The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-22 00:00:00

eac ellent measure was introduced, founded on the
rep orts of a Royal Commission appointed to inves-
tigate the subject. The bill was not proceeded
with, though it had been introduced into the House
of Lords. Mr. LIDDELL summed up the chief
points of this measure, which certainly comprised
the most important changes that are suitable and
requisite. "An entire change in the governing
be dy, a material reduction in the staff of officers, a
large reduction in the domestic establishment, with
a view to more efficient working and greater
e zonomy, and some provision for the wives and
f of pensioners:' It is a great pity that
t base intentions were not carried out; but since
they were not, for some unaccountable reason,
why should not the Ministers now redeem the
past, and seek to retrieve their lost opportunity,
and rectify their former mistakes. Mr. LIDDELL
strongly animadverted neon the practice that now
obtains of "retaining Greenwich as a place of com-
fortable retirement for the old invalided officers of
her MAJESTY'S Navy." He truly said that he
looked upon the Institution in a different light.
At present they occupy a fourth of the building,
and draw largely on the resources of the Hospital.
This is, surely, a most flagrant perversion of the
original intentions of the founders of the Hospital,
and ought not to be persisted in any
longer. No
one could have put the subject more strongly than
did Mr. LIDDELL, and his remarks were as tempe-
rate in their tone as their general tenour was in
conformity with sound sense and right feeling. He
said that he grudged nothing whatever to our dis-
tinguished naval and military officers; indeed, he
thought that the Government were often too nig-
gardly in their rewards to these eminent men, but
"he objected to the Crown transferring its oblige-
ticns to its own servants from the public treasury
to Greenwich Hcspital." This is the very substance
of the case, and exactly explains its consequence.
Why should such a mode be adopted and persisted
' in, in spite of all remonstrances and in the face of
all opposition. It is unjust to that humbler class for
whose benefit the Institution was founded; it is
placing worthy men in a very invidious position, and
casting disgrace on all in authority who connive at
such innovations and tacitly sanction such injus-
tice. Mr. LIDDELL observed that there had been
great discontent at the proposal to tax charities,
but that had the proposition been carried out, it
would have been nothing compared with the Ad-
miralty plan of paying the pensions out of the
funds of Greenwich Hospital. With reference to
the domestic establishment the commissioners drew
up a comparison between the years 1808 and 1859.
The following is the result. In 1805 the cost of
maintenance of 2,410 pensioners and 144 nurses
(widows), was £69,206 ; while the cost of establish-
ment, salaries to civil and military officers, clerks,
servants, and repairs, &c., was £21,837. In 1859
the cost of maintenance of 1,676 pensioners, 100
nurses, and 71 sick attendants, was £50,910, being
£18,296 less than 1805 ; while at the same time the
establishment charges was £48,667, or £26,830
more than in 1805. Thus it appeared that while
the expense of the individual pensioner had not
increased during 55 years, and whilst the aggre-
gate numbers of pensioners had been diminished
30 per cent., the cost of the establishment had
during that period considerably more than doubled.
if it were not proved beyond doubt that these
returns are official we would be tempted to
doubt their authenticity. A more monstrous state of
