The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-02 00:00:00

NAVAL SERVICE REORGANISED AND

THE FRENCH EMPIRE.

The Union has the following interesting article
on the) Eastern question :

"The English journals affect to treat with the most
complete indifference and with sovereign disdain the re-
ligious question of the East. That is quite natural.
The Protestant pride and deep hostility which they bear
to Catholicism and France perfectly justify this conduce.
But ought it to be imitated, even remotely, by th:.;
French journals ? Let us consent to attribute this
strange anomaly to the account of ignorance and levity,
and let us rapidly bring forward some facts to prove
that the religious question is the principal one in all the
countries subjected to Mahometanism. It is useless to
say that all our influence is connected with the tradi-
tion of the protectorate exercised over us by the Latins,
and the most_ important object of which is the possession
of the Holy Shrines. It is useless also to mention the
solemn treaties which guarantee to us that high patron-
age. Within the last twenty years in particular,
thanks to the liberty which the Catholic religion has en-
joyed in the Ottoman Empire, our religious establish-
ments have been much extended there. At Constanti-
nople, the mission of the Lazarists, directed by the
Abbd Eugene Bord, has founded schools which propa-
gate the faith and knowledge amongst a multitude of
papils belonging to ell races and religions in Turkey.
At Smyrna, as at Constantinople and Alexandria, sisters
of St. Vincent-de-Paul have been established, and excite
the admiration of the disciples of Mahomet by their
Christian charity. The fathers of the society of Jesus
possess in Syria alone five considerable establishments,
namely, the residence cf Our Lady at Beyrouth ; the
residence of Our Lady the Deliverer at Bicfaia ; the re-
ligious seminary and residence of St. Joseph at Gliazir ;
the residence of the Sacrd-Coeur of Jesus, at Sahleh ;
and that of St. Joseph, a branch of the preceding one,
at Maalaka. These residences are at the same time re-
ligious schools and ordinary ones. Thus at Beyrout
there is a double school of Arab and of French ; it is
confided to the care of two French priests and two Arab`
masters, who spare nothing to merit the confidence of
families. This school is alike frequented by the Maron-
ites, the United Greeks, the Armenians, the Syrians,
and the Latins ; even the schismatic Greeks often send
their children to it. Dicfaia is the residence of Emir
Haider, successor of the celebrated Emir Bechir in the
Government of Mount Libation. It was at the invita-
tion of the Emir Haider that the Jesuits founded their
establishment at Bicfaia ; and he has aided them by his
encouragements, his alms, and his protection. The
Maronite clergy is composed of the Patriarch, nine
archbishops and diocesan bishops, six bishops 'in
partibus, and 1,200 priests, serving 156 churches.
The Catholic Church of the different rites possesses in
the Ottoman Empire twenty-five patriarchs and arch-
bishops, the residences of which are Jerusalem, An-
tioch, Constantinople, Aleppo, Alexandria, Antivari
(Albania), Babylon, Bagdat, Damascus, Tokat (Anato-
lia), Diarbekir, Durazzo (Macedonia), Scopia (Servia),
Smyrna, and Tyre. It was in the secret consistory of
October 4, 1847, that the present patriarch of Jerusalem
of the Latin rite, Mgr. Valerga, was re-established in his
see. It is well known with what fidelity and devoted-
ness, and at the price of how many struggles, privations,
and sufferings, this courageous and zealous prelate, as
well as the Franciscan brotherhood, keep guard over the
Holy Sepulchre. The protection and the alms of France
have supported, up to the present time, their devotedness
against the difficulties caused by schism, heresy, and
Mussulman avarice. If, which God forbid ! the influence
of France should happen to diminish, the Catholic esta-
blishments in the Ottoman empire would soon decline,
and perhaps succumb under the influence of Russia. We
know what Catholicism has become in our times, in the
countries subjected to the action of the agents of that
government. The cchoola founded in Persia by M.
Eugene Borci have disappeared, because they displeased
the Russian ambassador. The Greek schism is more in-
tolerant than Mussulman idolatry. As Catholics and as
Frenchmen, we have consequently every interest to.pre-
vent the Ottoman empire from becoming the prey of
Russia. If, in the designs of Providence, that day is to
arrive, we ought to be in a position to ensure an efficient
protection to the Catholic establishments in Turkey, and,
above all, to those of Jerusalem. Let us never forget
that France is answerable to Catholicism for the guar-
dianship of the tomb of Jesus Christ."

