The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-28 00:00:00

ment of the other iron vessels proposed to be laid
down at Chatham.

THE ARMY.
Major-Gen: Sir R. Dacres and the Staff of Wool-
wich attended at the general local hospital on Fri-
day for the purpose of inspecting the invalids and
time-expired men of the Royal Artillery and sign-
ing the returns according to the code of regulations
recently issued, to be forwarded to the Adjutant-
General for confirmation, with a view to their being
submitted to the Chelsea Board.

On Wednesday the Aldershott division, in pur-
suance of orders issued on the previous day, was
formed up on Claycart-ridge in line of contiguous
columns, to resist an enemy supposed to be advanc.
ing on the camp from London, via Farnborough.
The engagement was commenced by skirmishers of
the 13th Hussars and Royal Horse Artillery firing
a few shots, after which the former were recalled,
and the 13th made a demonstration on the front of
the enemy, halted, and retired by sections of threes.
The Carabineers and Royal Dragoons then charged
in line, halted, and retired by open column of troops
from both flanks. The 13th Hussars came to the
front and threw out skirmishers, who were supported
by D battery Royal Horse Artillery. The Cara-
bineers and the Royal Dragoons then retired by
open column of troops round the right flank of the
infantry, and reformed line in their rear. The 13th
Hussars and D battery retired in like manner, and
also reformed in rear of the infantry. This move-
ment uncovered the 2d and 3d brigades, which,
having deployed, were advancing in line under
cover of a strong body of skirmishers, who kept up
a continuous fire. After advancing some distance
in this order, the skirmishers were recalled, and the
line, composed of fire regiments, threw in a heavy
fire, supported on the left by B battery, Royal
Artillery. This having been continued for some
time, the brigades retired by echelon of bat-
talions from both flanks, halted,
advanced, re-
formed line, again opened fire, and retired as
before, covered by the 2d battalion, 6th Rifles,
who formed a line of skirmishers with supports.
Hard pressed by the enemy, they were compelled
to retire, and having to fall backaskloinrmg
skirmishers by
the supports extended and relieved
a well executed movement. The Rifles then doubled
round the flanks of the Ist Brigade, which was
formed in line ready to receive the enemy, and
the Brigade opened such a terrific fire that the
enemy was thrown into disorder, which became a
precipitate retreat as the cavalry advanced to the
front and completed his overthrow by some splendid
charges.

