The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-30 00:00:00

THE Nusr DERBY BOARD.

. _
This board held their nsual meeting yesterday. Mr.
J. Birch presided. The other guardians present were
Messrs. Siddeley, Reyes, Abraham, Baynes, Wilson,
Roscoe, Sagar, Taylor, Medcalf, Lunt, Evans, Harrison;
and Whitby.
The business transacted was only of a routine descrip-
tion, except a little scene that was got up on tho occasion
by Mr. Whitby, complaining that the board had treated
him discourteously by striking his nam3 off the visiting
committee, and substituting that of Mr. Lunt. This
caused a short but angry discussion, in the course of which
the clerk explained that by the standing orders his name
could not be replaced without giving a week's notice, and
Mr. Roscoe saying, "that sometimes law was laid
down in that room that wss no law at all," which the
clerk denied, and read the instructions from the general
board to the effect, as he had stated. This brought Mr.
Taylor upon bis legs, who insisted, and in no very gen-
tlemanly terms, upon moving that Mr. Whitby's name
be added to the visiting committee, and when called to
order for the exp-essions he had used, said " the chair
might be hanged for what he cared, be would have his
say, and that he knew Mr. Harrison of old, and he would
watch him like a hawk." This unseemly discussion was
put a stop to by the inspector entering the room and
requesting some of the guardians to attend him on the
investigation he was then making. So the business of the
board en led in no business being transacted.

THE " RATTLE HIS BONES OVER THE

STONES" INVESTIGATION.

refused when he has iippl
poor ?

