The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

In accordance with an order received from the
Admiralty the hands employed on the ironclad
ships under construction at Chatham Dockyard are
to discontinue working extra time, the amount
placed at the disposal of the Admiralty for the pay-
ment of artificers' -wages not allowing of increased
sums being paid for additional work in the ship-
building department of the yard.
Surveys have been made, on the part of the Ad-
miralty, of the vacant piece of ground near the en-
trance gates of Chatham dockyard, on which it is
recommended that a suitable dining hall and other
buildings should be erected for the accommodation
of the mechanics who, under the existing regulations,
are precluded from leaving the dockyard during the
dinner hour. The importance of affording the neces-
sary accommodation for the hands has been brought
under the notice of the Admiralty officially in the
course of the last few days, and from the reports
which have been made to the Board on the subject
there would appear to be every probability of the
proposal being carried into effect.
It is stated that the Admiralty have it in contem-
plation to convert the first of the series of forts now
in course of completion on the Portland Breakwater

into an hospital, to be used for the sick in the naval
and military forces that may be from time to time
stationed at Portland. A healthier spot could not
have been selected. The South Fort of the Break-
water is situate about a quarter of a mile from the
mainland, and is nearly surrounded by the sea. All
refuse from the hospital will be carried away by the
tide, which runs at the base of the fort rapidly into
the Channel both in spring and neap tides. The
boys on board the Boscawen training ship, which
was recently removed from Southampton to Port-
land, have never been in a more healthy condition
than since the ship haS been stationed at the last
named place, where they have the benefit of pureair,
while there is every facility for the boys to be put
through their various exercises within the harbour,
which covers an area of about four square miles.
Three courts-martial were held at Plymouth on
Monday and Tuesday, on board the Royal Adelaide,
on three privates of the Royal Marines, belonging to
the armour plated screw steamship Lord Clyde, 24,
Capt. Roderick Dew, C. 8., flag of Rear-Admiral F.
Warden, C.B. The Court consisted of Capt. Napier,
president; Capt. Purvis, Capt. Somerset, Capt.
Foley, and Capt. Tremlett. The first prisoner, Jas.,
Arnett, gunner, was charged with having made away
with necessaries, and misappropriated mess money—
/1. 6s. Having borne a good character he was sen-
tenced to 12 months' hard labour in Lewes prison. The
second trial was that of Dewey Exton, belonging to
the 12th Company Artillery, for striking Bombardier
Coyle in the execution of his duty. By the evidence
it appeared that when the Lord Clyde was in dock
at Devonport, prisoner and Coyle were members of
the same working party. Prisoner was absent 35
minutes, and on his return, finding that the bom-
bardier had reported him, he struck him several
times with his fists and knocked him down between
two guns. Prisoner was sentenced to receive 48
lashes on board the Lord Clyde and be imprisoned
for 18 months at Lewes. These trials occupied all
Monday. Yesterday the Court reassembled for the
purpose of trying James Patterson, Light Infantry,
forstriking Sergt.-Major Staite, his superior officer,
in the execution of his duty. It appeared that on
Dec. 8 inst. the Lord Clyde was in dock in Devon-
port, and the prisoner was one of a working party
under the command of Sergt. Sidebottom, who sent

The Times for many years excluded from its
column% the communications of able and sagacious
men who, being before the times, foresaw and pre-
dicted enormous evils which Peel's Bills must inevi-
tably inflict on this nation. Well, now that the
Bank of Charter Act of 1864—the matured wisdom
of Peel and Overstone—has failed for the third
time, the limes finds that the subject can no longer
be ignored or trifled with, and is inviting attention
to it. But do not let the English people begin to
beat their wooden idol, the Times. So long as the
people cannot understand, and will not try to learn
the Currency Question, why should they expect the
7 imes to throw away its space and time ? As long,
for example, as a body like the Manchester Cham-
ber of Commerce, claiming the confidence of and
respect of the mercantile classes, ventures to put
forth a memorial to Government on the Bank
Charter Act " produced," as the Times justly ob-
serves, " with so little deliberation and knowledge
as scarcely to merit attention," can it be expected
that public writers will enter heartily into any at-
tempt to obtain a reformation ?

But it is with the Times at present, and not with
the public that we wish to deal.

