The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-31 00:00:00

_IE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY

honour upon the Administration. They
illustrate again tb y of some radical system
of re-organizatio
_ndian Government. They
show beyond the contradiction that the line
of demarcation , be properly marked down
between the va. iments of the public service
—but, most between the civil and
the military. If, almost tempts us to quote
the Latin grammar in our disgust—the Ne sutor, et
cetera, familiar to every school-boy, but surely for-
gotten, if, lacieed, it was ever learnt, by the politicals
acting under the authority ofi the Board of Adminis-
tration. Happily, the terms of the East India
Charter must, within a few months, be brought di-
rectly under the scrutiny of the Imperiel Adminis-
tration. It will then be decided by our Legis-
lators—after a careful examination of the
evidence submitted to them through the
medium of an authoritative Commission—whether
some means cannot be devised whereby the adminis-
trative machinery of Hindostan could be re-arranged
upon some more judicious principle, so as to secure
the commanding officers of the Anglo-Indian army
from the unfortunate, and too often disastrous, inter-
ference of civilians in no way qualified to direct the
movements of a campaign.
If CLIVE had been perpetually interfered with by
the politicals,
ls
wouldo many
(after he hadobtaviincetodritehse, w
come mandof
the wonder,
have followed the " foughten field" of Plessey ? If
HASTINGS had authorizedihlisitarpyoliotffiicoaelreappointedsubordinatesto
to
interpose between the military
conduct the troops of the Company, would our arms
have proved so triumphant during the course of his
ever-memorable and (we can add now without fear of
exciting the heartburning of party virulence) his
glorious administration ? Wonderfully different were
the views entertained upon this subject, as to the pro-
priety of allowing politicians to interfere with the
military arrangements of commanders-in-chief—as
evidenced in the instance of Sir HENRY (nowViscount) HARDINGE when in supreme authority in
the Governor-General's palace at Calcutta. So
sensibplerooweaesdtinhags that eminentofthis man of the folly of tolera-
tingcherecter that—although
himself one of the most illustrious among the lieute-
nants of WELLINGTON, although covered with re-
nown by his many achievements as a general officer,
and invested with supreme power by his position at the
head of the Administrative Council of Calcutta—he
waived his many claims for precedence, and volun-
tarily placed himself under the command of Sir
HARRY (now the Lord Viscount) GOUGH, the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the British forces in Hindus-
tan. In this manner were fought the great battles
of Sobraon and Goojerat, as well as the fierce
and sanguinary struggles at Itamnugger and
Chillianwallah. The soldier was then not
invariably at the beck of the civilian.
Had it been thus always with Sir CHARLES
NAPIER during the course of his renowned advance
into Scinde, had the energies of that redoubtable
conqueror been perpetually hampered by the inter-
posing quibbles and objections of the politicals, we
question if his judgment would have been left suffi-
ciently serene to guide his dauntless courage and his
incomparable tactics to the achievement of his two
most splendid victories at Meanee and Hyderabad.
Yet, throughout the history of our great and rapid
conquests in the northern and the southern, in the east-
ern and the western provinces of Hindostan—the his-
torian of British rule in the East has had to lament
the incidental interposition here and there of the
civilians arrogating to themselves an authority,
superior to that of the commanders-in-chief. In-
stances of this kind, almost countless, might be culled
from the annals of our rule in India, from the paps
of Chum and MILL, as well as from all the
miscellaneous writing referring to our Oriental
Government. Parliament will do well to
make a "note of this" as carefully as Captain
CUTTLE, during the course of the inquiry that must
take place in reference to the removal of the powers
accorded to the Board of Administration at Calcutta,
and to the Court of Directors in Leadenhall-street,
by the supreme will of her Britannic MAJESTY'S
Government.

