The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-10 00:00:00

RITON MEDICAL

ASSOCI
Chief Offices—No. 429,
TAUS

THE ATR E-R OYA L, DRURY-LANE,
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer.

THIS EVENING, April I), for the 351st time in London.
PEEP O'DAY. Mes.rs. Henry Lorraine, Walter Lacy, C.
Verner, Addison, J. Graham. G. Spencer, T. Neville, mac. ;
Misses Cleveland, Clara Weston, M. Hudson, dze.

To conclude pith MAGIC TOYS. Valentine, Miss Lydia
Thompson.

Commence at 7.

THEATRE-ROYAI„ HAY MARKET.
11 Lessee, Mr. J. f. Buckstone.
'IBIS EVENING, THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM :
Doricourt, Mr. Howe ; Letitia Hardy, Miss Louisa Angel ;
Lady Frances Touchwood, Miss Ellen Terry.
Atter which, an apropos Dramatic Sketch, introducing a
Panorama of the Tour of the Prince of Wales in the East.
To conclude with BORROWING- A HUSBAND. Pamela
Mice Maria Harris. Commence at 7.

THEATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under
the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER.
THIS EVENING, at 7, to commence with an Original
Sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore,
Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee.
Atter which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic
Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logne, entitled THE
DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham.
The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Pechter,
wint-vre, F. Charles, Garden, Ra 4,
annported 13y_Messrs. G. Vining, J. Brougham, H. VI 1441..
comb% W. ymon H.
Butler, Dawson ; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E.
Lavenue, and Elsworthy.
Stage-
manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H.
Barnett.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE
Lessees, Mess: s. LinduA and Vining.
THIS EVENING the drama of AURORA FLOYD. Mi-s
Amy Sed,gwick. Miss Henderson, and Mrs. Simpson ; Messrs.
K. Roxby, G. Melville, G. Belmore, C. Seyton, Wallace, and
Cathcart.
After which, KILLING TIME. Mr. Gee. Vining, Mr.
Seyton, and Miss Amy Sedgwick.

To conclude with a new whimsical Extravaganza, entitled
BEAUTIFUL HAIDEF. ; or The Sea Nymph and the Sallee
Rovers. Misses M. Oliver, Helen Howard, Hudspeth, Hen-
dersen, and Murray ; Messrs. C. Seyton, G. Belmore, Fitz-
james, Moreland, and Cocker'''.

NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI,
Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING (20th time) AURORA FLOYD. Miss
Avonia Jones, Miss H. Simms, Mrs. Biyington ; Mr. Benj.
Webster, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. R. Phillips, Mr. Billiegton,
Mr. Stuart, Mr. Sefton, Mr. Romer, Mr. C. J. Smith.
After which, Bedford, OF TOMPKINS.
and
Z. Toole. Paul Sefton, Miss Kate Kelly, and Min;
A. Seaman.

Commence at 7.

Tray, THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING fITELLIGEN€E,
can be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

NOTICE.
THE WEDDING SUN

Is Still Publishing•

The Weather—Sun Office, April 10, 1863.

THERMOMETER.
Highest since Noon yesterday. 54
Lowest during the night
This day at Noon .
Wind—Scnth ; fine.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tam DAy.—Morning, 6h. 10m.—Afternoon, 6h. 36m,
To.swasow.-Morning, 7h. 9m.—Afternoon, 7h. 45m,

att arrl.
U

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL,IO, 1863.

