Schism, out of their Lichfield engagements. ' Aug. 30, at 8 p.m., Blue Jacket, out of Great Yorkshire Handicap. Aug. 31, at 9 a.m., Rouble, out of all engagements. Aug. 31, at 9 a.m., The Miller, out of Cardiff Hurdle Race. AQUATICS. WEST LONDON ROWING CLUB. The junior scullers' prize of this club was contested on Wednesday by Messrs. J. Fuller and B. A. Shuckard, the course, as usual, being from Putney-bridge to Alexander's, at Chelsea. The race was an exciting one, both being level to the Feathers, Wandsworth. Mr. Fuller then drew slightly ahead, but increased his lead at Price's Candle Factory, and eventually won at Chelsea by very nearly five lengths, Mr. Shuckard rowing a plucky stern wager. The secretary umpired the match with a club crew. WINDSOR AND ETON REGATTA. , This annual gathering on the banks of the Thames of the two towns, came off on Wednesday, the course being be tween Windsor Bridge and Clewer Point, and under the excellent management of the committee of the last two years this sporting affair has arrived at a position second only to the Henley regatta. Although the day was not so favourable as could have been wished, the banks along the Brocas to tha Clump, as also the eyot by the bridge, were lined with spectators. The band of the Ist Life Guards being present, contributed to the enlivenment of the scene. On this occasion no less than 20 beautiful silver cups were contested for. The following is the programme : AMATEURS' PAIR-OAR RACE. Mr. G. Williams and Mr. W. Moore.— .Blue and White 1 AMATEURS' SCULLING. Mr. J. Ivery White 1 TOWN PRESENTATION CUP. FORT oars. First Heat. Messrs. S. Lingwood, H. Simpson, W. Howes, J. Dar ling, Jacobs (coxswain) Red, Pink, and Blue 1 Second Heat. Messrs. A. Nixon, A. Neighbour, T. Brown, W. Neigh bour, Haverley (coxswain) Dark Blue 1 Final Heat. 1 Darling's crew AMATEURS' CANOE RACE. Six started. Won cleverly by Mr. Crespell, a young French gentleman from Mr. Harris's establishment. AMATEURS' SINGLE PUNTING. Six started. Won by Mr. C. Wools. CHALLENGE CUP. Four oars. Won by the Excelsior Club; held last year by the Windsor Rowing Club. AMATEURS' DINGY RACE. Twelve started ; won by Mr. W. Barrett. SCRATCH EIGHT •OAR RACE. Three crews started ; won by Mr. H. Williams' crew. Mr. Sheriffs' crew was winning easily, until the rudder string broke, and sent them into the bank, when the se cond boat rowed into them, and capsised them. • There were several other matches, chiefly punting, by the watermen of Windsor and Eton College. QUEEN'S PLATE FOR CANADA.--Lovers of the turf, and Canadians generally, will be interested at learning that the Toronto Turf Club has received official intimation from the Governor-General that her Majesty Queen Victoria has graciously pleased to announce, through the Colonial Secretary, her intention of giving to the Toronto Turf Club annually the munificent contribution of 50 guineas. The Queen's Plate, as the royal gift will be called, will henceforward be a grand feature In the Toronto races.— Canadian Nam FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TRADE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. The relative fluctuations in the trade of the vari- . ous ports of th e U n it e d Ki ng d om cons tit u te one °I the most interesting points of commercial inquiry , since in all cases they arise either from important changes in the consuming or productive capacitiesof the sever a l f ore i gn co u n t r i es w i t h w hich each port may b e p r i nc i pa ll y connec t e d, or f rom s uperior progress in th e mo d e o f con d uc ti ng b us i ne ss at one; port as co m p are d w ith ano th er , t h e ex t en sion of local enterprise, the openin g u p o f new c ommunies" tions by rail or steam, or from an increase of th e habits of industry in particular districts. A revel" sion from over-speculation will somstimes affect one port to a disproportionate degree, and strikes or. dissensions am ong th e mec h an i cs or ar ti s ans 0 1 neighbouring towns will also frequently cause a re - • trograde moveme n t, an d g i ve an advantage in the race to some rival emporium which may