The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-28 00:00:00

Mr. Seward's Politeness.

Mr. Frater, in a letter to a contemporary, writes :—" Sir,
The incidents I am about to mention are of a private and
domestic character, yet they so well illustrate the temper
and spirit in which the miserable civil war in America is
conducted by the rulers of the North that it &ems to me
that they may be both interesting to the general readers of
your columns as well as suggestive of the treatment which
those English men and women may look to receive who
unfortunately happen in any way to come within the
power of the great men at Washington.
"Years ago my sister married a gentleman of Sou' hCare-
line who had been my schoolfellow at Harrow. Possessed
of a large fortune and a happy home, on the secession of his
State from the Union, he at once gave up his ease and com-
forts and joined the army of the South. Very shortly after,
and while my sister was cut off from intercourse with her
English home through the war, her mother and only sister
died within a few weeks of each other. To break these sad
tidings to her, as well as to gain intelligence of her welfare,
the husband of the sister who had been taken from us left
England for the Southern States. With considerable diffi-
culty he obtained a pass at Washington, landed from an
English man of war under 11 ig of truce at Charleston, and
became my sister's companion and comfort for some months.
On his return home he published a little book, called 'An
Errand to the South,' in which he made no secret of his
attachment to the Southern cause, and, like a good clergy-
man, preached peace to the contending parties. After two
years' service my American brother-in-law returned-to his
wife and home, broken in health by his campaign, to endure
a lingering sickness, which ended in his death in January
last. His widow, broken down by her prolonged anxiety,
her constant nursing, and her heavy bereavement, now quite
alone in a country only hers in remembrance, at once wrote
requesting me to come to her and aid her return to England,
her own weak health, as well as the peculiar state of the
country, making it impossible for her to travel by herself.
"I went, furni-hed with recommendations from Lord
Russell to Lord Lyons, and from Mr Adams to Mr Seward,
and doubting not at all that the cause which took me across
the Atlantic was so entirely of a domestic character, and so
purely a mission of love that my request for a pass through
the lines of the armies would, unless military necessity
forbade, meet with a ready assent, Before I left London,
however, a well known Southern gentleman warned me to
this effect You do not know these Northern men in
power, sir; nor the spirit in which they carry on the war.
The very circumstances you mention, the widow's prayer
to return to her family, the old father's yearning to see his
daughter, the brother's loving journey, are just such as will
gratify their malevolence to frustrate. You are quite sure
to have your pass refused.' I thought this prejudice, but
it proved true prophecy.
" I arrived at Washington, saw Lord Lyons, and received
from him just so much assistance as might be given by a
kind letter of introduction to the Secretary of State, suffi-
cient at least to prove that I was a true man and no spy.
On the 12th of July I called at the State Department at
930 a.m. I found Mr Seward standing under the portico
smoking a cigar. I took off my hat, announced my name,
and presented the letter given me by Lord Lyons. He read
it slowly, without in any way acknowledging my salutation,
and then said with an offensive air, Sir, two years ago I
gave a pass to a clergyman, a member of this family, to go
to visit this woman.' (I underscore this word because both
by the tone of his voice, his expression and emphasis, ho
evidently wished me to mark that ho had used this word,
and not lady.') 'He went to the south, and was so far
seduced by Southern hospitality that he went home and
wrote a book.' I here interrupted by saying—' Sir, will
you allow me—' He interposed with as insulting an air as
he could use, Hear me speak, will you, Sir ? He wrote a
book, I say, in which he desired to advance arguments to
the English people for the destruction of this country. You
cannot go, Sir.' 1 said ' Will you allow me to speak a few
words to you, Sir ?" Not one word, Sir. You have your
answer, You had better go home and take care of the in-
terests of your own country. I will take care of the interests
of mine.' With this he at once wont down the steps, jumped
into a hack, and drove off, proud, doubtless, that if through
the insane management of affairs by himself and his fellows
in office an insignificant body of Confederates was at that
moment scaring 'Washington as if it was besieged by an
army, be had at all events single,handed gained a decisive and
derisive victory over a sorrowful widow, an aged father, and
an anxious brother, whose hands and tongue were tied, lest
the one object of his journey, his sister's safety, might be
imperilled. It is difficult to know wlr:ch most to marvel at
in these precious words—their malignity or their folly. He
might well have refused the pass without giving his reason;
but had he done so he would not have had the chance of
indulging his insolence, while, unfortunately, the circum-
stances of the case would not allow of his indulging his
insolence without betraying his folly. His words were at
once an acknowledgment of my bona fides, and of the non-
existence of any State reason for his retusal at my request.
He spoke deliberately, too, for he had informed Lord Lyons
previous to the interview that he intended to refuse me, and
thus had made up his mind the mode in which he made
known to me his refusal was that which was most consistent
with his dignity as a statesman and as the representative of
American gentlemen.

