The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-01 00:00:00

20,388,770

3.879,750

24,284 520

ordinary care our monetary position is impregnable.
In fact, assuming a continuance .of the war, and of
the steady a►oidance of speculation which is its conse-
quence, it may be sai 1 there has rarely been a time
when our prospects have presented fewer elements of
uncertainty. The exertions on the continent to obtain
gold and silver from us have left us unusually free from
claims from foreign countries ; the Australian crisis
having passed, there is no apprehension, such as com-
monly prevails even in the beet times, that at least some
individual market can be pointed out where, from a glut
of our goods, a reaction ix to be expected ; the prevail-
ing rates of interest offer no difficulty, because, being
general, they fail to compromise our power of competi-
tion with other nations, and our home supplies of food
are fully equal to an average, while the favourable au-
tumn and high prices have stimulated a further increase
of agricultural activity. We have also the certainty of
benefitting more than any other country by that free ex-
denditure always consequent in America upon a success-
ful harvest and a heavy foreign denianil ; and, finally,
the latest accounts, both from California and Australia,
give the assurance, not only of a continuous, but of a
large and steady increase •f the influence of the gold
discoveries.

It is, at the same time, to be borne in mind that with
every month the prospect becomes stronger of a return
of some of the immense supplies of specie alrea ly sent
to the East. The process of hoarding, even among the
most unenlightened populations, never goes beyond a
certain point, and there are indications in Turkey and
elsewhere of its approaching cese ►tion—a result which
must be accelerated by the high value of money. To Coins
the drain continues without a sign of diminution, but a
considerable portion of it is on American account ;
and it is therefore partially met by increased receipts
from that country. Within the last 30 years there have
been two examples of a similar outflow. In neither
case, however, although both lasted a long time, was it
so protracted as in the present instance.
From this review we waive at conclusions calculate
to give faith to every one in the full maintenance of our
credit and prosperity. It will be seen that, whatever
may be the general rates of discount, we are perfectly in
a state t• accommodate ourselves to them, and that all
that is necessary for our continued security is that the
Bank should unfilitchiagly continue to keep their charges
up to the general level of those upon the continent.
This of itself will operate as a warning sufficient to re-
strict the Governments both of France and England
within the bounds of legitimate expenditure.
But, while the commercial and agricultural classes
have thus every cause fee confidence and satisfaction, it
must be acknowledged that these less extensive sections
of the community which include all persons of fixed in-
oomes are subjected to serious hardship. They are
forced to sustain, simultaneously, the effect of the gold
discoveries upon prices, and the full but far from impar-
tial severity of the income tax, and are shut out from all
counteracting advantages. This, which is a point for
the Government to keep in view in adjusting the popular
burdens, since, while they cannot palliate, they may
avoid aggravating it, seems almost the sole exception to
the general wellbeing.
If, on the other hand, contrary to expectation, the
war should suddenly end, although a period of won-
derful development would follow, the time for real
anxiety would teen approach. Whenever a new
period of inflation in England shall arrive it will be
fraught with a new and singular danger. The secret
discovered by for&gn Governments and corporations
just before the outbreak of hostilities, that by guarise-
teeing a oertain amount of interest they may attract
onr capital without limit for the execution of public
works, will be ►made use of to a❑ extent to which it is
difficult to see any termination, except the usual one of
a grand convulsion. Previously to the interruption
caused by the war countless rchemee of this kind were
in preparation, and is the subsequent two years projec•
tors have been busy at all points preparing to add to the
number. When Europe is again in repose they will flock
reuud every Government, and, inasmuch as all propo.
sale for great national undertakings are deservedly
popular with the masses, while they flatter the vanity of
potentates and the cupidity of courtiers, the success of
their endeavours is likely to be limited only by their
capacity for invention. In this way the movement will
go on until a crisis of unexampled magnitude shall re•
veal that it is in peace, and not in war, our financial
position is most assailable, and probably that while we
have been constructing every great work that could add
to the glory of foreign cities and ports, including, of
course, those of Russia, we have neglected all similar
duties at home, and have impoverished ourselves to a
point which must condemn us still to a postponement of
them.

Surplus Balance beyond the charge of the Consolidated Fund, for the Quarter ended
Dec, 31, 1855, viz. :
Great Britain
..•••••••••

THE Ist I)RA GOONS.

411,784

21.26,4.52,1

• severance carried him through the difficulties which
arose from it. Through lite he has been the real friend
of the working man ; and among his own people be did
much to promote their social, intellectual, and moral
progress. He established a -workinan's library ; school-
room for workmen's children, and by an arrangement to
supply generally to his workmen soup and cocoa at the
11:titblegt rate at which these could be produced, assisted
iu ebtablishing a habit of temperance, and superseding to
a great extent the drain drinking which previously ex-
isted among them. He ha., two brothers surviving—
Mr. Alderman Cubitt, M.P. for Andover, and Mr.
Lewis Cubitt, the architect of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus. Sir William Cubitt, the eminent engi-
neer, though a native of the same county, is not related.
It may be worthy of remark that the large engagements
as to Belgrwve-square, begun in 1825, have been com-
pleted in the present year, and Mr. Cubitt's own dwel-
ling-house, on his estate at Denbies, in which he died, is
only just finished, as the future residence of his family.
As an illustration of the uncertainty of life, it may be
uthseefeuilnlybamneknmtieonnteodft a
the Tthoaninee,,of:
tthheerelaswteremepertngs on
eisent—
Mr. Cubitt, Sir Robert Inglk, Sir William Molesworth,
and Mr. Phillips, of the Office of Works ; and in the
brief space which has since elapsed these four men have
all been removed by death. —Tice Builder.