The Moniteur contains a decree of the Emperor
founded on a report of the Minister of War, in-
creasing the pay of the two veteran companies of
gendarmes by 25c. a day, allowing them also the
increased pay for the chevrons, and an indemnity
of 50f. a-year for such of the men as cannot be ac-
commodated with their families in the barracks of
the places where they are stationed. Another de-
cree fixes the fees to be paid on appointments in
the Legion of Honour at the following rates :
Chevalier 12fr., Officer 25fr., Commander 40fr.,
Grand Officer 6Ofr., and Grand Cross 100 fr. Sub-
officers in the army and navy, and soldiers and
sailors, will be exempt from fees.
The Illoniteur says—The receipts of the octroi to
the 22d ult, inclusively amounted to 81 millions.
If they continue in the same proportion they will
reach 38,300,000 fr. for the year, or 3,800,000 fr.
more than was set down in the calculation of the
Budget of 1853.

Several of the claims made by Frenchmen on
the American Government, on account of
vessels seized at California, have (says the Moni-
teur), just been settled. Indemnities have been
agreed to by the Federal Treasury in favour of
MM. Rolland, Brier°, Gauthey brothers, Champion,
Demeuret, Berthon, Marie Dumel, Richardot,
Bureaux-Richardot, J. Vassieux, P. C. Clerisse,
Virt et Monmert and Depierres, passengers and
shippers in the Edouard of Havre; MM. A. Civrac,
Dalidet, and Co., and Fauche brothers, shippers of
brandy by the Chili, Vaillant, and Roeher de Saint
Malo, of Bordeaux ; MM. Viand and Allard,
Gardet, Schroder and Vandoiner' Dufour, and
Arrive and Bouquet, shippers of brandy by the
Alcibiade, of Bordeaux, and the owners of the
Surprise, of Nantes, and the Ceres, of Havre.
Tho amount of these indemnities has been paid
into the Caisse des Depots et Consignations, to be
distributed to the above claimants.

