The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-24 00:00:00

much to exceed that of Gen, Lee, he is holding a line
at least six miles longer than he has hitherto enc•
ceeded in holding. It follows that the 1) line of
iatrenchments which connect with City oiat must
over a considerable portion of their len; th, be very
weakly manned, It is obvious that there is a great
chance for Gen. Leo to cut Grant's line in two in the
centre, and to bar him off from City Point and the
James. Ido not say that this policy will actually
be adopted by Gen. Lee, although before this letter
reaches you you may have heard of its adoption.
What will be attempted and what has already been
taken in hand is by throwing Confederate batteries
upon the now unoccupied northern bank of the river
to interfere with the passage of transports along
the stream to City Point. In the meantime the
accumulation of Gen. Lee's forces at the town of
Petersburg suggests thoughts of his contemplating
a rush through his opponent's centre. The tempta-
tions which urge the adoption of this step are
many, but it is possible that prudence and desire
to spare his men's lives may induce Lee to lie
quia, and to leave the Weldon Railroad in his ad-
versary's hands. It must be understood that the
inconvenience to the Confederates of the extension
of Grant's left is only an inconvenience. The rail-
road still runs from Weldon to Stony Creek, 20
miles south of Petersburg, and close to Stony
Creek is encamped General Hampton in command
of a large body of Confederate cavalry. Supplies
for Lee's army flow without interference to Stony
Creek, and are waggoned thence to Petersburg,
while the waggons thus employed are pro.
tented by Hampton, There is very little reason to
fear that a Federal cavalry raid can be successfully
sent out with a view to attacking the Danville
Railroad, by which uninterrupted communication
with Richmond from the South is kept up, The
Confederate cavalry under Hampton is superior in
numbers to that possessed by Grant, and is infi-
nitely better in 'florae and efficiency. It is safe to
conclude that one of the two following alternatives
will be witnessed. On the one hand, it is possible
that Lee will cut Grant's centre and isolate half the
Federal army from the other half; or, on the other
hand, it is possible that Lee will lie quiet in front
of Petersburg, while he keeps up his communication
with Stony Creek. Nothing will in all probability
be done until the effect of the Confederate batteries,
about to be opened on the Federal transports from
the north bank of the James, is ascertained. In
the meantime, the Confederates possess the great
advantage of knowing that lapse of time is working
in their favour, and that Grant is no nearer the
capture of Richmond than when he crossed the
Rapidan. On the other hand, Grant has the dis-
advantage of being compelled by Mr Lincoln's poli-
tical necessities to hazard activity and to act more
as an electioneering agent than as a General.

