The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-20 00:00:00

sued our annals. Ashantee is sLuated in the Bight
of Benin, in one of the most unfavourable parts of
that sickly locality. We have a treaty with its
KING, dealing among other points with matters of
extradition, always excepting the restitution of
escaped slaves. Two slaves fled to Cape Coast,
bearing with them, it is said, some stolen gold.
The KING insisted upon their extradition on the
ground that they were criminals. The Governor
objected on the ground that they were slaves.
Evidence of their guilt was demanded, and argu-
ments went on. Surely this was a case for negotia-
tion or compromise rather than warfare. But the
KING proceeded to ravage a territory under the
protectorate of England, and forthwith a war was
commenced, if that can be called a war in which our
troops ware matched with no mortal foe, but with
the pestilence that walketh in darkness, that de•
stroyeth in the noonday. A large number of troops,
mostly coolies from the West Indies, were landed
on Cape Coast Castle at the commencement of the
rainy reason, without any adequate preparation
being made for their reception or accommodation in
a country in which, above all others, such provision
is a matter of absolute necessity. Cape Coast Castle,
1,100 miles from Sierra Leone, is a settlement
standing en a projecting rock. To the east of it is
a small river, which during the great part of the
year is a swamp, and whose water is unfit for the
use of man or beast. It is well known that one of
the worst of the many insidious dangers of the gold
coast is the quality of the water, which produces a
dire disease. The water used in this settlement is
collected in tanks for the dry season, and the
quantity of water required for the use of the regular
garrison-250 men—was kept in the port. What
official eloquence, what skilful special pleading, can
mitigate the fact of sending men to such a coast
without any provision for supplying them
with extra water ? It is useless to tell us
of a distilling apparatus which got to work
in May, when the troops were landed in August, as
it is useless for the Prime Minister to declare that
en the course of a few days after they arrived they
were all played under shelter. In the course of a few
days in a climate like that of the Gold Coast ! As
Mr. COCHRANE reminded the House, those charged
with the interests of the navy must have known
the nature of that coast, where at some seasons the
vapours are of a poisonous and dangerous character.
The result of the whole affair was, that two expedi-
tions were sent up the country, one of 700 men, of
whom 180 were dead within five days, another of
400 men, of whom half were dead oe disabled. Is
this a result likely to strike terror to the Ashantee
King ? Private accounts are even more frightful in
their details. A letter, well authenticated, but
whose writer was not mentioned, says that out of
twenty-six officers nearly half have been invalided
home, three have died, and four are so ill as to be
confined to bed; while of the twelve medical offi-
cers who accompanied these ill •fated troops three
are fever-stricken, three more invalided, and one
dead ; so that the condition of the surgeons is not
much better than that of their patients. Four
weeks ago Sir JOHN .PAKINGTON called attention to
the state of affairs, when the Colonial Secretary
announced that it was the intention of the Govern-
ment to despatch transports immediately to the
fatal spot to remove from it troops equal in number
to the extra reinforcements, so as to reduce the
amount to those ordinarily accommodated. This
four weeks ego; but the promise so glibly given
was kept after the fashion of most Whig pledges.
The best the Government could do to retrieve its
error and save the victims of its precipitancy and
folly from still heavier losses was to advertise for
a sailing vessel—not a steamer, on account of the
eapeuse. mfgLt the House murmur at such
a tale. But even then the full measure of cruel
neglect was not filed up. Such as she is, this
sai:ing vessel has not yet started. The best tender
that was offered was taken, says Lord C. PAGET,
and the men have been working day and night to
get her ready. The naval reputation of the Govern

ment must stand high indeed if the best Tease

offered for their service needs a month's hard work
to get her fit for sea. Mr. CORRY spoke the feeling of
the House and the country when he said that " The
moment the cry of distress came from Africa
the Admiralty ought to have applied to one
of the great steam navigation companies
for one of their most powerful, roomy,
and rapid steamers at any price. But when
Sir JOHN HAY mourning the loss of a near rela-

