The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-16 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

who saved the Derbyite Government. But for
his unexpected appearance) they would have been

past praying for. If we are to believe the asser-
tion of the Post, that tile Government depends
" not upon the favoural)le opinion of the public

out of doors—not upon the possession of a ma-

lority within the walls of Parliament—but upon
the success of a very clever and artful trick,

which Lord Josue ltussnra, in concert with the
small section of extreme Radicals, has had the
ingenuity to devise anal the temerity to
attempt
of
to
theWe can understand the
extent
that has betrayed these journals
fury play."
into such indecent and ridicwlous demonstrations.
It was intended that the Indian question should
be made the pretext for a faertious vote, and that
all parties calling themselves Liberals, without
reference to the interests either of Great Britain
or Hindostan should combine, in order to deprive
Lord DERBY of office, in order to place Lord
PALMERSTON therein. Now, 'we may ask, what
proof is there respecting the state of public feeling,
either amongst the community at large, or the in-
dependent members of the Legislature? Whatever
may be the opinions of the Post, it may be as_
sumed that Lord PALMERSTON does not command
the undivided allegiance of the Liberal party.
Nor are they by any means dis,posed to obey the
orders of the quondam. Tory Minister—the col-
league of SIDMOUTM, PERCIVAL, LIVERPOOL, and
CASTLEREAGH 1 I ! As we recently explained, there
are many sections of the Liberal party. Lord
JOHN RUSSELL is the recognised leader of the
pure Whigs, and he would perhaps command as
large a following as Lord PALMERSTON himself,
more especially were he disposed to tender a large
and comprehensive measure of Parliamentary
Reform for general acceptance. The Radicals are
ranged under the respective banners of Messrs.
ROEBUCK and BRIGHT, and most unquestionably
the member for Birmingham would prefer Lord
DERBY to Lord PALMERSTON. Indeed he has
openly avowed the fact, and spoken of the latter
as the " worst possible Minister for the country."
Nor is Mr. ROEBUCK that thick and thin adherent
who would per fas aut nefas vote for Lord PAL-
mERsTort whether sight or wrong or attempt to
e,tablish a political dictatorship perhaps
where, then, we repeat, is the majority ?
The Derbyites outnumber the Palmerston-
ions two to one. And if the Premiership
rested between these two noblemen we venture to
assert that the present Premier would receive the
larger number of votes in the House, and a still
greater proportion of the cl.2ctors of the United
Kingdom.
The Post expresses its surprise that "a man
like Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who is par excellence a
Constitutional Statesman, and a Constitutional
writer, proposes a course of proceeding which
would, in express terms, deposit the entire govern-
ment of the country in the House of Commons !"
Why, it is because he is a Constitutional Statesman
that he has acknowledged that " the people is the
oily legitimate source of power." Why should
not the proposer of the modern Magna Charts—
the Reform Bill—recognise the democratic ele-
ment ? Why should he connive at the various en-
croachments that have recently been made against
its legitimate authority, or reduce its power
to a mere veto, without allowing it to initiate
anything unsanctione.l by the Crown or its
advisers ? The blatant bellowings of the Post
only prove that the shaft has struck home—that
the "galled beast winces" under the unexpected
blow.

HTS DAY—Morn., 13 min. aft. 3—Even., 32 min. aft. 3
To-Moßnow —Morn., 51 min. aft. 3—Even., 13 mm aft 4

Lord JOHN has produced in 1858 a ROLAND for
the OLIVER of 1852. If Lard PALMERSTON
caused the overthrow of his Administration in the
former year, he has prevented, or retarded the
accession to office of his rival six years later. It
is a fair quid pro quo, and every unprejudicld
and disinterested person will acknowledge the
poetical justice of the retaliation.
But were the Government so entirely dependent
on this intervention—was Lord JOHN RUSSELL,
indeed, their protector and guardian ? We be-
lieve not. We are satisfied that the Government
of India Bill, incomparably superior as it is to
that previously before the house, would, with
some slight variation in the details, which could
not at all affect the stability of the Cabinet, have
been carried by a decisive majority. If Mr.
DISRAELI promptlyacceded to the recommendation
of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, it was because he rec )g-
-nised its propriety—because he would have acted
in that very manner but for the course previously
adopted by his predecessor, and his knowledge of
the character of the opposition, to which he
might be subjected. He did not wish to
ignore the popular supremacy, 0r to deprive
the majority of the chosen representatives of the
weight to which they are fairly entitled. He
does not seek to establish a virtual despotism, or
to insist on the initiative, in every instance, being
vested in her MAJESTY'S Ministers. But while
he gives them fitting weight in both Houses, he
will maintain the dignity of his office unimpaired,
and be no more a Minister on sufferance than any
of his predecessors for the last twelve years.