There has never been a moment since the begin-
ning of the war when more confidence as to its EWA.
mate result was entertained throughout Secessia.
It was anticipated, directly Grant threw himself
across the James, two and a half months ago, that
the railroad between Weldon and Petersburg could
not be kept open by the Confederates; but it was
not until two days ago that Grant suspended come
munication along this line, and he has now only sue.
ceeded in interfering with 20 miles of its length.
Whether Lee be tempted to make a dash through
Grant's lines or not, it is felt that the Virginian
campaign of 1864 in the neighbourhood of Rich-
mond is over. But lam still under the impression
that the fine Confederate force in the Valley, soon
to be under the command of Gen. Anderson (now
at the head of Longstreet's old corps) will make
itself felt gravely before long. The operations of
the Federals and Confederates in the Valley for the
last two months have resembled the set figures of a
quadrille. Early has executed a forward chasse,
to which Sheridan has responded by a retrograde
movement. In his tura, Sheridan, after receiving
reinforcements, has advanced, to find Early in re-
treat. How much longer this swaying of two
powerful armies up and down the Valley is to last
I cannot say, but I can only compare it to the
" gong-fighting" of the Chinese. It is possible that
Gen. Anderson, if he assume the command to which
his rank entitles him, may alter the complexion of
affairs; but it is evident that nothing important
will be achieved by Gen. Early. At thie moment a
forward glissade of the Confederates has carried
them to the Potomac, while the corresponding back-
ward glissade of the Federals has been executed on
the soil of Maryland. It is not impossible that while
Grant makes desperate efforts to subtract wind from
the sails of the Chicago Convention by a successful
electioneering move on the banks of the James,
which move will be credited to Mr Lincoln, the
Confederates will hazard a counter move on the
Potomac, which will greatly strengthen the hands
of Vallandigham and his associates. Up to the pre-
sent time, neither Federals nor Confederates have
gained any advantages in the Valley which will be
likely to have any effect on the issue of the war. But,
as is usually the case, anguish and poverty have, as
the wave of war rolled backwards and forwards, been
brought home to many an uncffending woman and
child. In the midst of the accounts of Sheridan's re..
treat through burning barns and homesteads, with
the wail of destitute women and starving housel,esa
impossible
to wafted upon every breeze, it is
to read without stern satisfaction the narrative of
an incident which has just happened in Clark county,
Virginia. A party of from 12 to 13 Yankee soldiers
were engaged in their customary avocatior, of burn-
ing a Virginian homestead. The women who had
lately been its tenants gathered a short distance from
the blazing rafters, and, lifting up their voices
and weeping, prayed God that vengeance might
overtake the oppressors of harmless and helpless
women. The words were scarcely eut of her mouth
when a body of Mosby's Southerners burst upon
the Yankee marauders, and caught them red-handed
in flagrante delicto. Short shrift was given, and in
a few seconds some 12 or 15 bridies were swinging
from the neighbouring trees. It is possible that, in
reference to this occurence, We may hear some sickly
wail from Federal sympathizers in England about
the usages of civilised war. It is time that your
readers should understand that this American strug-
gle (apart from the great armies on either side) has
long ago ceased to be cisnducted according to the
nominal code of civilised warfare. I have again and
again endeavoured to call attention to acts of spe-
cial barbarity, and little heed as England now gives
to the details of this war, I am in hopes that the
recent infamous atrocities committed in Westmore-
land county by 'ederal officers, who instigated the
brutal African savages to enact deeds of lust and
shame upon white women such as make the blood
run cold with. horror, will not have fallen upon en-
tirely unheeding ears. But if it is imagined that
Southern ellen, and especially Virginians, will look
quietlyyan iceeo. vre
rapt
ebtnr
ar burning
of af r mt
theses,
e,
seen
adt
rmoecri
teileys
w h captureen t
ht
ehye
catch teem red-handed, your readers can know very
little of Southerners, or, indeed, of human nature.
AUGUST 30.
The position of the two armies before Petersburg
is not materially altered since the date of my last
letter, but what change there is is in favour of the
Confederates. It will be remembered that on the
19th inst. Grant appeared upon the Weldon Rail-
road in force, that Lee attacked him there on the
19th and 21st, suffering upon the last of those days
a decided repulse. Upon the evening of the 25th a
body of Yankee cavalry, which was engaged in

tearing up the line southwards, was gallantly at-
tacked by Gen. Wade Hampton's cavalry, and driven
back into the infantry intrenchments. Dismounting
from their horses, Hampton's squadrons threw
themselves on foot upon the intrenchments, and,
being supported by A. P. Hill's infantry, suceeded
in carrying a considerable length of breastworks and
in capturing nine pieces of artillery and some 2,000
prisoners; It was a gallant achievement and spe-
cially creditable to the cavalry, which has during
this campaign gained such credit for striking hard
knocks that the sneers at its expense which were
audible in 1862 and 1863 from the mouths of the
infantry are now converted into warm expressions
of gratitude and admiration.
It may be within the recollection of some of your
readers that in a recent letter I estimated the mor-
tality on both Bides consequent upon this war as
being
ar
te
mtheenyrate of 1,000 lives every 24 hours.
There a
thought and inthirwylrom this estimate will appear
extravagant. I regret to say that increased
have only served to convince

