The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-08 00:00:00

BED .ROOM CANDLES.

"RICE'S CANDLES, which will not drop
grease when carried."—Thin, very hard candles,
sold in boxes ls. and 3s. each, are recommended as the best
carriers.

" EXTRA. HARD 5.12 CHAMBER CANDLES,"
sold in boxes 2s. each. Thicker candles intended for those
who will not burn thin.

" SHERWOOD ECONOMIC BED LIGHTS,"
in packets of 38 candles for one shilling, intended for use
where cheapness is a great object, will be found an improve-
ment on the ordinary candles, as they gutter less.
Si.ecial candle ticks to fit thin candles, Is. and 2s. Bd. each ;
reducing sockets, making them fit any candlesticks, 2d. each.

TOIL HT SOAPS.
Sherwood Brown Windsor Soap, with a pleasant scent.
Belmont Glycerine Soap, contains Price's Glycerine.
Camphor and Glycerine Soap, for tender skins in- winter.

GLYCERINE. SH ERWOODO LE
"iPrice's Glycerine" may be Cleans gloves and removes
had from any Chemist, in grease and other stuns.
cansuled bottles, lettered sPerfumed, in capsuled bot-
" Price's Patent," from 6d. ties, 6d. and ls. each.
upwards. Impure Glycerine
has been sold on the state-
ment that it is "equal to
Prices."

Retail throuil
Wholesale by Price s Patent
Lon

;h any Grocer.
t Candle Company (Limited),
[don.

The Explosion at Aberaman,

Tho inquest on the body of David Thomas and other
persons, killed by the explosion at the Aberaman Works,
terminated on Friday. The most important evidence was
that given by Mr. William Williams, engineer, Merthyr
fydvil, and Mr. It. B. Longridge, chief engineer of the
Steam Boiler Insurance Company, Manchester. Mr.
Williams did not believe the explosion was attributable to a
deficiency of water. He thought it was due to the failure
of the transverse seams of the shell over the fireplace to re-
sist the pressure. The shells were unusually large for high
pressure tubular boilers. He thought it would be desirable
to decrease their size, and to fit every boiler with two safety
valves, as well as independent pressure gauges. The cor-
rosive defects could have been found out if the boilers
had been properly cleaned and examined, Mr. H. B. Long-
rige, chief engineer of the Steam Boiler Insurance Com-
pany, who had been asked to report on results of the ex-
plosion by the Coroner, said that on examining the boiler
No. 2 he found that close to the overlap of some of the cir-
cular seems several of the plates were corroded nearly
through; and this was the case at that part of No. 2, about
Bft. from the firing end, where the first rupture appeared to
have commenced. If a rupture had occurred in consequence
of a reduction of the thickness of the plates, the ordinary
working pressure of 401 b. was quite sufficient to account for
the further results observed. The bursting pressure of a
boiler,.9ft in diameter, made of inch plates,would be about
3001 b. per square inch; but, if reduced to 1-16th of an inch
in thickness, it would be about 401 b. Some parts of this boiler
were less than 16th of an inch, but others retained their
original thickness. His only surprise was that they should
have worked so long at 401 b. pressure, lie should not have
considered them safe at 201 b., and when in good condi •
tion 451 b. was as high a pressure as ho should have con-
sidered it safe to work such boilers at. He was quite satis-
fied that there had been no deficiency of water. The cor-
rosion that had taken place in the boilers was attributable
to the presence of acid in the water, and water drawn from
coal mines frequently produced these effects. The injurious
effects produced by such water might be prevented by the
daily washing of them with common soda. He had no
hesitation in saying that the explosion was solely attribu-
table to the corrosion of the plates inside. Mr. Hollier, who
appeared on behalf of Mr. Crawshay Bailey, M.P., stated
that the latter had made the amplest proNision for the
unfortunate sufferers, asd that he would readily adopt any
suggestion which the jury might make to improve the
safety of the boilers and machinery. The jury returned the
following verdict—" That the deceased David Thomas and
others met their deaths from an explosion of two boilers on
the 17th of February, and that such explosion was the
result of accident arising from the bad state of the boilers,
but they have no evidence to show that those in charge are
responsible for such accident. They recommend the sug-
gestions of Messrs. Williams and Longridge for the con-
sideration of Mr. Bailey, and also suggest the adoption of
printed rules, that all may know their duty."

