The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-05 00:00:00

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that Marshal Lord RAGLAN has succumbed under
the fatigues of campaigning, and that General Sir
JAMES SIMPSON has fallen quietly into the back-
ground ? Why, actually a soldier who had never
been in action before that great Battle of the
Alma, with which this Crimean War against Russia
was, on the 20th of September of 1854, inaugu-
rated ! After times will scarcely credit such ex-
traordinary precipitation after such amazing pro-
crastination such astonishing rashness after
such astounding timidity. Well may WALTER
SAVAGE LANDOR insist upon the fitness of a tried
Great Captain, like General GUYON, as contrasted
with the reverse, as exemplified by such men as
General SIMPSON or General CODRINGTON. "Had
a WILLIAMS or a GUYON commanded our armies,"
a.ys Mr. LANDOR, " how many thousands had
now filled their ranks who now fill
their graves." General GUYON is, indeed,
well thought of at this imminent juncture.
His glorious feats of arms are still, we believe,
fresh in the popular recollection. Who has for-
gotten his memorable campaign in Transylvania ?
Who does not at once associate his deeds of glory
in that wonderful Hungarian War of Independence,
with those recorded of poor dead BEM, of the young
KLAPKA, and of the veteran DEMBINSKI ? But, alas,
the names of these heroes are bound up with a thought
ever full to us of the bitterest heart-burning—the
thought that all this while Poland, and Hungary,
and Italy are shut out from any participation
whatever in this great War against Russian
Despotism—a war waged (as all the world knows
by this time) not in the cause of plunder or of
conquest, but in the sacred interests of liberty and
civilisation. The time may come when Italians,
Poles, and Hungarians may yet be marshalled
under their national banners side by side with
the soldiers of England, and France, and Sar-
dinia—when a GUYON, a KLAPKA, and a DEM-
BINSKI may share the glories of the struggle with
a WINDHAM, a BOSQUET, and a PELLISIER—a
struggle then in earnest for the freedom of the
nations, not as some might venture to call it now-
adays (looking to the German "element" WALTER
LANDOR wots of), as the phrase runs—Querelle
d' Allemand.

On Saturday we stated that the Philo-Musco-
vites were indefatigable in the cause to which
they have deemed it expedient and justifiable to
devote their exertions ! Each day furnishes ad-
ditional corroboration to the truth and accuracy
of our assertion. Since that time, a previously
written letter of Mr. COBDEN has been put pro-
minently forward, and the programme of a Stop-
the-War League has also been actively circulated
by the press organ of the Peace-at-any-price party.
We are satisfied that these convulsive efforts can-
not exercise any material influence on the national
feeling—that the voice of public opinion, so
clearly and unequivocally expressed, cannot be
silenced by such an extraordinary combination of
pompous platitudes, specious sophistries, and un-
founded misrepresentations—that the medley of un-
blushing falsehood and ridiculous twaddle will be
merely taken at its real value, and that persons
whose names once stood high in fhe estimation of
the people of England can by such conduct only
succeed in blasting their former reputation, with-
out in the slightest degree advancing the interests
of Russia, or saving from well-merited chastise-
ment the AUTOCRAT on whose behalf they are
willing to make such serious sacrifices.
We shall first deal with Mr. COBDEN, who at
one time laboured energetically and efficiently in
a good cause, and who received a very handsome
testimonial for his really valuable services. A.
testimonial not merely for the relief of the sick
or needy—for the education of youth—the sup-
port of old age—or the alleviation of any descrip-
tion of affliction—not in the shape of a service of
plate, which by judicious arrangements between
the managers or the recipient, and the silver-
smith, was worth less than a moiety of its nomitetl
value, but one represented in dirty acres and hard
cash—a handsome estate, and a goodly array of
figures under the attractive heading s. d. We
do not say that Mr. COBDEN did not merit a high
reward—although other earlier labourers in the
same vineyard, who had borne the brunt of battle,
the ridicule, the contempt, and the toil of the agita-
tion, long before Mr. COBDEN had emerged from his
previous obscurity, remained unrequited, having
only their labour for their pains, accompanied by
the approbation of their own consciences and the
esteem and gratitude of their countrymen. The
neglect of the superior claims of Colonel,
now Major-General, PERRONET THOMPSON, and
the Right Hon. CHARLES PELHAM VILLIERS,
the first champions, who lifted the gauntlet of
monopoly, and vigorously and devotedly fought
the battle when others were silent, was disgrace-
ful to the British people. It was, ho sever, but
an additional illustration of the accuracy of the
old proverb— " Unus seminat alter metak"
THOMPSON and VILLIERS sowed the good seed,
COBDEN and BRIGHT gathered in a rich crop. The
former gained empty honours, the latter substan-
tial pudding. We do not wonder that Mr.
COBDEN, whose experiences of the value of agita-
tion are of such a very pleasing and satisfactory
description, should be quite willing to re-enter
the arena. A second tribute, which would doubt-
less be enhanced by a magnificent list from St.
Petersburg, would
.be by no means unacceptable
to the Hon. Gentleman.

