The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, PRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1856.

be easy to show that the rigorous ascetism Gi tau-
dern times was unknown beyond two ceP_turies ago."
Having disposed of this part of the question,
his Lordship, it will be seen, took to pieces the
objection, that to relax the observance of Sunday
was to make it a working day, and showed its
hollowness. With great justice he complained of
the misrepresentations of the purport of the motion
by the Sabbatarian party out of doors, and threw
some not unneeded light on the Sunday-school
objection. He freely admitted that the Sunday-
school system was, generally speaking, a valuable
institution, but the children really in too many
instances got too much of it. "He had known
cases in which young children—the majority of
them not ten years of age=were made to attend
two services of the Established Church, and in
addition three or four hours' teaching, Now,"
said his Lordship, and we thoroughly agree with
him, " that was a degree of mental and bodily con-
finement inconsistent with mental and bodily vigour"
—an enforcement of the system calculated to de-
feat its own ends; so that the liberation of the chil-
dren on a Sunday afternoon was not so undesirable
a thing after all—especially, we would add, from
the numerous chapel ..;vaults, necessarily un-
wholesome, in which they are Sunday after Sun-
day incarcerated. The remainder of the speech,
outspoken, practical, and convincing, will be found
worthy of all praise, and is not likely to be over
looked by the •btusest reader. In conclusion,
we would remark the dominancy, the worse than
Popish dominancy, of the Sabbatarian party is
doomed. Let them keep the resurrection day of
the LORD of Life and Light, and the GIVER of all
Good, as gloomily as they please, the people will
not much longer be compulsory participators
therein within them. The pothouses will have to
disgorge their reluctant guests on Sunday, and the
doors of our National Institutions to he opened.
Following the advice of LuTHER, it may be neces-
sary to signify by some striking manifestation the
popular belief in the human origin of Sabbath
Observances ; but whether or not, the people will
rise before long in their strength and cast off the
Sabbatarian yoke at once and for ever, and well
will it be for the cause of truth if in their ex-
asperation they are content with this.

THE NEW LOAN AND FUNDING OF
EXCHEQUER-BILLS,

~~

This morning tho was a numerous attendance of
capitalists at the Treasury, to take part in the biddings
for the New Loan and funcliag of Exchequer-bills.
Shortly after 10 o'clock stir., the hour appointed for the
business, the gentlemen in attecdance, including Barons
Rothschild, Messrs. R. and T. Thornton, J. Capel,
Lawrence, L. Cohen, and others, were received by Lord
Palmerston, S r G. C, Lewis, Mr. Wilson, &c., on the
part of the Government. The Governor and Deputy-
Governor of the Bank were aso in attendance.
The proceedings were opined by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer placing in the hands of the Governor of the
Bank of England the sealed paper containing the mini-
mum terms which would be accepted.
In answer to questions from Mr. CAPEL,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the
scrip would be delivered on the passing of the resolutions
by the House of Commons ; but,
The GOTERNOR of the BANK explained that he feared
the scrip weight not be ready on the payment of the first
instalment of 10 per cent. If that were the case the
letters of allotment would be stamped at the Bank.
Mr. CAPEL asked whether, in the case of the Ex-
chequer-bills, it would not be a convenience to have the
interest ma le payable at the Bank of England ?
The CHANCELLOR said it had not been the custom to
do so, and he was afraid it was not possible.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then requested
the presentation of tenders. Only one was made, by
Baron L. Rothschild, on the part of Messrs. Rothschild,
Brothers, in the following form :
" We hereby propose to the Lords Commissioners of
her Majesty's Treasury to subscribe the sum of 5,000.0001.
sterling for the loan for the service of the year 1856, on
the following terms
For every 100/. of money to receive 112/. se. (say
five shillings) Three per Ceut. Consolidated Annuities,
with a dividend from January last; the payments in
conformity with the notice.

" This -proposal is made subject to Parliament autho-
rising and directing our:elves and oar contributors t o
cArry the aforesaid terms into effe,ct."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER asked what that
price would be in Consols ?
Baron ROTHSCHILD intimated that it would be at 891
for every 1121. ss.

