The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-11 00:00:00

THE GUARDS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Srit,—Can you acquaint your readers why the
seven battalions of Foot G-uarcli ax 3 kept idling
about the streets of London and other favoured
places, instead of being sent (at least 3 or 4 of
them) to the scene of action in India ? In putting
this question lately to an old Guardsman, he said,
"Oh, the Guards are not enlisted for any service
out of Europe ! And further, they are required
to attend on the Sovereign and to do other duties
of honour." _

Now, with regard to the first of these objections,
does it appear on the face of each man's attestation
that he cannot be called on to serve out of Europe?
In the second case, can it be believed that our
present most popular Sovereign would require or
wish for such .a fine body of efficient troops being
kept at home so!ely for the purpose I have men-
tioned ? Would she not feel secure, and have suf-
ficient honour paid her by the body of regular
troops that would still be kept in England? I
frilly believe 'that-the Queen 1'6°04 ! With regard
to the defences of the nation, I presume to' say they
might fairly be trusted to its militia (if wholly
embodied), and united with such regiments of th;
line as would be available at home, together with
the depots of those abroad.
" Up Guards and at them."
Yours obediently,
AN OLD 7Tir FUSILIER.
September 9th, 1857.

THE FATAL FIRE IN HOLBORN.—VERDICT.—Yester•
dLy the coroner and j try met for the sixth and last time
to inquire into the origin of the fire which happened at
No. 14, ugh Holborn, at the end of July last, and by
which two parsons, moiled William Chapple and John
P,olfo, lost their lives. Some further evidence was taken
and th'e jury returned the following verdict:—" Tnat
the deaths of the deceased paes.ms were occasioned by a
fire iu the premises. No. 14, high Holborn, in the occu-
pation of Mr. G. Maidment, but whether the said fire
was mei lentally or windy caused by the criminal act
of some person or persons unknown, there is no evidence
to show." Frey also e xnessed art opinion that Dunk,
the ccmluctor, behaved in a very meritorious manner on
the occ
LETTERS TO OFFICERS SERVING ON BOARD SHIPS
CF \VAR.—There appears to be some misapprehension
resp-cting tire re.luction authorisel on the 23rd May
last to tie neat of letters addressed to officers serving
nn board ships of War upon foreign and colonial stations.
It frequeLtly happens that upon letter:: chargeable with
a foreign p,stage ia oldition to the British postage of
61., the latter only is paid ; whereas, whenever prepay-
ment is eithir compulsory or intended, both portages
slinuld I e paid. Taus, upon prepaid letters forwarded
via Marseilles, addressed to officers serving on board
ships of war in the Mediterran"ap, India, or China,
and upon all letters, via Marseilles, addressed to offi-
cars on board ship of war in Australia or. Ice Ar
not only the British rate of Gl. per half ounce, but the
French transit rate of 31. per quarter ounce, must be
prepaid. In like metner, upon all Letters addressed to
officers serving on board ships of war on the Pacific sta-
tion, the Grenadian transit rate of 61 per half ourca
must be paid in advance, in addition to the British rate
of Cl. per half ounce. By coimeand of the Postmaster-
General, ROVirLARD HILL, Secretary.