The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-03 00:00:00

Notwithstanding these delays, we may, how-
ever, hope that the bill will be introduced into
the Lords early in the week, and that it may be
disposed of so as to admit of a prorogation of
Parliament before the close Of the present month.

Mr. HENRY BERKELEY is entitled to great cre-
dit for the judicious manner in which he framed
and introduzed the interrogatory which produced
the satisfactory information that a plan had been
presented by the Metropolitan Board of Works, on
Thursday, which, they believed, ought to be
adopted to remedy the grievance. Also, that the
Government intended to propose a measure at the
earliest possible day, and certainly in time to
enable both Houses of Parliament t) come to a,
decision—he trusted a satisfactory one, on the
whole question.
This is as it should be. Should the Government
be enabled to abate this monster nuisance; should
they purify the " filthy ditch," and avert the
pestilence that may be engendered by its horrible
exhalations, and enable parties once more to re-
sort to - the silent highway, they will have
entitled themselves to the national gratitude
in no ordinary degree. We use the term
"national " advisedly. .It is_ not a mere lecal
question. The present condition of " the' silver-
winding Thames" is a stain and disgrace to the
British Empire. It not only disgusts the inhabi-
tants of the metropolis and its numerous provincial
visitors, but induces intelligent foreigners to cast
a slur on the institutions under which such a state
of affairs could possibly arise.

It would of course be better if time could
be taken to select • the bast of the nume-
rous schemes that have been put forward,
But procrastination would be fatal, and any
thing would be better than inaction. Ere the
close of the year, England may have to deplore_
the loss of a greater number of its citizans than
perished in the Russian War or the Indian
Rebellion. It is not now merely a matter of
L. s. d. The health and lives of the people
are at stake : net merely of the inhabi-
tants of London, but of the entire country ;
for most assuredly, if diseases., in any of its
multifarious forme, should bo engendered,
it would spread throughout the length and
breadth of the land. There would be no safe-
guard in any district —no adequate defence
against the insidious assailant. The laying down
of pipes cutting off the sewage from, the river
would do mur.th, and that step might be taken
with but trifling loss of time. In such
a case, the expense is of comparatively
trivial importance. The lives of the people are
of more importance than money. Red-tapist regu-
lations must be suspended under the circum-

stances, and whatever is to be done should

be done quickly, and, so far as practicable,
effectually ! We shall await the introduc-
tion of the Government measure with con-

siderablo anxiety-, trusting, however, that it may
redound to their credit, and add to the reputation
they have already achieved since their accession
to office.

REMOVAL OP THE COURT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT.--
Tee junior breaches of the Royal faritily are expected at
Osborne on Monday next, 'and her Majeiry and the
Court on Wei'nesdey.
Captain the Hon. Joseph Denman has taken Mite
Rose Cottage, and is expected at Cowes on Monday.
Henry Thyroid, E q., bee taken Sir John Hippeeley's
home.
POPULARITY OF THE PRINCESS FREDERICK WILLIAM.
—A
ow letterre fromin grand rifle match
is n
‘l.T'APwardc of 130 rifle
lsacyis :ty-.:
societies have sent deputations, comprising altogether
eog off B
in this
more than 1,000 persons. As it is the fashion at present
to put the name of the Princess Frederick William
everywhere, the name of. ' Frederick William Victoria
Rifle Match' has'heen given to the .affair. Each' of the
riflemen is to rce ive a r'i'ver medal from the Rifle
Society of Berlin, and the Prince and Princess will give
gold medal, to the successful competiters."
A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Skeen and
Freeman, timber brokers, who lately suspended, teak
place yesterday morning, at which there was a sitniler
effort to prevent any general disclosures. The annexed
balance-sheet erne presented, showing debts to the
amount of 33,690/. with assets estima.ed at only 6,2311,
and, after a long and stormy disemsion, it was resolved
to throw the estate into bankruptcy.
At a meeting of creditors of Messrs. Bristow, War-
ren, and. Harrison, %Oil:del:Ale grocers, who stopped en
the 26th of last month, a balance-sheet, prepared by
Messrs. Coleman, Turquand, Youngs, and Co., account- I
ants, was presented, showing liabilities 49,563/. (exch.:-
sive of 23,5061. on account of bills receivable not ex'
petted to prove against the estate), with net assets
amounting to 35,1461., or about 15s. in the pound.
An adjournment was ordered to receive the report
of a'cOmmittee. . In connection' with the circumstances'
of this failure there was apparently a desire to avoid pub•
lioity, and no reporters were admitted.

while there might be any number in committee.
It would be impossible then to restrain the burn-
ing eloquence of those panting for distinction,
and for whom one opportunity would be alto-
gether inadequate. The silent but potential
admonitions of the Thames—the nauseating
effluvia and sickening odourscoull not induce
the malcontents to surrender any portion of their
privilege, or •to extend to the Government the
courtesy which was never refused to their prede-
cessors. A suggestion that the committee-should
meet this day, in order to conclude the business,
was also strenuously repudiated. Another day
has thus been wasted. But the public will know
who are the parties really responsible for the
procrastination, which may annoy but cannot
seriously injure the Government.
The first amendment on which a division was
taken was that on the salaries of the members of
Council, which it was proposed to reduce from

1,2001. to 500/. per annum. Notwithstanding
that the services of the best men would be re-
quired, and that not only much time and trouble
whould be indispensably required, but also a
residence in London or its immediate vicinity,
and that the party would be excluded from Par-.
liament, it was considered by 59 gentlemen that
5001. a year would prove a sufficient inducement

to men of high standing and experience, and pm-
sessing the requisite qualifications, to accept the
situation. As, however, 226 members were of a
different opinion, the original scale of remunera-
tion was carried by a majority of 16',".
The closest division that took place was on
clause 27, which provided that " orders now sent
through the Secret Committee, may be sent by
the Secretary of State, without communication
with the Council." Lord Jourr RUSSELL thought
it inconsistent with the policy of the bill that there
should be any secrecy from the Council. It was
manifest, however, that such- a regulation would
be opposed to the full responsibility of the
Minister, and might unduly fetter him in cases of
pressing emergency. He could,•of course, if time
and circumstances permitted, and if be deemed it
expedient so to do, obtain their opinions, but it
would be very impolitic to bind him to do so.
The clause was therefore retained by a majority
of 24. The numbers being for it 119—against it
95.

The chief discussion took place on the 38th
clauses which provides that the dividend of the
Company, and existing and future deb's, liabi-
lities, and expenses, should be charged on the
revenues of India " alone." The word " alone"
was objected to ; the effect of the omission would
be to saddle the Consolidated Fund with every
Indian liability, and of course to improve
materially the position of those who advanced
money at 5 or 6 per cent., which with
a national guarantee could have been obtained at
3 or 3/. The Chancellor of the Exchetpler,
however, was firm, and the amendment was ulti-
mately negatived without a division.