The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-28 00:00:00

THE SUNDAY TRADING BILL AND T.HE PROGRESS OF THE WAR,
EXETER-HALL SPIRIT.

The war has now been continued for upwards of a
twelvemonth, and, though such a period of hostilities, if
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. measured by precedent, is unhappily but short, it is long
Sin,—ln the midst of the terrible humiliation and enough to suggest a certain estimate of results, and to
teneral sadness caused by aristocratic dishonesty, ince- enable us to institute some comparison between our
pacity, and misrule, perhaps no one circumstance is cal- own resources and those of our antagonist. The pros-
culated, as food for contemplation, to make the philoso- ' pects of a war, when it cannot be immediately decided
pher snore melancholy than the evident increase of by some overwhelming blow, must depend upon the
power in the House of Commons which the narrow relative means of the belligerents to prosecute or sup-
Exeter-hall spirit is obtaining—a spirit adverse to all port it, and. from this point of view we think it
rational enjoyment, and ever ready, with the most un- may be shown without much difficulty that the
christian bitterness, to attempt to enforce religion by act advantages are on the side of the allies. In drawing this
of Parliament. lam one of those who hold that the comparison, however, it must not be forgotten that the
philosophy of life is innocent enjoyment, and that it is peculiar character of the Russian Government renders it
an insult to the spirit of an all-wise and all-merciful extremely difficult to arrive at any exact conclusions
Creator to attempt the enforcement of observances that specting its military resources or its financial position.
become, by and through such enforcement, mere hollow It is not as with us, where such matters are discussed
forms, devoid of all true associative feeling. Law can- ,'
with the utmost publicity and freedom. Few persons,
not make religion; yet the "saints" are for ever craving ' probably, even in- Russia itself, are acquainted with the
the assistance of its strong arm; and no greater despots truth on these points, and it is hardly to be expected,
exist than those who are wont to meet in the Strand, at i therefore, that such information should reach foreign
" The hall where bigots rant, and cant, and rave, I countries.
.. And laud ech other face to face."
In s ki
So sang Tom Hood of this same Exeter-hall, and never i diers
apreearnalo f men
and armies
o fthat m
ate material from
constructed, which ol-
itha
has
always
breathed man with a stronger contempt for the Mrs. I been usual to consider the resources of the Czars as
Grundy school of religionists than he had. practically inexhaustible, and to regard Russia as one of
Sunday is, sir, emphatically, the poor man's only day the strongest Powers in the world. tinder some exag-
for relaxation and enjoyment, and no man has any right geration on this subject there was probably some truth.
to prey ent him from taking his pleasure on that day, so and, in fact, the resent attitude of our enemy is enough
long as he shall think proper so to do. The poor man to show that thepreputation which Russia had acquired
does not attempt to fitterfere with those who choose to iii this respect did rest upon a substantial basis. At
go to church ; and he will not, of course, allow the rich every accessible •
church and chapel goers to interfere with him if he massed in enormous
chooses to take a trip instead. Yet, if he do not speak pears to contain a garrison,
I mpoortnuofmbheerrs.froEntvieerrytßrouosspsia have a
pertve
ap.
out now it will be too late soon, for priestcraft and cant Not only are the Baltich pr oavnindceevsersywgaarmrriisnogn isw istthro
sot.
are eagerly at work hand in hand ; they have cut off his diers—not only are
al?.
dinner and refreshment in the country during the entire —not only are the Black Sea towns filled with men
Sunday afternoon already, and they will soon attempt, after host in the Crimealecbdilstthearmies
gr
eatni confronted
ilinry
monarchywith
if not effectually stayed in their stupid course, to stop of Austria is held in ate by an army as numerous as
his train and his steam-boat. The passing of the ten its own. The very immensity,
oclock Sunday bill through the house was quite uncalled from which these resource however, of the dominion
resources
for, and has proved a most wanton and aggravating an- of weakness and exhaustion!'re s o many
is itself a source
noyance to the poor man, while it does not in any way be defended, so vast is the distance
wanhyinahrethepoints to
reinforcements
interfere with the rich man's convenience. In short, a have to traverse, so inclement
is
systematic interference on the part of the rich with the so great the difficulties of locomotion,the climate,th that
R Russia,
8s andia,
pleasures of the poor has been commence& This ten though she has indeed outnumbered the armies of
them, o'clock bill is now to be followed by the Sunday Trad- the allies, has never yet overmatched and it
ing Bill, and the object of this last bill is to prevent the may be confidently presumed that her efforts s have
