The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-31 00:00:00

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR, —Some mouths since my attention was called to
a series of " able articles" on Life Assurance, published
weekly in a paper called the Joint Stock Companies
Toornal. On examining them I thought I recognised
the features of an old friend, and perceived indeed that
the said original essays were literal reprints of papers
which I originally contributed to an Edinburgh maga-
zine, and afterwards republished through the medium of
Messrs. Bailliere, of Regent-street and New York, under
the title of " The Prudent Man ; or, How to acquire
Land and bequeath Money by means of Co-operation."
I have in vain pointed out to the editor that such bare-
faced robbery of ideas is "mast intolerable and not to be
endured." The last week's impression repeats and con-
tinues the offence, by publishing as its own my chapter
on Life Assurance, as it affects the interests of wives and
daughters—Life Assurance and the Ladies. However,
I shall feel much obliged if you will, on this denial of
justice, enable the general public to understand the main
gist and object of the little work which has been thus
pirated ; that will be some compensation for the injustice
done me.

At the present moment life assurance hardly extends
beyond securing an average accumulation of savings on
the death of the assured. I atu desirous of having the
principle extended to securing an immediate as well as
reversionary benefit. How is this to be accomplished ?
Simply by assigning at once to the assured the amount
of his policy (subject to his paying interest as well as
premium), in such a shape that he cannot run throigh
it or run away with it till the consideration has been paid
for the same. This is to be effected by allowing him the
usufruct of land during a term of years, and the possession
thereof at the end of the period, in consideration of perio-
dical instalments of the price. A hundred pounds' worth
of colonial land might thus be assigned to him on mortgage
in consideration of his paying 81. 14s. per annum for 20
years, which would replace the 1001. with 6 per cent, in-
terest, leaving it open to him to assure the value by a
term premium, which at the younger ages would be an
inconsiderable additional burden, while the effect of it
would be to secure absolute freehold to his family in the
event of his decease within the 20 years.
New for the practical application of this principle to
systematic colonisation. No one better than yourself is
acquainted with the great merit and the great defect of
the Wakefield system. The merit, that of requiring a
sufficient price for land to make the land available for
social and reproductive purposes. The obvious defect
in practice has been that the sufficient price hag been
charged at the outset, while the social adaptation pro•
mised has not been made pani passu, and sometimes
not all ; it being a peculiar quality of human nature—
at least of joint stock human nature—to spend other
people's money lavishly, and for other than the legiti-
mate objects for which it is subscribed. To prevent this
I would have the subscriptions made gradually by the
customers—the settlers to be beneficed—and the expen
&tore in improvements made at an early stage by the
colonising body out of its own funds. The colonist
would thus be pretty sure to get what he pays for,
and the company would be fairly entitled to an ample
profit on their organised expenditure. In a word, the
purchase money of the land, with its improvemen.s and
endowments, agricultural, educational, and social, being
spread over a period of years, the payments would re
present not merely prospective, but actually realised
benefits.

moTdhifieeWd
;akioerfieeldxosnlysptleen?
ownoutlhde ahcaceoiteditnoglbyehanvoew tiondbie.
cated :—I shall suppose a block of land to be secured of,
say 100 square miles, or 64,000 acres. Let this be di-
vided, as in the New Zealand settlements, into town,
suburban, and country sections, the price to include the
value of the lands, with improvements made or provided
for as below by the colonising body, whose outlay is
to be gradually replaced with interest by the instalment
payment of the settlers, in addition to the legitimate
bonuses to accrue from such portion of the laud as the
company may agree with the public to reserve for
their own profit. Let us assume each country section
to be 40 acres, each suburban section nine acres, and
each town section one acre. There would then be 1,280
sections of each kind; 1,280 of country land at 21. an
acre, or 801. a section ; 1,280 of suburban land at 4/
an ere or 36/. a section ; and 1,280 of town land at
101. an 'acre or section. The town would therefore em-
brace two square miles, inclusive of reserves for public
objects, such as streets, squares, churches, schools,
markets, public parks, and cemeteries ; and the total
purchase money (exclusive of interest) would be-
-1 1,280 country sections at 801.
1,280 suburban sections at 361.
1,280 town sections at 101.