tive sacrificed in this wanton waste of life gave
notice of his motion, a sadden energy inspired the
Government. They gave orders that the Gladiator
should at once sail for Cape Coast to fetch away
the remnant of the troops. Bat with all the fine
vessels at their disposal the Admiralty thought fit
to select a ship declared on unquestioneble authority
to be totally unfitted for the purpose, thus needlessly
aggravating the sufferings of the invalids, She is
to be met at Cape de Verde by a sailing transport,
to take the coolies to the West Indies. Wby, since
the Portuguese will not permit them to land there,
not have sent two steamers to convey them at

once in comfort across the Atlantic ? The landing
of the troops recalls most forcibly the disembarks-

tion in the Crimea ; in fact General PEEL, a mem.

ber of the memorable committee, declared that we
had, on the Gold Coast, a repetition on a smaller

scale of all the horrors of the first winter in the

Crimea. The responsibility of such mibmanage-

meat cannot b© lightly got rid of. Lard PALMER-

"WS defence was a signal failure, He endeaT-

_ .
oared, with his usual ingenuity, to turn the ques-
tion from the management of the troops to the
war; bit even then it was impossible not to remem-
ber that the Minister who so emphatically declared
that the honour of the country required that Eng-
lish protection should not be an empty word, had
not carried out that principle quite so boldly in the
north of Europe es on the African Uold Coast. The
noble attempt to divert the matter from a
national question
into a Party movement was also
lord's
unsuccessful. Jokes fell Rat before the lists of the
dead and disabled. Indignant denials and rash
assertions were powerless unsupported by evidence.
man life.
It is no light thing to trifle away 1,,
However innocent the intention, it is no pardonable

offence to undertake great duties and to neglect
their adequate fulfilment. Englishmen will rever

shrink from sacrificing their lives when duty 0,11,
them, but they will not tamely submit to a lavish

expenditure of life and treasure through a coal.

bination of recklessness, improvidence, and neglect.

There are few things more difficult to define than
the nature of appointments it is almost
impossible
to draw a line as to where influence should not pre-
vail, and favouritism have no share. It is seldom
that so glaring an instance of this kind of thing is
made manifest as was the case the other night
when Mr. FERRAND brought forward his moticn
on the Board of Charity Commissioners. The hon.
member did not do his cause any service by nsing
such vehement language, but, at the same time, he
adduced arguments which it may be presumed
were unanswerable, for no member of the Governs
ment attempted to refute them. Mr. BRUCE ex-
pressed virtuous indignation at the tone adopted
by Mr. FERRAND, and in this plea he very ingeni-
ously shuffled out of inquiry on the subject. If he
really considered that the Commissioners were so
misrepresented in the statements of the boo. mem-

