The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-05 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1855.

cheapest market, but we most unnecessarily and
unwisely curtail the paper money that would, so
far as the home trade and manufacture were con-
cerned, act as a substitute for bullion. We still
perversely ignore the introduction of a national
note, and prevent the circulation of any of a
smaller denomination than 51., thus making
sovereigns the ordinary medium of exchange,
when the 11. notes would far more efficiently dis•
charge the necessary functions of a circulating
medium.

which all experience goes to prove erroneous. Is
it injurious to the service to have men in the
prime of life, and in the full possession of all their
faculties, at thehead of our troops? Wasted millions
and needlessly slaughtered thousands—millions
wasted and thousands slaughtered—through the
incompetency of worn-out veterans, testify to the
contrary. Is it injurious to the service
to have respect to vested interests, and to deny
to our Indian officers who have spent a commis-
sion's worth in preparation for a commission the
privilege enjoyed by those who have simply paid for
a commission to sell it? The commonest knowledge
of human nature will supply a negative. Is it
injurious to the public service to teach young
officers habits of forethought and economy ? If
it is, the system must be condemned, for it as-
suredly is well calculated to do that. To talk of
its adding to the too general indebtedness of
Indian officers is only in effect to say, they are
' otherwise so indebted by their own extravagance
that the slightest additional burden is seriously
felt. The objection would, indeed, have force if
they were ill remunerated for their services.
So far, however, is that from being the case, cal-
culations are available which show that an Ensign
may save 10/. a-month out of his pay by the
exercise of ordinary prudence and thrift. Nor is
this all. That great Indian reformer, Sir CHAS.
NAPIER, whose attention was particularly directed
to the subject, leaves the subscription out of his
enumeration of the causes of this indebtedness.
Injurious to the service ! It is to be hoped,
though we extremely doubt it, that Mr. VERNON.
SMITH had a better system in contemplation when
he gave expression to such an opinion. If so, the
sooner he promulgates it for criticism the better.
As it is we must content ourselves for the present
6 with repeating—That system injurious which has
created us the most efficient army we have—an
F army inferior to none in the world !

It is said that the Bank of France has taken
advantage of our absurd regulation to obtain a
large quantity of gold, at far less thah its actual
value under existing circumstances. We do not,
and cannot, justly complain of this operation.
It may be a wise and salutary precaution on the
part of that great corporation to strengthen its
hands and prepare itself for any emergency. Why,
then, should it abstain from bearing away the
golden fleece which our folly offers to the first
adventurer. It is surely better that it should get
into the hands of our faithful Allies than of the
despicable neutrals, or even of our actual and
avowed enemies. As we will not retain it, let it
go to those who will make a good use of it, rather
than to others that will render it highly detri-
mental to our interests. It is our own fatuity that
renders that which might be an inestimable
benefit a positive disadvantage, which we should
seek to get rid of as soon as possible. There will,
of course, be an extraordinary amount of suffering
endured in the operation, but as it is the red-
tapist system not " to shut the stable door until
after the steed has been stolen," the sooner the
horse is abstracted the better for the country, in-
asmuch as the period of suffering may thereby be
abridged.
It requires no argument to show that a
state of warfare requires a very extended
circulating medium—a very liberal use of
a paper currency. We pointed this matter
out long ago, at the very commencement of hos-
tilities, emphatically demanding the issue of
really national notes of 11., 21., and 31., which
would be receivable by all the tax-collectors of the
country, and could therefore never be greatly depre-
ciated. But, unfortunately,Mr. GLADSTONE then pre-
sided at the Exchequer, and we now know itwas not
his policy to afford any facilities for carrying on
the War. His object was rather to disgust the
people with hostilities, and induce them to accept
any terms which the CZAR in his clemency might feel
disposed to offer. The honour of the National
Standard was nothing to the integrity of the
Monetary Standard, and, therefore, the Aberdeenite
Chancellor of the Exchequer did nothing to re-
lieve the pressure occasioned by the War, but, on
the contrary, increased the burdens.
Sir G. C. LEWIS has also shirked the question.
But ho cannot long do so. The exigency which
we long since predicted is at hand. Every day's
delay will be exceedingly prejudicial to the
national interests. Something must be done.
What is it to be ? We confess that we have no
great confidence in the ex-Reviewer. It is to
Lord PALMERSTON we look for the adoption of
the necessary steps. The navigation of the ves-
sel of the State has become peculiarly intricate.
It is indispensable that the chosen pilot should be
doubly vigilant ; not merely discharging his own
especial duties, but seeing that his subordinates,
for whose efficiency he is responsible, are also com-
petent to the performance of theirs. Let him at once
look to the most important topic in reference to
the War. Let him consider the currency question
in all its phases, and see that proper means be
adopted to lessen the impending danger, which, if
longer neglected, will become of a very formidable
character.

