The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-03 00:00:00

RAILWAY TRAFFIC IN 1852.

It appears that the-gross receipts of railways in the
United Kingdom for the year 1852 have amounted to
15,543,6101., being at the rate of 2,1181. per mile per
annum. With regard 'to the traffic returns published
weekly, they show a- progressive increase during the
past 11 years. In the year 1842 they amounted to
4,341,7811. ; in 1843, to 4,842,6501. ; 1844, to
5,610,980/. ; in 1845, to 6,669,2301. ; in 1846, to
7,689,870/. ; in 1847, to 8,975,6711. ; in 1848, to
10,059,0001. ; in 1849, to 11,013,8201. ; in 1850, to
12,757,9851. ; in 1851, to 14,567,9101. ; and in 1852,
to 15,543,610/. The capital expended on the rail-
ways of which the traffic is published weekly,
amounted in July 1842, to 52,380,1001. ; in 1843,
to 57,635,0001. ; in 1844, to 63,489,1001. ; in 1845,
to 71,647,0001. ; in 1846, to 83,165,1001. ; in 1847, to
109,528,000/. ; in 1848, to 148,200,000/. ; in 1849, to
181,000,000/. ; in 1850, to 219,762,700/. ;.in 1851, to
229,175,2301. ; and in 1852, to 239,967,4531. The ex-
penditure on those new and old lines, the traffic returns
of which are not published weekly, amounts to about
8,626,1001., making, with the 239,967,4531., a total of
248,593,5531. expended on 7,338 miles of railway, being
at the rate of 33,879/. per mile. Deducting 45 per cent.
for working expenses from the gross receipts of 1852,
will leave for interest and dividend 8,548,985/. ; which
on the capital expended would be at the rate of 3-44 per
cent. per annum. It is probable that the amount to be
divided among the holders of railway shares, bonds, and
debentures, afterthe next half-yearly meetings in February,
will not be less than 4,500,000/.

A HEARTLESS SWINDLER.—A young femme chambre,
named - Bulot, appeared yesterday (Thursday) before
the Tribunal of Correctional Police to complain of a
young man named Legagneux, for having swindled her.
She had, it appeared, put an advertisement in a news-
paper for a place, and as a proof of her respectability,
had imprudently made known that she was possessed of
1,600 francs in Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Stock, of
880 francs in the Savings' Bank, and of 1000 francs in
cash. Legagneux went to her, and, representing him-
self as a physician just commencing business, proposed
to her to be his housekeeper, at a liberal salary. She
consented, and at his request advanced him 1000 francs.
He made love to her, and promised her marriage. He
thereby persuaded her to sell her stock and withdraw
her money from the Savings Bank. He then, on dif-
ferent pretexts, got the whole of it from her. At length
the poor girl found that he had employed the money in
establishing a young woman in business, and in paying
his tradesmen's bills ; she also found, what was still
more mortifying, that he was married. Seeing clearly
that she was swindled, she laid a complaint to the po-
lice, and he was arrested. It was then discovered that
lie had previously been condemned to three years' im-
prisonment for forgery, and to six months' imprisonment
for swindling. The tribunal sentenced him to two
years' imprisonment.—Galignani.

SUPPLY OF WATER IN LONDON AND PARlS.—Whilst
in London the supply of water to the population is about
112 quarts per day a head, in Paris it is only 60—and of
that quantity a great part is allowed to flow in the
streets. Water, too, is very unequally distributed in
the different quarters ; thus, in the 12th arrondissement,
where the streets are very narrow and dirty, there is one
borne-fontaine (a small fountain destined principally for
washing the gutters), for every 35,000 square yards,
whilst in the 4th, 6th, Bth, and 9th arrondissements
there is one for from 3,000 to 9,000 yards. In the Ist
arrondissement, in which the streets are wide and airy,
there are 312 such fountains ; but in the 12th there are
only 120 to 182 streets.

