The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-01 00:00:00

giiN,

RAILWAY IN TELLIGENCE.
RIALWAY TRAFFIC FOR 1847.

It appears that the traffic on railways in the United
Kingdom, during the year 1847, amounts to about
8,950,0001., being an increase over that of the pre.
ceding year of 1,285,0001., or nearly 17 per cent.
The aggregate length of railway over which the
traffic was conveyed in the first month of 1847 wa,
about 2,710 miles, and in the last month of that year
About 3,420 miles. Taking the average length of
railway for the year at 3,100 miles, it would give
2,8871. as the average traffic per mile per annum.
RAILWAYS OPENED IN 1847.
The following is a list of the railways opened in
1847 :—Aberdeen, 20 miles; Birkenhead, Lancashire,
and Cheshire, of a mile; Caledonian, 40 miles ;
Cockermouth and Workington, 81 miles; Dublin
and Drogheda (llowth branch) 31 miles ; Dun-
dee, Perth, and Aberdeen Junction, 20l miles ;
Edinburgh and Glasgow, 5 miles ; Edinburgh
and Northern, 29 miles; Eastern Counties, 261;
Eastern Union, 34 ; Glasgow and Ayr, 13
miles; Great Southern and 'Western, 561 miles;
Great Western, 3.5 miles ; Kendal and Windermere,
10-1- miles ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 1 mile ; Lon-
donderry and Enniskillen, 15 miles; London and
North-Western, 50 miles ; London, Brighton, and
South Coast, 393- miles; London and South-Western,
83 miles ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire,
2 miles; Midland, 31 miles; Midland Great Western
(Irish), 36 miles ; Norfolk, 23 miles; Shrewsbury
and Chester, 6 miles ; South-Eastern, 15 miles ;
South Devon, 83 miles ; Taff Vale (Aberdare line),
10 miles; Whitehaven Junction, 12 miles; York,
Newcastle, and Berwick, 72 miles; and the York
and North Midland, 48 miles. The aggregate length
of new railway opened for traffic in the United
kingdom during the year 1847 appears to be 7.50
miles—of which 516 miles are in England, 127
miles in Scotland, and 108 miles in Ireland. It is
estimated that there are now about 150 miles of rail-
way, independent of the above, nearly ready to open
for traffic.

These companies have called up about 22,230,0001.
during the year 1847.

z ;Dr

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
,—lam glad to find Lord John Russell will
himself bring forward the motion, after the Christ-
mas recess, relative to the national defences.
This town of Brighton, with its 60,000 souls,
might in a few hours be reduced to ruins, in the
event of an attack from an enemy. The only defence
here is a few guns near West-street ! !
If the harbour of refuge, or breakwater, recom-
mended by her Majesty's Admiralty Commissioners,
was constructed in the fine open bay of Seaford (a
short distance to the eastward), what great protection
might be given along this coast, by having a depot
and shelter for war steamers always at hand, to
defend the shores of Sussex.
The South Coast Railway is now opened to the
improving port of Newhaven, a great acquisition to
the Government in a future war ; and Newhaven,
midway between Portsmouth and Dover, also the
nearest port to London.
The Ordnance ground at East Blatchington, near
to Newhaven and Seaford, is available for fine healthy
barracks.

There is not a single cannon placed to defend the
open shore of Seaford, and at the mouth of Cuck-
mere harbour there is not even a fort, where a landing
might easily be effected by an enemy.
Surely some of our local representatives will make
known the sad defenceless state of the Sussex coast
in Parliament, when Lord John brings forward his
promised important motion on the defences of the
country.—Yours most obediently,
A CONSTANT READER.

Brighton, Dec. 31, 1847.
P.S.—The capabilities of Newhaven harbour are
great, and might be made very useful for Government
purposes, owing to its central position.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS'
SCHOOLS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I am impressed with a strong feeling that it
should become the business of every commercial tra-
veller to identify himself with the touching, albeit
unpretending, appeal of Mr. Moore, the treasurer,
made at the dinner on Monday, the 27th inst. Could
the whole body—estimated, and I believe truly, at
o,ooo—have been present, as I happily was, I doubt
not they would have felt as I did—that their hearts
would have warmed in unison with mine (may I not
say, with
,all in the overcrowded room ?), when they
beheld in the gallery one of the most inspiriting, in-
teresting scenes ever witnessed, viz., the dear children
of deceased persons, known, perhaps, to many, who
are being maintained, clothed, and educated by the
patronl,of this most excellent of public institutions,
and that too in a manner which cannot fail to be as
grateful to the recipients and their friends as it is
honourable to the projectors and supporters. In
truth, it is charity embodied in its most lively form,
and dispensed in that way which every generous mind
would earnestly desire.
My object, Sir, is very respectfully to suggest that
as many willing hearts as shall volunteer, at once
enrol themselves under the banner of Mr. Moore, to
raise the sum required for purchasing the school,pre-
mises. I for one offer my feeble aid. I undertake, if
my life be spared, to raise, within twelve months, one
guinea at least, and if one-tenth of the body cordially
respond to this proposal, the, deed is done. " Union"
is said to be " strength." Let the. miners': cry " one
and all" be the word, and the Commercial Travellers'
Schools shall ,soon proudly assume a position among
the brightest ornaments of this, the greatest mercan-
tile city in the known world.
I beg to remain, Mr. Editor,
Your very obedient servant,
GEORGE CROSS.
Wandswerth-road, Dec. 30, 1847.

