The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY _EVENING, MA 7 :30 1855,
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exhibited the real feeling of an influential portion '
of the late Government, and it is impossible to
say that there are other Cabinet Ministers who
do not entertain similar opinions. Lord PAL-
MERSTON declared that the change of Ministry
should lead to no change of policy. Mr. GLAD-
STONE reveals the nature of that policy, and Lord
PALMERSTON refuses to be bound against anyundue
compromise or dishonourable conditions—on the
ground, forsooth, that "it would interfere with the
prerogative of the Crown ;" or, in other words, be-
cause he considered that the representative branch
of the Legislature had no right to express an
opinion respecting the terms on which peace might
be obtained. This principle will have to be de-
cided early next week. Should a majority prove
faithless to the trust confided to their charge—
should they be willing to become political cyphers
—to submit to the abrogation of their most im-
portant functions, the British Constitution will
become very different from what we have been
accustomed to consider it, and the power of the
Crown will be enormously enhanced, at the ex-
pense of the other branches of the Imperial Par-
liament. Those who assert the independence of
their order will not only have to struggle with
the entire Ministerial phalanx, but with the
peace-at-any-price men and the avowed friends
of Muscovite supremacy. It is a formidable con-
federacy, and its opponents should be supported
by the voice of public opinion, and every demon-
stration that can possibly be made.

It has frequently been asserted that " England
is not a military nation"—that the tastes and
habits of the people are not suited for great

achievements by land, or calculated to carry on
what is termed a successful campaign. This de-

preciating opinion does not apply to the conduct

of her soldiers during the actual strife. Their
deeds in the battle-field have been duly and
honourably appreciated. Their steady courage
and unflinching bravery have never been disputed,
for the simple reason that they are beyond all
question. They possess all the great requisites of

first-rate soldiers, equal, if not superior, to any
the world ever saw. It is in minor and compara-

tively trivial details that their deficiencies are
perceptible, by which serious losses are occa-
sioned, but too frequently exceeding the deaths
from the prowess of the enemy, and by
which the survivors are compelled to endure
severe privation and suffering, and are pre-

vented from turning their successes to the best
advantage. These, however, result from the de-
fects of the system, not of the men. We possess
the highest quality of the raw material, but we
do not know how to work it up properly--" to
manufacture" soldiers of the best description.

Now that we thoroughly perceive the aggres-
sive disposition of Russia, the possibility, if not
the proba'hility, of the general tranquillity being
disturbed at any moment, that we recognise the
truth of the well-known aphorism, si vis pacem,
par a bellum, we should spare no exertions to pro-
vide an adequate remedy or remedies for these ad-
mitted errors. We should strive to educate soldiers
as well as officers for the positions in which they
respectively may be placed, so as to qualify them
to encounter the difficulties and overcome the ob- ,
stacles by which they may be opposed in the most
eligible manner.
In order to discover the fitting remedies, we
must fir .t trace out the causes from which these
untoward results arise. "Metius est peters
fontes quarn, sectari rivulos," let us discover the
very fountain and. origin of the evils, rather than
be diverted by petty or trifling details which can-
not supply a radical cure. We have to improve
both officers and men. We must strive to make
both classes reasoning animals rather than mere

machines, and to enable them to meet any casu-
alties that may arise in the best and most suitable
manner. The system of promotion by purchase—
of inducing men "to play at soldiers " rather
than to make it a profession requiring consider-
able labour before tiley can hope for success—is
one of these evils. We no not find amateurs in
any trade or calling as eminent as those who pur-
sue it as a business. If cur liberty or property
be endangered we do not apply for advice to
one of the " great unpaid," but to an eminent
barrister ; if a limb be broken, we seek a well-
known surgeon, and, although it is said that
"at forty years old every man must be either a
fool or a physician," we do not, when health
is failing, inquire from some clever neighbour the
causes of the alarming symptoms. In like man-
ner amateur actors, amateur musicians, amateur
painters, aye, and amateur jockeys, are all in their
way inferior to their professional competitors.
And why should we suppose that it would be
otherwise in military matters, or that amateur
officers, who merely take up the service as a pas-
time, who are ready on any occAsion to vote the
service a bore and threaten "to sell out " at the
most trivial annoyance, can be equal to those
who make it the business of their lives, from
which they must not merely look for distinction,
but for subsistence ? We may rest assured that
while the system of promotion by purchase con-
tinues in operation we shall always have officers,
as a body, inferior to those of other nations.
There will, of course, be many and brilliant ex-
, ceptions, but we are justified in laying down as a
general rule that which is in accordance with
common sense.

