The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-10 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 10, 1869.

....4: movement of the British Forces
_...f prior to the Great NAPOLEON'S first ab-

—,ation. Although he had been Governor of a
Colony, as we have seen, half-a-dozen years previ-
ously, it was only in 1814 that he was promoted to
the rank of Captain. Obtaining his majority in
1825, he was subsequently advanced to a Lieutenant-
Colonelcy, but by that period had virtually forsaken
the military profession for the life of a politician,
a public journalist, and a member of Parliament.
The pen, from that time forth, came more acceptably
to his hand than the sword. As a devoted champion
of the cause of Free Trade, Colonel PEYItRONET
THOMPSON (lid more than yeoman's service in bring-
ing about the destruction of the Protective interests.
He was one of the very earliest of the advocates of
the politico economic principle set forth through the
writings of ADAM SMITH, and through the speeches
of 'WILLIAM HUSKISSON. In point of time he took
precedence of COBDEN, of BRIGHT, of Fox, of
WiLsoN, of ELLIOTr, of all the leading Free Traders.
His wittiest and most effective contribution to the
literature of the cause he and they had all of them so
devotedly at heart, was the brilliant Catechism of the
Corn Laws, by which his name, as a political writer,
will yet for long be remembered. He was never
very successful as a speaker, either in the House or
out of it, but as a political writer he con-
trived to make his mark upon his own imme-
diate generation. His political works were col-
lected into a series.of substantial volumes upwards
of a quarter of a century ago, and since then
have beenvery considerably extended, though his later
writings have never yet been republished in a sepa-
rate form, like their more famous predecessors.
During several years he was the Editor and Proprie-
tor of the Westminster Review, to which he very
largely contributed. During many years also he
wrote chiefly under the non► de plume of " An Old
Reformer" in these columns—meaning in the columns
of The Sun newspaper—Colonel TIIOMPSON having
been one of the most constant of our Correspondents.
Subjects the most miscellaneous occupied his atten-
tion in turn. It was in 1827 that he published his " Corn
Law Catechism"—in 1829 his " Enharmonic Theory
of Music"—in 1830 his" Geometry without Axioms"—
in 1848 his " Catechism on the Currency." As a
pamphleteer, as a political economist, as a reviewer,
as a journalist, as a liberal reformer, but above all
especially and particularly as a free trader, he was
zealous and indefatigable in furtherance of the popu-
lar cause. Never has a member of Parliament, we
believe, more conscientiously devoted himself to the
advancement of what he believed to be the interests
not alone of his own constituency, but of the
great mass of the public generally. In promoting
what he deemed to be the truth, he never
shrank from the risk even of being regarded in the
light of a bore by his political opponents. Regarded
by many as an antagonist of an irritable and, at
times, ungovernable temperament, among his friends
and associates he was singularly genial and placable
in his disposition. For ourselves, we can speak of
him only as of one who was personally known to us
for the first time many years ago, and who, is the
recollection of all these years, is by us sincerely ad-
mired and very earnestly regretted.

THE annual report of the Friendly Societies
Registrar, though an important document, is always
unpleasant reading. It ought not to be so. Mr.
TIDD PRATT, the Registrar, is master of his depart-
ment, and is exceedingly careful to present every
fact that can be of public interest. No working-class
movement is of greater moment than the earnest
endeavours of the poorer orders to lay up,
by means of benefit societies, a provision against
sickness and death. And certainly there can be no
more gratifying testimony to the spread of provident
habits than is to be found in the large sums of money
which arc invested in this way. But the pleasure to
be derived from this source is marred by the dismal
chronicle of fraud, swindling, and waste which this

annual report invariably contains. The en tire system of
benefit clubs and the like is in an unsatisfactory con-
dition. Many of these socities are well managed,
and worthy of the confidence reposed in them. But in
many other cases the working classes are disgrace-
fully preyed upon. Owing to the lack of sufficient

