The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-15 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 15, 1854.

It cannot any longer be denied, the truth can-
not any longer be blinked, that we have entered
upon a war with Russia without heart—not on the
part of the people, but on the part of the Govern-
ment. Ministers are pushing to an extreme their
obedience to the advice of that wily worldling who
insisted that we should always treat our enemy
as though he were some day to become our
friend. It is thus with the Earl of ABERDEEN
and his colleagues, even to an extent that carries
the hint to an exaggeration. War is declared.
It is announced through the Gazette. It is
avowed in Parliament. An increase of 10,000,0001.
per annum is demanded through additional taxa-
tion by the Chancellor of the Exchequer—for what
purpose ? For the purpose of carrying on the ter-
rible war undertaken by England together with
France in support of the Turks and Egyptians
against the Northern Despot, who is the notorious
violater of the laws of humanity and civilisation !
And yet—war being declared against Russia, that
declaration of war being announced through the
official Gazette and the Imperial Legislature,
10,000,0001. additional taxation per annum being
required by the Financial Administrator speaking
from his place in the House of Commons, and
in the name of the Government for the pur-
pose of prosecuting the war against Russia
energetically how, all this while, are we
actually situated ? Why, in spite of all these
preliminary proceedings, in spite of the decla-
ration of war which had been received by the
leaders of the combined fleets in the Euxine, and
which, by the way, we were told at the time, ex-
cited such enthusiasm among the brave tars un-
der DUNDAS and HAmELIN--it is probable that
not a shot would have been fired by our guns in
the Black Sea but for the infamous treat-
ment, by the Russians, of an English boat
carrying a flag of truce in front of the
batteries of Odessa ! But for this crime, on the
part of the Muscovites, it would actually appear
that no movement would have been made by our
fleet towards a settlement of existing differences
—the Declaration of War against Russia by Eng-
land, nevertheless, notwithstanding. Nay, the
ultimatum, as it may be called, sent in at the
last moment to Baron OSTEN-SACKEN, intimated
to him, in the name of the two Admirals, that
they should—unless he (Baron OSTEN-SA CKE.N)
consented to do so and so—find themselves com-
pelled, with extreme regret, to take summary
vengeance upon Odessa for the outrage com-
plained of. With extreme regret ! after the
Declaration of War by the British Govern-
ment. What, then, in the name of common
Dossuse, is the meaning of a declaration of war ?
it
of a signify the carrying out of the etiquette
Mayfair drawing-room in the midst of the
8131°ke of a cannonade? No wonder with this
apathy and . .
polite-
ness, wholly out
hesitation, with this ludicrous polite-
ofPlace and preposterous—no
wonder after alluna that has been witnessed for so
long a period
Ber the ministerial regime
of ray Lord
whispers are .81 R. DERN "-- no wonder ugly
agant audible of a new
scheme for a diplomatic
contrive compromise ! A hollow
pacification to be
the Viennese Government !
opportune
und.er the auspices of
he.d.elect bl result
visit
of that wonderfully a e
paid to the
Austrian capital by the Duke of c,„„„
the midst of all the pomp and ce --ID" in
remony of the
Imperial marriage ! No wonder, we say, these
ugly whispers of a diplomatic compromise and a
hollow pacification are again audible--
seeing
that
the friend of the CZAR is still presiding over
the British Administration.

A term must at last be put to the vagaries of
ing OTHO, if not to the existence of his Govern-
m cut. It will be perceived from the explicit and
an thoritative statement put forward by the Moni-
t en r of yesterday (an article transferred into an-
'other part of our own impression of this evening),
that the Athenian Cabinet can only expect hence-
forth a stern and resolute interference with
its evil doings, on the part of the French
Imperial Government. The Emperor NAPOLEON
A virtually proclaimed, through his official or-
gan) his determination to put an end to the in-
sans ate proceedings of the Greek Monarch and
his Administration. " Our people," says the
Mo niteur, " have been insulted in the streets,
under the eyes of au ipactive police; even the

representative of his Imperial MAJESTY re-
ceived a warning that his life was in dan-
ger !" After that declaration from the offi-
cial organ of the French Government, it cannot
reasonably be expected that NAPOLEON can pos-
sibly refrain any longer from direct intervention.
And in regard to Greece, as already in regard to
Turkey, France and England can only act toge-
ther. Wherefore such is the inevitable close of
the lawless risings in Epirus and Thessaly—an
insurrection encouraged by King OTHO and Queen
AMELIA, only to be. put down by the soldiers and
sailors of France and England acting at the behest
of VrcroßzA and NAPOLEON in development of the
designs of the allied Western Governments.