the Cardinal's essays, whether spoken or written.
They have, many of them, a sleek, flabby, veal-like
texture both of thought and of expression. It is
partly from the recollection of such discourses of the
Cardinal, partly from a general conviction that the
Cardinal's mode of thought must, from the inevit-
able circumstances of his training and position, be
a mode of thought utterly incapable of any whole-
some effect upon the national British mind, that one
is apt to take up any new discourse of his with a
predetermination against it. But one ought not
to let prejudice have its 'way, even against a cardi-
nal ; and we must say that there were parts of
Cardinal Wiseman's recent lecture which were really
ingenious and good. It is not so much those parts
of the lecture which were generally praised by the
newspapers that have caught our fancy as a certain
troin of abstract disquisition upon which the Car-
dinal entered at the beginning of the lecture, and
the application of which occupied the rest of it.
The Cardinal, indeed, treated his Southampton
audience to a neat little bit of psychology ; and
newspapers cannot be expected to look after the
bits of psychology that may occur in the lectures
which they report. Indeed they are seldom troubled
with them. There have been a few capital vacation
speeches within the last week or two by various
public men—Earl Russell, Lord Stanley, Mr. Grant
Duff, and others; and,. all in all, perhaps the best
vacation speech of the season—that with most of
real thought and perception of the future in it—has
been Mr. Grant Duff's ; but the Cardinal alone, so
far as we have observed, made his speech to consist
in a connected exposition, taken from what Univer-
sity men call the Philosophy of the Human Mind.
SPECTATOR.—The magistrates of Leigh have been
baited into a breach of the unwritten law, which
ordains that Englishmen sitting in judicial capacity
shall never defend themselves. The fact is remarke
able, for the accusation against them amounted only
to one of bigotry. It was said that certain farmers
of Leigh, fearing a thunderstorm, carted their hay
on Sunday, that they were summoned by the police,
that the magistrates fined them, under an obsolete
act, twenty-three shillings apiece, and that, the
yeomen resisting the illegal sentence, their goods
were distrained with many circumstances of insult
and oppression. so strong was the feeling created
by the narrative, that Lord Essex headed a subscrip-
tion in the Times, which speedily reached a most
respectable figure, and the magistrates were censured
so sharply by men to whose opinions they could not
affect indifference, that they have suffered their
clerk to publish a long and formal reply. We are
bound to admit, for we accepted the original story,
that it is on all important points conclusive. There
is a point connected with the amount of the
fines which is not yet cleared up, but on all others
little doubt can remain that the public have been
deceived. The farmers were not doing an occa-
sional work, but carrying out a system which has
already led to increased demoralisation ; they were
not carting their own corn, but hiring labourers
with drink and victuals to do seven days' work in-
stead of six; the distraint was only carried out in
consequence of a combination to refuse payment ;
and in short, the farmers, and not the magistrates,
were guilty of a breach of the law. If it be true,
as asserted, though not by Mr. Marsh, that the
money subscribed was spent in a savage orgie, of
which races performed by naked men formed the
most conspicuous feature—those who have read
Mr. White's book will understand why we consider
this statement possible—they were guilty of some-
thing worse than excited misrepresentation, of en-
couraging a demoralisation which to men living in
Southern England seems almost beyond the range
of belief. Altogether apart from that statement,
however, the magistrates must stand acquitted, for,
whether the law be evil or good, they only carried
out its provisions, and in no unmerciful spirit. For,
and it is on this point that the gravest misapprehen-
sion exists, it is not the purpose or wish of those
who resist the bigoted Sabbatarians to abolish the
legal restrictions which protect the weekly rest.
Each of the extreme factions who on this question
abuse each other so savagely—the Sabbatarians,
who would make it a crime to " pluck the ears of
corn on the Sabbath day," and the party who would
abolish all restrictions on Sunday work—includes,
we conceive, in England a very small minority.
The great body, we take it, of educated men, while
doubtful as to the religious obligation of rest, the
rule laid down by Christ being clearly intended to
abolish the Jewish Sabbath, and not clearly intended
to establish any new one; still regard the legal en-
forcement of rest on one day in every seven with
the most cordial approval. The argument so com-
mon in Scotland, that the day is a necessity even
for animals is an argument merely, and a poor one
even for men who are reasoning on an ecclesiastical
point. Three-fourths of the world get along ex-
ceedingly wall without any observance of the kind,
and if Chinese bullocks or Parisian horses die a
little the sooner they have got all the more work
