The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDOR, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 27, 1861.,

Bulwer Lytton has done the country people
good service in breaking through the ordinary
routine of agricultural meetings. Every man
to his trade, is good, sound, wholesome
doctrine. The nobleman or gentleman who
lectures to his tenants on the advantages
of subsoiling and deep draining may be thoroughly
well qualified for his adopted task. But the pro-
bability is that he will find nine out of ten of his
audience more familiar with the science and prac-
tice of agriculture than himself. 'The farmers of
Herts would no doubt have treated with the most
profound respect every word that fell from Sir
Bulwer Lytton's lips, if he had dwelt on the sue-
cession of crops, quoted Liebig as to chemical ma-
nures, and wound up a la Palmerston with a regret-
ful allusion to the present waste of the sewage of
our large towns. But we are much deceived if they
did not expect something very different from their
distinguished member, and we have not the slightest
doubt that every man of them must have felt more
proud of his representative than he would have been
had he given the most excellent advice about la-
bourers' cottages, long leases, or steam machinery.
In a free country the majority of men will be
politicians. What they want in a representative is
something more
than a good landlord, a great agri-
culturist, or a jolly neighbour. They like to be
talked to. They like to know that their member is
a power in the state. They feel honoured in the per-
son of their representative, and each individual is
conscious of a warmer glow of pride when the man
to whom he has given his vote takes precedence in
the council of his Sovereign. Sir Bulwer Lytton hit
this feeling exactly when he said, "I am sent to
Parliament not as the representative of short horns
and long horns, of turnips and wheat; I am the re-
presentative of thoughtful and intelligent men, who
expect me, when I meet them, tospeak of things which
the legislature is supposed to study, mindful only
of the one condition, which I hope I have not in-
fringed, that he does not introduce the acerbities
of party into a convi▪
vial meeting." No one will
accuse the Conservative member for llerts of having
transgressed the bounds of good fellowship at the
meeting of Hitchin.
And Sir Bulwer Lytton's speech is a study itself.
It is a history of current events, a manly defence
of England's policy, a brilliant refutation of the
thousand calumnies which the pseudo-Liberalism of
the day flings at Conservative statesmen. Perhaps
one of the most common evils of the day is that men
will not take the trouble to think fortheink elves—that
they will trust to cries, however obsolete, and to sym-
bols, however unmeaning, without endeavouring to
ascertain their full value. It must be so in the majority
of cases.. The breeders of shorthorns and the growers
of swedes have enough to do w. oon, auotdfathsheinugotehoeimsh-
question, and the
cis eolovsetsi anb, about
dt
thheoPapal t qo
nu
oe
gs
Danish succession. They have their hearts in the
right place. Their English instincts tell them when
danger is nigh and the. honour of the country is
imperilled. But on the Tin or questions of policy they
want instruction, and it is rip inconsiderable benefit
of them when a statesman like Sir Bulwer Lytton
gives them, in his plai▪ n but el
yoqe
c,ttuihoeenn
_tf r
odt
ihi
tsess eocif.
at
yareteiafournsi
and richly-
stored fn
deductionsstht
oe
dgy r, eao
of
fsc leuar evsatti
powerful,ioonos, oafo tdh
disciplined,erdefla
mind. It is the union of orders at agricul-
tural meetings—it is the opportunity afforded to
classes necessarily ill-instructed on the great ques-
tions of the day, to appreciate the views of the
statesman, and to fathom the hidden springs of our
national policy, that gives the reunion of these
rural societies their chief interest; and Sir Bulwer
Lytton has shown that he understands his own
position and the wants of the day in calling away the
attention and interest of the Hertfordshire farmers
from the topics immediately before their notice to
the great political problems in whi▪
ch the honour and
safety of the empire are concerned.
The speech of this orator and statesman is replete
with such great truths, such thoroughly English
sentiments, and such statesmanli▪ ke views—it is,
besides, so complete a narrative of the history of the
time so far as this country is concerned, that we
cannot hope to augment the attractions it must hold

out to every intelligent mind. Suffice it to say that
he touches every theme of present interest to the
politician with a master hand, and from each educss

