The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-25 00:00:00

LONDON, TEI.IIRSDA.Y, OCTOBER 25, 1855.

It has been positively asserted that the resigna-
tion of General SIMPSON of the chief command of
the English Army of the Crimea has been finally
accepted, and that he now only awaits the nomi-
nation of a successor. Many causes may have led
to this result. A constitution impaired by
arduous and almost incessant service in different
climes—the infirmities produced by long exposure
to a tropical sun—may have rendered it impos-
sible for the distinguished and gallant veteran to
encounter the hardships of a Crimean winter,
without being guilty of an act of virtual suicide.
Nothing but an imperative sense of duty induced
him reluctantly to accept the high position to
which the will of his SOVEREIGN, combined with
the voice of public opinion, had called him. No
other suitable appointment could be made at the
moment ; and, therefore, General SraasoN yielded
to the earnest demand, and retained it until
the first act in the stirring drama had
been brought to a conclusion, and the flags
of France and England floated over the half-
ruined towers of captured Sebastopol. When that
glorious triumph had been accomplished he
again solicited the much-required relief, and
sought the well-earned otium cum dignitate which
the state of his health so imperatively required.
It is impossible to say whether he was in any
degree influenced by the unfair criticism and
malevolent calumnies that were so freely uttered
by a portion of the English press. We should
hope that the unfair and unwarranted censures
that were so improperly directed against his mili-
tary reputation could not have affected his con-
duct. They would, if at all taken into account,
have produced a very different result. But he
could well afford to despise such carping Com_
reents, and to have rested his fame on his own
exploits, fully and fairly appreciated by friend
and foe, with almost a solitary exception. He
might be well contented with the approbation of
his colleague, and of the Government, the army,
and the people of France, and all but those of
his countrymen who surrendered their indi-
vidual judgments to the
House "Jupiter ionaris" of
Printing
Square, and were prepared to
ostracise any General or Statesman who could not
succeed in propitiating the exacting oracle. That
of his Sovereign had already been signified in
the
most unequivocal terms,. by his promotion to the
rank of General, and his nomination as a Knight
Grand Cross of the Bath, the highest honour to
which a successful and meritorious General could
aspire. With these, we repeat, he may be well
satisfied, and need not swerve from his course in
. the slightest degree to one side or the other.

Another matter may have had some weight.
The evils of a divided command have been repeatedly
alluded to. It would certainly be in no wise deroga-
tory to the honour of the English army that they
should consent to act under the orders of the
brave PELISSIBI, and that he should direct the
in which he would doubt-
plans of the campaign,
less assign a just
plaoe to the English troops, on
whose unflinching gallantry he well knows he
may place implicit confidence in the me li serious
emergencies. But SIMPSON, who had held a co-
ordinate command, could not properly be placed
. in a subordinate position, and if PIILISSIER Were to
be invested with supreme authority, it would be
indispensable to place another and comparatively
junior Officer at the head of the English troops.
Whatever may be the course, we are satisfied
that the resignation has not been prompted by any
unworthy feeliag at head-quarters, or any hint
that it would be acceptable to the Government,
but that it has entirely
proceeded from General

SIMPSON himself. We trust that an efficient suc-
cessor may be selected, one of whose most
essential qualificationsi will be the moral
courage to disregard the unwarranted and
captious objurgation, and to maintain the
even tenor of his way, without thinking cr
greatly caring what the " Mrs. GRUNDY of
Puddledock" may think of his proceedings, and
who will look solely to the great object which the
Allied Powers have at heart, without being
actuated by any petty jealousy of the superior
opportunities that may be afforded to those with
whom he is co-operating, and whom it is his first
duty to sustain and support.

The anticipated arrival of Australian gold has
been realised. Nearly 900,0001. worth of bul-
lion arrived on Saturday by the Mermaid and the
Marco Polo ! But, as might also have been anti-
cipated, the greater portion, if not the whole, of
the amount has been taken on account of the
Bank of France, and but little remains to alle-
viate the distress or assuage the fears of those
who naturally look forward to a commercial crisis
of no ordinary magnitude, of which the Bank
minimum rate of discount of 7 per cent., on bills
having more than 60 and less than 95 days to
run, may be regarded as the commencement. The
folly of those who adopt precautions when the
evil has actually occurred—who, according to
the old proverb, " shut the door when the steed
has been stolen"—has frequently been noticed.
In monetary affairs, it is the normal state of
England. We see a terrible financial catastrophe
" looming in the future," the veriest tyro can
point out the nature and causes of the im-
pending danger—can explain that, so long as the
price of gold is fixed, and that we are compelled
to purchase at a high price, when, in the language
of the Stock Exchange, it is "a mere drug in the
market," and to sell at the same rate, when there
is every symptom of approaching scarcity, serious
perturbations must necessarily ensue, paralysing
the energies of the industrious classes, and reduc-
ing to the verge of ruin tho creators and producers
of national wealth.