The object of his verbose and lengthy epistle
to the Editor of the Lee Is Mercury is to prove
that the War is unpopular with the English com-
munity, and that " Peace-at-any-Price," or on
any conditions, would be highly acceptable to the
great body of the people. This is a point
susceptible of easy proof. We earnestly hope
that the best test and criterion of the true
state of public opinion—an appeal to the country,
followed by a general election—may be afforded,
and then there could be but little doubt
remaining on the point. Mr. COBDEN himself
might possibly be compelled to restrict his argu-
ments to the columns of journals now so strongly
vituperated, although once lauded usque ad nau-
seam,. Bu t is there a single district throughout
of there
nolawnnde, d aplsaotlfiotarrra
orator would venture to y
othaesisleinngtthhebreadthwhere
the
face a fairly-constituted
and
desert
the assembled decided by the suffrages of
public meeting, and to have the question at issue
multi-
tude ? We believe not.
even BRIGHT
We believe that, with
all his acknowledged pugnacity,
himself would shrink from such a trial, and a for-
tiori would COBDEN, whose moral courage is
scarcely of so high a character as that of his
"friendly" coadjutor.
One argument he avails himself of, and pushes
to the utmost extent. It is indeed the main point
on which he relies, for that relatinr, to the mis-
management of the War and the sufferings of the
troops is purloined from his opponents. It is the
difficulty of recruiting the ranks—the unwilling-
ness of men to accept the QuEErr's shilling, and
the number of boys that have consequently been
attested as recruits, and who, as he asserts, have
not been able to sustain the honour of the country.
But does it follow that the War must be unpopular
because men are not ready and willing to abandon
their homes and families, to leave wives and
children to starvation, or something worse, for
the slender inducements held out to a private

soldier ? Give fair pay, any ,thiug‘ like what a
man can earn in any civil occupation, hold out
reasonable prospects of promotion to the meri-
torious, and there will be no lack of candidates.
Never was there a time when there was
greater enthusiasm amongst those seeking
for commissions, when, notwithstanding the
greatly increased demand, the supply is ample,
and the candidates, even for purchase, are nume-
rous and pressing. This is a better test than that
of recruits, although we believe that in that de-
partment there has been no falling off ! The fact is
not, therefore, as Mr. CoBDEN asserts, although
were it so, it would furnish no adequate
test. The only surprising matter is that
notwithstanding the sufferings of which ho has
made the most, so many are ready still to volun-
teer, and that the honour of Old England is still
nobly maintained without any resort to a con-
scription or compulsory service !

