The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-04 00:00:00

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," records of Birkenhead and Birmingham might show
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE
3an be had Avery Evening of ,
a very curious contrast. That a still more striking
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
instance of partiality is continually exhibited in
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.
another part of our dominions is a fact generally
admitted, but, thantes to the waters of the Irish
Channel, it is not thrust so conspicuously upon our
notice, and the supporters of Lord PALMERSTON
may conveniently ignore it. If it be an infringe-
ment of neutrality to furnish one of the combatants
with ships, what is it to supply the other with men ?
Can fancy picture the indignant excitement of Mr.
ADAMS, the horror of Earl RUSSELL, the rage of the
whole American nation, if a regular system of en-
listment was found to be going on at one of our
seaports on behalf of the Confederates ? Yet that
a wholesale invasion of the Foreign Enlistment Act
is actually carried on by the agents and cheers of
the Federal Government in Ireland, there is very
little reason to doubt. If the supply of men from
thence were stopped, the grand armies of the North
would soon dwindle away considerably. It is im-
possible, of course, to prevent men from emigrating
with a view to subsequent enlistment, but at least
some effort should be made to check that enlist-
ment being openly carried on in ouryorts by a Go-
vernment which so loudly proelaiins it's impartiality,
and, in pursuance of the duties.of neutrality, thinks
fit to confiscate unfinished mid unarmed vessels.
Two curious documents have been forwarded .to a
contemporary, authentidated by the name and
address of the sender, which contain the declarations
of two Irishmen before one of the Justices of the
Peace for the borough of Cork. These men state
that an American war steam frigate came into the
harbour of Queenstown on the 2d of November, and
that in consequence of its being generally circu-
lated through the town that she was enlisting men,
they went on board, each in company with one or
two other men. The pay was to be twelve dollars
a month, and the men were well received, being
provided with meals. One of them was refused on
account of his height, but his two companions were
engaged. The other passed inspection,bnt changed
his mind for, some reason which he dOes nut give,
and came back in the pilot boat. Both men agree
in affirming that there were from 150 to' 200 !nen
taken on board, the most part being Irish. The
American consul for
,Qaeanstsiwn and- his agent
were on board, and remained, soma time in conver-
sation with the officers, soihat the wholesale system
of enlistment thus carried on can scarcely be dis-
owned by American offici'ils. The open manner in
which it was done, and the object of the
ship in coming there being known throughout
the town, afford pretty good evidence that Earl
RUSSELL'S remonstrances do not inspire so much
respect in the minds of his Federal friends as their
threats do him. Or is it that the bias of the Foreign
Secretary is so well known by the Northern Govern-
ment and its agents, that it is considered to be
useless trouble to keep up appearances, seeing that
their offences are sure to be weighed in a very
different balance from any act of the Confederates.
Guns and commodities of various kinds have doubt-
less left this country for both sides, but if the rela-
tive proportions were aecurately known, the result
would not be very flattering to Northern indepen-
dence or to English non-intervention. It is the
worst kind of inactive intervention which brings
all the resources of a vast trading community to
supply the needs of the one, while any effort of the
other to obtain what it wants is met by a universal
outcry. Englishmen are not sufficiently quixotic
to go cn in any line of business at a heavy loss, and
Earl :RUSSELL and Mr. ADAMS have taken care that
the owners of the Alexandra and of the
Birkenhead rams shall suffer enough from
litigation, delay, and annoyance, that smaller capi-
talists may well hesitate before undertaking
trade engagements with the South. If it was the
Cabinet of Washington that happened to want hall
a dozen Monitors, armed, equipped, and manned,
how pleasantly and easily matters might be ar-
ranged. How conveniently the English authorities
might look another way while the vessel steamed
out of the harbour—how slight would be the
obstacles put in the way by the Custom-house. It
must be a great satisfaction to Mr. SEWARD and
his fellows to know that when the ranks of the
army of the Potomac,which we hear so much about,
are thinned, they can always be supplied in the
English dominions; when their naval force has suf-
-fered f,om encounters with the Power that has no
navy, all that is necessary can be obtained from the
strictly impartial English. We have certainly a
good right to admire and appreciate the courage
and determination with w hich the Southern States
maintain the struggle against heavy odds, when we
ourselves have contributed so consistently and
kindly to the assistance of their enemies, and to.the
'ncrease of their difficulties.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Cate DAY.—Morning, 7h. 41m.—Afternoon, Bh. 15m.
'OO-monnow.-Morning, 811. 50m.—Afternoon, 9h. 23m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Dec. 4, 1863.

