The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-09 00:00:00

filE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 9, 1857

was arsenic." A tolerably ditinct and txplicit
admission ! In spite of which, however, in de-
fiance of the apparently incontrovertible facts
that ALum's bread was poisoned, and that the
poison with which it was poisoned was arsenic—
there comes that other and still more astounding
fact, the fact that the Verdict of the Jury was a
Verdict of Acquittal ! Not, let us acknowledge it
at once, but that we do really conceive ALUM the
Baker to have acted no otherwise than as an innocent
man would have acted under the circumstances !
Insomuch so that had we ourselves been on the
Jury at his trial, we should have yearned for the
old Scottish privilege in such cases—that of
bringing in a verdict of " Not Proven" rather
thgn one of Not Guilty ! For while the
evidence brought into court did not, in
any way directly implicate ALUM in the transac-
tion, there was clearly and undeniably (as the
Daily News itself admits) poison in Ames bread,
and that poison clearly and undeniably was
arsenic 1
Meanwhile the incidents connected with the
prosecution of the Chinese War of 1857 are not
by any means exclusively remote incidents—re-
mote either in time or situation. There is the
extraordinary casualty which occurred in relation
to it at no greater distance than Portsmouth, and
no further off than yesterday ! The casualty of
the screw troopship the Transit, bound for Hong
Kong with some 800 officers and men of the 59th
and 90th Regiments, returning to Spithead in a
nearly sinking condition—we need hardly say
quite unexpectedly 1 It appears that, getting into a
fog, sounding seven fathoms, and at last anchoring
off the shore of Hants, near Lymington—the
Transit was deemed (even by the local pilots who
came off to her) to be in a capital position. All
goes merrily, the troops turn in and make them-
selves comfortable, and the night advances without
any feeling of disquietude, or apparent cause
for it among those on board—when towards day-
break, lo and behold, the vessel is found to be
making water fast—with five feet of water already
in her hold ! The anchor being weighed is dis-
covered, directly it is sighted, to have had half of
its stock snapped off—the ship then proving to
have driven a hole in her bottom by drifting
upon her own anchor ! With nine feet of
water in her hold, and more flooding in, the
Transit makes the best of her way back to Spit-
head. And so, in this wholly unlooked-for man-
ner, comes a delay in part of our Chinese Expedi-
tion.

Other illustrative incidents might be enume-
rated, but these are assuredly sufficient—suffi-
cient to prove, as plainly as that two and two
make four, a greater need than ever (just at this
moment, in regard to the Chinese) of prompti-
tude, of energy, and of determination on the part
of our Executive.

A further increase in the rate of discount to a
minimum charge of 7 per cent. is this day anti-
cipated. It is generally supposed that the an-
nouncement will be made at the breaking up of
the Meeting in the Bank Parlour ! It is, more-
over, stated that the object of the Directors is to
check, if they cannot altogether prevent, any
dabbling by English speculators in the Russian
Railway Scheme to which we have so recently
directed public attention. This is another Ides_
sing for which we are indebted to the Cabinet of
St. Petersburg. The trading and manufacturing
interests must be seriously and, in many in-
stances, irreparably damaged, because an at-
tempt is made to abstract the precious metals
from the United Kingdom, for the purpose of en-
abling the AUTOCRAT to carry out the traditional
policy of the empire in a manner befitting a suc•
COSSOT of PETER I.

and to bring ruin and misery ou their innocent
countrymen by their thirst for unhallowed gains !
Never did the " Auri sacra fames" assume a more
portentous aspect, and never was there a more
pressing necessity for remedial measures, and
those, too, of no stinted or meagre character.

