The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-19 00:00:00

Visiting Justices of the House of Detention.
" It having come to the knowledge of the visiting j us-
tices that certain prisoners, committed on a charge of mis-
demeanour, had not been subjected to the ordinary regu-
lations of the prison, a searching investigation and inquiry
into all the circumstances was at once instituted; and the
visiting justices, at the conclusion of their investigation,
were surprised to find, from the admissions and statements
of the various officers examined in the course of the in-
quiry, that nearly all the rules laid down by the court for
the government of the prison, and sanctioned and con-
firmed as required by law by the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, had been deliberately violated by the
governor, and also by several officers, in some instances by
his express direction. The visiting justices are of opinion
that the conduct of the governor has been highly reprehen-
sible, and they feel it to be their duty to lay the whole of
the evidence before the Court for their decision.
" CHAS. WOODWARD, Chairman.
"House of Detention, July 30."

" EVIDENCE.

" John Sims, deputy governor, examined.—The governor
is on leave of absence. Just previous to his leaving he told
me to treat the three prisoner; Strahan, Paul, and Bates
in the same way in all respects as up to that time they had
been treated. I knew what that treatment was. Visitors
to them were admitted at all times of the day without
being questioned. Their names were not recorded. On
the day after the prisoners came I saw the governor take
visitors to their rooms. I have never taken visitors to
their rooms myself. I have seen them admitted, and I
have seen warders take visitor, to those prisoners' rooms.
I have known the prisoner Strahan to be taken into the
governor's house by the chaplain to see his (Strahan's)
wife. The chaplain told me he was going to take Strahan
into the house. He said he had authority to do so. It
was on last Saturday week. I have never seen either
of the prisoners go in at any other time. The three
prisoners take exercise together, and they did so before
the governor left. They exercise is the governor's gar-
den before twelve o'clock. On the occasion before al-
luded to Mrs. Strahan came early in the day, and was
taken to the governor's house, where she remained with
her husband till about seven in the evening, when
they both went to his cell, and she remained there
till ten at night. She then returned to the governor's
house, where she remained all night. This was on Satur-
day, and she did not leave until the Sunday evening. She
breakfasted with him in his cell about half-past eight and
remained all day with him, except while he was at chapel.
She also went to chapel, but sat in the governor's pew.
The cell doors of the three prisoners are left open all day
by the governor's order. There are no water-closets or
urinals in the cells in which they are. I have not seen the
other two prisoners in the governor's house. The friends
of Bates have remained as late as half-past eight at night.
The average number of visitors daily has been about four
to each prisoner. The provisions have been of the ordinary
kind. They have wine. I have taken the three up to
Bow-street for examination. The prisoners I there left
with the senior warder. The cab hire is charged to the
office. The governor told me to pay it. He said he had
not made out his bill yet. The letters of the three pri-
soners sent out, and also those sent in to them, aro not
examined. I asked the governor whether I was to open their
letters. He said `No.' I, seeing the governor take down
visitors, and that the prisoners were treated differently,
did not interfere. When I spoke to Warder Forth ab gut
allowing the three prisoners to exercise together and con-
verse together, he said he had the governor's order for it.
" Nathaniel P. Forth says—l am a warder. The prisoner
Bates came in on the 20th of June, and went into the in-
firmary, where he was under the charge of Infirmary
Warder Keely. Strahan came in on the 21st of June, and
was given over to me, and I put him in No. 16 ordinary
cell. Two hours after, Mr. Sims told me to put him iu
No. 5 room by order of the governor, and I did so, On the
22d of June Sir John Dean Paul came in. The governor
ordered him to No. 3 room. Mr. Sims told me they were
to be exorcized in the yard separately, and watched, and
they were for several days, till the !governor took Strahan
into his garden. Mr. Strahan used to come round from the
governor's garden, and get into the yard where Sir John
Dean Paul was. The door is open betweea the two. It
was unlocked, and had been for years. I reported their
being together to Mr. Sims. He told me to g- to the go-
venor. I went, and told him they were talking. He told
me to take no notice. I reported also to the governor that
Mr. Strahan had gone into Sir John 1). Paul's room. Ho
told me to take no notice of that. From that time they
constantly went into one another's rooms, and took their
meals together. Visitor, have been in the cells at meal
time—Mrs. Strahan, Mrs. Bates, and Mrs. Bates's nurse.
Filsil and Merrick are my subs. Bates is still in the out.)
gon room--the infirmary. He was not treated by the sur
goon. When they visited each other they went front one
floor to another The warders did not interfere. I know
that Mre. Strahan was in the cell at dinner time, and a
gentleman visitor also. I took a bottle of wine from Mr.
Strahan's room, No. 5; it was in a portmanteau. Mr.
Sims ordered me to search the portmanteau and cell. I
put it back in the portmanteau, locked that, and kept the
key, I reported it to Mr. Sims. When ho came bask I
gave the key to Filsil. I found a box in my store. I
examined it, and found ono full bottle of !wine and part
of a bottle. Mr. Sims took the box away, wine and all ;
it was marked on the front from a biscuit shop. The go-
vernor told me the visitors and friends were to be passed
in, and allowed to go into their cells.
" Frederick Filsil says- - I am a sub-warder. Strahan
and Bates have been under my care. I found Strahan in
No. 5, and Bates in the infirmary. For the first week the
infirmary warder heel charge of Bates ; afterwards I had
charge of him in the gallery. On the 23d of June Strahan
asked me to order him a bottle of sherry. I said I would
speak to the governor, which I did. Ho said, yes; it's
all right;' and he said at the same time something about
the doctor, but I cannot say exactly what it was. I ordered
a bottle of wine, and took it to Strahan's room. I drew
the cork and left the bottle and a wineglass in the room. I
reported to Forth, a warder, that the prisoners had beau
in the habit of going into each other's rooms. Forth said,
"The governor says you are not to notice it.' They wore
in the habit of going to each other's rooms frequently. I
saw on one occasion four female visitors in Mr. Bates's
room at one time—one was his wife, ono his daughter, one
hie niece, and the nurse, I have seen them all four there
ou more than one occasion. I have seen all three in Mr.
Strahan's room at one time—firs. Strithan and two gentle-
men. I took from Mr. Bates's room last Monday part of a
bottle of wine. In his room I saw a pork pie, some Ger-
man sausage, a currant pie, and wine. As late as eight or
Dime Mrs. Strahan and Mrs. Bates have been in the cells.
The lady visitors had baskets. Strahan's servant brougrt.
him in a basket some new-laid eggs. The baskets were lost
searched. I cannot tell why I did not search them, but I
suppose it was because other officers did not. It ought to
have been done. I passed visitors in without any ques-
tions. I saw a box in Mr. Strahan's room, containing a
pot of marmalade, one bottle of sherry, and part of another
bottle. The box was there near a week. I afterwards
saw it in Forth's store. I never received express orders
I once saw Mr. Strahan with
not to search the visitors.
Lis wife in the governor's house.
"James Merrick says—l am a sub-warder. I have had
charge of Sir John Dean Paul-
For a few days he was
treated as other prisoners. About a week after Mr. Stra-
ban had been here I saw him go to Sir J. D. Paul's room.
I reported it to warder Forth. He said he would ask the
governor about it. In about an hour be said he had spoken
to the governor,
i
It would be who said we were to take no notice of t.
my duty to atop a prisoner going from one cull
to another. For some days the cell doors of Strahan,
Paul, and Bates wore kept locked. Then the warder told
me they were to be kept unlocked and on the jar. It was
Forth told use so. I saw wine on the mantel-piece of Sir
J. D. Paul's room. I reported it to Forth. I spoke to Sir
John about the wine, and he said, 'I suppose the governor
ordered it, for I have spoken to him ' Visitors were
allowed to go into the rooms and remain any time. I have
seen them whilst exercising together conversing with each
other. I have neverseen more than one visitor at a time
in Sir J. D. Paul's room, but ho could go if ho pleased to
the other two prisoner's rooms whilst visitors were there
Letters were delivered to them unopened. 21r. Sim, gave.
them to me to deliver.l
" William Keely says—l am infirmary warder, I had
Mr. Bates under my charge from his first coming to the
prison for about eight or nine days. He was put in the
infirmary. He was treated in the same way as other pri-
soners as to diet. While under my charge I kept the cell
locked. His wife was the only person who saw him after
the regular hours. He took no medicine while in the in-
firmary. He had nothing but plain diet. He was given
over at the end of Sor 9 days to another warder. The in-
firmary was not occupied when Bates oame into the prison.
c
"The Rev. George Jepson, chaplain, says—The three
prisoners, Strahan, Paul, and Bates, have had the oppor-
tunity of taking exercise together. I have seen two of
them together. I know they have had privileges as to
visitors
once when. I went to the cell of Mr. Strahan his
wife and brother were there, so I did not go in. Nothing
has passed between me and the governor respecting the
. three prisoners ; he merely said when he went away, ' I
hope these three gentlemen will continue to have the same
indulgence.' One day
went to Mr. Strahan's cell; he was
ill. His wife was coming that day to see him, and I sug-
gested that he should see her in the governor's house.
Strahan objected to it at first,
told Sims of it. There was no o_cr left with but I urged it on him. I
M wad hie wife all day
.Mr.Strahau
heave, I told aims thought

