The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-07 00:00:00

PRESENT -ASPECT OF AFFAIRS.

(From the Derbyshire Courier.)
It appears that little is likely to be done and a good
deal said in Parliament before Christmas. India and
toe Bank Charter Act will furnish 'plenty to say; and
all the more because the greater part of Honourable
Members and_Noble Lords are profoundly ignorant of
the real merits of •the case in reference to either

question.
The Goveinment, it is said, is to assume the entire
control of things in India, and with regard to the Bank
Chat ter Aet, a B:11 of Indemnify having been obtained,
the furthei consideration of the question is to be referred
to the Committee which will be re-appointed when
Parliament meets alter Christmas. Of course the
suspension of the act will continue, the country will have
to endeavour to preserve its existence under a system of
" inconvertible notes"—somewhat similar to that which
existed from 1797 to 1815, and which state the hill-
lioniste sneer at because they can find no argument
whatever t' prove that it was not alp infinitely better
system of currency than-Peel and Overstone's. In the
meanwhile 10 per cent. discounts area heavy blow and
great discouragement to trade. It does not even appear
certain that the silver drain Will be effectually checked
by the destructive and ruinous depression of all kinds of
commodities and produce which is taking place.
The truth is that the gold discoveries have caused a
wonderful expansion of trade all over the world, this ex-
pansion has foudd its representative in immense quan-
tities of instruments of exchange. Bills, cheques,
securities of every kind have multiplied, and now, at
the command of the Bank Charter Act, all this expan-
sion is to be squeezed into the narrow limits of a gold
currency. ,The expansion having been greater than in
1847, the contraction is also greater, and the operation
more severe. The next panic (should Pell's bills continue
in force) will probably be worse than this of 1857.
The political effects of these commercial convulsions
are not difficult to conjecture. Whenever a similar
monetary crisis has happened, there has been a growing
feeling of dissatisfaction with the present state of
things which Las manifested itself in changes of
the existing institutions of laws. We have bad 13
changes of Administration since the passing of Peel's
bill in 18:9. The cycle of menetery affairs renders the
retention of office by any Minister, for more than a few
years, very difficult. We wish well to Lord Palmerston.
He has hewn himself an indiSpendent, spirited English
Minister in times of difficnity and danger. But unless
he reforms the-monstrous monetary system under which
the country groans, his days of office are, we are con-
vinced, numbered.
We say this, feeling with many others, that the coun-
try will be at a loss to replace him with an efficient and
capable Minister.
But the commercial ruin which has occurred, and the
consequent distress and misery of thousands and tens of
thousands of the people, will inevitably cause a desire
for change, in the hope of that change producing an
amendment. -
We can but hoe that some man may rise with courage
and sagacity to apply, as William Pitt did in 1797, the
true remedy for the nation's evils.
With a sound and sufficient cvrrenoy, defended from
exportation by being convertible into gold only at the
market price, these devastating commercial and financial
storms would be almost, if not entirely, prevented. As
it is, trade is fast be ing forced into a meregambling game.
The bills of 1819 and 1844 encourage speculation, and
furnish the means for carrying it on, till when a few
years have passed a contraction of the currency takes
place, and all the energies of the nation are prostrated
beneath the feet of a gang of cold-blooded and heartless

THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.
—The r IFTH ANNUAL MEETING will ake pla-e at
EXETER-HALL o i THURSDAY, the 10th inst., at 2 p.m. precisely,
Viscount BAIVELAGH in the Chair. Fifty share numbers will be
dra vn, and twenty-five numbers added by seniority to the Eights
of Choice. For prospectuses apply to
CHARLES LEWIS ORUNEISEN, Secretary.
OM 3e, 33, Norfolk-street, Strand, W.C.

COLT'S PATENT 'SIX-SHOT RIFLE
PISTOLS.—The favourite size for officers (weight 21b. Boz.,
7% inches rifle-bored) ; cartridges, holsters, belts, and cartouche-
pouches ; also, three .sizes, pocket revolvers, for travellers and
house protection. A. large stock ready for immediate delivery.
Description and price 11 is furnished. Avoid counterfeits.—Samuel
Colt, 14, Pall-mall, S.W.

