The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-14 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1854.

The world has witnessed many strange vicis-
situdes. Having apparently passed through its
metallic stages, from gold to iron, it is entering
on a new phase of its existence. Yes, with all
due deference to Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, and
acknowledging, in one respect, the continued
" hardness" of the " Times," there is another
characteristic by which the present era will here-
after be distinguished. It is the " age of cant"
—of pure, unmixed, unmitigated cant ! The
Genius of B.umbug rules supreme. Everything
is to be regarded through the media which it
pleases to offer. It is only necessary to keep up
appearances—to " seem," rather than to do, and
unsparingly to condemn all who venture to differ
in any degree from the ideal standard, and who
refuse " to fall down and worship" the idol which
King Fashion hath set up. If the spirit of the
age were to be represented in bodily form, it
would be as SHAKSPERE'S Justice,

" With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances."

Here on one side we find a body of modern
Pharisees, forgetting the Divine injunction,
" The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for
the Sabbath," striving to pervert the objects of
the God-like institution, and to make it, in place
of being a day of rest, and innocent and en-
lightened recreation, one of gloom and seclusion.
On the other hand we see a body of rampant Tee-
totallers endeavouring to make every man conform
to their own standard, and to introduce a
" Maine liquor law" into what was once " Merry
England." Close every place of entertainment on
Sundays, says the Sabbatarian—permit not the
wearied and over-tasked operative to breathe pure
country air on the only day when he can hope to
obtain it, or if he walk forth into the country,
let him not be able to obtain a mouthful of bread
or a draught of beer to enable him to sustain
the salutary fatigue, that will send him back to
his
toil with renovated health and spirits.
, Let him remain in his own room cross and
listless, a burden to himself
hand,i his family.
Let him do nothing to enlarge
in-
crease his information, but staye atsho
mind or
he wish, get inebriated, provided thetakena, materials
e f for so doing were purchased on a w
and
he will be regarded as a model workie-daY'
n
the advocates for the bitter observant ©man
tbhy,
Sabbath !

The Teetotallers, however, go further. Ti
ey
would do away with the retail trade in wile, beer,
and spirits, and only allow purchases in large
quantities. No man should be able to get even
a tumbler of small beer for his refreshment ;
while the most patriotic undertaking ever started
in this or any country is libelled because it is
possible to obtain a glass of wine or a tumbler
of beer within the gates. When listening to
the twaddle of this noisy class, we almost feel in-
clined to agree with old JACK FALSTAFF, when
he exclaimed, "If I had a thousand sons, the
first human principle I would teach them should
be to forswear thin potations, and addict them-
selves to sack 1" _ .

There is another class of utilitarians no less dis-
gusting in their twaddle than those above alluded
to, men who are ready to censure everything, the
end and object whereof is not perceptible to their
own thick and muddy intellects. These persons
lose no opportunities of " writing themselves
down asses" in the true DOGBERRY spirit. Because
they cannot see an inch beyond their noses they
think that the rest of the world must be equally
purblind. Their pompous platitudes and solemn
donkeyisra would be simply ridiculous if they did
not strive to take advantage of the most melan-
choly incidents on which to hang their absurdi-
ties.

Such a case has unhappily recently occurred.
M. H. LOEI3 LE TUR, a French aeronaut, after
an ascent from Cremorne Gardens, with the inten-
tion of descending in a parachute, received such
injurie3 from colliziou with a tree that his death

followed some days subsequently. This truly un-
fortunate occurrence has been seized on as the
text on which to hang all sorts of commentaries.
Some, wantonly and untruly, attacking Mr.
SIMPSON, the proprietor of Cremorne, calumniously
and malignantly attributing to him a readiness
"to risk another life for the sake of gaining a
few pounds profit," while others are contented
with railing at the exhibition, and calling on the
Legislature to enact laws for their suppression—
hitting also at Mr. SIMPSON by the praise they
bestow on the proprietor of Vauxhall Gardens
for having refused to sanction a repetition
of such attempts, which, in the first in-
stance, proved a failure at the royal pro-
perty. We shall deal with the latter statement
and suggestion in the first instance—and, in order
to"do so, it is necessary to place the real state of
facts before the Community, so that they may
judge of what degree of censure—if any—can be
attributed to Mr. SIMPSON, or rather whether
that ill-used gentleman is not entitled to credit
for his liberal and generous conduct on the de-
plorable occasion.
Monsieur LE Tun., it appears, had patented
his invention in France, and had, in his own
country, made no less than 29 perfectly safe and
most successful descents. Under these circum-
stances he came to England, and entered into
a treaty for an ascent from Vauxhall. It is well
known that owing to some circumstances this
ascent did not take place ; but the mistake, what-
ever it was, occurred before the ascent, and there-
fore could not have been connected with
the descending power of the parachute. We
are convinced that the proprietor of Vauxhall
would not willingly receive compliments at the
expense of a rival engaged in honourable competi-
tion with himself.