As to the soldiers, they excel in the field be-
cause we only educate them for the hour of con-
flict. If the Commissariat be defective, they aro
unable to supply their most pressing exigencies,
and even if rations be supplied, they are ignorant
of the mode of cooking them properly, and half of
that they obtain is literally wasted from not know-
ing what to do with it when obtained. If deprived
of covering, they endure bravely,
lit is true, the
pelting of the storm, but are not apt to provide a
substitute. Contrast the sufferings of the French
and English soldiers in the Crimea. How quickly
did the former avail themselves of every oppor-
tunity that arose, and how great were the suffer-
ings ? how fearful the privations? how serious the
losses of our men, arising from the absence of
what our light-hearted Allies term the savoir vivre?
An academy on a large scale is about to be
opened to teach our men this much-required
knowledge. Yes ; the Camp at Aldershott will
be simply a military school, from which, if pro-
per instruction be afforded, the most beneficial re-
sults must follow. The earliest experiment at
Chobham was not as successful as it ought to
have been ; but still many advantages accrued
from the trial. But at Aldershott we may cor-
rect any deficiencies in lie former attempt ; we
may apply instruction in the points whore it is
most urgently required.
It is not, as •we have stated, merely the
management of the men in the battle-field—the
accustoming them to act together in large masses,
or even to teach the officers how to manoeuvre
brigades,
buta i
ctoommfoarkteabtlheemas
possiblekno whoinw
atobirveonudaecr
themselves,
to cook their rations properly, and to find if even
"green coffee" were served out that it might be
converted into a wholesome and palatable beverage;
to improve the transport, and commissarial, and
medical departments, and enable the men in any

emergency to act for themselves—to supply any

oossible failure on any side. These may be really
useful lessons. Let us hope that the golden oppor-
tunity may not be wasted or misapplied.

We feel compelled a second time to call atten-
tion to the Cardigan fisheries. As our readers
will gather from a letter which appears in another
part of our present impression, the industrious
and enterprising lessee is still left, comparatively
unprotected, to the malice, cunning, and violence
of the brutal and lawless nob infesting the neigh-
bourhood. He applies to Lord PALMERSTON for
protection, and is referred to Sir GEbRGE GREY,
who re2ommends him to apply to the magistrates,
who assure him of -their willingness to protect
him, in which AssuranCe we have reason to believe
they are perfectly sincere, and, after all, he is
worse off than at first. In his despair he applies
to the Admiralty, and is coolly informed St. Dag-
mell's is out of its jurisdiction. It is quite evi-
dent, therefore, that the Cardigan fisheries are
practically out of the pale of law, and that the
St. Dagmell's fishermen, of all people in the em-
pire, possess the singular privilege of doing
what they like, short, it is to be hoped, of
murder, with utter impunity, provided they
have the decency to observe a few forms.
Is this sort of thing to last much 'longer?
Are a few ignorant and drunken fishermen to be
permitted to interpose a lawless veto between a
district abounding with resources and its develop-
ment ? Are they to go on perpetuating ignorance
and brutality, with the connivance of law, to the
ruinous discouragement of industry and intelli-
gence ? We will not mince matters. The nature
of the answer will depend largely on the course
adopted by the magistrates and respectable in-
habitants. Let them but niernorialise Sir GEORGE
GREY or the Premier on the subject, using at the
same time whatever Parliamentary influence they
may possess, and Government will be shamed into
doing its duty—the fisheries will have adequate
protection for the future; whether by the applica-
tion of the Irish Fisheries Act or other means, and
a crying Scandal to the district and to the entire
country will be removed. Let them fail to do
this, and a worse state of things than exists at

present will, in all human probability, ensue.
Both humanity awl patriotism appeal to them.
Shall it be in vain ?

COURT CIRCULAR.

OSBORNE, MAY 29.

Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
attended by the Marchioness of Ely, the Hon. Mary
Seymour, Major-General Buckley, and Captain Du Plat,
embarked in the Fairy yesterday afternoon for Ports-
mouth. The Queen and Prince, on arriving in the har-
bour, went on board the Cormorant transport screw-
steamer, and minutely inspected the arrangements for
conveying the detachment of the 17th Lancers, under
orders to sail for the Crimea in the evening.

