The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-09 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 9, 1858.

THE

cestry in a direct line . to a period of time removed
from this by three c r four hundred years. The
noble houses whose c ttiefs sit there by right of their

high rank, as hereditary legislators, are of compa-
ratively recent date as -patrician races. The Lords
of En gland, Ireland, at, uci Scotland, Barons,Viscounts,
Earls, Marquises, Dult, are there as such for the
most part—in the vas t majority of instances—in
reward for noble servici s done to the State by Com-
Now a vali int soldier, now a heroic
sailor, now a learned edge, now a skilful diploma-
tist—becomes a Peer a nd bequeaths to his descen-

moners.

dants on his death a ti tle and a coronet.

The son

of a ilighland gentlnm an, only the other day, in

recompense for , his display of high qualities upon
the battle field, bec( =es Lord CLYDE of Clydesdale.
The first Lord NELSON, the greatest sea captain the
world has ever known—though but a younger son
of a poor country dc nyman—notoriously won his
title at the sword's point, going into action with the
words " A Peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Mr.
SUGDEN, the son of a small tradesman in our own
time, moreover, is, as a lawyer, Baron ST. LEONARDS.
Mr. HARRIS, at the clot;e of the last century, by
reason of his genius for diplomacy, became the
first Earl of MALMESBURY. As a body, the Lords
are drawn from the Commons. It is, consequently,
to our thinking, both vulgar and ridiculous to de-
claim thus against the Peers and the Peerage, as
against some pernicious incubus, instead of both
being, as they are, part and parcel of the Constitution.
But, says Mr. BRIGHT—" Traders are not admitted
—and therefore the House of Peers is exclusive."
Let any man prove that his being a trader benefits
the country and leaves himself unrewarded—and
be sure that rara axis will not have long to wait
for his elevation to the peerage. But it is simply
absurd to complain, because traders, as traders, are
not admitted to the Upper House of Parliament.
As well complain that successful sportsmen and
accomplished anglers are not recompensed with
peerages when they return with their bags and
baskets crammed to repletion. Trade is its own
great reward—in the gold tinkling in a Damen
shower into the till. The Golden Calf :is excel-
lent, in its way, melted:down at the Mint, and
stamped with the effigy of the reigning sovereign.
We are not popularly desirous of having it raised
upon a pedestal. We only want the use of it as a
nation—passing through the purse and the breeches
pocket. As a means for the performance of good
service to the country, trade may even: now, when
it so wills, win a peerage. Besides, the honoured
ex-Chancellor already mentioned (Lord ST. LEO-
'
NARDS), how many members of the House of Peers
are there not who are the descendants of trades-
men ! Let a trader, or the son of a trader, fight by
land or by sea, as HORATIO NELSON and COLIN
CAMPBELL fought before him—let a trader, or the
son of a trader, master the rugged science of law,
like Mr. YORKE—triumph, like Mr. HARRIS, in
diplomacy—write essays and histories, prose and
verse, like Mr. MACAULAY, and be sure he will find
Trade no obstruction to the gaining of a peerage.
Altogether, we cannot but think that people gene-
rally are arriving more and more distinctly at the
conclusion that—as is undoubtedly the case—there
is a great deal of eloquence in what is said by Mr.
BRIGHT, but there is also a great deal of—Bosh.

THE THEATRES.

LATEST NEWS.

THE INDIA MAILS.

MALTA, SUNDAY, Nov. 7.
The Ceylon left for Southampton at 7 p.m. The
Euxine for Marseilles at midnight.

The Ripon arrived at 3, and sailed at 9 p.m., on
the 6th, with the outward Bombay mail.
The Panther arrived at 9 p.m., and sailed at
midnight.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 3.

The conference on the affairs of Montenegro has
resumed its sittings this day, and the members
composing it have come to an understanding. The
dead body of Ghalib Pacha has been found. The
laying down of a telegraphic cable between the Isle
of Crete and Egypt has been commenced. The
plague is stated to have completely disappeared
from Bengazi. The Ambassadors of France,
England, and Sardinia have presented notes to
the Porte against the change in the political
system of Turkey which would result from the
return of Mehemet Ali Pacha to office. The Presse
d' Orient publishes a sumptuary decree, having for
object to put a check on the extravagance of the
persons employed in public offices. The in-
habitants of Volo in Thessaly being exasperated
at the exactions of the authorities, have soli-
cited the protection of the European consuls.

r----

BERLIN, Nov. 7.