poor man from obtaining any one thing, either a neces- been attended with far greater sacrifices than our own.
sary or an enjoyment, on the Sunday. Hard work all On one or two occasions the truth has struggled to light,
the week and heavy gloom all the Sabbath, say the and we have heard of whole divisions and cony-oars'
"saints "—not so, says the philosopher, perishing on the march, while the losses sustained even
If this Sunday Trading Bill be allowed to pass I feel before the date of actual conflict with the western
certain that a bill will be introduced next sessions to pre- Powers were extremely large. It was computed the
vent the running of excursion trains and steam-boats ; other day that 240,000 Russian soldiers had perished
and if that were ca tied I should not much wonder, if it since the outbreak of hostilities, and the reckoning, per-
suited these tolerant religionists, who would have every- haps is not much exaggerated. It is plain, however,
body made to think as they do, if they sought the re- that no resources could long support a drain so enormous,
istabli-hment of the Curfew. They won't stop the trains and we see, indeed, that, although levy after levy is
altogether, because that4tiuld interfere with themselves; ordered, the numbers brought against ns in the Crimea
and they won't stop the carriages in Hyde Park, and appear to be rather diminished than increased. At this
shut up the West-end clubs, because that would be very moment, and after six menthe of incessant contest,
evincing a spirit which they can never be accused of pos- it is probable that the forces of the allies before Sebas-
sessing, namely, a spirit ot sincerity and justice ; for topol are stronger, and those of the Russians weaker,
surely, Sir, we have a right to doubt the sincerity of than at any former period of the struggle.
those who prescribe for tee use of others that which they As regards financial resources the comparison is, of
do not apply to their own cases. The poor man ban as course, infinitely in our favour. We cannot precisely
much right ts buy his beer and his tobacco on the Sun estimate the means on which Russia may be relying, but
day as the rich man has to ride in his carriage and em- we know that at the very commencement of the contest
ploy his coachman and footman ; and the rich must she resorted to expedients which denote a failing tree-
take care not to provoke the poor man too much, or he sury, and that the contributions exacted from the people,
may in his turn interfere with the rich. It is well to though they may have served the immediate purpose of
tell these narrow-spirited Mrs. Grundys in the House of the demands, must have told with terrible effect on the
Commons that their proceedings make them stand in the general resources of the State. The trade of Russia,
contempt of every thinking man. too, is crippled, and her flag has disappeared from the
"'Tie too much proved, that, with devotion's visage seas ; so that all the embarrassments ensuing upon inter-
And pious action, we do sugar o'er , rupted commerce must be daily making themselves felt.
The devil himself." Here, indeed, is the essential, point of our superiority.
What right has any man to say to me, " Ah, you may Excepting the casualties occasioned by the actual prose-
go into the country for fresh air ; but if it be on Sunday cution of the campaign, France and England are enjoying
afternoon, when lam dining on made dishes that have an entire immunity from the m?series of war. The terri-
kept half-a-dozen servants at work to prepare, I'll take tories of Russia are invaded, her soil occupied by hostile
good care that, being a poor man, you ought to go to armies, her towns bombarded, her forts blockaded, and
church to be taught how to behave to the rich ; you the seas closed to her ships, while the. allies, on the
shall not have any dinner at all." Why, Sir, one almost other hand, are without any experience of these calami-
has a contempt as great for those who obey such laws as ties. We know that our fleets and armies have gone
for those who make them. forth to fight, our sympathies and our anxieties go with
Fuller says, " Trust not him that seems a saint," and them, and we contribute by additional taxation thefands
he is right. When do those who advocate, by the mea- required for their support ; but beyond this we suffer
sures I have mentioned, the treating of men like chil- nothing—there is no pressure put upon us, nor is there,
dren, and who do all this specially to insult the poor ; as far as our freedom and security are concerned, much
when do they, I say, curtail themselves, by legislation, difference to be perceived between a state of war and a
of one single convenience or luxury? If they had heard, state of peace.
what I have made it my business to hear, the indignant Obviously, therefore, the coercion brought to bear
complaints against these measures, they would be rather upon Russia by the allies is far greater than any en-
startled at their tone, and they might, perhaps, be dured by themselves ;in fact, it is all on one side. The
brought to question the policy of being the imme- offensive now rests entirely with France and England,