The electors of Flintshire have completed the
confusion of the Aberdeenites. In vain has Mr.
GLADSTONE displayed all his blandishments. In
vain has the deserted general exhausted his
energies in seeking their suffrages on behalf of
his alter ego, his dearly-loved brother-in-law
—Sir STEPAEN GLYNNE. The sturdy Welsh-
men have not listened to the voice of the
charmer, although he practised all the arts
of a paid canvasser, and endeavoured to obtain
even a single follower ! King LEAR did not
plead more earnestly for but one knight than did
the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer for his friend.
Despite, however, this indefatigable activity,
despite all the influences brought into operation,
the Government candidate, the Hon. T. E. L.
MOSTYN, was returned by a decisive majority,
and the once popular GLADSTONE is left to wan-
der alone through the halls of the Imperial
Palace at Westminster, save so far as the doubt-
ful aid of his rather slippery coadjutor, "the
gentle JAMIE frae Carlisle," is concerned.
In truth, the policy that " starved the war" in
its earlier stages—that proclaimed that the whole
expenses should be provided for out of the
annual revenue of the country—and that no dis-
tinction should be recognised between permanent
and precarious revenue for fiscal purposes—
has been unequivocally repudiated throughout the
length and breadth of the land. The avenging
NEMESIS has promptly vindicated the political
offences perpetrated by the scanty remnant of a
once powerful party. " Peelism," or rather
" Aberdeenism," is virtually defunct, and GLAD-
STONE and GRAHAM, the sole survivors, must
hang themselves on to some other party which
may be induced to open its ranks for the unat-
tached leaders. It is certainly a remarkable
change—one that may hereafter serve " to point
a moral and adorn a tale ; " but never was exem-
plary punishment more completely merited. The
Right Hon. Member for Oxford was courted
by all parties. Without his co-operation Lord
DERBY would not venture to form an Administra-
tion, and it was vainly imagined that his seces-
sion would send Lord PALMERSTON to the right
about. In 1853 he was allowed to dictate
to the entire Legislature, and to his
perverse obstinacy alone may be attributed the
continuance of the Income Tax in its present op-
pressive and inequitable form, after the Ministe-
rial Leaders of the Lords and Commons had noti-
fied a contemplated change. He might have said,
as he did on another point—
" Me, me, adsum qui feci, in me convertite ferrum ;
Mez fraus omnis."
It was he who concocted the " valuable financial
demonstration" of denuding the Exchequer of its
balances when a terrible struggle was impending,
and the Russian war was palpably "looming
in the future." For all these he has been
severely punished, if not by the proper per-
sons, by means of the " whipping-boys" who
have been made to bear the weight of his delin-
quencies. He may still quibble and prate in the
House, but he has no one to back him. The
CARDWELLS, PALMERS, PHILLIMORES, et hoc genus
omne, are extinguished so far as the House of
Commons is concerned. Not even a GLYNNE has
been obtained ; and GLADSTONE must either lower
his flag, or he must beat about for new re-
cruits, if any be foolish enough to accept " the
shilling" and volunteer for such a dangerous—
we may almost say desperate--service.

The bar silver brought by the leer West India steamer
ws.‘ sold yesterday at Lid., showing no alteration.
The 40,000/. brought by the Africa is understood to
be for the Bank of France.
Th• specie arrivals yesterday were 17,0001.,—
namely, 5,0001. by the African mail, 5,0001. by the
Etna. and 7,0001. by the Indus from the Mediterranean.
THI HON. JOHN PARSONS. —The Hon. John Parsons,
second son of the Earl and Countess of Rosso, is alarm-
ingly ill, at Parsonstown. It is said that his We has
been despaired of.
EAST INDIA ElOUSE.—Yesterday a Court of Directors
was held at the East India House, when the thanks of
the Court were voted unanimously to Uolontl William
H. Sykes, M P., chairman, and Mr. Ross Donnelly
Mangles, M.P., deputy-chairman, for their great
appli-
cation and attention to the affairs of the East India
Company during the past year.
THE ELECTION DISTURBANCES AT SHEFFIELD. —D RATH
OF A POLICEMAN.—We regret to state that one of the
officers engaged in the preservation of the peace on Sa-
turday week, died on Thursday morning, in consequence
of injuries which he received by a stone which was thrown
by some of the mob who had assembled in front of the
Angel Hotel.

