The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-18 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE TIMES.

—Your correspondent "A. 13." tells us that many
t stout lads should be at once enlisted in the
n The neighbourhood of our seaports may probably
supply yad
a large proportion ; but there is no reason why
recruits for our navy as well as army should not be
sought in places further inland. Our agricultural coun-
ties are full of the stuff from which goes' sailors may be
made. There are thousands of lads now following the
plough, stout, healthy, active, well-grown, who would
thankfully abandon their present ill-paid overworked
condition for one of greater enterprise, less labour,
and higher payment, if the chance were but given them.
At present they have scarcely heard of the sea, and
know as little about a ship as they do of a Roman gal-
ley or of the real shape of Noah's Ark. At the same
time they would gladly hail any opportunity of escap-
ing from their present drudgery. They are hired
to their masters, most of them for the year, at
wages, for lads of from 14 to 16, of 3s. 6d. to 48. 6d.
a-week. No wonder that both they and their parents
complain. This hiring takes place at Michaelmas, when,
with starvation staring them in the face, and with a
long and dreary winter before them, they are glad to en-
gage in service at almost any wages. From the engage-
ment thus made they cannot release themselves. Unlike
the young men of 18 or 20, they cannot cancel their en•
gagement to their master by joining the recruiting ser-
geant. They would get away, if they knew where er
how ; but their engagement to their master and their
lack of means keep them at home. Give them the s_aomsee
chance of enlisting in the navy as is now offered th
who are older of enlisting in the apny, and you will hays
no lack of candidates for admission. When the summer
cruiseoafcrsinbethseelaltiinctois
tohveercoleutnstorymetowarercrarult:anldfptehtet;
t ut lads who will
comes round, they will find many.
come among us when the season for hiring again
s the soil. There
service an agricultural dia.
to •
could not be a greater
prefer ploughing the waves to tilling
trict than to carry off some of these young lads, who,
by their very competition, reduce the fair price of labour,
and who are accordingly underpaid, overworked, and a
needless and heavy burden to their friends.
It can cost but little to try the experiment. I am
confident it would answer. It was but a few days since
that I sugge,sted to a lad, who was complaining to me
of his miserably low wages, that he should enter the
navy. I explained to him that he would have to rough
it at times, but he was still very anxious to go ; and it
was only on discovering that he had a deformity which
incapacitated him for service that I forbore to apply for
his admission. His case is that of thousands of others.
Give them a chance of rising from their present condi-
tion of almost serfdom, and they will show their grati-
tude by the good services they will render to their
country.
The recruiting boatswain will, I trust, be ere long as
well known as the recruiting sergeant, and-as successful
in his alrocation,—l remain, Sir, your obedient seri
wait, B. J.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
THIS EVENING, Aram 18,
wra M eartermed NORMA. Principal charictera by Madame
cuud.e.Madame godateek, and Madams Sondhelm I Signor Pa-
yee. ignor Sane. sad Signor Arnold!.

THE t TEE ROYAL HAYMARKET.
Under the management of Mr. Ructetons.
THIS EVENING, Ann is,

Wilt be performed SPEED THE PLOUGH. Characters by
Messrs. Vandentiort, Compton, Rogers. and Chippendale; Miss E.
chasm, Miss Louisa Howard, and Mrs. Stanley.
After which, an entirely new and original extravaganza. entitled
hfR. BVCKSTONE'S VOYAGE ROUND THE GLOBE (IN LEI-
CESTER•SQUARE), written by J. R. Planche, Esq. Principal
characters by Mr. Bucketone, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Clark. Mr. J.
Marshall, Mr. H. Marshall ; Mrs. Fitzwullam. Mrs. Caulfield, MlBB
E. Grey, Miss Lydia Thompson, Miss Laura Morris, and Miss
Featherstone.

-
Fo:lowed by WILLIKIND AND NYS DINAH. Supported by
Messrs. Bnckstone and Corr! ; 51133 Louisa Howard. Mrs. Fitzwil.
I iam, and Mrs. Caulfield.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S TUEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
UV-a the Management of Mr. Casatrs KrAN.
THIS EVENING, AntlL 18,
Will be performed TTIE MARRIED UNMARRIED. Characters
by Messrs. W. Lacy, Ryder, and Cathcart ; and Misses /leant and
Id array.
Followed by THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Principal charac-
ter by Mr. C. Kean.
After which. AWAY WITtI MEL.INCHOLY. Characters by
Mears. Meadows, D. Fisher, and Saker ; and 3lisses Murray and
DAly.

TiIEATIE ROYAL ADRLPFII.
Proprietor. Mr. B. Webster.—Dlrectress, Madame Celeste.

