The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-26 00:00:00

Z

- - -=
LONDON, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1853.
-- •

As inaiigurative of the campaign of 1853.1854,
nothing could have been more propitious for the
Turks than the memorable victories of Oltenitza.
The importance of these successes may at length
be correctly appreciated. It is possible to detect
the real magnitude of the advantages thereby
gained by the forces of the Sultan ABD-UL-MEDJID,
penetrating, as our glance can now do, through
the smoke of the battle and the inevitable clouds
of vague and contradictory misrepresentation. It
may at last be recognised how important are
these earlier results of the struggle between Russia
and Turkey, when it is learnt that 2,700 Osman-
is have routed, as they actually did rout, 8,900

Muscovites ! Such, in reality, were the dispro-
portioned forces opposed to each other on the 4th
instant at Oltenitza. No wonder, after that bril-
liant achievement, that the Mussulmen are said to
be inspired with the utmost confidence in the effici-
ency of their own armaments. No wonder they
are described as placing the most implicit reliance
in their Commander-in-Chief. No wonder their
enthusiasm is spoken of as yet more animated
than before they were enabled to cross swords
with their antagonists. As a mark of distinguished
approbation, it is gratifying to observe, that the
rank of a full colonelcy was awarded to HALIL
PACHA on the field of battle, in recognition of the
valour and ability displayed by him throughout
the struggle at Oltenitza. Such were the senti-
ments of confidence and exultation awakened
among the soldiers of the Crescent in their first
and signally victorious engagement.
It signifies little, comparatively speaking, that
the Turkish forces were, later on, placed in a
position that rendered it advisable for them to
retire to the right bank of the Danube, so as to
avoid any collision with a preposterous superiority of
numbers. That withdrawal of the triumphant
division from Oltenitza to Turtukai, was nothing
more, as
already intimated, than a simple stra-
tegic movement. It was consequent upon the con-
centration of the Russians under GORTZCHAKOFF,
south of Bucharest, and the advance of an enormous
body of troops under OSTEN-SACHEN from the
northern boundary of Moldavia. However for-
midable these changes of position on the part of
the soldiers of the AUTOCRAT, they are happily
compensated for on the side of, the Osmanlis by
the satisfactory establishment of their main army
at Kalafat, and by the exhilaration of spirits con-
sequent upon the successive triumphs achieved
before Oltenzita. Nothwithstanding the advance
of the autumnal season, these remarkable move-
ments have throughout been most rapidly
accomplished, evidencing in that the fury
raging among the belligerents—on the oneside
the fury of fanaticism, and on the other that of
patriotic devotion. Now—while the war is devas-
tating the Danubian Principalities—while it is
obvious that the question at issue must be
arranged by force of arms, and not by negotiation
—let it be especially remembered by the people
of France and England that ObIER PACHA has
declared, and declared with truth, that whereas
of old the Turks fought solely for conquest, and,
in doing so, undoubtedly committed great barbari-
ties, they have now drawn the sword in defence
of liberty and civilisation