things could hardly exist in the way of misappro-
priation and extravagance. Another evil that Mr.
LIDDELL pointed out was that the female relatives
of the pensioners were wholly ignored: The con-
sequences of this neglect were most deplorable. The
commissioners stated in their report that the wives
were in extreme penury, sometimes chargeable to
the parish ; while the school for girls had been
abolished, and in consequence these children swelled
the ranks of the disreputable class of the community.
Mr. LIDDELL concluded his able speech by trusting
that the House would render justice to "a set of
men who had ventured their lives for the honour
and defence of their coun try."
Sir J. PAKINGTON made a few remarks; he said
that he believed that the Admiralty had full power
to cure the evils tbat had arisen without having
recourse to legislation, and he hoped that they
would exercise those powers. This is very true, but
the question is, if they will do so ; and past experi-
ence does not hold out much satisfactory prospect
for the future.
Lord C. PAGET made a short and most unsatis-
factory speech in reply to the several statements
and various questions. He acknowledged that it
was not at first intended that Greenwich
Hospital should be for the benefit of naval
officers; but, at the same time, the practice
had ever been in the other direction, and
he thought that it would now be unfair to
deprive them of their pensions. This is very ex-
traordinary reasoning, because they need not be
deprived of their pensions but paid from other
sources. It is something new for an official per-
sonage to state to the House that an institution is
perverted from its original purpose, yet that there
is no intention to restore it to its primal condition.
Lord C. PAGET
also misunderstood, or affected to
do so, the plans and proposals of the objectors to
the present system. He said the House was asked
to reduce the cost of the establishment by "a mi-
serable knocking off of a few naval officers' pen-
sions." The point was that the money was mis-
applied and misappropriated. The recipients might
be deserving, but they had no right to be rewarded
and supported with the fund set apart for others.
This " noble charity," as Sir J. PAKINGTON truly
designated it, will soon be shorn of its glory, and
deprived of its utility, if it is to degenerate like
this. Surely, if any class more than another deserve
recognition,and demand attention at the hands of the
British nation, it is the sailors. Mr. LINDSAY exactly
summed up the case when he declared that the Go-
vernment had set its face against all reform in this
matter. It is a very disgraceful thing to lay to their
charge that they should look coldly and indifferently
on while the defenders of our most sacred rights are
deprived of their just meed, and their fami-
lies compelled to undergo the sharpest trials
of poverty. It is a scandal on the
country to allow the present state of Greenwich
Hospital to continue, and if too late for the present
Session, it is very much to be desired that early
next year something decisive should be done to
adjust affairs at least more equitably, and render
the general system a link more creditable. It is
extraordinary how the noblest privileges may be
abused, and the highest duties neglected, and all
placed in authority, over such matters should be
cautions to supervise and keep in check all the
arrangements of such institutions, lest at any
time they asassumeundu
seem likely
to monopoliseolise all the benefits
undue pre-eminence, and, as at
present,
for themselves, on th© principle that charity
begins at home.