Onto say to both
advised her MAJESTY was
the 3d
byLDoercaempbeArii,mlEßBsBT;o,N
Houses of Parliament--" Your attention toill be
coiled to the laws which regulate the representa-
tion of the people in Parliament, with a view to
consider what amendments may be safely and
beneficially made therein." The promise was dis-
tinct and unequivocal—why has it not been ful-
filled ? There have been two opportunities ; it
might have been done during the short indemnity
session, just as Mr. DISRiELT, in a manly way at
least, laid his India Bill before the House for con-
sideration during the-recess. It might have bean
done again, and ought to have been, on the very
first day of the re-assembling of Parliament for a
session. Why was it net ? Why was it put off till
after Easter ? Why was a QUEEN'S advised pro-
mise, deliberately made to the kingdom through
its representatives, not fulfilled at Christmas—not
fulfilled before Easter ? and therefore an oppor-
tunity left for a new Ministry to say, " We were
no parties to the promise, and therefore we must
leave her MAJESTY and Lord PA.LMERSTON to settle
the matter as best they can."
Mr. T. DIM:IO3SSE, it seems, is naturally a little
jealous for the honour of her MAJESTY and her
ex Premier. He wishes to give the Noble Lord an
opportunity of showing what the strange business
of a Queen's Christmas promise to be fulfilled after
Easter referred to. He will ask the Noble L-Ird
to-night " whether he would have any objection, in
the present position of Parliamentary Reform, to
lay upon the table of the House a copy of the Bill
for the amendment of the laws relating to the re-
presentation, referred to in the speech from the
Throne at the commencement of the present

er
) 4
, -2„ t
e

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1858.

session ?"
" Whether he has any oblation I" Why, what
objection in the world should he have ? He will
of course, thank the Hon. Member for Finsbury
for giving him the opportunity ; he will be but too
glad to favour the House with his own views on
Reform. At his advanced age, his experience is
too good to be thrown away. He is a Reform
NESTOR for us. Re has seen three generations of
Reform-propounding men, and now livbs with the
fourth. Oh, yes ;
he will gladly tell to the youths

The l'almeratonian organs are becoming per-
fectly rabid on the subject of Lord JOHN Itnssues
interference respecting the Government of India
Bills. If we are to believe either the Times or
Post, the IsTc6le Lord Was the Deus ex machin4

