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

rliE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, 'FEBRUARY 20, 1862.

to Ireland in regard to the equitable revision and
readjustment of her Bankruptcy Laws—already
there are portents, we can hardly help writing here
as usual, of one of those needless cankers in the
seemingly all-blooming fruit of legislation accorded
to the sister island-4311e of those vexatious and
unnecessary cankers that have so often marred the
good gift to that loyal section of our fellow
citizens ! In truth, so frequently has this " hap-
pened " to be the case in the instances of the
extension to Ireland of a legislative boon already
enjoyed by England that, while we might speak
here of the falling of the fruit into our
laps, as evidence of the "pear being ripe,"
we could only come to the conclusion, often,
when seeing it tossed to Ireland afterwards that
the pear had in some mysterious manner been trans-
formed into an apple of discord. All the grace of
the gift or concession in these instances being in
some unaccountable way lost in the transformation.
Here, in effect, is precisely a case in point, or, at
any rate, what threatens to be a case in point.
Already the bill has been drafted, and is immedi-
ately about to be passed through the Lords and Com-
mons, assimilating (as before intimated) the Bank-
ruptcy laws of Ireland with those revised laws ac-
corded to England during the last Session of Par-
liament. Assimilating the Bankruptcy laws of
the two Kingdoms, that it to say in all
respects, save in regard to the amount of remune-
ration. Here it is that the grace of the gift is taken
from it at a touch. The bloom of the fruit is rubbed
off—the ripe-dropping pear, by a sort of " Presto !"
becomes, in a twinkling, changed into a crude little
apple of discord. Or, at least, we repeat, it threatens
to be so. For, as yet, happily, it is not too late for
a timely emendation. The Bill is not yet before the
Legislature. And even, if it were, the modification
we are directing attention to as in every way desir-
able, would readily enough be attended to, might be
judiciously proposed and interpolated while passing
through Committee in the House of Commons. It
is not, of course, that we are in any way disposed
to advocate the complete and absolute assimilation
of the amount of payment given for the work to be
done here in England, and there in Ireland. We
observe in a very able and lucid, and, as it appears
to us, not merely a very convincing, but a wholly
unanswerable Statement put forth by the Chief
Registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy in Ireland,
that that officer hesitates not to come forward him-
self betimes in his official capacity, insisting in this
matter that, under the circumstances, he deems
himself entitled, at any rate, to some consideration.
For " more than twenty years," he remarks in the
very preamble of his Statement, he has been actively
engaged in the public service. His past duties in
his capacity as Chief Registrar in Bankruptcy, he
defines clearly enough under their two heads,
namely, Ist, Judicial, and 2d, Administrative.
His labours manifestly in both respects being suf-
ficiently onerous. After enumerating these labours,
now judicial, now administrative—" Besides the
foregoing," he adds, " I discharge the duties of
Taxing Officer, and tax all the costs in Bankruptcy
and arrangements, and regulate the charges of
auctioneers, valuators, and accountants." Observ-
ing immediately afterwards, and very significantly,
in brackets—" [ln London the Taxing Master
is a distinct officer, with a salary of £1,400.3"
We need not go more minutely, however, here into
the statement of the Irish Chief Registrar of the
Court of Bankruptcy. He will be allowed to have
said enough, even in these brief extracts from his
Statement, when it has been added that he bases
his individual claims for consideration (and we may
hint parenthetically, ex uno disco onines), firstly,
by reason " That increased duties, judicial and
administrative, will devolve upon me under the new
Act, and that my present salary, £BOO, is inade-
quate to the position of a judicial office ;" and,
secondly, by reason "That the correspond-
ing officers in England are paid higher salaries."
Whereas, for example, he himself, for doing
the duties of both Taxing-master and Chief
Registrar, gets his £BOO per annum the two
offices here in London bringing their holders in,
together, a clear £2,000 extra, £2,000 over and
above the £800! The Chief Registrar having his
£1,400, and the Taxing.anaster his £1,400.
Enough, howbeit, has already been here indi-
cated to demonstrate beyond a shadow of doubt
that at the very least something tending to-
wards an assimilation in payment should accom-
pany the proposed assimilation in regard to every-
thing else between the administration of the laws
of Bankruptcy in England and in Ireland.
These, of course, are the days of financial and ad-
ministrative economy. It seems an odd thing to say
so when the income and expenditure oscillate in the
balance at a general average of some £70,000,000
sterling. But it is so nevertheless. Yet it is precisely
because the national aspirations now-a-days tend
towards that national and wholesome economy that
we would urge the holding of that balance at all
times, alike in regard to England and in regard to
Ireland, with a steady, even, unswerving hand of
justice. " A fair day's wage for a fair day's
work." " The labourer is worthy of his hire."
Those are axioms the benignant wisdom
of which the Englishman and the Irish-
man can alike appreciate. Let them be acted
upon—no matter on which side of St. George's
Channel it may be—wherever they admit (and
where do they not admit ?) of application. If ever
a wise revision of salaries, in a comprehensive re-
adjustment of an important department, would
appear to be in every point of view requisite, it
would seem to be desirable, if not, indeed, abso-
lutely imperative, in the designed assimilation this
session of the Bankruptcy Laws of Ireland with
those now conferred (thanks to the memorable Act
of last Session) on Great Britain. It is not by any
means that an increase of payment becomes in any
way inevitable. Are the officials anywhere too
numerous for the amount of work to be got
through ? Let their number be diminished. Give
more work to those who appear to be insufficiently
employed. But whenever among similar officers the
work proves to be equivalent, let the payment of
each for that work also be equivalent. Let there at
any rate in this instanee be an approximation to a
resemblance, and not as now so frequently happens
(a fact which we have here in these remarks of ours
distinctly illustrated) a flagrant discrepancy. In
extending the operation of our bankruptcy laws,
for example, this session, to Ireland—let us do so at
once with grace and with justice.

