The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 25,

from Lord John Russell downward, in favour of
the thoroughly English custom of speaking out,
openly and advisedly, and fearless of all conse-
quences. In one brief sentence this sophism is demo-
lished by Col. Thompson, who says, "the object is
not to make him conceal his opinion, but to en-
able him to conceal his vote in a particular case."
Those who are accustomed to use the sophism to
which we have referred confound two things which
are essentially different. No persons know better
than certain members of the House of Commons
that opinions are not votes. In the case of every
honest man votes and opinions will travel in the
same direction ; but honourable gentlemen who,
according to recent practice, have been accustomed
to speak one way and vote another, should be the
last persons to assert that a man's vote would be
known from the fact that he held certain opinions.

A good deal is often made of the Vllth objec-
tion in Colonel Thompson's list, " Because dark-
ness is always unfavourable to virtue on the
principle that men love darkness rather than
light, because their deeds are evil.' " To this ob-
jection we have the admirable reply, that " Send-
ing letters sealed by post is not unfavourable to
virtue. Breaking them open, on the contrary, is
held to be a thing to which there are serious ob-
jections. The simple question is, whether the object
of sealing them is good or evil ?" This illus-
tration carries with it an argument from analogy
which is perfect. Those who say that the voter
ought to be compelled to publish his opinions to
the world, might, with equal propriety, assert that
he ought to send his letters open through the Post-
office. We might expect to hear the advocates of
open voting tell us that an Englishman ought to
have no secrets which he would wish to conceal
from the eye of the Postmaster-General, or the
gossips of the retired village in which he lives, and
that the thoroughly English thing to do with
sealed letters is to Grahamise them with all pos-
sible despatch.
The force of the argument of the gallant Colonel
will be the more apparent when it is borne in mind
that the object of secrecy contended for, is simply
to shield the voter from the persecution to which
he now stands exposed, if he ventures to give a vote
adverse to the opinions of those who have power
over him. The act of giving a vote at an election
in opposition to a landlord, is an unpardonable
offence, and as we have seen, again and again
brings on the unfortunate tenant a distress for
rent, or ejectment from his little farm. If such a
man is to hold and express his own opinion, it is
necessary that his letter should be sealed, and those
who wish to have his letter opened are political
Paul Prys, whose intrusion should be properly cas-
tigated.
We call particular attention to the tenth objec-
tion, and the manner in which it is answered. We
are told that a better plan may be adopted for get-
ting rid of bribery and intimidation, by making
the punishment infamous, and thereby rendering
the practices unfashionable. The tread-mill, pick-
ing oakum, the pillory, the loss of franchise, and
on repeated crimes outlawry might be applied.
Colonel Thompson asks, in reply to this specious
objection, " Why are not officers in a court-mar-
tial threatened with the tread-mill, picking oakum,
and the pillory, in case of giving way to undue
influence ? Simply, because a better way is
known. And there is another reason against
trying to put down the mischief by luxuriance of
punishment in preference to prevention, which is,
that after all, it is probable the punishment would
catch some of the little flies and let the great
ones through." If it be right to cure the tendency
to bribery in the manner suggested in the objec-
tion, that method of cure should be applied univer-
sally. It ought to be used as a panacea. It would
do quite as well for the officers of a court-martial
as for voters going up to the polling-booth. If, on
the other hand, such pains and penalties are thought
to be unsuitable for gentlemen sitting on a court-
martial, they are equally derogatory to the honest.
voter.

The opponent of the ballot show the great weak-
ness of their cause, when they allege that the un-
represented classes would speedily become envious
and embittered against those who are represented,
and would thunder at the gates of the constitution
to be let in before they are educated, or had any
sensible notion of what they were risking.
It is well asked, in reference to this statement—
" Would it not be better to take down the envy,
by improving the condition of the represented, and
the unrepresented, too ?" The work of education
among all classes is rapidly progressing, and the
best way to accelerate its speed is to give the peo-
ple those immunities which would induce more
self-respect, and be a stimulus to improvement. It
is unnecessary to expose the hollowness of the pre-
tensions made in favour of the uneducated, and the
kind desires felt that they may not injure them-
selves by coining too soon into possession of privi-
leges for which they are not duly qualified.