The visit of the SULTAN to his Egyptian dominions
will not, it is to be trusted, realise the sinister
anticipations some have formed of it. It
is, we may hope, intended to express his confidence
and approval of the liberal and enlightened policy
which we have good grounds for anticipating will
ba carried out, under the new Viceroy. The SULTAN
is no doubt sensible of the effect produced in Europe
by the abolition of forced labour, and the other mea-
sures proposed by IsMAIL PASHA, and is desirous of
encouraging the Viceroy in his path of progress, as
well as of obtaining a share himself in the respect
andlapproval excited by the inauguration of the new
reign. ISMAIL PASHA was fortunate in having
secured, before he acquired his new dignity, a repu-
tation for liberal and enlarged opinions. It remains
for him to carry out his principles to the fullest ex-
tent compatible with the traditions of his country.
He may by so doing become a public benefactor of
no common degree, by gradually introducing into
Egypt and the surrounding states the views and
principles which regulate the conduct of Euro-
peans, and by disseminating the blessings of educa-
tion and general culture prepare his countrymen for
the adoption of that purer faith which teaches the only
true civilisation. In nations still governed according
to the Eastern system, we must rest our hopes of
national progress and advancement almost wholly
upon the character of the ruler. His influence and
authority are so arbitrary and unquestioned that
whatever may be secretly thought of his proceed-
ings, no opposition, short of a rebellion, is to be
contemplated. It is for him, then, to introduce new
laws, to modify existing systems, to open the door
to better and wiser influences, to sow gradually the
seeds of knowledge and progress. It is true that
he may be hampered by the prejudices or habits of
his people or by the plots of would-be candidates
for his throne, still the power in the hands of an
unconstitutional ruler is very great. The Viceroy
of EGYPT does not altogether belong to the class of
irresponsible monarchs, but if the SULTAN con-
tinues to accord him the cordial support he has
already given he will have much in his hands. On
hisarrival at Alexandria, the SULTAN declared that
he wished only
to be regarded in the light of a
guest to the VlCEacky.
The latter hiving introduced
the foreign consuls to him,
they presented a con-
gratulatory address, to which the SULTAN returned
a brief but not unimportant reply.
He had come
to Egypt, he said, with the object or giving
a testi-
mony of his goodwill to the VICEROY; and of visit-
ing this important portion of his domains. " All
my efforts," he added, "are directed to the develop-
ment of the welfare and the happiness of all classes
of my subjects throughout the empire, and to
strengthening the ties which unite us to Europe.,
Though there is little prospect that the Turks can
long continue to occupy their present place
in
Europe, still the more enlightened their Govern-
ment becomes, the better chance it has of sur-
viving any shocks that may be in store
for it. The SULTAN concluded his address by ex-
pressing a hope, which we may also share, that the
VICEROY will follow in the steps of his illustrious
father, by continuing and more fully developing
the policy he has already indicated, thereby secur-
ing the welfare of his subjects and the approval
of his European allies.

complaints.

The horrors of the civil war which is desolating
the fertile plains of what was once the Great Ame-
rican Republic, are cccasionally enlivened by some
incidents that excite a laugh instead of a shudder.
Among these was the memorable exploit of the
Confederate 3, when they secured the stores and
clothing intended for Federal r,ginaents, and rode
off triumphantly with three coats each, leaving their
discarded rags, which had done duty many a weary
day and night for the benefit of the discomfited ex-
pectan ts.
Another incident ofasimailamrucchhargarcetaetre,rbduetgorneee
which will probably occasion
of annoyance and mortification to the Federals, has
just taken place. Thanks to
a ridiculous, though
not unnatural, oversight on the
uchsepcaereded in securingtofaFederal
official, the Confederates have
another British built
privateer
the Alabama, the Florida, and
ua
sni osE npi
Ltt
,eo
vessel, and the united efforts of
otafthsheeEa°asrcarloielnitif o f
of the prior announcement the
Mr. ADAMS, Mr. DUDLEY, the United States Con-
sul at Liverpool, and Mr. EDMUNDS, the Collector
of Customs at that town. It appears that a short
time ago four of the quartermasters of the Great
Eastern, who had also been gunners in the Navy,
left that vessel, probably in accordance with ar-
rangements made on the other side of the Atlantic,
And signed articles to join a screw steamer named
the Japan, then fittiug out at Greenock, for an
innocent voyage to China. After joining the ship
three of these men returned to Liverpool,
and engaged about a hundred sailors for
a voyage to the East. It happened, however, that
while drinking healths in celebration of the en-
gagement, one of the quartermasters allowed
his loquacity to outrun his discretion. Next morn
ing, some of the sailors considering that the even-
ins's amusement did not bear the morning's reflec-

The recent charges of the Comptroller of the Navy
against the private shipbuilders have, naturally,
given great offence, and, in some instances, have
called forth indignant replies. Messrs. LAIRD, of
Birkenhead, have recently addressed a spirited
letter to Admiral ROBINSON, the Comptroller of the
Navy, vindicating the long and well established
character of that most respectable establishment.
They refer to the remarks which were made in the
statement signed by the Admiral, and ordered by

