The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-30 00:00:00

Tint SON. LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 20, 1863.

forward boldlyand show themselves capable of being
decided for once, and putting a stop to the encroach-
ments of one state, and giving support to the just
claims of another.

A heavy cloud is thrown over the Indian news
which has reached us with the newly at rived mail,
by the reported death of the able and high minded
Governor-General. The news is startlingly sudden
and as yet unconfirmed, but there is too much rea-
son to fear that if not actually true at the time it
was first announced it has since been verified. Lord
ELGIN, according to a telegram received at the
India Office, was so dangerously ill that his life
was despaired of on the 14th of this month, and
there is too much reason to fear that, like too many
of his predecessors, efficient and accomplished as
thriyminseglfc,lhimeahtaes, succumbed to the evil influences of a
possibly aggravated by want of due
precautions. In any case his illness will be a serious
loss to England and to India, for his appointment
was one of the few political nominations which gave
almost unqualified satisfaction, and it is to be feared
that, under the most favourable circumstances, Lord
ELGIN'S health will prove unequal to his arduous
duties. Unhappily, there is too much reason to
regard the office as already vacant, and another of
our foremost politicians wili be summoned to under-
take the dignities, the responsibilities, and the risks
of his high estate. It is time to consider whether
something cannot be done to mitigate this loss of
life, to arrest, or at least delay, that fatal arm which
stands with ready poised dart continually by the
side of our Anglo-Indian chiefs, snatching them
from us in the full flush of their glory, the prime of
their days, with their work half accomplished, their
reforms begun, but left incomplete. It remains to
be tried whether more frequent relaxation, less as-
siduous application to the duties of their calling,
great-I. care in the selection of a place of residence,
and more caution in avoiding violent changes of
atmosphere, as well as extremes of temperature, will
not serve to modify, if it cannot altogether check
this disastrous mortality. More, perhaps, is to be
hoped from the completion of the great public works
now going on in India—the drainage, the irriga-
tion, the adoption of sanitary measures which,
together with the greater facilities offered
by the railway lines for the selection of healthful
localities for our official stations, may be expected
to have a beneficial cfEct on civilians and soldiers
alike. The long roll of names which have passed
into silence under the Indian sun include men emi-
nent in all professions, and the better government
of our Eastern Empire will be secured at a heavy
price indeed if men like Lord ELGIN are to be the
sacrifice. In Jamaica, in Canada, in China, in
India, he has served his country well and wisely,
and the thought that so brilliant and successful a
career has been too probably cut short in its prime
will sadden many an Englishman as he glances at
the news brought by the Calcutta mail. The other
intelligence which it brings is satisfactory enough.
Peace and prosperity are rapidly developing the
capacities of India, though the supineness and
injustice of former years has left work for many a
long day to come. The East India Railway is busy
conveying the holiday-seekers of depopulated Cal-
cutta to the hills, the new line is about to be opened
between Lahore and Mooltan, and in every direc
tion the means of internal communication are being
gradually extended. Trade is also prosper-
ing, although considerable damage has been
done to some kinds of produce by the
enormous clouds of locusts which have lately passed
over a large portion of India, coming, it is conjec-
tured, originally from Arabia. The owners of the
vast tea plantations, which have recently given rise
to such confident expectatiods, were horror stricken
as the mighty swarm moved towards them. Hap-
pily for tnis new and flourishing trade, tea is not
ranked among entomological delicacies, and the
plants were left unhurt. Less fortunate, holtever,
were the rival plantations, and it is feared that
the cotton crops will have suffered heavily from
the inroads of these unwelcome and voracious
visitors. Should this prove to be the case, it will
be more to be regretted than any damage done
to the tea plantations, seeing that the cotton crop
affects two countries and two peoples, instead
of one. It seems that, unfortunately, the cotton
plant is numbered among the favourite dainties
of the locust tribe, and at some places, Arrah,
for instance, they have inflicted considerable
damage. An Anglo-Indian correspondent describes
them in these words—" They stretched like a firma-
ment for miles on every side, and towered up to
Heaven, in pillars of ever revolting multitudes,
like millions of water-spouts. The injuries which
they have inflicted, however, have happily been
only of a partial nature, and Government and
people are busy in trying to provide against a re-
currence of the infliction of destroying the eggs add
young swarms. Had it not been for these unplea-
sant visitors the harvest in Northern India would,
it is said, have equalled the abundant crops of Eng-
land. We must hope that the grievance will be
only temporary, and that the active measures taken
for the destruction of the enemy will prove to have
been effectual. At any rate the trade of India is
now flourishing enough to bear such a calamity
without much disturbance, even as her revenue has
become sufficiently buoyant to have dispersed all
the gloomy anticipations of financiers. There is
much cause for thankfulness if we look at the
change a few years has wrought, though much re-
mains to be done, if we would prevent our eastern
empire from exacting in return for the benefits she
may confer on us the lives of our most capable
and energetic statesmen.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.
BRESLAU, Nov. 30.