interested..cnn sd e rt
d nd
docu-
ment. earnestly invite the attention of our reade rs, more
elisepreiecsia, lliya
aonf those
ruinctaivney andedgrweeell
prejudice. Their desire was to remove this: crying
subject calmly and dispassionately, without favour or
evil, and, in order to do so with the least possible
delay, they largely availed
themselves of tho labours
of their predecessors in similar inquirios—more
especially of the South Shields Committee, of whom
they speak in terms of well•merited approbation.
They speak of the safety lamp of Sir II UMPHREY
Davy, which was introduced in the year 1.815, and
dedicated to the public by the great chemist,
who, with a disinterestedness beyond all
praise, gratuitously surrendered what might
be the source of immense and almost boundless
riches. The effect of that discovery was, as de-
scribed by a competent witness, "to operate as a
complete renovator to many collieries, which were
then in a state of exhaustion." But t.ro much confi-
dence was placed in this valuable invention. An act
of common carelessness by a single 'individual of the
hundreds engaged, might cause the destruction of all
the others ; and even without the fault of any person,
circumstances might arise to deprive it of its effici-
ency, as, for instance, if placed in a current of air.
It does not strike at the root of the evil, and perhaps
may have led to greater mischief, by diverting the
attention of coal proprietors and their overlookers
from that " better ventilation" which, according to
the Committee, is " the improvement most generally
needed and most to be aimed at"—the only true and
secure means for prevention of explosions. How then
to produce and certainly keep up this improved ven-
tilation, is the great desideratum, and that is the
problem to the solution whereof attention is chiefly to
be directed.

The Committee, under these conditions of the
question, speedily arrive at the conclusion that " any
system of ventilation depending on complicated ma-
chinery, is unadvisable, since, under any disarrange-
ment, or fracture of its parts, the ventilation is
stopped, or becomes less efficient ;" and as a corollary
thereto, " that the two systems, which alone can be
considered as rival powers, are the furnace and the
steam jet." The first proposition appears almost self-
evident, and if so, it follows as a natural consequence
that the agency of man, the most complicated machine
of any, and on which the least dependence could be
placed—as a drowsy fit, or a glass too much, might
defeat the most prudent regulations and best devised
precautions—should, as far as practicable, be dispensed
with. Of course it must, to a certain extent, be re-
sorted to, but the object is to do so to the
least possible degree. After a careful considera-
tion, then, of the rival systems, they avow
a decided preference for the steam jet, to the powers
of which " there appears to be no practical limit.
This would command a current of air which
would
not only prevent the possibility of explosions, but
would preserve the health of the miners from a con-
dition of atmosphere which has hitherto rendered them
a short-lived race—dying long before the ordinary
limits of human existence. With such advantages,
it is almost unnecessary to allude to others of less
importance ; the Committee, however, express their
decided and unanimous opinion that " the steam jet
is (not only) the most powerful, but also thei least
expensive method for the ventilation of mines.

Why, then, should its introduction not be immedi-
ately enforced in every colliery ? it is of course desira-
ble to avoid any undue interference with private pro-
perty, but the necessity of such interference has re-
peatedly been recognised and is constantly acted on.
Omnibus and cab drivers are placed under control for
the public benefit; we cannot build on our own land in a
metropolitan street without the sanction of the sur-
veyor of highways. Above all, we are not allowed
to carry on a noxious trade that may prove prejudi-
cial to the health or to the comforts of our neighbours.
Why, then, should not the principle be extended,
where not only the health of tens of thousands of our
fellow-subjects, but their very lives are concerned—
where they not only may be subjected to a fearful
and sudden death, but where no less than one thousand
miners actually perish annually ? Away, then, with
the ridiculous squeamishness that has hitherto pre-
vented the necessary legislation. Let the various
recommendations of the Committee be carried into
practical operation, and the working of every mine
be stopped which is not provided with " the steam
jet," the invaluable contribution of Mr. GOLDS-
WORTHY GURNEY, to the security of the miners, and,
as a natural consequence, to the prosperity of the
colliery proprietors.

There is no branch of industry productive of more
important results, and having a more direct operation
on the national prosperity than that engaged in the

management and working of our numerous collieries.
The " black diamond " is indeed the chief source 11

our national wealth and the unparalleled elasticity
of our national resources. Without it we should

hold a very different position in the scale of nations

from that now occupied. The inventions of WATT
and ARKWRIGIIT would be comparatively worthleas.

THE.FRENCH. REPUBLIC.