The now Cabinet has just been definitively
composed as follows :—President of the Coun-
cil, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen ;
Foreign Affairs, M. de Schleinitz ; War, General
de Bonin; Finance, M. de Patow ; Agriculture,
Count Puckler ; Public Worship, M. de Bethmann-
Hollweg. M. Von der Heydt remains Minister of
Commerce ; M. Simons, Minister of Justice ; M.
Flottwell, Minister of the Interior. M. Auerswald
is to be Minister without portfolio.

The following telegram was received at Mr,

Reuter's office :

MADRID, Nov. 8.
The Council of Ministers was occupied in its last
sitting with the affairs of Mexico.
The Ministers of Portugal have announced to
the Chambers great administrative reforms.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MONDAY.

BOURSE, Nov. B.—The market has been buoyant
to-day, with a brisk rally on all securities. Threes,
after having been done at 73f. 45c., improved to
73f. 60c. ; Mobilier varied from 952 f. 50c. to 965 f. ;
Austrian, 665 f. to 667 f. 50c.; Lyons, 875 f. to 880 f.;
Eastern, 702 f. 50c. to 705 f. —c.;*Northern, 985 f. to
990 f. ; Southern, 575 f. to 577 f. 50c. ; and Orleans,
1,360 f. to 1,362 f. 50c. The following are the last

quotations :
it per Cents. .... 96 Credit Foncier
Do. end month .. Belgian 41 . —
3 per Cents. 73 60 Piedmonteso (5) 93 25
Do. end month.... 73 75 Roman 94 50
Bank Shares 3155 Austrian
Credit Mobilier .. 972 50 Spanish Threes
Do. Account ..... 972 50 Home Debt

After the presentation of this report, Baron de
Manteuffel on several occasions transacted business
with the Prince, but the latter said not a word. to
him about the report. This significant silence;
joined to the arrival in Berlin of personages osten-
sibly summoned to form part of a new Ministry
and among them M, d'Auerswald, an ardent poli-
tical adversary, caused the Ministers to resign."
The King of Prussia, says a letter from Meran;
has become much better, and regained in some
measure his fdrmer portly appearance. It adds
that in conversation his Majesty is more expansive,
and appears in good spirits.

Count Apponyi, the Austrian Minister in Lon-
don, arrived at .Vienna on the 4th, and was received
at a private audience by the Emperor. Baron de
Prokesch had the honour of dining at the palace
on the 3d.

The Archduke Charles Louis, Governor of the
Tyrol, arrived on the 3d at Trieste from Vienna.

A letter from Munich says :—" The. children of
King Louis of Bavaria have inherited his Majesty's
taste for literature, -end especially for poetry. His
Majesty's eldest son, the reigning King, Maximi-
lian 11., has already published several poetical pro-
ductions; Prince A dalbert, another son, has also
written poetry; and the Princess Alexandra, a daugh-
ter, has published a volume of tales, which has a large
sale, and the proceeds of which are devoted to charita-
ble institutions. Duke Maxirailiam of Bavaria, also,
is known.. for a work called ' Phantasus' and by
several translations."

Several of the Lisbon journals publish a note to
the effect that al lymber of journalists had hel4
meeting to discuss the propriety of supporting a
project for raising by national subscription the
amount of the indemnities demanded-by the French
Government for the capture of the Charles-Georges;
and that they came to the conclusion that the pro-
posed subscription was inopportune.

THE TREATY WITH JAPAN.

