The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-25 00:00:00

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Sun-office, 112, Strand; London,
9th July, 1855.

t„.
_ J

§1431,

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1855.

" The Massacre of the Innocents " is steadily
proceeding. The Tenants Improvements Com-
pensation (Ireland) Bill is the latest victim. The
helpless sufferer was yesterday duly sacrificed,
and much excitement was displayed b 't f •
y s friends
at the " Inquest " held over its remains. We
cannot feel greatly surprised at the natural lerita.,
tion felt by those who were deeply interested in
the bill, and who believed that its safety was se-
cured when it was transferred into the hands
of Ministers, and it became a " Government
measure " with all the facilities belonging to that
condition. At the same time we must confess
that no other course was practicable, and that even
with the utmost anxiety that the " vexed ques-
tion " should be- set at rest,- the im-
portant problem solved, it had become im-
possible to carry out the project, so that
it should receive the legislative sanction during
the Present session. The real ground for censure
was not that it had been abandoned at the
eleventh hour, but that it should have been ne-
glected when there was ample time for discussion
and consideration of all its nrovisions.
It was not the
surrender of last night, but the
previous apathy, that afforded prima f •
nu evi-
dence of Ministerial insi •
ncenty. Had they been
really in earnest they would t have allowed it
to remain until the last
_week in
july,
without
having passed more than 13 out of over
70 clauses
tough committee. It was well known that the
Ifouse of Lords had determined not to pass any
measure which was not ready for a second readi •
ng
by.the 24th July, yesterday, and a tenant-right,,
measure was not one which the territorial aristo-
cracy would be disposed to view with great fa..
vqur,.or to which they would afford any extraor-
dinary indulgence. It would also probably occa-
sion much discussion, and for that, if forno other,
reason it would necessarily' be thrown overboard
fob, the present
7 year, It would therefore have
been nothing but a mere reoli.Lesi waste of very
valuable time to have gone on with the bill yes-
terday,. more especially when
the formidable 14th

clause remained for argument, on which a fierce
conflict would certainly take place.

It now only remains for those really anxious
to have a fair and just enactment carried on
this important subject to stimulate Government
in the early part of next session. We
do not believe that the Irish members generally,
or those connected with the Government, merit
the imputations that have been so recklessly and
so unfairly cast upon them. It is not at all sur-
prising that the members of the Cabinet should
not feel any extraordinary anxiety about a bill
that has been forced on them, and of the policy
whereof many may remain doubtful. But those
who, although in subordinate situations, have in-
duced the Government to take charge of the mat-
ter, although, possibly, not as energetically as
could have been desired, have rendered valuable
service to the cause, and have insured its ultimate
success, and that at no very distant period. We
allude more especially to the Irish law offi-
cers, Messrs. KEOGH and J. D. FITZGERALD, who
have been very unjustly attacked, after having
done all that could reasonably and justly be re-
quired, and, indeed, all that was practicable,
under the peculiar circumstances of the cue.
What were the facts ? The bill was introduced
by the Hon. and Learned Member for Kilkenny
at the very commencement of the session. But
three months elapsed without his being enabled
to overcome the impediments cast in the way of
private members, and he then discovered that it
would be impossible to anticipate a favourable
result unless the Government could be induced to
take charge of the measure. They were, we believe
mainly through the energetic exertions of the Irish
law officers, induced to do so ; but these gentlemen
could not obtain for it the priority they desired
over other Ministerial measures, many of which,
although originally brought forward by the Go-
vernment, and of great national importance, have
likewise been shelved. We trust and believe
that next year the result may be more auspicious.
To that the Irish members must direct their at-
tention. It is far better to use a gentle pressure
in due season than to indulge in useless vitupe-
ration when there is clearly no alternative.
Something ought certainly to be done to enable
the House to resume the consideration of matters
that had reached a certain stage during the ensuing
session. At present much time is wasted that
might be saved, and many valuable measures
are unduly procrastinated, although the principle
has been repeatedly affirmed. On this point
there should be some modification, which would
enable independent Members to carry their own
propositions without being compelled to surrender
them into the hands of Government as the only
means of averting their total loss. Let the Irish
Members turn their attention to this point, and
they will render good service to the country gene-
rally, and will insure the passing of an equitable
adjustment of the law of Landlord and Tenant
in Ireland.

