The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-10 00:00:00

dicial to the interests of humanity, and especially
disgusting to our Canadian colonies, who find
their space for expansion circumscribed, and them-
selves " cribbed, cabined, and confined," by the
extravagant pretensions of the favoured corporation,
who claim far more than they are entitled to
made the charter of CHARLES IL, or any of its
renewals. i

The effects of that Charter are far more in-
jurious to British interests, than the amount dis-
tributed in the shape of dividends to its share-
holders. It should therefore, be got rid of with
the least possible delay. We wish to act fairly
towards the Company, to satisfy
every just and
equitable pecuniary claim that may be set up.
England is not so poOr that she should act un-
fairly towards any party possessing reasonable
rights and privileges. The Charter of the Hud-
son's Bay Company may,
however, be abrogated
with brief notice. A short period will suffice to get
rid of the obnoxious monopoly which it exercises,
and to establish matters on a sounder and better
foundation, and although ,there are many press-
ing questions to be disposed of during the next
session, it is imperative that that relating to the
Hudson Bay Charter should be placed on a satis-
factory basis. Mr. T. ABOUCHERE has already
shown that he is fully aware of the vast import-
ance of the subject, and assisted by the labours of
the committee, he may and ought to be prepared
with a specific proposition for the proper solution
of the interesting problem.
If we do not act, we may rest assured that
others will. The United States have already cast
anxious glances in the direction, and they will
not rest until something is accomplished one way
or the other. We may change the system
ourselves, but if not, it will be altered
for us, and we may possibly find our-
selves involved in very unpleasant compli-
cations, through our continued support of an
erroneous and indefensible principle. We should
count the cost in due time, and it is certain that
the first expense will be the-best. I„;The axiom
that " property has its duties as well as its rights,"
is now generally admitted. A man can only
" do what he likes with his own," so long as he
does not injure others. The claims of the Hud-
son's Bay Company are contrary to public policy.
We are prepared to deal fairly with them in a
pecuniary point of view ; but they cannot be per-
mitted much longer to stop the way with their
heavy waggon, which, however suitable to the
17th century, i 3 by no means suited to the spirit
of the present age, after the lapse of nearly two
centuries.

A memorandum has been issued from the
Horse Guards which, although it may be regarded
as a step in the right direction, by no means goes
far enough to meet the exigencies of the case. It
is the enunciation of a new mode by which a com-
mission may be procured. A young gentleman
of suitable acquirements, and qualified to stand a
stringent examination, may now, by raising 100
recruits, obtain a commisson, i.e., an ensigney in
the line.

There are sundry regulations, savouring strongly
of red tapism, that greatly restrict the privilege,
but the principle is a sound one ; and, regarding
it as the admission of the sharp end of the
wedge, we look more to future results than to
the present limited, we may almost call it paltry
concessions.

There can be no doubt that the obtaining 100
stalworth recruits would be far more valuable to
the country than the payment of 450/. (to be
subsequently - repaid), even if quadrupled. It
would cost the nation all the money, and the class
would be by no means so eligible as that which wou
come from love and affection, for a young gentle,
man who was about to participAte in their toils and
dangers, and whose interests would be so closely
connected with their own that they could not be
severed. It is to a certain extent a return to the
old system by which the army was raised before
the purchase system was even thought of. A
great landed proprietor raised a regiment. at his
own expense, of which he himself or his heir, or
near kinsman, obtained the command, and he dis-
tributed all the commissions, just as the Lord
Lieutenant of a county now does in a Militia
Regiment. If his own resources were not ade-
quate, he procured assistance. Any competent
person who could bring in a Company, commanded
it, as a matter of course, and nominated his own
subalterns. The value of the principle was tested
and established by experience, and a mere
pecuniary payment only crept in by slow
degrees, as a substitute, and by no means a be-
neficial one, for the more judicious and sounder
practice.

Now, it seems to us that the bringing in of
men sufficient to constitute a full company should
carry with it a captain's, and not merely an
ensign's, commission. A Militia Officer has re-
cently clearly pointed eut how great would be the
inducement to men to volunteer en masse, if
assured that they would still be placed under
the command of officers of whose kindness
they had already practical experience. We
believe that his views are fully sustained
by the facts, and that the present regula-
tions will effect but little until greatly modified.
A raw ensign can do but little for raw recruits.
He cannot be their advocate or refuge in time of
trouble. He will have quite enough to do to
take care of No. 1 ; and the soldiers know
that, and will not be induced to lean on
so fragile a support. But let it be a cap-
tain—one who has already served and is
qualified to discharge the duties of the situa-
tion—and the case will be altogether different.
He may have sold out, and be disqualified, accord-
ing to the rules, to eater in the station he had
already attained, or to which he might have been
promoted a short time before ; but he would make
an efficient officer, and he would carry with him
the confidence of the nen, and induce them
to cast in their lots with his. We accept
then, the present step as an instalment, but only
as such. To effect material benefit it must be
greatly extended, and that we have no doubt it
will bo ero many months have elapsed, unless
the demand for eligible recruits be lass extensive
than we can reasonably hope or anticipate.

LORD JOHN RIISSELL.—This nobleman is still enjoying
himself at Minto House, the mansion of his noble father-
in-law.

The Etna, steamer, has arrived with 51,0001. gold,
brought by the European from Australia.
LORD PALMERSTON AND Tan; INDIAN RELIEF FUND.—
We have great gratification in being able to announce
that, yesterday afternoon, the Lord Mayor received a
cheque from Lard Palmerston for the very handsome
sum of 1001. towards the fund for the relief of the suf-
ferers from the Indian mutiny.
LIBERALITY OF THE MARCHIONESS OF LONDON-
DERRY.—Tbe Marchioness of Londonderry has proposed
to the numerous miners and -pitmen in the coal collieries
on her estates in Durham to establish a fund for the
purpose of supporting the infirm and worn-out pitmen
of these collieries. Her ladyship proposes to call the
establishment the " Pitman'is Home," and has under-
taken to be at the whole cost of the building, and like-
wise saying, " She !should be happy to contribute fairly
towards its maintenance." There are above 3,000 work-
people employed in the collieries and works near Sea-
ham-hall, and the greatest interest is manifested by tho
Marchioness for their safety and welfare. Schools are
provided for the children, awl increased facilities have
just been given for fuitherinv, the education of those
men at work during the day by night rchools to attend.
which they will be allowed to subtract certain hour 4
from their evening empley.