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

THE SUNs LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 5, 1855.

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

the interests of the public. It is not likely, there-
fore, we say it for the edification of the class of
which " A Norfolk Villager" may be considered a
representative, that we will be deterred from en-
deavouring to explode all conspiracies of -whatever
sort (corn and cotton included) against the pockets
of the public or the honour and safety of the na-
tion—by unwarranted statistics, clumsy sneers, or
maudlin prophecies, bearing suspicious marks of
being dictated by self-interest, however plausibly
they may be advanced.

Among the more massive and generally appre-
ciable of our literary characters Dr. JOHNSON
will ever occupy a foremost place. Other writers
have possessed not inferior knowledge, and will

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

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