There is but too much reason to fear that
the hospitals at Scutari are, notwithstanding
the disinterested and efficient exertions that
have been made for their improvement, gra-
dually drifting back to their old condition. Great
improvements had unquestionably been effected,
but the red-tape system is resuming its ascen-
dancy—routine is still pursued as the SUM7ILUM
bolllo7l—and the volunteers who have done all the
good regarded, if not with enmity, at least with
jealousy, and their plans received with discourage.
ment whenever practicable.

It is more than hinted that the new Medical
Superintendent, Dr. CuissmiNo, is of the same
class as the HALLS and MzNznis by whom he
was preceded ; that he is an " obstructive," who
does not deem any suggestion worth having un-
less proceeding from an official source ; and that
ie is not very remarkable for professional kind-
ness, either to the officers or men with whom he
may chance to be brought into contact. The
medical practice is chiefly left in the hands of the
juniors, and, generally speaking, matters are
working round to the old objectionable system
once more.

Now, if there be any portion of truth in these
rumours, and we regret to be obliged to say that
we fear there is but too much foundation
for them, there can be no excuse made for
the Government. Before they would not credit
any derogatory statements from mere civilians.
The statements of the officials, made on mere hear-
say, were taken as perfectly authentic. But their
eyes wero at length opened. They discovered the
'earful consequences of their over confidence.
they said that strangers were doing the work for
which others were largely paid—and the evils of
the system were painfully illustrated. Full in-
rormation may now be obtained, and it is incum-
,)ent on those in power to seek for it, so that
should there again be any untoward events the
plea of ignorance may not again be put forward.
Miss NIGHTINGALE has already done a world
of good, but unfortunately she. has been stricken
with severe illness, from which she is but slowly
regaining strength. We cannot hope for further
aid at her hands ; and the other friends of suffer-
ing humanity have scarcely sufficient weight to
overcome the impediments habitually interposed
to their efforts. The culinary department, under
the direction of ALEXIS SOYER, has been placed in
a most efficient and admirable condition. Tho
illustrious "chef" has succeeded there as every-
where else in the department in which he is
without a rival. But it is said that even he has
not received the assistance which he was pro-
mised, and which he had every reason to expect.
Although the right man is unquestionably in the
right place, yat he ought not to be overworked, or
required personally to do matters which might be
PrtVevlY effected by others under his control and
direction.
For instance, it is said that four first-
class cooks
He was left,
Were promised by the Government.
hciwever, for three 'months to work
single-handed, or at least with such temporary
assistance as he emild obtain on the spot. At
length the promised a ."A 11. •
anes arrived. They
had been sent by a sailing-vessel, and had only
been 48 days on their passage.
Still, it was bet-
inferior. description.
ter late than never, but, alas, the anxiously-lookerl-
ifonr
place
et uorfnae dp
ronuftesos
ef
da
cook
for
each kitchen, it
was found that there were two bakers, one butcher,
and one cook, a third-rate one—ami,
even thesewere not allowed to go to the work for which
they Were Sent out, but employed at the desk and
in other capacities.

Now this system should be corrected while
there is yet time. There should be no relapse
into the bad habits which were shaken off with so
much difficulty. The nation will not now tolerate
the initiation of unnecessary suffering on our
gallant soldiers._ They should not be compelled
to
c‘sre.,
._privationspeauposeitil awhmeantterthoefrecomapraeratainivepllye
means ofproviding them with every comfort. In
e
trivial itnporiance, and no petty economy will be
retie vea logy for any shortcomings,
even though it'may not, as formerly, affect the
lives of tilt;
Victims, but merely enhance
their aMiction. :
* ;we-the word of warning
it do season,- hopin that
it may be

„

. ;. ,Z.

i~
~.

received by all parties concerned in a
good spirit, and with an anxious desire to
supply adequate remedies to the admitted evils,
whenever or wherever practicable.

