The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-04 00:00:00

LIGHT GOLD.

The fact that a great quantity of light gold has
found its way to New York is mentioned in the New
York Republican. Gold coin was, it seems, imported
in large quantities from England in the year 1843,
while there has been no material export since 1841 ;
and the consequence is, that the vaults of the New
York banks are well stocked with English gold, the
expense of removing it t) Philadelphia to be coined
being too great to render such an operation profit-
able. This gold coin having been chiefly sent before
the appearance of the proclamation by which light
sovereigns were withdrawn from circulation, it is
generally found to be below the standard value. The
coin has mostly been made in the reigns of the
Georges.
Mention is made of a counterfeit sovereign being
made in this country according to a low standard of
gold, for the express purpose of circulation in the
United States. The fact that such coin has been
manufactured is, we believe, unquestionable, as two
or three sovereigns below the proper standard are
said to have been received by the Bank of England,
where the imitation was declared so perfect, that no
other establishment but that or the Mint could have
detected the fraud. These counterfeit sovereigns
may possibly have some connexion with the abun-
dance of light gold in the American bonds ; but there
is this circumstance against the supposition—that the
light gold is described as belonging to the period of
the Georges, while the counterfeit seems to be an
imitation of the sovereign of her present Majesty,
Victoria. At all events, however, it does not seem
impossible that an attempt has been made to pass off
among the Americans a coin the real value of which
is not equal to that which it nominally bears.
Sovereigns are not merely treated as bullion in New
York, but pass from hand to hand at their nominal
value, and hence an inducement for getting rid of
light coin obviously exists.

SCOTTISH SYSTEM of BANKING
STIRLING COUNTY MEETING.
A meeting of the county, on the subject of Scot.
tish banking, took place at Stirling, on Friday, and i
was extremely gratifying to see the complete tins.
nimity which prevailed. Not a dissentient voice, and
the subject about which they met appeared so plain
and self-evident, that no one thought of making any
speech of importance, or of explaining that which
needed, as they were aware, no explanation. Neither
did they think it necessary to arouse any one to op-
pose the nonsensical and altogether uncalled-for inter-
ference of the Government with the currency of Scot-
land. They wisely considered, that as Scotland her-
self was satisfied with the currency, nobody else had
any interest in the matter, and, therefore, it would be
highly impolitic in the Legislature to attempt to de-
prive Scotland of a currency which she values above
gold.
The following resolutions, moved by J. L. K.
Lennox, Esq., of Woodhead, Convener of the county,
and seconded by Colonel Dundas, of Carronhall, were
unanimously adopted, viz.:—
" 1. That this meeting, in common with the rest of
the people of Scotland, is satisfied by experience, that
great benefits have arisen, and do arise, from the spe-
cies of banking now established in this part of the
United Kingdom.
" 2. That any change in that system is to be depre-
cated, but more especially that any alteration, by
which the issue of One Pound Notes would be abo-
lished, or the circulation restricted, is to be resisted
to the utmost.
" 3. That should a measure, making such altera-
tion, be proposed to Parliament, this meeting trusts
the Members for the County and Burghs will unite,
with the other representatives of Scotland, in the
most strenuous opposition to it; and the Convener is
hereby instructed, in that event, to call a meeting of
the County to consider how the opposition may be
best supported."—Stirling Observer.

EAST INDIAN MAIL.—In consequence of the 3d of
this month falling on Sunday, the mails for Malta,
Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, and India, via South-
ampton, w:11 be made up and dispatched this evening.
The overland closed mail, via Marseilles, will be dis-
patched on the 7th instant.