Tones and sentiments congenial not only to the
limited assembly he addresses, but to every true-
hearted Englishman. And yet the s,Taker is one
of the most honoured chiefs of that Conservative
party whom the Liberal press denounce as the
friends of tyranny, as the enemies of freedom, as
the aiders and abettors of all that is retrograde,
reactionary, and foreign to the spirit of the age.
He is the colleazue of ler& pathytt
are ins words on e
now agitating Europe—the future of Italy P
"When I last met you here, what was Italy ? a dis-
cordant variety of petty states, in which the friends
of order were puppets of Austria, and in which the
friends, of liberty seemed wild conspirators who
could use no other weapon against tyrants but the
dagger of the miserable assassin. Now what is Italy ?
A great nation, a constitutional monarchy ; the
tyrant is gone, and let us hope that the assassin is
disarmed. Like the enchanted princess in the old
story books, who was thrown into a death-like slum-
ber till the walls that confined her fell down before

the trumpet of her destined deliverer, Italy has
risen out from the sleep of ages restored to the bloom,
but exposed also to the passions and struggles of
youth. Heaven guard and Heaven bless her ! It is
for the interests of England that Italy should enter
into the great community of constitutional nations."
Is this the language of an ally of despotism and
bigotry, or a foe to the nascent liberties of Italy ?
But Sir Bulwer Lytton is in this respect more libe-
ral than the press which attacks his party. He is
impartial. He does not belaud the awakening of
Italians, and decry the earnest struggles of another
great power in the path of constitutional freedom.
He can recognise in the honest resolve of Francis
Joseph and his advisers the same spirit which has
raised up heroes and statesmen of Italy in this her
hour of trial. He does not bow down and worship
at the shrine of triumphant power; but he holds
out the right hand of fellows-hip to the empire
which, amidst a thousand perils, is laying the
foundation of those constitutional liberties which

are the pride and safety of the country. It has
been sometimes made a reproach to the Conser-
vative party that it has no policy. A less gene-
rous opponent than Sr Bulwer Lytton might
have taunted the Whigs with the adoption of
the line chalked out for them by their prede-
cessors. The member for Hertfordshire is content
with showing that in the main the principles of
non-intervention must be carried out whatever
Ministry is in power. And we commend his tribute
to Lord Malmesbury—not that of a mere flatterer or
a too friendly critic—but that of a statesman who
rises abbve party ties and influences, whenever he
touches upon matters involving national interests—
to every Englishman. Of that noble lore. he says—
'Non will permit me to sly thus much, that to that
comprehensiveness and liberality of judgment which
generally comes from a wide knowledge of mankind
and of the world, Lord Malmesbury unites that
manly frankness which is the attribute of moral
courage and undeviating honour." The confidence
the right hon. baronet expresses in Earl Russell's
foreign, policy is a proof that the bonds of party
do not fetter his judgment. Sir Bulwer Lytton 's
views upon New Worid politics will no doubt
shock many Americans. To those who have
looked forward to a great career of aggrandisement
and triumph to the Union they will doubtless cause
considerable pain. But they are the conclusions of
a thoughtful student of history, backed up by argu
ments which those who entertain opposite opinions
will find it hard,to refute.
The late Coltmial Secretary looks back with a
glance, as it were, of lingering fondness, at the sphere
of his labours during Lord Derby's Administration,
and dwells with pardonable empasis on the birth
of that great colony of British Columbia, which
some day, and at no very distant day, is destinedof
to play so great a part on the western shores the
American continent. We can only hope that the
performed with so much assiduity and so much
enofththeeriogffihotehwonh.obseardounteiteewhilel
that noble colony may receive from his hands that
timereassumea isno
thet fa r
labourswh
advantage to the country, and that the youth of
fostering care which did so much for its infancy.

