The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-12 00:00:00

T FIE SUN, LONDOX, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 12, 1861

but too well known. As societies for relief in
sickness and want of work, they are, if well
managed, admirable institutions ; that, however,
has come to be the least important part of their
functions, in the opinion of their managers. It
is as a kind of guild, not really very dissimilar
in principle from what the City of London Com-
panies were, that they have attracted more atten-
tion, and wielded such suicidal power. Each
trade once thought that rules should be drawn
up for its conduct by the associated members,
and that the trade as a whole would do better if
the free play of individual faculties, and the un-
restricted competition of all persons were pre-
vented. It is not to be wondered at that the essen-
tial fallacy of this principle, as well as its essential
unrighteousness, should be least perceived by the
least educated class. Socialism is often declaimed
against by those who are little aware of the diverse
forms it assumes; but it is present wherever prices
and wages are attempted to be regulated by law,
whether that of a club or of the state; whether it be
done by a territorial House of landlords, aiming to
preserve an artificial price of corn ; or by a union of
workmen limiting the number of persons who shall
learn their trade, or the hours or the price at which
any of their members shall work.
_ _

The time may come when workmen may look on
all this as tyrannical interference with nature.
When they do, it will be as great a start for them
as was the repeal of the Corn Laws to the landlords
of England. As in the case of the landlords, the
pride of the body is against it. No large bodies of
men like surrendering power, or practices they have
long defended as perfect. To the working man his
Union appears as the symbol of a power by which
he is master of his master. Alone he is helpless,
but he and his Union are more than a match for the
man who employs him. It is not in human nature
to part willingly with such a position. It inflicts
every now and then tremendous suffering on the
many; but revenge is sweet, and they hope that
they inflict, as indeed they often do, fearful losses in
return. Dr. WATTS seems to hope that, in the cot-
ton manufacture, co-operative mills may teach the
workmen the true relation of wages and capital, and
thus enlighten them as to what masters can and can-
not do. This seems to be not nnlikely. If they
have this effect we might well hope that co-opera-
tion establishments would arise in every trade.
They could hardly fail, ultimately, to reveal to
workmen those laws of trade and commerce to
which even their masters themselves must bow.

PRINCE ADALBERT OF PRIISSIA.—A Hamburg
letter of the 4th says Prince Adalbert, of Prussia,
Grand Admiral of the Fleet, has been here for some days.
He is accompanied by Captain de Bothwill, by his aide-de-
camp, M. Richthofen, and some other persons. His Royal
Highness has come to inspect and manoeuvre two vessels of
war and five screw gunboats armed with rifled guns of 24.
The Steamboat Company of Hamburg and New York, most
of the directors of which are senators, invited the Prince to
make an excursion on the Elbe. After going as far as
Brunshausen the party returned, and all dined together
there. M. Geffroy, one of the directors, proposed a toast to
the Prince, and in doing so dwelt on the importance of the
Hansa, of the commerce of Hamburg, and of her merchant
navy ; concluding by expressing regret that the northern
coasts and the merchant shipping of Germany were without
protection and without defence, especially at a moment at
which the political horizon was cloudy. The Prince, in
reply, eulogised the commerce of Hamburg, and express ed
the hope that the German provinces on the coast would
join in attaining the object to which the German popula-
tions aspire. The Prince afterwards proposed ' The Health
of the King of Hanover,' whose Minister was seated by his
side. On the Prince's return to Hamburg the bands of
the garrison gave him a serenade in presence of a large
crowd.'

