The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-11 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,--My attention has been called to a letter in
the limes of the Bth inst., signed "Fiat Justitia."
I stated at Leeds that I was present with the 46th
Regiment at the time when the circumstances
alluded to in the letter signed " Zat Justitia" are
said to have taken place.
I retired from the 46th Regiment in April last.—
I have the honour to be your most obedient servant,
JOHN H. CHAMBERS,
Captain 4th West York Militia.
Everton, August 9.

THE COUNT-MARTIAL ON LIEUTENANT

PERRY.

In another column will be found the last report
of the Court-Martial at Win&or. If anything could
add to the ignominy which the 46th Regiment has
suffered by the publication of the evidence given
during the proceedings against Lieutenant Perry, it
would be found in the fact that the Queen has been -al-
vised by the Judge-Advocate not tocofirm the sentence
pronounced by the first court-martial. This sentence
found Lieutenant Perry guilty of the charge made
against him, and dismissed him from the service. The
Judge-Advocate decided, however, that certain questions
had been put which ought to have been rejected, and
certain evidence refused which ought to have been taken.
Her Majesty, in accordance with the opinion of the
Judge-Advocate, has refused to confirm the sentence.
Can there be a more blistering condemnation of the
whole proceedings than this ? The defenders of court-
martials say that there can be nothing more fair than
trials in such courts. They even quote the opinion of
the late Captain Marryatt i❑ support of their assertion.
In spite of this, the Sovereign, with a wise deference to
the opinion of a legal authority, does not hesitate to
brand the whole process of such a court in a certain case
with unfairness. They have received evidence—to the
prejudice of the prisoner—which they ought not to have
received. They have rejected evidence in favour of the
prisoner, which they ought to have received. On the
supposition, however, that justice should have any-
thing at all to do with the final settlement of the
matter, what other result could have been expected ?
Why was the trial allowed to go on so long to the
utter prejudice of almost every one concerned. Since
the days of the trial of Queen Caroline, when
the perjured Italian witness took refuge against every
unpleasant question in the eternal " Non mi ricordo"
(I don't recollect")—has there ever been seen anything
like the lack of memory displayed by these military wit-
nesses when questioned as to any subject which it would
have been unpleasant to remember? When asked if
they had made use of expressions which would have
defiled the mouth of any gentleman who uttered them,
or if they had been guilty of conduct which would over-
whelm a gentleman with disgrace, they did not think of
meeting the inquiry with an indignant negative, but
contented themselves with a simple " I don't recollect."
" I don't recollect whether I was guilty of vulgarity,
obscenity, or blasphemy ; I don't recollect whether I
behaved more childishly than an infant in a public
school, more brutally than a drunken costermonger !"
Is there any other body of men in England who cannot
recollect whether they have committed crimes and
cruelties ? The witnesses have condemned themselves ;
it is but right that the Sovereign should confirm the con,
demnation.—Daily Naas.

CREMORNE GARDENS.—The Thames Regatta, this
week, has proved a great feature in the annals of Cre-
morne, and the success which has attended the great
aquatic gathering has been in a great degree facili-
tated by the conveniences which have been most
handsomely afforded by the proprietor of the esta-
blishment. After the close of the regatta yesterday—
the greater part of the company repaired to Ore-
morne Gardens, to witness the distribution of the prizes.
This ceremony was performed in a most felicitous man-
ner by the Lord Mayor, who was accompanied by the
Lady Mayoress (who also asssisted in awarding the
prizes), Sir Chapman and Lady Marshall, Alderman
Kennedy, Alderman Rose, and many other members of
the corporation their ladies. The prizes were distri-
buted in the circus attached to Cremorne Gardens, which
was most elegantly and brilliantly fitted up for the occa-
sion. The Lord Mayor and party occupied thegtoyal
box. Soon after the distribution of the prizes the Lord
Mayor, who throughout the day met with a most enthu-
siastic reception, took his departure.. In addition to
this attraction the whole resources of the establishment
were called into requisition, and a programme, well
worthy of the occasion, was put forth bythe enterprising
proprietor. To describe all the various entertainments.
would require greater space than our limits will permit,
but it is sufficient to state that everything passed off in
a most satisfactory manner, especially the ballet, the
cirque, and the comique exhibition of the dogs and mon-
keys. The entertainment, as usual, concluded by a
brilliant pyrotechnic display, in the course of which
Mddle. Essler made her terrific rope ascent. The gar-
dens were brilliantly illuminated, and their appearance,
when lighted up, makes one of the most magnificent
scenes which it is possible to witness. The evening was
delightfully fine, and the company most numerous.
Firm—Yesterday morning a large stack of buildings,
formerly a double sugar house, situate on the east side
of Old Fish-street-hill, Upper Thames-street, were partly
destroyed by fire. They were in the joint occupation
fessrs of.
Messrs. Fitch and Sons, fancy paper colourcrs,
Terrey and Co., packing-case makers, and Messrs.
Broad and Co., engineers and gasfitters. Th
broke out about half-past 7 o clock, originated fireath
ed: which
oen the
third floor, which, with two upper floors, were
por-
tion belonging to Messrs Fitch ; but from what cause no
idea. could be formed. Within a very short time of its
discovery the flames bad possession of the
whole of the
three floors, and descended to those beneath with sur-
prising rapidity. The warehouses of Messrs. Chambers
and
rnishing ironmongers, and those of Messrs.
Norris, Co.,.4holesale stationers, both of which adjoined the
one on fire, sustained much damage. Part only of the
property was insured.
LIVERPOOL, Thursday.—The new' screw steam-ship
City of Philadelphia—built to supply the place 'of the
unfortunate City of Glasgow—left Greenock for this port
this morning at three o'clock, and is expected in the
Mersey at nine p.m. She is commanded by .Captain
Robert Leitch, late of the City of Manchester, and will
sail on her first trip to Philadelphia on Wednesday next.
The General Screw Steam Shipping Company have
definitively resolved to open a service between South-
ampton, Havre, Bremen, and New York, for which pur-
pose five of their vessels 1,800 tons each, withdrawn from
heir Indian route, are to be iggaediately employed.