A retired miller, who we sincerely trust did not
enter on his relapse towards a normal state before
he had discovered the wheel of fortune and his
mill-wheel to be identical, or at all events pretty
equally at his command, writes to us judicially
under the signature of " A Norfolk Villager."
In his retirement from the dust and whirr of
busy life, he has, it. would appear, found time to
read The Sun occasionally, and cultivate after a
bungling fashion a corner of his conscience, which
is not much to be wondered at *hen we find how
politico-economico CHALYBEAN was the soil, and
JOHN BRIGHTISH the undergrowth. Glancing
over our impression of Wednesday last, his eye,
in obedience to an old professional instinct,
lighted at once on the article commencing " The
Agriculturists of Leicestershire," which he would
appear to have read with an avidity which allowed
him no time to discover its precise character,
though quite sufficient, in his opinion, to warrant
him in taking us to task about it.
The article in question, instead of being de-
voted, as he intimates, to a consideration of " the
farmers, their crops, and the War," had not a syl-
lable about the War in it. The subject with
which it dealt was Mr. PAOKE'S most censurable
speech at the Agricultural Society's dinner at
Loughborough, and more especially that part of it
in which he counselled the agricultural body
to withhold all information as to the num-
ber of acres they might have sown with
wheat or other grain, and the sort of crop they
Ind. harvested. A. piece of advice, it may be re-
membered, which he clenched by bidding his
hearers " look at present prices,. and say whether
it was probable they could do better, or even as
welr—adding, " Why meddle with them (the
agricultural body), and injure their concerns ?"
(The information required, by the way, being
sought in order to prevent artificial rises in the
price of grain.) The public delivery of such ad-
vice we pronounced imprudent. In the first place,
because entirely needless—the agricultural body
always, save when facts were too many for them,
when they resort to a Et urleigh-like shake of the
head (as at present), doing their utmost to en-
shroud their affairs in a thick fog of grumbling.
Secondly, because the high price of bread had
just been the occasion of riots in Hyde-park, and
of much anxiety on the part of timid house-
keepers for the coning winter ; and the inevi-
table inference from his remarks was that the
increase in prize had been obtained through the
system of secrecy which he recommended ; the
farmers, by pursuing it, having contzived. "to
entrap the public into giving the present high
prices. Pestilent advice enough," we remarked,
"but more injurious friendship—that which exposes
to destruction the goose that lays the golden egg !
He (Mr. PACKE) could not be content with
their (the farmers') enjoyment of a good thing
Dbtained (on his own showing) at the expense of
the suffering masses, but he must let the cat out
of the bag—must make the public as wise as him-
self, must make it known that the present price
of grain is artificial, and that the extra price
thus fraudulently obtained finds its way into the
farmer's pocket. There's a friend for you,
agriculturists of Leicestershire. It is quite as
well, however (we went on to say), that the truth
has thus come out, for the proof now being
afforded of the impolicy of so huckstering and im-
moral a procedure will be all the more striking.
Already suspicions were being entertained as to
the real state of the case, as the corn-market is
beginning to show. Henceforth it will be more
difficult to gull the public."

On this " A Norfolk Villager" a little sorely,
we suspect, remarks, in effect, " it is quite true
what you say about the grumbling of the farmer.
I haven't been a miller for 50 years without be-
ing able to testify to that ; but I am compelled, in
conscience, to contradict you when you say that
the prices of wheat, fluur, and bread are unneces-
sarily kept up this year, and if you'll attend to
me I'll prove you are wrong. In the first place,
I beg to call your attention to the fact that there
was less wheat on hand this year than usual, not-
withstanding it was generally acknowledged
that the wheat crop of 1854 was unusually
productive, whereas the crop of 1855 proves
to be on an average one-third deficient of
the crop of 1854, and one-fourth short of an
average. Secondly—although with all your talk
about huckstering, fraud, and immorality, you
find it to your own interest (?) to keep up the
war cry, you will surely not go the length of
doubting that our foreign supplies are impeded
by the War ? Here, then, I lay my finger on
the real cause of the famine prices. It is not the
farmer—it is not the miller—it is not the baker,
—it is not the—no—it is the War I The War
that prevents us from receiving a supply to meat
the above deficiency. Corn, in short, is scarce,
and being also in demand has risen, and you
" may as well try to cheapen it by writing it
down," under such circumstances, " as to turn
the wind out of its course." Speculation rimy,
possibly, (this from a miller !) run up an article
beyond its legitimate value for a time—but this
must in the end fall on the heads of imprudent
venturers. But speculation has not been at work
here, and
you'll find that with the present crop
wheat will reach 1003. a quarter on the ave-
rage, unless prevented by enormous foreign sup-
plies." Excellent logician, and most cheerful
prophet

