The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-21 00:00:00

\.. 1..

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 21, 1856.

truly English part, and only yielded to the force
of adverse and irresistible circumstances.

It is als) due to our Allies that not only the
truth, but the whole truth, should be known.
As we have already stated there are unpleasant
impressions abroad, and nothing can be worse than
silence under such circumstances. The most
"damning fact" could not so greatly damage
their interests as the " doubts and fears " that
must attend protracted secrecy.
We trust, then, that one of the first acts of the
British Parliament, after the announcement of
the terms of the Treaty, will be to insist on the
full publication of all the negotiations, that have
taken place at Paris or elsewhere, in which Bri-
tish diplomatists have taken a part.

If we had not pretty nigh exhausted our stock
of wonder over official management we would
certainly express a good deal of surprise at the
postal intercourse by steam between this country
and Australia having been suffered to be sus-
pended, and that for a period of seventeen months.
Had the colony in question been a poor colony,
and the traffic between it and the mother
country so small as to be an object of indiffe-
rence, this suspension might have been ac-
counted for in a satisfactory manner. Such,
however, is notoriously not the case. Of all the
colonies under British sway none is more pro-
mising nor more valuable than Australia ; and
when we say valuable we don't mean in prospectu,
but valuable at the present time. Why, our
commerce with Australia is of the first class in
point of magnitude. In 1853, according to a
Parliamentary return, she took more from us
than America, previously our largest customer,
11 had done on an average of seven years, 1847 to
1852—that average being little more than 13
millions, and the amount of British imports into
Australia in the above year exceeding fourteen
millions and a half ! It is with a colony like this
that " tricks of office" must be played, with a
trade like this unnecessary delay in the trans-
mission of correspondence has been hazarded.
During a critical period, and while a regular
postal service was carried on with America and
the West Indies, letters from Australia could not
reach us on an average in less than 93i days, the
outward mails to Melbourne having an advantage
of nine days. A strange mode of promoting our
commercial interests truly.

Under such circumstances, it is gratifying to
find the General Association for the Australian
Colonies taking the matter into consideration, and
forwarding the result in the shape of a memorial

,o the Treasury, in which, after pointing out the

injurious effects of the present system, they recom-
mend the adoption of a new- route, by which
2,338 miles would b 3 saved, as compared. with

every other, and the employment of first-class
vessels with adequate steam power and well-tested
speed for the performance of the voyage. The
route recommended is that by Suez and the island
of Diego Garcia (the largest of the Chazo group in
the Indian Ocean) to Melbourne—the island to be

used as a coaling depot. For this purpose, and

as a halfway-house of call, it appears to be well
adapted, being a British dependency, lying about
halfway between the straits of B3,belmandel at the

Red Sea, and the south-western promontory of the
continent of Australia, and possessing a capacious
harbour, easy of access in all weathers, and com-
pletely landlocked. The superiority of this route
not only over those via the Cape, and via Aden,
Ceylon, and Singapore, but also over the Panama
route, is sufficiently apparent on the table ap-
pended to the memorial, the distances and periods
of passage laid down in which are given on the
authority of the Hydrographer Royal. The first,
or Cape route, is 13,367 miles in length, and
occupies a period of 80 days. The second, or
Ceylon route, involves a distance of 11,521 miles,
and a passage of 64 days. The third, or Panama,
a distance of 12,686 miles, and nearly a 57 days'
passage, while that recommended by the Association
is not more than 10,348 miles inlongth, and can be
traversed in 44 days, nearly a fortnight less than
by the Panama route, and one-half the time at pre-
sent occupied. Of these ten thousand miles odd
nearly one-tenth will be accomplished by rail,
viz., the distance between Dover and Marseilles,
and between Cairo and Suez, tke remainder of

