The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-30 00:00:00

; TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1856.

bombarded, and on the 6th 23 war junks were
destroyed by the Barracouta.

This is all as yet known respecting the matter.
Notwithstanding the decisive course adopted, the
Governor had exhibited no symptoms of submis-
sion. We must, therefore, persevere ; and since
we are driven to it we should take advantage of
the opportunity to repair the grave error into
which we were betrayed at the termination of the
last Chinese war. We should then have retained
Canton, and made it the British settlement in
place of Hong Kong, or another more eligible port
might have been secured. We trust that there
will be no mistake on the present occasion ;
but that as the Chinese have thought
proper to assail us, we may adopt adequate
measures to place matters on a more satisfactory
fouLdation for the future, so as, if possible, to
prevent the repetition of similar occurrences,
which inevitably lead to a serious destruction of
human life, and property of considerable value.
It is probable that the matter may be arranged
before instructions from home can be received ;
but, if not, we trust teat Lord PALUERSTON may
display his ancient vigour, and teach the Celestials
the absurdity of " gnawing a file," or " kicking
against pricks."

The air of virtuous self-approval with which
the majority of the Metropolitan Board of Works
assure you they have done all they were bound to
do, in deciding on the discharge of the sewage at
Erith, is sufficiently startling. It reminds us of
the acquaintance of Dr. Jonis-soN, whom the great
moralist rebuked for chucking his snails into his
neighbour's garden, and who excused himself by
the plea that his neighbour was a Dissenter. In
some such point of view, we suppose, these gen-
tlemen regard the owners and occupiers of pro-
perty at Erith and elsewhere down the river.
How else are we to account for the shameless in-
difference manifested to their welfare ? Fortu-
nately the latter have a less prejudiced party to
appeal to than Dr. JOHNSON, and are on the alert
to assert and maintain their nowadays indisput-
able rights. The meeting of owners and occupiers
of property on the line of the Thames, at the
Bridge House Tavern yesterday, affords ample proof
that they see their danger, and don't mean to be
victimised in silence and without effort. The
report of the proceedings shows that they share
our opinions on the matter, and " view with con-
siderable alarm the proposed plan" as tending
"to pollute the river Thames, and injure the
health of the towns along its banks below Erith
and Gravesend." Acting under this impression
they express their approval of the course adopted
by Sir BENJAMIN HALL, and also of the appoint-
ment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the
subject of the appropriation and distribution of
the sewage in large towns, as needful and likely
to be productive of beneficial results to all parties,
and appoint a committee to carry out the objects
of the meeting.

The majority of the Board of Works, it would be
seen, were not without an advocate at the meet-
, ing. The reply his remarks elicited, we fancy,
will indispose him from heading a deputation with
the like purpose again. The notion that the me-
tropolis has a right to cleanse itself at the expense
of its neighbours, is, indeed, too preposterous to
admit of a successful vindication. It is an out-
rage on the first principles of social duty ; and,
fortunately the plan based on it is not at all
likely to insure the contemplated results. While
it would be productive of all the injury appre-
hended by the people of Erith and Gravesend, we
are satisfied it would fail to benefit the metropolis
to the extent desired, besides involving the rate-
payers in a world of unnecessary expense. It
were well if every immoral scheme bore on it such
unmistakable symptoms of failure. The remark
of Alderman DOBSON, of Gravesend, that it, was
a great error to create the Metropolitan Board of
Works, we cannot coincide in. Institutions, like
individuals, must be allowed time for develope-
ment. If the Government made any mistake, it
was in entrusqng so young a Board with so gigan-
tic a task. As to the absurdity of taxing any
part of Kent to remove the filth of the metropolis,
there cannot be a doubt about it, save only the
London portion of Kent. The only claim
that can with any show of reason be preferred on
the inhabitants of the various places below Lon-
don is the cost of carrying away their own sew-
age by the metropolitan tunnel, and not that if
they can get rid of it without injury to the
public health, and adding to the pollution of
the Thames. The reminiscence of Alderman
DITCHBURN is of hopeful augury as to the cleansing
of this noble stream. One's mouth waters at the
notion of seeing salmon sporting in its translucent
waters, and we are tempted to infer that the in-
jury done to the Thames in his recollection may
be thoroughly remedied before the present gene-
ration passes from the scene. In conclusion, we
trust that whatever confidence the committee may
have in the good intentions of Government, they
will rely most of all on being in the right, and on
their own exertions to make the fact apparent to I
the general public. Taxation, like bigotry and
the sands of the desert, is apt to trouble honest
folk with ophthalmia.

