The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

THE StJN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING DECEMBER 22 1855.

coup. From what we have seen, however, we
may safely rely on the Allied Generals that they
will leave nothing to chance, but adopt all mea-
sures necessary for the protection of the troops
committed to their charge, or for taking advan-
tage of any opening left by the Russians during
the winter.

Justice has at length been rendered to a very
distinguished and meritorious body ! The officers
of the Royal Engineers, engaged at the siege of
Sebastopol, have received the notice which they
have so well deserved. As yet it is but a notice,
but we cannot doubt but that the earnest recom-
mendation of Lieutenant-General Sir HAREY
JONES, sustained and supported as it has been by
General SIMPSON, will be productive of immediate
fruits, and lead to the promotion which has been
so richly earned, although hitherto withheld
under the existing regulations of the service.

The advocates for " promotion by purchase"
have always referred to the state of the Engi-
neers as an argument in favour of the system
which they support. They say that, no matter
how great the deserts of individual officers, they
can never be rewarded for their services. They
must pass through the strict routine before they
can acquire a single step. Under such re-
gulations it is, indeed, but a remote
chance if " the right man can be found
in the right place." Great care is undoubtedly
taken in selecting the best candidates for commis-
sions, which are bestowed on the most distin-
guished prizemen at Woolwich. But when the
first step had been taken, when the foot was
placed on the promising ladder, nothing further
could be accomplished. It was forbidden to pass
e►en the greatest sluggard on the route.
At the Academy there was the most open com-
petition amongst the students—Palmam, qui me•
ricit, ferat was the adopted rule, and the ardent
youths were stimulated by the purest and most
exalted motives in the race. But there it stopped.
From that moment there was no further motive
to excite their ambition or enthusiasm—whether
undergoing the most serious toils and privations,
or " living at home at ease," the result was ex•
actly the same. A man might be animated by
the highest sense of public duty ; but whatever
he might dare, or whatever he might do, he would
find that his " virtue was its own reward," for how-
ever great his deserts, the constitution of the corps
prevented his promotion either therein or "in
other branches of the service."

There is now a graceful opportunity of deviating
from the too limited course. A few young officers
have been strongly recommended by Sir HARRY
D. JONES, by Sir J. F. BURGOYNE, and by Sir
JAMES SIMPSON to Viscount HARDINGE'S favour,
as having particularly distinguished themselves
during the siege. We rejoice to add our tribute
to the truly noble list. They are as follows :
Royal Engineers—Lieutenants H. DE VERE, A.
A. C. FISHER, H. C. ELPIINSTONE, G. NEVILLE,
W. 0. LENNOX, W. C. ANDERSON, G. GRAHAM,
G. PRILLIPS, C. N. MARTIN, C. G. GORDON, and
J. F. DONNELLY.

We may judge from the manner in which this
irresistible demand is received and acted on,
whether the sympathies of the Horse Guards are
altogether limited to the aristocratic corps, or the
grievances of any under the rank of a Guardsman
are considered worthy of notice.

Enlightened reformers Lave, among many
grounds for encouragement, the following—viz.,
every step in advance renders the next more easy,
and in the removal of one abuae the fate of an-
other is foreshadowed. This is so apt to be over-
looked that a public journalist cannot reproduce
it too frequently. As a case in point, we may
mention Sanitary Reform what has been
achieved in this direction being certain to lead to
another reform which has been long needed—to
wit, Medical Reform.

The successful working of the former, as the
reader doubtless is aware, will be largely dependent
on the zeal and intelligence of members of the
medical profession. If the medical officers ap-
pointed by the various Boards of Health, and bodies
entrusted with the functions of these boards, are
incompetent to the proper discharge of their duties,
the progress of sanitary reform must necessarily
be impeded—cease it cannot. It becomes, there-
fore, a matter of great importance that no
impediments should be suffered to exist to
the selection of the best available talent.
Impediments, and serious ones, however, do
exist, and efforts, which cannot fail of success
if persevered in, are now being made to remove
them.

