The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-27 00:00:00

promise of marriage, was expected to come on in the
Assize Hall in the course of the day, and "he had
gone to hear it tried." Evening came, and Master L.,
like a good boy, made the best of his way home at a
proper hour. Polly, the servant aforesaid, made her
appearance soon after, and in due time the family _re-
tired to rest, the pupil, with praiseworthy self-com-
mlnd, proceeding alone to his dormitory, and Polly to
her attic. On the following morning, in consequence
of certain expressions having fallen from the latter,
" missisThegan to suspect that all was net right, and
sending tor the girl she closely questioned her, but the
only information she succeeded in eliciting for a consider-
able time was that she (Polly) " had no need to stay
in service," and that " she hoped one day she would be a
lady." At length, examined, cross-examined, and re-
examined—lectured, entreated and advised—as she was,
she revealed the whole secret. The story about her dear
cousin had been got up merely to deceive her unsuspecting
mistress, and instead of going to see her, the wicked dam-
sel wended her way with all possible expedition to the
railway station, were the student anxiously awaited her
arrival. Day tickets for Bridgewater were taken, and off
the fugitives started, the very engine screaming with de-
light at " the idea of the thing." A license had been previ-
ously procured, and they at once proceeded to church and
were made one flesh. The whole affair having been
thus divulged, the happy couple started off, no one knew
whither. An uncle to the young man, who came to
Taunton immediately upon hearing of the circumstances,
set out in pursuit of them—we have not heard with what
success ; but as the whole pecuniary resources of the
happy pair do not exceed 504 it is not improbable that
they will soon find their way back of their own accord.
—Taunton Gazette.

THE BATTLE OF SOBRAON.
(EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER.)
Camp, before Lahore, Army of the
Sutlej, Feb. 26.
Being one of those who were fortunate enough to escape
with a sound head at the battle of Sobraon, on the 10th. inst.,
I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines. You will
probably see the Commander-in-Chief's dispatch in the
papers before this reaches you. We were in .the thick of it
—in Brigadier Stacey's brigade, Sir R. Dick's division. The
latter, poor fellow, was shot through the stomach towards
the ose of the action ; we were almost crying when we
saw him taken to the rear. .His only regret was, he said,
that he could not live to write his own dispatch and do
artillery began to fire about
sujusticenrtoon h
thei s dmi voirsni nn
g.
of Our
the
10th. We had all got into
position before day break. The first hour and a half was
purely an artillery fight, but our artillery did not in any
way appear to silence the enemy's guns, and about nine o'clock
the Commander-in-Chief sent orders for Sir R. Dick's divi-
sion to advance and storm (while the cannonade was going
Stacey's brigade was partly concealed in the dry bed of a
river, so that the enemy's cannon-shot, with one or two ex-
ceptions, passed over us); Stacey's brigade deployed into
line-10th Foot on the right flank, 53d Foot on the left, and
the 43d and 59th Regiments of Native Infantry in the centre,s
and off we went towards a place pointed out by an engineer
officer, where we were to storm. The line had not advanced
far when the enemy had got our range, and the men began
to fall in all directions; a little farther, and we began to feel
their grape-shot coming amongst us like hail• stones. When
within about 400 yards from the trenches, we got the order
to double, the artillery in our rear ; and the Commander-in-
Chief and all the staff gave a cheer, the regiment on the
right of our line took it up, and it went down the whole line,
Sepoys and all cheering as loud as they could, the whole line
doubling all the time under a storm of grape and cannon-
shot such as you cannot possibly imagine. When their grape
opened upon us I thought it certain death ; but, thank God,
I did not get even a scratch. It was a mournful sight to see
our poor fellows blown almost to pieces when we got close
under the guns. Many were sent up into the air without
the shot touching them, and the grape-shot strewed them
by sixes and sevens. I lost nine men, killed and
wounded, in the company which I commanded, and that
is a small proportion compared to the loss among the
Europeans ; they appear generally to draw a greater
fire upon thm. The fate of India almost depended upon
us, and I think every one did his duty nobly. I felt
sure that we were fighting in a just cause, and that I think
tends to give one confidence. The slaughter was beyond any-
thing you can imagine. None were spared, for the men,
Europeans particularly, were infuriated. I suppose there
was never heard such a roll of musketry as there was after
we had gained the trenches. The enemy were driven in a
mass headlong into the river. A rush was made for the
bridge, audit gave way under the weight. The river seemed
alive with wounded and drowning men, and in the mean-
while some horse artillery galloped up on the right and
fired into the retiring masses. Their loss is stated at
10,000. We have lost in killed and wounded 2,400," 56
officers. The Akalees are the most daring men I have
ever seen. Many rushed out singly with nothing but a
sword, and attacked large bodies of men. I saw them
trying to make cuts with their swords, with bayonets stick-
ing in them. I think they must have been intoxicated. The
Seikh artillerymen fought very bravely; they were strewed
in heaps at their guns, and, indeed, so did all of them, ex-
cept their cavalry; they never made a stand. There were
several European tents in the intrenchment, and furniture
of different descriptions. I got a drink of water out of a
soup plate ; it was a great boon, for I could hardly speak
at the time from thirst, and, having got a good portion of
clay into my mouth when doubling, and no breakfast, I felt
rather exhausted. It was all over by about half-past eleven
o'clock, when the Commander-in-Chief and Governor-General
and staff rode in. The intrenchments then resounded with
cheers, and every one had his eye fixed on the old chief's
frosty head, which was uncovered. General 3fonton and the
Spanish engineer, who constructed the Seikh works, were
sent into our camp two days ago. I believe we can do no-
thing to them. The Seikhs used totalk of going to Calcutta,
and then going and taking London ;—what an idea! You
teed not be afraid of the bearded gentlemen going all the
way to London. We are, I hear, to be presented with a
star and clasp, in honour of the battle: of Sobraon, but some-
thing more useful, ik donation of twelve months' batta is to
be given to the troops ; a lieutenant's batta amounts to
1,400 rs. I hear we remain here until the final instalment
of the indemnification money is paid, about the middle of
next month. One instalment came in yesterday. Ghoolab
Singh, the newly. created Minister of Dhuleep Singh (a
minor), will agree to anything we choose to impose ; and no
doubt Sir H. Ilardinge will make a very stringent treaty,
otherwise we shall have the same work next year. The 31st
Foot and 16th Lancers go to England immediately. You
will see Brigadier Stacey's a brigade frequently mentioned in
earnyd par oe
vu
ed
uotfl y t
thhea
nmk aGn no
de rt
hi
ant wI h
si
nh
stehfee
oSlet
tp ooyfs
tbhe
the Commander 411-Chief's dispatch, and also my regiment.
aI feyeeld
action.

