The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-31 00:00:00

_'

-ren*4
prices, as they say present rates do not co* coat,_ ere
is a good inquiry for oil, and cakes arkalivizig 01:fretlyW/9
considering the changeable weather. Olive oil is uiikgitY
largely in this district, with every prospect of a contitmancO
in consequence of the present low prices. The business
done in leather during the past month has been of a some-
what quiet character. Heavy sole leather has been dull of
sale, and light only of demand, Dressing goods, with the
exception of calf skins, have not been much inquired for.
stocks of most articles have consequently increased, but on
the whole prices are firm, Offal continues scarce and dear.
The tanners have yet experienced much improvement, and
the production is being reduced. The dulness in the shoe
trade still continues. In paper there has been a moderate
business for the season, with a fair prospect for the new
year. The market is well supplied with material, at about
former rates. There has been a good supply of nettle,
which have been soli at higher rates. T 1 '.e supply of sheep
has also been good, and has generally met an active demand
at full rates. Nuenhr shown (four markets), beasts, 1,762 ;
sheep, 12,39:). The supply of wheat has been moderate,
and towards the end of the month prices were firmer. Bar-
ley has been in fair rcquest, especially the finer sorts. Oats
and beans wi hout much change,"

NOTTINGHAM, 30th.—At the Exchange-hall to•day there
was a moderate attendance, and, considering that this is
holiday week, a fair amcunt of business was done in lace
yarns at late prices. In hosiery yarns there was not much
doing, and late rates may be quoted. Silks as before. For
brown nets the demand was very dull, and prices were
nominally unaltered.

A Tainted Population,
(From the Adelaide Observir.)

The prevalence of bushranging in New South Wales
during the last three years hart presented a social pro-
blem which is very difficult of solution. This particular
species of crime broke out suddenly, and extended widely
like an epidemic ; and at the present time it exists in as
dangerous forms and with as distinct manifestations as ever.
From a recent number of the Sydney Morning Herald we
gather that we suppose we may receive as a correct account
of the origin of the evil. It appears that the late outbreak
of bushranging is to be attributed to the notorious Gardiner,
who has recently been convicted in Sydney, and sentenced
to incarceration for life. In the year 1854 this man was
sentenced to 14 years' hard labour—a punishment which
then was deemed by many a lenient ono fer the crimes of
which he was guilty. Instead of serving this period, how-
ever, by the intercession of friends at the end of five years
he was let out on a ticket of leave. He professed to be truly
penitent for his crimes, and by his assumed penitence he
imposed on those who were inclined to befriend him. Not
content with the clemency which had been shown him, in
1860 he applied for a full pardon—but as this pardon was
slow in coming, he cast off his hypocritical covering, and
came out in his true character. lie absconded from his
Lail, took to the bush, began at once to prey upon his neigh-
bours—and from that time till he was captured he has
been the terror of peaceful settlers and travellers in the
outlying districts.
Unfortunately his daring exploits and his success in
evading the ministers of justice awakened the feeling of
imitation, and all at once a number of desperadoes sprung
up emu'ous of the fame and fortune of Gardiner. For
many months past scarcely a newspaper has been published
in Sydney which did not contain some accounts of the
doings of these bushrangers. There can be no doubt that in
the community of New South Wales there was an under-

