The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-28 00:00:00

SIR CHAS. WOOD AND MR. LINDSAY.

The following letter has been addressed to a contem.
porary :
Sir,—Sir Charles Wood speaks better than I do ; he
had also the advantage on Friday night of having the
last word, and the further advautage of speaking as a
Cabinet Minister, presumed, ex officio, to be thoroughly
acquainted with the facts, and to speak the truth and
nothing but the truth. I therefore fear that many mem-
bers of the house and a portion of the public may have
come, somewhat hastily, to the conclusion that he is in
the right and that I am in the wrong.
I have been most anxious to put in a rejoinder to Sir
Charles Wood's reply and counter-charges, and thought
I had found an opportunity of doing so this evening, on
the motion of Mr. Matins ; the Speaker, however, in-
formed me that I was precluded by the rules of the house,
and I therefore addressed this letter to you. I pledge
myself, on the earliest opportunity the rule of the house
will permit, to meet and disprove every charge and im-
putation cast upon me by Sir Charles Wood ; until then
I claim that the house and the public should suspend
their judgment, and in order to show that I have fair
grounds for the claim, I will take two or three of the
accusations azainst me, and show how dishocestly I
have been dealt with by those whose position ought to
have taught them what I hope to teach them ere long—
that honesty is the best policy.
I will first take the case of the Robert Lowe. I stated
that she had been absurdly ordered by the Admiralty to
proceed to Newcastle, on her way to Portsmouth, in
order to take in 12 tons of combustible stores for the
Crimea. Sir Charles Wood states that the quantity
to be taken in amounted to upwards of 50 tons. A
letter, however, in my possession from Sir James
Graham, dated October 25, 1854, " insists that
the Robert Lowe shall be ready to proceed to New-
castle to take in 12 tons of combustible stores."
Surely, therefore, it is not my veracity, but the correct-
ness of Sir James Graham's statement of the quantity of
stores that is at issue. My real point is, however, not
touched by the question of the number of tons ; it was
the absurdity and extravagance of sending a vessel of
1,300 tons so far out of her way to ship so small a
quantity of stores, at a time when the troops which were
to sail in her were so urgently wanted before Sebastopol.
The next case is that of the Columbia, a steamer of
21400 tons. I stated that she was ordered to come
round from Glasgow—first to Deptford, to be surveyed;
that the owner objected to sending her thither ; that they
next proposed that they should proceed to Liverpool for
survey, to which the owner also objected, as exposing
her to unnecessary risk and causing unnecessary outlay,
inasmuch as the surveyor could come to the ship at
Glasgow at the cost of a few pounds. In proof of the
correctness of this statement I hold letters from the Ad-
miralty, dated the Bth and 9th of June. Sir C. Wood
asserted, by way of reply, that the reason the vessel was
required to come to Deptford or Liverpool was, that she
was to be fitted there, because another vessel, previously
fitted in the Clyde, had been very badly done. Survey-
ing and fitting are distinct things ; it would be reason-
able that the vessel, after she had been. surveyed. and
accepted, should be sent wherever the Admiralty pleased
to be fitted, but it was utterly unreasonable that she
should be sent all the way to Liverpool or Deptford in
order that the Government inspector might there decide
by his survey whether the Government would have the
ship fitted or would have nothing to do with her. I
stated, further, that the European was hired to the
French Government, because her owners were disgusted
at the difficulties raised by the Admiralty. Sir C. Wood
assured the house that she was rejected because her height
between decks was not sufficient to allow her to take in
horses, for which a height of 7 ft 6 in, is required.
Now, the height between decks in the European is
?It. 6i in., as may be proved by actual measurement,
the height of the Oneida, to which Sir Charles Wood
refers in his speech, and which was takers. up by the
Government a short time before for the conveyance of
horses, is only ift. 4m. From this it follows that the

comparative merits of Sir Charles Wood's veracity and
mine may be ascertained by a foot rule ; and I ask for
no greater favour than that they may be submitted to
that practical test.

I cannot expect you to spare me space to say more.
I think I have said enough to show that Sir Charles
Wood's answers have been evasive, unfair, and I might
say dishonest ; and I pledge myself, as soon as the forms
of the house will allow, to prove that he has in regard
to my coal contracts stated what was incorreet—that the
ships he named were not unseaworthy —that a ship was
ordered from Deptford to Woolwich for survey—that the
owner of the Tynemouth did not state what was untrue—
that that ship did proceed to sea within one hour of the time
when the last of the Governmentstores were on board— and
that the circular written by Mrs. Chisholm and signed
by me, by the perusal of which he endeavoured to excite
the merriment of the house, was a matter which re-
dounded as much to my credit as the case of the ship
which bears my name, and by mention of which Mr.
Drummond had previously endeavoured also to amuse
the house at my expense.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
June 26. W. S. LINDSAY.

