The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-15 00:00:00

APPOINTDIENTS.

WOOLWICH, Nov. I4.—Gunner—David Hera to the
Volcano, 5, s tea ra-s.l oop, now ready for commission at
Woolwich, and intended for service on the coast of
Africa, in pursuance of the resolution adopted at the
Admirall to send only steam-vessels for the suppres-
sion of the slave trade in future, and to order home all
the sailing vessels as soon as steamers can be made
ready.
Gunner—lsaac Harris, to the Locust steam-vessel at
Woolwich.

Boatswain—Hugh M'Dougall, to the Volcano.
Carpenter—John Reid, to the Volcano.
PROMOTION.

Thomas Pope, to be acting gunner.
The Fisgard flag-ship, at Woolwich, is Co be paid off,
and recommissioned by Commodore Henry Eden, Su-
perinteudent or the Woolwich Dockyard, on the 26th
instant.

The Locust steam-vessel, of 100 horse-power, at Wool-
wich, will be the next steamer commissioned after the
Volcano for service on the coast of Africa.

THE CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN
AT BRENTWOOD.

BRENTWOOD, THURSDAY.—The Rev. Robert Aber-
crombie Johnstone, rector of West Horndon-with-In-
grave, a small hamlet in this vicinity, who was charged
a few weeks since cn the information of Mary Ann
Doe, a young girl living under his roof in the capacity
of a domestic servant, with having feloniously assaulted
her on the morning of the- Bth ult., and who has been
remanded from time to time by the benct of magis-
trates at this place, in consequence of the absence of the
complainant, surrendered to-day, in pursuance of the
reeognizances he had entered into on Thursday last, for
the purpose of meeting the charge.
The proceedings excited considerable interest, and a
very full bench attended. The Rev. John Pearson pre-
sided, and amongst the magistrates present were the
Rev. Hastings Robinson, D.D., Rev. Thomas LudbeY,
Rev. J. Lewis, Rev. J.• English, Mr. C. T. Tower, and
Captain Button.
Mr. Clarkson, the barrister,instructed by Mr. Shaw,
of Billericay, was again present to watch the case on
behalf of the accused. _ _

The mauistrates met at half-past twelve o'clock, and
remained in private consultation for some time before
the court wits opened. When the public were admitted,
The Chairman asked Superintendent Coulson whether
he had succeeded in apprehending the girl, Mary Anne
Doe ?—Superintendeht Coulson said he had not.
The Chairman—Have )eu any reascnal.de hop of
being abl- to produce her:' Superintendent Coulson—
Yes, sir, I have, I had great hope I should have been
abk) to produce her before now.
The Chairman (to Mr. Clarkson)—Do you wish to
ask the witness any question?
Mr. Clarkson—No, sir.

The Chairman—ln this case we have good reason to
believe that an undne influence has been exerted to keep
the complainant out of the way, and consequently that
an attempt is being made to defeat the ends of public
justice. Further, we are aware that the police are in
posAcBsion of recent information which calls upon us to
exerciA the discretion with which we are entrusted, and
we therefore remand the accused.till Thursday next, at
twelve o'clock.

Mr. Clarkson,begged that the Bench would be so good
as to allow the accused to be taken into custody. He
desired it merely as a matter of form, in order to test
;he question whether the Bench had any power at all
over his client.
The Rev. Mr. Ludbey—The accused has already been
once in custody, Mr. Clarkson.
Mr. Clarkson—Oh, very well, I will not trouble the
Bench further then.
The Rev. Mr. Ludbey—l feel it due to the Chairman
to state that the decision he has pronounced is our una-
nimous opinion.
Mr. Clarkson was quite at a loss to understand how
the Bench could venture to act upon a suggestion that
undue influence had been used to keep the complainant
out of the way when there was not a tittle of proof of
the fact Moreover, unless the undue influence referred
to could be connected with his client, what had he to do
with it?

The Chairman—ln consequence of your observation,
Mr. Clarkson, we will call some evidence to show that
undue influence has been exerted. Do I understand you
to object that no evidence has been called to prove this
fact?

Mr. Clarkson—l have made no objection. I merely
made an observation. I could have made no objection,
inasmuch as I understood the case was disposed of for
to-day.
The Chairman—l say again, that if challenged to pro-
duce evidence, we are ready and willing to do so. We
ourselves are satisfied of the fact, and Et the proper time
evidence will be brought forward to prove it.
Mr. Clarkson said as the case was now remanded, he
had to request that the name of Mr. Thomas Wright, of
Brentwood, might be substituted tor that of Mr. Wil-
liams, whose articles of partnership, it appeared, did not
allow him to become bail for any person.
The Bench having assented,
Mr. Clarkson said—While on this subject, he might,
perhaps, be allowed to correct a statement which had
gone forth, to the effect that Mr. Thompson, a former
bail for the accused, had declined to continue the res-
ponsibility. The fact was, Mr. Thompson was
in Lon -
don on Thursday last, and could not attend at Brent-
wood, and this was the sole reason why another bail had
been substituted.