It is with no small regret that I have found myself
forced this winter into the position of a public accuser of
the Board of Guardians, with which, until the present
winter, I have always enjoyed the moat friendly reladons ;
and, instead of charging them with neglect of their duty
to the sick, it has been a souses of pleasure to me to defend
them against accusations which I have frequently heard
brought against them, in consequence of the language
sometimes employed at this board. I have always stated
in reply, that they have shown a constant desire to promote
the comfort of the sick, and that I have never asked for any-
thing for their benefit which the board has refused. You
will judge, therefore, of my surprise and regret to find
our relations so completely changed this %inter • and I
can only account for it by the operation of some
personal influence, which is not acknowledged, bat
which has really influenced the decWons of the
board, and not any motives of public good. My
reason for publishing the charges at all was because I
conceived that it was a duty imposed upon me as a
medical officer, by the consolidated orders of the Poor Law
Board itself. The duty of a medical officer is there laid down
to be, to inform the Board of Guardians, from time to time,
of the sickness under his care, and to make the necessary
suggestions for meeting it. It is manifest that the Poor
Law Board meant him to make his suggestions for the
purpose of their being carried out, and not merely made
and disregarded ; but the law also provided an independent
and more highly educated class of guardians, by making
the county magistrates ex-officio members of the board, and
in many places they do exercise an active influence at it.
In addition, however, to both these component parts for
the administration of relief to the poor, the law has further
bestowed upon the poor law board extensive powers; both
controlling and initiative, independent of either elected or
ex-officio guardians ; and, lastly, it has provided that the
elections of guardians shall be annual, in order that the
ratepayers may have a constant check upon the guardians and
exercise a periodical influence upon their decisions. In
accordance, therefore, with my prescribed duty, I made
certain recommendations to the elected guardians, which
I thought essential for the welfare of the sick, and in these
I was supported by the visiting committee. They were
rejected, and my duty was clearly to appeal to some further
authority. I therefore informed the Poor-Law Beard, and
received an official acknowledgement of receipt; but being
convinced that the necessity was urgent, I appealed, as a
last resource, to the county magistrates and the public,
and that appeal has brought the matter to an issue by your
presence here this day. I have endeavoured throughout,
with my utmost care, to advance nothing but the truth, and
to seek for nothing but the benefit of the sick comrni,c.sel.
to my charge. I entered upon the contest with a full'
consciousness that it would entail upon me anxiety
and expense, and that I could gain nothing else
by it, for I asked for nathing for myself.
No charge of neglect of any duty has ever been brought
against me; and I appeal, with the utmost confidence, to
my bitterest opponent at this board, if there should be one,
to say whether I have faithfully discharged my duties or
not, ever since I was appointed. Bat I was myself con-
scious that the work had gone beyond the power of any
one man, however able to do it justice, and that the sick
could not receive the attention they ought to have. I,
therefore, asked for assistance on their behalf ; and
for that assistance I have left no stone unturned.
But for myself I have asked nothing; and it will
be part of your duty to decide whether my request
has been reasonable, or whether it is one which
the board of guardians ought to have complied with.
The character of the opposition has appeared to me to be
not on public grounds, for the amount of money voted for
assistance of some kind or other has not been a subject of
contest. The whole contest has been carried on for the
purpose of depriving me of the assistance of a medical
man, which was necessary on account of the severity, as
well as the number, of the cases, and limiting my ag4ist-
anoa to a mere disnoneor of mcdiieev, who was, however,
to receive as much remuneration as the 'committee had pro-
posed for the medical man. The character of the oppo-
sition was further shown by the refine( of the board to
allow Dr. Wilson's time to be reckoned, when estimating
the length of time required by attendance upon the sick;
for you may, perhaps, think, soma explanation desirable
from the board why the assistance of a medical man was
withdrawn, unless he would accept the appointment as a
mere dispenser; an office of so subordinate a character,
that the board was aware that no competent professional
would accept it, and also with what object the visiting