would be a great indulgence. I told him I would take the
responsibility on myself—no warder remained with them.
lam quite sure they were left entirely alone. I stayed a
short time with them. I confess it was wrong of me. I
was aware that Mrs. Streamn was going to sleep that night
in the governor's house. I think Mrs. Hill told me before
the governor (her husband) and his family left town Mrs.
Strahan would on that particular night sleep in the go-
vernor's house. As the rules had been so far relaxed, I
thought it would be no great extension of the indulgence,
his seeing her in the house. I did not take him from the
cell to the house myself.
"Alfred Foster says—l am a warder. I take down the
names of visitors, but it is not my duty to search parcels.
I had not before Monday last put the same questions to
the visitors of the three bankers as to visitors to other pri-
soners. It was because I observed visitors passed in by the
governor without their names being recorded that Ipassed
visitors to these three prisoners without questioningthem.
The names since Monday last have been recorded.
Mrs.rs Sarah Waterworth, matron, says—Once I met
the chief warder late walking up and down the corridor.
I asked him whether anything was the matter? He said,
No ; Mr. Strahan was ill.' It was about eleven at night.
I went with Mr. Sims to Mr. Strahan's cell, and asked him
whether there was anything I could do for him. He said,
'No.' I once went with the governor some time ago to see
a male prisoner. I met Mrs. Strahan in the corridor on
the following day, and she said, Oh, I believe I have to
thank you for your kindness in visiting Mr. Strahan last
evening.t
"Mr. John Sims further examined.—l saw the chap-
lain and Mr. Strahan go into the governor's house. The
chaplain made no arrangement for his being taken back.
He told me a few minutes before that he was going to take
him. I said, I don't cars where you take them, so as you
have authority.' He said he had, and mentioned the names
of Mr. Burslem and Mr. Halsey. I have seen Mr. Northall
Laurie here. He gave me no orders. On the Saturday
evening, about seven, Mr. Strahan walkedby himself from
the governor's to the cell unattended. The rules since the
last meeting of the visiting justices have been strictly ob-
served.
" The Rev. George Jepson further says—Before the go-
vernor left ho said to me he had been in the habit of pass-
ing their letters to the three prisoners, Paul, Strahan, and
Bates, and asked me if I would object to do the same, and
if any letters came addressed to them under cover to me
would I pass them in ? and also asked me if I would post
any letters they might give me, to which I assented, sup-
posing their family letters were referred to. I received
two letters under cover to me for Mr. Bates from Brussels,
which Mr. Bates said came from his brother. I posted
two letters, one from Mr. Strahan to his wife, and the
other from Sir John Dean Paul to his sister.
" August 20.
"Mr. Frederick Wm. Hill, the governor, says—Having
heard the evidence read, I admit the general correctness of
it. I said to Sims on leaving, Go on quietly.' That is all
I remember saying with respect to the three prisoners.
Up to the time of my leaving visitors came at all times, as
many as liked together, and stopped as long as they pleased,
by my permission. There was no written order of a visit-
leg justice to permit the prisoners to see visitors out of the
appropriated places. No visiting justice gave directions
that the rules should be relaxed. Ordinarily visitors are
not admitted into the calls ; the visitors to Strahan, Paul,
and Bates were. A gentleman from the Court of Bank-
ruptcy came soon after they were admitted, and said it was
necessary to see them together, and I allowed him to see
them together. After that they asked me to allow them
to communicate and associate in each ether's rooms, and I
permitted them. I knew their cell doors were not locked,
but I never recollect giving orders that they should bo left
unlocked. I saw Strahan, Paul, and Bates exercising to-
gether. Although I do not recollect ordering the cell doors
to be left unlocked, I certainly knew they were not locked.
Silence was not maintained by these three prisoners, and
they were not invariably attended by an officer. Rule 22
has not, I freely admit, been observed. Letters addressed
to them came by post in the ordinary way, and were not
opened. I admit the statement of the chaplain, that on
leaving the prison I requested him to receive letters ad-
dressed to him under cover for the prisoners. Visitors were
admitted on a Sunday, although it is directly contrary to
rule 22. It was with my authority. I gave no authority or
permission for the chaplain taking Mr. Strahan lute my
house. Sir John D. Peal had two glasses of nine a-day by
the written order of the surgeon. I gave permission to the
warder to go out and fetch wine for the other prisoners,
Strahan and Bates, but I believe there is no written order
for those two having wine.
"Rev. George Jepson further examined—With respect
to the prisoner Strahan seeing his wife in the governor's
house, I did not tell Sims that I had authority to do it. I
mentioned the names of two magistrates, Mr. Halsey and
Mr. Burslem, they having expressed a wish that indulgence
should be granted to the prisoners, Strahan, Paul, and
Bates, consistently with their safe custody. I did not say
to Sims that Mr. Halaey and Mr. Burselm had authorised
it. I did it under the idea that they (the prisoners) had
been allowed certain privileges, and from conversation I
had had with Mr. Halsey and Mr. Burslem I thought that
both those gentlemen and the committee would have no
objection to it. Nothing transpired between me and the
governor about Mrs. Strahan sleeping there ; the first I
heard of it was from Mrs. Hill. She said Mrs. Strahan was
coming up from the country, and had inquired whether
she (Mrs. Hill) could accommodate her with a bed. I did in-
form Mr. Bates, after the governor had left, that com-
munications might be made to him under cover to me. Thu
letters from Brussels I gave to Mr. Bates, and he told mu
they were from his brother.
"John Sims further examined—The governor was absent
when Strahan left. When Strahan left he made an obser-
vation to Forth, the officer of the division. I did not hear
it, but Forth told me it was that I had acted harshly; but
that Capt. Hill had treated him kindly, and that he should
reward him for his trouble. The governor told me to treat
them as he had directed, and that he should return in
August. The day that I expected the governor back the
chief clerk told me that the chaplain had said the go-
vernor would not be back for a fortnight. I have seen
gentlemen visit Strahan with fruit-baskets in their hands.
" October 8.
"Nathaniel P. Forth, further examined, says—On the
morning Mr. Strahan went out, the 2d August, he said,
You are getting more harsh every day, and the next
thing I expect to hear is to go into a common cell.' He
said ' The magistrates are a set of Radicals—(a loud
laugh in court)--they are no gentlemen ; never mind I
leave you to-day, but as for Capt. Hill, I shall reward him
for his kindness to me.' I reported that to the deputy-go-
vernor immediately afterwards. Strahan had his money,
watch, and other articles in hie possession ; they had not
been taken from him; by the rules they ought to have
been. I had charge of Strahan on his first coming in. I
put him in a common cell. In about two hours afterwards
he was removed to the octagon room by the governor.
When Sir J. D. Paul and Mr. Bates came in there was
room for them in common cells. Bates was sent up di-
rectly to the infirmary, and Sir J. D. Paul into No. 3
room, both of which are octagon rooms."
Mr. Woodward said that having been called upon by the
chairman to read the report he had obeyed the summons,
and it became his painful duty to rise, as chairman of the
visiting justices of the House of Detention, and he must
say that ever since he had been in the commission of the
peace he had never done so under more painful emotions
than on the present occasion. The visiting justices were
called upon from time to time to make reports on the state
of the prison, and were required by act of Parliament to
state in those reports whether there had been any devia-
tion from the rules laid down for the regulation of the
prison, and sanctioned by the secretary of State. Under
those circumstances, therefore, it was quite impossible that
the committee of visiting justices could do otherwise than
bring the subject under the notice of the court. It might
be as well for him, as the magistrates might not remember
the different points contained in the report, to give them a
brief epitome of the evidence embraced in it on the subject.
It was well known that by the regulations of the prison no
magistrate was permitted to be on the committee of visi-
tors for a longer period than twelve months, and having
served the time he went off, but was subsequently re-elected.
On his (Mr. Woodward's) return to office, he went to the
prison and inquired particularly of the governor as to the
power of the visiting justices
t atment of three particular prisoners, and on being in-
formed that they had required certain things within the
that c ul 'possib.
to grant, he wished
to them, consistent with the rules of the
shown all the indulgence p
isl
syhoenhd.
e themextended
not
re
inquired if they dieted
prison was one merely for safe custod , and notone of
, punishment, he (Mr. Woodward)
themselvesserie
(but ,n ao st personse
sty) were
they
liked,ow ed toau
dh
taov e whatoh a
s neeTcfehoser-
governor gave him no reason
frrounilesthhead been departed from, but a
themselves all that might be deemed to be reasonable.Pur
received from
few days afterwards ho was informed by & magistrate who
was not on the committee that the rules had been taorsbweleiresvehethraect
greatly
deviated from and infringed. On the Monday morning he
he saw the d
went to the prison, where deputy-gover nor, the
governor then being on leave of absence on his unual an-
nual holiday, and put to him several questions, and lee
learned that the rules had in
several cases been infrin
Further inquiries infringes
in respect of those three prisoners. ' were
t
the!? made, and the evidence that had been read was taken
the prison required
upon the subject. The regulations of
with
one
that prisoners should not associate or converse
• ners another, but it appeared that these prisoners were allowed
to associate, converse, and walk with each other, in vie.
Wien of those rules, and withoat any consent previously
ohtained from the visiting justices. The regulations of
Ice prison alloWed prisoners to see two friends daily, but
not together, and then only for 20 minutes at a time, ex-
cept with the express permission of the governor under
very special circumstances. In the case of these prisoners,
however, persons were admitted without their names being
taken indiaerinainately at all hours ; and as to letters,
which, by the rules, were required to be examined, they
were received and passed withoett being seen or opened
by the governor, and the prisoners were also all°w t
send out letters to their friends without having tond (3'
orgo
the usual supervision of the governor. If there warm excuse to be offered at all for any one, it was to be ma"dy
on the part of the' chaplain, whose duty was of a kilt'
character, but he had been admonished to attend solely
to his jiuties for the future, but on thie plAttor ho jan,