lying element of depravity, a substratum of rascality, out
of which buehranging is bred. The bushranger existed in
embryo, and only needed the fitting occasion, and the ne-
cessary stimulus to call him forth. Society in certain forma
must have been tainted to the core. The seeds of evil
planted in the days of convictism have borne a large and
dangerous crop. The harvest is seen not simply in the num-
ber and daring of the miscreants who have levied such largo
contributions on the settlers, but in the immunity from
punishment which they have enjoyed. They have been
befriended by the people, and have had means of obtaining
secret information which they have turned to useful ac-
count. Indeed, there is some reason to fear that amongst
the police force there have been some whose sympathies
were more with the lawbreakers than with the law. Unless
these men had been aided by the population, and to same
extent at least winked at by the police, it seems utterly im-
possible that they should have been permitted so long to
pursue their career of villainy. Their crimes, instead of
awakedng horror, have inspired admiration; They have
been regarded as gallant freebooters, dashing adventurers,
smart fellows, whose ideas of moon and PG141)2, were some-
what vague and unsatisfactory; but with all this there was
an air of romance about them and about their ne!arious
occupation which blinded men to its real enormity.
The Herald has vary seriously and earnestly gone into
this question, and treated it wide the gravity which it de=
mends. Oar contemporary says :—" Can anyone look at the
transactions of the last 20 months without feeling that a
deep taint has penetrated the mind reputation of colonial
youth—that they stand accused before the world, and with
an appearance of justice, of being separated in their charac-
ter, trom all other British c nun-nities, and displaying a
clesa of views, - tendeti-eiee. -an :3 tteilTratious whiob have
never found shelter or develop:ll4A under the banner of
England." This is a heavy indietmerc, against the youth
of a countuunity which would never have been made un-
less there had been suffl3tent grounds for it. The words
have evidently been writle.a in tUIIOW, and with a seri-
ous moral purp)so in V.C.W. Thu tut ure of a nation
depends upon its young men—upon their moral character,
their intelligence, and their habits of industry. It bpdes ill,
therefore, for a people when its youth have learnt to admire
violations of the law and to sympathise with the deeds of
splendid ctiminals. The Herald, in encleavout ieg to trace
the evil to its source, int', inns us that it is not directly the
result of any lack of educational or religious agencies iu the
colony. When we trace the history of some of the most for-
ward in crime, we find that they have been brought up almost
within the shadow of churches, and that some of them have
enjoyed a more direct degree of pastoral supervision than is
common to the bulk of the people. The conclusion which the
writer reaches is that the evil taint is hereditary. The force
of bad parental example has overborne the healthier educa-
tional influences. They have been trained in an atmosphere
in which drunkenness, harbouring of cattle-stealers, and
other offences which, if not actually recognisable by law, are
liable to its inquest, have been rife. A false notion of mora-
lity existed amongst the earlier convict population which has
never been entirely eradicated, and that notion has been in-
tensified in each succeeding generation. "The fathers have
eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth have been set on
edge." The population has suffered moral deterioration. The
early convicts, bad as many of them were, had still some
glimmering sense of a distinction between right and wrong.
Their moral sense told them that even in their sufferings
they were reaping as they had sown, and that their punish-
ment was for the maintenance of order and the vindication
of law. But those young men who form the raw material
out of which bushrangers are made seem to be oblivious to
these moral distinctions, and they see nothing in the law..
less practices which fascinate imaginations but a daring risk
which partakes of romance. To any feeling of reproach
or self-condemnation they are utter strangers.

MURDER AT ALDERSHOT.—Yesterday morning a
horrible murder was perpetrated in the South Camp, Alder-
shot, by an artilleryman named Thomas Dumphy. It ap-
pears that this man has been lately suffering frost insanity,
and was confined in No. 7 Hut, Hospital Wards, Z Line.,
South Camp, near the church. He was under the surveil-
lance of two men belonging to F battery, 9th brigade, Royal
Artillery, named Daniel Burns and Frederick Gray. Just
after 6 o'clock is the morning Dumphy got out of bed, and
seizing hold of a heavy poker lying at the fire-place, began
beating the floor with it, and making a loud noise. Burns
immediately wont over to take it from him, when the mad-
man, seeing his intention, lifted the deadly instrument, and
with rapidity and immense force, dealt the unfortunate man
two blows on the head, breaking his skull, and scattering
portions of blood, hair, and brains in all directions. Seeing
his comrade attacked Gray ran towards the infuriated
maniac, but the latter advanced to meet him, when Gray,
being unarmed and with nothing at hand to defend himself,
jumped through the window of the hut, and thus escaped
with his life. He quickly procured assistance, and the mad
inmate of the hut was secured. Assistant Surgeon Simons,
D Battery &ILA., was almost immediately after on the
spot, and attended to Burns, but the poor man only existed
a few minutes, and died in great agony. The man, who had
been under the medical treatment of Assistant Surgeon
Faught, E battery, 9th Brigade Royal Artillery, was again
placed under the surgeon's care, with six soldiers to guard
him. Immediately atter the affair Dumphy appeared to be-
come quiet and harmless. Legal proceedings will of comae
bo taken against him, but it is probable he will be sent for
confinement to one of the criminal lunatic asylums.
BALLOON ASCENT FROM THE ROYAL ARSENAL,
WOOLWICH.—By permission of the War Depart-
ment, Mr Colwell, accompanied by Mr Glaisher, made
another balloon ascent from the Royal Arsenal at 2 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, for scientific purposes, the object being
to ascertain the condition of the atmosphere at various alti-
tudes at this season of the year. The balloon, after ascend-
ing to a considerable altitude, iroceeded over the Plumstead
Marshes, following the course of the river in the direction
of Gravesend.