Never was there a more ridiculous fallacy put
forward than that respecting the eo-called " self-
acting regulator of the currency," which stimu-
lates undue speculation where it ought to be
repressed, and checks production when it requires
the greatest possible encouragement. It is acknow-
ledged on every side that the trade and commerce
of the country is in a very sound and healthy
condition. That has been admitted in the most
distinct and unequivocal terms by the recognised
organ of the bullionists, and on such a point the
Times is an unexceptionable witness. But how long
can it remain so, with interest at the rate of 7 per
cent. charged on first-rate commercial paper ?
The Old Lady of Threadneedle- street will touch or
look at nothing of the second class, and, of course,
all the discount houses that follow in her wake
will demand, aye and obtain, a much higher price for
thepecuniaryaccommodation that must be obtained
at any cost ! The seven per cent. charged by the
Leviathan merely represents a very mitigated
form of the burden which must deprive merchants
and manufacturers of their whole profits, and
render them but too happy if they can contrive
to keep their heads above water at the sacrifice of
a considerable portion of their capital !
The interesting question, then, forces itself on
our attention, and cannot be shelved or evaded.
How long shall we suffer ourselves to proceed in
this downward course ? to what extent of embar-
rassment and suffering shall we condemn those
deserving of a better fate, through whose exer-
tions the sinews of war are to be provided, and
the safety, honour, and welfare of Great Britain
secured during the existing emergency The
peril may be averted by prompt and judicious
remedies. A few months hence it may be too
late. Far more so, when Parliament shall be called
together to discuss the state of the nation, and
to legislate on matters of the most serious urgency.
Then we must quadruple the sacrifices, to bring
back the gold, which would now keep it in our
hands, or, what would be still better, to provide
an adequate substitute, which would permit the
domestic trade to flourish as it did during the be-
ginning of the present century, albeit a me-
tallic standard, or measure, and representative of
value was wanting. In the sister kingdoms a
small note currency is found with but slight me-
tallic assistance to perform all the functions of a
circulating medium—far better than gold does in
this portion of her MAJESTY'S dominions. In
Scotland and Ireland a sovereign, if obtained
from some wandering tourist, is forthwith paid
away or exchanged, and speedily finds its way
into the nearest Bank, where it is of real utility.
The canny Scotchman, who is generally just as
well able to take care of his own concerns as his
neighbour south of the Tweed, is always willing
to accept the " worthless rags," at which we are
told that the English butcher and baker would
turn up his nose. He knows that they possess
" the purchasing power "—and that he can, at
any time, through their instrumentality, satisfy
the demands of the landlord, or the tax-gatherer,
or any other claimant on his resources, or that he
may exchange them on fair and perfectly defined
terms for any commodity of which he may be in
want. He no more wastes a thought on their
intrinsic value than the English operative does on
the number of grains of gold which the sovereign
contains, or the nature of the alloy by which it is
fitted for circulation. The only point taken into
consideration in either instance, is whether it can
be exchanged without loss at the proper time ;
and when the answer is satisfactory, there is no
further scruple or difficulty on the point.
Ina
nOdc toinbeectru,
ilt
9.817 ,
act the o
o fp e alBt4i o4n
wo fa
st h e
virtuallyimpoli-
tic
suspended. After a protracted delay, Ministers
felt that the time had arrived when they ought to
attempt to restore confidence to the mercantile
and manufacturing community. The celebrated
letter of the 25th October was accordingly writ-
ten.
Its effects were magical. Theknthoeweleoduene.
that there was the power of escaping from the
terrible restrictions, saved the Bank
and
try, just as the Providential discovery of the box
of one-pound notes haddaonlleneed7
al y n
d 2
t2heyears
be
fore. The panic ivasat onto ay
formid-
able difficulty was surmounted. Then, and only
then, was the rate of interest higher than atatarnen
etehis.
moment. And so objectionable was the
sidered that the then Premier and Chancellor of
the Exchequer stipulated for a share of the extra-
ordinary profits. Now the directors are actin
on their own account, and taking what the Ame-
ricans term all "the pleader" for themselves. They
know that their term of monopoly has
nearly ex-
pired, and are anxious to feather their nests
handsomely before they yield to any rival.
But
the Government should be prepared to act deci-
sively, and to take on itself the responsibility
) of such temporary means as may be required. It
is; manifest that the increase of discount is not
sufficient, that something else is required of a
totally different character—something which will
check the exportation of the precious metals with-
out paralysing trade. Mr. HAMER STANEELD
haw
recently pointed out a mode by which the difft.
culty may be successfully encountered, and per- j

