The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-16 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

An Account of the Mutinies in Oudh, and of the Siege
of the Lucknow Residency. By Martin R. Gubbins,
of the Bengal Civil Service. .Boatley.
Several unfortunate circumstances have delayed
the publication of this work. A great part of it was
lost in the wreck of the Ava, while being forwarded
to England, and the author was consequently com-
pelled to rewrite it from the rough nava of his
journal. Unfortunately he was unable to replace
some of his losses, among them a narrative of Gene-
ral liavelock's campaign, dictated by his son, who
had shared in the dangers and glory of his memorable
exploits. The loss of many illustrations taken on the
spot is also to be regretted, but enough remains to
render the volume as interesting and attractive, as it is
valuable as an authentic narrative. The author, as
Financial Commissioner for Oudh, had been in con-
stant communication with the natives during the time
of the British administration of that province. He
had mixed freely both with the talookdars and the
villagers, had examined their grievances and made a
tour through the entire province, with the object of
testing the summary settlement of the Land Revenue.
In Imlay instances he was enabled greatly to reduce
the burdens imposed by the district officers. When
the mutiny began he was intimate with the lamented
Sir Henry Lawrence, and had the management of
the Intelligence Department, by his desire, so long
as the transmission of intelligence was possible. Dur-
ing the terrible days of the siege the author was again
conspicuous. His house and compound was one of
the most exposed outposts, and suffered severely from
the siege, but fortunately he escaped unwounded,
though his health was much injured by the privations
and exertions be had shared with the rest of the brave
defenders of Lucknow. The illustrations are very
useful in conveying a good idea of the spots referred
to, and the style of the narrative is clear and able.
The author examines minutely the different supposi-
tions as to the cause of the mutiny, and concludes his
survey by attributing it to the bad organisation, want
of discipline, and discontent of the native army ; the
suspicion that had been excited by the rapid educa-
tional changes and enactments, affecting Hindoo
usages, and the examinations to which all public ser-
vants were subjected. These, and various other
similar causes, led, he imagines, to a general feeling of
distrust and suspicion in the minds of the natives,
whose credulity is in proportion to their ignorance,
and these suspicions were industriously fostered and
encouraged by the Brahmins. Another reason for
the outbreak is found in the small number of British
troops left in the north-xest provinces. "No sooner
were the religious feelings of our discontented sol-
diery aroused, than the regiments began to cor-
respond, and to this soon succeeded conspiracy. The
Sepoys saw their own strength, and our alarm at
their proceedings, which it was impossible to con-
ceal. What position, indeed, could be more terrible
to the European officer ? Himself and his family
living in a thatched cottage, surrounded by a multi-
tude of armed men, who might at any moment rise,
fire his house, and destroy himself and those dear to
him ! He had no place of refuge near, he dared take
no precaution for his safety, lest by manifesting his
mistrust he should provoke an outbreak ; but was
forced to dissemble, and assume a confidence which
he did not feel. These were indeed fearful days !
There was too much real cause for alarm, and the
Sepoy readily penetrated the disguise of assumed
confidence. Seeing but a handful of Europeans op-
posed to him, he soon considered himself sure of
success, and set on foot one vast conspiracy, which
was to extinguish the British rule and rate in India
in one general massacre." The account of the terrible
anxieties and sad casualties of the siege are already
familiar to most English readers, from the records of
the survivors. They will not, however, regret to
have another added to the list; especially as it pro-
ceeds from the 'pen of one who is so well qualified to
treat of the country and its people ; who has borne
the hardships and anxieties of the siege, and has
witnessed the death-beds of two such men as Sir
llenry Lawrence and General Havelock.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.

WOOLWICH, AUG. 15.

The Palestine freight ship, taken up by the War Depart-
ment for the conveyance of troops and stores, arrived off the
dockyard on Friday, to embark a detachment of the Wool-
wich division of Royal Marine Light Infantry for the Island
of Ascension. Yesterday tnorn.rng, at 11 o'clock, the detach-
ment, consisting of 80 non-commissioned officers and pri-
vates, assembled on parade, and after inspection by Col.
Tattoo Brown, commandant, prcceeded in marching order
from the Royal Marine Barracks to the dockyard, accom-
panied by the band of the corps, and embarked on board
the vessel, w:•iich has been well fitted up for the reception
of the men, many of whom are married, and whose wives
and families have been allowed to accompany them. The
ve=sel left for her destination immediately after the em-
barkation.