THE SCREW STEAM-SHIPS EUROPEAN

AND COLUMBIAN.

The following letter has been addressed to a contem.
pbrary :

Sir,—We notice from the report of Friday evening's
proceedings in the adjourned debate on administrative
reform that Sir C. Wood, in referring to the above-
named steamers, has fallen into two inaccuracies, which
we ask the favour of your allowing us, through your
columns, to correct.
With regard to the European, Sir C. Wood is reported
to have said that she was declined because "the height
in 'tween decks was not sufficient to allow her to take in
horses, for which a height of 7 feet 6 inches between
decks is required." The height of the European in
'tween decks is 7 feet 6/ inches, being in excess of what
Sir Charles says is required for horses, though we are
aware that steamers with a less height have been taken
up for cavalry transports, and as he has referred to the
Oneida, chartered by the English Government, we beg
to inform him that her height in 'tween decks is only
7 feet 4 inches.

The official at the Transport Board who furnished Sir
Charles with his " brief" for the defence on this occa-
sion must have his chief "advised" more in accordance
with facts on the next.

In endeavouring to explain as to the Columbine Sir
C. Wood evades the point at issue, and endeavours to
make it appear that the object of the Admiralty in insist-
ing upon this vessel being sent round to Deptford was to
have her fitted up ; but our communication from the
Admiralty distinctly stated that such was for the pur-
pose of survey, and that the steamer would be taken if
approved. The survey was to the owners, of course,
the only important matter ; that over, and the vessel
ready, she then went on pay; and it was to them a matter
of complete indifference where she was fitted up. So far
from our objecting to send her to Deptford for this latter
purpose, in our desire to meet the Government in every
reasonable way, we offered to delay the steamer's going
on pay until her arrival at Deptford, provided she was
surveyed in the Clyde ; so that we should know that an
exp2nse of nearly 1,0001. might not be sacrificed to some
equally valid objection as that now adduced for the re-
jection of the European.
We do not quite clearly understand whether the
warning remarks addressed personally to Mr. Lindsay,
with which Sir Charles prefaced his attempted explana-
tions, referred to the European and Columbian, as well
as to the other ships alluded to ; if they did, we beg to
state that neither Mr. Lindsay nor Mr. Gladstone has
been, directly or indirectly, connected with the two
steamers named, nor does the former " give directions
concerning them, or interfere in every possible way
with their management," and therefore it must have
been on public grounds only that the member for Tyne-
mouth brought the matter before the House of Com-
mons on Friday evening. As the inaccuracies into
which Sir C. Wood has (inadvertently no doubt) fallen
in his reply to Mr. Lindsay's observations may make it
appear that the owners of these steamers, and not the
Government, were to blame in the loss of them to the
British service at a time when the latter does not
attempt to deny that cavalry transports are much
wanted, we desire the opportunity of putting our-
selves and our co-owners right in the matter. We
have no regret at the failure of the negotiations,
save that which every one must feel at the continued
perverse blundering of the Government officials.
Our pecuniary interests are not injured in the present
instance thereby, and an experience in the transport ser-
vice of both Governments has proved to us that the
satisfactio❑ and comfort with which such transactions
are carried out in their details are all in favour of the
French.

As an evidence of the business promptitude with
which that Government conducts its affairs wo may,
mention that within 48 hours after the offer of the Co-
lumbian was accepted she was surveyed and approved,
and tracings of the sections of the steamer forwarded to
Marseilles, in order that fittings might be at once pre-
pared and ready to put up on her arrival at that port ;
and, as she sailed on Friday last, we may expect that
within a month her first cargo will be delivered in the
Crimea, by which time, according to the proposition of
the English Government, she would only have been
ready to receive cargo at the port to which she might
have been ordered for such after fitting up at Deptford.
We are, &c.,
PATRICK HENDERSON AND CO.

Glasgow, June 25.

SUNDAY TRADING BILL.

In consequence of the declaration of Lord Robert
Grosvenor, on Tuesday evening, of his determination to
proceed with his Sunday Trading Bill—a declaration
which has met with unmitigated condemnation—the fol-
lowing placard has been most extensively circulated
throughout the length and breadth of the metropolis to-
day :

" SUNDAY TRADING BILL.

"Lord Robert Grosvenor says you are not respect.
able. 'He begged to inform the House of (un-Commons)
that since the movement (the demonstration in Hyde-
park) ho had received several letters from working men,
in which they spoke of the persons there assembled in
no complimentary language.'

