The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-17 00:00:00

THE RUSSIAN LOAN.
TO THE 17)ITOR OF THE SUN:

Sin,—A few months agO you did me the favour to
insert a few remarks on the "Austrian Loan ;" per-
balis you will Low allow me to say a few words on
the Russian Ivan just announced by Messrs. Baring
and Co.

It is called a railway loan, to give it a specious ap-
pearance. Despotism cannot afford to tell the truth ;
if it could, it would in these days often be ashamed of
it. A loan to pay the assassins hired to murder the
Hungerian patriots, flog their noble women, and im-
prison their children, would not sound well on
'Change, and would be celled the Assassins' Loan
throughout the land ; but anything to do with rail-
ways, albeit they are not in the best odour at present,
has a much better chance of public favour. Now,
it is extremely likely that Nicholas would be very
glad to see this Moscow railway of his finished, and
many others too, for without such means of rapid
transit for his treope, his large, unwieldy empire
would be completely at the mercy of any naval power
that was induced to attack it ; but if his Autocratic
Majesty had not spent his people's money in bullying
and slaying his neighbours no loan would have been
required It is ridiculous to suppose that the
commercial engineers of a land of serfs can
demand any railways at all, and Nicholas,
although very fond of his people's progress when it
aggrandizes his own power, would be the last man to
allow it to go on too fast for the safety of despotism.
We have had accounts lately of conspiracies in his
dominions, and it is well known that in Russia assas-
sination is regarded as the natural death of an Em-
peror. These facts, with the well-known circum-
stance of the Government costing much more than the
revenue, naturally makes his Majesty desirous of
raising the wind. He feels that he is not safe, sur-
rounded by the most enormous army in the world ;
if not the sword of the avenger, at any rate the knife
of the assassin hangs over him, and he wishes to fey
cure himself. True to the instincts of despotism, he
puts his trust in espionage and oppression. If freedom
of writing or speaking comes 'near him he is alarmed,
and the assertors of him an rights must be quenched
in blood, and when he has had his fling of temporarily
successful crime, he comes to moral and religious
England, and asks its people to pay for it. A beggar
once prayed hard for a trifle to keep him from doing
what he should bitterly regret, and when
the charitable coin was transferred to his pocket,
explained that had he not got it he should have been
obliged to work. Now if Nicholas would tell the
truth, he would say that if he could get no foreign
loans he would be obliged to depend for his safety on
constitutional principles, which, as the beggar said,
he would bitterly regret. The Autocrat is liked by
the people because he curbs the power of their feudal
masters, and it heals the stripes on their own backs
to see a little discipline enforced on their tyrants ; but
his power is personal, and the nobles, who hate him,
are aware of the fact that anybody would rule who
got possession of his person, and that with the ter-
mination of his life a new state of things would com-
mence. In Moscow thousands of serfs, as much the
property of their masters as pigs or horses, work in
factories, and if they are not fitting themselves for
freedom they are growing more powerful for revenge ;
thus two dangers hourly menace Russia—a successful
conspiracy of the nobles against the Emperor, and
a general rising of the serfs against their masters.
No one knows how long the crisis will be delayed,
but after it, bondholders might whistle for their
money. It is no argument against this view of
Russian stability to say, that the people are far too
uncivilized for a constitutional Government. It is
from that very fact that more danger comes. If
Russians had the strong feeling of personal inde-
pendence of the Anglo-Saxon race, the empire
would be comparatively safe, but both Russian his-
tory and general history show that slaves will, sooner
or later, rise, and when they do rise the degradation
that has been heaped upon them brings forth the most
bitter and sanguinary fruit. Nicholas is pledged to
tyranny, he has made his compact with the evil
spirit and sealed it with blood, and the aspects of the
times promise him anything but a quiet or a cheap
career. Austria is in a state of decomposition—
Germany in a ferment, and from both ideas
of liberty will arise, and Nicholas may again
have another extravagant and disgraceful campaign,
in which treachery may not confer a victory that is
far beyond his military power to obtain. All these
circumstances should be well weighed before any
prudent man lends his money to Nicholas on any
pretext whatever. No one of high principlewill
advance a farthing to assist in crime, and there is no
cccasion to address them on this matter ; but to capi-
talists of another kind it may be well to remark that
there are times when the great mass of the people
rigidly scrutinize the doings of the rest, and it will
not be well to have it proclaimed to the working men
that the middle classes, with all their boasted love of
freedom, are eager to lend their money to put it
down. English bishops are not likely to come for-
ward, like the mollabs of Turkey on a recent occa-
sion, and urge their countrymen to a noble course of
action, as Russian oppression does not hurt the
churchman's craft ; but we hope Englishmen will
unanimously spurn the Autocrat's proposal as an in-
sult to their race. The Peace Society are quite right
when they go to war in such a case as this, and
although large merchants may soon take up the loan,
a little wholesome agitation will prevent their disposing
of it among the people, We have had lately many
deplorable-cases of savings'-bank defaulters, and hope
we have come to the end of the list, but if any set of
men are at this moment engaged in swindling these
useful institutions, we recommend the contractors for
the Russian loan to solicit their support. Such
people would not disgrace themselves much by taking
shares, and, if the money was lost, they would have
the satisfaction of knowing it was not their own.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Jan. 16, 1850. H. I. S.