MR. WALTER MORRISON AT PLYMOUTH.—An
enthusiastic meeting of the Liberal electors was held at
Plytcouth on Tuesday night, to hear from Mr. Walter
Morrison an exposition of his political principles as a can-
didate for the representation of the borough. Mr. Caleb
Trotter took the chair, expressing his regret that Mr. David
Derry, in consequence of the state of his health, had not
been able to take that part in the proceedings which
had been allotted to him in times past. Mr. Morrison
delivered an eloquent speech, in which he declared him-
self opposed to any precipitate measure of reform, an oppo-
nent of church rates and the game laws, and a warm advo-
cate of reform: in the civil and criminal law. Mr. Barter
said that when he attended a meeting of the committee
held on Friday night it struck him that Mr. Morrison was a
timid Reformer, but after the straightforward and eloquent
speech he had heard he had changed his opinion, and re-
solved to give the candidate his warm support. Mr. Derry,
who had refused to take the chair in consequence of his
advanced age, then proposed, "That this meeting, having
heard a full and candid expression from Mr. Morrison of
his political opinions, and believing them to be in unison
with those of the great Liberal party, consider him fully
qualified to represent this borough in Parliament, and re-
commend that immediate measures be undertaken in order
to secure his election." The resolution was seconded by
Mr. Turner, and was put and carried almost unanimously,
only three hands being held up against it. Mr. Sleigh,
who had come into the field as a candidate, appeared at the
meeting to state that he had withdrawn from the contest,
and gave his hearty support to the resolution proposed by
Mr. Derry.

MR. TRAIN'S STREET RAILWAY.—Mr. George
F. Train, the projector of the street railways in this coun-
try, has forwarded to the Commissioners of Sewers of the
City, and to the several vestries and district hoards in the
metropolis where a trial of his street railway has been per-
mitted, a communication in which he says, " The Birken-
head line is a decided success, and is being extended ;
600,000 people testify to its advantages. Over a quarter of
a million passengers have passed over the Marble-arch line
since it was opened on March 22, and some 20,000 residents
have signed petitions for its extension. The 'Westminster
line in Victoria-street is equally successful, and arrange-
ments are about being made to connect it with the Surrey-
side line, just accomplished, from Kennington-park to
Westminster-bridge ; and the parish of St. George-the-
Martyr and St. Saviour's have given requisite permission
to extend the same through Westminster-road, Boro'-road,
Blackman-street, and Wellington-street--thus making a
through line from Pimlico station to London-bridge."
FALLING OF A PORTION OF A RAILWAY TUNNEL.
—Last night the passenger traffic on the up line of the
North Kent Railway was entirely stopped for about two
hours, in consequence of the falling of a small portion of the
Blackheath tunnel. Fortunately no accident resulted, as
Mr. Chapman, station-master at the Blackheath station,
immediately telegraphed to down stations to stop all up
traffic. A gang of workmen was employed to clear the line,
and the up train leaving Maidstone at 7 30, after remaining
at Woolwich Arsenal station about 'one hour, proceeded
slowly through the tunnel; and arrived at London-bridge
station at 10 50, or one hour and twenty-five minutes be-
hind time. The train is express from Woolwich to New
Cross, and but for the prompt action of the Blackheath
station-master a serious accident might have occurred. A
party of workmen will be employed during the night, and
it is stated that the damage to the tunnel can be easily re-
paired.

DEATH OF THE CHIEF USHER OF SOUTHWARK
POLTCE-COURT.—On Tuesday the magistrates of South-
wark police• court received information of the death of Mr.
Edward Burridge, who for many years filled the office of
chief usher in that court. Mr. Burridge, in early life, was
a storekeeper in the commissariat department during the
Peninsular war, serving in Spain, Portugal, and Belgium.
At the peace he returned to England, and was appointed a
Bow-street officer ; and afterwards, on the new Police Act
coming into operation, he filled a situation at the Maryle-
bone police-court ; and, subsequently, as chief usher at
Union Hall, removing to Southwark Court on its being
erected in 1845.

----•
DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.--A desperate
act of attempted self-destruction by drowning was perpe-
trated last evening by a young girl named Spooner, of North-
street, Maida-hill. It seems that in a fit of despondency from
some unexplained reason, she left her home in the course of
the evening, and precipitated herself from Maida-hill -bridge
into the Grand Junction Canal. The act being witnessed by
a great number of persons, of course created a great sensa-
tion. She was fortunately rescued by the efforts of several
young men before life had become extinct and taken at once
to the surgery of Dr. Dell, 6, Maida -hill East, by whose
prompt attention in applying the necessary restoratives she
soon afterwards recovered sufficiently to be able, with assist-
ance, to walk to her home.

