The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-25 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Ting Dar —Morning 2 min after 7 Evening 26 min.aft. 7
To-Vcißow —Morning 51 min.after 7' Evening 20 rain.aft. 8

TIM WEATHER.—Sow Owai, Jan. 25.

TIEBMOMITEB, 111 THII STADE
40—highest since noon yesterday..
35—lowest this morning and during the night.
41—this day, at noon. _ _ _

BAROMETER, 30.11.
WIND, N.W. —Light breeze, with fine, sunshiny, cloudy
weather, and strong thaw.

Ifta
041
)4*/

L4A1,11.

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1355.

RESIGNATION OF LORD
JOHN RUSSELL.

We are credibly informed that Lord JOHN
RUSSELL has tendered his resignation, but whethor
it has been accepted by her MAJESTY will be

known this evening in the House of Commons.
Had Lard ABERDEEN resigned the country
would hail the event with rapture ; but the re-
signation of Lord JOHN will be received with re-
gret, unless, indeed, that it must lead to the expul-
sion of the imbecile friend of Russia and "Ger-

manism" from an office which he has rendered
contemptible by an administration at once inju-
rious to the best interests of the country and the
manly prosecution of the War.

The EMPEROR and people of France may, as
we have already stated, well feel proud of the ex-
traordinary and almost incredible success that
attended the recent financial operation. It was
indeed an unprecedented triumph. One reflect-
ing equal honour on the Qhosen Ruler—the man
elevated to his exalted station by the free and
unbiassed suffrages of eight millions of electors,
delivered through the instrumentality of the
" ballot"—and on those who responded to his
earnest and exciting appeal. It displayed a
mutual confidence and regard that might well
astonish other Sovereigns whose power was based
on fear rather than on love, and induce them to
en►y their Imperial brother who was blessed with
such subjects, while those under their authority
might with no less reason envy the people who
were blessed with such a Sovereign. It is with
no ordinary pride and gratification that we refer
to the fact that we were the first to appreciate
the character and capacity of Lours NAPOLEON
and that even when a candidate for the Presi-
dency, and while the object of scurrilous and in-
cessant attacks in other journals, we rendered him
full justice, and expressed an implicit reliance on
his energy, efficiency, and good faith to this
country—confidence that has been so amply
justified by his subsequent conduct.
The unparalleled effort made by the French
people will teach a bitter but salutary lesson to
the AVTOCnAT. It will, if he possesses any
common sense, convince him of the utter inutility
of continuing a contest against a nation possessing
such ample resources, and sa ready to devote
their funds to the cause in which they had
freely and willingly engaged. The voltattary
subscriptions amounted in twelve day.; to

nearly TWO MILLIARDS TWO HUNDRED MIL-
LIONS OF FRANCS, equivalent to EIGHTY-EIGHT
MILLIORS OF POUNDS STERLING ! If neces-
sary, far more could have been obtained. At
every spot where subscriptions could' be in-
scribed dense crowds struggled for the pri-
vilege of devoting their hoarded trAstanras to
the service of their Sovereign and their country.
So earnest was the struggle that many were sent
away repining because the opportunity was not
permitted of placing their names on the patriotic
rolls. We may, therefore, safely assume that if
the desires of all had been gratified—if every
person had been enabled to tender the means at
his disposal, the enormous amount actually offered
would have boon very materially augmented, and
even a more striking result, exhibited.
When we look to collateral circumstances our
astonishment increases. It was not at a time
when there was peculiar easiness in monetary
circles when, to use the ordinary phrase,
"money was a drug in the market"—when the
cheapness and abundance of provisions, and the
promise of an abundant and rapidly-approaching
harvest, taught men that they might dispose of
all their available resources in beneficial invest-
ments. Far from it. The first year of a great
war had nearly come to a conclusion. All the
serious sacrifices incidental to such a state of
affairs had been endured by the people. Money,
although by no means scarce, considering the cir-
cumstances, was yet not very abundant, and com-
manded a high rate of interest. The season, too,
was inclement, is the depth of winter; provisions
high—everything, in fact, combined to induce'
persons of ordinary prudence to husband their
means and keep their capital in readiness for any
emergency ; and yet such was the force of events,
such the boundless enthusiasm excited in the pub-
lic mind, that every man came forward, and
France, a nation notoriously addicted to hoard-
ing, I forgot its ordinary instinct, and
flung its treasures, we will not say " reck-
lessly," for such a word would ill express
the brilliant operation, but with profuse and un-
hesitating liberality into the National Treasury.