FOR GENTLEMEN.—GEO. HOBSON begs
to call the attention of the public to his NEW STOCK in
AUTUMNAL GOODS, consisting of West of England Beaver and
Venetian Cloths, Scotch and Heather Twist, Mixed Doeskins,
Cashmere and Tollanette Waistcoatings, both of Eng!ish and Conti-
nental manufacture, which will be found on inspection at prices most
moderato for Best Goods.—GEORGE HOBSON, 57, Lombard-street.

NIESSRS. NICOLL'S ESTABLISHMENTS
are thus divided :—Number 114, REGENT-STREET, is
their Depot for Paletoto,Utuforms, Gentlemen's Evening and Morn-
ing Dress; Number 116, for the manufacture of the Guinea Trousers;
Number 118, for Half-Go nea Waistcoats ; Number 120, for Water-
proofed Guinea Capes, Servants' Liveries ; Number 142 is their new
Establishment for Ladles' Rid-ng Habits and Mantles in Fur and
Cloth ; and Number 114 contains their other new Department for
Clothing young gentlemen with the taste, excellence, and economy
whereby MESSII, 1. NICOLL have secared wide spread confidence.
The Wholesale Wareroems are at the rear of the Regent-street yre-
mises, viz , 29, 30, 31, and 4!. WARWICK-STREET. The City
Depot is at 21 and 22, CORNHILL, and the addresses of the various
Agents are duly advertised in the journals of th 3 United Kingdom
and the Colonies.

INVESTMENTS EQUAL TO CONSOLS.-
I. A FREEHOLD GROUND-RENT of 2491. Bs., securel on
an estate producing 1,4001. a-year. To be sold for 5,5001.

GROUND-RENT of 58/. ss. for 90 years, equally well
secured. Price 1,0001.
3. An Improved well-seeured RENT of 751. for 86 years. Price
1,050/. .

COTTAGES FOR SALE.

4. A. COTTAGE RESIDENCE, held for 300 years at 3/. 3s
Price 2001.

--KAtirnall RESIDENCE near Kew-gardens, held for 99 years
at Si. Price 2001.

ALMSHOUSES FOR SALE.

6. A well-erected ESTATE near Kew•gardens, healthful and
convenient for omnibus, rail, or boat.
OFFICES AND RESIDENCES TO LET.

7. The OFFICES, 25, Poultry, and 13, Gresham-street. The
RESIDENCES (under 201. rent) at Dalston, Holloway, and Kew,
replete with convenience.
Apply to Palmer and Co., 13, Gresham-srteet, ClaildhalL

Stands 455 to CO, Smithfield Club Show, Dec. Bth to Iltb, and at
COTTAM and HALLEN, 2, Winsley-street,
Oxford-street, London, W.," patentees and original inventors
of the improved system of FITTING-UP STABLES, patronised by
the English and French Goverm;ents. Security from accident by
the use of the patent halter guide and improved curved top plate ;
promotion of heath, comfort, and condition by the cleanliness and
power of restating infection of the mangers and troughs, and also of
the patent drop cover, to curtail the quantity of water to be im-
bibed. Economy in the use f food, from the improved formation
of the fittings, mid by means of the patent portable seed box, are
some of the peculiar recommendations of Cottam's patent compo-
nised, enamelled, and galvanised iron fittings for stalls and loose
boxes. Cottam's patent combined saddle and harness brackets,
improved surface drains, and eveiyarticle required for the stable
and harness room. Illustrated catalogues and lithographs free on
application to Cottam and Hallea, 2, Winsley-street, Oxford street,
London, W. -

PRESERVATION OP LIFE BROM SHIP-
WRECK.

usurers.
" Overstone" and the Times' writers have two ideas
on the subject. One is to supplrt their silly trumpery
currency crotchet, which experience has twice demon-
strated to erroneous in principle, and, in effect, imprac-
ticable ; and the other is to make money out of the ruin
of their fellow-countrymen.

