The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-13 00:00:00

in both instances, we cannot but deem in the highest

degree timely and judicious in its manifestation. I
is most desirable that the postal service between
these islands and our antipodes should have the
benefit of an instant and rational reorganisation. It
is no less desirable that Sir JAMES BROOKE should
not, after all these years of heroic self-devotion, be
left unaided at the last by her Britannic MA-
JESTY'S Government. His Excellency has dedi-
cated to the task of realising the day - dream
of Sir STAMEORD RAFFLES, the best years of his re-
markable life, the whole of his extraordinary
energies, every fraction of his own private fortune,
his genius, his courage, his peace of mind, his indi-
vidual comfort, and all this with a matchless and
unflagging perseverance. It may be perfectly true
that the hope originally entertained of finding and
working profitably certain hypothetical coal-mines on
the north-west of Borneo may have been, as we
believe it has been, utterly dissipated. Sarawak is,
however, not only a desirable possession, viewed
simply with an eye to its being a coal depot.
Granted that there is no coal discoverable anywhere
along those coasts, yet it does not necessarily
follow that therefore the island should be
forthwith given up by England altogether.
Borneo is otherwise a valuable, in some respects
a wholly invaluable, colony by reason of its
mere geographical position. It is to the trade of the
east the rou a."' of ARCHIMEDES. It is literally to
all intents and purposes for England—The Key of
the Tea Caddy ! Holding Sarawak, we command
the mercantile transactions in those remote seas, the
commerce of China, of Japan, of all the fruitful spice
islands of that glorious Archipelago. It is in itself to
the Indian Ocean what Malta and Gibraltar are sepa-
rately to the Mediterranean. Retaining Borneo, or at
least our present standing ground upon its north-west
coast, we hold securely within our grasp a guaran-
tee for the maintenance in war no less than in peace
of our vast interests, commercially, in that far
corner of the eastern hemisphere. No matter if
Pekin and Canton are undergoing bombardment
from British artillery; no matter if; simultaneously,
the QUEEN'S army, scattered over the length and
breadth of Bengal, is undergoing the severest hard-
ships consequent upon unseasonable campaigning
against an enormous disproportion of sanguinary in-
surgents—let us still maintain our position at that one
important point on the route to Hong Kong, and the
interests of British traders will not suffer in the
long run either from a foreign war or from a
conflict in our own dominions, a conflict as sangui-
nary as it is internecine. Besides—in regard to the
question of Borneo, the faith of England is solemnly
pledged to the Rajah of Sarawak. Let us withdraw
now from the self-imposed responsibility of fulfilling
our solemn and reiterated promises, and shame will
be ours. We repeat—we are pledged to it. By
withdrawing from the engagements voluntarily and
deliberately entered into by us—we shall be acting
basely and most unjustly ; we shall be guilty of
great and glaring ingratitude ; we shall be sacrificing
a great man, a grand position, and a glorious oppor-
tunity, through the meanest of all motives by which
a Government can be actuated, a paltry fear of a
petty expenditure, that must in the end, by neces-
sity, directly or indirectly, prove, to say the least of
it, eminently remunerative. There are, moreover,
it should be remembered, positions that to be retained
need not in any way be pecuniarily remunerative.
Those two sites, for instance, already particularised as
very notable possessions ofours in the Mediterranean—
Valetta and Gibraltar. So with Sarawak—knowing
it to be without coal ; supposing it, for the sake of
argument, to be otherwise fruitless and unprofitable
—as a mere tarrying place, as a mere watchtower or
point at once of repose and observation, it is worth
keeping—almost, we had said, at any cost—certainly
at the risk of any reasonable expenditure. For
£30,000, we believe, it may be forthwith secured.
After it has been thus secured for what is compara-
tively a mere song, a mere straw, the merest trifle in the
balance—we question whether it might not be made
thenceforth self-supporting. At any rate, it is of
that value that it is really worth while making the
xperiment. At the very least, it is in a manner the
• ounden duty of England to herself, to Sir JAMES
:'ROOKE, to all the great multitude of our Oriental
•aders, to inquire into the problem now impera-
vely demanding at our hands some solution--
.vourable or unfavourable. The Rajah of
arawak is here in England on a temporary
journ—for the express purpose of bringing
-le affair to an issue of deciding definitively
once whether or not the colony he has
ally single-handed and alone, by the mere spell of
is genius, summoned into existence shall or shall
at be shamefully sacrificed by the mother coun-
•y. He at least has this one grand satisfaction
-that be himself has done his very uttermost, that
?on this glorious venture he has staked everything
possesses in the wide world. Shall England be
Ott to shame by the magnanimous course pursued by
se of the truest of her citizens, a private gentleman
I ample fortune and complete leisure, who has given
',oth
to the maintenance of her interests
t the remotest extremity
ungrudginglY
of this olden hemisphere ?
The abandonment of BROOKE and Borneo without
:51)an effort—now—after all that has been said and
done—will be nothing less than a deplorable catas-
trophe. Heaven forbid that an act of turpitude so
cruel remains to be inscribed upon the annals of this
generation of Englishmen !

