The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-13 00:00:00

TO TBE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

does not require a very extended knowledge
of the fundamental principles on which the English lan-
guage is constructed, to show that " telegram" is the
correct, and the only correct term, by which to express
the message sent by the apparatus called the telegraph ;
and the two words "telegram" and "telegraph" enab!e
us very conveniently and correctly to distinguish be-
tween the message sent and the means whereby we
send it.

The necessity for changing such words as " photo-
graph," "paragraph," "geography," &c., as instanced
and anticipated by Mr, Johnson, does, in fact, already
exist ; for do we not constantly make use of such words
as diagram, anagram, programme (why spelt differently I
cannot exptain), without for a moment thinking of chang-
ing " geography" into " geogrammy," which, if it had
any meaning at all, would signify the art of drawing
maps, since the true and classical meaning of "geogratta'
would be a map of the earth, or of some part of it?
Why, then, should we hesitate to add one more to our
list of " grams I" _ _

The same ambiguity does not exist with regard to
"photograph" (though a more correct form would be
" photogram," when taken to designate a picture), for I
am not aware that "photograph" has ever been used
like " telegraph," to signify the apparatus or machine by
which an effect is produced, and it is not customary to
ask the artist if his "photograph" is in good order ;
there is, therefore, no ambiguity in the term.
I can but apply to those who are acquainted with the
sources from which many of our modern words arise, for
a corroboratrea of what I have said, since a fuller expla
nation would involve such an acquaintance.
I enclose you my card.
Saturday Night, Oct. 10.

IGNOTIIS.

His Excellency the Sardinian Minister returns to town
to-day from the Continent, where he has been on leave
of absence for some weeks past.
The Duke of Hamilton left town yesterday morning
for Scotland. The Duchess and family will Lava
Arlington-street to-morrow for Paris.
The Duke and Duchess of Argyll have left Danrobin
Castle for their seat, Inverary Castle, Argyllshire.
The Duchess Dowager of Cleveland has arrived on a
visit to the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland, at Raby
Castle Durham.
The Marquis of Bath is expected in town the latter
end of the week, from Longleate, Wilts, where his lord-
ship hue been entertaining company for some time past.
The Dlarchioness of Waterford hal arrived at Claridge's
Hotel, from Ford Castle, Northumberland.
Maria Marchioness of Ailesbnry has left Claridge's
Hotel, on a visit to the Earl of Derby at Knowsley
Hall, Prescott, Lancashire.
The Marquis of Queensberry has arrived at Long's
Hotel, from Edinburgh.
The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury return to town
to-day from Paris, en route from Germany, where they
have been staying for some time past.
The Countess of Powis and the Ladies Herbert have
left Walcot on a visit to Mr. and Lady Charlotte Mont-
gomery, in Ireland. _

- The Earl of Powis and Col. the Hon. Percy Herbert
are staying at Ashridge Castle, near Berkhampstead, on
a visit to Lady Marian Alford.

The Earl of Radnor and Lady Mary Bouverie are re-
ceiving company at Coleshill House, Berke. Lady E!iz,.
bath Balteel, Mr. and Lady Jane Ellice, Mrs. St. John
Mildmay, and the Right Hon. Eiward Bouverie, M.P.,
joined the party last week.
The Earl of St. Germans and family are expected in
town to-morrow, from Port Eliot, Cornwall.
Lord and Lady Colchester have arrived in town from
Kidbrooke. Sussex.

Lord and Lady Harriet Ashley are making a tour in
the south of France.
Lord and Lady Walsingham are posing the season
at Merton Lodge, Norfolk.
Lady Georgiana Fans has left town for her seat in
Someraetehire.

The Baron Fraderick de Klossman and the Count S:.
Torio have left the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, for
Peri',

