The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-19 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, NAY 19, 1855.

" Doubt not, the Commoners, for whom we stand,
But they upon their ancient malice, will
Forget with the least cause, these his new honours."

" Baiting the Nineveh Bull " seems to be a
prevailing and rapidly-increasing practice in the
Popular branch of the Legislature. It is certainly
not a very creditable and by no means a safe
amusement. The enterprising tauridors have
occasionally to deplore their reckless audacity.
But although many are tossed, others rush for-
ward, to the rescue, anxious to inflict some wound
on the noble victim. There is some jealousy, and
much spite in this unworthy and very courageous
series of onslaughts on a single individual. It
is not usual with Englishmen to seek extraordinary
odds against any person, or to strive to rail down by
clamour and bullying one whom they would
scarcely desire to en_ counter with equal weapons.
But Mr. LAYARD'S is a peculiar case. He is just
now the man of the people. His name has been
identified with the great cause of Administrative
and Military Reform ; and those who feel that
his success will consign them to comparative in-
significance—those who, like DEMETRIUS the silver-
smith, feel that " the craft by which they have
been living" is endangered, are ready to seize on
any opportunity to strive per fas aut nefas to
damage the too-daring assailant. The superseded
Sepinagenarian, who, having bitterly disappointed
the expectations excited in his behalf, sees the po-
pularity which he once enjoyed transferred to the
Honourable Gentleman the member for Ayles-
bury, complacently regards any blow Inflicted on
his competitor for—we should rather say his suc-
cessor in--the public favour. He has not himself
scrupled to come at the tail of a yelping pack,
who rushed open-mouthed on their intended prey,
whom they hoped to terrify by their number mid
virulence. The signal thus given could scarcely
be disregarded. When the official dispenser of the
" loaves and fishes " showed his teeth, every puny
" waiter on PROVIDENCE," every hunter after the
crumbs of patronage that fall from the Ministerial
table, strives to bite, and to inflict some damage
on the obnoxious member. Thus it was that,
although a house could not be maintained to hear
the important motion of Sir ERSKINE PERRY re-
specting the mode by which the Anglo-Indian
array could be made available in the war against
Russia, or the resolutions of Capt. SCOBELL re-
spoofing promotion in the navy, every seat was
occupied, every part of the house filled, to hear
" a question asked of the Hon. Member for
Aylesbury !"
We would, were there the slightest occasion
for the remark, desire the Honourable Gen-
tleman not to be discouraged, or to suppose that
he will be deserted by the people in the ordeal to
Which he has been subjected in consequence of his
rele°lkm of an Office for which he did not consider
himself
qualified while that in which he could
reasiy 'hue
aptfictibeen useful was given to one whose
who woulound were not of a very high order, and
and also of the Tear on much better elsewhere,
questione
of the great has, taken in the agitation
the day. But there is
really no necessity s
Honourable Gentlemanrti.such admonition. The
etmsthe assaults with the
profound contempt they so
merit, while
he emphatically protests agai,;slitentitly
pleatirs, and
valu-
able public time in such unseemly :terwaste of
justifies himself in such a mannerasto
higher position than ever. we shall therefore": in
a
the advice which he does not require cu his as-
sailants, whom we emphatically warn against
suf-
fering themselves to be made the instruments of
such unworthy designs. The Hon. Gentleman
has shown that he can neither be bullied nor
cajoled—that he cannot be terrified by the threats
of moustachioed assailants, nor gained over by
tempting offers. He can neither be frowned down,
toughed
down, sneered down, nor bought off; and,
therefore, it will be better to meet his argument's

fairly, if they can so be rn et, than to resort to missiles
which rec Al upon those by whom they have been
hurled !
What was the gravamen of the charge last night
preferred against him ? That he had declared
that Captain CHRISTIE, now unfortunately de-
ceased, was apparently an old and an ailing man,
and thus unfit for the discharge of the duties en-
trusted to his charge. The deplorable calamities
which occurred at Balaklava, and the numerous
complaints preferred against the gallant Captain
would have justified any member of Parliament in
speakingof the system which led to such infelicitous
appointments. But Mr. LAYARD did not act on
mere hearsay. He spoke of that which he had
seen with his own eyes, and of which be had heard
unexceptionable witnesses speak in the strongest
terms. Had there been any misapprehension, he
would at once have corrected it on any proper
application. But he would not condescend to
notice communications couched in improper
terms. When Captain CHRISTIE wrote to him,
he at once forwarded a reply to the direction in-
dicated by that officer, and in doing so he made
every concession that could reasonably be required
I at his hands.

