The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 5, 1863.

belt considerable increase of this sum. In every
year we lose round our English coasts, exclusive of
losses in other parts of the world, between two and
three thousand vessels, with a corresponding loss
of life. So great and so constant is the number of
these losses, that a Wreck Register has become a
regular publication, chronicling year by year the
lamentable increase in the loss of life and property
by disasters at sea. It may be said that this is only
a natural consequence of our immense naval traffic;
but we are not contented with this explanation in
other matters. Our railways, though more nume-
rous and more active than others, do not show any
excess of casualties over those of other less busy
coantries. Our high ways,
though more thronged
than those of most cities, are not remarkable for
the number of accidents; nay, when once fairly out
at sea, our vessels are not more frequently
lost than others. The dangers of our coast are
undoubtedly naturally great. It is said that
not less than one-third of the wrecks from rocks
and shoals take place in our channels and on our
coasts. This is a startling calculation even allow-
ing for the immense amount of traffic that passes
to and fro. But have we done all in our power
to modify these dangers ? Have we reduced the
list of casualties to the limit inevitable from un-
controllable accidents. Those are the questions
for naval authorities, and shipowners to put to
themselves as they read the figures in this Regi-
ster. The stormy season is now fairly began.
How many more preventible catastrophes will
work its passage this year. How more vessels
will perish for want of Harbours of Refuge, how
many more ill found ships and their crews will
be sacrificed to the cupidity of their owners. The
moral is pointed by the fact, which we have se
often referred to other occasions, that nearly half
the wrecks of the year are those of colliers, and
that when we come to the larger and better
equipped vessels the ratio immediately decreases.
Why should this state of things be suffered to
continue ? Why are men allowed to go to sea
year after year in utterly unseaworthy craft,
without a fair supply of what may be termed the
necessaries of safe navigation. It is no excuse to
urge the natural danger and intricacy of our
coasts and channels. That is only a reason fur
our shipowners being especially careful that their
vessels are well found and prepared for possible
mischance. It is surely not too much
to expect that such reasons should induce
them to make a liberal provision for every possible
want; that they shall send vessels to sea that are
fit for the voyage, not miserable craft nearly a
hundred years old ; that they should see to it that
these vessels be properly supplied with cables,
anchors, and grounding tackle ; that they should be
sufficiently manned and commanded by sober men
who know their business. If these precautions
were attended to, the long list in the Wreck Regis-
ter would suddenly collapse, and leave the public to
regret the lives that have been wasted in foregoing
years. The system of insurance, excellent as it
undoubtedly is, has, like every blessing, its attendant
dangers, and the full compensation, sometimes more
than compensation, readily attainable by the ship-
owner renders him too often indifferent to the loss
of the ship and men. What is a human life more
or less ? A great deal, doubtless, to the widow and
orphan, but very little to him. Plenty more men
can be found any day on the look-out for employ-
ment, plenty of equally reckless or needy com-
manders to take the same risk, perhaps, with their
eyes ()Pen, perhaps unknowing of the danger from
the ignorance which greatly adds to it. Mr.
LAIRD s motion on this subject was withdrawn
owing to pertinacious opposition, but the hon. mem-
ber promised to introduce another in the coming
session, and we hope that he will keep his
word, and that every man of sense, justice,
and humanity in the House will support
him. If it could be rendered compulsory that every
vessel should carry sufficient boats to provide for
the safety of her crew, another diminution would
be made in the loss of life at all events. Wha

countless tragedies have been played out on the
wide seas for want of a few boats? What -sad
stories are told of emigrant ships carrying hundreds
of passengers going down in the deep waters, and
struggling, shrieking, praying for the boats? . But
nothing it seems will make us learn the lesson. It

was only the other day that the Admiralty begun

,rying to provide lifeboats for our men-of-war, and

we suppose that a good many more losses at sea
will be necessary before the simple rule is observed
that every ship shall carry enough efficient boats to

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give all who sail in her at least a chance of life

This change would extend its influence beyond our

own coasts, for it would save many lives far

away from our rocks and channels. Fer provision
against their dangers the best security is to be found
in the proper equipment of the ships themselves, in
the raore liberal lighting of our coasts, and in the

provision of harbours of refuge. All these matters

should be seen to without delay. It is no theoreti-
cal evil or temporary reform that is wanted, but a
real, pressing, urgent need of changes and improve-

ments that shall save money and life, and redeem
the coasts of the first naval nation in the world from
bearing the unenviable repute of being the most
fatal to the mariner, from preventible causes.

