The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-21 00:00:00

ITALY.

A letter in a contemporary, dated Naples, Sept.
13, says :—After an absence of upwards of a year, a
British fleet has again made its appearance in the
Bay of Naples, and very amusing have been the
speculations of the journals as to the why and where-
fore of the visit. Perhaps it is not unnatural, in
the rather exceptional state in which Italy is at
present placed, that a political motive should be
sought and found for even the slightest move-
ment which takes place; bat who would have
imagined that the possible event of Murat touching
at this point could have been supposed to set
our iron-cased steamers in motion. The fleet did
not come into the bay before Saturday last,
having called at Palermo en route. It consists
of the Marlborough, 121 guns, Captain Fellowes,
carrying the flag of Admiral Sir R. Smart; the
Royal Oak, 35 guns, iron-cased, Capt. F. Campbell;
the Resistance, 16, iron steamship, Captain W. C.
Chamberlain ; and Gibraltar, 81 guns, Capt. J. C.
Prevost. The entire squadron went into Castella.
mare on arriving—the Resistance only coming up
to Naples on Sunday morning. All the vessels
will, however, come over on Saturday morning,
and remain, probably, till the 25th instant.
Nothing can be more simple than the object of
the visit, which is gnu practioe and the general
exercise of the crews. A partion of the press
express a hope that some precautions will be taken
to prevent the excesses formerly committed by our
men under he influence of " Marsala, Cognac, and
rum," and, if reports are to be believed, it has been
arranged that patrols without arms shall be per-
mitted to land to look after their companions.
Those who have been here during the last four
years will readily admit that the spectacles which
our sailors have exhibited in the streets of Naples
have not been very edirying or creditable. Still
much of the excess complaieed of must be attri-
buted to the wretched poison vrhich is publicly
sold in every caffe and canting of the city, and the
authorities would do well, in the interests of the
public health, to introduce some regulations to
' correct the evil.

Another mysterious event has just occurred,
plunging a distinguished family in sorrow. Nearly
seven persons were all but sacrificed last week by
taking poison which had bseu secretly adminis.
tered in a soup. The attempt appears to have been
directed against the life of a lady whose daughter
is married to a son of a Senator of the kingdom.
Suspicion first fell on the cook, who was arrested,
but, it having been proved that he had given a
portion o►f the soup to his own family, every mem-

ber of which became seriously ill, suspicion fell on
Signor V--, for whose arrest an order was imme-
diately given. For the moment he could not be
found, but later he presented himself, and so far
this fact is in his favour. He has, however, been
committed to the prison of S. Francisco, and judi-
cial proceedings have been commenced. Signor
V--, whose father is
.a Senator, belongs to a
highly respectable and patriotic family, and some
hopes are entertained that he himself will be proved
to have been only the victim of a diabolical attempt.

Death of Mr. C. A. Saunders, of ths Great
Western Railway.

Yesterday morning, upon the resumption of business at
the general offices of the Great Western Railway Company,
and indeed at all great railway eta' ions in the metropolis, a
painful feeling prevailed, consequent upon the information
being received of the lamented death of Mr Charles Alex.
Saunders, who for many years held the important conjoint
post of secretary and general superintendent of the Gloat
Western system el' railways. The melancholy event took
place on Monday afternoon at the residence cf the deceased
gentleman, Westbourne-lodge, Harrow-road, where he has
been confined from indisposition for some time past, Mr
Saunders, who was in his 68th year, it will be remembered
by all connected with the railway world, was appointed as
secretary and general superintendent of the Great Western
line almost at the commencement of its operations, and
from that period up to little more than a year ago he con-
tinued to petfurm his laborious and onerous duties, not only
to the satisfaction of the shareholders (with, as of course
in all large undertakings, few small exceptions), but also
to the noblemen and gentlemen who have from 'time to
time acted as chairmen and members of the board of
direction. Mr Saunders was not only quite au fait as
a general superintendent of the working of a large line
of railway, but was a most invaluable auxiliary to the
directors and engineers in advising and instructing counsel
in the heavy proceedings before the committees of both
Houses of Parliament in dealing with the multifarious
schemes which were brought forward in every session, either
in the interests of the undertaking, or competing schemes,
which, if allowed to pass, must have materially aff,cted
their property. Almost the last work of magnitude of this
character was the great fight for the amalgamation of the
West Midland and the South Wales lines with the G eat
Western Coro pany,which was, after a severe struggle, passed
in the session before last. The shareholders then suggested
to the directors that a policy c t " rest " should be adopted,
and none appreciated it more than Mr Saunders, who, with
age creeping upon him, felt the mental and bodily effects of
the great exertions he had made beginning to tell. The
consequence was that as the amalgamated undertaking had
now assumed such a vast magnitude it was decided that
Saunders should retire on a handsome pension, still giving
his advice to the board with the intention of ultimately tak-
ing his seat as a tiireetol ; and also that the offices of secre-
tary and general superintendent should be henceforth held
separately. This was carried out, and Mr G. F. Saunders,
the son of the deceased, was appointed as secretary. The
deceased was highly esteemed by all with whom he came
in business contact, and his loss will be greatly felt by his
late colleagues at Paddington.