BREAKFAST BEVERAGE.--licancelpathic practitioners,
and the medical profession generally, recommend cocoa
as being the most hcalthf ul of all beverages. When the doc-
trine of homoeopathy was first introduced into this country,
there were to bu obt fined no preparations of cocoa either at-
tractive to the taste or acceptable to the stomach ; the nut
was either supplied in the crude state, or so unskilfully
manufactured as to obtain little notice. J. Epps, of London,
Homceopathic Chemist, was induced in the year 1819 to tern
his attention to this subject, and at length sucoceded, with
the assistance of elaborate machinery, in being the first
to produce an article pure in its composition, and so refined
by the perfect ti iteration it receives in the process it passes
through, as to be most acceptable to the delicate stomach.
For general' use Epps's Cocoa is distinguished as an invigo-
rating, grateful breakfast beverage, possessing a most deli-
cious aroma. Dr. Hassail, in his work, "Food and its
Adulteratiols," says -"Cocoa contains a great variety of im-
portant nutritive principles—every ingredient necessary to
the growth and sustenance of the body." Again: "As a
nutritive, cocoa stands very much higher than either coffee
or tee." Directions—Two teaspoonfuls of the powder in a
breakfast cup, filled up with boiling water or milk. Secured
in tin-lined Po., Ob., and lib. labelled packets, and sold by
all grocers, Confectioners, and chemists.- [AoSi.i

...----____ ,
ENGLISTs AND SCOTTISH LAW LIFE
ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
12, WeAterloo-place, London, 30th Dec ,1861.
NOTICE IF.I HEREBY GIVEN, That the HALF-
YEARLY INTEREST on the Shares of the Association, at
the rate of 4e., per Share per annum, will become payable to
the Proprielors (free of Income-tax), at the Offices of the
As sociatiorj, On and after the 10th day of January, 1865.
By Order of the, Board,
J. HILL WILLIAMS, Actuary and Secretary.

It'A.l ENGLISH OPERA, COVEN r-
GARDEN.

(Opera Company, Limited.)
THIF, EVENING, THE BRIDE OF SONG. Renee,
Miss T hirlwall ; Beatrice, Madame Fanny Huddarc ; Adel-
ben, "-dr. Henry Haigh; and Flannib A, Mr. A. Laurence.
Conductor, Mr Alfred Mellon.
To conclude with the Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime,
entitled CINDERELLA - or, Harlequin and the magic
Pumpkin. and the Great 'Fairy of the Little Glass Slipper,
in, which the celebrated Donato will appear.

Commence at Seven.

ITER MAJE:STY'S THEATRE.
I[
T i
HIS EVENING, the new Operetta, in one act, en-
titled
Followed by the new Grand Christmas Pantomime, THE
I.ION AND THE UNICORN FIGHTING FOR THE
CROWN.

THEATRE-ROYAL DRURY-LANE
Managers. Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton.::
'PHIS EVENING, and during the week, A YOUNG
LAD FROM THE COUNTRY.
Alter which, the Grand Christmas Pantomime, HOP O'MY
THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS; or, Harlequin
and the Ogre of the Seven-League Boots : Messrs. G. Bel-
more, Tom Matthews, G. Weston, Master Percy Roselle, &c.
Misses Lydia Thompson. R. Lcclercq, ate. ; Messrs. Boleno,
C. Lauri, W. A. Barnes, T. Morris, Cormack, Saville ; Mdme.
Boleno, the Misses Gunnies, and Signor Tescano.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE,-
Special Morning Perform ances.—ln answer to numer-
ous applications from parties residing in the environs, and
in order to allow the country visitors to London during tue
holiday week an opportunity of witnessing the grand Drury-
lane annual Christmas Pantomime, entitled HOP 0' MY
THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS ; or, Harlequin
and the Ogre of the Seven-league Boots, Messrs. Falconer
and Chatterton have decided on giving ONE MORNING
PERFORMANCE, THIS DAY, Saturday, Deo. 31, and on
the morning of every Wednesday and Saturday during the
holiday season. Children and schools at reduced prices to
the following parts of the theatre : First elide, dress circle,
and stalls, for morning performances only.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.—
Lessee, Mr. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, Dec. 31, DAVID GARRICK. Messrs.
Chippendale, Sothern, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, Coe, Wea-
thersby, &c. ; Mesdames Moore, Snowdon, Fitzwilliam, &c.
After which, LORD DUNDREARY MARRIED AND
DONE FOR Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Braid, Gordon,
Clark, White, Coe, Weathersby, &c. ; Mesdames ;Snowdon,
Hill, &c
With PRINCESS SPRINGTIME. Mr. Compton, Miss L.
Keeley.
And MRS. WHITE.
To commence at 7.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Mr. FECHTER will perform his universally allowed
great impersonation of RUY BLAS EVERY EVENING
until further notice.
THIS EVENING, to commence with MY WIFE'S OUT.
Messrs. Widdicomb, Charles; Miss B. ;Percy and 3liss E.
taver.u.
Atter which, at S RUY BLAS. Buy Blas, Mr.
Fechter. Messrs. Ryder, Fitzpatrick, F. Ch tries, M•lntyre,
Garden, Raymond, Collett, C iliord, Moreland; Misses Car-
lotta Letlercq, B. Percy, and Mrs. Winstanley.