committee's recommendation of an assistant, was altered
by inserting the limitation, "for the purpose of dispensing
the prescriptions." It may, perhaps, appear necessary,
also, to be informed why the assistance was withdrawn at
the end of the month for which it had been voted,
although the sickness in the house was still on the increase.
After the withdrawal of medical assistance, and the failure
of my attempts to obtain a dispenser, the workhouse was
left without either assistant or dispenser, and with 250
sick inmates; but the necessity was so urgent that I
engaged assistance at my own expense, and still retain the
advantage of it. I bad now appealed repeatedlly CO the
guardians, and my request, though supported by the visiting
committee, had met with nothing but refusals. I informed
the Poor Law Board of what was going on, and-it did riot
originate any measures in reference to the sickness. The
case was urgent, and I appealed to the county magistrates
and to the public at the same time ; to the magistrates by
a statement of facts, expressed in language suitable to such
a class of men ; and to the public in a stele
better calculated to attract public notice. With the magis-
trates, my appeal failed; for the parliamentary elections
engrossed their thoughts at the time to the exclusion of
other subjects. They were " delicate about interfering with
the acts of the elected board,"..and there was another reason
assigned, which you, Mr. Inspector,will perhaps relieve me
from the necessity of stating publicly. My appeal to the
pablic has been more fruit'ul of results, for it has opened
the eyes of the board and the public in a manner which had
been impracticable before, and it has brought down an
inspector armed with authority to say whether a single
medical officer can do justice to 250 sick, besides discharging
the other duties which I have to perform in the workhouse ;
or whether it is the duty of the board to attend to his
recommendations' and those of its own visiting committee,
and provide the assistance which they say is necessary.
And now, Sir, with regard to the character of the article
to the public which has been so often referred to. I have
already said that its intention must be estimated by its
concluding paragraph, which stated un'quivocally that it
was written with the design of beneflttieg the sick and
afflicted; and as its general tone was that of a satire, it
must be estimated as such. And in this country it is no
new thing for satire to be employed as an instrument of
good, and fur public bodies to be submitted to such censor-
ship. Oe the one hand, the character of their servants is
exposed without protection to the aspersions of any m, m ber
who may think proper to bring random accusations of
neglect of duty, or other faults; and on the other, the men
who thus speak publicly are liable to public criticism,
which is looked upon as part of the price they have to
pay for their public honours. And as there are some of the
guardians who hare publicly recommended my resignation,
it ought not to excite their indignation to have their
names mentioned in connection witn their advice. Bit
the real impoitance of the article consists in its
statements which have never yet been refuted—the
article stated that the workhouse was one great hospital,
which is not denied; that some patients had died without
getting into a sick ward' at all, and that others had had to
wait for death to occur before they could have a bed, which
is not denied ; that repeated applications for assistance had
been refused, and that attempts had been made to get rid
of the present medical officer in order to replace him by
one with less experience, which has not been denied ; and
that the deaths were at a very high mark, so as twee to
admit of seven dead lying in the house at one time, which
is also not denied. It is right that I should say that this
last statement has received a construction which I never
put upon it, and which I never intended it to bear. I
Adduced it as an illustration of the amount of sickness, and
never intended nor do I now intend to impute those deaths
t" the board. Ido not think that the expressions I have
used eer,„y that imputation. If they do, I can only say
sorry for it, for I did not intend it to be the
clasaem. sincerely
sir, you have been invited by this board to
enquire, not only into that article, but also into a letter
March to the board, in answer to a
rwersiotltue2tioonn ethlsealleath
nling me to say what I meant by it,
in which letter. applied the terms " by-word" and
term of reproach" to
the West Derby Board. Now, it is
no secret in this neighbourhood that the proceedings of this
articles extracted from the
public esti-
mboaatrict h,aavnednotthparofocullroelvdinitga hi4h
position
in
Lancet, Medical Gazette, and the British Medical Journal,
atm the principal weekly medical journals in this country,
ohm the view which is taken by the metropolitan medical