The proceedings were here formally adjourned, and
the accused, with his counsel and friends, Rift the court.
Before the bench had broken up, however, Superinten-
dent Coulson received an electric telegraph message, in-
forming him that the prosecutrix, with her mother and
father, were in custody, and would be at Brentwood in
half an hour. An intimation was immediately
forwarded
to Mr. Clarkson, and in the eourse of a very short time
the Learned Gentleman, accompanied by the reverend
defendani, returned to the emir
In reply to the Chairman, Mr. Clarkson expressed
his readiness to go on with the case at andonceatif.
accordinglyTh e
gir warranged thatbrought
ht i
unptoon
court the
b
pa: was
tt
two
o
the charge should be proceeded with. of the girl
femaleaccompanied
Ycl. .
' o'clock.
to
h ek. r ,
and She was
by a young
were in the custody of Sergeant Gunn, an active detective
her Ail fatherthe parties and
mother,
officer of the G division of the metropolitan police. Gunn
had apprehended the girl only this :nothing at a low
lodging-house in Camden-town. On explaining who he
was to the complainant, and telling her that she must
come with him, she cried very much, and said she could
not come without her mother. Gunn ascertained from
the woman of the house that the father and mother were
living in the neighbourhood of Islington, and thither he
accordingly drove with the complainant. As soon as
Mrs. Doe saw her daughter in custody, she ran towards
her, and grasping her hand said, " Now mind, my
child, you tell the gentlemen that it was all wrong what
you told them before; and if they ask you how you
came to tell such a tale, say `you was not in your right
mind, and you did not know what you said.' "
All the witnesses were then sent out of court, and
The Chairman having ordered the complainant to be
re-sworn, requested Mr. C. C. Lewis, the clerk of the
bench, to read over her deposition, made before himself
and Captain Button, on the occasion of her preferring
the complaint against Mr. Johnstone.
Mr. Lewis having read the deposition,
The Chairman asked the complainant whether what
she had heard read as her deposition was true.
Complainant—No. I really did not know what I was
after when I stated that.
The Chairman—ls it true, I ask you?
Mr. Clarkson—She has already said " No."
Complainant—l don't know what I said. I was quite
insensible.
The Chairman—When you came beforme rne, you
must remember you swore that Mr. Johnstone did
something to you on the morning of the Bth of October.
Was that true or false? Complainant—Why, sir, they
tightened ms so, I did not know what I said.
'Complainant
.
The Chairman—Who frightened you? ;
—The parties who came to my mother's house. (The
e iiness was here understood to refer to the police
officers.)
The Chairmen—Well, you are not to be alarmed or
frightened by any one here. You are sworn to speak
the truth, and if you do that you have nothing to fear.
Complainant—All I know is, that as soon as I entered
the kitchen I fainted away. Whether Mr. Johnstone
did anything to me or not I do not know. I believe he
did not.
The Chairman—Did you go home that morning?
Ccmplainant—Yes, brcatue I was so ill.
The Chairman—What wade you ill ?
Complainant
—I don't know, I had been ill all night.
The witness was hero questioned at great length by
the chairman and the other magistrates with s view of

testing her veracity. Her answers, however, were all of
the same character, and when pressed upon any point in
her previous deposition she invariably sheltered herself
by maintaining that she did not know what she said
when she laid the complaint, and that she was now
sorry for having done so. •
A magistrate asked her whether she recollected Mr.
Johnstoue having kissed her on the Sunday before the
Bth of Octeber. Complainant—Wby, I don't know, sir.
Mr. Clarkson objected to any question being asked
calculated to prejudice the accused which bad not a di-
rect bearing upon the case under investigation.
After a long and somewhat personal discussion be-
tween the Benchind the Learned Advocate,
The complainant was further questioned by Mr.
Totter, 'who te,:minded her of the awkward position she
was placed in by denying now what she had previously
stated upon oath.
'I he girl still persisted in averring that she was now
stating the truth, and repeated her expressions of regret
for having told so very different a story before.
M. Tower expressed his opinion that the complainant
had been most disgracefully tutored. It was impossible
for him to believe that a young girl like the com-
plainant would come before the Bench and swear to
certain facts, and afterwards contradict them in Coto, un-
less she had been tutored to do so.

Mr. Clarkson said he believed all the circumstances
of this case were not yet known.
Atter some further discussion, in the course of which
Mr. Lewis, a magistrate, mentioned that the mother of
the girl had complained to him in his private capacity
of the treatment ;her daughter had received from Mr.
Johnstone, and entreated his interference,
The Chairman said they had two affidavits made by
the complainant now before them. One of them, which
had been sworn in his absence, severely affected the
character of the defendant. That which had been sworn
in his presence entirely rebutted the other. How the
complainant had been induced thus to vary her state-
ment'clid not appear, but as the facts stood there were
certainly no grounds for detaining the defendant in
custody. The case was, therefore, dismissed.
Mr. Johnstone then retired, and the court was
presently cleared.
After the proceedings had terminated the bench gave
instructions to Mr. Lewis to prefer a bill of indictment
for perjury against Mary Ann Doe.

CORN, CURRENCY,

AND FREE-

TRADE MEETING AT DERBY.