To conclude with a Farcical Oriental Extravaganza, en-
titled BAREFACED IMPOSTORS. Schahabaham (a pasha
of three tails, Mr. Raymond; Mustapha, Lis vizier, Mr.
Garden ; Bill Stumps and Jack Hocus, quondam proprietors
of the original united happy family, Messrs. Moreland and
"Vieldicomb ; Ali, chief g-uardian of the ladies of the Harem,
Mr. Collett ; Osman Khan. chief executioner, Mr. Bunch ;
Achmet Aga, an officer of the Sultan, Mr. Kelly; Mirzs
Bajji Baba, chief keeper of the monkeys, Mr. Regan; Ayesha,
formerly Jemima Stumps, but no v first favourite of the
pasha, Miss Lavenu; Fatima, second favourite of the pasha,
bliss B. Percy ; Shekerleb, third favourite of the pasha, Miss
Travers ; Beda, fourth favourite of the pasha, Miss Watson ;
Zenobia, formerly banou of the harem, chief wife of the
pasha, but now discarded for Ayesha, Miss Hatch. Various
choice specimens of zoology, guards, slaves, and attendants,
by the numerous and talented Smith family. Divertissement
cics Odalisques.
Doors open at Half-past Six.
The Box-office open daily from ElevLn till Five.

NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPIII.-
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, THE WORKMEN OF PARIS.
air. Benjamin Webster ; Messrs. BillinAton, R. Phillips,
Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne, C. J. Smith; Mrs. Stirling,
3liss Woolgar (Mrs. A. Mellon), Miss H. Simms. Mrs. Bil-
lington, Mrs. H. Lewis, and Miss A. Seamen.
To conclude with DARK DOINGS IN THE CUP-
BOARD BY THE KNOTTING'EIi BROTHERS. Messrs.
J. L. Toole, Paul Bediord, R. rhill:ps, and Mrs. A. Mellon.

Commence at 7.

ISS BATE M A N.-NEW TH.E A.TR E
ROYAL ADEL PHI.— Mr. Webster begs to announce
that the great Tragedienne, Miss BATEMAN, having per-
form•ed with unparalleled success the character of " Leah"
fora period of nine consecutive mouths during the last season
at this Theatre, and since won the plaudits of thousands in
Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Manchester, and Glasgow.
she will RE-APPEAR at this Establishment JANUARY
2d, 1865, in her original character of the Jewish Maiden for a
limited number of nights, previously to her appearing in
other illustrations of the (,la,sic Drama, which are in prepa-
ration. The B x-office will be opened on Monday, Dec. 19,
when places may be secured for ALiss Bateman's engagement
a fortnight in advance.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, a new Extravaganz,, entitled THE
MAGIC HORSE AND THE IcE MAIDEN i ItiNCESS.
Atter which, TIIE STREETS. OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, 11.
Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma
Larnett, and Hiss Fanny Gwynne.

ItY AI. STRAND 'l' HEATR E.
Sole Lessee and Manweress. Mrs. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, at 7, SHORT AND SWEET.
Al ter which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, THE
" GRIN" &MITES ; or, the Mrs. Brown of the Missis-sippi.
Messrs. Stoyle, Thorne, James, Fenton, ac.; Mesdames Ada
Swanborou,gh, Raynham, Simpson, Johnstone, &c.
To cinclude with THE WILFUL WARD. Miss Palmer.

G" ATIS AND POST FREE
E. MOSES and SONS' New Pamphlet,
THE PHILOSOPHY OF DRESS.

-L1 MOSES AND SON
4 ir• respectfully call attention to their large and well-
assorted stock of JUVENILE CLOTHING. The newest
'arnica are combined with the latest and most fashionable
designs, and the best workmanship. E. MOSES and SON
give particular attention to this important branch of their
business, and they can with confidence affirm that the prices
Are such as must satisfy the most economical. This depart-
ment Is in a distinct part of the premises, which will be bound
a great convcniQnce for ladies and children,

MOSES AND SON
• respectfully invite public attention to their large and
well-assorted