The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-30 00:00:00

more easily made a fact by coupling with it
my name and my presumed Philhellenism." Ob-
serve what follows—" This is their mistake.. I
speak with due respect for every sentiment of
nationality, so long as it keeps within possibility
and justice. But those who—without consideration
to time, method, persons, circumstances, and conse-
quences, in a word, facts—would like to take that
sentiment of nationality as a rule for human things
may be styled out of their senses." And, as if
this was not sufficiently plain speaking—and
the words must certainly be allowed by any one,
to say the least of them, to be quite strong enough
—Mr. GLADSTONE went on to say to his undoubt-
edly astonished auditors,—" I may add that doc-
trines of nationality, couched in certain terms,
become doctrines of disorder and tmarchy." Add-
ing,—" And what is this love of nationality, taken
as an exponent of the policy of these islands. . .
. . It is certainly a phantom—a dream. Nay, it
is worse. The lonian people have not the power
to enlist either annexation or reform, or the actual
state, or status quo, because annexation being, under
present circumstances, impossible, there remain only
two choices for them : one is to aim at a reasonable
liberal progress ; the other to maintain the exist-
ing political and administrative system." Nay, as
if this even were not enough, Mr. GLADSTONE re-
solves the' whole question into a very startling
syllogism. He says to the lonians—" Those who
clamour for the impossible exclude the possible•
Those who clamour for annexation, which is im-
possible, and exclude the reforms, which I should
like to render possible, leave no choice. They
exclude reforms ; annexation excludes itself ;
thence there remains nothing but the
status quo." Q. E. D. This is surely ad-
mirable. It is what we term in the ver-
nacular—Astonishing the Natives—Astonishing
their Weak Minds ! We don't wonder in the least
when we find it added in the accounts last received
from Zante—" The venerable gentlemen with their
long beards seemed quite taken aback. They had
not expected such a speech. As Mr. GLADSTONE
proceeded their mouths fell." Of course they
did. Had not the placard of that " Flower
of the Levant" Zante, but just then
been issued in these words —" Union of the
lonian Islands with free Greece. Long live Mr.
GLADSTONE, the Philhellene. The Zantiots." Had
not the Archbishop come to Mr. GLAD STONE'S
house, carrying with him a petition in favour of
this tabood annexation.? A petition the Most
Reverend:had quietly to pocket as inconvenient
after the home-truths addressed to himself and his
attendant clergy by the plain-speaking lips of
his Excellency.

Now that the situation has been clearly put before
them, let us hope that good will come of it—and
that the lonians will at last begin to flourish as a
community, under the reformed British Protec-
torate. The realisation of this hope will not be
the least of the triumphs won by Sir E. B. LYTTON
since his installation in office as chief of the Colo-
nial Department. The conntry may be all the
more sanguine upon this head, remembering that
it is one of the most gifted of living English states-
men who has been despatched by the Colonial
Secretary to those lonian Islands in the unwonted
capacity of Lord High Commissioner Extraordi-
nary.

"Rule, Britannia!" If singing, or reciting, or
even paying for it, could insure the sovereignty of
the ocean, there can be little doubt that we should
still rule the waves, as absolutely and completely
as in "the good old times when GEORGE the THIRD
was king." But there are other conditions essential
to success. The money liberally voted must be

judiciously applied. We must not permit vessels
of considerable power to remain rotting either in
harbour or on the stocks; nor can we continue,
with impunity, to turn adrift trained and efficient
seamen to seek in other lands the remunerative
employment denied to them under the British flag.
The prestige of the United Kingdom mainly de-
pends on her maritime, or " supposed" maritime,
supremacy. If that be removed, or even the belief
in it shaken, she can no longer maintain the exalted
position she has occupied in the scale of nations—
she must be contented to sink into a third-class
power, to be assimilated to Spain, and become an
object of contempt, if not of plunder. A first-class
fleet is essential, not only to our honour, but to our
safety. The cost may be regarded as a premium
of assurance, not merely to replace a loss when it
has occurred, but to prevent the possibility thereof ;
and any undue economy with regard to that all-
important branch of the national service can only
be looked on as "a penny wise and pound foolish"