The Directors of the Bank of England have
pgain raised the minimum rate of discount, which
now stands at 511! per cent. It was but a week
since they had advanced it to 5 per cent., so that
the increase has been not only very marked and
decided, but, as many contend, quite uncalled for.
Cinsiderable dissatisfaction has therefore been ex-
cited in inuential quarters, who find that the
supply of money at previous rates was fully
equivalent to the demand, although that demand
was enhanced by various exceptional. circum-
stances.

Nor was it at all ascribable to the exi-
gencies of trade. There were no wild speculations
on the tapi-s which it was considered necessary to
check at the expense of considerable embarrassment,
if not absolute ruin, to hundreds of industrious
and well-disposed per.-:ons, the creators and pro-
ducers of national wealth. Even the ordinary
red-tapist expedient of making the orderly and
estimable members of society endure serious pri-
vations, in order that a trifling difficulty might be
interposed to the indulgence of the vicious pro-
pensities of a single reprobate, was not in
any way called for. The solitary "SYKES " was
not sufficiently active to require the sacrifice of
hecatombs of the SMITHS, and BROWNS, and
ROBINSONS, usually immolated at his shrine, with-
out compunction, or sympathy.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia arrived at
Glasgow from Balmoral on Monday night by the Scottish
Central Railway, and proceeded southward.
Sir George Grey has relieved the Duke of Argyll in
attendance on the Queen at Balmoral.
The marriage of Lord George Manners, M.P., and
Lady Adeliza Fitz.llan Howard was celebrated yester-
day at the parish church of St. James's, Westminster.
NAPLES.—The Bing of the Two Sicilies and the whole
of the Royal Family went to venerate the relics of St.
Januarius, at Naples, on the 19th ult.

COPENHAGEN', Oct. 3.—At a sitting of the Council of
State, held yesterday, the King signed a constitution,
having reference to the form of monarchy, and including
electoral laws.

The children of the Licensed Victuallers' School will
be present at the morning performance of Professor An-
derson to-morrow (Saturday), at two o'clock.
R. P. Collier, M.P., has announced his intention to
resign the Recordership of Penzance, and will sit for the
last time in that capacity at the approaching sessions.
On Friday last an order was received at Gordon Castle
for Lieut.-Colonel his Serene Highness Prince Edward
of Saxe Weimar to join his regiment, the Ist battalion
of the Grenadier Guards, now encamped at Aldershott.
The gallant Prince left the following morning.
Dr. Miller is at present engaged on a Geological His-
tory of Scotland, which he intends to be the great work
of his life.

The Rev. J. M. Dixon, rector of Trinity, in Bath, has
been appointed by the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells
to the office of Diocesan Inspector of Schools, in the
room of the Rev. H. Calverley, rector of Southstoke,
resigned.
On the night of the 25th in st. there will be a total
eclipse of the moon.
The Rev. Robinson Scott, appointed by the Irish Con-
ference as a deputation to visit the United States, for
the purpose of promoting the cause of Methodism in
Ireland, and his companion, the Rev. William Arthur,
of London, have arrived safely at New York, and have
met with a flattering reception.
Among the Indian passengers by the Ava, which left
Southampton yesterday with the East India mail, were
General Wheeler, Colonels Davidson and Bellassis,
Lieutenant-Colonels Michell and Lowth, and Captains
Lowe and Henry.
His Imperial Highness Prince Louis Lucien Bona-
parte is now staying at Aberystwith, and is so nsuck
pleased with the place that he will remain for some time.
His Highness takes a warm interest in, and fluently
speaks, the Welsh language, and is attached to the Welsh
people.

