The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-22 00:00:00

TH'E SeNT IMNI)ON, TTTESDAT EVPANU‘TO, DECEMBEN

ONDON and NOR T H-W ES TERN benches," and Mr. SMITH prudently abstained
RAILWAY. i from undertaking a task far beyond his limited
EXTRA CHRISTMA',' EXCURSIONS bstween LONDON, Ens-
ton Station, and HUDDERSFIELD and MANCHESTER. powers, which could not be performed with
Excursion Tickets from Lordon to Stockport, Manchester, Staley
Bridge, Greenfield, and Huddersfield, will be issued by the Train credit to himself, or advantage to the community,
leaving Euston Station, at 9.0 a.m., on WEDNESDAY 23d, TM:Rd-
either in England or in India. There was a total
DAY 24th, and SATURDAY 26th December, at
Closed Carriages.. 12s. 6d 1 First Class.... 21s. 01/41.
absence of interest on the subject, and the affairs
Available for Return by the train leaving Huddersfield at 9.15
am. and London-road St aim, Manchester, at 10 a.m., on Saturday of 150,000,000 of British subjects were regarded
26th, Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th, and Wednesday 30th December.
EXCURBION TICKETS at the same Fares will, in like manner. as of less consequence than a petty local bill !
be issued by the 9.15 a.m. train from Huddersfield, and the 10 a.m.
fry aiomlable for return by the London-road Station, 9
aim. nchest
train from Euston Station on the r, on the 23d, 24th, and 26th, This was because Parliament had really nothing
a
26tb, 28th, 29th, and 30th December. to do with the matter. Indian affairs were
By Order.
Euston Station, December, 1857, bandied between Calcutta, Leadenhall-street, and
Cannon-row. Parliament could do nothing prac-
tical to ameliorate the condition of the native
population, and when that was notorious, we
cannot wonder at the careless indifference mani-
fested by the chosen representatives of the consti-
tuencies of the United Kingdom !
Place India directly under the British Govern-
, ment, and all this will be altered ! Let it be
known that its splendid prizes are no longer to be
monopolised by the civil service, and that the
Hindoos look for justice, not from the Company,
but from Parliament, and the questions at
issue will be closely studied and earnestly
discussed. The Administration of Justice
will be more closely looked to ; and men
will not be appointed to the judicial bench without
the slightest knowledge of the first principles of
law, merely because they had proved themselves to
be inefficient collectors or decidedly bad diploma-
tists. Something more will be required than that
they must be provided for in some way. The prin-
ciple indicated by " Take care of Down- " can
no longer prevail in Hindostan. The directors and
their proteges have already feathered their nests
very handsomely, and it is time that they should
givo way to more competent men, and that the
welfare, happiness, and prosperity of the people,
should be taken into consideration.
We shall-look with great anxiety to the details
of the promised measure, but at present it is
satisfactory to know that the double government
is to be abolished, and India brought under the
direct control of Queen VICTORIA and her con-
stitutional advisers.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
THREE EXTRA NIGHTS.

Piecolomini, Spezia, Giuglini, Belletti, Rossi, Vialetti,
and Aldighieri.
Tuesday, Dec. 29—Thursday, Dec. 31—Saturday Jan. 2.
The following favourite operas will be given :
Tuesday—lL TROVATORE.
Thursday—LA TRAVIATA.
Saturday—LUClA DI LAMMERMOOR.
prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons)
pit and one pair, 21. 2s; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, it. 55.;
three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, 103; gallery stalls, 3s fid ;
pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.

THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with
a new Comedy, entitled AN UNEQUAL MATCH. Princi-
pal characters by Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Chippendale,
W. Farren, Miss Amy Sedgwick, Mrs. Buckingham White,
gut Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam.
After which, a new farce, by the author of Box and Cox,
entitled TAKE CARE OF DOWB, in which Mr. Bnekstone
will sustain an original ch iracter.
To be followed by THE STAR OF ANDALUSIA.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.)
First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0
Upper Boxes ... 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit...........
L )wer Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. The
public is revectfully informed that the play
of RICHARD TFIE SECOND will shortly be withdrawn,
and WILL NOT BE AGAIN REPRESENTED in this
Theatre, with the exception of a few nights towards the ex-
piration of Mr. C. Kean's period of management. It will be
repeated this evening (Tuesday).