It is somewhat monstrous that the superior
fitness of a man for the office is not the first
question for consideration. That, according to
the present system, is all very well in its way,
but cannot be taken into account unless the can-
didate has one special recommendation, viz., the
imprimatur of some particular college or colleges-
He may be " a wisd physician," as well " skilled
our wounds to heal" as the best that has ap-
peared, but unless he has an English diploma
he won't do ; his claims cannot be entertained. If
any just cause existed for this exclusion we should
not say one word about the matter. If a practi-
tioner with a Scotch diploma were generally an
ignoramus or a dolt silence would seal our lips.
But this notoriously is not the case. Some of the
best surgeons, for instance, we have had in modern
times earned their reputation, if not their wealth,
under no other banner, while others have been
lost to the English public through the prejudice
consequent on so unwise a restriction of privileges.
A monopoly thus injurious, and affecting English
aspirants for medical honours of small means quite
as much as Scotch, could not fail to attract more
and more attention as the work of sanitary reform
progressed, and lead to the consideration of other
evils ; and, as would be seen in our impression of
yesterday, two Bills for Medical Reform are about
to be submitted to Parliament, one prepared by
Mr. HEADLAM,
M.P., and the other by the Pro-
fessors of the University of Edinburgh. Intoe
arethe
relative merits or demerits of these Bills
unable to enter, not having seen
d eithero
and
them. One thing, however, we can
that is, pronounce an unhesitating approval of
the determination of the members of the Pro-
vincial Medical and Surgical Association, as an-
nounced by the deputation from that body to Sir
GEORGE GREY on Thursday—viz., that though
disposed to prefer Mr. HEADLAM'S Bill, "they
would give an equal support to any Government
Bill, whatever might be its details, which would
secure uniformity of examination and qualifica-
tion—freedom of practice throughout the United
Kingdom—a due representation of the great body
of the profession, and a proper system of registra-
tion." The representation spoken of we take to
apply to a professional board. The science of
medicine in this country, indeed anywhere, is not
so far advanced as to permit, without culpability,
of any tangible obstacles whatever to its advance-
ment ; and most unquestionably the want of
uniformity and freedom of practice referred to has
been a great one. We shall look with interest for
the appearance of the Bills, when we may go
more at large into the subject.

REMOVAL OF THE COURT TO WINDSOR.

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY..

This morning, at 20 minutes before eleven'o'clock, the
Royal yacht Fairy, with the Elfin in attendance, entered
the Southampton docks, having on board her Majesty,
Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal,
and the other branches of the Royal family. There
were in attendance the Marchioness of Ely, Lady in
Waiting ; Hon. Eleanor Stanley, Maid of Honour ;
Lord Alfred Paget and General Hon. Charles Grey,
Equerries in Waiting.
It was the intention of the Court to have proceeded
from Osborne to Gosport, via Spithead, but owing to
the very boisterous state of the weather the passage to
Southampton was preferred.
It was not till half-past nine this morning that a tele-
graphic notice was received by Mr. Watkins, superin-
tendent of the Southampton terminus, to have the
Royal carriages despatched to Southampton instead of
Gosport, and a communication was immediately for-
warded to Basingstoke, to effect that object.
The Royal carriages were in charge of Mr. Scott,
traffic manager ; Mr. J. Watkins, superintendent ; Mr.
Beattie, superintendent engineer; and Mr. Godson ;
and her Majesty was received on the part of the dock
company, by Mr. P. Hedger, Mr. Levy, and other prin-
cipal officers.
Her Majesty looked extremely well, and appeared in
excellent spirits.
At a few minutes before eleven the Royal party left
the Southampton Station for Basingstoke, where they
arrived in 48 minutes, and from thence proceeded by the
Great Western line to Windsor.