This is the langu-age of the enemies of popular
liberty—not of its friends. Whoever may indulge
in this or any other objections against the ballot
may be safely referred to the admirable letter which
has occasioned these remarks, and which is well
calculated to guide the sincere inquirer, and silence
the captious objector.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 24.

The Illustrious, 72, commissioned by Capt. Robert
Harris as a training block-ship, will have a complement
of 74 only to instruct newly-raised men. Capt. Harris
has selected a few petty officers from the dockyard
rigging-house for her.

The Colossus, 80, will be docked for conversion into a
screw ship on Thursday.
The Dragon steam-frigate (paddle) is ordered to be
commissioned at this port by Captain James Willcox,
whose command of the steam-sloop Fury in the China
seas was one of memorable excellence. He will not
want men if they are to be had. The Dragon is already
rigged by the riggers of the Blenheim, and is 'in the
advanced steam reserve.

The Frolic, IG, sailing sloop, Commander Nolloth, re-
ceived orders this morning during the violence of the
gale to proceed to her destination, Australia, and she
will sail as soon as the weather will permit. Her mate,
Mr. Boyd, is too ill to join from Haslar, and she is
half-a-dozen artificers short in her crew. We are sur-
prised a vessel of this class, having no auxiliary power,
should be ordered to so distant a station without
touching at any place nearer than the Cape of Good
Hope at so perplexing a moment as the present. It
was intended the Frolic should sail in company with
her consort, the Juno, 26, fitted out at the eastward,
which was commissioned to take the command on the
Australian station, but we believe the Juno will be
sent elsewhere, or her officers and crew put into a
screw ship of the line.
The Russian frigate Dwina, 22, which was in these
waters last year, is already on the Australian station.

A heavy southerly gale has been blowing all night
and this day on the coast, and the danger-flag has flown
from the Market-house, Gosport, as a signal to water-
men.

An order was officially promulgated this morning by
the Admiral-Superintendent of this Dockyard to all the
officers of the establishment, conveying the commands
of the Lords of the Admiralty that all the artificers
throughout the dockyard be put upon "task and job"
work—a system which has not been in operation in this
yard for 23 years, and which has been very unfavourably
received by the artisans generally, inasmuch as many
casualties may occur which will not enable a mechanic
to earn a greater amount of wages than at present, and
possibly less.
Orders were received this morning to• expedite the
necessary repairs of the Simoom iron steam troop frigate,
Captain Smith, as she is wanted, with all despatch, for
foreign service.
Orders were also received this morning for the neces-
sary repairs to be made in the iron steam troop frigate
Vulcan, Commander Von Donop, forthwith, her ser-
vices being also required again without delay ; conse-
quently her crew will not be paid off, nor will any
change in the command take place that we can hear of.
She has unbent sails, and will be docked forthwith.
The Gloria Deo, a Danish brig, Love master, bound
from Newcastle for Cagliari, arrived at Spithead to-day
with loss of bowsprit and damage to the cutwater. She
was in contact with the Anna, of Poole, Hescroff master,
from Poole for London, off Beachy-head, last evening,
when the latter is supposed to have sunk. The crew
were landed here by the brig to-day.

PLYMOUTH, JAN. 24.
The screw steam-ship James Watt, 90, was commis-
sioned yesterday by Captain George Elliot.
It is rep.orted here that the Hon. George Elliot is to
be the commander-in-chief at this port, and that his son,
Lord Compton, will be the flag-officer.
The Avon steamer arrived yesterday from Portsmouth.
The Algiers, 90, will be launched at 2.45 on Thursday.

WOOLWICH, JAN. 24.

APPOINTMENTS.
Masters—Benjamin Renand (1845), from the Blen-
heim, 60, screw steam guardship at Portsmouth, to the
Caesar, 90, screw steamship at Portsmouth ; George R.
Morrison (1852), recently serving in the Blenheim, to
the Bulldog paddlewheel steam sloop at Portsmouth.
Paymasters—Joseph Marsh (1834), from the Hogue,
60, screw steam guardship, at Devonport, to the James
Watt, 90, screw steamship, at the same port ; William
Drury (1842), to the Hogue, vice Marsh ; George R.
Deighton (1850), to the Bulldog paddlewheel steam
sloop, at Portsmouth ; James F. Phillips (1850), from
the Basilisk paddlewheel steam sloop to the Dragon
paddlewheel steam frigate, at Portsmouth ; Charles E.
P. Hall (1851), to the Basilisk, vice Phillips.
Assistant-Surgeons -- Thomas J. Breen (1847), from
the Royal Naval Hospital at Plymouth, to the Plymouth
division of Royal Marines ; Marmaduke P. S. Ward
(1848), recently serving in the Soy brigantinp on the
West Coast of Africa station, to the Royal Naval Hos-
pital at Plymouth, vice Breen.
Captain George Elliot, who commissioned the James
Watt, 90, screw steam-ship, at Devonport, last week,

