The Sun. — 1857-12-18 (London, England)

THE ENGLISH PRISONERS AT SALERNO.  Mr. Watt, of Newcastle, the father of one of the British engineers confined in the dungeons of Naples, has received the following letter from the chaplain to the British Embassy at that place "Naples, Deo. 9. " Sir,—l received your letter on Monday, the rthr and knowing how anxious your son was to hear of all his dear relatives at home, I took the very first opportunity (i.e., yesterday) of going down to Salerno to show it to him ; though it was a testa, or holiday, and I was in danger of going for nothing, as all officials are generally absent from home on those days. I found that the Procurator-General was from home, but after sending for him in various directions I gained admittance to the prison. The delay, however, was the cause of my being longer with the prisoners, as it made me too late for the afternoon train, and so I stayed for the evening one, and spent considorabletime in conversation with them. Your eon seemed better in health than he was before—though he made no complaints to me—but he now looks stronger. with more colour, and more cheerful. This, I suppose, arises from their having been removed into a larger room where they can take exercise, and have the company of all their fellow-prisoners. Indeed, they all seemed quite cheerful, and conversed freely with the officer who accompanied me, as well as with myself. Your son and his companion, Parks, assured me that they acted by my counsel, and constantly prayed to God to support and relieve them, and read their bible every day; they also returned 16 religious tracts I had lent them, and dwired to have some more. So I really trust that their affliction may, with God's grace, be turned to good account, and that they will for the future be more sincere and earnest disciples of Christ than they have hitherto been, and be abietosay with the Holy Psalmist, Blessed is the man, 0 Lord, whom thou chastenest ; before I was afflicted I went Wrong, but now I have kept thy statutes.' I paid them a second visit the week after I wrote last (Thursday, 26th ult.), and found they had been moved two days to the larger apartment. You perhaps have seen in the newspapers a report that one of the prisoners had attempted suicide. I heard this after I returned from my ht first thou vis to them ; and, therefore, on my second visit, I g it right to question them about it. Your son ledconfess thatue d t. makeso,hehad thean attemptd as, far by a asl could melancholy dchefeeling w as ofdespondency, which led him to imagine that all was against him. His companion told me it arose from misunderstanding what was said about him by his companions through his not understanding the Italian language thoroughly. On the 26th of November I talked very earnestly and seriously to him upon the subject, and he assured me he would never attempt anything of the kind again, and I have good reason to hope he sees it in its true light, and will keep his promise. I talked to him again about it yesterday, and he said cheerfully that there was no danger of such a thing again. He is evidently of a silent and nervous disposition. I suppose they did not like to confess this sad thing, and so said nothing about it on my first visit, Being permitted by the king of Naples to visit them as a minister of religion, when nobody else was allowed to see them, I did not cross-question them about anything, as it would have been dishonour• able to act in any way as a spy. I merely desired them to tell ma anything they wished voluntarily ; and their statements I gave you the general summary of iu my last letter. Besides, my object was chiefly religions, to lead them to take their affliction patiently, and to bear up courageously, in dependence upon God's help and protection ; whereas, if I had spent my visits in qua& tinning them about grievances, they would have fancied themselves, perhaps, worse treated than they have been, and been irritated and more cast down in spirit, instead of being calmed or cheered. I therefore, I repeat, only heard and have written to you what they told m® of their own accord. Yesterday .your son said he was very much comforted by your letter and those of his friends, which I let him read for himself. He begged me earnestly to write directly, and cheerful.ed u all his love, and tell you he was well an nite.tw; sand a letter re eedr hhaepgs ahvoe didm e I obtained leave for him to write hours for him to send it to me if hnedo by me, and I promised to wait inahnndtehne totowwr to understand that he could not did not get any letter from him, Aasni have very much to on is rather shy and nervous. not like writing with so m fats as a minister, and so cane my time and thhug the q into t. I ues ion, have made cannot go thoroughly the arrest, politically and interabout the justice of waritei.nd r y It was not my business, and I should do no al g gllut iSoPnwwGi subject, otnaercottoti hlalvi edaecontienuunrni bl dkrdneawoyol qmitatl bti ally:beets. Procurator-General interfering to lohftrkdearmai hern: nbtsvi mnei onaesroseugli :wee ti°: 2wifyantneejoj hwonreulf 1 yesterday Majesty's latbLeal sd:ienerschg:Pyttsbe,:taahttu‘ wavohye At orcneimpeYnefeehcaaosge:rinfelrdi itoloimnani vyrwnogneoogtfttpdsruihhhcnaereeeavrtool nttstsherunoiharrero:c isyioktrusual lowei6e, ons tkeu'ayhuw' kacl ioenysaha:ctks:l British ara, ooeyesgsr:dhb:ei lopPuet, i:tnabshoe l t ll ar tion for you, and let your son have your letters. " I have written in very great haste, and have not time to look over my letter, as I wish to save the post to-Jay, otherwise I cannot send my letter before Saturday ; but I hope I have written so as to be understood by yiiu. "Youis faithluEy, , IP pEralf, enapiai s.  ''''..--------------PRINCE ALBERT'a PRIZE Pc:atm.—The subject of the poem for which Prince Albert annually ves 1, "Dew g" medal at Cambridge will for the coming year be  TII E SUN, LCf N Dv() N i t F Id 0N E Y MARKETc iIIARE