Now that the Parliamentary campaign has termi-
nated, that an armistice has been proclaimed be-
tween rival parties, every available opportunity is
eagerly seized on by Right Honourable and Honour-
able Gentlemen to explain their views, and " free
their minds" of the matter accumulated since the
closing of tho lizPerial lac at West ate;.

Many meet their constituents in order to render
gccounts of their respective stewardships, and to
receive well-merited applause for faithful, consis-
tent, and efficient services, or possibly to explain and
justify doubtful votes or absence on urgent occa-
sions. Others avail themselves of every striking
event in the localities they represent, and are gene-
rally accompanied by some faithful friend of similar
minions, so as to afford excitement to the people
and ensure a large audience to listen to the words of
wisdom that may fall from their lips.
Such an occasion occurred at Tynemouth
on Tuesday. Mr. W. S. LINDSAY, as member
tbr the borough, with his friend and political
oadjutor, JOHN ARTHUR ROEBUCK, duly at-
tended, in order to give their impressions on current
events, and at the same time to render honour to
one of those truly noble institutions—Mechanics' In-
ititutes—which are springing up in every direction
throughout the length and breadth of the land. A
handsome and spacious edifice, devoted to the cause
of popular instruction, and the cultivation of intel-
lectual pursuits, was thrown open to those who will
doubtless profit by the great advantages freely ten-
dered for their acceptance. An inaugural address
from some well-known gentleman was required, and
Mr. ROEBUCK readily undertook the duty, which,
although politics, his especial hobby, were excluded,
was still a labour of love—owe on which he could
enter with all his heart and soul, and which he was
admirably qualified to discharge. He had but brief
notice, inasmuch as it was not till coming down in
the train, that Mr. LINDSAY told him that he was to
occupy the position which Lord BURY, but for a
domestic bereavement, would have filled. He, how-
ever, required but little preparation. His mind was
amply stored with topics suitable for the occasion,
and which could easily be brought forward. The
advantages of education would be fully appreciated
in the birthplace of GEORGE STEPHENSON, who,
until the end of his valuable life, deplored the defi-
ciencies under which he laboured deficiencies
which materially retarded his efforts, and proved
the greatest obstacles to the brilliant success which
he ultimately attained. No such difficulties can
now impede any one willing to avail
himself of the opportunities offered. The
boy or man, hungering or thirsting after know-
ledge, can easily satisfy himself, and if he is duly
impressed with " the pricelessness of learning," and
the great fact that " knowledge is power," he will
not remain apathetic and indifferent, or consider it a
hardship to learn, or his attendance at school afavour
to others, for which they should be grateful, and he
himself rewarded.

Mr. ROEBUCK was peculiarly felicitous on the
point that learning and intellectual enjoy-
ments were not so much required to elevate a
man from his sphere as to make him happy
in it. We must all be contented in the state of life
to which it has pleased GOD to call us, and know-
ledge can only elevate one man because others
are deficient. It will, however, prepare him for any
emergency. He will be enabled to launch his tiny
boat on the tide that leads to fortune ; and even
should it not advance his pecuniary interests, it will
his enjoyments. He will find " sermons in stones,"
instruction and amusement in the commonest
products of the Earth, and become fully qualified
to peruse the book of Nature, which the DEITY
hath opened before him.