We have seen how the matter has stood hitherto
so long as Sir William Molesworth had no better
opportunity or occupation than to make a telling
speech once or twice a year on our colonial admin-
istration, and publish it in the form of a pamphlet.
Let us see how the matter will stand now. When
the next colonial difficulty comes before the Cabi-
net—when some flourishing colony demands the
entire control over its revenue, the appointment of
all its public functionaries, the sale of its land, a
purely representative Government, or any other
reasonable object of colonial ambition—Sir Wil-
liam will be called on to advise, and to recommend
the concession or the denial of the demand, or any
other course that may be proposed. Now, if, on
the one hand, the cause of the colonists and the
cause of liberty and progress will gain in Sir Wil-
liam a good and influential vote, so, on the other
hand, he will probably give more deliberation to
that vote than he would to every word in an Op-
position speech, or every flourish of his pen in
a declamatory pamphlet. He will probably think
rather more about the actual consequences of the
proposed measure than he would about the effect
of a telling sentence, a brilliant antithesis, a highly-
wrought picture, or a bold anticipation. Hitherto
it was out of Sir William's power to offer just that
sort of advice
which would have been of real
utility. Had his Opinion been asked on this or
that point, the only
answer he could have made
would have been that he declined to advise where
he was not regularly
engaged, and where, conse-
quently he could not assist in carrying out his
advice. On the other hand, it was absolutely
necessary to state
his case, in an appeal to
the Legislature and the people—all the appeal
hitherto allowed him—in the broadest and most
striking characters. Compromise, qualification of
all sorts, moderation,
tact, are all out of place
when a man is going through the preliminary
process of making his cause known. Confessedly,
in the application of the soundest principles there
is
in-
culcating great difficulty, and with that difficulty the phi-
losopher
the first principles of his science. Why
should he volunteer limitations and considerations
of prudence which could not succeed in purchasing
the approbation of office, but would sink the theory
in the dull understanding of the people ? There is
no longer this gulf between the Minister and the
philosopher. Sir William Molesworth can now
consult on the best practical means for giving safe
and lasting effect to his views of colonial self-
government. This opportunity of allying theory
giying theory the means
actual state of things, we
owe to that patriotism mrhi
andof
adapting
gceilseolrf rtaotthhee r
eh has merged all consi-
derationsthe common pursuit of
" coalition" Ministry,
tshireplvuhilliueaogmfopoadr.ty Molesworthworitshelf ouit%
Would, probably, never
have done more than make long speeches to be ad-
mired and disregarded.

(From the Morning Herald.)
We have great pleasure in stating that our
readers will find in another part of our paper an
unprepared—namely,announcingadvertisement
a fact for which we were
that it has been decided on
nominating the Marquis of Chandos as a repre-
sentative for the University of Oxford on Tuesday
the latest possible hour. We need hardly add,
(to-morrow), when the poll will be kept open till
that we most earnestly and most respectfully en-
treat all members of Convocation, who take an
interest in the character and welfare of the Uni-
versity, to throw aside for the moment considera-
tions Oxford on Tuesday next.
convenience, and to attend at
of private
_ _

Whilst upon this subject, we copy, with pleasure,
a letter that appeared in the Standard of Saturday,
and are glad to find that Mr. Gladstone's late
tortuous conduct is likely, if good feeling and
moderation prevail, to bring back many members
of the University to our cause, whom the course of
events, or perhaps the failings of temper, to which
all men are liable, may have led further than they
originally intended. For ourselves, we would wish
to say, that although the Morning Herald has been
stigmatised as " Evangelical," " Low Church,"
&c., &c., we have never been of any extreme
party ;. we have endeavoured to advocate, feebly
perhaps, moderate High Church principles ; we
have always sincerely deplored the schism which
has taken place in the University of Oxford, and
we will even go further than this—that we have
ever believed the Oxford Tracts were originally
commenced with the best views ; but when we have