There are several important preliminary ques-
tions that must be fully discussed and calmly and
impartially considered before No. 3 Budget can be
finally disposed of. Never was there a time
when it was more imperative on the mem-
bers of the popular branch of the Legislature to
discharge firmly and efficiently the arduous duties
confided to their hands, and to show themselves to
be in very truth, the independent representatives
of free and independent constituencies. If they
arrogate to themselves the title, they must also
distinctly and unequivocally prove that they are
worthy of the proud distinction. They must for
once disregard mere party considerations, and
only look to that which is for the benefit
of the community. If they can conscien-
tiously approve of Mr. GLADSTONE'S financial
policy, by all means let them render not merely
a lukewarm and apathetic, but an earnest and
energetic support. The Right Hon. Gentleman
may require all the assistance that he can receive
from his friends ; and in the coming struggle he
will be fully justified in believing that the man
who is not with him in heart and spirit, is against
him. But if, on the other hand, they conceive
that policy to be at the same time inequitable and
inexpedient to the British community, and very
prejudicial to the cause—the noble cause, in sup-
port of which we have entered on a just and ne-
cessary war—then we say, that without reference
to ;private feelings or predilections, they are
bound to denounce the propositions brought
forward, and to reject those of which they
disapprove, without reference to the pos-
sible or probable results, or inquiring whether
their votes may lead to extensive Minis-
terial changes. When jurors inquire into
the amount of damages that will carry costs, they
are invariably told by the presiding judge that
it is a matter beyond their province. All they
have to do is to return a verdict in accordance
with the facts and merits of the case, without
considering the consequences thereof, or how far
it may affect the interests of the litigants. The
same principle is at this moment applicable to
Members of either branch of the Legislature.
They are bound to give their votes on the matter
brought before them without thifiking of what
will be the effect on the position of Mr. GLAD-
STONE himself, or the Administration of which he
is an influential member.
The Right Honourable Gentleman has placed
this matter on a proper foundation. He put it
very clearly and very unequivocally forward—
"No w don't let it be said that this is . a time of
war, and that therefore the question of confidence
should not be raised. It being a time of war is
the very reason why you should make up your
minds whether financial matters have been mis-
managed or not !" This, although somewhat
arrogantly expressed, is unquestionably true ;
and, as we have already stated, it completely
takes away any argument founded on the state of
our foreign relations, making it "no longer tenable
either to friend or foe, as a means of defence for
the one, or an excuse for apathy or inactivity to
the other !" Indeed, if it were supposed that
hostilities were occasioned by the vacillating and
injudicious proceedings of a Minister, and that
they were likely to be rendered more protracted,
more costly, and more sanguinary, for similar
reasons, then, it would be essential to remove the
cause of these evils. It might be unpatriotic to
expel a Minister who had from the beginning
proceeded in a manly, straightforward, and "Eng-
lish" course of policy, in order to substitute " a
peace-at-any-price" successor. But if the new
Government were likely to press on the war more
vigorously and energetically, and to exact more
ample retribution from the Aggressor, then, we
say, that it could not be considered as "friendly to
the CZAR to give a vote which might lead to such
a result.