A meeting was held on Friday evening, in the Lec-
ture-room of the Mechanics' Institute, Derby, to con-
sider the effects of the present monetary system esta-
blished by Sir Robert Peel's Bills of 1819 and 1844, on
the agricultural, manufacturing, and industrial Interests
of the country. The Rev. John Twells, vicar of Eaton,
attended as a deputation from the Retford Currency
Society. The meeting was attended by a large number
of highly-respectable and intelligent gentlemen.
William Eaton Mousley, Esq., of Derby, was unani-
mously called to the chair. In introducing Mr. Twells
to the meeting, he observed that he was a gert!eman of
no ordinary character, who had devoted much attention
to the subject of the currency, and attended there for no
other object than to illustrate the truth.
The Rev. Mr. Twenns said—The difficulty which has
generally been supposed to envelope the whole question
of the currency has. prevented it from receiving that at-
tention which its importance undoubtedly deserves. A
subject so important, however, as that which regulates
every bargain made between man and man cannot be
neglected with impunity. Of the currency Sir Robert
Peel said, in 1844, " There is no contract, public or pri-
vate, no engagement, national or individual, which is
unaffected by it." Earlier, in 1825, Sir James Graham
had said, " The real difficulties of the State and the
present danger of the landed interest will be found
to lurk under the question of the currency." Yes, gen-
tlemen, the real difficulties of the State still lurk under
the currency question ; and it is to drag these hidden
dangers ferth, and to endeavour to show what they are,
and how they are acting on the best interests of that
community that I appear before you this day. The
currency question may be difficult, it may be dis-
tasterul, not only to country gentlemen, 95 Sir James
Graheree said, but to people in general ; but if its effects
are shown to be ruinous to country gentlemen, most
injurious to the interests of all classes, I have no fear
that the English people will gst to understand this
question. But as there is no royal road to learning
of any kind, so there is no possibility of understat tug
this question without some attentioreafrought, an
vestigatien. Such was the process %Flitch I and ,
went. Though for many years convinced of the im-
portance of this subject, I recently reviewed thole
question, gladly availing myself of the learning, re-
search, and ability which have so amply been lavished
on this questions but which, paying no slavish deference
to the most eminent authorities, I thought out the
question, step by step, in my own mind, end it seas only
after mature deliberation that, having become, more than
ever assured of the immense importance of the subject
to all classes of my fellow-countrymen, I entered upon
another consideration. That consideration was what
was my duty as an individual. The decision I formed,
right or wrong, was this—that it was was my bounden
duty to do everything in my power, let my circum-
stances or position be as adverse as they might. to endea-
vour to disseminate a right understanding of this
vital subject.—(Hear, hear.) For I hold that no
man ought to keep the truth hidden in his own mind,
but rather to sacrifice his own pleasure, ease, or Bele.
interest, to uphold the truth, especially important, truth
involving the happiness or misery of thousands of his
fellow-countrymen. If I venture thus to intrude myself
for a moment on your attention, it is because I am fully
aware it may be said that no slight responsibility is in-
curred by any one who endeavours to obtain an altera-
tion of the monetary system of a great nation. But I
do so without fear, because I know that to obtain any
alteration is utterly beyond my power. With the Eng-
lish people, and not with me, or with those with whom
I act, will rest the responsibility of any alteration of the
currency. Ranged, as we see against us, wealth and
talent, and political influence, what danger is there of our
misleading the people? No, we are powerless to mislead
the people. It is only if, after full investigation of the
subject, we shall be found to have truth on our side that
we shall prevail—truth, which commends itself to the
hearts and consciences of all men, which from the be-
ginning of the world has been slowly but surely forcing
its way, obtaining from age to age increased and in
creasing numbers of sincere and ardent worshippers,
and whose temple will at last be found standing; alone
in simple majesty, when the deserted shrines of error,
and all the specious fabrics of falsehood are crumbled
into dust.—(Cheers, and " Hear, hear.") Gentlemen,
the notice which calls together this meeting in-
vites you to coneider " the present state of the cur-
reney and its influence upon the landed agricultural
and industrial interests of the country." This is a wide
range. It is impossible for me to enter fully into so ex-
pansive a subject. I can present but an imperfect sketch
of the question. And if, when you have heard me, you
remain unconvinced, I have only to beg that you will
attribute it to the incapacity cf the advocate, and not to
the badness of his cause. The present state of the cur-
rency rests on the Bank Charter Act of 1844. taken as
the complement of the measure known as Peel's Bill
of 1819. I say that the influence of these Acts on the
landed, agricultural, and industrial interests of the coun-
try has been and is most injurioue. And in urging my
objections to these measures, I beg that I may not be
considered as speaking with unnecessary severity of the
statesman whose name is so intimately connected with
them, and whose sudden and untimely withdrawal from
the political arena has called forth so large a share of
the nation's sympathy. I would rather that Sir Robert
Peel were still alive to hear what is said, and know what
his opponents are doing, and to vindicate his measures.
But though the Minister is departed his acts are
still in existence. I war not with the dead states-
men, but with whet I believe to he his mistaken
policy, the injurious effects of which, cm the best
interests of my country, still survive. Let it
be remembered that the father of Sir Robert Peel
—a men who spoke from practical knowledge anti ex-
perience—in presenting a petition from the merchants,
h inkers, and traders of the city of Louden against the
Bill of 1819, expressed a decided opinion against that mea-
sure. But the elder Sir Robert Peel again came forward
to express his opinion upon the subject. In 1826 he se-
dressed a letter to the Members of both Houses of Par-
liament. He had then had time to witness the effects of
the 818 of 1819, and to modify or correct his former im-
pressions; but age, experience, aed mature deliberation
confirmed him in the condemnation of the measure of his
son. Now, the measure hate referred to may be in a
word described as antagonistic to that adopted by Mr.
Pitt. To make the subject platter, allow me to advert
to the growth of the monetary system of this country.
Ono of the first things man does is to make exchanges,
to give whatever he has obtained by labour—which
Adam Smith says is the source of all wealth—and which
he does not want, for something that ho does want: this
is barter. But here he has to find some one who
wants exactly what he has to dispose of, ared
wants also exactly the quantity of the com-
modity which he has to part with. Barter,
therefore, being attended with great iecoevenience,
quickly gives place to a system iu which, by common
consent, something is fixed en as a ne divan of exchange.. '
This is called money. "In the rude ages of society,
says Adam Smith, e cattle are said to ne the common
instrument of commerce; and though they must have
been a most inconvenient one, yet in oaf times we bid
things were frequently valued according to the number
of cattle which had been given in exchange fair them.
l'he armour of Diomede, says Ilona, r, cost only nine
oxen, but that of Gleucue cost an huadred oxen."
goes on to say that salt is the common in.truinent in
Abyssinia, a species of shell in some parts of tho coast
of India, and hides end dressed leather in some other
cenntries. At this day on the coast of Africa slaves
are the circulating medium. Metals, however, soon le -
gin to he employed as money. Metals are durable and
portable; they can be divided ilito a number of smite.
end by fusion can be united. Iron was the
money of the ancient Spartans; copper that cf
the ancient Romans, and as commerce advanced silver
and gold became money. In common with all mankind,
I admire those beeutiful producions of nature—silver
and gold, not only as being portable, durable, and scarce,
but on account of their intrinsic beauty and purity. I
admire gold es I du the diamond, but I think with John
Locke, that gold was not intended to be the money of