THIS EVENING, Aram 13,
Will be performed TWO LOVE 3 AND A LIFE. Supported by
Messrs. C. Selby, Leigh Murray, Benjamtn Webster, Keeley, and 0.
Bmlth ; Miss Woolgar and Madams Celeste.
Followed by THE OVERLAND JOLTRNEY TO CONSTANTI-
NOPLE, A 3 UNDERTAKEN BY LORD BATEMAN, WITH
INTERESTING PARTICULARS; OF THE FAIR SOPHIA.

LYCEUM THEATRE.

Under the Al'anagement of Madame Yestrfe.
THIS EVENING. Aran. IS,

Will be performed A CHARMING WIDOW. Principal charac-
ters by Mr. C. Mathews; and Miss Oliver.
To be followed by GIVE A DOG ♦N ILL NAME. Principal
characters by Messrs. C. Mathews and F. Matthews.
After which. NUMBER ONE "ROUND THE CORNER.
Concluding with A HOUSE OUT OF WINDOWS.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan.
THIS EYENING, Arm
will be performed THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by 'Messrs.
Tabery, Robson, and Leslie; Mrs. Stirling and Miss Wyndham.
To conclude with the Farce of THE WANDERING MINSTREL,
Jena Daggs, Mr. F. Robson.

STRAND THEATRE.
Se's Lessee Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Direetreas, Min Bet Ca Isaacs'

THIS EVENING, Aram 1!,

Wlll be performed THE ENCHANTED LASE.
Followed by AN ADVERrISEMENT—"
AND HUSBANDS." WANTED, WIVES

Concluding with a new burlesque on RICHARD THE THIRD.
qtalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, Is. 6,1.; Gallery, Gd.; Private Boxes,
111. 6d., to be had of Mr. ABeroft, lb, New Bond-street.

ASTLEY'S EUttoPE's NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manwa.e. Mr. William Cooke.
Great attraction and powerful Noveitita for the Easter Holidays.
THIS EVENING. Aran. IN
And during the week, a new grand Nautical and Equestrian spec-
facie, embodying novel and extraordinary effects (written by Mr.
Nelson Lee). entitled A TALE OF THE SPANISH WAR; or,
The Horse of the Wreck. The horses expressly trained by Mr. W.
Cooke.
Followed by an entire change of the Scenes of the CIRCLE, intro-
ducing Miss Kate Cooke, Mibs Emily Cooke, Mr. Alfred Cooke, and
the most talented Equestrian and Gymnastic Artistes in Europe.
Conclitdlng with the new Farce of DALRYMPLE versus TUBBS.
Box-omce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West.

LEIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tau; Der —Morning 7 min.after 5 I Evening 32 min.aft. 5
To.Mokitow—Morning 58 roli.after 5 Evening 24 min.aft. 6

THE WEATHER.—Snw Ovrtas, APRIL 18.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
54 —highest since noon yesterday.
43 —lowest this morning and during the night.
61—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 30'22. ,
WIND, 3.E.—lresh breeze, with fine, sunshiny wea.
ther.

in‘
Tig - • AM 141,,
4 (1-

LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1854.

As the bullionit organ has truly remarked, the
" power of creating money is an undoubted pre-
rogative of the Crown." Tne material of which
that money may be composed .is a mere com-
modity that may be bartered or disposed :of in
the ordinary way of business, just like auy other
article of commerce. Whether it be gold, silver,
or copper, it is the Royal stamp which calms it
t') pass current from hand to hand, and to be
freely and willingly accepted at its nominal, with-
out any inquiry as to its intrinsic, value. We see
silver varying lu price according to the demand,
and gold Trould do so but for the enactment that
enables any person to dispose of it at a certain
fixed price, the "seignorage," or sum to
be charged for the royal privilege being
distinctly ascertained. No one, however,
when offered a crown piece, or an equivalent
number of half crowns, shillings, or sixpences,
pauses to inquire whether silver is depressed in
price, a mere drug in the market, or • in brisk de-
mand. He knows that he will be able to pay it
away at the same price at which he received it,
and that knowledge satisfies him ; he cares for
nothing more. The Royal stamp convinces him
of that fact, and that is all he wants.

