The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-29 00:00:00

cross the river, in order, if possible to get into the
rear of the retiring Northerners. Failing in that
i effort, to effect an opportune passage of the
river, General LON GSTREET was compelled,
it seems, to hold his hands, as it were, in the
very midst of his success. Though at the same
time, as the last curt sentence of that portion of the
usual jumble of telegrams, we have the significant
intimation--" More fighting is expected." Fol-
lowed, under a later date (the 18th) by the yet
more striking intimation, " The Fighting with
General LONGSTREET is still progressing." Mean-
time the tables have at the very least, we know for
certain, been turned. They have been turned so
unraitakeab:y, that not only is LONGSTREET known
to have changed his po6ition as the pursued intothat
of the pursuer, but the Federal forces are asc,Jrtained
to have deserted Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge, and, with those "'coigns of 'vantage," the
whole country side between the latter and Ring.
gold. _ _

The result here, is, for all the world, as much of
an anti-climax in its way, after the late evidences
of Federal exultation at so many Northern successes
achieved, and at so many consequent Southern

defeats, if not even most calamitous disasters

—the we say, is of its kind quite
as much result
anti-climax as the abrupt
relt
of here,a
withdrawal of the Federal main army, under
ATEADE, back again across the Rapidan at the
very moment when people had been taught
to believe that LEE and his Confederates had been
trapped by the said MEADE—either to a surrender
like that of MACK at o.lm, or, to a crushing and
overwhelming defeat in pitched battle like that
suffered by the Austrians and Russians together
under their two emperors immediately after Ulm,
upon the foughten field of Austerlitz! Pre-

cisely at the very moment when the more

credulous were preparing to witness a
single meal mad©, off-hand, of LEE and his army,
LEE'S formidable antagonist and Ms army withdrew

together, very quietly indeed, back again across the
Rapidan ! And so, now, also, quite as absurdly, in
opposition to the immediately preceding accounts
given to us by the Federal authorities, the defeated

turns out to be the defeater—Missionary Ridge and
Lookout Mountain, being withdrawn from by the
Northern troops almost as hastily as Pear station

itself—that pear, in NAPOLEONIC phrase, turning
out to be very ripe indeed, ripe even to dropping.
'While such is the latest phase of the war as recog-
nisable in the actual military movements, the fury
of the mutual antagonism engendered by the war
between the Federals and the Confederates appears
just now to be intensifying rather than in any way
whatever assuaged. Judging from the tone in
which Mr. LINCOLN'S amnesty proclamation has been
denounced by one and all of the Southern journals
that have yet commented upon it, but more parti-

cularly by the press of Richmond, that document
appears to be regarded unanimously among the Con-
federates as more infamous and more exaspt!rating
even than its notorious predecessor! That proclama-
tion by which the President of the once United
States of America gave the signal for a Servile
War by the announcement of what can alone
be aptly designated as a Penal Abolition. Inso-
much does there seem to be a sort of evil fatality
about the official acts and words of Mr. LINCOLN
as the last of the United States Presidents, that
this latest proceeding of his, so far from in any way
preparing the road for anything like a settlement,
seems to have been only too signally effectual already
in rousing the Southern people en masse to fresh
evidences of their combined zeal and dogged deter-
mination.

In the Times of last Friday there was a letter
which especially deserves attention at this season.
It refers to the "Refuges for Homeless and Desti-
tute Children, at Bloomsbury." The appeal made

by the Secretary on behalf of this Institution is one

caruemly dcantua.Liee, anu IL L 0 Oe
hoped that it will not prove unavailing. A better
means of bestowing help can hardly be chosen, for
the claims of these little wanderers are manifold,
and must speak with irresistible force to all who are
impressed with the imminent necessity of providing
a refuge for these young unfortunates. It needs
no stretch of imagination, and requires no scope of
fancy to depict the horrors of their situa-
tion, and foretell the danger of their future
course, if left unaided and neglected in the wilder-
ness of the world. From the class here provided
for spring up the dark family of crime, for it is a
notorious fact that more than half the evil charac-
ters who infest society are first led astray by the
temptations of idleness. It is a sad thing to reflect
upon, and makes the painful case more distressing
to feel assured that had timely help been afforded,
and a place of shelter et hand, many of those being
now regarded as outcasts from society, and herded
with miscreants and ruffians, might have become
respectable members of society, doing their duty in