- I; is currently reported at Taunton, in Somersetshire
that there is to be a militia encampment on Blagdon,
hill, about four miles from that town on the Honitoii-
road.

It is deplorable enough when those who are
placed at the head of affairs take no steps to
remedy the most glaring defects in the systems
they are called upon to administer. It is more
deplorable still when they throw obstacles in the
way of those who do, and are aided in their en-
deavours by the authority of law ; but most of all
is the case deplorable when the subjects of official
obstruction are the very parties who have suffered
from these defects, and at their own cost have
striven to remedy them.
A. recent decision affords a case in point, and
deplorable in the superlative degree. In the
Indian army, as is pretty generally known, the
seniority system obtains. As a natural conse-
quence, vigorous and enterprising officers found
the road to promotion effectually blocked up
against them, and that to the detriment of
the public service. Grizzled veterans, who had
fairly entitled themselves to the blessings of re-
pose, felt reluctant to luxuriate on half-pay
while it was possible to retain the privileges and
rewards of a rank to which under the system they
rightly considered themselves lucky to have ob-
tained ; and the spectacle was presented of men-
tal and physical decrepitude occupying positions
demanding the utmost vigour of mind and body,
to the exclusion of men who possessed those qua-
lities in an eminent degree, and were eager to
exercise them in the public service. The evil
grew more and more glaring, and, directly or in-
directly, was repeatedly made the subject of com-
plaint to the authorities at home. No remedy,
however, being forthcoming, it grew intolerable,
and the officers of the Indian army concocted a
remedy themselves. They originated a fund,
towards which such officers as felt disposed sub-
scribed, .for purchasing out their over-healthy
seniors after a certain age ; and, the scheme
working well, the Company made the subscription
compulsory. This act on the part of the latter
has recently been pronounced illegal in a decision
by the Chief Justice, while the system has been
declared injurious to the service by the President
of the Board of Control.

OXFORD.—Mr. David E. Norton, 13. A., of Oriel Col-
lege (second class in classics and first class in maths-
mw,ics, 1854), has been appointed to a mathematical
mastership at Bromsgrove School.
RISE IN THE PRICE OF BREAD IN IRELAND.—Yeater-
day the majority of the bakery establishments in Cork
raised the price of bread one halfpenny the 41b., the price
now being, white, 10id. ; household, 91,1.
NEW DOORS, LIMERICK.—The wall of the new docks,
near the pier, Limerick, has given way, and caused a
suspension of the works until Mr. Gibbons, the engineer
of the Board of kVorks, arrives to inspect it.
TREASURER or LlMERlCK.—Yesterday Major Thomas
Packenham Vandeleur was unanimously elected as trea-
surer for the county of Limerick by the magistrates of
the county. The salary of the office is 400/. a year, late
Irish currency.

BABY SHO \-'V. —We (Eastern Counties Herald) have
heard that it is the intention of certain parties (we believe
the promoters of the Withernsea show) to get up another
baby show at Hull. If this be so, we trust no eounte-
Lance will he shown towards it.

Count Walewski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave
two days ago a farewell dinner to Abi-el-Kader, who is
about to leave Paris for his new residence—Damascus.
Marshal Vaillant, the Marquis and Marchioness de St.
Marina, Lord and Lady P(rtarlington, Prince Petro-
towski, Colonel Claremont, the British Military Com-
missioner at Paris, General Daumaq, &e., were among
the distinguished personages invited to meet the Emir.

The following are the terms in which the elevation of
General Pelissier to the dignity of Marshal was an-
nounced to him by telegraphic despatch The Min-
ister of War to General Nlissier. —Paris, September 11.
—His Majesty orders me to inform you that he raises
you to the dignity of Marshal of France. lam happy,
most happy, to have to announce to you this good news."
WALWORTII WORKING MEN'S INSTITUTION.—A meet-
ing of a scientific and conversational character was held
on Wednesday evening in connection with this institu-
tion, at the Clayton School-rooms, York-street. The
walls were hung with paintings, drawings, and engrav-
ings, and the tables covered with a large collection of
novel, ingenious, and interesting articles. The meeting
was very largely attended by the working men of the
neighbourhood and their wives.