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock .. 41
Barometer-30.30; a rise of an inch since yesterday.
Wind—S.-W. ; moderate breeze, and fine.

e-8.--1
(t4l Sun,
"

LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 1863.

M. FOULD'S report upon the French Finances
comes rather as an anti-climax after the EMPEROR'S
reference to those Finances in his MAJESTY'S inau-
eiral address to the Senators and Deputies upon the
opening of the French Leglislature. It will be
remembered that in that inaugural address, NAPO-
LEON 111. spoke thus distinctly and positively as to
littlession
the financial empire.situationofthelAsr
JE,y, " a
, The session
now
tthakaninogrdPink:rey',' said hie
the report of the Minister of
Finance has not yet been published." The EMPEROR
was speaking, recollect, on the' ot;a of November.
"It will be so (that is, published) immediately."
M. FOULD S Report upon the Financial Situation,
'
now but just given to the world, being dated, how-
ever, it will be perceived, on Monday the Ist of
December—very nearly a whole month afterwards.
Reverting, nevertheless, to the notable words uttered
by the Emperor of the FRENCH in anticipation of
his Minister's report upon the inaugural day of the
Legislative session, we find his MAJESTY speaking
thus hopefully, or at any rate, encouragingly,
`You will there see," he remarked, meaning in the
report when published, " that if our hopes are not
completely realised, the revenues of the coun-
try have still continued to advance and improve,
and that, without extraordinary resources we have
met the expenses occasioned by the war in Mexico
and Cochin China." The passage is so important,
however, to our thinking, as contrasted with M.
FOULD'S actual statement, now that it has been
aublishee, not immediately, but some five weeks
afterwards, that we are tempted to give here the
EMPEROR'S ipsissima verbs.:—" Vona y verrez que,
si nos esperances ne se soot pas completement
ealisees, les revenus out suivi une marche ascen-
dente, et que, sans ressources extraordinaires, nous
aeons fait face aux apenses occasionneds par la
guerre au Mexique et en Cochinchine." After
which very comforting assurance from the lips of
the Sovereign himself, comes now, rather, as we
have said, as an anti-climax, under the un-
compromising and pitiless hand of the EM-
PEROR'S Minister of Finance, the demand of
another extraordinary loan—a loan of no less than
three hundred million francs, that is, about twelve
millions of pounds sterling—really and truly in
order to meet the deficit caused by those very wars
in Mexico and in Cochin China. To meet the deficit
so caused, it is true, and to have some three mil-
lions sterling to the good, over and above it, after-
wards. For it is to be remarked that, whereas
the deficit notified by M. FOULD amounts to seven
millions sterling, the loan he asks for is for twelve
millions. In bringing forward that bold proposi-
tion, however, M. FOULD does so with no evidence
on his own part, as Finance Minister, of either de-
jection or disappointment. He is sanguine that
the Mexican debt will at some vague future time be
liquidated. He is especially hopeful that a rational
economy may, before much longer, be adventured
upon by France, in common with the rest of the
Great Powers of Europe, with or without the aid of
a Congress—a rational economy by means of a
general diminution of a war expenditure in
a time nominally of peace. Realise those delight-
ful anticipations of M. FOULD, and no doubt all
will become very pleasantly rose-coloured ! Let the
Mexican debt be liquidated, let the ruinous rivalry
among the European Powers in the way of warlike
armaments by sea and by land, during this interval
of general tranquillity, cease, and the happiest future
is, no doubt of it, clearly before the French Finance
Minister, bo that Minister M. ACHILLE FOULD, or
some as yet undreamt of successor. For, the truth
is undeniably propitious in this way, both in regard
to the Financial condition of France and of England
—namely, that but for our extravagant rivalry in
warlike armaments by sea and by land the resources
of the two countries are steadily and wonderfully
on the increase. Insomuch is this the actual position
of things on both sides of the British Channel, that,
let but there be a mutual reduction of extravagant
armaments, and the annual deficit would in each
instance become transformed into an annual