Would I could give you his grandiloquent, saucy air, as
well as his words. His charming irony in telling the simple
English gentleman to go home and take care of his country,
while he, the prime ruler, the prophetic statesman, took
upon his single shoulders the interests of his, cannot be con-
veyed by the pen ; but the mendacious absurdity of his
sentence on me, " You cannot go, Sir," lies on the surface.
In this particular his arrogance was in proportion to his im-
potence. I had merely asked for the pass to save my sister
possible fatigue and annoyance. I knew well that I could
go whenever I wished without consulting Mr Seward. He
must have known it better than I, when he told me I could
not go. Certain it is that within a few days I was safe in
my sister's house in South Carolina, and when this reaches
you shall be in England with her, without suffering the
delay of a day from Mr Seward's attempt to stop me.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE,

GREAT WESTERN OF CANADA,

The report of the directors of this company states that the
receipts on capital account during the half .year amounted
to £1,139, and the total receipts to the Elst of July last
£5,218,357. The total expenditure to the same date was
£5,074,001, leaving a balance of £144,352. The outlay on
capital account during the past half year consisted of addi-
tional sidings laid down at sundry stations, fish-jointing 14
miles of rails, proportion of expenditure in rebuilding in
stone and iron the wooden bridges over the cove of the river
Thames west of London, and outlay on account of rolling
mill at Hamilton, amounting together to £16,157. The gross
receipts on revenue accuunt for the past half year amounted
to £311,940, and the working expenses, including mainte-
nance of way, taxes, insurance, and rent of suspension
bridge, £140,189, leaving a balance of £174,751. From this
had to be deducted £17,498 interest on Government loan;
£33,228, interest on company's bonds ; £14,025, loss of con-
version of American currency, and £31,261 for renewals of
rails, sleepers, bridges &c.; together, £126,015, leaving a
balance of £18,736. In the net revenue account a further
deduction was made for the estimated loss on the balance
of American funds in hand if converted into gold at the
assumed rate of 250, which would amount to £41,995, leav-
ing £6,832, To this was added £4,129, the surplus from
the preceding half year, leaving a surplus of £10,961,
which was insufficient to permit the declaration of a divi-
dend. The conversion of American funds by which the
loss of £44,025 had accrued was made at the average rate
of 174 f. The balance of American funds not converted
amounted to 339,891 dols., which was deposited in the
Bank of Commerce, New York. When the accounts were
made up gold was quoted at 260, and at this assumed
rate the loss, if converted, would have been £11,905 in
addition—since then the gold rates had fluctuated
considerably. The working expenses of the last half
year were 44'51 per cent, of the aggregate receipts, as
compared with 46.50 per cent, for the corresponding half
year, showing a reduction of 2 per cent. The economy in
the locomotive expenses was mainly attributable to the
saving effected in the price of fuel, amounting to £1,063 for
the half year. The gross receipts for the six months ending
July 31 were £314,910, against £293,067 for the correspond-
ing half of 1863, showing an increase of £21,872. The traffic
of the line had been conducted with with great regularity.
The rolling mill at Hamilton had been completed, and
brought into successful operation ; and the engineer pro-
mised a considerable economy in the cost of re-rolling old
rails. His original estimate of £17,000 would be exceeded
by £1,500, owing to some improvements in the machine;y
and construction being considered desirable. It had been
clearly demonstrated to the Board that the future prosperity
of the Great Western of Canada under the existing circum
stances of surrounding competition was inseparable from
the promotion of a more expeditious and economical trans-
port of through traffic than at present existed. The first
desideratum was to secure an unbroken gauge, so as to
avoid the delay and expense of handling freight, conse
quent upon the double transhipment in the passage through
Canada by laying an intermediate or third rail between the
Canadian gauge of sft bin, and thus provide the American
gauge of 4ft 81in, as was originally intended when the
Great Western of Canada was designed. The American
roads between New York and Boston and Chicago had
shown their sense of the value of this facility by offering to
contribute material aid towards the cost of its c nstruction,
which the company's engineer estimated at 70,000 dais.
The Board did not hesitate to recommend that this outlay
be undertaken, and that the details be left to their discre-
tion. The Board wera preparel to pay off the 6 per cent.
bonds falling due Oct. 15 next, or to renew them at the
same rate of interest for seven years.

