The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-28 00:00:00

,SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUM.
SlR,—Can any practical mind read the clear *iesvg
taken by Dr. King, and on calm reflection deny the
guilt that lies at the Admiralty door, under the reit vs of
the Admiral of the Black Sea ?—for it was undAr his
regime that the cold, apathetic neglect took place, - and
many that heard those lectures which " Pro Bente i.Pub•
lico" has alluded to, will remember the many prodic-
tions that since 1849 have come true respecting the fate
of Franklin ; and that by the jobbing selfishness, the
fighting for honours—i. e., the " loaves and fishes "
poor Sir John would be left in the lurch in the long run
to his fate, to die of starvation. In the " annals of the
Admiralty culpability" this is the blackest plaid:are.
The lecturer pointed out the ease with which comn iuni-
cation could be made to those going out in search o f Sit
John ; and all these were so simple in the using, so in-
expensive, that no barrier could have; been made, but
the dire jealousy of a self-conceited body of men, who,
" dressed in a little brief authority," &c., must b .ave
their own ways and ignorant theories against the e ner-
getic and practical views of men of expanded mind, such
as Dr. King. His writings now will be valued by e very
good, unprejudiced mind who reads ; but, alas ! his e the
" rotten food" under the same rule, it will be quill ;lied,
and " dead men tell no tales," or woe betide those who
were in power when Sir John left on his ill-fated trip.
"The tin cases of carrion," like the knife of the slayer,
lying in hundreds, and the thousands sunk since in the
ocean, to thinking minds is quite enough. But, sir,
allow me to point out that those men appear only, as
described, to be but a portion of Franklin's crews ; for
there cannot be a doubt in my mind but they had divided
the body, some going one way and some anotbur, so
that, if one party was successful, it would send rciliief to
the others ; and that should stimulate us. Whatever
he may do now, cost what it may, though millions, it
will never, never wash off the cruel stain that now
blackens the Admiralty of Lord John, Ido not,'; wish
to speak harshly of men in office ; but I ca. nnot
hide the truth now, or be afraid to speak out against
those who have so recklessly disregarded a solemn duty
to the public, as they have done, and allowed pia ,rties
to interfere for private jobbing, which I know was 'done
(and the Blue Books can show several matter*: in
corroboration of Dr. King's assertions, as well as o they
cases of gross and culpable negligence in not sent ling
out proper men earlier than was done), and the rejection
of means and plans offered to the Admiralty ; but Isiah
cold, insulting, official buffoonery, these practical p hi len-
thropic men were coolly insulted and derided, How
long conduct such as this the British nation will anima
to remains to be seen. Our country is falling to piece sby
party jobbing--filling places and appointing officers :from
" incapables ' and " old worn-out men," kept on the
staff when they ought to have retired even on a pens km
—for, truly, the pension is but the first and last ex-
pense ; but, when in office, the cost of bungling we irk
pulling down and building up again, would maks the
public stare sorrowfully, did they see, as I have often
seen, the consequence of ignorant Jacks in office, -who
can eat the salary, but unable to do the work. But -more
anon.—Yours truly,
ONE WHO HAS SEEN BEII.Y.ND
THE CURTAIN.
N.B.—Some of Franklin's crews may be now lanvaish.
ing in starvation.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE STRAITS AND CHINA DT
THE. OVERLAND ROUTE.—The Peninsular and Oriental
Company having deemed it necessary to effect lime
alterations in their arrangements for the conveyance
of mails and passengers from England to the Straits
and China, via Egypt, and vice versa, until further notice,
hare, for the purpose of preventing misunderatandiaig on
the part of the public, issued the following partmialars
respecting the present route :—"1. The mails and pas-
sengers leaving England on the 4th, and Marseille s on
the 11th of the month, will be conveyed to Ceylon, and
there transferred into a steamer for the Straits and Gil iina,
as heretofore. The course of post to China, by this
route, will be, under ordinary circumstances, fifty days
via Southampton, and forty-five days via Marseilles.
2. The mails leaving England on the 20th,, and
Marseilles on the 27th of the month, will proceed
to Ceylon, as in the case of the foregoing ; 'out,
instead of being transferred there for conveyance to
China, will go on to Calcutta, and be transferred at. that
port into a steamer for Penang, Singapore, and H ong
Kong. The course of post to China by this route will
be about 57 days via Southampton, and 52 days via
Marseilles. During the continuance of these arrange-
ments passengers and cargo for the Straits and China
will be conveyed by the steamers of the 4th only, and
not by those leaving Southampton on the 20th of the
month. The homeward mails will follow the same
routes, narbely—those leaving Hong Kong on th.e 11th
of the month will be conveyed via Ceylon, and those
of about the 24th of the month will be despatched for
England via Calcutta."
RA TDB AND WASHHOUSES IN ISLINGTON.—A meet-
ing of the parishioners of Islington was held last night
for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting
the act for the establishment of baths and wasbh (vases.
Mr. Churchwarden Wagstaff haring been elected to the
chair, Mr. Fuller moved that the act for the estrAblish-
merit of baths and washhouses be adopted. After a
discussion, which lasted fire hours, the motion vra,s re-
jectedsmall majority. This is the third time this
proposal
by,l, hasß
TREATMENT
ErNe jT e c t
OF
.
TEX POOR IN LAILBETIL
WORKFIODSE.—Yesterday, Messrs. Austin and Carre,
the poor - law commissioners, attended at Lambeth
Workhouse for the purpose of further proceeding with
this important inquiry respecting the treatment of the
poor in the house. The inquiry having lasted nearly six
hours, the further proceedinge were adjourned for ad.
ditionhl evidence.

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