r. ADDERLEY'S last letter on Punishment and
Reformation contains some reflections that may be
of essential service to those whom it may con-
cern, or, indeed, to the public generally; for, apart
from the mere official set who require more or less
advice and assistance in the discharge of their one-
rous and complicated duties, the whole country has
a direct interest in the subject, since the safety of
many is closely connected with the right treatment
of this important matter. Mr. ADDERLEY'S chief
point of discussion in this letter is the "present
mode of discharging criminals from punishment."
On this he comments at some length, and his stric-
tures are for the most part most just ones. It is
a notorious fact, that the plans adopted of late
years, and which were generally considered to be
so wise and humane, have almost utterly failed,
and that the result has been that the ends of jus-
tice have been defeated, and the return of the
criminals to active life has been marked by a
decided &sire to resume the evil of their ways.
Hence the greatest consternation has been experi-
enced in many quarters, and universal indigna-
tion expressed at the latitude allowed to prisoners,
and the false principles which have guided their
treatment, and pervaded the establishments
wherein penal servitude is carried out.
Enormous sums are expended every year in the
mangement of these prisons; and if the end is to
be that safety is not preserved, and a due terror
inspired by the idea of imprisonment, it would
appear that the money is wasted, the time thrown
away, and the system a decided failure. It is not
quite the thing for the general public to abandon
the consideration of this subject, until their
attention is aroused by the grievous annoyances to
which they are exposed, and the greet discomforts
that many have to endure. This not at all the right
way of treating the question.. It should be calmly
and cautiously regarded, and all its bearings taken
into account. Then, when objections have been
studied, fallacies exposed,
proposals considered, and
ances introddi
theories analysed, some real and lasting benefit
may perchance accrue, and the -whole framework
be changed
; u weeh
lteh
aso t
ni ma p ercep
sneeringt imperceptibly
aymi areca
p ttheio
aa
sp pa ldi
herent to the old •
be called a " panic legislation"
routine can possibly declare that
we are acting under . .
ev fearr
every
wand tn
mit
eminentlyt:
.t
lgDwpwoEhrßat
LtiiEmy
ya:si
if their intrinsic merits were not
suggestioannsdaerveei:
regard ;
so great, there would be this advanta
that they call attention to they ge in them,
subject, and may
last something beneficial may be imparted to the
stimulate others to go and do likewise, so
that at

and year after year an increasing sur-
plus. This, moreover, in despite of very untoward
circumstances circumstances as untoward, for
example, and as extraneous, so to speak, in their
origin and consequences as that most deplorable
and protracted civil war in America, the results of
which are so seriously adverse to the mercantile
and shipping interests of both France and England.
Of one thing, however, 11. FOULD may rest per-
fectly well assured, while asking for this new and
extraordinary loan of tweive millions, namely, that
he will obtain it without any difficulty whatever.
Experience has shown, more than once, how impli-
citly the EMPEROR may reiy upon the confidence
reposed by the French.people alike in the strength
and solvency of his Government. He has had but to
ask, and his demands have been invariably granted,
uPan the instant, by the nation, anct granted, too,
itil hands running over with substantial tributes
° 1111,3 far beyond his own immediate requirements.
It Jab

'Y this time pretty generally known that
the strict
to observeneat
rality which Earl RUSSELL proposes
re,
PeOing the American War, admits of
important exceptions on one side at all events. It
principal manufactures has
is true that one of 0
inlesthousands of English work-
been paralysed, that
the llorthern States out of re-
uolfate nod -
have paid a bitter price for
men and their fun
ambitionae
thaerdmtoadouri
facts do not dependent neutrality,
but these Prev"t the balance from
• hed one aide,
being heavily wc:g
We may ad-
mit foreign spies to pry about our „rivete Working
establishments from the one, althen„h
We cannot
receive accredited representatives of the Other ;
may boar with patience the dictation of a foreignW
Minister, and accept his continual hints and 6
sug-
gestions as to the course most proper for us to take,
but we may not recognise the existence of that
adversary he has apparently so much cause to fear.
Our Ministers may stretch a point of law to the
utmost possible eaten t, nay they may even overstep
the limits of constitutional law as welt as of isdi-
vidual courtesy with .regard to an Englishman of
character and standing, but they may conveniently
overlook a direct infringement of the very same
law in another quarter. The law, which by any
reading of it, renders it illegal to export unarmed
vessels because they may be used for the purposes
of war, must certainly apply with double
force to the direct exportation of arms and
ammunition to one of the belligerents, yet the

