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

LONDON, SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 1857.

The intelligence which yesterday arrived from
India, and which appeared in the last impression
of The Sun, is eminently satisfactory. It is true
that Lucknow had not been completely relieved,
and that a month had elapsed since any direct com-
munication had been received from OUTRAII or
HAVELOCK. But fortunately they still held out,
and ample relief was at hand. GREATHED bad
arrived with his column at Cawnpore on the 26th
o,:tober, and proceeded on the 31st to Alumbagh
with 5,000 men and a large supply of pro-
visions. Brigadier GRANT had taken the com-
mand. The augmented force arrived at their
destination—within three miles of Lucknow—on
the 3d November, and at that time all was right
with the beleagured garrison. This timely aid
prevented the possibility, humanly speaking, of
the destruction of the fugitives ; we say, of the
fuvitives, fur the fighting men can take care of
themselves—we have no apprehension on their
account. If the danger was imminent—if an
attack were
neither GRANT
men at their back, %,
attempted, we may rest assured that
the rebels were assailinr, their •
nor
IGdREATP.ED, with 5,000
ou remain quiescent while
. friends. We may
therefore assume that, even without furthea re-
inforcements, the relief of the besieged
virtually accomplished. paity was

But there was still more powerful assistance at '
hand. Sir CoLE4- CAMPBELL had arrived at ca.wn-
pore on the 4th of November, and crossed the

Ganges' on the 9th, en, route for Llcknow, with I
5,000 men of all arms. The presence of the dash-1
ing Highlander is alone worth 5,000 men. But
as on his arrival he will be placed at the head of
10,000 tried and disciplined troops, with nearly
2,000 more in the rear, under such men as
HAVELOCK and OUTRAN, we may easily conceive
that the rebels can make but little opposition to
such a force, and that their total overthrow
may speedily be anticipated. General WIND-
Kam NI as left in command of the reserve at
Cawnpore ; and it needs no argument to prove
that the hero of the Redan will discharge his duty
with ability, fidelity, and zeal. Every arrange-
ment is of the most satisfactory description. And,
after the difficulties and dangers that have already
been surmounted with such auspicious omens,
we should indeed be ungrateful if we entertained
any craven doubts as to the felicitous result.
It is said that there are 50,000 rebels in the
field. But what of that ? The feeling should be
one of satisfaction that so great an opportunity is
afforded of crushing the insurrection at a single
blow, and reducing the remnant of the mutineers
to the condition of scattered banditti, without a
rallying place where tbey.could meet and make
head against the good men and true by whom
they will be closely pursued, and compelled to
expiate the atrocious •utrages which they so
recklessly committed.
The Dinapore mutineers were driven from a
strongly entrenched position by 500 men under
the command of Colonel POWELL. It is deeply to
be regretted that the gallant leader fell in the
very hour of victory, and cannot personally receive
the thanks of his grateful country.
The only drawback to our satisfaction is con-
nected with Saugor and Jubbulpore. It was
stated that Major ERSKINE earnestly demanded
assistance ; but that would speedily be afforded
by General STUART and the brigade under his
command. There was another mutiny at Mahed-
pore, in which two officers were killed, but the
mutineers had been attacked and completely
routed by the Mhow field force. Oa the whole
the accounts are better than could reasonably
have been anticipated, and afford the most
auspicious auguries of future success.

The Indemnity Act has been passed, and the
House of Commons has, by a large majority, de-
cided in favour of the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer's motion for further inquiry. The
instruction to the committee, to which we alluded
in our leading article of yesterday,—viz., that
they should inquire into the causes of the recent
commercial distress, and how far it has been
affected by the laws regulating that bank notes
should be payable on demand, being attached as
a rider to the resolution. As we have already
stated, this will protract the inquiry for an inde-

finite period, so that unless the matter be taken
up by some independent member, all legislation
will be adjourned to 1859, or, more probably,
1860—the period at *eh the nation is to be
relieved from the Income-tax ?
The argument of Mr. DlsnAur was conclusive,
and must have produced conviction in any unpre-
judiced and disinterested mind. But the star of
the hard calculators was in the ascendant ; and,
as we know -that—

" Who is convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still,"
we cannot feel greatly surprised at the result,

It only proves the necessity for the pressure

from without, the energetic and decisive demon-
strations that we have so often called for.
A few such meetings as that at East Retford—a
few such lectures as that delivered by the Rev.
Mr. TWELLS, would ensure a satisfactory result.
The great body of the people, however, remain
comparatively apathetic. We cannot, however,
believe that the privations and sufferings they
have already sustained, and those which must be
endured before the 4th of February, can fail to
produce an adequate result. The lesson will be
severe, but it will be effectual.
Sir G. C. LEWIS has become a little more cau-
tious. He still supports the Bank Charter Act,
but admits that there are points in which it may
be amended in the way of relaxation. Mr.

DISRAELI thinks, and proved, that it has
totally failed, and must be completely abro-
gated ; that its suspension twice within li►tle
more than ten years carries with it decisive
condemnation. He showed that the subject
had been Exhausted—that it was a complete
farce to bring the SAMO witnesses for-
ward again and again, to listen to the
repetition of a " thrice-t3ld tabu" from
Lord OVERSTONE and his disciples, and that, if
ever legislation is to take place, it may be at once,
so that the nation may be relieved from any un-
certainty, and know the worst at once. Mr.
GLADSTONE also declares that there is no necessity
for further inquiry. But he is the advocate for
additional restriction. The measure has not
sufficiently injured the trade and commerce of

the kingdom. Something more must be done to
produce the 15 or 20 per cent. dear to the hearts
of the hard calculators.

Au onslaught against the joint-stock banking
system is also contemplated. There must be a
change in some way. Matters cannot remain in

their present position. There must be either an
advance or a retrogression. The nation must
speak out plainly and intelligibly, so that
their voices may be heard in the deepest recesses
of Downing-street. If they remain indifferent
and apathet:e, the chains will be firmly rivotted
on their limbs. There is a golden opportunity
before them, which, if neglected, may never be
renewed. The " light cloud is passing rapidly
from the face of the moon." Should the
occasion bo unimproved, they will bo saddled
for a protracted time with an incpbus more
onerous than the Old Man of the Sea—one
that will paralyse industry, and reduce England
from the palmy position she has so long occupied,
will render her the paradise of money-lenders,
but something very different to all those who are
obliged to earn their daily bread by their daily
labour, or who, having capital, are induced to
employ it in trade, commerce, or manufactures.