The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-17 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY

are speculating to the extent of hundreds—perhaps of
thousands of pounds sterling—will not hesitate at a
comparatively trifling outlay, by which they may
hope to gain some valuable hints for. their future
guidance. Under such circumstances, it is by no
means improbable that many works of an ephemeral
character may be produced—works that will be far
worse than useless, misdirecting and deceiving those
who may be led astray by their plausible statements
—that, like the razors of the ancient hawker, are made
for sale and not for use.

While such things are possible—while there is
even greater danger from false or inaccurate infor-
mation than from absolute ignorance—it is truly sa-
tisfactory to find that a publication* has emanated
from a gentleman of unquestionable character, high
scientific attainments, and vast experience, which
may be safely accepted as setting forth truly and
faithfully all the information that is accurately known
on the subject-matter under consideration. The
name of Mr. WILD, the celebrated geographer to the
QUEEN and the PRINCE CONSORT, the enterprising
projector of the magnificent model of the earth in
Leicester-squ ire, will afford an ample guarantee as to
the value of the instruction put forward under his
auspices. It will shim that every trustworthy source
has been closely investigated, that nothing has been
put forward that cannot be fully sustained and sup-
ported, while there has been no omission in any case
where the data would have justified a notice.

The " Notes on the Distribution of Gold through-
out the World, including Australia, California, and
Russia," aye, every mountain, plain, or river, where
the precious deposit has ever been discovered in any
appreciable quantity, from " Pangosub" or " Pee-
tolus," to the "Ural" or "San Francisco," even to the
Wicklow or " Lagenian": Mines, where, according to
the Bard of Erin—

" A sparkle of fairy splendour
All over the surface bhines"

fully maintain the well-established reputation of the
accomplished author. Mr. ‘VYLD opens with some
introductory observations on the gold question, which
must prove exceedingly interesting to those who have
not hitherto studied the subject. He briefly but clearly
points out how gold and silver, or what
,a,.re popularly
termed " the precious metals," came to replace oxen, or
slaves, or skins, the ruder instruments of barter, as mea-
sures of value, throughout the civilized world.
Cattle it was that constituted the ancient currency,
or circulating medium—we find in ilomait that
GLAUCUS, whose armour was valued at one hundred
oxen, exchanged it for the armour of DiostED, which
was only valued at nine oxen ; but that was owing to
the ancient friendship that existed between the
heroes, and, perhaps, in some trifling degree, to
the natural anxiety of the more wealthy champion
to escape the consequences of a hostile encounter
with his athletic and formidable opponent. Indeed,
the very name fur money—" pecunia"—is manifestly
derived from " pecus," which properly signifies any
tame animal, as an ox or sheep, or a herd of tame
animals.

Mr. WTLD points out how this ancient system
gradually fell into disuse, and how a metallic
currency was substituted. Iron, brass, copper,
have been used for this purpose, as well
as gold and silver, although the greater scarcity
of the latter, and their higher relative values
have rendered them peculiarly appropriate for the
purpose. The care, attention, and expenditure, re-
quired in attending to oxen or sheep, the difficulty of
transferring them from place to place, as well as the
various casualties to which " flesh" (of every de-
scription) was heir to in the earlier ages, as at this
moment, speedily induced parties to look for more
convenient representatives of value, and these were
found in uncoined metals, which soon afterwards
had stamps affixed to indicate their purity and weight,
and consequently the value they were intend to re-
present.

From that time gold has been the object of ge-
neral search. The fortunate possessor became
the object of universal envy, while his
rival, although gifted with the highest natural
qualities, was, if in a state of " impecuniosity," re-
garded with contempt. " River-washings" were the
chief ancient sources, and are still largely resorted to,
Modern science has, however, added rock crushing
and milling, which are coming into practical
operation.

Toe " geology of gold," the nature of the forma-
tion* in which it may be discovered, whether quartz,
granite, or porphyry, is treated of in the
moat lucid manner. The system of gold working
is also explained, and also the localities
in which the great companies, the Mariposa, the
aqua Frias, the Nouveau Monde, and the Ave
Maria, are situated. All about the Australian
workings are fully set forth ; we can there-
fore strongly recommend this valuable pam-
phlet to the attentive consideration of our readers,
more especially of parties interested in these novel
,peculations; we can assure them that it will repay
perusal.