Many complaints have from time to time been
forwarded with much apparent justice, respecting
the administration, or rather the mal-administra-
tion of the " Civil Superannuation Fund." It is suffi-
ciently hard that Government employes should be
compelled to subscribe a certain portion of their
scanty salaries as a provision for old age, when
they are no longer competent to discharge the
duties which they have spent their health and
strength in performing. Private employers of
wealth and respectability would blush at the notion
of discharging in their old age faithful and effici-
ent men whose lives had been devoted to their
service, without making some provision not merely
for the necessaries of existence, but also for the
little comforts so urgently befitting their ad-
vanced years and impaired constitutions. A
liberal employer would not think of making such
persons exclusively dependent on their own
savings, or if the party had accumulated a little
store some addition would assuredly be made
thereto, as a recognition of the gratitude and sa-
tisfaction of the master for the fidelity and effi-
ciency displayed during their protracted connec-
tion. It might be very just and proper that
the employer should impress upon his junior
clerks the beneficial results of laying by some
provision for a rainy day, and use all his influence
to induce them to join some of the many provi-
dent institutions formed for the purpose. But
he clearly would have no right to insist on such
an act. The clerk or servant who bad worked
hard for his wages would unquestionably have a
right to dispose of his earnings as he thought
proper, provided there was nothing improper or
objectionable in the application. He could not
justly be called upon to devote a portion thereof
to auy object, however meritorious it might be
deemed by those who paid those wages. He
ought in justice and in equity to be entitled " to
do as he liked with his own." We, therefore,
seldom see an attempt made to coerce parties to
insure their lives, or to join a provident society,
or to accumulate in the Savings' Banks a certain
proportion of their salaries. Any one of these
matters would unquestionably be beneficial to the
clerks, but it should not be on compulsion. In
that respect the party for whom the contemplated
provision was to be made should be permitted to
avail himself of, or to decline, the proffered ad-
vantages, which circumstances might render inap-
plicable to his case. Whenever an individual or
company gives employment to a sufficient num-
ber of persons to support a mutual undertaking, it
it is usual for the master to contribute largely to
the fund, generally as much as the aggregate of
the subscriptions, and also to leave it optional with
the parties whether they will subscribe or not—a
matter, however, of but trivial importance, if the
advantages are sufficiently clear to be appreciated
by every right-minded man, and such as a com-
pany having an eye only to its own profits could
not offer. It is the Government only which com-
pels its servants to subscribe to a superannuation
fundwithout considering whether the mode in which
the subscription be applied be suitable or bene-
ficial under the peculiar circumstances of each party!
It is the Government only which refuses to make
any addition to the provident fund ! ! It is the
Government only which refuses to account for the
application of the large sums collected—offering
far less than could be obtained from a provident
at rhgee
pporeekfiettss ooff tiht
se
mmeorni
teo.y
society, and making large
dragged perforce froming
rious and badly-paid servants. These things
should not be tolerated for a single moment.
They cast a stain upon the character of the nation.
If attempted by private parties, they would sub-
the reproach of stinginess,•
Great
if not of
jaebestoltuhteenidtioshonesty ; and they are certainly not
befitting the
isG ovneortnmbyenstuochf amcoeauunstzlit like
Britain.we want
the Exchequer replenished.

What then should be done to correct the acknow-
ledged grievance ? What remedies would cure the
disease? On these points there are some differences
of opinion amongst the parties concerned, who
number no less than sixteen thousand persons !
Some conceive that the contributions should not
be compulsory—that each person should be at
liberty to draw his entire salary without deduction,
if he thought proper so to do, arguing that he
might be in such a position as to be certain of a
provision for old age from other sources—that he
would, in fact, be enabled to resign his situation
long before he could by a possibility have any
claim upon the fund to which he was called on to
contribute. As it is argued that the sole object of
such a person is present subsistence, it is hard to
be compelled to devote a portion of his means to
a purpose by which he cannot possibly be bene-
fited. Some weight is to be attached to this
argument, which has certainly justice on its side.
On the other hand it is alleged, that far better
terms may be conceded when it is known that
every man must join in the undertaking, and
also that parties would, in the desire to obtain
larger incomes for the time being refuse to sub-
scribe if it were
see the disabled serpv_.avnats..
made optional, and that we should
risimtipoonefs
years.
mostl There
eioiuss linhe Crown enduring
cliunesttiho:irof
n:aadvancedht,
or
this also, but it
something
cannot set aside the • l
afford a reason why men should be Compelled to
subscribe to that by which they could
benefit. If, however, the matterwerneot placed on
a just foundation, we believe that the number who

would refuse to join would be so few that it would
make no perceptible difference in the management
of the fund, or the benefits that might be offered
to subscribers.

The great defect of the present system is its
total disregard of the interests of the families of
the clerks. It is scarcely less distressing to wit-
ness the wives and children of meritorious ser-
vants begging for bread, or consigned to the
tender mercies of the Union Workhouses, than to
see the parties themselves in such deplorable
positions. The duty of providing for a helpless
family is no less imperative than that of providing
for old age, and because the more selfish object is
accomplished the other and no less urgent duty
should not be disregarded. We believe that both
these important matters might be accomplished
without any addition to the present charges, and
we are convinced that the most strenuous econo-
mist would offer no objection to a moderate vote
for such objects, if such should indeed be ne-
cessary.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 26, 1853,

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool, yesterday,
were estimated at 8,000 bales, including 2,000 for
export and on speculation. There was a fair de-
mand and a steady market, closing without anima-
tion. Railway shares were firm, at an advance of
to per cent. on previous quotations.
The returns of the Bank of England for the week
to the 19th instant show the tendency both towards
reduction of specie and increase in the demand for
money, the diminution of private balances corro-
borating this view. The most satisfactory feature
in the return is the great addition to the public
deposits. Compared with the previous statement,
the alterations are as follows :

