The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-03 00:00:00

LIGHTING OF TOWNS (IRELAND) ACT

AMEND NIENT BILL.
This bill wal read a third time and passed.
_ THE OPIUM TRADE WITH CHINA.

Oa the motion of Mr. MURRO UGH, who emphati-
cally and at some length denounced the conduct of the
East India Company with regard to the growth of opium
and its smuggling into China, a return was ordered of
the number of persons engaged by the East India Com-
pany in the Presidency of Bengal in making advances of
money to the cultivators of poppyseed before the sowing
time; in watching its growth after it is sown, in
superintending the delivery of the opium, its inspissation
and preparation for the taste of Chinese consumers ; its
formation into balls and packages in chests especially
adapted for the convenience of carriage into Chinese ter-
ritlries, and its conveyance to Calcutta for auction at
the Government sales ; and of the number of licences
grantei by the East India Company, in the years 1855
and 1856, to private ships trading to China, containing
a provision, with the penalty attached, " That no opium
except that which the East India Company monopolises
shall be taken on board."

The house adjourned at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock.

THE ENGLISH IN, CHINA.

The following extracts from a letter, dated
Hong Kong, and describing the proCeedings of the
amiable objects ofso much Parliamentary solicitude,
will be read with interest :
"The Chinese, emboldened by their sucoessful incen-
diaridm in foreign factories, have assumed offensive ope-
rations, while the squadron, under the command of Ad-
miral Seymour, being composed of vessels of large size,
has been unable to do more than maintain its ground and
keep open the communications with the colony. There
appears to be no chance of the obstinacy of the mandarins
giving way until the arrival of such a force as will be able
to act against them with effect. This the gunboats on the
way hither are expected to afford, but in the meantime
the entire population seems arming against foreigners,
without distinction, and some fearful hazards have
marked the progress of the last month, acts of assassina-
tion having been frequent for the purpose of obtaining
the head maney offered by the provincial Government.
"Jan. 15.—1 am hardly able to hold my pen to write
you a few liner, being under the influence of a strong
emetic taken to avoid the effects of poisoned bread eaten
at this morning's breakfast. Mr. —, Mr. —, and myself
were seized with violent fits of vomiting immediately
after leaving the table, and I have just been informed
that the whole town has been more or less affected in
the same way by bread baked by a Chinese shopman.
We are so surroundedragainst their
. by the scoundrelsdesigns;
and that
the it
atrocious
i s ha d l y
possible to ga
blood-money edicts issued by the Canton Government
have set on foot a system of assassination and kidnap-
ping. How this state of things will end it is impossible to
say; but, notwithstanding the injury to our interests, I
cannot regret that the Canton people are at lest about
to meet their deserts.. Trifling as was the original
matter in dispute, thettine must have come, sooner or
later, when the humiliating position of foreigners could
be no longer endured. At the other ports it is alto-
gether cliff-rent ; the Canton people are as much hated
by the Northerners as foreigners are in the south, and
the Shangloaimen openly express their satisfaction at the
action of our navy. Whether this feeling will continue
when they hear of our delay in enforcing terms I do not
know.

" The exports of tea for the season will be 25,000,000
b. to 30,000,0001 b. deficient.

. .
Another letter, dated Hong Kong, January 15,
from which the following is an extract, states:—

. .
"The baker from whom the poisoned bread was pur-
chased is in custody, but it is feared that legal difficul-
ties will prevent a conviction. My bread, fortunately,
was baked the day before and toasted, so that we es-
caped the effects of the poison. Natives as well as
Europeans hastened to the doctors, apparently in great
pain. I mean to make my cook, a Chinaman, taste
everything in my presence before I partake of q."

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

EAST SUSSEX.

The nomination of candidates took place yesterday at
Lewea ; the High Sheriff, Mr. R. C. Promfret, presiding.
Mr. R. W. &ENCORE proposed and General DAVIS
seconded the nomination of Mr. J. G. Dodson ; and Mr.
E. HUSSEY proposed and Mr. W. D. L. SHADWELL se-
conded the nomination of Viscount Pevensey.

Both candidates having addressed the electors, a show
of hands was taken, which was in favour of Mr. Dodson
by a considerable majority.
Mr. HussitY, on the part of Lord Pevensey, demanded
a poll, which will be opened on Thursday next.

NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE ELECTION.
The election of a member to represent the Northern
Division of the county of Leicester, vacant by the eleva-
tion of the Marquis of Granby to the peerage, took
place at the Tolvn-haq, Loughborough, yesterday.
Sir G. BEA.IIMONT proposed and Mr. H. C. BINGEAM
seconded the nomination of Lord John Manners.
Mr. FaEWEN then addressed the electors, and said he
opposed the election of Lord John Manners purely as a
matter of principle. Mr. Frewer, in conclusion, for-
ma..lly nominated the Hon. Major Powyi.
R. G. CRESSWELL seconded the proposal.
Mr. PICKWORTLE, a draper of Loughborough, here
stepped forward, and nominated Richard Cobden, Esq.,
amid cheers and much laughter.
Lord JOHN MANNERS then addressed the electors. He
said ho should go to Parliament with the conviction
that he was discharging his duty
in maintaining to the
beet of his ability that fair fabric of tempered liberty
which was called their gl rious constitution in Church
and State. His Lordahip then proceeded to review the f -
reign policy of the Government, and condemned the
meddling interference with the quarrels of other rations.
Their true policy, he said was to avoid the extremes of
either securing peace on terms dishonourßb.le to the
I country. or
plunging irate war, except when absolutely
necessary.
A show of hands was then taken, and a majority being
in favour of Major Powys, a poll was demanded for Lord
John Manners, and the proposers of the other candi-
dates declining to press the matter to a contest, his lerd•
ship briefly returned thanks and the proceedings termi-
nated.