Now that the Aberdeen Administration is fairly
formed, we are willing to give it, what it has a
right to expect—a fair trial. If it survive for some
time, and bring forward really liberal measures, it
shall have our heartiest support ; but we must say
that our convictions of the impossibility of its hold-
ing long together remain as strong as they were at
first. If, indeed, there be any difference, it is
that those convictions are stronger than ever. We
have never supposed that the great danger which
the Aberdeen Administration would have to en-
counter would arise from external attacks. It is
not from the assaults of the Opposition that their
perils—if to perils they are to be exposed—will pro-
ceed. The danger is to be apprehended from within.
It will spring from dissensions among themselves.
The friends of the Coalition Cabinet dwell with ex-
ultation on their superior administrative ability.
We have never questioned it. We have, on the
contrary, been, from the first, forward to admit
that they are the most talented ministry, taking
them as a whole, which the present race of public
men could furnish. But that will prove one of
the main dangers to which they will be ex-
posed. The majority of the Aberdeen Cabinet
are too able—too clever by a great deal—to
agree among themselves. All will be striving for
the mastery. Lord John Russell, we all know,
was the Prime Minister. Lord Palmerston was
master of the situation, and had he stood aloof for
a few months, he would, most surely, have been
sent for byjthe Queen to form another Ministry.
The Duke of Newcastle, it is well known in the
best informed political circles, most confidently
expected to be summoned into the presence of her
Majesty to receive her Majesty's commands to un-
dertake the construction of a new Cabinet. Sir
James Graham, it is well understood, is equally
ambitious of the Premiership. Nor does Mr.
Gladstone deem himself without pretensions to that
high office. With, therefore, at least five or six
members of the Ministry, all regarding themselves
as qualified to fill the post of Premier, it is not by
any means probable that there will ba that har-
mony of feeling and unison of action which are in-
dispensable to the stability of the new Cabinet.
Nor must it be forgotten that Lord Aberdeen is
not the man to keep in check the jealousies of the
leading members of his Cabinet. There does not
attach such a prestige to his name as will overawe
or keep them in order. He is not the disciplinarian
that Sir Robert Peel was. He is a soft, easy man,
grievously lacking the decision of character and
energy of purpose which a person in his position
ought to possess. We are not, therefore, to expect
that he will crush any disposition to quarrel among
themselves, which he may discern among his col-
leagues, while that disposition is in an incipient
state.

It is on these grounds that we do not expect a long
life to the Coalition Cabinet. The event will show
whether or not our anticipations are correct. We
are willing to wait until the verdict of actual facts
has decided the matter.

In the meantime, the country would have had
greater confidence in the popular tendencies of the
Aberdeen Ministry had there been a greater infu-
sion of the Liberal element in its composition.
Why is there only one man in the Cabinet who be-
longs to the class of politicians called Independent
Liberals ? Why, of all men in the world, if only
one such person was to be received into the new
Cabinet, was Sir William Molesworth the person
so selected ? His Liberalism has never been with-
out its drawbacks. He has systematically treated
his constituents with a superciliousness of manner
which few constituencies would have brooked. He
is by nature, and taste, and habits an aristocrat.
Beyond the fact that he has voted for certain popu-
lar measures, we do not see what pretensions he
has to the character of a Liberal at all. He has
never manifested any sympathy with either of the
great popular movements which have taken place
since his introduction into public life. Who ever
saw him on the platform at public meetings in fa-
vour of Parliamentary Reform ? Who ever heard
his voice in behalf of Free Trade, when the mighty
agitation in favour of unrestricted competition was
being carried on under the auspices of the Anti-
Corn-law League ? We know of no man profess-
ing to be an Independent Liberal to whom the po-
pular cause is less indebted than to Sir William
Molesworth.

Had Lord Aberdeen been sincere in his profes-
sions of a determination to carry on his Govern-
ment on really popular principles, there are two
men to whom, as if by a sort of instinct, he would
have offered seats in the Cabinet. To these two
men Lord Aberdeen owes his present position as
Prime Minister. Need we mention their names ?
Every one, we are sure, will at once perceive that
we refer to Mr. Cobden and Mr. Villiers. To the
latter gentleman the country is indebted for having
originated the opposition to the corn laws. Year
after year he brought forward a motion for the re-
peal of those laws, amidst circumstances of dis-
couragement, arising from the ignorance and
apathy of the public mind on the subject, which
would have crushed the energies, and paralysed
the efforts, of a man of less firmness of purpose
We doubt if there was then another man in the
House of Commons who would have persevered
with a yearly anti-corn law motion, in the face of