The Volunteers are not di to let the new
bill pass into law, 'with all its objectionable
clauses, without an effort to obtain at least some
modification. A deputation from the metropoli-
tan Committee waited upon Earl DE GREa and
RIPON on Saturday, and expressed the sentiments
of the Volunteers on the subject. Captain Woßms,
the chief spokesman, stated the grounds on which

their objections to the clauses in question were
based, and very reasonably asked why the Volun-
teers, as a body, should submit to give their time
and money, and yet be subjected to arbitrary
restrictions, which neither the army, the navy, or
the militia were called upon to suffer. Mr. FEW,
in supporting his views, said that all that was
wanted was the common and indefensible right pos-
seseed by all persons in civilised countries, namely,
the right of being heard before being condemned.
The reply of the War Secretary was anything but
satisfactory. He paid some general compliments to
the Volunteers, and declared that the public impres-
sion with regard to this bill was altogether mis-
taken, but he gave the deputation no sort of hope
that their wishes would have any influence. We
should be glad to know why a clause should be in-
serted in the bill, whether freshly introduced or
retained from some old measure, which is so decidedly
opposed to the general feeling of the Volunteers.
The Government, we should imagine, can scarcely
wish to diminish the force, or to induce its mem-
bers to throw up their offices in disgust, yet they
insist upon the insertion of a particular section
which is calculated to effect these undesirable ob-
jects, and is entirely contrary to the spirit of Eng-
lish law and justice. There has been no outbreak,
no display of unruly or reprehensible conduct
among the volunteer regiments which might autho-
rise such stringent regulations. It is not likely
that men, often of independent position, always of
other occupations and interests, would enrol them-
selves in a corps at the sacrifice of personal conve-
nience, without remuneration or reward of any
kind, if they did not intend to fulfil the duties
of membership. Of course there may be,
and probably will be, frequent cases among such a
large body of men where individuals will transgress
the regulations, but there has not been, nor is there
likely to be, an amount of insubordination suffi-
cient to justify the bestowal of such arbitrary
powers. It is probable, as Capt. WORMS observed,
that few commanding officers would exercise those
powers to their full extenS, but that is no reason
why they should be autt•orised to dismiss a volun-
teer at will without any court of inquiry. It is
useless to talk of the right of every individual to
appeal to the Secretary of State for redress. It is
not difficult to conjecture the sort of reception that
an unknown individual, without rank or influence,
would meet with at the hands of the various officials
of any public office if he came there with his cata-
logue of wrongs. The utmost he would obtain
would be a polite intimation that his papers had
been laid before the Secretary of State, who would
give them full consideration, but more probably he
would be told that the case was one in which the
Minister must " decline to interfere." It is very
well for Earl DE GREY and RIPON to talk largely
about the service of their QUEEN and country;
which the Volunteers had entered, but he and his
colleagues would do well to ask themselves whether
they are fulfilling their duties in that service by
disgusting the large body of spirited and patriotic
men with the task they have so cheerfully and libe-
rally undertaken. It surely is incumbent on the
Government to meet the Volunteers half way, and
to accord them a full degree of sympathy and
confidence until they prove themselves
unworthy of it. It is idle to expect, in a time of
peace, to tie these voluntary soldiers down to the
strict rule of martinets, and there seems to be no
possible advantage in the course proposed. To show
the feeling in the matter, upon Earl DE GREY'S as
serting that courts of inquiry were permitted by the
new model rules, a gentleman named PRINCE asked
whether that could not be embodied in the bill, and
suggested also that when a charge was preferred
against a man, it should be made in writing ; where-
upon the Under. Secretary of State remarked that if
a charge were obliged to be made in writing, that
would prevent the power of instant dismissal by the
commanding cfficer. His lordship seemed to con-
sider that an objection, whereas it would be a prin-
cipal advantage of the provision. Earl DE GREY,
who evidently wished to smooth matters down, said
that if an officer proved coercive or tyrannical, the
members of the corps had the remedy in their own
hands, since they could all resign and leave him
without a corps to command. His lordship appeared
to forget the inconvenience this would occasion, and
the loss which it would prove to the movement
generally, since it would be very improbable that all
the members would re-enlist in different regiments,
especially after such an unpleasant experience. A
member of the deputation reminded the Secretary
of War, in the middle of one of his pacific explana-
tions, that dismissal from one corps prevented a
volunteer from joining another, and also
that in the interval between sending in his
resignation, and the end of the intervening
fourteen days, the commanding officer might dismiss
him. Consequently, supposing the fulfilment of
Earl DE GREY'S suggestion about the wholesale
resignation, the unjust or tyrannical commander
might have his revenge by giving a dismissal to
each member of the corps, and consequently pre-
venting them from joining the service again. Of
course this is an extreme and highly improbable
case, but his lordship would do well to follow out
his suggestions to their possible conclusions before
he proposes them as specifics. Whether the objec-
tions to this clause have been exaggerated by the
volunteers or no, it is evident that it is most un-
popular among them, and it is very much to be
regretted that the Government have not acted in a
frank and cordial spirit towards a body of men of
whom any country might be justly proud, by at
once expunging, or at least modifying, the obnoxious
article. There is even more danger of personal
favour or prejudice in the case of volunteers than
among regular soldiers ; the commanders will be
lees experienced, probably less cautious and tempe-
rate, in the fulfilment of their duties. A strict
obedience to the rules, and a careful observance of
that order which is " Heaven's first law," on the
part of these voluntary soldiers are doubtless indis-
pensable, but the Government's determined
adherence to an unpopular clause for which no
better argument can be adduced than that some-
thing like it was in the last Volunteer Act, is
neither wise, just, nor politic.

