The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-19 00:00:00

Mint show an average increase of about £340,000-

worth.

When, in 1816, it was determined to

exchange the old silver coinage of the country for
new, the Royal Mint appears to have done exceed-
ingly well. It commenced striking the new coinage
on the 16th of July in that year. By the 3d of
February, 1817, £2,500,000 worth was completed,
and by the 4th of March following, £2,738,041.
This consisted of the following kinds f coin :

Half-Crowns
Shillings
Sixpences

3,924,423
36,025,750
17,848,025

Total 57,798,198
This labour involved many nights and some
Sundays; but double the quantity might now be
coined at the Mint without invading the hours of
rest or of religious exercises. At that period it
was resolved to effect, if possible simultaneously, the
exchange of old for new silver, and the transaction
did occupy actually only a fortnight. The whole
of the old' ilver coinage was thus exchanged and
withdrawn, and after the Ist of June, 1817, it
ceased, by proclamation, to be a legal tender. The
demand for coin continued urgent for several years
after, and by the end of 1821 £7,500,000 worth was
produced—a proportion of two and a half to one of
the old coinage. The old Bank of England tokens of
3s. and ls. 6d. were next called in. In 1829 the Irish
tenpenny and twopenny pieces, valued at £700,000,
were also withdrawn, and replaced by pieces of the
then modern mintage. The existing silver coinage
of the United Kingdom, augmented by the small
additions named above, consists of the products of
the Mint from 1817 to 1826 ; and surely there can
be no question that the time has again come for an
entirely new issue. If so much work was done then,
what may not be accomplished now ? And how
much more creditable to this great nation would it
be to have a unique and beautiful coinage of silver
—whether on the decimal plan or otherwise—
rather than the present shabby, slippery, and mean-
ingless collection of coins which betoken neither
our high character as a State, nor our shrewdness
as a trading community ?-2k/eclianics' Magazine.

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.—A ball took place
last evening, at the St. James's Hall, under the auspices of
a committee of gentlemen, most of whom have taken an
en furthering
arrangementsthe
wereobjects
v eorfyt this
good,
e proposednd a n sll 4ie-
iccttkii eovntes.pbaer'ihgi vouched, the too frequent objections to public
assemblies of this description were apparent in a lesser
degree than is usual on occasions of a similar character.
A fair gathering of the profession were present. The guests
may have numbered about 400, and the hall, when thus
furnished, looked exceedingly pretty. Messrs. Coote's band
was in attendance, and dancing, which commenced at 10
o'clock, was kept up with great animation until midnight,
when supper was served in Mr. Donald's dining saloon.
Before the company rose Mr. Webster, who presided, gave
" Success to the,,,Royal Dramatic College," a toast which
was drunk with'
much enthusiasm. We believe the result
of the ball will place a handsome sum to the credit of the
colle'e funds, and there can be no doubt that the success
of this first attempt will lead to an annual repetition of still
greater advantage.

A letter from Valenza says The division of
General Renault, which is nearest the enemy, is superb.
Their brave commander had a narrow escape a few days
ago of being killed while making a reconnaissance on the
frrigohmt
abadniekiehofetehe Po. cn
one of which struckTahcehaFssreur ofe thFeregnecnherwaie,res
escort,lookin wlg
t firing, the Croats sent a few shots,
wasc;loyseottio,shhaium.
be
paid
oil ileum out :
French soldiers, on seeing their
comrade fall from his horse Try again, gentle-
mener cent. per cent."'
LINCOLN, Wednesday Evening.—To-day, about
an hour after noon, a fire broke out on the premises of Mr.
Spencer, druggist, immediately adjoining the Post-office.
Water was obtained from the hydrants of the Waterworks
Company, but the supply was very ineffective, and the pre-
mises were totally destroyed, as was also the Post-office.
We are glad to state that the letters, which were about to
be delivered, were saved, and a temporary Post-office was
established at the Corn Exchange, which is contiguous.
There was no evening. postal delivery, and the night letters
were not sent off. The damage is estimated at several
thousand pounds.
ANOTHER EXPLOSION AT THE HOUNSLOW Pow-
DER MILLS.-At a quarter past 11 on Tuesday night, con-
siderable alarm and excitement were created in the neigh-
bourhoods of Twickenham and Hounslow by a succession
of explosions at the mills of Messrs. Curtis and Harvey.
Although not of the fearful character of the last, which took
place only a few weeks ago, still, occurring at a time when
most of the families had retired to rest, coupled with the
singular fact that only a few hours had elapsed since the
verdict in the former case had been returned, it caused a
deep sensation. The mills that exploded
on the present
occasion are called the incorporating mills, four in number,
comprising a longe range of building, near the engine-house
—these are entirely destroyed, and unhappily one poor
fellow, named Allen, is stated to have received such severe
injuries that no hopes are entertained of his recovery. It
seems to have been but little known that the manufacture
of gunpowder at the above works is carried on without in.
termission, Sundays not being excepted. This was statod
in evidence before the coroner on Tuesday last, and has led
to considerable discussion.
LARGE CASTING.—On Saturday last, an anvil
block, intended for an immense hammer, to be used in the
making of Sir Wm. Armstrong's guns, was cast at the
foundry of Messrs. Morrison and Co., Ouseburn, New tle.
on-Tyne. When finished it will weigh 21} tons. It was
cast in one run, the quantity of metal melted for it ben' g 3
tons. The size of the base is 6 feet 6 inches by 9 feet, and
its thickness nin ; the body part being 3 feet 10 inches
by 3 feet 9 inches. In consequence of the heat still in the
metal, it will have to lie a week before it can be raised,

