The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-27 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—We have presented petitions to the Houses of
Lords and Commons, praying for an immediate examina-
tion, not only of the hay returned to us by the Victual-
ling-office, but of the whole of that which we had pressed
for the Government, to the extent of about 4,000 bales,
and which is now in our possession ; and we have like-
wise prayed that the men, about 20 in number, who
were employed by us to press the hay shall be at once
examined.

This investigation, we submit, is due to public justice
equally with ourselves, and we do not shrink from the
inquiry, but have the most perfect assurance it will
satisfactorily establish the fact that neither water nor
filth nor any rubbish will be found in a single bale.
We did not deliver more than 27 tons, nor offer more
than 60 tons, but within three days of the first delivery,
on finding that the unprecedented bad season of 1853
would render any one pressing hay liable to doubt and
suspicion, we did voluntarily forego our anticipated -ad-
vantage and declined to deliver more unless the Govern-
ment board would appoint an officer to inspect and su-
perintend the pressing of the hay before it left our pre-
mises ; to this effect we wrote to theVictualling Depart-
ment on the 25th and 27th Feb., and we acted upon it.
On the Ist of March we had notice to take back the
hay we had supplied, and on the 14th of March we had
another notice from the Victualling Department, stating
that the Board of Ordnance had been requested to ap-
point the inspector we suggested, and you may imagine
our astonishment afterwards on hearing the dreadful
and ruinous ex parte statements made which have been
advanced against us.
Yet the truth will ultimately prevail, and, as we have
had the honour of supplying the Government with bay
for nearly 20 years without a single previous complaint,
we must be content to bear our unparalleled painful
position until the present reproach be removed—as we
know it soon must be.—We are, sir, your most humble
servants,

STURGEON and SONS.
Gray's-hall, Essex, March 25.

CITY OF LONDON HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE
CHEST.--A donation of 2501. was, at the meeting of th•
Court of Common Council, last week, voted out of the
funds of the corporation, towards the expenses of erect-
ing this hospital, now just completed, at the Victoria-
park. This excellent institution, although so recently
established, has been the means of relieving a vast
amount of suffering ; more than 4,000 persons affected
with the various diseases of the lungs and heart, so pre-
valent in this country, having received the benefit of
the charity at the out-patient's branch in Liverpool-
street, Finsb ury.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND WAR.—It is remarkable to watch
the development of any new art, and to notice into
what unexpected channels it takes its course. Photogra-
phy presents us with two very striking examples. At
first it appeared as a philosophic toy, progressing from
day to day, till at length it has become an instrument
in the hands of the many, lending its aid to the every-
day purposes of art and civilisation. Hitherto its uses have
been those of peace, now it appears likely to aid the ope-
rations of the warrior. It is understood that the Govern-
ment are about to attach photographers to the expeditions
proceeding to the seat of war, both naval and military.
Its importance in these respects is obvious ; and when
once the authorities have tested its practical value, the
results will assuredly exceed all that they expect. It
is needless to point out the various practical purposes
for which, in a military point of view, it may
be made available. A despatch, illustrated with
photographic views, cannot fail to convey far more
accurate notions to the mind than a mere written
document, however voluminous and graphic its descrip-
tion may be. Headlands, lines of coasts, forts, fort-
resses, dispositions of fleets, armies, face of country,
and military positions, may be instantaneously taken,
and, if stereoscopically, with a model-like accuracy
which w ould defy a verbal description to emu-
late. The rapid, instantaneous collodion process
is the one peculiarly adapted for this service, and
gun-cotton, though its explosive qualities have not been
found so valuable as originally considered, will now, dis-
solved in ether, in the form of collodion, still hold an
important position in aiding military and naval warfare.
It is hoped that the Photographic Society, with whom
the Ordnance-office are in communication, will find out
parties competent to undertake the duty for the Govern-
ment.—Journal of the Society of Arts.