The annual ball of that most useful institution,
the English Charitable Fund, took place on Thurs-
day night, and passed off most brilliantly. The
large salle of the Jardin d'Hiver was tastefully
fitted up on the occasion with crimson velvet hang-
ings, the arms of England being placed aloft at one
end, and faisceaux of tricoloured flags ornamenting
the other. Rows of seats were arranged between the
pillars at each side, and in the intervals of the dance
presented such a show of lovely female faces as per-
haps no other festive assembly in Paris could
equal. The lady patroness and stewards arrived in
general early, Lord and Lady Cowley, however,
under whose patronage the ball was given, being
somewhat later than they had intended, in conse-
quence of having dined at the Tuileries with the
Emperor. About half-past 9 Strauss's band gave
the signal for the dance, which continued without
interruption until half-past 11, when the doors at
the further end of the ball-room were thrown open,
and showed the garden brilliantly illuminated.
This coup de tltedtre excited great admiration, and
the cool refreshing air of the larger space was most
delightful after the heated atmosphere of the ball-
room. An additional and most agreeable surprise
also awaited the guests in the appearance of the
fine band of the regiment of the Guides, which
Marshal Magnan had had the gallantry to send, in
order to give additional éclat to the fete. In con-
sequence, such of the company as preferred prome-
nading about the garden to the pleasure of the
dance, were able to enjoy the fine pieces of military
music which these accomplished performers exe-
cuted for some hours. It is supposed that nearly a
thousand persons were present, the company in-
cluding not only most of the principal English resi-
dents in Paris, but a considerable number of Ame-
ricans, French, and foreign guests. Everything
passed off most agreeably, and dancing was con-
tinued till 4 in the morning.
We read in the Gazette des Hopitaux :—" We
learn that Professor Paul Dubois, Dean of the Fa-
culty of Medicine, has just been named accoucheur
to the Empress. Every one knows that when the
king of Rome was born, it was the celebrated An-
toine Dubois, father of M. Paul Dubois, who at-
tended the Empress Maria Louisa."
The last elections for the renewal of the Chamber
of Commerce of Valenciennes have just been an-
nulled by the Minister of the Interior, on the
grounds that the members of it should be named
by the Principal commercial men of the circumscrip-
tion.
havin
deMnalied
Perichard, who, a few days ago, was con-
takn by Court-martial to transportation for
g
part in the insurrection of 1848, and
who was e
the accused Archbishop but acquitted of having murdered
Revision against his f P aris, has appealed to a Court of
s sentence.
The Patrte says 'Accounts have been received
by the Gomer steam-frigate, bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Romaiu
e9fosses commanding the
naval squadron in the Levant. The G
when the accounts left, in the Archipelago, ando
fGomer was,
was,
ignorant of the order given for the sailing was
the
French fleet, and looked upon the state of affairs
at Constantinople as perfectly satisfactory."
A telegraphic dispatch from Brest announces the
arrival in that port of the Proserpine frigate, Capt.
Jugan, from Guadaloupe. At her departure the
situation of the colony was satisfactory.
The Russian General Ogareff, Aide-de-camp to
the Czar, has lately been visiting the dockyards and
port of 4orient, accompanied by M. de Rayneval,
a French naval officer. He made the most minute
inquiries concerning the question of the transatlan-
tic packets.
The Moniteur contains a list of the prices of corn
per hectolitre in France. The highest price, 23f.
82c., is paid at Marseilles, and the lowest, 15f.
46c., at Hennebon.
A conflagration broke out on Tuesday morning
in the port of Bercy. The fire destroyed all the
storehouses, and 15,000 casks of wine.
At the Bourse yesterday the rise in Rentes ob-
t lined. on Thursday could not be maintained, and
these securities have gone down. For cash the fall
has been trilling, 11c, in the Three per Cents.,

and sc. in the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. For the
account the decline has been heavier, 30c. in the
Three per Cents., and 35c. iu the Four-and-a-Half
per Cents. Bank Stock, however, has been more
firm, and advanced ICf. on the closing prices of
Thursday. The following are the closing prices :
For cash : Three per Cents., 791. 4k. ; Four-and-
a-half per Cents., 1031. For the account : Three
per Cents., 79f. 40c. ; Four-and-a-Half per Cents.,
1021. 90c. Bank Stock, 2,6601.

IMPROVED.

(From, the Times.)