DREADFUL ACClDENT.—Yesterday morning a fright.
ful accident occurred to James Ickbird, a painter, Ed-
mond-street, Southampton-street, Camberwell. The
unfortunate man was at work on a ladder, when some
one called his attention, and in coming down he slipped
and fell from a considerable height. He was conveyed
to Guy's Hospital, where he now remains in a most pre-
carious state.

SINGULAR ACClDENT.—Yesterday a singular accident,
and one entailing considerable loss, occurred at the
Wellington Dock, Liverpool. A cart was standing at
the edge of the quay loaded with copper to the value
of between 7001. and 8001., when the horse became
restive and backed a pace or two, until the wheels went
over the dock side, and cart, horse, and copper were
precipitated into the water. The horse was drowned,
the weight of the cart quickly causing' him to be in-
gulfed. Yesterday evening the dredges were being ac-
tively applied for the recovery of the copper.
THE BRIGHTON HARRIERS.—The hunting season is
approaching ; and we are informed that the Brighton
harriers intend to take the field next Wednesday, throw-
ing off at the race-course. The others meets will be—
Saturdays, at the Dyke ; Mondays, Patchara ; and al-
ternate Wednesdays at Thunder's Barrow. The hounds
have bad a trial day or two, and we hear that they are
in capital condition. They will be under the able direc-
tion of Mr. Willard in the field, and there is this season
to be a whipper-in, which will give additional eclat to
the hunt.

The Chief Justice, it is to be presumed, under-
stands the law, and gave his decision in accordance
with it. We put the question, therefore, aside,
and turn to the dictum of Mr. VERNON SMITH.
Strange to say, the opinion of that gentleman,
pronounced though it was in Parliament, was
supported by no sort of proof. The President of
the Board of Control, who should have been fully
acquainted with the working of the system be
condemned, was in no better position in relation
to it than was that mellifluous CAIN who hated
Br. FELL. The system was his aversion, but
" the reason why he could not tell." Well may our
Indian officers find themselves bewildered between
the legal decision of the one and the philosophical
dictum of the other. The public are clamouring
for a remedy for a most serious evil ; the Indian
officers have supplied a remedy out of their own
resources, and the Chief Justice declares it to be
illegal, and the President of the Board of Control
"injurious to the service." When was there
a reform that was not pronounce,d both on the
highest authority ?

It would appear at first sight to have been a mere
wanton interference with the national prosperity,
organised and prepared by the philo-Muscovites,
with the patriotic view of disgusting the people
with the War, and inducing them to accede to the
views of " Germanism," by the patching up of a
temporary, and precarious, and dishonourable
truce ; which they would dignify with the sacred
name of Peace ! But on further consideration it
will appear that the objectionable movement was,
to a certain extent, justified by the provisions of
our infamous currency laws ! Yes, it is the
Bank Charter of 1844, now happily on the
eve of closing its disreputable existence,
that has occasioned this untoward interrup-
tion of the monetary facilities—so urgently
required by the industrious classes, and so essen-
tial to the power of defraying the enormous bur-
dens so ruthlessly inflicted on the people by Mr.
GLADSTONE and his successor Sir G. C. LEWIS.