We could not hope to supply the world with calico or
iron. The power-looms of Manchester would remain We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
idle, and the mineral riches of Cornwall would still The Moniteur, in reply to the assertions of the
remain buried in the bowels of the earth. The coal- Times (whose attacks, it says, do not move the Go-
fields of Durham and Cumberland are really more
vernment) that
• assassinated by drunken soldiers in the streets of
valuable than the gems of Golconda, the silver of Po- Paris, declares that the exact number of persons killed
; in the insurrection was 380' of persons accidentally
tosi, or the auriferous sands of California or Australia
for the value of the former is intrinsic, of the latter wounded only Bor 10.
fictitious. The first stimulates and excites every M. DE Pk:REIGN' arrived at Dieppe on the 28th
from London. He is expected back to Paris in a few
other branch of industry, which is impaired and de- from
Courtier du Gers and the Massager du Midi
clayA.
teriorated by the latter. One man employed in
publish a complete list of the persons in their depart-
others—onethe collieries provides occupation for a dozen
"the diggins "
atis simply meats who have obtained a commutation of punish-
withdrawnagricultural or pastoral pursuits. meat by the late amnesty. The number is 57 for the
cerrasuhtottheorneea.re fourrr h e
from
Gers, and 90 for. the Herault. This commutation
The gold dust in the pockets of the digger may bring
the
leaveowner
the o of
eflocksloth manadnhuefarcics. appliestransported
vteoryAlignesrtiaance Ino
tEeerHsoi,is sentencedi to be
the landed proprietor,
oarnd
absolute pardons, but in the G
to the verge of ruin,
turer of Leeds without the raw material, on which journals of the Lot publish a list of seven persons
he is dependent for his finer fabrics; and, as a natural benefited by the amnesty, of whom three are to leave
consequence, may consign the intelligent and hard- the country. The department of the Dordogne has
working artizan and his family to the tender mercies had six commutations, one of which is for M. CHALES
of the Union workhouse. The destinies of the Anglo-
DESOLMES.
The Salut Public of Lyons publishes R list of
Saxon race, their sturdy independence of character,
more than twenty full pardons and several commute-
and unflinching determination, may, in no small de- tious of punishment of political offenders of the de-
gree, have been influenced, or produced, by the geo- partment of the Ardeche.
logical formation of the north of England. The The Assemblee Nationale says :—Jk A Belgian
man who had " coal" in unlimited quantities at his journal, the Emancipation, announces that the right
command became literally a "Fire-king," with full
of giving warnings to the journals is about to be
withdrawn from the prefects, whichwill be hence-
control over that tremendous element, which en- forth exercised only by the•
Minister of General
abled him to accomplish more than could be achieved Police. What gives reason to believe that the Bel-
through the agency of the Gins and Afrites of gian journal is well informed ie that the suspension
for two months inflicted on the, Gazette du Languedoc
Eastern mythology-
declared by M. DE 3.1)
UPAS."
Under such circumstances, and with the universal
was
she Illoniter announces that the Council-General
aPpreciation of the vital importance of the " coal mines,' of the department of
it is only astonishing that so little has hitherto been resolutions expressiy
the Ille-et-Vilaine, has adopted
ratitude
done to . „ . having by g. to Prince Louis NA-
ameliorate the system of working, or to POLEON for having by his energy saved France, and
afford greater d unflinching the hops that for the sake of the repose and pros-
security to the bold an
miner who d • • perity of thecountry
ally encounters the most formidable den- his government may be made
gers, and bravesstable. The- Moniteur also publishes the following
perils thatmight appal the most
hardy—who
may at almost any
ina mfost any moment be buried General of the Puy-de-DOme :
alive by the falling 0 a portion of the roof under " Menseigneur,—By the great act of the 2d Decem-
which he is workin
the fire.damp___,,,nntt---sre corched by the explosion of ber yourendered to France, which was disquieted and
dby the fatal operation of menaced,loth si?ucyu.rditeyuatecoenfidence.tosse.
tThe C9uncil-Gene-
the after blast or choked