SINGULAR CATTSE OF DEATII—At Ashford on
Tuesday were interred the remains of a little boy named
John Lutt, aged eleven years, a member of the fife and
drum band of the Rifle Corps. The body wa,; followed to
the burial ground by deceased's school-fellows, his com-
rades of the fife and drum band playing the Dead March.
The death of the deceased was the result of a singular acci-
dent. It seems that on the previous Friday night, when
heated with playing his instrument, he inadvertently
swallowed two cherry stones he had put in his mouth. Tie
afterwards dipped his head while heated in a pail of water,
which, with the stones remaining in his throat, caused
inflammation, and in a verfi short time the poor boy was
dead,--Kentish Gazette,

BANE OF ENGLAND HALF-YEARLY
iffEETING.-(THIS DAY.)

A general Court of Directors of the Bank of England
was held this day in the Bank Parlour, Threadneedle-
street ; it was also one of the quarterly courts held pursuant
to the Charter.

Anthony Lathom, Esq., the Governor, presided.
The minutes of the last court having been read and con-
firmed,
The GOVERNOR stated that he had to acquaint the court
that the net profits for the half year ending 31st August,
were £750,589 4s. 10d., making the rest on that day
£3,751,654 48. 3d. After providing for a dividend at 5 per
cent., the rest would amount to £3,024,004 4s. 3d. The
directors propose that arlividend on interest and profits of 5
per cent., free of income tax, be declared, payable on 10th
October. He therefore moved a resolution to that effect.
Mr. MATHEW CLARK seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously.
Alderman SALOMONS said on the last court day he had
expressed a wish that the directors would take into consi-
deration the advisability of publishing the weekly Bank
returns in the Gazette, at a somewhat earlier period than
was then the case. The directors had since that time pub-
lished the document on the Thursday evening instead of
Friday, and the result had been one of great convenience
and satisfaction to the mercantile community. The
management of the affairs of the Bank had been highly
satisfactory, and he therefore moved a vote of thanks to the
governor and directors.
_ _

The resolution was seconded, and carried unanimously.
The GOVERNOR thanked the proprietors for the vote of

thanks awarded for past services. He was sure they would
all agree with him when he said they had a public duty to
perform, and where that fell in with the interests of the
proprietors, they (the directors) felt exceedingly gratified.
The proceedings then terminated.

The royal mail steamer Tasmanian, which left
England with the West India mails of the 17th ult., was
obliged to put into the Western Islands on account of some
slight damage to her machinery.

MASTER AND SERVANT.—The following strange
ski) y appears, gravely enough, in a German newspaper. A
certain Count Kuno Halm had given strict injunctions to
his servants and dependants never to appear before him,
" their master by divine appointment," but in white gloves
and white cravat." The other day one of the household
servants, who, it seems, had taken his master's orders too
literally, presented himself before the countess with due
respect, but dressed in nothing but white gloves and white
cravat. The noble lady was so shocked that she fainted,
and remained insensible for several minutes. The order
which led to this untoward mistake has since been modified,
and a complete and becoming costume, with white gloves
and white cravat, is expressly stipulated.