A Cabinet Council was held, yesterday afternoon, at
the Foreign-office. It was attended by Viscount Pal-
merston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Earl
of Harrowby, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Clarendon,
Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Panmure, the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer, Sir C. Wood, the Right Hon. R.
Vernon Smith, and the Right Hon. M. T. Baines. The
Council sat two hours.
The Archbishop of Canterbuy had an interview with
Mr. Secretary Labouchere, yesterday, at the Colonial-
dice.
Despatches from the Governor of Ceylon, and also
from the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands,
were received, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. De-
spatches were sent, last evening, to the Governors of the
North American provinces.
The Earl and Countess Bruce have been entertaining
a distinguished party at Savernake Lodge during the
past week. The guests have had capital sport on the
well-stocked preserves of the noble earl. In one day no
less than 503 head of game were bagged from eight guns.
The company at the lodge included the Duke and Duchess
of Wellington, the Marquis of Bath, Lord Harry Thynne,
the Earl and Countess of Malmesbury, Viscount and
Viscountess Sydney, &c.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston leave town to-
day, for Broadlands, for the Christmas holidays.
We regret to announce the decease of Mme.
Mocquard, wife of the private secretary of the Emperor
of the French. This amiable lady just expired at Paris,
after a long and painful illness.
Mr. W. Macdonald Farquharson Macdonald and the
Hon. Mrs. Macdonald and family, have left Claridge's
Hotel, en route for the continent.
Jenny Lind, who has never yet sung in Paris, has, it
is said, positively promised to perform there when she
leaves England.
Madile. Rachel arrived at Charleston on the Ist of
December, at noon, perfectly recovered. On the 4th she
embarked in the steamer Isabel for the Havannab,
where she will resume her representations.—Courier
des Etats.