INQUEST ON ONE OF THE MISSING
OFFICERS AT CHATHAM.

At four p.m. yesterday, Thomas Bills, Eiq.,
one of the coroners for West Keut, held an inquest
at the Sun in the Wood Inn, Brompton, respecting the
death of Ensign Atteas Macdouell, of the East India
Compiny's Eugineers. It will be recollected that on
the 15th inst., the deceased, with two other officers,
Lteuteuant Eden and Lieutenant Battine, and his
brother, took a boat, belonging to the Engineer Officers'
Club, and proceeded down the river, and on their return
it was supposed the boat upset and they were drowned.
The decease(' was picked up yesterday by two fishermen
near Parlet•hole.

Joseph l'a'mer, of the engineer establishment, said—
The deceased was my master. He was an ensign of the
East India Company's Engineers, and was 20 years of
age. I saw the deceased last alive on Saturday, the
15th instant. He left the house at 3.10 p.m.
Thomas Wild, mariner, said—l knew the deceased
Mr. Macdonell. I saw him on Saturday, the 15th inst.
Mr. Eden and the two Mr. Battims, one was au engi-
neer officer, took a boat from Prins's-bridges, and went
down the river. They had one fowling-piece with them,
and powder and shot. It was a rowing boat, and I put
the sail up for them, and they sailed away with the
boat. Mr. Macdonell undentoed pretty well the ma-
nagement of a boat. I had no knowledge of the others.
When the boat was found she had her mainsail set and
sheet aft and fast. I am satisfied she never capsized.
She lies in the same state now on the rafts from which
she was taken. The boat was found in the lower creek.
It is not impossible that, from neglect or mismanage-
ment, the boat might have gibed, and that might have
caused toe sail suddenly to move, nod by the blow might
have knocked a person overboard.
By a Juror—l remained until eight o'clock that night
waiting for the gentlemen on their return. There was
a heavy mist came on that evening about i o'clock.
Owing to a N.W. wind springing up, the mist at the
bridges cleared away. If the boat had capsized it would not
have righted itself again. The boat was seen on Mon-
day, and they saw her again'on Wednesday. With the
iron which passed along the boat to secure the ballast
they prized up the boat to secure it.
Mrs. Arm Coningsby, White Horse at Rail:them—She
knew the deceased. On Saturday, the 15th inst., the
deceased and three other gentlemen came into her house
about half-past four o'clock, and had sausages, boiled
beef, and three pots and one pint of ale. They left the
house about 10 minutes to 6 o'clock for the purpose of
going to their boat, which they said they had left below.
It is about a mile from the house to the water. I
asked them to go by omnibus. They said that the two
Mr. Battines were good rowers, arid they left the house
all together.
John Wigley, fisherman, of Strood, deposed to the
finding of the body with Edward Fawshavr, about ten
o'clock yesterday morning. I found the deceased about
100 yards from Wallopstoue, which is in Idartlet, and
runs into Yauntlett Creek, about 15 feet below high-
water mark. From information I received I went to the
place, where I found the body, as I bad heard that cries
of distress had been heard. From marsh to marsh of
the creek it is about 300 fathoms in width. Last Friday
was the firet thno we heard of the loss of the officers.
The boat was found about a mile and a half from the
place where the body was found.
The Coroner said he considered that, for the satisfac•
ties of the friends of the deceased, it would be necessary
to have the attendance of other persons. At present no
other evidence could be given, and, therefore, he should
propose an adjsurnment.
Thomas Witon said that an officer's cap had been
picked up by a Gillingham coast guardsman ; another
cap had also been picked up, also a boot, which proved
to belong to the deceased, who was found without a
coat, and his boots and stockings were off his feet. It
is supposed that one or two being overboard, the de-
ceased, who could swim, endeavoured to save some of
his friends, when, unfortunately, be lost his life.
The inquest stands adjourned for a week.
Colonel Sandham, the director of the engineer este.
bliebmeut, with a number of other engineer officers,
were in attendance during the inquiry.

- -
TIIE CASE OF SE&TEANT BRODIE OF

- •
A further step has been taken in the case of Serjeant
Alexander Brodie, of the I.st (Royal) Dragoons, who
was dismissed her Majesty's service in consequence of
his having prevented a duel between two of the officers
connected with the Canterbury depot, in the spring of
the past year. He has since memorialised the Chelsea
B,,ard in favour of an increase of his pension from ls.
per day, as fixed by that boarsl, for a servitude of nearly
19 years, 17 as a serjeact. Au answer to that memorial
has been received to the following effect :
" Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Dec. 27, 1855.
" Serjeant A. Brodie, late let Dragoons,
" With respect to your memorial without date, I am
directed to acquaint you that the Commissioners of this
Hospital have increased your pension from ls. to Is. 3d.
a day, in consideration of your long service as serjeant,
and a a ,mmunication to that effect was addressed to
you, to the care of the staff officer of pensions at Chatham,
at which place it was stated in your discharge documents
you intended to reside.
" The annuities and gratuities for good conduct are
awarded by the Field• Marshal Commandiug•iu-Chief,
and not by the Commissioners of this Hospital.
"A. J. MOREURAD, Secretary and Registrar."

The Newcastle Postmaster has absconded. His de-
ficiency amounts to about two hundred peuads, which
will be made good by his sureties.