The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-20 00:00:00

with Imperial indifference over the handle of his
deeply-fixed toothpick, and to melt him by a smile
into the concession of a bedroom ! Ws at tyrants
they all are! What poor slaves are the American
people! They may abjure kings and princes, but
they are ruled by hotelkeepers and waiters. With
money
in my purse, I could get nor bite nor sup in
all this capital of the Empire State, and it was only
by the research of a companion we procured aplace
to lie upon. The table d'hote system of America
strikes a deadly blow at self-respect, independence,
and freedom of opinion. You are tyrannised over so
much that at the very door of the saloon you are
seized by a waiter and placed in a particular chair,
and if you don't eat then you must be content to re-
main hungry till the next meal arrives. However, I
must get on borne way to Canada now. Next morning
I went on by the train to Buffalo, and reached the
American side of the Falls after midnight. The coun-
try lay deep under snow, and the noise of the cataract
was muffled in the heavy vapours,which grew thicker
and denser iu the morning, and at last turned into
a drizzling sleet, mixed with rain. There are few
visitors to Niagara in winter. The hotels are closed,
only one or two of an inferior order are kept open
for country use. As I had seen an announcement
in the papers some time ago that " Niagara Falls"
were " for sale," I was glad to observe the pro-
prietor had not introduced any change into the
scenery. Winter, indeed, had wrought with it in
his own severely chaste, yet grand old style. The
trees, indeed, are not weighed down with masses of
ice, but the branches are covered with snow, which
lay a foot deep over the plains, the banks, and
Goat Island, polished like steel by the freezing rain,
sa that it was not safe to approach the edge of the
Falls over the glistening surface. It has been often
said that Niagara looks finer in winter than in sum-
mer. It may be so when all the trees are heavy
with enormous icicles after long-continued frost,
but as I saw it at the close of last Jane, Niagara
was to me more impressive than it was this week
in its early winter garbof snow. The water, instead
of bright green, was of a brownish hue, which was
owing, the guide said, to the small tributaries being
"riled" by the recent rains. The whiteness of the
foam and the frothing jets of the Fall is dimmed
by that of the snow, and they look dull and opaque
by the contrast. Immense icicles fringed the rocks
at the sides of the Fall, and the masses of limestone
which have fallen at the American side, and rise up
above the boiling whirlpools, were covered with a
spongelike coating of snow and frozen spray, which
assumed strange shapes, and here and there hung
over them like the skin of monstrous Polar bears.
Our small party crept cautiously over the ice in
our water dresses and got behind the Fall on the
English side, but the ice and snow blocked up
the way a few yards inside, and the falling icicles
crashing down from time to time did not tend to
prolong our visit. Far be it from me to attempt
here a description of Niagara. In my present
duty I was more called upon to consider it as a mi-
litary position. Close to ns were the plains of Chip-
pewa and the pillar which marks the battle-field
of Lundy's-lane—two most desperate encounters
between the Americans and the British in the last
war, attended with extraordinary slaughter in pro-
portion to the number engaged. The Americans
could cross into Canada below Buffalo now as readily
as before. Since then there has leapt across the St.
Lawrence, two miles below the Falls, the beautiful
creation of Roebling—the most light, graceful, and
daring work of the kind in the world—the fairy
queen of suspension bridges. What barbarism it
would be to destroy it ! The very water that rolls
through that fearful gorge in the wildest fury would
cry out against it; and yet, unless some express
agreement were come to, in event of hostilities any
bombardier who could fire a field-piece might shiver
the iron cobweb to pieces. At present these passes
are important, mainly on account of facilities afforded
for desertion. The town of Niagara is full of pia-
cards for Maccomb's regiment. They are offered 13
dols. a month, clothing, outfit, medical attendance,
100 dols. bounty at the end of the war (in small
print) " on honourable discharge," and 120 acres of
land ! Every inducement will be held out to get our
non- commissioned officers over, but, if I am tojudge
from what I have heard, several of our old soldiers
in the Federal army say they will not be at all satis-
fied with the change in their conditions, in spite of
pay and food, because they find such a want of order
in their new service. Steps are taken to watch the
trains and the passengers, but if the men are bent
on going it will be difficult to prevent them. As
yet the desertions have been very few. Between the
railway station and the town on the American side
is a collection of the most wretched-looking wooden
shanties. Our conductor, a good specimen of the
native American—clever, shrewd, and vigorous—
told us they belonged to the Irish, whom he spoke
of very much as a farmer would speak of his pigs.
"We put them out there," said he, "because they
were too dirty in their habits to be let stop in the
town. When the cholera broke out we just shipped
off every soul of them, and located them there,
with the order to allow so much space betwee
every house; but, hang them, you see how they've
huddled together again." Evidently inferior crea-
tures ; but they had probably built most of the
town and of the railroad to. A man of the class of
oar conductor never works at any thing of the sort.
Next morning we proceeded across the bridge into
Canada, and were made aware that we were in
another country by the formulas of the Custom-
house, which were very courteously and civilly per-
formed by the tams. Some two hours and a half
brought us to Hamilton, which has been assigned
as the head-quarters of the battalion of the Rifle
Brigade assigned for duty in the province. A
pretty custom-house in cut-stone, from which floated
the Union Jack—the first I have set eyes on for
many a long month—flanks the entrance from the
railway station to the long straggling town, which
but for that token might be taken to bo in the
United States. Indeed, the influence of the Re-
public extends some way into the dominions of her
Majesty. The people in the carriages were reading
the paltry pictorial papers which do so much to
deprave the taste of the Americans and to unsettle
their notions in perspective and in material forms,
or were deep in the pirated editions of English
works which constitute the staple trade of the mass
of "enterprising publishers." The New York papers
were the only journals hawked about for sale in the
train. The sides of the carriages were covered
with New York and Boston advertisements. Not
a smack of Canada in book, or print, or journal, or
trade could be detected ; but in conversation it
was widely different, and all the gentlemen with
whom I conversed had but one view iu reference to
the recent breach of amicable understanding be-
tween Great Britain and the United States. At
the hotel in Hamilton we found a number of offi-
cers engaged in preparing for the detachment of
the Rifle Brigade, just expected. The Canadian
winter dress is becoming and not unserviceable—
a round fur cap of gray Astrachan with flat top
a long overcoat, braided, and faced on collar and
cuffs with gray lamb's-wool of the same sort as
the cap; long boots to the knee. The soldiers
wear long boots, thick warm coats, fur caps, and
gloves. It was delightful to learn there was no
grumbling ; the arrangements for the voyage and
the transit across New Brunswick were admitted
to be excellent. At Hamilton there was some little
difficulty in obtaining quarters for the men who
1411 t eumlug up uy rail, and it was feared they
would arrive before their beds were 'ready. The
major of brigade, Capt. M'Donald, was busily en-
gaged with Dr. lanes (one of the "men of Delhi ")
in getting ready reoms for them, assisted by Lieut.
Stevenson, of her Majesty's 30th. Major General
Russell has gone to London, attended by some other
Officers, to look after the arrangements for winter-
ing the troops in that town, and altogether it looks
asiCthe men would be very comfortable, notwith-
standing Fome small difficulties at first in obtaining
adequate accommodation for them. There is no
Power to s •
absurd sums
billet troops in C'lll
are not adapted.
Ida The large houses
for tochreir use when they hear they are
barracks, and the owners ask
required by the
Toronto. Here her In' At 5 o'clock we reached
but the defences of the jpeis4's 30th are in garrison,
eernare in a most unsatis-
factory condition, although
t American compli-
deed, created, since the receD eh improved, or, in-
cation.