ber, surely the best service that he could have
rendered to them would have been to have proved
the fallacy of his arguments, and contradicted his
assertions in the most effective manner by an inves-
tigation. There is no use whatever in making the
excuse that such a thing would have been done
had this been otherwise or that taken place in a
different manner. The fact is, that all legislation
that depends on "ifs'' for its basis is very purpose-
less, and when the apologists of a system are so
willing to seize on every available excuse, it makes
one suspieious as to their chance of success if the
subject had been thoroughly sifted. It is quite cer-
tai❑ that, allowing for exaggeration by Mr. Fan-
RAND, quite sufficient remains to prove that great
blame attaches to the authorities in their manage-
meat of this matter, and that the public wculd be
surprised and displeased if all the facts were elicited.
It is always the fate of these transactions
that the secret at last creeps out, and when an
inkling of the affair is made farther attempts of
concealment only aggravate the evil and increase
the dilemma. It would seem as if all the golden
days of prosperity for the Ministers were now over,
as if the " sun that shone so long on them it now
had ceased to shine," for turn which way they will
they find nothing but censure passed on their con-
duct, and meet with nothing but disapproval, The
speech of Mr. FERRAND, which has been permitted
to go first to the country uncontradicted in all im-
portant particulars, will do great damage to official
credit, or there will be many not slow to remark
that the most was made of the ingenious excuse of
" personal attack," while no defence was essayed ;
and a sort of deprecatory expostulation put forward
in lieu of a plain reply to direct charges and decided
remarks. For instance, Mr. FERRAND avers that
the Charity Board of Commissioners was a " select
nest of Whigs ;" and Mr. BRUCE discreetly waives
the consideration of that part of the question, but
declares that they were ail men of acknowledged
ability and integrity; in short, all honourable men.
But Mr. FERRAND went much further than dealing
in generalities, of hinting vaguely at this or that
discrepancy in the conduct of this department.
He spoke in very plain terms of some signal in-
stances of patronage, in which public interest was
completely lost sight of, in order that some private
motives might prevail and secret intentions be
duly carried out. Mr. OSBORNE in his amusing
speech made some very telling observations on the
state of the case as it stands at present. He said,
that to allow grave charges to pass like this was
a great injury done to the gentlemen in the public
offices, and that such assertions must be mat with
an inquiry. This is a grave statement, that ought
to have weighed with the Government, but doubt-
less they know best what sort of answer would be
made. As the case stands now a gross injustice
has been done to these gentlemen ; it is always an
erroneous practice to omit explanations when
charges of so grave a nature are brought forward.
There is nothing in which the Government ought
to be more careful than in selecting fit and compe-
tent persons to undertake important duties, and
certainly from what was mentioned on Thurs-
day, it would not appear as if this de-
sirable end had been at all arrived at. It
seems strange that Lord PALMERSTON should
have allowed such aspersions o❑ his character to
pass by unnoticed, either by himself or some of h'.4l
friends and supporters. There is no doubt that all
these remarks and observations were more dir.,cted
against the authorities in headquarters than against
the more humble individuals chiefly mentioned.
Allowing, for the sake of argument, that much and
all 'was true that Mr. FERRAND so 'vehemently
declared about Mr. StmoNs and others, nothing i❑
the statement at all effected their reputation com-
pared with the manner in which it compromised
those who had appointed him to the office he filled.
It is a serious thing to say against any official that
for party ends and private purposes he has been in.
dnced to appoint those he knows are not competent
to any post whatever, and therefore it does appear
inconsistent that no explanation was vouchsafed, and
no answer given to the series of extraordinary
relations, and the curious questions put by the
hon. member for Newport. He overreached him-
self in being so bitter, for many who might have
supported him, had he come forward in a quieter
style, were naturally deterred from acting when
they found the matter so personal and almost
offensive in its bearing. Still, enough has been
said or done to inflict considerable damage on the
management of the whole affair, and the successful
extrication of the Government from the committee
did not preclude the awkwardness altogether which
inseparably attaches itself to these insinuations and
suggestions. It would appear as if the Cabinet

cared for nothing that did not absolutely imperil
their position, and prevent them from keeping in
their possession the blessings of place and power.

We make no apology for again adverting to the
question of the " Amalgamation of the Customs and
Excise," being well assured that it is a subject which
may with great advantage engage the attention of
all practical reformers. For although we are not
sanguine enough to believe that the time will ever
come—certainly not in our generation—when the
duties collected by these great revenue departments
will be reduced within such limits that the two
services may be undertaken by one Commission,
yet are we equally confident in our belief that
there are many departments in the two services
performing analogous duties, we refer more
especially to those of law and statistics, which
might, with great advantage to the public interest
and a corresponding economy of the public purse,
be united under one control.