GREENWICH FAIR.—The owner of the last portion of
ground on which this fair was allowable has acceded to
the wish of the police authorities. Greenwich Fair,
therefore, will not take place—in any manner otherwise
than what the London public may make for themselves.
It is understood that the park will be open as usual for
the present, to the serious annoyance of the inhabitants
residing in the vicinity.
An extraordinary discovery of ore has just taken place
at the Welsh Potosi Mine, Cardiganshire. At the 10
fathom level the miners have found a rich course of ore,
averaging 18 inches wide solid, and the same has been
found to extend 30 fathoms in length. They are now
sinking upon the lode, and the ore holds down, and is
expected to continue to the 20 aad 30 fathom levels.
Should this be the case, this mine will again rank as one
of the most productive in Wales.
THE ROYAL BRITISH BANE.—Yesterday the sale of
the South Sea-house, Threadneedle-street, lately occu-
pied as the chief office of the Royal British Bank, took
place at the Auction Mart, by Messrs. Haslam and
Buckland, by direction of the assignees of the estate,
when there was a very full attendance of merchants and
others, among whom there was an active competition for
the property. A bidding of 10,0001. was made, and
eventually the property was knocked down to Mr.
Elder, of the City-road, for 11,0001., which will go to-
wards liquidating the debt of the bankrupts.
. BUSINESS OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY.—The tota
number of notices, petitions, causes, pleas, demurrers,
claims, and appeals heard by the Lord Chancellor, the
Lords Justices, the Master of the Rolls, and the three
Vice-Chancellors, amounted from the 2d Nov., 1852, to
the 2d Nov., 1853, to 8,619 ; in 1853-54, to 10,141 ; in
1854 55. to 10,276; in 1855-66, to 10,502. The total
remanets in the courts of equity were during the same
period 401, 419, 426, 506, and 379.
THE AMERICAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, April B.
The United States' Mail steamship Fulton, Capt. Wot-
ton, left Havre yesterday and Cowes to-day, with the
English, French, and German mails for New York, 120
passengers, 40,0001. in specie, and a full general cargo.
ADDITIONAL MAIL TO JAVA.—luformation has been
received from the Government of the Netherlands that
so long as the additional communication which has just
been established between Point de Galle and China, via
Singapore, shall be maintained, a corresponding commu-
nication will be kept up between Singapore and Batavia.
Mails for Java will accordingly be in future made up in
London, and forwarded by each despatch of the overland
Indian mail. By command of the Postmaster-General.
Rowland Hill, Secretary. General Post-office, April 6.
LIVERPOOL, April B.—This morning the Liverpool
and Philadelphia Steamship Company's screw steamer
City of Washington sailed hence for New York, with a
ship's mail, a fair cargo, and upwards of 100 cabin pas-
sengers. The Royal mail steamer America will sail for
Halifax and Boston on Saturday ; and the Montreal
Ocean Steamship Company's steamer Indian on We Ines.-
day, the 220 inst., for Quebec and Montreal, with the
Canadian mails, resuming the fortnightly sailings for the
season.
CLERKENWELL INCUMBENCY.—Notwahetanding the
decision given in favour of the Rev. R. Maguire, Mr.
Jones, senior churchwarden, has again issued a caveat to
his induction by declaring the election illegal. Accord-
ingly, on Tuesday a deputation of the most respectable
inhabitants waited on the Bishop of London, and com-
municated to him the result of the election. They were
moat graciousy received by his lordship, who expressed
Ice desire to assi.t the deputa,ion by granting his licence
to the Rev. R. Maguire to officiate as incumbent of the
parish, if the law would allow him to do so, and said he
would obtain the opinion of his legal adviser on the
matter. The deputation thanked his lordship for the
courtesy with which they had been received, and re-
tired.