diate and wanton causes of such utterances. I have the defensive with the Czar. We are driving Russia to
heard such toasts calmly given out, concerning the immense and exhausting efforts ; we are destroying her
voters for such bills, as would rather astonish them, commerce, we are turning into new channels the trade
could they also hear them, hitherto maintained with her, we are occupying her ter-
If the poor deOirif IV legislative interference with ritory, we are defying her assaults, and our prospects on
their customs and habits they will make that desire the scene of war appear far more favourable than they
known ; but it is sheer impertinence to make laws in were a few months ago. Our taxation, it is true, has
the spirit of old women and canting bigots to control been heavily augmented, bat it is borne in a manner
them without their having any voice, or being in any which shows the substantial prosperity of the country,
way consulted in the matter. These Sunday bills have and we are learning, it is to be hoped, such wisdom as
little effect upon any but quite the poor. Personally, I may save us from a recurrence of avoidable suffering.
never knew any such acts that I could not, always have, Russia has made great and desperate exertions, but such
and will not always, break and evade. Lavater declares exertions must necessarilybe enfeebling, whereas France
that "Everything may be mimicked by hypocrisy, but and England are gaining strength every day. It is to be
humility and love united," and it's little enough of remembered, moreover, that by directing our attacks
humilityor love the dictatorial Grandys have is all truth. against Sebastopol itself we have taken the surest means
One would think that hatred of oppression and die- of giving a decisive turn to the war. The great object is
content were the proper feelings to arouse on the Sab- to limit the power of Russia in the Black Sei. Now, not
• bath, and that such feelings were infinitely better than only is this object most effectually attained during the
a cheerful and pleasurable. enjoyment of a life given to whole time that our operations are is progress,
ibe enjoyed. but it will be at once insured by our success.
Hotel and tavern keepers had better look to it, as the The source and symbol of Russian power in those
people have been driven to a remedy within their own pots is simply Sebastopol—Sebastopol with its
hands. I myself know of six poor men's clubs upon the arsenals, its garrison, and its ships. For the
principle of the R norm and the Carlton. and they can- sake of Turkish security our demands upon the Czar
not be legally closed without closing the West-end ones must always have involved the abatement of a menace
also ; and I hear, too, that the cabmen are about to so formidable ; but if we were making war in the Prin-
establish the like houses, and no doubt this system will eipliities, or in Asia Minor, a dozen victories might be
spread rapidly into adoption. Such houses are per. insufficient to bring the Czar to terms. In the Crimes,
fectly legal ; they cannot be put down, and will un- however, success in the field is virtually equivalent to
doubtedly prove a serious injury to the publicans. Lord success in negotiat'on, far if we destroy Sebastopol the
Grosvenor and Lord Ehrington will find, perhaps, next power of Russia in the Black Sea becomes limited by
election, that their aristocratic care for the poor man is the very fact, and the assent of any Plenipotsntiaries to
not appreciated by him. a, condition so accomplished is almost superfluous.
In conclusion, sir, I cannot do better than finish with On all points of the contrast, therefore, the advantage
a few lines from " Hood's Ode to Rae Wilson"—au ode appears in favour of the Allied Powers. We are stronger
that ought to he read by all the Aguewites. The greater now than when we commenced the struggle. While
number of this class we have niain'ained entire and undisputed mastery by
"Think they're pions, they're only bilious, sea, Russia has not established any analogous superiority
And study in their sanctum supercilious by land. We have gained the valuable assistance of
To frame a Sabbath Bill." Sardinia, and the moral concurrence of almost every
But they never allow the public to forget for a moment people in Europe, while the cause of Russia has not
',hat been overtly adopted by a single ally. We have im-
" The saint alone his preference retains proved the organisation of our resources both at home
For bills of penalties and pains, and abroad. The electric telegraph has brought the
And marks his narrow code with legal rigour r Crimea close to the Horse Guards, and our establish-
I am, sir,, yoursabeelient servant, relents in the East are now extensive, well ordered, and
A TRAVELLER. efficient. None of these considerations would, indeed,
supply any valid argument for the prolongation of hos-
tilities, if it were possible to conclude an honourable and
substantial peace ; but, as that is now impossible, it is
satisfactory to feel that there is nothing to deter us from
the prosecution of what we undertook as a just and ne-
cessary war.—Times.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY.)