On the failure, the unfortunate stranger was
assailed with gibes and fears from every quarter.
His personal appearance was turned into ridicule,
and the laugh was freely raised at his expense.
With wounded spirit, he appealed to Mr. SIMP-
SON for an opportunity of retrieving his own cha-
racter, and that of his invention. It was granted,
but not until after close and stringent investiga-
tion had satisfied the parties of the perfect safety
—we use the term advisedly—of the machine.
Nay more, to make assurance doubly sure, the
parachute was enlarged until it had " a re-
sisting power" capable of sustaining double
the weight it would have to bear. In addition
to these precautions, and when theory had settled
all that could be done, it was, we believe, stipu-
lated that there should be a trial descent before
any regular engagement should be entered into.
This test was gone through on the 20th ult.,
and nothing could be more satisfactory. The pa-
rachute was liberated at an altitude of about a
mile, and it was three-quarters of an hour de-
scending, having, through the action of the
newly-invented wings, traversed a space of
about three miles in its aerial course. Then
came the attempt that terminated fatally.
But it is only necessary to remark, that it was
not " a parachute accident." Had not the ropes,
prepared under the exclusive direction of M. LE
TUR, twisted, there would have been no calamity.
But as they twisted, it was found that the machine
could not be safely liberated. He came into col-
lision with a tree, which caused the injuries end-
ing in his death ; but that was not through any
defect in his invention.
It may be asked cui bon•o such trials ? What
is the use of parachutes ? We know not. But
that is no reason why experiments should not be
tried in a science of which we are comparatively
ignorant. We cannot forget that the toys of
the 17th and 18th centuries were the sources
from which sprung the steam-engines, power-
looms, and a variety of the most useful inven-
tions of the 19th century. Had not the Marquis
of WORCESTER detected the priestcraft of the
ancient Egyptians WATT might not have had the
foundation for the experiments which he con-
ducted to so felicitous a conclusion. Had there
not been apparently useless trials in electricity,
we might not have had the electric telegraph or
the galvanic battery ; and if a single fatal result
opposed an insurmountable barrier to future trials,
England would not be a maritime nation, or
have railroads, or even carriages of any descrip-
tion. Let us, then, repudiate this nauseatic
twaddle, despise humbug, and render justice
where it is really merited.

The Bears are a persevering, an indefatigable
race. If so much zeal and energy were displayed
in any other pursuit it would command success.
All, however, that they can accomplish in their
patriotic "mission" does not amount to more
than exciting temporary panics, that may frighten
some nervous widows or unprotected spinsters
into parting with their property at less than its
actual value. We have repeatedly exposed the
folly of this undue timidity, and it is but justice
to the community to say that, with few excep-
tions, they have stood boldly forward, supporting
the national credit with their purses, as
they would, if the occasion arose, defend the
national safety with their persons. The fundholders
held their investments firmly, while there were
plenty of persons ready and willing to come boldly
forward and to purchase at liberal prices the stock
necessarily cast upon the market. Under such
circumstances the speculators for a fall met with
repeated defeats, any one of which might have
deterred less determined operators. But even a
starving wolf in pursuit of his prey could not be
more bent on achieving his object than the hungry
bear, actuated by the greed of gain. Even in the
days of JUVENAL we heard of the cupidity of the
Greeks—

" Orceculus esuriens, in crduin, jusseris, ibit."
But how could any Greek do more than is
frequently accomplished by the ursine fraternity,
who, if they do not scale the heavens in pursuit
of profit, are yet accustomed to make mountains
out of mole hills, and to swell the most ridiculous
rumours into intelligence of the utmost import-
ance. We would, however, once more remind
these gentry of the heavy losses they have already
sustained, and of the dangers attending the
course they are so recklessly pursuing ; and we
would ask the public what has occurred to excite,
any real apprehensions, or to justify a fall of nearly
3 per cent, in Consols within a single week, and
nearly 2 per cent. within as many days ?
What are the events that could exercise mate-
rial influence on the quotations ? They might be
affected by the prospects of the approaching har-
vest, the state of the Bank Returns, and the aspect
of the political horizon in reference to the war in
which we have embarked. These matters may
more or less alter the value of all kinds of secu-
rities, but a very little consideration will show
that the recent fall cannot fairly be attributed to
any of these causes, and that, therefore, it can
only be attributed to the number of speculative
sales,
relnet tdi
which must be followed by a corresponding
i
reaction when the time for delivery is at hand,
li:oeunssuermnstneearinedesss, andand absurdfoment
fomented
panic that tthhaet
most
oass
tbne
ne
n
excite
findA st
Itloa tt, haeitt
wet f
ably been very prospects ttsh
eof
weatherthe
ably harvest, i
own e.
different parts of the somecrops,
yet deteriorated the or
days, it has not as
ftyo i
toigi character, e
Agriculturists,tryThise ionftealligveenrycegfrraotmi-
and cheap
Ntl a and
affording promise of ample returns
markets. The quotations i
fallen, to some extent, and thne
theendency is still
Lane
eunhdaavnet
state of these
ciduowotnawtiaorndss.affolrndasstmhieicbhe,
stthcerni,tearsio respecting the
proverbially
gloomy
harvest prospects, and as the farmers,n amost
dissatisfied race, who delight in th
forebodings, and who exercise to the utmost the
JOHN BULL privilege of grumbling on any or
no
occasion, have not yet complained
audibly, we
may assume that the prospects of the harvest are
not such as to justify a fall in the Funds. The
gloominess of the weather might have kept par-
ties at home, or deterred them from dealing, for
JOHN BULL is as much dispirited as one of his
own game-cocks by a heavy and continuous fall
of rain ; but such influences, when not followed
by any serious damage to the crops, are of a
merely temporary character, and vanish with the
first gleam of sunshine.

