The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-19 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1854.

We may now look forward each day to the
receipt of authentic intelligence from the Crimea.
Indeed rumours have already been circulated
respecting the safe arrival and landing of the first
division of the Allied forces. We must, however,
caution the public against placing implicit reliance
on statements not completely substantiated, and
which may possibly have been framed for the
purpose of promoting the interested objects of the
parties by whom they are industriously circulated.
We must remember that " Bulls" as well as
" Bears" are not averse to assistance, obtaineet
from what our Continental brethren designate as
" Canards." The old proverb bath it--

" Quod volume, facile credimus."

We lend an easy credence where " the wish is
father to the thought." It is, therefore, right,
under present circumstances, to receive every
flattering account with a wholesome distrust -until
we have Lad ample time to scrutinise carefully
the evidence on which it is put forth.
This caution is the more essential, inasmuch
as accurate accounts may be lo.oked for at any
moment. There are (as might be anticipated)
very conflicting accounts respecting the sailing of
the expedition. Every date from the 2a to the
Bth inst. is given for its departure. We believe,
however, that what has already appeared in The
SUP, will be found as nearly correct as possible.
We yesterday published a telegraphic message
from Marseilles, which stated, under date of the
6th September, that the party was " just weigh-
ing anchor for the Isle of Serpents," where the
fleet was to renddzvous—and another to the effect
that " the English portion of the fleet had been
seen on the Bth steering for the North." We
also had advices from Constantinople to the sth
inst., that " the harbour was without a British
or French man-of-war." These accounts may,
however, be reconciled, when we consider the
number of the vessels engaged, certainly
exceeding 600, and some said, including all
descriptions of " crafts," amounting to no less than
1,200 bottoms (!)—and also the different points
from which " the news" have been transmitted.
Some came from Constantinople, others from
Baltchik or Varna. It would seem, then, that
even the more tardy sailers were well at sea on
the Bth instant, and a very few days, we had
almost said hours, would have brought them to
the scene of action. A little time should then be
spent in making the necessary arrangement's for
the disembarkation. This ought to have been
effected during the latter end of last week--say
on Thursday and Friday,
to liostendje would
or
The news 'Perhaps, Saturday.
probably take about
30 hours, and.about as much
more from thence
to " Cronstadt," where the ele •
ctric telegraph
being available the important tidings would be
flashed on to Vienna, and thence to pans and
London, with scarcely a perceptible interval.
That we have not underrated the time
required
may easily be estimated, from the fact that the
distance from Sebastopol to Kostendje
s but
250 miles, or some 29 miles less than
the distance from Bristol to Cork, which is usually
accomplished within the 24 hours, while that
from Kotendje to Cronstadt is about 200 miles,
which must be performed by special courier. This
was the distance which " The Squire" went in
less than nine hours when performing his cele-
brated feat. We cannot, however, look for such
speed on the present occasion; but in giving more
than thrice the time, or 30 hours, it will, we
think, be admitted that we have made ample al-
lowance.

From the above it will be apparent that at any
Ts moment we may expect important news, and this
. _-..........e.-4 e very state of affairs which unconscientious
:.
~..t., =" -pe tts make use for their own nefarious purposes;
. . .
: --therefore in inculcatiug the propriety of caution,
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;

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we shall not be considered as unduly captious by
our friends and subscribers.

While thus apparently damping the public
ardour, we cannot participate in the doubts that
have been hinted at, rather than avowed, by the
organs of the French and English Governments.
The Moniteur and the Times have thrown out
feelers as if to pave the way for a disappointment.
The Times particularly tells us that "if there be
any who have thought diplomatic negotiations too
long and military preparations too slow, and have
longed to raise the evil spirits of war in swifter
and more terrible action, such men may yet learn
that, come when it will, the dreadful reality comes
soon enough." This is doubtless very fine, but
it may all be comprised in Mr. BURCHELL'S ex-
pressive monosyllable, "Fudge!" It is appa-
rently intended as an apology for the really inex-
cusable delays that have already taken place,
while we were " bamboozled" by Austria and
Prussia, who have made the " inaction" which
they themselves occasioned the excuse for their
own vacillation. Now we are also told that "if
the place can be taken within the time allowed by
the elements and the character of the seasons, it
must surely fall before the efforts of the allied
troops." The alternative is, however, pointed
out. We are gravely told that " the worst that
can happen is that the enterprise must
be renewed when the year is not so far
spent ;" with the additional declaration that
"if Sebastopol fall at once it will be
an enormous triumph ; if it- should hold
out against this sharp autumnal foray, it will be no
disaster to the Allies ! "

From this we must entirely dissent. It would
be a very serious disaster, depriving them of the
prestige attached to their names, and inducing the
" German Powers" to fling themselves into the
arms of the enemy. For that wo would only
have to thank the imbecility of the Home Govern-
:neat that led to the delays that produced such
untoward consequences. We still trust that we
are not too late for the destruction of Sebastopol
this season ; but, if it should be so, Lord ABEa-
DEEN will have to render an account on the meet-
ing .of Parliament, which cannot possibly be de-
ferred beyond the beginning of February next.
We shall not anticipate the result of that reckon-
ing, but earnestly hope that the taking of Sebas-
topol may render it an easy one for the CZAR'S
" friend of forty years' standing."