A SHIP SUNK IN THE ElVER.—Activa meastire
are now in progress to raise a collier sailing vessel, which
was run down and sunk in the River, near Charlton Pier,
on Monday night last, by the screw collier ship Admiral.
ft appears that the latter vessel was proceeding up the
River, and by some means got out of her course, and when
near the Kentish shore, almost abreast of Woolwich Dock-
yard, ran full on upon some collier vessels attached to
buoy. A collier brig was completely cut down and instant])
scw tled by the force of the collision—and a schooner, as
well as the buoy, were nolon damaged, but fortunately no
lives were lost,

HER MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, Sept. 26.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena, and
attended by the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, and the HO;
Emma Lucelles, drove on Saturday to the Lynn (3
Quoich, returning to Mar Lodge.
His Grand Ducal Highness Prince Etirnnt of
Oldenburg took leave of her Majesty on Saturday'
end left the Cattle for Inverness, attended by BsrQo
Wurtzbarg.
Earl Russell left the Castle on Saturday.
Her Majesty, with Princess Helena and Prince
Alfred, and attended by the Hon. Emma Lascelles,
went to the parish church of Crathie yesterday after:
noon. The Rev. Dr. Stewart, one of her Msj estY e
chaplains, cfficiated.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has arrived At
the Castle as the Minister in attendance upon the
Queen.
Mr. Morier and the Rev. Dr. Stewart left the
Castle this morning.

Prince Humbert of Italy.
Yesterday morning, before breakfast, the rrinee
Humbert of Italy, attended by his Excellency the
Marquis d'Azeglio and the members of his suite'
chiefly composed of noblemen and gentlemen in the
military service of his Majesty the King of Itsl9l
paid a visit to the Knightsbridge Barracks, for ta°
inspection of the Ist Life Guards, stationed at the
barracks. His royal highness and suite were re°
ceived by Major and Lieut.-Col. the Earl of Aloantl
charles, and the whole of the effectives were paraded
for the inspection of the prince, who subscquentic
went over the station and inspected every detail °
the quarters.

After breakfast at the Italian Legation in Or°s:,
venor-street, Prince Humbert and party paid a visit
to the Model Prism at Pentonville. His royal
highness, went over the establishment, and free
quently expressed his surprise and admiration 11,
the cleanliness and order of the system carried cy:
there, luso at the excellent food but severe disci?
line towards the unfortunate persons within It,
walls. His royal highness was nearly two hour"
occupied in going over the building and inspecting
the system adopted in the various departalent6ci
His royal highness, later in the afternoon, vielte
the Army Clothing Factory at Pimlico. Jo ill
evening his Excellency the Italian Minister gave"
grand dinner at the Italian Legation in Grosvencl
•
street. The following gallant officers had the 13nri,
our to meet his royal highness at dinner, ee'ref4s
being laid for 20 persons :—Lieut.-Gen. Sir J.•
Pennefather, E.C.8., Major-Gen. Hodge, C.l3';
Colonel Sir David E, Wood, (of the 114..v.Y8
Artillery), Col. lion. H. H. Clifford, Col. S.
Armstrong, C,8., Lieut.. Col. Paget Bayly:
Hon. W. J. Colville, Col. Hepburn, Col. Wardle'
and Cal. Da Plat, the extra equerry to her Moiceti°
in attendance on his royal highness.

His Excellency the Russian Ambassador left
Chesham House yesterday for Brighton ; the Baralo
Brunnow will join his excellency on Saturday.
His E xcellency the Prussian Ambassador and
the Countess Bernstorff have arrived at St. Leonard's-0d
Sea from Germany.
The Countess Apponyi left Chandos House on
Su..aday for Baden Baden. His excellency is on a visit to
his estates in Hungary.
The Duke of Rutland has arrived at Belvi)if
Castle from his shooting quarters, Longahaw li(P3lge°
Derbyshire.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanriearde
have arrived in town from the Continent. The 1201),.,18
marquis will leave town in a few days for his 00°'
Ireland ; the marchioness goes on a tour of visits.
The Earl and Countess of Wilton have arrived At
Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, from Scotland.
Lord Dunkellin is staying on a visit to Mr. Ton'
line, M.P., at Orwell Park, Suffolk.
Baron Lionel De Rothschild left town yesterday
for Brighton. The Baroness and Miss Do Rothschild
have arrived in Paris.

Lady Margaret Beaumont arrived on the Terrace'
Piccadilly, last evening from Britton Hall, near Wakefield/
for a few days.