The Penelope steam-frigate, Captain Lyster, flag of
Rear-Admiral Bruce, commanding the squadron on the
West Coast of Africa ; the Prometheus steam sloop,
Commander Phillips ; and the Teazer, Second-Master
M'Kenzie, were at anchor off Whydah on the 19th of
November. The Commander of the Prometheus was
about to proceed on a mission to Abbeokuta. It was
reported that Kosoko was collecting men, ammuni-
tion, &c., at Jabbo to make an attack on Lagos.
Akatoo, ,the King, placed on the throne by us at
Lagos, is a poor imbecile old man, and consequently
trade was very dull there. ,The Prometheus con-
tinued sickly. The spirits of her crew were a little
raised at the report of her coming home the following
month (December.) The Cygnet, 6, Commander White,
was at anchor off Lagos on the 14th of November. The
Britomart, 12, Commander Heseltine, sailed from Lagos
for Fernando Po on the 16th of November, with Mr.
Fraser, Vice-Consul, to bring his furniture, &c., to La-
gos, where he is to take up his residence. The Myrmidon
iron tender, Lieut. W. K. Jolliffe, sailed from Lagos on
the 17th of November, with Mr. Beecroft, Consul, to
make his annual visit up the rivers. There was not the
slightest vestige of the slave trade left in the Bights.
Rear-Admiral Bruce's time as Commander-in-Chief on
the west coast of Africa station will, it is believed, be
extended for another year, though upon what grounds
we are uninformed.

The Russian Admiral Pontiatine has presented the
sum of 351. to the shipwrights who have been at work
on the Pallas frigate during her repairs in this dockyard.
The distribution took place yesterday.
Bull Dog, 6, steam-sloop, was taken out of harbour
yesterday morning to try her engines, and returned to
mooring after the trial.
The following squadron is now in commission at this
port, and presents, externally, the semblance of a power-
ful and effective force :

Ships.
Victory, Captain Shepherd, flag of Vice-Admiral 1 101
Sir T. Cochrane, K. 8., Commander-in-chief
Neptune, Captain E. H. Scott, flag of Rear-Admiral 1 120
A. Fanshawe, C. 8., second in command
Prince Regent, Captain Hutton, flag of Rear-Ad- 190
miral Corry.
Rodney, Captain Graham, C.B. 92
London, Captain Mundy!

Guns,

Ven,
' geance, Captain Lord Edward Russell
Blenheim Captain Henderson C.B.
Phaeton, Captain George BMA
Leander, Captain King
Arrogant, Captain Fremantle
Excellent, Captain Chads, C.B.
Victoria and Albert, Captain Crispin, pendant oft 2
Commodore Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, G.C.H.
Sidon, Captain Goldsmith 22
Odin, Captain F. Scott
Leopard, Captain Giffard
Encounter, Captain O'Callaghan
Simoom, Captain Kingcome
Furious, Captain Loring
Plumper, Commander Nolloth
Fury, Commander Tatham 6
Basilisk, Commander the Hon. F. Egerton 6
Rolla, Lieutenant Fenwick
6
Besides these, there are the yachts Fairy, Master.
Paul,
Commander Welsh ; Elfin, Acting-Master Balliston ;
Fanny, Second-Master Scarlett ; Portsmouth Master
Commander Read ; the Fire Queen, Master-Commander
&c.

84
60
... 50
... 50
... 46
... 46

14
18
16

SHEERNESS, JAN. 2.
basiHn on F rer Majidayesty',s
the 31s sh t
ult.
ip Ocean was taken into the fitting
Captain the Hon. Montagu Stopford, of her Majesty's
ship Waterloo, of 120 guns, on the 31st ult., mustered
the officers and crews of the following ships in commis-
sion here - viz., the Monarch, 84, guard ship of ordinary,
Captain Charles Hope
Horatio, of 24 guns, C ; the screw steam guard-ship
Captain the Hon. S. T. Carnegie ;
the screw steam-frigate Amphion, of 34 guns, Captain
Charles G. E. Patey ; the paddle wheel steam-sloop
of 6 guns, Commander George Parker ; the
Rattlesnake, 8 guns, Commander Henry Trollope ; and
the Waterloo, 120 guns.
The following commissions have arrived here for her
Majesty's screw steam-frigate Amphion—viz., Second
Master Arthur F. Boxer, 11th of February, 1852, and
Lieutenant Charles S. Dunbar, Ist of April, 1847. Fo
her Majesty's ship Rattlesnake :—Second Master
Chris-
topher It. B. Wilkinson, 12th of June, 1849, andl -51
For
r.
William It. Hobson, mate. 14th October, 8
_5
Master Mr. George Williams, 11th November, her Majesty's steam guard-ship Horatio,ml:edr,itliBost
For her Majesty's paddlewheel steam sloop
Surgeon Mr. Arthur W. W.•Babingto J
n, 31st.M. Ironson, of March,
1851. Assistant-Surgeon (acting) Mr.
a 4, guns
the
ns
Ist
took up his commission to thissloopyeste1y
1
Her Majesty's screw steam sloopcompletely rigged and
Miranda,
and 250-horse power,
o fs
enexta ve ss
week.
e Lizard
readHyeribMr atjheestpye'sndiarnotn inpwidhldle coursele be
whe el tm.