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean.

THIS EVENING, will be performed aalupere's Trazedy
of KING RICHARD 11, King Richard 11., by Mr. Chas.
Kean ; Queen, by Mrs. C. Kean.

Preceded by a new farce, hi, one act, entitled A CASE
OF CONSCIENCE,

THEATRE ROYAL, A DELPHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.
THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GREEN
BUSHES, in which Madame Celeste, Mr. Wright, and Mr.
Paul Bedford will perform.
Followed by the original Apropos Sketch, entit'ed THE
DRAPERY QUESTION ; or, Who's for India! Messrs.
Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss
Mary Keeley.

The following article is so sound in itself, and
so completely agrees with the views that we have
so long and steadfastly advocated, that we have
no hesitation in giving it a place in our leading
columns. We shall look forward with satisfaction
to the "proofs" which our respected correspon-
dent promises, and which we have no doubt that
he will be able to furnish :
EXCHEQUER NOTES.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee
and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.—
This Theatre will OPEN for the Winter Season on THURS-
DAY NEXT (Christmas Eve), t) commence with MY
FRIEND FROM LEATHERHEAD.
After which, the Grand Combination of Burlesque and
Pantomime, L ALL AEI ROOKH, and the PERI, the PRIN.
LESS, and the TROUBADOUR, ; or, Harlequin and the
Ghebers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames, Woolgar,
Buckingham White, Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Ja-
cob, and Charles Dillon ; Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston,
Fitzbenry, Poynter, Simpson, and J. L. Toole. Gorgeous
Feast of L‘ntorns.—Penton's Grand Transformation.
Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily.

In as short a space as shall be consistent with
the object in view, I forward you the reasons why
Exchequer notes will not be adopted by our
Government, constituted as it is at present. First
principles must be legarded and properly esti-
mated before that which would benefit the majo-
rity of the country will ever be the basis of legis-
lation.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessees, Messrs. Robson and Emden.
TRIS EVENING, will be performed A SHEEP IN
WOLF'S CLOTHING.
After which, LEADING STRINGS.
To conclude with A CONJUGAL LESSON'.
Commence at half-past Seven.

Notwithstanding the increase of bullion is close
upon three millions, being 2,967,000 from the
lowest point when the Government letter was
issued; notwithstanding the increase of the reserve
of notes and coin in the Banking department make
together 6,282,2951., gold continuing to arrive
from various sources, the amount already received
from the United States found to be considerably
in excess of the amount shipped since the begin-
ning of the crisis, the Bank will not reduce the
rate until the directors feel quite confident that
they can safely return the two millions of addi-
tional securities to the Banking department.
Notwithstanding the Bank could no longer pia
France to their high rates, the latter having re-
duced its rate to 6 per cent., the Bank of England
clings to her darling adopted 10 per cent., with
all the tenacity of a miser regardless of all else
but self, her much devoted Economist assigning
no other reason, de facto, for her doing so than
because " she can get it," we might be quite sure
her third-class principle of action will remain in-
violate as long as "she can get it"-10 per cent.
The words of the Economist are :—"As long
as the demand upon the Balk of England con-
tinues so great as to maintain the securities at so
high an amount, it would not bo a safe step to
hazard any material reduction in the rate of dis-
count." This is a fine specimen of ambiguity, a
true genius for turning things upside down.
What a famous mountebank he would make, to
stand upon his head riding the horse of many
colours round the endless ring
History furnishes us with the reason for all
this. Bankers have discovered that themselves
and the money dealers are benefited whenever
produce can be kept low, simply because then one
pound is the purchase power of thirty shillings'
worth of goods, when they were 50 per cent.
higher; that class of men having their money to
spend, expend less money when produce is low;
less money is in circulation among commercial
hands, hence more is in the bankers' hands.
High prices of produce, of course, produce the
contrary effect. Now, of course, it is the busi-
ness of the Bank to retain money in their own
hands. They have two ways of doing so—one is
by keeping produce low, the other is by keeping
discounts high. Ever since 1819 they have acted
upon that policy to the best of their ability.
During the wars from 1797 to 1815 the very
reverse of that policy was pursued. The other
extreme, we know, was practised. Paper was
the substitute for the precious metals—the issue
was inconvertible. The extreme of inconvertibi-
lity of that day enables the bullionist to refer to
it as an example and a specimen of such currency;
and although it brought the nation through
its dangers prosperous;y and triumphantly,
at a time when scarcely a guinea was
left in the country, a wanton reckless•