THE RIGHTS OP BELLIGERENTS.

Le Nord has an article upon the British declara-
tion of neutrality, and taking for its text the words
in the address of the Emperor Napoleon to his army
in Italy—" Do not forget that you have no other
enemies than those who fight 'against you in battle."
The writer says :
In the face of the solemn proclamation of the
purest principles of modern internatiohal laws and
of this high recognition of the maxims most dear
to the friends of humanity and progressive eivilisa-
lion, we deeply regret that we are called upon to
record, not only the excesses with which, the Aus-
trian army is dishonouring itself in Italy, but the
directly opposite principles just proclaimed in the
name of her Majesty the Queen of England. Eng-
land has thought it her duty to proclaim, on the
opening of the war now being carried on, her
absolute neutrality ; and it was already strange
enough, assuredly, that this power, so prompt in
words to take the part of oppressed' peoples and of
nations threatened in their independence, should
not make common cause with her ally of yesterday
in the east, in this question and this war in the west,
now raised and waged for the deliverance of Italy.
But this is not all ; whilst the Emperor of the
French, faithful to the traditions of his house and
his countrybrofesses this doctrine, which embodies
all the progress made by modern European
international law, the Queen of England, on the
contrary, proclaims anew the old barbarous inter-
national law of antiquity and the mediaeval
period. In this declaration, now published by all
the English journals, and by which she announces,
that being desirous of , preserving to her subjects
the blessing of peace, she is resolved on taking
directly or indirectly no sort of share in the war,
and on observing a strict and impartial neutrality,
the Government of her Britannic Majesty speaks
in each phrase, of the war that has broken out
between his Majesty the Emperor of Austria and
his Majesty the Emperor of the French, " as like-
wise between their respective subjects and other
persons inhabiting their countries, territories, and
possessions," that is to say, the British Government
speaks as the Roman laws spoke before the exten-
sion of Christianity, and considers the war as
between one State and another ; as waged not only
between the Governments but between their re-
spective subjects, who become, as formerly, the
enemies of each other ; they, doubtless, and their
estates, for everything is connected inter se in the
two opposing doctrines. In other words, the Eng-
lish doctrine throws civilisation and international
law back to twenty ages ago; it authorises and
justifies the abominable excesses perpetrated by the
Austrian army in Italy. In fact, it goes even yet
further, for it does not confine itself regarding the
war as declared at this present moment between the
Governments and their respective subjects; it in-
cludes even the foreigners that may happen to be
sojourning for a time in their territories. " Both
between their respective subjects," says the decla-
ration
of neutrality, " and other persons in-
habiting their countries, territories, or posses-
sions." So, the neutrals themselves who inhabit the
country are, according to the English doctrine,
comprehended in the state of war, and consequently
subjected to the respective hostilities. This is at
once odious and senseless.
This article is followed by another, which is as
follows :

" It will doubtless be observed that the recom-
mendations made to the English is the declaration
of neutrality by the British Government, and the
obligation of which they are put in mind, under the
severest penalties, to abstain from all interference
in acts that may serve the war, are all in Austria's
favour. To what, in fact, are English subjects
specially enjoined? Not to assist in any armament,
in the provisioning, in the service and guidance of
the belligerent ships ; not to assist them in any
way, in any operation of the war by sea. Now, can
there be a question of Austrian vessels that must
not be assisted or equipped, or armed, or piloted ?
What is Austria's navy, and what part can she pre-
tend to play in this war ? It is, therefore, to the
French vessels alone, in reality, that England for-
bids any assistance to be given, even beyond their
military operations. We record this fact, not to
censure it, but to point out its consequences. Eng-
land, after all, is free to remain neutral in a war in
which she ought perhaps to hold the first rank.
What she has no right to do is to say, that this war
exists between the belligerent States as also be-
tween their respective subjects and all persons in-
habitating their territories, for this is tantamount
to insulting civilisation and forcing international
law to retrograde."

SUICIDE OF AN OFFICER OF THE

ROYALS.

