The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON1)ON, TUESDAY EVENING JULY 31, 1855.

found for a few, years together that the alphabet
does not become changed from capitals to small
letters by so doing, why then it will be because
the companies generally do not prove bubbles. If
otherwise nothing will induce prudent tradesmen
to deal with them. Mr. A. will leave to Mr. B.
with pleasure his chance of a small gain, with the
chance of a greater loss.
The truth is, the present bill is only an absurd
modification (like the fixed duty on corn) of a
great principle, adapting it to the fears of some
honest but timid men who have jogged on in the
old ruts so long that they shudder at the sight of
a railway train. Or still more is Government
intimidated by the great and obviously selfish
wealthy capitalists. The simple principle is, leave
the creditor to find out to whom he may safely be-
come a creditor. Let him protect himself. He
has two remedies ; one to refuse credit where he
has reason to doubt, the other to charge so much
more when credit is doubtful as to reimburse
himself on the average of such cases. Oa the
other hand, let every person advance his money
to another on whatever conditions he pleases.
Let him be avowed partner, and, therefore,
responsible to the extent of his means—partner
to the extent of a certain amount of capital,
sharing the accompanying proportions of profits,
and liable to the avowed amount of his capital.
Or let him agree with a number of other persons
to employ each a certain avowed amount of capi-
tal, and each, be answerable to the amount em-
ployed. Every creditor, even if there were no
public registration, could ask the amount of
capital belonging to the concern, and the
names of the persons, with the amounts
for which they were severally liable. Such
inquiries, if partnership and money-lending were
as free as it ought to be, would be every-

day occurrences, and insulting to no one. We
should not object to the most severe penalties for
false prospectuses or false answers to such ques-
tions. They would be fraud worthy, in a com-
mercial community, of condign punishment. But
there we would stop. We are confident that, in
the money trade, as in every other, every man is
his own best protector! All the outcries against
the present bill, or against a perfect bill, are but
the cunning of monopolists, and the nervous-
ness of those whom protection has taught to forego
the use of their own limbs.

In another column will be found a copy of the
New Sale of Beer Bill, brought forward by Mr. H.
BERKELEY, which passed a second reading last
night.

The preamble, as may be seen, declares that the
existing laws against the sale of fermented and
distilled liquors have been found to be attended
with inconvenience to the public ; and by the
first clause these laws are repealed. The second
clause prohibits licensed victuallers from selling
beer, wine, or spirits, or any fermented or dis-
tilled liquors between the hours of three and five
p.m., or after eleven p.m. on Sunday, Good Fri-
day, Christmas Day, and any public fast or thanks-
giving day, and before four a.m. of the following
day, except to a traveller or lodger. The third
clause prohibits the opening of any house
or place of public resort between after or
before the above hours, except to travellers.
The remainder of the bill authorises constables to
enter public-houses, &c., at any time, imposes a
penalty of 5/. on summary conviction for every
violation of its provisions—each sale to be consi-
dered a separate offence—and admits of an appeal
to the Quarter Sessions.

The result will be, should the bill pass in its
present state, the public will gain two and a-half
hours on Sundays, &c., the present acts closing
public-houses from half-past two till six p.m., and
after ten p.m., and the words bona fidel in con-
nection with traveller,• being omitted; all the
difficulties and vexatious consequences which
have arisen from the conflicting interpretations .
of those words will cease. The bill may, there-
fore, be regarded as a welcome boon, though,
after all, but an imperfect act of justice ; for, as
we intimated yesterday, we can see no sufficient
reason why public-houses should be closed between
the hours of three and five p.m. on Sundays,
much less on other days, which large numbers of
the population conscientiously refuse to observe.
Opportunity, however, will be afforded Honour-
able Members in Committee to move amendments
which will remove this restriction, and we trust
it will be embraced.

