The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-15 00:00:00

[Stamped, id. Additional.]

begged her not to stare so wildly at him. Speak one
word,' Ise tried, 'speak one word, for God's mks. I
know,' mid be, I ern a ruffian—l know I am • ruffian—
bat it was not premeditated.' Gentlemen, on homing those
extraordinary and frightful expressions, she attempted to
rise from where she was. He offered her wine again, but
her teeth were still clenched, and he mid, ' I will pour the
wine on you if you won't take it. lam horribly frightened,'
he said, ' and you must make me a promise. Have sense, or
the first person you meet you will tell, end it will be ruin.
lam in your power and you are ice mine. Do, for once in
your life, do what I tell you—keep secret, and all will be
well. I know all you could say—but, oh ! spare me. lam
in your power. Stab me if you like. I know you hate me.
I sometimes wish to God I could bate you. I swore I
would never touch your hand again. I struggled against
fate, whilst you thought you were running away from me.
I struggled against the fate that was hurrying me on when
you thought you were escaping. Don't prove yourself a mad
woman now, but attend to what I tell you. I must be
obeyed. Have faith and confidence in me, and you may
remedy the past Australian freak and the talk it has given I
rise to. It led to • great deal of talk. You would be em-
ptied to bear all that was said about it. If you destroy
me, you injure yourself for ever. If you knew all the mis-
chief you would do to yourself, you would be glad to fol-
' low my advice now. Promise to be quiet for a few days.
Keep up appearances for my salvation sad your own. I
fear I cannot trust you out of my sight, for fear you will do
yourself and me irreparable mischief." The learned coun•
eel then referred to the young lady's despair, the efforts
of Sae William to keep her quiet, and his pressing upon her
money, he., which die on every occasion returned. The
bitten of Sir William Wilds, after the affair in the study,
were emotionally of a very melancholy character, and at
other times rather rhapsodical in their protestation of
friendship. Miss 'Travers again thought of going to her
brothers in Australia. Sir William Wilde furnished her with
money for this purpose, but she abandoned this intention,
and returned the money. At a later period, by the advice of
friends, she applied for a loan of and called for that pur-
pose. He gave her 21.10 e., and asked her to call next day
for the remainder. She said, however, she did cot want it;
that she had changed her mind, and that she was not going
out of the country. " Yes," said he, " your only purpose is
to ruin me." He spoke in a manner which amounted to a
taunt of her poverty and of her needing money —that this was
all she wantedfrom him. Stung by the language in which he
replied to her, she ran out of the house, horned to a neigh-
bouring shop, purchased two ounces of laudanum, returned
to his study, end drank it cif. " Whet is that you have
drank'" mid be. "Laudanum," she replied. "My
God," said he, "you are revenged on me at last. It will
be said that I hove poisoned you ; quick, quick for an
antidote." She was taken to Mr. Walsh's, in Nt estlaad.row,
where tincture of zinc was given to her, and eventually she
recovered. She went home and told some of her friends some-
thing of what bad occurred, but nor giving the whole truth.
About the summer of 1863 Lady Wilde translated a work
from the German, which was described u a philosophical
novel, and which was named "The First Temptation."
This book Miss Truer, reviewed in two newspapers pub-
belied in Dublin—the Canimerrial Jo...rnal and the Datho
;Fatly Adeceiser. She reviewed it in terms which caused
Sir William and Lady Wilde to be excessively angry. In con-
sequence of something she heard that Sir William bad said
she wrote a letter to Lady Wilde, but it was intercepted.
She then determined, if possible, to see Lady Wilde. and
went to the house for that purpose. She saw Lady Wilde
in some part of the house, but she went away without ap-
pearing to notice her. When she went out, Sir William
became very excited, and maid, "You have dime your
beet ; you may try the law now, sod you may tell your
father I don't care." lobs went away and then wrote
the pamphlet—" Florence Boyle Price ; or a Warning," in
which she detailed all the transactions between herself
and Sir William Wilde, but under feigned named.
The learned counsel read the pamphlet at length.
On the 11th of January, after the pamphlet had obtained
considerable publicity, he wrote—" Miss Travers—Whet
is it you want by the publicatoo of P parcel of stupid
letters? Please state it.—W. It. WILE.' The learned
counsel denied that the documents published by Slim Tra-
vers contained an admission by her that Sir William Wilde
had obtained possession of her by her consent. He denied
that she had received a penny but at the request of Sir
William Wilde himself, or that the publication was made
with a view to extort money.
Mary Josephine Travers was the first witness examined.
Sloe isdescribed sea tall delicatedooking young woman about
29 years of age. She gave evidence supporting the facts
detailed by Serjesnt Armstrong as to the opening
of her acquaintance with Sir William Wilde. As
to borrowing money of him, she said, " He sug-
gested it to me ; be wondered why I did not ask for
the loan of money when I wanted it. He saw that I Lad
not my watch. I told bim that money had been got upon
it. He said'he would lead me money, and 1 took a loan of,
I think, from bim. That was the first oceision upon
which I ever received a loan from him, and 1 returned it
within three weeks." Describing the jealous feeling aroused
in lady Wilde by Sir William's attentions to her, he said,