fstatistics sent up to the the central authority, and the
obscurity in which the affairs of many clubs are care-
fully kept, it is impossible to ascertain the exact
amount of insolvency ; but that it is great there can
be no doubt whatever. The state of these friendly
societies bears a close ana logy to that of certain
public companies ; they have been worked, not for
the benefit of the contributors, but to
support the officials who are entrusted
with the conduct of affairs. The " expenses of
management" are the one great cause to which the
ruin of benefit clubs is to be attributed. Burial
societies present the most flagrant examples. The
Royal Liver, which numbers above half a million of
our deluded countrymen, has spent 15s. 9cl. in
expenses for every 20s. given in relief. In the
Society of St. Patrick, every sovereign given in case
of sickness or death costs 10s. 3d. to " manage" it.
The Victoria Legal spends even sums in management
and distribution; and one "glorious institution" in
Birmingham has attained a matchless fame by
incurring a cost of three pounds in expenses
for every pound given to the mem-
bers. Compare this scandalous waste with the
management of the Post Office Savings Banks,
which last year administered a sum of nine millions
sterling in deposits and withdrawals at a cost of
only £Ol,OOO. There can be only one conclusion
from such facts : the burial societies are utterly
untrustworthy, and the working men of England
cannot be too earnestly warned to have no dealings
with them.

It is true that friendly societies in general are in a
much better condition. The Oddfellows and Foresters
muster above 700,000 members between them, and
have enormous funds at command. But insolvency
prevails to an enormous extent even amongst these
bodies. An eminent authority recently estimated
that the Odd Fellows were seven millions sterling to

the bad ; and though much progress has been made
of late years, the deficit is still sot down at two
millions. Of course the prosperity of such organisa-
tions is not to be estimated by the sum of money in
hand ; but by the ratio which that sum
bears to the amount insured. The pra,c-

tice of holding the meetings of the courts
in public-houses, and buying beer instead of paying
the landlord directly in money, are still common.
The societies do not yet recognise the principle of
valuing their property at stated times. It is certain
that many clubs are got up by speculators for the
mere purpose of plundering the poor, and that
many more are so recklessly managed as to
speedily become bankrupt. The fact that
139 societies dissolved during the past year
tells its own tale. A few of these possessed
some little property when their existence termi-
nated, but others had " no funds," and in a greater
number of returns occurs the significant expression,
" funds not stated." It is understood that this great
subject will be brought before Parliament very
shortly; but it does not appear that any very definite
scheme of reform is under consideration. The draft
of a bill, prepared by the Royal Liver Society,
was circulated during the late session, but though
some of its provisions might do good, it is full
of absurdities, and can never be admitted as a law.
Mr. TIDD PRATT thinks that much good might be
done by establishing a distinct management fund,
instead of levying expenses at random upon the con-
tributions; and there can be no question that such
a change would be highly beneficial. But in general,
the whole subject seems in a chaotic state, and the
difficulty of legislating upon a perplexing question
is increased by the want of information as to
what is going on. A Royal Commission has

been spoken of by Mr. BRUCE. Such
a course seems tedious, whilst the work of waste
is going on ; but the inner life of friendly societies
requires investigation much more than other sub-
jects which have been thought meet for a Commis-
sion. Inquiry would doubtless be productive of
benefit, but it ought to be speedy.

4T,
gil"rt c. 0, rtin Itl!

HER MAJESTY.

INVERTROSSACHS, Sept. 8.
Dull weather prevented the Queen from making
an excursion this nvirning ; but in the afternoon
her Majesty drove on the south road past Callan-
der, in the direction of Donne, and returned by the
same route to Bridgend, where the Teith was
crossed. The royal party then drove in the direc-
tion of the Pass of Leni.

LATEST INTELL IGENCE

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per French Atlantic Cable.)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9.

President Grant has appointed General Sherman
acting Secretary of 'War until Mr. Rawlins' suc-
successor should be appointed.
The Conservative Republican Convention of
Mississippi has confirmed the nomination of Louis
Dent as Governor.

Mr. Chaves, a Republican, has been re-elected
Congressional delegate for New Mexico.
NEW YORK, Sept. 9.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CLOSING PRICES.