appears resolved that he will soon have a crew for that
fine ship, if attractive bills prove of service to him. He
says, "Captain George Elliot, who lately commanded
the Phaeton, 50, is in want of petty officers, able sea-
men, seamen, and landsmen, for the fine screw steam-
ship James Watt, 90 guns, at Plymouth. Men entered
at all the rendezvous, and passage paid to join the ship
at Plymouth. Prize money in prospect, and active ser-
vice for stout hearts." It must be gratifying to the
authorities of the navy and army, and the inhabitants of
this country, that the moment danger appears near there
is no difficulty in obtaining men for all the services, if
the numerous applications daily made by robust young
men for entry into the Royal Naval service be taken as
a criterion. The same spirit appears to exist in the
country, as 12 young men were sent to head-quarters
here on Saturday, 5 yesterday, and 13 to-day, all re-
cruits for the Woolwich division of Royal Marines.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

OUNDLE STEEPLECHASES-YESTERDAY.

FREE HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 5 sous. each, with 25
added. Optional selling weights.. About three miles.
Mr. Allen's Nom de Guerre (301.), 9st 71b...(Green) 1
Mr. C. Biggins's Old Rake (301.), lOst (Weaver) 2
Mr. W. Baxter's A. Y., (901.), list 21b (H.
Lamplugh) 3
Mr. Haradine's Kettering Maid (601.), 9st 131 b
(Mr. G. Ede) 4
The following also ran :—Nelly Brown, King Charlie,
Quasimode, Woodpecker, Cashmere.
Betting-6 to 4 agst Old Rake, 3to 1 agst Nom de
Guerre, 4to 1 agst A. Y. Won by 2 lengths. Bad
third. Woodpecker and King Charlie were pulled up at
the last fence ; Quasimodo fell at the Dyke beyond the
Oundle-road ; and Cashmere fell into the brook and
broke her back. The winner was sold for 501.

The FOXRUNTERS' STAKES of 20 sous. each, half ft., 14
stone each. Professionals or grooms 101 b extra. Three
miles.
Mr. S. J. Wellfitt's The Beaver (Owner) 1
Mr. Ivens's Harry, 14st 101 b (including
_lolb extra)

(Mr. Brown) 2
Mr. Crawford na Ben Lomond .(Mr. Webster) 3
'Hon. R. Lawley's Blackwood (Mr. Gordon) 4
The following also ran :—Robin Hcod, Teddington,
Why Not ?
Betting-2 to 1 apt the Beaver, 3to 1 agst Harry,
4to 1 agst Teddington. After clearing the brook,
Harry went a-head, and was soon a field in advance.
On returning towards the Oundle-road, however, Ben
Lomond and The Beaver, who had been lying second
and third, gradually neared him. They landed in the
winning field in quick succession. Beaver challenging
Harry in admirable style, and beating him by a length.
Ben Lomond was a bad third. Blackwood and Ted-
dington walked in fourth and fifth. Why Not did not
pass the post, and Robin Hood shot his bow, and re-
tired somewhere in the ploughed field.

The FAIRPLAY STEEPLECHASE of 5 sovs. each, 2ft., with
25 added. Optional selling weights. About 3 miles.
Mr. J. 13. Young's The Linnet (1001.) list

(Mr. Vivian) 1
Mr. Wellfitt's Ivanhoe, list 81b
Mr. C. Higgins's Maria Monk (100/.), list (Weaver) 3
Betting-7 to 4on Maria Monk. The favourite Tell
into the brook, and was with much difficulty got out.
Meanwhile Ivanhoe and Linnet went many fields away.
The favourite was at length remounted, but she refused
the jump at the road and was not persevered with. Lin-
net waited on Ivanhoe to the last fence, when he went
vigorously to work, caught Ivanhoe about 100 yards
from the chair, and won by half a length, The winner
was not sold. Ivanhoe was "put up" and bought in
for 801.

