The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-26 00:00:00

than a stripling when he raised that standard in Hin-
dustan which commenced our labours of oriental

spoliation, and quashed the French influence, even
when presided over by the ambitious LA BOURDON •
NAIS. It is true that Leal HOWE was little less than
an octogenarian when he gained the glorious battle of
the Ist of June ; and equally true that the snows of
many years and of yet many more misfortunes had
whitened the hair of COLUMBUS before he set
out on his voyage of discovery across the At-
lantic. At the same time it must be remem-
bered that some of the most illustrious of our
naval heroes, and of our navigators, have achieved
great things while yet in the freshness of their
manhood. Captain Coot had circumnavigated the
globe, and penetrated to many of the islands in the
southern archipelago, before age had blunted his ener •
gies or moderated his enthusiasm, hie frame being
still in its full vigour on the day when he was barbar-
ously assassinated. Sir SIDNEY SMITH was a post cap-
tain at eighteen, and Lord NELSON had passed throttgh
the whole of his eventful career, had lost
an arm and an eye, had conquered at Sr.
Vincent, at the Nile, and at Copenhagen,
and was yet only forty-seven years of age when he
expired iu the arms of victory at Trafalgar. Accord-
ing to the existing system of things in the British
navy such rapid promotions are altogether impracti
cable, and a man must, in the majority of instances,
have hid the fire of his genius burnt, for the most part,
out before he can hope to obtain his fig, supposing
him to be sufficiently lucky to have got posted. Such
tardy advancements, moreover, are rendered still
more melancholy to witness when at the sane mo-
ment we find this erroneous scheme of arrange-
ment overstocking the service with a prodigal and
even useless number of admirals. The mein princi-
ple on which the whole plan is founded appears, in
short, to be radically fallacious. Promotion in the
higher ranks of the naval profession should be indi-
vidually more rapid and collectively less frequent.
The number of flag-officers should be diminished
numerically, and yet at the same time (or rather we
might say for that very reason) be rendered more
efficient. There should be a liberal criterion of merit,
and not an inflexible regulation of seniority. Were
these changes introduced, of course with all due pre-
, caution, and were the scale of promotion in some mea-
sure proportionately equalised throughout the various
grades of the profession, we should speedily witness
the improvements inevitably consequent on such a
proceeding. As it is, we never demanded, iu the
hope of these improvements, any but the most cau-
tious innovation. Without a very careful solicitude
for the in-erests of the present members of the profes-
sion, injustice might be done to them with a view to
the benefit of their successors. Such we would on no
account witness. What we aspire to see done, at
any rate in the first instance, is a graduated
diminution in the number of admirals—promotions
taking place in such a manner as to yield one for
every three deaths. Before any considerable time
could elapse from the commencement of such a change
the catalogue would be thinned within more reason-
able dimensions. Then regard might be had in turn
for the interests, too long overlooked, of lieutenants
and commanders ; and new vigour, by this means,
would inevitably be infused into that navy which is
peculiarly our national profession.

(THE) POPE'S ESSAY ON (THE CREDULITY OF) MAN.
—This is a series of butnourous lithographic prints
(on the plan of Mr. Crindle's adventure) illustrating
the adventures of Cardinal Wiseman, from the time
he was dispatched from Rome by the Pope, who,
"having done the French Republic out of a superb
armchair, and having a stock of showy articles on
hand, determines to try the English marker," up to
the time of the exposure of the articles in
the English market by the Wiseman himself.
The articles are severally here exhibited. Among
them are a miraculous image of St. IPumpo,
which sheds tears in the presence of a heretic, pro-
vided the Holy Father works the pump-handle, and a
notorious prize Roman Bull, bred from Satan's dam
and fed at a great cost upon superstition and ignorance,
considered by competent judges to be the greatest
beast that ever appeared. These illustrations are
dashed off with great spirit.