never again, be recovered. An o ffi c i a l re t urn l ate l y co mpile" furnishes the means of testing the relative progress of the 12 p ,orts of the country showing whi ch have made a forward and which a retrograde move' ment during the past year, contrasted with 1857. It must be premised that the general shipments . last year presented a falling off of rather more than 5 per cent., and that consequently any Port which maintained its ground must be considered , when compared with its rivals, to have made en actual progress of more than 5 per cent., while any port that shows a reductions of less than '-', per cent. must be considered to have fully uphela its relative position. Now, it appears that one of the number actually showed a positive increase, that one out of the remainder showed only a sm all diminution, and that the remaining five experienced a reduction not merely equal in the aggregate to the whole decrease in the trade of the year, but also to the extent of the gain at the other ports. Those which achieved a positive increase were London , about 31 per cent. ; Southampton, 81- per cent.; Glasgow, 11 per cent. ; Greenock, 8 4 1 per cent.; Dublin, 53 per cent. ; and Cork, 2 per cent. Those which figure on the adverse side are Liverpool/ about 8 per cent. ; Hull, 14 per cent. ; Bristol, 1 3 per cent. ; Newcastle, 13 per cent.; and Belfast, 7 1 per cent. Leith also shows a falling off, but as it is only to the extent of a half per cent., while the general statistics would have warranted a decrease of 5 per cent., it will-be seen that she presents in fact a relative gain of more than 4-1- per cent. Se, far as these results can be depended upon, it will be for the merchants of each port to discuss in what degree they may be attributable to permanent or to temporary and exceptional causes. It is to be regretted, however, that they cannot be received as affording anything beyond a very rough aproxima fion. An official statement of the value of the im ports at each place would give a much more useful test, since a return of that kind would be framed upon definitive Custom-house calculations, instead of upon hap-hazard declarations of value, as is the case in our tables of exportations. DR. SMETHURST S CASE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—ln the Times of this morning there is a pals" graph respecting my visits to the prison where my brother is confined, which is evidently intended to impress imagi nar y id eas on th e m i n d s o f t h e unin formed. Intelligent persons know that prison regulations do not admit any private interview with any pri soner in my brother's position. He is in a room Is company with two officers, to which room I have no access, and outside this room are placed two chairs, one for me and the other for the gover nor, and above our heads, when seated, is a small wire-perforated window, through which we con verse in fair, open, loud language. I have sought no favour nor passed or received any secrets. Nor has the Governor or any officer proffered any favour. They have all done their strict duty as such, but with a courteous, civil disposition, and the Governor does not forget his duty by relaxing the discipline of the prison, at the same time he is doubtlessly a humane man consistently with pro priety. He acts just as I should if I were a gover nor of a prison. the other matter is undeserving notice, but the insertion of this will oblige, sir, your obedient servant, JAMES SMETHURST. Brompton, Sept. 1. We have been requested to publish the following report of an interview with the Home Secretary: —" Mr. Henry B. Sheridan, M.P., having been re quested by the friends of Dr. Smethurst, attended yesterday at the Home-office with a petition to the Queen, signed by Mary Smethurst, the prisoner'? wife. Mr. Sheridan urged upon Sir G. C. Lewis, the deficiency of evidence against and numerous arguments in favour of the prisoner ; and Mr. Sheridan then introduced the wife of the prisoner, Mary Smethurst, and Mrs. ,Smith, the mistress of the boarding-house at Bayswater in which the three parties resided. The statements which these two