£161,280 0 0
I❑ consideration of this purchase money the company
would require t,) make some such outlay and disposition
as the following :
Price of the land, say 450,000
Preliminary expenses, surveys, &c lO,OOO
Agricultural adaptatio❑ 20,000
Educational and religious endowments (to
be proportioned to voluntary subscrip-
tions)
Public parks, gardens, &c.
Emigration
Lands reserved by the company for their
own profit and source of profit 20,000

20,000
10,000
30,000

£160,000
The purchase money being spread over a period of
years (I have assumed 20 for the sake of illustration)
would require to bear interest, say six per cent., to
cover expenses of management ; and the equivalent in-
stalments therefore would be, for each of the t fflenty
years, about 71. for each SO/. section, q. for each 36/.
section, and 17s. 6d. for each 101. section, These pay-
ments would replace the company's outlay with interest,
in addition to the houses above provided ror, from the
enhanced value of the land. This enhancement of value
would accrue from the very influx of population alone,
leaving no practical doubt as to the security as well as
national and social benefit of the operation.
The equity of this mode of colonisation I need not
dwell upon, nor en the vast field it would develope, and i
the stimulus it would afford to Life Assurance, 4,s it s
obvious that every insurable settler would be encouraged
to insure his life in the value of the land he would thus
hold on mortgage, that in the event of his premature de-
cease he might be enabled to leave to his children an un-
encumbered patrimonial inheritance.—I am, &c.,
23, Pall Mall, Oat. 25. Vir; BRIDGES.

The commercial accounts by the Overland
Mail yester.
day from Calcutta and Bombay, was considered in the
City to be satisfactory.
A cabman was yesterday fined 20s. by Mr. Long, sfor
driving his vehicle while in a state of intoxieation during
the late fog.
Sweden possesses ten railways open to the public, and
five others in course of construction.
The marriage of Sir C. Piggott with Miss Mary
Waugh, was solemnised yesterday at St. George's Hano-
ver-square.
James Cobb, a private in the 93d Highlanders has ,
received a present from the Queen. It consists of a bilk
handkerchief, and a letter accompanying the gift stated
that it was hemmed by the Princess Royal.
CHARGE OF ASSAULT AGAINST CAPTAIN PLATT.—
BRIGHTON, Thursday.—At the borou•th sessions held
to-day, Captain Platt, a nephew of Baron Platt, was
charged with assaulting Mr. John Lawrence, a surgeon
residing in this town. The facts of the case are, that on
the 31st of July last, the defendant came down to
Brighton, and called on Mr. Lawrence, and requested
some explanation and satisfaction, in reference to some•
thing which he alleged the latter had circulated, affect-
ing the character of his wife (a lady, formerly of some
note as an actress—Miss Louisa Howard). In the
course of a warm altercation, Mr. Lawrence stated that
he believed the lady in question was not the most im-
maculate per,on in the world ' • and as he (Mr. Lawrence)
who bad gone out of his house, followed by defendant,
was in the act of getting into his earrings, the defendant
struck him very violently with a whip across the shoul-
ders and hand. An arrangement was entered into
between the parties. Captain Platt gave a written
apology to Mr. Lawrence, and also the sum 91 DM to
the Sussex County Hospital.

SPEgCH OF THE .KING OF SPTEDZIr.