say that the governor was not without excuse. He was
furnished with a journal, and it was his duty to enter in it
all circumstances that might occur, which was laid before
the committee at their meeting every Monday morning,
when those entries were not passed over in silence but read
aloud, and every circumstance noticed and commented
upon. Consequently, if the governor had experienced any
difficulty in the course of the week, by then bringing it
forward he could easily have removed the responsibility
from his own shoulders and thrown it upon the committee.
While they could not conceal the fact that he had acted in
violation of the rules, it was the decided opinion of the
visiting justices that the governor had not been actuated
by any improper motives. If they had not that opinion
he would not have retained the confidence of the magi-
strates of the county one day longer. Of that he (Mr.
r Woodward) was fully persuaded, and believed that Mr.
Hill, as governor of the House of Detention, bad allowed
his kindlier feelings to get the better of his sense of duty,
which induced him to yield in the way he had done. He
should conclude by moving a resolution that he thought
would meet the full justice of the case, and would at the
same time satisfy the public, that if hereafter there should
be any difference made in the treatment of prisoners sent
to the House of Detention, it would be found out by the
visiting justices, and the case of the persons in whose fa-
vour the difference was made would be brought before the
court and dealt with accordingly. He concluded by mov-
ing a resolution to the effect that the governor of the House
of Detention be called in and publicly reprimanded, for
the manner in which he had permitted the rules and regu-
lations of the prison to be broken and violated, by himself
personally as well as by the subordinate officers of the prison.
Mr. W. P. BODKIN, in seconding the resolution that had
just been brought before the notice of the eourt by Mr.
Woodward, said it was not without considerable hesitation
on his part that he had come to the conclusion that the
resolution now proposed was the proper mode to deal with
this matter. The governor, by his example, had shown a
total disregard of all the rules and regulations that should
be set by a superior officer to his subordinates—rules
which it was his boundeu duty to respect and maintain—
and in acceding to the resolution he thought they
were barely discharging their duty to the public, to their
brother magistrates, and to themselves, and instead of fol-
lowing it up by more serious results, to deal with it by a
public reprimand. As far as he was aware of the indiscretion
of Mr. Hill, they had no reason to complain in any other
instance than the present. If they had, he should not have
voted for a simple reprimand, but that he should at once
be dismissed from his situation. He concluded by second.
ing the resolution that had been rubmittesi to the court.
Mr. Burslem and Mr. Halsey both strongly denied that
they had ever given any instructions as to a violation of
the rules of the prison, either directly or indirectly.
Mr. Williams, M.P., thought the proposition of the
worthy magistrate did not deal sufficiently with the ques-
tion, where there had been a flagrant violation of the rules of
the court, sanctioned by the Secretary of State. They had
that day dismissed seven inferior officers for very venial
crimes. [lt may be necessary here to state that this was
in allusion to a matter referred to in the report of the visit-
ing justices of the House of Correction, Coldbath-fields, in
which it was recommended that seven sub-warders should
be dismissed for having employed prisoners to perform
trifling services for them, the gravest part of the charge
being that the prisoners engraved the warders' names en bits
of metal to be attached to coffee-pots to be used in the prison,
which recommendation was confirmed by the court.] But in
this case there was a violation of all rules on the part of the
superior officer of the prison. After such continued viola-
tions of the rules by the governor, as set forth in the speech
of the gentleman who seconded the resolution, he was sur-
prised that he should have come to the conclusions he had
stated. Ile thought it was a question that ought to receive
their consideration, and that at least in the meantime the
governor should be suspended. It might be that the magis-
trates would be charged with making regulations to which
they obtained the sanction of the Secretary of State, but
which they allowed openly to be violated. They should re-
member the public eye was on them, and they should be
especially careful to deal out even-handed justice. The
governor having taken all the responsibility upon himself,
and having actually allowed one of the ♦isitors to sleep in
his house all night, he could not see how the magistrates
could acquit themselves in public opinion by dealing with
the case in the way proposed by the resolution.
Mr. KIRBY, said, as he thought the question was of ex•
treme importance, he was not in favour of its being dis-
posed of in the hasty way now proposed. The public eye
was upon them, and what was now said would be reported,
and it would go forth to the public to-morrow in the papers
that these three persons while in the prison had lived there
with as much freedom as in their own houses. There could
be no charge of a more serious nature, and he could see
nothing whatever to justify the governor in the course he
had taken on the present occasion. The governor had the
power to appeal to the committee if he wished to make a
relaxation of the rules in favour of any individuals, but
nothing could justify him in the course he had taken, or
them in dealing with it in the manner proposed. Their
rules had been sot at nought, and it would go forth to-
morrow in the press, and be carried to every house in the
country—and what would be said of the magistrates ?
Would it not be said that the poor man for atrifling offence
was treated with harshness, but to the highly criminal
offenders the greatest leniency was shown ? He hoped,
therefore, that the matter would be reconsidered, and not
disposed of in the hasty way that was proposed.
Mr. ARMSTRONG said in the early part of the day he was
called upon to confirm a recommendation to discharge
several subordinate officers, and although there was but a
slight charge against two, they felt it to be their duty to
discharge the whole of them ; but what would be a repri-
mand to an individual under a much graver charge, who
would thee walk out of this court unscathed and un-
touched ? If they tolerated this offence, it would soon
spread through the other institutions of the country, and
would prevent thorn visiting other officers with anything
beyond a reprimand, let their offences be what they might.
ks their rules were subject to a higher power in the person
of the Secretary of State, he thought they had no right to
let the matter pass over without getting his sanction to the
course that the court should pursue, as the rules that he
had sanctioned and approved had been violated by their
governor. After that, in common fairness to the minor
culprits, they ought to go something beyond a mere repri-
mand ; but before they came to any decision, he should like
to hear what the governor had to say in his defence. Before
they ridded themselves of the matter, and passed sentence
upon Mr. Hill, he thought that the evidence taken should
be submitted to the Secretary of State.
Mr. E. E. ANTROBDS said he could not forget that he
had that day been a party to the dismissal of seven officers
of the House of Correction, Coldbath fields, and one of the
House of Correction at 'Westminster for misconduct; and
he could not see how they could pass over one of the gravest
offences that had ever been committed since he had had
the honour of being in the commission of the peace. He
moved as an amendment :—" That the Governor of the
House of Detention be suspended, and that the evidence
that has been taken be circulated and taken into considera-
tion on a future day."
Mr. GOODHART seconded the amendment.
Mr. W. PAYNE remarked that they should not lose sight
of the fact that the great object of this prison was to secure
prisoners from escape, so that they might be forthcoming
on a future day in a court of justice. By the rules of the
prison persons were required to do certain work, such as to
make their own beds and wash the yards and cella of the
prison ; but, by application to two justices, he found that
certain privileges could be granted to them in their exemp-
tion from such duties. He found also that by the rules pri-
soners could have a pint of wine per day. (A laugh
and cries of " Porter.") Gentlemen might laugh at it
but he would read it to them from their own printed
regulations for the House of Correction, Coldbath-
fields, and House of Detention. (Mr. Payne here read
from a report that prisoners might he exempted from
having their hair cut, from bathing, &c., but it ap-
peared that it was an old copy of the rules not now
in force.) Mr. Payne said if these rules were obsolete
he could say nothing more upon them, but still he ob-
tained from them this fact, that at that time certain pri-
vileges were granted to certain individuals. It was in this
way that the common thief or prostitute did not want such
privileges as were granted to parties in a higher stage of
life. He thought the governor acted from superabundant
kindness?, and if he erred it was only on the aide of kind-
ness, and not with any intention to do wrong. He believed
that justice would be fully administered by adopting the
course pointed out by the resolution.