the calculation as to time being based on a speed
of ten miles an hour being maintained between
Suez ani Melbourne, a rate decidedly below the
average now achieved by steam navigation.
Even on the score of expense every facility is
offered, the colonies having volunteered most
liberal contributions to carry out a scheme in
which they feel themselves deeply interested.
Victoria alone has voted 50,000/. per annum for
the purpose, and thereis every reason to believe the
remaining colonieswillcontribute in likeproportion.
Thus the Government are offered every induce-
ment to proceed with the undertaking ; notwith-

standing which we regret to learn they propose
to refer the question to Australia, apparently in-
different to the additional inconvenience and delay
such a step must occasion. It would redound
more to their credit, and be productive of great
advantage to this country as well as to Australia,
if they set the line to work without a moment's
unnecessary delay. Unfortunately such conside-

rations have generally but little weight with men
in office, and we have therefore no great confi-
dence of an exception being forthcoming in the
present instance. The time, however, is not far
distant, and the race of officials do their best to
hasten it, when our Australian colonies will not
submit to be thus trifled with and victimised by
Imperial incompetency and indifference.

THE FUND.—The sum of 300/. has been
forwarded from Bath to the London committee.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left town
yesterday morning, for Windsor Castle, to attend the
confirmation of the Princess Royal. His Royal High-
ness returned to town in the afternoon.

His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar
went to Windsor Castle yesterday, to be present at the
confirmation of the Princess Royal. The Prince re-
turned to London after the ceremony.
The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl Granville. and
Viscount Palmerston returned to town from Windsor
Castle yesterday afternoon.

THE- SADLEIII, FORGERIES.—DUBLIN, Thur.Pday.—lt
has transpired that forgeries, in the shape of promissory
notes to the amount of 25,0001., have been committed
by the late John Sadleir on Mr. Dargan.
THE ENSUING EASTER TER3l.—The customary notices
for "eighty-five" attorneys to be admitted in Easter
Term have been given, they having passed their exam'.
nation.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN IRVINE.--Captain Chas. Cham-
berlayne Irvine (retired under her Majesty's order in
council of the 10th of August, 1340) died on the 18th
in4ant, in Upper Albany-street, Regent's-park, in the
85th year of his age.

DEATH OF COMMANDER PATTERSO7. —Commander
William Patterson (1847) (on the retired list) died on the
16th inst. at Plymouth, aged 75 years. This officer
entered the navy July 1, 1804, al first-class volunteer on
board the Monmouth, 64, Captain George Hart, bear-
ing the flag in Yarmouth Roads of Rear-Admiral Thos.
M'acnamara Russell.

CANADA COMPANY.—The general court of proprietors,
Mr. Cnarles Franks, governor, in the chair, was held
yesterday, for the purpose of electing a governor, three
other directors, and an auditor. The consideration of
a motio❑ for a retiring allowance to Mr. John Perry,
the secretary of the company (4001. per annum), was
carried. The comparative statement of transactions,
from Ist Jan. to 29th Feb , was as follows :—Land
sold, 1856, 477 acres, at 3s. 10d. (average) ; 1855, 685
acres, at 265. sd. (average.) Land leased, 1856, 2,176
acres, at•46s. 2d. ; 1855, 5,759 acres, at 31s. Bd. ; to-
tal, 1856, 2,653 acres, at 435. 6d. ; 1855, 6,444 acres, at
30s. 10d. Leases converted to freeholds, 1856, 21,702
acres, at 15'. 9d. ; 1855, 31,727 acres, at 15s. 2.1. Re-
ceipts in Canada to ditto, 1856, 28,7801. ; 1855, 43,7091.
The report, after a short discussion, was agreed to, and
the directors and auditor were elected.

CONFIRMATION OF THE PRINCESS

ROYAL.