Professor Faraday recently announced that it is
intended to have an extra evening-meeting at the
Royal Institution on the return of Captains Speko and
Grant to this country, when it was hoped that a lecture on
Egyptian geography would be delivered in reference to the
discovery of the sources of the Nilo.

STORY OF A 'MONKEY ON BOARD A MAN-OF-
WAR, AND A CHARACTERISTIC FRENCHMAN.—The
captain, who studied pug's happiness as much as the others,
and who perhaps thought be might be steadied by matri-
mony, was anxious to provide him with a wife. For some
time the happiness of the wedded pair appeared to be com-
plete; and the frigate sailed upon a summer cruise during
their honeymoon, The husband, however, soon grew in•
different; and indifference was soon succeeded by disgust.
This was manifested by angry looks, chatter, and even
blows, upon the female's persevering in her attentions. All
were much disappointed and scandalized at the evil success
of so promising a union. At length, however, an apparent
change took place in the husband's conduct, and was
hailed with correspondent joy by the ship's company.
Their pleasure was, however, of short duration, for the
twraiitttoers,,,hedavbing one. day decoyed his wife out to the end of
the fore top-gallant yard, as if to show her something at
sea, and sat down with her on the spar, slipped his paw
tinshall forget
her sitting part, and tumbled her overboard. I never
the momentary horror with which this was
beaucoup dye all, with
`4 a Prisoner' on buard, who, turning to the second
the exception of a French captain,
aeuten
ant, etelainaed "Parbleu, Monsieur, co drole-la a
."—Senior's Biographical &etches.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TRLEGRAIIS.)

TURKEY.
CON STANTIN OPLE, JUNE 21.
The Levant Herald announces that the supple-
mentary loan of X 2,000,000, authorised at the time
of the negotiation of the late loan, will shortly be
issued for the purpose of withdrawing the base
currency from circulation.
Four frigates and 50,000 rifles have been ordered
by the Turkish Government in England.

CRACOW, JUNE 20.

The Warsaw correspondent of the Czas says
that the Poles will not consent to an armistice
except on three condittons:—

1. That the armistice shall extend on both sides
over the whole of Poland as it existed before the
first partition.

2. That a plenipotentiary from the National
Government be admitted as representing the inte-
rests of Poland at the congress.

3. That a national diet, including delegates from
the Polish provinces as Well as the kingdom, be
allowed to assemble, under the guarantee, not only
of Europe, but of a national Polish army occupy-
ing all the provinces.

Unless these conditions are complied with, adds
the correspondent, the Poles will fight to the last.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,

The Union Company's steamer Saxon, arrived
here this morning. Her dates are Table Bay, 21st
ult. ; Helena, 30th ult. ; and Ascension, 2d inst.
She brings 75 passengers, among whom are Colonel
Freeze, C.B. ; Captain Jamieson, R.N. ; Captain
Herberden, R.M.; Lieutenant Bryon, and Mr.
George Fitzgrove, Narcissus.

The leading event at the Cape during the month
was the rejoicings in honour of the marriage of
the Prince of Wales.

The 15th of May was proclaimed a public holi-
day, when the event was celebrated with great
eclat. At Cape Town a royal salute was fired at
sunrise, and throughout the day the bells or St.
George's Cathedral were rung. There was a grand
public procession at one o'clock-, after which the
military, sailors, police, and the population in gene-
ral were entertained at dinner on the parade. This
was followed by rural games, and at three p.m.
there was a public banquet, under the presidency of
the Governor.

The Colonial Secretary introduced his annual
budget in the Cape Parliament on the 9th May.
The estimated expenditure of the year fails short of
the estimated revenue by £95,000. To meet the
cost of services not included in the estimates and to
defray temporary loans, the Government proposes
to impose additional taxes to the amount of
£150,000. Bills had already been introduced for
that purpose, but their fate was considered doubt-
ful, the general feeling of the colonists being against
any heavy increase of taxation in the present de-
pressed state of the colony.
A strong party were in support of a motion to be
made on the day the Saxon sailed, that the time
had arrived when the introduction of a Reaponsible
Government was expedient and desirable.
In the evening the Government gardens were il-
luminated, and a grand display of fireworks took
place.

