The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-10 00:00:00

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LONDON, IONDAY, MARCEI 10, 1851.

Within the lagt few days an arrival of a rather un-
usual character has excited the attention of the good
people of Liverpool. Between 200 and 300 refugees
from Hungary—until recently sheltered in the domi-
nions of Annul, INlEscuip—reached the shores of this
country to obtain from the people of England some
assistance in their misfortunes. It appears, on in-
quiry, that these unfortunates were driven from the
land of the Magyars, together with so many other of
their fellow-countrymen, at the period of the defec-
tion of aIIOIOZY and of the downfall of KONTITIC And

his compatriots. Until now they have contrived to
exist in some way or other under the sheltering ge-
nerosity of the Mussulmen. , Anxious, however, to
better their condition, and incited possibly by a feel-
ing of fatigue consequent upon their long confine-
ment within the frontiers of Turkey, they have has-
tened at length to thase remote islands, in the hope of
obtaining some return of prosperity. The expenses
of their voyage have been defrayed by the muni-
ficence of the Government of Constantinople ;
and it now remains for the inhabitants of our
own country to enable the refugees in question to
secure some satisfactory means of gaining an honour-
able livelihood. To this end exertions seem to be
already making in Liverpool with a benevolent inten-
tion of removing the more immediate anxieties of its
foreign visitants. It has been suggested by some en-
thusiasts that a ball should be given in that great
mercantile seaport for the purpose of swelling the
funds about to be charitablXcollected together for
the Hungarians.

After our fervent and prolonged advocacy of the
cause of the betrayed Magyars—an advocacy which
obtained for the refugees at Folkestone, within a
comparatively brief interval, upwards of a thousand
pounds sterling—we cannot assuredly be supposed to
regard the continued sufferings of their compatriots
with indifference. Our sympathies in their behalf
are still earnest and unabated. Nevertheless, we must
be permitted to protest most emphatically against the
conduct of those pretended friends of Hungary who
are using every means in their power to corrupt the
unhappy men who have been hunted to our
shores for refuge, to transform them from martyrs
patriotism into sluggards depending systematically
upon the alms of a foreign population, to change them
from worthy objects of interest, and deserving claim-
ants on our condolence, into a despicable gang of
idlers, eating the bread of charity from the hands of
the benevolent, without a single sense of compunction
left for their idleness and their mendicancy. We
lament to learn that in one of the most squalid
quarters of our metropolis a body of men so debased
and infatuated appear to have established themselves
as in a permanent residence. We are informed that
these miserable outcasts from Hungary—undeserving
of being regarded for a single instant as representa-
tives of that fallen but heroic race—are living amongst
us in a state of riotous indolence, levying diurnal con-
tributions on the sensibilities of the English multi-
tude, and at night squandering the liberal doles of their
supporters in drunkenness and debauchery. Anything
more lamentable than this in connexion with a glo-
rious land sold by treason to the vengeance of an im-
placable despot, can scarcely be imagined. The
circumstance appears on the face of it to be charac-
teristic of the most matchless turpitude and of the
most unparalleled debasement. The news of it would
perhaps be the very bitterest intelligence that could
by possibility be conveyed to the illustrious ex -Dic-
tator of the Hungarians. KOSSUTH'S noble heart
would burn with unutterable indignation were he
made acquainted with the shameless state of degrada-
tion into which some of his exiled soldiers have been
plunged by recent occurrences. More especially
would his indignation be excited on learning that the
disgrace reflected upon his unhappy country had been
rendered apparent—of all places in Christen-
dom !—in England. From England it was
that the first and the loudest expressions
of sympathy came when the Magyars were
first rallying round the marshy suburbs of
Debreczin. From England it was that the first
practical proofs of interest in the cause identified with
the fortunes of KOSSUTH came, when with his almost
insulated voice he was calling upon the inhabitants of
that fair kingdom to arise at . last by a vigorous evi-
dence of heroism to vindicate their long-despised and
outraged nationality. And it is England that has
been selected by some of the baser outcasts of
Hungary for the scene of their systematized ingrati-
tude. Scarcely possible as it is for us to give ade-
quate utterance to our sentiments of disgust at this
ingratitude on the part of certain refugees, we can-
not refrain from at length directing against them the
finger of contumely sanguine that, if by
no nobler feelings, these miserable dependents
on our charity may be impelled by those of
absolute shame to alter their mode of proceeding.
Opportunities have been afforded to many of their
better-minded fellow-countrymen to cross the At-
lantic in search of that remunerative employment
which may almost be had for the asking in the United
States of America. Many better-minded refugees
rom Hungary than those we have reverted to, have,
we repeat, availed themselves of these admirable
chances of improvement. Yet the men we allude to
have been deterred from following their example by
a miserable satisfaction in the leisure obtained
through the means of their present organized system
of mendicancy. Rather than be at the trouble of
earning their bread by honest exertion in the western
hemisphere, they prefer remaining amongst us, with
nothing to occupy their attention beyond the
enjoyment of the charities meeted out- to
them by popular generosity. Advice, we
believe, with this tendency has been proffered to the
exiles from Hungary recently arrived in the port of
Liverpool. Whether such pernicious recommenda-
tions will have any influence over the poor voyagers
from Constantinople yet remains to be seen. Ear-
nestly we hope that its infamy may be recognized by
them betimes, so that their gallant and soldierlike
natures may not be contaminated by any such de-
spicable principles as those which appear to actuate
their degraded brethren in the English capital. For
their own sakes, and for the sake, too, of the national
reputation of the llungarians, we are solicitous to
receive accounts very speedily of the departure for
America of the 262 refugees now sojourning a
Liverpool.