POST.—Great astonishment has been expressed in
some quarters at the new organisation of slavery
inauguratsd by the Federals, on the ground that it
is such an outrageous proceeding. But a moment's
reflection will satisfy any one who has watched the
progress of affairs since the war of secession broke
out that this is a reason for not being astonished at
all. The organisation of slavery by those who pre-
tended to make war for abolition is quite in charac-
ter with their other acts, if not with their professions.
They have told us openly that the emancipation
proclamation was a war measure vihich was only to
apply to "rebels," and not to " loyal" slaveowners.
Besides, it is perfectly well known that the North
went to war that it might not lose the profits it has
hitherto contrived to extract from the South, whose
prosperity and wealth are the product of slave
labour. Free whites will not go there to work, and
could not work there if they went; at least, not
profitably, as the blacks can, and will do when
they are made, but certainly would not do if
freed and left to themselves. It was therefore
evident, to all who really understood the facts of
the case, that as soon as the Federals had any large
number of negroes to deal with, they would, after
a few unsatisfactory experiments, restore the old
institution under a new name. We must admit,
however, we ere not surprised that the new dis-
pensation promulgated bt General Banks should
have excited the astonishment it has done, par-
ticularly when we reflect that it includes the
slavery of whites as well as blacks. But then,
again, does not the American gospel teach us that
el men are born equal, and that the blacks are as
good as the whites ? As, therefore, they find it
inconvenient to raise the black labourer, they set
about sinking the white one to his level. Besides,
the way in which the complexions of men grow
darker or lighter, from the blackest to the ?direst
hue, presents an infinite series of imperceptible gra-
dations. Where is the line to be drawn ? Rough-
and-ready Federal generals and statesmen do not
stand nice upon trifles like this. The new slavery
—not emancipation—proclamation, recently issued
by General Banks, and applicable to the whole
State of Louisiana, shows no respect for persons,
makes no distinction of caste, or class. All are
fish that come to his net, and slavery, iL fact, if not
in name, is their portion. The proclamation re-
cites a good many moral commonplaces, and such
good old truisms as are much in request for chil-
dren's copy-slips. " Labour is a public duty."
" Idleness and vagrancy are a crime." " Toil is
the condition of existence with all the children of
God." Fortified with all these excellent platitudes,
General Banks, as the organ of the Federal Govern-
ment, proceeds to decree that " labourers shall ren-
der to their employer, between daylight and dark,
ten hours in summer and nine hours in winter of re-
spectful, honest, faithful labour," for which they are
to receive payment according to a fixed scale speci-
fied in the proclamation, "in addition to just
treatment, healthy rations, comfortable clothing,
quarters, fuel, medical attendance, and instruction
for children." But " wages will be deducted in case
of sickness, and rations also when sickness is

feigned. Indolence, insolence, disobedience to orders,
and crime will be suppressed by forfeiture of pay
and such punishments as are provided for similar
offences by army regulations. Sunday work will
be avoided when practicable, but, when necessary,
will be considered as extra labour, and paid at the
rates specified." After this sweeping ordinance we
are told that " labourers will be permitted to choose
their employers, but when the agreement is made
they will be held to their engagement for the year,
under the protection of the Government. In cases
of attempted imposition, by feigning sickness or
stubborn refusal of duty, they will be turned over
to the provost marshal of the parish, for labour
upon the public works without pay." The la-
bourer having exercised the highest right in the
choice and place of employment, must be held to
the fulfilment of his engagements until released
therefrom by the Government." The enlist-
ment of any more black soldiers is put a stop
to. A military police is to bo organised out of
"invalid soldiers." Soldiers of any colour are not
to be albwed henceforth to visit plantations, appa-
rently that the mind of the " labourers" should ❑ot
be unsettled thereby, and the new organisation of
slavery interfered with. The " plantation hands"
—no restriction as to colour—" will not be allowed