HARTLEY INSTITUTION, SOUTHAMPTON.—The
Rev, Alex. J. D. D'Orsey began last night a course of three
lectures on the English language, originally given at the
Royal Institution.
Toulon letters mention that preparations are
being made in that port for the immediate embarkation for
Algeria of an entire division of from 10,000 to 12,000 men
who ara to follow Marshal de Mae Mahon. A body of
1,200 men of the 2d Artillery, under the command of Col.
Maa3l, arrived there ou the 15th, to embark. Two strong
detachments of the 59th and 71st of the line, who are to go
and replace men discharged from the army at Rome, have
also reached that point by railway.
An Imperial ukase authorises the emission at St.
Petersburg of three new series of exchequer bills, each of
three millions ct roubles. The two first series bear interest
from Aug, 1, 1861, and the third from Oct. 1 of the same

year.
The Chambers of Commerce of several towns of
Prussia, particularly those of licenigaborg and Magdeburg,
have voted addresses, calling on the Cabinet (~f Berlin to
firmly maintain the treaty of commerce with France, and
demanding that no concessions shall be made to Austria
relative to Art. 31, which they cansider as the capital point
of the document.

" It appears from an cfficial return," says the
Gazette de France," that during the first six months of the
present year the Fiedmontese army occupying the King-
dom of Naples has sent 17,016 soldiers with fevers to the
hospitals, of which number 431 have died."
Tua BISHOP OF LONDON IN DANGER.—The
Bishop of London and family recently made an ex-
pedition to the island of Arran in a small steamer, where
they dent the day. When returning in the evening, the
sky became overcast, the weather stormy, and the night
dark. When near the entrance to Loch Fyno, they were
suddenly startled by the cry, " Breakers ahead I" and, be
fore the steamboat's course could be altered, they were
aground upon rocks. The captain informed them that, the
boat being iron, it would be dangerous to back her off for
fear she might have received such injuries as to
make it impossible to keep her afloat. They were
therefore obliged to land in the small boat. When the
party reached the shore, a new difficulty presented itself.
They discovered that they had landed, not upon the main-
land, but upon a rock which might possibly be covered by
the flowing tide. They soon, however, found that they
were safe at least from that danger. They were able to
construct a tent by means of some tarpauling, and under
the shelter which it afforded they spent the night. When
day dawned they were soon relieved from their disagreeable
position, and we are glad to hear that none of the party
have suffered from exposure during a night of somewhat
stormy weather.—. Record.
A REUEARSAL AT MADAME MALIERAN'EL—The
rehearsal passed off most satisfactorily. The weather
was intensely hot, and what with the anxiety and the limited
dimensions of the apartment, produced the effect of our
perspiring most profusely. We dared not open the windows,
fearing that it might have alarmed th© natives. However,
having finished, the room was ventilated by throwing open
doors and windows; and then our oharming hostess
invited us to partake a draught of that exhilarating fluid
called champagne. She also said she would cool us after
the manner of the South Americans, which operation
was executed by pouring eau de Cologne into the palm of
her hand, and rubbing it over our heads. And we also en-
joyed breezes produced by the action of a monstrous Chinese
fan. Tho relief experienced was delightful. But one of
our party came to grief, in the person of the then pi lino
tenore of the Drury establishment. When it came to his
turn to erjoy the refresher, he kept bobbing his head up
and down. At last our hostess got him steady, and rub.
bing his head vigorously, aw ty went the luxuriant scratch,
leaving him under a bare pole, to the great amusement
of the assembled party. The disconcerted tenor made
a rush to recover the fugitive jasey ; but Madame was
beforehand, and, grabbing hold of the curly flaxen decora-
tion, she refused to give it up until he consented to the
cooling and balmy process so much enjoyed by the lookers
on. That completed, she said, "My dear Mr T., I'm de-
ceived; I did not think there was anything false about
you ;" and on replacing the wig on the distracted block,
whether from accident or design, she turned the hind part
before, so that the drooping ringlets decorated this figure-
head, to the great delight of the laughing throng.—Recol-
lections and Wanderings of Paul Bedford.
The NEW FLOATING BRIDGE.—We have had an
opportunity of inspecting the new floating bridge