month.

SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.—Her Royal High-
ness the Princess Alice,attended by Lady Caroline Barrington
and Lieutenant-Colonel the B on. Dudley de Ros, Equerry
to Her Majesty, landed in the docks this afternoon, at a
quarter before 3 o'clock, from the Royal yacht Fairy, Master-
Commander Christian, en route from Osborne to Windsor,
on a visit to the Belgian Minister, M. Van de Weyer. The
Princess was received on landing by Mr. P. Hedger and
Mr. J. Levy, principal officers of the dock company, and
Mr. R. Beach was in attendance on the part of the South-
Western Railway Company. Her Royal Highness and
attendants left by the three o'clock train. Prince Arthur,
attended by Major Dphinstone, accompanied his sister to
the docks, and returned in the Fairy to Osborne.

Lord and Lady Huntingfield and the Hon. Miss
Vanneck have arrived at St. George's Hotel from their seat
in Suffolk.

Lord and Lady Cranworth have arrived in
Upper Brook-street from Holwood Park, Kent, for the
season.

Lord De l'lsle and Dudley has arrived at St.
Cieorge's Hotell

Our readers will be glad to observe that the
Queen has resumed her usual outdoor exercise. For the

first time since the death of the Prince Consort, her Ma-

jesty drove out on Tuesday, accompanied by the Princess
Alice, Prince Alfred is expected to arrive in England next

Lord and Lady Skelmersdalo have arrived at
Lathom House, Lancashire, from a tour of visits.
Lord Methuen has arrived at St. George's
Hotel.

Lady Theresa Lewis and Miss Lister will leave
Kent House to-morrow on a visit to the Earl and Countess
of Clarendon, at the Grove, Watford.
THE EASTER MONDAY REVIEW AT BRIGHTON.
—We understand that it is the intention of the Secretary
of State for War to appoint Lord Clyde to take the com-
mand at the great volunteer field-day, which it is in con-
templation to hold at Brighton on Easter Monday.

