The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-18 00:00:00

THE at Chatham to receive their dismissal, not because
at
CERBYACE GLASSES (the best),
CALLAGHAN'S,N 23A, New Bond-street, W., corner there was not emp yloyment for them, because the
`'outland Conduit-street. N.B.—Sole agent to`'outland er, Vienna.
wee " regular hands," for the exigencies of the ser-
vice are always met by the employment of the
supernumeraries, who are taken on or discharged
at convenience, nor for any misconduct or negli-
gence of their own, but simply to enable the Lords
of the Admiralty to evade the law of contract, and
to take advantage of a loophole to commit a breach
of faith. These men were discharged at one
o'clock, and were re-engaged at two o'clock, they
received the same wages and resumed their old
occupations, but they knew that the long years
which they had spent in the service of Government,
refusing the better offers of private shipbuilders, at
periods when skilled labour was in high demand,
I under the delusive belief that the superannuated
pension would be forthcoming when the time of
their service was accomplished, were thrown away.
Thus after expending the best years of their lives
in the service of their country they will be cast
upon the world, and most probably they will die
in the workhouse. To say nothing of the dishonesty
of such conduct, and the breech of honour, honesty,
and integrity, to which no private firm could dare
to stoop, the impolicy of the proceedings is so
manifest that we would rather believe that
Sir CHARLES WOOD had again brought
his baneful influence to bear upon the Admiralty
Board, than that the Duke of SOMERSET held sway
there. Is it at all likely that clever artisans will
care to devote their lives to a service which grants
tardy advancement and but moderate pay, and will
neglect auy chance of bettering their condition,
when prices rise and when they can turn to advana
tage the experience which they have acquired under
the able shipwrights or engineers of Her MAJES-
TY'S dockyards. The course is a suicidal one, and
will be looked upon with complacency by all lead-
ing shipbuilders, who will at once find a greater
supply of skilled labour in the market and a cor-
responding increase of Government contracts. It
might puzzle the wisest to understand, and perplex
the most astute to divine what can be the motive
which actuates our authorities thus to lay down
these laws and to counteract all the efforts of these
who have gone before them. The details that are
furnished relative to this subject in the naval intel-
ligence of yesterday are in themselves sufficient to
stamp the whole proceeding with ignominy, and
give rise to serious doubts as to the efficacy of ar-
rangements which are based upon such glaring in-
justice and wanton disregard of important claims.
We learn that on :Monday fifteen men received
notice of dismissal at Woolwich in conseqnence of
the new rules regarding the "superannuation al-
lowance." These men were of various trades, and
some had been employed for a period of from 15 to
24 years io the establishment. They are now in
the miserable condition of uncertainty as to their
prospects which must awaken sympathy in the
minds of all not totally callous to the best feelings
of humanity. They have reason to apprehend that
they will not receive the least assistance from the
Government, although they have been for so long
in the factory where some of them have been in-
jured and "rendered unfit for future work." The
barbarity of such a course of proceeding is truly
painful to the mind to contemplate. Can it be for
a paltry saving that the men who assume to guide
our affairs can propose to inflict such injustice on
honest and upright men who have word hard in the
servic- of their country If such be the motive, it
is of so mistaken a nature that the most simple
and ignorant might well hesitate to own to it. Let
not the delegates of the Admiralty come to Portia.
ment with the boast that they have done great
things in the way of economy, and t ff,cted conside-
rable savings to the revenue. Their fine sounding
expositions will not convince their hearers, when
they remember what sufferers have fallen by the
wayside, victims have fallen in the track of their
chariot wheclq. A more cJii:ewptibic device was
never resorted to than this of defrauding the poor
of the gaerdon of their toil, and sequestrating the
claims which are the birthright of their labcur. It
is not the way to deserve to prosper, and very cer-
tainly it will not do so. The juggling nature of the
whole scheme will readily be comprehended by the
men who suffer by its working, and the crhdit and
character thus forfeited will never be regained. It
is high time that some notice was taken of all this
unworthy trifling with the intr
drests of our dock-
yards, and that the perpetrwors of the hurtful de-
sign receive the censure which they so richly
merit. To those who take a right view of such
things it will be a had reflection that a man may
work away thrhagh all the years of his health and
strength, and, when the weakness of age, the infir-
mities of sickness, and the enervating Effects of
overwork come upon him, that he be cast away as a
won:.oot tool or a used-up garment. We are told
that the labourer is worthy of his hire, and it is a
part of his hire that those who can afford it should
provide in some measure for the period of inaction
which is often superinduced by overwork in their
service. It is a shame that those in high places
should presume to turn and twist things to suit
their narrow notions, and satisfy their very elastic
consciences. The distinctions that exist between
right and wrong are too broadly defined, or rest
upon too solid foundations for them to displace
them ; and in the face of their pretentious reforms,
and sweeping innovations, the voice of justice de-
clares against them. Tue claims of those who
suffer are based upon the sure convictions of all
who advocate honour, honesty, and fair play, and
such an appeal ought not to be disregarded. As
political economists it is absurd, as officials it is a
gross blunder, and as members of a Government it is
a violation of their duties thus to inflict injuries
upon honest labourers which these wiseacres of the
Admiralty have been effecting with such alacrity
and inconsiderateness.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,
Covent-garden.
From this time until the end of the season there will be four
Opera nights in each week, viz., every Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saterday.
Extra Night.—" Faust e Margherita."
Madlle. Pauline Lucca; Madame Didiee.
M. Pau e ; Signor Graziani ; Signor Mario.
TO-MORROW (Thursday), May 19, will be performed. for
the first time this season, Gounod's Opera, FAUST E
MARGIIERITA, with the fol owing distribution of the
parts :—Mar,!herita, Mdlle. Pauline Lucca, her first appear-
ance in that character in England; Siebe , Madame Didiee ;
Matrta, Mdlle. Anese ; Mefisto ee, M. Faure ; Vale tino,
Kftior Gr ziani ; Wagner, signor Tagliafico ; and Faust,
Signor Mario, his first appearance in that character.
Conductor, Mr. Costa.
Commence at half past Eight.