. _
The CHANCELLOR replied that that was below the
minimum price of the sealed paper placed in the hands
of the Governor of the Bank of England, and which he
requested him to open.
The GOVERNOR of the BANK of ENGLAND having
done so, intimated that the terms were 1111. 23. 2d.
Consolidated Three per Cent. Annuities, or equivalent
to Consols at 90.

Baron ROTHSCHILD having withdrawn for a short
time with his friends to consult, on returning announced
that they accepted the Government minimum. They
were in hopes that some alteration might have been
made in the terms for Exchequer-bills, as the price was
much higher than they anticipated.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXICHEQUER, after consulting
with Lord Palmerston and Mr. Wilson, replied that the
Government could not make any alteration in the
terms. Having placed the minimum price in the hands
of the Governer of the Bank of England, no deviation
could be made.

The GOVERNOR of the Bank said it might be as well
to read the terms again, and did so.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was
not exactly at the price of 90, for they had taken the
money quotation ; but on the average it was as near as
possible 90.

Mr. CAPEL requested that the Government would
in future communications to the Stock Exchange state
the amount of the loan at once, since it would appear
that parties were acquainted on Saturday last with
the amount not only of the loan, but also cf the
funding, and had won heavily by bets upon their infor-
mation. It was then distinctly stated that the I..ae
would 1 e for F,000,0)0/., and the funding for 3,000,000/,
It, in future, tile amount was stated at once, all parties
would be in a position to judge for themselves, and any
possibility of undue preference would be avoided.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he bad
followed the precedent of previous loans. Probably
it would be the best course to publish the amount :it
once ; but hitherto, during a long experience in such
mattrs, it bad not been the practice.
Mr. JAMES CAPEL said that he was told yesterday the
minimum terms of the Government would be 90.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER smilingly re-
plied—That was a very good guess, but the minimum,
price was not finally settled yesterday.
After some further conversation, in answer to a ques-
tion from the Chancellor of the Exc'aequer'
Baron ROTHSCHILD intimated that the whole, includ-
ing the amount of the Loan and the Exchequer Bilis,
was accopted at the Government price.
Mr. JAS. CAPEL asked what the future rate of interest
would be on Exchequer Bills, when called in by adver-
tisement for exchange.
Tt,e CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that he
could not answer the question then, but the announce-
ment would be made at the usual period in proper
form.

Baron ROTHSCEIILD having signed the contracts on the
part of the firm, the prociedingq terminated.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

Meetings This Day.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the shareholders
Of thi3 F2RlETrtlielNhAtlit; of ahandosYn'tT:chair.
The CHAIRMAN said the accounts showed a favour
able state of the receipts over expenditure during
the past year. A diminution of expenditure had
also been effected, and a larger sum than usual
had been set aside for maintaining the perma-
nent way. In future the reports of the directors
would be sent round to the shareholders with the
statement-of the accounts. The chairman than entered
into the details mentioned in the report, and said that
with reference to the circumstances of the company the
increased traffic arose from the good understanding that
existed between teem and the Great Western. He had
hoped with that agreement there would have been an
cad to disser:s•ons between them and the other
companies. Several of the agreements into which
they bad entered into with other companies ex-
pired within the year, and it was hoped they
would have been renewed on the same terms.
With regard to the Great Northern, this co la-
pang bad been einabee to come to a fresh arrangement
with it, and things, as they existed in 1851, had again
occurred, but he was sanguine an amica'•-le arrangement
would soon be entered into bet .veen the two companies,
with the mediation of the North Eadern, the Ni rth
British and the Caledonian, and Lancaster and Carlisle
Railways, which would put an end to the disputes which
at pre,ent existed. After alluding to the enactments
of Parliament which had ma le free trade in rail ways,
and which bad produced so much competition injurious
to railway proprietors without a coreesponding benefit
to the public, he was inclined to believe that Par-
liament must see that free trade in railways could only
be done at the public expense, and he locked 'forward to
an early a teration of the present system of railway
legislation. He adverLd to the arrangements that had
been made with the Midland Company and the Great
Northern Railway, but which had now ceased ; and
explained the nature of the payments that had been
made to each of them, which, in the end, had been a
saving to this company, by giving them an increased
amount of receipts on the passenger traffic, from their
not having to provide rolling stock with which to con-
vey their own passengers,
The SECRETARY then read the report, which showed
the net proceeds for the half-year
_to be 690,232/.
12s. lid., to which was to be added 6,9501. li. 6 I_ the
balance from the last year, making a total of 697,1821.
144. 51. ; from this was to be deducted for further allow-
ance for renewal of rails 56,666/ 14e. 43., leaving a dis-
posable balance of 640,5161. is. id. for dividend. The
directors recommended a dividend of 5,1 per cent. per
annum for the last six months, leaving a balance of
48,5111. 14s. id. to be carried over to the next half-
year.