when she followed them in the carriage, "Her back was
up." " Whet do you mean by that" mired the witness.
"Oh," said he, "if you tease • oat her back gets up." The
letter in the book which he then gave was a request to her
to go to the hospital to him. She returned the letter, and
replied that it was sn insult for him to ask her to go to the
hospital. "He said that the reason of his asking me to go
to the hospital was for the purpose of having an hour's unin-
terrupted convenatioo with me, afraid that if I met Lady
Wilde and that she began to quiz me, I might ' snub '
her." Then came a description of the occurrence in which
he refused to let her go unless she called bim " William."
1 remember (she said) being in Dr. Wilde's house in the
mouth of February, 1862. He had been examining my
arm, which had been bruised. It was not quite well at the
time. He had hold of my arm, and he laid his hand on
the other. lie rid, " You must call me William." 1 said
I would not. " Well, thee." said be, " you will remain
here till midnight." I asked him to let me up.
Mr. Butt—ln what position were you!
Miss Travere—l was kneeling at the table. He told
me to kneel that he might examine my aria. I told him
to let me get up. He said, " did you say William M
I said, " No." He said I was quite excited, sad until I
would speak to him, and allow him to speak to me, he
would not allow me to leave the room. I went away
immediately after. I got some letters from him afterwards,
which I returned. One of the letters contained the words,
"Forgive— I'm miserable. Do see me." I returned tithe
day after I received it I went to him. I told him I con-
'Adored him an ineligible acquaintance. I said I thought
his conduct very dishonourable, unmanly, and mean. He
said, i" Did I consider him such'!" mid "Did I harbour
any such suspicion of him!" He said if he thought I did
he would open his lips to me. I said I thought it un-
manly of him to go on as he had done when I was alone
with him. He said he would have does the same if any
other person was present. I spoke of his having sent a book
to Hanover-street, and oohed hiss if he had sent any
letters there. He said. "No." I forbade him to do so.
People named White lived in Hanover-street. I heard
he had called there. I told him that I supposed be denied
being there ;he mid he did. I said he was so accustomed
to telling in. untruths it was no matter. I met him in
Westland.row another dey. He asked me to travel in the
same train to Blackrock where he was going to see a patient.
He came to my father's house, and ran through it. The
first thing he maid was :—" My poor Story, is is hem yon
dress yourself so eicelyas if you stepped out of a band-box?"
I what had that to do with him, that my father's
house was good enough for DIP. Ile wished to get a photo-
graph of my father's bedroom, and said he would give any-
thing for it. I went down to the train with him. He said
he was quite melancholy, Gelatine of me. Hesaid be should
have an alteration very soon as reurded my meepecta. He
said, " If I write • letter will you read it?" He said " i would
write a particular letter only for you." I said—" Do not
trouble .ourself about me. I can take care of thyself.
What letters era sot for others to see are not fit for me."
I said I intended to go to Australia. It we. more to
interrupt him than anything else I said so. When I
said I would go to Australia I asked him to Ulla The
money to go. I went as far as Liverpool about the 21st
April, 1862. I remained there one or two days, and
then returned to Dublin. He requested me before 1
went to dine at his house. He said the best thing I
could do was to go. He gave me mosey, and said I was
to say it was only 201. he gave Tee for fear my father
might blow him up, whereas he really gave
me 401. He suggested that I should write a friendly
letter to hint, asking foe 201. liv father spoke to me
on the subject of my going. Dr. Wilde said he would like
to see the used I was going in, and wanted to go with me
to Liverpool. I objected to his doing so, and west alone.
He wanted me to dine at his house first. I refused, as I
was not quite satisfied about him. lie said he had reasons
for wishing it, and I dined with him and his wife, family,
tied Mends. 1 got five letters from him at Liverpool on
Good Friday. I think Miss Heghes saw one of these letters.
When I came back I enclosed to him whatever money I bad '
not spent. He asked me for rev photograph. I refuted to give
him one, but he got one. I had throw° it into the fire, and
be said, "111 remember this to you." I thick that was
before I went to Liverpool. The photograph was Molly re-
turned to me by Lady Wilde, in %letter dated about J u1y,1862.
I had frequently applied to Dr. Wilde before then for my
photograph. It was in Mks Bellew's house he got the
photograph. He refused to give it up to me or any one
else. I wrote to Ledy Wilde for the photograph. I re-
collect Dr. Wilde breaking • neckbice of mine. I returned
several letters of his subsequently unopened. I went
twice to Liverpool. Once in April, and once in May. The
memo I would not go to Australia was that I thought it
was a very rash resolve, and that it would be better I
should remain with my friends. I pseud him in the street
afterwards without recognising him. In September,
1862, I was about to publish some doggrel verses,
written by a friend, on a letter published by Dr. Wilde
is the Freeman's Journal, about a dog he bad lost
in Harden-square. Dr. Wilde, by letter, said I ought
not to publish scandal of those who bad never injured me,
that it would be a scandal to myself, that sob I wanted
counsel or advice I might all upon him, that his opinion of
me maid not alter, and Lady Wilde had never done me an