The weather on Monday was mild and sunny ; but to-
day it was very cold and wet. Altogether the meeting
was most creditably conducted.

LINCOLN SPRING ME'
NOMINATIONS for the TRIAL
40 added. Weight
Age. I Age
Windsucker

ETING.—FEB. 14 AND 15.
STAKES of 5 sous. each, with
for age. One mile.

Montenegro
Jack the Giant Killer 4 out of Lady Lift
Lord Lieutenant

The Jewess
NOMINATIONS for the GRAND STEEPLECHASE of 15 sous.
each, 10 ft, and only 5 if declared by the Ist of Febru-
ary, with 100 added. About four miles. Weights to
be published on the 26th inst.
Age.

The Trout ti
Vainhope •
a

Age,

Carrig a
Luck's All a
Star of England
Modesty
Victress a

Bruce
Spring
White Mouse (late Pony) a
Maria Monk
Simple Peter a Bay Ito,—
Topsy a Melon
Little Charley
Robin Hood a
Maid of the West (h b) a
Strip-me-naked (h b) a I
NOMINATIONS for the Two YEAR-OLD STAKES of 5 sovs,
each with 30 added ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies and geld-
ings, Bst 41b. A winner before starting to carry 31b
extra. About half a mile.
Mr. Saxon's Mary Mr. Gulliver's Bessie
Mr. Bell's Exmouth Mr. H. Lister's br fby Ro-
Mr. Morris's The Broom chester out of The Doe
NOMINATIONS for the LINCOLN SPRING HANDICAP of
of S sot's. each, with 100 added. One mile and a half,
Weights to be published on the 26th inst.
Age.
Radcliffe Hero 4
Cabin Boy 4
Alonzo
Conspiracy
Vouncher

Cervus
Bay Horse (h b)
Melon a
The General
Tomboy a
Tulip

a

Age.
Jack Leeming
Hazlenut
Cleveland
Salopian
r Chait
y 4

Itch
Georgy
Jack the Giant Killer
Little Fawn
Constantine ' 5 Horatio
Windsucker
Criterion
Florist
NOMINATIONS for the HUNTERS' STAKES of 5 sous. each,
with 25 added. Two miles.

Age
Smuggler Bill
Ch m by Yaxley 6
Florist
Salopian
Garforth a
NOMINATIONS for the HAI,
sovs. each, with 30 added
of hurdles.

Age
Squire of Malton a
Modesty 6
Psycho ti
The Prince by Chas. XII. 5
Melon a
rDICAP HURDLE RACE of 5
Two miles, over sixflights

Age
Bourton a
Blue Bonnet
Spring . 6
Friendless Boy (11 b) 5
Wildgoose (h b)
Friendless
Sir Philip
President

Age
Galileo
h g by Dormouse (h b) 6
Psyche
Mire Hill
Alp
Victress a
Theodine
Need wood 5
Gerard
Beresford (late Whipper-
snapper)
Melford a
Tomboy a
Hernandez 6

Matilda (late Isabella),
by Birdcatcher
Fury 4
Mars, by the Dean ...
Songster
John Bright
Squire of Malton ..

RACING FIXTURES FOR 1854.

The Jockey Club having determined to commence
their season on Easter Monday (April 17), the princi-
pal meetings—supposing the usual arrangements are ob-
served—will stand asunder. Should the stewards, in
any instance, determine to vary the fixture, it will be
advisable, as a guide to others, to give us immediate
notice :

FEBRUARY.

Newton Spring 2
Derby Spring 8
MA.

Lincoln Spring 14
Nottingham Spring 21
,Cll.
Warwick Spring 01
Catterick 27
Northampton
Abergavenny 30

Liverpool Spring 1
Doncaster Spring 7
Salisbury
Coventry Spring l4
AP:

Croxton Park 4
Epsom Spring 6
Cheltenham Spring 12
Newmarket Craven 17
M
Newmarket F S
Chester Spring 9
Lothians & Edinburgh 11
Newmarket S S l6
Shrewsbury lB
J 1
Manchester
Ascot Heath 13
Newcastle•on-Tyne 20
Hampton, 2l
Carlisle 26

Catterick Bridge 19
Abergavenny 2O
York Spring 25
Malton 27
.Y.
Lothians and EdinburghlB
Lewes l9
Bath 23
Liverpool Hunt Spring 24
Epsom 30
UNE.

