The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-29 00:00:00

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LORD PALMERSTON ON CHOLERA AND

NATIONAL FASTS.

A correspondence has taken place between Lord Palmers-
ton and the Presbytery of Edinburgh, respecting a day of
humiliation and prayer, on account of the visitation of the
cholera, from which it will be seen that the noble Home
Secretary has given grave offence to the Presbytery. At
the meeting. of that body on Wednesday, the Moderator
stated that in consequence of the conversation which had
taken place at the previous meeting, he had written to Lord
Palmerston, stating that " the members of the Pres-
bytery were of opinion that it was likely, under the circum-
stances, that a national fast would be appointed on Royal
authority. For this reason (the communication proceeded
to say). they delayed making an appointment for this locality,
and directed me, in the meantime, respectfully to request
that you would be pleased to say—if you feel yourself at
liberty to do so—whether the appointment of a national
fast by the Queen is in contemplation.
In reply, the following letter was received from the Home-

office :

" Whitehall, Oct. 19, 1853

" Sir—l am directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, requesting,
on behalf of the Prf.hytery of
whether it is proposed to appoint a day of national fast on
account of the visitation of the cholera, and to state that there
can be no doubt that manifestations of humble resignation to
the Divine Will, and sincere acknowledgements of human un-
worthiness, are never more appropriate than when it has
pleased Providence to afflict mankind with some severe visita-
tion ; but it does not appear to Lord Palmerston that a national
fast would be suitable to the circumstances of the present
moment.

" The Maker of the Universe has established certain laws
of nature for the planet in which we live, and the weal or woe
of mankind depends upon the observance or neglect of those
laws. Ono of those laws connects health with the absence of
those gaseous exhalations which proceed from over-crowded
human beings, or from decomposed substances, whether animal
or vegetable ; and those same laws render sickness the almost
inevitable consequence of exposure to those noxious influences
But it has at the same time pleased Providence to place it within
the power of man to make such arrangements as will prevent.
or disperse such exhalations so as to render them harmless,
and it is the duty of man to attend to those laws of nature,
and to exert the faculties which Providence has thus given to
man for his own welfare.
,6 The recent visitation of cholera, which has for the moment
been mercifully checked, is an awful warning given to the
people of this realm that they have too much neglected their
duty in this respect, and that those persons with whom it rested
to purify towns and cities, and to prevent or remove the cause
of disease, have not been sufficiently active in regard to such
matters. Lord Palmerston would, therefore, suggest that the
best course which the people of this country can pursue to de-
serve that the further progress of the cholera should be stayed,
will be to employ tho interval that will elapse between the
present time and the beginning of next spring in planning and
executing measures by which those portions of their towns and
cities which are inhabited by the poorest classes, and which,
the nature of things, must most need purification and improve-
ment, may be freed from those causes and sources of contagion
which, if allowed to remain, will infallibly breed pestilence,
and be fruitful to death, in spite of all the prayers and fastings
of a united bnt inactive nation. When man has done his
utmost for his own safety, then is the time to invoke the bless-
ing of Heaven, to give effect to his exertions.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant, " HENRY FITZROY."

The reading of this letter from the Home Secretary ex-
cited a good deal of sensation among the members of the
Presbytery.
Rev. Dr. CLAUR said : It is not usual, I dare say, to
make any remark on communications of this kind, but I
feel called upon to say that I totally dissent from the doc-
trines contained in that letter, and that I can be no party
to share in the responsibility of those who refuse, or at least
who decline eo ....lire an opportunity to her Majesty's subjects
to meet together for prayei. +hp occasion of so fearful a
visitation. Ido not wish to make any moan. .„,„„
high places, but it is the first time, and I hope it will be the
last, that any Secretary of State has ever made any com-
munication of this kind to any Presbytery.

Rev. Dr. MUIR : I am sure we all concur in the state-
ment made by our excellent friend. There can only be one
sentiment of unmingled pity and regret entertained by us
that such a document should ever emanate from a pro-
fessedly Christian Government.
Rev. DIMACFARLANE • Concurring as Ido in the views
expressed in regard to this communication from the home-
office, there is required no further expression of op;-to-
from me on the subject. I would —l7 venture to propose
that we should tat -., =tiler steps in this matter, but
o
that 4,0 .i.uuid report this communication to the synod,
which meets next week, so that whatever is called may be
done not as a presbytery, but by our brethren within the
bounds of the province.
Dr. BRYCE expressed his surprise and regret that any
letter should be sent from such an authority to the Presby-
tery of Edinburgh, and contended that the Moderator's"
letter called for no such response.
Rev. Dr. STEVEN also said that he regarded the document
as unworthy of any Christian Government or governor.

On the question being put, whether the do'cument should
be engrossed,
Dr. CLARK moved that it should not, but that it should
be kept in retentis, which was agreed to.
The Moderator was instructed simply to acknowledge
that the letter had boon received and laid before the Presby-
tery.

The total amount realized by sales ordered under
the provisions of the Encumbered Estates' Act (Ireland),
from the commencement to the 20th instant, amounts to
£10,430,401 ss. Id.
THE Loss OF THE DALHOUSIE.—The body of a
woman was washed on the beach of Dymchurch, on Thurs-
day, which is supposed to be one of the Dalhousie's passengers.
She is described to be about 50 years of age, and her lmen
marked 4. m.A.U." They correspond with the initials of
the late Mrs. Underwood, and it is thought very probable
that the remains are those of that ill-fated lady. As yet
nothing has been heard of the spar to which Miss Under-
wood, Captain Butterworth, and several others were lashed.
Quantities of wreck are being cast up between llastings and
Dungeness.