[TWOPEN CE

unkindness, and "so amen." (Laughter.) I c.4l:ed ou him
to auure him that I was not the author of them, and that
they would not be published. They were not then, but
afterwiuds, when all acquaintance was broken off between
us. In his letter he alluded to my having shown the verses
to Dr. Gray. I got another letter in 04.0ber,
'62, asking me to call. I did call. He asked me
to call next day. I did go. The first remark he
made was unimportant ; it was something about how this
burn was getting on. "Let me look at it," and be then
came over to take off my bonnet. I complained of the burn
before that. He came over to look at it, and took oil my
bonnet. He Flossed his hand over it, and in doing so he
fastened his hand rather roughly between the ribbon and
my neck. I suppose I resisted it, and I believe I said "You
are suffocating me." He said, "Well, I will; I cannot
help it." I don't recollect anything more until he was
dashing water in my face. I lost my consciousness until the
water was thrown on my face. I did not see him throw
water on my face, but I felt it. He said if I did
not rouse myself would be his ruin. " Look up, or
you will be my ruin and your own ; rouse yourself."
He said for both our lakes, and for my own preservation, to
have some command over myself. Ido not know that those
were the exact words that he used. He said something
about Australia. To have faith and confidence in him, and
that be would direct me how to get out of the dilemma into
which my foolishness had brought me. He said if I did not
follow his advice and guidance, and keep myself quiet,l
would tell the first person I met. He had wine in his study.
He said if I did not taste it he would ding it over me. He
told me to call him any name I liked—that he deserved it
all—but to spare him. I did not say a word the whole
time. He called himself a ruffian. lam not quite sure
whether he used any other expressions. He said something
more about my etrugghog with my fate, and that he wished the
angel Gabriel or the 1/-1 would open my mouth. He said he
would never touch my hand again.
To the Court—He said he wished the Tr- I or the angel
Gabriel would rouse me.
_ _