" The accusation," .says the Tines, "brought
against the Bank Charter Act is not that it failed to
secure the convertibility of the Bank note." We
say that had the Bank Charter Act not been sus-
pended in 1847, 1857, and 1866 the converti-
bility of the Bank Note would not have been
secured.

Before the suspension in 1847, And again in 1857
and 1866 the bulliOn in the Issue Department was
so rapidly decaying that had the Act been allowed
to go on the £15,000,000 of notes issued against
securities would have remained in the hands of the
public without any gold or silver to meet them. The
Bank of England would have stopped payment, as
has been the case with many of the Banking Com-
panies, with ample securities, but with no cash in
hand.

But the Times goes on to say that the accusa-
tion brought against the Bank Act is that " a
collateral result hoped for by some of its projec-
tors—the prevention of banes—has not been
achieved."

" Some of its 'projectors I" Sir Robert Peel
himself declared when he brought in the Bill that
"one of its principal objects was to prevent such
panics as had occurred in 1825, 1837, and 1839,
and to preserve us from commercial depression
and ruin." Has this "principal object" been
attained ?

We bay with all England that It has nut.

" The Act, indeed," says the Times, "is charged
with the creation of panic." Yes it is. "It was
the belief of Sir Robert Peel," says M. Chevalier,
" that the Bill would render crises more rare. On
,he contrary, they have become more frequent and
They have become so by Act of Parlia-

severe.

ment."

How has the Bank Charter Act created panics ?
By the enactment which obliges the Bank to be-
come the storehouse of Gold for all the world. The
Bill forces the Bank to give out its Notes or a cer-
tain weight of gold, at all times. Thus, when gold
flows in, paper money is issued in excess. And it
may be observed that the issue of paper money is
more rapid in its effects, and tends far more to in-
flate the currency than the coinage of a like amount
of gold or silver bullion into money.
When Paper Money is thus forced into circula-
.

tion, the currency is inflated, discounts decline, and
speculation is forced on the country. If any one
wants to see the details of this process, let him exa-
mine the evidence respecting the Scotch Banking
Companies which failed in 1857. He will then see
how the Banking Companies being " full of money,"
having a part that is of an inflated currency at
command, tempted young and enterprising mer-
chants into speculation, almost against their
will.

The Bank Charter Act has, more than any
other cause, thus created Commercial Immo-

rality.

Then after this inflation, R ith high prices and
every kind of speculation, Gold is withdrawn rapidly
from the Bank. The circulation is contracted. Dis-
counts rise. The prices of commodities and securi-
ties fall. Every one wishes to sell, no one has money
to buy. Alarm seizes all trades and merchants.
Panic ensues, as the Act directs.

With a good deal of the reasoning of the 7imes
in opposition to his correspondents we agree. Our
great complaint is not that the Act limits the circu-
lation, and that more trade wants mare currency.
But we complain that the Paper Currency is widely
inflated at one time, and unduly contracted at
another.

We say that experience has shown that Bank
Notes act very differently from Gold money. That
an amount of Paper Money put into circulation
will tend much more to inflate the circulation,
raise prices and encourage speculation, than the
same amount of bullion coined into Sovereigns
would do. Bank Notes, on the Currency of
Commerce, effect more than Gold coins can.
They circulate mere freely from place to place,
and effect a greater number of transfers of corn-
modifies.

With such opinions we think it waste of time to
try to patch up so rotten a system as that established
by Peel's Bill of 1819 and 1844.

We fight for gold at its market price in National
Paper Money.—Derbyshire Courier.

ASTLEY'S THEATRE.—Mr. Thos. Morton, of the
Canterbury Hall, took his first benefit here on Monday
last. The house was not so full as we could have wished
to have seen it, but this was perhaps owing to the prices
of admission being doubled. The performance commenced
with " The Wandering Minstrel," in which Mr. Robson
played the part of Jem Baggs, and reminded us very much
of his late lamented father. He introduced the song of
" Villikins and his Dinah," which met with a tremendous
encore. Miss Jenny Bruce played Herbert Carol, and sang
a song charmingly. The musical farce of " The Water-
man" followed, in which 311.. St. Albyn played Tom Tug
capitally, and sang the songs of "The Bay of Biscay" and
"The Jolly Young Waterman." Miss Everard was the
Wilhelmina, and introduced a song. Mrs. Caulfield
played Mrs. Bundle; Mr. Stephens, Mr. Bundle; and Mr.
Atkins, Robin. Towards the conclusion of the farce
Harry Kelley and all the crack watermen of the Thames
made their appearance. After which came a musical
terpsichorean melange, in which Green sang "I will stand
by my friend," and met with three encores. Miss Tyrell
sang an aria from "Il Trovatore," which was rapturously
applauded. The infant Miriam played a fantasia on the
pianoforte. The Messrs. D'Auban and Wardes gave their
celebrated comic quartette. The Spanish dancers appeared
in one of their national dances, as did also the Hungarian
dancers. The brothers and sister Karalfi, Sextilian, C.
Stanley, Sylvester, and Professor Peterson with his jolly
dogs, wound up this miscellaneous entertainment. The
performance concluded with the burlesque of "Atalanta,"
which was supported by the Astley's company, and the
audience departed, haying passed a moat enjoyable evening.