In animadverting upon the grievances of the
Custom House officials, as set forth in the numerous
petitions which have lately been presented to the
House of Commons, we have taken especial care not
to confound the public weal with the personal inte-
rests of the petitioners. Inasmuch as private rights
must give way to the public good ; so great as are
the grievances alleged by the Custom House officials,
were they not inconeistent with the public good,
we should decline in the interests of the public to
have anything to do with them.
But we stated then, as we take leave now to re-
peat, that the system which obtains in this branch
of the civil service, whilst operating prejudicially
in respect to those employed is at the same time
both inefficient and unsatisfactory to the mercantile
public generally. The numerous letters which have
appeared in our columns, as well as in those of our
contemporaries—not even excepting those of our
London Charivari, of whom we are all proud—in
approval of
our retnarka, and condemnatory of
Custom-house official procedure, are, in themselves,
undeniable evidence of this fact, as well as showing
that the public are alive to the manifold incon-
veniences arising from their circumlocutory mode of
transacting business, and to the baneful effects—
the penny-wise and pound-foolish system —of
insufficiently remunerating a most useful and in-
telligent branch of Government officials.

On a former occasion we showed that, by a sim-
plification of the system of accounts and a re-ar-
rangement of departments, both the public and the
employes could be radically end permanently bene-
fited—the former by receiving etatisticul informa-
tion in a more direct, and therefore speedier manner;
the letter by being paced on a footing in unison

evidenced by frequent resignations--we at once
conclude that there is a wrong to be remediA. " Übi
jus ibi reniedium.' is a maxim es applicable here as
in a court of law or equity. And although the
amount of right of these complainants is one of com-
parison only, it ie not the leas a right, for both civil
society and individual status are alike estimated by
this standard of comparison.
In what way, then, can the heart-burnings and
discontent of this generally deserving class of offi-
cials be removed, and the service restored to a
really sound and workable condition ? Any large
addition to the Civil Service Estimates would hardly
be submitted to in the present temper of the House
of Commons ; nor would the Government be justified
in any such proposal. But such an addition is not
sought by these petitioners. The whole that is really
required is that the House of Commons should fol-
low in the wake of public opinion in the manage-
ment of the business Which the nation intrusts to
them. Let them igraLt the Committee which the
petitioners ask for. Let their alleged grievances be
thoroughly sifted by the Committee when granted;
but above all, we speak in the interest of the public,
let the mode of transacting business whether in
passing an Entry or supplying Accounts, undergo a
thorough and searching investigation.
Forpe
i un the ourselves, r
, believe that there is ample
see eesdundancy of forms and circumlo-
cutory system of obtaining accounts from the
Customs through the Board of Trade for the pruning
knife of a judicioas legislator, as well as in placing
analogous departments under one management, and
in weeding the service of those who are either use-
less or unnecessary. It is to this last that we should
look to effect a saving that might be beneficially
applied in increasing the incomes of the really
effective employes of the service.

Above all, as a means of removing the prevailing
discontent, let due consideration be given to all
well-founded complaints; since it is manifestly un-
just to treat officials from whom the Government
has exacted a high standard of education and effi-
ciency, and who confessedly discharge their duties
intelligently and faithfully, with studied indiffe-
rence or shuffling expedients.
We all know from the returns which the Statisti-
cal department of the Customs has furnished Mr'
LINDSAY that all branches of commerce have doubled,
and in many cases quadrupled, within the last 1:5
years. We also know that with the increase and
diffusion of wealth come habits more expensive and
tastes more refined, and it is only right and just
that the Government cfficials should participate
with the rest of the community in this higher
standard of civilizition and refinement.

We would further take leave to remind the Go-
vernment that this is the era of amalgamations.
The most acute and business-like men in the City
act upon the time-honoured maxim that " Union is
Strength," and in furtherance of this principle have
found that no great undertakings can be carried out
with reasonable hope of profit except by Companies
and Societies. Indeed, so strongly imbued is the
public mind with this "idea" that the majority of
our Minkitig, and many mercantile firms, haveeither
themselves fused for their better success, cr have
quietly glided into joint-stock companies ; it having
been practically demonstrated that Companies can
work cheaper from their organization being at once
more simple and complete, thus enabling them to
remunerate their servants better, while securing at
the same time en ample profit to their share-
holders.