The following is the text of the speech of the
Einz_of _Sweden on opening the Diet, which We
have briefly mentioned by telegraph :
" Gentlernen,—lt is with real satisfaction that I see
myself surrounded by the representatives of the nation,
Certalns of finding in their noble sentiments and in their
enlightened deliberations a powerful co-operation to
secure the glory and prosperity of our country.
"-I offer you, gentlemen, my sincere thanks for the
congratulations which you addressed to me on the
occasion of the betrothcl of my \ well-beloved son the
Duke of Oetragothia with a princess of the illustrious
ducal house of Nassau. The part which you take in
Day paternal joy renders it still more dear to my heart.
You will, gentlemen, find the kingdom held in
general consideration and in a state of prosperity, which
every good citizen must admit with deep gratitude to
Divine Providence. lam on friendly relations with all
the foreign powers. On the 21st November last I cow
eluded with England and Franco treaties which give fresh
force to old anti glorious alliances, and which tend to
tighten still more closely the bonds of amity and tong'
denee which unite me to the Queen of Great Britain and
to the Emperor of the French.
"Our manufactures are flourishing ; our commerce
has attained an extent hitherto unknown to he, ; out
agriculture has made great progress, and, by a bate!
employment of its productions, it may export a consi-
derable quantity of corn. A praiseworthy activith se'
conded by fortunate circumstances, has contributed t°o
the general prosperity. It belongs to ns, gentlemen, tile
preserve to the noble Swedish nation the place wbies
its glorious souvenirs and its love of country have 3
signed to it in the pages of history. We shall, I hope'
succeed in this by a constant care of the interests of the
state, and by the concord of our decisions.
The happy union founded by my illustrious father
every day takes deeper roots in the hearts of the peoPl,e;
who are now brothers, animated with deep respect' le„
reciprocal rights, and for the maintenance of a cornice"
existence. The identity of origin and historical cone'
this which exist between the Scandinavian nations give:
fresh strength to this union. Faithful to my duties l:
sovereign of the united kingdoms, penetrated with
idea which forms the basis of their fraternal comPact'sf
endeavour to complete the parts of this great edifies ".
which circumstances have hitherto prevented the tero3l.
nation, and to thus consolidate its duration. of
"Two commissions, composed of an equal number
Swedish and Norwegian members, have just conclude
the drawing out of bills tending to regulate the consmeteel
and navigation between Sweden and Norway, as
the
as the mode of rendering executory in one kingdom "d
sentences passed by the tribunals of the other. -A-
committee, under the presidentship of the Prince 11°J-sis
has been occupied in fixing the contingents which °3O,
s
country is to furnish for the defence of their cowmen is
dependence and glory. The perfect unanimity which 'eor
presided over their deliberations is satisfactory t e/'be
friend of the country. These important works scill„
communicuted to you during the course of this sessiel.e.
"In proportion as the production of a country tt
creases the necessity of perfecting the means of consteri,
nication becomes more and inure sensibly felt. The„c°-a
eiderable works which have been already accoroP"e",eo.
have produced beneficial results, and I rely on Y°3l.ig-se
operation fur the accomplishment of the vast enteslit-so.
which I shall propose to you in order to establish a e,13,
tern of railways, which will powerfully contribute to
prosperity of the country. It will be necessary to fbrre
a new department for public works in order to give et the
activity and concentration to this important part et ea
altninistration„ which every year acquires incre,riu
development. I will make known to you the chacgs'o-se.
the constitution which will be necessary for this purr, sr
The different measures adopted since the last ple"nie
order to cheek the abuses introduced in the t°3-
facture and sale of spirituous liquors have prosilltbedo
satisfactory results, and I am pleased to see ear'
public opinion declares itself strongly in favour of ""will
The detailed report which will be presented to you„tivg
show the necessity of making some changes in °'b-;ect,
taxes in order to arrive more surely at the desired esibs
"I have introduced into our customs legislationouly
ameliorations adopted at the last diet, by which ee'
merce and navigation have obtained essential encou ins
r
means and facilities. I have now the intention of lalleo
before you a bill more in conformity with the PriuelP
of free commerce. bag
"A new ordinance concerning public instructionvo
just bean promulgated, based on ideas which had, i
communicated to you, and which yon had adoPtensioe
expect from it results of a most satisfactory deser'r
for future generations. e
i
he • f of
"An enlightened toleration for the religious belief
others, based on love of one's neighbour, and i0513.--dog'
an unalterable conviction, forms the essence of the eople
mas of the Protestant Church. It is worthy of 3Pt' is
for whom the great King Gustavus Adolphus long and
order to secure liberty of thought and consciencets es.
which cause he sealed with his blood, to follow bwi
ample and walk in his footsteps. The old laws 05„ to
still snackle liberty of worship ought conseque°,o:l in
disappear, in order that the common law he fue-
' harmony with paragraph 16 of the Constitutles• 0d to
tending to anolish the penalty of banishment, at. be
ameliorate different parts of the Criminal Code, sue'
communicated to you. „„. a
" A just appreciation of the rights of woman bait Dg
sure guarantee of fidelity in fulfilling her dude, ao
mission in the family circle; I inteod proposing to Yba
that any unmarried woman who reaches 25 shalt the
declared of age, as is enacted already iu nearly a" -
States of Europe. ittee
"The draft of a forest code, drawn up by a c°,te,a--Ine
specially nominated ad hoc, shall be subinitt"
rhu, question is of the highest importance for tf
which
bervation of our forests, the prudent working of Clan alone secure to our commerce the continnA ""-ntse
lucrative trade, and provi .e for one of the most esse
wants of the inhabitants of our northern regions. esiog
"A perfect knowledge of our internal situation f its
the first condition of the uninterrupted increase °f it
material welfare, the creation of a central statisooo,
office has become necessary for works especiallY re.
fleeted with it. A proposition to this effect will be P
sewed to you.
itabnheme,,cep‘,
oslTrytineoahfsortoeeauerntimnsitwoeeci
inartri
conformity
jasonewseeeytei.
thohi
ebunyAtsohitttnehhuplatrriaptoeiderapoiolonsecuseiulobltlmfjiotoeefetenrnhtep.etsbrstoas
sywlmei
oshdaif
which
onthhssns
.eusyreregis.elqtul
tboti
eyrt
te,,si:sa;3:ii:
persons eraPl°Ye-nd
thee
f
btrootei nhneotet wshubesertuheradfiislvxcagsni heicseaostetnintaaemooienefsafdtty.aethrahrielibeoeteewssttstiaointutgpeerpastprbieoreoodici.daiiir;
giveiTchnhig;te,tsef
eflaiosi,
ditrue:uttrtfthra,hoiitebeilyhllgsyeeioexnnrudpiglogioettwersul lhisrisiatonocutaniipasetsetdhst
ineieioonf
fendnidet b'
y
spoken of, without Increasing taxes, which were Alte
ra!, I implore the support of the Most High °llGYfesill;
labours, and I reiterate, gentlemen, the assurance 0f
best wishes."

