The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-12 00:00:00

G. C. LEWIS to say that he has hitherto dealt with
the important question in a more liberal and
enlightened spirit than any of his predecessors,
and we may therefore give him credit for suppos-
ing that he will not endeavour, by short-sighted
and vexatious restrictions, to impair the beneficial
character of his suggestions.

There are however two points which require
immediate attention. It appears that there was in
November, 1855, an ascertained deficiency of more
than 5,200,0001. If the entire assets were realised
—and the liabilities provided for, this large sum
must be defrayed by the tax-paying community.
It is highly discreditable to the Government that
such an untoward state of affairs should be per-
mitted to continue. If the accounts of any private
establishment showed a loss of more than 15 per
cent. of the original capital, stringent inquiries
would take place as to the errors of management,
that had produced such disastrous consequences.
The conduct of the Directors would be subjected
to severe criticism ; and the Government should
not set so bad an example as to go on, in the face
of a large ascertained deficiency. The proper
course would be to make such provisions as would
leave an ample fund to meet every possible de-
mand, although the depositors had drawn the full
sums to which they were respectively entitled.
But the great evil, and that which has mainly
occasioned the loss of the five millions, is the irre-
sponsible control exercised by different financial
ministers who buy and sell stock or Exchequer
Bills without reference to the interests of savings
banks. It is, in fact, a gigantic fraud used for
stock-jobbing purposes ; and it is not right or
proper that any individual should be entrusted
with such enormous power. Besides, the absolute
control over 35,000,000/. sterling should not be
vested in any servant of the Crown. It is highly
unconstitutional that it should be so, and in the
event (which Goo forbid) of any collision between
the SOVEREIGN and the people, it might be used in
a manner very detrimental to the liberties of the
subject. These are matters that require stringent
investigation before a select committee. There is
no reason, however, that the present measure,
which is good so far as it goes, should not be
forthwith carried through Parliament, while the
other points above referred to may properly be
postponed for future and efficient legislation.

DEATH Off ADMIRAL LORD BADSTOCK.

It is with great regret that we announce the death.
of Tice-Admiral the Right Hon. Lord Radstock,
C.B. His lordship had attended, as was his cus-
tom, at the Council of King's College on Friday
last, and personally assisted at the distribution of
the prizes to the meritorious students. On Satur-
day morning he felt unwell, and afterwards became
seriously ill, and on Sunday he gradually sank
away, departing this life at an early hour yesterday
(Monday) morning, at his London residence, 26,
Portland-place. The deceased Lord was the eldest
son of the first Baron Radstock, who was the
younger brother of George, fourth Earl of Wal-
degrave, and who, in consequence of a very
important victory over the Spanish fleet off
Cape Lagos, was created an Irish peer under
the title of Baron Radstock. At an early age
the subject of this notice entered the royal
navy, and displayed great zeal and courage
in that gallant service. He was the most distin-
guished in his services off the coasts of Italy, and
took an important part in the destruction of the
French batteries at the mouth of the Rhone, in
1812. He was in later years made a Companion
of the Bath, and appointed naval aide-de-camp to
her Majesty. His unostentatious charity, and ac-
tive exertions in many of the leading societies and
benevolent institutions of the metropolis, will long
be remembered. He is succeeded in his title by,
his only son, the Hon. Granville Augustus Walde-
grate, born in 1833. He leaves a widow, daughter
of the late John Puget, of Totterid.e-park • one
daughter married to Captain William Beauchamp
Proctor, of Langley-park, in Norfolk ; and on()
daughter unmarried.

ADELPHI THEATRE.

Mr. Webster, whose protracted absence from London,
however agreeable to his provincial friends, has been a
matter of much regret to his admirers in town, returned
to his old quarters yesterday evening, and experienced
an enthusiastic reception. He appeared in a new piece,
entitled " Joseph Chavigny ; or, Under the Thumb."
The plot is as follows :—Joseph Chavigny (Mr. Webster)
had, some 19 years before the period at which the drama
commences, been found guilty of forgery, and had been
condemned to the galleys (for the scene is in France),
from which, however, be managed to escape. It was
generally but erroneously believed that he had drowned
himself. He rambles about the world a rogue and a vaga-
bond, and at length finds his way to a village, near which
an old acquaintance, Monsieur de Varennes (Mr. Garden)
resides. A conversation takes place between them, and
it transpires that Monsieur de Varennes' real name is
Ligny, and also that his reputed daughter Madeline
(Madame Celeste), is the daughter of Chavigny, and that
by a fraud of De Varennes a very large property had
become hers, though left to another. As Madeline is on
the point of being married to the Count Gerard de
Grandmevinil (Mr. Billington) it is most important
to De Varennes that no exposure should take place,
and Clavigny leaves him, having fixed a time up
to which he will promise, for a large sum of money,
to keep the secret. Madeline, however, happens
to appear, and learns the secret of her parentage. She
thereupon resolves not to marry the Count, as it
would be a deception ; and yet, in order to screen
her reputed father, she assumes, as a pretence for
breaking off the match, the appearance of being ro
bent on a life of Parisian gaiety, that the Count's
chateau would be too gloomy ; and accordingly, after a
scene in which her acting, under the influence of con-
flicting feelings, is highly wrought, they separate (it
would seem) for ever. An opportunity, however, is
afforded the Count of learning the true facts, as he over-
hears a conversation in a wood between her and Cha-
vigny, to whom she brings the money, and, appreciating
her honour, his love returns. Chavigny is robbed of his
hush-money by a fellow-robber, Regain (Paul Bedford),
and, in despair, he rushes back, after escaping from
gendarmes, to the house of De Varennes, where, to use
the words of the play-bill, the customary "Adelphi
effects" take place—the villains being killed and the
respectable people surviving, and being, it is to be sup-
posed, dismissed to happiness.
Mr. Webster's acting was excellent, and the other
performers exerted themselves with zeal. The applause
at the falling of \the curtain was general, and it is pro-
bable that the new drama will have a run.