Pit tickets, 7s. ; amphitheatre sta Is, 10s. 6d., 75., and ss.
amphitheatre. 25. 6d. Boxes, stalls, and tickets may be had
at the box-offic^ under the portico of the thea•re, which is
open from ten to five, and at the principal musicsellers' and

'(DER MAJESTY'S THEATRE
GRAND EXTRA NIGHT.
THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY,
will be performed Gounod's celebrated Opera,
FAUST.
Titiens, Bettelheim, Santley, Gassier, Ginglini.
Chorus of Soldiers, Citizens, Students, Women, ,Izu.
Conductor, Signor ARDI ri.

PROSPECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
To-morrow Evening (Thursday), May 19th.—Extra Night.
—FALSTAFF. Second Tableau,BACCii ED ARIANNA.
Mdlle. Catarina Ber,tta and Sig. A mmaturo.
Saturday Next, 3ltty 21st. FAUST.
Monday Next, May 23d. Grand Extra Night —First Time
of LES HUGUENOTS.
Grand Morning Performance, 'Wednesday, June Ist.
FAUST.

Notice.—ln active ' preparatio-, Beethoven's FIDELIO,
Leonora, by Mdlle. Titiens (her first appearance in that cha-
racter).
____

Commence at Half-past Eight o'clock.
Pit Tickets, 7s. ; Reserved Box Seats. lOs ' Amphi-
theatre Stalls, ss. and 7s. ; Gallery, 2s. 6d. ; Private Byes, in
the Upper Circle, 21s.
Box Office of the Theatre open daily, where places may be
secured ; also at Mitchell's,Bubb's, Lacon and Oilier's, Bond-
street ; Leader's, Opera CoiOnuade ; Sam's, St. James's-
street, Cramer, Wood, and Co.'s. and Hammond's, Regent-
street ; Keith, Prowse, and Co.'s, OZ.,eapside ; and at Chappell
and Co.'s, 50, New Bond-street.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,
ONE GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE.
WEDNESDAY, June Ist.
Gounod's celebrated Opera,
FAUST.
Titiens, Trebelll ; Santley, Gassier, Giuglini.
Conductor, Signer ARDITI.
Doors open at Half-past One. Commence at Two o'clock.