The following firms have agreed to close their esta-
blishments on Monday the 24th instant—namely, Lewis
and Allenby, Swan and Edgar, Marshall and Snelgrove,
Redmayne and Co., Debenham, Son, and Co., and
Howell, James, and Co.
SOUTH A USTRALIAN COMPANY.—At a meeting of the
South Australian Company, yesterday, Mr. E. Di vett
presiding, the report for the half-year, ending the 30th
of April last in the colony, was adopted. The discus-
sion was merely of a general character, the amount of
dividend being determined at the annual meeting. After
the ordinary proceedings the charter granted for the in•
corporation of the company was accepted, and the direc-
tors were requested to take such measures under it as
may be necessary for future management.
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—Last evening the above
society gave their usual Christmas performance of
The Messiah, with Madame Clara Novelle., Miss No-
vello, Miss Dolby, Mr. Thomas, and Luckey, as princi-
pal vocalists, and Mr. Costa as conductor. As this great
work has been heard so often from the Salle artistes, and
the merits of the band and chorus belonging to this ex-
cellent institution are perfectly familiar to the public, it
will be sufficient to state generally that the performance
was in every respect honourable to the acknowledged
fame of the Sacred Harmonic Society. The hall was
quite full.
POLICE OF CONSTANTINOPLE.—The commanding offi-
cers of the English, French, and Sardinian forces have
come to an agreement with the Turkish authorities, by
virtue of which the Allied troops are to have a right to
oontribute to the repression of crime and outrage in Con-
stantinople.
DEMAND FOR SHIPMEIGHTS.—The demand for ship-
wrights at the present time in the West of England is
very great. Six months' certain employment is guaran-
teed, and the rate of wages offered is generally 6s. per
day, with almost unlimited work as overtime.
MESSRS. Da LISLE, JANVRIN, AND CO.—The in-
spectors of the estate of Messrs. De Lisle, Janvrin, and
Co. at a meeting on Thursday determined to declare a
third dividend, payable on the 2d of February. It will
be 2s. in the pound, making, with the former two divi-
dends, 10s. in the pound.
HARWAR V. DREAPER.—The plaintiff's solicitors in
this case have written us stating we were in error in
publishing the verdict in this case to have been for the
defendant. The arrangement come! to between the
learned counsel, and accepted by both parties was, they
state, that the defendants should pay the plaintiff 1001.
in full of all demands, at the same time admitting he had
no claim on the patent or the inventions.
SAILING OF THE ROYAL MAIL PACKET FOR MEI -
BOURNE.—LIVERPOOL, Dec. 21.—The royal mail packet
clipper ship, Earl of Sefton, Capt. Noble, belonging to
Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson's White Star line of
Australian royal mail packets, sailed this afternoon from
Liverpool for Melbourne, with 200 passengers, a large
and valuable cargo, and a very heavy mail. From her
previous sailing achievements, the Earl of Sefton is
expected to make such a passage as will still further
redound to the credit of this celebrated line of Ane-
tralian mail packets.
THE ARMY IN THE EAST. —We learn by the latest
General Order, issued by the Commander-in-Chief in
the Crimea, that Captain Hall, 4th Regiment, has been
appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of the
Forces ; that Lieut.-Colonel Turner, late 7th Fusiliers,
takes charge of Karabelnaia ; that a road police is esta-
blished, and that Lieut.-Colonel Haythorne, Ist Royals,
is made an A.A.G., and is attached to the Highland
Division. Captain Richards, 55th Regiment, is a,p.
pointed Acting Aide-de-Camp to his commanding officer,
Brigadier-General Warren, C. 8., commanding first bri-
gade, Third Division vice Captain Brook, 30th Regi-
ment, appointed D.A.A.G., or D.A.Q.M.G.; and be-
tween the 2d and 6th of December, both days inclusive,
33 offiders obtained leave to proceed to England-10 on
medical certificates, and 23 on "urgent private affairs."
POLISH INDEPENDENCE MEETING AT LIVERPOOL.
A public meeting was held in the Concert-hall, Lord
Nelson-street, on Thursday evening, for the purpose
of advocating the restoration of Polish independence.
There were about 2,500 persons present, consisting
chiefly of the middle and lower orders. Dr. Games
occupied the chair, and letters were read from Sir
Joshua Walmeley, the Earl of Harrowby, Mr. W. J.
Fox, Douglas Jerrold, and Professor J. P. Nichol,
LL.D., regretting their inability to attend, but express-
ing their approval of the object of the meeting. The
meeting was addressed by Mr. G. Dawson and others,
and resolutions were carried to the effect that it is the
duty of England to assist Poland to rise against Russia
as speedily as possible, on the ground that recognition
and support of Polish nationality would establish a
powerful and faithful ally within the present boundaries
of Russia, and so cripple her power that she would be
compelled to sue for a peace honourable alike to our
arms and our nation. It was also resolved to present a
memorial to her Majesty's Ministers, requesting the
Governments of Great Britain and France to consider
the re-establishment of Poland a necessary condition to
the restoration of the equilibrium of Europe, to continue
the war, and to conclude no peace until the freedom of
that oppressed country is secured.
ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—The melancholy circumstance
of the death of Mdlle. Julie, the young danseuse who
perished so miserably by accident at the Plymouth
Theatre, has awakened the s)mpathies of many bene-
volent individuals, and the subscription which was at
once commenced for the succour of her mother and bro-
ther was enriched last night by the proceeds of a benefit
at the St. James's, got up by the gentlemen who simi-
larly exerted themselves with such success an evening or
two ago on behalf of Mrs. Macnamara. The attendance
was considerable, and the result, it is to be hoped, will
be of material use to the bereaved persons for whom the
benefit was devised. The Game of Romps, supported by
the troupe of the Princess's Theatre, was succeeded by
an excellent concert, at which several of the best artistes,
including Sivori, lent not only their names but their
services. The IVreck, Ashore was then played, Mr. Leigh
namuespnticses
underMe nt eurray
whoser tai
and Miss Keeley co-operating with the amateurs
theclosing
witha ballet,
was
theset central
o nfoot
the
figure of which was announced to be Miss Rosina
Wright. The performances passed off with spirit, and
to the evident satisfaction of the audience, among whom
were several distinguished personages.
GENERAL LONDON OMNIBUS COMPANY.—The pros-
pectus has been issued of this company, established in
Paris under the French law as a societe en commandite.
The capital is to be 1,000,000/., in shares of 100 f. or 41.
each, but the first issue is to be Limited to 800,0001. The
gerants are Macnamara, Carteret, Willing, and Co., and
the London managers are to be Messrs. Wilson, Barber,
Hartley, and Trevett. The company state that com-
plete regularity of service is to be established • that
time-tables are to be published monthly and traffic re-
turns weekly ; that indicators are to be used as in Paris,
and that contracts have been entered into for the pur-
chase of the greater number of the 810 omnibuses now
working in London. In their financial representations
they mention that each omnibus, under the present im-
perfect system, gives an average profit of 1001. a-year,
which, on 810 omnibuses, would yield 81,0001., and con•
sequently a return of 10 per cent. In Paris, however,
the result of amalgamation was an increase of Bs. per
day in the profits of each omnibus ; and, assuming an
increase of in London, the annual profit would be
raised to 150,0001. The dividend now paying by the
Paris company is stated to be at the rats of fifteen per
cent.

