The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-07 00:00:00

taken

Ihe practice now so prevalent of arresting execu-
tions being carried into effect cannot be too severely

cerimured nor tco strongly reprobated.

It is fraugh

wlth danger, and replete with evil conseqtiences.
It is establishing a precedent from which it will be

difficult to depart, and instituting a custom that it
will be almost impossible to recede from. It is
high time that this subject was taken up at once
by those most competent to deal with it, and re-
garded in the only light in which it can be viewed,
with clearness and perspicacity. As it is, the
weak-minded and self-pitying ones of humanity
are making extraordinary efforts to undo all the
good that long years of watchfulness and the stern
enactments of justice have been bringing about.
The consequences of ail this will be that in a short
time those who are now but half converted, or per-
naps even without scrup,es, wiil be conv,nced that
the extreme penalty of the law cannot be enforced
any longer—that it is a remnant of the barbarous
ages, and must militate against our doctrines of
mercy. The experience of all time, and the attesta-
tion of those most competent to give an opinion,
all concur in stating that for murder there is but

one deterring influence of any weight, and tha',
is the dread of death, and the horror of ,
an ignominious end. These are the only cherries to
the dark and dreadful deeds at which 're
-leaven
frowns, and which earth refuses to hide. It is the
only true way to put a stop to the com mission of
the worst of crime to hold out the terrible penalty
of death. As is always the case with sentimentalists,
the real victims'are left uapitied ; the, nameless mar-
tyrs who have been hurried unprepared into eternity,
who have bean snatched from ,be enjoyments of
life, perhaps in the prime of their years, with
families dependent on them for support, are of no
account; but the hcrdened ruffian, the ruthless
villain, the cruel destroyer of his kind, is the object
of universal symyathy, and the theme of deep-rooted
pity. What can be a greater prostitution of the
softer and gentler feelings of the heart. Such a
practice is very much at variance with all that the
dictates of common-sense would enjoin, and totally
distiuct from the holy nature of sorrow for the
sinner'which should animate every Christian spirit.
Real philanthropists would grieve for and with the
offender because of the enormity of his guilt, not la-
ment on account of his having to endure its chastise.
ment. This infliction is not the serious part of the
affair to the understanding of those who rightly
view, and fully comprehend such subjects. It is
much to be regretted that so much inconsistency
should prevail with regard to the carrying out of
the sentences decreed by the Courts that sit in
judgment on the murderer. When the sentence is
pronounced, who can feel impressed with its solem-
nity when they reflect that in all probability it
may never be carried out at all ; and again, this
uncertain sty le of action is very unfair
to the prisoner, because it is not likely
that the condemned one will address himself to the
consideration of such serious subjects as his awful
doom imperatively demands, when he is buoying up
his hopes with the notion that a reprieve wilt be
obtained, and his fate averted. The constant recur-
rence of the practice of declaring that the guilty
parties are suffering from mental aberration is a
most pernicious one, as it makes a loophole for every
crime, and will finally serve to account for the com-
mission of all murders. This laxity and temporis-
ing will not do. It must be very much altered or
altogether abolished. Let it be distinctly under-
stood, whether we are to have capital punishment for
murderers or not, and if we are, let some more sure
safeguards be adopted to secure the carrying out
of the sentence. It is a mockery of justice, and a
subversion of all right influence—the offended ma-
jesty of the law is set at nought, and the very van-
tage ground of authority undermined, by this
capricious mode of revising the codes of our laws,
and subverting the decisions arrived at by the
time-honoured institution of the land. Of what
avail is all the paraphernalia of courts and the
cogitations of judges, if a subsequent investigation
is at hand to alter all pre-arranged forms, and to
stop the execution of the stern sentence of justice.
The sooner all this anomalous proceeding is righted,
the better it will be for the vital interests of
society.