THEATRE ROYAL DEUR Y-L N
Managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and

F. B. Chatterton.

THIS EVENING, AN APRIL FOOL. Mr. G. Belmore.
Atter which, Shakspere's HENRY THE FOURTH.
Mr. PHELPS, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Mr. Walter
Lacy, Mr. Addison, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Robert Roxby, Mr.
Barrett, Mr. E Phelps, Mr. Rayner, Mr. H. Vandenhoff, Mr.
Belmore, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. Fitzjames, Mr. Neville ; Miss
Edith Wynne, Mss R(.se Leclercq, ,nd Mrs. Edmund Fal-
coner, supported by all the Members of the Drury-lane Ccm-
pany.
Concluding withMY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, THE BALANCE OF COMFORT.
Howe and Miss L. Angel.
After which, DAVID GARRICK. Messrs. Sothern,
Chippendale, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, Weathersby, &c. ;
Mesdames Snowden, :Telly Moore, Fitzwilliam.
After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND
ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. Farren, Coe. &c. ; Mes-
dames Louise Keeiey, Snowden, Nelly.i'ower, Hill, Wright,
Jito.;ers, &c.
To conclude with MRS. WHITE. Mr. Compton.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE,
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter:__

Mr. FECHTER will perform HA3ILE F on SATLTRDA.Y
next, May 21st. Claudius, Mr. Emery; Polonius, Mr. John
Brougham; Ghost, Mr. G. Jordan; Laertes, Mr. C. Vanden-
ff ; Horatio, Mr. J. G. Shore ; First Gravedigger, Mr. H.
Widdicomb ; Osric, Mr. F. Charles ; Messrs. W M'lntyre,
F. Morton, Raymond, Moreland, Clifford, Edmonds,?Wall-
bank, Collett ; Ophelia, Miss Kate Terry ; Actress, Alias M.
Beni ade ; and Gertru3e, Miss Elswortby.
The Scenery painted by Mr. W. Telbin.
Notice.--The doors open at half-past 7, and Hamlet com-
mences at 8.

The whole profits of the evenintr, will be divided between
the National Shakspere Committee and the Dramatic Col-
lege school Fund.
Box Office open daily from Eleven o'clock till Five.

All Tickets issued for May 14th will be available on Satur-
day, the 2 , st.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.

TIT'S EVENING, •THE OLD STORY. Mr. Dominick
Murray.

After which, Shakspere's ROMEO AND JULIET. Ro-
meo, Mr, J. Nelson ; Mercutio, Mr. Vining ; Nurse, Mrs. H.
Marston ; Juliet, Mdlle. Stella Colas.

(!STEW T HEM:RE-8.0 VAL, ADELP
111 Solo Proprietor and Manszer, Mr. B. Webster.
Last Week but three of ;he fir,:at Tragediene, Miss Bateman.

in the character of 1:-EA

THIS EVENING,an apropos Sketch, SHAT E3PEARE'S
HOUSE: Messrs. J. L. Toole, It. Phillips, .titephenson.

Af er which, at 8, LEAR Miss Bateman, supported by
Messrs. A. Stirling, R. Phillips, Billingtun, Stuart, Eburne,
Stephenson ; Brs.
To conclude with TtiE AREA BELL Messrs. J. L. Too7e,
I'. Bedford, K. homer, Miss Woolgar, and Mrs. 11. Lewis.

ItOYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Crowded with rank and fashion.— The highly successful new

Comedy, by Dion Boucicault, Esq., every Evening.
Amongst the artists engaged will be found the popular
fumes of Mr. Benjamin Webster, Mr. Charles Mathews. Mr.
Frank Matthews, Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr..,. Clarke, Mr. PAul
Bedford, Mr. F. siobinson, Mr. Ashley ; Mrs. Chas. Mathews,
Miss 1-I&rbert, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Miss 11. tiimms, Miss
A. Cottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Misr
Wentworth, and Mrs. Stir.ing.