,-("7-••
, 1)
r, • \ 4
11111 Efa
• .
in the Session of 1791-5, on the mo;tion of r-Jeh 23:fee
ere clair, "to promote the improvemenref the IvilVitelA
*A= - •
cultivated lards of the country, as daisost..9ssential'aillilie
1., 4. 5, ;
I I • "7: advantage." Now, suppose a landed preprietelie_ivith'an
v . estate of ten thousand a-year, to have esuctitiaTeratia4es'on
e
it to the amount of five thousand. His rent, we may
suppose, calculated on the comparatively moderate price
of wheat, at 60s. a quarter; but prices declining, he re-
, ducea his rent 25 per cent., and receives 7,500/. instead
of 10,000. His fixed payment, however, of e,OOOl. re-
maining, his income is reduced one half, and thus he
finds that the mortgage with which he encumbered his
land to " promote a most essential public advantage."
issues in a severe private loss.—(Hear, hear.) Now, take
the case with respect to the farmer. I hold in my band
an important document, compiled by the writers at Bir-
mingham, who, under the signature of " Gemini," have
so ably and perseveringly endeavoured to enlighten their
fellow-countrymen on the subject of the currency. This
document is headed " Corn, Taxation, and Rent," and
by it it appears that the amount of taxes in the most
expensive year of the war (1815), being 72,210,5121.,
estimated in wheat, at the average price of that year,
viz., 655. 7d. a quarter, amounts to 22,020,994 quarters,
while the amount of taxes for the year 1849, being
52,951,7491., estimated in wheat at the average price
of the year, lz., 445. 3d., equals 23,932,993.
It appears, therefore, that the pressure of
taxation on the farmer during the last year was greater
than that in the moat expeueive year of the war.—
(Hear.) At a meeting recently held of the hop-growers
of Kent and Sussex, to petition for a reduction of the
hop duty, and at which Mr. Hodges, M.P. for Sussex,
presided, it was stated that the duty was augmented
during the war on account of the so-called depreciation
of the paper currency. The Bill of 1819 was said at the
time by its supporters to effect an alteration of only
3 per cent. in the value of money, but that alteration
has since been admitted to extend to between 30 and 50
per cent. With a high duty thus increased in value and
with low prices, and having to compete with all the
world in the sale of their commodity, can it be matter of
surprise that the hop-growers of that district complain
that they shall all be ruined?—(Hear, hear.) The same
cause which affects the farmer effects the industrial in-
terests of all classes of the community, and will be felt
by them whenever the contraction of the circulation
consequent on the exportation of the precious metals
prevents the possibility of their obtaining a remunera-
tive price. The remedy is to be found-Ist, In allow-
ing gold to be sold at its market price. "It is neces-
sary," says Locke, " that your gold should be coined,
and have the King's stamp upon it, in order to secure
men in receiving it that there is so much gold in each
piece; but it is not necessary that it should have a fixed
value put upon it by public authority." With this it
will be necessary to provide an adequate paper currency,
based either on the system so philosophically proposed
by Mr. John Taylor or on some other, by means of which
the paper circulation may be made as safe as gold itself.
And now, gentlemen, if I have at all succeeded in mak-
ing myself understood, you will see why it is that I so
earnestly press the subject of monetary reform upon
your attention. It is because I believe most firmly,
that the physical, social, and moral improvement of the
country is deeply involved in this question. The prin-
ciple of seeking the welfare of the people at large is,
I am thankful to say, admitted most fully by modern
statesmen. The wisest, the best, and most disinterested
men in the nation have, by various means, laboured for
this purpose. But, gentlemen, in every association or
institution, having fur its object the amelioration or the
improvement of the people in which I have been into-
' tested, I have found that nothing could be effected till
the finances of that institution were placed in a good
conditeoe. Now, as it is with a society or institution, so
it is with a nation. Take the important cause of educa-
tion. All parties agree that the people should be edu-
cated. But the education question is like others, a
money question. The people of the state of Massa-
chusetts devote 120,000 guineas a year to the education
