The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-09 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 9, IRE.

RUSSELL is characterised by the same hasty, super-
ficial, and manifestly unfair accusations which have
been already brought against Governor EYRE and
his associates, by speakers and writers of their
ways of thinking. Picking out a few sentences
from the despatches which state that there
was no organization among the . blacks, that
no casualty had befallen the troops, &c.,
they add to them the most random statements,
which nothing in the official information warrants
in the slightest degree. Can any one, not abso-
lutely blinded by prejudice, believe that the
Governor, and those acting with him, " have given
unlimited permission and encouragement to soldiers
and sailors, and Volunteers and Maroons, to seize,
and flog, and shoot, and hang at their own dis-
cretion, any coloured persons who might fall iuto
their hands, men, women, and children ?" Yet

this statement is deliberately put forward by gen-
tlemen of standing, and they do not scruple to
address it to a Minister of the Crown. A
special paragraph is devoted to the apprehension
and execution of Mr. G. W. GORDON, which they
consider " admits of no justification whatever."
The inconvenient fact of the written evidence
showing GORDON to have been mainly instrumental
in organising a scheme for converting Jamaica into
another Hayti seems to have been totally over-
looked by these gentlemen, and they get over the
cruelties practised by the coloured men at Morant
Bay by asserting that the Volunteers provoked
them by firing at them when they were assembled
"to vindicate certain of their rights," the right to
massacre and plunder being, we suppose; included.
" The whole civilised world," according to
Messrs. PEASE and Co., is filled with horror and

indignation at the " wholesale and indiscriminate
slaughter in Jamaica." We should think the in-
dignation would rather be directed against those
who planned and partly executed such barbarous
schemes, while a little of it may assuredly be spared
for those Englishmen who, without waiting for full
and authentic evidence, prejudge and condemn men
of character and known humanity for having, in a
time of terrible risk, rescued a British colony from
becoming the scene of wholesale anarchy and
bloodshed.

In contrast to this comes the news from Jamaica

itself assuring us that all is tranquil and no further
executions or trials were reported. The conflagra-

tion, which might otherwise have been the ruin of
blacks as well as whites, is therefore crushed out, and
we hope that the terrible experience of the past will
serve to inaugurate a new and more prosperous
future for both races in the island.

" The storms of wintry time" have lately been
particularly active, bringing even to those on shore
some dangerous and even fatal consequences. Such
a season is therefore especially appropriate for a
meeting of the managers of that admirable Institu-
tion which has done so much to lessen, if it cannot
altogether remove, the perils of our storm-lashed
coast. There are few of the benevolent associations
of the day that are better or more efficiently
managed, or that can show more practical service
done at the close of the year. The task undertaken
by it is so momentous in its nature that when it is
successfully accomplished the result is most striking.
It is not the difference between sickness and possible
recovery ; between destitution and temporary relief ;
but it is the contrast of life with death, of a desolated
home with a rejoicing family, of the mourning of the
widow and orphan with the joyous welcome of the
returning voyager. The result of course rests in
higher hands, and no Vigilance or daring can ensure
life against the inevitable dangers of storm :and
shipwreck, but at least so much as men can do is
done, and the means adopted have, in the vast
majority of instances, proved eminently suc-
cessful. Hundreds of lives, which, vdthout :the
existence of the Lifeboat Institution, would cer-
tainly have swelled the ranks of those who have gone
down into the deep waters and come back no more,
have been preserved, and property of immense value
has been saved from destruction by the agency of
the lifeboats and their brave crews. It is indeed
scarcely to be called a charitable institution, for its
existence in a country like ours is surely no work of
supererogation, but rather an imperative national
duty, incumbent on each one of us who shares or
profits (and who does not ?) in the traffic of the
seas. The Institution is especially commendable
in its single-minded earnestness to get the work
done, -whether by its own means or by those of
others; and, in accordance with this feeling, it gives
prizes and medals to persons totally unconnected
with it, when they have been instrumental in saving
life, or in. assisting endangered vessels. The ter-
rible gales of last month must be fresh in every
one's recollection, and it is a gratifying fact that in
the month of November the lifeboats saved no less
than 124 shipwrecked persons, in addition to bring-
ing two vessels safely into port. Altogether, the
boats of the Institution have, during the last eleven
months, saved 421 lives, besides bringing
fourteen vessels safely into harbour. When
we . look at the number in the aggre-
gate we shall be better able to realise the
extent of the public service rendered by these
boats. A whole ship's company, or a regiment
of soldiers, saved at once would produce a striking
effect on the public mind, yet, in reality, this
feat has been accomplished by the agents of the
Institution in the present year. The instances
cited as usual give evidence of the most daring
and self-sacrificing courage on the part of the
crews; and it is a very gratifying fact, and one that
testifies to the substantial character of the lifeboats,
that out of the 18,000 persons who have manned them
during the last three years only three lives have been
lost. General Sir GEORGE BOWLES, the donor of the
Howth lifeboat, was so much pleased with its -re-
cent services in saving five lives that he has gene-
rously promised to defray the cost of another boat.
His example might be very profitably followed by our
wealthier classes, since the cost of maintaining the
various establishments is naturally very heavy.
At yesterday's meeting it was found necessary to
make arrangements for payments amounting to
more than £3,000. We cannot doubt that the
public will continue to come readily forward on
behalf of so valuable an association, and among
the kindly gifts so appropriate to the coming general
season, we hope that the claims of the National
Lifeboat Institution will be neither overlooked nor
neglected.

SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR TIIE ENSUING WEEK.
—Monday—Geographical, at 81 : " Ankova, Ma-
dagascar, and the Royal,or Sacred Cities," Rev. W. Ellis ;
"Boat Journey along Coast Lakes, East Madagascar,"
Captain Rooke. Tuesday—Syro-Egyptian, at 71: "Pil-
grimage of Antoninus of Placentia, A.D. 570," Rev. A. H.
Campo]. Photographic, at 8 : " Photo-Relievo Printing,"
Mr. Woodbury. Engineers, at 8: "Strength of Cements
used in South Main Drainage Works," Mr. Grant. Eth-
nological, at 8. Zoological, at 81: "Fossil Birds from
Zebbug Cave, Malta," Mr. Parker ; " New Species of Spider
Monkey in Society's Gardens," Drs. Gray and Mnrio
" Presbytes AlbigQna," Dr. Murie ; " Gular Pouch of Great
Bustard," Mr. Flower. Wednesday—Society of Arts, at 8:
" Loudon Milk," Mr. Morton. Microscopical, at 8 : "
Mounting," Mr. Smith. British Archaeological Associa-
lion, at 81. -Thursday—Numismatic, at 7. Royal, at 81.
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LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.
MADRID, DEC. 8 (Evening).

The Espanol of to-day says :—" The present
Ministry would even jeopardise the dynasty in order

to remain in power."
The Politica, alluding to the protests of the
Spanish bishops against the recognition of Italy,
states that they have rendered themselves amenable
to the penal law, and that should they persist in
the attitude they have taken up, the Government
would ask the Cortes to suspend the constitutional
guarantees protecting the bishops, and claim the
right to exile those who have protested.
It is asserted in political circles that the real
motive for which there will be no speech from the
Throne at the opening of the Cortes is, that the
Queen does not wish to speak of the recognition
of Italy.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, DEC. 8.

A notification issued by the Minister of Finance
states that, in consequence of the excessive number
of applications received for bonds of the New Aus-
trian Loan, a reduction of 20 per cent. will be
made in the amount of subscriptions.
The Diets of Linz, Klagenfurt, and Troppau
have, by a large majority, voted addresses to the
Emperor against the September Patent.

The Insurrection in Jamaica.