They hope at St. Petersburg that General
Mouravieff will disconcert Omer Pacha's schemes
by threatening Erzeroum.
The Russian Grand Council of War is reported
to hare determined on evacuating all secondary
points, and concentrating their power on those
of the greatest importance.
Odessa will be the first place to be deprived of
its military character.

Two hundred guns have already been removed

from thence to Nicolaieff.

There is still a talk of Austria's laying resolu-
tions before the Frankfort Diet, in relation to the

Eastern question.

As Austria and Prussia have both recommended
peace, it is not improbable but that the Frankfort
Diet might be brought to address Russia to the

same effect.

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY MORNING.

A telegraphic message has been received from
Bremen, announcing the arrival of the United
States mail steam-ship Washington in the Weser,
having landed her mails, passengers, &c.
In consequence of the rapid accumulation of
ice in that river tho Washington has been com-
pelled to put back to Southampton.

Russia should be required to do away with all her
fortified places in the Black Sea, and to consent to
cede a part of her territory on the left bank of the
Lower Danube. In a word, the Western Powers
have given a very different interpretation to the
third point to that which some Austrian statesmen
had flattered themselves they would do. A per-
son who is intimately acquainted with what is
passing in the diplomatic world a few days since
entertained strong hopes that a compromise would
be effected during the winter, but he has to-day
confessed that the chances in favour of peace are
but few.

VIENNA, Dec. 17.—The late concordat has pro-
duced an unfavourable impression in Bohemia.
The new laws relative to the future position of
the Protestants in Austria are now before the
Council of the Empire, and they will probably be
less unsatisfactory than the world is inclined to
believe. People here profess not to care for public
opinion, but you may be assured that the storm of
indignation to which the concordat has given rise
in Germany and other countries has made them
feel extremely uncomfortable. The following ex-
tracts from the pastoral letter of the Archbishop
of Milan will suffice to show that the Italian prelate
is already inclined to go beyond the concordat :
" The concordat not only gives the Bishops the right
to prohibit bad books, under the menace of ecclesiastical
punishments (?), but also to prohibit their being read by
the faithful. The co-operation of the State to prevent
their promulgation is promised.
" All law matters relating to the matrimonial tie be-
long to the church alone (?).
" By the concordat, the immaculate bride of Christ
(the Roman Catholic Church) has acquired freedom,
power, and glory throughout the vast empire. Cast
down is every barrier which had been an impediment to
her giant steps broken is every fetter which impeded
her action.

"The church has the right to oppose all kinds of error
and temptation, as well on the stage as in the press.
" The concordat is a work which gives a brilliant ex-
ample of religious feeling on the one side, of moderation
on the other, and of the perfect prudence and wisdom of
both parties."