MIFRDER.—DEATH OF MR. SCOTT.—Yesterday
morning,' at an early hour, Mr. Jas. Scott, of Freeling-
street, Caledonian road, Islington, who was stabbed
with a sword in his house by Robt. Robinson Tripp,
and severely wounded, expired at his residence, through
its effects. The prisoner Tripp is a surveyor, and was
formerly foreman is the employ of Mr. Cubitt,
the eminent builder, of Gray's-inn•road, and in conse-
quence of his peculiar eccentricities, he was discharged
a few years ago, and allowed a pension. He has ire•
quenlly figured at the Clerkenwell Police Courts for
assaults, and been committed to prison. He is a single
man. Information was forwarded to Mr. Wakley, the
coroner, and an inquest will be held upon the body of
Mr. Scott.
LORD CHIEF JUSTICE COOKBURN.—SOUTHAMPTON,
Wednesday.—The Lord Chief Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas and Mr. B. M. Willcox have accepted
the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce at this port
to a public banquet, in acknowledgment of the many
valuable services rendered by those gentlemen to the
commercial interests of this town during the 10 years
they represented Southampton in the House of Commons.
An invitation has also been given to Mr. Weguelin, the
present colleague of Mr. Wilcox, who succeeded Sir
Alexander Cockburn on his deserved elevation to the
bench. The day for the banquet is not yet fixed.
THE SHEEPSHANKS COLLECTION.—A copy of the deed
of gift by Mr. John Sheepshanks of his collection of
pictures and drawings has just been published, by order
of the late Parliament. A minute of the Privy Council
of Trade, of the 6th of 'February, accepts, with much
gratification, the trusteeship created by this deed of gift,
acknowledges the great value of Mr. Sheepshanks'
splendid collection, expresses admiration of the liberal
spirit in which it has been made, and announces that
orders have been given for the erection of a gallery for
the reception of the collection, as desired by the donor,
in some airy situation near the Gardens or Parks at
Kensington. The other conditions of the deed of gift
are already known to the public. The new gallery will
be attached to the Schools of Art in connection with the
Departments of Science and Art now established there.
The collection includes 233 oil paintings, the works of
British artists, and 103 drawings and sketches, the works
of native draughtsmen.
NEW CODE of MARINE SIGNALS —The committee

appointed by the Board of Trade to inquire into the sub-
ject of a code of signals to be used at sea have reported
the result of that inquiry. The existing codes are all
based on the numeral system, which is objected to as
insufficient. Only one other method was known to the
committee for obtaining the object in view. It was that
of taking a number of signs (or flags), and by their
transposition effecting a certain number of permutations,
each different combination of two or more of the signs
so taken forming a signal distinct in itself, and having a
particuler signification. A. table is subjoined, showing
the number of distinct signals which 10 or more flags are
capable of by permutation, and forming in hoists of two to
four signs at a time in one place. It shows that 18 flags
will be requisite to give the number of signals necessary
—i.e., 70,000, with power of extension to 78,642, each
signal consisting of a minimum hoist of four flags. In
conformity with the resolutions of the committee a signal
book has been prepared, and accompanies the present
report.
MR. COBDEN.—A. Liverpool paper says :—" We have
been favoured by the inspection of a letter addressed by
Mr. Cobden to a gentleman in Liverpool, in which he
alludes to his own defeat at Huddersfield, and more
especially to the rejection by Manchester of Mr. Bright.
Mr. Cobden is in a delicate state of health, and states
that his own exclusion from Parliament will be a positive
relief to him ; but he feels acutely the course which has
been pursued at Manchester, and declares his belief that
political ingratitude was never before carried to such an
extent, inasmuch as Mr. Bright's intellect, which is of a
commanding character, has been shattered by too faith-
fully serving hie constituency in the House of Commons,
and he now finds himself dismissed with less delicacy
than is usually accorded to a menial in a private family.
The publication of this letter at the present time would
excite interest, but, although it treats exclusively of pub-
lic matters, Mr. Cobden has marked it "Pr'evate,, ' a
feeling which his correspondent respects. In addition to
the indifferent state of his own health, Mr. Cobden's hap-
piness is considerably marred by the illness which pre-
vails in his family."
GAROTTE ROBBERY AT BRIGHTON.—On Monday even-
ing, about eight o'clock, John Bimpson, a middle-aged
man, a smith, residing at Brighton, was walking along
the Old Shoreham-road, towards Hove-place, arm in-arm
with a woman named Elizabeth Parker, It was foggy,
but not quite dark, when two men met them, one of
whom seized Bimpeon by the neckerchief, threw him down,
and attempted to throttle him, while the other knocked
down the woman, and then assisted his companion in
holding Bimpeon down. They kept him on the ground
about eight minutes, rifling his pockets, from which they
took about ten shillings. The woman's screams of
murder were bringing
some persons to Bimpeon's assis•
tance, when the two ruffians, and a third man who had
joined them, ran away.
Three men are in custody
charged with this daring robbery.
They were yesterday
examined before a Brightor; magistrate, and remanded
for a week.—Brighton Gazette.
EXPLOSION ON SHIPBOARD.—HARTLEPOOL, April 7.
—Yesterday afternoon a violent explosion occurred on
board the iron screw collier Hutton Chaytor, Capt. J.
Jefferson, lying in the 'Victoria Dock, by which two of
the crew were seriously injured, though, fortunately, not
dangerously. The Hutton Chaytor was loaded with Thorn-
ley gas coals, and had been lying in her berth since
Saturday waiting for a sea tide. Two of the crew—the
second mate and another—went down into the fore-hatch
on some necessary business, carrying a lantern with them.
On getting below the candle was removed out of the lan-
tern, and an explosion
instantly took piece. The scuttle-
hatch had fortunately been taken off during the forenoon,
for the purpose of ventilation, or the injury would have
been much mere serious than it was. The fore hatches
were blown off, and the second mate was severely burnt
about the head, face, breast, and hands. The other
man's injuries were less severe, being confined to the
back of the head. Mr. Edger, surgeon, was speedily in
attendance upon the poor fellows, and both are progress.
ing favourably.

