The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-29 00:00:00

QUVERNMBNT WASTE.

We want the War Income Tax repealed ; and
have, therefore, as little desire as any can have
to incur the cost of needless Eastern wars ; but
the " Arrow" case is a very different one to the
great " Mrs. HA.SHEM case." We hope, too, that
YEH or his master will be made to pay the cost
of war if he force it on us ; indeed this seems
likely, since China had to pay before, without any
regard to her EMPEROR'S " dignity." It is only
the dignity of political felons of far deeper dye,
such as Czars who ißvade other rulers' territory,
to save which we must pay a War Income Tax in
time of peace, instead of making the arch-burglar
bear the expense of expelling him from his neigh-
bour's dwelling. Now, however, the time is
come to compel the Chinese Government to grant
all reasonable facilities to Europeans for trading
with them. The people generally wish it, for
they avail themselves of all that we have gained
from the EM.PEILOR and his mandarins. We
hope therefore a better treaty than before will
now be exacted.

H.M.S. The Royal Frederick--a glorious man-
of-war, carrying 116 guns, having a burden of 3,100
tons, and constructed at a cost to the country of
upwards of 100,0001.—is just discovered to be
very seriously affected by the dry-rot. Observe !
—this magnificent three-decker is only just now
discovered to be very seriously affected by the
dry-rot, after having remained actually seven-
and-twenty years on the stocks, never having yet
to this very day been launched ! It is only
another illustration, we are perfectly aware,
of a well-known and even notorious grievance.
But it is a very striking illustration—an illui-
tration so peculiarly significant in its way, that
we cannot but regard is as one entitled to a few
moments deliberate consideration. There are
many other ships of war, besides this one, lying
iale in our dockyards—many others that have been
lying idle there for years past, rotting away in
like manner upon the stocks, and destined, so far
as one can at all calculate, to. remain there for
yet many years longer, until they shall at length,
in the fullness of time, be broken up at last, and
carted away as rubbish by a remote posterity
There are absolutely, in some of our dock-
yards, men-of-war situated like this by twos
and by threes " all of a row"—fastened like so
many village varlets "in the stocks"--fixtures as
inexorably bound there, apparently, as ever
THESEUS was bound to the Chair of Hell I But
the Royal Frederick, although in no respect an
exceptional case, is, at the same time we must
admit, a very startling one. One so startling, so
strikingly illustiative of the monstrous evil doings
of the Admiralty in this particular, that we do
seriously think it is an example not to be passed
by as of no peculiar significance.

What are the simple facts of the Case ? Here

in H.M.S. the Royal Frederick, of 116 guns,
of 3,100 tons burden, built twenty-seven years ago
at a cost of more than 100,000/.—is a magnificent
man-of war which has never yet been launched,
and is only now, at the close of the January of
1857, found to be very seriously affected by the
dry-rot ! The keel and other parts of her are so
far injured as to be, to all intents and purposes,
utterly worthless ! Literally, the vessel we are now
writing about is what we may call an "artificial rule.'
of a very noble specimen of maritime architecture.
As a noble specimen of her class, beyond all doubt,
this vessel must still be regarded ; but then., as
has been recently remarked in commercial phra-
seology, and remarked, too, be it ;.-;oserved, very
judiciously, it is a class of vessels latterly placed
at a discount by- the modern
tendency to con-
struct ships-of-war
not merely of a heavier ton-
nage, but ships all but endowed with vitality by
being fitted up with the screw-propeller I Where-
fore it is not to us the least bit in the world
surprising to learn now that it is intended that
the Royal Frederick shall, in the twenty-eight
year of her existence, be treated as so many
other vessels of the same class have already been
treated in slow succession ! It is only hearing
the same old story all over again
when we are
told now, as we actually are told, that it is con-
templated in regard to the Royal Frederick to
cut her in half—to lengthen her--and to .fit her

PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 28.—1 t has this week been diPco-
1.-red that the Royal Frederick, 116 guns and 3,100 tons
burden—a vessel not yet launched, has the dry rot to a
very serious extent. The keel and other parts of the
vessel are affected. The Royal Frederick has been on
the stocks 27 years--the tendency to build ships of hea-
vier tonnage and for the screw propeller having placed
the class of vessels to which she belongs at a discom.t.
Like others of that class, it is now, however, contem-
plated cutting her in half, lengthening her, and fitting
her for a screw.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Theresa
Lewis left town yesterday for Windsor Castle, on a visit
to her Majesty.
The Right Hon. B. Disraeli will receive a party of
members of the House of Commons to dinner on Monday
next, at his residence, Grosvenor-gate.
A marriage is shortly to take place between the Hon.
Richard Handcock and the Hon. Louisa Matida Harris,
daughter of the late Lord Harris.
The following report of the medical gentlemen attend
ing the Earl of Harewood was issued on Tuesday
morning : —" The Earl of Harewood has passed a quiet
night, with some tranquil sleep. His lordship continues
c luscious and free from fever.—Harewood House, Toes-
day morning, Jan. 27." The answer to inquiries made
yesterday was that his lordship continues in the same
condition.
The steamer Madrid has taken out 14,6601. in specie
to the Peninsula.
The Heather Bel, homeward bound from Melbourne,
with a large quantity of gold, is calculated to have been
a:, sea about 88 days.
EMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES.—The screw
steam-ship City of Baltimore, Captain Robert Leitch,
sailed this forenoon for New ork, with 172 passengers.
REPRESENTATION Of FINSBURY.—A rumour very
extensively prevails throughout the borough that a can-
vass is going on in behalf of a gentleman named Cox, a
solicitor residing in Islington, who is ambitious of repre-
senting the borough in the House of Commons.
ST. MARTIN'S HALL.—Mr. Charles Cotton, a gentle-
man not unknown to fame as a public lecturer, com-
menced a new entertainment last night at St. Martin's
Hall, entitled the " Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle," with
great success.
MINING PROPERTY AT GARRAWAY'S.—Yesterday the
Great Rough Tor Consols Copper Mine, near Camelford
Cornwall, now in full IN orking, together with the build-
ings, machinery, and other articles forming the entire
plant, were put up for sale. No bid was given.
At a meeting of the United Mexican Mining Asso-
ciation held yesterday the report of the directors, after a
lengthened discussion, was adopted, and it was agreed
to empower them to raise the remaining 6,5001. of the
21,5001. voted in 1854 to carry on the workings of the
Jesus Maria Mine, the returns from which have latterly
improved.
Advices from Paris state that the construction of the
Ferdinand Railway of Tuscany, the particulars of which
were put forth in London yesterday, has been contracted
fur by Messrs. Burroni Brothers, of Florence, at a sum
of 732,0001., or 68,000/. below the amouet of the gua-
ranteed capital. The caution money of 48,0001. has
been deposited.
The half-yearly meeting of the London and North
Western Railway Company is called for the 20th of
February. A resolution will be submitted " for the
consolidation into stock of so many of the Loudon and
Birmingham 201. shares, and the Manchester and Bir
mingham C 101. shares, as have been fully paid up."
THE WRECK Or THR NORTHERN BELLE. —The un
lading of this vessel, now lying on the rocks at Kin!: 8-
gate, is rapidly progressing. Several thousand barrels
of flour and wheat have a.ready been safely landed by
the loggers Fame:and Dreadnought of Broadstairs, as-
sisted by aateogbaourtys.i,_inaedndeiltsihonoatozetstoeme quantity of
saltbeeMargate
and
fm
The report that a company of Sappers and Miners is
placed under orders for Norfolk Island, to assist in
Some small a m
force is No
to be sent
tth
ftofooorrrdtmoeh
rriesdn
Falklands,
hnaaaal
vrkyeci oandnneuvde
tisncy, t,
gt settlement,
and
nrte tednl
replace
nimaoceStee existing guard, but only
noto form a convict establish-
ment.
DRURY-LANE THRATRR.—The morning performance
of the Great Pantomime attracted an immense auoienee.
visitorsroya wel
fa otiminlyocfedFrtahne x.Qcee.pueuerninof tgtlae
the
FAwremeenkocnhtghsaenttdhheetahter
e has been honoured by the presence of
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Buck-
ingham, Lord Tankerville, and a host of the nobility.
Her Majesty's steam ships Sirnoone and Megeera are
announced to sail for the Cape of Good Hope and the
Maurious, and we feel it is not too much to ask of the
Post-office authorities to despatch mails by each vessel.
At all events the mercantile classes connected with those
colonies would be glad to take advantage to some extent
of the opportunities offered to them.
THE NATIONAL HALL, HOLBORN.—The lessee of the
National Hall, Holborn, has received from the Metro-
politan Police Commissioners a notice under the Me-
tropolitan Buildings Act, 18 and 19 Vice, cap. 122,
see, 2, requiring him to take down the side walls of the
structure, from the level of the gallery floors upwards,
where bulged out of the perpendicular. In consequence
of this notice the public meeting of the National Sunday
League, which was to have been held there was postponed.
RUMOURED OPERATION OF ROTHSCRILD IN THE
WHISKY MARKET.—A report got abroad last week in
the spirit trade that Baron Rothschild, the great capi-
talist, bad purchased 7,000 puncheons of the Caledonian
Distillery Company, Edinburgh. As the report was
operating injuriously on the market, a gentleman in
town, a few days ago, addressed a note to the Baron on
the subject, and he received a courteous note in course
of post, stating that there was not a shadow of truth in
the Tumour referred to.—North Britis'e Mail.
ACCIDENT TO A LIVERPOOL FERRY STEAMER.—An ac-
cident, which for a time caused general alarm, occurred
on Tu-aday evening on board the ferry steamer Wallasey,
which plies between Egremont (the Cheshire side) and
the landing stage. The Wallasey left Egremont as usual
at 7 o'clock, and it is supposed that in crossing the
• river her bottom came in contact with the anchor of the
steamer Fairy, inasmuch as she began to fill immediately.
In order to save the lives of, those on board the captain
signalled for assistance, when the Tiger ferryboat, hap-
pening to be close, took off the orew and passengers,
wewx;cuphat3isenhyge two of the former, who remained on board,
but who were afterwards saved in the small boat. The
we
succeeded
eteheedne
di
r steeredeacfhoirn
gt h, ew Ph
er
Ili n
shec e 's
itome
ekd
iate basin,ly
meßnooafTthAecz7tioens—
sank.
The John o'Groat Journal records
another of those terri t4le calamities with which the fisher-
a.lS,l Islands are so often visited—viz.,
ttihveeleetebeeeref a. 'oom, with not only all her own hands, but
to recur r h
otvmheo,
on werethe
m passengers.oraing
oof Wednesday
boat left,
the Lerwick,l4th
instsSiet, but never reached her destination, nor have
there been any left to tell the tale of her fate. There
were, in all, tea men in the boat. Five of these had
been fishing in it during the past season, and were car-
ryingselo.
ottti
tfihuerhhoesevelaktei
nebr,,
ei
ven.
aeerb Lent
havel Ft
teufvi
rrsipel entire earnings,
marriage,
she was
iaaokwartfrneafora
i families.
ahag encieece,mfofv teouee wnenra oet
dTw totallyoaat
ofewfhy afterwards
were
easoe
r,tttowmhhdf
foeaeaetumrsr
accident,hdrtrei familiesistehuydintendingsat,oeevueai
nnrn bt,
g.
young
she receivedrlmenfthe: fatutiuvsr hrentiwereisefbpassedrfhben elobrro bill
nythdl oemeaeenbri the Same mail from Zetland, it is stated that
12 lives were lost. In his description of the accident
our correspondent writes :—A Six oar boat belonging to
the Luichnees left town between il and 12 o'clock in the
forenoon deeply laden with wood and other goods, and
containing, besides, eleven E'en and a female. She was
Observed to have perfortned the voyage in safety until
1 The alarm was first given by two persons who had
iniseed their passage in the boat, and who subsequently
had gone home by other conveyance ; and the fears then
enterta.ned were confirmed by the boat, containing little
or nothing of her cargo, drifting ashore at Noness Head.
According to the lat.st accounts, none of the bodies had
been found, but some quantity of the goods has since
floated ashore. It is stated that the party were all
perfectly sober.