WINDSOR, THURSDAY.
The Confirmation of the Princess Royal took place
this day in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.
"The Archbishop of Canterbury ; the Bishop of Oxford,
Lord High Almener ; the Bishop of Chester, Clerk of the
Closet ; the Dean of Windsor, Resident Chaplain to the
Queen ; the Rev.' Lord Wriothesley Russell, Deputy
Clerk of the Closet in Waiting ; and the Rev. 11. J. Elli-
son, Vicar of Windsor ; took their seats within the rails
of the communion-table shortly before 12 o'clock.
The ministers and other company invited to witness the
ceremony assembled in the Green Drawing-room at a
quarter before 12 o'clock, the Ladies and Gentlemen in
Waiting on the Queen and the Royal Family assembling
in the corridor. The company were then conducted to
seats in the chapel.
About 12 o'clock the Princess Royal entered the chapel
with her father, the Prince Consort, who placed her in a
chair in front of the communion table. The Queen and
the King of the Belgians followed, together with the rest
of the royal and illustrious personages.
The King of the Belgians, the godfather of the Prin-
cess Royal, was conducted to a seat near the Princess,
under the pulpit, and in a line with the King were the
Duchess of. Kent, godmother of the Princess Royal, the
Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Mary of Cambridge,
the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar,
Prince Ernest of Leiningen, and Prince Victor of Ho-
henlohe.
The Queen was seated opposite to the King of the Bel-
gians; while Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the
Princess Alice, Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, and the
Princess Louisa, occupied seats opposite to the other
members of the Royal Family. The great officers of state
and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting took their
seats immediately behind the Royal Family.
The remainder of the company invited were placed in
pews on either side of the chapel.
The Princess Royal wore a rich white silk glace gown,
with five flounces pinked, the body richly trimmed with
white ribbon and Mechliu lace.
The King of the Belgians, the Prince Consort, and the
Duke of Cambridge appeared in the Windsor uniform,
and each wore the Riband, Badge, and Star of the Most
Noble Order of the Garter.
The Gentlemen of the Queen's and the Prince Con-
sort's household wore the Windsor uniform, the members
of Orders of Knighthood wearing theirrespective
The ceremony commenced by a hymn, sung by the
gentlemen and boys of the Royal Chapel of St. George.
Mr. W. G. Cusins, the organist of her Majesty's Private
Chapel, presided at the organ.
The Bishop of Oxford read the Preface, and the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury performed the ceremony, and con-
cluded the service, the Princess kneeling before his Grace.
The Archbishop at the close delivered an exhortation,
and part of the 263 th hymn was then sung by the choir.
The ceremony being ended, the Queen and the King
of the Belgians. the Princess Royal, and the Prince Con-
sort, with the Royal Family, quitted the Chapel, and en-
tered the Green Drawing-room, where her Majesty re-
ceived the congratulations of the distinguished company
present.
The following were the royal and distinguished per-
sons present : The Queen, the King of the Belgians,
Prince Albert, the Duchess of Kent, the Princess Royal,
the Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales, the Duke
of Cambridge, the Princess Alice, the Princess Mary of
Cambridge, Prince Alfred, Prince Edward of Saxe Wei-
mar, the Princess Helena, Prince Ernest of Leiningen,
the Princess Louisa, Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Lang-
enburg, the Most Rev. Dr. Sumner, Archbishop of Can-
terbury ; Earl Granville, Lord President of the Privy
Council ; the Duchess of Sutherland, Mistress of the
Robes ; Monsieur Van de Weyer, Belgian Minister,
and Madame Van de Weyer; Earl Spencer, K.G., Lord
Steward; the Marquis of Breadalbane ; Lord Chamber.
lain ; the Duke cf Wellington, Master of the Horse ; the
Marquis of Abercorn, K.G., Groom of the Stole to the
Prince Creosote; ; the Marquis of Lansdowne, K.G.,
the Earl of Aberdeen, K.G. ; Viscount Palmerston,
G.C.8., First Lord of the Treasury; the Right Hon.
Sir George Grey, G.C.8., Secretary of State for the
Home Department ; the Countess of Desert, Lady
in Waiting to the Quee❑ ; the Hon. Flora Mac-
donald and the Hon. Caroline Cavendish, Maids of
Honour ; Lady Caroline Barrington, Lady Superintend-
ent ; Lord Camoys, the Lord in Waiting to the Queen ;
Lieut.-Colonel F. Cavendish, Groom in Waiting to the
Queen ; Major-General Buckley, Equerry in Waiting to
the Queen ; Viscount Torrington, Lord in Waiting to
the Prince ; Col. Francis Seymour, Groom in Waiting
to the Prince ; Capt. the Hon. Dudley de Ros, Equerry
in Waiting to the Prince ; Lady Fanny Howard, the
Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent; Lady Geor-
gians Bathurst, Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Cam-
bridge ; Baroness de Speth ; Lady Caroline Murray,
of the household of the Duchess of Gloucester ; the
Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner ; the Bishop of
Chester, Clerk of the Closet ; the Dean of Windsor,
Resident Chaplainito the Queen ; Rev. Lord Wriothesley
Russell, Deputy-Clerk of the Closet in Waiting ; the
Rev. H. J. Eliison, Vicar of Windsor ; the Dowager
Lady Lyttleton, General Sir Robert and Lady Gardi-
ner, Colonel the Hon. C. 8., Mrs., and Miss Phipps,
Major-General the Hon. Charles Grey, Mrs. Grey, and
Miss Barrington, Sir James Clark, Col. the Hon. Alex-
ander N. Ilood and Lady Mary Hood, Colonel and Lady
Emily Seymour, Sir George Couper, Equerry to the
Duchess of Kent, and Lady Couper ; Major Purves,
Equerry to the Duchess of Cambridge ; Colonel Tyr-
whitt, Equerry to the Duke of Cambridge ; Colonel de
Moerkerke, Captain Prisso and Dr. Ricken, the Gentle-
men in Waiting on the King of the Belgians ; Mr.
Gibbs, Mr. Becker, Mr. Glover, Miss litildyard,
Madame Roliande, Mdlle. Illhardt, and the Master of
the Household.