THE FUNERAL CAR OF NAPOLEON I.—The vehicle
used for the conveyance of the remains of Napoleon I. to his
tomb at St. Helena, and which was removed to the Royal
Military Repository at Woolwich in 1828, has now been re-
stored to its original appearance, and will shortly be for-
warded from the Royal Arsenal to Paris, as a present from
her Majesty to the French limpEror. The publicity hereto-
fore given respecting the car has attracted the attention of
Mr. R. W. Norfur, a retired captain of the East India Com-
pany's service, and now residing at Dover, who s'ates—
" In 1828, when in command of one of the Company's ships,
homeward bound from Bombay, I called at St. Helena
and was applied to by Sir /Indsln Lowe to receive Napo-
leon's funeral car on board and convey it to EnFiend. I
did so, and the car was unshipped at the East India Docks.
On inspecting the car before shipment I found it consisted
only of the axlettee part, with the wheels of the late Em-
peror's carriage. A platform had been added upon which
to rest the coffin, with four iron rods to support a very ordi-
nary canopy." Two old pensioners residing in the vicinity
of Woolwich, one of whom was in the service of Sir Hudson
Lowe during Napoleon's captivity and death, have rendered
much assistance to Lieut.-Col.Tulloh, superintendent of the
royal carriage department, Woolwich Arsenal, from the
information which they were enabled to give as to the origi-
nal appearance of the car. One of these men being by
trade an upholsterer was employed by Sir Hudson Lowe in
fitting up the drapery of the car, which, by the desire of
Napoleon, was constructed from his ordinary travelling
carriage.
A detachment of the 12th battalion of Royal Artillery
proceeded to Purfleet on Saturday to relieve the detach-
ment on duty at that station.
Arrangements are in progress to send out to India a pro-
portion of the wives and families of Royal Artillerymen
who have left this garrison f4->r service in that country.
In consequence of alterations and improvements now in
progress at the Royal Artillery Barracks the militia regi-
ment of Antrim Rifles have removed from their quarters,
and are now encamped on the Common. A large propor-
tion of the Royal Artillery are also quartered under camps.
The Bloodhound, Hecate, and Fin fly steam-vessels, re-
cently returned from the west coast Of Africa, have been
completely stripped, and are ordered to undergo necessary
repairs.
The Challenge, screw-corvelle, is new under the hands
of workmen in No. 3, to have lor bottom coppered, and
she will soon be ready for commission.
The Minie, icon
gun screw steam-vessel, is ordered to
and is Again to be brought for-
ward for esexrtleinesei repairs,
service.

PLYMOUTH, AUG. 14.
Her Majesty's steam-frigate Diadem, 32, arrived here this
afternoon, having on board the Lords of the Admiralty, on
their annual tour of inspection. Site entered the Sound at
four o'clock, and was saluted by the citadel forts. On ar-
rivittg in the Hanioaze salutes were fired by the flag-ship
Impregnable, &c. Their lordships will commence their in-
spectio❑ of the dockyard a2d other Government naval
establishments at this port on Monday.
The Terrihle steam-ship went into the Sound from Ha-
moaze this evening. She will, assisted by the Valorous,
tow the Queen. 110, to an eastern yard, in order to be fitted
with a screw-propeller.
It is stated that the Royal William, 101, at this port, Is
also to be converted into a screw steam-ship.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

NORTH-EASTERN.

~~.T=

The directors of this company regret to have to report a
decrease in the receipts as comparad with the corresponding
period of last year. The chief cause they assign for this is ,
the great and continneus depression of trifle throughout the
country, con,equent upon the commercial crisis of last au- '
Winn, which has mere or less diminished the traffic upon all
railways. The prolonged competition between the London
and North-Western, Great Northern, and Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolonshire Companies has prejudicially
affected this company, by diverting traffic from its ordinary
rou'es. The directors, however, say they cannot regard the
diminution in the receipts as otherwise than temporary, and
they have little doubt that with the revival of trade the
soundness of and vitality of the undertaking will again ma-
nifest themselves in an increase of traffic. The decrease
the passenger traffic during the traffic
past half-year amounted to
£7,834, in the goods traffic to £21,830, in., the.
cattle2making to-
to £2,202, anti in the mineral traffic to £len,
t.
decrease
getlier a decrease of £41,315, or 4•75 perc
397 or
in the working and other expenses amounted
217 per cent., leaving the decrease in. the net receipts
half-
ear £3.2,918, or 6.81 per cent. The gross receipts
work-
ing t 6
s for
and the the
7 ending June 30 amounted to 8
expenses and other deductions to £377,224, leaving the
net receipts £450,124. The decrease in the passenger and
gooJe traffic has extended throughout the entire system,
and is clearly traceable to the general stagnation of trade.
The filling oft in the mineral traffic has arisen prin-
cipally from the same cause, but Is to some extent
attributable to the peculiar depression of the iron
trade in Staffordshire, which has lessened the demand
fur coke In that district. There has, en the other hand,
been an increase in the quantity of coal carried for •
shipment, owing in a great measure to the additional
facilities afforded. The working expenses, exclusive of
rates and taxes, show a decrease to the extent of £10,899,
the rolling stock, permanent way, and works having at the
same time been maintained in full efficiency. The receipts
and payments of the Bedale and Leyburn Railway are in-
cluded in the general accounts. On the Berwick revenue
account the disposable balance, after paying all preferential
charges, amounts to £150,780, oat of which the directors
recommend that a dividend be declared on the ordinary
stock and shares at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum,
leaving£7,92o. On the York account the disposable balance
Is £53,273, out of which the directors recommend a dividend
on the ordinary stock at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum,
leaving £4,989. On the Leeds revenue account the dispos-
able is £12,621, out of which the directors recommend a
dividend upon the ordinary stock at the rate of £1 12s. 6d.
per cent. per annum, leaving £1,303. On the Thirsk and
Mallon branch revenue account the disposable balance is
£609, out of which the directors recommend a dividend at
the rate of 3 per cent. per annum, leaving £59. An addi-
tional amount of the irredeemable 4 per cent debenture stock
bag been issued. It is expected that the docks at Jarrow
will be ready for opening in about three months.
The capital account to the 30th of June showed that
£14,836,689 had been received en shares, and £7,269,233
on loans and debentures—total, £22,105,222. The total
expenditure amounted to £22,271,079 leaving a balance
against the company of £165,157.