EMIGRATION.—The number of emigrant passengers
from the port of Cork during the last week amounted to
418. Of these there were 70 emigrating to New York
and 12 to Melbourne ; and on Wednesday the Van-
gnarl steamer to Liverpool had 56 American emigrants,
55 of whom had taken passages to New York. This
return gives an increase of 153 to last week over this in
the number of emigrants to America, and of 84 in the
number of emigrants to Australia, but this decline may
be accounted for by the inclemency of the weather
during the past few days.
SALE OF SHARES IN THE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
—Yesterday Mr. Robins put up to auction, at the Auc-
tion Mart, several shares secured upon the property of
the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. The first lot was a
renter's share, the owner of which was originally enti-
tled to 2s. 6d. per night of performance, but upon which
is now paid ls. 3d. After some competition the share
was knocked down for 40 guineas. The second lot con-
sisted of five joint-stock or proprietor's shares of 100/.
each, which had been paid in full, and which were
directed to be sold by the executors of the late Mr. Thos.
Walsh. The lot went for 20 guineas ; and another lot,
consisting of eight similar shares, produced only,.six
guineas.
CITY OF LONDON THEATRE.--This elegant establish-
ment opened on Monday last under the management of
Messrs. Johnson and Nelson Lee. The interior has been
beautified, and is now rendered the most comfortable in
the metropolis. Mr. Chas. Pitt is the leading tragedian,
supported by a company of first-rate ability. Various
novelties, we understand, are in a forward state, if we
may judge from the pieces on Monday; and from the
manner they were acted and produced there is no doubt
of a successful season.

We have repeatedly pointed out the propriety
of " unrestricted competition" in money, and the
incompatibility of what a very powerful writer
designated as "Free Trade and a fettered cur-
rency." We showed the imperative necessily
of having a recognised measure of value, which
would suffice for carrying on our domestic trade,
and preventing it from being disturbed by our
foreign relations, and the demands of another '
nation. Under the existing system, we not only
buy our• bullion in the dearest Eknd sell it in the

The illegality of energetic Indian officers
making a common purse in order to clear the way
for their promotion, to the advantage of the
public service and of their worn-out seniors, we
have already as good as admitted, for the simple
reason, we are not acquainted with the musty
precedents of the law on this head. The alleged
injuriousness to the service is a different matter,
and we caunot allow a dictum to go unquestioned

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6 1855

The Bank of Ireland yesterday increased the rate of
discounts per cent., making the minimum for Irish bills
51, and for English bills 5, per cent.
STORM AT MANCHESTER.—A terrific storm of thun-
der, lightning, hail, and rain, passed over Manchester
between two and three o'clock in the afternoon of yes-
terday.
Col. Clarke has been appointed Commandant of the
Monmouth and South Wales District, in the place of
Gen. Cloete, who leaves next week to await orders in
London.
Screw steamers are about to run between Southarnp -
ton and Hythe, one of the most ancient ferries on South-
ampton water.
READING THE WAR NEWS.—The readings of the Rev.
W. Hutton, curate of Christ Church, 'have been attended
by a large number of the working classes, anxious to
hear the latest intelligence respecting the war. The
persons assembled manifested the most lively interest in
the description of the various events, and testified by
great applause their hearty sympathy with their victo-
rious fellow-countrymen and their allies.—Wolverhamp-
ton Chronicle.
WHISSY.—The enormously increased duty on whisky
has (says the Limerick Chronicle) lessened the consump-
tion to a degree never anticipated by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer. The working class are taking to brown
stout, and the higher ranks are exchanging for wine,
upon which there is no advance of duty. The increase
of duty upon Irish and Scotch whisky was estimated
by the Treasury to produce 1,000,0001., but the decrease
on this head of revenue is 266,0901. on the last quarter.
The revenue will be less, through illicit distillation, in
the coming winter.
A letter from Inspruck, of the 28th ult., says :
" During my sojourn at Ischyl I frequently saw the
Emperor and Empress of Austria. The Emperor is a
good-looking young man; he is endowed, it is said, with
prodigious activity, and wishes to pass for the first sol-
dier in his empire. The Empress is the youngest of all
the consorts of Europe. With an elegant form and most
pleasing features she has that bloom of youth which
nothing can surpass, and when she passes on horseback
along the promenades of Ischyl she is the object of
general admiration."
CHURCH RATE DIFFICULTIES.—By the late refusal of
a rate in the parish of Hackney the churchwardens find
themselves placed in an awkward predicament. A con-
siderable balance was paid over to them by their prede-
cessors, which they concluded would be available for or-
dinary church-rate purposes ; but on taking counsel's
opinion they find they cannot legally appropriate one
sixpence without the consent of the vestry, which has
just decided against any church-rate at all. On Saturday
last (Michaelmas-day) a quarter's salary became due co
the long list of officials connected with the church, when,
instead of sterling coin of the realm, they received a
civil intimation that there were no funds to pay them.
RUSSIAN TALLOW TRADE.—St. Petersburg advices