The Hon. John Fortescne and the Hon. Frederick
Byng hare left on a visit to Lady Marian Alford, at
Ashridge Castle, Herts.
The Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Pierrepont have left
Claridge's Hotel for Evenley Hall, near 'Brackley.
Mr. and Lady Charlotte Watson Taylor arrived at
their new residence, in Grosvenor-square, a few days
since, from their seat in Wilts.
Lady Chatterton has arrived at her house in Sea-
more-place, from Ireland
NEW COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCL—We are in-
formed that Lord Palmerston has recently, in the most
handsome manner, tendered to the Attorney-Genera',
Sir Richard Bethel!, the important office of Judge of the
New Court of Probate and Divorce, and that the noble
lord,. in making this offer, in the most marked manner
expressed his sense of the distinguished services which
Sir Richard Bethel, had rendered to the country, and t
the sauce of law reform, in conducting thole important
measures to a successful issue in the House of Consmonv.
We are informed that the Attorney-General hail thought
proper to decline the office, considering that the circum-
stance of his having had the carriage of the bills in the
Lower House might lay him open to the imputation that
his exertions in connection with them had not been' of
that disinterested character which PArliaineot and the
public have at his hands a right to expect. The offer
thus made by the noble lord has been respectfully de ,
clined by the Attorney-General solely on the ground
which we have stated.—illorni,g Post.

INDIAN MUTINY RELIEF FUND.—We are happy t)
learn that the committee are not relaxing their etfort
either for the augmentation of this fund or for the
prompt relief of the suff r.:rs. Ten thouslnd pounds
were transmitted to the Relief Committee of Cdcutte,
by the mail which left on the 10th inst. At the same
time they sent the further sum of 1,0001. to Sir .I,,hn
Lawrence in aid of the funds of the Lawrence Ae into.
This institution was established by the late Sir Hera)
Lawrence, who subscribed 1,0001. annually to its sup-
port. It has also received support from the subscrip-
tions and donations of civ:l and military officers in India
Many of these sources of income have been temporarily,
and many more finally, dried up by the calamities wbicL
have recently occurred. The Asylum is situated at Kite-
Bowles, in the lower rargea of the Himalayas, and it,
object is to supply maintenance arid education to the
children of British soldiers wbo have lost either one or
both of their parents.