ATTEMPT TO MURDER A WlFE.—Yesterday, at
the Leeds Town-hall, a man named Anthony Rayner, about
50 years of age, was examined on a charge of attempting to
murder his wife, Maria Rayner. The prisoner is a hawker
of rags and bones, but for a long time past had earned no-
thing, and has been supported by his wife, who is anhonest,
industrious woman, and was a sorter in a rag warehouse.
They had been married about ten years, and lived in
Holmes's-yard, York-street, Leeds. Latterly Rayner's
conduct towards his wife has been very brutal, and he has
accused her of unfaithfulness, for which accusation however
there seems to have been no ground. On the evening of the
27th ult., while they were in bed, the prisoner stabbed his
wife with a knife, and also seized a razor, with which he
attacked her. She struggled as well as she could, raised an
alarm, and was rescued by one of the neighbours, who was
aroused by the noise. The prisoner afterwards made a de-
termined attempt to cut his own throat, but the razor
which he used—the one with which he attacked his wife,
—was very blunt, and the wound he inflicted did not
affect any vital part. The wife received several wounds
about the head and face, and a severe cut across the palm
of the left hand ; but, fortunately, her injuries did not prove
fatal, and she will soon be sufficiently recovered to leave
the Infirmary. From the expressions the prisoner made
use of when taken into custody, there is no doubt he in-
tended to murder his wife. He had two razors in his hat,
which was on a chair in the bedroom. One of the razors
he had sharpened, and he stated that he afterwards got
hold of the wrong one in mistake. But for this accidental
circumstance, probably, neither party would now have been
alive. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next
Yorkshire winter gaol delivery.
GROSS IMPOSITION ON SOMERSETSHIRE FARMERS.
—A daring swindling case has just been brought to light in
Taunton. For some time past a sharper from London paid
visits to Taunton monthly cattle market, in the character
of a dealer, and made purchases to a somewhat considerable
extent, paying for them by cheques on the Reading branch
of the London and County Bank. On presentation, the
cheques were duly honoured, and as he gave somewhat
liberal prices, he was courted by the farmers in the neigh-
bourhood. Saturday last was a great market, and the ap-
pearance of the London liberal dealer was hailed with con-
siderable satisfaction by sellers. The prices he offered for
sheep exceeded their expectations, and in a short time the
market was cleared of sheep by the enterprising London
dealer. In the course of the afternoon the sellers received
payment, as usual, by cheques on the Reading branch of
the London and County Bank. A day or two since the
cheques found their way to the Reading Bank, but to the
consternation and alarm of the victims replies were received
that the dealer had "no effects." Inquiries were at once
instituted, when it was discovered that the fellow had sold
the whole of the sheep at Islington market, at an alarming
sacrifice, he being nowhere to be found. The sums we have
already heard of lost by farmers in this neighbourhood
alone amount to from £1,200 to £1,400. Some have been
"done" of £l7O, the lowest sums being £3O. Amongst
the victims we may mention the names of Mr. Hallett, of
Swell; Mr. Denning, Corneytrowe ; Mr. Chappell, Brad-
ford ; Mr. Lovibond, Mare Elm Mr. Bond, Orchard Port-
man; Mr. Stephens, Musgrove Farm; Mr. Edwards, Hol-
nay ; Mr. Paulett and Mr. Hawkins, Bishop's Hull ; Mr.
Tazewell, Moore Farm; Mr. Gould, Noiry Farm ; and Mr.
Meade, Currey Mallet. The police have been made ac-
quainted with the circumstances, and the perpetrator of the
fraud, it is hoped, will speedily be captured.—Bath Herald.
THE POPPING STONE.—I was not unmindful
that it was at Gilsland that Scott first met with his wife,
then the beautiful Miss Charpentier, and the spot where he
put the " momentous question" is said to have become a
favourite resort of fair spinsters in their rambles with the
Gileland beau. The stone on which Miss Charpentier sat
on the occasion is identified ; it is called the " Popping
Stone," and many fragments are chipped from it as amulets
propitious to Hymen, for, like the stone on which St. Thomas
received
etyh eincrthowne
smofallmesatrftyrracdtoimon,
aitasivnirtthuoe
exists
nwteirtbhuerqyurael
whole mass. When I inquired the way to this hallowed
spot, I was told that the etiquette of the place did not admit
of a gentleman undertaking to guide thither one of his own
sex, but that I might be sure of finding some fair one
haunting the confines of thein tn
Ge directionils of
land" Caawbaaltdrleikwe,
an unquiet spirit ; which proved true, for crossing the
near
ramto bwyhsict
hePPlinkgton new was the goal of my pilgrimage,
I fell in with a young lady, as predicted. who, on my
modes representation, willingly undertook the office of
guide ; and, truly, Miss Charpentier could hardly have
listened t 4 the poet's vows in a fairer or more secluded
scene. The large stone which constituted her resting-place
is chequered by the shadows Qf a mountain-ash that grows
on the brink of the clear swift stream, whose course nar
rows here between steep embowered banks, where the coo-
ing voice of the cushat-dove mingles with the murmur of
the waters, as, gliding over many a rocky ledge, they flow
in music that the fairies in their moonlit revels might not
disdain to dance to. Leaving the quiet scene with an aspi-
ration that it might hear many repetitions of the whispered
" Yes !" to be succeeded by as many happy marriages, I
hastened on my return to the hotel.—Once a Week.