The most ridiculous part of the trans=action
was the matner in which Sir JAMES GRAHAM,
who had ordered a Court-martial on Captain
CHRISTIE, tried to show that it was really
an act of kindness to the accused, and that he
himself was one of his best friends, actuated only
by the kindest feelings towards him. Thus it
was that, with a tragical air, and, as he declares,
fixing his eye on Mr. LAYARD, he announced to
the Committee that Captain CHRISTIE had died of
"a broken heart." If there were anything of the
sort it was he himself who had occasioned it—not
Mr. LAYARD. No man ever yet died because it
was said that he was a few years older than he
really was. If we are to credit Sir J. GRAHAM,
he either yielded to clamour to the extent of sacri-
ficing an innocent victim, or he used his official
power to prevent the attendance of a witness
before the Select Committee of the HouQe of Com-
mons. We leave the Knight of Netherby to
select either of these alternatives—to say on which
horn of the dilemma he pleases to be tossed.

But none of these attacks in the House will
check the great cause of Administrative Reform,
which has made greater progress than any modern
question within a similar time. Nor will the
petty refusals of provincial DOGBERRYS who, like
the Mayor of Liverpool, venture to refuse
the request of their most distinguished townsmen
to convene a meeting to discuss the topic. It
has flourished, and will flourish, despite such op-
positions ; and the nation will, if the first move-
ment be energetically followed up, achieve the
important object on which it ha 3 set its heart,
and speedily see " the right men in the right
places."

If General CANROBERT has not earned a high
military reputation while in command of the
French forces before Sebastopol, in his resigna-
tion of that command lie has nobly vindicated the
honourable nature of the ambition by which he is
actuated, and has set an example worthy of imi-
tation by co:nmanding officers in all time to come.
The second bombardment of Sebastopol having
faired of success, he appears to have reviewed his
position with an unflattering eye ; and, having
arrived at the conclusion that, entrusted as he
was with the command of a splendid army, its
signal want of 'success must be attributable, in
some degree, to his personal inability to dis-
charge its duties as their almost unprecedented
responsibility demanded, he at once determined
on the course he would pursue. He sent home
his resignation, and the Emperor accepted it. So
far well; but the crowning merit of the act was
involved in the request that accompanied it. If
he could not serve his country in the highest com-
mand, his abilities might be useful in a lower.
Such a trust he, therefore, felt it his duty to re-
quest should be consigned to him. The noble-
ness of this procedure will appear from his desire,
that his subordinate, General PELISSIER, should
be his successor. What generosity and patriotism
prompted the suggestion those only who can
realise his position can adequately appreciate.
Of his successor's military talent report speaks
lighly. Trained in a stern schoo', under Marshal
BUGEAUD, General PELISSIER, has the reputation
of being one of the in-st res Jute and able
of the Marshal's distinguished pupils. Whether
he will confirm the high opinion entertained of
him it is impossible to predict. A good divisional
officer may make an indifferent commander-in-
chief, and rice versa. Bat it is not less true that,
without opportunity, the highest genius cannot
be developed. For our part, we are disposed to
entertain a confident re'iance in his ability.
Personally, he may be Lr inferior to General
CANROBERT. He may not possess his amiability
of feeling and rough good humour, but he is not
likely to be less attentive to the welfare of his
troops—a duty to which his predecessor was
always attentive, and he is sure to inspire them
with his own indomitable re.lolation.

With the splendid army now in the Crimea
what, under such circumstances, may not be
effected, provided the English army is similarly
led ? This, however, is impossible so long as
Lord RAGLAN is Commander-in-Chief. How long
is be to continue so ? Will the proud patrician
disdain to follow the example of the noble plebeian,
whose retirement has covered him with honour,
and throw up his command ? Or will the Go-
vernment be compelled to withdraw him, however
reluctant they may be to do so ? We shall see.
But this we must say, that the giilt of that man,
or that body of men, on whom the responsibility
of hazarding the success of the Allied Armies in
the Crimea, by continuing his lordhip in com-
mand, may rest, will he such as to make thought-
ful men shudder, and to call for a public "im-
peachment." To Lord RAGLAN we would say,
resign at once ! or to Lord PALMERSTON—bid
him !