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4, 1863,

affair. It is particularly in a case like the one before
us that it is so difficult to discern the right road to
take, and to discriminate between conflicting opie
nions, so as to take the best and wisest course to
arrive at a safe and satisfactory conclusion. It may
well be said of this convict question, in its treat-
ment by divers experimentalists, Tot homines, tot
sententice. It is incumbent upon all who are in any
way responsible for the public safety, and the due
observance of those regulations which are insepa-
rably associated with the decorum of society, to in-
vestigate all the particulars of the system now in
vogue. Mr. ADDERLEY complains of the ticket of-
leave system. Its first fault is, that freedom is
mixed up with punishment, and another error is,
that the conditions imposed are valueless, so
that a regular discharge would be infinitely
preferable. It has been found by practice that this
once vaunted plan has been a total failure, and that
it affords ample opportunity for the worst,charac
tars to resume their evil ways, while the more
timorous are worried into wrongdoing by the
.per-
tinacious espionage practised upon them, and the
prejudice entertained against them in many quer-
ters. Mr. ADDERLEY thinks that the establishment
at` Lusk, where the Irish Convict system is pursued,
is open to objection, as it is not sufficiently distin-
...
gnished from a prison. It would answer better if
. •
it were more of an "adult reformatorye" and not .at
all as a third stage of penal servitude. Mr. ADDER
LEY is against the proposaleof
.sending convicts to
Western Australia. He prefers discharged ones
going out as free labourers. This to be conducted
by private agency, assisted by funds from the
Treasury, for he says the market of the world will
be before them, and this plan will not complicate
the Government. It is, however, to be qeestioned
if this idea can be carried, out altogether. In the
first place, sufficient sums will not be raised to meet
all the requirements, and the plan of the societyreceiving subsidies from Government may cause
s'
'
confusion and lead to a failure. iiiinetually. Still
with all its difficulties the notion ieeee allerepeei:da
incomparably preferable to the measures ndW takene
and if no better are to be devised theee is no valid
reason why it should not be tried. Nothing is done
without time and trcuble in a case of this sort, and
it does not appear that our authorities are willing
to recognise this important fact. Tbey seem too
ready to fancy that, if they spend large sums
and employ a considerable staff, the sys-
tem must work as it has done already. But
criminals do not, any more than the rest of ns, re-
main unchanged amid this changing scene, and it
behoves those who take the charge of them to study
the revolutions that take place in social existence,
and the altered features of a case that experience
brings under notice. It does not matter whether
or not the ticket-of-leave system answered when it
was first introduced. It is better to assume that it
did do so, to avoid discussion on an irrelevant topic.
It suffices to say that it does not do so now, and had
better be given up, and some other mode devised.
It is very bad to go on so long without coming to a
settlement on this question; it is apt to make the
criminal population imagine that there is no really
effective check to be put upon their proceedings,
and that an unequal warfare will be waged which
will end in their ultimate success. It is important
that the majesty of the law should be vindicated
at once, and with such decision and energy that
there may remain no doubt that its institutions are
powerful to restrain vice in.all its ramifications, and
to enforce the severest penalties against those who
persist in the commission 'Of crime. At the same
time it should be distinctly understood that due
assistance will be offered to those who wish to re
turn up the steep ascent that separates them from
the pleasant paths of honesty- and we 1-doing. Until
these advantages are offered in a convict establish-
ment it cannot be said that its mission is fully and
faithfully carried out; nor can its upholders arro-

gate any right to themselves of adhering to the
plans which common sense and practical experience
have alike pronounced against and declared as
incomptent and insecure.

The Gale,--Lifeboat Services.