The 'Honourable Gentleman also referred to the
fruitlessness of " good intentions and the place sup-
posed to be paved with them." He uttered the bold
assertion that, " the greater part of mankind intend
well, but don't know how to do well." Without
quite agreeing with Mr. ROEBUCK'S philanthropic
views as to the " good intentions" of the great ma-
jority of men, we fully and cordially concur in the
opinion, that the best possible intentions may be
defeated by ignorance, which would convert into
curses what might and ought to be blessings.
The allusions to the fetes at Cherbourg, and the
effect which that great fortress may po!sibly exer-
cise on the destinies of the world, by Mr. LINDSILT
and Mr. ROEBUCK, the experienced .and hardy '
sailor and enterprising shipowner, and the sea-sick
landsman, were exceedingly happy. Both these
gentlemen concurred in the opinions to which
we have already given expression, that there
is nothing to cause reasonable apprehension in
any English mind, much less "to fright the isle
from its propriety." It is in such a spirit—a generous,
cordial, and cheerful appreciation of the great work
that has been accomplished—that the matter should
be received. The noble harbour that has been
created by skill and science will, we trust, be one of
refuge rather than of aggression. It will afford pro-
tection to the vessels of all nations, and more espe-
cially to those of England. Many a tempest-tossed
barque will find shelter—many a gallant seaman will
obtain safety from that which we are told was created
for very different objects. Why, then, should we
envy France the completion of this mighty under-
taking? We could not object to any purely defensive '
work. We have no aggressive designs—no wish to
assail our neighbours—and were Cherbourg ten
times stronger it would be a matter of pro-
found indifference, save that we should sympa-
thise with the satisfaction of our neighbours,
and "be joyous in their joy." As to the chances of
aggression, we shall answer in the inspiring language
of Mr. ROEBUCK, who delivered in far better lan-
guage, the sentiments and opinions to which we have
repeatedly endeavoured to give expression. "De-
pend upon it," said the Hon. and Learned Gentle-
man, "that we who are here need not be alarmed
by anything that my friend has seen, while we
have institutions like the present." " Depend
upon it, that while you have stalwart arms,
that while you have clear-thinking heads,
you will need to fear no despot that the world
affords—let him come from France, or Austria,
or Naples. The free soil of England, washed by
the free ocean that is around her, guarded by
her sailors, is secure against the world in arms.
I am but a poor creature, yet I could turn
out to-morrow. Depend upon it, every man,
woman, and child among us know what we
have in England—we have freedom here. We
should lose that freedom if we were conquered by
anybody from abroad, we should cease to be England,
we should cease to be the head of the world, which
we now are. We hold up to nations a torch that they
see in darkness, and, inasmuch as their darkness is
greater than our light, the more brilliant is our illu-
mination. Well, then, my friends, depend upon your-
selves; depend upon your intelligence, depend upon in-
stitutions like these, and every despot in Europe will
tremble, as they do now, at your name. You are Eng-
land, you stand at the head of civilisation, and you need
not be alarmed at any Cherbourg. You are Eng-
land, against the world in arms."

This is the true point of view in which the matter
should be regarded. It is that in which we have en-
deavoured to place it, and we rejoice to find so effi-
cient a coital.
_orateur as JOHN ARTHUR ROEBUCK.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge is
suffering from an attack of gout.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
and the PrineeFs Mnry, after the departure of the Heredi-
tary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz for Germany
intend to leave Cambridge Cottage, Kew, on a tour of visits
in the north.

Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princess
Edward of Saxe-Weimar have arrived et Gordon Castle,
near Fochaben, the Duke of Richmond's seat in Scotland,
where the Prince and Princess remain several weeks.

The Marquis of Lansdowne and the Countess of
Shelburne have left Lansdowne House for lifelimor.d. The
Earl of Shelburne remains in town.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford and
their youthful family have arrived at Tarbet House, in the
north of Scotland, for the autumn.
The Marquis and Marchioness De Goyeneche have
arrived at the Brunswick Hotel from the Court of Spain.
The Earl and Countess of Derby and Lady Emma
Stanley left town yesterday for Chevening, Sevenoaks, on a
visit to the Earl and Countess Stanhope.
- • -

who arrived at Haddo
The Earl of Aberdeen,
House, Aberdeenshire, at the close of last week,
,faror
Lon-
don, is surrounded by a select circle. Lord and Ladyr:Her: 1-1
have arrived there from the Ranger's Lodge, Blakbeatt
M. Guizot, the well-known French statesman
Friday last, and is new staying with the noble earl.
The Earl of Hardwicke has left town to join the
oeuAttle And family at Bploey Lodge, Soutllmpton,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

TURKEY.

CONSPIRACY FOR THE MASSACRE

OF THE CHRISTIANS.

MARSEILLES, AUG. 12.

The Courrier de Constantinople of the 4th instant
states that the late collisions in Bosnia, in Turkish
Croatia, and in Montenegro, have caused a sort of
panic in the capital. The Mussulmans and the
Christians were living in mutual fear of one another.

The Sultan, to show his own confidence, had gone
in the fleet on an excursion to Smyrna and the
Archipelago.
A plot, having for its object the massacre of the
Christians, had been discovered at Smyrna. The
Governor had made a seizure of arms, and sent the
guilty persons to Constantinople.
A scandalous rise had been effected in the
exchanges ; but, the Divan having given orders
to the bankers to reduce them, a fall had begun.

The Turkish Government has announced that a
pension of 12,000 francs would be allowed to the
heirs of the Page family, and that 1,000,000 piastres
had been granted to the other victims.

