The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-17 00:00:00

Reductions in the United S tates Arm'

The Army and Navy Journal of New York con-
tains the following :—" The relics of our once mag-
nificent volunteer armies are still growing fewer and
fewer by daily substractions, and soon the day will
come when a soldier will be as much an object of
curiosity for bystanders, in the streets he traverses,
as in the year 1860. To some of the faster of our
people the diminution of the national forces appears
the slowest thing on record, and they are exces-
sively irritated at the snail's pace at which it pro-
ceeds. But to ordinary mortals reduction of the
army and navy is going on at an astonishing rate,
and the departments take prodigious strides. We
can now all appreciate the extraordinary rapidity
with which, at the fall of Sumter, North and
South rushed to arms. In a night, the nation
was girded for the contest. Every gun, cutlass,
and pistol was taken down from its resting place.
Every man was alive to the emergency, every
woman was helping to equip the volunteers who
were ahead afield. Tedious as the raising of troops
then seemed, the speed was really something
miraculous. And so now, nothing is stranger than
the sudden and noiseless melting back into ordinary
life of our vast armies. In some future historian's
view of this great contest, no small part of astonish-
will be expended on the quiet, orderly, and almost
instantaneous dispersion of our troops, when the
object which convoked them had been attained.
Secretary Stanton has returned to the War De-
partment, and, accordingly, increased activity may
be expected in that quarter. Orders were issued
last week for dismantling all the fortifications
around Washington, except Battery Rogers and
Fort Foote, both of which are on the Virginia side
of the Potomac. This will complete the process of
dismantling commenced some time ago. The officers
of General Haskin's staff have been mustered out.

Undoubtedly congress will early provide for an
increase of the regular army. It is stated that its
present maximum force, if fully recruited, would
be about 43,000, of all arms, and that General
Grant is understood to favour a large increase of
the infantry force.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.—The restoration
of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Broughton-street,
having been lately completed, it was formally reopened on
Sunday morning by tho Right Rev. Dr. Strain. There was
a large attendance, and a handsome sum was realised by a
special collection made for the purpose of defraying the
expenses of repair. Pontifical high mass was celebrated
by Bishop Strain. The musical portion of the service was
very effective, the music selected being Mozart's No. 12 ;
and "Ave Maria," by Cherubini ; and the "Hallelujah
Chorus," from the "Messiah." The choir was consider-
ably augmented for the occasion, and numbered upwards of
30 voices. The solo in the "Ave Maria," and the "Et
incarnatus," from the "Credo," were tastefully sung, the
former by the leading soprano of the choir, the latter by a
distinguished amateur. The quartet " Quoniam to Bolus"
also deserves to be mentioned as a careful and effective
performance. The choral part of the service, as well as
the grand chorus from the "Messiah," went, on the whole,
'very steadily. Mr. F. W. Bridgman presided at the organ
with his usual ability. The sermon was preached by the.
Rev. John Noble, 0.M.J., of Leith. At the close of his
discourse the rev. gentleman referred to the decorations
which had been made in the church, and alluded in a feel-
ing manner to the accident by which the repairs on the
building became necessary. He also directed attention to
the efforts which were made at the time of the accident by
the bishop and the clergymen of the Church to save life.
They could not forget, too, those who met their death by
accident on that fatal day, and he exhorted the congrega-
tion to "pray to God for the repose of their souls."
,Scotsman.

LONDON, Oct. 17.—Wind this day at noon—South-
Westerly; moderate breeze and fine weather, but rather
cloudy.
PORTSMOUTH, Oct. IG.—Wind S.W.—Arrived -Her Ma-
jesty's ship Helicon, on a cruise.
OFF FALMOUTH, Oct. 15.—Wind S.W.—Arrived--Pire
Queen, from China.
COWES, Oct. 17.—Wind S.E.—Arrived—Bavaria, scrow
steamer, from New York.
PLYMOUTH, Oct. 15.—Wind
from Mauritius.
CARDIFF, Oct. 16.—Wind W.—Sailod—Enoch Bremer,
for Havannah.
QUEENSTOWN, Oct. 15.—Wind
from Liverpool for Montreal.
SWANSEA Oct. 16.—Wind S.E.—Arrivod—Claymore,
from Adelaide.
SOUTHAMPTON, Oct. 16.—Wind S.W.—Sailed-11nd-
dington, for Bombay.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
GRAVESEND, Tuesday Morning.
Arrived, Oct. IG.—The Two Friends, and Annie Morris,
rein Guernsey.

DEAL, Tuesday Morning.
Anchored.—Comet, from London, for the Cape of Good
Hope.