PRINCE ADAM CZARTORYSSI.

On Thursday a meeting of the Royal National Life
boat Institution was held at its house, Johc-street,
Adelphi.' The Duke of Northumberland, MG.. Peetd--
dent, in the chair. There were also present Captain
M'Flardy, It N. ; Mr. Thomas Chapman, V.P.,
F.R.S., Mr. George Lyall, Mr. Alexander Bootefour,
Mr. Montague Gore, Gene-al Blanshard, C. 8., Mr.
James Peake, Rev. C. B. Gribble, M.A. , Admiral
Cater, Admiral Sir Thomas Herbert, K.C.8., Captain
Perrot, and Captain Ward, R.N., inspector of lifeboats
to the institution.
Mr. LEWIS, the secretary, having read the minutes of
the previous meeting, ,
A reward of 101. was voted to the crew of the life.
boat of the institution, stationed at Teignmouth, Devon,
for putting off and rescuing two men out of three who
had been capsized from their boat on Teignmouth Bar,
in a very heavy Pea, on the 27th ult. It being at the
time ebb tide, the swamped boat, with the three men,
drifted out through the heavy sea to seaward. Small
boats in vain attempted to reach her, but the lifeboat
majestically pursued her way through the rolling Burt,
and soon reached the disabled boat, to which the two
poor men were clinging, the third having unfortunately
sunk to rise no more. The lifeboat proved herself in
every respect a first-rate one, and every praise was also
due to her gallant crew.
Rewards to the amount of 461. 10s. were also granted
to the crews of the Aldborough (Suffolk), Portmadoc,
and Rhyl (tubular) lifeboats, for laudably_ putting off,
some of them in the night, with the view of rendering
assistance to the crews of ships in distress. It is satis-
factory to find that wherever the lifeboats of the institu-
tion is stationed no difficulty is over experienceed in
manning them on cases of emergency; and although the
gallant men are always sure to receive their well-earned
rewards from the society, still they are ever forward to
render what assistance they can to a fellow-creature in
uistress apart from the prospect of any pecuniary remu-
neration.
A reward of 20/, was likewise voted to a boat's crew
of ten men, for putting off in'her and rescuing at the
risk of their lives, the crew of three persons from a billy-
boy, which was wrecked off Winterton, Norfolk, on the
27th ult. Seeing the dangerous position of the wreck's
crew, the salvors immediately launched a frail fishing
cubic. It was just low water at the time, with a very
heavy sea. The coble was hardly in a condition for use,
and the wonder was how the men collected oars, and
trusted themselves to such a boat in going on so perilous
an adventure.
A reward of 21. was also voted to two men for wading,
at considerable risk of life, into the surf at some preci-
pitous rocks, to the rescue of three men of the wrecked
sloop Brothers, of Red Bay, near Belfast. One of the
salvors, a coast-guardsman, had lost his hold on the
rocks, and was precipitated into the sea. He was only
saved from being drowned by the other men.
A reward of Si. was also granted to a boat's crew for
their laudable exertions in rescuing, close to the Barber
Sands, seven men of the crew of the brig Robert and
Ann, of Sunderland, which had sunk during a gale of
wind near the Scroby Sands, on the 22d ult. The crew
bad taken to their boat,
which was partly stove, and
without any oars. In this state they were fortunately
found on the night of the above named. day by a Yar-
mouth lugger.
The silver medal of the institution was presented to
James Hogbin, cc xswain of the Ramsgate Royal Har-
bour lifeboat, in acknowledgment of his repeated set'•
vices in assisting to save life in that excellent lifeboat.
This boat has been off on service during the last four
years between sixty and seventy times, and has been
instrumental in saving a large number of persons ship-
wrecked on or near the fatal Goodwin Sande. Hogbin
has, we believe, been afloat in her on, ( very occasion.
The life-boats, together with a steamer to tow her out, is
maintained exclusively by the liberality of the Rains-.
gate Harbour trustees, and there is no lifeboat in the
kingdom which in so short a time has done anything
like the service of this valuable life-boat. She was built
by Beeching, of Great Yarmouth, but was afterwards
altered to the plan of the life-boats adopted by the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution.
An interesting reeport was read by the inspecter of
life-boats to the institution on his recent visits to the
several life-boat stations belonging to the institution on
the Irish coast. These periodical visits of a, responsible
and thoroughly experienced officer are everywhere at-
tended with much benefit. On these occasions, w hat-
ever may be the state of the weather, he always takes
the life-boats all rat to tei t their efficiency, and closely
examines everything connected with the lifeboat estab-
lishment. . Thus, as far as the parent institution is con-
cerned, aided by the zealous co-operation of its several
branches, efficiency is secured in the management of its
lifeboats, and experience has demonstrated that uuless a
lifeboat is carefully examined and looked after, she will
assuredly fail in her service in the heur of need.
The institution decided to station new lifeboats at
Holyhead and at Ardmore, on the Irish coast. It was
also resolved to take into connection with it, under cer-
tain condition; the Norfolk lifeboats.' There are six or
seven lifeboats on that dangerous coast, knd in times
past some of them have rendered efficient service to
shipwreck:, crews. But most of these boats will now
require to be replaced by new lifeboats at a large cost.
It cannot be too generally know n that during the current
year the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has ex-
pended nearly 4,0001. on lifeboat establidaments alone ;
but that has only been accomplished by intrerching to a
considerable amount on its small funded capital. It,
therefore, rests with the British pualic to say whether
an institution which is one of the noblest in our land,
and which will soon have under its management about
70 lifeboats, shall pursue its career of usefulness with
uninterrupted vigour.
A contribution of 1501. was moat liberally presented
to the institution by the Ship wrecked Fishermen and
Mariners' Society, which bad been collected from its
members in aid of the lifeboat cause.
The proceedings then closed.