Great changes have recently taken place in the
code regulating the commercial navy of Great Bri-
tain. In 1849 the navigation laws were completely
revised, and England, which had previously adopted
the doctrines of free trade in commodities, extended
the principle to the means of transit, and, relying on
the excellence of its shipping and the qualifications of
its hardy seamen, threw open its ports to the competi-
tion of the vessels of all other nations. It was a bold
but at the same time a wise and judicious proceeding.
'We believe that monopoly never advanced the inte-
rests of any large class for whose supposed advantage
it was conceded. Deprived, to a certain extent, of
the necessity of exertion, that emulation, which is the
great sharpener of the wit and exciter to activity,
being removed, the parties naturally become negli-
gent and apathetic, and disregard those ordinary im-
provements and ameliorations which the sharp rivalry
of competition would force upon their attention.
The case of our mercantile marine formed no excep-
tion to the general rule. Many evils sprung up du-
ring successive years which at length required
legislative notice. The alteration in the
navigation laws rendered it essential to endea-
vour at least to remove the causes that pre-
vented us from entering upon the competition we had
invited upon the most favourable terms. The Mer-
cantile Marine Bill was therefore introduced in the
was calculated to prove highly
interest, to the shipowners,
a r
as following
it
t w year,
ent,it and we are bound to admit that, so
f
in the trade.
tobe-
neficial
the masters the
ands shipping
p P
crews engaged

But did it go far enough ? That is the question,
and it is one which we fear must be answered in the
negative. When day after day we read of the fearful
loss of life and property by shipwrecks and disasters
at sea, arising in too many instances from causes not
beyond our own control, we must feel that the Go-
vernment and Parliament of this maritime nation
have not exhibited that natural anxiety to diminish
the number of these casualties which the vast im-
portance of the subject, and its effect on the welfare
and prosperity of the nation, so loudly and impera-
tively demanded.
What steps, we ask, have been taken
to avert the chances of
ofollision at sea, which we re-
gret to say are of almost daily occurrence, involving
an enormous amount of damage, and too frequently
the entire 1053 of ship and cargo, "with every soul on
hoar ,l• It is a startling fact that during the five years
from 18 15 to 1849 inclusive, we find no less than 3,016
cases of collision duly reported and authenticated, or
an average of 603 in each and every year. 603 cases
(yr collision annually • t about 60 in every month
12 in each week ! ! ! nearly two a day !
:1 Of the
3,016 cases, 279 resultedoninlytoftoarl laossmeso,mn
oreatbboeuts4
in every year. Let it
con-
sidered that every week one vessel goes to the bottom,
with crew, passeagers, and cargo, bringing ruin