THE NAVIGATION NEAR NEWFOUNDLAND.-AD-
MIRALTY, FEB: 19,—1t appears by a telegram from New-

foundland that it is recommended that all vessels should

pass to the southward of Sable Island, in consequence of
the immense quantity of ice and the great number of bergs
off Cape Race.
In the case of the Bank of Deposit, yesterday,
the Master of the Rolls decided that the depositors must be
placed on the list of contributories.

THE FATAL OMNIBUS ACCIDENT IN WALWORTH
—Yesterday Mr. Payne held an inquest at Guy's Hospital
on the body of Thomas Eades, who came to his death in
consequence of injuries received on Sunday night last, in
Walworth•road, while driving one of Hubble's omnibuses.
The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
THE CAPTURE OF NINGPO.—Our Consul, Mr.
Harvey, and the Rebel Chief have had a conference, but
with what result we are not told, We learn also that a
deputation from the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce has
waited on Admiral Sir James Hope, at his request, to con-
sult with him relative to the present state of affairs at
Ningpo, which is so highly prejudicial to trade, We are
not informed what was the result of his mysterious con-
sultation, but are merely told that the members and the
gallant admiral arrived at the same conclusion.—London
and China Telegraph.
CAPTAIN HORATIO Ross.—Capt. Horatio Ross
of Netherley, made an extraordinary score at 1,000 yards
on the 23d January, shooting with a Henry rifle, at the
Netherley range. Out of 15 shots he made 23 points,
namely,-6 outers and nine centres. The first four shots
were outers, the ninth and fourteenth ditto, and the
others were all comprised within a circle of 12 inches of
the centre of the target ; four of them are 'within six inches.
On a subsequent day, firing at 500 yards, Mr. Ross scored
19 points in 10 shots ; all were centres except one. We
have seen no better shooting than this anywhere, unless it
be that of his son, Mr. Edward Ross, who last week scored
24 points in 15 shots-5 at 1,000, sat 900, and sat 800
yards. He made 8 points at each of these ranges, just the
score that won for him the Queen's prize, and with half the
, number of shots.—lnverness Courier.
PREACHING AND SWIMMING.—In a Western
Conference one circuit sent in a petal= for a minister; but
said nothing about any characteristics as a preacher or a
disciplinarian, One quality, however, he must have—" Be
sure and send us a good swimmer," said the petitioners.
Of course every one was puzzled, and none more so than
the bishop. On inquiry it turned out that the circuit was
situated in the region of wide and bridgeleas streams, where
the itinerant, in keeping his appointments, would have to
rely upon his own powers of aquatic locomotion ; in fact,
one minister had been drowned on the circuit, because of
his deficiency in this respect.—North American Review.
Samuel Robinson, whose attempt at suicide while
being conveyed in custody to Cupar-Fife on a charge of
forgery, as recorded yesterday, was captured on Tuesday
at Osmotherley, in the North Riding, and after lodging for
the night in Northallerton gaol was removed to Scotland
on Wednesday morning by the mail :rain. He was con-
ducted under the escort of Chief-constable Bell and another
officer. Mr. Bell has one of his arms disabled, and is other-
wise suffering from a violent kick he received in his side
during the struggle. The prisoner admits that his inten-
tion was self-destruction. Strange co state, he has only a
few scratches on the face. He is new very penitent, or
appears to be so.
THE GREAT EXHIBITION BUILDING.--Messrs.
Lucas, Brothers, and Messrs. Kelk, the contractors for the
International Exhibition building, have insured the im-
mense structure in the Norwich Union Fire-office. The
premium has this week been paid to the Norwich Union,
and amounts to no less than £3,300, the amount of the in-
surance being £400,000. The Norwich Union will, it is
understood, divide the risk with several other offices, as it
is not inclined to take the entire responsibility on itself. The
agent who brought the business to the office nets £330, the
commission allowed being 10 per cent,
THE FLOODED COLLIERIES.—By great persever-
ance the water has been conquered in the three flooded pits
in the north of England—Monkwearmouth, Wingate
Grange, and Gosforth. On Monday the shaft in Monk-
wearmouth pit was secured, and the men would resume
work on Tuesday in the Bank pit. Thdinflow of the water
in Wingate Grange has materially abated, and it is confi-
dently anticipated that the workings will soon be cleared of
water, which at one time threatened to drown them out. At
Gosforth it was feared that the feeder which broke into one
of the shafts was in communication with the drowned.
out pits on the Tyne ; but it would appear such is fortu-
nately not the case, and it is anticipated that the tubbing
will be fixed in both shafts of the mine before the end of
the week, and all made secure.
THE FALL OF HOUSES AND Loss OF LIFE AT
nACKNEY.—The inquiry into the circumstances which
caused the death of the three persons killed by the falling