Mr. WOODWARD, in reply, said that some gentleman
had remarked that the eyes of the public were upon them
in reference to that question, and such no doubt would be
the case, but the proceedings of that day would show that
it could not be done without corning under the notice of
the court. If the governor, or other officer, violated the
rules of the prison, it would be found out by the visiting
justice, and he believed the justice of the case would be
answered in the way he had proposed. If the governor
was reprimanded it would go forth to thepublic, which
would in itself be a great punishment to a person in his
position, and it was by no means necessary to keep the matter open for further discussion.
The CLIAIRUAN then put the question, when there ap-
peared—

For the amendment 24
Against it .....
Majority for the amendment —l9
The amendment was then declared to be carried, and
Mr. Sims, the deputy-governor, was appointed governor
pro tem.
Some routine business was disposed of, and the court
adjourned.

_The Bev.
'
Thos. Macdougall,
TUB BISHOPRIC OP T
I
-.4DuAN.
apointed to the Rshoprio
y.sterday by the Bishops of
Bi h
Madras. e vp.
was r
ID irL.ip Consecrated Francise
town clerk lia.s
of-ITLnaiver4it who hai been
Calcutta, Victoria, and
LEITH.—RESIGNATION OP PROVOST
are happy to be able to state that tei
received a letter from the provost,
he, from all that has transpired, havin ng, his office,
seen it to be his
duty to take this step.—Leith. Herald.
THE PETERBOROUGH GRAND CHORAL RESTIVAL.—
The Grand Choral Festival was celebrated in the nave
of the Cathedral on Tuesday 'alt.

Sebastopol, Oct. 6.
My Lord,—Marshal Pelissier having signified to me
his wish that the cavalry force under General d'Allon-
ville, at Eupatoria, should be reinforced by some Eng-
lish cavalry, I at once acceded to his reqaest, and have
ordered the brigade of light cavalry, under Brigadier-
General Lord George Paget, composed of the Carbi-
neers, 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, and 12th Lancers,
and one troop of the Royal Horse Artillery, under Cap-
tain Thomas, to be sent for this service.
I am in hopes that transport will be found to convey
them early next week.
I have the honour to transmit to your lordship the
copy of a report I have received from Lieut.-Colonel
Ready, with the details of an expedition undertaken
against a fort and buildings on the island of Taman. The
object was entirely carried out, and the troops have been
enabled to supply themselves with a large amount of
firewood and building materials.
Since I last had the honour of addressing you, I have
seen Lieut.-General Vivian, and I am happy to inform
your lordship that he quite approves of the decision I
had formed of uniting the Contingent at Kertch. Some
few thousand men have already arrived there, and
every exertion is being made to insure them their sup-
plies of food and fuel for the winter.
The corps of General de Salles have, during the past
week, pushed forward their advanced posts to the high
ground on the left bank of the /3 elbek, overlooking
Fort Sala,
Their supports occupy a ridge from this place, stretch-
ing towards the south to Markul.
The main position of the army is on high, bold ground,
extending from Aitoda to Markul, with the reserves
posted between the village of Urkusta and the Bridge
of Tinli.
The corps is further to be reinforced with the view
next week of making a strong reconnaissance of the
ground from Foti Sala towards Wyenbash, on the left
bank of the Ratcha.
I have omitted to report that Lieutenant-General
Markham has been compelled, by illness, to return to
England for a few months. He sailed on the 29th ult.
I beg leave to enclose the lists of casualties.
I have, &c.,
JAMES SIMPSON, General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c.
(Enclosure 1.)
Yenikale, Sept. 27, 1855.
Sir,—l have the honour to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of his Excellency General Simpson, that
three companies of the 71st Regiment, under the com-
mand of Major Hunter, 71st Regiment, embarked at
Kertch on Monday last, the 24th inst., on board her
Majesty's ship Minna, at an early hour in the morning,
and proceeded, in company with her Majesty's gun-boats
Lynx, Snake, Arrow, and Harpy, together with about
nine (9) French gun-boats, conveying six companies of
French infantry, to the opposite coast, and arrived about
eleven o'clock a.m. opposite Taman, thelineof gun-boats
extending a short distance to the eastward of Phana
goria.

The landing. commenced shortly afterwards, to the
eastward of Phanagoria, covered by the fire from the
gun-boats. There was no resistance offered, and the
place had been evidently but lately evacuated. A few
mounted Cossacks and infantry were the only people we
had seen up to the time of landing, and who were driven
from Phanagoria and Taman by the well-directed fire
from the gun-boats.
When the disembarkation was completed (which was
effected without accident) the force moved upon Phana-
goria, and took quiet possession of the fort and build-
ings, and established itself there. A few stores were
fonad still in the place, but (with the exception of an
hydraulic press and some medicine-), of no partfcular
value, consisting principally of hospital bedding, and
some clothing, and accoutrements. There were, however,
upwards of sixty-two pieces of artillery (9 and 12-
pounders apparently) and four mortars, all rendered
unserviceable.
As the force entered Phanagoria a strong party of
Cossacks appeared on the hill-side about 1i or 2 miles
from the town, increased from time to time until their
force appeared to amount to about 600. The gun-boats
Lynx, Arrow, and Snake immediately opened a fire upon
them, as did also some of the French boats. The prac-
tice from these boats was most admirable, and the Cos-
sacks immediately withdraw beyond the crest of the
bills, leaving only a few videttes on the neighbouring
ridges.
Early on the following morning, the men were em-
ployed in collecting wood for fuel and hutting ; the
night having passed quietly, with one exception, the
enemy having taken advantage of the darkness to ape
proach our lines, and opened fire upon our sentries, our
troops were instantly on the alert, and the Cossacks re-
tired. One man, an English sailor, serving at a field-
piece in the works, was slightly wounded in the heel.
The quantity of wood for fuel, and for hutting, is
something considerable, but the exact amount can
scarcely be arrived at yet, but I hope to have the whole
embarked by Saturday.—I have, &c.,
(Signed) . READY,
Lieutenan;.Colonel Commanding
71st Light Infantry.
Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Airey,
K.C.B ' &c., Quarternia,ter-
General.

(Enclosure .2.)
SIPPLEMENTARY NUMERICAL RETURN OF
CASUALTIES FROM OTH TO 27TH SEPTEMBER,
1855.
46th Foot-3 rank and file wounded by the explosion of
a magazine in the town of Sebastopol.
let Battalion Rifle Brigada-1 rank and file killed • 1 ser-
jeant, 4 rank and file, wounded, by the explosion of a ma-
gazine in the town of Sebastopol.
fil e Total-1
wounde rank and filo killed ; 1 sergeant, 7 rank and
d.

W. L. PAKENHAIf, Adjutant-Genoral

Enclosure 3.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOMINAL RETURN OF A
PRIVATE
S EPT KILLED FROM THE OTH TO THE
27TH OF ~ 1855.

HILLED.
SEPT. 27.
Ist Battalion Ride Brigade—Private David Mathexrs, by
the explosion of a magazine in the town of Sebastopol.
W. L. PAKENRANT, Adjutant-General.

Enclosure 4.
suppLEMENTART NOMINAL RETURN OF NON.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES
WOUNDED FROM 9TH TO 27TH SEPTEMBER,
1855.

WOUNDED,
By the explosion of a magazine in the town of Sebastopol.
SEPT. 27.
4Gth Foot—Privates Thomas Miller and Michael Spring,
severely ; John Loughrin, slightly.
Ist Battalion Rifle Brigade Colonr-Serjeant John Round, severely; Privates John Hayes, Michael Gleeson,
William COX, and George Best, slightly.
W. L. PAKENHAM,
Adjuto.ut•Genoral.