The pleasure yacht of the late King Frederic
has been sold to a steampacket company for 25,000 riP.
dollars, and it is intended to be used in future in the coast'
ing trade of Jatland,betweenAalborg and FrederickshaVen.
It cost originally 60,000 rix.dollars, or about £7,000.
THE AFFAIRS OF THE EARL OF YARBOROUGOI
The financial affairs of this nobleman are causing a gt)°,
deal of excitement in the neighbourhood of Briggy Vr",i
shire, where his property is chiefly situated. It is rusaoure
that his lordship's tenantry are considering the practica'
bility of meeting his liabilities, so as to prevent the break'
ing up of the extensive establishment at Brecklesby Hain
The immediate claim is said to be about £9o,ooo.—.Eastetti
Morning News.
A FIGHT IN THE HUNTING FIELD.—The usu.-
al
harmony of the meetings of the Cork harrier!
was on Friday disturbed by a fleeces which occurred about
half-way on the hunt. Captain —, at present residing
he
t
this city, was about to take a leap In some portion of -
field, but whether through accident or otherwise is not statea
was baulked by having his horse crossed by Mr gell.
tleman residing within a few miles of Cork. Captain --
at once accused Mr --of having baulked his horse intell:
tionally, on which it is stated that gentleman retorted that
Captain was a liar. The word immediately lea t.,°
blows, and a most vigorous fight between the two gentlerae"
began, which was only terminated after some minutes bi
the interposition of some of the other gentlemen present...-.
Cork Examiner.
SUSPECTED ATTEMPT TO DESTROY A RAILIOI
STATION,—On Saturday afternoon, after the OP
had left work at the Nine Elms-station for the dal; tile
vi
watchman on duty proceeded on his rounds as usual, i?ef,
,"
his attention was attracted by a pile of wood under one e"
the workmen's benches. He they found that under the
wood and coals was a quantity of dry shavings. Fell°11r:
ing the direction of the line in which the shavings fie",,
laid, and removing them with great care, the watchree.-
discovered a box of lucifer matches placed in such a Pe6,1,1°
tion that any person not perceiving the danger coil' 0
not avoid treading on them. There are adjacent to the
workshops several large ranges of warehouses well stereo
with valuable goods, and had the workshops caught P,,
the whole of those buildings might have been destroYe;
together with the contents. Mr Scott immediately set
inquiry on foot, and which inquiry is still progressing.
A FRENCHMAN ON ENGLISH COOKERY.-"ri
Theophile Gautier, son of the distinguished autba°o
enlightens the readers of the Illoniteur du iSoir on tilt
mysteries of English feeding. This gentleman declares tbilt
we have no cuisine; that we do not know how to eat;
we are a business people, always in a hurry; that our 11:1;
variable maxim is "time is money," and that we have 13_„
leisure moments to devote to ingenious sauce combination°'
But if his affairs do not leave him time to sit down de'
liberately to a good repast, the activity which the English;
man displays produces a great loss of force, and ill/
humidity of his climate adds to his appetite. It is necesesyo
that he should eat quickly and often. " Roast beef sati4ea
admirably this double went. This meat, which is COel°,,g
in blocks without any other apparatus than a spit, witli°o7
ingredients, gains greatly by being eaten cold ; the '3,11';
lishman finds it everywhere on his road. Directly
feels hungry he enters the first tavern he meets, %6
devours, standing up and in about five minutes, a trral
slice, rich with succulent juice; this ha washes down "
a pint of strong beer, and then he starts off again to et)to,
tinue his business. Ho has lost no time, and the 040
Lions in money and cotton have not varied during' of
interval which he has devoted to his meal." This is °ley()
the causes why Englishmen nourish themselves as we 116,1 a
described. Another cause results from their political i't:a
social institutions. The doctrine of respect for indivia
liberty is pushed so far that it even extends to their coAer'a
To offer to a number of personsa dish prepared in a eelt;so
manner, and smothered in such and such a sauce, vi°lll,-ba
o impose an opinion upon them, an opinion not lilielytoa9
shared by the whole company. What may please one mayo
bo displeasing to another, and there is no reason wl'Y of
taste of any particular person should prevail over that 6
his neighbour. To avoid this inconvenience, the dishes '3vr,
served in the most primitive form. The meat is elvv:'cl
cooked to the same point ; sometimes there are fishy 113er
vegetables; the materials for a meal are served ri of
than a meal itself. But alongside of this is an arsenal all
bottles and vials containing liquids and powders °lola
colours. There are essences of sauces, aromatics ing,,
strong spices, and each guest prepares his own sea°.
which would probably be most disagreeable for his 1110
bour. However, at times the Englishman gets ggY„voix
takes into his head to give a dinner, and this fit being "'I. a
him his extraordinary food presents to the cow:whoa. a
sight more deplorable than his habitual repast'
hid
eats heavily, he multiplies his dishes, wile, srs of
wines and spirits, transgresses the most Elemental,' la ea/ t•
gastronomy, and generally terminates his feast iu
at ill
e las from,
combos de la table. What prevents the
_
posscsaing a cuisine is that want of sociability Nl/4' eor
the foundation of the French character; it it, also all
geration of that practical spirit which leads thero..tP
the moat co/We/wed and expeditious manner possible.