We are enabled to state the more important sti-
pulations of the treaty signed at Jeddo, on the 26th
of last August. This treaty, in the first place,
engages that there shall be perpetual peace and
friendship between her British Majesty. and the
Tycoon of Japan ; secondly, that her Majesty may
appoint a diplomatic agent to reside at Jeddo, and
the Tycoon a diplomatic agent to reside in
London, both of • them respectively to have the
right of tra''elling freely to any part of the
empire of Japan, and to any part of Great Britain
also either .rower may appoint consuls or con-
sular agents.at any or all the ports of the other.
The ports of Hadodadi, Kanagowa, and Nagasaki,
in Japan, are to be opened to British subjects on
the Ist of July, 1859. Nee-e-gata, or if Nee-e-gata
be unsuitable, another convenient port on the west
coast of Nipon, is to be opened on the Ist of Jan.,
1860 ; Hiogo on the Ist of Jan.,-1863; and British
subjects may permanently 'wide in all the fore-
going ports,,may lease ground, purchase or erect
dwellings and warehouses, but may not erect forti-
fications. Within a certain distance of the specified
ports they shall be free to go where they please,
or, speaking generally, they have a tether of some
20 or 30 miles around either of them. From the
Ist of Jan., 1862, they will be allowed to reside at
Jeddo, and from the Ist of Jan., 1863, at Osaca for
the purposes of trade. All questions of rights,
whether of property or person, arising between
themselves shall be subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the British authorities ; if they commit
any crime against the Japanese they will be tried
and punished by their own authorities, and vice
versa, Japanese subjects in the same predica-
ment will be tried and punished by theirs ; but
in either,ease the British Consuls are to act in the-
first instance as amicable arbitrators. In respect of
debts contracted on either side, the respective autho-
rities will do their utmost to enforce recovery,
but neither Government will be held responsible
for the debts of its subjects. The Japanese
Government will place no restrictions whatever
upon the employment by British subjects of
Japanese in any lawful capacity. British subjects
will be allowed the free exercise of their religion,
and for this purpose will have the right to erect
suitable places of worship. Foreign and Japanese
coin may be used indifferently for commercial pur-
poses. -Supplies for the British navy may be stored
at certain specified ports free of duty. If British
vessels are wrecked or stranded the Japanese autho-
rities will render every assistance in their power.
British merchants will be at liberty to hire Japanese
pilots. Munitions of war are to be the only excep-
tions to articles of import and export, which last,
on the payment of an ad valorem duty at the place
of import, are to be subject to no further tax, excise,
or transit duty. Such articles may be re-exported
without the payment of additional duty. The
Japanese are to prevent fraud or smuggling, and
to receive the benefit of all penalties or confisca-
tions. The treaty is written in English, Japanese,
and Dutch, the Dutch version to be considered the
original. Ali official communications on the part of
the British to the Japanese authorities shall, how-
ever, henceforward be written in English, though
for five years from the signature of the treaty, to
facilitate the transaction of business, they are to
be accompanied by a Dutch or Japanese version.
The treaty may be revised on the application of
either of the contracting parties, on giving
one year's notice after the Ist of July,
1882. All the privileges, immunities, and
advantages granted, or to granted hereafter, by
Japan to any other nation are to be freely and
equally participated by the British Government
and its subjects. The treaty is to be ratified within
a year from the day of its signature.
For the regulation of trade the articles which
are appended to the treaty are to be considered as
forming a part of it, and as equally binding. The
majority of these relate to the arrangements of the
Japanese Custom-house, but the more important
contain the tariff of duties to be levied. In the
first class, as free of duty, are specified gold and
silver, coined or uncoined, wearing apparel in
actual use, • and household furniture and printed
books not intended for sale, but the property of
persons who come to reside in Japan. On the
second class a duty of five per cent. only will be
levied, and this class comprises all articles used for
the purpose of building, rigging, repairing, or
fitting, out' ships, whaling gear, of all kinds, salted
provisions, bread and breadstuffs, living animals,
coals, timber for building houses, rice, paddy, steam
machinery, zinc, lead, tin, raw silk, cotton and
woollen manufactured goods. A duty of 35 per
cent. will, however, be levied on all. intoxicat-
ing liquors ; and goods not included in any of the
preceding classes will pay a duty of 20 per cent.
Japanese products which are exported as cargo
will pay a duty of five per cent. The above are
substantially all th 9 material stipulations of this
important document.
•