LONDON, May 28.—Wind and weather this day ..t noon,
W. ; light breeze, and hazy, with rain.
NEWPORT, May 25.—Wind, S.E. Arrived—Mary, from
London, for St. Thomas ; Melbourne, Honduras, and
Cherbourg, for Jamaica.

IRELAND.

CARDIFF, May 25.—The Eghans, of London, grounded
on the Flats on the 9th inst., and sustained damage ; was
subsequently taken to Penarth Beach, where the damages
were increased; aLe lies on her beam ends, and appears
much strained.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY MORNING.
HARVEST rROSPECTS.

A week of almost continuous rain has already created
a decided reaction in the agricultural world, and effec-
tually calmed the apprehensions of the alarmists, who,
not altogether without reason, predicted a late and de-
ficient harvest as the consequence of the cold and arid
weather which characterised the spring season from its
opening to the close of the present month. Within a
few days the whole face of the country has undergone a
favourable transformation, and vegetation has progressed
with a rapidity well-nigh marvellous, so that it may now
be fairly anticipated that the poorer classes will shortly
feel the benefit of the change in a reduction of the prices
of the common necessaries of life. The following satis-
factory report appears in the Mail of Friday night :
"The late seasonable change in the weather is attended
by the most hopeful improvement in the aspect and promise
of the country. The early potatoes, which had suffered by
nipping frosts at the beginning of the month, have lecoovir.. d
;
their healthful appearance, and are making rapid.l a growth
seedt'n
though, from the lateness of the season at which the
every
was committed to the ground, they, in commonate with
to maturity than last year. The grain crops
existed, have
kind of produce, will probably be a fortnight in coming
oats, about which considerable app
green ; but,
changed their sickly huo to a deep and h
°f
all—because of
perhaps, the most welcome amendments;
that which has
its extreme and immediate urgency—
taken lands. Ten days
taken place in the pasture and meadowthat the face of nature in
apprehension existed,
ago nobody could.have believed
e 9
a but the common people are
these latitudes could have put onS
of toimfer.eshr arnjisToignosroofusala
complexion in so brief a spl
kinds are enormously dear ;
everywhere employed at remunerative wages, and, along
look forward—in humble dependence
their toil, and compensation for their pre.
ample reward of
upon
Givertthheeirployers,
of all Good—to an abundant year as the
sent privations.
TIIE MOUNTGARRET PEERAGE.
This celebrated "romance in real life" is not yetcooounr
of-t
eluded, and more profitable work has this week been
cut out for the gentlemen of the long robe. T
of
the
plaintiff Exchequer
hoa,ir.
su
pn a. nsi n oßuus
tlgranted
the
proceed
with applicationhehis
bill of exceptions in relation to the rejection of evidence
on the last trial. The case now goes into a court of
error.

GRAVESEND, May 2G.—Wind, E. Arrived—Orwell,
from Port Philip ; Sam Bruno, Cuba ; Rover's Bride,
Alexandria ; Seine, Boojogne ; Belgium, Ostend ; Frede-
rika Christina, Rostock.

SHEERNESS, May 27.—The Enigheden (Norwegian),
from Arendahl to Lisbon, has been brought in here to-day,
with 9 feet of water in her hold, having been on the Long
Sand.

FALMOUTH, May 27.—Wind, calm. Arrived—Hor-
tense, from Rio Grande. Off Port—Helene, from Lagos,
and sailed for London.

PORTiMOLITII, May 27.—Wind, S.E. Arrived—Sydney
(s. transport), from Constantinople ; H.M.S. Imperieuse,
Baltic. Sailed—Baltic (s. transport), for Deptford ; Gol-
den Fleece (s. transport), Southampton ; Empress Eugenie
(transport), Queenstown ; H.M.S. Aden, Black Sea, with
three mortar vessels in tow ; H.M.S. Powerful, the Nore ;
do. Calcutta, do.

SOUTHAMPTON, May 2G.—Sailed—Orinoco (s.), for the
Crimea.

OFF PLYMOUTH, May 27.—Indemnity, from Melbourne.
COWES, May 27.—Wind, S.S.E. Arrived—Ostrich,
from Akyab.
WHITSTABLE, May 27.—The Jean, from Wales to Lon-
don, or P.heerness, has been towed in hero leaky, having
been on Margate Sand.
HONG KONG, March 15.—The Countess of Elgin, from
China to London, has been lost on the Prata Shoal.