of their population of 800,000; we give about the same
to educate the 21,000,000 of England and Wales. Why,
is this ? It is because to every proposition that is made
for the improvement of the condition of the people, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer is obliged to answer—
" Where are we to find the means ?"—(Hear, hear.)
I wish to see the country not only willing but able to
educate the people, as well as to secure a fair remunera-
tive price to the farmer and every producer for his pro-
duce, and to give to every labourer and operative a just
price for the labour of his hands. I support a reforma-
tion of the currency because I wish to see the great body
of my felow-countrymen better fed, better clothed, better
lodged, better educated, and better paid for their labour.
—(Cheers.) Whoentlemen, is to effect all this? Can
'phineethroeitts do it? Can charitable associations do it?
Cean Governknent do it? No; the people of England
must do it for themselves. All I wish is, that every-
thing may be dine to allow to the energy, to the in-
dustry, to the per.tewrance, to the enterprise, to the -
tel l igen ce of the English people fair play—a fair field
and no favour.—(Cheers.) You have given to the people
cheap food, give them also cheap' money to bay their
food.—(Hear, flee.) Give them cheap money and they
will g( t their chic en educated, they will work for them-
selves, and by their ow • ustry, and the blessing of
Providence, be lbetta wtter clothed, and better
fr lodged than th.itre. e Creator of man, as Mr.
T. Attwood ha wisely said, who gave man a mouth to
consumeelgiaLhim two hauds to produce. Reform the
money la which the productions of his hands are
rendered comparatively valueless, by forced cheapness,
end, though the primal cause will still be in force, and
though man a ill still have to eat bread by the sweat of
his brow, yet he will by labour obtain bread to eat. Not
the bitter bread of public charity, but the pleasant bread
honest industry.—(Hear, hear, end cheers.) But, though
I wish, most sincerely wish well to the pour man, would
Ito benefit him injure the rich? No, certainly not.
When I say that I wish to promote the welfare of my
fellow-countrymen, I mean all my fellow countrymen.
And it is because I believe that all would ultimately
benefit, that the property of the rich would be more
secure, more untluctuating, that not only the farmers,
but the landlord, not only the operative, but the manu-
facturer and merchant, not only the peasant, but the
Prince would be benefited, that I urge forward this ques-
tion.—(Cheers.) I believe that the man of income,
even, would eventually be benefited. His property, let
it be what it may, would be more secure, his taxes
would be reduced, his opportunities of providing for
his family would be increased. For it is a weak as well
as a selfish and wicked notion that any class of the com-
munity in a series of years really benefit by the injury
of any other class.—(Hear, hear.) It is the great evil
of our present system that it has placed the different
classes of the community in opposition to each other—
that it has taught the egriculturist that his interest is
opposed to that of the manufacturer; that it has taught
that the rich man's interest is oppcsed to that of the poor
man; and now it is fast teaching the tenant that his in-
terest is opposed to that of the landlord. But I believe
that a reformation of the monetary system would do
more than anything else to allay discord, to heal divi-
sions, and to promote the goodwill and right feeling be-
tween all classes. Poverty has banished affection from
many a house; poverty is the parent of many a crime.
This is epually true of a nation as of an individual. I
wish to advance the nation's prosperity, and thereby to
promote peace, concord, and moral improvement.—
(Hear, hear.) And therefore it is that I now call upon
you as Englishmen to promote, by a reformation of our
present most pernicious monetary system, the welfare of
all classes of your fellow-countrymen; I call upon you
as men to support this cause, being assured that with
the welfare of Great Britain is bound up the progress
and welfare of the whole world; arid as a minister of
religion I call upon you as Christian men to promote
this cause, because I believe in my conscience that it
involves not only the political and social, but the moral
and religious welfare of man.—(Loud cheers.)
A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr.
Twells for his very lucid and able speech, and the meet-
ing separated.