So it must also be with the Customs and the Ex-
cise. willing or unwilling
the governing bodies
of thess departments must prepare themselves to
follow, since they will not lead, in the wake of
public opinion. Either the high salaries given to
Boards and Chiefs of departments are for their past
services or their present management. If for the
former, let them take what they have earned and
be gone ! If for the latter, let them give the State
the results of their experience, and, like the great
Sir RoWLAND HILL, organise and reorganise their
departments until the complaints of the public are
satisfied, and the discontent and dissatisfaction of
the Service removed.

ROYAL ITALIAX OPERA.—Their Royal High-
nesses the Prince and Pane Ells of Wales, accom-
panied by their Royal llighnEsses the Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse, honoured the performances at the Royal
Italian Opera with their presence on Saturday evening.
The Royal suite consisted of the Marchioness of Carmarthen,
Baroness de Grancey, Baron Westerweller, and Col. Kep-
pel. Among the fashionable company present were the
Duke and Duchess of Manchester, the Duke of Rutland,
the Duke of Granada, the Marquis of Harlington, the Earl
of Strathmore, the Earl Granville, the Countess of Fife,
the Countess of Craven and the Ladies Craven, the Earl and
Countess of Egmont, the Earl and Countess of Bective, the
Earl and Countess of Cardigan, the Earl of Uxbridge, the
Count and Countess Wczele, Count BatbyanY, Viscount
and Viscountess Hereford, Viscount Hinchinbroke, Vis •
count Maynard and the lion. Miss Maynard, Lord and
Lady Yoltimore and Mims Sheridan, Lord Stanley of Alder-
ley, Lady Panmure, Lord Hastings, Lord and Lady Trede-
gar, Lady Ilcntietta Allen and Miss Allen, Lady Gertrude
Rolle anti the Hon. Mark Rolle, Lady Ernest Bruce, Lady
Florence Paget, Lady Honeywood, Lord and Lady Walls•
court and the Hon. Miss Blake and the Hon. Mrs J. Mac-
donald, Lady Augusta Milbank and Mr Milbank, Lady
Dashwcod, Lord and Lady Edward Thynhe, Lord Dan.
over, Colonel the Hon. St. George Foley, Hon. Mrs Cast,
Hon. Mrs Duff, Hon. Mrs Dudley Ward, Hon. Mrs Pereira,
Hon. Mr and Mrs F. Steam., Hon. F. L. Gower, Hon.
Eliot, Lady W. Fraser, Sir Laurence Palk, Sir G. Army.
tage, Lady Gooch and Mies Gooch, Lord Rutland and Lady
Airoy, Admiral Ryder Barton, Colonel Farquharson (of
Invercauld), Colonel Minchin, Colonel Dickson and Mrs
Dickson, Colonel Cuddy, Colonel AireY) Major Gage, Cap-
tain Pemberton, Captain Spiers, Mrs Cavendish liontinck,
Btc.
_ _