LIVERPOOL, Friday.
The steamer Californian, which arrived here this
evening, brings news from Jamaica to Nov. 21.
Some of the late Mr. Gordon's property had been
seized at the suit of an English firm.
The Governor had visited Admiral Hope at Port
Royal. No further executions or trials were re-
ported. The newspapers contain no intelligence
relative to the late insurrection. The Kingston
Morning Journal of the 21st ult. says :—" Let the
constitution be amended by all means if it is per-
ceived that to its unsuitableness the rebellion is in
part to be attributed, but do not destroy the con-
stitution altogether ; do not, above all, deprive her
Majesty's subjects in this island of their freedom of
speech and freedom of religious worship. It is ab-
solutely necessary. for the good of society that there
should be a strong Government to deal with that
large class in the country among whom the late re-
bellion occurred ; but the measures that are passing
the Legislature seem to us to be aimed, not at the
rebellion, but at the well-affected and loyal section
of the community."

The Jamaica Guardian gives the following as a
draught of the proposed new Constitution for the
island :

" 1. That there should be one Chamber.

" 2. That such Chamber should be composed
partly of the nominees of the Crown and partly of
members elected.
" 3. That the elections should be made for coun-
ties in equal proportions.
4. That the qualification of members should be
raised.

" 5. That the franchise should be raised.

" 6. That it should be lawful for her Majesty to
appoint two commissioners from England to act in

ieu of an executive committee.

" 7. That no person, except one to be nominated
by the Governor, should be nominated or elected
who held any office of emolument payable out of
the public taxes."
The Guardian says that these principles were
eventually submitted to a large number of members
and acceded to. The Government would intro-
duce amendments to their Bill in order to carry
out these principles.
A. Bill to Regulate Places of Public Worship,
abounding in pains and penalties, was before the
House of Assembly of Jamaica, and was causing
cousiderable excitement among the Dissenters.
The Jamaica Guardian says
It is anticipated that on the Bill becoming law

(should it become so) the action will be unani-
mous throughout the island, and every Dissenting
chapel on Sunday and day school will be closed in
obedience to it, and the whole responsibility will be
thrown on the Government, without whose sanction
the measure cannot become law, while several of
the most effective speakers from each denomination
will be prepared to proceed to England, and de-
nounce the interference with religious liberty
throughout the length and breadth of the land."
A Bill to Provide for the Expenses of Extin-
auishinc, the Rebellion had been discussed in the
House of Assembly, and agreed to, and ordered to
be engrossed.

A very stringent Alien Bill had also occupied the
House of Assembly.

The following letter has been addressed to the
Editor of The Tinges:—

Sir,—Pray excuse my troubling you. I wish to
show you the class of people who attack Governor
Eyre, and enclose you one of two anonymous letters
received by me to-day, and a telegram informing
me my brother ought to be hanged. I thank you
sincerely and heartily for defending his character,
and think you will agree with me that even if my
brother were all the writers say, instead of a brave
defender of the government intrusted to bis care, it
is mean and cowardly in his enemies to attack his
sister. I attacked no one.—l remain, Sir, yours
very obediently,

MARY EYRE.
44, Bernard-street, Russell-square,
W.C., Dec. 6.

"Dec. 6.

"Madam,—You have done a smart thing, no doubt, try-
ing to defend your bloody, murderous brother, who deserves
a rope if any one ever did, and I hope he will get it. That
£5O you speak of makes his character the blacker. It is
stolen goods : plunder from the poor blacks. A greater
scoundrel never walked the earth, and to help him he got
the bloody Nelson and others to work and rum'd' the
sailors that they might cut up the pop; because they are
black and coloured. The curse of the nation and the world
will ever rest upon your family for those bloody crimes.
Bloody cries for vengeance upon you all."

" Maclam,—l have just read your silly letter, and just as
sure, as your dastard of a brother murdered poor Mr. Gor-
don he shall swing for it at the Old Bailey."

Sir Henry Storks is now on his way to England,
having been summoned by telegraphic instructions which
reached him at Malta on Thursday. At Malta it was sup-
posed that his presence is required with reference to the
affairs of Greece. It is, however, supposed hero that he is
likely to be sent out to Jamaica.