of the unfinished houses at Hackney was resumed yesterday
morning by Mr. J. Humphreys, at the Town-hall, Hackney.
The jury returned the following verdict :—" We find that
the deaths of Jacob Retteridge, John Fuller, and Alfred
William Rathbone, were caused by mortal injuries received
upon their bodies by the falling of the houses, Nos. 9 and 10,
Amherst-road, East Hackney; and we do further say that
the causes of such accident were occasioned by the materials
used in such building being of an inferior quality, to the in-
completeness of the roof, to undue haste in their construc-
tion, and to the want of a more efficient supervision."
THE ACCIDENT IN, A LEAD MINE.—From the
time of the melancholy accident at the Bryn Gwiog lead
mines, near Mold, by which 16 men lost their lives, every
exertion has been made to procure the bodies. The engine
in use at the mine has been constantly at work getting the
water out of it, and by Sunday the efforts had been so far
successful as to warrant an endeavour to get at the bodies.
The pit was surrounded by thousands of people throughout
the day, and the greatest excitement prevailed. After con-
siderable delay and difficulty, one of the bodies was brought
to the pit mouth, and identified as that of William Williams,
one of the miners. No other bodies were recovered during
the day, but the water is so far cleared out of the mine tha
it is thought probable all the bodies will be brought up dur-
ing the week. An inquest was opened on view of the body
of Williams, on Monday, before Mr. Peter Parry, coroner,
at the Royal Oak, near Eoel Percy, and was adjourned to
Tuesday next. Several influential gentlemen residing in
the neighbourhood have been unremitting in their endea-
vours to soothe and alleviate the sorrow and grief of the
distressed widows and orphans, who have been thus sud-
denly deprived of their sole support. A public meeting was
held yesterday at Mold, for the purpose of organising a re-
lief fund, and for setting on foot a subscription list for the
relief of the suffering families.
A GIRL SHOT BY HER BROTHER.—A melancholy
catastrophe is reported at Syleham, Suffolk. Ann Creasy,
a girl of 11 years of age, was left by her mother in the
keeping-room of the family residence, with her brother,
George Creasy, a boy of nine, The mother had only quitted
the children a few minutes when she heard a great noise,
and on going back she found the girl in the agonies of death
and lying in a pool of blood. The boy was shrieking and
half-distracted, and on being questioned he stated that he
had taken up a gun which was in the room and pulled the
trigger, although he did not know the gun was loaded. He
had a dispute with his sister, as he wanted to blow the fire
with the bellows, and she would not let him do so ; but he
protested—and there is no reason to doubt the sincerity of
his asservations—that if he had known the gun was loaded
he would not have pointed it at his sister for all the world.
When the deceased was found part of her brains were lying
on the bricks, a great deal of blood was splashed on the
walls, blood was still flowing copiously from her head, and
she died in a few minutes. As it is generally thought that
the boy only intended foolishly to frighten his sister, and
as no one has manifested deeper grief than he has at the
consequences of this dreadful error, no public action has
been taken against him by the authorities.
TOUTING BROKERS AT AN AUCTION.—As we go
in these gentry assail us half a dozen at a time. " Shall I
buy any lot for you, sir " Look at the catalogue, sir ;
happy to do business for you." " Capital goods here,
sir; proud to buy for you, sir; commission only five per
cent." We have to run the gauntlet through a cross fire
of such disinterested applications before we can get into the
dining-room, and there we are bombarded by a whole
broadside of them at once, who will not take "No" for an
answer, and some of whom stick to us all the while we are
there. In the dining-room the folding doors are thrown
open, the tables are spread wide, and are heaped with the
china and glass, the chimney ornaments, the cutlery, the
plate, and all the little portable luxuries which once shed
such an air of taste about the dwelling, but which, heaped
thus confusedly together, look like so much salvage from a
fire, or refuse stock of a bankrupt dealer. The persistent
broker at our side, whose breath is redolent of wine-vaults,
keeps on assuring us that this is a genuine sale, "proprie-
tor deceased," by which he means that no goods will be
sold but such as belonged to the deceased lady; but he
knows he is lying, and we know it too. We know for in-
stance, that poor Miss Robinson never was the proprietor
of 27 pairs of handsome cut decanters ; that those 12 dozen
champagne glasses never belonged to her ; and that she,
who was a personification of abstinence, never stocked her
cellar with stores of hollands and whisky. No, the sale is
not all genuine, my persistent friend ; and I have a suspi-
cion that 3ou want me to employ you to buy up your own
property and to pay you a commission for doing it,—Leisure
11-otir,