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.---The Queen's box at
Her Majesty's Theatre was, on Saturday evening,
occupied by the Countess de Gay and party. Amongst
the numerous visitors also honouring Her Majesty's Theatre
with their attendance were the Duke and Duchess of Wel-
lington, the Duchess of Montrose, the Marquis of Ormonde,
the Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde, the Countess
of Bective, the Earl of Mountcharles, the Countess of
Desart, Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Earl and
Countess of Cardigan, the Viscountess Midleton, the Vis-
count Exmouth, Lord Edward Thynne, Lady Clarges, Lady
Lawley, Lady Mary Pane, General Sir G. Bowles, K.C.8.,
Sir Ralph lloward, Bart., and Lady Howard, General Sir
Proby Cantley, Sir Ivor Bertie Guest. Bart, &G.
ASSEMBLY AT CAMBRIDGE HOUSE,—VisCOUnt
and Viscountess Palmerston gave a grand dinner on Sa-
turday evening at Cambridge Hcuse, Piccadilly. His Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, attended by Colonel the
Hon. James Macdonald, C. 8., honoured the noble Premier
and her ladyship by his company.
Ledy Herbert of Lea, we learn by telegraph, is
detained at Constantinople by the serious illness, from
fever, of her eldest daughter, Lady Mary Herbert. It will
be recollected by many of our readers that her ladyship and
family passed the winter in Egypt, and, following the
example of most of the English tourists in the East, after
leaving Alexandria went on a tour in Turkey. The Earl
of Pembroke and Lady Mauds Herbert had left Constanti•
nople for home before Lady Mary was taken ill, intending
to proceed to England via Trieste and Vienna. The youth-
ful earl and his sister are daily expected to reach London.

Lady Mull has arrived at the Queen's Hotel,
Upper Norwood.
Thu Dowsger Lady Bowyer Scaiith and Mr and
Mrs Bary have left the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street,
oh their return to Thorpe Lice,

When found in a sinking state the Alabama
ceased fighting, and lowered her boats, in which
the dead and wounded were placed. Shortly after-
terwards the Alabama sank, the officers and crew
jumping into the sea, when the Kearsage's boats
came up to assist in saving the crew. The cffieer in
command of the boats inquired for Semmes, and was
told that he was drowned, whereas he had already
been picked up by the yacht Deerhound and stowed
away, the yacht having then steamed off with all
speed, expecting the Kearsage would attempt to
capture those on board.

Before the Alabama left Cherbourg to engage the
Kears,ge Capt. Semmes sent on shore an iron chest
containing specie, 60 chronometers, and other
valuables.

The engagement is described by the owner of the
yacht Deerhound as a most brilliant affair, the
fighting being severe and at short distance. The
Alabama's guns were served most rapidly, but
doing less execution. The Kearsage, however, is
said to have sustained much damage, her sides being
torn open, showing the chain plating.

The officers of the Alabama estimate their loss in
killed and wounded at from 30 to 40 men.

Captain Semmes is very unwell, through being
in the water a considerable time, and in consequence
of the wound in his hand.

FRANCE.

MARSEILLES, JUNE 20.

Advices from Tangiers state that the Governor
of retuan has been dismissed and thrown into

prison.

MARSEILLES JUNE 20.

The Messageries Imperiales steamer Said, Capt.
Burnet, left here yesterday with the India end
China mails. She took 40 passengers, 391 packages
of merchandise, £lBB,OlB in specie for India and
China, and 60 passengers, 1,774 packages and
specie, value £5,210, for Alexandria.
Advices from Alexandria state that the Emir
Addel-liader, after having terminated his pilgrim-
age to Mecca, was brought from Suez to Cairo on
the 6th by a special railway train. M. de Sainte
Foix, the French consul, went to receive him at the
station, and conducted him to the palace of Missafir.
Ranch, placed at his disposal by the Viceroy. The
Emir's intention was to have proceeded immediately
to Syria, but es the packet for Beyrout would not
leave for a fortnight, he intended to devote the in-
terval to visiting the works of the Suez Canal.
BOURSE, June 18.—The market continues in the
same unsettled state, with little business doing.
Threes, for the Account, after having been done a;
66f, 5c., are now at 66fr. 121 c.. with rather sellers
then buyers. Mobilier are a trifle lower, having
been last done at 1,077 f. 50e. Railway Market
weak, and some of the lines have slightly receded.
The market closed as follows :

41 per Cents .. 93 50
Do. end
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 10
Credit M °hiller 1076 25
Do. end month 1075
Bank Shares 3395
Credit F oncier 1240

Italian Loan..- 69 90
Do. end month 69 90
Ditto Threes 43
New Mexican
Russian
Austrian
Spanish Threes 5ll
Home Debt

Roman

Deferred

ZU IL WA Y 8 .