derable difficulty extricated themselves from the ice, were
afraid that some accident had befallen the Admiral's fri-
gate. The English Government intends to establish early
in spring extensive magazines of provisions both atElsinore
and Kiel. After the departure from Heligoland of four
battalions of infantry, two of Chasseurs, and two of the
line, recruited in the north of Germany, the Eogli-h
Government took into its pay the number of officers
necessary to form and command a fifth battalion of
1,000 men like the four others. Strange to say, it is
in the countries where, last summer, the men were most
anxious to enlist that the greatest repugn%nce is now
shown to enter the English service The recruiting
agents will accordingly experience much difficulty in
completing the fifth battalion. From the beginning of
November to the 15th of that month the Eogli-h boats
and steamers stationed on the coast of the N-ith Sea,
and in the rivers emptying into it, with a view to favour
these enli-tments, have only been able to convey to
Heligoland 100 recruits. It is possible, on the other
hand, that the rigorous and active measures taken by
the police of the German States to put an end to thee,
operations may have contributed to paralyse them. As
to the officers, a greater number than is required present
themselves. They are certain of receiving larger emolu-
ments than in Germany, and they, moreover, hope to
obtain rapid promotion in the course of the war."

THE SPA BROW CLUB.

(Front the Constitutionnel.)

Under the general denomination of " club " there
exist in England a number of associations which often
occupy themselves with, to all appearance, singular
subjects, but the real object of which, however quaintly
aimed at, generally tends to some useful result. Among
this number we must place the Sparrow Club, which
has adopted the eminently social mission of waging a
war to the knife and exterminating that interesting bird
whose name so traitorously figures upon its banners.
By what fatal decree can the unfortunate sparrow, that
most inoffensive of birds, and whose sedentary life, ac-
cording to naturalists, is blameless, have become the
object of an impious crusade on the part of the pacific
gentlemen, our friends of the other side of the Channel ?
It is—we shudder with horror to repeat it—to punish
it for its numerous and abominable transgressions
against agriculture and civilisation. In summer this
enemy cf order pecks the gooseberries and cherries, he
devastates corn-fields and gardens ; in autumn he de-
vours the grapes, fruits, and seeds ; in winter he takes
up a position of observation close to our domiciles,
where he selects his quarters ; he penetrates into our
granaries, which he pillages • be enters our dovecots,
and, contrary to all the articles of the law, he appro-
priates to himself the food of our timid doves. Some
have even been caught in the cannibal act of carrying
their audacity and voracity to the extent of tearing open
the throats of living young pigeons to gorge with a
savage joy upon the grain they had swallowed and which
was already half in a state of digestion.
To these culpable acts in the point of view of the
moral influence they may exercise on the masses must
be added the material prejudice they occasion to the
whole of society with respect to provisions. Buffon,
the great naturalist, estimates the annual consump-
tion of wheat by a sparrow at five kilogrammes.
Now, supposing that the winged creation, which is,
moreover, very prolific, numbers about 15,000,000 heads
in France, which is by no means an exaggerated esti-
mate, the portion it consumes of our harvests would be
75,000,000 of kilogrammes, or 1,000,000 of hectolitres.
We can therefore explain, during the severity which
exists, the warlike ardour with which the English, not
so well furnished with provisions as ourselves, display
against such numerous and such dreaded customers.
These grievances justify to a certain extent the exist
enoe of the Sparrow Club, whi.th consists of all that
perfidious Albion can boast of philanthropists and re
formers. This association, benevolent in the highest sense
of the word, held the other day its] anneal meeting in
one of the rotten boroughs of England. The meeting
was inaugurated by a dinner, consisting chiefly of spar-
rows, served up in every im tginable variety and sauce.
Now, by eating these not very palatable 4iishes, the
,iembers of the club become animated by a sacred hor
rer of this impudent winged creature, h.tl swear to ex-
terminate to the last. bird. Between th, cheese a,-ti
dessert prizes were awarded to those members who had
.st distinguished themselves in fighting against the
summon enemy.
The fir.t prize mas given to a Mr. Plumber (what a
name for such a shot I), who deposited 5,812 unfortunate
sparrows upon the desk, the precise condition of which is
tot stated. Were they alive or in cage ? Were they
lead and plucked I Were they roasted or potted ? The
,fficial return has omitted the statement. However,
%In Plumber, with the congratulations of the presi•
lent and numerous marks of sympathy on the part of
the meeting, received for his brilliant feat of arms a re-
ward of 10s., or 12 francs, or 220 sous old style.
'Gainst poor cock-sparrow man's hate to loosen,
Ten shillings prize they offer ;
A shabby prize egad to proffer,
'Tis not a groat per dozen.