la
van
SIR CHARLES NAPIER AND SIR A.--

PEEL, BART.

good
toh
Sir Charles Napier presents his corapliment
Editor of The Sun, and requests be will be
to give insertion to the enclosed letter.
Murclustoun, Oct. 29.

" TO SIR ROBERT PEEL, BIRT
• g
1856;10
" Murchistoun, Oct. 2 •
" Sir,—ln your after-dinner speech at Staffal 13,
other day, you returned thanks for the health ° that
Majesty's Ministers, in doing which you stated 000
' you had visited the fortress of Cronstadt, a0(1,000e
was but one opinion, from the Grand Duke C°„°°:die,
-down to the youngest middy on board the v ried the
that had the energy of the commander equo', Sht
pluck of the British navy, that fortress t,
present time would have been crumbled '"b
dust. Sir Charles Napier had been throug. it es
whole of the fleet and fortress, and he Wav:o,
his opinion that it was impossible to des"i
fortress. It was certainly very clear at ttlWig
went that it was impossible to attack Cronstao. 0 Del
success now, but when the war commenced the Os 606'
very different, and if the man who commanded the= if
at Copenhagen had commanded the Baltic fleet, fs 101
man possessed of the spirit and capacity of a Siog"doli
commanded that fleet, he had not the slightest .00
that, as the fortress of Copenhagen yielded, 0°
Cronstadt have fallen." COS
You appear, sir, not to know that there were t.•°„eot
manders in the Baltic fleet, viz., myself and my Ora 00-A
colleague, Admiral Parseval—a man whose courPPI 10'
judgment will bear criticism even from yoll•
that pass. lam quite willing to take his respoP°•loo'
on my shoulders, as we agreed in everything as
Cronstadt. Os'
Liki Air A es- e

.e myself, Admiral Parseval may, in yol „it
tion, have been wanting in energy and spirit ;
both can afford to bear the imputation from Yells otirj:t
As regards myself, if the Grand Duke Cps ere"
told you what you state, he told me a very dill
story.
His Imperial Highness went over with me the Pirtl2.
the south of Cronstadt, and he himself showed ,fat 6/
total impossibility of succeeding against Crops:"
ships. ow tt
If you formed your judgment from what yeti isee
shows your ignorance of naval matters, and r..0:0 fib
of generosity in attacking the character of a no, 4
has faithfully served his county for so many 9701'0"‘
If the Grand Duke told you that the north el tree;
stadt might have been attacked, this was Vito tht°
But whose fault was it that it was not attacked, "sh
of the Board of Admiralty, which did not feelifollif
means by which alone it could have been suckeetif
attacked—viz., gun and mortar boats and re,-,,
which the allied fleets were altogether destiteD,do;
sufficient means, moreover, were not supplied t„6-01d,11
ral Dundas in the following year, so that he "-f colne
more attack it than Admiral Parseval and rereiro,lti
If you have been put forward by the Acie3„l" re,
insult me you have acted an unworthy part, L.913,,i'911°P0
have put yourself forward you have acted i°,"„iffeev,".
You say if Lord Nelson, who commanded tiin-ded,`:;l,
Copenhagen, or any man of spirit had commit-do 01
fleet at Cronstadt, it would have fallen aaCoPeeb,,,.i47ooo 111;1
Now, Sir, I tell you that there was no coloPZ„r Pio
tween Copenhagen and Cronstadt, and neidt;010:0,
Nelson nor any other admiral of ancient 01'111°,7 my ooh
would have touched it with the force I had
mand.—l remain, your obedient servant, FlOP'
CHARLES ND'
Sir Robert Peel, Bart.

Cre l
fl The Emperor of the French has prohibited theoeholli
Mobilier from embarking in the Russian railvOl• ,efs
or participating therein. 'iOte 1
The United States sore* steam-frigate ger-rI
Southampton yesterday for Brest.