MIL BEECIIER ON THE NEGRO.—The Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, having returned to his duties at Plymouth
church, had an overflowing congregation on his first Sunday
evening, the 24th ult. He entered at once on the question
of the day, and said in the course of his sermon :—" I can-
not see how we shall escape the most terrible conflict of
classes by and by, unless we are educated into the doctrine
of duty on the part of the superior to the inferior. We are
told by zealous and fanatical individuals that all men are
equals. We know better. A common brotherhood teaches
no such absurity. A theory of universal physical likeness
is not more absurd. Now, as in all time, the strong go to
the top, the weak to the bottom. It's natural and right,
and can't be helped. All branches are not at the top
of the tree, and so in the body politic there must be
classes ; some will be at the top, and some at the bottom.
It is difficult to foresee and estimate the development and
power of classes in America. They are simply inevitable ;
they are here now, and will be more. If they are friendly,
living at peace, loving and respecting and helping one
another, all will be well. This Christian feeling and prac-
tice can easily settle the most troublesome of our home ques-
tions—the condition of the freedmen. Some of you say,
God in His wisdom has made it my duty to care for those
people, but if in His wisdom Ho could only put 'em away
somewhere—anywhere, only take 'em away—what a relief
it would be.' Quite likely; but He won't take them away,
and they are not going away. They are here, and something
must be done with them. Wo have determined that the
masters shall no longerhave anything to do with them ; we
have severed that relation, and we must provide others. The
Government cannot support them long. How can they care
for themselves, without place or position, not known to tho
law ? I say, enfranchise them; give them the rights and
responsibilities of citizens. Grant that the black man is
not prepared for the right to vote—when will he be ? How
will he become so ? Let him try it, as a boy tries his
skates. Ho may tumble once or twice. What if he does ?
Ho will learn by the effort. I would give the privilege to
everybody, to the Irishmen, and to all foreigners who
come here to live, although I believe that in a majority of
cases the negro would vote more intelligently and con-
scientiously than they. It's safe to give the privilege to
everybody, and then to teach them." Mr. Beecher then
entered upon a long explanation of his views upon the
woman question, giving at length and with some humour
his opinion as to the right of the fair sex at the ballot-box
" We are called disturbers of the community and Radicals.
So is the sap in trees. So is spring, which heralds the
glorious summer. No man is fit to be an American states-
man who is afraid of American ideas ; and no question is
settled until it is settled right."

MURDEROUS ATTACK ON A FIRE-ESCAPE CON-
D UCTOR. Considerable excitement was caused
about 1 o'clock this morning in consequence of a brutal
attack being made on Conductor Puzey, of the Royal
Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. The con-
ductor was stationed opposite St. Luke's Church, in Old-
street, when several fellows surrounded his box, and com-
menced disgusting conduct.. He remonstrated with them,
when they at once sot upon him, and maltreated him
dreadfully, dragged him from his box, beat him about the
head and face, blackened his eyes, and threw him on the
ground and jumped upon, rendering him unfit for duty.
The ruffians aro known to the police, and we hope they
may be speedily in custody.

THE AMERICAN DEMAND FOR ENGLISH GOODS.-

The views of those who denied the probability of
largo supplies of gold being required for America at tho
end of the war continue to be confirmed. The exhaustion

of the stocks of nearly all articles, whether in the shape of
manufactures or raw material, has been so complete
throughout the United States as to cause any quantity of
cotton they may have on hand to be totally inadequate as
a means of payment. Hence, although large amounts of
Federal bonds are still sent over by each steamer for sale
at Frankfort and other continental markets, and although
efforts are being made to raise money hero (one of which
to the extent of XBOO,OOO for the New York and Erie

Railway has just been successful), considerable remittances
of gold are brought to us each week. And there can be
little doubt that this movement will continue and even
increase, the enormous purchases of goods and produce
recently made in this country on New York account
having, for the most part, still to be provided for. The
possibility of payment on the part of the Americans must
however, under present circumstances, lie within narrow
limits. The remittances of the past month have not mate-
rially raised the premium on gold, because the Govern-
ment, with the view of easing the market, have disposed
of some of their stock on hand, and it appears also that the
return of peace is drawing out such hoards as were secreted
during the past four years in the Southern States. But
these exceptional resources will not be again available, and
the only means by which the American people will be able
to draw further importations from us, will be by borrowing
to the full extent of their means, by the creation of bonds
and stocks of all kinds. In that case two contingencies
must be kept in view. First, that if we send out goods, and
take bonds in return, we shall soon have a heavy drain of
specie from this country to pay for the raw material of
which those goods aro composed, as well as for the im-
ported articles of food consumed by the operatives whose
highly-paid labour has been expended on them. Secondly,
that the foreign debt of America will be proportionably
augmented, and that, consequently, each succeeding year
she will be called upon to send away a larger sum in gold
than that which she is now able to provide. Such, how-

