The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-03 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1858.

In another part of our impression we have
extracted an article from a morning contemporary,
the Daily Netts, in reference to the modern
attempt at universal empire. We should gladly
do all in our power to shelter and protect the
EMPEROR from the machinations of those who
would resort even to bloodshed, for the purpose
of promoting their own objects. But the end
can never justify such means. Assassination is
fatal to any cause. The sympathies of disin-
terested and unprejudiced men are invariably
excited on behalf of the party attacked, and more
especially when there was a recklessness with
regard to innocent persons, such as that displayed
in the sanguinary attempt of the 14th January.

In our impression of yesterday a letter was
extracted from the Daily News, referring to
articles written by the late WILLIAM COBBETT in
the year 1800. Now, notwithstanding the high
character of the writer, we cannot approve of the
sentiments contained therein, nor should the
letter have appeared, if it could be considered at
all applicable to the events of the present day. But
it is nearly sixty years since these opinions
were promulgated. The hand by which they were
penned has long since crumbled to dust. Had they
been written at the present day, and in reference
fo the present EMPEEOR, the author would doubt-
less have been required to answer for what might
be considered as an incentive to murder. We
must, however, remember that it was a French
writer, generally supposed to have received his
inspira'ion from a very high quarter, that resusci-
tated passages that might better have remained
unnoticed.

But however earnestly he may condemn such
opinions, we cannot permit our own constitu-
tional laws to be changed, and all our English
feelings to be violated by the introduction of a
system of espionnaJe repugnant to every British
heart. We detest spies and mouchards who
tempt their victims into crime that they may
afterwards betray them, and live in luxury on the
blood money. We shall never sanction what are
termed "domiciliary visits" or arrests on sus-
picion, vague charges or arbitrary punishments.
When a man is found to be guilty of any offence
against the law, let a suitable penalty be in-
flicted. But there shall be no interference with
the liberty of the Press or of the people, whether
British subjects, or foreigners, who have
claimed the hospitality which was never denied
to a political refugee, but which should be so
far respected as to induce the parties receiv-
ing it to abstain from any acts contrary to
the laws existing in the sanctuary which they
have sought.
We cannot approve of what has taken place,
or what, we regret to say, is still of daily occur-
rence in France. But these are matters beyond
our jurisdiction. It is for the people themselves
to decide on the manner in which they are to be
governed. If they are satisfied to see their bre-
thren led into captivity, or exiled without any
offence beyond that of incurring the suspicion of
some police agent, it is their own affair, not ours.
But most assuredly we shall not tolerate such
practices on British soil, or render suspi-
cion equivalent to proof. "Notoriety," as it is
termed, will never be allowed to prevail against
any person, unless he is guilty of some overt act
in contravention of the lex loci.

It is not against England alone that de°3andg
infringing the rights of au independent power
have been urged. Count WALEWSRI has also tried
his hand against Sardinia and Switzerland. Mr.
HODGE was to be -victimised, but fortunately
the new Government was inaugurated, and the
Civis Britannicus received real protection. It
was against Switzerland that the strongest and
most untenable claims were advanced, that very
Republic to which NAPOLEON owed a debt
of deep gratitude—that Republic which had re-
fused to deliver himup, and was prepared to brave
all the power of France rather than infringe on
the right of a fugitive on their territory. The
very same thing was required by the Minister of
the man who was saved by their resolute deter-
mination. They were asked by NAPOLEON to do
that which he had praised, and thanked them for
declining at a former period.

It is) as we have said, an effort at universal so-

vereignty. NAPOLEON the Ist tried it and failed,
and we do not suppose that his successor will be
more successful, albeit he has resorted to very dif-
ferent tactics.

