The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-27 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

am a civilian, and have no connection
with the Indian army. I write solely as a lover
of fair play and public justice ; and I would, through
your columns, put a question to the late and pre-
sent administrators of Indian affairs. How does it
occur that, while all other descriptions of persons
engaged in the great Lucknow siege have had their
services acknowledged or rewarded, the members
of an important department have, with a few excep-
tions, been overlooked? Of course, I refer to the
medical staff, which till lately was entirely unac-
knowledged. As yet, two only out of the eleven
members have been decorated with the honours of
the Bath. Evened
the physician of the Residency,
a d
it
medical officer, has been over-
looked. All the medical gentlemen were in equal
s i distinguished
of praise commended in the General's despatch,
yet five of them have only been rewarded, and that
tardily ; while every private soldier and faithful
sepoy has long since received adequate acknow-
ledgment. The restrictions imposed by some anti-
quated regulation aro doubtless at fault ; but why
should those restrictions be continued ? Is the
fact to be made patent to the world, that medical
officers serving in the Indian army, acquit them-
selves however worthily they may, are not entitled
to reward or honorary acknowledgment ? The
publication of such a fact would certainly not con-
duce to the interests of the public service.
Yours, A BRITON.

Mlle. Catinka Heinefetter, who at one time was
principal singer at the Grand Opera, has just died at Fri-
burg of an affection of the heal t ; she was only thirty-seven
years of age.
IMPROVEMENT OP .BOULOGNE.---LOW-WATER
LANDING-PLACE.—The commission appointed on the sub-
ject unanimously approve of the plan submitted by the
government for the establishment of a quaff de maree. The
engineer entertains a strong hope of being able to com-
commence the works net month.
CHESS.—Mr. Moiphy and M. Andersen have
again played a game.
once more the victor. He has now won four games, and
M. Andersen one. The American champion proved
_ .

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—The nomination
for the two King's Seljlarships, vacant at this time of the
year, took place last lioday. Tho Board of Examiners
consisted of Mr. C. Potter (chairman), Mr. John Goss, Mr.
Charles Lucas, Mr. G; A. Macfarren, Mr. Henry Blagrove,
Mr. W. Dorrell, and 11r. W. Lovell Phillips. The number
of candidates examined was 36-13 young gentlemen and
23 young ladies. The following were elected scholars :
Miss Charlotte Tasker and Master George Hale Thomas.
The following candidates were specially commended :
Misses M. A. Lindley, E. Bailey, C. M. Wallace, M. A.
Walsh, H. Clint, and C. Fitzpatrick ; Messrs. F. J. Amor,
P. Waddell, J. T. }till, L. Lee, H. C. Allison, B. Malla-
trate, E. R. T. Tem, and R. T. Jefferies. Miss H. Con-
dron was commended

LIVERPOOL, Dec. 25.—The Royal mail steam-
ship Africa sailed to-day for New York, with the mails for
the United States, about 60 passengers, and a large cargo.
The next mail steamer hence is the Europa, which sails for
Halifax and Boston on Saturday next.
_

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—On Saturday morning,
between the hours of two and three o'clock, a destructive
fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Franconi, restaurant,
Warwick-street. Gidden square, resulting in a serious loss
of property, and almost fatal consequences to several per-
sons. The fire was first discovered by the police officer on
the beat,.who lost ao time in giving the usual alarm, and
sending off for the fire escapes, which promptly arrived,
followed by the London Fire Brigade engines. After some
trouble, the whole of the inmates were made sensible of
their impending clinger, but so powerful was the heat and
smoke that one female fell on the leads below ; with diffi-
culty sho was extricated, and conveyed to tie hospital,
where she now remains in a dangerous conilition from the
extensive injuries she has sustained. A good supply of
water being obtained, the engines were set to work, but
the fire was not ottinguished until the house wasdestroyed,
and the adjoinint premises, Nos. 29, 30, and 31, belonging
to H. J. and D. Nicoll, tailors, and No. 33 to Mr. Charles
Donaldson, hatter, were considerably damaged by fire and
water. The cause of the fire is unknown.