the station to which PROVIDENCE had called them.
Mr. WILLIAMS mentions in his letter that they
have already been of great service to the objects
of their labour, and that during this year they
sent out from their Institution no fewer than eighty
boys to various British Colonies, and he adds that
had these remained behind they would most probably
have " preyed on the public" for their support. In
this instance we may, well say that these boys thus

mely succoured have been taken from the evil to
come, and so far as human foresight can divine the
future, have been enabled to provide for themselves
in a manner honest in the sight of all men. It is
very much to be regretted that 20 more boys might
have been similarly sent abroad lately, but that the
funds of the "Refuge" would not permit the out-
lay. The state of the finances are so deplorably
low that unless timely aid is imparted, many poor
claimants will be refused admission: It can hardly
b 8 that this appeal will be neglected at this season
eharitable feelings and kindly sentiments. Those
ere rich in this world's goods can do no better
intent some portion of their abundance in the
further%
when 50t,,,, of this good work. It is sure to flourish
of their tempting means of expense
have failed) °.'d when all their showy surroundings
have vanished
about to pass ,and the fashion of this world is
If from them, they will be able
reflect on this offer;ng
of love to the poor and
helpless with feeling,
u,
i satisfaction and delight,
that more splendid "a brilliant achievements
could never afford them, It is not for
orafii
opseeevri,anl:nttdo
oyi
tio bound
.
mortals to command success, ,
pr
and it is
ptoramdaotingthetihre bsepsrte a tdo
aye the young
lefo,
_ every kind
population loose in the
streets to
of mischief, and grow up
lars of sin. The cause of humanity and the,c,iee
of
reason are potent to the side
of charity in this Par-
ticular instance, and it will be a deplorable calamity
and a disgraceful reflection if such a society as this
should fail, or even become shorn of its power to
impart aid and assistance, and to those so greatly
in need of help. It is impossible to over estimate
or exaggerate the importance of shielding the
young from all hurtful influences, and the vast advan-
tages thatresult from their being properly provided
with suitable employments. If privato contribu-
tions do not appear sufficient the GJvernment should
do something in aid of such an institution, and the
money they bestow will be a saving in the end, for
many of those who are now succoured would, if

left to themselves, become adepts in crime, and
thus be burdens on the State by swelling the
ranks of the criminals whose cost entails such a
serious expense upon us. Every social ad-
vantage and every Christian feeling are
on the side of this Institiution; and now
that the want has been made known, let not
the call he unheeded. A fearful responsibility will
rest upon those whose lives are lapped in luxury,
and who leave their fellow-creatures to perish of
cold and want in the streets, still worse to grow up
prolific in crime and fruitful in works of evil. It
may be difficult to settle which is the best means of
providing a remedy for the sad state of the adults
of our population, who are hardened in iniquity ;
but let us remember that had a helping hand been
stretched forth to them in their early years they
might now be walking
their earthly course in rec-
titude, and bringing up their children in a spirit
worthy of those who hope to make their offspring
honest and faithful children in this world, and
heirs of a better inheritance hereafter. With the
young now around us no such excuse can be made ;
they are open to good impressions, and eager for a
change from their present discomforts. If the task
of providing them with help is taken up with
earnestness and good will, it cannot prove wholly
unprofitable; but must conduce to the good of all,
blessing him that gives and him that takes, and
furthering the best interests of these little pilgrims
on the world's highway here and hereafter, and
bringing the best assurance to the thinking mind
and the trusting heart that they have been given
the surest means of so passing through things tem
poral that they finally lose not the things eterna