LATEST NEWS.

AUSTRALIA.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY MORNING.

T e European and Australian Company's steamer
J ura, CaptAin Moodie, has just arrived in the river,
with the Simla's Australian mails.

She left Ahxandria March 28th, and Malta
April the Ist.
The Jura brings 29 passengers; 21 packages of
specie, value 84,7171. ; one package of gold coin,
value I,IOW. ; 50 parcels and 630 bales of cotton,

woo], &c.

On the 31st of March, in lat. 35.35, long. 16,
the Jura spoke the barque Circassian; and on the
7th of April, in lat. 44.25, long. 8.42, the steamer
Albania.

BERLIN, WEDNESDAY.

The Zeit (Berlin paper) denies that a delay has
been accorded to Denmark, by Austria and Prussia,
for the settlement of the Holstein question through
French influence. It confirms the statement that
Russia has refused to agree to the claims of Den-
mark being referred to an arbitration of the Euro,-
pean Powers.

COPENHAGEN, WEDNESDAY.
The Ministers have tendered their resignation to

the King en masse.

FRANCE.

PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Several journals say that the French Government
is occupied at this moment with the affairs of
Naples. This statement is untrue.
The Moniteur announces that General Todleben
was presented to tke Emperor on Tuesday, by
Count Kisseleff, the Russian Ambassador.

The commission of the budget, contrary to the
usual custom of the Chamber, has this year ap-
pointed its reporters before having completely dis-
cussed all the questions connected with it, having
done so in consequence of the pressure of time. M.
A. Leroux has undertaken to present his report to
the Chamber by the Ist May, as the Government
and Chamber both desire that no prolongation of
the session should take place. The committee on
the budget is now discussing the new taxes, and
everything favours the impression that it will come
to the same conclusion as the Council of state, and
that nott•ing will be changed with regard to the 45
centimes on transferable securities.

BOURSE, April B.—The following were the last
quotations :

_
Cash. fr. c.
4i per Cents
3 per Cents 63 95

End of Month.
—fr. —c.
69 10

New Loan

- -
Bank Shares 4,0g5 Roman

Credit Mobilier 1,380 Austrian

Belgian
Piodmontese (5) 9oi— Home Debt

RAILWAYS-FOR CASH.

fr c

tr.
Orleans 1,465 Western
Northern
Lyens 1,550 New Ditto
Mediterranean 2,130 Grand Central
Lyons Genova
Midi - Austrian Com. ...... 730