Advices received here from Poland state that in
consequence of the searches ordered in the churches
and convents of Kaliscb, the city had been sur-
rounded and all communication with the environs
interrupted.

Small detachments of insurgents were appearing
throughout the country, well armed, and completely
equipped in winter uniform.
A fresh convoy of Poles, among whom was
Madame Memachewska, had been sent into the
heart of Russia.

ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 30.

The Journal de St. Petersburg publishes a very
detailed plan, dated March 1, 1861, and signed
General Miroslawski, for the organisation of the
present revolution in Poland.
This document is stated to have been found in
Zamoy ski House, Warsaw, after the attempt on the
life of General Berg.

SUEZ, Nov. 28.

News received here from Madagascar announces
Ta
nt treaty with France was being
a bad been abolished, and
y
worshipraTftheofa granted. The French Consul
prepared.tl
ihbaetr t tyh eodf
would reside in Madagascar. Commerce would be
permitted as proof of friendship. French vessels
would be allowed to anchor in the military port.
The Customs duties had been re-established. The
Qacen will have the power of passing laws.

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, Nov. 23.

One of the chief objects of Portugal in going to
the Paris Convention is to obtain possession of the
frontier town of Olivenca, which Spain has always
held, although it was formally made over to Portugal
by the treaty of Vienna.

FRANCE.
PARIS, Nov. 29.

BOURSE, Nov. 28.—The market has been heavy
but with little change in quotations, Threes, for the
Account, being now at 66f. 90c. Railways quiet,
but up the present time well maintained. The
market closed as follows :--

tt per Cents. 94 250
Do. end
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 85
Credit Mobilier... 1065
Do. end month 1095
Bank Shared....., 3363
Credit koneier 1250
Roman

Italian L0an...... 71 80
Do. end month.... 71 70
New ditto ......
Do. end month
Russian ........
Austrian . 78
Spanish Threes....
Howe Debt ...... 5111
Deferred ........ 46 75

BAIL

rAyB.
Cash. Account.
972 50 .. 970
975 .. 979

Orlon=
Northern ..
New ditto

937 50 .. 935
895 - -

Lyons and Mediterranean
New. ditto .. • •
Geneva
S uithern
Western
Eastern .. ..
Sardinian......
Austrian
I.ol7.bard
North of Spain
Saragossa .. 625 .. 617 50
Ditto to Barcelona .... 303 75 .. 307 LO

ounded, the Yankees moved cautiously towards the spot,
and two battalions opened close volleys. Discovering their
exact whereabouts by the flash, we all took accurate aim,
and pouring volley after volley into them with great ra-
pidity, scattered their force in all directions. Wet to the
skin, but much elated, we were peremptorily commanded
to retire across the Run by an orderly of the general's, who
said our firing had aroused every man in the division. As
we approached M'Lean's Ford through the woods, our
outposts, horse and foot, were as thick as flies, and such
was the danger of being fired into, that scouts had to be
sent in advance to report our approach. The ford was much
deepened, and the river had risen. We crossed as best we
could on fallEn trees ; and as the moon rose, plainly saw our
horse pickets on the opposite hill, while the glare of the
enemy's camp flees around Centreville looked like thou-
sand. of stars flickering against the dark blue sky.
It was evident the enemy were perfectly informed of the
topograpbical peculiarities of the region, for there seemed
to be little hesitation in their movements, but great know-
ledge of available ground, and practicable roads. Their ex-
tended wings and superior force led many to suppose that
it was their real intention to surround and cut us off from
all escape. The men laughed at such an idea, and, to use
iheir own language, were " spoiling for a fight." When
the morning of the 18th dawned, our regiments formed in
line, and waited hour alter hour for the attack, whieh was
now certain.