The monthly report of the Central Executive
Committee of the Lancashire Relief Fund to the
General Committee will be looked at with some in-
terest. The months of winter are now sufficiently
advanced to enable us to appreciate in some degree
the effects of the inclement season upon the employ-
ment as well as the health of the people, and as yet
such statistics are tolerably satisfactory and reas-
suring. We learn from the report now before us
that during the last month there has been an in-
crease of 723 in the number of the recipients of
relief from the Board of Guardians, and of 1,957 in
those solely dependent upon the Local Committees.
At first sight these figures are somewhat startling,
but when we come to compare them with those re-
presenting the state of affairs last year at this time
we shall see no grounds for discouragement. The
total number in receipt of relief in the last week of
, whether from Guardians, Local
November,
Committees, 18
06r2
both conjointly, was 448,955.
During the last week of the November just past it
was 170,850, thus showing a decrease of 278,105.
Varicus reasons are assigned for this diminution,
such as the increase in the goods manufactured, as
well as the number of hands needed to prepare the
inferior quality of cotton; and also the natural mor-
tality among the cotton hands, which has not
been supplied by the usual relays of new
workers. No less than fourteen thousand are,
it is estimated,engaged in other employments in the
cotton districts, and we must of course add to these
the numbers who have emigrated from the country,
although this item is not alluded to in the Report.
From whatever cause it may arise, however, the
fact of the numbers in receipt of relief being re-
duced more than a quarter of a million in the
twelvemonth is one full of hope and consolation,
more especially
at the season of the year which en-
tails increased wants in the way of food and
clothing, so that the condition of our metropolitan
poor has been such as to create some anxiety among
philanthropists. The committee, with the foresight
and good sense which have throughout distinguished
their proceedings, are not inclined to make too sure
of the continuation of the present condition of
affairs, even although they have to record a consi-
dn,-.1-00 innro.ca Tanking forward find {-I,lrnnd thp
immediate sphere of action, they see reason to an-
ticipate some considerable fluctuations in the
amount of employment. The price of cotton has
hitherto risen so much as to increase largely the
amount of capital employed both in the import and
the manufacture. Various circumstances con-
nected with the importation of cotton have
increased the absorption of the precious metals,
thus producing, as we have seen, a rise in
the value of money. The natural result of the
temporary check which this rise offers to the specu-
lator is diminished employment, and at the same
time the committee look forward with some anxiety
to a fall in the price of cotton, owing to increased
imports and lessened factory work, which, however
great its ultimate advantages, might cause consi.
derable temporary embarrassment. With a view to
the increased demand on their resources, which
such an event would certainly cause, the committee
have been careful to keep a considerable sum in
hand, having now altogether a balance of
.E355,526—thus having a provision which enables
them to face the prospect of a darker day without
uneasiness. They add a hope, moreover, such as we
have often expressed, that before the sums at their

disposal shall be exhausted, and the relief given by
the public wcrks is at an end, " a steady and per-
manent augmentation in the supply of cotton may
be expected." Such an anticipation coming from
such a quarter, and put forward on the responsi-
bility of those who have every means of obtaining
correct information, and would certainly not speak
without good authority, will, we hope, tend greatly
to re-assure those persons who persist, in
spite of all that has been done and is doing,
in taking a gloomy and altogether desponding view
of the prospects of our cotton trade. We are told
that in anticipation of the coming revival a number
of new mills are now in course of construction—a
fact of itself of no slight importance, as promis-
ing favourable auguries. The workpeople them-
selves appear to entertain the same opinion ; most
of those who have emigrated into neighbouring
counties, or accepted other employments, having
made their arrangements of a temporary nature, so
as to be able to resume their old labour when the
better days come again. The Public Works Act
has not, it seems, as yet done all that was expected
of it, being cumbered with unnecessary formalities,
although the report informs us that the Govern-
ment have shown every desire to simplify matters.
More in this respect remains to be done and should
be dove promptly, if the cotton hands are to derive
from it the relief it was intended to give. Should
the necessary alterations be made, so that a large
number of loans may be arranged without loss of

time, we may hopo that the greater number of
workmen absorbed by these works may neutralise,
in some degree, any increased distress caused by the
fluctuation of the cotton trade. Altogether the pro-
spects of Lancashire are as bright as we could hope,
and thanks are eminently due to the gentlemen
whose patriotic labours have contributed so much
to the relief of the distress, as well as to the alievia-
t. )
on of
unnecessary alarm or exaggerated fears on
the part of the public.

CHAULts
n 0
ahrleavride
wCearsihn';
h(eaAcceohredni
ug
mtc,
8 4,
rip
rtai
°an%
feepk:urigeopriet:oiiihileeyit r: music let:tsdoihreyoauissseitsth,
efaanpl ldusraeo
snoaottlihdr
ee,
the whimsical notion
and dirty copper. It is a
love story
t containsosirleyvdg:icracl
an attack
tafpht
the base silver must be looked for in the chapters on as-
lums, the satire on the medical faculty
is Copper, y