the world. Gold and silver then became the medium of
exchange first by weight. The revenues of the ancient
Saxon kings of England are said to have been paid, not
in money but in kind, that is, in victuals and provisions
of all sorts. William the Conqueror introduced the
custom of paying them in money; this money, however,
was for a long time received at the Exchequer by weight
and not by tale. Coins, however, were soon adopted, as
supposed, to ascertain not only the fineness but the
weight of the metal. The wages of labourers at the
time of William the Conqueror was a halfpenny a day,
and oe.e penny in harvest time. The land was for the
,greater part uncultivated and the population scanty, and
badly clothed . and fed. The trade of London itself
amounted to about 200,000/. But c great im-
provement took place in the instrument of ex-
change. " The genius of the Hebrews," says a writer,
whose refinement, learning and literary taste have
shed a lustre on the ancient race from which he de-
scended—the elder Disreali—" produced the wonderful
invention of hills of exchange; an object like the art of
printing become too familiar to be admired; the miracle
has ceased and its utility only remains, yet both are
sources of civilization, and connect together as in one
commonwealth the whole universe." It may indeed
be doubted whether the effects of the discovery of the
art of printing have been more " wonderful" than those
produced by that of billa of exchange. The first Euro-
pean bank, that of Venice, was established in the reign
of Richard Cour de Lion. Near about this time the
Lombards, as the merchants of Italy were called, came
to England and established themselves in the street
which still bears their name. They brought with them
mach commercial knowledge and skill, and united the
business of bankers with that of goldsmiths. They in-
creased in wealth and importance, and usually demand-
ing twenty per cent for money lent, became in the
fifteenth century very rich. Henry VII. cherished com-
merce its a power to be employed against the
barons. In the time of Elizabeth Thomas Gresham,
a noble merchant, did much to improve the
state of the English finances. The discovery
of the American mines caused at this time great advance
in the prices of all commodities. The purchasing
power of money depending on its relative proportion to
the thing to be purchased, the increase in the quantity of
silver, particularly at this time, lowered its value in rela-
lion to corn; in other words, the price of corn rose.
During the civil war Charles borrowed money of the
goldsmiths; the rich also placed their money for secu-
rity in their hands, And the receipts issued by the
goldsmiths for money lodged with them circulated from
hand to hand, and were known as goldsmiths' notes.
These formed the first kind of bank notes in England,
and were an advance on bills of exchange. The first
public debt arose from the seizure by Charles of the
money paid into the Exchequer by the goldsmiths in
advance of the taxes. Public indignation forced the
King to consider this a debt, and it remains to this day
a part of the national debt. The Bank of England was
established in 1694, with a capital of 1,200,0001., raised
by subscription and lent to Government. In 1696, Mr.
Montague, acting under the advice of Sir Isaac Newton,
during the re-coinage of the silver, issued 51. and 101.
Exchequer-bills, which were received in payment for
the taxes. How nearly this great man (Newton) grasped
the vital principle which we advocate—that of a Go-
vernment paper money—but which he did not quite see
the way to establish permanently, is evident from this.
In 1745, Derby being occupied by the rebels, a severe
run occurred ou the Bank of England, which then, to gain
time, paid its notes in sixpences, showing the then ex-
istence of the double standard. The gold standard in-
troduced by Sir Robert Peel was not the ancient stan-
dard of the country. As fresh sums of money were
from time to time supplied to the Government, the
capital of the bank was increased. Private banks had
in the mean time been established, thus the circulating
medium of the country was considerably increased, and
with the facilities thus afforded to commerce, the pro-
gress of the nation was also considerable. In 17934
the public revenue amounted to nearly eighteen
millions, the population being nearly ten millions; while
on the accession of William and Mary, in 1689, the re-
venue, as stated by Mr. Macaulay, was about two
millions, or 165,0004 less than was received for postage
principsily in, pennies ill 1349. In 1797 a most important
event in the monetary history of the cou*hry occurred.
Engaged in an expensive war, which haeltdrained the
country of its bullion, the Bsnk of England, being no
longer able with safety to itself to mike further ad-
yances to Government, Mr. Pitt procured tk,e passing of
'tie Bank Restriction Act. By this Act the Bank was dis-
charged from the obligation of paying its notes
in gold, the reties •being made a legal tender for the
payment of , all debts, and receivable f,or taxes. Theo
began the issue also of 11. notes. Then commenced a
period unexampled in the history of this nation, duritee
which, ire spite of the war and all its attendant evils, the
progress of the nation was most rapid and extraordi-
nary. The rent of land, which in 1793 amounted to
22,000,0001. a year, had iecreased by 1815 to 39,350,000/.
The number of inclosure bills between 1797 and 1316
was not less than 1,779. The price of corn, which for
a long pericd had on the average been below 15s. the
quarter, rose to an average between 1794 and 1820 of
87%. 10d. a quarter; and from 1809 to 1820, to 98s. 9d.
a quarter. The expenditure of the country in the year
1815 amounted to the enormous sum of 111,491,5201.
But the war happily came to an end, and the nation
justly expected that the prosperity and happiness of the
community would make more happy progress in a time
of peace. But during the war two causes had been in
operation on the nation's welfare. There was the war
exhausting the resources of the country and making it
poor, and there was an adequate paper currency deve-
loping the energies of the country and making it rich.
We had vanquished our enemy and secured for
the country the blessing of peace, and the next
step we took was to turn our back upon our friend—
Pitt's monetary system, and deprive peace of its blessings.
Immediately after the proclamation of peace the Bank
of England received an intimation that it must prepare
for a return to cash payments. It contracted its issues
accordingly. " Such a scene," says Sir James Graham,
" both of agricultural and commercial distress ensued
as this unhappy country at that time never witnessed.
The Government was dismayed at the sufferings Which
their merely contemplated measure had produced. The
circulating medium was again increased, and by 1819
all the interests of the country were in a prosperous con-
dition. Peel's Bill became the law of the land, and in a
few months the sevcrett distress pervaded all classes.
Again the Government of the day relented. Iu 1122 a
Small Note Act was passed, and one-pound notes again
put into circulation. The unexampled prosperity o Mr.
Rohinson, in 1525, succeeded. But it became advanta-
geous to export gold; the circulation was contracted;
and the panic of 1825, with its ruinous consequences,
followed. I will not, gentlemen, trace, as I have done
on former occasions, the effects produced on this un•
happy country by the contractions and expansions of the
currency. In 1844 Sir H. Peel introduced his Bank Charter
Bill, which was, he said, to remedy all the evils which ex-
perience had proved to result from his former measure.
Mr. Goulbern, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer,
called this measure "a perfect system." For a year
or two an expanded circulation fostered speculation, then
gold being exported, the circulation was contracted, and
we had the panic of 1847. The Committee appointed
by the House of Commons decided by a small majority
—Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Goulburn voting for their
own measure—against the resolutions proposed by Mr.
Spooner, condemnatory of the present monetary system;
while the House of Lords' Committee reported that the
Bill of 1844 had decidedly failed in accomplishing all
the important objects for which it was enacted. The
report of the Loads' Conmaittee thus describes the Act
of 1844, passed as necessary to complete and carry out
the principle of the Act of 1819:
" 1. To those who may have expected that the 7th
and Bth Viet., c. 32, would effectually prevent a recur-
rence of cycles of commercial excitement and depression,
the contrast between the years 1845 and 1847 must prce
duce a grievous disappointment.
" 2. To those who anticipated that the Act would put
a ciceck on improvident speculation, the disappointment
cunnot be less, if reliance is to be placed (as the Com-
mittee are confident it may) on the statement of the
Governor of the Bank, and of other witnesses, that
'speculations were never carried to such an enormous
extent as in 1846, and the beginning of 1847.'