LEVEE OF AN AMERICAN SECRETARY

(From the _Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 28.)
To-day was the first day that it was generally
understood by the people that any one could get to
see the new Secretary of War, without an intro-
duction or having to wait in the lobby a week or
two, as suited the convenience of some petulant
doorkeeper, or, as a military man would say, the
outer pickets. Mr Stanton occupies the room for-
merly used by the previous administrations, at the
head of the stairs in the second story. The adjoin-
ing room is used by Mr. Watson,assistant-secretary. ,
In this room Mr. Stanton receives the crowd ; in
the centre is a table at which his amanuensis, Mr.
Moore, sits, and in the corner is Mr. Watson at his
desk. The clock strikes ten, the awaiting crowd
rush in as the doors swing open, and, being among
them, we soon find ourselves in the presence of the
Secretary. Now one stands in front of him, and,
with a smiling countenance, he reaches out his hand
and takes a hearty grip with a grey-haired man.
" Nell, sir, what is your wish ?" " My name is --;
my son fought at Springfield, and was wounded in
the arm; he was on Fremont's staff, but is now
without a commission ; I want one for him that he
may again try his other arm here on the Potomac
or in Missouri." " You shall have it, sir," replied
Mr, Stanton, and turning to his secretary, ordered
him to note the case. " Return home," he added,
" the papers will be sent you ;" and as the man at-
tempted to thank him, he stepped to one side to two
ladies who had just come in. " Madam, what can I
do for you ?" "Want a clerkship for my son ; his
father was killed at the battle of Belmont." Turn-
ing again he noted the case, took the address, told
the lady to send to him a sample of her boy's writ-
ing, and ho would care for him. The other was
connected with the Minnesota regiment over the
river, and had some complaint about the treatment
she had received in camp from some of the officers.
" Madam, you must go to the headquarters of Ge-
neral M'Clellan." " I have been there, sir, and they
would not read my papers or listen to my case."
" Then give them to me, and I'll see why."
A small, bright-eyed boy, alone, was trying to
work his way through the crowd, and the Secretary
turned to him and asked what he wanted. " I want
my father got out, sir; he was taken at Bull Run,
and has not come home with the rest." He gave
his name and regiment ; it was noted, and the Sec-
retary, lifting him up, kissed him upon the fore-
head, and said—" Your father should be proud of
such a noble boy, and I'll see that he is released."
A man with a half military dress says he has
been wronged by the Examining Board, and has
been deprived of the command of his regiment (a
Philadelphia cavalry regiment). "Sorry, sir, if it
is not all right ; I cannot go back to investigate the
acts of my predecessor." The colonel insisted that
his case was a plain one, if he could be heard.
"Well," said the Secretary, "if you will get the
officers to reconsider it, I will then listen to it."
An individual has some new invention for fire-
arms; "Go to the Ordnance Department and get
them to investigate it, and if they will recommend
it, I will be glad to see it adopted." A colonel with
a green uniform on has some passes he wants to
read. " Are you an army officer ? "Yes, sir."
" Then you cannot be heard until to-morrow—come
and see me then."