policy.
But without in any degree complaining of the
heavy expenditure that has taken place for a series
of years, we may fairly demand that the expendi-
ture be applied in a judicious and prudent manner;
that there shall not be so many palpable failures,
proceeding from too rigid an adherence to red-
tapist precedents. We have recently heard from
high authority that the British navyis not what it
ought to be—that France is closely treading on
our heels, if she has not already overtaken or sur-
passed us in the race. The Earl of HARDWICKE is
an unexceptionable witness, not merely from his
position as a Cabinet Minister, which gives him
access to the most authentic information, but more
so as a distinguished naval officer, who can apply
all the facts he has ascertained in the best possible
manner. The impressive warning which he de-
livered should therefore be taken to heart, and
promptly acted on by the Parliament and People
of the United Kingdom.
It has now been followed by a very elaborate
document contained in the Conversations Lexicon,
a publication of high standing, conducted with
considerable ability, and possessing great weight
and influence in all parts of Germany. This also
asserts that, looking to all points, the balance of
naval power is in favour of France, and that not-
withstanding the heavy outlay to which Great
Britain has so cheerfully submitted, and which she
is dill ready and willing to undergo. It gives sta-
tistics, too, that go far to sustain the assertion on
paper ; and although, if occasion should unfortu-
nately arise, we believe that England would still
maintain its ancient reputation—that its wooden
walls would prevent any attempted invasion—the
experiment would be costly and dangerous, and one
that should be averted by any reasonable expendi-
ture of money and trouble.

We want a thorough anestringent investigation

into the state of our navy ; we desire that it should
be accurately ascertained if there is full war-
rant for the apparently candid statements of c.,ur
Leipsic contemporary. We know that the old
system has been defective--that our navy has been
falling off, while that of France has been growing
rapidly. We have great confidence in Sir JOHN
PAKINGTON. We believe that he is fully impressed
with the magnitude of the trust confided to his
charge, and with such a colleague as the Earl of
HARDWICRE he will have valuable assistance in
his progress in the right direction. But there are
too many red-tapist traditions prevailing at the
Admiralty, and it is a task of no ordinary difficulty
for any First Lord to free himself from _the tram-
mels incidental to the office. There are forms and
regulations which, although they may be very
useful servants, are exceedingly bad masters, and

these " effectually prevent the ameliorations so
urgently required in the department. A thorough
cleansing of the Augean stable is required, and
that can only be obtained by the exertions of an
Admiralty who can procure the aid not only of the
chosen representatives of the people, but of the
people themselves. To obtain any beneficial result,
a pressure from without is indispensable. It is
always so in matters of real utility. It is only a
Bank Charter Act that could be carried almost
sub silentio under clouds of mystification designedly
raised. We trust that the valuable information
given by the Earl of HARDWICKE, and followed up
by the German editor, may be properly turned to
account, so that we may fully profit by the salu-
tary, although painful, lesson.

DEATH OF DR. LEVER.—We regret to an-
nounce that Dr. Lever, the well-known physician of South-
wark, expired yesterday morning.
DEATH OF LORD CLYDE'S FATIIER.—The vene-
rable parent of our Indian commander-in-chief died at
Granton on the 22d instant, at a very advanced age, and
was interred yesterday in Warriston Cemetery. The
funeral was strictly private.—Scotsman.
THE OCEAN MAIL SERVICE.—SOUTHAMPTON,
Dec. 29.—The Union Screw Company's steam-ship Nor-
man, Captain Boxer, arrived here this afternoon from the
Cape of Good Hope, last from Plymouth, where she landed
the mails. The following mail steamers are due at this
port during the next few days :—The Atrato, Captain
Woolley, with the West India, Mexico, and Pacific mails,
expected on Thursday; the Ceylon, Captain Evans, with
the East India and China mails, expected on Saturday ; the
Tagus, Captain Christian, with the Peninsular mails, due
on the 3d proximo ; the Tyne, Captain Sawyer, with the
Brazil and River Plate mails, due on the sth ; and the
Teviot, Captain Woodward, with the Australian mails, on
the 6th. The next outward mails for the West Indies,&c ,
will be taken by the steamer, La Plata, Captain Weller, on
Monday, the 3d of January ; the India and. China mails by
the Ceylon, Captain Evans, on Thursday, the 6th; the
Peninsular mails by the Tagus, Captain Christian, on the
7th ; the Brazil and River Plate mails, by the Tamar, on
Monday, the 10th; the Australia and New Zealand mails
by the Thames, on the 12th ; the Bombay mails by the
Orissa, Captain Jey, on the 12th ; and the French and
English mails for New York by the Arago, Captain Lines,
on the 12th. •