ever, are the natural resources of the country that even

with a debt double that of England, she might perhaps
struggle through all difficulties, but such a result can
scarcely be hoped for while her commercial system embo-
dies the most extreme principles of protection and prohi-
bition ; and thus far there are no symptoms of arty decisive
movement in an opposite direction.—Traverg Circular.
THE NEW SALMON FISHERY ACT.—At a meeting
of the members of the Wye Preservation Associa-
tion, held at Hay, Sir Velters Cornewall in the chair, it was
unanimously resolved that measures should be taken to
bring into operation the Salmon Fishery Act of 1865 along
the course of the Wye, and Sir Velters was requested to
give the necessary notice, under the 4th section of the Act,
for thp next Hereford sessions. Action is also to be taken
in the other counties through which the Wye runs. Tho
river has been greatly benefited by the steps under the old
Act, and them is nb doubt entertained that, once the in-
creased powers conferred last session on water bailiffs are
applied, the Wye will become one of the most prolific sal-
mon fisheries of the kingdom.

Betting-7 to 4 agst Done Brown, 4to 1 agst Bracknell,
4to 1 each agst Objected and Stiletto. Bracknell and
Objected were first off, the favourite lying off until coming
over the last fence bfit one, when he took the lead of
Objected, but in the straight the latter caught him, and
was first past the post by a length ; Stiletto a bad third ;
Brown Bess refused the first fence, and took no part in the
race. On returning to weigh in Mr. Grant, the rider of
Objected, could not draw the weight, and was disqualified,
the race being awarded to Done Brown.
The Bromley Plate of £4O, for all ages ; winners extra.
About five furlongs.
Mr. Temple's Madcap, 4 yrs, 7st 21b (Deacon) 1
Mr. Proon's Usher, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Jas. Nightingall) 2
Mr. G. R. Dyke's Dayrell, Gst 101 b (EI, 3
The following also ran :—Gamecock, Peignoir, Decep-
tion, and Betsy Copeland.
Betting— 6 to 4 agst Gamecock, 2 to 1 agst Usher, 6 to 1
agst Peignoir, 10 to 1 any other. After a numbor of falre
stars they were despatched, Usher making play, followed
by Gamecock and Madcap. When fairly in the straight
Madcap challenged Usher, and won a good race by a neck;
half a length separated second and third ; Deception
finished last.

A Selling handicap Steeplechase of 3 sous each, with 20
added ; the winner to be sold for .£lO ; winners extra.
About two miles. Ten subs.
Mr. Daley's Bessie (late Lady Emma), agod, list

(Mr. Barry) 1
Mr. W. Richard's Sinite, 6 yrs, 12st 71b (Jarvis) 2
Mr. B. Land's Ace of Trumps, 6 yrs, list 71b (States) 3
Mr. Hamlin's Idiot, aged, 12st (J. Land 4
Mr. Riley's Concave, aged, list 71b (Daniels 5
Mr. Clifford's Betsy Baker, aged, list 101 b (Castle 6
Mr. H. Hill's Brother Sam, 5 yrs, list 71b
(Mr. F. Hobson) 7
Betting-6 to 4 agst Ace of Trumps, 2to 1 agst Idiot, 6
to 1 agst Bessie. Cancave held the lead, followed by Ace
of Trumps, and the latter refusing at the fourth fence gave
way to Bessie, who soon headed Concave. They ran thus
to the last fence, where SMite joined Bessie, and Ace of
Trumps took third place, but Bessie won easily by two
lengths; three lengths between second and third. The
winner was not sold.

A Selling Stakes of 8 sovs each ; 20 added, for all ages ;
selling and other allowances. About half a mile.
Mr. Hamlin's Master Shutt, 2 yrs, Gst 61b (£5O)
Mr. E. J. Sayers's British Queen (Mordan) 1
, 3 yrs, 7st 131 b
(Elphick) (.£3O)
2
Mr. J. T. Sheppard's La Pique, 3 yrs, 7st 13Ib (.£3O)
son)
The following also ran :—Fair Lady, Bunc(Dh, ona ld
Retainer 3 ,
The Proctor, Vicksburg, Sister to Lavender, and Jessie.
Betting-5 to 4 agst Bunch, 4to 1 agst Master Shutt, 5
to 1 agst Vicksburg, 8 to 1 agst Sister to Lavender, and 10
to 1 any other.

