The Sun.
London, England, 1852-11-09 00:00:00

THE MINT AND TREASURY JOBBERY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BEM
SIR,—In your paper for the 6th,:appears a forcible
letter by "Observer," on the Mint, reformed and unre-
formed.
Since the cry for coin arose, and the different lettersd
complaining of the ineffiniencytaf the Mint have appeare
I have had tho curiosity to wade through the blue
books, the results of the Royal Commission, and am
astonished to see the small measures, amounting to
meanness, that have been taken in the reformation,—
meanness in some instances, gross jobbery in others.
In forming the new establishment first, the old deputy.
master, Sir James Morriss a, had to be bought off by a
retiring pension, larger tan the salary he had enjoyed
during the fulfilment of his duties. He got rid of, a new
master was appointed in the person of the eminent as-
tronomer, Sir John llershell ; a gocd name was wanted
to give an air of respectability to a not very creditable
concern. Then for deputy, the man who was to be the
real broom, to do the dirty work, a Captain Harness,
protegi of Sir 'Charles Trevelyan, at the handsome salary
of 1,0001. a year. After him, one of the old employis,
the " clinic of the irons," was reappointed, under a new
name. 'This gentleman, one of our greatest chemists,
and a most popular lecturer at the Royal Institution, h
td
to be bribed to remain with an additional 1501. a year
the ber:ore not unhandsome salary of 7001. This increase
was given as compensation for the loss of private busi-
ne'as, and on condition that he would for the future
'attend to his public duties, for, hitherto, he had not been
able to attend to these latter without terrible hinder-
arice to his private concerns.
These aro reforms with a vengeance !—I am, Sir,
yours obediently,
Oct. 9th.

X, Y.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Your correrpondent " Observer," has`very much
undorated the former power and efficiency of the. mint ;
for it appears by the evidence taken by a committee of
the House of Commons, in 1837, that, in the year 1817,
the value of the silver actually coins(' was 4,241,3584,
and of gold, 4,261,320/. FACT.

PLYMOUTH ELECTION.—It is very probable •tht a a
petition will be presented to Parliament against the re-
turn for this borough of Mr. Charles Mare, the eminent
ship-builder, on the ground cf corrupt practices, either
by himself or his agent.
GLASGOW AND LIVERPOOL LINE OF STEAMERS.—We
are glad to understand that this old-established line will
ho fully and well supplied with first-rate steamers dur-
ing the ensuing year.
RAILWAY RECEIPTS.—The gross receipts of Railway
traffic. for the week ending Oct. 30, 1852, amount to
299,3561., whioh, on 6,915 miles of line, gives an average
of 431. 6i. per mile, against 319,5551. on 6,915 miles of
line, at the rate of 461.43. per mile, for the previous wok,
ending Oct. 23, 1852.

PORTSMOUTH SAILORS' HOME.--In consequence of
the Earl of Northesk's liberal offer to give 1001. to
the Portsmouth Sailors' Rome, for the purchase of the
original building, if nine other persons would give the
same sum to complete the 1,0001. required for that
object, the Earl of St. Vincent has offered 1004 on the
same terms, and the Central Committee for Sailors'
Homes in London have offered 1001. also, through
Coptaia W. H. HaU, RN.

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