X2l, P 0,735
590,690
15,819,357
36,756
•••• 7,559,980
554,230
•• 6,034,154
1,024,932
11,632,208
149,561
3217,322
,
Increase 5,862
Government Securities 12,477,425
Increase 711,182
Other Securities 15,989,650
Increase ........................... 442,801
The rates for bills of exchange were all very firm
yesterday afternoon. Paris, 90 days, was taken at
25 22i to 27i ; Amsterdam at 11 15f to 16 ; Ham-
burgh, at 13 141 to 5f ; Frankfort at 1184 to 119 ;
and Tr:este at 11 38 to 42.
The amount of silver exported from London
during the week to last Thursday was 64,226 oz.,
and of gold 116,909 oz. and 3,9001., principally to
Hamburgh. _

Active circulation...
Decrease
Bullion
Decrease
Notes unemployed
Increase
Public Deposits
Increase
Other Deposits
Decrease
Rest

Yesterday, the directors of the Great Devon
Consols Copper Mine Company declared a dividend
of 9/. per share out of profits from sales of copper
ores sampled in July and August last. After pay-
ment of the above, a balance of 21,3091. in cash
and bills remains applicable to the general purposes
of the company.
There has been scarcely any business doing in
the Funds, but they have again advanced, the im-
provement being I per cent. This arises in part
from the presumed favourable complexion of the
foreign news, and the idea that negotiations for
peace will be re-commenced. Consols have been
95i to 96 for transfer, and 95i to 96i for account.
The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have re-
alised 96i to ; Exchequer Bills are ss. to Bs.,
and India Bonds, ls. to 4s. premium.

The Foreign Market is wiry dull, but prices are
nominally firm. Mexican have been done at 25
and 25g, Grenada Deferred at 8 to 4, and Buenos
Ayres at 66. Danish Bonds have been at 82k,
Belgian Four-and-a-Ralf per Cents. at 958 ex div.,
and Dutch Four per Cents. at 95i.
Railway Shares are looking up, and there is a
rise of 10s. to 1/. in Caledonian, ss. in Great
Northern, and 10s. to 15s. in Lancashire and York-
shire. The Belgian lines have again been at higher
prices.

The Gold Mine Shares are at previous rates, the
Oriental Bank is rather lower, and the Land Com-
panies' are a little flat.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(From theOcial List.)
Business done
Bank Stock .. , ,
.. . .......... .... 218
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 944
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 96 51
New 3i per Cent. Annuities 961 i
India Bonds, £1000......4 p
Ditto,!under £lOOO 1 4 p
South Sea New Annuities
Consols for Account . 95/ 6 51
Exchequer Bills, id.
£l000
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. —
Ditto New, 1852, 42 per Cent 962
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 66
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent
Danish Bonds, 1823, 3 per Cent 822
Grenada Bonds, Deferred
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 42 per Cent. 7l
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 92
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Belgian Bonds 42 per• Cent. ex. 25 fr
Dutch Exchange, 2A per Cent. 12 Guil
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certifleates ..... .... 952

TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols 9si i
Ditto December Account 9st i