me that it is ❑ot far from the mark. I need hardly
say that by far the largest portion of those who
perish fall victims to disease. Think of the
immensity of this war ; of the numberless bodies of
men scattered in unhealthy garrisons over the vast
area of Secessia, and some conception of the waste
of human life (sacrificed to the Moloch of this war
no less than if cut short by the bullet) may be
formed. As an item I may mention that the
deaths among the Yankee prisoners now held in the
South average 150 per diem. The deaths of Con-
federates held captive in the North must be on
something of the same scale, though possibly rather
less numerous, as the Northern climate is healthier
in summer. Here we have 300 deaths (or there-
abouts) occurring every 24 hours among the prisoners
alone. It is not much of a stretch to conceive that
each day's fighting, when there are six large armies
in the field (to wit, Lee's and Grant's, Hood's and
Sherman's, Early's and Sheridan's), not to mention
countless desultory bodies of combatants, adds 700
men to the list of perishing victims. The 'picture
of this fair American continent, which four years
ago any man to whom human happiness and pros•
perity are dear might have delighted to contemplate,
is one from which an Apollyon would at this moment
recoil with shuddering, What pen is there to write,
what eye to witness the unnumbered ghastly deeds
of horror which somewhere or other in the vast and
voiceless solitudes of Dixie the sun daily looks
down upon ? May it be granted to this continent,
now wasted with misery, to learn the lessons which
adversity teaches, both to nations and individuals,
and of which th 9 choicest is humility ? Would that
1 could see indications that this war is teaching
either section the lessons, or is likely to be produc-
tive of the qualities, without which, in the opinion
of all impartial and not unfriendly spectators, it is
impossible for an American community, whether
composed of the Northern or of the Southern States,
or of both together, ever to attain to the dignity of
a great and honoured nation !

National Association for the Promotion of
Social Science.

YORK, FRIDAY.

The Association resumed its proceedings this
morning, with an aggregate attendance of between
900 and 1,000 members. The first business waa the
delivery of an address by Sir J. P. Wilde, Judge
of the Probate and Divorce Court, and chairman of
the Jurisprudence Department of the Congress, on
the subject of law reform. This address, though
intended to be introductory to the sittings of the
section on jurisprudence, was delivered at a general
meeting of all the members, held in the Festival
Concert-room. Lord Brougham presided, and was
loudly cheered on entering the hall. On the plat-
form were the Archbishop of York, Sir J. P. Wilde,
Sir J. Pakington, M.P., Sir S. Northcote, M.P.,
Lord R. Montagu, M.P., Miss Parkes, Mr A. J.
Stephens, Q.C., Mr H. Roberts, F.S.A,, Mr. G.
H: Palmer, Mr Edwin Chadwick, the Rev. Canon
Melville, Mr Godfrey Sandwith, the Hon. D.
Campbell, Mr R. Baker (inspector of factories),
Robert M. Ferguson, Ph.D., Dr Lankester, F.R,S.,
Dr Waddilove, Sir C. Hastings, the Lord Mayor of
York, &c. Many ladies were also present, and
listened to the discourse, dry and uninviting as its
subject might seem to their sex, with much appa-
rent interest.