Shortly afterwards we have the writer's first im-
pressions of

A BATCH OF GENERALS.

During the week, when the weather had cleared and the
scorching July sun blazed again as of old, by common
consent we all took to the woods, and encamped there. As
tor " Jeff. Davis," it appears that when the rout of the
enemy was complete, he had ridden without escort along
the lines ; but his features and figure were so well known
that he was quickly discovered, and loud yells of delight
rang out from our whole army. Taking advantage of the
tall of evening, he " dropped in" upon our officers (many
of whom were fellow-townsmen, or ex- members of the U.S.
branches of Legislature) to have a quiet chat. As I had
never seen a live President, my curiosity was on the que
vive, and when his presence was whispered to me, I found
him sitting at our colonel's tent-door, with a circle of cap-
tains and lieutenants, conversing very quietly on State
anirs, but withno more animation orsignof pleasure than if
a victorious army was not around, or a beaten one flying
from him. In citizen attire, with beaver hat, aad smoking
a cigar, he listened to all that was said, assented or dis-
sented with a nod of the head, and some time afterwards,
mounting his grey mare, ambled off to Manassas as unos-
tentatiously as it' he were the least person in the Confede-
racy. Since then I have seen the President frequently on
different fields of battle, and have observed little change in
his habitually modest and thoughtful demeanour, although
on many occasions his proud and victorious troops, un-
conscious of his presence, were rending the skies with their
shouts or charging the enemy with unexampled fury.
The brigadier under whom we had hitherto served
pleased the men so little that it was deemed advisable to
appoint in his stead Colonel Nathan Evans, whose general-
ship and gallantry at Stone Bridge and Sudley Ford had
won for him universal esteem. We had been informed
that our command was under marching orders, and parado
was just over when three horsemen galloped into camp,and
saluted the colonel. These were none other than Evans,
Longstreet, and Ewell—names that are now for ever hal-
lowed in the hearts and history of our gallant army. From
their style of riding and peculiar seat in the saddle, I at
first sight, took them for dragoons, and was not mistaken.
Evans was very restless, and his horse reared and chafed,
and plunged to the right and lett all the time he stayed
with us. He is anout 40 years of age, with a head of the
zest of Tom Moore's ; slightly bald; small restless black
eyes; heavy black moustaches; and when he smiles dis-
plays incomparable teeth ; but has a quick, cunning, and
snappish look, although his manner is polished and polite.
His countenance looks like one who dissipates occasionally;
he is of medium stature, angular in his movements, never
happy but when in the saddle—a perfect soldier in every-
thing, and " swears like a trooper."
Longstreet is a powerfully-built man, somewhat bald, about
stt 10in. high, with sandy hair and whiskers—the latter
allowed to grow mit immed. Ile possesses a fine bluish-
grey eye, of great depth, penetration, and calculation ; sel-
dom speaks unnecessarily, seems absorbed in thought, and
very quiet in manner. Ewell I did not see distinctly; he
was continuall y moving about, prying into our camp
arrangements, and looking towards Manassas with his
glass. All three were dressed as citizens,with heavy black
felt hats on, and, except pistols in their holsters, were
unarmed and unattended. These officers have since
acquired in mortal fame. I myself have bean witness of
their achievements, of which more anon.