Like a foul and ill-omened bird of prey, with,
as GRATTAN once declared, " broken beak and
cadaverous aspect," Mercator " sniffs the coming
contest," and crows loudly and lustily in defiance
of those who have ventured to dissent from his
dogmas, and to put forward sounder views on the
Currency Question, than he, regarding the matter
through distortedand coloured media can take. He
is manifestly influenced by private and personal
motives. He cares but for one class, the money-
ocracy, and if he could carry his desires into
practical execution there is no doubt that we
should have still more stri.rigent measures, until,
what he manifestly considers the great desidera-
tum, a purely metallic c•arrency, were introduced.

There are, however, many puissant champions
ready and willing to set lance in rest in such a
cause, to any one of whom we may safely leave
Mercator. It is indeei I a good sign for monetary
reformers when he doe ms it essential personally
to enter the arena. It is still better when his
usually obsequious horichman of Printing-house:
square begins to exhibit, tokens of insubordination,
and questions the infallibility of its leader. It
proves that there is, something " looming in the
future," a state of •public opinion which the for-
mer thinks it important to counteract,
while the 'at ter desires, while there
is yet time to pr
ovide a locus penitentice, a loop-
hole for evasion, through which it might wriggle
out from all its
former dicta, or, according to the
homely but e .caressive phrase, "rat " in due
season.

Amongst 'those who have donned their harness
for the corn in g fight may be named our esteemed
correspenden.t " Observer," who, albeit one of
" the CrP.sclit or Class," has still the good heart
and sr,rund feeling to perceive that "it is evidently
better that the creditor (the comparatively rich
e; ass) should suffer than that the poor man should
be deprived of the value of the gold discoveries."
Hitherto that class has had it all its own way. Ithas
contrived to bamboozle the nation bymystifyingthe

question, and invclving it in obscurity, which
ordinary persons will not attempt to penetrate.
Hence the unwarrantable apathy on this, perhaps,
the most important of all political topics—for
what would diminished taxation benefit us, if
unable to pay the :educed rate, as Mr. MIINTZ
some time since truly remarked. A high rate of
interest means increased taxation in its worst
form, or in other words the appreciation of money
involves a heavier burden in the liquidation of
the national liabilities, and the manufactures of
the national establishments. It is perfectly in-
consistent with " unrestricted competition," for, as
Sir ARCHIBALD ALISON has clearly proved, " Free
Trade and a fettered Currency" are totally incom-
patible.

The Times now confesses that there is no valid
reason why Government should not issue its own
notes, whereby it would have (at least) 14,000,000/.
at its own disposition, and " might practically
lessen the National Debt by that amount, or
save itself, in round numbers, about half a
million per annum." This is practically that for
which we have so long and so strenuously con-
tended, viz., the establishment of a really National
Bank, using really rational notes, of small and
convenient denominations ; or, as " OBSERVER"
declares, "if we had Exchetuer-bills of
1/. and upwards (bearing of course no
interest) issued by a Government department
arid receivable for taxes (no promises to pay on
them), to the amount of say Twenty Millions, it
would do." It would indeed. It would insure
the happiness of the industrious and productive
classes—and the welfare and prosperty of
the nation. As the Honourable Secre •
tary of the Treasury declared, before he
enlisted under the official banner, it would
be equivalent to a discovery of a gold mine of
that value in the heart of England ! This is
surely worth a decided effort ; and if the indus-
trious classes enter heart and soul into the
contest, as they ought to do, we pro-
mise them a complete and speedy triumph.
We do not fear that which " OBSERVER."
dreads any attempt to increase the weight of
the sovereign. That would be too bad, and even
" MERCATOR" himself would shrink from such a
proposition. Experience, however, teaches us
that we must be prepared on every point, and it
is therefore well to take timely precautions against
any movement in that direction.