In conformity with our usual custom at this season,
we have the pleasure to hand you our annual statement
of the business done in the sale of ships at this port for
the year past, and on no occasion have we been able to
report so favourably—both of the amount of tonnage •
sold, and the prices that have been obtained. In one
of our recent circulars we took occasion to state, that a
period of unusual prosperity in the shipping interest of
this country might shortly be looked for, and most fully
have our anticipations been realised. Prices of colonial
ships having advanced fully 17 per cent, since then, and
with a continuing tendency upwards ; while stocks have
been reduced to 48 sail, against 76 in 1852, and 82 in
1851, without any immediate supplies being expected.
We have great pleasure in noticing a marked improve-
ment both in the model, material, and finish of Cana-
dian ships, the majority of which have been constructed
to class six or seven years, and to which a decided pre-
ference is given by buyers over spruce ships, or those
classing but four or five years, even at a very increased
price. Among those that have arrived within the last
eight months, will be found some as fine models of naval
architecture as ever have been produced—combining in
reality (from having great length of floor and fine ends)
both carrying and sailing qualities of no ordinary kind.
This advance in prices we do not mean to apply so
much to British-built vessels, for though a larger busi-
ness has been done in them this year than last, we can-
not advise much, if any, increase in price. Our quota-
tions for 1852, therefore, remain unaltered. New co-
lonial ships, to class seven years A 1, must be quotes
at fil. 15s. to 81. 10s. per ton ; those classing six years
A. 1, at 61. to 71. 10s. ; five years, Si. 10s. to 71. St.
John's, Miramichi, and Quebec build, to class four years,
are worth from Si. to 61. per ton ; those built at the
lower ports of same class, are worth from 41. 10s. to
51. 10s. per ton.
Large secondhand ships with or without •lass have
also been in much demand, in anticipation of an advance
in cotton and timber freights.
The enormous emigration to Australia has mainly
contributed to this advance, besides which, freights
generally are very much better for the larger class of
ships.
Within the last two months, several small craft, vary-
ing from 180 to 260 tons register, and of light draft of
water, which enables them to go direct to the port of
discharge, have been purchased for the Australian trade,
at full prices.
This prosperous state of things, we believe, will con-
tinue for twelve months,—or it may be somewhat longer
—when, perhaps, it is not too much to expect some
means will have been found for freeing a large number
oaf those ships that are now lying unmanned and incapa-
ble, at the various Australian ports, amounting, by the
last return, to 200 sail, equal to about 100,000 tons, and
which, when freed, will return upon our market about
the same time the large fleet of colonial ships now in
the course of construction will have found their way here,
and which bear a proportion of five to three over those
built in 1852, and five to four in 1851.
The number of new vessels that have come into Liver-
pool within the year and sold is 120, equal to 50,000
tons.

atuhnisched an
at 9,200 in 1851.
yearisd 39, t;eemepouutersde
aotf
constructionlso o eont uenm sbai rng fio
aussrth pi2po3sr, t
computedl
foreign vessels
. that have changed
struThcteionnumhebreeraomf
ostuenatmteorsl3b,uei lcituaanldt
oin4,oesocotuorsnae. of con-
The number of
hands in Liverpool since the passing of the New Marine
000 tons.
by British owners, amount
iron-built sailing. vessels, the most remark-
trade is the very increasing favour
theyAatobclAlte Isfai'enrraeeetqglugsaeolow:toofannosgdu, into, and which are now occupying the
builders both here, in the Clyde, Newcastle, and else-
where, to an unprecedented extent. There is no doubt
but if some anti-fouling composition were discovered--
which while it would keep the bottom clean would also
preserve the iron—its use would, in a very great degree,
for the merchant service, be preferred to wood for ship-
building purposes ; the cost of a first-rate iron and wood
built ship being somewhat in favour of the former, and
which may be quoted at 141. 10s. to 151. per ton:com-
plete for sea.