We are glad to see that the merits of this bril-
liant and scholarly Romance of the First Century
of the Christian Epoch are beginning to be recog-
nised both in Ireland and beyond the Atlantic.
The Dublin Freeman's Journal says of it:—
The style—if indeed style be worth considering, where
so much of what is more excellent commands our attention
—well, the style is, as any one may imagine, that of the
practised writer, easy, flowing, natural—now earnest, now
picturesque tender or inspiring by turns. There is no
effort, no straining after sensation or effect, though Pas"
sages of singular beauty and warm in the eloquence of the
heart everywhere abound. We caanot, however, con-
ceive why the writer should have identified Dionyeius,
the Areopagite, with St. Denis, and made him first
Bishop of Paris. He surely was perfectly well aware of
the verdict of history on the subject. Bo this, however,
as it may, the episode in which Dion is introduced as
undertaking to establish philosophy's first grandest truth
in presence of Augustus and his brilliant court has struck
us as particularly noble. One page especially, that in
which Augustus himself proposes the question's to be dis-
cussed, reminded us of a page of Cicero, so calm was it, a°
clear, so overflowing with light, so dignified, so beautiful.
We do not profess to have analysed the reasoning of moo,
we do not pronounce on its logical force or form wea
have, however, read it over more than once carefully and
attentively, and felt that it was for the time "a grand
philosophy" grandly told.

The Evening Post says of it :—Few will read this 'book
without being fascinated. It is a tale of singular interest
and singular genius. It must not be classed with the ordi-
nary novels of the day. It has nothing in common With
them—no likeness, nor shadow of likeness. It differs
from them essentially in foature, and in form, and in spil'3
—it rises above them immeasurably superior. It
original in design, as a work of genius ever is. The
supernatural and natural it employs with equal fear-
lessness and freedom—blends together the divine and
human startlingly sometimes, though ever reveren-
tially—and almost compels us to feel that a work so bold,
so brilliant, so strange, yet interesting, still baffles, if it
do not defy, the ordinary rules of criticism. The period
to which it refers is the first century—the age of AugustuS

--an age then glowing as autumn sunset in rich and va-
ried glories—oh ! more, infinitely more—an age for ever
consecrated by the revelation of religion and the presence
on earth of its Divine Founder ! The story itself is ex-
ceedingly simple, and to that very simplicity is iudebtod
fur inueli of iLs exquisite beauty. It is one that ad
dresses itself to the heart's purest and most sacred
affections, and one from whose perusal we rise
not only delighted, but, as it were, inspire'
with the spirit of some higher and brighter 0-
_

1,, *h. Cnnrco (..f the narrative we are in-
troduced to all the moat distinguished and the most noble
of the Roman world of that distinguished period ; still the
characters in which the chief interest centres are few in