manent measures may be prepared for the consi-
deration of Parliament—a consideration which
should be given to this all-important, although
scandalously neglected, topic before the ensuing
Christmas.

If a greedy cabman distresses his scurvy hack
by fast driving, a surly costermonger beats bis
vicious donkey with inconsiderate vigour, or a
SYKEs kicks his ill-conditioned cur with his heavy
boot with unusual vehemence, and is " pulled up"
for it by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, there is something in store for him.
Not only will he be subjected to fine or imprison-
ment, but the administrator of justice will also
lecture him, and with the utmost sincerity, on the
brutality of his offence. This is as it should be ;
and to our ears the gruff notes of justice thus
directed and employed are almost as dignified as
the agent of the society finds them affecting.

If a lodging-house keeper turns a poor friend-
less and homeless unfortunate, fresh from the
pangs of parturition and a wretched mother's
gaze on her dead offspring, into the street, what
is in store for her ? Say that the illustratrix of
human frailty is not older than justices in, esse are
when they begin to shave. &ythat she has listened
too credulously to false vows, and as part of her
punishment has borne, without a friend in the
world, the burden of her transgression despairingly
about with her for hours in the stony streets of
the metropolis while seeking for shelter. Say
that cabmen, and costermongers, and burglars
have cast on her an eye of pity as they pointed
out to her the way to the workhouse. Say that
she has met there with not the slightest sympathy,
but has been scoffed at and turned out of doors as
an impostor. Say that in her anguish she has
met with some thoughtless scapegrace of the other
' sex, whose uncultivated heart was touched with
her woe, and whose slender purse emptied itself
to find her lodging, if but for a day, and that she
became the mother of a dead child ere warmth
bad returned to her long-chilled limbs. Say that
she is commanded and compelled instanter to take
up her bed and walk by the virtuously indignant
landlady, and the servant of all work pushes her
along the bustling street, and when she can go
no farther recommends her to sit on the stones,
and when in that position palms on her a lie to
move the compassion of the police as they peram-
bulate their rounds. What has justice in store
for the perpetrators of inhumanity like this?
Why, what but words of approval for the
exemplary servant of so brutal a mistress,
and for the latter an entire abstinence from ]so
mark ? " If'," says Mr. JARDINE, in the case of
ELIZABETH JOYCE, reported yesterday in our
columns--" if her own account of the affair be
true, ISABELLA WARD'S conduct appears to have
been reasonably humane and proper !"
Reasonable, humane, and proper ! to carry out
the inhuman behests of her mistress with a vigaur
at least equal to that in which they ware con-
ceived, and with an art that, however much it
might commend her to her employer, hardly less
commended her to the treadmill. The unfortu-
nate woman who was to be got rid of staggered as
she walked. ISABELLA WARD helped her aleuq.
The poor wretch was wan and pale, and seemed
about to drop ; ISABELLA WARD gave her some gin.
The destitute mother of an illegitimate babe even
torn from the bed of labour and left on the flinty
pavement might move inconvenient pity and in-
quiry from the bystanders. ISABELLA. WARD con-
cocted a lie to deceive the police into taking the
girl under their protection, and hush up an un-
pleasant affair. " Reasonable, proper, and
humane"—we stare aghast at the words. Had
we not the utmost reliance on the integ-
rity of the report we would pronounce
them a monstrous slander. A magistrate of Bew-
street is of opinion, and is not ashamed to express
it, that a servant girl guilty of conduct such as
we have described has acted a part reasonable,
proper, and humane. Fancy a jury of cabmen,
eostermongers, and reprobates asked for a
verdict on a case like this, and when about
to deliver it, informed of the opinion of
Mr. JARDINE ! Virtue might be offended with
the blasphemy lending force to the verdict
and its rider, but hardly with the import of either.
" Reasonable, proper, and humane." What, then,
was the conduct of the officials of the workhouse ?
—lndulgent, we suppose, and discriminating.
What the conduct of ISABELLA. WARD'S mistress ?
—Charmingly proper, of course, and affectingly
humane. Where are we driving ?—what was the
Society for the Prevention of Ctuelty to Animals
about? Is its bustling secretary not yet done with
the Jews ? Here is a case he might have taken
up with the utmost prapriety. But no ; a poor
miserable girl, with the extremest claims of woman=
hood to pity—dealt with more cruelly, all things
considered, than brute animals exceptionally are
—and that powerful society does nothing to vindi-
cate her claims on humanity. The case, for all
this, must meet with more consideration than
it hitherto has. Mr. JARDINE must be recom-
mended to the attention of the Home Secretary.
Possibly he may be of opinion that " ISABELLA
WARD'S conduct" was anything but "reasonable,
proper, and humane," and that the magistrate
who said so is hardly fit for the place he oceupies.