BANKRUPTCY and INSOLVENCY.
A few days ago the Bill introduced into the House of Com-
mons to amend the laws relating to bankruptcy _and insol-
vency was printed. It bears the names of Mr. Hawes, Mr.
Masterman, and Mr. Wynn Ellis. This Bill is in many
respects similar to the one printed at the close of last session,
brought forward by two of the same sponsors (Mr: Hawes
and Mr. Masterman). It is admitted that the law on debtor
and creditor is a very difficult subject. Additions have been
made year after year, but it is denied that such additions
have been n d
but, on the contrary, clogs to a
law. There are some good
correctimprovements,eret
endi
ng
e the
provisions in this measure, as there are in the several Acts
now in force. Some practical hand could doubtless bring the
discordant elements into fortn,and would, notwithstanding the
difficulties that present themselves, produce something like a
goad measure, having regard to the interest of both creditors
and debtors. The object of this Bill, as declared by the
preamble, is to amend the laws relating to bankruptcy and
insolvency, with a view to, afford to creditors greater protec-
tion against fraud and wilrul extravagance. This is a one-
sided view of the matter, and shows that only one class has
been considered in framing the provisions. Both parties
should be regarded by the Legislature. Creditors have
rights, but debtor., in their embarrassments, should be con-
sidered. -There should be a provision to compel traders to
keep books "of account to which creditors could refer, and,
on a refusal; summon the party to a court of competent ju-
risdiction. • Those who require credit would not refuse an
inspection by their creditors, and there. should be a serious
punishment for keeping false accounts: In the Bill now
before the House of Commons (appointed to be read a second
time on Wednesday next) there are 36 clauses and four sche-
dules of forms. The very first provision 'commences the
difficulty, "That all laws, statutes, and usages, so far as
they may be at variance or inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act, shall be, and the same are hereby repealed, but
in all other respects shall continue in force.' There are
various Acts now in operation on the law-of bankruptcy and
insolvency, and what one Commissioner might consider in-
consistent another might hold to be in accordance with the
same. From the 4th to the 14th section it is proposed to
amend the law respecting the summoning of traders to the
Court of Bankruptcy. By. the 15th, the Court of Bank-
ruptcy is to appoint solicitors to prosecute fiats when ob.
tained by bankrupts. Several provisions follow as to protec-
tion and non• protection to bankrupts and insolvents. Then
it is proposed that assignees and creditors who have proved
their debts are to be deemed to be judgment creditors in
cases of bankruptcy and insolvency; and certificates are to
be granted, which certificates are to have the same effects as
judgments obtained. Par; half-pay, and pensions of bank.
rupts are to be applicable for the benefit of creditors; and all
bills of sale are to be registered, and the registry open to
public inspection. The concluding provisions have reference
to the cases of traders dying without legal personal repre-
sentatives. Such is the substance of the measure to be dis-
cussed. The Government could select some competent per-
sons and refer the Acts and Bills on the same subject, with
instructions to draw an impartial measure.