A marriage is about to take place between Lord
Alfred Churchill, younger son of the Duke of Marl-
borough, and the Hon. Harriet Caithorpe, daughter of
Lord Caithorpe.
The nomination of a candidate to represent Lanark-
shire, in the room of the late Mr. Lockhart, is fixed
foe Monday the sth of January.
THE REPRESENTATION OP GREENWlCH.—Yesterday
Lieut -General Sir W. Codrington paid his first visit to
Greenwich in the character of candidate for the vacant
seat in the representation of the borough.
Mr. Mackinnon, M.P., who is at present residing at
Turin, has transmitted to Mr. W. Hood, Mayor of Rye
a draft for 501., with a request that he will distribute
the amount among the indigent poor of that borough.
The half-yearly meeting of the East and West India
Dock Company is called for the 9th January.
Several banking houses of Bale have offered the
Federal Council 100 millions of francs.
COLONIAL CHARGES.—Last year the colonial charges
were 171,4321., of which 14,7761. was on account of St.
Helena.

LONDON AND PENZANCE SERPENTINE COMPANY.—An
order has been issued by Vice-Chancellor Wood for
winding up the transactions of this undertaking.
ARCTIE DISCOVERIES.—The sum of 10,000/. was ex-
pended in the year ended the 31st March on account of
Arctic discoveries.
CONSUMPTION of EGGS.—As many as 110,362,200
eggs were imported in the eleven months ended the 30th
ult., and all for " home consumption."
The Nouvellisi de Rouen says:—" Within the last few
days three Prussian officers in uniform have been going
about in the arrondissement of Yvetot, to buy horses.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S-INN-ROOD, -The
number of patients relieved at this hospital, during the
week ending 27th December, 1856, is 2,353, of which
701 were new cases.
THE RUSSIAN DUTCH LOAN.—The expense to this
country on account of the interest and sinking fund of
the Russian Dutch Loan, for the year ended the 31st
March last, was 85,5571.
The half yearly meeting of the London and Greenwich
Railway Company is called for the 13th of Jan., when
a dividend of ss, 2d. per share, clear of income tax, will
be recommended on the old or unprivileged shares.
That most rampant of Ultramontane organs, the
Vienna Church. Gazette, has received the first warning
from the police. Atter having received three warnings
an Austrian paper ceases to appear.
THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK.— It was stated in the
Court of Bankruptcy on Saturday that Mr. Lee, the
official assignee, would be able to pay the first dividend
of ss. 6d. in the pound on Wednesday next.
FOREIGN POULTRY.—Large quantities of foreign
poultry are now imported duty-free. In the last eleven
months the value imported (dead and alive) was 38,8051.
In November as much as 5,2531. was imported.
DEPOSIT AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.
—This company, which lately failed with liabilitids
mo f the Rolls.
amounting to 12,0001., is to be wound up, and an official
manager has been appointed for that purpose by the
MasterTHBRAZILS.—LIVERPOOL, Monday.—The screw
steamer Norman, Captain Le Valliant, arrived in the
Mersey shortly after midnight, but no intelligence was
received from her till she sent her mails to the Post-
office, at 1.20 p.m. She left Rio Janeiro November 18,
and Bahia on the night of the 26th ult. She has a cargo
of arrowroot and coffee. Her news is unimportant.
Letters from Rome state that the Pope has expressed
his satisfaction at the nomination of M. Mon as Spanish
representative at the court of Rome.
The news of a Mexican General having arrived at
Madrid to ask for assistance for Santa Anna is false.
The Nord of Brussels affirms that within the last few
days a remarkable change has taken place in the attitude
of Lord Palmerston's government. It is "less irritable
about the Conferences, and has given wise counsels to
S witzerland."
EXPENSE OF ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN
THEo V —No less a sum than 20,3001. was
en INDIES.—No
establishments of the
West Indies in the year ended the 31st March I ast.
A PRESENT TO ROYALTY.—Some time ago
expended on
IND
on thene ' a
lady or
Dunfermline sent a present to her Majesty—a cushion
embroidered with needlework and marine shells. The
shells were of the timeliest description—as minute as the
oval hemispheres shelled from canary seed, and elabo-
rately wrought up into flowers and other natural figures.
It was altogether a tasteful and artistic piece of finger.
work. After a very long interval, a letter arrived from
London, graciously acknowledging the receipt, and re-
questing another
specimen of Mies M--'s needle
work.—Fife Herald.
The three officers to whom Sir Benjamin Hall has
entrusted the task of deciding upon the Great London
Drainage Scheme are Capt. Douglas Galton, of the
Royal Engineers,
Mr.
Simpson, ~and Mr. Blackwell,
both well known in the engineering profession. The
scope of their inquiries will be, it is said, very compre-
hensive, as they are not only empowered to consider the
plans of the Metropolitan Board of Works, but to
initiate others should they think it expedient to do so,
HAYMARKET THEATRE.—Mr. Buckstone has announced
the first morning performance of his pantomime, "The
Babes in the Wood ; or Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle,"
to take place on Thursday next, Jan. 1, and every sub-
sequent Thursday for the present, to commence at two
and conclude precisely at four. The beautiful scenery
and incidents of this pantomime are equal, if not su-
perior to the very popular Haymarket pantomimes of
"The Three Bears," " Little 80-Peep," and " Poe
Butterfly's Ball."
INJURIOUR ErtECTs OF SMOKING. —S. Solly, Esq.,
F R.S,, the eminent surgeon of St. Thomas's Hospital,
Borough, has lately delivered a very Important Lecture
on Paralysis, before the students of that excellent
institution, in which smoking is pointed out as one
of the various and insidious causes of general
paralysis. After condemning the immoderate use
of malt liquors or spirits, which only stimulate
for a time, and afterwards produce the most ener-
vating and pernicious effects, the lecturer proceeded :
-a." There is another habit, also, which I cannot but
1 regard as the curse of the present age—l mean smok-
-1 ing. Now, don't be frightened, my young friends, I
am not going to give a sermon against smoking, that is
not my business ; but it is my business to point out to
you all the various and insidious causes of general
paralysis, and smoking is one of them. I know of no
single vice which does so much as smoking. It is
a snare and a delusion. It soothes the excited
nervous system at the time, to render it more irrit-
able and more feeble ultimately. It is like opium in
that respect, and if you want to know all the wretched.
ness which this drug can produce, you should read the
'Confessions of an Opium-eater.' I can always distin-
guish by his complexion a man who smokes much, and
the appearance which the fences present is an unerring
guide to the habits of such a man. I believe that cases
of general paralysis are more frequent in England than
they used to be, and I suspect that smoking tobacco is
one of the causes of that increase."