Meanwhile Captain Jones, the Resident, had
proceeded to Bushire in a small steamer, bearing
a summons to the Governor to surrender, and
offering most favourable conditions, both to sol-
diers and non-combatants. But his flag of truce
was fired upon from the town, and he returned to
the Admiral. An apology from the Governor
followed, disclaiming the discourteous act, which
ho attributed to the ignorance of au artilleryman,
and begging for 24 hours' delay, which the Gene-
ral and Admiral promptly refused. The anchorage
was buoyed during the night by the boats of the
fleet, and at eight on the morning of the 10th the
steamers anchored off the defences of the
town with springs upon their cables, while the
army approached upon the land side. A redoubt
commanding the works on the plain, from
which Bushire derives its supply of water, was
shelled in the morning by some of the lighter
vessels, and its garrison forced to retire into the
town. The engagement then commenced between
the ships and the defences, and continued for four
hours, when the enemy
finally ceased firing, and
lowered the Persian colours. Their firing is said
to have been steady and well sustained, yet, strange
to say, not a single man in the fleet was touched.
The Semiramis was hulled once, and she and the
Feroze and others suffered a little in their masts
and rigging, but that was all. It is true that
the principal strength of the defences was on
thn land side, where the enemy expected to be
attacked, and were ready, so far as regards the
number of guns, to give us a very warm reception
indeed. Still there were many guns on the sea
face also; and, moreover, at the southern angle of
the town were two troublsome erections in the
nature of stockades, formed of date trees, strongly
faced with an earthen embankment. These it
took some time and good gunnery to silence. It
was noon when the Persian flag fell and the ,ships
ceased firing. The army was then drawn up in
lino opposite the land face of the town ; and
their imposing attitude, and the recollection of
the skirmish the day before, no doubt had their
share in inducing the Persian Commandant to

surrender. After some little delay, and not witl4-

out threats of an assault, the gate opened, and
the Governor and Commander of the Forces