i.taree to attend on the

Mr. Nevins answered the first questions LI the negative;
with regard to the last,- ha.. said he- had only to complain
of assistanen being refused him on the case then under
enquiry.
Mr. Whitby : Then rhave only to say that it is a pity
that he did not devote more of his time to the sick eases,
and that would have prevented this enquiry. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. Lunt : If Mr. Nevins had given more time and
attention to the case?, would it not have prevented the
unpleasantness of this enquiry?
Mr. Nevins : I could not do it.

The Inspector : Would there have been any difference
of opinion, if the word "assistant" bad been placed in the
resolution, ins' ead of "dispenser ?"
Mr. Nevins: There would not; but I never suggested
that to the board, although I did to the visiting committee.
Mr. Nevins then proceeded to give his statement of the
whole affair, which was as follows :

DR. NEVIN'S STATEMENT.

This enquiry, which occupied the whole of Tuesday, and
did not terminate until a late hour in the evening, was
resumed yesterday merning at nine o'clock, when Mr.
Manwaring, the inspector from the poor law board,
accampanied by Mr. Whitby and Mr. Lunt, commenced
the business by reading over the deposition given on oath
by Mr. Nevins, on the previous day, in the course of which
he, from the repeated interruptions, displayed an' almost
unlimited amount of patience and gentlemanly demeanour,
particul irly under the trying circumstances under which
he was Ibouring, having " a medical gentleman for a
witness."
In the course of the reading of the deposition, Mr. Shaw,
with several other guardians, entered the room, and
requested to say a few words, as he had other and impor-
tant private business to attend to,
The Inspector : I am willing to hear you, or any other
guardian, at the proper time; but I must go on reading
this deposition.
Mr. Shaw : The accusation is made against the whole
board of guardians ; and, if you will not hear me, I will
address the general board, or wait upon them myself.
The Inspector : I will hear you, or any other gaardian,
at the proper time.

Mr. Shaw : Bat I protest against the evidence of Dr,
Nevins being taken, as it is he wha has made the charges,
The Inspector : You shall all be heard, if you please.

Mr. Shaw : But I must leave.
' The Inspector : I will sit until five o'clock, and shall be
glad to hear any statement any guardian may wish to make
on the subject.
The depositions having been concluded, and signed by
the witness, the inspector took the following additional
evidence.

Mr. Nevins : When I was absent for a few days, at the
commencement of the week, I left Dr. Wilson in the
charge of the sick, and he attended daily. LSome further
documentary evidence was then handed to the inspector,
one being a classified list of cases in the sick wards, and
the other the porter's tabular form of the time Mr. Nevins
had spent in the house.] lam aware that the question
has been agitated for separating the Toxteth-park town-
ship from this union, I heard of it as soon as it was
spoken of, some months since. lam aware that the sepa-
ration is to take place, at least I have heard so. The
impression on my mind is, that when that takes place
my salary will be reduced. I have stated
that I had an answer from two of the
ex•ofcio guardians, and they assigned their reason for not
interfering at that time, was because the prliamentary
election engrossed their whole thoughts—their names
were Mr. Earle, and Mr. Rathbone. and they were deli-
cate about interfering, and did not choose to expose them-
selves to such language as was commonly used at the West
Derby Board. This was not a written communication,
but it was spoken to me by Mr. Rathbone.
Mr. Cleaver I Mr. Earle is not a guardian, and has no
power whatever to interfere in the arrangements of this
workhouse.