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Mining Journal of this day.)
MINES--The rise in the price of copper again this
week has given a fresh impetus to dividend mines, and
a large business has been done in shares, in many in-
stances at advanced rates. A rise is also expected in
lead, and a few enquiries have been made for Mary Ann,
Trelawny, Herodsfoot, &c. There is a great rage just
now for trying gossans and quartz from different Corn-
wall and Devon mines, by Berdan's gold crushing ma-
chine, which certain!), performs its work admirably,
and in many instances with promising results for the
mines. On Wednesday last 5 cwts. of gossan, taken
promieuously from different levels in the Molland Mine,
North 'Molten, were tried, and yielded at the rate of 14
dwts. of pure gold per ton of ore ; as there is a consider-
able quantity of the gossan, which can be raised at
little cost, this is considered very satisfactory.
The buoyant state of the Metal Market has been almost
a constant theme of remark by us for nearly this last
year and a half ; and although there have been several
inconsiderable fluctuations intervening, we have contin-
ually endeavoured to impress it upon our readers that,
whilst there is not an unhealthy and over-production,
the natural consequences are, and ever will be, some-
thing approaching towards a remunerating price, if not
a really good one. The latter is now the case, and with
present rates the mining interest ought to rest
satisfied, and not anticipate, wish, or expect more.
A fortnight back we had to announce the rise of
91. 10s. per ton on Cake Copper, and id. per lb.
on Sheathing. The sales of foreign ore taking
place at Swansea are so much less in quantity to
what they were that the smelters have this week ad-
vanced the price again 91. 10s. per ton, and id. per lb.,
the present rates being 1261. per ton for Tough Cake and
Tile, and is. 2d. per lb. for sheathing. The price of
Yellow Metal is Is., altogether an advance of nearly 20
per cent. Some interest has been excited by the sale
at Swansea of 7 tons of rich ore from England, the pro-
duce of which was as high as 224 and 394 per cent.,
and there are 11 tons of it for sale again on the 6th
proximo. Coming, however, from so remote a place as
the Arctic regions, we understand that even this rich
quality ore will not be sufficiently remunerative, the
expenses being very high.
The Gold Mining Share Market this week has been
characterised by an improved. appearance. The in-
quiries have been chiefly for Agua Fria, Nouveau
Monde, West Mariposa, and Liberty shares ; and, al-
though the improvement is not very decided, the mar-
ket has assumed a great steadiness of character. Dur-
ing the course cf the week great dissatisfaction has been
expressed by the shareholders with regard to the pro-
ceedings of various companies, among which may be
particularised Albion Gold, Lake Bathurst, Ave Maria,
and Australian Freehold. These companies have been
some time in existence, and although they have pro-
fessed to commence operations, still no account has
come to hand of their proceedings. When it is
considered that several of the associations esta-
blished antecedent to them have given no returns,
it may possibly be thought premature on the part
of the shareholders that they should complains ; yet
the directors ought to have seen the propriety of pub-
lishing the information they were in possession of. A
deputation, consisting of the following gentlemen—Mr.
John Macgregor, M.P., Mr. Pigott, M.P., Mr. P.
Grant, member of the Legislative Council of New South
Wales, Mr. Thomas Chandler, Mr. George F. Young.
Mr. J. F. Harrison, Mr. Wm. Ashton, Mr. Joseph
Wilkinson, Mr. G. L Fuller, Mr. H. Robertson, Mr.
R. Duncan, Mr. E. N. Plowright, Mr. J. Kent, &a. on
Thursday waited on the Duke of Newcastle, the Colo-
nial Secretary, with a view of obtaining his concurrence
to a great trunk line of railway between Sydney and
Melbourne. The capital proposed to be raised was
1,000,0001. A line from Sydney to Goulburn was already
in course of formation, and the company either intended to
work that line, or work over it. The Colonial Secretary
stated, such works in the first instance ought to be taken
up by the colony, but he should have great pleasure in
forwarding the plans to the respective governors. Al-
though the accounts come to hand from California are
not so satisfactory, in Australia, it appears, there is a
marked improvement in the yield of gold. A new field
had been discovered on the banks of the Goulburn, about
80 miles from Goulburn. The social condition of the
colony, according to the latest advices, was improving,
and there was a great diminution of crime. According
to the gold returns, the total quantity for the Victoria
district, up to the middle of A.ugust, was 57 tons 7 cwts.
3 qrs. 11 lbs., which, according to the London valua-
tion of 41. per ounce, gives a total of 5,509,7261.
In miscellaneous shares the market has been firm,
showing a decided improvement.

LETTERS BY THE GOLDEN AGE.—It now appears that,
notwithstanding the assertions to the contrary, the
Golden Age does " not" carry letters. They have been
refused at the post-office' in Lombard-street, the reason
assigned being that "she does not carry a mail." It is
much to be regretted that the authorities will not con-
descend to tell the publio of their arrangements, and so
avert much unnecessary trouble and disappointment.
THE MURDER AT DEPTEORD.—The man Brosnahan,
who had been stabbed on the night of Monday, in Old
King-street, Deptford, died at Guy's Hospital on Thurs-
day ; and an inquest was held there yesterday upon the
body. After hearing a great deal of evidence the pro-
ceedings were adjourned. Just as the jury were de-
parting, Mr. Dollond, the surgeon, was brought into
the room charged by the foreman with insulting him at
the door of the room. The coroner, after hearing the
complaint, said that all persons attending there on a
public duty must be protected. Upon this Mr. Dollond
apologised, and the affair, which had drawn, together a
large number of students, then terminated,,

southern Germany mention that Prince Gortscha-
koff had received orders to assume the offensive,
and that he was preparing to cross the Danube.
Accounts from Vienna, of the 22d inst., an-
nounce that the Russians had attacked Tultscha;
the last Turkish fortress on the Danube. They
finally withdrew, after a sharp cannonade on each
side.

The Turkish Government lad allocated a de-
partment in the arsenal for the repairs of the steam
vessels belonging to the English and French squad-
rons.