Among the measures taken by the late Administration
for the defence of the country and the improvement of
the naval service, none was more important than the ap-
pointment of a commission to consider the subject of
manning the fleet. This commission was selected from
the most eminent members of the profession, and with
so little regard to party interests that Admiral Sir
Charles Adam, formerly a sea Lord of the Admiralty
under the Whig Government, was placed at the head of
the list, and the commission proceeded to examine with
great fairness persons of different opinions who had at-
tended to the subject. On one part of the qkiestion
there could be no dispute—namely, as to the urgent ne-
cessity of placing the most essential portion of the naval
service on a better footing ; for it is utterly vain to build
ships and improve machinery if the Government has not
at its disposal that human force which is the life and
sinew of every navy. Other cout.tries, with resources
far inferior to our own, have contrived by organisation
to place themselves on a better and more secure footing
than we can boast of in the event of war. The old re-
source of the press gang has not an apologist left
except in the pages of the Qua,lerly Revicw,
and the enormous impulse given to the mercantile
operations and shipping of this country, by free
trade, emigration, and the discovery of gold have
increased the obstacles to manning the Queen's ships.
It is admitted that at the present time very great diffi-
culty is felt in getting together an efficient ship's com-
pany by the means now employed. In consequence of
this state of things, which would be alarmiag and injuri-
ous if it were allowed to continue, the Commission made
certain recommendations on the subject, which have been
adopted by the Government, and were approved yester-
day by her Majesty.
The first point on which all the authorities consulted
were agreed is, that whatever measures are taken must
rely for success on the voluntary acceptance of them by
the seamen, and that any. attempt to introduce a coer-
cive mode of enlistment would be followed by mis-
chievous consequences and failure. The mode, there-
fore, Which could alone lie resorted, to consists in
rendering the naval service of the Crown more attractive
to the seafaring population, by rendering it more per-
manent, by an increase of pay, by a large augmentation
of privileges and advantages to petty officers and war-
rant officers in the Queen's ships; by opening officers'
commissions to petty officers who shall greatly distinguish
themselves, and by forming a permanent col ps of traired
seamen in the receipt of pensions, but still available
after the expiration of the ordinary period of service. If
we are correctly informed, these measures will now
forthwith be carried into effect, and the seaman will at
once find in the new arrangements of the navy a degree
of security, accompanied with prospects of advancement
he has never before possessed. In the mere amount of
pay it will always be possible for the merchantman to
compete successfully with the man-of-war; but that su-
perior class of men who are fitted to become petty offi-
cers, and even to rise higher, will find advantages in
the Queen's service which they can scarcely even meet
with in trading vessels ; and these rewards of good con-
duct, ability, and daring are precisely the grounds which
may fairly entitle the navy to the choice of the best
hands. It is proposed, in the first place, that the esta-
blishment of boys for the navy should be placed on a
permanent footing, and that they should be enlisted for
general service for a period of 10 years ; and this is, per-
haps, the most important condition of all, for lads per-
fectly trained in the duties of a man-of-war are not only
the best class of men in the navy, but they are generally
averse to seeking any other employment. Provision
will also be made for the enlistment of able-bodied
seamen of-the first and second &Ass for a period of 10
iynegarisn,
thew with h
fleetsomwe
ill bc reeaalsl eo
wo fepay, a
dto,
volunteer nd th em s e aon
hn
ensoew s
terms,
e r v
reckoning, of course, their actual period of service. Upon
the expiration of the term of enlistment they will
receive a pension of 6d. a day, which may be increased
by their joining the body of trained seamen who will be
held available under certain conditions, and would be of
the utmost value in bringing a raw ship's company into
a smart and well-ordered condition on the occurrence of
any emergency. The condition of the petty officers will
be materially improved, with proportionate augmenta-
tions of pay, and it will be in the power of every well-
conducted seaman to aspire to this upper rank in the
service.
These measures, fully carried out, will very extensively
change and improve the whole condition of the navy,
and we are convinced that there is not an economist in
the House of Commons, or a man in England, who will
grudge the comparatively small increase of expense re-
quired to support our maritime establishment on its
proper footing. In fact, the training, education, and
character of the men are of even greater importance
than their numbers, and we trust that the first result of
the new system will be to put an end to the absurd prac-
tice of dispersing a body of seamen at the very moment
when they have attained the highest degree of efficiency.
Due regard must of course be had to the occasional
"fling" of independence which varies the life of a
sailor from the discipline of the service and the mo-
notony of the ocean. Nor can he be altogether de-
barred from the right of choosing the officer under
whom he intends to serve, which has more effect
than anything else in attaching men to particular
ships. But he will no longer be turned adrift when his
ship is paid off, and he will be able to look forward with
certainty to the beneficial results of 'ten years spent in
the prime of life, from 18 to 28, in the performance of
his duty. The naval service of this country ought to be
by far the most attractive and advantageous position to
which men brought up to a seafaring life can aspire.
The duty on board a Queen's ship, with her proper
complement of men, is of course much lighter than in
merchant vessels, with a very inferior allowance .of
hands ; and the nation, in taking these men into its
service, contracts the obligation of systematically re-
warding them for their exertions and never losing sight
of them in after life. The deficiency of men has been
felt, not because men have not entered the navy in suffi-
cient numbers, but because at the expiration of compa-
ratively short terms of service they have left it, allured
by some prospect of high wages, for a voyage or two, or
foreign service, which has not permanently improved
their condition. Probably the knowledge that some
measures were in preparation, and the uncertainty as to
the extent of them, have contributed to induce the blue
jackets.to hold off from the Queen's ships until they were
distinctly made aware of the terms on which they can
dispose of their services. But this uncertainty will no
doubt speedily be removed, for the whole plan will of
course be made known to the country, and the navy at
the earliest possible time, and Sir James Graham may
justly lay claim to the merit of having carried the re-
commendations of the commission into effect with his
usual promptitude and vigour.