By Mr. Abrahams : I stated that I never advertised for a
dispenser, after the Board had come to the conclu-
sion to allow me 30a per week: I thought it my
duty to apply to all respectable chemists in the neigh-
bourhood, and from-their refusal! thought" that no respect-
able man would undertake it, and as I thought a dispenser
not sufficient, I engaged Dr. Wilson at my own expence.
The Inspector : It is the word you object to, If it bad
been "assistant," instead of " dispenser," you would not
object to it.
Mr. Nevins : I could not get a respectable man. Dr.
Wilson would have been satisfied with the money, but not
with being only for a month's time.
Mr. Abrahams : The guardians only objected to an
assistant because they thought that it would take the res-
ponsibility out of the hands of the real medical officer.
Mr. Gough, the master of the workhouse, next gave
his evidence, and fully explained satisfactorily the
circumstances under which the seven dead bodies were all in
the dead house at one time; and, incidentally, a question
arose as to " how Catholics were buried," from which it
appeared that they were buried without any funeral eere-
ninny, and the Inspector said that he thought, although
the quention had never yet arose, that when a Catholic
died
.that the priest should be informed of the fact, as
it: would be more decent that some service should
be read over the dead ; and without giving any opinion on
the subject, thought that it was well worthy of the atten--
tion of the board on some future occasion. In answer to
the Inspector, he said he bad known of a pauper beiag
brought into the house sick, who died in the receiving ward,
there being no room for them in the sick wards, but he
had only known one or two cases; but he did not know
the time or the name, but it was some time in the spring
of the present year. Then the reception room was used
as a sick ward, and bad been used as such, ever since I have
been here, occasionally. The beds are comfortable, and as
good as min Ihe-sick wards, In each of these oases the
parties died suddenly, but there were beds for them, if they
had had time to be placed in the sick wards. I have never
known an instance where a person has been taken into the
bed where another had died, until all the bed clothed had
been destroyed or changed.
By Mr. Lunt: The receiving wards are as comfortable
as the sick wards, and more comfortable than many of the
cellars in the town. The only objection to them is, that
they are below stain, and the others are above. There have
been no patients in the reception rooms since the 6th of
February, when you (Inspector) gave directions about the
house, on your visits.
Mr. Whitby Ido not understand what Mr. Nevins
means, when he says that 30s per week was voted for a
dispenser, because the fact is that it was voted for an
assistant. The only reason that the time was limited to
one month was because the board were afraid that if they
appointed an assistant for an unlimited period, it would
afterwards be considered as a permanent appointment.
Mr.-Lunt : There is one question I should wish to ask
Mr. Nevins, and that is—Did you pay anythingout of your
own pocket towards paying for the services of Dr. Wilson?
The Inspector : He said no, he had not done so ; and he
was perfectly satisfied with the payment,
After come little delay, in consequence of the guardians
being engaged with the general business of the board,
Mr. Whitby said : What we as guardians have to -com-
plain of is—that at the bottom of the letter, or article—l
do not care what you call "it—it was stated that any
guardian asking for the name of the writer could have it,
but when two guardians did apply, they were refused.
(In answer to that question, we can only say, that Mr.
Siddeley and Mr. Johns did apply for the name of the
author, and that they were told that if they left their cards
they would`boetorsvarded to the author. They did do so,
and Mr. Nevins*".tote a note on the llth inst., stating that
be was the author ofl%*.rtiele, which note we published
on the following week, jen it was submitted to the
board.] Another thing I (KlllNhitby) have to ask is this,
is it usual for a medical officer,'*e_. is the servant of the
board, to apply to ten ex-officio menNrs of a board, who
never attend the meetings to Itgirfere with the
bcsiness of the board, cal the business tr headed by those
who do attend. I have been a member of
ka
tr cedure
local boards
.n
for sixteen years, and I never heard of such a
but once.
Mr. Cleaver : That never occurred but once, and then
Captain Aspinall and Mr. Cropper attended a specitd
enquiry into Latham's ease. 1 think such a course is most•
unusual, I think this Board of Guardians i$ quite
qualified to manage its own affairs without any interfer-
ence, particularly as it is checked by the General Board.
Mr. Whitby : Bat it appears that they did not attend,
and I should like to know if any report has been received
from them in answer to the letter.
Mr. Cleaver : Not to my knowledge.
Mr. Whitby : Then, if-the guardians of the union are
such characters as have been represented, which I deny,
then it show; that it would be more desirable that they
hould attend, and by their weight and influence endeavour
to look better after the poor, and attend to their wants.
But I have one question to put to Mr. Nevins—Does be
mean to say that the poor are not properly treated in this
house ? lies be ever heard any complaints from the poor
themselves, or from their relatives or has he ever been

THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL) TITURSDAY

THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ SHIP CANAL.