THE LAKE COLONEt STRATON, C.B,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—l think it my duty to inform you that I
have this day received a_ otter from Major Kent, of,
the 77th Reginienti, dated " Calcutta, September
21, 1858," in consequence of his having seen my
letter in the Times of the sth of August respecting
my late brother, Colonel Straton, C. 8., 77th Regi-
ment. I beg to give you two extracts from his
letter which I feel sure you will consider it right
to publish in your paper. He says
" The account in the Times is a base fabrication
from beginning to end; the truth is, your brother
(Colonel Straton) was far too ill to march himself
to Dumdum, an deputed Colonel Chichester to do
so for him." . . • . . .
.

" No man in the regiment has worn a stock since
we were in Dublin more than a year ago, and it is
simply absurd to attribute his death to such a
cause.
I offer no remarks on these statements, they
speak loudly themselves.
I am, Sir, your faithful servant,
GEO. W. STRATON.
Aylestene Rectory, Leicester, Nov. 5.

NORWEGIAN' GRATITUDE.—Some time ago' a
young gentleman, evidently a foreigner, and who, we be-
lieve had been studying farming in East Lothian' called at
the station of the North British Railway here, making in-
quiries about the price of a third-class ticket to Hull. On
being told that there were no third-class by the evening
train to Hull, he seemed embarrassed. After a good deal
of hesitation, he informed the station master, Mr. J. Bruce,
that it was of great importance to him to get on by the first
train, brit unfortunately a remittance of money, which he
had expected, halnot.come to hand, and he was unable to
pay for a second-class ticket. Mr. Bruce, in his usu al
f e
the
rank
and generous manner, and seeing, no doubt, at a glnc
sterling honest man written in the face of the youth, at once
offered to pay his fare to York, and if he required any mor
money to give it him. This offer was of course gratefully
accepted, and the stranger went on his way: Charming
simplicity of Mr. Bruce, some people will exclaim. However
in the course of a post or two a letter was received from
Hull, enclosing the money lent, and gratefully thanking
Mr.tßruce. So the affair is ended, thought he, and so the
most would think. But not so. Some thought
days a rather
strange-looking packet was delivered by the postman to Mr
Bruce, which, on being opened, disclosed to his astonished
view an elegant silver cup, with a suitable inscription en-
graven upon it, as a token of a Norwegian's gratitude, and
"in remembrance of Frederick Due, of Christiania."
—.Berwick .Advertiser.

POSTAL SUBSIDY TO THE GALWAY

LINE.

NEWS FROM NORTH AMERICA.

The news of the first instalment of the success of
the Galway line of steamers was communicated to
the directors yesterday morning. Lord Bury has
imparted the gratifying intelligence that he' has
concluded the terms of a subsidy with Newfound-
land and the Imperial Government conjointly for
that colony. It is understood that this commence-
ment has been made on the most liberal scale, and
we have reason to believe that the future opera-
tions of Lord Bury with the remaining colonies
will be conducted to a similar issue. It may there-
fore be considered that the Atlantic Royal Steam
Navigation Company is now in a position to com-
pete with all, or any, lines of transatlantic steamers.
Lord Bury is at present negotiating with the
United States Government and the rest of the
North American provinces. Considering the
manner in which the Galway Company have
itherto fulfilled all their promises, the immense
I boon conferred upon Ireland by their agency, and
the fact that through them British North America
may look forward to the happy development of
her colossal resources, this intelligence will be
received throughout the empire with feelings of
unmixed gratification, It is evident that the ex-
tension of the Cunard subsidy is not intended by
the Government as a monopoly to be enjoyed by
that energetic individual, who has certainly done
much more to forward and foster the interests of
the United States than those of the British colonies,
and consequently of the British people. Hitherto,
it has been a fact, that of -eight lines of steamers
leaving the Unit-1d Kingdom for various parts of
the world, not one has despatched a single vessel
from the shores of Ireland. Nor has a single Irish
emigrant been enabled, previously to the establish-
ment of the Galway line, to sail even from an Eng-
lish port in a transatlantic steamer, at a cost easily
attainable by a poor man. In this respect Ireland
has hitherto been little better than a mere Wren
breakwater to England. No Englishman who has
the true interests of his country at heart can desire
such a state of things. To Newfoundland has oc-
curred the good fortune of being the first to re-
spond eagerly and energetically to a claim which
every colonist must feel carries a reciprocal boon in
favour of his country and himself. So far, then, we
heartily congratulate Lord Bury on his first auspi-
cious result of his patriotic mission, and we await
with eager interest the next instalment of the noble
viscount's successful negotiation on the other side of
the Atlantic.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT B 1 FIRE-ARMS.