By why is this ? Why does the effigy of the
Sovereign induce every man to abstain from fur-
ther inquiry, and make the coin on which it is
impressed so generally acceptable ? Simply be-
cause that coin will pio tanto liquidate the de-
mands of the nation on the last holder. Every
man knows that he will have to meet the tax-
collector, and that if lie possesses more of the
means of extinguishing the claim than is required
for his own purposes, he will find others less
favourably circumstanced, who will have to pur-
chase the means of doing so. "No circulating
medium" of any kind, therefore, can be in excess
or in danger of rejection, so far as it is propor-
tioned to the national taxation, not going beyond
the amount in be drawn in within a certain spe-
cified time from the people. And this is equally
true whatever be the material in use, whether it
be gold, silver, or copper, or paper, leather, or
What, for instance, is an Exchequer Bill ?
What guarantee is given for its payment ? It is
a piece of paper, or " a worthless rag," as it
might be termed by a bullionist, which is not
" convertible" into the precious metals, but which
will at aay moment be received in payment of
taxes or duties in any Government office. Prac-
tically they are but rarely offered for that purpose,
for, inasmuch as they bear interest, they command
a certain premium in the market.. It would therefore
he too expensive a mode of liquidating the debt
to the State to be generally resorted to. The large
amounts generally specified constitute another
serious obstacle. Few men have to pay 5001. or
1,000/. into the Exchequer or Custom-house at a
single payment. The person who has an Rech,
quer Bill,
then, in place of paying it to the Go-
vernment collectors, disposes of it on the Stock
Exchange
_generally at a handsome premium
and liquidates
his liability with a portion of the
proceeds. The ultimate value, however—the
attribute that renders it universally acceptable,
and insures an unceasing demand—is the know-
ledge that it will be accepted in payment of taxes,
or duties to the Crown.
Now, if the denomination of these notes, in
place of being 1,0001., 5001., or even 1001., were
but 101., 51., or 11., so that they could be appli-
cable for the payment of all Lies, it is manifest
that. they would no longer be restricted to the
hands of bankers and great merchants. They
would constitute a useful circulating medium,
which would be available for all the trausa,ctions
of every-day life. Every man in business would
have the means of passing them off again. As the
national income may betaken in round numbers
to amount to 57,000,000/. per annum, to which
at least 5,000,0001. may be added for poor rates,
there would be a weekly absorption of 1,200,000/.
of these Exchequer Bills, which would so far
maintain their value that, if bearing interest,
they would command a premium nearly, if not
altogether, equal to the amount due on the day

of tender ; and it would follow, as a necessary
corollary, that there would be no necessity for in-
terest in order to insure their willing acceptance.
The entire interest on the unfunded debt would
thus be got rid of. And the pecuniary
saving would be the least valuable part of
the alteration for the certainty of obtaining that
which hat been truly described as " the life-blood
of industry"—a circulating medium adequate to
the wants and exigencies of the community—a
steady representative and measure of value, not
liable to the fluctuations which a metallic cur-
rency, or one based on metal, would so
stimulate trade and manufacture that any man
able and willing to work would be sure of obtain-
ing employment at remunerative wages ; and
would thus not only enjoy the comforts which
every person of ordinary humanity must desire to
see placed within the reach of the labouring popu-
lation of the country, but each individual would
become a useful member of society—the creator
and producer of national wealth—in place of
being an idle consumer, a drone in the national
hive.

We should then hear nothing of the impious
cant of " over-population," or " over-produc-
tion." If the industrial resources of the country
were fully and fairly developed, as they would be
under a judicious and well-devised monetary sys-
tem, it would be long, indeed, before there would
be any complaint against an addition to the
" thews and sinews" of the nation ; and whenever
there was a danger that the quantity of food
raised in the country by experienced agricultu-
rists, who made the teeming earth bestow her
utmost produce, the broad lands of British Ame-
rica, the fertile plains of Australia, would offer
suitable places of refuge. Indeed, it would be
difficult to indicate a part of the earth where the
Anglo-Saxon energy and determination would not
be cordially welcomed. Let not weak, foolish
man dare to question PROVIDENCE. Let not
the worm venture to murmur against the
will of his Omniscient CREATOR. " Over-
population 1" Where are the superfluous
elements, or who are to be cut off to make way
for the fresh corners, and to reduce the numbers
to what the pretended philosopher has the arro-
gance to say is the proper amount. " Over-pro-
duction" is another cant cry, equally audacious
and indefensible. Can there be an over-produc-
tion of food, so long as any one remains without
sufficiency to eat or drink—an "over-production"
of garments, so long as any remain inadequately
covered ? .There cannot be " over-production" so
long as there is a single hungry person to be fed—a
naked one to be clothed. Until such unfortunates
can no longer be discovered, the cry is impious.
It grows, however, out of our monetary code, that
reduces everything to that single standard, and
distorts the medium through which the affairs of
the nation is to be regarded. If an Englishman
" likes gold in his pocket," there are not merely
thousands or tens of thousands, but millions of
his countrymen, who suffer severely for the grati-
fication of his whim—whose welfare and happiness
are sacrificed at the shrine of the idol which he
has set up, and whose prosperity is as nothing
when cast into the opposing scale to the preserva-
tion of the integrity of the standard ! !