to pass from one place to another." Masters are
to make muster rolls of " the labourers" in their
service. The possession of concealed arms is a
punishable offence. "Flogging and other cruel
punishments are interdicted," although, as we have
seen, " labourers" are to be punished for "indo-
lence, insolence, and disobedience" in like manner
as soldiers. " Labourers" are to be permitted to
cultivate land in portions varying from a quarter
to a whole acre in size. Banks are to be opened for
the savings of labourers, so that the Government
will their banker, and hold their funds in its cus-
tody. The transportation of Degrees to other coun-
tries will not be approved, so that it seems the
North have found out the necessity of keeping and
utilizing them at home. " The planter and the
negro," we are didactically told, "comprehend
the revolution," but the overseer doesn't. In seems
he " dislikes the trouble of thinking, and discredits
the notion that anything new has occurred. He is
a relic of the past, and adheres to its customs."
Therefore, where his " incomprehension (of the
new order of things) is chronic, reduced wages,
diminished rations, and the mild punishments
imposed by the army and navy will do good."
There is a strong twang of General Butler in all
this, and one is almost inclined to suspect he is the
inventorof the new organisation of slavery, and the
framer of the proclamation in which it is announced.
Towards the end of this curious document, the
paragraphs, which are all numbered throughout
like the clauses of an act of Parliament, are of great
length, and commence in an incoherent oracular sort
of way, diverging into a garrulous strain of weak
moralising over things in general. Section 22
begins with enlarging upon the blessings of " suc-
cessful industry," and winds up, after running on
to a great length, with a eulogy upon the new
organisation of slavery and the immense benefits
conferred upon the South. No. 23 is still more dis-
cursive and rhapsodical, beginning with the modest
statement, that" a more majestic and wise clemency
human history does not exhibit ;" and ending with
the grandiloquent assertion that " the yellow har-
vest must wave over the crimson field of blood, and
the representatives of the people displace the agents
of purely military power." But this seductive dal-
liance only lulls to deceive, for the 24th clause
must wake up the citizens of Louisiana with a
start. With prodigions verbosity it gives
them to understand that they must either enter
the Northern armies and fight for the Northern
cause, or else vote for candidates representing
the Northern policy and principles; if they
don't do that they must make up their
mind to be outlaws. The "restoration of civil
government," which means the restoration
of the Union, is a " solemn duty upon all persons,"
who are invited to participate in the measures
" suggested" for its re-establishment. " Open hos-
tility cannot be permitted. Indifference will be
treated as a crime, and faction as treason. Men who
refuse to serve their country with the ballot-box or
the cartridge-box have no just claims to the benefits
of liberty regulated by law." Therefore, "all people
are called upon to take the oath of allegiance," which
is " the test of unconditional fealty to the Govern-
ment and all its measures." The last clause is
short, and to the purpose. It says, with equal
brevity and force, that the so-called " amnesty for
the past is conditioned upon unreserved loyalty for
the future, and this condition will be enforced with
an iron hand." We recognise Butler's hand here.
" Whoever is indifferent or hostile must choose be-
tween the liberty which foreign hands afford the
poverty of the rebel States and the innumerable and
inappreciable blessings which our Government
confers upon its people." These concluding words
contain a delicacy and refinement of sarcasm which
is beyond Butler. To introduce such words not only
into a document generally referring to the present
state of America, but a document promulgating a
duplicate system of slavery, embracing- labourers of
all colours and citizens of every rank, implies a
profundity of satirical pathos beneath, w;, hosaerdecuptnl.l
we can hardly conceive a lower still. 'I 'he blessings
of such a system, if not " innumerable,
questionably " inappreciable.
TlstEs.—ln one of the most
,masterly statements
which he has ever made, the Cne.ncellor of the Ex-
chequer explained,, last evening the principles and
details of the Government Annuities Bill. It is,
indeed, a measure of striking novelty,
consequencesao stohlai likely
ewl
to be fraught with important
e
can well understand how cautious politicians ask
time for inquiry and consideration. 'T bat the Go-
vernment should enter as a competitor into. one of
roifv
a the
to nationno
ma i n
p
the most intricate paths of thatindustry
offer the security
trenching eosn, thatt competitionwith
scarcely refrain from
the security
of p
the lt
domainshould of
thegreft Assoziations of Loudon and Edinburgh,
while, it threatens to overwhelm the legion of
madly Societies and minor Assurance Offices of all