RAILWAY EXPENDITURE AND RECEIPTS.—It
appears from a Parliamentary return just issued in refer-
ence to the working expenditure of railways in the United
Kingdom, that on the 31st of December last, the length of
line opened was 10,433 miles ; that the maintenance of way
was £2,437,362, or 18.48 per cent. ; the locomotive power
£3,801,282, or 28.83 per cent. ; repairs and renewals of
carriages and waggons £1,118,784, or 8.49 per cent. ;
traffic charges (coaching and merchandise) £3,699,708, or
28.05 per cent. ; rates and taxes, £547,367, or 3.93 per cent. ;
Government duty £363,074,0r 2.75 per cent. ; compensation
for accidents and losses £181,170, or 1.37 per cent. ; and mis-
cellaneous expenses, not including the foregoing, £1,068,521
or 8 1 per cent., showing the total expenditure to have been
£13,187,368. The total receipts were £27,748,486 and the
net receipts £14,561,118. This gives 47 per cent. expendi-
ture in the total receipts. An account of the rolling stock
of the various companies show that 5,801 locomotives were
employed; 15,076 carriages of all kinds used for conveyance
of passengers, and 180,574 waggons of all kinds used for the
conveyance of live stock, minerals, or general merchandise.
Another return gives a comparative summary of traffic
upon the railways in the United Kingdom during the years
ending Dec. 31, 1860, and Dec. 31, 1859. The total pas-
sengers carried during 1859 was 149,757,24, and for the
year 1860 the number was 163,435,678 ; the live stock car-
ried in 1859 was 2,192,945, and for 1860 2,109,192; the mine-
rals carried in 1859 amounted to 51,756,782, and in 1860
to 60,336,788 tons; the general merchandise in 1859 was
27,500,737 tons; and in 1860, 29,470,391; the total number
of trains run in 1859 was 3,594,484, and in 1860 the num-
ber was 3,896,960. The total receipts from passenger
traffic in 1839 were £11,111,732; and in 1860, £11,550,942;
the total receipts from excess lug gap, parcels, carriages,
horses, dogs, &e., conveyed in passenger trains, were
£951,358 in 1859, and £1,008,892 in 1860. In 1859 the re-
ceipts from mails amounted to £167,556, and in 1860 to
£525,922. The total pass( nger receipts in 1859 were
lo'
£13,085,756 in 1860. The total receipts
fo
r live ,l 6 and
s6tockinlBs
1859 were £609,723, and £570,980 for 18G0.
lhlr2 15e total mineral traffic in 1859 produced £4,223,002, and
for Ib6o it was £4,951,899. The merchandise traffic re-
ceipts were £8,373,284 for 1859, and £9,157,987 fur 1860,
making the total receipts from goods traffic £13,206,009 for
1859, and £14,680,866 for 1860. The total receipts from all
sources of traffic:were £25,743,502 for 1859, aad £27,766,662
for 1860,

A ri
N L`.4,

TURIN, SEPT. 12.

The Opinione of to-day publishes a despatch from
Naples, announcing that Maracco, the notorious
bandit of Calabria, has made his submission.
The Opinione adds :—" This event ensures the
tranquillity of Calabria,"
General Pettinengo, the Lieutenant of Sicily, has
left for Palermo.

CHINA.
CANTON, JULY 27 (via MALTA.)
Affairs in China and Japan are stationary.