and misery on so many families and individual?, and
what will be thought of the crassa negli gentia, the
criminal default of those who omit enforcing the
adoption of such precautions as would, in the great
majority of instances, prove effectual.
We have now before us a brief pamphlet. by an officer
of the Royal Navy, a sound practical sailor, which
offers many valuable suggestions for the prevention
of shipwreck and collision at sea, to which we
would invite the attention of the Government
(more especially of the President of the Board of
Trade, within whose department the matter
properly falls) and of the Legislature generall3
A consideration of the causes that in the great ma-
jority of instances lead to such collisions, will indicate
the nature of the remedies that must be provided.
Generally speaking, these heartrending calamities
occur through ignorance of the course the coming
vessel is pursuing. The look-out may discover the
outline of a large ship, but he knows not in what
direction she is steering, and is therefore unable to
decide what step should be adopted to avoid the im-
pending danger. Any change in his own course may
be productive of the most deplorable results. The
uncertainty in such cases produces contradictory
orders and the utmost confusion, which paralyses the
energies of the men, and prevents them from display-
ing the presence of mind and activity that are at all

times of the utmost importance, but are essentially ne-
cessary in emergencies such as those above referred to.
It is obvious, therefore, that the great desideratum is to
provide such a system of night signals as will enable
the crews of each vessel to ascertain nearly the course
which the other is steering; and if, with such know-
ledge, an accident should occur, it must be occasioned
by culpable negligence of those on board either
vessel.

One of Lieutenant HALAHAN'S chief objects is to
convey this valuable information speedily and effec-
tually, and this he proposes to do by means of a lint,
horn which he has invented for the purpose, and
which certainly appears a great improvement on
anything hitherto in use. The great merit of the
plan consists in its great simplicity, which would
enable any man before the mast to learn it practically
in all its details in a quarter of an hour, and to make
the required alterations in the positions on any change
of course with the greatest rapidity. A diagram is
given in the commencement of the pam-
phlet, which Lieutenant HALAIIAN designates as a
" night-signal compass," which completely illustrates
the matter. It is effected by changes in the position
of red, green, and plain lights, two of each being
only required ; the signals are eight in number, and
immediately show the semi-quadrant i❑ which the
ship is proceeding. Lieutenant HALAIIAN also suggests
a aeries of fog signals, to be used in foggy weather,
and which, by methodizing the usual noises now
made to show the presence of some ship, would also
show the direction in which she was sailing- We
trust that this admirable plan, which we have no
hesitation in declaring to be at once the most simple,
definite, and comprehensive that we have ever seen,
may be fairly tested, and, if it receive the approba-
tion of competent judges, to whom it may be re-
ferred, that it should be carried into practical opera-
tion with all convenient speed. As we find that
three•fourths of the vessels that came into col-
lision during the five years above referred
to are British, it would effect an important
amelioration if adopted generally by British
shipping. It will in such case be recognised
by the marine of other nations, which would hasten
to adopt a plan so calculated to promote the interests
of humanity throughout the entire world. If the
various suggestions that have been offered on this
interesting subject were referred by the Board of
Admiralty to the commander and officers of the ex-
perimental squadron, unexceptionable reports could
be obtained as to the mode best calculated to attain
the great desideratum.

There are many other useful hints given by
Lieutenant 111LAHAN as to the best mode of re•
ducing the number of shipwrecks. That for im-
proving the education and qualifications of mas-
ters, and inducing a higher class to enter the
mercantile marine, by having a new class of appren-
tices, distinct from and in no way interfering with
the present mode of apprenticing, to be styled
" first class apprentices," is well worthy of notice.
Such a course would induce many parents moving in
respectable stations in society to accede to the re-
que.ts of their children, who are smitten with the
charms of a seafaring life. Persons would thus be
regularly educated in the best manner for the situa-
tion of masters, and England would no longer have
to complain of the deficiencies of those entrusted with
the command of vessels, and on whose discretion and
skill the property of our merchants, and the lives of
passengers and seamen, are in a great degree de-
pendent.