"Come, therefore, in your best clothes next Sunday to
Hyde-park, and try to look and behave like your betters.
Bring your wires, dressed out like Columbines, and your
sons in round collars and long black sacks. Eat, drink,
ride, 1011, chat, flirt, and be merry, as they do, on Sun-
day next; for on Monday you must work, and if it
please the Lords this will be the last Sunday on which
you can perpetrate any of these Tile abominations.'..!

LITERATUIZE.

The Jealous Wife. By Miss Pardoc, author of
the "Life of Marie de Medicis," &c. 3 vols.
Hurst and Blackett.
These volumes cannot fail to be attractive from
their author's well-known force of description and
knowledge of life and character. Her powers are
well displayed here in many striking characters,
whose breadth of outline and vivid delineation
arrest the attention and awaken interest. Sir
Jasper Trevanion " the man of marble," as he is
aptly styled, was an embodiment of stiff, unbend-
ing reserve and haughtiness. His nephew, Hubert,
who had inherited in a large degree the family
quality, was rendered more cold and impassible
yet by 'the peculiar circumstances of his early
life and the bent of his education. Years of
struggle in an uncongenial employ nt, suited nei-
ther to his rank nor fancy, in an isolated position as
regards domestic and friendly ties,
did their work ;
and it was a question if he was not, when
the story opens, more hard and unbending
than his adamantine uncle had been. This pecu-
liar temperament had been transmitted to his only
child, and the heroine presented a dangerous na-
ture for the impersonation of a "Jealous Wife."
She was not one who lightly offended, was easi'y
appeased—a word, a look, or a fancy was enough
to plunge her into the full vortex of that most de-
grading of all passion, but not so readily did she
emerge therefrom. "Faeilis descensus Averni''
might well have been her epitome, for she bad en-
tered on that course from which there is no return.
The ties she had dissolved could not be rejoined,
and the spell had been broken that no endeavours
could weave anew. The authoress has admirably
arranged the plot--it is plain and straightforward.
Ida commenced with misgivings, proceeded with
doubts, and ended with suspicion. Then the de-
mon of jealousy was triumphant in her nature—.
that fell spirit who, once raised, it is so nearly im-
possible to quell. The gentle and innocent dispo-
sition of Edith Malcolm could never fathom the
dark mysteries and deep feelings of Ida Treva-
nion, while her mother was too noble and
lofty-minded herself to comprehend the pro-
bability of such treacheruos surmises as those
which heaped coals of fire upon the brain of the
self-tormenting Ida. The unfortunate young hus-
band, Sydney Elphinstone, was hardly able to
realise the possibility of such ideas when his wife
at last revealed them to him. Had he possessed
strength and decision of character he might have
had a chance of putting down the enemy to their
home and the destroyer to their peace by strong
and mighty means. The person to have assimi-
lated with Ida should have been of a higher, not a
lower, grade of disposition. He should have awed
by his consistency and enforced respect by his su-
perior and exalted virtues. The volatile Sydney
knew not the weapons to be used in such a war-
fare as that entered upon by Ida. As he had pre-
viously excited her rage by ill-management, he de-
ferred to it by his instability and indecision. How-
ever, what is great or good in any character will
become apparent some time or other ; and so Syd-
ney had his triumph, when, having borne with Ida
during their poverty, bearing all hr petulance and
false accusations, he left her to the enjoyment of
her wealth alone at last. For family considera-
tions her father, the cold Hubert Trevanion, re-
lented, and called her back to the home she had
left and the rank she had forfeited. To that home
and that rank her, husband relinquished her. She
had spurned and scorned him in their day of trial
and obscurity, and the olive branch he would
gladly have seized in adversity was extended in
vain in prosperity. " The Jealous Wife" presents
a masterly sketch of what pride and passion can
effect, and records an instance of the "green-eyed
monster's" workings. It is a composition that
displays for its subject human nature under the in-
fluence of its most powerful incentives. The pas-
sion that here prevails is described in " The Cax-
tons " as "the love that gives fire to the song and
tragedy to the stage ;" and those who desiderata
the striking and vigorous style or romance wil
appreciate the ability that has created this work.