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow.
i iv company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Silections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS,
CHORUSES. GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. :—Miss Russell,
Mn. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, 3frs. Palmyra, Miss Bru-
nail, and Madame Marietta; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr.
Renshaw, R. Grover, T. Fermat, S. Jones, J. Barker,
W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. ?dime, and Mr. St.
A!byn ; Messrs. S. Collins, W. T. Critchqelcl, and E. Mack-
soy. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master
Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at
Say4n o'clock precisely, Suppers, 'Sze., until twelve o'clock.

CA.NTERBURY-HALL, Westminster-road.
SAM COWELL'S RETURN to his Old
Quarters, for One Night only, CHRISTMAS EVE, Dee. 24,
1857, when he will sing Four of hie Old Favourite Songs.

CA. NTERBITRY-11ALL, Westminster-toad.
GRAND MORNING CONCERT.

BOXING DAY, December 26, 1857, c,,inmenc;ng at half-
past One o'clock. Programme, consisting of Solos, Comic
and Sentimental, and selections from the following Operas
Ernani, It Trovatore, and La Trariata,

HIGH WATER AT LONDON' BRIDGE.
Tuts DAY —Morn., 23 min. aft. 5 —Even., 44 min. aft. 5
To-sfoßßow--3forn., 5 min. aft. 6—Even., 30 In!n aft. 6

THE WEIT/IER —SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 21.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
55—highest since noon yesterday.
50—lowest this morning and during the night.
55 —this day at noon.

BAROXICTICE. 30.23.
WIND. S.W.; light, with dull weather.

4
z 1 , -L.4_,..;;;.f,i,,,_
, Iv
j "

ness of Government brought the nati)n into
an indebtedness beneficial to the money-dealers
only that survived 1825, at the expeose of all
else. Now, because we then went to one extreme
of inconvertibility, it seems we must no ,v go to
the other extreme of restriction ; as if a just
medium would not be as desirable now as then.

The error is as great now upon restriction as it
was then upon extension, but there is this fact,
that it opened the eyes of monetary men to the
side of policy which peculiarly benefited them.
. .

A. violent contraction or extension must ever be
attended with dangerous results. Hence the Bill
of 1819 furnished evidence of the evils resulting
from the sudden contractions, as 1797 did of ex-
tension ; but its duration was not so great, for in
1822 Government gave an extension to the cur-
rency for ten years, during which small notes
were to be retained in circulation.

Notice the lowering of all articles of produce
just in proportion to the currency in circulation.
In 1818 it was 48,278,0701.; in 1822 it wai

26,588,0001. During this reduction the price of

all produce was falling pro rata till it reached 50
per cent. below the prices of 1818. Of course

the effects of the South American Revolution, re-
ducing the supply of the precious metals to a third

of its former amount, rtndend the inopportune
Bill of 1819 more disastrous than it could have

been, had it not rendered paper the representation
of geld only—as if paper is not bona fide and
de facto a better currency when it represents i e-
gistered property declAred and published.
Any accident happening to the supplies of gold
now produces the same effect upon us as did the
South American Revolution—in fact, a temporary
and comparatively swall withdrawal of bullion now
produces a panic of overwhelming magnitude,
Showing how highly sensitive ar© we become now
Y the restriction of 1844, and fur want of a cur
reliQY independent and unconnected with gold,
Taxation issue
that now a
o would
in supply and demand.
gold that
supply and 1d leave none of these fluctua-
tionsollvould form a better conver-
tibility of
rsetchuarnity can exist. than
account. Whilst no
( hette
lce_
eproperty, gold 11 pier notes, cer-
tainlyuncoil-
is not bettor.
netted with the Bank of En
gland, would keep
the latter iu wholesome check d
) and prevent many