- ...........„
" 3. It the Act were relied on as a security against
violent fluctuations in the value of money, the fallacious-
ness of such anticipations is conclusively proved by the
fact, that whilst the difference between the highest and
lowest rate of discount was in the calamitous years,
1837 and 1839, but 2-1 to 24 per cent., the difference in
1847 rose to 61.

"4. If it was contemplated that the number and the
extent of commercial failures would hare been lessened,
the deplorable narrative of the Governor of the Bank,
recording the failure of thirty-three houses, compara-
tively in large business, in London alone, to the amount
of 8,129.000/., is a conclusive reply.
" 5. If the enormous extent to which railroad specula-
tion has been carried be considered as an evil to which a
sound system of banking would have applied a correc-
tive, such a corrective has not been found in an Act,
since the passing of which, during a period of three
years, an increased railway capital of upwards
.of
221,000,0004 has been authorised to be raised by Parlia-
ment, and when the enormous sum of 76,390,0001. is
stated, uu higli financial authority, to have been actually
expanded on railways in two years and a half.
" 6. If the power of ot4tainieg. banking accommoda-
tion on moderate terms were considered to be promoted
by the Act of 1844, it cannot be said that this important
object has peen attained, since it appears in evidence
that, in 1847. in addition to an interest of 9 or 10 per
cent., a commission was also fiequently paid, raising
the charge to 10, 20, or 30 per cent., according to the
time which bills had to run."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN:
Slll,—Having read in The Sun of Saturday,
Nov. 2, a leading article on " Vitriolated Peat, or
Turf Mould," the Irish public had no idea that 455
tons of sulphuric acid could he obtained in the United
Kingdom, but there never was a doubt of an inexhaus-
tible supply of bog stuff. An objection against the in-
troduction of sulphuric acid was its limited supply; an-
other, its deleterious effects ; the next objection, that
it was a potent weapon of incendiarism, since one
night, in the vicinity of Carlow,:all the potato gar-
dens in that locality were destroyed by sprinkling
sulphuric acid on the stalks, &c. This was the method
taken by persons in 1845, when it was first intro-
duced to the notice of the public, to run down the
discovery.
Sulphuric acid is a remedial agent for the cure of
disease ; sulphuric acid gives an agreeable sharpness
to water which is flat and tasteless, such as the Lon-
don water, and will render it pure and wholesome ;
sulphuric acid can be effectually employed for sani-
tary purposes, and, if used in the huge business last
summer at Palace-yard, which, if I now rightly re-
member, The Sun complained of as well as the other
London papers, would have corrected the foul odour
arising from that sewer; sulphuric acid can be em-
ployed with ♦arious substances, for manure; its
uses and applications are innumerable.
My object in now writing to The Sun, whose
character for impartiality and liberality are well
known at this side the Channel, is to contradict the as-
sertion that Mr. 0 wen, or any other person, discovered
this "Irish peat charcoal." Mr. Owen may have the
pecuniary benefit, but he has no right to rob me of
the name of being the first who discovered the ap-
plication of sulphuric acid to the purposes in
question.—l hove the honour to be, Sir, &c.,
MICHAEL CALLAGHAN.
Dublin, Nov. 8, 1850.

Ye?, with this explicit condecuntit'on, this Act still re-
msius law of the land, and will continue so to do till
the English people shall learn to -understand the cur-
rency que,tion, and insist upon their representatives
learning to understand it also.—(Cheers.) But let it be
brit fly considered how the various interests of the coun-
try are effecied by the present system of money. It is
a well-known fact that the estates of the greater part of
the landowners are encumbered with annuities and mort-
gages. " Nine-tenths of the landowners of this united
empire, Peers as well as Commoners," stys Sir
James Graham, " have mortgaged a part of,
their estates to improve the cultivation of the whole.'
The HOUOO of Commons resolved Ullftllll3lollily

DECORATION AT DRURIN-LANE TREATRE. The
decoration of Drury-lane Theatre, by Mr. Frederick Gye, is
exceedingly successful, offering a striking contrast to the
melancholy failure in this respwct at another house for the
" National Concerts." The stage is lined with white,
powdered with ruses in gilt wreaths; the chandeliers are
carried by wreaths of roses, and statues of the " Nine" are
cleverly disposed against back-grounds of pink-shaded
gauze flags. The fronts of all the boxes have cream-coloured
hangings with swags of artificial flowers: the effect of the
whole most summery and pleasant. The glass curtain,
which we once described, has been brought back and added
to; it includes now, according t,b a calculation, as nearly as
may be, 90,0:)0 glass drops.—Builder.
SUBSCRIPTION FOR HESSIAN OFFCERS AT MAN.,
CHESTER. —The Germans in Manchester have lately set on
foot, and are successfully raising a subscription for officers of
the electorate of Hesse-Cassel who lately resolved to resign
their commissions rather than submit to being used for the
upholding of the power and decrees of a foolish prince and A
detestable minister. The object of the subscription is with a
*view of providing the Hessian officers with the means of sub-
sistence, which they had sacrificed by resigning their COM-
missions.