A letter from Odessa of the 13th inst. states,
that since the 9th affairs had assumed a more war-
like aspect. General Luders, whose corps amounts
to 10,000 men, had returned to Odessa on the 12th.
He had inspected the port and castle, together
with Ibraila, Galatz, and Reni. Galatz had been
transformed into a fortress. Sebastopol is regarded
as impregnable. The war manifesto had been read
publicly in the churches from the pulpit ; it was
well received by the lower classes.
The latest accounts from Bucharest announce
that the Russians have organised a regime of terror
in that capital. The Wallachians suspected of
maintaining a correspondence with the Turks were
executed after a summary trial.
A letter from Malta announces that a contract
has been concluded with several Maltese houses
for the supply of provisions for the English fleet in
the Black Sea as far as Odessa and Trebizond, and
for all the time the fleet shall remain in that sea.
A letter dated Bucharest, Nov. 12, says :
"At Kalafat the Turks are still occupied throw-
ing up fortifications. They have sent out a few
skirmishers, but have avoided a recontre with
General Fischbach. The Turkish commander at
Kalafat has appointed a Wallachian to the post of
sub-prefect (vice-mayor). He has informed the
traders that he will pay them ready money for all
their provision or corn ; but if they conceal them
he will seize them. The Turks have concentrated
a considerable body of troops near Matchin, but
for what object is not known."
The printing office of the Turkish journal, the
Djeridei Havadis, which published the bulletin of
the affair of Oltenitza, was literally taken by
assault by a multitude intoxicated with joy, who
fought to get the supplement of the journal con-
taining this account. When the soldiers of the
police, who had been sent for to establish a little
order in the crowd, learned what was the cause of
the confusion, they became quite as ardent as the
others, and the prefect of police of Stamboul,
Haireddin Bey, who came in person to command
his men, endeavoured like the rest to lay hold of a
bulletin. Notwithstanding the tumult, every copy
of the paper was honestly paid for.
A letter from Constantinople of the 10th, in the
Journal des Debuts, says :
"Diplomacy continues to make the most praise-
worthy efforts to endeavour to extinguish the com-
mencement of the conflagration which threatens to
endanger Europe. On Saturday last the English
steam frigate the Fury brought a new draft of a
note which it is desired to cause the Porte to sign,
and which the two governments designated under
the name of maritime powers in the last despatch
addressed by M. de Nesselrode to M. de Meyendorff,
undertake to get accepted by Russia, even should they
appeal to arms to constrain her. Ido not know the text
of this new note, but I know that in definitive it is the al-
most textual repetition of the note which Reschid Pacha
proposed himself to Prince Menschikoff at the beginning
of May last. What I can affirm, however, is, that up to
this moment, it has not been officially presented to the
Porte, and Ido not think that it will be. Consulted,
in an indirect manner, as to the reception which they
would give to the new project, the Turkish Ministers
have replied that they could no longer consent to ac-
cept it, and I think that rather than expose themselves
to a refusal, the ambassadors of the two Great Powers
will consent to preserve the document in their port-
folio ; that is, at least, what is believed here. It is
difficult to divine what Europe and her Governments
think of this resistance of Turkey to all the over-
tures that have recently been made to her; but here
the general sentiment is one of approbation. lam as-
sured that the Ambassador of England does not disguise
his opini,an on the subject, and that he was the first to
declare that the new project did not appear to him to be
acceptable. In consequence of this conviction he has
not yet presented it officially. Can what was offered to
the Porte six months ago as the last sacrifice it could
make to peace, be now granted by it when its advances
have been responded to by the invasion of the princi-
palities, when it has been obliged to declare war, and
when it has exhausted its treasury by forming armies ?"
A Marseilles journal has the followinc, from
Constantinople :—" The English Admiral' Slade,
called Mushawer Pacha (the Foreign Pacha) has
left to cruise in the Black Sea. He has taken
with him the ship of the line the Medjidieh, five
frigates, and a steamer. His object is to drive the
Russian cruisers from before Anapa ; it is the only
port of the Caucasus for a space of 80 miles. He is
accompanied by Seffer Bey, the Circassian chief who
was so long detained at Adrianople ; and he is to
supply ammuniCon and arms to the Lesghians, the
Lages, and the Tcherkesses. The expedition is of
the highest importance. If the Turks succeed in
taking the fortresses which defend the passage
into the Caucasus, they will put an end to all
communication by land between Russia and the
Trans-Caucasian provinces acquired by the treaty of
Gulistan. Numerous Russian and Polish deserters
from the army of Woronzoff have reached the
Turkish advanced posts in Asia. Aides-de-camp
of Bem and Dembinski have undertaken to orga-
nise them. 2,000 men have, it is stated, already
been collected, but the number is probably exag-
gerated. Desertions, however, are very probable,
as the army of the aucasus has received all the
soldiers condemned, and the officers and even the
generals who were dismissed and ordered to serve
in the ranks."