CALEDONIAN ASYLUM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,--1 perused with much satisfaction your repro-
bition of the flogging of girls in the Caledonian Asylum.
Permit me to draw your attention to a circumstance
which has just come under my notice. At the last
examination of this school by the Rev. F. C. Cook,
one of her Majesty's Inspectors of Church Schools,
one of the boys was much commended by Mr. Cook
for his accuracy in Scriptural knowledge. The prize
awarded to the facile princeps of the school for
proficiency in Christian knowledge is " The Journal
of a Tour made by Senor Juan de Vega, the Spanish
Minstrel," with the following inscription on the fly-
sheet Caledonian Asylum. Presented to * * •
for prompt and correct answers to questions on the
day of examinatior, June 27, 1849." I omit names,
and send the book with my card.
I am sure, Sir, you will agree with me that
a more improper book could scarcely be put into the
hands of a young man.
The public, and especially the supporters of the
Asylum, have an imperative right to know the grounds
on whichl the authorities can justify, under any cir-
custances, the presentation of such a book.
I am, Sir, &c.,
A GUARDIAN.
P.S. We understand that the schoolmaster is the
protegee of the Rev. Dr. Cumming!

INTELLIGENCE BY BALLOONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—By your immediate insertion of an article I
sent you upon the conveyance of intelligence by bal-
loons, I may presume you take an interest in the
matter.