The entire Banking Code must speedily be
brought under Legislative consideration, and
every feasible suggestion by which it may be ame-
liorated is worthy of attention. There is nothing
that so greatly promotes the interests of the
nation, as a large amount of banking capital judi-
ciously and prudently administered. But in
proportion to the benefits conferred by sound
management, are the evils resulting from reckless
administration. Evils that tell heavily on every
inhabitant of the district in which it is situated ;
but more heavily on its customers and depositors ;
but most seriously of all, on the unfortunate share-
holders, who not only lose their original invest-
ment, but are held responsible to their last acre
and their last shilling, and even with their persons
for debts which they had no share in contracting.
An innocent creditor is no doubt greatly to be
pitied, but an innocent shareholder is even
more so.

An intelligent and clear-headed correspondent,
" Y. G. U.," whose communication will be found
in another part of this day's impression, has
offered some valuable suggestions on this all-im-
portant question. The great thing required is an
adequate circulating medium, which will either be
a legal tender, or redeemable in legal tender
money, with adequate security for the redemption.
Of course, the legal tender money could only be
issued by or on behalf of the State, with proper
conditions, as its being receivable in payment of
taxes and duties. Every private bank authorised
to issue notes, should lodge Government se-
curities, with a sufficient margin for the
redemption of these notes, either with
legal tender money or bullion, the parties
of course receiving the interest, dividend, or an-
nual produce of the securities thus deposited.
Under such circumstances there could be no dan-
ger so far as the currency was concerned. The
note-holders should always be satisfied, although
the depositors might have to bide their time.
Nothing is clearer to any person in any degree
acquainted with economical science than that a
larger amount of notes cannot be brought into or
retained in circulation than are required by the
wants of the locality. ADAM SMITH has proved
that they must return to the issuers. But it is
equally clear that there should be no restriction
on what ought to receive credit, and to be ac-
ceptable to all. If such securities were lodged
and a Government auditor certified to the fact,
there could be no ‘i run on the Bank."
Every man would know that he was safe, and
gold would only be sought after, for the pur-
pose of settling balances with other nations,
and, like every commodity, the price would
be settled by the supply and demand. Give a
really national note of convenient amount, which
no Englishman will refuse to accept. As all the
National resources are pledged for its liquidation,
which will answer for all domestic purposes,
and from forty to fifty millions of sovereigns will
be liberated and rendered applicable to foreign
trade. Considerable wear and tear would thus be
avoided, which costs the nation a good round sum
in the year, and might enable it to dispense with
the taxes on prudence, as the stamps on policies
of assurance have properly been termed.

The other points suggested by our correspon-
dent are worthy of notice. By limiting the re-
sponsibility, men of large means, who now cau-
tiously keep aloof from such speculations, would
be induced to join. A large paid up capital
should be required in every joint-stock under-
taking, the amount whereof should be known to the
community, and stringent penalties inflicted on any
person connected with the management, who
joined in deceiving the public, which might
practically be regarded as trying to obtain money
under false pretences. This would place banking
on a sound foundation, and give the commercial
community that implicit confidence, without which
no establishment can conduct its business with
credit to itself or advantage to the public.