will immediately be communicated to the Repre-
sentatives of the other Powers. and the Confer-
ences will commence to-morrow at one o'clock.
If otherwise, the Conferences will be postponed
until the receipt of the Russian answer.
The Moniteur announces that Count Kisseleff,
the Russian ambassador, was received on Saturday
by the Emperor, and presented to him a letter in
which the Emperor Alexander notified the birth of
Prince Nicholas, son of his Imperial Highness the
Grand Duke Nicholas and of her Imperial High-
ness the Grand Duchess Alexandra-Petrowna.
A great number of distinguished foreigners were
presented yesterday (Sunday) to the Emperor and
Empress by the Ambassadors of England, Russia,
Belgium, Portugal, Sardinia, the United States,
the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Charge
d'Affaires of Tuscany.
The Commission appointed to decree the public
rewards to be given to the authors of dramatic
works during the past year, consisting of MM.
Lebrun, Merim6e, Scribe, Nisard, Camille Doucet,
Theophile Gautier, Edouard Thierry, Sainte
Bouve, and Cabanie, have made their report.
BOURSE, Dec. 29.—The following were the last
quotations :
Cash. fr. c. End of Month.
44 per Cents
3 per Cents 66 60 66 65
New Loan
Bank Shares 3,925 Roman (x d) B5l
Credit Mobilier 1,405 Austrian
Belgian Fives . Spanish Threes 4l
Piedmontese (5) 92 Home Debt