of the tricks that a gold convertibility now facili-
tates. This is the very reason why we are not
likely t 6 obtain it, as our Government is at pre.
sent constituted. The banks do not intend to
have any alteration to the facilities they now pos-
sess in turning every monetary change to their
own advantage ; they do not intend to forego the
great advantages of buying produce for little of
that money, and, at the
_same time, charging
double for their contracted currency—certainly a
very fine game for the banks to play; but in just
the proportion is it as ugly a game for pro-
ducers and commerce to play.
Certainly every reflective mind must discover
that an insufficient circulation must enhance the
price of its interest, as it must also lower
the price of produce in general ; great care do
the bankers take, therefore, to perpetuate this
state of. things—the best of all reasons why we
shall not have Exchequer notes, if they can
help it.
If any yet doubt that a contracted currency
has the effect of reducing the price of produce, I
refer them to Alison's History, from 1815 to
1852, vol. 3d, page 6'71, arc., also to Porter, 3d
edit., 359; also to Tooke on Prices, vol. 2d, 390,
401.

It is said by the superficial observer, " so much
the better, the lower the prices the less we have
to pay, and the better position are we in to ex-
port ;" but they forget that that is the language
the bankers can use with satisfaction to them-
selves, but not at all compatible with the pro-
ducer's living by his produce, whether manufac-
tories or otherwise. It is never beneficial to in-
dustry to receive half its reward.
The Malthusian advocacy must to every pro-
gressive mind be seen to be so deficient that I
shall not waste time here to disprove it. Stimu-
-I•ants to industry I have always found to be com-
patible with high prices. As we pay our best
and most skilful hands the most money, the least
skilful the least wage, so it is with the nation—
improve the price of produce, and all producers
are benefited by it, since it is their article of
commerce, their only representation of payment's
measurement. The horrid Malthusian idea that
" goad a man to starvation, and you drive him
to industry," has been pretty well illustrated of
late by the ticket-of•leave men. Goad men to
starvation, and you force them to rob ; encourage
them by remunerating pay, and you find
them improving mentally, morally, and bodily.
Now for exports—it is said that we by low prices
extend our exports ; how is it Germany does not
carry the export trade before them ? Or France ?
Or America ? The question must be answered
Countries that are increasing in wealth so rapidly
as those to which we export prefer quality and
elegance to cheapness (nearly all except the Cape
do) ; the best brands are the goods that pay the
best ; the best marks of manufactures the same.
But of greater importance than all is the capital
among the producers, the greater their capital, the
greater their command of exports—reduce their
capital and you reduce the source of industrial em-
ploy ; by a contracted currency you endanger
both these advantages. As colonies and countri€ s
improve in means, so quality and elegance are esti-
mated more and more. Now the contracted
view of the Bank of England not only fetters
England, but affects all the world more or less.
Merchant I everywhere are liable to their sudden
changes of tact, and, consequently, its ruinous in-
fluences, wherever man has set his foot.
It must not, therefore, be overlooked that if
prices of produce range high in England, they
will elsewhere. The little timid manufacturer
partaking a little of the Jewish tribe fancies his only
chance is low prices; while the larger manufacturer
renowned for his quality and style, relies impli-
citly upon both the quality and style for his vast
demand. All merchants know well the producer
and manufacturer of brand and mark compose the
grand bulk of exports in amount. The timid
little traders, at low prices, are merely exceptional.
I assert, therefore, that our exports depend more

upon our prestige, than upon our price, as the
world happens now to roll over.

The fact then is established, that high prices of
produce benefit the producers nationally and mer-
cantilely ; the only men that would not, to the
same extent, ho able to make their fortunes at
the expense of all commerce, would be the bankers
and money-lenders; that is why we do Rot have
exchequer notes !