* " Notes on the Distribution of Gold throughout the
World, including Au,tralia, California, and Russia."
L,T,d9n: James WI ld, ge,grapher to the Queen and
Prince Albert; Model of the Earth, Leicester square;
Charing•cross East; and 2, Royal Exchange.

Life Assurance Societies form one of the distin-
guishing features of the age we live in. Originally
designed for the purpose of making the rich richer, they
have, with the progress of time, found favour with
the middle class, and it is not improbable that they
will ere long reach the bumble ranks of the commu-
nity. Indeed, if we mistake not, they have done so
already—a satisfactory proof that people of all grades
are becoming more prudential in their habits and
feelings. Thousands of persons, however, still re-
main to be convinced of the importance of life in-
surance, and rapid though its progress has been of late
years, the principle as yet seems only to be in its infancy.
New societies are daily springing up, and when they
are conducted with energy and caution they, invaria-
bly surpass the hopes of their founders, while, as com-
mercial speculations, they attain an amount of suc••
cess and popularity that is perfectly surprising. In
the brief space of a couple of years they generally
merge into paying concerns, to speak in a Stock Ex•
change sense, and, in some instances, at the end of
the third year, the managers begin to talk about de-
claring a bonus, or paying a dividend. From the
report which appears in another part of our impres-
sion to-day, this would seem to be the fortunate fate
that awaits the English and Cambrian Society. But
a youthful institution, its receipts already more than
exceed its expenditure, while its business is rapidly on
the increase, and the next year of its existence bids
fair to be• still more successful. No doubt much
of this success is due to the untiring exertions of the
able manager. He seems to be perfectly alive to the
importance of local branches; he points indeed to the
brilliant career which has attended a similar institu-
tion, and like most gentlemen in his situation he can
see no obstacle in the way of his own office obtaining
an equal eminence. Nor can we ; there is ample room
and verge enough for all institutions that are estab-
lished to improve the social position of the people,
end we hail with satisfaction the announcement, that
the " English and Cambrian Assurance Society" has
every prospect of ultimately repaying its proprietors
with compound interest.

SHAMEFUL REDUCTION OF WAGES.—When the
reforms of the Ecclesiastical Commiasion have fully taken
effect—if that should, unhappily, ever happen—the salary of
the Archbishop of Canterbury will be only half as large again
as that of the Lord Chancellor (10,0001.); the Archbishop of
York, and the Bishop of London (5,0001.); the Bishop of
urbam but a thousand a year more than the Master of the
Rolls (7.0001.) ; the Bishop of Winchester but twice as much
as the President of the Board of Control (3,5000 ; and the
lowest paid Bishop on the Bench more than twice as much
as the chief Poor-law Commissioner (2,0000 ; yet Punch
has the cruelty to define a bishop's see to be an ocean of money.
—Reformer's Almanac for 1852.
Tits WEATHER.—Hood bas well described the
present month, in a sonnet of negatives, beginning with " No
sun, no moon, no stars," and ending with " No-vember."
Certainly during the week nothing has been wanting to rel.
lize his description—for the weather has been, literally speak-
ing,"seasonable;" that is to say, cold, cutting, clammy,—
dark, damp, du:l, dreary,—rainy, rouky, and rheumatic; in
short, au agglomeration of everything that reminds men of
the reign of winter.—Carlisle Journal.

SUICIDE OF AN AMERICAN MERCHANT IN LIVER.,
rooL.—Atiout a week ago a suicide of a very shocking cha-
racter was committed at the Adelphi Hotel, in Liverpool, by
an American gentleman, named Barnes. The deceased was
engaged in the gun and cutlery trade in New York, and had
come to this country to make purchases at Sheffield. He
was attacked with illness in Liverpool, and on the night of
Sunday big, during the temporary absence of a person who,
pursuant t the instructions of his medical attendant, 11“1
been engaged 0 watch over him, he effected self-destruc-
tion by cutting his throat with• a razor. The body has been
interred in the Liverpool necropolis, and his money and
effects have been transmitted to New York.