BRITISH AMERICAN LAND COMPANY.—Yesterday
a special general court of the members of this corporation
was held at the offices, New Broad-street; Mr. A. Gillespie
in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been
read, the chairman stated that the directors had no particu-
lar information to communicate, but they had called the
shareholders together because opinions had been expressed
that the meetings of the company should take place oftener
than once a year. He was happy to say that, from the ar-
rangements which had been made since the last meeting,
there was every reason to hope net their affairs would'soon
present a m, re favourable aspect. The arrangements re-
specting the advance of money for the railway had been
carried out under the best advice, and with every regard to
ih security of the company. The seminary at Montreal
had made good its undertaking, and the corpora ion of that
city had advanced .25,000/. in debentures. Under these cir-
cutustances the railway was proceeding with every prospect
of success. By the opening of 27 additional miles the rail-
way would be carried to Acton, one of the principal statione
of the line, and where the present company possessed land
to the amount of 70,000 acres. The distance from Melville
to Montreal was 70 miles, and when the railway should be
completed thus far, the company would be enabled to secure
Govrument aid. With regard to the collections made
during the present year, the Commissioner had stated that
they exceeded the amount of the past year by about 2,0001.
He was happy to say that the settlers were in a thriving
condition, and the general aspect of the country was mate-
rially improving. The calls upon all the shares in this
country had been paid, with the exception of 30, and arange-
ments were being made which would doubtless lead to the
payment of the remainder. Several proprietors expressed
their acquiescence in the proceedings of the directors, and a
vote of thanks having been passed :,to those gentlemen, the
meeting separated.
We understand that the condition of the soldier
serving in the colonies, with regard to the stoppage exacted
for his ration, has been under the consideration of the Go-
vernment, and that it is intended to reduce the rate from sd.
at which it stands at present, to 3id. The necessity for this
step has been made apparent in the evidence taken oefore
the Committee on Army and Ordnance Expenditure, and the
effect of lowering the cost of the ration of 11b. of meat and
llb. of bread to 3ed. will be to leave the soldier abroad 8k 1.,
out of which he will provide himself with other articles of
food conducive to his health and his comfort. That this will
be attended with an increased expenditure there is no doubt,
but when we consider the long expatriation of our soldiers,
and the varied and unhealthy climates in which they cheer-
fully serve, we are quite sure that it is an act of justice and
of humanity of which not even the strictest economist will
complain. Ix thus increasing the balance of daily pay to be
received by the soldier every care will be taken, especially in
tropical climates, that a proper proportion is expended in
such articles as contribute to preserve his health and contri-
bute to his efficiency for the due performance of his duties,
and no risk will arise that that which is intended as a boon
shall be by neglect on the part of the officer, or improvidence
on the part of the soldier, converted into an evil.
Mr. Thomas Cooper stated at a meeting, an even-
ing or two ago, that a building was proposed to be erected
for the working &asses, capable of holding three thousand
people. In addition to the large room for public meetings,
there were to be class rooms, library, &c. The cost to be
ten thousand pounds. Several gentlemen have contributed
large sums; one in the City, Mr. Saul, has given five hun-
dred pounds. Several have given sums of one hundred
pounds. The greater part of the money, however, is to be
raised by shares of one pound each. The building is not to
be commenced till half the money is in hand. So confident
however, are the projectors, that they are now on the look
out for a site whereon to build, which is to be as central es
possible.

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemieq—
seldom safe to venture to instruct even our friends.- Eliza
Cook's Journal.

TUE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE'S RENT AUDIT.—At
Newark yesterday his Grace's steward returned 10 per cent.
to every tenant who paid his half-year's rent. This, under
the circumstances, was considered extremely handsome, and
gave general satisfaction.—.Doncaster Gazette..

EXTRAORDINARY FEAT —One evening Last week a
sailor, for a trifling wager, undertook to climb four times his
own height ( which iv( ulu be about five feet five or six), up
one of the common rain water pipes, or conductors in front
of a house in South-street, by the muscular strength of his
arms and feet. At the first trial he accomplished the feat in
presence of several pers)ns, and did not seem much dis-
tressed by so strong a test upon his muscles.—Perth Courier

The same objects appear pleasing or diipleasing, as
the circumstances in which we see them are comfortable or
uncomturtable.—Eliza Cook's Journal.

FIRE AT THB GRAND JUNCTION CANAL WHARF.
—This forenoon, between ten and eleven o'clock, while the
workmen were employed at their usual labour on the wharf
of the Grand Junction Canal Company, City.road, they were
alarmed by the sudden outbreak of flames in the store-room,
which is situated near the canal. One of the men went up
the steps, when he found a fire raging among a quantity of
oakum, which was in the centre of the room, and which was
filled with tarpauling, deals, ship stores, &c. All hands
were at a moment called to assist in extinguishing the flame.
Ladders were immediately placed at the several windows and
buckets of water were rapidly flung into the midst of the
stores ; about 100 men were assisting, whir obtained
water from the canal. After the most persevering exertion:
the coLflagrai ion was ext ingiaalied. The loss is supposed to
be about 100/. How the Ire originated is unknown.
DhATH OF R.W. hTZPATRICK, E.Q P, D.L.—
It is with feelings of deep sorrow we announce the death of
R:chard Wilson Fitzpatrick, Eq., brother to the Right
Hon. J. W. Fitzpatrick, M.P. This Lmented gentleman,
who was but 37 years of age, died at his residence, Grants-
town Manor, Queen's County, at twelve o'clock 'on Friday,
from the effects of malignant fever, which he contracted more
than a month ago in the discharge of his duties as chair-
man of the Donaghmore Union. He was of highly-polished
manners and most amiable disposition, and one who com-
manded the esteem and respect of all persons with whom he
had intemourse.—Leinster _Express.

A Huritionoc BARONET.-Sllt WILLIAM DON
Ansivit).—This British baronet, who, out of amusement.
has devoted himself to the stage as an eccentric comedian,
has arrived here in the City of Glasgow. The London press
stylwi him the "Geta rercba Bluckstone," fie appears at
the Broadway Theatre, we hear, ill A fily dayik--airetv rgpi
Courier awl Enquirer.