Nothing can more fully corroborate the prin-
ciple, that prices are regulated by the extension
or contraction of the currency, than the statistics
furnished by Alison's History from the year 1820
to 1824, in reference to stamps for country bank
notes issued on 10th Oct., and the average price
of wheat—

Average prico of
wheat per .
Year 1820 £3,574,894 s4s 6d qr
" 1821 3,987,582 49s Od
" 1822 4,217,241 3Bs 11d
" 1823 4,657,589 s2s 8d
" 1824 4,822,174 64s 3d
Justly then, the notes issued from 1820 to
1822 indicate the struggle the country banks had
in maintaining issue enough for commerce el
1822, when the extension of the currency had the
effect of immediately raising the price of wheat,
which in 1822 was 388. 11d. per quarter, in 1823
to 525, Bd., and in 1824 to 645. 3d. lAll these
effects were produced by an extension of issue.
Much more remarkable are the facts of the Bank
and the bankers' notes in circulation, the paper
under discount at the Bank. In 1815, when
paper had not arrived at its climax of issue, when
Bank notes were 27,261,6501., country ditto
19,011,000/.—total, 46,272,6501.; paper under
discount, 20,660,6941.; price of wheat, 555. 7d.
The following year paper had arrived at its climax
—that i 3, the paper under discount was reduced
from 20 millions to 11,182,1091., and the price
of wheat 103 s. 7d. per quarter.
This fully proves that according to the exten-
sion of issue, less paper is under discount, and
the higher the price of wheat it becomes the then
staple article of produce.
It must be so ; this diminution of paper under
discount continued till 1821. Of course the im-
mediat3 effect of an Act of Parliament is not
always felt or exhibited in figures the same year,
nor sometimes in the following year, but the
minimum quantity of bills under discount in 1821
was 2,722,5871.

Compare this with that under discount in the
year 1815, when it was 20,660,694. We shall
soon discover the cause of so much paper under
discount at the present day, when, jointly, the
bills.of 1819, 1825, and 1844 combine to lessen
the currency during the times of an extended corn •
coerce, doubling and quadrupling itself in amount.
Paper would not now be under discount to such
an extent were the circulation commensurate
with the increased commerce. Without 'much
further investigation, discounts can be proved to
be caused by an insufficiency of circulating me-
dium. But this need not be proved to the
bankers, they are too well aware of the face, as
are the bullionis's. This deficiency of medium
in currency causes most men doing business to
any extent to discount with his banker, that is
as safe as the Bank of England, but is too much
occupied to investigate the principle which regu-
lates currency, aud, in good faith, take for
granted these great msn of money-power are doing
what is right and best for the nation. I find that
I have exceeded the limits of a letter. In my
next I will bring the proofs forward, up to the
present time, that will furnish ample evidence
that excessive paper under discount is the result
of an insufficient circulating medium.

A Naw CoLetev.-e-The long-pending agitation with
respect to the separation of Moreton Bay and the imine-
diate di.t.icts from the province of New South Wales
appears, from our last advises from Australia, to have
been at last successful ; and
although the new colony
has not yet been officially gazetted by an Order in Coun-
cil, the step has been finally determined upon by the
Lnpsrial Government, and the basis of the arrangements
fur its immediate completion have been laid down. We
regard Mr. Labouehere's despatch as an oxemplifica.ion
of the satisfactory principles which now guide the policy
of the mother country to her numerous provinces—as a
natural consequence of the awakening interest and atten.
tion, and of the juster sense of celenial rights and impe-
rial obligations which the growing importance of the
Australian colonies has of late years called forth. The
home Government appears to have most impartially de-
cided the point. The separation itself is granted to the
unanimous desire of the inhabitants of Moreton Bay,
the slight opposition made in Sydney to separation at
all being very properly overruled. The line of division
between the two colonies has been fixed so as to include
the Clarence River district within New South Wales,
and the Richmond River district within Moreton Bay.
This also is in accordance with the wishes of the maj
rity of the inhabitants on the Clarence and Richmond
Rivers respectively. Lest, however, a mistake should
have been made in this respect, power appears to be
given to the two Governments not only to tix the accu-
rate details of the division, but to modify them if neces-
sary. 'rho people of Moreton Bay feel some disappoint-
ment that the Clarence district is to remain a part of
New South \Vales; but if the residents in the latter
district are themselves content, their decision ought to
set the question at rest; whilst the pryer mutually
hell,to modify the boundary hereafter, is a fair gua-
rantee that subetantial justice will ultimately be done
to all parties concerned. Any doubts with respect to
the creation of the new colony being premature on
account of its population will be more and more re•
moved every year. The accession of even a few hun-
dreds to the population is of vita importance to a young
state, and still more so their settling into the ordinary
forms and relations of social and political life. The
colony may be considered populous compared with many
colonies which once existed in America. The form of
Government at Moreton Bay is to be mode'led on
that of New South Wales, with power to alter its
own constitution.—Australian au? New Ztaiancl acgette.