VISIT OP THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE AND THE
PRINCESS MART TO LIVERPOOL.—Their Royal High-
nesaes the Duchess and Princess Mary of Cambridge,
who for the last few days have been the guests of the
Earl and Countess of Derby, at Knowsley Hall, paid a
visit to his worship the Mayor of Liverpoql, yesterday,
and by him were escorted and shown over St. George's
Hall, the Town Hall, and other buildings of interest in
the town. The royal party were accompanied by the
Earl and Countess of Derby, and several members of
the aristocracy at present on a visit to Knowsley.
A matrimonial alliance between the Marquis of Win-
chester and the Hon. Miss Montague, daughter of Ge-
neral Lord Rokeby, now in the Crimea, is spoken of.
Lord and Lady George Manners were expected to
leave Stanton Woodhouse, the Duke of Rutland's seat
in Derbyshire, early in the ensuing week, for Arundel
Castle, on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.

Lord Henry Thynne is at present staying at Longleat
House, where he has been suffering under indisposition,
brought on by a cold.

LOi.d Adolphus Yane Tempest has arrived at Wyn-
yard, from the Crimea, his lordship having obtained
leave of absence until the 31st December.

The ♦estry of Hastings have rejected a church-rate by
a majority of 27.
NEW MOTTO FOB, THE CITY.—The Rising Sol.-
-Punch,.

The Coligny, steam-corvette, and the Solon, steam.
advice boat, arrived at Toulon on the 19th instant, from
the Black Sea.
The mortal remains of the late Sir William Moles'
worth will he finally deposited in a brick grave at the
Cemetery, Kensal-green, towards the end of the week.
The
inneral will be private.
. The health of Sir Robert Pigot, of Chippenham- a k
~ in such a precarious stateas Pr
to cause the greatesi
i
anxiety amongst his friends. Sir Robert has been re-
moved to London for medical advice.
DANGEROUS NIIIBANO
CoN/PLAGRATION AT A CONi
GREVE FACTORY IN L
Carlisle-lane, LAMBETH..—TheLambeth,
neighbourhood of
excitement on Tuesday, was thrown into a great state of
afternoon, about three o'clock,
by the report that thec gireve and fusee factory of Mr.
Siinlick, No. 191, Carlisle-lane, had been destroyed by
an explosion of the combustible materials used in the
1 business. It appears that te workmen were engaged
in the fusee department, beeiont!loane of the arches of the
South-Western Railway
07, when, from some
cause or other, a large quantity of the phosphorusf used
for beading the fusses ignited,
Minutes the
greater portion of the premises werea ianwflames Th
engines of the West of England and Brigade were.
soon
°
in attendance and the hose applied, but before the fire
was extinguished more than one-half the stock was con.
mimed, in addition to the premises being much injured.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but the furniture of a
back room of an adjoining house, in which a female mu
in child-bed, was iriarly consumed, and several articles
of value were destroyed in the premises of Messrs. Boil-
ton and Harris, the eminent sculptors and statuary
nlaaons adjoid v
ng the boons of the conflagration.
;