We trust that the appeal which we made on
Monday in support of " The Officers' Widows and •
Orphan Permanent Fund" may not be disregarded
by those who are always liberal whenever there is
a reasonable cause. We know no stronger claim
that can be put forward on behalf of any charity.
The recipients have indeed been grievously afflicted,
and that not through any fault of their own. If
ever there were misfortunes which could not be
averted by any degree of human foresight, in
which the victims are totally and completely
blameless, they are those arising from the un-
timely and premature deaths of husbands and
fathers, under circumstances that prevent even
the ordinary resources of life assurance from being
made available. The sufferers have previously
enjoyed every comfort suitable to their position,
and without being over sanguine they might look
forward to a considerable improvement. But
suddenly all their hopes are overthrown—
all their prospects blighted. Not only
is the protector, but the provider taken
away, and with him the money which he
has paid for advancement in his profession
is absolutely lost. The widow is involved not
merely in poverty, but too frequently in absolute
destitution, and her heartrending sorrows are
enhanced by the privations which she sees her
helpless children enduring. Surely as we have
stated there can be no more suitable objects for
sympathy and consideration, none to whom the
generosity of all classes, from the highest to the
lowest, could be more suitably bestowed.
But this is regarding the subject in too
limited a light. It is not merely gene-
rosity, but justice that is required. The
sufferings of the bereaved widows and
the fatherless children would alone give them
an irresistible claim on the national bounty. But
how is that claim enhanced when we consider that
their irreparable and incalculable losses have been
altogether occasioned in oar cause—that it is in
fighting for the honour and safety of the United
Kingdom that the blood of the husband and father
has been freely shed—that the objects of his
dying thoughts are sacred legacies to the country
for which he has nobly died ? Should not those,
then, " who live at home at ease," whose
only sacrifices on account of the War arc
those of the pocket, display even a profuse
and lavish liberality in dealing with such
cases. Should they not take care that, so far at
least as money was concerned, there should be no
aggravation to the mourning for the mighty
dead—for those whom we are told will " for ever
live enshrined in the memory of their grateful
country t"

We confess that we should place greater faith
in that gratitude if we saw the first step taken
by the nation itself, by the return of all the pur-
chase-money paid by officers who have perished in
the field, or from disease contracted in the dis-
charge of their duties, to their surviving rela-
tives. How ridiculous is it to give annuities
terminable, in the case of the widow and daugh-
ters, on marriage--of the sons, on arriving at
maturity—worth less than one-fourth of what has
actually been paid to the Government. Mr. F.
PEEL may flippantly tell us that the pension is
much better for all, except young widows, than the
return of the purchase money ; as if 1001.
or 1201. per annum, durecnte videritate, would
be ample compensation for 8,000/. or 10,0001.
actually paid - by the deceased husband.
Besides, Government professes to make these
pensions pure acts of favour, of unalloyed bene-
volence ; and thus, through theirred-tapist mouth-
piece, they profess to consider them full equiva-
lents for the corigfcated przrebago money_
We should greatly desire to see the matter
placed on a sound and lasting foundation. The
Society offers an eligible opportunity for so doing ;
the produce of the public benevolence and justice
could not be more suitably applied. The names
of the patrons and committee afford a perfect
guarantee that the money would be properly ad-
ministered ; and we are satisfied that large sub-
scriptions would flow in from officers themselves,
when satisfied that the benefit thereof would be fairly
bestowed upon their families. The plan adopted
in the Indian Army, where destitution amongst
widows and orphans of officers is absolutely un-
known, might, with some trivial alterations, be
adopted. In the megitime, we call upon the
public to contribute liberally ; they can never ap-
ply their surplus funds to a better purpose.