The operation of the recent enactments respect-.
lug the sale of beer is becoming more vexatious,
-.aid the definition of the word " traveller" more
doubtful than ever. The police witness with the
most perfect indifference dense masses of smoke
polluting the atmosphere. They do not apparently
think it worth their while to complain of any
violations of that law, which came into operation
about the same time. But the utmost vigilance
is displayed as to the " licensed victuallers." If
'i glass of ale be given to the driver or conductor
of a late omnibus—if a drover, wearied with his in-
cessant toil, obtains refreshment, or an over-worked
operative quenches his own or his wife's thirst be-
tween the hours of half-past two and six on the only
day when they seek pure air and recreation, a host
of spies are to be found ready to give information,
and, if possible, to exact a share of the penalty..
Now, we ask is it for such purposes that " the
force" is so handsomely paid at the expense of the
community. They are kept up for a very dif-
ferent object—to protect, in place of annoying, the
community.

In the slovenly mode in which the obnoxious
Act was hurried through both Houses of Par-
liament, the decision of the point " What
is a traveller ?" was manifestly evaded. That
was left for Magisterial interpretation. But the
worthy Justices carefully avoid any " definition."
They acquit or convict at their mere will and
pleasure, without giving any indication to guide
the parties who are thus subjected to such seri-
ous annoyances and expenses. We believe that
the great majority of " the Trade " are desirous
of strictly complying with the statutes, not only
according to the letter, but also in the spirit.
They feel that it is an unwise and injudicious
law, one that would be " more honoured in the
breach than in the observance ; " but still
they wish to avoid any infraction of its
Provisions—and, until its repeal can be
obtained, only ask to be informed " what
it really is." But this reasonable request is
ignored. They are practically told to find out for
themselves ; that it is not the police, but the
Magistrates, who are to determine the interpreta-
tion of the various sections ; and thus every
doubtful or difficult point is to be determined,
every doubt resolved, at their expense.
This is really intolerable. That persons having
in the aggregate capital to no less an amount than
6 0, 000, 0 00/. sterling invested in their business
should be - subjected to such annoyance is
too bad. They are already made to
bear far more than their due proportions of the
national burdens. Not only are they in the first
instance exposed to Magisterial caprice, and liable
to have their licenses refused without the assign-
ment of any adequate reason—not only are they
compelled to pay large sums to Government for
the privilege of carrying on their trades, but they
are subjected to police surveillance at any hour,
and obliged to give up some of their best apart-
ments to marching troops, at the requisition of
the billet-master, and that without the shadow of
remuneration.. As if this were not enough, when the
e-Ltra war expenditure is to be provided, a large
proportion is levied on malt and spirits—the
articles in which they deal, and the charges for
licenses are in many instances enhanced. As
if all these vexations were not sufficient for those
we advisedly designate as a very meritorious body,
they are to gratify the prejudices of Sabbatarians
and teetotallers, exposed to the incessant torment of
police espionage, and of having themselves brought
brfore the neighbouring justices for supposed in-
fractions of the law, where even success is
attended with serious loss, inasmuch as the
informers are seldom, if ever, required to
pay costs, when they fail; and, generally speaking,
the injured victuallers, even when dismissed
without a penalty, is ordered to pay costs as a
species of compromise.
These matters are all very unfair and
very oppressive to a respectable class. But
we look even higher than the interests of
the licensed victuallers, important as they
unquestionably are. It is the "Job Smiths "
who are victimised to the "Slogginses " who
have the greatest right to complain, men
Who, while toiling incessantly on the week days,
are debarred from the comforts which they have
a right to demand. Because a few miscreants
may possibly feel disposed to abuse their
freedom, to turn their liberty into licentiousness,
that is no reason why thousands, aye, and tens
of thousands of well-disposed persons should be
subjected to vexatious restrictions, and compelled
to relinquish that which is as much required for
their health as for their comfort. What is it
really to the point whether a dozen scoundrels,
more or less, be found lo.cked. up in the police
cells on a Monday m •
easily such statistics can
morning
gg?o
got
ulpVe
fokrnaonw
ohccoaw-
sion, and how • readily the police will take a hint
from a Lord Provost , or the local magistracy,
not to be too activesn a Sunday night or Mon-
day morning. To be t
do judgeenable correctly, we
should also know how many have only postponed
their debauch from the Sunday until the Monday
evenings, or who have become lawfully intoxi-
cated in their own domiciles, These are points
on which we should receive ample information
from those who choose to sing praises in favour of
the operation of the Statute. But they will not
afford it. It does not suit their purpose to do
so, for they are well aware that the alleged benefits
would be more than counterbalanced by the evils. 1

But even were it otherwise, could the dozen or
two of reprobates be converted into respectable
characters, the rather extravagant presumption
which the "MAWWORMS" and "CANTWELLS" expect
us to credit, why should it be at the expense of their
thrifty and well-disposed brethren ? Is it because
they will abuse the bounties of PROVIDENCE that
these gifts are to be withheld from their inoffen-
sive neighbours ? Most decidedly not. If there
be an infraction of the law, and drunkenness is a
statutable offence, let it be punished with the ut-
most severity, but do not because such a thing
is possible ; debar from needful and wholesome re-
freshment those who would take it in moderation.
Let us look, then, to the creators and producers
of national wealth rather than to the law-breakers.
Correct the latter when they require it, but do not
on their account vex and torment the respectable
and useful members of society, the bees in the
social hive.