The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-13 00:00:00

ground, where they could act together for the benefit

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
plironised by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince
Albert, and Royal Family. Second Week of the celebrated
)trtlste Stall-Master, STEINBREC irr, Master of the Horse to the
King of Prussia, with his highly-trained Prussian horses. First
Thiec of the new Magical Spectacle, introducing the Syrian Camels
and Deer. Mons. Neuperte, the great Dutch Bottle Equilibrist,
and the Champion Vaulters.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed a grand new Magical Equestrian Romance, en-
titled THE DEMON HORSE ; er, Tho Twelve Wishes and the
Charmed Bit. In which will be introduced a Wild Stag-Hunt, by
living Deer, and numerous attractive scenic effects.
Entire change in the Scenes of the CIRCLE.
To conclude with a laughable AFTERPIECE.
Box-office open from eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six
and commence et 14 to 7 o'clock.—Stage Manager, Mr. W.Broadfoot.

WESEHER.—SUN OFFICE, NovEmaErt 13.
THERMOMETER, Lowest, 43; Highest, 50 ; Noon, 45,
BAROMETER, 30 39.—WIND E.N.E., hazy.

mull WATER AT LONDON-BRIDOF. THIS DAY.
Morning 17 Minutes after 9. I Evening .. 52 minutes after 9.