EVERY EVENING, at 7, A DAY AFTER THE
WEDDING. ➢Liss Herbert.

At a quarter before 8, an entirely new and original Comedy
in 5 acts, by Dion Boucicaulr, entitled TEE FOX CHACE.
(,haracters by Mr. Charles Mathews, Mr. Frank Matthews,
Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ash ey, Mr. W. Chain' er-
laine ; Mrs. Chas. Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews, and Miss
Henrietta Simms (her first appearance here).
At 10, OUT OF SIG)IIT OUT OF MIND. Mr. Charles
Mathews and Mr. Frank hatthews.
To conclude with SHAKE HANDS : Mr. J. Clarke; Miss
Fanny Josephs.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING. ON AND OFF.
Followed by THE MAID OF HONOUR.
Al ter which (17th time) MAZOURKA. Messrs. Honey,
Turner, ac. ; Marie Wilton, bimpson,
To conclude with MARGATE SANDS.
Commence at 7.

COALS.—The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S
COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis'. 245. per ton. I Double.. 20s. per ton.
Top 235. „ Nut 5........ 18s.
Deep 2ls. „
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W.. and Maiden-lane, N.
Best Coke
Terms cash.
JOHN SCOTT, Sole Agent

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
pea be had Every Evening. of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4. Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

The Weather—Sun Office, May 18, 1864.

-+-

THERMOMETER.
This morniaz at Nine o'clock
Thus
day "Two o'clock .................... S 2

The temperature of the last few days has made
it difficult for us to believe that we are as yet but
in the middle of May. Instead of the usual vari-
able weather, the mild spring days interspersed
with clouds and showers, with cold 'winds and
dark weather, we have the glowing heat of mid-
summer—the cloudless heaven of the brightest
days of July. The May of the poets has long be-
come traditionary, and has lingered only in their
enchanted pages, where, as LEIGH HUNT tells us,
she is an evergreen. Of late years the May queens
and village festivities, traditionary to the time, have
appeared almost ridiculous in recollection, under
gloomy, ungenial skies, and cold bleak winds,
which would be likely enough to render the tragic
pirate of the Laureate's sprightly maiden only the
qatural result of seeing " Charles's %Vain come
oat above the tall grey chimney tops" in book-
muslin and roses. But this year all such legends
are perfectly
comprehensible, and only require the
addition of
sunshades over the flowery crowns and
marquees over the
maypole. The sunshine of the
present season is as much in excess of cur usual
allowance at this
months of the year outstraisppthede
timeculatiens- Let us hope that its eocffuerledtooorndf tinhthaeerpyeuabcrallilyc-
health may be less perceptible, while
nCl"fert wliesi nlngayincer-
tainly rejoice in its beneficial a
epee. Pleasant as the cloudless sky may be, how-
ever, to the farmer, who sees in it the promise of
a plentiful harvest, and welcome as may be the

Barometer-30.16.
Wind—N.l.T.E.
; Fght breeze, and very fine.

HIGH WATER, BRIDGE.
AT LONDON
Tsis DAY.—Morning, 11h. 58m.—Afternoon, h' m.
£O-MOUROW.-Moraing, 12h. 23m.—Afternoon,
12h. 44m.

41, V. 1.4 •
j,-V" LajheiliVlUVVMila."l"k

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1864.

When certain artizans were engaged in the dock-
yards in times past at a fixed rate of pay,
it Was
upon the undastanding that at the end of a atipn_
lated period they would be entitled to a super-
annuated pension. It was a very right and fitting
regulation, and the justice of its device was so
apparent that it seemed one of those fair and
honourable arrangements which would be left in
force for many years, and possibly be never inter-
fered with while the present state of things con-
tinued. Great disappointment has been occasioned
and considerable indignation excited by the un-
welcame and inauspicious changes that have been
made all at once. The Board of Admiralty have
recently decided that they will in future grant no
supErantinated pensions, and to accomplish this end
they lately caused some hundred artizins, who had I
worked for many years in the dockyard,to assemble