The annual Balaklava dinner yid take place at the
London Tavern, on the 26th, Sir Jas. Scarlett, K.C.8.,
in the chair.
At St. Petersburg, oa Saturday afternoon, we learn
by telegraph, the price if tallow was rather firmer,
at 176r0. on the spot. The quantity shipped up to
that date this season is 74,000 casks, against 95,000
at the same date last year.
SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUSI.—During the week
ending 10th October the visitors have been as follows :
—On Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free days,
3,851 ; on Monday and Tuesday, free evenings, 5,717.
On two students' days (admission to the public 6d.), 160.
Total 9,728. One day closed.
DEFALCATION IN A CANADIAN BANE.—The Canadian
papers confain full details of a seriohs defalcation in the
Gera Bank.in the city of London, Canada West. Mr.
Lucas, the teller, has absconded from the province.
The amount of his defalcation is from 15,0001. to 20,0001.
He was also Treasurer to the County, which loses a
large sum by him.
THE LATE SUICIDE IN THE FLEET-STREET POLICE
STATION.—Mr. Payne held an inquest yesterday on the
body of Mrs. Helen Watson, who committed suicide in
the Fleet-street station while incarcerated on a charge
of intoxication. Evidence was produced to show that the
unfortunate lady had been subject to fits of excitement,
closely bordering upon derangement, and the jury re-
turned a verdict of temporary insanity.
THE CHAMPION STAG KILLED.— On Monday last the
Prince Consort killed a royal stag in the Forest of Glen-
gelder which weighed 24 stone. This is believed to have
been the champion of the forest. When brought to Bal-
moral he was laid at the main entrance to the Castle
that the Queen and Royal Family might see his royalty
before he was cut up.
THE REPRESENTATION OF EAST KENT.--A meeting of
the.liberal electors of East Kent took place at Canter-
bury, on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of con-
siderii what steps should be taken to obtain the return
of a Liberal candidate in the room of Sir Edward Der-
ing, who has resigned his seat. Mr. Deedee was very
warmly received. The general opinion appears to be
that he will be returned unopposed.
Bend TlDES.—Owing to the strong south-easterly
wind that prevailed on Wednesday and Thursday the
esplanade at Ryde has been completely flooded at high
water, which has caused the washing up of the whole
extent of footpath and some portion of the carriage-road.
The works in progress for the steam ferry approaches
have also suffered. At Eastbourne, during the terrific
gale of Wednesday, the sea dashed over the houses on
the beach, and actually battered in the windows and
door of one of them, inundating the tenement with salt
water, and scattering the terrified inmates like sheep.
It was found necessary to board up the front entrance
of this house for some few days, and meanwhile to use
the yard door as a means of egress and ingress.
SUICIDE IN CHARLOTTE-STREET, PORTLAND-PLACE.—
esterday, Mr. Robert Taylor, a very old and wealthy
inhabitant of the parish, residing in Charlotte-street,
Portland-place, put a period to his existence by nearly
severing his head from his body. The deceased, who
was 65 years of age, carried on for more than 40 years a
very extensive business in the parish, from the proceeds
of which he retired with considerable wealth. Forseveral
months past his family and connections had noticed a
decided change in his manners, betraying absence of mind
and dejection of spirits. Yesterday morning he con-
trived to elude the watch which for some time had been
placed upon his actions, and, retiring to his dressing
room, he there inflicted a wound upon his throat with a
razor of so extensive a character as to terminate his
existence in a few minutes.
THE CAPE MAILS,—SOUTHAMPTON, Oat. 12,—The
Union Screw Compaay's steam-ship Celt, Capt. Brown,
left to-day, with eight passengers and 105,0001. in specie,
for the Cape of Good Hope, calling at Plymouth to
embark the mails. She is .coaled for the entire voyage
out. It is reported that the contract for these mails was
originally taken for carrying them from Southampton to
the Cape, but that subsequently an arrangement has
bean made for the ships to call at Plymouth for the mails,
the company receiving 100/. a month extra for this ad•
ditional trouble. This is an absurdity on the part of
Government which can never be persisted in, we should
think, when the facts become known. A vessel loading
of course, call at a port in the Chan-
anteiLfoorndtohn would,
the
mainllsd, ;
but that a vessel leaving Southampton
should go into Plymouth for the mails is so palpably
ridiculous that it can never be tolerated. Such an ar-
rangement can only be imagined as a sop thrown to the
Plymouth by its official representative;
cantsittitiusetnocoy bad to perpetrate so gross an absurdity as
this, and make the public funds pay for it to the extent
of 1,2001. a-year. Besides which, the shipping of the
mails at Plymouth occasions as increase of railway mile-
age to the extent of the difference between 80 miles to
Southampton and 25C to Plymouth from the metrepo is.
Without elluding to other objections, those stated are
sufficient to lead to tie reversal of of such a decision and
a return to the original intention of embarking the mails
at Southampton, frog which port the company find it to
be their interest to despatch their vessels,
LORD BROUGHAM.---We learn from the Carlisle Patriot
that for some time past it has been the desire of goatic-
men connected with the counties of Cumberland and
Westmorland to gives publicdinner at Penrith in honour
of Lord Brougham. the matter has now assumed a tar-
gible form. The noble and learned lord has accepted the
invitation for Wednesday, the 28. h instant, aad the
arrangements will Is, commensarate with the great in-
terest of the occasasn, the only difficulty being the
obtainment of a suitable dining saloon large enough to
accommodate the great number of persons that will be
sure to press for admission. The tribute is offered to his
lordship by men of all parties, simply as a mark of
respect to a nobleman closely connected with the coun-
ties, whose talents and unwearied exertions in the cause
of education and social :mprovement are so conspicuous,
and will be entirely free from all party or political bias.
A committee has been formed, and hopes are entertained
that the Earl of Lonsdale's health will ,a4rnit of his
taking the chair. It would be a graceful compliment on
the part of the Lord Lieutenant of the sister counties,
and we think we may fay that Lord Brougham would
fully appreciate and reciprocate the feeling which led
to it.