---
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The following paper, "On some points connected with
Agricultural Chemistry," by J. B. Lewes, F.R.S., and Dr.
J. H. Gilbert, F. 0.5., was read at the late meeting of the
above pssociatiou :
The author explained that their subject was necessarily
somewhat controversial, for Baron Liebig had recently
published a criticism on their experiments and opinions,
which had been circulated very freely in England, France,
Germany, and America ; and, from the well-merited re-
putation of that distinguished chemist, his statements and
opinions had been echoed almost unexamined by numerous
writers, both in the technical and general press. To those
statements aid opinions, therefore, the authors now pro-
posed to address themselves. They would first call atten-
tion to the unfairness of an article on the question at
issue, in a recent number of the " Journal of the High-
land Society of Scotland,"* as by so doing they would be
naturally led to a proper definition of the subject before
them. They explained that it was agriculture, not nor-
mal vegetation—that is, the growth of plants, under culti-
vation, and not their growth in circumstances under which
every element necessary for their development had to be
specially provided. In other words, they pre. supposed,
as the preliminary conditions of their inquiry, a soil under
ordinary cultivation and an atmosphere—each yielding,
unaided, their quota to the result. Indeed, Baron Liebig
had defined the province of agricultural chemistry to be
that of producing more corn and more meat, and not sim-
ply corn and meat, which had been produced for centuries
without her aid.
Looking at the subject in this point of view, the authors
maintained, as a fundamental fact, that the composition of
agricultural vegetable produce was no direct guide in the
choice of manure for the various crops grown in rotation—
that which was required being simply the resultant deficit
for the artificial production of that margin of proeuce
which distinguished agriculture, as practised in this coun-
try, from natural vegetation, or from produce obtained
for the purposes of export, without any return to the laud
by home manures.
Those of their experiments which had been passed under
criticism by Baron Liebig were taken, with others by their
side, to illustrate the conclusions to which the authors had
arrived. They first brought a summary of the results of
their experiments on the growth of wheat, by different
shemical manures, during many consecutive years, and
they maintained that, inasmuch as by means of such ma-
nures they could raise the produce by from 10 to 20 bushels
per acre over the unmanured produce, and, indeed, far ex-
ceed the result obtained by the annual supply of farm-yard
manure; that this being the case, the objection of Baron
Liebig that their soil was naturally so rich as to be unfit
for experiment, must be considered to be entirely without
foundation. They then illustrated by tables and diagrams
of results, by reference to which Baron Liebig had endea-
voured to prove the contrary :-Ist, " That the mineral
constituents of wheat cannot by themselves increase the
fertility of land ;" and 2d, " That the produce in grain and
straw is rather proportional to the supply of ammonia."
So far as it went they fully accepted the above definition
of their conclusions as given by Baron Liebig—subject, of
course, to the qualifications which their own papers would
indicate. But they utterly repudiated that definition
when understood in the meaner assumed by Baron Liebig,
when summing up and giving his verdict on their opinions
at the conclusion of his treatise. They next showed by, reference to tables that nitrogenous manures, whether ap-
plied in the form of ammoniacal salts, nitrate of soda, or
rape-cake, had a great effect in the increase of produce of
barley also—the next in importance of the cereal grains.
Turning to turnips, the type of the root crops grown in
alternation with the cereals, they submitted that Baron
Liebig s statement, that the phosphates were the only
manures which they had found to increase the growth of
the turnip, was directly contrary to the whole tenour of
their papers on the subject, in which they had maintained'
the absolute necessity of matters yielding both assimilable
carbon and nitrogen within the soil, for the production of
a full amount of the crop in question. They did main-
tain, however, that phosphoric or phosphatic manures had
an action on the development of the underground fibrous
feeders of the plant, and, consequently, on its rapid growth
aid development, which could not be accounted for by the
mere supposition of supplying the actual constituents of
the crop to be grown and removed from the land. They
illustrated that in their experiments, they had the very
circumstances provided which hal been demanded by.
Baron Liebig as necessary for the support of their conclu-
sions ; and thus it was proved that even where existed in
the land a residue of phosphates from previous manuring,
more than would be contained in many heavy crops,
still an annual additional supply gave annually a consider-
able increase of produce. They further pointed out that
Baron Liebig had endeavoured to substantiate his objec-
tions by comparisons, which they showed to be quite inad-
missible, whilst one main argument he had founded upon
a mere misprint, which reference to the succeeding tables
would at once have explained. His argument on the point
in question was therefore simply reversed.
They next illustrated by a collective table the action of
manures on sone of the most important crops of rotation,
including wheat and barley as cereals, turnips as a root
crop, and beans and clover as leguminous crops. From this
table it appeared that, whilst mineral manures alone hail
little or no effect in increasing the produce of wheat and
barley grown respectively in succession, nitrogenous ma-
nures, on the other hand, yielded most striking results.
And here attention was called to the fact that these manures
had a similar effect on a corn-exhausted soil on the farm of
the Earl of Leicester, at Holkham, of which the surface
soil was poor and 'light, but the subsoil somewhat rich and
loamy; and, also, at the farm of the Duke of Bedford at
Woburn, on a soil and subsoil naturally of the poorest pos-
sible description. And they further maintained that these
results of direct experiment on different soils were perfectly
in accordance with the general experience of practical far-
mers all over the country, as to what was the predominant
characteristic ofcorn exhaustion. In the experiments quoted
