The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-14 00:00:00

constantly going on great numbers are said to have
fallen by our guns, As it is not a war of extermi-
nation that we are raging, this is not a subject for
much congratulation, since the loss of a few men,
more or less, will probably not have much effect in
bringing the Maories to terms. The great thing
is to convince them of the hopelessness of the con-
test and the utter impossibility of their driving the
English from the colony, or of inducing them to
abandon their supremacy. Whether they really
believe in the possibility of effecting either of these
objects is difficult to say, but supported as they are
by ill-advised leaders of superior intelligence
and by the presumption which usually accompanies
ignorance,they seem at present to be bent on main-
taining a war which is materially damaging the
prospects of the colony and harassing the colonists.
Fortunately the direction of military affairs appears
to be in the hands of a very competent general, who
has succeeded in obtaining the confidence of all
parties. We have, therefore, no reason to doubt
that he is following the wisest course, and if he can
succeed in carrying the position before the Maories
decamp, he will have gained an important point.
At any rate, since there is little cause for fear that
the entrenchment will not be carried, the Maories
will have learned that they are nowhere secure
from British vengeance by being dislodged from
one encampment after another, despite their un-
doubted skill in fortifying such positions. The
news brought by the same mail from China tells
us that Major GORDOg has resumed active service
—a piece of intelligence which is anything but
satisfactory. It will he remembered that after the
scandalous breach of faith committed by the Futai
at Soochow, in the murder of the Wangs, to whom
Major GORDON had given solemn pledges of
safety, that officer withdrew from active service
and threatened to give up his command alto-
gether. It was felt by all the European resi-
dents in China that such conduct on the part of
the Imperial authorities could not be overlooked,
since truth and honour might henceforth go for
nothing, and the word of an Englishman be held of
as little account as the promise of a Chinese. It was
on the faith of an Englishman's word that these
unhappy Taepings surrendered; they knew better
than to trust Chinese professions. A public apology
and a censure upon the Futai was the very least
that should have been exacted from the Imperial
Government. Major GORDON held the power in
his hands to extort some reparation, since it is well
enough known that the recent successes of the
Imperial arms are entirely due to their foreign con-
tingent, This golden opportunity has been lost
from Major GORDON'S reluctance to see his force
demoralised or dispersed, but no such consideration
should have been suffered to prevail. A question
of vast importance was at stake, and a lesson might
have been taught the Chinese of the intrinsic value
of truth and honour that would have done good
service for the future. As it is, they will have little
regard for verbal threats or moral indignation for
the future, and Major GORDON has made himself
liable to be mixed up in dishonest and barbarous
transactions, in which his remonstrances will be
totally unavailing, since he has proved that the
most flagrant dereliction of right and justice on
their aide will not deprive them of the benefit of
his services.

Union of Masterman's Bank with the Agra

and United Service,

The important announcement was made yesterday
afternoon, after the conclusion of regular business
hours, of the amalgamation of the private banking
firm of Messrs. Masterman, Peters, Mildred, and
Co., with the Agra and United Service Bank, under
the title of the "Agra and Masterman's Bank
(Limited)." Thus, while the two establishments
have been fused, complete identity is preserved
and this is distinctly shown by the circulars issued,
copies of which are subjoined. Additional evidence
is consequently presented of the growing tendency
of the age, and it seems certain that in the course of
a few years only four or five, if so many, of the large
private banks will remain, The Agra and United
Service Bank has been very successful in its pro
gress the last six years, having before that occupied
a prominent position, and Messrs. Masterman and
Co. have had the credit of doing a very safe and
sound business for a lengthened period. Mr. Edward
Masterman, Mr. William Peters, and Mr. Frederic
Mildred, will at once be actively associated in the
management as directors of the united bank, and
Mr. Birkbeck will zealously co-operate in promoting
the prosperity and influence of the bank. It is
assumed that it will be necessary, in order to com-
plete the prospective arrangements, to issue addi-
tional shares; business will meanwhile be developed
both in Nicholas-lane and in Cannon-street es here-
tofore. The Agra and United Service Bank was
first established in Agra on the Ist of July, 1833 ;
and in London on the Ist of June, 1857. The
number of partners is 663, and the paid-up capital
£1,000,000. Th 9 first circular is that issued by the
directors of the Agra and United Service Bank
(Limited); the second is that sent out by Messrs.
Masterman, Peters, Mildred, and Co.
"The Agra and United Service Bank (Limited,)
Incorporated by Royal Charter, 27, Cannon-
street, London, E.C., April 13, 1864,
"Dear Sir,—On the part of myself and the board of direc-
tors I have great pleasure in announcing that this bank has
affected a junction of its business with that of the old and
respectable firm of Masterman, Peters, Mildred, and Co.,
whose senior partners join the board of the amalgamated
bank, which will be conducted under the title of The
Agra and Masterman's Bank (Limited). We feel sure that
this amalgamation will be acceptable to the proprietary as
immediately advantageous to their interests. Until further
arrangements shall be made for carry leg out all the details
rendered necessary by the analgarnatioa of tho two banks
the business of this bank will be conducted in Cannon-
street, and that of Messrs. Masterman, Peters, Mildred,
and Co, in Nicholas-lane, as heretofore.—I am, dear Sir,
yours faithfully,
"G. a M.A.crunRSON, Chairman,"
"Nicholas-lane, Lombard-street, London,
April 13, 1864.
"Dear Sir,—We take the earliest opportunity of ac-
quainting you that we have concluded an arrangement with
the Agra and United Service Bank, by which the business
of that establishment and that of our own bank will
rom
henceforth be united, and carried on under the title of the
' Agra and Masterman's Bank (Limited).' Mr. Edward
Masterman, Mr. William Peters, and Mr.
tFheredperroiscpeMriitly-
zealously
esr
eedldei,rueweclitylol
directors
set once-Gof
pet
hr
aebteeuawnciitttihevdeul actively associated
aianns skop,
and
promoting
Mr. Birkbeck will
elated
ng in the management
and influence of the bank. Until further arrangements
shall be made for carrying out all the details rendered ne-
cessary by the amalgamation of the two banks, our business
will be conducted in Nicholas-lane, and that of the Agra
Bank in Cannon-street, as heretofore. It may be satisfac-
tory to you to know that we have made provision for re-
taining the services of our efflcieonnttinstuaeff,
rowefeecelrievereedrkins,Toyrouthusart.
et
the business and convenience of
the same attention as theylehnagvec
hitherto
isnugbstihsated
tthbeetcwoenefinduensco
may and good f
most faithfully,
" MASTERMAN, PETERS, MILDRED, and Co."

The Memorial de Lille gives an account of the
capture of a smuggler three evenings since at Per-
merlin (Nord). Two men well mounted and carrying
pdckages before and behind them galloped past a spot where
some customs officers were on the watch. The latter im-
mediately started in pursuit, and, thinking that the men
.
would escape, fired at them. At the same moment two other
officers who were lying in wait at a public house by the
roadside, rushed out to stop the fugitives, and seized the
bridle of one of the horses just as the animal was disabled
by a shot. The man captured carried a valuable lot of
goods ; the other got clear off.
It was recently announced that the Prussian Go-
vernment had addressed to the Government of Saxe
Gotha a demand for the extradition of M, Walez trode, ex-
director of the Progres, accused of an offence against the
laws of the press in Prussia. The Ducal Government re-
fused to accede to this demand. The IVeimar Gazette now
announces that the communal council of Gotha resolved
at a late sitting, to confer the right of citizenship cn
Wslesrode, and, out of consideration for his efforts in favcur
of popular interests, that ho should be exempted from the
payment of the usual fees.