The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-23 00:00:00

otherwise be among the best we have. We de
mud, therefore, that this corrupting tempta-

tion shall be removed. We ask it in the name
of human weakness, of electoral independence, and
of the honour of our Legislators. We might
repeat a long list of names which prove that
senators sit and vote, and make speeches in our
House of Commons, whose presence there is due to
practices which ought to make them resign those
seats at once.

If, however, the secrecy of the Ballot were only
one of twenty-four hours—if that was all—even
that were an incalculable gain at elections. It was
justly thought a great advantage to exchange the
fortnight's open public houses at elections for the
one day in which elections have been decided since
the Reform Bill. Still greater gain would it be if
secret voting on the day of the poll rendered it im-
possible for the corrupters:and corrupted to know how
the polling went. The election eve and the polling
day are often the worst times of all. G Secrecy on
the polling day alone would prevent not a little
tumult and vice; but secrecy absolute and com-
plete, so far as the voter wished to preserve it,
would cut the nerves of corruption for the days
and weeks preceding the polling day. In every
valuable sense the Ballot is the question of the
hour, but is especially the question of that hour in
which publicity arms the tempter with all his
power and weakens the strength of the tempted.
In quite another sense—looking at the results of
the late elections—looking to the probability of an
addition to the class of electors most liable to temp-
tation, we must affirm that the Ballot is indeed the
question of the hour. We confess that we cannot
place first the extension of the suffrage. We Say,
first emancipate or protect the constituency you
have, then extend it as much as you please when
you have secured a voter's independence.

THE WEST INDIAN MAILS.

The following telegram has been received at Ali,
Reuter's office :

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.

The Royal Mail Steam-packet Company's ship
Tasmania, from the West Indies, passed Hurst
Castle at 11.40 a.m.

His Excellency the Ambassador of France and
the Countess de Persigny have left St. Lconards-on-Sea on
a visit to the Earl and Countess of Winchilsea, at Eastwell
Park, Kent.
The Duke and Duchess of Manchester arrived in
town on Monday from Kimbolton Castle. Their graces will
leave town to-day on a visit to her Majesty at Windsor
Castle until Friday, when the duke and duchess return to
Kimbolton Castle.

The Marquis and 'Marchioness of Abercorn are
expected to leave town on Friday on a visit to the Earl and
Countess of Vernlam at Crorhambliry.

His Yxcelleney Earl Cowley has arrived at
Claridge's Hotel from Compiegne.
The Earl and Countess of Clarendon have arrived
in. Grosvenor-crescent from Windsor Castle.

Viscountess Dowager Ashbrook has left
Howchin's Hotel'on a visit to the Duke and • Duchess of
Marlborough at Blenheim Palace.
Viscount and Viscountess Valletort have arrived
at Claridge's Hotel from Brocket Hall, Herts.

Count Jaucourt has left Albert-gate House on a
visit to the Earl and Countess of Winchilsea at Eastwell
Park, Kent.

The Right Hon. F. Peel, M.P., and Mrs. Peel
have left Farrance's Hotel for Hampton-in-Arden, War-
wickshire.

TIIE BANQUET TO MESSRS. COBDEN AND B RIGIIT.
—LivEnPooL, Tuesday.—The great demonstration in
favour of free trade and financial reform, which is fixed for
the Ist December, bids fair to realise the most sanguine
expectations of its promoters. Already the whole of the
tickets have been allotted. Amongst the acceptances of
special invitations, in addition to those of Messrs. Cobden
and Bright, are Lord Teyiaham, Mr. J. C. Ewart, M.P.,
General Thompson, Sir J. V. Shelley, of London ; Mr.
Alderman Heywood, of Manchester -, and Mr. Alderman
Rylands, of Warrington. The Chancellor of the Exchequer,
l‘lr. T. B. Horsfall, Lord Stanley,the Right Hon. T. M.
Gibson,-and others have decliined for varius reasons.

THE CUNARD LINE FROIII QUEENSTOWN.—The
second mail -for Halifax and BoSton, via Queenstown, ar-
rived at Dublin on Sunday morning in due course, and
was despatched from the General Post-office at half-past
10 o'clock. The mail, which consisted of 15 bags, was con-
' veyed to the King's-bridge terminus, where a special train
was in readine9s to receive it. The train started at 11
o'clock, and arrived in Cork. at 3.26 p.m., accompliahing
the run down in the extraordinary short time of four
hours and 26 minutes with the greatest ease. One of the
river steamers was in readiness, to convey the mails to
Queenstown, to have them placed on board the Europa.
Arrangements are being made for the New York mails to
be foiwarded via Queenstown, as well as the Canadian and
Australian mails. The Europa arrived from Liverpool at
half-past four o'clock, and remained with steam on till the
mails were placed on board at five, when she got ready for
sea. Four passengers and their higgage having embarked,
the fine ship went on her voyage shortly after.
PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Pam is
is about I d, and the short exchange on London is 25.121
per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the Eng-
lish Mint price of £3 17s. Mid. per ounce for standard
gold, it appears that gold is at about 1-10th per cent. dearer
in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburg the
price of gold is 423 per mark, and the short exchange of
London is 13.31 per 41 sterling. Standard sold at the
English Mint price is therefore rather less than 1-10th per
cent, dearer in Hamburg than in:London. The course of ex-
change at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight
is about 110 per cent., which, when compared with the
Mint par between the two countries, shows that the ex-
change is .in favour of England ; and, after making
allowance for charges of transport and difference of inte-
rest, the present rate leaves scarcely any profit op the im-
vortation of gold from the United States.