RAILWAYS—FOR CASH.
fr. C.
Orleans 1,317 50 Western
Northern 940 Strasburg
Lyons 1,362 50 New Ditto
Mediterranean 1,725 Grand Central
Lyons Geneva
Cate 735 Austrian Cum. ... .. 782 50

WURTEMBERG.
The following are the chief points of the protest
of the deputies of the Chamber of Wurtemberg
against the concentration or passage of Prussian
troops on Wurtemberg territory :
"According to public report the Prussian represen-
tative is said to have declared to the Germanic Diet on
the 18th December that all that now remained for his
Sovereign to give force to the demands he had made
to Switzerland was to organise a suitable military force,
and that negotiations were on foot to procure freedom of
movement to the said force."

"It is clear that a war cannot take place against
Switzerland without the Prussian army occupying a
portion of Southern Germany. But it is needless to
prove that the dispute which has arisen from the pre
tensions of the House of Hohenzollern to the sovereignty
of the Canton of Neuchatel has nothing whatever to do
with the rights or interests of the German Confederation,
nor with the States of Southern Germany, nor with
Prussia herself.

"An act of hostility would fall the more heavily upon
the populations of the States bordering upon Switzer-
land, as Switzerland has always been the most peace-
ful, the most inoffensive, and the best neighbour of
Germany, as she enjoys our esteem, friendship, our full
sympathy, and is, moreover, united to us by reciprocal
commercial interests.

" Eve❑ with the hope that the great European Powers
may succeed in preventing actual hostilities, it would still
be a great evil to have a Prussian army stationed on the
southern frontier of Germany, not only for Switzerland,
which would be obliged to oppose a numerous army to
Prussia, thus taking away numerous hands from industry
and commerce, but also for Southern Germany, whose
economical interests are so closely allied to those of
Switzerland, without alluding to other burdens, such as
lodging of troops, carts, &c.
"Already the partial armament as yet made in Swit-
zerland has been felt at Wurtemberg, and has stopped
ibose branches of commerce which exported goods to
Switzerland. But if Switzerland is compelled to con-
tract a heavy loan—and this will be the immediate result
of placing her army on a vi ar footing—she will be com-
pelled to increase her import dues, and the consequence
would be most disastrous to the whole of Germany, but
especially to the southern States.
"And who can say that, war once commenced between
Prussia and Switzerland, it will not lead to further com-
plications and incalculable dangers for Germany ? And
all these losses are to be borne by States who have
nothing whatever to do with the matter, because of a
point el' honneur of a purely dynastic character. If
the Wurtemberg Chambers were assembled, the repre-
sentatives of the people would, doubtless, pronounce
themselves unanimously against the idea of lending
the territory of the German Confederation, of our coun-
try, for a demonstration or for a war against Switzer-
land. But, as the Chambers are not assembled, it ap-
pears to us to be the duty of the Committee, conform-
ably to the Constitution, to make a representation to the
Government of the interest and indubitable wishes of
the country.
" We therefore request the Committee of the States
to ask the Government to take the necessary measures
that no assemblage of Prussian troops in Southern Ger-
many, nor passage of such troops through the States of
Southern Germany, and more especially throughout our
country, be allowed.

" MonL.
" HOLDER.
" FETZER.
" BODINGER.
" SCHOTS.

" PFERFER.
" CONRADI.
" ROBST.
" RUNKEL.
" SCHNITZER."

SWITZERLAND.