And for what purpose ? Not to erect the
monument of peace—or in any reproductive un-
dertaking—which proati3ed speedily to return
with handsome profits, the sums temporarily ab-
stracted from the pockets. No 1 Simply "to
provide the means for carrying- on the War with
renewed vigour 1" To prove the extent of the
sacrifices which France was prepared to make
in the cause of justice, honour, and good faith,—
to convince the AUTOCRAT, and his abettors that 1
she was as lavish of her treasure as she had on
many occasions been of the blood of her children !
Surely their journalists may, after such a demon-
stration, well exclaim, " There is security for the
future against every eventuality."
We would earnestly commend to the attentive
consideration of our readers an article on the sub-
ject, extracted from the ilroniiel4r, which
will be found in another part of our impression.
The writer speaks proudly and triumphantly of
" the great fact." But not too much so. It is
difficult to find language to convey a due sense of
the magnitude and importance of what has taken
place. And while we deeply sympathise with the
feelings that must almost oppress every French
heart with an excess of joy and exultation, we
readily endorse every expression and every senti-
ment of the writer in the Moniteur, as fully, aye,
more than warranted, by the great occasion.

iThe strike of the Cabbies Will longbe remeni-
bered by every person who witu„,,ea the extra-
ordinary inconvenience arising from that extra-
ordinary occurrence. London suddenly found
itself without the means of transport, save in the
lines traversed by the various omnibuses. The
unfortunate pater familias arriving from a jour-
ney found himself left with his indignant spouse,
%Tap; to fin
dweeping children, and abundant 1

such,

our

hi? way home as he best ould, while those who were
the causes of his annoyance stood by jeering at
and materially aggravating his misery. They
took the law, such as it was, into their own
hands. Though compelled, "if plying for hire,"
to accept specified fares and comply with certain
regulations, there was no rule that compelled
them to bring out their vehicles, or to render the
services so urgently required and so handsomely
remunerated by the public. A prompt remedy was
speedily supplied, and we venture to say that
there is no longer any prospect of " the isle being
frighted from its propriety " by the general with-
drawal of the cabs from their accustomed stands.
There is another class who are no less essential
to public convenience, and who reap handsome
profits for the services they render. London
could not now do without its omnibuses; they are
essential to the middle classes ; without them the
daily business could not be got through ; men
could net arrive in town to the discharge of their
ordinary avocations, nor find their way back to
to the domestic circle. Their aid is calculated on
in estimating the time necessary for different du-
ties, the price of the accommodation being more
than compensated by the time saved, so that
persons to whom even every penny is an
object find it worth their while to expend the
last money in their possession in expediting their
journeys.

While, however, the Cabbies are strictly tied
down. as to the fares they are bound to accept,
the omnibus proprietors are comparatively un-
restricted. All that is required is that the fares
should be distinctly specified, so that people may
know what they have to pay, and not be
left to the mercy of dishonest conduc-
tors. Under the existing regulations, if
they choose to insist on one shilling, five shillings,
or even a sovereign, as a fare from Charing-cross
to the Bank, they may do so, provided it is dis-
tinctly painted up in a conspicuous part of the
vehicle. There is nothing, in fact, but the gene-
ral competitien to limit the prices which their
consciences may authorise them to demand.
Many have acted fairly, but some, we re-
gret to say, have largely enhanced their
fares at the present time. There might
be some excuse for this if fair notice were
given to all intending passengers before get-
ting into the vehicles. This, however, is not
generally the case, and it is only when the pas-
senger is leaving the omnibus that he learns the
increased demand, and finds the ordinary fare
contumaciously rejected, in such a manner as an
omnibus cad can only do. We would warn these
parties that this cannot be persisted in, and that
a very summary and decisive remedy must be
provided for the evil'.