TENnY, Thursday Night.—At daylight this morning,
the weather being moderate, several cod boats went off to
their fishing lines as usual. Suddenly, about 9a m, it
came on to blow a very severe gale of wind from the
N.N.W. The larger fishing boats managed to reach the
harbour before the height of the gale,.hat two of thc.. smaller
boats were obliged to let go *AP' Ond 'gradually;
drove to leeward, It soon bpcame evident
_tlWat
prompt measures were taken the boats and their crews would
be lost, and the Tenby lifeboat, of the National Lifeboat
Institution, Was, therefore, immediately launched to their
assistance. The lifeboat made sail and succeeded in getting
the crew, of three men, of one of the boats on board. In
the meantime the smack Emma, with ten hands on board,
seeing the lifeboat had gone to the rescue of the crew of the
boat furthest to leeward, gallantly started off and succeeded
in rescuing the crew of the other fishing boat. The lifeboat
was reported to have behaved most satisfactorily. The cost
of this lifeboat was presented to the Institution last sum-
mer by F. llagenis, Esq., of the Royal Thames Yacht
Club.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

•
HOLYHEAD, Thursday Night.—'We have had a most
disastrous day here. Several vessels are ashore in the bay,
and it is feared that all will be perfect wrecks. What is
worse, we have had great loss of life. The lifeboat of the
National Life Boat Institution was out this morning trying
' to afford succour, but the wind and sea completely mastered
her, and compelled her to return to the shore.-5 p.m. The
lifeboat has gone out again to see what can be done for the
disabled seamen, but it is feared that the continued violence
of the storm will prevent succour being afforded to more
than one schooner, which has a signal of distress flying.
SWANSEA, Thursday Night.—lt is blowing a very heavy
gale, and the new lifeooat recently stationed at Swansea by
the National Lifeboat Institution has been launched in
reply to signals of distress, to the assistance of the barque
Duke of Northumberland, laden with copper ore, which is
on shore at the entrance of our harbour. The tide is still
falling, and at present the crew of the vessel are compara-
tively safe, but when the tide rises again it will be night,
and with the violent gale now blowing they will be in great
danger. The lifeboat is therefore in attendance on the v. 5-
sel, in order to bring off the crew if required. It is supposed
that the barque is bilged,
EAsTuotruNE, Thursday Night.—Yesterday morning,
during. very wild weather,
two small fishing boats went off
to fish. Whilst thus engaged a heavy gale sprung up from
W.N.W., during the prevalence of which one of the boats
hoisted a signal of distress, upon which the lifeboat of the
National Lifeboat Institution stationed here was at once
launched, with a view of rendering assistance, but before
reaching the scene, however, both boats had been driven
many miles to leeward, and ultimately ran ashore in safety.

BAIL'

TOM TIDDLER'S GROUND t.-I(Ve once heard a
great millionaire repeat with much naivete a piece
of advice which he had received from the first Lord Ash-
burton. " Always (said that great merchant) keep a ba-
lance of £lOO,OOO at your bankers." If there are any City
capitalists of a bygone generation who fellow this advice,
what halcyon times do they not live in 1 The Bank of
England pursues an uninterrupted career of prosperity.
It regulates the monetary concerns of the Continent,-Und
pier., the rule of monarch of therkingdOm of finance, to the
honour of its directors and the signal profit of the concern.
The shareholders, with Bank stbelcat VSS-237, have at
least no reason to be dissatisfied- The grett London
bankers buy lauded estates, portion their daughters liber-
ally, pay their income tax cheerfully,. and, bequeatha bulky
and Lefghly satisfactory piece of parchment to the care of
Doctors- Commons. The joint-stock ..banks divide fa-
bulous profits and bonuses, and furnish a ." sensation"
section to the ordinary City quotations. 'A :London and
Westminster share, upon which £2O has been paid, may, it
seems, be bought for the ridiculously small figure of £79.
A Union Bank share, on which £l2 his been paid, may be
had for £39. A share in the London Joint-stock Bank, on
which £lO has been paid, may be bought for £37. They
London and County Bank has called up £2O on a share
which cannot be bought for £55.- The- City. Bark has
called up £5O per share, but the share may be sold.for £llO.
The Provincial of Ireland £25 shares are at. X 9.1. It is
needless to exhaust the catalogue, but it is'clear. that ' me-
tropolitan bankers and bank managers are at present in
high feather. The more adventurotis capitalists, with
money at command, turn up their noses at 5 per cent., so
great is the seeming abundance of more prefitable invest-
ments: Yes I these are bright days for gold.—.LondOn •
Review,

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