The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-12 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT MALTA.

A letter from the Camp at Valetta, March 21st, and
addressed by one of the serjeants in the 93d High-
landers to a brother soldier at home, says —" Our tents
were pitched by the 41st, before we landed at Malta, so
that we had nothing to do but to go to our berths. We
were served each with a mattress and blanket, the
former filled with straw. If at home we should be
quite comfortable with these, but here the dew is so
heavy at night that in the mornings we are almost
as wet as if we had lain without any covering.
We are here as if we were actually in the field. The
officers are on rations like the men, the only difference
being that they may have theirs cooked as they please.
Notwithstanding all our difficulties, every one seems
wonderfully content. After we get the duties of the
day over, I often go to town and have a peep at the
novelties, and generally before returning go into one of
the cafés (most of which are conducted in the Oriental
style), and have some eastern dish or a cup of coffee.
We have every confidence in the ability of our com-
manders, and if it should come to a battle, we are
making ourselves sure that British steel will carry us
through, and win for us a glorious victory. The
arrival of letters and papers from the Land of Cakes
makes the camp a scene of rejoicing. The papers are
read by one of the men in each tent, and silently and
anxiously listened to by the others. We can see there
is nothing for us but Turkey. All ranks are anxious for
the conflict ; all we want is to level bayonets with the
Russians, and then the bear will get a proper squeeze.
The serjeants of the gallant 41st Welsh Regiment, that
was so distinguished in India, invited our serjeants of the
93d to a supper. It was a splendid affair, and the whole pro-
ceedings passed off in the most creditable manner. This
is the second entertainment we have got, such seems to
be the enthusiasm and sympathy felt for the corps pro-
ceeding to the East. One thing very curious here, is
how the Commissariat manages to furnish the troops
fresh meat, and not a cow or ox on the island. We get
salt rations only one day each week, on Monday. Then
it is beef, and during the rest of the week we have fresh
beef, mutton, and pork. The tradesfolk have begun
to take advantage of the great number of soldiers
landing on the island. When we disembarked we
could get six oranges for a penny; now we get
only three. Other fruit, vegetables, and common food
have also risen in price. The drink has also had a penny
or two put upon the pint. Marsala wine is the com-
mon drink here. London porter sells at the more re-
spectable stores for ninepence the bottle ; the best tea
3s. per lb. of twelve ounces ; sugar and bread as dear
as in England. We have now from 18 to 20 regiments
on the island, numbering I should say 14,000 men. I
hear there are a few yet to land. The Sappers are to
leave on Monday, and we expect to leave about the 10th
of April."
The writer then goes on to describe the appearance
of the Maltese, their strange gibberish of talk (no doubt
his own appears as strange to them), the curious caps
of the women, &c. There had been one or two heavy
falls of rain, that sent tents and mattresses afloating,
and destroyed the worthy sergeant's Bible. A. 3iliniS
rifle school had been established ; one subaltern, one
non-commissioned officer, and six privates being se-
lected from each corps in garrison composing the expe-
ditionary force, and these were to become the instruc-
tors of their different regiments.

THE EAST INDIA ComPefev.—Her Majesty has been
graciously pleased, under the provisions of the act 16
and 17 Victoria, cap. 95, sec. 3, to appoint Lieutenant-
General Sir George Pollock, G.C.8., Mr. John Pollard
Willoughby, and Sir Frederick Currie, Bart., directors
of the East India Company.
HOLIDAY IN THE POST-OFFICE ON GOOD FRIDAY.—
Yesterday, by command of the Postmaster-General,
notice was issued that there would be no delivery of let-
ters within the limits of the London district post on the
afternoon of Good Friday, but letters for the general
post and foreign mails will be collected from the receiv-
ing-houses, and forwarded in the afternoon as usual ;
the night collection of letters, &c., will also be brought
in, to be forwarded by the morning mail of Saturday.
THE WARD OF CHEAP.—At a Court of Aldermen,
held yesterday, the return of the election of Mr. R.
Hartley Kennedy, as alderman of the ward of Cheap, in
the room of Alderman Thompson, was presented in the
usual form. The new alderman was introduced by a
number of respectable inhabitants of the ward, and after
being sworn in was introduced to the Lord Mayor and
each of the aldermen present.
FREIGHT MONEY AT GREENWICH HOSPlTAL.—Yes-
terday a return, obtained by Sir G. Pechell, of freight
money at Greenwich Hospital was printed. Between
February, 1852, and March last the amount was 9,6981.
12s. 6d., of which 1,026/. 19s. 3d. was public treasure,
and 8,6721. Os. 31. private treasure.
CITY SEWERS RATE.—At a meeting of the City Com-
missioners of Sewers yesterday, it was agreed, after some
discussion, that the whole city should be surveyed and
valued for the rating to the consolidated and sewers
rates. It was stated that the work would occupy two
years.
OPORTo.—Letters from Oporto contain bad accounts
regarding the vine disease. Throughout the Douro it is
said to have made its appearance in a serious form, and
already the shoots that were affected last year have begun
to furnish unquestionable evidence of its ravages.
ORIENTAL BANK.—The directors of the Oriental Bank
have notified the payment of a dividend of 11. 15s. per
share, free of income tax, being 7 per cent, for the half-
year on the paid-up capital.
CAB-DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION.—The metropolitan drivers
of hackney carriages are now forming an association to
find legal assistance for each other when charged with
offences at the police courts, so as also to create a fund
out of which all fines inflicted upon them are to be paid.
There are upwards of 11,000 licensed drivers in London,
and by a weekly subscription of 3d. the association anti-
cipates a monthly income of 5001.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.—Two fires occurred yesterday,
morning in the metropolis, in Goldsmith-row, Hackney,
and Hare-street, Bethnal-green—each destroying a con-
siderable amount of property. The former broke out
shortly after 12 o'clock, in a six-roomed house, in the
occupation of Mr. Groves, auctioneer and broker. The
flames were not extinguished till the place was com-
pletely gutted. The inmates appeared to have had a
very narrow escape. The latter originated on the pre-
mises of Mr. James Acton, job-master, and destroyed
a range of stabling and loft. An adjoining house, the
White Horse, sustained much damage ; the back-room
on the first-floor and other apartments were burned out.
The causes of the fires were unknown. Both parties I
were insured.
AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.—A comparative statement of
the registered tonnage cleared from the port of London
for the Australian colonies during the quarter ending
the 31st ult., shows the total to have been 55,050 tons,
against 53,494 tons in the corresponding period of last
year, thus presenting an increase of 1,556 tons, The
sole place that exhibits a decrease is Melbourne, the
clearances thither having been only 20,190 tons, or
or 6,203 below the amount from January to March,
1853. To Adelaide the total has reached 7,697 tons,
being an increase of 2,001 ; to Sydney it was 15,952,
being an increase of 1,810 ; to Geelong 4,211, being
an increase of 2,435 ; and to Van Diemen's Land
5,768, being an increase of 1,707. The tonnage of
vessels now loading, however, is less than that at the
same
63t ion et
easlt ty oe arrl ptrhi
1853.t0ta
e total
GRAND BAL COSTIIME.—The Prase makes the being 35,393, against
fol-
lowing statement:---" We have reason to believe that
her Majesty has signified her intention to be present at
a grand bat costume at the new French Embassy on the
12th of May. The greatest interest and excitement will
prevail in political circles when this is generally known,
it being the first occasion upon which the Sovetreie has
'Tr 110aintroi Any arabtorimivr wiik kW FrwtsclP,'