Official intelligence from Switzerland says—The
day before yesterday a number of Neuchatel
Royalists engaged in the late plot (indirectly) had
fled from that tows and reached Morteau. No less
than 700 or 800 of the Royalists have thus fled
from Neuchatel, fearing the indignation of the
Swiss people.
It was reported at Bale that the United States
Government had offered the Swiss war council
vessels to bring home the Swiss regiments from
Naples, and a loan of 20,000 of francs, to be paid
by subscriptions in America.
The following are the proceedings of the first
sitting of the Federal Assembly at Berne, Saturday,
27th December.
The Session was opened by a speech from M.
Martin, the President, in the following terms
" Three months have scarcely elapsed since you de-
clared that the Republicans of Neuchatel had deserved
well of the country, for having alone triumphed over
the royalist revolt of the 3d September. Since then
events have marched, the position has become worse
it is no longer Neuchatel, it is all Switzerland which is
in question. The Federal Council thought it necessary
demanded
by convoke you again, to take measures
tfo
by the circumstances in which the country is
the
rebellion
discoverpiacnedot.
Jubtice followed its course tranquilly
only the authors but the instigators
by
y law
September, e mf
obre r,
factions,
aaentdi
nt os, applywhoin
the
arm punishmentsohy
Light
down
dis-
turbedpeace, and endeavoured to over-
throw the tthhee
constitutionpbulie of the country. A foreign
Prince, the King of Prussia, bas demanded of Swit-
zerland the liberation of the prisoners—consequently
the acknowledgment of his rights over the prin-
cipality of Neuchatel. This demand could not be ad-
mitted without abdicating our rights as a sovereign
state—as a free and independent nation. That which
the King of Prussia could not obtain he wishes to im-
pose on us by force of arms. Under this menace the
opinion of Switzerland could not be doubtful. At
the first news a single cry escaped from the heart
of all the children of the country—a unanimous
burst of enthusiasm showed that the Swiss
people has not degenerated, that they are worth of
atffiherimr atnheaetsfthouorrsagnhoodoft
thet peopleheirlib and men
liberty. We ma o ?Ulf
the Government
are animated by the most ardent patriotism, and are
froedadepyentdoenincea.ke
Wevheartyovsearcrtifihcoefrfoprotohlefodoefpeinoc;oeno,
ua
ar
ne t allhouf s uniteduhoou
count
country.
of our
feeling, that of the dan-
gerninnt rhyt children.saHme appy the
Moreover, countrtYbe which
e
for which we are to fight is a holy cause, that of liberty ;
it is the principle of the sovereignty of the people,
upon which resti our Constitution, fighting against
the worn-out principle of divine right supported by
the treaties of 1815, a thousand times torn by our
adversary who invokes them to-day. Let us know
hoJr to maintain in our deliberations the calm and dignity
which become an assembly of the representatives of a free
people, and avoid even the semblance of fanfaronade.
What the country wants is acts. Let our decisions
bear the impress of republican energy. Let us not
recoil before any sacrifice—that is the surest way of
guaranteeing our liberty, of maintaining our independ-
ence, and saving our country. We know that the entire
people are with us. We have reached a crisis when the
national existence of Switzerland is at stake. May the
God of our fathers enable us to issue from it with
honour ; and if the danger pass away, may this crisis
contribute to still more strengthen concord among all
the sons of our country, and the patriotism of her
children. God protect Switzerland ! God bless Swit-
zerland !"

The assemblage then proceeded to the election
of a new President, and afterwards to the nomi-
nation of the commission on the Neuchatel ques-

DEATH OF P. CALTERT.—It is our melancholy duty
to record the death of our venerable townsman, Dr.
James Calvert, who, for nearly half a century, held the
high position of Rector of our Academy, on which ho
shed a lustre by his distinguished talents, and his fame
as an instructor of youth. Dr. Calvert had reached the
patriarchal age of eighty-two years. He retired from
the duties of the office a few years ago. Dr. Calvert was
highly esteemed by all who knew him, and his demise is
deplored by a wide circle of friends.—Zliontrose Review.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY.—Monday,
Dec. 29.—Admissions on payment, 1,606; do. by season
tickets, 322 ; Total visitors, 1,928.
CAUTION TO TRADESIIEN.—We are informed that a
person signing "J. Langley," and addressing his friends
from Chalvey, near Slough, has been attempting to vic-
timise several tradesmen in this town, and among them
Mr. Roach, Messrs. Giddings and Ellis, and Mr. Taylor .
The goods ordered are to be left at Slough station, and
if sent and left there, they are never seen again by the
unfOrtunate tradesmen, nor paid for. Wiltshire paper.
[We understand a person of the same name has been
conferring his favours on some of our Cheltenham trades-
men. He sent a large order some time ago to Messrs.
Harris and Leighton, of the Albion Brewery, but, for-
tunately, Messrs. H. and L. were rather too old birds
to be caught by chaff,]—Cheltenham Examiner.