of fifty, and the lads below that age, what three- legal or even morally equitable " finding " is
score years and fourteen can teach them on Reform. also quite satisfactory ; and it appears incontro-
" Any objection ?" Certainly not. What he vertible that an English gentleman, without any
had promised by the lips of Royalty was worthy court-martial, or any inquiry in which he has had
to be a Royal promise. No German silver—no the opportunity to answer his accusers face to
electrotype—no plated article. No, but some- face, has been deprived of his commission, and
thing altogether genuine—something which the after ton years' service sentenced to 70/. a year,
nation would hail as an obvious improvement in and to the stigma of a sentence of death against
the method of creating faithful Commons for her I him remaining on the records without the publi-
MAJEST Y'S and the people's service—something so cation of its being null and void. Unless the
precious that it has been carefully locked up in East India Company can publicly justify their
impenetrable secresy—a treasure too valuable to proceedings in the case of Lieut. TORCKLER, they
be vulgarised by every one's knowledge of it ; cannot do an act of more imperative justice than
especially not to be irreverently handled by the to restore him to the position he ought to occupy,
Hon. Member for Bucks during the six weeks' and to reimburse him to the extent of his losses.
Christmas holidays. He appears to have had but one thing against him
There be, indeed, in these evil times, seeptics i —" he had no interest."
whose faith is limited by sight. They have seen
no Bill, and so they believe there is none ! They
pretend that we had nothing before Christmas
because there was nothing—nothing before Easter
because there was nothing. They deny not only
the existence of reforming intentions, but even of
a paper draft which should pass for them. They
will have it that Lord PALMERSTON would have
given us his Reform Bill first of all things if he
had had ono ready in his desk. They (sceptic-
like) insinuate that it was intended after Easter,
but for the unlucky French and CLANRICARDE
blunders, to have substituted India for Reform,
and to have renewed the promise for 1859
A faithless generation it is, indeed I Just so,
there were some who at the electiops last year
laughed at the idea of "PALMERSTON and Reform"—
laughed over our " joking premier" and reform, as
if Reformers must needs be sour faced monks or
Puritans, and have nothing to do but to chant
litanies. Why can't wo reform in fun without
making fun of Reform ? What is there so melan-
choly in shuffling the electoral carda a little ?
However, to-night will, doubtless, put all to rights.
Lord PALMERSTON will not, as some prediot, be
out of the House when the question should be
put ; nor will he evade it, or joke about it. He
will be most happy to oblige the House, if the
House wishes to see his long-ready Reform Bill,
and loud cheers will almost overcome the feelings
of the veteran Refor'mer, PALMERSTON.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Our expectation that the grand opera of Les
Huguenots would be more perfectly given on the
second representation, was thoroughly realised last
evening ; when a full and enthusiastic house con-
firmed the brilliant success of the opening night.
Madlle. Titiens had lost all the slight trace of ner-
vousness which even the greatest artiste experiences
as a debut before a London audience, and poured forth
her gushing tone of song in rich freedom. The qua-
lity of her voice is superb, and its power completely
under control. The upper register of her notes is
singularly broad in intonation, and capable of
yielding the extreme of the range without impress-
ing the listener with the slightest notion of strain-
ing or effort. The way in which Madlle.
Titiens holds on C in alt, the precision and
distinctness of her chromatic passages, and the
infallible clearness of her transitions, remind us
somewhat of the glories of Malibran and Pasta.
The extent of her capabilities is vast, for her dra-
matic claims as an actress demand commensurate
appreciation with her rank as a vocalist. We be-
lieve that her Fidelio and Lucretia Borgia
will fully equal—if not excel—her Valentina,
and we earnestly hope that opportunity will
be afforded of testing the validity of our faith. A
new ballet divertissement was produced, entitled
Calisto ; ou le Renvoi de l'Amour, in which Madlle.
Pucchini appeared as the nymph Calisto, and fas-
cinated those who are susceptible of the influence
exerted by Terpsichore.
The dancing of this lady is florid and sparkling
in its character, and her action elegant and
graceful. Some of her steps are wonderful, and
calculated to astonish where they may fail to de-
light. Madlle. Annetta made her debut as Venus,
and elicited a fair share of admiration and applause.
The rest of the " fantastic toed" agents were
supported by M. Caron, who is great in the twist-
ing and twirling style of choregraphy ; Madlles.
Pasquale, Morlacchi, and Bioletti. Her Majesty
again honoured the performance with her presence,
appearing much gratified with the singing of the
prima donna.

Lieut. TORCHLER, late of the Ben&W army, has
forwarded to us, as he has done to some of our '
contemporaries, a pamphlet detailing the wrongs
to which he has been subjected, and urging his
claim for redress on the East India Compary,
while it still exists. His statements are, of course,
entirely ex parte, yet they are so completely sus-
tained by documentary evidence, that it is not
easy to disbelieve their substantial, perhaps their
entire, correctness, We think it only fair, there-
fore, as journalists, to advert to his pamphlet, and
ask those to whom he appeals, to explain, or to do
him justice. The Lieutenant's name was wrong-
fully, as he has shown, unless his statements be
refuted, erased from the Army List of the East
India Company in 1832, not for any crime, but
on account of certain disputes, which lord Com-
BERMERE, who examined into them, declared to
be so trivial that he merely ordered him to join
and do duty with another regiment ; whib the
Board of Control declared " that he was the
victim of a gross conspiracy in his regiment, and
more sinned against than sinning," or words to
that effect.

ST. MARTIN'S HALL.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS.

Our great and truly vernacular writer read, last even-
ing, in this hall, his " Christmas Carol." He gave hi:;
gratuitous services in aid of the funds of the Childrens'
Hospital. The combined attraction of the transcendant
merits of Mr. Dickens, and of the chime of the charity,
resulted in an audience literally packed as close as her-
rings.

And what an intellectual treat awaited the audience.

Mr. Dickens enters so completely into the lights and
shades of his characters, to whom he has given "a local
habitation and a name"—is such a consummate master
of the various inflictions of the voice—does so abound
in that geniality which literally radiates from him as
from a centre, and possesses such a hold en our sympa-
thies, that his audience is perforce spell-bound. His
style is therefore the antipodes of the mannerist, and
yet he never degenerates into caricature. Mr. Dickens
indeed commands at once our sunniest laughter, and our
least selfish tears. No words can describe the effect of
Mr. Dickens' away over an audience; to be appreciated
it must 133 felt, and we congratulate the crminunity at
large on the fact that Mr. Dickens intends to instruct
and charm the public—his public—which is the whole
empire, by giving a series of three readings at St.
Martin's Hal, commenoing with his "Cricket on the
Hearth," on Thursday evening, the 29th inst.