After a number of false starts Bunch got away with a
strong lead, but bolting out of the course, on making the
turn into the straight, Master Shutt and British Queen
were left in front, the first named winning by a neck ; two
lengths between the second and third. The winner was
not sold.
The Hunt Steeplechase Cup, added to a Sweepstakes of 3
sovs each; 12st ; winners extra ; gentlemen riders.
About two miles.
Mr. Hodson's White Stockings, aged, 12st Slb (in 5113 ex)
(Mr. Grant) 1
Mr. Fitz's Irish Boy, aged, 12st (Mr. Mumford) 2
Capt. Harford's Crucifix, aged, 12st 51b (in 51b ox)
(Mr. Charles) 3
Capt. D. Boycott's Tho Rejected, aged, 12st (Capt. Shaw) 4
Betting-5 to 4 agst Crucifix, 2to 1 agst Irish Boy, and
5 to 2 agst White Stockings.

Tho latter went to the front after going a quarter of a
mild, and never again being afterwards headed, won in a
canter by ten lengths ; a bad third.

The Abyssinian Captives.

The following letter has been received by Mrs.
Stern from her husband, who has now been two
years in captivity :--.

Amba Magdala, Abyssinia, July 13, 1865.
My dear Charlotte,—As Captain Cameron is sending to
Massowah, I scribble a line to say that wo are still in pri-
son and fetters. We anticipated that Mr. Rassam, her
Majesty's agent at Massowah, would, by his friendly and
conciliatory letters to the King, ere this have appeased his
offended pride, and obtained our release from these
galling chains. Our anticipations have, however, to
our grief, not been realised, and wo must still, for
some time, be patient and prayerful oxpectants of
coming deliverance. His Majesty, about ten days ago,
wrote to Mr. Rassam to come to Abyssinia, and his
advent, and the delivery of the Oueen's letter, we be-
Hove, will effect our liberation. To-day I have been in
chains 21 months, and although during that long heart-
wasting existence I have had to submit to fiendish torture;
and more than once have been obliged to face (apparently)
a cruel death, yet I enjoy an infinite satisfaction in the con-
sciousness that by an inflexible Christian firmness I saved
others and won influential friends to the cause of missions
inAbyssinia. His Majesty since our arrival here has not fa-
voured us even with an en passant inquiry. Placed on a
level with murderers, robbers, and other great ciminals, our
days have rolled on in the usual sad monotony of (savage
prison life. Within the last few days we have, however,
again experienced something of his Majesty's feelings
against the white prisoners. The cause of this fresh out-
burst of indignation is utterly unconnected with our affairs.
On the night of the Ist inst. Menilek, the Crown Prince of
Shoa, and son-in-law to the Negoos Theodore, unexpect-
edly quitted the royal camp, and, accompanied by his fol-
lowers (but not by his young wife), fled to his own country
The King, irritated at the desertion of another powerful
prop of his throne, next morning executed all the Galls
prisoners, then quarrelled with the bishop, and at last re-
lieved his chafed spirit by giving all his Christian cap-
tives, besides foot, hand ohains also. This art of tormconstt-
ing (which is ascribed to the wise King of Israel) isthaemcruel invention, particularly when, as in our case,
to move about by day or to stretch ornee'
fet-
ters are so short that ono is actually bent double,.,o un-
ablean uy ldimbsby night. There is a report thate we
from these abominable hand shackles
I
ashall
atslol bo
affects
intendedtreleased
saii
etuyodl
tiultdellhave not a
if it prove to be true, as the stooping
head and causes great pain in the
We expect messengers with
sufficient quantity of paper.
continue the narrative of our troubles,
Massowah,
and on
• • clothing, paper, -4.1 from
provisions, spine.attbi
their return I shall send you a long but very sad letter.
God bless you all.
I am, your affectionate husband,
H. A. STERN.
Send a copy of this to Mr. Goodhart, as it may stimulate
the prayers of friends in our behalf.

The exodus from Turin has gone on briskly during
the summer and early autumn. Two thousand
persons are said to have loft for Florence last week, in-
cluding a large proportion of public functionaries. Under
the porticoes of Castle-square one sees still " Ministry of
the Interior" over the doorway, but the once busy hive now
shelters but a scanty remnant of the swarm. A portion of
the employes of the Public Works Department still remain,
as also do the great railway administrations. Some of the
chief capitalists have betaken themselves to Florence, and
others will follow. Bankers and merchants are still in doubt
what is best to be done ; the moment is one of anxiety and
transition. The Borsa has lost one of its main supports;
the main pillars of the Turin Exchange are gone, and busi-
ness generally flags.
ANOTHER CONFESSED STACK-FIRM—A servant
girl, named Jane Thompson, has confessed to having set
fire to the stacks burnt in the yard of her master, Edward
Davison, of Byorside Farm. The magistrate said he thought
it a very strange coIS for a young woman to set fire to and
destroy about £2OO worth of property belonging to the
master and mistress who, she stated, had acted very kindly
towards her. She had escaped the punishment she deserved,
as her confession had been extorted from her. After warn-
ing the prisoner he discharged her.