M. DE MONTALEMBERT.—The Moniteur of yes-
terday announced that the Emperor had relieved M. de
Montalembert from the penalties pronounced against him
on the 21st Dec. by the Imperial Court, and that the pub-
lisher of the Correspondant was also pardoned. It will hardly
be denied, even by those who accused the appellant of mak-
ing a false step in prosecuting• his claim for justice to the
utmost limits of the law, and who tauntingly asked, " What
has he gained by his appeal ?" that M. de Montalembert
has simply gained everything ; the satisfaction of having
vindicated the letter and the spirit of the law against the
precipitation and caprice of arbitrary power ; of having
enabled the higher court to establish at least its superiority
to the Correctional Tribunal in intelligence and indepen-
dence ; in relieving himself, by judicial sentence, of the
ulterior consequences of the first condemnation ; in having
quashed the gravest counts of the indictment, and
suppressed the wanton stigma affixed to his
name as "a public writer without self-respect" by the
Correctional judges. M. de Montalembert may therefore be
congratulated on the persistent courage with which he has
saved his honour; and, for the rest, the "pardon" may
now be accepted for what it is worth—as a confession of
error, and as a concession to public feeling, not as a gratui-
tous and offensive aggravation of illegality—Continental
Review.

IRISH SECRET SOCIETIES.—ARRESTS.—THE BEL-
FAST PRISON.—The NorthernlVhig says :—" At our Police-
court to-.day (Wednesday) a conversation took place between
Mr. John Rea, solicitor, and Mr. Tracy, R.M., in regard
to the prisoners now in custody, charged with membership
in an illegal society. Mr. Rea inquired of the sitting ma-
gistrate whether it was his intention to bring on the inves-
tigation next Friday, in the county gaol, and in private.
Mr. Tracy replied that the investigation would be private,
and that the gaol was, in his opinion, a proper place for the
conduct of the investigation. Mr. Rea protested against
the inquiry taking place in the gaol, and applied that it
might be held in the County-court House. Ho was of
opinion that the press ought to have admission,
but was willing to concede that point provided
the inquiries were not held inside a common gaol;
such a course, might do in Naples, but was
contrary to the British constitution, and prevailed
only where despots ruled. Mr, Tracy said the gaol was
quite suitable. Mr. Rea then declared that he would throw
up his brief rather than lower his profession, by being com-
pelled to defend his clients in such a place. Ho had no
doubt Mr. Tracy was acting under instructions.
THE- CONDEMNED CONVICTS AT KIRKDALE GAOL.
—Although in the case of Auguste Wilhelm,'convicted of
murder by a futile attempt to procure abortion, the jury
would have been glad to return a verdict of manslaughter
if the law would have allowed them • and although in the
case of Henry Reid, convicted of strangling his wife, there
was a recommendation to mercy on account of his drunk.
enness,.no respite or reprieve has as yet been received or
heard of by the authorities of Kirkdale Gaol, and 14 days
have elapsed since the sentences were passed, and 11 since
the assizes terminated, and both judges left Liverpool.
Little hope is, therefore, entertained that there will be a
remission of the sentence in either case, and it is expected
that the law will take its course on the morning of Satur-
day next, New Year's-day. There has been nothing in
the conduct of either prisoner calling for special mention.
They willingly receive the ministrations of the Rev. T.
Appleton, chaplain, and regularly attend chapel. Wilhelm's
wife and child took their leave of him on Monday. As yet,
we understand, Reid has not been seen by any of his friends.
It will be remembered that both cases are from Man-
chester.—Liverpool Mercury.