TUB RUGBY INQUIRY.—We are requested to
state that Mrs. Hill is: not a granddaughter of the late Sir
Francis Burdett. She is a daughter of the late Mr. Win.
Jones Burdett, and her mother, therefore, is not Lady Bur-
dett. Mrs. Hill was not adopted by Miss Coutts.

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plaints, seek headache, and loss of appetite, this Ointment
should be very well rubbed twice a day over the pit of the
stomach and the right side, whilst Holloway's Pills are
being taken in such doses as can conveniently be borne.
This treatment will always restore strength and energy.
Nervousness, flushes,and fainting fits may all be prevented
by a timely recourse to, and diligent use of, these remedies,
which cannot do harm to the moot delicate yr debilitated,

111C1PLINE IN THE NAVY.

TO THE EDITOR GE THE SUN.
Sir,—At the Staffordshire agricultural meeting
last week, the Earl of Shrewsbury (better known in
the service as Lord Ingestre), in returning thanks
for the usual naval todst, took occasion to dilate
upon the present state of discipline, and to in-
form his audience that flogging was absolutely
necessary to keep skulkers from shirking their work,
which would otherwise fall on the willing man. I
am told that a farmer present observed, " When I
have a horse in a team who refuses the collar I do
not expend whipcord upon him, but cast him as
soon as possible, and provide another who does not
require whipping to keep him to his share of work.''
Does not this philosophy apply with like force to
the naval service? Why are idlers and skulkers who
require flogging retained, when good seamen may
be had if they were paid the worth of their labour ?
A sailor can carry his craft to any country, and
will go where he is best paid, and why should not
the navy pay be better than any other, so as to get
the best men ? We do not flog a servant if found
incapable or lazy, but discharge him and get a better.
What is the use of expending millions upon ships
and docks if the personnel of the fleet is deficient ?
Surely, when we calculate the expense of desertions,
rearing men for other nations, to say nothing of the
reproach of retaining corporal punishment, a scale
of wages that will make the navy the best paid,
and therefore the most desired service, will be found
in the end the most economical and certainly the
most satisfactory am, &c.,

A RETIRED NAVAL CAPTAIN.
Wolverhampton, Sept. 24.

DOCAS IN THE MERSEY.

Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, in a letter to a

contemporary, writes ;—I am glad to see that— the
absolute necessity of making immediate provision
for the dock accommodation of the large class of
steamships now building for her Majesty's service
is now attracting attention.

The report of the Select Committee appointed to
inquire into the extension of Chatham Dockyard a
few months ago went fully into the subject, and
recommended the construction of new basins and
graving docks there, at a cost of £900,000, which
recommendation was approved by Parliament.
The evidence of Admiral Robinson, the Con-
troller of the Navy, before the Committee was very
important. In one of his answers he says :—" I
do not hesitate to say that, after a naval
engage-
ment, the country that can first repair its ships
damaged in action will thereby double its force. In
such a case, one ship and proper basin accommoda-
tion is equivalent to two."

As it must take some years before the accommo-
dation of the present dockyards can be materially
increased, or new ones constructed, I propose to show
what dock and basin accommodation, and also
graving-dock space for her Majesty's ships, is avail-
able now at this port, and how it could be promptly
extended.

On the Liverpool side of the Mersey there is an
area of dock-water space.of 235 acres. The en-
trances to these docks vary from 30ft. to 100 ft. in
width, and the average depth of water at mean
neap tides varies from 16ft. 3in. to 19ft., and at
spring tides from 23ft. 3in. to 26ft.

The area of water space of the Birkenhead Docks
now completed, or to be completed within three
years, is 153 acres. Of this water space, the great
float of 120 acres is now complete. The width of
entrances varies from 50ft. to 100 ft., and the depth
of water on the sills at mean neap tides is 231 t.
3in., and at spring tides 30f't. 3in.