His Exuell-ccy the Persian Ambassador, accompanied
by the members of his suite, and attended by Captain
Lynch, left Clari ige's Hotel, last evening, on a visit to
her Mij,sty Lt Windsor Castle.
The Duchess of Athole has left the St. George's Hotel
for Dunkeld House, N.B.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury, accom•
panied by the Marchioness (Maria) of Ailesbury, were
to leave Se'ernoke Lodge yesterday, on a visit to the
Right Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, at Wilton

The Earl and Countess Granville left town yesterday,
cn a visit to the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert and Mrs.
Herbert, at Wilton House, near Salisbury.
The Countess of Powis and the Ladies Herbert
ha►e returned to Powis Castle from a tour of 'visits.
The Earl of Shelburne will leave Lansdowne House
today fur Bowood.

To MARINERS.—RHODES, Dec. 3.—Pirates have lately
bean seen among these islands ; they usually cruise in
the vicinity of Leros, an island about 75 miles N.W. of
Rhodes.
THE CHART;CRHOUSE.—An interesting account of the
state and mr.nagement of the Charterhouse was drawn up
in 1854 b,-.7 Mr. Skirrow, one of the inspectors of the
Charity Commissioners. A copy of the report was
issued on Saturday as a Parliamentary paper. It wa3
moved for by Mr. Knight.
DISTRIBUTION OF HER MAJESTY'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS
AT THE ROYAL ALMONRY, WHlTEHALL.—Yesterday
morning her Majesty's Christmas gifts were distributed
f.t the Royal Almonry Office, Middle-yard,Whiteliall, to
the poor and deserving, by Mr. Hanby and other officers
of the Lord Chamberlain's department. Between 100
and 200 persons received ss. each, and wore principally
blind ; several averaged from 70 to 90 years of age.
The recipients were evidently most grateful for her
Majesty's bounty.
The Scotsman observes of the Western Bank :
"There is at least one of the disclosures which is more a
matter for public or Government ihquiry than for the
shareholders, whose interest, indeed, it may be to pass
it over as lightly as possible. The notes of the Western
Bank in circulation are 720,0831. The returns made by
the bank just before the stoppage stated the circulation
at 454,9831,, provided for by the 182,522/, of coin, in
addition to the authorised circulation of 337,938/. How
the 265,0001. of increase ?—how authorised ?—how
secured ? Are there not some recent events in Scotland
which would be better inquired into by a commission
on the spot than by an overworked Parliamentary com-
mittee ?”