We beg to draw attention to a letter signed
" A commander, R.N.," which appears in another
part of our impression, and relates to war destruc-
tive-inventions. The writer justly complains of
the discouragement experienced by inventors in
official quarters, and of the almost insuperable
difficulties they have to combat whose inventions
run counter to existing eAtablishments. He fur-
ther suggests the formation of a commission for
the purpose of examining inventions that are of
vital importance to England in her war with
Russia, and in the propriety of this we fully
concur, provided "the members of the commis-
sion be thoroughly competent to the duty required
of them, and undertake it in a spirit of good feel-
ing, and with a desire to assist, rather than put
down, an inventor who may submit his scheme for
examination," and that the inventor, in case of
failure, be made to defray the costs of the experi-
ment. Without the former conditions can, to
some extent, be secured, the greatest invention
may be pronounced absurd, and the efforts of the
most brilliant inventor be rendered useless, while
without the last proviso the public money would
inevitably be wasted. The confident assertion
that our costliest ships may be destroyed by an
expenditure on each of twenty pounds worth of
explosive material is sufficiently startling to call
for the prompt, adoption of our correspondent's
recommendation.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will preach to-morrox
(Sunday) at St. Michael's Church, Pimlico, in aid of the
funds of the Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of
the Chest, Brompton.
INSPECTION OF THE HOUSEHOLD TROOPS —This morn-
ing there was the usual inspection of the household
troops, by Prince Albert, in St. James's Park.
THE LETTER-CARRIERS' NEW UNIFORSI.—This morn-
ing the letter-carriers appeared as usual in their new
clothes, but this year the pattern differs from that
hitherto adopted. They now wear a scarlet frock coat,
-faced with blue, upon the collar of which is worked a
distinguishing number, with the letters G. P. 0. F..r
the heaver hat and cockade a glazed felt one is substi-
tuted. Altogether the change is a decided improvement.
izsaultabiev:rir:atLeinEtixohniboitfiohne.r Majesty's Government to
'Re°e gratuitous Paris passports to working men visiting the
the death of an DE ALkULEY.,—We have to record
Lord,:eed:niceediiir.:letaxMtee,abtuiulterleyy,
and
dh o expired on Wednes-
day d ,atwhhoiB
I uthee siisxtshucEarl °Fie, in St James's-street. The noble
married the daughter of
Qce In th , sister to the present earl.
o estates by the Hon.

-r
11 4:4A t C9*
A T r

THE EAKERN QUESTION.

PARIS, SATURDAY, MAY
_l9, 7.30 A.M.

General Canrobert's report of the combats of
the Ist and ad, before Sebastopol, is published in
the Moniteur. It concludes as follows :

"This double combat, of which I have just given
you the details, characterises, in the happiest and
in the most honourable manner, the qualities of
intrepidity and ardour that distinguish our
troops. Never have they given—on a limited
theatre, it is true, but where the drama of war is
displayed in the most striking points—greater
proofs of courage and daring. This success has
enabled us to advance 150 metres at one bound
towards the Central Bastion, and has had an im-
mense moral effect upon the two armies.
" The health of the army is excellent.
" The army is superb—of unrivalled energy.
Its equipment is perfect—it stands in need of
nothing."

BERLIN, FRIDAY, MAY 18.

The Journal de St. Petersbourg publishes a cir-
cular despatch, addressed to the representatives
of RiPsia abroad, c vni.a;nin.; a Russian account
of the progress of the Vienna Conferences.
The settlement of the first point is declared to
be in fulfilment of a promise which Russia had
made to guarantee the prosperity of the Princi-
palities.
The Emperor decided the second point in favour
of the commercial liberty of all nation 3.
The third point concerned the balance of power
in Europe, but was incompatible with the honour
of Russia.

The Plenipotentiaries of France and England
refused to deliberate upon the fourth point, the
most important of all for Christendom.

VIENNA, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 18.

Things have undergone a change. New Aus-
trian propositions were probably forwarded yester-
day to London and Paris.
It is said that Austria will give her material
support to the Western Powers should they ac-
cept, and Russia reject, her propositions.

VARNA, THURSDAY, MAY 17.
There is heavy firing every night at Sebastopol.
The expedition to Kertch has not been re-
newed.

Three divisions of the French army have left
Maslak for the Crimea.
The cholera has almost disappeared.

We have received the following telegraphic
despatch, dated Nargen, 15th May :
Twenty-three sail, eleven of them screws, have
anchored off Nargen. The other ships in the
Baltic are to assemble immediately.
The Imperieuse sailed to-day for England, to
repair damage sustained by running into the
Tartar on the 10th.

Active operations against the enemy are in con-
templation.

A telegraphic despatch, dated Hamburg, 17th
inst., says—
The whole of the English fleet, with the ex-
ception of two vessels, has left Farosund to pene-
trate further into the Gulf of Finland.

BERLIN, FRIDAY, MAY 18.
The Driver, Captain Gardiner, arrived a
Dantzic on the 17th.

Eight Russian merchantmen have been cap-
tured off Dunainunde.

The Imperieuse and Tartar have been damaged
by a collision, and sent home for repairs.
When the Driver left Revel a flag of truce was
flying on shore ; cause unknown.