A public meeting was held at noon, eesterday, in the
Underwriters' Reom, Exchange Buildings, to receive from
M. Ferdinand De Lesseps, some information in reference
to the projected ship canal across the Isthmus of Suez.
Mr. P. Rawson, who presided, briefly introduced M.
De Lesseps, and Mr. D. A. Lange and Mr. Kenny, by
whom he was accompanied. He said that M. De Lessens
had obtained from the Viceroy of Egypt a concession for
the foundation of an universal company, with the object
of throwing open the I'thmusof Suez by means of a grand
ship canal. The practicability of executing this under-
taking had been recognised by a bolt' of the most skilful
engineers and naval officers, and M. De Lesseps desired
that England should concur in the favourable opinion
which had been manifested by the other nations of
Europe, and America, as to the general utility of the
undertaking. It was with that view that he came to
Liverpool, and to give every information on the project
that could be desired.
M. de Lesseps not being able to speak English,
Mr. Lange proceeded on his behalf to explain the nature
of the undertaking. He said that in theasoncession which
M. de Lesseps had got from the Viceroy of Egypt a wish
was expressed to have the concurrence of all the nations of
Europe as to the utility of the plan, the feasibility of which
.had been already shown. M. de Lesseps did not come to
ask them for any money, but to give them an opportunity
to express an opinion in regard to the utility and advantage
likely to accrue to commerce in general from such a
project. About its practicability there could be no
doubt. It had been already determined by those
who were competent to form a judgment as to' the
undertaking. The report of the Commission of the Insti-
tute of France, which was composed of a holy of very
independent and able men, was amply sufficient to convince
them that every possible means had been taken to ascer-
tain whether the project -coelea be csrried out, and is that
report the naos:, ernineet engineers who ha-I visieed Egypt
for the purpose of examining the graund, concurred. They
reported that the expense of making tae canal would not
exceed £8,000,000, and that there was no serious obstacle
in the way of its completion, Even 'those who were
most opposed to the project; in no case doubted that there
could lie any difficulty in its execution,
but based their opposition on other grounds. Mr.
Lange then traced on the map the course
of the canal. There were two lakes in its way—the
Tenisa and Bitter lakes—which would greatly , facilitate
the operation of the plan. They would serve as harbours
of refuge, and also as coaling stations. In the concession
the land was granted in perpetuity, and lapd also along
the canal, to the extent of 250,000 acres, was'grantea to
the company. It would be irrigated by means of the con-
templated sweet water canal from Cairo to Lake Tenisa,
and when irrigated, would be as productiveas the Delta
or any land in Holland. This branch canal would also
supply the labourers in the ship canal with water, and
would be equally serviceable for the purposes of trade.
These lands would be turned to the best profit, and were
capable of yielding large produce. Some fear was
expresse:i in respect to,the safety of the entrance to the
jetty on the Mediterranean. It was supposed that
shipping would be there endangered from the semis and
violent _ winds, but during last winter a corvette wad
anchored there by order of the Viceroy, and it was
ascertained that, notwithstanding the heavy gales which-
blew, she bad not in the least changed her position, -or
experienced any danger. It was, in fact, found to .'lie as
safe as our best roadsteads. The width of the jetty would
be 500 yards, and it would project two miles into the sea.
The jetty at the other end of the canalawoulta be of equal
width, and would prokct a mile and a half irate the sea.
The difference between the levels of the two
seas, the Mediterranean and Red seas, was scarcely
perceptible. There would be 'therefore no sluices on
the way, but vessels would proceed right through, provision
being made to have them towed through by tugs. The
depth of wirer at the northern jetty would be 33 feet ;
at the southern jetty;' 28 feet; and the canal would be, 21
feet deep, and from 260 to 330 feet wide. It had bear,
thought by many that the sands were likely to choke
up the canal, but that was a perfect chimera.
There were no mounds of sand there at all, with one
exception, which be woteld mention. On the contrary, on
both sidea of the canal were shrubs so thick that a cannel
would, have- some difficulty in passing through them.
Inland there was hard gravel. There was one point, of
about 5,000 acres, which would require to be made fast, as
in Holland, with seed plots. The ground through which
the canal would haie to pass was composed of a surface of
sand, and the lower part, of clay and sand again. B :rings
had been made to a depth of fit'ty feet; in no one instence
had they Lund any differeat sail from that which he had
mentioned, consequently no better soil could be found for
forming a canal than that which presented itself in the
isthmus. He should again remind the meeting that
M. de Lessees aid not come for any money. The
money, had been nearly all prosidel by most countries
of Europe. Egypt and Turkey contributed two millions.
The. Viceroy of Egypt had made a donation of £1,200,000,
for preliminary expenses which he subscribed out of *his
own purse. He had also, at his own expense, been imalr
ing a canal at a cost of £9,360,000. The northern states of
Europe had subscribed one million. Holland and Belgium
had also subscribed one million. Spain, the United
States, and Portugal had subscribed one million. Fraoce
one million and a half, leaving for England, if she chose to
avail herself of taking any share in the uedertaking, one
million and a half. If, on the contrary, England should
not chose to join, that would not prevent the canal from
being carried into execution, because, M. de Lesseps had
found, that in most countries, there was a great desire to
contribute sums of money, so that, in fact, it la:aime more
a quesion of restraining countries froin subscrib-
ing, than of difficulty in inducing them to subscribe.
Nothing had hitherto been done to bring tue
matter formally as a company before the pualic.
The thing had all emanated from the work which
M. de Lessees had published. When the scheme
was fully. matured, there could be no doubt that
the amount of capital, adequate to the undertaking, would
be subscribed. The capital required would be eight
millions. The interest of that amount, taken at 5 per
cente.would be £400,000. He would, however, take dauble-
that amount, as including the expense of,keeping tbe canal
in repair. The question therefore naturally arose how
many iessels would-be required to pass through the canal
every year to make it pay, with an aerate' expense of
£BOO,OOO. It appeared, from the calculations made, that
only two vessels would he required to pass through each
day, of 2,500 tons each, ate maximum charge of ten francs
per ton, including tugs and all other expenses, in' order to
more than realise £BOO,OOO a year. In 1856 the tonnage
round the Cape was 1,777,000 tons. There had been
an increase of 100,000 tons annuelae ; but he saw by
the city article of that day that the increase during the last
year, so far from having been only 100,000 tons, had been
120 000 on the import, and 202,000 outwards, making a
total of 320,000 tons. This' did not include the coasting
trade, upon which it appeared that there was an increase
of 90,000 tons-inwards, and 863,000 tons outwards, making
together 233,000 tons. The speaker then stated that he
dip not think there were any further points upon which it
was requisite for him to dwell, but that any information
which any gentleman desired he should be happy to afford.
Mr. Sandbach came forward to popose a motion.
He said the subject was not new to many of them.
A question of such importance to commerce could not
have been before been before the world for the
last two years without the Liverpool public having
examined it, and come to some opinion respecting it. There
had been on the part of some persons doubts of the prac-
ticability of making the canal, but those doubts had, he
believed, been resolved, and at least they did not concern
that meeting at present. What be thought must be
their general opinion was that the canal, if finished, would
be of the greatest importance not only to the- commerce of
Great-Britain, but to that of the whole world. (Oheera)
They, as Liverpool merchauts, deeply interested in the
success of the scheme, must wish for its accomplishment.
He should, therefore, without delaying them by making
any long address, request of the meeting to pass a resolution
which he had the honour to prepare for their approval :
"That we, the bankers, merchants, and manufacturers of
Liverpool consider that the execution of this groat enterprise
would be productive of the greatest advantage to the com-
mercial and shipping interests of England, as well as of
all other nations, and earnestly desire that the enterprise
may attain without any impediment, a speedy and success,
ful realisation.