Luncheon was served to the royal family in the white-
room, and to the general company in the dining-room.
The Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Mary, and
the Duke of Cambridge took of the Queen and the
Prince in the afternoon, the Dachess and the Princess
Mary proceeding to Kew, and the Duke returning to
London. Prince El ward of Saxe Weimar and Prince
Victor of Hohenlohe also took leave and quitted the
Castle.

The Ministers, Officers of State, and other visitors in-
vited to attend the ceremony, took their departure.
The dinner party in the evening included the King
of the Belgians, the Duchess of Kent, his Serene High-
ness Prince Ernest of Leiningen, Lady Fanny Howard,
Baroness de Speth, M. Van de Weyer, the Belgian
Minister, and Col. de Moerkerke, Capt. Prisse and Dr.
Fticken (in attendance on the King of the Belgians).
The Queen had a dinner party yesterday (Wednesday)
evening. The company included the King of the Bel-
gians, the Duchess of Kent, the Princess Mary and the
Duke of Cambridge, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar,
Prince Ernest of Leiningen and Prince Victor of Hohen-
lohe, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duchess of
Sutherland, the Earl of Aberdeen, Viscount Palmerston,
Lady Fanny Upward, Lady Georgiana Bathurst, Baro-
ness de Speth, Sir J. Clark, Col. de Moerkerke, Capt.
Prisse and Dr. Ricken (in waiting on the King of the
Belgians), Major Purves, and Col. Tyrwhitt.
Her Majesty's Royal Minor Bounties and Gate Alms
were distributed on Friday and Saturday in the past
week, and on Mondayand Tuesday last, to the usual num-
ber of aged and meritorious poor in th• various parishes
and districts in and round London, at the Almonry, at
Whitehall, under the direction of the Lord High Almo-
ner, assisted by the Sub-Almoner. The recipients in-
cluded numerous cases of blindness and other infirmities,
and bad been recommended by the clergy of the various
parishes.