The Queen and Prince afterwards went on board the
new Royal yacht, and returned to Osborne about half-
past 6 o'clock.
The Royal dinner party yesterday included her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, her Serene Highness the
Princess Hohenlohe, Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe,
Lady Anna Maria Dawson, Sir George Couper, Lieute-
nant-Colonel Jeffreys, commanding Depot Battalion at
Parkhurst, and the Rev. George Protheroe.
The Duchess of Kent took leave of her Majesty this
morning, and left Osborne for London, attended by
Lady Anna Maria Dawson and Sir George Couper.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended
by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and Sir George Couper,
left Osborne 'yesterday morning, crossed from Cowes to
Southampton in the Fairy Royal steam-yacht, travelled
to London by the South-Western Railway, and arrived
at her residence, Clarence-house, St. James's, at half-
past 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
The Turkish Minister had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Sir Alexander
Spearman had also an interview with the right hon.
baronet at his official residence in Downing-street.
Despatches were received at the Colonial-office yester-
day from the Governor of New Zealand.

THE IMPERIAL APARTMENTS AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—
After being open to the public, under certain regulations
for about five weeks, the apartments occupied by the
Emperor and Empress of the French, during the sojourn
of their Imperial Majesties at Windsor Castle, were
finally closed yesterday afternoon.
The newly-formed Bank of London have appointed
Mr. Matthew Marshall, jun., their general manager.
The Parliamentary library of the late Joseph Hume,
Esq., was bequeathed by him lo the London Uni-

versi ty College.
Yesterday evening the Duchess of Beaufort gave her
first gland ball this season at the family mansion in Gros-
venor-square, which was honoured by the presence of
nearly all the nobility and fashionable world now in
town. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
arrived shortly after 11. o'clock, and honoured the assem-
bly with his presence.
AnmrNisTRATIvE BEFORM.—A numerous meeting was
held last night at the Horns Tavern, Kennington. with
the view of establishing a branch association for the pur-

. .
pose of co-operating With the Central Reform Associa-
tion. Mr. Ellington occupied the chair, and the meet-
in, was addressed by that gentleman, Mr. Murrough,
M.P.," Mr. Webber, and others.
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF CHEMISTRY.—At a meeting
of the special committee appointed by the College of
Chemistry to close its affairs on account of its transfer to
the department of Science and Art at the Board of Trade,
Lord Ashburton presented a testimonial from the Coun-
cil to Dr. Hoffman, and &so a piece of plate, as a per-
sonal testimonial from some of Dr. Hoffman's friends.
KING'S-CROSS RAGGED SCHOOLS.—Last evening the
annual meeting was held in the school of the church of
St. Bartholomew, Gray's-inn-road; Mr. Alderman Cubitt,
M.P., president. The, balance-sheet showed/the receipts
for the past year to amount to 107/..1.75.,id. Toe ave-
rage attendance of children had been equal to that of
foi:iner years.. There is a balance in hand of 21. 15s. 6d.
The seventh_ordinary meeting of the Institute ©f An-

tuaries %%as held on Meaday evening at the institute in
St. James's-square ; E. J. Farren, Esq., vice-president,
in tE:e chair. Dr. Guy read a paper "On the Analogy
existing between the aggregate effects of the operations
of the Human. Will, and the results commonly •attri-
buted to Chance."
TESTIMONIAL TO MR. LAYARD.—The artisans and
operatives of Wolverhampton are signing in large num-
bers a testimony of their estimation of the recent public
services of Mr. Layard, M.P. It will be engrossed
upon vellum, and with the signatures of the artisans,
&c., stitched with a very handsome cover prepared for
the purpose, and the whole inclosed in a papier macho
case, to be got up in an elaborate style. -
The Limerick Chronicle gives the following in its army
news :—" The widow of Corporal John Brown of the
Royal Sappers and Miners has married the Emperor of
Morocco. She is an Irish woman."
Hora.—Accounts from East and West Kent speak
of the benefit to the plant from the late rains—the bine
generally appearing strong and free from the influence of
vermin. The tyers are bard at work, and have difficulty
in many grounds in heeding pace with the growth.
Apartments have been prepared at the Hotel de Ville,
Paris for the Lord Mayor, Sheriff's, and Aldermen of
the City London, who have received an invitation from
the Prefect of the Seine. The Municipality have also
hired a house for the accommodation of some English-
men of distinction, who have also received invitations.
The Lord Mayor will, it is expected, arrive in Paris in
the first week of June.
SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.--Last night Mr. Simp-
son, the president of the Society of Civil Engineers, held
a conversaziune at the society's rooms in Great George-
street. The company was very numerous, and included
Dr. Paris, Sir H. Ellis, Mr. Baggage, Sir E. Landseer,
Lord Radstock, Mr. Sheriff Crosley, Mr. Wm. Brown,
M.P., Sir William Cnbitt, Sir G. Back, Majer-Gemiral
Wylde, Captain M'Olure, Sir E. Belcher, Sir C. Fox,
Sir E. Fellowes, Sir C. Perry, Mr. Henderson, Professor
Donaldson, &c. The several Models of new applications
of engineering science, as well as the objects of art,
which were distributed throughout the rooms, formed
the subject of curious inquiry and animated discussion.
Visitors continued to arrive up to a late hour.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WAR.—MR. LOWE'S
AMENDHENT.—We understand that the most active
exertions are being made by certain members of the
Government to procure the withdrawal of Mr. Lowe's
amendment on the subject of our war policy, and that as'
the hon. member has intimated hie intention to perse-
vere with the amendment, an attempt will be made on
Monday next to get rid of it by an artifice nearly similar
to that practised in the ease of Mr. Milner Gibson.
Members are to be assured by a high authority, that
terms of peace will not be considered until the famous
stronghold of the Crimea is in possession of the Allies ;
but, at the same time, they will be told that it would
be ungenerous and unworthy of a great nation super-
ciliously and contemptuously to turn a deaf ear to all
overtures for peace which may be made by Russia, it
being quite possible that the Northern Power may, in
anticipation of more dreadful consequences, determine
unexpectedly to ask for a " peace at any price." At the
same time, in spite of the warlike speeches of the late
debate, we are informed that • disunion still prevails in
the Cabinet, some Ministers, in their anxiety to main-
tain an affectionate understanding with Prussia and the
the German States, being determined to go any lengths
in the attempt to conclude a peace. Their peculiar views
on the subject, are quite at variance with the common
feelings and desires of the country, and, we emphati-
cally add, incompatible with its interests and its honour.
—451 °ming Advertiser.