mineral manures were, of course, found to give a further
increment of increase when the nitrogenous manure em-
ployed was in excessive quantity.
With turnips, again, superphosphate of lime had given
an average increase during a series of years of more than 7
tons of the bulk ; the addition of alkalis to this had even
diminished the amount of increase. Ammonia salts alone,
on the other hand, had only given a few hundredweights
of increase, instead of more than as many tons, by the
phosphatic manure. The mixture of both mineral and
ammoniacal manures bad, however, given a better produce
still • though not equal to that which would have been ob-
tained had there been also a liberal supply of carbonaceous
organic matter within the soil. Turning to beans and
clover, nitrogenous manures which had been so beneficial
to the cereals, and phosphates which had been so much so
to the turnips, had here comparatively little effect. The
constituent of manure which acted in the most charac-
teristic manner with these leguminous crops was the
alkali potass, which, when used as a direct manure to soil of
a similar description, had comparatively little effect on the
increase of growth of cereals or turnips.
In these remarkable facts, though the experiments cited
were by no means to be taken as examples of manuring,
the authors considered there was afforded an interesting
clue to the principles involved in manuring, fallow, and
the rotation of crops.
They next called attention to the analysis of three actual
rotations; the course in each case being turnips, barley,
clover, and wheat. In one instance, the rotation com-
mencing without manure; in the second with super-
phosphate of lime alone ; and in the third, with a mixed
and pretty full manuring. It appeared that, in each
case, the clover grown between the barley and the wheat
(the intervention of which, instead of the immediate suc-
cession of the wheat, would greatly increase the produce
of the latter), removed from the land very much more of
phosphoric acid, of potass, of lime, and of magnesia—in
fact, of every important mineral constituent except silica
—than either the precding barley or the succeeding wheat.
Hence it was maintained that the effect of this leguminous
crop, in rotation as a preparation for wheat, could not be,
according to the theory of Baron Liebig, to increase the
available supply of, or to conserve within the soil, the im-
portant mineral constituents of the crop. Unless, indeed,
in the case of silica; which, however, Baron Liebig had
himself maintained would never be wanting in sufficient
quantity in any soil provided there were a sufficiency of
available alkalies present. Taking these facts, together
with those indicating the most important manuring for the
cereals, as well as with others relating to the composition
and known circumstances of growth of the leguminous
crops, it could only be concluded that the clover had accu-
mulated from the atmosphere within the soil—a supply of
available nitrogen to a great extent exhausted by the
growth of the previous cereal, barley, and so essential for
the succeeding cereal, wheat.
Finally, attention was called to the fact, that but a
comparatively small proportion of the nitrogen supplied in
manure for the growth of cereals, was recovereu in the
increase produced. They showed by a table that the loss
of nitrogen was greater or less according to the amount of
it supplied in manure, and to the condi ions favourable or
otherwise as to mineral supply, character of the season, &c.
Under the most favourable supplied conditions—that is,
with a full supply cf minerals and a limited supply of
nitrogen, they had only recovered in the increase about
half the nitrogen contained in the manure. But when
nitrogen was supplied in quantity sufficient to yield a full
crop for any given season, they had only obtained about
one-third of the supplied nitrogen in the increase. And,
inasmuch as, when the amount of nitrogen employed W4S
not very great, the one-half or two-thirds which was not
recovered in the increase obtained in the year of the ap-
plication of the manure had little or no effect on the next
crop, it could not be supposed that the excess of nitrogen
still remained within the soil. It was worthy of remark
that vegetable physiologists had frequently observed the
evolution of nitrogen from the leaves of plants during their
growth, beyond that which was due to the atmosphere with
which they had been supplied. But as it had not yet been
clearly shown that the cereals gave off more nitrogen in
this way than the leguminous crops of rotation, further
experiment was needed before the loss in question, and
consequently the varying characters in this respect of the
different plants in rotation, could with full confidence be
explained by reference to the functional action in question.
The only explanation which had been suggested as special
to the.cereals was that proposed by Mr. Way, namely, that
the silica required by these plants is taken up as a double
silicate, of which ammonia is one of the bases, and that
this alkali or its constituents is evolved upon the fixation
of the silica within the plant. It was at least not in fa-
vour of the view that the authors had found that water
containing salts of ammonia dissolved less silica than pure
water when percolated through a given bulk of soil. It
must be admitted, however, that although the explanation
of this loss of nitrogen with the cereals might require fur-
ther investigation, which the authors had hoped to devote
to it, yet, as in the case of other crops, they had recovered
in a series of years a much larger proportion of the supplied
nitrogen, theycensidered that the loss in question could
not be wholly due either to drainage of soluble or the eva-
poration of volatile compounds of nitrogen; but that the
fact of a considerable loss in the production of a full crop
of the cereal grain must be looked upon as an important
and fundamental item in studying the rationale of agricul-
tural practices.
Upon the whole they concluded-
1. That the manure indicated by the resultant require-
ments of British agriculture has no direct connection with
the composition of the mineral substances collectively
found in the ashes of the produce grown on or exported
from the farm ; and that the direct mineral manures which
are required are not advantageously applied for the direct
reproduction of the exportable corn, but it should be used
for the green or fallow crops, the office of which it is to
collect from the atmosphere, or to conserve on the farm,
nitrogen for the increased growth of the saleable cereal
grains.