have remarked, that while the military brevet em-
braces a catalogue of very nearly five hundred indi-
viduals, the naval brevet scarcely numbers two hundred
and fifty—so that the army is about doubly benefited
in comparison with the advantages conferred upon
our sea service. It is not, however, so much
upon the proportionate disfavour shown to our
salt-water defenders as upon the particular and es-
sential disproportion of the promotions in that all-
important and noble service, that we feel ourselves
compelled to express so much dissatisfaction.
Whenever the Executive deem it advisable to
encourage our protective forces with an extraordi-
nary brevet promotion, it would be more in accord-
ance with justice, and we do believe more consonant
with the national interest, if those only were advanced
in rank who had merited such promotion by their
protracted and meritorious services, by their distin-
guished integrity, intelligence, and prowess, or by
some signal achievement for the glory or emolu-
ment of the empire. Those only should be
selected who would come under cne or other
of the foregoing category of qualifications.
The veteran sailor should be recompensed for
his long employment, while those stripplings who
are at present favoured with a precocious elevation,
simply because of the accidental antiquity of their
blood, should be simply afforded the opportunities of
realising their owri promotion by their personal
merits. Unfortunately the very reverse principle ap-
pears to be the one by which the Executive has hitherto
been invariably actuated. Instead of regarding length
of service, they pay supreme deference to
length of genealogy ; instead of considering
the age of the different officers and the
purity of their professional conduct, they pay especial
attention to the age and purity of their blood ; in-
stead of rewarding a man for the personal
excellences which are attributable to himself, they re-
ward him for the adventitious advantages of being con-
nected with the aristocracy, for which :advantages he
is in no possible degree accountable. In consequence
of this monstrous system, we occasionally, and too
frequently, hear of venerable and most deserving
officers dying in a state of impoverishment and ne-
glect, after having filled some subordinate post
in the navy for half a century, or thereabouts.
The deplorable instances of the two lieutenants
GREEN who, but a very few days ago, died in the
vicinity of Portsmouth, and with the melancholy cir-
cumstances of whose careers and decease the readers
of The Sun are already acquainted, would have been
amply sufficient, one would have expected, to have
prevented the recurrence of similar injustice.
One of these unfortunate, and most meritorious
officers dated his lieutenant's commission as far back
as 1806, while the other was only three years
later. If we remember these calamitous facts,
and remember, moreover, that there are some-
thing more than two thousand five hundred lieu-
tenants in the navy, and that out of that enormous
body only eighty have been elevated to coin-
manderships in the recent brevet, we shall
immediately recognise the impolicy and—we cannot
but say it—the intolerable cruelty of the circum-
stance, that amongst those eighty promoted lieutenants
there are young men whose commissions are as re-
cent as 1841, and whose only advantages are those of
a fortuitous nature, namely, the antiquity of their
family and the political influence of their connexions.
In speaking thus we are by no means attaching any
individual blame to Lord AUCKLAND and his col-
leagues ; on the contrary, we are persuaded of the per-
fect integrity of their motives and of their solicitude for
the prosperity of the profession. But we are inveigh-
ing upon an abuse which has unhappily been in
existence during a greater number of years than we
have the heart to calculate. It is such an abuse that
urgently clamours for its removal, and such an abuse
that we can never tire of reprobating.
Besides this " crying evil" there is another for the
destruction of which we have long yearned. We
have long yearned for the removal of all the contin-
gent evils of the execrable system of impressment for
the navy. That system itself is unquestionably but
little practised now-a-days. Its character is so
directly opposed to the liberal nature of our constitu-
tion, that it has long been lapsing into disuse from the
universal execration with which it is regarded.
Nevertheless, there may still ,be enumerated among
our sailors a multitude of the victims of im-
pressment men who have been torn from
their families and their ordinary occupations by
violence ; who_have had a laborious career thrust upon
them, contrary to their inclinations ; who, notwith-
standing all this rigorous treatment, have laboured for
years in our men-of-war and our frigates, with un-
common honesty, with distinguished zeal, and some-
times with a surprising intelligence, but who, neverthe-
less, have received more niggardly wages than those sea-
men who are engaged in the merchant service, and,
beyond all, have no hope of release or promotion.
Are these men punished thus, forsooth, because of
their excellent behaviour, and because of their pro-
tracted toil for their country ? Is it judicious, is it
generous, is it, we ask, barely honest, that they
should be compelled to expend the vigour of their youth
and the lustihood of their prime for a hopeless
debasement and a miserable pittance ? Are their
promotions withheld because of their lack of educa-
tion? Then, say we, educate them, in common jus-
tice. You have driven them into an onerous and
laborious profession, give them, in Heaven's name,
a chance of gaining a footing in it, and of acquiring
something beyond a mere subsistence.
These abuses of the naval service are so grievous in
their character as to demand a generous and compre-
hensive reformation.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland will
now become a really useful and efficient body, com-
petent to meet and provide for the emergencies of
their native land, and to take the part becoming an
association which has for its president a Nobleman of
the most exalted rank, of well-approved patriotism,
and of wide and extensive domains, and which com-
prises amongst its members the most active, intelli-
gent, and influential of the nobility, gentry, and
landed proprietors connected with our sister island.
From such a body much might be expected; there
is no part or district throughout the kingdom which
has not some person interested in its prosperity,
acquainted with its wants, and competent to suggest
steps which might be beneficially adopted for
its improvement, or the relief of its poorer in-
habitants, to represent it in the society.
The great Irish want—a central society, so
constituted, and willing to take into consi-
deration anything calculated to promote the public
welfare, to guard the landed interests, and to do every
thing within their power to relieve and mitigate the
existing distress in the manner least burdensome to
the country—will now be supplied. The society may
for the future be termed the National Committee of
Ireland ; they will be competent to discharge all the
functions of that committee whose formation we
have so warmly advocated ; and in the extended ob-
jects for which the society is now available, and its
vastly increased utility, we foresee the greatest bene-
fits for Ireland and the Irish.