(rEB ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
LIVERPOOL, Monday Morning,

Wind, E.
Arrived—Tiber (s s), from Palermo.
Sailed—Cintra, for Naples ; Corinthian, Trieste ; Zee-
moeuw, Rotterdam ; Daphne, Malaga ; Emilie, Dram ;
Melenes Port la Mar.

QUEENSTOWN, May 26

Wind, S.E.
Arrivetk—Jessy, and Antigne, from Whitehaven.

(BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Monday Morning.
Wind, W.S.W. ; tide, 42 hours' ebb • weather, raining.
Arrived, May 27.—George, from St. Vincent ; Twee
Broders, Carolinsiel ; Five Broders, Carolinsiol ; New-
castle, Colombo ; Gretina, Emden • Marie Louse, Strom-
stadt ; Content, Bilboa ; Asia, Calcutta ; Christian Au-
gust, Skive ; Maria, Emden ; Zutrauen, Skive ; Ager,
Viola ; Wigoline, Holbeck • Laurina, Emden ; Elizabeth,
Memel ; Svenden Brodors, kragero ; Anna, Gottenborg ;
Hoffnung, Wilsters ; Angelis, Dantsic ; Fraternita,
Arendol.
Sailed, 28th,—Argo, for Dantsic ; Willielmina, Memel.
DEAL, Monday, 9.37 a.m.

Fish is remarkably plentiful in the Channel Islands.
One morning last week there was in the fish market
about 40 turbot, weighing between 20 and 30 pounds
each, selling for sd. to 6d. per lb.
FIRE AT SRL—Captain Cobb, of the American sh;p
George L. Sampson, who, with his crew, landed at Ply-
mouth on Wednesday night, states that they left New
York for San Francisco on the let of April with a vait':
able cargo. On the 3d of May, in lat. 13 N., long s 5
\V., smoke was perceived Issuing from thema
fore and
.0 i hatch-
way, and within an hour the outflamesbursat
Eagle,
aft. The crew, 28 in all, took to the bots
at dayanci
light were received on board the ship Northern
Dutch ship
Oosterdoo, Captain liagelhoff,
transferred to the
who treated them with
themon board a fishing
sloop in the Channel.
°apt . Hill, from Richmond, United States, for Australia.
The same day 13 were trans
7th of May six of the 18
great kindness, and
were received on board the ship Revere, Captain Bird,
from Callao for
alongside the ship Prince Regent,
Liverpool. On the 17th the mate and
three boys were sentrom
Hull for Quebec, with a request
f
with passengers take one or two of the distressed
crew, a
plOacnedthe
which was from Java for Am-
sterdam,
getting short of In,* huythistepasit *et
sterdam, was g x
4.601i314
that her captain
. -
the Dutchman,

Wind W. moderate. h
ghaaind CAuunroarrcal,
p 3
Transport,
sieP.rarassLede.o—nej;ose
Blanche,Passed.—Joseph
Fl
'4
ce
rP,
from Mauritius ; SamuelShan
from Portsuion , illitaolelasntyd'ear:h22l
Dominica—all
tfhor
fLoornthloenri;vehrer;
from Loudon, for the Black Sea.
Sailed.—Medora, for Bremen.
Report of the Joseph Fletcher, from Shanghai—Sailed
from Shanghai, Feb. 7. 25th, in lat. 6.20 S., long. 105 E.,
spoke Spanish barque General Churrucca, from Manilla,
for Cadiz. March 29, in lat. 31.5 S., long. 40 E., the Col-
liugwood, from Calcutta, for London, out 49 days. April
14, in lat. 23.40 S., long. 3.5 E., the Monsoon, from Akyab,
for Falmouth, out 61 days. May 11, in lat. 29.15 _N., long.
36.0 W., the Fairy Queen from Calcutta, for Antwerp,
out 85 days. 11.L..y 16, in lat. 39.30 N., long. 33 W., the
Commandeur, from Pernambuco, for Hamburg. May 20,
in lat. A 5.12 N., long. 19.30 W. the Allert.on
M , Iron Deme-
rara, for London. ay 23, in lat. C. 30 N., long. 9 W.,
t 414 4,414434 AMA 1:411tolYi4) o; ;iottiaz4g4a, out 113 c4yi.