I now send you a rough plan of dropping, at cer-
tain intervals, dispatches over an extent of country.
I do not send it with a view to its finding a place in
your columns, as it cannot well be explained without
a drawing. I have already sent it to the editor of the
Illitstrated London News, and, perhaps, in that paper
it may be seen next Saturday.
The plan consists of a balloon made of thin
properly varnished, the size of the balloon to be such
as to afford an available buoyancy of about sixteen
ounces, supposing the inflating gas to be about one-
sixth the weight of atmospheric air. To the neck of
the balloon, when inflated, is made fast a line sus-
pending or lever lath, made of light wood, as shown by
the drawing. To one end of the lever are fixed three
hooks, turned up at different angles; hook c at an
angle of twenty degrees, hook b, forty-five degrees,
hook a, seventy degrees ; on each of these are hooked
a suitable number of dispatches or intelligence papers;
at the other end of the lever is suspended a glass con-
taining sand ; the quantity of sand put into the glass
is such, that when a certain portion of it is run out
corresponding to an interval of time, say two hours,
the weights on the dispatch end of the lever will pre-
ponderate, the lever will consequently cant, and set
free the dispatches hooked on at c ; so soon as this
occurs the lever returns to a horizontal position, by
reason of the weight of the sand-glass
In the same manner are the dispatches
ho
hours.
at
of
b and a disengaged at intervals of two_
weight, or
three
The balloon, being so relievedpreponderating.
kednn
ex-
tend its flight, and when it
descentdescends
byita should
will
ou
small
d be held
captive to the place of itsgrapnel,
suspended to the balloon for that purpose; there
dispatch
the lever is suspended should
secured to the balloon.
should
Th e
linealso beh
y
ich
be fitted with a swivel, so that the rotary motion of
the balloon may not be imparted to the lever.
h
Should there he any difficulty in the running out
of sand at the rate required, that is at about one
ounce per hour, alcohol might be used, the glass
being so bored as to allow the alcohol to drop slowly,
so that an ounce may be expended in about an hour.
I am, Sir, Sce
Jan. 16, 1850.
N AUTICU S.
P.S. You are quite q liberty to show this to any
one who takes an interest in the matter. I will take
this opportunity to remark that balloons will, at no
distant day, be employed in other than peaceable
designs.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
NORTH KENT CONTINUATION.
A public meeting of the inhabitants of Favershtrn
was held yesterday, to take into consideration the
propriety of supporting the proposed railway to con-
nect Dover and the intermediate places with the North
Kent Railway at Strood. About 300 of the principal
landowners, gentry, farmers, and tradesmen of the
neighbourhood were present.
The MAYOR, having briefly opened the proceedings
by stating the objects of the meeting, showed ire glow-
ir g colours the wants of Faversham and the neigh-
bourhood for railway communication.
Mr. Tam.ox, the promoter of the line, said that
he had used his best endeavours to select the line
which, in his opinion would least interfere with or-
eamental property and could be constructed at the
cheapest rate. He had no doubt but that an amicable
arrangement could be come to, so as to remedy any
chance of danger which might be entertained from a
train passing near to the powder workF.
Mr. C. J. IlenTore, having adverted to the commer-
cial advantages of the line, proposed a series of reso-
lutions, to the effect that an entire line of railway
passing through the towns in North Kent, and con-
necting the harbour of Dover and the Downs with
the various arsenate, dockyards, &c on the north
side of Kent, was one of great national as well as local
interest; approving of the plans of Mr. Taylor,
subject to certain alterations, and appointing a com-
mittee for Faversham, to assist the central committee
in promoting the undertaking.
Sir J. M.TYLDEN, in seconding the resolutions, said
that the project bad the entire and unqualified sup-
port of the landowners generally on the line.
The resolutions were then unanimously adopted.
The correspondence with the South-Eastern Com-
pany respecting the proposed line having been read,
a series of resolutions were psssed, regretting the
determination of the South-Eastern Company to
oppose the proposed Bill ; and complaining of the
conduct of the company towards the inhabitants of the
district and the promoters of the new line.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to
the chairman.
WINDING-13P OF JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES--THE
ROYAL INDIA AND AUSTRALIA STEAM- PACKET
COMPANY.—Yesterday the winding up of this com-
pany's affairs came on before the Master in Chancery'
Blunt, at his court in Southampton-haalings, Chan-
cery-lane, on the petition of Mr. J , Yates, of Corn-
hill, and Mr. R. Ford, master ma; finer, holders of 100
shares each, and two of the dire-
represented that the company 'clors. The petition
,vas started in 1847 for
the establiz.h meat of a regular
Great Britain, the East communication between
Zealand, and other inte Indies, Australia, New
corporated by Royal
:mediate ports. It was in-
in 5,000 shares of `,garter with a capital of 100,0001.
It was to be I-
-201. each, with power to augment.
"
of at least 75awful for the directors, whenever a loss
being subscribeser cent, on the capital for the time
to dissolve ; buld had been incurred, to call a meeting
found impossible
this could not be done, as it, was
shareholders wholeconvene a sufficient number 01.
,lad
legal meeting. 1 paid the calls to constitute a
shareholders refuse directors made calls, but the
carried on until Apr' to pay them. Business was
embarrassed. From 1„ 1849 when the affairs became
official manager, preseat report of Mr. Coleman, the
12,653 shares were applieee
vesterday, it appears that
only 3,720 shares were
plf and allotted, of which
3,2111. The debts now due ai-
d upon, amounting to
or
in hand 497/., expenses from Zl°unt to 4
encement 7,5401.
Mt° 4,8271., assets
The list of contributories liable
settled in respect of all those sharehotto
cell has been
the deed, and of those who paid the pis.so who signed
posit but who did not sign the deed. About'Tili
were taken in Madras, and 81 in Ceylon,
an 1 these
have to he considered. The total number of
2arsYhares de-
not included in the list of contributories is `t,lla2rses.
This arises from their being considered bad,
hose
to whom they were allotted being dead, insolvetose
or
abroad.

THE LATE ±N SIGN DANIEL
AUGUSTUS SANDFORD.
It was with feelings of no common regret that wt,
heard of the premature death of Daniel Augustutd
Saud ford, Ensign in the 2d Bengal European Infantry
son of the Rev. John Sanoford, vicar of Dunchurcf
and grandson of the late Bishop Sandford. He was ais:
pointed to the regiment in 1848, when but yet on tl•
verge of manhood, having just completed his twentiet he
year, and is reported to have sunk under inflammatio
consequent upon the excessive fatigues of the cam
paign in the Punjaub. His health, which had bee
Lar some time gradually breaking down before
corps reached its cantonments at Lahore, from lone
continued over-exertion and privations, was by no
means benefited by his abode there, the accommodhtion
being anything but good, and more than half of the
officers of the regiment on the sick list.
It may not be, perhaps, very generally known, that
this accomplished, gallant, and fine-hearted young
gentleman, who, had he been spared, could scarcely
have failed to have risen to distinction, and fulfilled
the most sanguine expectations his friends enter-
tained of him, was the author of " Leaves from
the Journal of a Subaltern during the Campaign
in the Punjaub," published a month or two ago
by the Messrs. Blackwood. These memoranda,
the gleanings of an observant eye, and the
outpourings of a finely-toned and generous
spirit, were jotted down, it appears, without the
slightest view of ever being presented to the public
eye; but, having been communicated piecemeal to
his friends in England, were, without even his per-
sonal consent, transmitted to the columns of the
Times, from the great interest exhibited at the period
regarding the position of our Indian affairs, more
especially after the sanguinary battle of Chillian-
wallah, of which, as well as of the previous battle of
Ramnuggur, and the subsequent crowning victory of
Goojerat, they contain a graphic and most animated
account.