2. That the nitrogen required to be provided within the
soil for this purpose is far greater than that contained in
the increase of produce obtained by it.
3. That the effects of fallow in increasing the growth of
the saleable cereal grains, chemically considered, are not
measurable by the amount of the additional mineral food

* Professor Anderson, on the part of the Highland Society,
repudiate 4 its responsibiliiy for the article in cipestion, aad
Mr. Robt 4ussell, of NITTAIin, also clinlitialefl all e9Nieetlea
with its atithiirship.-

of plants liberated thereby, these being, under ordinary
cultivation, in excess of the assimilable nitrogen existing
in, or condensed within, the soil in the same period of
time ; the amount of which latter, therefore—the avail-
able nitrogen—is the measure of the increased produce of
corn which will be obtained.
4. That the beneficial effects of rotation in increasing
the production of saleable produce, chemically considered,
is not dependent on the fact of one plan taking from the
soil more of the different mineral constituents than an-
other ; but on the property of the so-called green or fallow
crops Winging cn, or conserving upon the farm, more
nitrogen than is yielded to them in manure, whilst the
crops to which they are subservient are both largely ex-
ported from the farm, and yield in their increase consi-
derably less of nitrogen than is given to them in manure.
5. In a word, that, in the existing condition of British
agriculture, a full production of the saleabe cereal grains,
with, at the same time, other exportable produce, is only
attained—whether by manures, fallow, or rotation—by an
accumulation of available nitrogen, nominally an atmo-
spheric constituent, within the soil itself.
A lengthened discussion followed the reading 'of the
paper, in which Baron Liebig, the Marquis of Tweeddale,
Professor Anderson, Dr. Daubeny, and Mr. Russell took
part ; after which Dr. Gilbert replied.

WHY SHOULD AN ALLIANCE WITH
NOR WAY AND SWEDEN BE OF IM-
PORTANCE ?