CHEAP NOVELS.
The readers of fiction will remember that some
time ago Mr. Routledge commenced a series of
original novels, in two volumes, at the price of
seven shillings. They are now restricted to one
volume, and reduced to prices varying from one to
two shillings. Though, of course, not of the highest
class of romance, yet they are fully equal to many
which appear under a much more expensive form,
and most of them are by well-known writers.
Among those that have recently appeared, "The
Family Feud," by the clever author of "Alderman
Ralph," and " The Pride of the Mess," a naval
novel of the Crimean war, by, the author of " Ca-
vendish," are the most worthy of notice. "My
Brother's Keeper" is an American tale of domestic
life, by Miss Wetherell, who is favourably known
among transatlantic writers. It is of the time of
the War of Independence, and is a simple and in-
teresting narrative. Among the works by well-
known writers, recently issued at these low prices,
, we may mention "Frank Hilton" and "Israel
Potter," by the authors of "The Romance of War"
and " Typee." The Parlour Library is chiefly de-
voted to reprints of popular works of fiction, and
among the list may be found some works of a stan-
dard character. The novels of Mrs. Marsh have
appeared at a shilling in this series. " Castle
Avon," by the same authoress, is just published.
Those who can obtain "Emilia Wyndham" for such
a price may, indeed, esteem themselves fortunate.
The works of another of the best novel writers
of the day are also re-appearing in the Parlour Li-
brary. "Margaret Maitland," the first, and perhaps
most popular, though by no mean the best, of her
tales, is one of the latest instalments. We trust
to see it followed by " Adam Graeme," " Caleb
Field," and " Harry Muir." Works like these
cannot fail to elevate as well as charm the reader.
They reduce high principles and noble thoughts to
the practice of every-day life. They teach us that
the days of romance and chivalry may have gone
by, but that in the cares and trials of our common
life there is scope still left for all the highest aspi-
rations—the most fervent feelings—the most su-
blime endurance. Instead of disgusting the reader
with the things around him, they fling the halo of
romance over the dusty highways of existence, and
help to elevate the practical and commonplace by
viewing it through the medium of a lofty principle
and unshaken faith. Could such works be more ex-
tensively circulated, and supersede the weak and
silly romances which are too often the best within
reach of the poor, we should indeed have cause to
thank the promoters of cheap literature. The
Bun and Bead Library, established with
the express purpose of publishing moral
tales, has recently issued two " Beatrice,"
by Miss Sinclair, and an original story
entitled "To Love and to be Loved," by the
author of " I've been Thinking." The latter is a
simple and pleasing tale, but we are sorry to see a
writer of Miss Sinclair's abilities lend herself to
the encouragement of intolerance and want of
charity. While firmly retaining our own convic-
tions, there is surely no need to portray those of
another faith as they appear in this volume.
" Stories from a Screen," by Dudley Costello, have
previously appeared in the pages of periodicals. In
the preface he says, that while endeavouring to find
a subject for a story his eye fell upon an old screen
he had lately purchased. From the pictures he
drew the subjects of a number of tales and sketches,
and he informs us that, should these prove success-
ful, there are leaves of the screen which yet remain
to be unfolded. They are written in the usual
lively style of this author, and as they include all
kinds of subjects, and range from grave to gay,
there is no doubt they will provide entertainment
for a large circle of readers.

The Museum, of Economic Botany at Ketv. By
Sir W. J. Hooker, R.S. Longman, Brown,
Green, and Longmans.
An excellent guide for all classes to the useful
and remarkable vegetable products of the above
highly popular and instructive museum, the utility
and moral influence of which it would be difficult
to overrate. The guide is published in connection
with " The Travellers' Library."

The Briar of Threave and the Lily of Barh
By Henry Inglis. Longman, Brown, Green,
and Longmans.
One of the most spirited metrical romances we
have seen since the time of Scott—the musical
verse now flowing like a placid sunlit stream, and
anon gathering force and rushing on with the ra-
pidity of a torrent, full, deep, and sonorous. The
Briar of Threave is the wanton wife of the last Earl
Douglas ; and the Lily of Barholm a pure-minded
and beautiful maiden, loving and beloved by a cer-
tain young Roland, the hero of the story. How
Roland is seized by the Black Douglas, how the
Briar tempts him, how Mons Meg, the leviathan
of cannons, almost miraculously releases him, and
the Lily of Barhohn rewards him for his constancy,
is it not set down in this at once exciting and
charming volume !—which, by the way, is further
enriched with interesting historical notes. Had
space permitted us we should have given a quota-
tion—passages suitable for which, both tender, de-
scriptive, and stirring, being to be, found in abun-
dance.

Constantine ; or, The Last Days of an Empire.
By Captain Spencer. Samson Low and Sons.
An historical romance, in which the principal
events of that disastrous period when Constanti-
nople and the Eastern Empire fell before the vic-
torious arms of Mahomet the Second are faithfully
recorded—every individual figuring in the story
Wog, V. WO aro told, Made t 9 act the pad, wiped