ing this place to be too much exposed, have caused
her removal to Sanakhi, the head-quarters.
Since the departure of the English steam boat
the silence of death reigns in the environs. All
connection between the garrison and the Min-
grelians is broken off. Nothing is seen but dismal
fires, that are visible all round at night to a dis-
ta,uce of 10 leagues. The Turks and the natives set
fire to the forests and underwood, which makes
the whole country assume the appearance of a
burning river.
The Russians have in tha waters of the Rion a
dozen vessels armed with cannon. This formidable
squadron is of nee in transporting the Cossacks
who appear from time to time in the Black Sea,
and seize the Turkish caiques which pass from Tre-
bisond and Batoum towards Redout Kale and the
coasts of Circassia. The Ottoman authorities, not
being able to reach these skimmers of the sea, are
waiting for the English to do the work for them.
The coast between Redout Kale and Chekfetit
belongs to the Turks, and as far into the interior
as they can carry their cannon and their ships, and
as longsas they can maintain their possession. Far-
ther in they dare not enter, for though the Russians
may bo at a distance, the inhabitants know very
well how to protect themselves. These are the
Gourielis, the handsomest and bravest among the
natives of the Caucasus.
I shall not quit Chekfetit without giving you an
account of its capture. It will differ much from
the accounts which you have had in the journals ;
but it will be the only real one—curious because
it shows how the Russian Government is served
by its agents. As to the veracity of this recital it
cannot be doubted, because it was detailed to me
by Aali Aga, and you will see what an important
part this worthy man played in this history.
Chekfetit had a custom-house. It is by that are
entered in Gouriel all merchandises drawn from
Europe. The contraband trade, which always
marches side by side with that of the custom-house,
has here free play, and of course the employes were
always the first to.encourage it. Aali Aga, a Turk-
ish merchant, was one of the best practitioners.
Some days before the declaration of war he caused
to come to the frontier a large quantity of mer-
chandise in order to send it into Russia. The rup-
ture of relations between the two countries was
imminent. Aali Aga, dreading to have his mer-
chandise left on his hands, desired to get it passed
as soon as possible ; but the employe, his friend,
was inflexible-3,000 roubles, and not a pars less,
must be paid. He knew that Aali Aga was pressed,
and he resolved to profit by it. Aali Aga was
forced to pay double the ordinary price ; he paid,
but he swore vengeance.
The firman of war had been read at Batoum, but
hostilities had not commenced on the spot. The
Russian consul was still there. Aali Aga concerted
with Salim Pasha, and the plan to be acted on was
as follows :—The Turkish merchant came again to
Chekfetit, and communicated to the faithful em-
ploye, who did not expect,that war would break out
so soon, that his correspondents would send for-
ward a vast quantity of goods, and he urged him to
manage the affair. The employe accepted the charge
of the business, but as soon as the peace was over
sentries were sent to watch in the night. A com-
pany of soldiers came to Chekfetit, and it was
requisite, in consequence, to arrange with the
captain. The officer merely replied that it was
necessary to forestal the arrival of two companies,
who were expected next day. Everybody was hur-
ried. The bargain was concluded, and the execu-
tion fixed for the same night. " The Giaours ran
to their post as if Satan pursued them," said Aali
Aga to me in a melancholy tone, while thinking of
his friend the official.
It was at the close of October, and the night was
gloomy, and the wind and rain descended violently,
when 400 Gourielis Mussulmans, under Hassan
Bey, came in silence to the banks of the river.
Anti Aga was with them. They had but one
vessel to convey over all the body. About 20
Bashi-Bazouks passed first. A sentry heard them
land, and went to acquaint the commandant, who
told him to take no notice of it. Five minutes
after the captain was informed that many men
were passing the river. The captain wont with
the official, and asked where Aali Aga was. Aali
Aga hearing him, said he was there. The captain
withdrew upon that assurance. When the half of
the Bashi-Bazouks had passed the river, they
marched directly on the entrenchment ; the rest
followed quickly. Hassan Bey, as a true hero,
caused himself to be carried by his men, as his leg
was paralysed. The captain, seeing how matters
went, saved himself in the woods. The soldiers,
surprised,. and deserted by their chief, still fought
bravely, and died like heroes. Sixty Turks fell,
but Chekfetit fell also. With the exception of
about 20 men and a Russian priest, few prisoners
were made. The wife of the priest, she being still
young, found pity, but her husband's throat was
ordered to be cut by Selim Pacha's command.
" Let them cut his throat" said this brave marshal,
when the priest refused to abandon his religion.
The report of Salim Pacha modestly recounts
how the mighty fortress of Chekfetit fell into his
hands, awl that 3,000 lluigrimns had bitten-we -ann.
Fifty pashas and officers were advanced
.and deco-
rated for their valour proved in this battle, of
which they did not even hear the sound. Selina
Pacha, recompensed beyond measure, becomes one
of the heroes of tho empire.
Hassan Bey received the gift of a copper watch !
"As to the official of the custom-house" said
Aali Aga to me, " I caught the rascal in his own
chamber ; but while I was searching for the 3,000
roubles, he made his escape, stealing from me my
gun 1"