SPANISH BONDS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sra,—Haring understood that Lord Palmerston
has made some arrangements with the Spanish
authorities for the payment of the Coupons, or in-
terest due on these Bonds, if you or any of your
readers can give information, through the medium of
your paper, when the same will be paid, you will
greatly oblige
SEVERAL HOLDERS OF SPANISH BONDS
Dec. 27, 1847. IN PLYMOUTH.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—Having seen in your paper of Saturday last
the commencement of one of our Northern Christ-
mas Carols, I send you a copy of the version usually
sung in the West Riding of Yorkshire, which per-
haps may not be unacceptable. It is sung by the
children for twelve nights after Christmas. The
girls generally carry with them a large case, con-
taining a rude representation of the Madonna and
child, surrounded by evergreens ar d flowers, ribbons
and fruit, and which is named the " Wassail Bob."

A LOVER OF OLD ENGLAND'S
Dec. 28. CUSTOMS.

WASSAIL CUP HYMN.
Come all ye jolly gentlemen,
And hear what I've to say,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas-day.
Here we come a-wassailing,:
Among the leaves so green ;
llcre we come a-wandering,
So fair to be seen.

CHORUS.
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too,
And I wish you good health and a happy new year,

A new year, a new year, -
And I wish you good health, and a happy new year.
Our wassail cup is made of the rosemary tree,
So is your beer of the best barley.
We are not daily beggars,
That beg from door to door ;
We are your neighbours' children,

That have been here before.
Csonus.—Love and joy, &c.
We have got a little purse,
Made of stretching leather thin ;
We want a little of your money,
To line it well within.
Cnonue.—Love and joy, &e.
Bring us out a table,
And spread it with a cloth ;
Bring us out a mouldy cheese,
And some of your Christmas loaf.
CIIORUS.—Love and joy, &e.
God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too ;
And all the little:children
That round the table go.
Cnonus.—Love and joy, &o.
Good master and mistress,
While you're sitting by the fire,
Fray think of us poor children,
Who are wandering iu the mire.
CHORUEL—Lore and joy, &c.

CASE OF MR. OWEN.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sia,—l confidently rely on your impartiality to
insert this letter in reply to those which have ap-
peared in your columns, respecting Mr. Henry
Owen, dispensing chemist, of Marchmont-street, who
was confined in Mr. Warburton's lunatic asylum.
I am his brother, and it was on my responsibility
(confirmed by medical certificates) that he was con-
fined.

Although the letters that have appeared in your
journal have cast reflections on my character for so
doing, yet were I to study my own feelings, I should
(under the full confidence of having done my duty)
Never have noticed what was said or written on the
subject; but, being connected as a member of commit-
tee with several public societi's, I feel imperatively
called upon to give a concist? and faithful account of
the circumstances.

I ought first to mention, that for twenty years few
brothers could have been more united, and it was
with the deepest sorrow I was constrained to conclude
that my brother's mind was affected, which led me to
consult several members of our family, who were all
of the same opinion. I was recommended by them to
obtain medical advice, which I did, and our fears
were confirmed.

Still I could not make up my mind to act on our
conclusions, and I determined to take the opinions,
not only of two medical practitioners (as required by
law), but of four.
They were unanimous in concluding that my bro-
ther's mind was affected, and it was urged upon me
to take steps for putting him under proper restraint.
He was accordingly taken to Mr. Warburton's lunatic
asylum, the manager of which confirmed the decisions
of the medical gentlemen I have alluded to.
Directions in writing, as well as verbal, were given
by me that he should have every attention, making
myself responsible for the expense ; and finding, when
he was brought up on the habeas before Mr. Justice
Erle (who recognised my confining him as legal and
proper), that from the judicious treatment to which
he had been subjected he was much improved, I con-
sented to his immediate discharge.—l remain, Sir,
yours sincerely and obliged,
WILLIAM DANIEL OWEN.