numbsr, and almost all imaginary. They are evidently
creations of a spirit itself pure, generous, noble, but still
more purified and ennobled by religion's divinest influ-
ences. They aro forms, all of the purest, most generous
affection—of loving truthfulness, of fervent enthusiasm for
the good and beautiful. Indeed, a singular purity of idea
and sentiment, blended with a happy fervour of imagina-
tion and of feeling, seem to us to constitute the distinguish-
ing feature, and with it the distinguishing charm of thes°
beautiful volumes, and cannot fail to recommend them to
the homes and spheres where purity and innocence are
most highly prized.
The Evening Freeman remarks :—We hail the appearance
of this work, however, bn other and higher grounds than
its merits as a work of philosophy or of fiction. It is a wcu.k
evidently whose first idea was inspired by religion—it is e!
offering, a homage, every page, every lino, to religion. I"'
a work consecrated to religion in religion's own purest spirit'
The character of a religious work is indeed studiously
avoided. It is so best, perhaps, as in its present form it may
find its way to hearts and spheres that would be other-
wise closed against it. Would we had other works of the
same high aim and tone! With works of the kind in 8011
hand, the diffusion of infidel literature would soon be
arrested, and religion once again enthroned in light in every
heart. We cannot conclude this brief notice without con-
gratulating Mr. Keon on the production of a work cslue-
lated to serve the cause of truth and virtue, whilst it can;
net fail to make more generally known his genius and
acquirements.
The New York Albion of a recent date remarking 0. be
- t,4
same work :—Mr. Keon writes like a scholar wh°
thoroughly conversant with that of which he writes, anu
he possesses a talent which many scholars lack, and whic
stands him in good stead as a romancer—the talent 0
telling a story in a graphic manner —of making his reader
realise his scenes and characters; of puttirg h,1.0
en rapport, in short, with the life and movement of
book. The period of history which he has
selecte
was as terrible in its way as the days which Pr 0;
ceded and led to that great convulsion which we call th
French Revolution—a period of the highest civilisation
eu
wedded to the lowest, the most atrocious vices—an uPe,-11
whose besotted and desperate rulers lived as thotli,r
they anticipated the mot of the French King, "
us the deluge." The hero of Mr. Keon's
mance is a young Roman gentleman, whose family esteriv
have been confiscated on account of the part taken
his father in one of the many civil wars of the tittle
which, it matters not —and who makes a purnel,,:
Rome to endeavour to recover them, accompanied by' t
mother and sister, the last of whom plays an importell,,
part in the story, through the machinations of Sei3uu4
bo
who becomes enamoured of her, and who causes her to
abducted from her family. The plot, which is too ialrg
cate to be unfolded here, is full of incident, contsireo
.eb
several breathless situations, as the play bills say"--whit-
situations, however, are not in the least melo-drarrti-vic
though certainly very exciting. Such is the revithe
of the Roman soldiers at the commencement aS
tale, and the skill which Paulus, the hero, shows aria
swordsmen ; and, better still, the exhibition of his as' to.
in training the dreadful Sejan horse, in the amphifheet of
The character of Paulus is cleverly drawn, as are inesths
the subordinate actors in this wild drama, especially 00,
royal ones—the present and future Emperors of 1° of
Augustus, Tiberius, and Sejanus. Mr. Keon's Pluterecca
Roman court and camp life are vivid enough, and as ac
rate, we presume, as is desirable in such a romance asa vio
which, take it altogether, is one of the most spirit'
have read for many a day.

PRINCESS'S TREATRE.—On Boxing Night " -1331;:
naby Budge" will be performed, when Mr. George 11°.:3:•;$0
who is expressly engaged for the character, will play 14"
612,e efinrtsittl time.ed" J. sPfloarcht The
ehe
InvisibleFa kyE xrtLanvcaeg; za , by
to enable Mrs. John Wood to appear before a London Pill;
lie as a burlesque actress, a style of acting in which 511.4-e--
said to have been very successful in America. Mr. Ge°
Honey and Miss Augusta Thomson will also act in the
same extravaganza, and Miss Fanny Heywood, &ll° iu
of Mdme. Heywood, will make her first appearance
London as the Princess. Entirely new scenery 1)35 been
painted by Mr. F. Lloyds, and with its costumes %.
dances the burlesque will present the aspect of a new
L' International, the French daily London jouro.l:
has been sold by private contract to Mr. M. Mayer, wh°
now sole proprietor of the said journal. her
Miss Russell, having entirely recovered from
indisposition, will reappear at The Oxford on 30°8'
next, the 24th inst., in a new selection, by Milliard, cl 3;
gill
titled "Les Dragons de Vallars," which will be producv
for the first time in this country. folloW
the Canterbury Ball is written by W. S. Vandervell, svt;
We understand the forthcoming entertainment
is entitled "Our Christmas Box," and from which will 1,
introduced "Les Ombres Fantasques." When we rec°o
lect the clever sketches this gentleman wrote for the ali° 0
Illusion, which was exhibited at this establishment, If
have no fear for the 011000 of this Christmas novelty.