Widely spread as elementary education now is,
and readily as access to sound information can be
had, as compared with former times, there can be
no doubt that a much greater extension of the
one, and a readier access to the other, are urgently
required. The success which has attended educa-
tional efforts has, in fact, rendered a ready access
to wholesome literature more than ever desirable.

Mental activity has been so far stimulated that
its cravings will, per force, be satisfied. It is of
paramount importance, therefore, that the aliment
which it demands should be wholesome and easily
procured. Half rations will not do. If whole-
some literature is scarce or difficult of access, un-
wholesome is not so, and will be resorted to.
This, unfortunately, has been the case already to
a largo extent. According to the Edinburgh, Re-
view of July, 1850, the total issue of cheap
irnmnrfal lblina.t.innsi oanl,l is one year throughout

the country amounted to 29 millions—a.startling
number, the consideration of which should stimulate
all who wish well to thpir kind to increased effort.
Such has been the effect in several of our large
commercial towns, whore strenuous efforts hare
been made to supply the intellectual and moral
wants of the industrious masses.

Not only in these centres of comraercial energy
have schools been multiplied, but new life has
been thrown intoMechanics' Institutes, and a more
alluring character has been given them. Class
rooms have been added or revived, and popular
lectures on useful subjects have been provided.
Other institutes, with a like object, have been
established, and great good has been effected.
The establishment of Free Libraries, however,
which has taken place in eleven of them, is that
which principally distinguishes their efforts from
those of other towns, and has been attended with
the happiest results. From these storehouses of
immortal thought wholesome mental aliment has
been distributed, in quarters too where the gene-
ral appetite was most in danger of becoming
morbid, because of the facilities for indulgence in
vague and injurious speculation or pernicious
excitement. The success of these libraries, it is
gratifying to know, has equalled, if not surpassed,
the most sanguine expectations of their founders.
The industrious masses have gladly profited by
the opportunities offered them, and have vindi-
cated the intelligence of their order. Not
only have works of what is called
"Light Literature," the value of which, when
moderately indulged in, has been underrated,
experienced their full share of attention ; but it
is gratifying to know that the desire for the
soundest and most useful information is hardly
less strong and prevalent, and that, while the
pages of fiction alai adventure show, by their
well-thumbed condition, the request in which
they are held, the pages of history and works on
art and science have readers almost as numerous,
and possibly more select.
Free Libraries, it is found,aro admirably adapted
to supply a great want of the age. When our
youth leave school to enter on the business of
life there is always danger of their imperfect
knowledge being perverted, deteriorated, or lost,
and the great desideratum in question is to connect
the school with the workshop—the scholar with the
artisan—to guide the career of the latter while in
the pride, the intoxication, we may say, of his en-
franchisement from a state of pupilage into the
path: of wisdom. No wonder, therefore, that
the extension of Free Libraries is earnestly advo-
cated, and that Mr. EWART'S Bill has met with
considerable and increasing approval. His
bill, however, only relates to towns, and though
the moral and intellectual exigencies of towns
more peremptorily demand attention, owing
to obvious causes, the absolute necessity of
supplying the corresponding wants of our rural
districts is undeniable. The desolating tide of
immoral literature may reach them in diminished
volume and force, but it does reach them ; in-
creases in strength, and ought to be stayed ; for
human nature is pretty much tho same in the
country as in the towns. How, then, is this
want to be supplied ? How are our rural districts
to be furnished with the desired means for self-
improvement in an accessible manner? No act
of the Legislature is likely, for some time, di-
rectly at least, to further this good work. Free
Libraries cannot, in general, be hopefully looked
for, though the landed gentry might do much in
way, and literary and scientific institutes, as
do not take root well, and flourish among
rural
population. Something, however, must