M. Ronan's Duplex shunter is thus ably and
eloquently defined by M. Laseerre :—" There are
two men is M. Ronan, the Seminarist, and the—no matter
what we name it—second self. On. the one side, a Christian
imagination; on the other, an atheist's heart. When he
recounts the life of the Son of Man,' he interrogates his
imagination, heretofore sheltered beneath the shadow of the
Altars, and under the refreshment of the grand trees of S.
Sulpice, and he finds exquisite refinement, and oftentimes
a remarkable perception of the Beautiful and the Good.
When, on the other hand, he wishes to draw conclusions,
and to reason, he listens to his own heart, and says,
There is no God.' Fearful contrast I . . The incense
of the Sanctuary embalms for a moment the vague depths
of his 84 le. Strange contradiction I He believes not in God ;
but his fervour is by no means diminished. Hitherto the
atheists have wished to abolish Religion. Not he I He
genuflects; he prostrates himself before an Altar without
a God. He adores, with a devout fervour, that in which ho
has no belief I ' Love goes without faith,' he gravely says.
He would found, not the desolating philosophy of Atheism,
but the tender Religion of Nothingness! I adore you! I
love I I kiss your sacred feet, omy well-beloved ! omy
God, who existest not ! and it is even because you do not
exist I have vowed you a worship so ardent I' . . It is
not quite in vain that he has heretofore worn the white
surplice of the Levite; if he has lost faith, he has not quite
rid himself of mysticism and feeling, He is an atheistic
religionist, or rather, a mystic atheist."

SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S ESTIMATE OF MILITARY
GLORY.—Nineteen long letters from Lord Ellen-
borough. Ile has made me Governor of Scinde, with addi-
tional pay; and he has ordered the captured guns
to be cast into a triumphal column, with our
name. I wish he would let me go back to my
wife and girls, it would bl more to me than pay, glory,
and honours. This is glory is it? Yes. Ni.,ce princes
have surrendered their swords to use on the field of battle,
and their kingdoms have been conquered by rue and at-
tached to my own country. Well, all the glory that can be
desired is mine, and I care so little for it that the moment I
can all shall be resigned to live quietly with my wife and
girls; no honour or riches repays me for absence from them.
Otherwise, this sort of life is life to me; is agreeable, as it
may enable um to do good to these poor people. Oh I if I
eLaanB d, ° any good thing to serve them where so much blood
been shed in accursed war, I shall be happy. May I
never see
ahno
dw
ot
areal tHnduoi
ptehoe ear re
andt :th fired
Lifeone and Opinions of General
6'ir Charles James rapier,
A SHORT SERmON. --Peter the Great when at
Zaartb
consented m wiBlled to hear a rather famous preacher. The
latter to preach before the Czar. Ewing
"e,ndel the pulpit, he said, with solemnity and dignity,
Think well, speak well, and act well, Aluen.,.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
NEW YORK, Nov. 23 (EvENING).
(Per the Asia,)
Cincinnatti despatches assert that firing at
Knoxville was heard on the 22d inst. at Cumber-
land Gap.
Knoxville is not completely invested, the Con-
federates having withdrawn from the south side of
the river.

Burnside has orders from Grant to hold Knox-
ville, and has informed the inhabitants that he
should do so.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24.

Advices from Charleston to the 20th inst. state
that the sea wall of Fort Sumter had been
destroyed, and that the Confederates were con-
structing bomb proofs on the ruins.
General Gilmore's batteries threw 21 shells into
Charleston on the 17th, and 15 on the 19th.