PROGRESS OF RAILWAY ENTER-
PRISE IN BENGAL.
NOTIFICATION.
FORT WILLIAM, AUG. 24, 1844.
The Deputy-Governor of Bengal deeming the
establishment of railroads throughout the Presidency.
of Fort William an object of great public import-
ance, is pleased to publish the following correspond-
ence for general information :
" TO FREDERICK JAMES HALLIDAY, ESQ., &C.
" 5, Wellesley-place, Calcutta, July 15, 1844.
" Sir,—l have the honour to address you upon a
subject to which your earliest convenient considera,
din is especially requested.
" 2. The project of establishing railroads in this
country has not been entirely disregarded, notwith-
standing the impression on the part of many who, not
being aware of the circumstances which constitute
the practical recommendations or objections to them,
entertain an idea that their introduction into India, at
present, would be premature.
" 3. The consideration of the practicability of lav-
ing down a line of railway, of the advantages which
would attend it to the Government equally with the
public, and the particular lines which would yield the
greatest returns, and would in other respects be the
most eligible, have for some time past engaged the
attention of several parties, both in this country and
in England ; and it is to the result of this inquiry I
would beg to direct your attention.
" 4. That the subject is one of paramount import-
ance to the best interests of the country, and calcu-
lated in a military as well as a commercial point of
view to be productive of the most beneficial results, it
will, I apprehend, be unnecessary for me to demon-
strate. The advantages which have attended their
introduction throughout Europe and in the United
States will be admitted as sufficiently conclusive on
this point.
e s ew ni tl at b
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undertaken
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" 5. Without trespassing unnecessarily upon your
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extentr
granted, in the event of one or more lines of railway
regard to the
nature of the assistance which is expected of the Go-
vernment, I beg to observe that no pecuniary aid is
required.
7. I have only to request the favour of your
stating, whether the Government will, in the event
of a company being formed for this purpose, grant
the following concessions :
" 1. The ground required for the railway, which
can be conceded under the powers vested in the
Government, for the purpose of making and
improving roads, &c.—whereby all disputes
with the proprietors of the land along the lines
will be avoided, and the expense of litigation
prevented.
" 2. A Charter or Act of Incorporation under the
usual provisions and conditions.
" 3. That the Government will appoint a propor-
tion of the Directors, in order to secure the due
performance of conditions in which the Govern-
ment is interested.
" 8. The line upon which it is intended to com-
mence operations has not been definitively determined,
as it is dependent upon the amount of capital which
can be raised at once in London for the purpose. As
however, it cannot signify to the Government (who
must derive considerable benefit from the measure under
any circumstances), which line may be first com-
pleted, it will probably be unnecessary to do
more than to state, that upon receiving your reply
to the foregoing requisition, namely, whether the
Government, in the event of a company being
formed in London, or elsewhere, of unexceptionable re-
spectability, and with sufficient capital to accomplish
their objects, will give their support to the extent
specified, arrangements will be immediately made for
active operations; and in the course of a few months
I shall be prepared to submit for the approval of the
Government the complete details of the undertaking,
which only requires the intimation of their general
approval, and promise of encouragement to enable
those parties who have already made considerable
progress in the matter, by the collection of statistical
data, and otherwise, to complete their arrangements,
and bring the subject before the public.
• " 9. The necessity for previously ascertaining the
disposition and wishes of the Government, and of re-
ceiving a promise of support under the conditions re-
ferred to, will be apparent upon reference to the fai-
lure, from whatever cause, of so many of the under-
takings which have been placed under the exclusive
management of a Calcutta Board of Directors, and
without which support the parties whom I represent
would be unwilling to recommend the undertaking,
or to take any part in it themselves.
"10. With the conditional assurance which alone
is required, they entertain little doubt of being enabled
to carry through what they will then be prepared to
undertake, to the full and entire satisfaction of the
Government, as well as to the great advantage and
extension of the commerce and trade of the country.
"I have,&c.,
"R. MACDONALD STEPHENSON."

" TO FREDERICK JAMES HALLIDAY, ESQ., &C.

"5, Wellesley-place, Calcutta, July 20, 1844.
"Sir,—With reference to my former communica-
tion of the 15th inst., upon the subject of laying down
one or more lines of railway, in India, I beg leave to
qualify the paragraph, No. 7, which specifies the
nature and extent of encouragement required by the
Government, and in lieu of soliciting that the grounds
for the railway be given to the company by the Go-
vernment, I have to request that a Charter or Act of
Incorporation may be granted, with powers to pur-
chase the land required by the company, for public
objects, under the regulation in force for that purpose,
(No. 1 of 1824.)"
" 2. I beg further to state, that in requesting the
Government to nominate a proportion of the Direc-
tors, the object in view would be equally accom-
plished, whether the Government adopt this course,
or by their appointment of a superintending Com-
mittee, to approve and sanction, on behalf of the Go-
vernment, the proceedings of the Board of Directors,
the Committee being invested with such powers as
the legal advisers of the Government may suggest:
" I have, &c.,
" R. MACDONALD STEPHENSON."

(No. 652.)
" TO R. K. STEPHENSON, ESQ.

" Sir,—l am directed by the Hon. the Deputy-
Governor of Bengal, to acknowledge the receipt of
your letters, dated the 15th and 20th ultimo, and in
reply to inform you, that, in the present state of the
law, it would not be in his power to authorise a
railroad company to treat for the purchase of land,
as for a public object, under Regulation I. of 1824 ;
but he would have no objection, in the event of the
formation of a company, with sufficient capital to ac-
complish this object in view, to apply to the Legis-
lature, to make the provisions of that enactment ap-
plicable to such purchases. .
" 2. In regard to a Charter, or Act of Incorpora-
tion, his Honour would likewise feel no hesitation in
recommending, in favour of a well-constituted com-
pany, that the same should be granted under the
usual provisions and conditions ; and, in respect
to the appointment of a superintending committee,
Government will, of course, make arrangements,
through the medium of its own officers, both for the
furtherance of the undertaking, as far as may be con-
sistent with a due regard for the rights and interests
of the different parties concerned, and for the safety
of the community at large.
" 3. The Deputy-Governor desires me to add, that
he is deeply sensible of the advantages to be gained
by the construction of railroads along the principal
lines of communication throughout the country, and
is anxious to afford to any well-considered project
for that purpose, his utmost support.—l have, &c.
"C. BE ADON,
" Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
"Fort William, August 8, 1844."
" By order of the llonourable, the
Deputy-Governor of Bengal,
"FREDERICK JAMES lIALLIDAY,
" Secretary to the Government of Bengal."