HIGH TIDES AT BRIGHTON.—The new Kemp-
town Groyne, which has been lately erected by Messrs.
Cheesman and Son, under the direction of Mr. J. Wright,
C..E., at a cost of £BOO, received damage on Thursday last
"to the amount of, it is said, about £3OO, from the force of
the sea, which was running very strong at the time ; about
80 feet have been broken away and carried to the eastward.
A portion of the next groyne eastward has been lately
washed away by the sea (it was at the time under repair),
in consequence of which a quantity of beach had been
swept from .the eastward of the new groyne, by which
means the pressure became so great at the junction with the
old (or "Thunder's") groyne, to which it was, in that
part, connected by iron ties instead of the usual land-
ties of timber, that it could not resist the extraordinary
pressure, and the stout oaken piles of which it was con-
structed were at once broken away. Steps have been taken
to secure the remaining portion, which is of great im-
portance, the beach in front of Kemp-town being secured
from washing away by this groyne. During the high tides
of the past week a portion of the earthwork extending from
the Battery to Ship ,street, immediately under the cliff, and
on which the capstans are fixed, and the bathing machines
drawn up, has been washed away by the high tides, but no
serious damage has been done. We may also mention that,
apparently in consequence of the late heavy rains, a portion
of the new upper Esplanade, extending from the Battery
past Regency-square, exhibits numerous cracks and a partial
sinking within about a yard of its edge. We know not
whether this is owing to the nature of the materials of
which this portion is constructed, but it certainly appears
to threaten, in the event of a continuance of the same wea-
ther, rather extensive slips in various plum—Brighton
Examiner of yesterday.
MAJOR SIR HARRY HAVELOCK.—Among the
various exploits which have conferred honour on the British
character during the present insurrection in India there are
few more extraordinary than that which has been recently
performed by Major Havelock, the son of the illustrious
General whom the nation delights to honour. He accom-
panied the force under General Douglas to Jugdespore.
After some minor skirmishes, six columns converged
to shut the enemy in, but they contrived to break
through and make their escape, scarcely firing a shot.
Their number was computed at 4,500, horse and foot, all old
Sepoys and mutineers. On the 18th of October, it ap-
peared certain that they were making for the Soane, and it
was equally certain that if they were able to get into
Behar and to reach Gya the havoc committed by them
would be fearful. Brigadier Douglas intrusted 200 cavalry
to Major Havelock to follow them and check their move-
ments. He started without tents, baggage, followers, or
regular supplies, and in the course of six days pursued the
enemy 200 miles, and with the aid of Colonel Turner's
column had three skirmishes with them, in which upwards
of 500 were slaughtered, and the whole body of rebels
driven into the Kymore hills, and the district brought com-
pletely into our possession. The chief, Ummer Singh,
escaped capture only through the exhausted state of the
horses, of whom more than 60 perished through this tre-
mendous exertion. There are few examples in our military
history in India of such a march under such circumstances,
or of such complete success.
THE LATE SIR B. H. WILSON, K.C,l3.—The late
Colonel Sir Belford Hinton Wilson, K C,8., whose death
has just occurred at his residence in Park-street, Grosvenor-
square, at the age of 54, was an officer of considerable
military and diplomatic experience. He was a son of the
late General Sir Robert Thomas Wilson, some time gover-
nor of Gibraltar, by the daughter arid coheir together
with her sister (the wife of the late Hon. Colonel Carleton,
and mother of the late Lord Dorchester), of the late
William Belford, Esq., colonel in the army. Sir Belford
-Wilson was • born in Brook-street, Grosvenor-square in
1804, and received his early education at Westminster
and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. In 1822 he
entered the military service of Columbia, in which he re-
mained, acting meantime as aide-de-camp to Gen. Bolivar,
until 1830, when he attained the full rank of colonel in the
army of Columbia, and it is stated that such was the high
opinion of his services entertained in that country, that he
was named in the will of General Bolivar. At all events,
however, so great and so valuable was the information
which he acquired during his long residence in Columbia,
that on his quitting the foreign service in 1832, he was no-
minated by his late Majesty's Government to the post of
British Consul-General at Peru, from whence he was pro-
moted five years later to the diplomatic post of charge
d'affaires to Peru and Bolivia. After -four years' service
there he became charge d'affaires at Venezuela. On resign-
ing that post, in Nov., 1852, he was rewarded for his diplo-
matic services with the knight commandership of the Order
of the Bath, civil division. The deceased gentleman was
twice married ; first, in 1842, to Louisa, daughter of the
late General Bayly Wallis, granddaughter of the late Sir
N. Bayly, who died in 1844; and secondly, in 1849, to
Catharine, youngest daughter of the late Rev. H. Randolph,
8.D., re4;or of Letcombo Basset, near Wantage, Berks.
DEATH OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN. —lt is
curious that the same clan should have produced Henry
Scott, the hero of Quebec (in 1759), and Thomas Scott, the
hero of Badajoz, these gallant men having been the first to
scale the walls of the two fortresses during the sieges. The
former was a native of Hawick, and was immediately pro-
moted to a majority for his gallantry at Quebec. The lat-
ter, who was born in the same neighbourhood, served in
the Peninsular war, and was present at nearly every engage-
ment there. Lately, when the distribution of clasps was
made, he claimed no fewer thnp fourteen. Only twelve,
however, were awarded to him, and when urged to perse-
vere in demanding the other two, he said that, although
intensely anxious to have them, as being equally due with
the twelve, such was the annoyance he had encountered in
getting the dozen, that he would not renew the contest.
Capt. Scott had for several years rented a farm under Lord
Minto in the neighbourhood of Hawick, and has died at the
age of 70. His brother, George Scott, who accompa-
nied Mung,o Park in his last African journey as draftsman
to the expedition, fell a victim there to the climate, as stated
in "Park's Travels."—alasgow Daily Hail.