STRIKE OF THE SAWYERS IN PORTSMOUTH

DOCKYARD.

On Thursday afternoon, in consequence of the sawyers
in this dockyard being told that they would be checked
a day's pay, they refused to proceed with their work at
half-past two, and returned to their homes. In the
evening they assembled at the Manchester Unity Arms,
Queen-street, for the purpose of considering the best
means to be adopted to remedy their grievances. It
was there stated that about six years ago a new system
was brought into operation with respect to the sawyers ;
the work was to be measured, and a certain quantity of
work was to be done before they were paid for it. For
four or five weeks after that nothing was said about
checking them, but at the end of that time some were
checked 35., some 55., and some more. They then, by
dint of hard work, contrived to keep themselves from
being checked ; but the work, as was stated there, " was
worse than slavery in America." They were hardly
able to sit down or stand up on returning home from
their day's labour. So it had continued until a short
time ago, when Government, or the dockyard officers,
considered that a sufficient quantity of work was done
for the pay received (18s. and 21s. a-week), and a new
system was again brought forward, which involved on
the men about one-fifth more labour to obtain the
same amount of wages. This had been carried
on for some months, and they had threatened to
check them many times. They appealed to the officers
over them, and others, but could obtain no redress.
Some little time ago (in September or October last) a de-
putation waited on the master shipwright, and presented
a petition to him signed by the whole body. When they
went to him he asked them their business ; they told
him. "Oh (he is reported to have said), the sawyers
can earn their money if they like ;_ they do it at the
other.yards." The deputation then stated that at the
other yards they had the new work, whilst here it was
job work. He then said that the work was only one-
tenth more, or about 2s a week less ; but one of the de-
putation present told him he had been checked 65., and
they came away with the answer that he would " see
their master about it." So the matter stopped until
Thursday, when they went round that afternoon and told
them they were checked so much money, some 3s. 4d.
the pair of men ; they then struck work. The timber
master went along and saw them aopping from their
work : he asked the reason of it, and on being told, he
said, "he did not care if they stopped work for a wed*
it did not make any difference to him." After this had
been stated to the meeting,.it was agreed that after they
broke up a committee of six should be formed to draw
up a petition to present to the Admiral Superintendent
yesterday morning, and that they should resume their
duties yesterday morning as usual. It was also stated
that the men in the other yards had made the same com-
plaints.—Portsmouth, Times and Naval Gazette.

LOST TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGE.—On Saturday last
man named Archibald Gemmill, who follows the occu-
pation of assistant or "concurrent" to the town's
officers, was charged at the police court with breach of
trust or embezzlement, in neglecting to deliver a tele-
graphic message sent from London on Saturday, the
12th ultimo, and addressed to a gentleman filling an
important public office in the city. From the evidence
and defence, it appeared that the man had been duly en-
trusted with the message, which had been properly sent
from the telegraph office, but, while executing some
other messages, he lost it. Gemmill troubled his head
no further about the matter, trusting that somebody
would pick up the document, and deliver it, or put it
into the Post-office. The case was continued. This
telegraphic document was, we believe, of a highly-
important character ; it required the attendance of per-
sons and the transmission of papers to London by the
ensuing Monday, to be used in a civil cause then to be
decided in the House of Lords. The judgment was
eventually adverse to the parties concerned in the mes-
sage, but what effect the dispatch might have had, had
it been acted upon, we have no means of knowing.—
Glasg9w
_