The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-03 00:00:00

they were, two miles and a half over cur heads,
looking down at the mighty whirl of the modern
Babylon, whieh at that distance sunk into very
mortifying insignificance. Deptfcrd, Greenwich,
Woolwich, the docks, the river, were all distinctly
visible. Greenwich Park, a small and neatly laid
out garden, with narrow walks, a grey speck for
the Observatory which gives its;time to the world ;
Blackheath, so proud of its villas and gardens, a
small bare waste; and all our lofty buildings and
monuments and bwers on a dead level
with the river Thames /. It really is almost
too much for a Londoner to hear with
equanimity. One small comfort there is in the fact
that the steamboats were just perceptible, and the
train, a tiny child's toy, was also seen moving.
That dismal shriek, too, which pierces our brains,
and sets our teeth on edge as we pass a railway
station, frights even the stillness of the upper
world from its propriety. It is a consolation that
our energy can make itself heard even in the land
of clouds and cumuli, although it must be confessed,
not in the most pleasant position ! Here and there
the smoke of London dimmed the view, and the
h

orizon was misty, but for miles and miles
around the eye could reach, and Mr. GLAISIIER
describes the general effect of such a survey by the
light of a declining sun as most beautiful. There
was little wind when they left the earth, but at
8,000 feet it was felt freshly ; at 13,000 feet it
was quite calm, and Mr. GLAISIIER was able to
take several sets of 'Vibrations of a horizontal mag-
net as well es if he had been on the earth, and
ascertained that the time of vibration has un,.
dcubtedly lengthened. The temperature varied
from 78 degrees to 28 degrees. The temperature

of the dew point was 451- degrees on the ground,
and below zero at 13,000 feet. The air was most
humid at 5,000 feet, both in azcz!ncling and descend.
ing. Many other interesting observations were
made by Mr. GLIISHER, whose great energies

in the cause of science have suffered no
diminution. He had the disadvantage of going up
in the old balloon, which Mr COXWELL has had the
trouble and expense of entirely refitting with net-
ting, car, hoops, &c., as all his experiments were
destroyed at Leicester, along with the new balloon
which he had constructed expressly with a view to
Mr GLAISIIER'S observations. It contained 10,000
more cubic feet than the present balloon, and was
just brought into proper condition for high eleva-
tions, after several trial trips by Mr GLAISHER and
Mr COXWELL, It is to be hoped that all who are
concerned in the despicable outrage at Leicester are
by this time heartily ashamed of themselves. Con-
sidering the delay pnt in the way of scientific expe-
riments, and the injury done to an nßoffending in-
dividual, it would be no work of supererogation if
the Foresters contributed handsomely to repair the
damage inflicted under cover of their name, and at
their festival.

There is no institution more admirable in its style
than that of the National Lifeboat. It is one which
pre-eminently deserves attention and calls for sup-
port from all classes that can aid its efforts. There
can be no doubt raised as to the efficacy of its services,
and the need of its assistance is patent to all ; and
if one country more than another should possess
such an institution it must be England, whose con-
nection with the great waters has long been a time-
honoured fact. It is very satisfactory to find that
the benefits of this Society's extensive information
will be extended to France, for the French Govern-
ment, with a discernment that does them infinite
credit, have made several arrangements lately sith
a view to profiting themselves by the experience
and knowledge. Throe lifeboats are being built
for the French Government, under the superinten-
dence of the Institution. A captain of the Impe-
rial Navy has been instructed to visit the Insti4u-
lion and some of the lifeboat stations, so as to be-
come, in a measure, acquainted with the mode'
adopted by the Society on the coasts of the United
Kingdom. Also at some of the French ports the
valuable rules of the Society towards the restora-
tion of the apparently drowned are being translated
and circulated along the coasts. All these things
are really important in their way, because they
prove that a beginning is being made, and we can
only tru3t they will go on and prosper in their ad-
mirable attempt at valuable learning. The Horse
Guards have obtained from the Institution an addi-
tional supply of its new instructions for the cure of

the apparently drowned, and intend to distribute
the same "in every hospital and barracks of the
British army at home and abroad. It is very
gratifying to notice thus the increase of the dis-
semination of valuable knowledge, for there is
nothing so distressing as to witness or hear of
lamentable accidents occurring, and there being no
means of applying the resources of science to the
aid of the sufferers. The more widely diffused
the general principles of such knowledge becomes
the better will it be for the community ; and the
authorities in all places should pay particular heed
that due circulation be given to the valuable infor-
mation referred to. Along the coasts, banks of
rivers, docks, &c.,the rules of this society are
almost indispensable, and it will be very desirable
if all who have the means will use their efforts
fo promote the circulation of such invaluable ado
vice as these rules impart. The new lifeboats des-
tined for various spots along the coast have been
conveyed free of charge by the rail,ways. This
is greatly to the credit of the companies, and sets
a good example that others should not be slow to
follow. Rewards were voted at a meeting of the
society, lately held, to various persons who have
distinguished themselves by the rescue of ship..
wrecked individuals, and one of the tributes is out
of the common. The silver medal of the institu.
tion was voted to a young lady who had saved the
lives of two lads by her spirited exertions. This
is a good example to other ladies to exert them■
selves when opportunity offers, since in cases of this
kind immediate help is what is required. Alto-
gether it is a most interesting theme to dwell upon
this National Lifeboat Institution, and all who
rightly understand its requirements will rejoice at
its success hitherto, and trust that earnest and un-
remitting encouragement will enable it to increase
in the extent of its usefulness, for in the character
of its services it needs no improvement.

It is most painful to peruse the acccuats about
the Circassians. It would really appear as if the
Russians were determined upon proving to the
world how barbarous and savage they can be, and
all sentiments of humanity seem far from them. It
would be bad enough in all conscience to drive these
unfortunate tribes from their homes without adding
to the ejectment all the atrocities that skill can
devise or cruelty perpetrate. There can be but one
object in all this—, to extirpate, so far as practicable,
the unhappy race, which has had the misfortune to
offend the sovereign power of Russia. That arbi-
trary rule must he supreme, and whenever it pleases
the mighty CZAR to fi x on a place or people to come
under his sway, there is nothing to expect but death
and destruction. The says vs could not snrpsss and
seldom do they equal the doings of the subjects of
one who calls himself a Christian Sovereign. To
drive these Circassians from their fortresses, the
Cossacks went to the most extreme lengths—burnt
I the crops, set fire to the villages, ant thence drove
forth the inhabitants to the water I edge, where