prem.

LATEST NEWS.

FRIGHTFUL COAL PIT
EXPLOSION. -

MERTHYR TYDVIL, FEB, 20.

A frightful explosion occurred on Wednesday,
about 12 o'clock, in Gething coal pit, Merthyr
Tydvil, by which 47 lives were lost ; two more are
not expected to survive.

AMERICA.
NEW YORK, FEB. 7 (Evening.)
(Per City of Washington, via Queenstown.)
Seven Federal gun-boats, under the command of
Commodore Foote, attacked Fort Henry, on Ten-
nessee River, on the 6th inst. After an hour and a
quarter's severe firing from the gun-boats, Fort
Henry, with the Confederate general and 60 pri-
soners, surrendered unconditionally. The fort con•
tained 20 guns.
The Burnside expedition is anchored at Pamlico
Sound, preparing for a forward movement.
General Beauregard is at Nashville.

The Senate has just passed the bill appropriating
10 millions of dollars for the construction of iron

gunboats.

The Senate has also passed a bill authorising an
additional issue of 10 million dollars of demand
notes as a temporary relief until the Treasury Notes
Bill can receive the consideration of the Senate.

Exchange—Bankers' bills, 114 k to 115 ; gold, 31

PARIS, FEB. 20.

The Moniteur of this morning publishes a decree
admitting free of duty into France rough and puri-
fied cast iron, old iron bar iron, hoop iron, sheet
iron, steel in bars and sheets rolled by heat, and
rolled copper, in a pure state or alloyed with other
metals, when coming from abroad and destined for
re-exportation, after having been converted in
French workshops into ships, machines, apparatus,
or any work in metal.

The Moniteur also publishes a decree reducing
the interest on Treasury Bonds to 276-- 3, and 4
per cent. according to their time of falling due.
The 31 oniteur says :—The Government of the
Emperor has requested information at Rome re-
specting the pastoral letter convoking all bishops
of the Christian world to Rome for the canonisation
of martyrs. This information was necessary, as
the letter of convocation was published in France
without having been previously communicated to
the French Government.

Cardinal Antonelli replied to the French Govern-
ment that the invitation addressed to the bishops
was quite a friendly one, had no obligatory cha-
racter, and was only intended to give weight to a
purely religious ceremony.
On receiving this reply the French Government
expressed a wish that the bishops should not
quit their dioceses, and must not ask permission to
leave the empire except in cases where serious dio-
cesan interests should call them to Rome.
The Constitutionnel of to-day says—The demands
made in Paris up to yesterday for the conversion of
41 per Cent. Rentes amount to 16 millions of rente.
In the departments the demands during the first
two days alone amounted to four millions of Rentes.
The applications for the conversion of the Obli-
gations Trentennaires amount to 114,000 f. of Rentes.