Wiseta
, . •, , .- . ,gas ; eee, se k:
kids with its gigantic competition, is a wortsl
.-?7l,,s.'''s- t,
that naturally startles the timid, while it excites ax :':-t... Ye
the animosity of Directors and Secretaries. But, ect eLs• ~
4,,
considering the arguments of Mr. cikadstgße, wei—lc.''•
e
cannot help corning to the conclusion' that su4 a. a S
scheme as he recommends is not only not unjust
to those Societies which deserve consideration, but
will prove a great boon to that large class
which has so little knowledge, so few good
advisers, and so many who are ready to take
advantage of its trustfulness and ignorance.
The object of the Government Bill is to ex-
tend to the humble purchaser of an annuity or
insurer of his life that security sv;iich the more
wealthy classes possess. We all knew what the
father of a family who wishes to insure his life for
so many hundred or thousand pounds ca.' do. He
can inquire among his friends as to a sustential
and trustworthy office, and can make his pr.T.osal
tc some association which reckons its accumulations
by hundreds of thousands, and which gives taint a
guarantee as perfect es can be afforded by any coin.
mercial institution. Unless he be guilty of strango
inritrudence, he need have little. fear that the money
which he lays by out of his yearly income for tl.e
payment of premiums will be thrown away, or that
in a few years he will be agonised by learning that
the fund to which be looked for the support of his
wife or his daui;liters when he was in the grave has
been squandered in speculation or dishonestly up-
pristed. Life Assurance, as carried on for the benefit
of the middle class and those above them, is on u
basis sufficiently sound. But how different is the
case with the poor! Who that knows anything
of the small Insurance Companies, the legion of
Friendly Societies and Benefit Clubs, can fail to
pity the class which is reduced to trust in Asso-
ciations so thoroughly unsound ? Our readers will
not have forgotten the discussions of a few months
since, when the carelessness, the ignorance, and the
profligacy with which many of these Societies ar©
conducted were made the subject of public com-
ment in consequence of the report of the Registrar.
The true position of the honest working class with
respect to such Associations is most pitiable. We
have in this country at least a million families
which are earning in good times more than enough
to keep them, but which can never hope to accumu-
late enough to be independent of the changes of
trade or the stroke of sickness or accident, and, if
the father wishes to provide fer wife and enildren
byLife Assurance, cannot afford to make the invest-
ment on such a scale as to obtain the security of a
respectable Office. All these are the victims of the
small Associations which are spread over the coun-
try; and how lamentable are the consequences may
be learnt from the reports from which Mr. Glad-
stone confesses that he received the impulse to pre-
sent his new plan to the Legislature. Far be it
from us to say that in all, or, indeed, in many, of
these cases there is deliberate fraud. Many of them
are constituted in such a manner that their mem-
bers walk happily and unsuspiciously down the path
of ruin. The principles on which all Associations of
this kind depend for success are a union of high
scientific accuracy with considerable knowledge of
business and of the best modes of dealing with
large sums of money. The computations of the
Actuary are among the most delicate and ingenious
to which the mind can be applied, and require also
an accurate record of facts respecting which the
class of persons who organise and carry on the prue
dential associations of the working classes have
little knowledge. What wonder, then, that we hear
of interest being paid which proper calculations
easily show to be ruinous ; that the expenses of
officers and agents are oat of all proportion to the
income ; thnt societies are supposed to have a cer-
tain available capital when in truth they are about
that very sum worse than nothing ? What wonder
that failure of apparently the most stupid and dis-
graceful kind should be of constant occurrence, in-
volving disappointment, and perhaps ruin, to hun-
dreds of the honest poor? Mr. Gladstone, having
considered these evils, now comes forward to propose
a partial remedy. That the working classes wish to
save is proved by the existence of the immense num-
ber of associations which weekly or monthly receive
their money to an aggregate amount of millions
in the year. That this same class is fully aware
that the Government is the best debtor it can have,
even though its promises be far less magnificent
than those of some neighbouring signboard, has
been proved by the success of the Post-office Savings-
banks. Encouraged by the great and speedy popu-
larity of those institutions, Mr. Gladstone wishes
now to give the poor the security of the country after
a manner which has never been thought of before,
but which appears to have on its side every theo-
retical reason for success. The Government will
grant Deferred Annuities insuring to the labouring
man a support in old age in consideration of an
annual payment during the strength of life, and it
will also endeavour to develope the highest and
most unselfish form of prudence by granting
assurances on lives to the value of £lOO. The
moral benefit which. the power of securing such
a sum to his family must bring to the working
man need not be dwelt upon. There is hardly
any influence more likely to raise a man above
the temptations of sensuality and display than
the consciousness that he has at his disposal a con-
siderable sum, which he can leave to whom he
pleases, the continued possession of it being secured
by his denying himself certain indulgences, As a
sequel to the Savings-bank system the philan-
thropist can desire nothing better than the esta-
blishment of Life Assurance among the poor, the
only real question being whether the Government
should conduct such an enterprise. On this subject
Mr. Gladstone spoke at some length ; but we do not
think that a defence of the abstract right of the
Government to engage in such undertakings was
needed. The nation may surely do in its corporate
capacity anything which it is convinced can be bet-
ter done by itself than if left to individuals. If it
coins all oar gold and silver and carries all our
letters, it surely has the right to assist the poor to
obtain a better security for their savings. The im-
portant question is whether it is expedient to do
this, and to interfere with the numerous Asso-
ciations which will muster in opposition under
the banner of private enterprise. With regard to
this, we think that Mr. Gladstone's explanations
are sufficient to recommend the scheme to the coun-
try. The cry of " Government interference" is one
which a consideration of precedents ought effectually
to silence. Government has " interfered with
industrial enterprise" for many a year, since it has
granted annuities, and has also, as Mr. Gladstone
triumphantly shows, subsidised Friendly Societies
very substantially. There is nothing unjust in the
scheme ; for the solid Associations of a higher class
will not be touched by it, while the lower are in such
a state that the competition of Government accuracy
and honesty will do good both to them and the
public. Will, then, the scheme be successful as a
financial measure ? Mr. Gladstone does not doubt
that a satisfactory answer can be given to the ques-
tion, and it is obvious that the Government has
many advantages from its universality, its unlimited
credit, and the general trustworthiness of its agents.
One point of the scheme is especially interesting.
It will naturally occur to any one who thinks on
the question that the discrimination between good
and bad lives must be of very great importance
among the artisans, some of whom are engaged in
most unhealthy occupations. Mr. Gladstone assures
us that " tho value of life in the case of a labouring
man is a matter of comparatively simple calcula-
tion," and cites the medical officer of an industrial
assurance company, who says, " In the case of indus-
trial assurances we scarcely look at our patients,"
for " the employment and the general character as
palpably known to all the world are in the long
run a sufficient and satisfactory test of the value of
the lives." If this means that the men, being all
supposed sober, the trade determines the longevity,
it will be interesting to learn whether this prin-
ciple will be applied by the Government in the
great scheme which it proposes.

