The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-30 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—ln reply to " Our Connected with Shipping," I beg
to say the directors of this company have not abandoned
their plan of placing a light and store-ship connected with
the shore, by means of a submarine cable, to the south-
west of Scilly ; in fact, a provisional contract for the neces-
sary ships for that station has just been entered into. We
are, however, still requiring some additional assistance
before the station can be established. Had the ships been
there during the last six weeks much property and many
valuable lives would no doubt have been saved by our
tender and lifebOats, and large profits realised to our share-
holders.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
BFALv, Secretary.
21, Gresham-street, Old Jewry, Jan 28.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER.—On. Saturday
Sir C. G. Young, Garter Principal King of Arms,
with his assistants, was occupied in placing the arms and
banner of the Marquis of Lansdowne in the choir of the
Chapel Royal of St. George, Windsor Castle. The position
occupied by the arms of the newly created knight of the
most noble Order of the Garter is next the carved stone-
work of the royal closet. The trophy consists of a helmet,
surmounted by a guilt beehive, a blue silk scarf embroi
dered with silver thread, and sword, above the whole of
which is the banner richly emblazoned. The number of
knights is restricted to 25, exclusive of the Sovereign, the
princes of the blood royal, and foreign princes. The Duke
of Newcastle's arms and banner have not yet been re-
moved. Earl Spencer's arms will shortly be placed in the
chapel.
MR. SALA ON THE NEGRO.--I believe that for
thousands of years unavailing efforts have been
made to civilise the black natives of Africa, and those
efforts—missionary enterprise and the republic of Liberia
notwithstanding—will continue to be unavailing. * * I
believe that he is naturally inferior to the white man in
mental organisation ; that his defects and his vices are not
to be eradicated by education; that he will always (in the
aggregate, of course there are individual exceptions) be
lazy, indolent, and slovenly, good-natured and kind-
hearted, but subject to inexplicable fits of caprice, sulki-
ness, obstinacy, and perversity ; willing and obedient only
when he fears the eye or the hand of his master. * * I
believe that he must always have a "boss" or a master or a
guide of some sort over him, with power to punish him
when he misbehaves himself; and I believe that in default
of this master, guide, or " boss," he will go to the Devil, as
he has gone in Hayti, as he will go in Liberia, as he would
heknhac;sbeehonwgominagnyin
thhisouosawnndcouynetaz,._Afscaria,B
go in Jamaica were not the magistrates too strong for
forry
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a ud
don'tasca,
American Diary.

ANGLO-FRENCH POLITENESS.—M. Eugene Rim-
mel, author and perfumer, in the midst of a shower
of compliments, sweet as his sweetest essence, tells us, in
a highly-scented note, that his book was written wholly
and truly by himself, Latin quotations included. " You
are not probably aware," says the scented note, " that I
was born and brought up in France, where the poorest
tradesman's son receives a classical education." Wo accept
the inference; and in return for M. Rimmel's politeness,
beg to offer him, as an original author on the matters per-
taining to his elegant business, the assurance of our dis-
tinguished consideration.
A ROYAL COMIC ARTIST.—Dom Fernando of
Portugal, the father of the reigning King, has just
sent to the Society of Aquafortistes, of Paris, a proof etch-
ing exhibiting great ability. It represents a funeral ora-
tion pronounced by a cat over a deceased brother ; around
the bier is a crowd of other cats expressing their grief in
various ways ; some wipe their eyes, some look upwards
with resignation, while others seem transfixed by despair,
but all stifle their sobs and listen to the orator, who is
seated with intense gravity on a tub. The subject is a
strange one to select for the purpose, but the execution of
the work proves Dorn Fernando to be a true artist, possess-
mg much comic verve.

THE POET LAUREATE is a candidate for election
into the Royal Society. His name was among those read
in at the meeting of the Society on Thursday last.
THE YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION FOR REPEALING
THE MALT-TAX.—The annual meeting of this associ-
ation was held on Thursday ; the President, Mr. E. Cayley,
of Wydale-hall, in the chair. The report and accounts
were satisfactory, and there is a good balance in hand. The
President was unanimously re-elected, and also the other
officers. A deputation was appointed to attend the antici-
pated large meeting of the Central Repeal Association, at
the London Tavern, on the Bth of February. Mr. Fielding,
of Todmorden, offered £2O if 19 others would subscribe a
like amount each towards a fund for holding meetings in
the manufacturing districts ; and Mr. Lett, of Scampston,
offered £5 if 500 tenant-farmers would do the same, to
secure the efficient working of the association. Several
members subscribed to both funds. Speechesurging a speedy
and total repeal of the Malt-tax were made.
REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF GAS.—The Com-
mercial Gas Company, Stepney, have issued a notice to
their customers that from and after the 31st March next
oftheprieef
gaset. will be reduced from 4s. bd. to 4s. per
1,000 cubic