Mr. Ewart seconded the resolution, remarking that the
meeting was very much indebted to M. de Lesseps for
the explanation he had afforded.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. Stuart Ker staved a vote of thanks to M. de
Lesseps, which was seconded by Mr. A. S. Parker, and
carried by acclamation.
Mr. Lange having acknowledged the compliment on the
part of M. d 3 Lesseps, the prove lings terminated.

From the Underwriters' Rooms M. F. de Lesseps and
his friends proceeded, by appointoient, to meet the mem-
bers of the East India and China Association, in order to
elicit from that important and influential body a similar
expression of opinion with regard to the merits of the
project of which he is the promoter. A full meeting of
the board was present, Mr. Charles Turner, the President,
being in the chair.

MV Daniel Adolphus Lange entered into a similar state_
ment of the object and details of the enterprise ; and
after M. de Lesseps had furnished a variety of informa-
tion in answer to questions put by members of the board,
he was informed by the president that the board would
take the matter into consideration, and after a private
discussion would forward their decision in the form of
a resolution.

The President having thanked M. de Lesseps for the

lucid explanation of the prrjict which they had heard,
thiat gentleman retired.

Wiihave been given to understand that the resolution
of the association is decidedly favourable to the under-
taking.

DISGUSTING CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

At the Lambeth-streeTP3licie Office Mr. Alfred Strick-
land, a chemist, carrying on business at No. 13, Boling—
broke-row, Walworth-road, and whe is a married man
with a family, was placed at the bar, before Mr. Elliott,
on a charge of indecently assaulting William Rider, a boy
of 14 years. From the testimony of the father of the
youth, a respectable man, it appeared that his son went
into the service of the prisoner on the day before, as
errand boy, and on his returning home at night he
acquainted him with the disgusting conduct of the prisoner
towards him. He, in consequence, at once communicated
with Sergeant Coppin, and the prisoner was taken into
custody by that officer. The little boy was next examined,
but much of his evidence was unfit for publication. The
prisoner, he said, told him that the last boy that had
been in his service had allowed him to do what he liked,
and he had in consequence procured him an excellenit
situation in the City, and that if he (witness) did all hp
could to please him he should do everything on his part
to serve him, and should learn him the business of a
chemist, which would be worth a hundre 1 pounds to him.
Sergeant Coppin said that on apprehending the prisoner
he denied the charge, but admitted he had promised the
lad to .teach him chemistry. 'He also admitted that he
had two other youths in his service, the one for three
months, and the other for three years, but refused to give
their names or present address. The prisoner, in reply
to the charge, declared that much of 'that stated by thp
boy Rider was a perfect tissue of falsehoods, and that he
was perfectly guiltless of the charge of indecent exposure.
He acknowledged that, considecing the boy exceedingly
small for his age, he stripped and examined him all oyer.
He was taken by surprise, or else he should have an
abundance of friends to speak to his moral and general
good character. Mr. 'Elliott observed that there could
not be the slightest doubt on the mind of anybody who
heard it of the perfect truth of the statement of the boy,
and therefore he must remand the prisoner to the follow-
ing day. The prisoner, who was described as a married
man, with a son of ten years of age, was here about to be
removed from the bar, when he applied to be admitted to
bail, and Mr. Elliott complied with his request.

THE RECENT FOOD RIOT AT PARSONSTOWN.

TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF ELEVEN RIO rEns.