and GENERAL LIFE the House to be printed. In these paragraphs it is
ATION. said that the general slovenliness of the work per-
Strand, London, W.C.
TEES. formed by shipbuilders occasioned the necessity of
Geolize H. Barlow, M.D. ( Richard Partridge, Esq.,
Sir James Duke, Bart. Ald., I F.R.S. the presence of an Admiralty inspector, and also
M.P. John Propert, E q. that great temptation beset the constructor to use
Sir Charles Hastings, M.D., W. Tyler Smith, M.D.
D.C.L. Francis Webb, Esq. inferior articles, in consequence of the great cost of
DIRECTORS.
Chairman of the Board—George H. Barlow, M.D. good iron. To these most serious complaints, com-
Deputy-Chairman —Francis Webb, Esq.
By the peculiarly equitable manner of dividing the profits, ing from so high a quarter, Messrs. LAIRD most
the Policies issued by this Association become payable during
aptly remark that " they believe a statement of
the lifetime of the person assured without extra premium.
After having been in force a period of five years, all Policies
are absolutely Indefeasible and Indisputable. this nature tends very seriously to injure the credit
Annuities granted, and every description of Life Assurance nf the contractors in this country, and also to
transacted ; terms for which, with detailed Prospectuses and
every information, may be had on application to shake the confidence which foreign Governments
JOHN MESSENT, F.S.S., Secretary.
Applications for Agencies are invited. and foreign mercantile houses have hitherto reposed
T.: in the good faith and skill of the shipbuilders and
engineers of this country. This is perfectly correct,
and the authorities ought to be ashamed of them-
selves for doing their utmost to injure respectable
firms in order to further their own pet plans and
prejudices. Of course when the work is done in
the Royal dockyards favouritism and secret influ-
ence have full sway, and therefore it is very con-
venient to nullify the arguments of those who urge
the advisability of entrusting others with the
work instead of reserving it to be performed under
their own exclusive patronage. No firm influenced
by self-respect for its own integrity, or animated
by honest pride for its own conscious
superiority in the profession, could be
otherwise than justly indignant by such
remarks as those just quoted. A very proper an-
swer to the impertinent inuendoes of the inevitable
necessity of having an inspector to watch proceed-
ings is that no such form was observed in the case
of that vessel built by Messrs. LAIRD, and now of
world-wide celebrity, the Alabama. That terror of
the Northern States,that pride of the Southern navy,
was constructed on premises such as those Admiral
ROBINSON refers to in his comments on the building
of ships. The answer of Mr. ROMAINE to Messrs.
LAIRD, though intended to be satisfactory, is not at
all conclusive. He says that he is commanded by
the Lords Commissioners:of the Admiralty to ac
quaint them " that the objections urged to the con-
struction of her MAJESTY'S ships in merchant
yards, as compared with the Royal dock-
yards, are of a general nature, and were in
no way intended to injure the shipbuilding
firms employed by the Admiralty, but rather to
show from the results of experience the difficul-
ties which obtain in exercising control over the
work, and a due supervision of materials and work-
manship when ships are built in private yards."
This is absurd, in point of fact, because everyone
knows that an injury is quite as prejudicial whether
intentional or not; and no one who at all understands
business can be ignorant that a statement such as
that alluded to must be highly detrimental to the
interests and injurious to the credit of every firm at
all connected with the Admiralty. In the second
portion of this letter there is a remark that contra-
dicts the assertion of the earlier portion, inasmuch
as it is said that the " work performed on the Agin-
court and Orontes is reported to be of excellent
quality throughout, and there is every reason to
believe that the quality of the work in these ships
will be unexceptionably good. Why, then, all the
outcry raised at the objections put forward. It
would be a very simple and straightforward way of
treating the matter to trust to the integrity of the
firms employed, and let the future patronage depend
on the proved excellence of the vessels that are fur-
nished to the Admiralty. It is not likely that the
result would be otherwise than satisfactory to all
parties. It is obvious that shipbuilders who wish
to maintain a good character with their customers
both at home and abroad, will endeavour to turn
out the best work they can in order to ensure the
continuance of the connection, because it ex-
tends their business, and this more parti-
calarly with our own Admiralty, whose pay is
sure, and their orders, if properly executed, are
always to be depended on. Hence the folly of
making such mountains of molehills, and always
substituting difficulties instead of plain-sailing in
their arrangements. Messrs. LAIRD referred very
properly to the works that have been
executed by their firm during the last 32
years. They have sent out for service in
different parts of the world more than 40 vessels for
her MAJESTY'S navy, and between 30 and 40 for
the Honourable East India Company ; they have
now in course of construction the Orontes, a troop-
ship of 2,850 tons, and the Agincourt, an iron-cased
ship of 6,750 tons. A more suitable reply could
not have been given to such statements as those re-
ferred to, and a more spirited vindication could
not have been made of the credit of their firm than
has been effected by Messrs. LAIRD in their ex-
cellent and admirable letter to Admiral ROBINSON.
In the name of the shipbuilders of England, they
stand forward to make clear their good name that
WAS threatened with reproach, and to vindicate
their reputation that official insinuation would
have tarnished. On their own behalf,
they declare that they refute the charges im-
puted, and deny the statements set forth
that militate against their interest and whisper
concerning their integrity. It is a straightforward
and manly course that they have adopted, and one
that will be sure to gain for them the respect and
esteem of all competent to judge the question.
Men of experience will detect the glaring subter-
fuge of the Parliamentary representations and the
empty sounding phrases of the official explanations,
and seek and find and mark for themselves where
truth ends and fallacy begins in these complicated