]lr. Batt—A l that time did von say anything to him - No.
lie rid, „Look up. I am throwing it into the tire." It
was like a handkerchief he was throwing into the tire. I
did not look. He caught my eyelashes and opened teem,
and asked me again to rouse myself. I did not open my
eyes, but I could have opened them if I wished. When I
did so he was standing with his back to the door. I don't
know whether he had his hand on my shoulder or not. I
was sitting on • chair near the door. 1 don't think I was
in the room at that time MOTs than ten minutes. .tf ter
opening my eves he said, " You cannot go one of this ; I
want you to go up stain, and stay there for some time. In
going up if I speak to you do not turn round." He said he
wanted me to go opt* see a present some one had given him.
I remained up-stairs about half an hour. I saw him before I
left the house. He spoke but I did not answer. He brought
up a sponge and began to @pugs my face and temples. He
said I would make a great mistake to think of going out. I
was quite stupid at the time. I felt In a stupid state. I
saw him • second time up-stairs, I think ; 1 don't know.
He certainly said I was not to stir. I cannot say whether
he seat or came up for me when I wag going. I was so
stupitod that I did not know what was being done. It was
about as hour before I left. That was between one sad
four o'clock. I think I erect bane. Ile wrote in. letter. alter
that. I saw him 1012119 days after the receipt of his letter
at his own house. I called within • fortnight afterward,.
The transaction in the study took place, I think, on a
Friday. On my first visit to him after the occurrence I
remained • few moments.
[A number of letters subsequent to this transaction wets
then given in and proved.]
Mr. Butt (to witness)—Are you able to Sty that in
that interval of usoonaciousueve in his study you were
outraged:
Witous—Yes.
The case is still proceeding.
DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY Nutty.
- _ _

Today Miss Travers's examination was concluded, and
Serjeant Sullivan eras-examined her. She admitted that
she had asked Sir William for money, and had accepted
concert ticket. from him sinus the date of the alleged out-
age. He had on two or three subsequent occuions been
guilty of acts which had led her to believe that he intended
to repeat the offence. She was not sure whether she had
ever said that on the 14th of t)ctober, 1862, when the al-
lic,-;ed outage was committed. be hail not been successful
in the attempt. She had used the word chloroform in her
pamphlet to illustrate Sir William Wilde. treachery.
. .

Tie plaintiff's cross-examination was concluded.

THE CASE OF BISHOP COLESSO.