On Sunday, the 29th November, the Poles present id
Paris celebrated, as usual, the anniversary of their last
insurrection in 1830, first by attending mass in the
church of the A,,sumption, where a sermon was delivered
by the Abl d Jelowicki, and a collection was made for
the fund of the charitable society presided over by the
Princess Cza.rtoryski, and afterwards by assembling at
the Poll h library, No. 6, Quai d'Orleans, where the
Polish Literary and Historical Society held a public
meeting, in which Prince Czarteryski once more pro-
nounced one of tho.e speeches in which, during 27 years,
he bas on similar occasions conveyed instruction and
consolation to his fellow-countrymen, and has, so to say,
passed them under review. The venerable prince once
gore reminded of the duties and the virtues which their
country had a right to demand of them. " While the
world is at peace," said the Prince, let us devote our-
selves to the study of everything that may conduce to
improve the state of our country ; and if jealeus powers
frustrate our endeavours, let us in our domestic life
purify and strengthen ourselves, so as to be prepared
for better times. Let us, above all things,
hell fast our faith. Let us show that we
are capable of making any sacrifice for it. In this
way, and under this banner, we will tire out time heel ;
and, perhaps, even the new Emperor of Russia may
refuse to sully his reign by the continuation of a perse
cut ion which, after having torn from the Church millions
of Polish Catholics. threatens with the same fate a whole
diocese of the united ritual. Yes, gentlemen, our
faith is the torch that lights us, as it is the breath of our
life." Having expressed his deep regret that, in spite of
their protracted residence in the west, the-Polish emi-
gration had never yet succeeded in making the nations
under.tand that Poland, though partitioned, neverthe-
less continues to form an integral, bound together by
the same national sentiment. The noble orator con
tinued--" It was generally
believed in Europe that as
soon as peace was concluded we would all hasten to take
advantage of the amnesty. We were congratulated on
our unexpected good fortune, it being supposed that
we would hurry to return to our country to recover our
property. A small number of emigrants, whose strength
had been broken do en by exile and by privation, did
indeed return to their country ; but the greater
number persist in representing their country before
Europe. Certain journals take upon themselves to
assert that the notable personages in the emigration,
whom they please to designate as the aristociatic party,
are negotiating their return on condition of being re-
instated in all their possessions. This is a double mis-
take, for in Russia the State never restores property
which it has once taken possession of; and, on the
other band, if even such restitution were offered to
we would not accept it. That upon which our hearts
are fixed is not the recovery of our possessions, but the
recovery of our national independence. Your presence
here, gentlemen, proves that as regards this point there
is but one mind among us. Our youth and our maturity
were consecrated to this cause, and a similar and con-
stant devotion will mark every day that still remains to
us of life. On this day I may be ,allowed to recal t 3
your mind how, in 1831,
territory, was able during
doned by all, reduced to a fifth part of her original
Poland, standing alone, aban-
doned
whale year to offer
effectual resistance to Russia, who was secretly
aided by an ally,