The point on which it is incumbent to ob-
tain the opinion of the House of Commons is
whether, before we proceed to raise the entire
amount of the probable expenses of the contest—
not merely on the present generation, but within
the year—we are not bound to see that the money
which was taken from the Exchequer, while war
was impending, to satisfy the debts contracted by
our ancestors, should not be replaced by funds,
obtained on like or better securities to those
which had thus been liquidated.
It should distinctly be ascertained, beyond
the possibility of future doubt, by what
means we are to retain a circulating medium
adequate to the wants and exigencies of the coun-
try. By the return contained in Friday night's
Gazette, it appears that, for the week ending the 6th
May, the bullion in both departments of the Bank
has decreased to 12,608,079/., while the "Notes
unemployed"—the reserve for carrying on the
operations of the Bank--only amounted to
3,900,430/. ! This shows the necessity of imme-
diate measures to provide a substitute for the
1 gold which is flowing from our shores. We have
repeatedly pointed out that, for all domestic pur-
poses a really national note, guaranteed by the
nation, would be just as good as bullion. And that
if the smaller denominations, say for 11. 21., and
31. were issued, gold to the amount of Thirty or
Forty millions would be liberated, by means
whereof we could carry on the war with-
out difficulty. This may not suit the views
of Mr. GLADSTONE or the pro-Russian section of
the Cabinet. Indeed, the Right Hon. Gentle-
man candidly tells us, " that the necessity of
meeting year by year the expenditure which war
entails is a salutary and wholesome check; it
makes men feel what they are about, and prompts
them to measure the benefit they anticipate with
the cost of obtaining it !" This would be true,
if we had wantonly or recklessly engaged in hos-
tilities which we might with due regard to the
honour and safety of the country have been avoid-
ed. But if the war be " just and necessary,"
the argument falls to the ground. It, however,
affords an insight into the basis of his policy ;
and the opinion of the country must be taken on
that policy before the consideration of the con-
templated increase of the income tax, or of the
malt, sugar, and spirit duties can be entered
into.

Lord and Lady Palmerston entertained the Duke and
Duchess of Wellington, the Earl and Countess of Shaftes-
bury, the Hon. Mr. Wm. Temple (brother to the noble
host), Lord and Lady Mahon, Right. Hon. H. Corry,
and a select party, at dinner on Saturday evening, in
Carlton-gardens. Her Ladyship afterwards had an as-
sembly.

RUINER TO SIR ERSKINE PERRY. n Saturday
evening a public dinner was given at the Mechanics'
In-
stitute, Devonport, by the Reform electors, to celebrate
the return of this gentleman to Parliament. There were
about 400 persons present, although the dinner was
got up a few hours previously. The handsome building
was decorated with a number of the old banners of Tut-
nell and Romilly, and the galleries were all occupied by
ladies, who took a lively interest in the proceedings.
Mr. C. Tripe preaieled, and was supported on his right
by the worshipful the Mayor, and on his left by Sir
Erskine Perry, ALP., Mr. H. J. Sheppard, M.D., and
a number of the mo st influential of the inhabitants.
EXETER-HALL. —'The performance of the Messiah for
the benefit of the I Loyal Society of Musicians will take
place on Wednesdre y the 17th inst. Madame Clara No•
vello, Mesdemoiself is LouisaPyne,lluddart, and Dolby,
Messrs. Sims Reevi ,s and Lockey, Si Bell a
Herr Formes kin*. assist, aided by agnnor orchestraetti com-
nd
prising themost ern vent instrumentalists, and the chorus
of the Sacred Harn ionic Society, in all upwards of 700
performers.
RISE IN TEE Pal CE or MALT LIQUOR.-011 Saturday,
in consequence of it communication from the large brew-
ing establishment 8, the metropolitan licensed victuallers
informed their cu stomers that on and after that day,
Saturday, an inc reared charge would be made on malt
liquor ; the bees • hitherto charged 3d. per pot when
carried off the pi reimdses for consumption, will now be
3id. per pot ; the superiorkindsproefmmisaelst,will b•
liquor, and
extra charge wh en drunk on the
in-
creased in prop° ionate ratio.

'MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
were estimated at 5,000 bales, including 500 Ame-
rican taken for export. The market was tame, but
steady at previous rates. The sales comprised
4,500 American, 50 Pernam and Maranham at 60.
to 7d., 50 Bahia.at bid. to 6id., 100 Egyptian at
68d. to 9d., and 300 Surat at 3d. to 4d. per lb.
Railway shares were firm.
Referring to the condition of the dried fruit trade
at Liverpool, Messrs. Houghton and Levy remark
of currants as follows :

"The deliveries in bond have rather fallen off, being
only 35 tons, against 50 in March. In 1851 fruit a large
business has been done, principally on London account,
at an advance of 6s. to 7s. per cwt. ; there is now but
little offering, except at extreme rates, and 100 s. has
been paid for an export order. The demand for 1852
and '53 fruit has likewise improved, and for better de-
scriptions holders are obtaining higher rates, and have
less dispositio❑ to sell ; the lower qualities have also met
with more attention, and sales have been made at 20s.
to 255. per cwt. for fruit in a perishable state. This
general reaction, which has during the past week gradu-
ally manifested itself, is not the result of any speculation,
but has entirely arisen from an improved consumptive
demand, which has, in a great measure, proceeded from
the termination of the strikes in the principal manufac-
turing districts, and also a general reduction in the prices
of all the necessaries of life. The arrivals are inconsider-
able, say 226 small packages ; and although our stock
of new fruit is heavier than at the same period last year,
we cannot look for any further augmentation this sea-
son; the small quantity remaining unshipped being very
low, a better market for distillation can be found on the
spot. Our dealers are almost without supplies, and,
should.we have a continuance of the present demand,
shall, no doubt, experience a further enhancement in
the value of all descriptions, especially if the news from
abroad continues of the same disastrous nature respect-
ing the forthcoming crop as we have to this time re-
ceived."

The General Weekly Shipping List quotes freights
for fine measurement goods, per ton of 40 feet, as
follows :

Australia—

s. 1 Australia—

Adelaide Bos to 90 Melbourne or Gee-
Hobart Town Bos to 90 long Bos to 90
Launceston.., B5 New Zealand ...90s to 120
Melbourne or Geelong Portland 8ay...110s to 120
Wharves 100 s to 110 Swan River 80s to 90
Sydney 808 to 90

The wheat trade has ruled steady to-day, at an
advance of from ls. to 2s. per quarter. Spring
corn was firm, at full prices.
An electric message has reached us from Liver-
pool, stating that flour has advanced there ls. per
barrel.

From New York we learn that stocks were dull,
freights heavy, and breadstuffs tending upwards.
The last weekly return of the city banks shoWecl a
decrease in loans, but an augmentation in the de-
posits, circulation, and specie. From the 22d to
the 29th ult. the shipments of specie were 541,588
dols., making a total for the year up to that period
of 7,366,061 dols. The navigation of the State
canals had reopened.

Accounts from Australia state that the import
markets up to the 15th of February were still
overstocked, and business was dull owing to large
recent arrivals. The steamer Australian left early
in February with 78,907 oz. of gold on board, and
the ship South Sea with 5,500 oz. The discovery
of new " diggins" is confirmed.
The continental advices are of rather a favour-
able character, considering the war. Great buoy-
ancy exists at Paris, more especially where money
is quite easy compared with London, and stocks
and shares are still in the ascendant. From Hol-
land we are advised that the English and French
Governments have refused the application to allow
neutral vessels loaded before the war broke out to
leave Russian ports in the Baltic with special ex-
emption. Ample time, it is said, has been given,
and due notice of a blockade is usually afforded to
allow merchant ships to escape.
The railway meetings announced are the fol-
lowing :
Company. Date. Place, &e.
Cork and Bandon May 24, 17, Gracechurch-st.
Kil ken. and Gt. S. and W. Ire May 29, 17, Gracechurch-st.
Killarney Junction May 31, Dublin.
Leeds Northern May 27, Leeds.

Londonderry and Coleraine May 23, Colernan-st.-build.
Northern of France
Royal Swedish
South Devon May 23, Plymouth.

Southern of France
Stirling and Dunfermline June 1, Glasgow.
Victor Emanuel (Sardinian) May 23, Paris.
Waterford and Kilkenny May 31, London Tavern.