A most distressing accident occurred on Friday
night from the use of fire-arms, Mr. Shiers, of
Greenhill, has made a practice for some time of
commemorating the sth of November by having a
large bonfire near his house, at Greenhill, and in-
viting a number of his workpeople from the mill to
assist in firing off two cannons, and letting off some
fireworks.

On Friday night he invited five of his overlookers
up to his house, and they, with himself and sons,
aided in firing off the cannons, as usual, and
igniting fireworks. For .the purpose of causing
the cannon to give a louder report they were
rammed hard, by the end of the cannon being placed
on an anvil and the ramrod struck with a sledge
hammer. There were two cannons about 18 or 20
inches long, one inch or one and a quarter inch
bore. the metal of the sides being one inch thick.
About a quarter-past nine, after the firing had
gone on for some time, one of the cannons was
placed on the anvil for the purpose of being loaded.
.A man named Edwin Cheetham, of Moorhey-street,
a gardener for Mr. Shiers, held the cannon on the
anvil ; Joseph Buckley, of Plane-street, worked
the ramrod, and Joseph Bradley, of Side of Moor,
stood on a kind of trestle, and struck the ramrod
with a sledge-hammer. Either a piece of ignited
wadding had remained in the cannon after the last
firing, or the blows on the ramrod struck fire, and
caused the powder to ignite, and the cannon burst.
The effects were fearful. Cheetham had both his
• hands shattered dreadfully with the fragments of
the cannon, the left hand merely hanging by apiece
of skin, his left leg was broken in two places, and
he is considered to be in a very dangerous state.
Buckley was severely wounded about the thighs and
legs, and his trousers were set on fire. Bradley was
knocked off the trestle by the force of the explosion,
and lay on the ground on his back, but rose unin-
jured. John Lees, Royton-road, who was standing
by at the time, had the first finger on his right
hand blown off, and was badly wounded about the
face. His clothes were also set on fire. Mr. John
Shiers, jun., who was near at-the time, received a
wound in the fleshy part of 4te thigh, but not a
dangerous one. Joseph Ward, formerly a police-
man, who was also near the spot, was thrown
on the floor by the force of the shock, but was not
hurt. Mr. Shiers and several of his children were
standing near, but, with the exception of Mr. John
Shiers, none of them were injured.
The injured workpeople, all of whom are married,
were conveyed to their respective homes in cabs,
They were attended to by Mr. Halkyard, Mr.
Thompson, and Mr. Wilkinson, surgeons, who
were sent for immediately after the accident had
occurred, and who speedily attended and used their
endeavours to alleviate the anguish of the sufferers.
Mr. Shiers and his family also paid every attention
to the wounded men.
The melancholy affair, as may. well be supposed,
caused considerable excitement in the neighbour-
hood.—Oldham Chronicle.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in
Downing-street. The Ministers present were :—The Earl
of Derby, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, the Lord Chancellor,
the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Hardwicke, Mr.
Secretary Walpole, the Earl of Malmesbury. the Right
Hon. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Gen. Peel, Lord Stanley, Sir
John Pakington, the Right Hon. J. W. Henley, and Lord
John Manners.