Mr. W. E. GLADSTCNE.—It will surprise some of
our local readers to learn that Mr. W. E. Gladstone
is at present engaged in a translation of Homer's
" Iliad " into English eeree, a subject which has all.
sorbed at various time the attention of some of the
finest intellects which this country has produced. The
uonpctsical portion of the public
against '
English version of this great poem which has been
ant it has maintained its
ground
oawilluitiohatrhetihrsse. P
Mr. Gladstone's version will be
most p
looked to with much interest, and much will be
xpected from him, for his attainments in all depart-
onfd
ments of classical learning are known to be great.
the
ete theme,shar e
wofilisubee
a further proof of the extent of his pavers. A mind-
He has given many proofs of his versatiLty, and suc-
coaessse, ictiontlsiiider
seiffngurtt,heorevn magnitudea moderate
of such strength and flexibili.y as Mr. Gladstone's
cannot be idle, and its; diversion into the field of
classic poetry is attributable, of course, to the cares
of practical statesmanship no longer absorbing his ex-
elusive attention an formerly.—Liver pool Chronicle.
GAAlE.—Grouse and black game shooting, says
the dye Advertiser, is nearly over. The spurt has
been very much as we anticipated before the 12th of
August. The very short stock of birds left last year
rendered a "great grouse semen" impossible, but there
bas been fair sport in Ayrshire and Wigtownshire ; and
if the numbers in the bag were short the quality of the
birds is admitted to have been fine. Indeed, we have
seldom seen the grouse so uniformly plumy and
healthy. We notiee a pretty keen controversy being car-
ried on among our Southern neighbours about the causes
of diminished sport on the Highland moors. Assumiug
that the grounds are well protected, and the vermin care-
fully killed, there are three Causes at work to account
for dimiaishe 1 members of grouse. First, occasional
disease, to which tie grouse are subject—whether from
the poisonous ingredients used in dipping sheep or not
is problematical ; secondly, severe shooting during the
first fortnight of late coveys, that ought to be spared for
a time ; and thirdly, short leases, that a:e apt to induce
severe shooting and careless protection. In the lower
districts there is one great cause that is sufficient in itself
—the excessive burning of heather. Heather is rapidly
giving place to a good sheep pasture, which it is presumed
pays the owner better than game ; so that if the sports-
man wants grouse shooting, be must pitch his tent where
there is heather, and not lease pasture hile But in these
lower situations, where sheep are supplanting the grouse,
the latter are generally replaced by black game, which
have this season been plentiful. Partridges, both on the
hills and for grounds, have also this season been abun-
dant. Phe'asants, which !lets-season were very scarce,
are found tolerably plentiful. Hares, plentiful or vane
as they are protected. On the whole, we should say this

is an average season for all kinds of game.
OPRNIN4 OP A DRY DOCK IN THE .MAIIRITIUS.—The
13th of July was signalized in the Mauritius by the
opening of a vast dry dock, and all the elite of the in-
habitants assembled to witness the entrance therein of
the Northern Light, a vessel of some L6OO tons burden.
The weather was favourable,
and by 2 o'clock the seats
reserved for the ladies at the back of the basin were all
filled, and the large vessel moved majestically to the
place destined for her, the sailors singing their usual
song as they warped in. The door of the basin was then
shut and the pump set to work ;
all this occupied about
an hour. The ladies were then cmducted to a splendid
collation prepared under the vast open building with its
domed iron roof. Covers were laid for 200 person?,
and after iced champagne an 1 other wines had freely cir-
.culated Mr. P. A. 'Mae; rose and proposed " The
Health of his Excellency Sir James Maeaulay Higgin
son." Sir James, in reply, observed that they had that
day had an opportunity of witnessing a most interestieg
—the opening of its first dry dock. It was an epoch io
unprecedented in the annals of the Mauritius,
the
r e
pmr oo
gnyress of the capacity of the pc.rt for the buil ling
:tad repairing of ships, and
offered increased facilities
to commerce which the future historian of the eelony
would not fail to pr eminently record. Tee undertakiug
(as observed by Mr. Wieb4) was one not only of colo:.ial
but of national importance, and reflected great credit on
all concerned in it, whether it were the enterprise that
projected; the energy and perseverance that conducted
it to a sucJeeAul isup, or the skill and science of the
engmeer under whose dire° ions this work had been Co
-atisfactorily executed. 'rho heal.h of MikkoeGenerai
nay, the patron of the dock,. and those of Lady Macau-
-1-y leliainson and the ladies were afterwards drunk in
bumpers of claret, arid the ladies then retired from the
dais. Tee dock was planned by Mr. T. Hounelow, and
the design carried out by Messrs. Fry and Blondeau.
The dimensions of this, the first graving dock constructed
in the Mauritius, are as follows—.via., Length of keel,
250 feet; entrance, 40 feet ; width inside, 63 feet. The
basin may be lengthened to 300 feet, and larger it found
lesirable ;
but in the latter case the Government would
have to make a c mceesi,m of land. The same week was
signalised by the laying of the foundation stone of a new ,Vr?testant church at Pacapleanouse.