intended to take the place cf the bridge which at present
works the traffic between Portsmouth and Gosport. She
is now on the point of completion, and will, we believe, be
placed on her chains very shortly. She is 100 ft long (or
IGft longer than the present bridge) and about 15ft wide.
The contract was taken by Messrs Lewis and Stockwell,
iron ship builders, of Blackwell, London, who entrusted
the engines and machinery to the eminent firm of James
Watt and Co., of London and Soho. The engines are of
the collective nominal power of 50 horses, with duplicate
boilers—the condenser, air pump, and frame being all com-
bined, and forming a strong and ccmpact structure. Much
attention seems to have been paid to the accommodation for
passengers, the want of which has been so much felt in the
old bridge. Two large and roomy cabins above 8f t high are
placed at each end, and are well lighted by means of domes
or cupolas, which are further utilised on the upper deck to
form comfortable seats for passengers. Upon the upper deck
also the present inconvenience of want of room is removed,
and the openings over the chain wheels being made flush
with the deck, a clear space for promenading is secured. The
gasholders, of which there are two on board of lift Gin dia-
meter, are conveniently disposed under the carriage deck, one
on each side the bridge ; and the spaces similar to those on
which the gasholders of the present bridge aro situated are
available for further cabin accommodation or for refresh-
ment rooms, a suggestion to which the attention of the
directors should be directed. The prows are massive, per-
haps a little too heavy in appearaucs for the rest of the
structure, but well built, uf wood, firmly bound beneath by
iron girder., and an especial point has been introduced in
connexion with the working of these prows which, as far
as we know, is of a novel design, Attached to the
machinery are a pair of oscillating engines, which may be
worked on the carriage deck by mean i of a lever, and which
give the or)tion of raising and lowering the prows by either
hand or steam power. Chose oscillating engines also work
the powerful bilge pumps on board the bridge. In the pose
Bible event of the disabling cf the machinery provision has
been made by which the bridge can bo worked across its
passage by hand-power only. The work throughout seems
to be of the strongest and most substantial character, while
the comfort and convenience of the passengers have been
consulted bo'h in reference to the appearance and fittings
of the bridga ; and the highest credit is due as well to the
contractors, Messrs. Lewis and Stocks: ell, as to their super-
intending engineer, Mr Trevithick, of Great George-street,
Westminster, and to the constructors of the machinory,—
!lamps/41re Telegraph.

STA'