•
LIFEBOAT S ERVICES.--BARMOUTH, Nov. 21.—0 n
the morning of the 19th a ship was observed in the bay close
on shore. Soon after daybreak she was seen to wear and
stand for Sam Badrig. The lifeboat of the Royal National
Lifeboat institution was immediately got out, but before she
reached the ship the vessel wa.s on the causeway, thumping
heavily. The lifeboat remained alongside the vessel about
four hours, when the ship beat over the causeway. As she
fortunately made no water, and required no further assistance,
the boat left her, with one of the boat's crew on board to
assist to take her to Liverpool. She proved to be the Troy,
of Boston, from New Orleans to Liverpool. Our correspon-
dent adds, "I never saw people so glad to see us as the cap-
tain and crew of the vessel were ; they thought that they
were in Carnarvon Bay, near Holyhead ; they mistook Bard-
sey Light for the Arklow lightship. They never allowed
for the inset of the tido." The lifeboat was reported to have
behaved very well on the occasion.
DI3IENSIONS OF A NEW OCEAN STEAM -SHIP.—
The new ocean steam-ship, says a New York journal,
which it is proposed to build at Buffalo, to travel 100 miles
an hour, is to be of the following dimensions :—Length
(three-quarters of a mile) 4,000 feet; width, 731 feet, depth
-62 feet. Each end is to be constructed alike, in the form
of a wedge. This wedge formis 1,250 feet long, leaving
the parallel portion 1,500 feet in length. To steady the
vessel fins are attached 590 . feet. long to each of the
ends. These fins impart strength, possess • great
buoyancy, and are used for the purpose of surface con-
densation. Each fin has a vacuum equal to a room 20 feet
wide; 10 feet deep, and 3,300 feet long. The walls are
double. The outer one is 11 inch in thickness, the inner
one but 1 inch thick, and each part of those walls is to reach
from the bottom to the top of the vessel. The space be-
tween the outer and inner wall is divided into air-tight
sections three feet square, so if tho outside will be broken
there can but little water enter. The entire ship is built
in air-tight sections, and if broken in two 310 lives will be
endangered. There are six wheels on each side placed 300
feet apart. The first, 12 feet from the ends, is comp sed of
solid iron, weighs 36 tons, and, taken the weakest way,
will suspend a weight of 2,288 tons. [The above looks
very like a hoax to take the shine out of the Groat Eastern.
What would be the value of a wall half an inch thick, and
for such a size?—ED. Sun.]
EXTENSIVE FIRE IN THE CITY.—The most exten-
sive fire that has occurred in the neighbourhood of Bishops-
gate-street Within for some time past happened yesterday
afternoon, in the large factory and dwelling-house belong-
lng to Mr. A. R. Romey, brushmaker, situate at 27 and 28,
in the before-named street. The fire commenced between 12
and 1 in the afternoon, and about 9 o'clock last night it was
not entirely extinguished. The fire at first appeared to be
confined principally to the front house, and an attempt was
made to stop its extension, but unfortunately that could
not be accomplished, and in the-space of a few minutes the
back factory also became ignited, and numerous engines
were soon on the spot, but the flames rose high, and
threatened the adjoining premises, and not a drop of water
could be obtained for the space of ten minutes. The flames
being thus unrestrained, travelled with increased fury. At
length, however, the mains of the New River Company
yielded a good supply, but the flames bad obtained such an
ascendancy as to 'Once the brigade to throw their exertions
on the surrounding premises. Whilst the firemen were so
.eng,aged the roof of the factory fell, the side walls were
noticed to bulge, and in an instant afterwards they fell with
a tremendous crash, the brigade narrowly escaping.. The
damage done is considerable. The cause of the fire is un-
known. The content, were insured in the Leeds and York-
shire Fire-office, tna the Liverpool and London, and the
buildings were insured in- the Atlas and Leeds and York-
shire offices,. •

A STONEMASON TRANSFORMED INTO A LEGIS-
LITOU.—" Authentic !intelligence," says the Perthshire
Advertiser, "has just arrived here, stating that a native of
this town, Mr. Charles J. Don, stonemason, has defeated
official, and attained to the dignity of an Australian
M.P. Mr. Dun is well known in Cupar Angus, and when
resident was a very useful member of the Mutual Improve-
ment Society. Mr. Disraeli was telling an English audi-
ence the other day of the advantage of mechanics' insti-
tutes • and we have good cause for thinking that the school -
ing which Mr. Don got in the meeting room of our society
for mutual improvement has helped him to his present posi-
tion. Wo rejoice at the elevation of our oid working,
tramping, sleeping, and debating colleague, Charley'Don,'
and earnestly hope he will turn out a wise as well as an
energetic legbil a tor,"