From many interesting passages of his own
Journal, it was too evident that Mr.' Sandford's
health was much broken; and although he makes
slighter account of this than most people were likely
to have done, and several times reports himself fit for
service, when with greater propriety, perhaps, he
might have remained in the hands of his physician,
still it is but too evident that the blade was wearing
through the sheath, and that he was continuing to
hold life by a very precarious tenure, although we
were by no means prepared for such an immediate
termination of his career.

Simple and unpretending as the Journal is, it is
impressed throughout with that graphic air of reality
which it is next to impossible to communicate to any
detail of fictitious events ; and it would be difficult to
point out, in any similar narrative, so many passages
of descriptive beauty, evidently sketched from nature—
so many outbursts of a generous and heroic tempera-
ment—so many tender and touching episodes, such as
those relating to his bosom friend, Sprot, and to the
poor wounded mother dying with the unconscious in-
fant hanging at her bosom—so many traits of the sol-
dier, blended with feelings and sentiments so Christian,
so unassuming, and so delicate. For ourselves, we can
unhesitatingly say, that we have not for a very long
time perused any narrative which has interested us
more ; and now that the young and gallant author is
beyond the reach either of our praise or blame, we
ieel it a duty to say so. From his Journal we could
not help forming a high estimate of the character and
abilities of the writer; and although it is the only
literary legacy he has left to his friends, it is one to
which they are entitled to point with a mournful
pride, and which will assuredly long embalm his me-
mory in the heart of many an admiring and thought-
ful reader.—Edinburgh Courant.

PAINTING IN CRAYONS.—In addition to the variety
of things exhibited at the Bazaar in Baker-street, a
collection of portraits in crayons or pantiles, the works
of a French artist, M. Magins, who Las lately arrived
in this country, has bean opened to the public. These
pictures show a great advance in this style ( f painting,
and very extraordinary effects have been introduced.
both as to light and 'shade, and as to depth 4 back-
ground. As this manner of portrait painting is compa-
ratively little cultivated in England, it will be a mattero
of surprise to most persons to see how much can be done
by materials hitherto neglected. The tints -are
naturallytextures of
and beautifully blended, and the variouse effect of oil
costume and surfaces rendered withl known
tn
characters
painting. The portraits of several
Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland have awarded their first prize of a
81:r.
aFdeinrggussobny, land
meansaugtegnit,amin
Glasgow, for the d
vitrified
aarilea fraeitmideurliltyor given,iou and will be at once recognised, and
meritorious.
We understand that the
gold medal to Mrer. of Jamesfarm
best report on the saving and applying
manure the liquidpipes laid under the surface. Last year Mr.
Ferguson
was awarded by the Agricultural Society two
prise..._ii , gold medal for a report on the application of
steam or other power to the working of drain-tile or
pipe-making machines, and a silver medal for a report
on making and draining with tubes made of peat earth.
GRAY'S INN, JAN. 16.—The Rev. Dr. Hersey
has this day been elected preacher to the Hon. Society
of Gray's Inn, in the room of the late Rev. Dr. Shep.
herd, deceased,
GRAY's INN, JAN. 16.—Saint George Kerr, Esq ,
and George Francis, Esq., were this day called to the
degree of Barrister-at-Law by the Hon. Society of
Gray's Inn,
. .._..

ISurgeon Guy Alexander Acheson (1804), on the
retired list , died a few days since at Dublin.
REGISTRY' OF SHIM—The following amended
forms have been approved by the Government authori-
ties, to be used in the registry of vessels:-1. Surveyors'
certificates cf admeasurement for sailing vessels. 2.
Surveyors' certificates of admeasurement for steamers.
3. Bond to be given at the time of registry by the master
and owners. 4. Bond to be given by the master when
he cannot attend at the port t. f registry, and orders have
been given for copies of the newly-approved forms, to
tralsinittcd to the collectors and comptrollers, or
other principal officers cf the revenue, at the several
ports aiid places throughout the kingdom, with direo-
Lions that they be adopted by them in lieu of those now
Liu use.