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—l am induced to propose this question, as I be-
lieve it is generally admitted that the time has not yet
arrived, nor is it even at hand, in which a lasting peace
is possible, and, consequently, England and France may
yet strengthen their position and advance the objects of
war by fresh alliances. In suggesting an alliance with
Norway and Sweden I trust I may justly be allowed to
claim for those countries an exception frem the reproach
of a "dishonourable neutrality," with which your Prime
Minister recently charged the treater European Powers
who have thought it consistent with their position to
stand aloof from the contest, for the former States stake
their very existence by co-operation, which I presume
neither Prussia nor Austria would be inclined to admit
as the explanation of its inaction.
Your Prime Minister, in the speech to which I have
above alluded, did not iudeed mention Norway and Swe-
den, but, if lam not greatly mistaken, this forbearance
may be attributed to the still less flattering supposition
that their accession or non accession to the policy of the
Western Powers is comparatively of little value. And
here, then, you have the seceed reason for the appear-
ance of these lines,—namely, that although there exists
some floating idea, that Norway and Sweden, by their
position.in the very lion's mouth, might be applied to
a better purpose than mere neutrality, yet the opinions
generally entertained by the English public as to the
service which they could render are very indistinct.
The only advantage English politicians seem hitherto
to have promised themselves from a Norwegian-Swedish
alliance, is that an army from Sweden might be throwa
into Finland, and that such a diversion would, in a
direct manner, assist the blockading fleets in the Baltic,
and indirectly second the operations of the allies on the
shores of the Black Sea, by preventing the Czar from
sending the flower of his northern army to the Crimea.
It cannot be doubted that a Scandinavian army In Fin-
land would have hid an important influence on the
course of events ; and it may not be too presumptuous
to suppose that by its judicious employment Sweaborg,
as well as Sebastopol, might now have been wrested
from Russia, while the Swedish arms might have found
an opportunity of washing off the shame of the igno-
minious surrender of that stronghold in 1809.
I am convinced, however, that it would be in the
power of Norway and Sweden to play a far more im-
portant part in the present war drama than has been
generally assigned to them. It will, probably, at the
first glance, appear to most persons a strange and even
absurd statement, yet I trust to prove it not the less
true, that the most effective means of cooperation of
these two kingdoms lies not in their power to raise an
army of from 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers, but in their ca
pabilities as maritime nations, and I the less he-itate to
propound this opinion as, by private communications, I
find that such has not altogether escaped the attention
of persons in this country.
When we ask why is it that Russia, with the excep-
tion of the destruction of Bomaraund and the conflagra-
tion of the magazines at Sweaborg, is still in the Bettie
as strong in a military sense (for I speak not of the effect
of the blockade on her trade) as when the war began ?
why are all her formidable stronghold-, in that part still
in her possession ?—why is it that Cronstadt has not
been so much as struck by a single shell I—why is it
that the glorious but incomplete nperstions of the allies
at Sweaborg could not be followed up ?—and, finally,
why have the allied fleets, so justly the objects of
so much pride and confidence, done so little in
the waters of the North ? The reiterated answer
is that the allies are in want of small and suitable
vessels—a fleet of guri-boats, fit for rapid ma-
noeuvring among the intricate banks, rocks, islets,
and narrow firths of the Baltic Sea ; and that such ves-
sels England and France have not possessed, and coubi
not build and bring up in time for effective operations.
But just such a fleet Norway and Sweden could have
furnished, and in number probably superior to the reed.
The two kingdoms have together about 400 gun-beats
and mortar-vessels of different sizes ;* and if that slum-
ber be somewhat reduced—a part of the Swedish gun-
boats, I understand, not being afloat—it is, at all events,
certain that the two countries could have furnished a
fleet of at least 300 gun boats and other small vessels,
purposely built and adapted for the Russian stores in
the Baltic, and that might, without difficulty, have been
brought to their appointed places. Nor is it generally
known in England that Norway and Sweden have in-
scribed on their rolls 68,000 men as liable to the service
in the fleet. Of these Norway alone has about 50,000
(all men born and bred in the seaport towns, and accuse
tomed to the sea), and I assert only what I believe is
generally recognised among seafaring men when I state
that these men are among the best sailors in the world.
Now, sir, I ask if the matchless fleets of Eng-
land and France in the Baltic had been supported
by such sea forces as these, or a part of them, and on
the land side by a Scandinavian army of 40,000
men, how would it in all probability have fared with the
Russians in those waters ? and might not the most im-
portant operations in their effect on the war have era
this been successfully accomplished ?
With these facts before us I think it will at once be
conceded that an alliance with Sweden and Norway
would be chiefly desirable for the sake of their fleets,
and, if so, it is to be remarked that they are the only
States in Europe which are able to supply that assistance
to the allied cause.

I will not attempt to lay down the conditions on
which such an alliance is to be purchased ; but i❑ the
Sardinian alliance we have seen that terms are to be
made to meet the exigencies of each of the contracting
Powers.

In my next letter I should wish, with your permis•
sion, to represent a piece of Russian policy towards Nor•
way, which would seem in itself to afford a sufficient mo-
tive for the two kingdoms to j4iin the contest, even with-
out asking guarantees or sub-idies. Until then,
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
A NORWEGIAN (R).

* 79 Norwegian gun-boats are supplied with tao 601 b,
mortars each; 55 part with one 241 b., part with two 241 b.
guns each.

WIND AND WEATHER REPORT.

THURSDAY, October 18
Stations. Course of Wind. State of Weather,
Greenwich N. W......... Overcast.
Lothbury.
Manchester S. S.W ....... Cloudy.
Sheffield ....
Stoke-on-Trent.... S . W...
Carlisle W. Frosty—Windy.
Lancaster W Rain.
Maryport . E.
Whitehaven W. Cloudy.
Leeds S.W Cloudy.
Dublin .. S.W Cloudy.
Liverpool
Holyhead
Brighton ...... ...... N.W Fine.
Bristol W Fine.
Plymouth
Exeter.... N.W Fine.
Haverfordwest ... N.W Cloudy.
Gloucester S.W.. Fine.
Swansea 5.W.......... Fine.
Cardiff N. E.... ...... Fine.
Derby S. S.W . Fine.
Nottingham
Leicester W Fine.
Leamington N.W Fine—Cold.
Yarmouth N.W Fine.
Cambridge S. .. Fine.
Lowestoft
Shrewsbury N.E. Cold
Harwich N
Ipswich N. Fine.
Southampton N.W Unsettled.
Cowes N.W Cloudy.
Poole N.W Fine.
Portsmouth W Cloudy.
Boston N. W Fine.
Gainsborough .... N.W Fine.
Great Grimsby._ N.B. Fine.
Amsterdam
York
Hull W.S.W ..... Fine.
Dundee
Darlington S.W Fine.
Berwick S.W. Fine.
Glasgow W. Rain.
Sunderland W Cloudy.
Newcastle
Perth
WN ..W. .
fifi nn el° ..
Scarborough
W ............ Very fine.
Edinburgh
Whitby
Aberdeen . N. ............ Fine—Cold.
Tonbridge 1 W .......... Overcast.
Strood .

The large hired transport Simla, from Constantinople,
wa., on the 27th ult., in Varna Bay, with two anchors
g
down, riding out a strong gale, acci-•m, panied by a heavy
hseeargh
ofrneialt,ee shore, and waiting opportunity to disembark
consisting of 420 horses, 300 men, 30 wag-
gone, 50 tons of gunpowdfr, and other materials, belong-
ing to the army of the Turkish Contingent. The damage
received by her collision with the Cleopatra had been
completely repaired, and the Simla will probably be
occupied all the winter in the Black Sea.
The new screw steam gun-boat Chub, built in the dry
dock at Sheerness, was put out of the fitting basin yes-
terday, and willleave to-day for Woolwich, in tow of
the steam tug-vessel Fearless. The engine, machinery,
boilers, &c., for the Chub are already at Woolwich. She
is to be fitted and attached inmediately to one of the
ship. in the Black Sea fleet.