LORD BYRON'S COUNTESS GUICCIOLI, now
Madame de Boissy, is said to have given M. Lamartine ac-
cess to her correspondonde with the poet, which will be
used by him in his Life of Byron, now appearing in the
feuillcton of the Constitutionnel. .
THE BROMPTON HOSPITAL PATIENTS AT MA-
DEIRA.—This time last month considerable interest
was elicited by the departure of 20 consumptive invalids
selected to winter in the genial climate of Madeira. The
news of their safe arrival in the island, and a few parti-
culars afforded by the letters received by this mail from
Copt. Erskine (H.B.M. Consul), and from the superinten-
dent, will be scarcely less interesting. The steamer Maria
Pia, whose second cabin was filled by the patients, sailed
from London at 2 a.m. on the Bth November, arriving at
Lisbon at 10 a.m. on the 13th. having had a fair wind and
fine weather the whole way, though a rough sea. In cross-
ing the Bay of Biscay they experienced a heavy gale. To
enable the invalids to recover from the effects of this, the
superintendent thought it advisable to give them leave to
go on shore at Lisbon for a short time, which did them a
great deal of good. They left the Tagus on the 15th, at 11
a.m., and arrived at Madeira on the 17th, at 5 35 p.m.
During the passage from Lisbon they had continued fine
weather, and no sea. On the arrival of the steamer Captain
Erskine and Dr. Brandt came on board, received the pa-
tients with all possible kindness, and accompanied them to
the Sanatorium, where they were comfortably quartered
by 6.30 p.m. The invalids were visited the same evening
by the Bishop of Sierra Leone, who read a portion of Scrip-
ture, and offered up a beautiful thanksgiving prayer for
their safe arrival in Madeira. The accounts of the patients'
health were favourable. Although there had been the ave-
rage amount of sea sickness, no spitting of blood had re-
sulted from it; but, on the Contrary, it was considered that
the voyage had done them all good, and cleared their
complexions. They appeared to have been well cared
for on board, and spoke of the kindness of the two
stewards who attended upon them. At the close of his
letter the superintendent says :—" I am given to under-
stand that the British inhabitants in general, of Madeira
have contributed in furnishing the Sanatorium. The walls
of the rooms are hung with most beautiful paintings; the
furniture is first class, and nothing is wanted in that line.
I consider, jointly with my fellow patients, that our Sana-
torium would not disgrace any merchant in London as a
residence. We all feel truly grateful to Almighty God for
His bountiful goodneSs to us ; and for placing it in the
hearts of those who have contributed towards our
earthly comforts." Mr. Graves was re-appointed by the
Local Committee as Superintendent at the Sanatorium,
jointly with the Matron, whose kindness and constant
anxiety for the patients' comforts were alluded to in
grateful terms. The following pleasant expression
of feeling was signed by his fellow patients, and
presented to the Superintendent at the end of the voyage.
"We, the undersigned, desire to express our heartfelt
thanks to Mr. Graves, for the kind and impartial manner
in which he has discharged the responsible duty of super=
intendant during our voyage. We feel that he has done
everything ho possibly could for our comfort and enjoy-
ment whilst on board, and he has drawn our hearts closer
to him by his solicitous and almost parental anxiety for
our welfare. Wo therefore take this opportunity, before
leaving the ship, of-thus expressing to him our sincere
gratitude and appreciation of his kindness." Prince Alfred
was in the island when the mail left, and it was expected
that his royal highness would visit the Sanatorium during
his stay. , -

MILITARY BALL AT WINDSOR.—On Wednesday
evening a grand ball, under the patronage of Lieut.-
Colonel the Earl of Mountcharles, Lieut.-Colonel Sawyer,
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, M.P., and the officers
of the Ist Life Guards, Grenadier Guards, and 6th Dragoon
Guards, Lady Mary Hood, Lady Mary Berkeley, Lady
Emily Seymour, Mrs. Coleman, &c., was given at the
Guildhall, Windsor. The fine hall was crowded with a
brilliant and fashionable assemblage, comprising the prin-
cipal residents of the district and the officers of the Windsor
garrison. The stringed band of tile Life Guard.s played
during the evening.