ladies made were listened to with the greatest attention and patience by the Secretary of State, and various points were cleared up and explained which had been left in mystery at the trial. The two ladies made their statements with clearness and force, and with great apparent truthfulness, and, as it seemed, with considerable effect. Mr- Waddington was present during the interview, which lasted an hour and a-half. Mr. Sheridan urged upon Sir George Lewis his opinion, founded upon the public feeling, that a reprieve was posi tively necessary, if only to afford an opportunity for further investigation." COUNTRY IVA_RKBTR. MANCHE STBR---SzPr. 1. ' There was about an average show of wheat to-day, allsd the attendance was moderate. A trifling amount of bug' ness doing. Old English wheat declined ls, and new 2 11 per qr. Flour sold slowly, at is per sack cheaper. Oats Id per 451bs, and oatmeal is per load lower. Beans were 60 to is cheaper. Indian corn rather firmer. BIRMINGHAM—SEPT. 1. A small supply of wheat at market to-day. Trade wag dull, but no reduction on the currency of last week suh. milted to. Oats in retail demand, at late rates. Barley in fair demand, and quite as dear. Beans and peas takes in limited quantities, at former prices. LOUTH..—Avca..3I. A very small amount of business was done to-day, en prices were at no advance on last week, viz., wh ea t, re and mixed, old and new, 39s to 458 per qr. In other aorta nothing of any consequence doing. EDINBURGH GRAIN—AuG. 31. Sales were again heavy to-day. .. . Wheat on the top Os 6d down average Os 8d down. Barley on the top 6s 6d up ..... average 2s 10d up. Oats on tho top Os 3d down..,, average Os 5d dews. Beans on the top 2s 6d down. --average Os 5d down. Averages per Imperial quarter. Wheat.... New 2 3 10 5-12th. Barley . 1 13 10 0-12ths Oats 1 5 9 8-12ths Beans - -12ths Total Supply and Sales. Wheat 715 qrs Sold 488 qrs 8ar1ey........ 857 qrs Sold 756 qrs Oats .1176 qrs Sold 845 qrs Beans 2O qrs Sold 6 qre • CORK-AUG. 31. The following were the quotations this morning wheat, 17s 9d to 21s O 1; white, 22s 6d to —s Od; barley 15s Oil to 15s Gd; oats, 9s 9d to 12s Od. • DERBY SMITHFIELD—Aua. 30. The supply of fat stock to-d 4 was only a limited one ; best quality scarce, in good request, and very well sold, a clearance being readily effected. Sheep and lambs were in very large supply, at fully late rates. Fat calves were not so plentiful, most of which were disposed of. Fat pigs moro numerous, and well sold. --- Beef Mutton Lamb 7ld to —d Rough fat, 5s 3d per stone. Hides, Rd to 51c1; calf skins, 6d to 61d. BIRTHS. ThatouT.—On the Ist inst., at the Cedars, Harrow Weald, Lady Bright, of a daughter. CILAKE.—On the 31st ult., at St. Leonards-on-Sea, Mrs. Vandeleur Crake, of a daughter. DEANE.—On the 31st ult., at Bedford, the wife of the Rev. R. W. Deane, A.M., of a son and heir. CHICHESTER.—On the 29th ult., at Clifton, Mrs. Nugent Chichester, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. - - INGRAM—CRAWLEY.—On the 31st ult., at St. Arnett Church, Highgate-rise, the Rev. H. Manning Ingram, eldest son of Hugh Ingram, Esq., of Steyning, Sussex, to Mary, eldest daught er o f G eorge A. Crawley, Esq., of Fitzroy Farm, Highgate. KlNG — MasoN.—On the Ist inst., at All Saints' Church, Fulham, Edward King, Esq., of Sydenhan, third son of the late Mr. Edward King, of Chancery-lane, to Miss Mary Anne Mason, of Wimberley House, Fulham DEATHS. ASTON.—On the 28th ult., at New Broad-street, IMr.:B. M. Aston, late of the British Museum. CANNING.—On the 24th ult., at Denia, Spain, Fred. Chas. Canning, merchant, aged 34. CliEr.x.--On the 3d July, at Conoor, on the Noilgherry- Iti Its, George Nicholas Cheek, Esq., of the Bengal Medi cal Service, aged 65. COOPER.—On the 2d ult., at Poonah, Harriet, wife of Nir- Cooper, Esq., traffic manager of the Great Indian Penin sular Railway. CU MBERLEGE.—On the 7th July, at Kurrachee, E. 1., Lieu tenant J. C. Cumberlege, Ist Bombay European Regt., eldest son of Colonel Cumberlege, of the Madras Cavalry LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Friday, September 2,_1869.