A3-to the §tate of the 13anA Returns, they are

of the most satisfactory description. The
addition to the stock of bullion during the last
week was no less than 345,6231., while that of
the preceding week was 760,5981., or more than
1,106,0001. within a fortnight. The addition of
the week to the notes in circulation, a very
important matter, was nearly half a million
(484,5451.). There were also largo additions
within the fortnight to the reserve of notes to
the public and private deposits, and the public
and other securities, and a small reduction had
been made in the Bank rate of interest to its
country customers. It is, therefore, obvious
that any depreciation in the value of stock could
not be ascribed to the Bank Returns any more
than to the prospects of the approaching harvest.
We come then to the aspect of the political
horizon in reference to the war in which we have
embarked ; and what is there, we ask, in that
" to fright the Isle from its propriety," to induce
Englishmen to fling their stock upon the market
to realise money on any terms that can be ob-
tained, or, in fact, at such prices as the oon-
sciences of their unscrupulous persecutors may in-
duce them to offer ? Never, we say it advisedly,
has this been more satisfactory. Never was the
" entente cordiale" more complete. Never were
France and England more thoroughly united
in the cause of truth and justice. Never
were they more firmly resolved to break the
power that has been so prejudicial to the
interests of civilisation, and to obtain suitable
guarantees for the maintenance of peace and order.
The united flags float triumphantly on the Baltic
and the Euxine. NAPIER and his gallant coadju-
tor have threatened Cronstadt, and in vain invited
the enemy's fleets to a fairer contest than could
be had under the bulwarks of its fortifications.
The AUTOCRAT himself has been gratified with
the prospect, while the inhabitants of St. Peters-
burg clearly perceive what is before them ; and
the approaching embarkation of French troops
in English vessels will not greatly improve
their position. Austria, for her own sake,
will not dare to go wrong, and what could the
vacillating and weak-minded King of PRUSSIA do,
even if disp3sed, to shelter his friend and brother.
If the German Powers did their worst, it would
not create a moment's fear in any English (or
French) heart. But as it is, we should really
be ashamed of our compatriots, if we thought that
they could be influenced by any doubts as to the
actions of the German Powers. There would,
indeed, be more to fear from their friendship
tofin
dmtahi
an:tt sn the
heretofore,national
than their. enmity. Let the people, then, rally
whilea
c r editsnr, v
ianngd t
ht
ehi eryn
own inl
try, they are materially benefiting themselves.

THE PENINSULAR MAIL.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY, 10 P.M.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Iberia has arrived with the above mail. She
brings 31 passengers, five packages of specie, and
a cargo of eggs, lemons, onions, &c. Her dates
are—Gibraltar, July 4 ; Cadiz, 5 ; Lisbon, 9 ;
Oporto and -Vigo, 10.
The British galliot Mary, arrived at Gibraltar on
the 2d, reported that on the 30th ult., owing to a
strong current, on her voyage from Marseilles, she
was driven within 20 miles of Cape Tres Forcas,
and there distinguished a brig being attacked by
Riffian pirates. It was the captain's opinion the
brig was taken by the pirates. The Mary did not
interfere, being unarmed. Her Majesty's steamer
Prometheus started almost immediately to the
Riff coast in search.

Exchange at Gibraltar was quoted, for bills on
London at 90 days' date, at 51k ; Paris, 5 37.
From Lisbon we learn that the vine disease was
still raging, and to a most fearful extent, and
every fear was entertained that nearly the whole
of the vineyards were being destroyed.
Exchange on London had declined to 54 for bills
at 30 days' sight ; Inscriptions, 37.

A BUSSIAN IN LONDON SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS.

Six,—Can you tell me why, or how it is, that Count
Pahlen, who is well known to be a most active agent of
the Emperor of Russia, is admitted on the most intimate
footing to the houses of several of our Cabinet Ministers?

It may be all fair and above board, but it looks very
suspicious. In the neighbourhood of St. James's and
Berkeley-squares he is in great force.--Yours obediently,
London, July 12, 1854. B. S. F.