out of the days of their lives. Bat no sane men
can doubt that in an age of excessive toil, when
the rush and excitement of life wear out the
nerves and bewilder the brain, one day of
peace in seven is an unmixed and enormous good.
And co wan who believes with us, that the impor-
tance of things divine is to that of things earthly as
the infinite is to the finite, wUI doubt that some
short space of rest, during which the soul has time
to contemplate subjects unconnected with dinner,
worship may be exempt from the interruptions of
daily life, and meditation may be free from the
thought of work left standing, will doubt that the
Sunday's rest is of unspeakable moral value. It is
not a religious necessity any more than water is a
religious necessity to the man who thirsts. It may
not be to many minds a necessity of any kind, any
more than buttresses are necessary to support the
perfect arch. There are even minds to which the
strict observance of Sunday, as of any other rite or
ceremonial whatsoever, has that savour of formalism
which to such minds destroys all possibility of
spiritual life. But to the mass of mankind, and
especially of English mankind—Englishmen having
a tendency to crystallise their habits around their
beliefs,—one day of rest in seven creates un-
doubtedly the opportunity of spiritual, as well as
the fact of physical benefit. To abolish that time
of rest, in an age which is maddening itself with
work, in order to give the competitive strife
a monopoly of all life, or even to suffer avarice to
steal the little time now exempt from its evil con-
trol, would be a course of procedure only less mad
than that on which Sabbatarians would have all
Englishmen enter. Toil shall halt one day in seven
—that seems to us the clear and the wise decision
of the mass of English opinion, which, while main-
taining that principle, still resents all external in-
terference with the use of the day so secured. If
this be at once a just and predominant opinion, it
only remains so to regulate legislation that the end
sought may be secured without religious oppression.
SATURDAY REVIEW.—No one can wonder that the
famous Woolley insurance case should have pro-
voked some rather strong criticism on the conduct
of the leading offices. In coming to the determine.
tion to resist payment on the ground of fraud and
arson, we have no doubt that the managers of the
companies in which Campden House was insured
acted upon a genuine suspicion that the fire was
wilfully caused. Unfortunately for them, all their
efforts failed to produce a fragment of evidence to
justify a defence which was equivalent in effect to
putting a man on trial for one of the gravest of
criminal offences, without any reasonable cause. It
is not, however, this—the really important aspect
of the matter—which has attracted most attention.
Most persons who insure feel that the precedent of
Mr. Woolley's case is not likely to be followed
against them ; and though the fact of this gen-
tleman having, some twenty or thirty years ago,
occupied an unusual position at an hotel was
rather an insufficient reason for charging him
with crime, there is no doubt that the singularity
of his life had more to do with the suspicious of the
offices than they would perhaps be willing to allow.
After the result of this famous trial, it is less likely
than ever that ordinary insurers will be exposed to
gratuitous accusations of setting fire to their houses;
but it so happened that there was one little inci-
dent in the history of the affair which touches in-
surers much more nearly. When Campden House
was totally destroyed, and a claim of of £30,000
was made upon the policies, the companies had the
audacity to ask Mr. Woolley how he made up this
imposing total of damage. The investigation proved
to the satisfaction of a jury that the house was not
over-insured; but this conclusion was not arrived
at until a great deal of trouble and some expense
had been incurred in making out a priced inven-
tory of the stores of furniture, fittings, and pie.
tures with which this old curiosity-shop was
crammed. It has occurred to sundry correspon-
dents of the Times that what was done in Mr.
Woolley's case might be done in theirs also, and
that, when they call upon an insurance office to
replace the damage which a fire may have
caused, they may be asked in return to point out
what damage they have suffered, and to fur-
nish sufficient details to show how the
amount of their claim is arrived at. The most
affecting pictures have been drawn cf the painful
embarrassments of a burnt-out proprietor when he
attempts to recall from memory the particulars of
his household goods, and to estimate the cost at
which they may be replaced. The difficulty of
making a perfectly accurate claim is no doubt con-
siderable; but as the claimant, however weak his
memory, must know more about the matter than
any one else, the difficulty is much more likely to
press hardly on the assurers than on the assured.
Still, the trouble of framing such an estimate as was
required from Mr Woolley is a very good grievance
for discussion at this time of the year, and it cannot
be denied that the plan which the limes has advo-
cated in a slashing leader would effectually relieve
the sufferers. The proposal is that, if a man in-