Orleans Se • • •• • •
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
New ditto
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa..
Ditto to Barcelona

Cash. Account.
871 25 .. 870
987 50 .. 992 50
877 50 .. 877 50

650 - .. 651 25
502 50
465 - .. 465 -
366 25 .. 367 50
406 25 .. 410 -
625 - 527 50
441 25 443 75
568 75 570
255 - 257 50

HIS HOLINESS THE POPE, at the instigation of
the ...krchreological Institution of Rome, is about to restore
Cola di Rienzi's house near the Temple of Vesta.
" BROTHER BERNARD" of the English Order of
St. Benedict, has joined the Roman Catholio Church at
" St. Joseph's Retreat," Highgate.
MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S "Great Expectations"
has been translated into French by Ch. B. Derosne.
BLAKE'S CONVERSATION WITH THE GHOST OF
VOLTAIRE,—When the shrewd English barrister asked
whether Voltaire spoke in English, Blake replied, " The
impression on my mind was English of course, but I have
no doubt that he touched the keys French."
A FRENCH SENSATION NOVEL has just appeared
called " Les Drames de hiontfaucon," in which the prat •
tices of the barber of the middle ages, who supplied h's
neighbour the pastry cook with human flesh for pies, are
set forth in true modern sensational language.
" ANYTHING NEW IN THE PAPERS P'—" Some-
thing A-maizing.—The celebrated paper manufactory of
Schlagelmuhl, at Vienna, has succeeded, after many at-
tempts, in producing excellent paper from maize leaves.
EARL RUSSELL'S FIRST WIFE, the Countess of
Ribblesdale, was a widow, and a lady of ample proportions,
hence his lordship was called by the wits the widow's mite.
"Oh I" exclaimed a lady to whom this witticism was re-
lated at a dinner party, " I now see how it came to pass
that his lordship was cast into the Treasury l"—Bristol
Mercury.

QUEEN'S PLATES.—Mr. Percy Wyndham has
given notice that on Tuesday, the 28th June, he will move
in the Commons, " That as the annual grant of sums of
money voted by this house for Queen's Plates no longer
encourages the breed of good horses, .the object for which
it was originally given, it should for the future be discon-
tinued."

The Royal servants (with the exception of those
in immediate attendance upon her Majesty) have resumed
their scarlet liveries, with crape on the left arm. Her Ma-
jesty has not yet allowed any music at the Castle. The
private band does not play, and the military relieve guard
without the band or drums and fifes playing,—Caurt
Journal.

MARSHAL PELISSIER is to have a statue in the
middle of the Boulevare de Sebastopol."
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF THE ►SOLDIERS
AND MARINES.—From a return which has been
made to Parliament of the numbers and religious denomina-
tions of all the soldiers in her Majesty's land marine forces,
whether stationed at home or abroad, it appears that on the
Ist of April last a total of 194,266 men were classed as
follows :—Episcopalians, 109,760 ; Presbyterians, 20,798 ;
other Protestants, 5,290; Roman Catholics, 58,508. In the
cavalry there were 15,015 Protestants of all denominations
and 2,707 Roman Catholics; while in the infantry of the
ling the proportion differs considerably, the number of Pro-
testants Laing 82,518, and of Roman Catholics 48,348.
The Royal Marines numbered on the same date 15,193
Protestants of all denominations, and 1,448 Roman
Catholics.

THE LIVERPOOL RA3ts.—A correspondent, in a
letter to us, writes as follows :—Had the British
Ministry allowed the two Liverpool rams, the Pampero,
and the iron cased fripto now belonging to the Danish
Government, and lying in Glasgow harbour, to go to the
assistance of the Confederates, the strong probability is that
ere now the latter would have achieved their independence,
and the lives of between 100,000 and 200,000 men saved.
Truly the Whig Ministry have much to answer for,