The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-05 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE SUN.

Stit,—l made the following practical demonstration of
my appliances for war and home defence this day, at Beau-
fort House, Walham-green, in presence of Lord Ranelagh,
his corps of volunteer rifles, and a numerous party of ladies
and gentlemen amateurs.
No. lin the catalogue—A railway guard and passenger
explosive signal, to slide down a tube in a railway carriage
on the iron rail, by which it explodes by percussion with a
report much louder than a fog-signal such as is now in
use.

No. 2—A grenade fired by friction, at about seven feet
from the ground by the check of a cord reaching to that
height from an upper window. This grenade was thrown
out of an upper window of Beaufort House by a young
gentleman of about the age of 15. It can be used in per-
fect safety by ladies in defence of "home, sweet home,"
thus "placing the weak on a par with the strong."
No. 3—Rifle fire-shot, or spinster. This missile is far
more efficient than the rifle percussion-shell for blowing up
ammunition waggons.

No. 4—A safe way of fixing percussion appliances in the
mouth of elongated rifle-sholls for rifled cannon. This is
done by inserting the appliance about a quarter of an inch
below the mouth of the shell. The ramrod cannot press on
it, and if the shell should fall frora the hands on the ground
or the deck of a man-of-war, percussion-end foremost. it is
still safe ; but by striking an object with great force when
discharged from a rifled gun, it cuts out its own plug, which
explodes it. Lord Ranelagh fired two elongated wooden
shells from a large rifle iato a heap of loose sand, where
they instantly exploded, proving that iron shells on a simi-
lar construction can be employed from rifled cannon to
destroy clay defences, on which mere shot have little
effect.

No. s—Gossamer Cartridges. Lord Ranelagh fired
several of these from a dragoon's pistol of the Enfield bore,
and similarly rifled, showing how rapidly and efficiently
they can be used in loading. They do not require to be
broken or opened previous to insertion, as the military cap
fires them to a certainty, provided the upper part of the
nipple is countersunk so as to take in the whole fire of the
cap. The cartridges were charged with Curtis and Har-
vey's improved coarse-grain gunpowder, No. 3.—1 am,:sir,
yours, &c.
Rosherville, Dec. 3. J. NORTON.

REPLY OF THE EMPEROR TO THE
POUR LIVERPOOL MERCHANTS.

" TO MESSIEURS SHAW, MELLOZ, IRVING, AND BLACK-
WELL, MERCHANTS AT LIVERPOOL.

" Gentlemen,—You have addressed yourselves directly to
the Emperor 'to know what were his intentions as regards
England.' Great fear and great confidence alone could ex-
plain this step.

" On the one side, you are possessed of the imaginary
trouble which appears to have seized your country with th•
rapidity of an epidemic ;_ and, on the other, you reckon on
the loyalty of him from whom you desire a reply. It was,
howev:r, easy for you yourselves to give it. If you had
ealmly examined the true cause of your-apprehensions, that
cause you would have found only in all the rumours created
among your fellow-countrymen by the obstinate propaga-
tion of the most chimerical of alarms ; becauae, until now,
under whatever circumstances, there was not a word nor an
act of the Emperor which could permit a doubt of his sen-
timents, and consequently of his intentions towards your
country. His conduct, invariably the same, has not ceased
for ono moment to show him as a faithful and irreproach-
able ally.
" That which he has been he will (I declare it to you in
his name) continue to be. Witness again to-day the ap-
proaching community Of perils to be shared at a far distance
by your soldiers and ours.
" Thus, henceforth, fully reassured, oppose an error too
much spread. Great nations should appreciate but not fear
each other.

" Receive, gentlemen, the expression of my distinguished
sentiments.

" The Se:retary of the Emperor,
" Chef du Cabinet,
(Signed) " MOCQUARD."

GENERAL POST-OFFICE NOTICE.

The following notice respecting newspapers ad-
dressed to the East Indies, Mauritius, Ceylon, Aus-
tralia, or China, has been issued by command of the
Postmaster-General :

" The public are reminded that notice was given in March
last, that in order to pay the cost of transit through Egypt
(a cost which has been largely increased, owing, in part, to
an important improvement in the service), newspapers sent
via Southampton and Suez, addressed to the East Indies,
Ceylon, Mauritius, Hongkong,. China, Australia, or any
other country or place eastward of Suez, will, on the Ist of
January next and thenceforward, be subject to an addi-
tional charge of one penny; making the rates as follows.—
" Upon a newspaper addressed to the East Indies—.
"2d. when not exceeding 4 ounces in weight.
" 3d. when abovp 4 ounces and not exceeding 8 ounces in
weight.

i 4 One penny being added for every additional 4 ounces
or fraction of 4 ounces.

" Upon newspapers addressed to any of the other cowl
tries or places referred to—

" Two pence for each newspaper, of whatever weight.
"N 6 alteration will be made in the postage of book-
packets sent by this route, as they already pay a transit
rate; nor will any change be made in the postage of news-
papers sent via Marseilles, the present charge on such news-
papers being sufficient to cover the cost of transit through
Egypt.

'Ro alteration, moreover, will be made in the postage
of any newspapers which may be directed to go ' By Pri-
vate Ship.' The charge on these newspapers will remain
as at present, one penny each.

•' The public are further reminded that, as the exclusive
privilege of the Postmastor-General extended only to letters,
it is not compulsory on any one to send newspapers through
the post, and they may be forwarded by other channels."