That there was some such conspiracy, seems,
prima facie, almost certain from the proceedings
at a Court-martial held on the Lieutenant in an-
other case. The facts which gave rise to it we
give in his own words 2
" Five officers of the regiment (whom I now re-
frain from naming, the grave having closed over
nearly all of them), conspired to ruin and stigma-
tise me. , I was provoke I to send them a challenge.
They referred my challenge to the commanding
officer, who openly encouraged their schemes on
account of my having preferred very serious
charges against him for a breach of the regulations
of the service in several instances. My friend was
compelled at his peril to withdraw the challenge.
Being then ordered to join and do duty with the
48th Regiment, and feeling that I could not do so
without first clearing myself of the dishonourable
imputations unjustly cast upon my character by
these officers, I put loaded pistols in my pocket,
and went to the house of the principal (my junior
officer), for the purpose of obtaining, if possible,
his signature to a paper which I took with m
exonerating me from those imputations. That
officer refused to receive or peruse the paper, but
ordered me to leave his house, and called upon his
servants to turn me out, employing the most in-
sulting and opprobrious terms in English and Hin-
dustani. All this did not provoke me to produce
my pistols, or commit any acs of violence. I
calmly persisted in demanding his signature to the
toto qshuoitotthme heouwsiehwiathoptitsttoitl:
mnfulisttetededd on the trial, he had kept
d several days expecting a hostile
loaded several days eipocling a hostile
visit from me. He admitted, too, that, up to that
which,tpHvp
riamseipi
primed
ret; hrloe an
aanhhnnaeddadtl
atonre admitted
not touched, assaulted, threatened, or
that I ha I not produced my pistols, and that he
provokedto qiit
hi
sh
housei m b y
wwiotVo
uotr t
hgesturefabeyond
requiredref sing;
did not know that I was armed and able to dsLnd
myself. His pistol missed firs. Some irregular
firing then took place, but there was no blood shed.
He made two more attempts to shoot me, once kis
pistol again missed fire, ani once it flashed in the
pan. I fired two shots at random, as the direction
they took proved. It was proved on the trial that
I was an expert marksman, and yet, at six paces
(only half the usual duelling distance) I did not
kill or even wound the man whom I was falsely
charged with firing at with intent to murder him.
He acknowledged, too, that he knew that the only
lawful mode of protecting himself when he appre-
hended his life to be endangered, was to exhibit
articles of peace against me, but he preferred to
taking the law into his own hands, and was at least
as criminal as I, if not more so. He was not, how-
ever, brought to trial in consequence of my supposed
conviction. He continued in the service and rose
to the rank of Colonel : but although he thus
escaped the hands of human justice, and. did not
scruple to perjure himself on the trial in order to
insure my conviction, divine vengeance overtook
him at last. He was murdered by some mutinous
sepoys in June last, at Begum Gunge, within a
short distance of Sultanpore, in Oude, the very
spot where, eight and twenty years before, he at-
tempted to murder me."
The Court-martial on this case is proved by
documentary evidence to
ne htrh aesvke
tecnoroobe
knowing
lei
yntn
,hg
esa infamouslyonwwdhriet
conducted, that its proceedings were declared null
ea ehp enemyro:fls
present
and yoid ab initio. The Deputy-Judge-Advocate
t correctly represented
personal
any votes
one
nethewhether
r declared,ands
vfwwooial
ttdgehehodui
wass
or not, that it
was against the prisoner. The same secresy
was practised in regard to the sentence ; and the
possibility—nay, even the probability of foul play
was so strong, that the whole transaction was de-
clared, as we have stated, null and void. Never-
theless, Lieut. TORCKLER, though he could not in
this way be " hanged," was put out of the way
as if a guilty person, and Lord DALHOUSIE refused
to publish his opinion of the nullity of the proceed-
ings. He also refused the Lieu'enant a copy of
the proceedings of the court-martial, refused a
court-martial to investigate his charges against the
Deputy-Judge-Advocate, and refused to restore
him to his commission, which had been suspended
by his order, although the proceedings against
bin had been by himself declared null and void.
The pretext was that the whole case should be
" laid before the King," but this promise was
never fulfilled.

But for the injustice donehim, Lieut. TORCKT.XR
[night now have held the rank of a regimental
CAonel : he only enjoys an annuity of 70/. a year
after ten
years' service in India ! The proofs of
the corrupt proceedings at the court•martial
are cowl:Plate ; the evidence that there was no