The Agricultural Society of Ireland owes its
origin to the exertions of the late Alderman
PETER PURCELL. That intelligent gentleman
understood the great advantages to be derived from
the exertions of a body who should make it
their especial duty to point out means by which the
lands of the country might be brought into improved
cultivation, and greater attention might be paid to
the breeding of cattle, and a better system of agricul-
ture. In order to obtain the general co-operation of
the Irish gentry, it was essentially necessary that any
question of a political nature, or which might by a
possibility originate party differences or dissensions,
should carefully be avoided; accordingly, one of the
fundamental rules of the society was, " That no ques-
tion should be discussed at any of its meetings of a
political tendency, or which should refer to any matter
to be brought forward or pending in either of the
Houses of Parliament." Such a rule, so stringent in its
terms, and general in its operation, could not be
avoided at the time of the formation of the society ;
a inducedei to act
mutual
gn
urtlualiodisstrust was felt by gentlemen of differ-
entand theypcoolirtdiciaalllyfeetolignegtshecon any point
couldnot
be
which by a possibility could be tortured into a party
'
question. The universality of the rule, however,
prevented the possibility of any subject of a disagree-
able nature being intruded, and the first great point
was achieved, and Irish gentlemen met on a neutral

Of their common country.
For many years the rule was strictly and honour•
ably adhered to, and no infringement of its provisions
was attempted. Perhaps to the association of men of
different parties thus occasioned the origin of the
better and improved feeling that now exists on every
side may be traced. That feeling has been further
purified in the school of adversity and affliction, in
which the Irish people of every class have lately
been taught, and we are happy to acknowledge that
almost every Irishman forms a more correct and less
prejudiced opinion of his neighbour than was for-

merly the case.
A period, however, arrived when it became neces-
sary for the society ito extend
_the sphere of its
operations. During the last session an Act of the
Imperial Parliament was passed by which large sums
were to be advanced, by way of loan, out of the na-
tional exchequer for the relief of the fearful distress
occasioned by the loss of the potato crop, which
were to be charged upon the real property of the
country, and to be repaid, with interest, by periodical
instalments. No measure could possibly more
deeply affect the landed interest of the
country than the Labour-rate Act. The na-

tional prosperity was dependent on the manner
in which it should be carried into operation, and the
direction of the vast expenditure thereby occasioned
into a proper channel, to works of a reproductive
character and national utility. The very objects of
the society rendered it expedient and necessary that
they should discuss the measure and the authorities
therein, that they should be brought forward before
the Legislature during the ensuing session, and for this
purpose an alteration of the latter part of the funda-
mental rule to which we have adverted became essen-
tial. Accordingly, a special meeting of the society took
place on Wednesday, the 11th inst., convened in pur-
suance of a requisition, " in order to take the sense of
the society at large as to the propriety, under
the present circumstances of the country,
of suspending the 14th rule of the :society, so far as
to enable the society to express their opinions as to
the profitable and productive employment of the
people, the general and thorough drainage, subsoiling,
and clearing of the land, and the production of food
at the present crisis."
Ills Grace the Duke of LEINSTER presided over the
meeting, which was attended by Mr. O'CoNNELL,
and many gentlemen of the highest consideration.
A. resolution was passed, suspending the latter part of
the rule to which we have referred, to the extent
mentioned in the requisition, which suspension was
extended to the general meeting to be held in the
spring of 1847.
Two other resolutions of considerable importance
were also carried. The first—
" That the society should form itself into a committee,
to take such means as might appear advisable for ob-
taining accurate information respecting the extent of
the benefit derived from the present mode of providing
employment, and the deficiencies of the same, to report
upon such amendments as were desirable, and submit to
the consideration of the proper authorities, from time
to time, such representations as those inquiries might
supply, thus embodying the collective experience and
observation of the society at large."
And the second—
" That the proper authorities should be impressed
with the necessity of making the townlands the units of
subdivisions as to assessment, in place of electoral divi-
sions ; and that any proprietor undertaking the amount
of cess to be levied off each townland should be exone-
rated from the assessment of the baronies."
The want of space prevents our alluding further
to the good effects that must result from the proper
carrying out of these resolutions ; but our readers
will perceive how fully they are in accordance with
the views we have, from time to time, put forward in
our columns. From our hearts we congratulate the
Agricultural Society on its extended sphere of utility,
and the nation generally on the great advantages that
must result therefrom.