Saturday being the day fixed for the trial of the persons
who had been apprehended, charged with beieg of the large
party of rioters, at Parsonstown, who had, in the market
place, attacked ten cars loaded with potatoes, which had
been purchased by Mr. Joseph Atkinson, of Roscrea, for
exportation, stopped the horses, threw the bags off he cars,
cut them open with knives, and strewn the contents about
the streets, as previously reported. From an early hour
large crowds began to assemble in the vicinity of the court
house, which was not opened until two o'clock, the hour
fixed for the commencement of the proaeedings: A' large
party of police were in attendance, and occupied different
parts of the court house. When the doors were thrown
open there was a tremendous rush. In a few minutes
every available, spot had its occupants. The building
was filled to overflo sing, and many hundreds who
were unable to. gain admittance remained outside awaiting
the result, which was )caked forward to with much
anxiety. At two o'clock precisely the following magis-
trates took their seats on the bench, viz eJ. Passe Grome,
chairman, Thomas Hackett, George Garvey, and Thonias
Breretorn Esqrs. Michael Hogan; Htimphrey
Bolland, Thomas -Minton; John Day, Patrick H aloe,
Daniel Duwane, Thonias Gallagher, Peter Donohue, and
Connor Carmody, .were placed" at the bar, charged with
having, at Birr, on the
.18:h inste, stopped an seized
horses loaded .with potatoes, on the way front the place of
Sale, with injuring, the same, and scattering and throwing
away said provisions. Harte, O'Donohue, and Day
a lnaitted the offence, but all the others denied it. The
cage for the prosecution was ably conducted by Mr.
Cooke, Sessional Crown Solicitor, assisted on behalf of Mr.
Atkinson by Mr. Sheppard, solicitor, Rescreen and the
prisoners ware defended 'by•Messrs. Smith and Mitchell,
Parsonstown. kir. Cooke stated the case. He referred to
the law applicable to the offence. Under the amended
Whiteboy Act the accused were liable to transportation,
and he thought they were about to be dealt very leniently
with when it was proposed to diapose of the charge
under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 14 and 15 Vic.,
cap. 92, sec. 3, sab sec. 6, be the provisions of which each
were liable to a penalty of £lO, or six calender moaths'
imprisonment with hard labour. It was difficult to conceive
' what the motive was for committing such an outrage,
as provisions were plentiful and labour abundant. Ten
years ago, when the people were dying of starvation, there
was some palliation for such mischievous acts, but in the
present day there was no pretext whatever for such offences.
He hoped to be ab'e satisfactorily to establish the guilt of
the several persons at the bar, and if so, he trusted the
bench would vindicate the law, and pass such a sentence as
would deter others from the commission of similar offences.
Mr. Atkinson, Head-Constable Carroll, and nine sub con-
stables were then examined on the part of the prosecution,
and proved the facts already published, and the part which
each of the prisoners had taken in the riot. For the defence
twelve witnesses were produced, with a view of showing
that the accused were merely innocent spectators of the riot.
The' case having cloSed on both sides, he justices retired
to consider the evidenCe, which hail been com-
mitted to writing. After a short deliberation, the magis-
trates again came into court, when Mr. Mitchell' said he
was instructed to state that the riot was 'not premeditated,
and that within a fortnight, if judgment was suspended,
Mr. Atkinson would be fully compensated for the loss
which he had sustained. Mr. Cooke, on the part of the
Crown, could not be a party to any such compromise. Mr.
Sheppard, on behalf of Mr. Atkinson, bad no objection to
such an arrangement. Mr. Grome, having conferred with
his brother justices, 'sail the court would not suffer any
compromise. A serious outrage had been committed,
the peace of the town hal been disturbed, and thee
business of the market interrupted. The law should
be vindicated, and, so far as the magistrates were con,
earned, they would uphold the law, maintain the peace of the
country, and afford protection to the property of all who
attended the market for the purpose of either purchasing
or selling ; and such example would be made that he
trusted would prevent a repetitioh of such a mischievous
occurrence as had been that day detailed in evidence.
Gilleher appeared to have at one time during the affray
assisted Mr. Atkins.)n's drivers. The court, therefore,
was disposed to give him the benefit of the doubt, and
would therefore dismiss him. Minton did not appear to
have taken a very active part, and consequently he was
only sentenced to pay a fine of £1 with costs, or to be im-
prisoned one calendar month with hard labour. All the
others were proved to have been most active in the riot, and
should be punished accordingly. Their sentence vas a fine
of £5 each with costs, and in default to be each imprisoned
for the period of three calendar months, with bard labour.
Mary Coen, Mary Gibson, and Mary Maher, were then
placed at the bar and charged—the two former . with
carrying away some of the potatoes and the latter with
encouraging the mob to cut the sacks. They all denied
the offence, but the evidence was conclusive, and they were
each sentenced to a fins of £1 with costs, or one calendar
month's imprisonment with hard labour. The eleven
prisoners were then removed in custody, and shOrtly after
the large crowd assembled dispersed gradually. During
the proceedings Mr Groins, remarked on the scanty supply
of all descriptions of agricultural produce at market on that
day, which he had heard was attributed to the riotous pro-
ceedings on that day week. Such conduct would prevent
buyers from attending, and farmers would not send in
their commodities, but go to other markets, and instead of a
fall in prices an increase would be the result. Mr. Brereton
R.M., also observed that it was singular that very few, if
any, of the inhabitants, had given any information to the
authorities, such as would have enabled them to have
brought more of the guilty parties to justice. Messrs.
Hackett and Garvey were convinced that the examples
made that day would be attended with the best results.
There was not the slightest disposition to riot or interrup-
tion to the market business during the day.

STORIES OF STRENGTFI.-0130 was a hard-visaged, iron-
sinewed man, spare, stern, and unyielding, looking 'obdu-
rate as fate, who had never been worsted, or failed to
conquer. Of him it was told, that once a wild colt which
he was shoeing strove to free its leg from his grasp.' The
colt kicked, the man held fast -.'twas pull devil, pull
baker—until, at last, the animal in its struggles tore away
its own limb. The- legend, though an exaggeration, had
doubtless its ground-work in the characteristics of the
man. The other was a broad. faced, good-humoured
Saxon, whose genial spirit showed forth in a laugh hearty
as his grip, and in a certain fleshiness and portliness,
which gave a goodly, well-fed look to the proportions of
his giant frame. This was the popular champion, for, in
addition to his marvellous prowess, he had never been
known to take an unfair grip, or to put forth his strength in
anger. God, who had gifted him with the strength of a
lion, had given him the gentleness of a lamb. This man
had also his story. Once, when busy with his bay harvest
—so runs it—he was assailed by the importunity of the
best man of another parish, who had come from afar to
try a fall with him. Worried out of all patience, at last he
took the ambitious champion by the collar, and pitched
him over a hedge on a dunghill in the next field. The
discomfited athlete, as soon as he recovered breath, rose,
shook himself, and called out, " Muster, t hraw over my boss
too, and I'll goa hoant."—Blackwood's Magazine.