Gold closed at 1351 ; the highest quotation dur-
ing the day was 1361; the lowest, 1341.
Sterling Exchange on London lOBl.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 l2ll.
" 1885 l2o}.
" 1867 ll9l.
10-40 44
Illinois l3Bl.
Erie 34.
Cotton—Mid. upland 34lc.
Petroleum—Standard White 32lc.
Flour, extra state, $6.45c. to 17.5 c. Corn, old
mixed, $1.20c.
PLYMOUTH', Sept. 10.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Silesia, from New York, has arrived here with
198 passengers, 80 sacks of mails, and
$92,000 in specie. 48 sacks of mails and
$5,7000 were landed, and the Silesia pro-
ceeded for Cherbourg. The mails will be for-
warded by the 2.15 p.m. train.
At the beginning of the voyage the Silesia ex-
perienced strong easterly winds, and at the end
variable winds and moderate weather.

PLYMOUTH, Sept. 10

The Hamburg and American Company's steam',
ship Silesia, from New York on the 31st of
August, arrived here at 9 45 a.m. to-day.

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 9.

Daoud Pasha's new propositions relative to the
Roumelian railway scheme were discussed to-day
at the Council of Ministers. It is reported that
they will be accepted, as the Sultan is very desirous
that railways should be constructed throughout the
country.

A better feeling prevails in the money market.

RUSSIA.

Sr. PETERSBURG, Sept. 9.

The Imperial Bank Las raised its rate of discount
for bills to 51- per cent., and ,for advances on secu-
rities for three months to 7 per cent. The same rate
of discount will be current at 'the bank offices at
Moscow, Odessa, liiga, and Mitau, but at the other
branches the rates will be 6 and 7 per cent. respec-
tively.

SPAIN.

MADRID, Sept. 9.

Complete tranquillity prevails here.

The Government has sent a telegram to Vichy,
informing General Prim that there was no necessity
for his speedy return to Madrid.

CHINA AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS.
GIBRALTAR, Sept. 9.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Poonab, from Southampton 4th inst., arrived at 8
a.m., and leaves at noon this day for Alexandria.
All well.

AIARSEILLES, Sept. 10.
The Nyanza arrived here at 7 this morning, and
the mails leave at 10.45 for London.

PARIS, Sept. 10;

An Imperial decree, dated Saint Cloud, the Bth
inst., has been published, promulgating the Senatus
Consultum of the 6th inst., together with the
articles relative to the budget, which formed a
schedule to the Senatus Consultum.

LIVERPOOL, Sept. 10

The Liverpool Brazil and River Plate Company's
steamer Kepler, from the River Plate and Brazil,
was signalled off Holyhead at 10.15 this morning,
bringing the homeward Buenos Ayres mail of the
9th of August.
The Humboldt, of the same line, Captain Perry,
left the Mersey this morning for Rio de Janeiro,
Montevideo, and Buenos Apes, calling at Lisbon,
where she will receive telegrams up to the 16th
instant.

2111; RUSSIAA HARVEST.

A correspondent of the Times—G. Bower—gives an
.
opinion of the harvest in Russia.. Writing from Voronege,
he says : " The general opinion is that wheat yields only
one-half of an average crop in these districts. For six
weeks prior to harvest there was no rain, so that
the wheat matured prematurely, and there was besides
immense loss in harvesting through the ears dropping off.
Further south tho crop is represented as being good,
nut the failure in the districts I have named must
seriously affect the present year's export of wheat by
Russia to England. I think if young farmers knew that
there was such good land to be Obtained in Russia as
there is at a price which, together with the necessarycapi-
tal to work it, is only equal to the capital they require on
enteriug upon a good farm in England, they would not
hesitate to come. Ten pounds per acre will be ample
both to purchase the land and for cultivating it ; and the
railways now being made in every direction will give them
every opportunity of getting their produce to market. If
it lie possible to combine business with pleasure they
could also have the finest fishing and shooting iu the world
without licence and without fear of being prosecuted for
trespass."