What have we to say
Mr. PACK; who made the
reeply himwhieth
our conclusions to
Iv remarks fromßefer
were fairly drawn ? We will not
be so inhumane. Our answer is this—. When our
comments were penned we were in blissful igno-
rance of the existence of • • so infallible an authority
as " A Norfolk Villager,"
and were compelled to
resort only to our mother wit or "common sense"
and the authority of Mr. LAIRD-_a gentleman, by
the way, who has the reputation of knowing more
than most men about agricultural matters. Meet-
ing with what appeared to us to be equivalent to
a confession that the habitual secrecy of the agri-
cultural body had met its reward this year in the
high price of grain, (the rise in which could
not fail to be obtained " at the expense of
the suffering masses,") we turned to Mr.
CAIRD for further enlightenment, and what
did we find ?--Anything approximating to the
story "A Norfolk Villager" now tells us ? B

no means. Instead of the crop being sot down by
that Gentleman as one-third less than that of
1854, and one-fourth short of the average, we
found Mr. CAIRD of opinion that on the whole
there was nearly an average produce per acre, and
that over much beyond an average surface. Allow-
ing, however,- for safety's sake, a deficiency per
acre of one-tenth, and estimating the increased
breadth sown at one-fourth the average crop of
the United Kingdom (13,500,000 qrs.), lie had
arrived at the conclusion that the wheat crop of
1855 amounts to 15,187,500 qrs., which, esti-
mating the annual consumption of the United
Kingdom at 18,000,000, leaves a deficiency of
2,812,500, or little more than one-half the average
annual importation of the last five years to be
supplied from abroad, a quantity too small
to be interfered with by the entire ab-
sonco of a supply from the Northern ports.
So little reason had we to anticipate the informa-
tion of our correspondent, and to saddle famine
prices on the War ! And yet, with only half the
usual supply to seek from abroad, and an unusually
excellent crop of potatoes at home, the public, ac-
cording to the same authority, had been paying,
at the time we wrote, 20s. per quarter, or
1,500,0001. a month more in corn than they did
last year. What were we to infer ? Some one
must have been pocketing the extra amount, and
who so likely as the farmer, who confessed as
much, and for taking whom at his word, " A
Norfolk Villager" accuses us of ignorance,
and in all the dignity of superior informa-
tion takes us to task for it ? But a truce to
banter. Our correspondent must adduce bet-
ter testimony than his own before he can suc-
ceed in convincing us that the rise in corn
was not artificial—the creature of panic, owing its
origin mainly to the system of mystification which
Mr. PACKS recommended the agriculturists of
Leicestershire, and after them of the kingdom to
pursue. Every day, in fact, instead of diminish-
ing our credence in the at once encouraging and
damnatory statement of Mr. CAIRD increases it,
or rather tends to convince us that it is, if
anything, under-drawn. In conclusion, we
admit our inability to reduce legitimate
prices by any conceivable strokes of our pen,
but are unable to say as much respecting the ex-
plosion of conspiracies. In our professional capa-
city we have hitherto followed the dictates of our
conscience, and have always found our own inte-
rests to be identical with a due consideration for
the interests of the public. It is not likely, there-
fore, wo say it for the edification of the class of
which " A Norfolk Villager" may be considered a
representative, that we will bo deterred from en-
deavouring to explode all conspiracies of whatever
sort (corn and cotton included) against the pockets
of the public or the honour and safety of the na-
tion—by unwarranted statistics, clumsy sneers, or
maudlin prophecies, bearing suspicious marks of
being dictated by self-interest, however plausibly
they may be advanced.