The measures carried into effect under Sir ROBERT
PEEL'S Administration were singularly great and va-
ried. As we noticed at the moment of his official
exit, it would be difficult to select a period in which
were passed more comprehensive, sound, liberal, and
useful acts of legislation than during the few years
which comprised the existence of the late Government-
No sooner had the sanction of Parliament been
obtained to measures of imperious necessity, that
brooked of no delay, than others were launched for
discussion and approval, the expediency and utility
whereof were immediately apparent upon their in-
troduction. Among not the least significant of the
latter was the scheme propounded by Lord LINCOLN
in relation to the health of towns. A subject of
deeper interest to the community at large, but
especially to the humbler ranks of society, there
cannot well be mooted. The change of Government,
coupled with the advanced period of the session
when it occurred, necessarily dictated the post-
ponement of this matter. This circumstance is,
however, to be regarded with favour, first, because
Lord LiNcorses Bill, excellent in many respects, was
not free from grave imperfections, next because it
elicited from Lord Jour' ItussELL the assurance, that
his Government would cordially co-operate in the
ensuing session in improving the sanatory condition
of the people. In the meanwhile much of valuable
information has been acquired, and most important
statistics already brought under the public eye. A
glance at these indicates the desirableness of the phy-
sical comforts of our fellow-creatures being speedily
engendered and maintained, by some vigorous and
comprehensive act of legislation. The alarming fact
has been discovered, by a computation entered into by
scientific and competent judges, that 136 lives in
England are daily wantonly sacrificed, in consequence
of the absence of proper and obvious regulations of a
sanatory nature.
Mr. HUME, M.P., remarked last week at a meet-
ing between himself and his constituents, that,," the
next Parliament was destined to effect great and salutary
changes in our social system ; that education would
be one great measure ; and that something was ab-
solutely necessary to be done in order to repress
crime." There can be no doubt of the truth of this
statement. Of the intrinsic importance of national
education we have been the perpetual advocates ; but
the acquisition of habits of cleanliness is almost the
indispensable forerunner to the diffusion of mental
attainments. The mind and body are intimately
connected; they act reciprocally. By a due attention
to the latter, a healthy vigour is imparted to the
former. We have a vast mental area to cultivate ;
we must be careful so to break up and prepare the
soil, that the intellectual seeds which we propose to
disseminate may yield an abundant harvest.
The Health of Towns' Association has just issued
another report. It is one of great value ; too much
attention cannot be bestowed upon it. Lord LIN-
COLN'S measure is criticised with ability and impar-
tiality. It is conceded to be most promising in its
general features. On the other hand, two objections
are taken to it, which the Government, as it seems to
us, would do well to remove. One is, that it is con-
fined to England and Wales. Scotland, Ireland, and
the English capital, are not included in its pro-
visions. This we esteem to be a great error.
Ireland, in particular, stands in the greatest
need of sanatory protection, and our own
metropolis, it is notorious, requires similar treatment.
The other objection is, charging the Home Depart-
ment with the onerous duty of superintending the
administration of the measure. The report analyzes
the multiplicity of business already entailed upon the
Home Secretary's office, and renders clear that the
imposition of further duties cannot be thrown upon
this department of the public service without the
certainty that they, or some other, must suffer from
unavoidable neglect. This is a point that will, we
doubt not, be well conned over when the Bill comes
under Parliamentary consideration. Lord LINCOLN
has recently visited Dublin, and was, we believe, much
struck and pained with the sight of the wretched
hovels and squalid appearance of thousands of the in-
habitants. We hope, therefore, that his Lordship
and the Government will see good reason fur con-
ferring upon the Irish the like boon which it is in-
tended to bestow upon England and Wales.
The authorities of our metropolis have ever proved
themselves most exemplary in the administration of
their own municipal and local affairs ; insomuch that
Parliament has frequently honoured the City with a
special Act touching matters for which they have
made provision fur the country at large by a general
measure. There are many localities in the metropo-
litan districts where sanatory regulations would
prove of immense service towards securing the health

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