sures his property against damage not exceeding
(say £1,000), the office shall in all cases pay either
the whale £l,OOO, or, at any rate, the full
amount of the claim that may be sent
whether the damage sustained may be much or
little. It is easy to see how admirably convenient
this arrangement would be. If a total loss occurs,
the unfortunate victim of gas or varnish, as the
case may be, will not have his distress of mind
aggravated by the necessity of pondering over his
lost treasures, and fixing a money price oa articles
to which he may perhaps have attached a senti-
mental value. He will have nothing more to do
than to write to the office a letter (for which printed
common forms might conveniently be kept) stating
that he had insured against damage not exceeding
£l,OOO, and that he would be much obliged by a
cheque for that amount. The office would reply
that they had much pleasure in forwarding the
sum asked for, without aggravating the troubles of
their unhappy customer by asking whether the
damage done did or did not reach the extreme limit
of the policy. The assured would thereupon buy a
new lot of furniture with the money, and if he
should find his house decidedly handsomer than
before, so much the better for him. Nothing could
be more comfortable than this ; and, indeed, such
an arrangement would take the sting out of the
most terrible of calamities, and make it a real plea-
sure to be burnt out.

Departure of the Channel Fleet from
Liverpool.

On separating from the pilots the Admiral signalled
:--
"Admiral Dacres considers that the services of the pilots
have been creditably performed, and desires that all the pilots
be informed of it. At the Bell-boy 10.30 a.m." The officers
also thanked the Old Steam-tug Company for having placed
the steam-tug Resistance at their disposal during the visit
of the fleet to Liverpool. The following letter has been re-
ceived by Mr. S. It. Graves, from Admiral Dacres :
" Her Majesty's ship Edgar, Liverpool, Sept. 23.
"Sir,—lt would be impossible to express the universal
feeling of gratification prevailing throughout the Channel
squadron under my command at the kind and hospitable
reception given to myself, the officers, and men by all
classes in the town of Liverpool ; but I cannot leave the
Mersey without expressing to you and the gentlemen asso-
ciated with you yesterday in entertaining the seamen and
marines of the ships my own and their sincere and hearty
thanks, joined with those of the men themselves, for the
manner in which that entertainment was carried out. For
the unceasing personal exertions required in organising the
preparations necessary to bring such an undertaking to a
successful issue, and for the kind attention shown them by
everyone, the men owe very much to you, and it is to me a
subject of real congratulation that they tried to show how
justly they appreciated it by the admirable manner in which
they behaved.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient
servant, " S. C. DACItES, Rear-admiral
Commanding

"S. R. Graves, Esq., Commodore,
Royal Mersey Yacht Club."

To this Mr. Graves replied :

" Liverpool, Sept. 24.

"Rear-Admiral Dacres, Commanding Channel Squadron.
" Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your valued favour of yesterday, and have communicated
the eame to the Executive Committee appointed to carry
out the entertainment recently given at St. George's-hal/
to the seamen and marines of the Channel squadron under
your command, and I am requested to assure you that the
kindly sentiments expressed by you towards myself and col-
leagues are fully appreciated, and are most gratifying to us.
A gathering more unique in its character or important in its
results has rarely before taken place in this town, and it is
impossible for me to convey to you any idea of the satisfac-
tion it has afforded to all classes of the community. The
admirable arrangements made by Commander Soady, of her
Majesty's ship Royal Oak, for carrying out the views of the
committee, and the unexceptionable conduct of the men,
contributed in no small degree to that marked success which
attended an entertainment not soon to be forgotten by the
inhabitants of the town. Permit me, in conclusion, to ex-
press the obligations wo are all under to yourself, per-
sonally, for so promptly acquiescing in a proposal which re-
quired no little confidence in your men, and it must be very
gratifying to you to feel that your confidence has not been
misplaced.

to S. R. GRAVES."

COUNTRY MARKETS•

I'

NOTTINGHAM—SATURDAY.
There was a fair quantity of new wheat to-day, the con-
dition of which was variable. Old wheat in short supply.
—White wheat, from 40s to 468 ; red wheat, 40s to 438.
Barley—malting, 34s to 41s ; grinding, 28s to 31s. Oats
old, at 24s to 31s Od ; new, 228 to 263. Beans sold at 385
to 43s per qr, ; new, 38s to 428.

GRANT HAM—SATurs.D.A.Y.
Old white wheat, 44s to 46s ; red, 42s to 44s per 36st. ;
new white, 44; to 468; red, 40a t 01,425. Malting barley,
36s to 40s per qr ; grinding, 30s to 325; oats, old, 28sp
30s; new, 22s to24s:; beans, 40s to 425; peas, 36s to 40s.

N 0 RT HAM P T ON—SATURDAY.
A tolerable supply of new wheat to-day, but the show of
old was limited. Buyers purchased cautiously, at rather
lower rates. More barley on cfler, with a dull business,
—White wheat, 414 to 4.65:; red, 39s to 44s ; fine, —s
to —s per qr. Barley, 33s to 40s—grinding, 2Ss:to 30s;
Oats, 2Ss to 32s per 21 stone. Beans, 38s to 425. Peas,
31s to 40s per qr.

LEICE STER—SATURDA.Y.
New white wheat, 44s to 468; , red, 42s to 448 per 36
stone. Old red, 42s to 44s per 36 stone. Barley, malting,
new, 34sltto 38s per qr.; grinding, 29s to 325; old oats,
258 to 308• new oats, 22s to 25s per 24 stone. Beans,'
old, 38s to '42s per 38 stone ; flour, 30s to 35s per 20 stone.

YORK—SATITEDAY.
The harvest is drawing to a doss in this county, and
the crops are turning out exceedingly well. The supply of
wheat at market to-day was moderate, and late prices were
maintained for good sorts. Barley proved more plentiful,
but prices declined. Oats and beans quiet.
Wheat, red 42s to 46s I Oat 5....
White do.. .38s to 42s 1 Beans 3& to 40s
Barley .30s to 32s I Peas ....—s to —6
Malt, 62s to 64s per qr.; rye, 32s per qr ; flour, 309
to 32s per sack.