.DE,

MANCHESTER, Sept. 20.—Although military and poli-
tical events in America are much more favourable than
previous ones had been to the war party, the intelligence
has not done more than give a slight appearance of dimi-
nished weakness to the prices of cotton in Liverpool, with
a small increase of business. Any greater effect is pre-
vented by the state of money matters. A like effect has by
no means ensued in our yarn market. Spinners seem to
have come to town with their minds made up to accept
prices (if only they could get them) which they were not
generally prepared for last week. In this yielding mood,
some of them have proved weaker in bargaining
than they thought of being. The prices of all descriptions
have thus been markedly lower than they were on Friday.
They have, it is true, been very little tested by offers; but
producers have made it plain to inquirers how matters stand
the fact is, that the dulness of the last two months has
caused a certain amount of accumulation in first hands,
which everyone is anxious to be rid of ; and in some in-
stances the same feeling is produced or increased by the stock
of raw material that may be hold. On Friday great surprise
was occasioned by the report of a single sale of 22,0001 b. of
good 32's twist cops at 2s per lb, for a small quantity of
which for spinning the same person had paid 2s 5d only three
days before, the quotation being 2s 51d. To-day some other
sellers have been willing to take 2s for equal quality; and
the current nominal rates have fallen to 2s 3d and 2s 2d.
This class of twist is, however, subject to greater and more
rapid variations than any other. Bat producers of India
mule twist have abated lid and 2d per lb from what they
wanted on Tuesday, in order to clear off stocks which had
been gathering for many weeks back ; and similar reductions
have been offered to buyers by spinners of 60's to 80's cops,
warps, and bundles, and by holders of doubled yarns. For
very fine singles and twofolds decidedly lower prices have
been submitted to for the sake of making very limited sales.
It is found that acme middle counts of yarns are being sold
or offered at Gd, 72e1, and 91b per lb under the late highest
prices, while the raw mate: ial is only down 3d, 41d, and Gd.
Our statement respecting the anxiety of spinners to got rid
of stocks, and the consequent weakness of prices, is applic-
able in the main to the makers of piece good.:. How much
will be yielded is, however, more apparent in the case of
the former than the latter, because these arc less tested by
offers. The fall should be less in twist and weft than in
cloth, for when it began the last article was relatively
cheaper than the first two. Spinners and manufacturers
must go away from this day's market far from inclined to
abate that rapid curtailment for production which is taking
place.
HUDDERSFIELD, 20th.—Business has been quieter in our
market to-day, the attendance of buyers having been un-
usually small, and those who had been present not having
purchased largely. Fancy trowserings in new goods
have been again in chief demand, but fresh arrivals
of these are, for the most part, delivered to order. Unions
and low woollens have not been so much in request by the
shipping houses to-day, and stocks of these goods in the
Cloth Hall are slightly on the increase just now. The
country trade is moderately brisk, witneys and winter goods
generally having sold well of late. Wools have been in
quieter demand hero during the week. Prices keep firm,
both for wools and goods.
LEEDS, 20.12.—Trade was very inanimate in the Cloth
Halls to-day. Both merchants and clothiers appeared to be
astounded by the suspension of the Leeds Banking Com-
pany, and neither class were disposed to operate until the
extent of the mischief was ascertained. Several houses in
the town have already succumbed to the pressure upon them,
and it is feared that others must soon fellow. The clothiers
continue busy in preparing for the spring trade.

The Crops and the Armies of the South

The .Richinond Examiner of the Ist inst. has an elaborate
editorial article to prove that the South is very far from
exhaustion, It says:—" The crops of 1861, which are to
supply subsistence for the next twelve months, are unusu.
ally good. Certain localities have suffered from drought,
but this evil has been partial only. As a general rule, the
crops of 1861 are better than those of 1863, and promise
abundant bread for another year. There has, in fact, never
been any lack of quantity. The difficulty was in distribu-
tion. But our railroads have held out wonderfully well.
Their own officers have been surprised by the facility with
which they have been able to keep them up. Wi e are
better prepared to maintain me railroad system at this hour
than we were 18 months ago. Every month increases our
capacity to improve and maintain these essential public
works. Necessity has proved in this matter the mother of
invention. The people have found that they could live
luxuriously upon a quantity of supplies which they would
have considered four years ago approximate to starvation

—and great manuracturing enterprises have been impro-
vised without trouble, which everybody in the South
thought beyond our capacity to accomplish even in the
time of peace. Nor are our armies so nearly destroyed
as the enemy persuades himself. That of Northern
Virginia is stronger now than when Grant began the battles
of the Wildeuaess. We have lost few in killed, and the
wounded are nearly all recovered and returned t o their places.
In general the army grows stronger rather than weaker,
for the boys attaining to the military age outnumber the
killed and discharged old meu. The progress of active
operations thins our ranks, but a lull of the strife recupe-
rates the disabled and restores the strength of the ranks.
The Confederacy is immeasurably stronger on this Ist day
of September, 1854, than it was on the Ist of May, 1862 or
1863. It can place as many men in the field, and each man
is a vetoran, when before he was a raw recruit. The Yankees
may as well dismiss their pleasing visions of Southern ex•
haustion. It was this mistake which lured them into the
war ; and the same delusion has been the, cause of all their
disappointments. If they determine to carry on the war
they must brace themselves like men to the real fact that
they will have to encounter great armies, well supplied)
thoroughly armed, and breve as any that ever trod a field
of battle. The cowardly idea that the rebellion is exhausted,
and that their further operations will be feebly resisted, will
bring them to grief. The South has fought Lincoln for one
term successfully. If they can re-elect him she can fight
him another term still more successfully. There is no

,hought of submission, nor any fear of collapse here ; and

the North would meet in the fall of 1868 the same spiri
which they encountered at the outset of the struggle al
Bull Run.