THE ACCIDENT AT THE IMPERIAL GAS WORKS.—
Yesterday evening an inquest was held at the Silver
Cup Cromer-street, Gray's Inn-road, before Mr.
Wakeley, coroner, on view of the body of Robert
Taylor, aged 46, late in the employment of the
Imperial Gas Works, Maiden-lane, St. Pancras, who
lost his life on Saturday last under very shocking and
melancholy circumstances. It appeared from the
evidence, that on Saturday morning the deceased, who
acted as foreman over some of the men, was walking
up an inclined platform, when, owing to the slippery
state of the boards, he was precipitated head-foremost
to the basement floor, a height of nearly 40 feet—the
unfortunate man was taken up in an insensible and mu-
tilated condition, and conveyed in a cab to the Royal
Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road. Mr. Curran, the
principal house surgeon, promptly attended, but so
severe was the nature of the injuries received, viz :
dislocation of the spine, collar bone, and a number of
the ribs—that all human aid was unavailing, and ho
expired about half an hour after his admission. Verdict
—accidental death. The deceased has left a widow and
young family.
THE OLD MAHOMIEDA.N VIEW OF THE CRUSADES.—
A story which occurred during the Crusades is related by
the author of the Histoire Generale:—During one the
truces between them and the Saracens, the latter asked
seriously why it was they had left their homes and tra-
velled so many long miles, and wherein they, the Mos-
lems, had offended them, that they sought their blood
in such a vengeful way ? The Crusaders said—lt was
was because they, the Saracens, were unbelievers ; they
heel pet to death our Lord; that they were ido'ators,
and in part'cular worshipped two great idols, called Ma-
hound and Termagunt. The Saracens answered that
they were most sadly mistaken ; it was the Jews who
had put to death Issa Ben Mariam (Jesus, son of Mary)
600 years before there were any Mahometans ; that as
to images, they abhorred them ; so far from worshipping
them, they never suffered the likeness of anything to be
made, not even in a picture ; whilst the Christians had
images in all their churches, bowed down to them, burnt
incense before them ; and they entreated the Christians
to come into their mosques and houses, and see for
themselves whether there were any idols there or not.
It was all of no use. The Christians were so blinded by
prejudice they would not believe the evidence of their
own senses, and they went on devoutly cutting the Sa-
racens' throats because they had killed the Lord of Life,
and because they worshipped two great idols, Mahound
and Termagunt—The Builder.
THREATENED STRIKE AMONGST THE COLLIERS.—WO
regret to have to state that, in consequence of the fort-
night's notice having expired, under which the colliers'
wages will be reduced 6,1. per day, serious apprehensions
of an outbreak at Bilstcn were made manifest on Sa.
turday evening, so much so that the magistrates, by way
of precaution, specially requested the deputy chief-con-
stable of the county, Major M‘Knight, t r communicate
with his superior, Colonel Hogg, who was then in the
Potteries, in order that an extra force of police might
be in readiness. The chief-constable, on receiving the
telegraphic despatch, proceeded to Bilston by the next
train, and after inspecting the district, ascertained that
all was going on peaceably. As meetings or the col-
liers, however, are to take place to-day and to-morrow,
to determine whether to strike or not against the pro-
posed reduction, Major Fellows, of Wolverharnptote
received instructions yesterday morning to have all the
pensioners in readiness, for 30 miles round. It has been
reliably ascertained that deputations from the Pottery
colliers, who are on strike, have been in Bilston and the
surrounding district, with a view of organising a gene-
ral strike. We sincerely hope the contrary will be the
result, although the state of things throughout the
district wears a very unsatisfactory aspect.—Birnaete.
ham Post of yesterday.
OVERCROWDING RAILWAY CARRIAGES.—At the hat
sitting of the County Court at York an action of some
importance to railway companies and railway passengers
was tried before Mr. Sergeant Dowling, the judge. An
action was brought against the North•Eastara Railway
Company by a solicitor residing at York for damages
for an alleged breach of contract under the following
cireimstancee :—The plaintiff took a second-class return
ticket from York to Scarborough on the evening of the
21st ult. He returned on Monday morning and tra-
velled with only one other passenger as far as Flaxton
station, when the doer was unceremoniously opened,
and ton other persons, principally farm servants and
labourers, who were proceeding to York, pushed into
the compartment, which was occupied by 12 persons.
The new comers caused the plaintiff considerable
annoyance, behaving iu a very coarse and disgraceful
manner. The plaintiff now contended that the comesay
having contracted to allow him to travel in a comfort-
able manner, and to be free from annoyano had broken
their agreement by allowing these men to get into the
second-class compartment with thir'-class tickets. The
second-class seats were made to contain four passengers
each ; bat even supposing they were made for five each,
the company, it was contended, had no right to cram in
a dozeu passengers, there being then an excess of two
in the compartment. His honour gave a verdict for the
frlVolmauNrizeiwo
plaintiff—damages is.
A BRIG DESTROYED BY FIRE.—COWES, Dec. 20.
The Sardinian
tons,Captain Busulino,
'castle, with a cargo
,of gas coals, suddenly too 'c fire this morning at about 2
o'clock, whilst riding before two anchors in Yarmouth
ofan and forrig GPeonrot
R ,ads, where she had brought up some days previ-
ously for safety. The captain a litt'e before 2 o'clock
awoke nearly suffocated amidst a dense smoke, which
had been gradually filling the cabin and its berths,
when he with the utmost speed turned out in order
to examine from whence it originated. A few instants
later he observed flames issuing from several spots near
him. He then without delay gave the alarm to tee
crew, who with the exception of one man on the watch
were all below fast asleep. They all quickly rushed on
dece and aft, when, on further examination, it was found
that the cargo had ignited. Meanwhile the fi tales had
gained way through the deck, and some people belong-
ing to the coast-guard stationed at Yarmouth, who had
espied the fire from shore, pushed off, and getting on
board lent their assistance in the endeavour to scuttle
the vessel, Flipped her chains, ran her on shore, and with
the crew were instrumental in saving some rails and
rope. The fire during the first few hours remained mostly
confined to the afterpart of the brig, and it was not long
before the mainmast was burning over the side, together
with the lower topmast and other rigging attached, all
in a blaze, but without injuring any one. The scuttling
of the brig, however, appears to have been only very
superfieially attended to, for in its results it remained
without effect. With nearly high water all at once she
floated off the ground, drifted into mid-channel, and from
thence on the last of the fhod, a considerable distance to
the eastward. Whilst thus ahandoned she was taken in
tow by several fishing-smack?, which were hovering en
her vicinity, and by them put on shore off Sowley, about
one mile in a westerly direction from the Black Buoy,
marking Leap Bank, where she at present lies, one mass
of limes covering fora and aft, a burning wreck, with
bulwarks, stanchions and deck destroyed, and main and
f .remait gone.