The monitor Lehigh grounded, but was got oil
considerably damaged.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 (Evening).
to-day represent that
firiCnignewinansaatttiill
heard
aht
Advices from Chattanooga to the 23d inst. an
nounce that two divisions under Granger had made
a reconnaissance to ascertain the Confederate posi-
tion and obtain possession of two elevations in front
of the Federal left, half-way between the Federal

lines and Missionary Ridge. The Federal guns
commanding the position. Only one battery was

taken into action. Granger moved forward at one
o'clock in the afternoon, and remained in line of
battle for three quarters of an hour in view of the
Confederates. He then engaged the Confederates
whilst the artillery in the Federal ports opened
upon the Confederate rifle pita and camps behind the
line of fighting. The Confederates did not reply,
having no artillery at that part of their entrench-
ments. Granger then occupied the elevations, upon
which ho directed his attack, carried the rifle pits
in front, and moved through the forest before him,
driving in the Confederate pickets. He halted his
advance on reaching further rifle pits in his front,
where the Confederates awaited an attack, which
he did not make, his object being to obtain the
heights on the Federal left, which will secure from
a flank attack any column moving to turn Mis-
sionary Ridge. A battle was imminent on the 24th
unless Bragg retired. Deserters reported that he
was falling back to the rear of Chickamauga Station.

Meade's army was reported to be prepared to
attempt the passage of the Rapidan immediately it
the condition of the roads permitted. The rivers
are, however, much swollen by the rain.

Lee is strengthening his works on the Rapidan
n anticipation of an attack.

Lee's army is estimated at from 50,000 to
60,000 strong.

General Forster has temporarily superseded
General Burnside, who retires on a short leave of

absence.

It is rumoured that Sherman's corps has been
detached from General Thomas's army, in order to
operate against Longstreet.

It is reported that the Governor of Maryland will
refuse to grant commissions to the newly-elected
Congr€ssmen.

The 13th Federal army corps, lately operating in
the Tech° country, embarked at Brashear, city of
Texas, by way of Berwick Bay.

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The Northern press urge the reinforcement o:
Banks on the Rio Grande.

Some excitement still exists at points along the
Federal frontier for fear of a Confederate excursion

'rom Canada.

The draft for 3,000 men is progressing in Balt

more.

The steamer Banshee, captured on the 21st Nov.,
has arrived at New York.
Admiral Lessofaki, with several vessels of the
Russian fleet, has left for Washington.
The movement among the labouring classes for
higher wages continues.
General Bragg, under date of the 23d inst.,
officially notified to General Cooper that the Con-
federates held all the roads leading to Knoxyille
excepting the one between Charleston and Broad
French rivers, which he believed would be also
speedily closet
General Wheeler had captured a Federal train
between Cumberland Gap and Knoxville.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORE, Nov. 24, Evening.
Gold opened yesterday at 53i, and has declined to
508 under more favourable military advice,.
Exchange on London, 165.
Apprehensions of increased tightness in the
money market have depressed Stocks. The closing
quotations to-day are New York Central, 1321,
Illinois, 1201; Erie, 107/.
The steamer Constitution left San Francisco on
the 23d November, with over 1,000,000 doll,, in
specie for England.

The following telegram, although landed at
Roche's Point early this morning, was only de-
livered by the Electric Telegraph Company at Mr.
Reuter's office at 1.5 p.m. to-day.
(Per the Asia.)
By Telegraph to Halifax.
NEW YORK, Nov, 25, Evening.
A rumour is current that Charleston was shelled
on the 22d inst., and is now on fire.

Grant reports es follows from Chattanooga on
the evening of the 24th inst.
"Sherman carried the end of Missionary Ridge
to-day. His right is now at the tunnel, and his left
at Chickamauga Creek. Troops from Lookout Val-
ley carried the point of tha mountain, and hold the
eastern slope and the point high up.
"Hooker reports 2,000 prisoners taken, besides a
small number fallen into our hands from -Missionary
Ridge."
General Thomas confirms- this report.

Cincinnati despatches to-day state that Knoxville
is closely invested on the
north side, but the south
side is open. General Burnside is confident of
811CCCSS. General Bragg reports on the 19th inst.
that Wheeler's cavalry drove the Federal cavalry
into Knoxville, capturing 300 prisoners. The
Cor.federate infantry was close up to the city.