Mr. James, after oar report left yesterday, observed
that when the Bishop of Natal wee appoinkd by
the Queen, and consecrated by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, there was no Bishop of Cape 'Town in
esistaineathe see of Cape Town being then vacant. The
letters patent declared that the Bishop of Natal should
bold his office for life, sod further—and this the appellant
never questioned—that be should be subject and subordi-
nate to the Bishop of Caps Town in each manner as any
bishop of the province of Canterbury was under the autho-
rity of the erchbishop of that province. But did those words
impart absolute irrespoadble and arbitrary power on the
part of the Bishop of Cape Town without correction and
without appeal ! The true mincing of the words was, that
the Bishop of Natal should psy canonical obedience to his
metropolitan, and submit to whet be could lawfully require
of him to do aceseding to the constitution of the church of
England. He was subordinate to tho Bishop of Cape Town
as a vaceechaasellor woe subordinate to the Lord Chancellor,
or any officer holding an =lee for We in one of our courts
of law was subject sod subordinate to the authorities
of that court. He was obliged to obey all the lawful orders
which hie lawful superior gave him. He was guilty of an
offence for which he was to be punished by due course of
law, but not by his superior unless he bed express powers
for the ptmpose. lc was no part of the Bishop of
Nat l's contract with the tenni= by the letters
patent—and he had never assented to such an interprets-
tion—that he became a member of the schismatic church
of South Africa, which the Bishop of Capetown hail at-
tempted in violation of his duty to establish. The pro-
ending, of the Bishop of CAPetO•lll were in direct and fla-
grant violation of the ecclesiastical leer of this country. He
could show to demonstration that by that law so biabop in
this country could be tried for heresy by his archbishop—
that no bishop could be tried in this country for soy offence
except by the Queen's royal commissioe.
The Lad Chancellor—You say that the crown can issue
a royal commission to try a bishop for heresy, and that it is
necessary to adopt that course.
Mr. James maid that the most conclusive authorities
decided that it had been so established by the nets-
elastics! law. In conclusion, the leaned counsel said be
humbly requested their lordships, upon the grounds be bad
stated, to report to her Majesty in favour of the prayer
of the petitioner.
Mr. Fitzjmnes Stephen followed on the same side, and
contended that their lordships ought to advise her Majesty
either to quash the proceedings on the ground that they
were in themselves illegal, or at all events give the la ti
timer's case to be heard on the =nits of the appeal. The
Queen, by virtue of her royal prerogative, had a general
judicial power, as the fountaiu of justice, to Jo right and
redress weep in all eases where wrong was douo uoi.er the
colour of legal authority, and more especially in all cases
where that wrong was done under the colour of a real
authority mattered by her Majesty's lethes patent, but
abased is say manner by the patentee. That proposition
might almost be treated as a tirst principle, and be could
hardly understand how it could be severed from the very
nature of sovereignty itself. It was the principle of the
constitution that her Majesty was the role bead and foun-
tain of justice, and that there could be no wrote without
a remedy ; but if that be true it must follow that if her
Majesty, by the exercise of the royal prerogative, conferred
powers of say kind un any persou. and those powers did
not immediately subject the person in whom they were con.
fere= to the jurisdiction of any known and vielbestelilislied
court, there must be a wrong without a remedyv or her
Majesty must review what hail ben done and do what
justice and right were required in the premises.
The leaned mussel had not concluded his argument
when their lordships rem.

Tree BRITISH ASSOCIATION MEETING FOR 1865.
The Braid' Association having determined on visiting Bir-
mingham next year, the mayor tMr. Henry Wignini celled
a meeting of nmonfacturers yesterday, in the COollitilloo-
- of the Town-ball, to conaider the propriety of holding
an exhibition of local manufactures in the autumn. About
seventy gentlemen, immy of .1 em were lutetrated in the
principal trades, were present when his worship took the
chair, soon after 1 o'clock. The subject basilic been intro-
duced, and the fact referred to that the working-men had
already darted ao exhibition of their own for Lest year,
the meeting wit addressed by Mr. Harwell, Yr. Browatt
(Griffiths and Brower), Mr, John LOW' (Mapplebeck and
Lowe), Mr. Brooke Smith (Martioeati sod Co.), sod other
gentlemen, all of whom were opposed to a marmfisctorers'
exhibition nest year, and a resolution wee pared to the
effect that, in ooneideratiou of the recent exbibitiln • in
London, it is undesirable and inexpedient for maunfacturere
to get op an exhibition in Birmiughemi in This was
carried unanimously, end there can be no doubt that the
Birmingham manufacturers are tired of these exhibitions ;
Mutters expensive, and it is thought rot always profitable.
Be thetas it nay, another generation must spring up before
a manufacturers' exhibition will be popular; it wee how-
ever mentioned yesterday that the workiug.men's exhibition
will be aided by the manufacturers. Thanks were voted to
the mayor for calling the meeting.
LONDON GILWEBAL OMNIBUS COMPANY (LIMITED).
—Tragic reestrib foe work midis( Dec. IL 11,7151. oa. lid.
HoltNlMAlt'll TPA in choice snit strong, moderate
to price, and wholesome to use. Them adesotagre have secured
hirthis tea a general preference. It is sold MI packets by 2,410
itonts.--(Advertisementi

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms
of the past year, the boats of the National Lifeboat Insti-
tution saved 417 persons from different wrecks on our coast'
The Institution has also expended g 11,614 Xs. 21. in the same
period on its Lifeboat establishments, in addition to granting
i.i.ast 6a as rewards for Wring 716 shipwrecked persona by Its
lifeboats and other means. The Committee of the Institution
earnestly APPEAL to the public for kisIuTANCE, to enable
them to meet the continued heavy demands on the Institution's
1.1.7 lifeboat establishments.
Contributions are received by Messrs. Willis and Co Harries
and Co., Cants and Co., and by an the London and country
bankers, and by the a cretary, Richard Lewis, Eatio at the In-
stitution, 14, John-street. AdelphL

DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
of FINE ARTS and MANUFACTURES, 1965.