to the 20th ult. report a few transactions in tallow.
The total quantity despatched this season from St.
Petersburg and the interior is stated at from 36,000 to
40,000 casks, and it is estimated that about 40,000 casks
more remain to be disposed of. The total quantity of
Russian tallow available for exportation this season
would appear to be only about 80,000 casks. The average
exportation of tallow from Cronstadt for the 30 years
ending with 1853 was 127,310 casks per annum, and
for the five years preceding the declaration of war it was
110,000 casks. As the I.reseut season's diminution is
in face of the high prices which have ruled for this ar-
ticle in the London market since 1853, these figures are
interpreted as affording a striking proof of the injury
which the war is inflicting upon the productive industry

of Russia.
RAILWAY EXTENSION IN WALES.—The Maesteg line
has been staked out by the surveyors, and in a few
months operations are to be commenced. The South
Wales,Cornpany intend making a branch line from Car-
diff to Penartla, in addition to the one projected by the
Taff Vale Company. A tidal harbour is to be made in
the river Ely, with stages for loading coal, so that ves-
sels may at once receive their cargoes. The Vale of
Neath extension, down the Aberdare-valley, is to be
commenced, having been surveyed and mapped out.
This will open the extensive coal district, in the centre
of the valley. The Rhondda branches of the Taff Vale
are fast approaching campletion, and will soon be opened
for traffic. The Rhymney line, commencing at the
head of the valley of that name, is in progress, and will
run into the Taff Vale at Pentyrcb, six miles from Car-
diff. The projected alterations, in order to avoid the
Swansea Vale crossing the South Wales upon the level,
are immediately to be commenced.

THE FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT SUMMER SEAT.—
The adjourned inquest on Scott, one of the guards of the
East Lancashire luggage tram killed on Thursday last at
Brookabottom siding, near Summerseat station, by a
passenger train coining suddenly out of the tunnel whilst
the luggage taain was at a stand, and running into it,
was held on Wednesday, at the Derby Hotel, Bury.
After several additional witnesses bad been examined,
the Coroner summed up, expressing an opinion that the
accident had occurred through the signal not working
properly. The jury, after deliberating about 10 minutes,
returned a verdict of " Accidental death." Several of
the passengers are still confined from the injuries sus-
tained, but it is believed that one of them intends to sue
the railway company for 1,0001, damages.—Manchester
Guardian.