FROM VENEZUELA.—OR Friday morning
posted in the por-
tico
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE ON LETTERtSheTOfoIAioNwD.
ing " Notice to the Public" was .
offices throughout the metropolis .
) the postage on all let-
tens of the General Post-office,
ransd._at,,itoheoseavnedraallbterrantbehe
sth of November (Tuesday next)
od addresseddireot btyo
Venezuela, and vice versa,
ters posted in the
.Unit d I
packet boat,wixnhgednomconavnedy
half-ounce, two shillings the ounce, and so
will be reduced to the uniform rate of one
,killing theon in proportion. The postage, however, on letters dis-
patched from the United Kingdom must be paid in ad-
vance. British newspaper, duly-stamped, and posted
in the United Kingdom, addressed to Venezuela, and
Venezuelan newspapers printed in the language of Ve-
nezuela, and posted in that country, addressed to the
United Kingdom, when forwarded by packet direct, will
not be liable to postage. When such newspapers are
transmitted by ' private ship' they vk ill be subject to a
postal rate of one penny, which must be paid in the
1- United Kingdom, both on receipt and dispatch."

•
SIR,—My name is Yangfang; I was born at
Wangfong, in the province of Quangtong, and I am
a distant relation of the poor Keshen that was killed.
I learned some English at different ports, as Canton,
Macao, llong-Kong. I came to England about the
fifth moon this year to learn better the language, and
some of your customs and religion. But lam much
confused with those things I see and hear, and must
ask your kindness, or some of your correspondents,
before I believe, as I am told yours is the largest
I gazette of these western countries. I shall then be-
lieve what you write to me, for I know you will
speak nothing but true, and shall thank you for in-
structions. Pray answer some questions for me.
Do you call our inner land, the flowery country of
Cathay, by the name of China ? Do you say the
needle of the magnet we use for guiding ships in their
courses on the great sea points to the north ? We
discovered it many ages before you knew it, and con-
! sider it rather points to the south.
You are Christians by religion. Do you put a tax
now on the food and corn for the poor people
which is so big that the food cannot come to the
poor people ? for in Cathay, and all its countries,
we are pagans, and worship different gods, which
you call idols. I, like most of the other Chinamen,
am a worshipper of Budh ' • but our good Emperor,
the Brother of the Sun and Moon, gives a reward to
all the big ships which bring in enough rice, or he
does not order them to pay the dues of the port where
they come, which is a great help to them ; this is to
make the food cheap and plenty for the poor men ;
but tell me, do you want to make it dear for the poor
men, and very little of it ?
Do your good Christian priests give help to make
the food dear, that they may get more money, and
do they act for our proverb that the full stomach
never thinks for the empty stomach ? Is it true
that the poor really drop down dead for hunger, as I
have read in your great paper of news ? In our
inner land, when people are crying for want, we
think it best to give them some work to do and pay
them, then with the money they buy the food; but
I am told you think it best to give them baths and
warm water. In your country is water good for the
hunger? Do the kind priests always give the water
for the hunger ? In our country we find it takes
away the thirstiness, but we do not drink it when we
want the food. Does the climate here make any dif-
ference in this, or is it only in the customs of the
English Christian people ?
When people are very poor in our land we give
them work to do that they may buy the food and eat
rice ; but you give them what you call charity, or put
them in prison, where they must not see their friends ;
wife must not see husband, husband must not see
wife nor children,—is it so ? This very bad. Pray,
Sir, do tell me if it costs more money to put them
in the prisons than it does to let them work and pay
for their own food out of the prisons ? I think it is
in England, but not in Cathay, that the big fish eat
the little fish, the little fish eat the shrimps, and the
shrimps eat the mud.
_ _

But the Mandarins in our country are very bad,
and do the people much harm, and steal their food
and money, and then they say Mandarin very good
indeed to poor man. Are your Mandayins like ours ?
Pray tell- me this plainly, with your own real English
honest word.

I hope you will pardon me for asking one more
little question. Is it true that you put all your ma-
nanure and nasty things, not on the lands, but into
the rivers? What for do you this ? It makes the
water not good to drink, but very nasty, and we could
not drink it so; but is this why you give water and
the bath to feed the hungry people ? Let me under-
stand.

In our inner land we save it all and sell it all, even
the hairs from shaving the head, and put it on the
land to make the rice, and many other things, grow
well and fast. _ _ ..

Is it true that you send big ships to the other side
of the world to get the manure of birds to make the
corn grow in the place of what you have, and put
into the rivers ?

Pray forgive the faults I make in English, and all
the mistakes of another land, and give me a true
answer to all these doubts which I ask you, that I
may tell my countrymen when I get home, which I
intend soon to start.

From your humble slave,
YANGFANG.

Gloucester-place, Kentish-town.

CONSUMPTION OF PORTER AND
ALE IN LONDON AND ITS VICINITY
DURING THE LAST AND PRESENT YEAR.

An accurate Statement of the Number of Quarters of Malt
used by the under-mentioned Brewers, from the 10th of
October,lB43, to the 10th of October, 1844 ; distinguishing
those whose Consumption has Increased and Decreased :

Pc, 5

-e) ..
. t
2 t
P;'