The English Stock Market is much firmer, and
with an increased business ; prices have advanced.
Consols have been 881 to for transfer and ac-
count. The New 31 per Cents. have been 88i to
also, and the 3 per Cents. 874 to A. Bank Stock
is quiet at 202 to 205. The Unfunded Debt is at
2s. discount to ls. premium, and India Bonds at
7s. discount. The New 21 per Cents. have been
dealt in at 751.
_ _ _

Foreign securities have been more dealt in, and
there is a rise in several of them. Russian 5 per
Cents. have been up to 95 and 96. Dutch 4 per
Cents. are quoted 88. French Threes realise 68 75.
Mexican Bonds have been 24-i to 24k, and Peru-
vian 4} per Cents. have touched 62 ; the Deferred
are at 44. Brazilian Bonds have been marked
95k. Spanish 3 per Cents. are worth 38, and the
3 per Cents. 181 to 1. Sardinian Stock is at 81.
The Railway market is up about to with
more activity in the principal English lines. The
settlement of the account is in progress, and being
Bearish, the market is favourably affected, as the
speculators are compelled to buy back or carry
over. The French lines are 1/. higher, and the
Lyons 11..10s._better.

The Joint Stock Bank shares have been quiet.
The Australian Land Company is higher, and also
Crystal Palace. The Gold Mines are without
change.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Rosiness done.
Bank Stock ...
per Cent. Reduced Annuities.. B7i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities BBl
New 31 per Cent. Annuities BB.
New 21 per Cent. Annuities
India Bonds, £lOOO ..........
Ditto, under £lOOO 7 d
Consols for Account 6th June BBl 1
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£l000
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 951
Greek Bonds, Red
Ditto, Blue
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 241 6
Peruvian Bonds, 41 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 6Ol 2
Peruvian 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 44
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ 5t..,, 96 5
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent...
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 3B
Spanish Now Deferred, 3 per Cent. ........ 181
Ditto for the Account lBl 1
Swedish 4 per Cent. ...... . ............ ..... 85
Venezuela Bonds, 31 per Cent. ....... 221
Dividends on the above payable in London.
French Rentes, 3 per Cent.
Dutch Exchange, 21 per Cent. 12 Guil .....
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ......
HALF-PAST TWO.
Consols BBl
Ditto Juno Account BBl g

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)
IN RE ROSENBORG.
This bankrupt had carried on business in Rotherhithe,
and was connected with a patent cooperage company,
and several patents had been taken out for foreign coun-
tries, and were estimated to have been worth a consider-
able amount. To-day was appointed for the last exami-
nation, which bad been adjourned in consequence of the
intricate and voluminous nature of the accounts.
Mr. Robinson, of the firm of Knowles and Robinson,
accountants, said that the accounts were now in a for-
ward state of preparation, and that if a short further
adjournment took place, the balance sheet would be
filed.

The case, which involves some question of great pub-
Lc interest, was then adjourned for six weeks.

THE CABLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPH.—The first portion of the great Mediter-
ranean cable, the largest ever made, and in point of
circumference, also the largest at present existing, is
just completed, and ready for shipment. The screw
steamer Persian, destined to carry it, will receive her
singular cargo the moment she arrives from Alexandria,
and the subterranean works on the Islands of Corsica,
&c., will be ready to be connected to the cable on its
being laid down. The cable is about 110 miles in length,
and weighs somewhere about 800 tons. It contains 6
copper wires, or conductors, for the fluid to traverse, pro-
tected by a gutta percha covering, secured in a hempen
rope, and finally surrounded with 12 iron wires of number
one gunge. The proprietor and originator, Mr. John Wat-
kins Brett, profiting by experience, has allowed 20 miles
for what is tech ninally termed " slack " and "way," and
for depths of the ocean. As now coiled is the yard, the
cable occupies about 75 feet ; taking its convex sides.
The perpendicular height of the coil is about 5 feet, and
the width of one side of the coil, from convex to concave,
reaches 24 feet. The moment it is laid, London will be
in immediate communication with Cagliari, through the
cable and about 400 miles of subterranean wire. Ex-
tensions to Malta, Turkey, &c., would give us news
from the seat of war in an incredibly short space of time,
and might, in the matter of rapidity of proceedings,
speedy communications of orders, knowledge of wants,
&c., be of essential service to the country. The still
more rapid publication of intelligence would also tend
to diminish the national anxiety, and enable the press of
this country to protect the mind of Northern Europe from
the agitations wrought by the journals of St. Petersburg,