The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-19 00:00:00

REUARKS.

Lieut. Mercer has been acquitted of the second charge
preferred against him, and has very properly been found
guilty of the first charge, namely, of "Neglect of Duty,"
but in the opinion of the court the offence was com-
mitted under circumstances which diminished the cri-
minality of it.
From the character which Lieut. Mercer has received
from his superiors for correctness in the performances of
his duties, the Commander of the Forces is willing
to believe that Lieutenant Mercer would not have been
guilty of this neglect of duty had he been in the enjoy-
ment of his usual health, and the lenient sentence of the
Court is on that ground approved and confirmed.
The most injurious effects have been already found
to ensue from officers sent on duty to Balaklava quit-
ting the nen of whom they are sent in charge, and for
their own private affairs delaying their return to camp.
Lord Raglan trusts that Lieutenant Mercer will not
again be guilty of an offence which is not only in direct
disobedience of an order recently published to the Army,
but in the highest degree detrimental to the welfare and
discipline of the soldier.
Lieutenant Mercer is hereby reprimanded, and ordered
to be released from arrest, and to return to his duty.
RAGLAN
With reference to the sanitary condition of the men
it is rather discreditable to us to have such an order
issued as that which Dr. Hall has found it necessary to
write, respecting the filth and neglect of personal cleanli-
ness in our camps. When the men were so very hard worked
last year that they had barely time for their meals, and
never enough for sleep,some excuse might be made for them,
but now there is really none, except this important one,
that in the instance of one division certainly they could
get no soap, though they sent in several requisitions for
that useful article. It is very hard for men to keep
themselves clean when pure water is scarce and soap not
to be had, but Dr. Hall directly attributes itch, scurvy,
and ulcers to the negligence of the regimental medical
officers, who have not attended to the rules of the ser-
vice. The order will speak for itself, but it is to be ob-
served that the provision of soap made by the Govern.
went has failed on several occasions :
" MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ORDBR.

" Camp before Sebastopol, Feb. 17.
" The Inspector-General of Hospitals is sorry to find
from recent inquiries that itch, scurvy, ulcers, and great
personal filth prevail amongst the men of the different re-
giments for want of due attention on the part of the re-
gimental medical officers in making the periodical inspec-
tions of the men in their tents required by the regula-
tions of the service. He, therefore, requests Superintend-
ing Medical Officers will see that this duty is performed
weekly, and so important does he consider personal
cleanliness on the part of the nten, as a preventative of
disease, that he directs a certificate may be added on
the back of the weekly state of sick ths.t this duty has
been performed. Government has provided soap, and
there is no excuse for the men going about from one
week's end to another without either washing their per-
sons or changing their flannels and shirts.
"J. HALL, Inspector-General of Hospitals."
THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

SYDNEY, Jan. S.—Sincethe date of my last letter
(Dec. 15) some improvement has taken place here in the
state of the markets for goods of English and foreign
manufacture, the imports having been less heavy than
for some time past. Forced sales of goods of every
description continue, however, to be made at prices
which cannot possibly leave a margin of profit to the
exporters ; and it will be only by a cessation of
exports for a time that any permanent improvement
can be effected. The period cannot be distant when
fresh supplies from Europe and America will obtain
remunerative rates, As a general rule, it is safest to
export goods to these colonies when the markets
here are glutted, the probability being that by the
time they arrive a demand for them will have sprug up ;
but there being no rule without an exception, this
principle has of late failed of its usual effect. Perhaps
the time has not yet arrived for profitable speculation in
this way ; but we anticipate that iu the course of a few
months the home manufacturers may safely consign
goods to their Australian agents. In wearing, apparel
(termed "slops "), boots and shoes, ironmongery, and
earthenware, there are still considerable stocks en hand
ready to replenish the stores of retail dealers. Hitherto
we have had no failures of any consequence, and the
banks afford the necessary accommodation to established
traders.

At Melbourne also a corresponding improvement
is reported to have commenced, in the -place of the un-
certainty and dismay occasioned two months ago by the
failure of some agency concerns of insufficient capital.
There must always be a large demand fer goods and pro-
visions to supply the numerous population of the dig-
gings—a class by no means niggard in the outlay of
their earnings.
All is now quiet at the gold fields, and a commission
ofo s
e o inquiry hasinvestigating been
thefor
causessome time
fthe sitting
late
outbreak, the pur
p
and to adopt measures which shall, at the same time,
assert the rights of the Crown and secure the advantage
of the diggers.
The shipping interest is in a very depressed condition.
For many months small vessels of light draught were in
great demand for carrying the surplus of one colonial
market to another, for which freights were obtained,
and profits were good. The consequence was nume-
rous vessels were sent out from England, which were
sold at enormous prices, but the colonial markets being
now greatly overstocked many of those vessels are
thrown out of employment, and those which continue to
ply are scarcely paying expenses. The Australasian
Steam Navigation Company, which is the most exten-
sive concern, possessing not fewer than 18 steam-ships,
declared a dividend of nearly 10 per cent. per annum at
their last half-yearly meeting, instead of the immense
dividends they had previously declared. Some of their
shares have in consequence been held by auction at adis-
cout of 5 to 7?-, percent. The Sydney and Melbourne S. P.
Company made no dividend at their last half-yearly meet-
ing, owing to the very high prices of coals and labour. One
beneficial effect has resulted from the large number of
steamers that have been sent out ; the towns on the
coast are now in regular communication with the metro-
polis. Even the newly settled township of Gladstone,
at Port Curtis, the most northerly limit of the colony,
has now constant steam commuli'cation. The rivers on
the ca,tern coast are unfortunately ill adapted for steam

navigation. An attempt is, however, to be made on
two of them. On the Shoalhaven, a small steamer, the

Nora Oreina, has been placer), and a company has been
formed to navigate the Hasvkesbury, as far as the town

of Windsor. The river Hunt€r is navigated by maoy
powerful vessels belonging to the Austra!asian Stearn
Navigaticn Co,npany, and another company are expect-
ing three steam-boats from England for the same trade.

THE EARL OF DUNDODALD'S MODE