Among the more massive and generally appre-
ciable of our literary characters Dr. JOHNSON
will ever occupy a foremost place. Other writers
have possessed not inferior kdowledge, and will
be handed down to posterity encircled with a
halo which a higher genius than the Doctor's
could alone insure. But so long as the Anglo•
Saxon race exists, and multiplies throughout
the world, tokens. of its practical good sense,
heroic energy and perseverance, and the
emphatically masculine understanding of
the author of the English Dictionary, will
attract to his shrine a crowd of worshippers. The
lone man of letters issuing from how long a retreat
in a forgotten garret, to tower on the strength of
high desert and popular support above the tram-
mels of lordly patronage, and command the re-
spect of the highest, while he earned the gratitude
of the most distressed—the tall, lumbering, short-
sighted man, his countenance seamed with the
omall-pox, whom no one passed without a feeling
of respect, could hardly, indeed, fail to be what-
he is—an object of national pride, and one of our
most prized possessions. Row real the esteem
in which his memory is held, and the gratitude
expressed for his services, we are happy to per-
ceive the public have now a brief opportunity
of showing. A goddaughter, a venerable gentle-
remembered in the Doctor's last
woman, aged 78,
will, and who, it will be seen, in an appeal made
on her behalf in another column, " recollects, in
a dim but ineffaceable manner, the big awful
figure of SAIWEL JOHNSON, to whom she was car-
ried shortly before his death that he might lay
his hand on her head and give her his blessing,
her awe and terror being very great on the occa-
sion," is, together with a sister younger than her-
self, threatened "with absolute indigence in these
their final days." Unless a fund be raised to
prevent such a catastrophe, the little parlour at
Deptford, containing the fir desk upon which
SAMUBL JOHNSON wrote the English Dictionary,
and in which these gentlewomen "have lived for
years in rigorous but not undignified poverty,"
will shortly cease to afford them an asylum. The
Premier has already been appealed to, and has
done as much, it would seem, as he could with the
funds at his disposal; and yet some 4001. are still
wanting to purchase a paltry annuity of 301. for
them. Need we make any appeal to the readers
of The Sun on their behalf ? There is not a man
among them but has heard of and is proud of Dr.
JoHNsoN ; and if any lady reader remembers too
acutely the Doctor's gruffness, that like a rough
rind encompassed now and then the precious fruit
of his kindly wisdom, she has but to reflect that
the halt, lame, and blind in his day called him
blessed, and our wish is accomplished. Messrs.
CC/TUTS, bankers, will receive subscriptions.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO MR. LOCKE, M.P.—We regret
to learn that a very serious accident occurred to Mr.
Locke, M.P., on Thursday last, while engaged in in.
specting the works of a tunnel on a railway in the vi-
cinity of Rouen.
The Right Hon. Sir James Graham has returned to
Netherby, from visiting the Earl of Aberdeen, at Iladdo
House.
Lieut.-Col. Heyland, 7th Fusiliers, who was shot
through the leg at the storming of the Redan, has arrived
at Portsmouth, suffering much from his wound.
The price of bread in Paris for the first fortnight of
the present month remains fixed at 50c. the 21b. loaf Ist
quality.
ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT.—We (says the Observer)
are glad to be able to announce that there is no present
intention to call Parliament together before the usual
time. Thera is no apprehension of any event of suffi-
cient gravity to cause the assembling of the Legislature
until the ordinary period of public business.
Thrum Aesizz.—Government have determined upon
holding a winter assize, for gaol delivery, throughout
the more important of the counties generally throughout
England. The authorities are in consultation with the
judges as to the most convenient period, and other ne-
cessary arrangements, of which due notice will be given
to the public in proper time.—Observer.
THE ENGLISH ROMAN CATHOLICS.--Soon after the
arrival of the intelligence of the fall of Sebastopol the
Te Deum was sung in all the Catholic churches in Lon-
don as a thanksgiving for the success of our army.
Notice was yesterday given that solemn requiem masses
would be sung in the churches for the brave fellows who
have died in defending their country.
We are authorised to say that there is no truth what-
ever in the statement that Mr. James Wilson has re-
signed the office of Financial Secretary of the Treasury,
and has accepted. the Chairmanship of the Board of
Inland Revenue. We are happy to ald that Mr. J.
Wood, who has so long and FO ably filled that office,
has entirely recovered from his recent illness, and will
shortly be able to resume his duties.—Times.
An immense unmber of people of all classes of society,
in accordance with French custom, went on Thursday
and Fritiay to the different cemeteries, to visit the tombs
of their relatives; and friends. Detachments of troops
were stationed n ear the various burial-places to preserve
r der, but their services were not required.—aalignani.