So potent is the force of association that this author's
Confederate sympathies go so far as to make him
—an Englishman—an advocate of slavery ! He
devotes a chapter to the one-sided consideration of
the question, giving imaginary conversations, which
dilate upon the happiness of many negroes of his
acquaintance and their attachment to their masters.
No doubt many of these instances may be true.
There are good masters as well as bad, and there
are contented as well as discontented slaves. Minor
details like these do not, however, in any way affect
the principles of a question. It is rather late in
the day to argue the abstract merit of slavery now !
We shall con tent ourselves with a passing expression
of our own amazement, that an " Englishman," as
he calls himself upon the title•page, should venture
to declare such sentiments ! As a consecutive narra-
tive of the war, these volumes will be useful as well
as interesting. T►he last chapter takes us to the
Battle of Fredericksburg, on the 13th December,
1862, which is illustrated by a sketch map of the
Battle• field.

The Mysterious Case of Arsenic Poisoning.

After the despatch of our report of the proceed-
ings at the inquest at Wimbledon on Miss Huband,
on Friday, the following evidence was taken :
George Cole was called. He is a man of appa-
rently 30 years of age. He said—My acquaint-
ance with the deceased commenced three and
a half years ago, but it ceased during that time for
fourteen months—from January, 1861, to March,
1862. The acquaintance was secret, and it was not
approved of by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon. My visits
were secret and at night. I was aware that she was
six months gone with child, and I have not much
doubt that I was the father. She told me she was
in that state in the beginning of last April. She
said she would swear the child on me, and I was
under the belief that she was in the family-way.
She said several times that her aunt would blow
up, and I proposed marriage, She said that
would he altogether against her friends' wishes. I
furnished her with a ring in May last, but she did
not wear it, and after her death Mrs. Vernon sent
it back through the post, in consequence of an ap-
plication I made to her to return me the property
there was of mine in the house. I had given the pro-
perty to Miss Huband, but after her death I thought
1. was entitled to it. Deceased never said anything
about destr, ying the child's or her own life, and I
never suggested anything of the kind to her. I
never furnished her with any arsenic, and never
heard of any, and nothing occurred that I know of
for the purpose of procuring abortion. The note
which 1 took to Mr. Vernon's merely related to the
property, and there was not one word in it as to
the death of the deceased, or her being in the
family way. I had reason to think she had taken
poison, or been poisoned, from her sudden death,
and from Mrs. Vernon's not allowing anyone
to see the body. I think she either poisoned
herself or that the Vernons or her relations did so
to prevent my marrying her. I have nothing to
warrant such a supposition beybnd my own ima-
gination. I never heard her say she would poison
herself, or that there was poison in the house.
Superintendent Bevan said he did not wish to
put any questions to the witness, but he was the
only witness who had adhered to his first statement.

The Coroner—l am afraid that fact will not les-
sen his guilt, or mitigate what he will have to
answer for hereafter.

By a Juror—The property consisted of a watch
and trinkets.

In reply to a remark. by Superintendent Bevan,
the coroner said he did not think that any portion
of the arsenic found in the cupboird had been used
by the deceased, and that the arsenic taken by her
was of another kind.

Mr. John Huband, the father of the deceased,
was then called, and said that Mrs. Vernon took
his daughter and adopted her. She never expressed
a wish to leave. He had no reason to suppose she
received any injury from the Vernon family, or was
ill-treated in any way.
The Coroner having ascertained that the opinion
of the jury was that the inquiry had roceeded quite
far enough, summed up the evidence, pointing out
that under the circumstances he thought that the
only safe verdict for them to return was that the
deceased died of poison, hut whether taken by her-
self or administered to her by others there was no
satisfactory evidence to show. The jury concurred,
and the following verdict was returned—" That the
deceased was several months gone in the family
way, and died from the effects of arsenic, but
whether it was taken by herself to destroy her own
life, or whether it was given to her by any other
person for any other purpose, there is no satisfac-
tory evidence to show."
The inquiry lasted nearly seven hours.

T
HE FRENCH EMBASSY.—His Excellency Prince
de la Tour d'Auvrrgne, the newly-appointed Ambassador
from the Court of the Tuileries, arrived at Albert-gate-
house last evening from Paris. His Excellency was met
at the London-bridge station by the Marquis de Cadore,
Charge d'Affaires and First Secretary of the Embassy,
Viscount Contades, Viscount Beamont, M. Caumont de la
Force, and Al, Roux, Chancellor of the Embassy,