We cannot close our observations without referring
to the proposal for testing the anchors, cables, and
ground-tackling now in use. Within 18 months
from January, 1849, there were no less than 246
cases of wrecks and casualties between London and
Dungeness, of which 131, or more than a half,
parted their anchors and cables. The great ma-
jority of these cases arose from vessels not
being provided with tackling of sufficient size
according to their tonnage, or they must have been
old or worn out, badly manufactured or made of inferior
materials, which could not be the case if Lieutenant
HALAHAN'S plans were carried out. We believe that
it is the almos unanimous opinion of all persons con-
nected with the merchant service, that the adoption
of stringent measures on this point, adequate to the
object to be attained, would be one of the greatest
boons that could be conferred on the shipping
interest.

It may be said that Government should not inter-
fere in such matters with owners and masters, but
that they should have liberty to use such tackle as
they think proper. This, however, would be but
false delicacy where the lives of British subjects are
concerned. There may be, and we fear are, but too
many cases where the loss of a fully insured vessel is
not regarded as any very great calamity by the owner.
Perhaps a total wreck may in such instances be re-
garded as the most profitable way of disposing of such
vessels. It seems little better than conniving at
fraud and knavery to give such persons the privilege
of getting their ships' " findings " without regard to
their sufficiency.

Once more we commend this valuable brochure to
all persons interested (and who is not ?) in the welfare
of our commercial marine. We trust the Govern-
ment may notice and (if found deserving) reward the
suggestions and exertions of Lieutenant HALALIAN
according to their deserts. We believe that the ser-
vices of that officer would entitle him to the highest
rank, that his character and qualifications are unex-
ceptionable, and yet, unfortunately for this country,
he is still simply Lieutenant HALAllAN—another of
the thousands of illustrations of neglected merit
which are to be found in the Royal Navy of Great
Britain.

• "Plan for the Prevention of Shipwreck and Collision
at Sea." By Lieutenant Halahan, R.N.

BRIGHTON RAILWAY.—Years, nay, months ago, it
Would scarcely have been believed what rapid travelling
could be performed on the Brighton Railway. We well re.
member the time when five hours were considered a grand
feat from end to end ; and now people, then but too incredu-
lous (as all ignorant, presumptuous wiseacres invariably
are), turn up their noses, exclaiming, " How slow !_here we
are more than two hours I—it is really too bad." Well, what
do those same unbelievers in human progress now admit,
when they find themselves actually transported from London
to Brighton, 50 4 miles, in less than one hour, by the express
train ? Why, they are as stupid as ungrateful, and merely
observe - " Wonders will never cease !" The Town Commis-
sioners of Brighton, aided by their worthy adviser Mr.
Slight, are bestirring themselves very commendably in im-
proving the Pavilion and all the other attractions of this first
of TT atering places.

THE SPEAKER'S DINNER.—The Right Hon. the
Sneaker gave his fourth Parliamentary dinner on Saturday
last. The, following were present : Lord Mulgrave, Lord
Duncan, Lord James Stuart, the Hon. Captain .Iloward, the
lion. Pelham Villiers, the Attorney-General (Ireland), Sir
George Strickland, Mr. French, Mr. Rice, Mr. Poulett
Scrope, Mr. James Wilson, Mr. NV. Fagan, Mr. John
Greene, Mr. Alexander Hastie, Mr. kilowatt, Mr. Ilollond,
Mr. Kershaw. Mr. Brotherton, The O'Gorman Mahon, Mr.
Moffatt, Mr. Peto, Mr. Macgregor, Mr. W. Marshall, and Mr.
Headlam. The Right Hon. Gentleman will hold his first
levee on Saturday, March 15, at 10 r.x. ; the second and
last on Saturday, March 22.

LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY.—The United States mail
steam-ship Arctic, Captain Luce, sailed from the Mersey of
one o'clock to-day, with the usual mails for New York, 15
passengers, and a full cargo of merchandise.

The Earl of Dunraven is expected in a few days
at his mansion, Dunraven Castle, which is undergoing con-
siderable repair and decoration.— Carmarthen Journal.