t less surely destroyed b mp—or more slowly but gratitude, in the name of apdepartmeoyntou
whi tischprhoafso uod no y constau 1 ' • mire
inhaling an ways proclaimed you with the most patriotic enthusiasm,al-
impure
and pernicious atmosphere, so
unfavourable to and which has not ceased to place in you alone all hope
the vital principle. We read with almost cul of salvation. But, Prince, the work is still incomplete,
able
indifference of some deplorable catastrophe bwhich When the term of •
A temporary government approachea,
beings, each supportin y . confidence is paralysed, national labour is compror • d
60 or 70 human gor materially the existence of the country is placed in questie, 41"
'
of a
contributing to the maintenance family, h
aye stability of a government is an indispensable eonn. d'T-1"3
d with the dead : we awn
do not of. prosperity Pand grandeur for a nation;
It alone can
been numbered
intelligence .ovnevaictivit‘j and prosperity to commer
mean that the dreadful does not pro- tro and industry.
duce a thrill of horror for the time being, you, ~d of
utehiel.sGe
eprireirnaciipleexsp,
rand ;iltlhof confidence in
but it should produce more permanent results PoZrer with which you have
'oeenssiensvesteedwshisahll thhea tesith Et
—in place of idle lamentations, it
.should excite a. 1
o_arcieddes otn the longest and most lasting bases, and it
calm and deliberate resolution to, investigate the I "
of its hopoes.y°„ur Patrio:asm the approaching realisation
of these fearful catastrophes, to asaertefin B.esoluticeas expressing in warm terms gratitude to
might not be pro-tided, Prince 1,
whether adequate remedies _ .
coun'cry, hODIS NAPOLEON for his services to the
and, if found practicable, to enforce their 'adoption. Arrondisseamvee:
also been adopted by the Councils of
The simple fact that the deaths from fir.: explosions Areis-sur-Aube (of &Hey (Ain), Moulins (Allier),
d Savena (I, • ‘Aube), La Tour du Pin (Isere),
amount on an average to more thP:o one thousand Y (Loire-lnf6rieure),
in each and every year, should have long since stimu- Lantagngere(sor(llaute-Marne) NaCnicsyerbmergrt(Me anche),
b ), Mor-
lated us into activity. But where the danger is fami- and Lo 711 ne), flazebrouck (Nord) A tun C 11
t. ans (Sauna-„t. L „ , uu , haro es,
liar, and the victims. of lowly -station, it is difficult to The Revue de CO oire).
uest publishes
produce energetic action. If an explosion were to of M. DE LA. ROCIIEJ the opening address
aqueran to the C •
ouncil-General
take place in the vicinity of either House of Parlia- of the Deux-Sevres, which he was nominated to pre-
side over by the PRESIDENTof h
meet—if the lawnofvenerable n°l:u
sleeves a prelate t eßepublic. The
smothered recommends devotedness to h
were damaged by the fire damp, a out ear t e present Go-
smothered by the after blast, or anelders y P vermnent, on the ground that the most insensate
„. repre.een • ideas have taken root in the country, and that 11
tative of
we -
a popular constitUen
h. cy poisoned by un- meaning men ought to establish a truce amongst
wholesome air., something would •
speedily be at- themselves in presence of the dauger which has
tempted and every possible me f
a" 0 prevention I threatened France, and which still
to a great extent
resorted to. As it is, we can
only of public ••• hope that the voice I exists. 1 'rie was dull with little business
opinion will ultim'ately be The Bot. . ,doing, The
the inmost heard even
recesses
of the " Queen's in Four-and-a-Half per Cents. opened at loaf., and closed
at Westminster " Palace for the end of ,the month; the Three
at 105 f. sc.
per
, and that our Legislat • '
hound • Legislators 'will feel Cents, closed at 76f. 40c.; Orleans Railway Shares
to give practical
tinny
of the
Select
ceffect to the valuable sugges. 1,432 f. 50c.; :Rouen, 867 f. 50c.; Havre, 370 f.; Great cimmittee, appointed last session, Northern, 660 f.; Avignon, 4801.; Bale,. 308. 75e.;
" to inquire into V
no causes of the frequency of Paris and Strasburg, 6631. 75c.; Paris and Lyons
plosions in the coal mines, with - ex. 775 f.; Lyons and Avignon, 59Ut.; Western of Fiance,
the appalling loss of life arising I a view to prevent 00
6 -1.; the New Austrian Loan, 94.
from them." BUSINESS
The report of this Commi DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
ttee, to which we would LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, AUG. 30.
East Indian, 2734—Namar! and Liege, 6%—Northern of