The lock entrances into two of the Liverpool
docks have been so constructed that they have been
used as graving docks in cases of necessity.
The Canada Dock lock is 500 ft. long, 100 ft. wide,
and has a depth of water at the sill at mean spring
tides of 26ft.

spring tides of 24ft. 9in.
On the Birkenhead side there is one lock en-
trance 500 ft. long, 85ft. wide, with a depth of
water of 30ft. 3in. at mean spring tides. This lock
can also be used as.a graving dock.
There are 16 graving docks in Liverpool, varying
in length from 300 ft. to 700 ft., having a depth of
water of 18ft. to 21ft. on the blocks at mean spring
tides ; the width of the entrances varying from 401 t.
to 70ft.

At Birkenhead three public graving docks are in
course of construction, each 750 ft. long ; two having
50ft. entrances, and the third an entrance of 85fti
wide. The depth of water in these graving docks
is 25ft_ 9in. at mean spring tides. There is another
lock entrance into the Birkenhead Docks which is
now 400 ft. long by 100 ft. wide, having a depth of
water at mean spring tides of 30ft. 3in., which
could also be lengthened to 500 ft., and adapted for
use as a graving dock at a cost of £15,000.
In addition to the public docks on both sides
of the river above alluded to, there are ten private
graving docks on the Birkenhead side ; two of
these are 440 ft. long and have a depth of water
at mean spring tides of 20ft. 3in., and one of these
is now being enlarged, and the depth of water in-
creased to 24ft. Two others of these docks are 380 ft.
long each, with a depth of water at mean spring

:ides of 19ft. 3in. The width of entrances to these
Four docks varies from 8 Ift. to 87ft.

The mean of spring tides is called 18ft. 3in. on
tho old dock-sill datum ; but the tides rise occa-
sionally to 21ft., which would make a depth of
water on the sill of the Birkenhead Docks at the
highest tides of 33ft. 3in.
From the above statement it would appear that
there is a large area of dock-water space now ready
or shortly to be completed, which in case of war or
any sudden emergency, would afford accommoda-
tion to some of the lagest ships in her Majesty's
service ; and there is no doubt from the nature of
the locality, that graving-dock accommodation
suitable for the large ships of war now being con-
structed could be provided at a very moderate cost.
Admiral Robinson's remark that facilities for re-
pairs would double the effective force of a navy is,
I think, a correct view to take of the subject ; and,
if in addition to the great docking facilities at this
port, we take into consideration the thousands of
artisans of the various kinds required to repair ships
whether constructed of wood or iron, there can be
no question as to the fact that the combined advan-
tages would enable repairs, both to hull and ma-
chinery, to be completed more promptly than at
any other port in the kingdom.
Objections are raised to the Mersey, in conse-
quence of the entrance channels, as a rendezvous
for ships of war; but I consider the difficulties of
entering the harbour have been greatly overstated,
as is shown by the following extract from the re-
port of Admiral Evans, Acting Conservator of the
River Mersey, dated Jan. 31, 1861 :
" The navigation of the river Mersey is in a more
satisfactory state than it has been since the passing
of the Mersey Conservancy Act in 1842."
"The returns state that 48,317 vessels passed in
and out of Liverpool during the year 1860, showing
a decrease as compared with 1859 of 156. Notwith-
standing the diminution in numbers, yet, owing to
the greatly increased size of the ships of the present
day, the tonnage in and out of Liverpool during the
past year, as copied from the Customs' bill of entry,
shows an increase of 760,196 tons over the previous
year of 1859.
" It is gratifying to observe that out of this pro-
digious number of vessels (averaging 132 per diem),
only three schooners appear to have been totally
wrecked off the entrance of the port."

The Great Eastern, a vessel certainly more un-
wieldy than any of her Majesty's ships built or
building, has entered and left the port twice with-
out the slightest difficulty ; and in less than two
years, when the deep-water entrances at the Birken-
head Docks are completed, ships of the largest class
will be able to enter those docks every day in the