Bibury 9s
Stockbridge 29
Ludlow 30
Winchester 3O

Newmarket
Worcester.
Lancaster .
Mansfield .
Liverpool
Ipswich ..

Stourbridge l7
Stamford 18
Nottingham 20
Goodwood 25
Ripon 31

2.11
...12
...13
AIIC

Brighton
Brighton Club 4
Wolverhampton
Yarmouth 8
Reading
Odiham 9
North Staffordshire 9
Wolverhampton l4

GUST.
Eg,ham 22
York • 23
Hereford 24
Eccles 2B
Chelmsford 29
Derby 29
I Plymouth 30
Lincoln 31
EMBER.
Bedford 19
Leicester 2O
Manchester Autumn 2l
Lanark
.25
Newmarket F 0 20
Northallerton 2B
DEER.
Warwick Autumn 17
Caledonian Hunt 17
Newmarket H 23
Worcester Autumn 31
:MBER.
I Cowbridge Hunt 8

SEPT.

Warwick
Lichfield
Western Meeting 7
Rochester and Chatham 7

Doncaster 12
Pontefract 18

OCT

Chester Autumn 3
Yorkshire Union Hunt 5
Wrexham 5
Newmarket S 0 9
NOVE

Epsom Autumn 2

STEEPLECHASES TO COME.
FEBRUARY.

Newton (1)
Derby (2) 8 Carmarthenshire 2l

..1G

MARCH.
Liverpool (1) 1 I Birmingham 27
Beverley (1) 10
NOVE
Cowbridge Hunt

11IBER.

, , 9

AFFECTING OCCURRENCE.—Last week, the wife of a
respectable tarmer, named Farrelly, living in Curfeyhone,
near this town, was ill, and her husband's sister came to
see her. When the visitor arrived she found Mrs. Far-
ttelly breathing her last, and was se shocked that she
fell down in a fainting fit, cut of which she never reco-
vered. The two women were buried the same day.—
.4 vie Cat.

FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

DOWNING-STREET, JAN. 24.

The Queen has been pleased to app3int Stephen Rice,
Esq., to be her Majesty's Treasurer for Prince Edward
Island.

NOTIFICATION.
Claims by British Subjects on the Government of the
-United States.

Whereas by a Convention between her Majesty and the
United States of America, signed on the Bth of February,
1853, for the settlement of outstanding claims by a mixed
commission, it is agreed that all claims on the part of sub-
jects of her Majesty upon the Government of the United
States, and all claims on the part of citizens of the United
States upon the Government of her Majesty which may
have been presented to either Government for its interpo-
sition with the utber, since the 24th December, 1814, and
which remain unsettled, as well as any other such claims
which may be presented within the time specified in the
said Convention, shall be referred to two Commissioners
for their final detrmination.

Notice is hereby given, that all British subjects who,
since the said 24th day of December, 1814, have presented
to the British Government for its iterposition with that of
the United States, claims which yet remain unsettled and
which they desire to have laid before the Commissioners
under the said Convention, are required to notify such de-
sire to the agent of her Majesty's Government under the
said Convention ; and to transmit to him forthwith any
further statements or particulars of their claims, together
with the documentary evidence necessary to support them.
It is further provided by the said Convention, that all
claims shall be presented to the Commission, that all claims
shall be presented to the Commissioners within 6 months
from the day of their first meeting, which was held on the
14th September, 1853, unless under special circumstances,
to be proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioners in
which case the time may be extended to any time not ex-
ceeding three months.
All claims not presented within the periods above-men-
tioned, will be considered as barred.
Communications to be addressed to James Hannen, Esq.,
Agent of her Majesty's Government under the American
Claims Convention, No. 2, Essex-court, Temple, London.
Foreign-office, Jan. 20, 1854.
BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, JAN. 21.
The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received
through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy
of a despatch from her Majesty's Consul at Lisbon, report-
ing that the Board of Health in that city has declared Re-
dondella, and the right bank of the river Minho, to be in-
fected with Cholera Morbus, and all the other Ports of the
Spanish province of Gallicia, to be suspected of infection
therewith.