A large and well-dressed man wanted a word in
private. " What about ?" Some little matter about
a contract he had for horses. " Cannot interfere,
sir—go to Gen. Aleigs. If there is anything wrong
he will rectify it." Another succeeds in getting him
off to the side of the room, and the conversation is
inaudible until the Secretary replied,;" No, sir, on no
account will I interfere in any contract, while I am
here, for anything from a thimble up. There are
men appointed to attend to that department, and I
shall hold them to a strict accountability for every
action."

Two soldiers wanted to be paid for the time they
were in confinement at Richmond, having just been
released, and presented a furlough they had received
a week ago, and also an order for their pay for time
and rations. "Why do you not take this to Major
Beck with, and have him attend to it ?" " We did,
sir, and ho says ho has no order that will cover our
ease, and for want of 'farms' we are afraid we will
be kept here until our time is up, and we want to
go home and see the folks before going at it again."
Turning to his secretary, he ordered him to write
to Major Beckwith, and order him to report forth-
with in writing why these men were not paid up,
instead of being kept waiting. It was done ; he
signed it himself, and said, '° Here, take that to him
and bring an answer."
A Western man, who said he hailed from the Re-
serve in Ohio, had about a dozen quires of paper
written over two or three times, which he said was
an " Essay on Cheese." The Secretary laughed.
"You must go to the Commissary-General ; he has
charge of the feeding of the army." " I have been
at first one and another all summer, and somehow
or other I do not get any further ahead, and that is
why I want you to investigate it ;" and lie com-
menced to unroll his papers. " Indeed, Sir, I do
not know how cheese would agree with the soldiers."
"That's just why I want you to read these papers
and examine these certificates." " But I have not
time, Sir." All hands commenced laughing, but the
Ohio man stuck it out bravely. " I assure you there
is not a soldier in the army who does not like
crackers and cheese, and I can make it for three
cents a pound." "Now, I tell you what you had
better do—go to Senator Wilson and tell him to put
it in his bill ; it will then pass the Senate and be-
come an army regulation to give out cheese rations."
" Well, could you not endorse it, and then it would
be sure to be passed "No, I cannot endorse it,
because I know nothing about it." " Oh, well, I
will leave these papers," and he made for the table.
" I will never read them if you do, until the mar is
over." With a look of despair Ohio made for the
door, inquiring of every one he met if they knew
where Senator 'Wilson lived

Judge Wilkins, of Pittsburg, here came in, re-
ceived a hearty shako of the hand, and a number of
congratulations passed between them. The door-
keeper of the little room announced the President,
and off the Secretary went to see him. He soon
returned, however. In came Major Beckwith, with
the note sent by the returned prisoners. " Why
are those men kept waiting "' " Because I have no
order for their special case." " Mr. Wilson, issue
an order that will cover all prisoners that may be
released in future, and allow them full pay for
every day they are confined in rebel prisons.
Major, I have just learned there are over 150 now
waiting for their pay ; every man must be paid to-
day, and speed them on to their homes."
A tall man wants a commission in the regular
army. " Have you been in any battle yet, Sir ?"
" I was in the Mexican war." " That won't do,
that is too far back." " I was at Great Bethel."
" That is better. I will examine your record my-
self and inform you if you are appointed."
A stout healthy young man wanted a commission
or clerkship. " Have you been in any battle ?''
"No, Sir." " Then it will be of no use to apply,
for I shall make all my appointments from the list
of heroes; those who fight the country's battles
must be cared for first."
Another wanted an appointment as quartermas-
ter. " There are my recommendations, Sir, and I
would be glad if you can read them." " I cannot
do it now, I have not the time ; but I will examine
mem." very well," replied the would-be guar.
termaster ; " just read them. If you have any
better man, according to those papers, let him have
the office ; in that case I don't want it."

A gentleman stepped up who appeared to be an
intimate friend of the Secretary. "Ah !" said the
Secretary, " I am glad to see you ; I have not seen
you since we met at Wheeling a few years ago.''
He replied that he had been engaged upon the
North-West Boundary question, and would like to
have some conversation about it. "Ah !" said the Se-
cretary, " I will appoint a time to see you, and have
the whole matter talked over, for I wish to know
all about it."

A man in citizen's clothes wanted an appointment
in the army. " Well," said the Secretary of War,
gi what are your claims " " I was aide-de-camp to
Colonel Geary at the fight of Bolivar, and I am re-
commended for the appointment by the President."
4, All right," said Air. Stanton, "I will attend to
your case." Individual insisted upon having a pro-
mise, inasmuch as he " had got the indorsement of