'Throughout the colony in all the various town-
ships, villages, hamlets, and even solitary farm re-
sidences in the thinly-populated districts, there
were similar rejoicings in honour of the Royal
marriage.

The GOverntnent had declined to appoint a board
to supervise the mansgement and construction of
railways.

The Assembly had refused to renew the Public
Roads Act. The road department will, therefore,
be closed.

All was quiet on the frontier, but cattle stealing
by the natives was still prevalent.
The Saxon made the passage out in 31 days 14
hours, and home in 31 days 15 hours.

THE BOMBAY AND MEDITERRANEAN
MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 21.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Delta, Captain Weeks, with the above mails
and 62 passengers, amongst whom are Sir J. H.
Drummond Hay and Lady, arrived this evening.
The Delta brings on freight 4 packages of specie,
value £l,BOO, also 24 eases Indian showls, 20 cases
indigo, 10 casks potatoes, 3 cases marble work, 19
casks wine, and 129 packages sundries.
The Delta sailed from Alexandria on the 10th,
and experienced fine weather throughout her pas-
sage. O❑ the 13th inst. off Goza she exchanged
colours with the steam ship Ripon, on the 14th,
with the British bark Lady Pirie, steering west-
ward; on the 15th, with the steamship Albania,
steering east; on the 16th, with the steamship
Rotterdam, standing W.N.W.; and on the 21st,
at 7.15 a.m., with the steamship Poonab, with
the outward Australian mails, steering W.S.W.
Her Majesty's ships Trident and Procris were
at Gibraltar ; the Meeanee, Revenge, Alacrity,
Medina, Caradoc, and Pelican at Malta ; the Ita-
lian frigate Victor Emmanuel, the French tran-
sport Perdris, and the Egyptian fleet were at
Alexandria.

The broken down steamship Scotia sailed from
Gibraltar on the 13th, under canvass, for Queens-
town; and the British bark Warbawk, with a
general cargo for Liverpool, sailed on the same
date.

The British bark Alma, 42 days from Havan-
nab, arrived at Gibraltar on the 3d inst.
The British bark Seaham, from Smyrna, ar-
rived at Gibraltar; she spoke, on the 2d inst., oft
Minorca Islands, the British bark Havelock (of
Hull), from Athens,, bound to Liverpool, out 20
days, all well.

GIBRALTAR, JUNE 17.

The following British vessels have arrived here
since the departure of the last mail ;—Steamer
Livorno, 8 days, from Glasgow; steamer Cossack,
7 days, from Liverpool; steamer Arabian, 5,1 days,
from Liverpool ; and steamer Amazon, 7 days, from
London.

Exchanges are quoted on London, 90 days' date,
501 to 50 3-16ths ; Paris, sf. 29c.; Marseilles, sf.
29e. to 30c.; Genoa,
sf. 30c. to 3k.; Madrid, 8
days' sight, 4 per cent. prem.; Cadiz, I, dis. ;
Barce-
lona, prem. ; Alnaeira, die. ; Valencia, prem.;
Se-
viiie, to die.; Malaga, par to -41-, dis.;
Alicaut, par. Premium on five frar:c pieces, :1 to
per cent. Freights aro without alteration.

THE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO GEN.

BIOURAVIEFF.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 16.
The following is a faithful translation of the ori-
ginal instructions issued in the course of the past
month by the Government of the Czar to General
Mouravieff upon the appointment
the chief military command in the revolted Polish
provinces : of that officer to

,4 His Imperial Majesty,
attaching the highest
importance to the immediate suppression of tile
troubles which have broken out in some districts of
tha Lithuanian provinc‘s, has deigned to appoint
tiffs Excellency General Diouraviff as Governor-