Mr. Drummond Wolff, the new Private Secretary
to Sir E. Lytton Bulwer, is the son of the Rev. Mr. Wolff,
the hero of the mission of Bokhara, and himself the author
of " Rambles through Corsica," and a novel called " Bon-
delle," which some years ago made a noise in the world.
SWEARING IN OF THE LORD MAYOR FOR THE
ENSUING YEAR.—Yesterday the Lord Mayor, Lord Mayor
elect, aldermen, sheriffs, under-sheriffs, and chief officers of
the corporation met in the Court •of Aldermen, and pro-
ceeded to the Guildhall, where the newly-elected Lord
Mayor (Mr. Alderman Wire) was sworn into office.
FAREWELL DINNER AT THE MANSION-HOUSE.—
After the ceremony of swearing in the Lord Mayor at the
Guildhall, the aldermen and sheriffs, the master, wardens,
and court of assistants of the Innholders'i Company, the
masters' wardens and court of assistants of the Cutlers'
Company, the master and wardens of the Girdlers' Com-
pany, and the City officers, were entertained according to
ancient custom at dinner at the Mansion-house.

The Hon. William Ashley has been very seriously
ill in the south of France, and at one period his condition
was considered so precarious that his brother, the Hon.
John Ashley, was summoned by telegraph to join him.
We are happy to learn, from letters received by the family
at the close of last week, that the hon. gentleman had ex-
perienced a favourable change, and that his medical atten-
dants were sanguine of his speedy ro3toration to health.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—A bottle was on
Ifonday picked up on the shore at Portobello, near Lti, h
having inclosed in it a slip of paper bearing the following
words :—" 1857, August 4.—Ship Lady Franklin, Arctic
Regions, all well. Dear mother, P.B. One boy killed,
PB." _ _ _

—•
A meeting took place yesterday at the London
Tavern, to consider the question of Bankruptcy Lim-
Amendment, when a thoroughly practical " discussion took
placet and a committee was appointed to investigate the
merits of the two measures which are to be brouglkt unfler
tale notice ofilie Legislature. --
REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE.—
An influential meeting of electors was held at Markinch
on Thursday (says the Dundee Courier) to consider and
arrange for a successor to Mr. John Fergus. Mr. H. E.
Wemyss occupied the chair. After some discussion it was
resolved to support, for the Liberal interest, the worthy
chaiiman.
PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAIN ON HOLBORN-
HILL.—We understand that energetic efforts will shortly be
made to obtain the consent of the proper authorities for the
erection of the first public drinking fountain in London;
and we believe the site selected will be Holborn-hill.
The arrivals of gold announced yesterday were
large. The Africa and City of Baltimore brought £151,000
from the United States, and the Lincolnshire £422,448
from Melbourne. The American supplies wore delivered
to-day, and the whole will be taken for the Continent. Of
the Australian a portion may for a tinge be deposited with
the Bank. Gold continues to be sent from Russia, and a
parcel of 00,000 is now on its way. In a short time, how-
ever, the navigation will be closed, and any future sums
must be transmitted overland.
Baron de la Noncere le Nou:y, the commander of
the French naval squadron on the Newfoundland station,
has just made a present to the Museum of Natural History
of a young beaver which he caught in the river St. George.
This curious animal, which is now becoming scarce, was
brought to France by the steam corvette Gassendi. During
the voyage it was kept in a large boat on the deck; it re-
mained very quiet during the day, but at night was con-
stantly on the !wive, gnawing the thwarts, the oars, and the
gunwales of the boat. Its teeth aro remarkably sharp and
strong, being able to penetrate the hardest wood and even
act like a file on iron. When taken out of the boat
and allowed to run about on the deck it would
approach the sailors, place itself on its hind legs,
and hold out its fore paws, which it uses as hands
to convey its food to its mouth. It was generally
fed on vegetables, and was very fond of apples and pears.
It would not touch fish, although, from fish bones having
been frequently found in the beavers' huts at Newfound-
land, an opinion generally prevails that fish forms part of
the usual food of those animals. Several large Newfound-
land dogs, who wero on board, used sometimes to approach
it in rather a threatening- way, but without causing it any
mark of fear. Although very tame, it would not allow
itself to be fondled, and if any of the sailors attempted to
touch it, would utter a cry like that of a child. M. do la
Ronciere has also brought with him twa bustards; a large
Newfoundland eagle ; a large sea-gull of the species called
coals; and also several spruce plants, from which a kind
of beer is made, much used among the sailors on the coast
of America, and considered by them to be an excellent anti-
scorbutic beverage.