_ .
The second was adjudged to Mr. Forris, not guilty of
such a St. Bartholomew against the sparrows as the first
.me. God be praised, he had only 3,696 unfortunate
-parrows on his conscience ; for this signal act he re-
ceived ss. ; the others only received " honourable men-
tion." It will be seen from this that this ornithocide
club does not ruin itself in recompences, and that to vile
metal, the only object of vulgar minds, its members ap-
parently prefer the honour of having been of service to
mankind. In a country like ours this is a fact worthy
of being noted.

The ;pleat; in before, us has, however, Its re:43ly aeriouri
side. We allude to the service the birds may render in
the point of view of the destruction of insects hurtful to
agriculture, Is the damage done to our cornfields and
gardens by the sparrow a sufficient reason for us to ex-
terminate it, as our friends wish on the other side of the
Channel ? Should we not rather, in consideration of the
good he may do us, forgive his misdemeanours, and
leave to him the care of destroying those destructive
parasites the enemies of agriculture ? The problem thus
put is really worthy of the most serious consideration.
It is an acknowledged fact that for some years cater-
pillars, cockchafers, and insects of every description, under
the influence of too mild a temperature in winter, have
multiplied beyond measure. How are we to get rid of
these dangerous creatures, whose sad fecundity threatens
to interrupt that harmony which Providence has so
wisely decreed in the creation ? All naturalists agree in
considering birds the instrument selected to re-establish
the balance. The mission of that feathered tribe is to
purge the earth of the number of parasites which great
cultivation seems inclined to increase. Thus the hull-
finch, the nightingale, the thrush, and the robin are for-
midable enemies of the caterpillar. But the most dreaded
is the voracious sparrow, who, as soon as he comes into
life, when fruit and grain are not to be had, falls upon
them with an ardour as insatiable as his appetite, to the
destruction of caterpillar,, cockchafers, grasshoppers,
and of all enemies of agriculture. An English agricul-
turist named Bradley asserts that when they are breed-
ing the male and female sparrow kill 40 caterpillars in
the hour, or 220 per diem. Now, how must not this
already very considerable consumption be increased when
they have a young family, and when that young family
is adolescent ?

It remains to be seen whether the service rendered
makes good the damage done. We have already quoted
Buffon for the a-serti.oi that during the year a sparrow
consumes five kilogrammes of corn ; do the insect- he
destroys consume more or less of our crops during the
same period ? We are of opinion that the damage done
by the insects is far greater. Iu the Pdatinste and in
Scotland it was fund necessary to ,ff-r premiums for
tite increase of the race of birds, as the crops suffere
n-re sand more from the parasites as birds diminished
in number.

lo iaoce there is no law against insects, and this is
e grave error which we must hasten to remedy. But
'3s regards birds, the bill of the 3d of May, 1844, give-,
t , the authoritits a doicret:onary power of multiplying
or reducing their number, ace. rding to circumstance..
If a province is infested by sparrows the General Coun-
cil, by placing them in the category of noxious animals,
inay decree the destruction of them for a whole year. If,
,n the contrary, the sparrow has become scarce, and for
the destruction of caterpillars, beetles, and graihoppers
the increase becomes necessary, the General Council may
protect it against any attack likely to prevent its multi-
plication. Finally, as a medium, the prefect may when
the shooting season is over authorise the destruction of
the sparrow, on the ground of damage done, even if the
General Council should not have decreed it beforehand.
With this system, eminently applicable to every cir-
cumstance, it will be very easy to maintain the balance
in the existence of the feathered tribe, and to keep it in
proportian to the demands of agriculture. As regards
the Sparrow Club, we trust that it may one day repent
of the adjust war it wages against this domestic bird,
which the majority of our economists, our savants, and
statesmen remember to have once brought up when they
were school-boys.