The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-14 00:00:00

THE CASE OF MILITIA CAPTAINS.

The following statement just received from a
valued correspondent is entitled, we cannot but
think, to immediate and serious consideration :
From what has been stated in the Houses of Par-
liament, it does not appear that any officers, except
the subalterns and assistant-surgeons, are to receive
any gratuity. Now, the captains have, certainly, as
much right to a bounty as others, seeing that their
duty is more onerous and troublesome ; the whole
business devolves on them. If a soldier deserts, or
runs into debt, or a death occurs, the captain has all
deficiencies to make good, and very many other contin-
gencies. The same expense of clothing is borne by the
captain as well as the subaltern, and while many subal-
terns procured commissions in the line but very few cap-
tains did ; and also but few subaltern; in comparison
to captains, have served through the whole period of
the war. Very many have but lately joined, and why
should they receive this reward for which the captains
are excluded ? It has been said that the captains
are country gentlemen, bat although it was the
case years back it is not so now. More than
half of the captains of militia are at this time either offi-
cers on half-pay or have served in the line or East India
service, and nearlyall of them joined thinking something
permanent would accrue for their future benefit. Many
of these officers are but slenderly provided for, and would
'ne thankful for this small consideration. The foreign
troops who have served, and many of them have not done
any duty, are all to receive this mark of bounty ; and
because militia captains once had to be qualified to hold
a commission, it his been taken for granted all must
have two hundred a year; but this qualification has
by a late act of Parliament been done away with for offi-
cers who have served in the army, marines, and East
India service. The subalterns in some regiments of
militia are better off than their captains.

Prince Frederick Wiliam of Prussia will, it is said,
come to London, so as to be present at our Court on
the anniversary of the Queen's birthday.
Madame Schumann had the honour of dining with
the Earl and Countess of Westmoreland on Saturday
last, with a distinguished circle of amateurs and artistes.
It is now looked upon as certain that the Prince of
Prussia wi,l be deputed by the King to be present at the
corcnation of the Emperor Alexander in Moscow.
A bazaar in aid of the funds of the Hospital for Con-
sumption, at Brompton, will take place on the 3d of
June and two following days, in the Regent's-park.
Despatches from the Governor of Canada were re-
ceived yesterday at the Colonial•ofsce.
Sir Alexand. r Spearman had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, yesterday, at his official
resi lence in Downing•strret.
The Council of King's College, London, have ap-
pointed Mr. James Swift, of the City of London School,
Assistant Arithmetical and Writing Master.
The Maine Liquor Law has been condemned in the
State that gave it birth ; the Maine Legislature have
passed an act repealing its prohibitory provisions.
Lablache has been unwell in Paris, but-bas now re-
covered, and will arrive in London next week to appear
at the Royal Italian Opera.
It is expected that a new dock, to ba called the Swain-
son Dock, which is being constructed in the pushing,
thriving town of West Hartlepool, will be opened for
trade early in June.

The steam-ship Pacific, W. C. Thompson commander,
arrived at Malta on the sth inst , in eight days, from
Portsmouth, having experienced vary rough weather
during the passage. She was to leave Malta in two days
for the Crimea.
Mrs. Smith O'Brien and family, says a Limerick
paper, are at present solnirning in Kilkee. Mr. Smith
O'Brien, along with his eldest son, is travelling in Greece.
He intended, in the course of the year, to visit America..
He may be expected in Limerick in the course of a fort-
night.

PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is
about 5 per mille premium (according to the last tariff),
wbich, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 101 d. per
oz. for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.291 ; and,
the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25.371,
it follows that gold is about 0.32 per cent. dearer in Lon-
don than in Paris. By ad vices from Hamburg the price
of gold is 4261 per mark, which, at the English Mint
price of 3/. 17s. 101 d, per oz. for standard gold, gives an
exchange of 13.53. ; and, the exchange at Hamburg• on
London at short being 13.61, it follows that gold is 0.53
per cent. dearer in London than in Hamburg. The
course of exchange at New Ycrk on London for bills at
60 days' sight is 1094 per cent., and, the par of exchange
between England and America being 109 23.40 per cent.,
it follows that the exchange is nominally 0.30 per cent.
in favour of England ; and, after making allowance for
charges of transport and difference of interest, the pre-
sent rate leaves a small profit on the importation of
gold from the United States.

ARRIVAL OF LORD DALHOUSIL—PORTSMOUTH, May
13.—The Tribune, 21, screw-frigate, Captain Edgell,
having Lord Dalhousie, late Governor-General of India,
and family on board, arrived at SpitheAd to-day, at
noon. She saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief,
which the Victory acknowledged. The Commander-in-
Chief went to Spitehead in the Fire Queen, and paid his
respects to the noble lord. The health of his lordship
is reported to have improved of late, although be is still
exceedingly weak, requiring to be moved in a cot. At
four o'clock this afternoon the Tribune came into har-
bour, but his lordship did not land till near six o'clock.
He then proceeded with his family to the George Hotel,
Portsmouth, where he will remain a few days. On leav-
ing the Tribune her crew manned yards, and as the barge
in which his lordship and family were brought on shore
Massed the Victory, that ship fired a salute of 19 guns.
His lordship was immediately carried to the carriage of
the Commander-in-Chief, which was waiting, and drove
to the George.