Underthe Special Patronage of Her Majesty the QUEEN.
I NTENDINU EX I BID lEs Are informed that the Alit De-
cember is the LATEsT DAY on which APPLICATIONS for
SPACE will be received. The requisite forms can be obtained
at the House of the Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi, London,
W.C., or at the Exhibition Palace, Dublin.—By order,
lIILNRY PARKINSON, Secretary.

OVERCOATS.—No. 105, STRAND.--Special
attention is Oven In this establishment to WINTER
ON ERWATS, of which a select stock is always on hand to choose
from.

RANI 1 LTON and RIIIPTON, Overcoat makers,
106, STRAND (opposite las ter•hall

31Ricorbd-If LEedSle:STB(l,huesKßOs R InGwyf
beNhsA Tao R 'S)
,
73, BROOK-STREET, HANOVER-SQUARE.
where "competition Is fairly distanced by Mlles
ALFRED WEBB MILES, ESTABLISHED HAL

JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD CHAINS by troy
weight, at realisable value, and the workmanship at
wholesale rosnufactiwers' prices. The gold in the chains gun-
witted, and repurchased at the price charged.
" Here s the note,
How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat
The fineness of the gold, and charge for fashion'
SIiaILsPEARE
Coventigsrden, W.C.,

'Manufactory, N 0.16, Ho
UMWOH.

Assays made of chains and jewellery for Is. each.
N.B. This estahlishnicut Is closed at 0 in the evening. and on
aturda)s at 1 o'clock.

NEGRETTI and ZAMBRA'S One Guinea and
Two Guinea PIIILD (MASAO% and TiII.ILICOPLS are war-
ranted as unrivalled for power and brilliancy. Ms. and 421. In
•aw nowlsloto Hatton-Iranian, LC. ; N. CaroblU. E.C.;
Regent...street W.: Lea, Fleetdsireet . and Crystal Palace.

REMEMBER! we wait Supper for you after
the Covent Garden Opera. rtt EV•NS. Fall not.

the erprerio.

TO CORRESPOND'S:Srd.
Advertisements Intended for The Papress" London Evening
Paper,
omiust haeiyaotf tphueb °Mee, 10, Bouverlesitmet, by Two

HAYMARKET.
Tnts Emsrto. MADE:SIM-ELLE DE BELLE ISLE. Mews.
Moe°, Farren, Brahl, Gurdon, and Coe; Mesdames Beatrice
and Angcl.—No soNG NO SUPPER. Messrs. Compton and
Arthur; Mimes Feeley and Moore.—And oCit MARI' ANNE.

PaINCIESO d.
THIS Irrinta, BORN TO GOOD Lroc. Mr. D. Murray.
And THE STREETS OF IMNDON. Mews. Vining. J. W. Ray,
D. Elsner, D. horny, J. Nelson. 11. Forrester, and H. Mellon
Inn. H. Marston, Misses Barnett and Gwynn'.

LYCEUM.
Tits EVIDIVG. MY WIFE'S OCT. Mr. I%l.'4Mo:flub. Ill'Y
SEA. Messrs. Pechter, Ryder, Fltrpatrii k, Charles, Mclntyre,
Raymond. Mori Lind. Collett, Clifford ►lua C. Leclercii, Mn.
Winetaulcy.—Aml NCIL,EY CHICK WEED. Mr. Wlddmomb.