Mobile despatches of the 19th assert that Gen.
Taylor had defeated Franklin's forces near Alex-
andria, L Juisi,no, and Weitzel's division near
(place omitted), with heavy loss.
The Federal Government adhere to its determina-
tion to refuse exchanges of prisoners until the Con-
federates agree to exchange coloured troops. The
Confederates decline to comply with this demand.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (Evening).
Gold opened this morning at 49k, and declined
rapidly under the military news. The closing
quotation to-day is 471. Money very active.
Exchange on Paris, 3.35. Stocks heavy. New
York Central, 136 ; Illinois, 124, ; Erie, 1071 ;
6 per Cent. U.S. Bonds, 108.
Cotton steady. Middling Upland, 84 to 84.

Flour and wheat quiet. Corn tending downwards.
Provisions heavy_ Coffee very firm. Sugar very
dull: Molasses quiet. Petroleum heavy. Crude,
26 261 ; refined, 42 to 44.

The following telegram, although landed at
Roche's Puint early this morning, with the tele-
gram dated Nov. 25, was only deivered by the
Eleclfc Telegraph Company at Mr. Reutei's office
at 1.45 p.m. to-day.

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (Morning),

(By Telegraph to Halifax.)

On the night of the 24th inst. Bragg evacuated
Lookout Mountain, moving south. Hooker occu-
pied Lookout, and was expected to intercept the
Confederates in the vicinity of Rossville, and in the
region east of it. At the same time Sherman
assaulted the north-east of Missionary Ridge, and
was repulsed with heavy loss. But being reinforced
he renewed the assault, and reached within 20
yards of the summit, but was flanked and compelled
to retire to his reserves.

The Confederates then massed heavily on Sher-
man's right, but Grant started two columns, which
broke the Confederate centre and gained possession
of theßidge,the Confederate main force being driven
northward towards Sherman, who opened upon
them, driving them disordered down the western
slope of Missionary Ridge and across the western
ridge of the Chickamauga.

General Hooker now holds Lookout on the right,
Palmer and Granger hold the centre, between
Lookout and Missionary Ridge, and Sherman holds
the left with his right on Missionary Ridge and
his left on Chickamauga Creek.

The Federals estimate their captures at 10,000
prisoners and 40 guns. Their loss is small.

It is supposed that Grant will pursue Bragg, or
if unable to do so, will send a force against Long•
street, who has invested Knoxville with batteries,his
rifle pits being close to the Federal-works.
Bragg reports as follows on the 23d:—

We hold all the roads leading into Knoxsville,
except the one between Holsten and French Broad
River, and Jones's cavalry might close that. The
Federal cavalry is almost broken up. Wheeler has
cut off their train between Cumberland Gap and
Knoxsville.

The Richmond Dispatch of the 24th says :.

"'There are rumours of a Confederate occupation
of Knoxaville, but nothing official to this effect has

transpired.

" Two thousand Federals have passed through
Rodgersville, and five regiments through Jacks
borougb, en route for Kentucky.

" General Meade is mud-bound.
" This being Thanksgiving-day no business was

transacted."

INDIA.
CALCUTTA, Nov. 16.

Lord Elgin still lingers.

CHINA.

SHANGHAI, OCT. 26.

Major Gordon captured Patolhou (?) and Secks•
dis (?) on the 12th, and Pulungwow (?) on the 24th
Advices received here from Japan state that

afftirs were quieter.

AUSTRALIA.
(By Telegraph from Suez.)
MELBOURNE, OCT. 24.

The transportation question is causing intense

excitement.

Her Majesty's ship Curagoa has arrived at New
Zzaland.

Ueneral Cameron 'has succeseally attacked the
position of the Maories.

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, DEC, 4.

Marshal Forey landed here yesterday, and has
paid a visit to his Majesty Dom Fernando to-day.
He will leave on Sunday for St. Nazaire.
Serious election riots have taken place near
Oporto.

SPAIN.

MADRID, DEC. 4.

The Bank of Madrid has contracted a loan with
,he House of Rothschild for 100,000,000 reals in

silver ingots.