CANTERBURY, Wednesday Evening.
We regret to state that Cornet Augustus John
Bourke Fellowes committed suicide this day, about
one o'clock, under very melancholy circumstances.
It appears that on the sth of April a warrant was
issued against the deceased in a judgment at the
suit of Messrs. George and James buncan, of Edin-
burgh, debt and costs amounting to £l4. The
sheriff's officer, Mr. Saunders, in whose hands the
warrant was placed, after several applications,
entered into an arrangement by which the de-
ceased paid £5 of the debt, and the sheriff's
officer paid the remainder, trusting to Mr. Fellowes's
honour for repayment. This morning Saunders
called, by appointment, for repayment of the ba-
lance. Mr. Fellowes was then at carbine practice.
On his return, about 12 o'clock, he told the sheriff's
officer, who met him at the gate, that the money
was all right. Fie then went to the rooms of a brother
officer, Mr. Fraser, where he was soon afterwards
found on the bed by Mr. Fraser's servant, quite dead,
with a discharged carbine lying on the floor be-
tween his legs. The unfortunate deceased had shot
himself through the head.
The inquest was held thii evening at the Water-
loo Tavern, before Mr. Delasaus, coroner. The first
witness called was

John Hind, private in the 16th Lancers, servant
to Cornet Fraser. He deposed that a little after 12
o'clock he was in his master's room, when the de-
ceased came in, and, after walking in a meditative
pens and
pwaapye up
r a
nadn
satd down
de ntha es
fr otoem,
write. k
Tiatnesthen
went into his own room below, and presently he
heard the discharge of a grin, and saw blood running
down the wall from the ceiling ; he immediately
rushed to his master's room and found the door
locked. On bursting it open he saw Mr. Fellowes
lying on the bed, with the discharged carbine be-
tween his legs, quite dead.
Charles Rattery, assistant surgeon, Cavalry
Depot, deposed to being called into Mr. Fraser 's
rtdr
partwith
ofa
the gunshotsku woundg inshtohteamwoauyt.h,
Athcearabniten
room, where he found Mr. Fellowes lying on the
e
recently discharged, which had been loaded with
ball cartridge, lay beside him. That was the instru-
ment of death. Witness saw the deceased the pre-
vious day, when he came into his room and went
away again without speaking. He seemed in low
spirits, and witness was aware that there were
circumstances which might have induced such
state of mind. Witness knew the handwriting of
the deceased. The paper produced was in his
handwriting, and was found by witness in the room.
ords
The paper contained the following w .

" Frazer lam going to shoot myself. I can bear life no
longer. One minute, and all is over. God bless you.
Poor Fan I"

By the jury—lt is not unusual to take a loaded
carbine into the room of a brother officer after
practice.
Cornet
John Fraser, 17th Lancers, said he had
known the deceased about two months, and was
very friendly with him. He was almost daily in
witness's room. Witness saw him on Tuesday in the
barracks, and spoke to him. He did not amear
depressed in spirits. Witness also saw him to-cfm%
There seemed something peculiar about him. He
was at drill, and kept making mistakes, and did not
appear to know what he was about. That was not
usual with him. About a week ago deoeased.in-
formed witness of certain circumstances which
would be likely to induce low spirits. Deceased
came into witness's room to-day at 12 o'clock, and
placed a carbine in the corner, saying it was loaded.
The circumstances likely to depress deceased refer-
red to a lady to whom he was engaged.
Verdict, temporary insanity.

The Colombo Examiner notices the success of the
pearl fishery at Aripo. The oysters were selling at £6 to
blOs. per thousand, and money was abundant. Bates the
chief of the European divers, was under water for three
hours. The operations of the European divers are expected
to produce very beneficial results, both in the discovery of
new banks and in determining the age of the oysters.
HORRIBLE MURDER AT LEDBURy.—Yeaterday
obc
nlue
ykt s
ei employed
previousl
Herefordshire.o e d bydaMn r
leaving Gme George morning an astounding discovery was made by one of the
nso
gonel iet
thoerare
woman, aged about 50, whose name we have not yet ascer-
tained. The clerk left at the usual time on Tuesday evening
,Loofniatfon:
and the offices were closed as usual, but during the night
some person or persons acquainted with the premises
broke in, and murdered the woman left in charge. Her
body was found lying on the floor, in the middle of Mr.
Masefield's room. There was a bruise and a cut across her
forehead, marks of strangulation on her throat, and, to add
to the category of horrors, her clothes and body had bees
set on fire. The floor of the room and the ivoman's clothes
were still burning when the clerk entered, and he had to
throw water on the mass to extinguish the fir a. The middle
of the woman's body was almost burned VI charcoal.
the
ashlilesafioseeffildficehadelcsi'
In-
formation was at once given to the pellet!, but to up
Yr-
time our parcel was despatched no trace c ,f the 61.13
be Lyon of
ties had been obtained. No estimation cAn
efieg_,
Id who hag
been stolen until the return of Mr. -
guest is to be held
been telegraphed for to London. The 11 114
this afternoon,