SEM NNIA.
MIS 'TIMING, DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT.
.—Slnglng by the Great Vance, the Little Steele, %bine
Dont'. and the celebrated D'Aubana.—And THE MOTHERS
DI IN G CHILD. Alrs Lane.—Auntnteute at halbpast r.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRIM&
Tins DAT Morning, Mt. 9m Artrrnoon, 3h. Itent.
Zo•nonicuir Mvrumg, 3h. 45m... —Afternoon, ah. gro.

LONDOX, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15.

TRE practical results of the Metropolitan House-
less Poor Act of last session may be very briefly
epitomised. I t has roused some parochial guardians,
irritated others, enlarged wards, introduced strin-
gent regulations, and perhaps proved more com-
pletely than any other measure the national dread
of centralization, and the impossibility of effectually
legislating when a man or a small knot of men has
the option of declining to be governed by the pro-
visions of • parliamentary enactment. The bill
in question is so purely permissive in its character,
that some boards of guardians have stated openly
their determination to act as if it were not in
existence, and to continue the workhouse customs
previously observed. The only penalty incurred I
is inability to claim the benefit of the Act. Until '
an officer of the Poor-law Board has certified that
proper places of reception have been provided, no
claim for reimbursement of the sums expended on
the casual poor can be allowed. But as the new
measure is only au experiment, and expires on
Lady-day, 1865, the inconvenience of altering
wards is sometimes placed against the amount of
money it may be possible to get back, and the re-
sult being unfavourable, improvement is peremp-
torily declined. And here it may be
useful to see what the Poor-law Board
advises to be done before application is made
for its certificate. Two separate wards, one for
males and one for females and young children, are
held to bo absolutely neoesaary, while a yard
containing a bath-room and other conveniences,
and, in the male department, • shed for the va-
grants to work in, are strongly recommended. The
most convenient form of ward is mid to be • pa-
rallelogram, and it " should be fitted up with a
" sleeping platform or barrack-bed of adequate
" depth along each side of it, with a convenient
" gangway down the middle. The platform should
"be divided by means of boards, and the space
" allotted to each person should be at least two
" feet three inches wide. Above the head of the
" platform may be a shelf the whole length of the
"room, and divided into corresponding spaces for
" the deposit of clothes." Ventilation is to be effected
by means of openings as near the ceiling as may
be practicable on each side of the room ; hot water
pipes, gas or other stoves are to be provided, pre-
ference being given to hot water pipes ; and the
bedding, which is to be sufficient for warmth, may
consist of clean straw er cocoa fibre in a loose tick,
with a rug or rugs for each man, and some
additional clvering for the women and children.
The food supplied should be sufficient for the actual
necessities of the paupers, " but not such as either
" in quantity or quality would tend to increase
" the number of applicants or encourage impoe-
" tare." A task of work suitable to the age,
strength, and capacity of the people relieved is to
be systematically exacted ; and a practice which
has crept into some Unions of dispensing with this
task, if the vagrant prefers to leave the workhouse
in the morning without receiving an allowance of
food, is strongly reprehended. The persons of
vagrants should be cleansed on admission, but no
person who appears to be in such a state of health
as to be likely to suffer from being placed in •
bath should be subjected to that treatment. On
these regulations being complied with,the expense of
relieving destitute "wayfarers, wanderers, or found-
" lings," between the hours of 8 o'clock at night
and ti o'clock in the morning, may be charged to
the common fund ; but it is expressly stated that
any one a; plying for relief in a parish wherein he
is legally settled should be received into the work-
house in the usual way, should not be placed in
the vagrant ward, and even if so placed cannot b,
included in the charge made for the casual poor.
What is familiarly spoken of as the bath-test is
confidently relied upon as " • ready, inexpensive,
" and wholesome test of destitution ;" and we have
only to refer to the second annual report of the
Poor-law Board, to find convincing proof that the
assumption of its great unpopularity with vagrants
is well-founded. In the year 1849, it was deter-
mined
to cleanse and search every pauper seeking]
• night's shelter at any of the workhouses in the
Midland district, and the result was in the county
of Derby an immediate decrease in the number of

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