South London Industrial Exhibitior.

Last evening a public meeting was held at Taylor's De-
pository, St. George's-road, Southwark, in furtherance of
the movement for the second South London Working
Classes' Industrial Exhibition. Mr Samuel Morley occu-
pied the chair, and was supported by a large body of the
local clergy and influential inhabitants of the district. About
1,500 persons were present. Letters approving the object
of the meeting but apologising for non-attendance, were
read from Mr Doulton, M.P. (enclosing £5 for the guarantee
fund), Mr Layard, M.P., Mr Briscoe, 111. P,, Rev. Newman
Hall, &e. The chairman, in opening the meeting, said he
felt the deepest sympathy with tho object which had called
them together. He was convinced that exhibitions such as
the one held last year and the one now proposed to be held
would tend to the great benefit of the working classes,
socially, politically, and morally, and ho was certain they
would receive the hearty co-operation of all those in the-
higher ranks of life who felt any interest in the wellbeing of
the industrious classes. In connexion with then exhibi•
tions he referred to the existing state of the patent laws,
which he was afraid acted as a great impediment to their
success, by keeping away many important and valuable
inventions. As these exhibitions grow in number and im •
portanco, he had no doubt the attention of the Legislature
would be directed to the subject. Mr Murphy, secretary,
read the report of the committee, which stated that, embol-
dened by the great success which hul attended the first
exhibition, held in the Lambeth Baths last spring, they had
determined upon holding another in February next on a
larger scale, at which money prizes would b 3 given—funds
for which would be derived from the profits of the exhibition;
but at the same time, to guard against disappointment, it had
been resolved to raise a guarantee fund of £l,OOO, of which
amount £6OO had already been subscribed. It was intended
to invite the Prince of Wales to be the patron of the insti-
tution and to open it. The report then gave a long list of
noblemen and gentlemen who had consented to act as vice-
presidents, and concluded by earnestly soliciting the hearty
cooperation of all classes in the district, but especially of
the working men, who alone would be eligible as exhibitors
of the work of their own hands. The Rev Mr Bowatead,
Rural Dean of Southwark, moved the adoption of the report.
He had been prevented taking any part in the former exhi-
bition, but hoped to do his share of the work in the forth-
coming one. Captain D. Rogers seconded the resolution.
Mr Simons supported the resolution and in so doing gave
several practical illustrations of the injurious c ff,cts of the
patent laws on working-class inventors. The report was then
adopted. Mr Watts moved the second resolution, setting
forth:the rules and regulations under which the forthcoming
exhibition should be held. Mr Bates seconded the motion,
which was also agreed tor. Several ether gentlemen and
working men having addressed the meeting,which through-
out was a very enthusiastic one, the proceedings concluded
with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

EXECUTION OF A DESPERADO.--The Europe of
Frankfort gives an account of the exicution of the
man Gasser, who made styli a determined resistance when
arrested some months back at Lauterach, as reported at the
time. Ho barricaded himself in his house, it may be re •
membered, kept the officers at bay for 48 hours, and was
only taken at last after a regular siege, during which ke
shot two officers dead and wounded several others. For
these murders and other crimes ho was tried, found guilty,
and condemned to be hanged at Feldkirck. The last three
days of his life he spent in prayer and meditation, and had
sea eral conversations with the chaplain of the prison. On
the morning of the execution he breakfasted as usual, took
leave of the gaolers, and on arriving at the fatal spot he
ascended the scaffold with a firm step, even helped the hang-
man to put the rope round his neck, placed himself on the
drop, and a moment after justice was satisfied. The body
was left hanging till sunset, when it was taken down and
buried near the place of execution. Au immense crowd
wag present to witness the execution,