The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-04 00:00:00

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
Proprietor --C. MouToN.

The public is most respectfully informed that the FINE
ARTS GALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12
o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec-
tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters and is also
devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels
he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist-
ing* Music flail, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently
added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether
as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them-
selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations
within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the
Kingdom.
The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT commences as usual at
Seven o'clock.

In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET
FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied
instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa-
tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, will
perform every Evening at Nine an I Eleven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, JAN. 4.

THERMOMETER, IN Tll3 SHADE.

45—highest since noon yesterday.
44—lowest this morning and during the night.
44—this day at noon.

BAnomETEn-30.53—falling.

WIND, North-Westerly; light, with foggy weather,

THE SUN.

TUESDAY. JANUARY 4, 1859.

The mystery respecting the Phoenix Clubs will
speedily be unravelled. Fourteen persons have
been committed for trial by Mr. TRACY, R.M., at
the next assizes. One of the accused has been
admitted to bail, but it was absolutely refused for
the others, who will have to remain in gaol until
the time of trial, unless an application to one of the
Judges of the Superior Court, to be liberated on
sureties, should prove successful. It is impossible
to state, with any degree of certainty, the nature of
the evidence to be offered against the prisoners. It
is positively asserted that there are two approvers,
HUGH CAROLAN and JOHN KELLY, both attorneys'
clerks, and persons highly trusted by the different
clubbists, who were astounded at the notion of their
becoming traitors to the cause. It is more than
hinted that several others were quite willing
to obtain exemption for themselves by informing
against their associates, but that the Crown pro-
secutor considered that there was quite sufficient
evidence without bringing others into the field.
There can be no doubt on that point. If one tainted
witness cannot be trusted, twenty of a similar class
are equally unworthy of credit. There must be
corroboration from independent and trustworthy
sources, as well as a verisimilitude that will satisfy
an impartial jury that the man who has turned
King's evidence is telling the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth. He must also be
corroborated not only respecting the facts, but the
persons, for nothing would be more easy than to
state what had actually occurred, substituting one
name for another, and casting the stigma on an
innocent person that should properly belong to a
guilty but favoured associate.
Why, then, it may be asked, should there be two
approvers ? Simply for the satisfaction of the
law officers, who will have greater confidence in the
accuracy of a story when confirmed in all its mate-
rial incidents by another person, who had no
opportunity of concocting a tale together. With a
jury it may, and doubtless will, be said that these
persons might have entered into a previous conspi-
racy to betray their associates, or that they might
have been enabled to meet and compare notes since
their arrest. The authorities can, however, ascer-
tain to a positive certainty whether any, and what,
weight should 'be given to such arguments, and
may satisfy themselves with what would be insuffi-
cient to induce a jury to return an adverse
verdict.

But why 2hould there now be conspiracies in
Ireland ? Why should our Hibernian brethren
desire to exchange the mild rule of QUEEN VIC-
TORIA for either a military despotism or a wild
democracy ? If they became Preach citizens the
Press would not exercise the same freedom as at
present. Nor would any, from the highest to the
lowest, possess the liberty that they now enjoy.
It would be worse to be Americanised, for in any
struggle in which our rather pugnacious uncle SAM
should happen to become involved, Ireland would
be ,the vulnerable point which would receive the

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