' The Debate on DUBLIN University is certainly
worth a moment's attention at least, while our
National Seminaries are so much before the public.
It arose on Mr. FAGAN'S, the member for Cork,
asking leave to bring in a bill to found and endow
a second college on a wider basis than the exist-
ing one. Dublin University, unlike the kindred
institutions at Oxford and Cambridge, is not
composed of a number of colleges, usurping the
powers and privileges of the original University;
but is entirely comprised in Trinity College—a
college founded by Queen ELIZABETH, and which,
therefore, ought not to be involved in much
obscurity as to its origin and character.
Like almost all endowments, however, a few
generation? hare sufficed to furnish ground of
debate as to " the founders' intentions." Mr. FA-
(4.4krr affirms that the terms of its charter are so
unlimited that all her MAJESTY'S subjects, Catholic
as well as Protestant, have a fair claim to its ad-
vantages, honours, and emoluments. Mr. HAMIL-
TON (the Member for the University) replies that
it is impossible to suppose Queen ELIZABETH, ex-
conithunicated and deposed by the Popr, could
have founded a college for Roman Catholics ; a
controversy which many would decide according
as they held that all charters were to be inter-
-1 preted in the most liberal manner possible, or that
we must endeavour to supplement indefiniteness
of language from the historical facts of the time.
Of the two principles the former is the only one which
can make the arrangements of the past harmonise at
all with the wants of the present ; but we are
surprised that broader ground on this subject was
not taken. With the i,ntentions of Private
Founders HENRY VIII. and CHARLES Tr. took
great liberties at Oxford and Cambridge, or the
decrees of the Council of Trent would there super-
sede the Thirty-nine Articles, and Mr. GLAD-
STONE and Lord JOHN RUSSELL propose to take
yet further liberties. But when the Founders ,
are Monarchs, and when, consequently, all their
acts, and all the property given, must be
regarded as national, the question seems
to us reduced to its easiest form. We
should, of course, consider it open to inquiry
whether it were better to keep Trinity for Protes-
tants, and Maynooth for Catholics, but cannot
think that the consideration of what ELIZABETH,
JAMES 1., Or CHARLES j., wished or willed, ought
to weigh for one moment with our present Legis-
lature. These Monarchs, and their generation,
had their day, and did what they liked with their
own ; but we demur to their notions of the public
good being taken as the guide of ours. Indeed,
as to the STUARTS, it was thought for the nation's
good, at the time, to behead one, and to send the
rest to-learn wisdom, if they would, by foreign
travel.

It seems to us that the strong part of Mr.
FAGAN'S case was the least debated. There was
no little dispute whether Trinity College was, or
was not, properly a Protestant College ; whether
or not Roman Catholics ought to be content with
the really liberal practice of the College authori-
ties, in virtue of which the humbler honours and
pecuniary prizes, with the entire education, were
open to Catholics and Dissenters; and whether
confiscation," the scare-crow of abuse-defen-
ders, were involved in his proposal; but what in
the eyes of such of the general public as might
condescend to notice an Irish debate was the grand
charge, was really an undefended action. We are
at a loss almost to comprehend why none of the
many whose vocation is the attack of abuses, did not
find even a monster one here. Mr. NAPIER, in-
deed, spoke touchingly of the laborious life led by
the• Fellows as a reason for so few authors having
sprung from their number; but perhaps the
reader will think that there were influences of a
more soporific kind when he reads the following
facts. The landed property of Trinity College
amounts to 200,000 acres. It is valued to the
poor rates at 92,0001. ; the actual yearly income
is 64,000/. ; and the University is now empowered
so to let the land as to raise the income to
100,0001. It is the richest University in Europe.
And now for the toil-worn Fellows.
The Provost receives annually
Seven Senior Fellows, each
SFsiiixxvePlsTer Firs Junior Cad
..1
cos sliasa,s3:
lF,Fellows,
111100
w\Fvsse:l I
eachows, each , • 900
600
each
Altogether, according to. Mr. FAGAN, no ono
contradicting, the Provost of Trinity
College Fellows divide annuallyl34g,eooaon/(.1
among them. Now, whether a second college
fnrioonrie ascocempetablecautsoes, Trinity.theCatho haslielaityprothvaend:
he founded or not, what, we ask in the name
of all reason and conscience, are incomes
like these to continue for? The Head of
an English University House passes rich, and
surely ought, with 8001. a-year; and 2501. a-year
is held to be the proper standard for a fellowship
by our Oxford reformers. How could the Oxo-
nians listen to this statement of Irish fat things,
and repress their indignation,
artipon,ethdaotwenveenvMeryr.fGelLlocD:
ship *to such
STONE should propos© a
paltry minimum, when Dublin
Junior Fellows rejoiced in 4001., and senior Fei- ,