FRANCE.

PARIS, THURSDAY, 6 P.M.

The Plenipotentiaries met again to-day. It is ,
now expected that they will put their signatures to
the seven copies of the protocols on Monday.
News has reached Paris that the Emperor end
Empress left Brest this morning at eight o'clock,
proceeding on their journey through Bretagne.
It is reported in Paris that Marshal Randon will
retire from his post as Governor-General of Algiers.
The Emperor of Russia is expected to go to War-
saw in September. His Majesty's visit is probably
not foreign to domestic political interests. The Czar
is known to favour a liberal policy towards the Poles,
who have now four newspapers in St. Petersburg,
printed in their own language. The old Russian
party are becoming more and more alarmed at
the broad reformatory character of the present
Government of St. Petersburg, and a strong
opposition is organising. The Emperor, on the
other hand, says a despatch which reached
me this day, is firm, and bent on doing away
with the system Nicholas encouraged. Thus the
C2yn, the first of all the poorer aimed of Russia—
the employes, who entered houses in the provinces,
and never paid for bed or board, are no longer pro-
tected at head quarters ; and will eventually be re-
organised, better paid, and obliged to respect the
rights and property of the people. It is expected that
M. Muchanow, the President of the Interior Com-
mission at Warsaw, will be removed when the Czar
visits that city. As regards the foreign policy of
Russia, there are strong symptoms of a desire to ap-
proach the views of England and France with regard
to the East; in fact, to work with the Western
Powers in pressing Turkey to carry out the text and
spirit of the Treaty of Paris. It has even been sug-
gested that a special envoy should be sent to Paris
and London, in order to create a thorough understand-
ing between England, France, and Russia with regard
to Eastern affairs. Russia also desires to take the
same position as the Allies will assume in China, and
is now seeking to identify herself with the diplo-
matic proceedings of England and France in the
Celestial Empire. Whatever may be the motives
of the present Czar and his advisers, Russia is going
through great changes at home, and founding a new
foreign policy which, if sincere, will certainly dimi-
nish the chances of war.
A letter from Warsaw of the 4th says :—" A reli-
gious reform has taken place in Russia. The Go-
vernment has limited the powers of the Orthodox
Greek clergy in certain matters, and has sup-
pressed some ridiculous ceremonies which had
been introduced into public worship in order to
strike the imaginations of the ignorant and super-
stitious populations. It has also resolved to re-
duce the number of the United Greek clergy, so as
to have one Pope for every 1,0011 souls instead of
one for every 300. Lastly, the schools which were
set apart to the priests' children have been converted
into communal school's. The works of the bridge
which is to be constructed over the Vistula have
commenced. The bridge, which will be bold and
handsome, will, with the quays leading to it, cost
about 12,000,000 f. It will be wide enough to admit
an American railway, two ways for carriages, and
pavements for pedestrians. The Vistula is twice as
wide as the Seine at Paris, and as its bottom is formed
of shifting sand, the construction of the bridge will
present some difficulty. The building of the bridge
is to take place under the direction of General Ker-
beda, of the engineers, and will, it is believed, occupy
three years."
A fall of heavy rain, such as the Parisians have
not witnessed for some time past, took place yester-
day. Some dozen workmen, employed in cleansing
and repairing one of the large drains of the city,
were surprised by the sudden rush of a vast volume
of water, which swept them away. Four or five of
the unfortunate men were lost, and it is supposed
have been carried away into the river ; others
escaped by a miracle. At six o'clock in the morning
the thermometer of M. Chevallier stood at 17 7-10ths
degrees Centigrade (63.1 Fahrenheit) ; at noon, at
27 C. (801 F.) ; and at two o'clock at 28 4-10ths C.
(83i F.) At five o'clock the heat was 27 C. (804 F.)
Rims BOURSE.—Large sales for realisation were
effected at the opening of the market, and prices
consequently declined, principally in the shares,
owing to the impending bi-monthly settlement.
Threes varied from 68fr. 95c. to 69fr. 100. ; Mobilier,
670 fr. to 685 fr.; Austrian, 637 fr. 50c. to 640 fr. ;
Orleans, 1,285 to 1,295 fr.; Lyons, 7871 r. 50c. to
7921 r. 50c.; Southern, 545 fr. to 535 fr.; Eastern,
670 fr. to 680 fr.; Western, 620 fr. to 627 fr. 50c. ;
and Northern, 935 fr. to 940 fr. The market became
more settled towards the close, when the following
were the quotations :

Fr. Ct.

Credit Fonder =
Belgian 41 —
Piedmontese 5 B9 75
Roman..... .• • •
Austrian 92
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —

RAILWAYS.