Mr. JAMES WILDE said—The 7th of February,
1828, was a memorable day in the annals of law
reform. Then it was that tha greatest orator of his
age delivered his celebrated oration in the House
of Commons, and laid open the sweeping changes
which our law required. From that moment an
impulse was given which has not ceased to be felt.
Interest was aroused, indignation excited for the
errors of the past, and a basis laid on which to build
fair hopes of the future. Since that time the pros
gress of law reform has been unceasing, though
gradual—and now, after 36 years, after the destruc-
tion of a host of anomalies and the removal of bare
riers and obstructions, such as set justice at defiance,
we find ourselves still engaged in the same work,
and, singularly enough, under the guidance of the
same hard. No one can rise from the perusal of
that remarkable speech, and a contrast with the
reforms actually since effected, without marvelling
at the suocess with which the defects and weak
points of our judicial system were hit upon and
exposed... And it is not too much to say that nine-
tenths uf the precise evils there indicated have been
successfully met by the precise remedies there pro-
posed. A glance at the subjects dealt with will serve
to show us both the benefits that we have reaped
and the evils from which we have escaped. It will
further serve to stimulate us to successful labour
in the same field. Having glanced rapidly at the
principal changes recently effected, Sir James pro-
ceeded wish to draw attention to the fact that
the whole of these changes have been confined to
the procedure of the courts and the method of ap-
plying the law, not to the body of the law itself.
It is the double function of procedure to precede
and follow legal adjudication, first, ascertaining the
facts in dispute, and then carrying into execution
the decrees of the law upon them. It is, therefore,
properly tho machinery of the law. Now in 1828
the avenues to justice were so choked with artificial
obstacles that approach was praticaily denied. Ex-
pense, delay,
uncertainty—these three monster evils
barred the access of the suitor, or terrified
him into submission. The clearing of these
obstacles, while it has opened the way to
the speedy and certain administration of the
law for the suitor, has brought the law reformer
face to face with the body of the law itself. The
question, then, forces itself upon us—ls the law
itself free from defects of a similar character to those
which have disfigured its procedure ? Can we boast
of a judicature so logical, so free from entanglement
and inconsistency, so clear and uniform, so harmoni-
ous and well balanced, as to be worthy of our social
progress and equal to the mixed and multiplied wants
of our age ? Law means justice administered accord-
ing to method. And in this justice should be para-
mount, and method subordinate. Good laws will
work occasional hardships, for they should be un-
bending ; but if well administered, never injustice
for their principle should be unerring. Every legal
system must impose some forms upon the business
transactions of life, but they should be as few as
possible, lest from guides and supports they pass
into fetters and trammels. The law should also be
clear ; because simple in its principle though diffuse
in details, and compact in form because well collated,
though compendious in grasp. How far can we
conscientiously say that the common law of this
country fulfils these ends ? To what extent oan it
lay claim to simplicity, certainty, clearness, and
unerring justice P,
-Above all, what can we say of its
compactness whose principles wander at large
through the pages of 300 volumes, and the leaves of
whose oracles lie as they first fell, scattered and
unsown ? When we reflect on the history and growth
of our laws we have no need to be surprised or
ashamed. The marvel is that they contain so much
worthy of admiration and homage. If they do not
meet all our modern wants, to how many of them
have they been gradually and insensibly adapted?
Is it to be wondered at if laws which sufficed in the
time of the Plantagenets fall short in the present
age ? Bear in mind that the laws of this country
have suffered no general revision from time imme-
morial. As the middle classes forced their way, as
the wealth of land found itself emulated, if not sur-
passed, by the wealth of trade, as civilisation bore
its universal fruit of complicated relations in life, the
laws regulating these relations ought to have felt
an equal progress. Provision should have been made
by the Legislature for new requirements, and

the obsolete constantly thrn.scout. But was this ever done

i Did the change of our social condition at any period of our
history carry with it a new oystem of laws framed by the
Le3isiature for the now matter with which it had to deal ?
Was a focall chapter from time to time added to our code to
keep pace v,-ith the fresh chapters of history ? Far from it.
With the excel.
•Ntion of the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of
Limitations, and
%few Acta directed to very limited objects,
the Legislature has
laid no hand on the body of the common
law. What wonder,
then, that after the lapse of centuries
legal procedure shoulu
have been found incompetent to the
swift movements and va. pied terms of a community whose
time had become wealth.
And, in like manner, who would
reasonably expect that la
in land should be un
vs Which, originally highly artifi-
cial, were adapted to the 1 ime when nearly preperty con-
sistedvtricate folds of trade ? The
personal property and the , .
Las turned a handful of mili-
taryfit to pursue the complications of
gradual development which
adventurers and a popula (ion of serfs into the wealthiest