THE DANISH CRUISERS OFF DUNBAR.—The
a sharp 100k-out for prizes. We have heard
of n okeeping
Danish cruisers are still in the offing, and are evi-
dently
mere captures ; but on Friday morning a very excit-
ing chase showed how closely they are keeping watch and
ward over the mouth of the Forth. Abcut daybreak a
large foreign vessel was observed to the eastward of the
town, hugging the land much more closely than is gene-
rally done by vessels of its size. As it seemed to be endea-
vcuring to keep within the limits allowed on neutral ground,
suspicions were aroused, and its progress was watched by a
number of the townsfolk, who with glass in hand assembled
in the Castle Park for that purpose. After it had rounded
the point and got safely into the Forth, between the Bass
and the May, it was thought that it bad escaped the notice
of the cruisers. In a short time, however, a long, low,
rakish-looking craft shot out from behind the May Island,
and stood right over on the track of the vessel. A most ex-
citing clause then commenced. The cruiser instantly clapped
on all sail, and the black smoke belching out ever and anon
trout the funnel showed that they were no less intent on
getting up all the steam they could command. Tho large
vessel soon saw its danger, and immediately every inch of
canvas was spread to the breeze. On they both went at a
tremendous rate, but it wassoon evident that the coveted
had
sprung would escape. Very luckily for it a strong breeze
sprung up, and both wind and tido were in its favour,t v hen
be-
sides having the advantage of a considerable start.
last seen the two were somewhere above the Bass, and a
parting shot was observed to be sent alter the fugitive as it
stood away to the northward under a heavy press of sail,
with a " wet sheet and a flowing sea."—Scotaniati.

Persons in debt may obtain instant protection against
imprisonment or seizure of their goods, and an entire release
from all debts and liai,ilities without publicity, by application
to Messrs. Marshall, solicitors of the Court of Bankruptcy.
Charges under .C 5 payable by easy instalments. Offices—
(established 1830), 12, Hatton-garden. City branch-6, Moor-
gate•street, Bank.—ADvT.