FROST, WILLIAMS, AND JONES.—On Monday a public
meeting of the inhabitants of Oldham was held in the
Town Hall, convened by John Platt, Esq., mayor, in
compliance with a very numerously-signed requisition
which had been presented to him, "for the purpose of
memorialising her most gracious Majesty to grant an
unconditional pardon to John Frost, Zephaniah Wil-
liams, and William Jones, but more especially to John
Frost, as that unfortunate gentleman has expressed a
strong desire to return to his native country before he
dies, being now upwards of 70 years of age." The spa-
cious room was well filled. Mr. Councillor W. Wool-
stenholme was in the chair, and the objects of the meet-
ing were explained and ably defended by Mr. J. Greaves,
Mr. J. B. Horsfall, Mr. A. Frith, Mr. J. Kershaw,
Mr. John Nield, Mr. W. Knott, Mr. W. Barlew, and
others. The memorial to her Majesty was unanimously
adopted.
THE ALLIES AT KERTCH:—We read in the Malta Times:
—On the sth of September the Himalaya vessel took to
Kertch from Balaklava. about 130 of the 10th Hussars,
and the same number of the Chasseurs d'Afrique a few
of the Land Transport Corps attendant on our division
of cavalry, and two or three English artillerymen. The
operation of disembarking the cavalry was performed by
the French steam gun-boats towing flats, with 16 men
and horses in each ; but, owing to the weather having
become stormy, it was not completed till the morning of
the 10th. By the arrival of the Himalaya we have re-
ceived the latest accounts from Kertch, at which place
and at Yenikale the allies possess a force of some 12,000
men, English, French, and Turks. At both these places
the allies are actively engaged in strengthening their posi-
tions, and the cavalry scour the country round, causing
the country people to Lring in large supplies of cattle,
sheep, and forage, for which they are paid full vaiue.
On the first night of the Chasseurs d'Afrique going out
they surprised a party of Cossacks, and took eight of
them prisoners, but the officer in command escaped by
entering a house in the village and getting out by a hack
way. The 10th Hussars have taken up very comforta-
ble quarters in a building which formerly served as a
seminary for young ladies, and have changed the hard-
ship of sleeping on the ground under a tent for a com-
fortable dwelling and luxurious couches. A few grand
pianos, which have escaped the general destruction,
may be seen in the officers' quarters. A police force
has been organised by the French out of the Tartar po-
pulation, partly officered by Poles, and the men are
distinguished by a yellow stripe on their arm."
COMMITTAL OF A MATE FOR THE Loss OF HIS VESSEL.
—A case of considerable importance under the new
Merchant Shipping Act was investigated, yesterday by
the Rochester magistrates, Capt. G. Burton presiding.
Wm. Wheatley, an old north country mariner, late mate
of the brig Tonbridge, belonging to Rochester, was
charged (under the 239th section of the Merchant Ship-
ping Act), with having on the 3d of last September oc-
casioned, by neglect of his duty, the total loss of that
vessel on the Gunfleet Sands, and endangered the lives
of the crew. Mr. Hills prosecuted on behalf of the
owners. The Tonbridge was on her voyage from Shields
with a cargo of coals for Rochester, and on the morning
of the 3d, the prisoner, who was left in charge of the
vessel, was ordered by the captain to keep the vessel
S.W. half S., and to call him as soon as he saw the Sunk
Light (which is visible 10 miles off). The captain then
went below. Between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock the
prisoner went below, and called out that the ship was
ashore. All the crew turned out just as they were, and
discovered that the vessel had struck on the Gunfleet
Sands, and was a total wreck. The captain and crew
(with the wife and child of the former) took to the boat,
and after being in much danger, owing to a heavy ground
sea, were picked up by a fishing smack and taken into
Harwich harbour. It was stated that the navigation
near the Sunk Light is not considered dangerous In clear
weather, and the prisoner could not have got into danger
had he kept the course he was directed to do. It ap-
peared that the prisoner had stated, in conversation,
after the loss of the vessel, that he mistook the Sunk
Light for the Knock Light, adding that he had orders to
call the master, but could not tell why he had not done
so. Mr. Bassett, for the defence, attributed the loss of
the ship to an error in judgment, and contended that
there was no evidence to the contrary. The Chairman
said that the bench had decided on committing the pri-
soner for trial ; and ho was accordingly removed to the

City Gaol.
REPORTS ON RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.—CoIoneI Yol-
land, inspecting officer of the Board of Trade, has ref
ported on the accident which occurred on the 27th o-
June at Stratford. After an explanation of the cir
cumstances he says :—" I have no doubt that the
accident was entirely caused by the negligence of the
plait layers, in having failed to insert a cotter or
pin in the left end of the connecting rod of the
points, and I think the Eastern Counties Railway ma-
nagement have acted judiciously in directing all their
points on the main lines to he supplied with two instead
of only one connecting red." As to the accident at the
Barrow station, the same officer reports :—" I have,
therefore, no doubt that the collision was entirely caused
by neglect of duty on the part of the engine driver in not
having kept a proper look out. I should, however, re-
commend that the attention of the directors of the Mid-
land Railway Company should be called to the propriety
of altering the present north distant signal, if permission
cannot be procured for clearing the trees which are now
behind it; and in that case I think that if its height were
doubled it would be very much better seen ; and I should
also represent the desirability of increasing the siding
accommodation at Barrow station, since, but for the de-
lay in removing the waggons in the siding standing near
the switches, the single • waggon intended for Barrow
would probably have been left and the train have got
away before the other came up. With reference to these
recommendations the directors report that they have
improved the signals, but that they cannot purchase land
for the sidings.