The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-26 00:00:00

SCANDAL.

If there is one offence for which we should like
to see the pillory re-established—with accessory ear
slitting and scourging with thongs—it is the publi-
cation of scandals on the private lives of public

men. There is a class of creatures who delight in
inventing most infamous calumnies. Because

man attains high station, he is made the mark of
the most vindictive and persistent assaults. In
some cases the motive is a desire to gratify a
prurient fancy. In others, to compel the payment
of money by way of black mail. Our poor human
nature rather tends to believe much of what is Pad
of man, and a base whisper often becomes an ae-
cepted and widely-circulated lie.
The latest and most brutal exhibition of this is a
scandal we have seen drifting through the news-
papers in reference to Mr. Senator Sprague of
Rhode Island. The nature of it we shall not repro.
duce. It is printed at a time when Mr. Sprague
is absent from America with his family. It was
originally sent from Washington to a Democratic
paper in the West, and has been printed by leading
Democratic papers in the East. Mr. Sprague
seems to be a favourite object of detraction. Ile
was the first Governor of a Northern State with
Conservative, sympathies to approve the war.
He entered the service, raised regiments, served
with much gallantry and success, and was chosen
to the Senate from Rhode Island as the re-
ward of his services. Ha has been as true to the
country since peace as he was during war, and, while
not a conspicuous or noisy Senator, votes alwaYs
right. There are few of our public men who have
invited calumny less than Senator Sprague, who
have borne honours with more modesty and worth.
As we have said, few have been more peculiarly and
offensively- assailed. This we say for senator
Sprague, who is not here to speak for himself. It
would be well if he made such an example of those
who have libelled him and his family that the busi-
ness of libelling would be abandoned. If oae Or
two of the prurient creatures were sent to gaol for a
term of years, it would have a wholesome effeet.---
2Vew York Weekly Tribune.

AN EXCITING SCENE.—A most remarkable es-
cape from drowning occurred on the river on gondol
evening. It appears that the steamer Waterlily, which
left. New Brighton for EgTernont and Liverpool at a quarter
to 5, arrived about 5 o'clock at Egreniont, and having ern-
barked her passengers, cast off and proceeded towards
Liverpool, having in tow one of the river police-boats and
one of the customs-boats, the latter under the charge °f
Mr. Henry Lloyd, tide surveyor of her Majesty's Gustnme•
When the steamer had reached abreast of Seacombe point
(it was then quite dark) an alarm was raised by the river
police that a man had been swept past their boat by the
back-water from the steamer's paddle-wheel ; but as n°
alarm was raised on board the steamer it was considered
doubtful whether, supposing the object was a man, he
could be alive, as, if he had fallen front the steamer, some
one must have seen him fall. Notwithstanding, however,
the order to let go was given by those in charge of t",-f
two boats, the tow rope of the customs boat being cast
from the boat, and her head turned where the unfortunate
man was supposed to be. It was, as we have said, quite
dark at the time, and a very strong ebb tido was running
which soon carried the boat a considerable distance down
the river. Fortunately, however, after pulling about for
some time, they at last discovered the top of a man's beac;
which was instantly seized, and the man was got into the
boat, apparently quite exhausted. He was brought over
to Liverpool and taken to the receiving house, where, after
applying -6,.
applying the usual restoratives, he so far recovered as -
be pronounced out -of danger. It transpired that ho had, In
,111
company with his brother, left New Brighton in the
Waterlily, and being under the influence of drink had left
his brother sitting on deck, and by some means had iahe-
overboard unobserved, the brother being unaware of the
accident until informed that he had fallen overboard and
was then in the receiving-house. His name is Wils°P,r,
Gasgeth, residing in Birkenhead. This is but one of many
instances in which Mr. Lloyd and his gallant crew have
been instrumental in saving life on the river ; and it is
be hoped that their gallantry will not go unnoticed bia
those who are empowered to reward such prompt en
valuable services.—Liverpool Mercury.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

-~-

MAILS DUE.
lustralla and New Zealand, via Southanipton......Dee• 12„°.
Dit . via Marseilles
Brazil and Cape Vords. by British packet . • •Jan' 4.
Ditto, by French packet
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. lleleua Deo-
China, Penang, and Sing spore. via Southampton Dec 2
Ditto, via Marseilles ..... ..... Dee. 28
raikland Islands
Dec. 14*
.3ibralts,r, via Southampton
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton De'l
Ditto, via Marseilles
2°
India (Bombay), via Southampton. Dec.
Ditto, via 31arseilles
Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton ....... Deo 2.)''
Ditto, via Marseilles Dec 23
Ilauritius, via Southampton pee. 24
Ditto, via Marseil.e 3...
..
:icwfoundland
l'ortugs) •
..... .••

Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon... ......
United states and British North America, by Bri-
tish packet..
Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp-
ton .
ttis;m"p“-De°. z"
ton ....... •
Ditto, via Cork
Ditto, op Canadian packet, via Londonderry ..Do*
*5-est Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerife..• • Jan' 3
}Vest Indies and Pacific (except Balm 'ins and
liondura4)
Bahanr..i. via New York
Cuba ald Mexico
Bermuda, via Halifax

,flee. 29
...ran 1.
.. roeo. 2°
.....
Jan. 16'

Births.
BARNARD —On the 22d ult.. at Poona, tile wife of Lieut.-
Col. Barnard, 36th Regiment, of a daughter.
BELL—On the 23d inst., at Portland House HammersE--
road, the widow of the late B. G. Belli of a daughter'
LAMBTON—On the 24th inst., the Lady Victoria Larobt°13
of a son.
WELLS—On the 24th inst., the wife of John R- `yell <,
Esq., of 20, Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy-square, of a daug."-

Marriages.
IRVEN—PIERCE —On the 21st iast., at Gresford 1)"1. of
Church, George Saul, son of Thomas Devan, Esd,
-
Stausty Hall, Wrexham, to Annie, youngest daugbwr
Thomas Pierce, Esq., of Gresford. ,
WlLSON—Ducnow—On the 24th inst.. at St. ueT7t.,s
Church, Hanover-square, H. Wilson, Esq., li•D*, '''
Bombay Army, to Louisa, only daughter of tho late
Ducrow, Esq.

Deatbs.
BEATER.—On the 24th inst., at 3, Dartmouth Villas/ le-
ham, A. Beater, Esq., late of Aldermanbury, aged
DADvalvs—is,On
scith:a2gLe)dd isn2s.t.,,at Clement's-inn, Strand, Sanio
GALAVAN —On the 18th inst , at New Ross, county Welc
ford, James Galavan, Esq., J.P.
JoxxsToN— On the 23d inst., at Harrow Cottage, Cowie'road, Brixton, John Johnston, Esq., aged 76.
co.
RIGHT—On the 21st inst ,' at 7, Park-lane, Piccadilly, 6
Right, Esq., aged 56.

iondon : Printed tad Published by WILLIAM AN:kb,-
of No. 112, Strand, Piiater at Trur. SUN (11POC,
Strand, in the Precinct of the 3av3y, In the COeslY o
31.14aleseg.— IV:.dnesday, December 26, 150.

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