DEATH OF MR. SOLLY.—We have to record the death
of Mr. Richard Horsman Sally, a name which has been
intimately connected with the progress of literature and
science during tee last half century. Mr. S.dly was a
distinguished fellow of the Royal Society, and at the
tame of his death, which occurred on the afternoon of
Wednesday last was in the 821 year of his age.
ROYAL VISITORS IN PARIS.—The year 1858, says a
Peril letter iu thu Nord, will, like preceding ones, be
signalised by the presenee in France of foreign sove-
reigns and princes. Prince George of Saxony has only
just left France, and the approaching arrival of the
Queen of II Aland, daughter of the King of Wurqern-
berg, and cousin of Prince Napoleon and the Princess
Mathilde is announced. The Grand Duchess Helen,
widow of the Grand Dake Michael, and daughter of
Prince Paul of Wurtecnburg, who long resided in Parip,
and who is also cousin of Prince Neepoltion, is also ex-
pected. Lie Qeecu of Holland and the Grand Duchess
Helen are to be received at the Palace of Fontainebleau,
wnera t ie cJurt will go in the course of the eutniner.
COURT-MARTIAL ON A NON-COMIIISSIONED OFFICER
AT UHATHAM.--The whore of the troops belonging to the
depot oh the 5:.1 Regiment at Criattam, were wisembled,
on Thursday at Chatham-barracks, for the purpose or
witnessing the cerem may of degrading Sergeant James
F,tzgibbons, of that cirpe, who was recently tried by a
district court-martial,for having, when in command of a
picquet in Cha.thaw, persuaded the men to enter a
putilic-house and drink wi,h him, the prisoner himself
remaining there drinking until he became intoxicated, in
which. state he returned to barracks, where the picquet
had been previously brought in by the field officer of the
day. Tee court feund the prisoner guilty, and in addition
to his being reduced to the rank and pay of a private, he
was adjudged to be imprisoned in the military prison at
Fort Clarence for 134 days.
SUDDEN DEATH.--Yesterday morning an awful Ll-
stance of the uncertainty of human life occurred to an
old man, named George Mills, residing in New-street,
Lambeth, under the following circumstances :—lt ap-
pears that the old man retired to rest with his grandson
the previous evening in perfect health, and was so in the
morning when his grandson left to go to his work ; but
on returning, not finding his breakfast ready, proceeded
to the old man's room, where he was horrified at seeing
the old man in bed in an insensible state. Medical
assistance was instantly procured, but lite was pro-
nounced to be quite extinct. Information has been for-
warded to the coroner of the district. The deceased was
in his 74th year.

THE PEN, THE CHISEL, AND THE 13111:12111.—About
30 pari ago, Sir Walter Scott gave to Sir Francis
Chantrey a specimen of the celebrated Mustard and
Pepper breed of terriers. When in the fulness of time
the dog waxed old and was about to die, Sir Edwin
Landseer regenerated it on canvas and presented the
sketch to its sorrowing mas'er. In the background of
this little picture, which attracted much notice at the
time of its exhibition, are represented the interior of the
sculptor's studio, an unfinished bust of Sir Walter, two
woodcocks brought down at a single shot by Chantrey
at Holkham, his favourite cat, snuff-box, modelling
tools, &c. The picture has recently been off.red by
La iy Chantrey to her Majesty, who has been graciously
Teased to accept such an interesting memorial of the
friendship which so long existed between these three
great artiste.

TLIE LEVIATHAN.—By some the Leviathan has been
compared in magnitude to Great George-street, West-
minster ; but the street is not wide enough to admit her,
since she could only just fit into Portland-place, though
of course not so long. It is said that she could not go
into either Grcwvaaor or Bekra,ve-square, and that Ber-
keley-2quare, lengthways, would only just admit her.
Being 691 feet or 230 yards is length, she is 10 yards
over an eighth of a mile, and of course four torus up
and down her deck will make a mile ; a possitlo walk,
as her level deck is unencumbered with aught save the
skylights of the saloons. The Leviathan is intended to
carry 800 first-class passengers, 2,000 second-clas?, and
1,200 third-class. For so large a freight of human beings
the most extensive acoomniodation has been provided
both in saloons and sleeping cabins. The saloons arc
nine in number ; the largest is 100 feet long, 36 feet
wide, and 13 feet high. Above are two others, one above
60 feet long, and another 24 ; both are 25 feet wide and
12 high. The smaller of these latter is used as a ladies'
cabin. 'There are whole streets and squares of sleeping
mono, about 14 feet long by 7 or 8 feet aide, and above
7 feet high—in fact, quite large rooms. If nothing else
had influence, this would make the Leviathan popular.
In most large steamers it is the sleeping cabin that is
the discomfort. The main cabin is generally large and
airy ; the table
.
perhaps better than many passengers
enjoy ou shore :it is the berth that they find discom-
fort—the close crib, with perhaps another fellovrpwsen-
ger on the shelf above.—Titan for April,