The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-21 00:00:00

BANQUET TO THE DIRECTORS 0
THE GREAT EASTERN.

de Filippis and de Simone are still in concealment.
The proces agairst the Baron Giordano and his
brother is being formed, and they have been exa-
mined by the Secretary-General Silvestri. So con-
fident do they appear to be that their imprison-
ment will be a long one, that they have furnished
their rooms in the prison with every comfort.
Every one who knows anything of the police of
Naples must be well aware that they are in the
habit of enriching themselves through the suffer-
ings of all who come within their power. Huw far
Government is to blame for this you may readily
imagine when I tell you that this body is divided
into three classes, who are paid respectively four,
six, and eight ducats monthly, or in English money
sfl. 6dr' and 10d. a day. The new Minister of
Police, Ajossa, has raised their salaries to six,
eight, and 12 ducats a month, in the proportion of
one-third a day each. If, therefore, long corruption
has left any germ of honesty in them, it may be
developed now—at all events, the system of higher
remuneration is a right and prudent one.
Great facilities have been granted to industry
and commerce by a decree which was published last
Saturday. It was first published, indeed, in 1843,
but was put out of existence in 1848 to the great
embarrassment of commerce. As I understand it,
it authorises from the Ist of June, 1860, all the
banks of the Two Sicilies to receive in payment
and change into cash all such Government or pri-
vate bills as shall be presented to them. Moreover,
the Discount Banks of Naples and Bani are autho-
rised to receive and discount the effects of commerce
payable in Palermo and Messina, and vice versa,
according to the regulations set forth, which it is
unnecessary to send you. The Regents, Presidents,
or Directors of the various banks have the privi-
lege of free postage and the free use of the telegraph
for all matters connected with the execution of this
decree. Hitherto all such commercial operations
as those noted above have been managed by mer-
chants at a certain per tentage.
There have been frequent Councils of State held
recently and financial -matters are said to have
engaged the anxious attention of the Government.
A loan of six millions has been talked about.
On Wednesday night last, at about 7 o'clock, a
rare phenomenon in these latitudes was observed.
A splendid aurora borealis was seen in the N.W. ;
the whole sky from the horizon to the zenith,
nearly, being irradiated with a rich purple tint.
It was of short duration, and was much obscured
by heavy dark clouds rising up from the W.S.W.,
fron which direction the wind blew. The weather
seemed to freshen much after it, though at the time
of the occurrence it was comparatively calm.
P.S. There are rumours in town that disturbances
have taken place in Palermo, but in spite of every
effort I am unable to ascertain any details. The
report is that there was a rise, which was put down
by the musket and the cannon. I communicate
it, however, with great reserve, but it is certain
that the police appeared again in great force.
The advocate, Dr. Filippis, has presented himself
to the police authorities, and, after an admonition
from the director, was dismissed.
The only one of the distinguithed party, there-
fore, threatened with arrest, who is " out," is the
advocate De Simone.