DISTItESSED WIVES AND FAMILIES
SOLDIE KS.

"C. B. PIIEPPS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I regret that an operation which I happened
to perform in the Royal Infirmary of this city has
got into the newspapers, but as it has unfortu-
nately, done so, the public should be correctly in-
formed on the subject. Partial removal of the
tongue for the remedy of cancer having been found
worse than useless, it was thought that extirpation
of the whole organ might afford effectual relief;
upon this principle I proceeded.
The patient suffered no bad consequences di-
rectly from the operation, but at the end of a
woek, when the external wound was quite healed,
died suddenly from an internal disease, which
might have been excited by any other irritation in
a person of his constitution and habits.
JA
De MES S YME.
2, Rutland -street, Edinburgh, c. 19.

A communication leaving been forwarded to her
Majesty (through the medium of Sir George Grey)
from Mr. Davey, Secretary of the Woolwich, Charl-
ton, and Plumstead Committee, soliciting her Ma-
jesty's patronage and subscription to the fund for
the relief of the wires and families of soldiers sent on
active service to India, the following reply has been
received thereto :

" Castle, Dec. 19.
"Sir,—l have had the honWourindsor to submit to her Ma.
jeaty the Queen the purport of the petition which Sir
George Grey had forwarded to me, and which is ad-
dressed to her Majesty,. although it is not usual for any
committee, or any other holy to address her Majesty
personally through the medium of their secretary.
"The subscription to which you ask her Majesty to
contribute is one raised amongst the inhabitants of
Woolwich, Charlton, and Plumstead for the relief of the
wives of the soldiers of one particular corps, who have
been quartered in that neighbourhood.
"I am commanded to inform you in reply, that it
would be contrary to establish a rule for her Majesty to
join a local subscription, nor could the Queen contribute
to the assistance of the wives of one particular portion of
the soldiers in her Majesty's service, who are suffering
under the unavoidable separation from their husbands,
which has been equally borne by the wives of soldiers
of other branches of the army who may have been quar-
tered throughout the United Kingdom.
Her Majesty feels much for the hardships which this
separation, necessitated by the nature of the service,
must cause to these poor women, and cannot but feel
pleasure at the sympathy and kind assistance which
their neighbours are willing to extend to them.—l have
the honour to be, &c.
" Mr. T. Davey."

ITS OPERATION FOR CANCER ON THE
TONGUE.