who professed to remain neu-
gigantic efforts
tertaaln.dingYoetut wfoer
thwaeveyeajrusstagasineesnt
tthheis same Russia
and incalculable sacrifices made by the Western Powers
and Turkey united against her. Ah, if in her time
Poland had but • received the least amount of assist-
ance • • . 'Rho can doubt that she would have tri-
umphed ? And if, during the recent war, the West
would but have called Poland to its assistance, what
different resulte would not its efforts have had But,
instead of this, what do they now say to us I—That
though our hopes may have been raised by the late
war, in future there is no hope for us. Alas, during
the war, as well as before the war, the aupport given
to our hopes by the policy of Europe was very feeble,
and we have therefore now no new reason to de-
eair. That war was never earnestly desired. After
having attempted in vain to limit it to threats, cars
was taken to restrict it within the narrowest bounds.
During this sanguinary and ecetly duel, fought upon a
rock, far from the dominions of all the belligerents,
the heroism of the armies left no room for the genius of
the commanders to appear. The consequences and contra-
dictions which folio wed in reality offered no chanoesfor us ;
ill success alone-could have driven the allies out of the
circle within which they had fatally penned themselves.
And, we are bound to admit this, for from leaving us
in doubt on this point, they were scrupulous in giving
us notices calculated to preserve our country from new
disasters. As for the ever renewed offers of the Poles to
lend their assistance to a cause, which they considered
as that of their country, they were always rejected- by
the commanders of the armies in the East. However,
one cheering remembrance remains to us from that pain-
ful period. At the moment when the siege of Sebastopol
was already far advanced, one of the allied powers, that
yne which has always been must generous to us, that
one whose noble hospitality enables us this day to pour
out our hearts to:each other—France, I mean—at last
declared that in order to continue the sacrifices required
object more worthy of such great efforts,
by the war, it had become necessary to assign to it
in futureanthe re-establishment of Poland must in•
vniat
Engla,nd, who, during four centuries,
ha .l alwaye taken part for Russia against Poland,
had at
and
that
last determined to form and uce agaiest
Russia a distinct Polieh corps ; nevertheless she cousi-
proposal of France premature. However, the
fiththitshe unexpected empressemeng with
proposal transpired, and was not uncon-
nectedßuesia—
• weakened, moreover, and undermined by a
corrupt Administration which she is at present making
:peed to reform— accepted the proposals of peace, which
were so strongly recommended to her by her two Ger-
manrumourrho
with
neighbours. You see, gentlemen, that the %Vest,
which
and more especially France and the Emperor, were in-
clining in oar favour—the Emperor who ever extends to
ne hie magnanieleue protection. But circumstances
frustrated his calculations ! The peace of Paris has re-
stored Europe to the condition in which it was previous
lloyAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S INN•ROAD.—The to the war. The same uncertainty prevails, the same
the
number of patients relieved at this hospital during the dangers threaten ; and, in consequence, there is
to hold armies in readiness for a struggle
week ending Dee. 5 were 2,084, of wilch, 065 were new came necessity
cases. for which the very repose enjoyed seems but a_prePork