REPORTED RESIGN, ATTON OF GENERAL

SIMPSoI

It was currerAly reported in Portsmouth Garrison
yesterday, on substantial official authority, that Major-
General SpApson has resigned the command of the
British Army in the Crimea.

Six
hundred men of the 9th Regiment of the line,
onming from Saintes and Rochefort, and 500 of the 6th
Regiment, coming from Landrecies, Avezme4, and earn-
bral, left last evening by the Lyons Railway for Mar-
seilles, where they are to embark for the Crimea.
A letter from Athens mentions that the Greek Cham-
ber iras passed a vote of thanks to Lord Carlisle for the
fawourable manner in which the Greeks are mentioned
ire a recent work, particularly on the subject of religious
tolerance.

A Lisbon newspaper, A Nacao, announces that Don
Miguel and his consort and their. children, who are re-
siding at the Chateau of Heubacb, are imperfect health.
The Corriere Mercantile of Genoa announces that
General Pepe is so ill that serious fears are entertained
for his life.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—TUESDAY, -SHILLING DAY..--Ad
missions on payment, 6,703 ; by season tickets, 434,
Total, 7,137.

CAUTION TO BOYS THROWING STONES.—Yesterday
at the Greenwich Police-court, James Pellat, son of a
lighterman, was convicted in the penalty of 40s. for
stone throwing. The sitting magistrate (Mr. Becker) in
giving hie decision, said the practice of stone throwing
was much indulged in by boys, to the great danger of
the unsuspecting pasFemby. Instances bad occurred in
which serious injury had been inflicted, even to the de-
privation of sight ; be was, therefore, determined to pro-
tect the peaceably disposed part of the community, by
all means in his power, from such mischievous and
wanton acts. In every satisfactorily proved case he
should inflict the fell penalty allowed by law, namely,
41)5., or, in default of payment, one month's imprison-
ment.

A BRAVE GUARDSMAN'S USE OF HIS MOTHER'S LET
1 TERS.—Jos butt Priestly, of the Grenadier Guards, has
written to his parents, at Soilhill, Ovenden, an interest-
-1 ing letter, which, after being well thumbed, has been
handed to us, and from which we can hardly refrain from
making a few extracts, notwithstanding the note that
the letter was not to be published, as the writer had not
time to write with method or accuracy, or in a stile which
would bear the examination of a newspaper editor.
After refers in" to the 10-s of one of his comrades who
was known to his parents, and who was carried off by
cholera, after 12 hours' illness, and the fruitless inqui-
ries he had made respecting another friend, the writer
remarked that he had some money treasured up fOr his
parents, which it was unsafe to send in a letter ; and
haveefiomreed
..iitll respect to the epistles he had received from his mo-
ther," I don't want to see any more crying let-
r received I have put into my rifle after loading it, and
. eersgaedys—
toth
et
mhaei
as
dislike
thetrim ea
Russians, from y obue.c a
us e Thoseyo u thatappear I have t
to
have a strong
killed as I have
shell, and musketry eto them. If you had seen as many
ideas as you 4avey.oubezoluld not have as many weak
you, bursting and killing
wereelibeing present when the shot,
and on your left, and yourself kept un
hying past and ringing around
from attemptedifa
h asotdo rhmey_i ni_
following.,
piece 0 f
states
firing until the sweat
your right hand
teeth;ot on the
ttohpeof,l3htfbo
streamed-from you." Re then
,sbell, and
it Cut his ailzh. On the day
C - dead "1"1 . when the flag
strucki n the
of truce was hoisted; thebodies of the Ru •
' • ed into ssiansand
Allies were ' tipped a quarry liki barrowfun, of
o f June,was
" A dead man, he affirmed, was as ',here th
clay. ought
of there than a dead fly in England ; but be consoles
himself by adding—" The next aAempt will pay ,i.ni
rifle
all, or one-half of the allied armies will be sacrific44,N
Halifax Guardian.

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