The Marqu's of CUANDOS moved the reception and
adoption of the raped.
Mr. BENSON (deputy-chairman) secmided the motion.
The Right Hon. j. PARKER urged on the meeting
the necessity of their-snaking some general movement
for the improvement of their property, or their stock
would altogether disappear under the present mode of
management. He referred to a letter he had published
on the state of the company's affairs, and a'so to the re-
port of the late committee 'of investigation, impressing
on the meeting the nece,sity of their enforcing the carry-
ing out of the sound and useful reforms thlt that com-
mittee had tecommende

--- -
The meeting had not concluded when our despatch
left.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of
this company was held this morning at the Euston-
square station ; S:r H. Verney, Bart., in the chair.
The rreport showed that the rent received from the
London and North-Western Company to the 30th June,
1855, and the balance from the former half-year to be
26,4781. Os. 7d., which would give a dividend of 4 per
Cent, and leave 1,1421. ls. 21 to be carried to the next
half-year.
The report was adopted by the meeting, and the divi-
dend as above declared.
The retiring directors were re-elected, and the business
terminated with -a vote of thanks to the chairman and
directors.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge had
a dinner party on Wednesday, at her residence in St.
James's Palace. The circle included the Duke and
Ducbess d'Aumale' his Excellency Count Coloredo, his
Excellency Baron Bentinck, the Earl and Countess of
Shelburne, Viscount Chelsea, the Right Hon. Sir Ben-
jamin Hall, Hon. Frederick Byng, Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. John Stanley, &c. At a later
hour the Duchess received a few friends, among whom
were : His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
his Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame Van
1 de Weyer, his Excellency the Portuguese Minister, the
Earl and Countess of Hardwicke, and the Ladies Yorke
(2), Count Barolyi, Count Chotek, the Countess Helene
Kielmansegge &c.
The Duke of Richmond, who 16ft Brighton on Tues-
day,, with the Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia, pur-
poses taking up his abode at Ald:rshott, with the corps,
for some time at least. —Bri9l6ton Gazctle.
The Duke of Devonshire's health having improved so
much by his sojourn at Brighton, there is no prospect at
present of the noble Duke leaving his marine abode. His
Grace entertained a distinguished party to dinner on
Monday...-Brighton Qazettc. - • I

LATEST NEWS.

PARIS, FRIDAY, FEE. 22, 9 A. 31.

Count Orloff arrived last night, at 10 o'clock,
at Paris. He was received by M. de Seebach.

BERLIN, FEB. 20.

Baron de Man teufrel has declared to the com-

mittee on the budget that the prospect of peace
was exceedingly favourable ; but that the con-
tinuation of their armaments by the belligerent
parties, and the tone of Queen Victoria's Speech
from the throne, obliged Prussia to direct her
attention to the shores of the Baltic, to keep up

her army on a war footing, and even to extend it

if necessary.

HAMBURG, FEB. 21.

M. -Bang, Minister of the Interior for Holstein,
has followed the example of M. Raaslaff, and
resigned. M. Simony, Minister of Justice, retains

his functions provisionally..

THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE CRIMEA.
CAMP, SEBASTOPOL, FEB. 9.
For the last few days, since the destruction of
Fort Nicholas, a continual dropping fire, day and
night, has been maintained from the forts and bat-
teries on the north side. It does not seem to be
carried en at any regular intervals, but wherever
a few soldiers are seen or suspected to be, by day,
and wherever a light shows itself at night, there a
shot or shell is sent. When the night is dark, or
there is a thick fog, this dispersed fire is still con-
tinued, either from the attention of the Russian
men ou watch being attracted by sounds supposed
to indicate movement in the town, or on the mere
chance of causing casualties among the guards
and troops on duty there. The Russian riflemen
also try their aim across the water to the Kara-
belnaia, and, as the width of the roadstead
varies at this part from four to six hundred
yards only, no one can approach the shore from
the Fort Paul guard to Careening-bay with-
out risk. On the 7th instant the Russians kept
up an uuusuallystrong fire from the Inkerman heights
and lower Mackenzie heights over the Tchernaya
valley. They attempted to reach the position of the
French camps along the Fediukine ridge, but, as
usual, without success. Some shells sent burst at
an immense elevation. They also fired grape, in ad-
dition to round shot and shell, at parties going to
the reservoir, and at the advanced posts of the
French, in the plain. The French made no return,
either from the batteries in the valley or from the
Fediukine heights, but their riflemen stationed in
the ambuscades near the river kept up a constant
fusillade. The Russian riflemen on the oppo-
site side were by no •means inactive—the little
puffs of white smoke were seen frequently from
their places of concealment, and the sharp crack-
ing of this cross-fire was constantly audible in
the intervals between the reports from the can-
ion on the summit of the cliffs above. The
Russians have not repeated the experiment which
they tried about three weeks ago of bringing a field
battery out upon the valley ; they, uo doubt, saw
that the result, as affecting the French position,
was altogether a failure.
The destruction of Fort Nicholas has proved to
be as completely accomplished as it appeared to be
when looked at from a distance at the time of the
explosions. As an example of engineering skill in
mining, the success is perfect. The foundations are
rooted up, and from one end to the other the whole
fabric lies now an utter ruin, a mere heap of shat-
tered masonry and rubbish. Measures are in pro-
gress for the demolition of Fort Alexander, and it
is stated that the walh of all the principal build-
ings remaining in Sebastopol are shortly to be
levelled to the ground. On the sth instant, part
of the north wing of the Karabelnaia barracks, or
White Buildings, as they are commonly called, was
blown down. The building was not undermined,
but the explosion of bags of gunpowder against
the wall, appliedin the usual manner, effectually an-
swered the purpose intended. It has been remarked
that the blocks of stone which formerly composed
the sides and basin of the Kerabelnaia docks have
not generally been much injured, but only separated
from each other, so that they would readily be ava:l-
- for the construction of fresh buildings. This
remark will apply to many other as the stem,
Lsree_ue, s....—espet, and there can be little
doubt, Aenever the Crimea is abandoned by the
allies, the materials left will furnish the means of
rebuilding very quickly such a town as the simple
demands of habitation and commerce would re-
quire. The chief difficulties will be to clear the
blocked up roadstead and harbour, and to provide
the necessary planking and timber, of which
articles, in all probability, no very great quantity
will remain after the winter has passed.
The collection of the subscriptions from the Army
in the Crimea for the Nightingale fund is very
nearly concluded. The sum collected amounts to
little short of 4,5001., and the money had been paid
over to the commissariat chest.
To turn to a less pleasant theme. It appears
that the unhappy criminal, in the 77th Regiment,
has been found guilty by court-martial of murder,
and is sentenced to be hanged—the finding of the
court having been confirmed by the commander-
in-chief General Codling-ton. His name is George
Day. He is quite a young man, and before his
enlistment, which occurred in London, he earned
his livelihood chiefly as a pickpocket. His mother
died when he was a child, and his father, an aban-
doned character, sent him into, the streets to pick
up anything he could steal, as a means of living.
His father has been transported, and he has also a
brother undergoing penal servitude. Since he has
Joined the head- planers of his regiment in the field
he has been constantly entailing trouble ou,all
around him.
There is talk of a reprieve, until communications
have taken place with the authorities at home.
This does not appear probable, as it is known that
orders have been given to proceed with the neces-
sary preparations, and the commander of the forces
is armed with full powers and authority without
further reference. Monday, the 11th instant, has
been named as the day of execution. He is not to
receive a soldier's death by being shot, but is to
expiate his offence by the ignominious punishment
of hanging. The Rev. Mr. Wallace, the chaplain
of the division, has been in frequent attendance
upon the prisoner, and he has also been visited by
the acting chaplain-in-chief, the Rev. Mr. Eagan.
The health of the troops is still remarkably good.
The weather during the greater part of the past
week has been fine.