E R MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
THE GRAND NATIONAL CONCERTS.
THIS EVENING.
First Night of Macfarren's Serenata, The SLEEPER AWAKENED,
Haroun Alraschid, Mr. Frank Bodda ; Abou Hassan, Mr. Sims
Reeves ; Zulieka, Angri.
The celebrated BERLIN CHOIR every Evening.
Great National Quadrille of all Nations.
Band of the Ist Life Guards, Band of the Grenadier Guards, Band
of the Scots Fusilier Guards, and a Corps of British Military Side
Drums. The English Morns, and Choir of the Berlin Chapel Royal.
Angri. Frank Bodda, and Sims Reeves ; Molique, Piatti, Baumann.
Blagrove, Barret, Franc, Maycock, Remusat, Richardson, Arban,
and Miss Goddard.

Musical Director, Composer, and Conductor—M. Balre.
• Conductor of La Musique de Danse—Herr Labitzky.
Conductor of the Choristers of the Berlin Ckapel Royal —Herr
l'aeldhardt.

Promenade (admitting to the Ha:f-Circles, Gallery} I 6
and Pit Stalls) ..
The Doors open at Half-past Seven, and the Concerts will com-
mence at Eight, and terminate about Eleven.
Boxes and Stalls to be had at the Box-office, where Programmes
f the performance may be obtained.
Mr. Thomas Masters of the Polytechnic Institution, the Coloseum,
and Royal Botanic and Zoological Gardens, will supply the Refresh-
scents and Wines, &c., &c.
Correct Books of the Serenata, countersigned by the Hon. Secre-
tary, to be had only in the Theatre. All others arc fraudulent and
incorrect.

THEATRE ROYAL, HATKABXET.
Mr. B. Webster, Sole Lessee and Manager, Old BrOmpten.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed an entirely new Comedy called TILE HUS-
BAND OF MY HEART. The Viscount de Belletulippe, Mr. C.
Selby ; Brioche, Mr. Bucksdone ; Eugenie, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.
To be followed by THE IRISH DIAMOND.
'After which MY FRIEND IN THE STRAPS.
To conclude with MRS. WHITE. Peter White, Mr. H. Bedford.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII.
Under the direction of Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING,

Will be performed a Terpsichorianiturlesque called ESMERALDA.
Characters by Messsrs. 0. Smith, Wright, P. Bedford ; Madame
Celeste, Miss Woolgar, and Miss K. Fitzwilliam.

After which a nen Farce called THE SCHOOL FOR TIGERS ;
or, The Shilling Hop. Captain Kiteilyer, Mr. Boyce ; Major Stiff,
Mr. Worrell; Mr. Panels, Mr. Wright; Alexander Panels, Miss
Chaplin.
After which, MY PRECIOUS BETSY. Principal Characters by
Messsr. Wr:ght, Bedford, Worrell; and Miss Harding.
To conclude with THE MARRIED BACHELOR.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. OXFORD-STREET.
tinder the Management of Mr. C. lieu and Itir. Keeley.
THIS EVENING,
_ _

Will be performed an entirely new Play called THE TEMPLAR,
Characters by Messrs. Ryder, Fisher, Belton, Addison, Yining, Cath.
cart, Everest, C. Kean ; and Mrs. C. Kean.

After which BETSY BAKER; or, "Too Attentive by Half."
_ Characters by 'desire. J. Vining, Keeley, Mrs. Keeley, and Miss
Murray.

With other Entertainments.

Private Boxes, &c., to be had of all the Booksellers, and of Mr.
Massingham ; of whom also places may be taken at the Box-office,
Oxford-street. from Eleven till Four o'clock.

• ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE,
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed PHILIP OF FRANCE AND MARIE
DE 3IERANIE. Characters by Messrs. G. V. Brooke, H. Tanen,
Norton, W. /arm, jun., Johnstone, G. Cooke, Diddear ; Miss Helen
Faucit, and Mrs. L. Murray.
To be followed by A BACHELOR'S VOW.
After which ALLOW ME TO APOLOGISE.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Management of Madame Vestris.
Sole Lessee, Mr. Charles Mathews.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed a new Drama, called THE WHITE HOOD.
Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, G. Vining, B. Baker, Horiacastle,
Bellingham; Miss Baker, and Mr s. Macnamara.
After which SERVE HIM RIGH r.
To conclude with THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Under the Patronage of her Majesty and his Royal Highness
Prince Albert.
Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
THIS EVENING,
The Entertainments will commence with a new and original
Spectacle, entitled THE ENCHANTED PALFREY ; or, The War-
rior of the Crescent.
- To be succeeded by an inimitable Display of Batty's Feats of
v.quitation in the Cirque Olympique, by the male and female Eques-
trians of the Establishment
To conclude with the Farce of THE BENEVOLENT TAR.
Box-office open frog, Eleven till Four.
Stage Manager, Ir. T. Thompson.

HIGH WATER <4.1 LONDON BRIDGE.
Tam DAT —Morning 42 Mia. afte: 1• I Evening 14 lain. after 11
To-Mozzow—Mornir.g 42 min. after II lEvening 0 ntin. after •

TF[E WEATHER.—SUN Ogslcz, NOVEMBER. 15.
TUERMOMETER, IN Tux &LADE.
42—highest since noon yesterday.
°B—lowest this morning and daring the night.
40— this day, at noon.
BAMOMETEE, 30-29.
Wiirn W.S.W.—dull, hazy weather.