LAW INTELLIGENCE (TILIS DAY).

COURT OF CHANCERY.
MEYNELL V. SIIRTEES.
The further arguments in this part-heard appeal oc-
cupied the Lord Chancellor the whole day. We have
already given the facts of the case shortly.
(Before the Vice-Chancellor Stuart.)
10INTSIII V. THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY.
The Vice-Chancellor gave judgment this morning in
this important case without calling upon Sir F. Kelly,
who was the leading counsel for the plaintiff, to reply
upon the whole of the arguments, which occupied the
court upwards of 16 days. From the reports we have
already given of the case our readers are aware that the
amount in dispute is upwards of a quarter of a million oaf
money, which the plaintiff, one of the contractors, claims
from the defendants, the Great Western Railway Ceen-
pany. The defendants disputing the plaintiff's claim, he
filed his bill for an account ; and in answer to that claim
the defendants asserted that the court had notjurisdicticn,
and that the plaintiff ought to be left to his remedy ill a
court of law. His Honour had most carefully con-
sidered all the authorities upon the subject, and after
that consideration was clearly of opinion that the court
had jarisdiction. It had been contended on the part
of the defendants that the court would not interfere un-
less fraud was proved, but his Honour was afraid tha-t
the authorities would not support that view of the cas e.
There had been enormous delay in this case somewhere .
The defendants, the Great Western Railway Company,
were the most powerful party, and, as had been
truly said of all public companies, they had no
conscience or any feeling or compunctions. It
was therefore the duty of the ' court to protect
the weak against the strong and powerful, and in the
discharge of that duty he thought it incumbent upon
him to direct the account asked by the plaintiff. Consi-
dering the monstrous mass of evidence given in the cause,
the drawing up of the decree that he proposed to make
would be a gigantic task; but he was desirous that that
task should be performed as soon as possible, ,in order
that the defendants might immediately, if it was their
intention to do so, appeal from it, and the plaintiff be
thereby relieved from the great anxiety that he must
have endured during the litigation which had lasted up-
wards of eight years. The decree his Honour woo ld
make would be to direct an inquiry for the purpose
of ascertaining and certifying whether anything',
and what, remained due to the plaintiff isa
respect of the works executed by him, and the materials
supplied, or otherwise, under the several contracts, hav-
ing-regard to their terms, and the circumstances under
which the plaintiff carried on the works. The effect
of this decree will be that, if the plaintiff proves the
accounts he has rendered to the satisfaction of the chief
clerk, he will establish his 'claim against the Great
Western Railway Company. It is generally supposed
that a decision in faVour of a claim of such magnitude
will be carried by way of appeal at once to the HOLIES
of Lords.
Nothindof any interest came before the Lords Jus-
tices, the Master of the Rolls, or the Vice-Chancellors
Kindersley and Wood, during the morning.
The Lords Justices of Appeal will sit with the Lord
Chancellor on Friday, to hear appeals.