There are, proverbially, two sides to every ques
tion, and the gaiety and rejoicing which mark this
restive season in the abodes of wealth and luxury form
a strange sad contrast to the wretchedness visible
in the miserable, squalid homes of so many thou-
sands in this great metropolis. Among all the
brilliant galaxy of Christmas books which have
as usual appeared at this peculiar epoch
of hospitality and gift-giving, one little
book which makes no pretension to that
title appears to us to be super-eminently
a Christmas Book.* It is evidently inspired by the
truest and most rational benevolence, and it appeals
in the irresistible language of plain facts and sober
common-sense to those human sympathies which
ought more especially to abound at this season of
nominal charity and benevolence. In some hun-
dred and twenty graphic pages, and some forty or
fifty dreadfully truth-telling illustrations, Mr.
GODWIN has given a picture of the homes
—if they can be called homes !—of the poor of
London, which is enough to appal the thoughtless
and make the boldest shudder. Gladly would we
take refuge in incredulity, but, alas ! the facts are
too substantial. Gnastly and ghostlike as they are
their reality is only more painfully apparent when
exposed to the searching investigation of daylight.
In one page we recognise the pestilential vapours
insidiously arising from the poisonous cellars, above
which, " unconscious of their doom," little children
are playing. In another page the crowded work-
room, and again the closely-packed sleeping cham-
bers, or rather sleeping holes, where entire
families are stowed away, " show the eyes
and grieve the hearts" of all who may
chance to turn over this most impressive
little volume. " The way in which life is short-
ened, health depreciated, happiness prevented,
how the manners are degraded, and crime and
sorrow increased," it has been Mr. GODWIN'S
object in this work to demonstrate, and very truth-
fully and very effectively has ho performed his self-
appointed task. Unfortunately his pictures are
taken from the life, and cannot be gainsayed. Here
is a painful illustration :
We trust that the day is not far distant when compul-
sory drainage, thoroughly carried out, will be made a rule
in connexion with the dwellings of the poor. Remarking
that the scavengers perform their duty very badly, we pass
on to Hartshorn-court, a singular locality, which, with the
parts adjoining, is inhabited to great a extent by thieves and
the most dangerous characters. This is the entrance to a
labyrinth of courts which, like the intricate workings of a
Gloucestershire iron-mine, lead in all manner of curious
and mysterious directions. In front of five houses is a kind
of square, which formerly has probably been occupied as
gardens; hero swarms of children peer curiously out,
neglected little creatures, so forlorn, so helpless for good,
that the first impulse is to ask—What is to become of them?
What path in life, according to present arrangements, are
they fitted for ? What, except by chance, is there for them
but beggary or the prison ?

The houses mentioned are single houses (ono room deep),
without any openings at the back. Like those previously
alluded to, these dwellings are, so far as exterior is concerned
not in bad repair, buy anything worse than the interiors
cannot be easily imagined. Let us step up one of the dark
narrow staircases; in one room, on the door being opened,
a man had risen hastily from his bed ; a strong active look-
ing woman was there, and from the mass of rags swarmed
out a number of children (it was about ten o'clock in the
morning). Few could look at these 'at:lp! a things wit h-

* Another Blow for Life. By George Godwin, F.R.s.
Allen and Co,

out an aching heart : the faces, not ill-shaped, were massed
with dirt, and they had scarcely a rag of cm, ering upon
them ; there was no furniture in the room, the window
was plastered with mud ; and the floor, although an able
woman was there, had probably not been washed for
months.

Such dismal revelations, varied according to the
circumstances of the locality, abound to such an
extent as to render the summer reports
of the Registrar-General a matter of no
marvel. Just now the intense cold may
enforce claims on temporary charity of a different
description, but no one can turn a serious thought
on the coLdition of the houses and haunts of the
London Poor without heartily sympathising with
this "Blow for Life" so appropriately struck at the
preFient Christmas ssason.

It is satisfactory, while the bitter winds are pain-

fully reminding us of the privations of our Lanca-
shire countrymen, to find that the prospects of the
cotton trade are decidedly encouraging. The progress
of the American war is so slow and tedious, and the
state to which the country at large and the cotton
crops may be reduced at the close of it so uncertain,
that it is gratifying to find other sources of supply
opening to us, unaffected by such risks and uncer-
tainties. Another reason which must make us
anxious to be in some degree independent of the
States cotton, is the arrogance and insolence of the
American Government, which may possibly at some
future day involve us in hostilities. It is never
wise, according to homely country wisdom, to
" have all your eggs in one basket," and especially
when that basket is in the hands of one who is at
best a very questionable and capricious friend. The
Americans have already reckoned too much on our
dependence upon them, and there is no doubt that
both North and South relied upon our need of cot-
ton for bringing us to their side. Whatever may
be thought of the policy of our Government on this
matter, there can be no question that the wisest
course for us to follow, without regard to the con-
dition of the American States, is to encourage the
cultivation of cotton in all parts of the globe where
the soil and climate are favourable to its growth,
and to hold out a prospect of a regular market
for good cotton from whatever quarter it
may come. According to the accounts read
at a late meeting of the Cotton Supply Asso-
ciation, whose efforts have done so much towards
stimulating enterprise, the experiments made in
Southern Africa are highly successful. A letter
from Natal asserts that nearly every planter in that
colony has land under cultivation, and that mecha-
nics in the town are giving up their business to
grow cotton. The yield is said to be at the high
rate 300 lb. per acre, and the sample for warded is
valued at 34d. to 36d. per lb. From Syria we learn
that lack of irrigation has retarded this season's
success with American seed ; but we have the
authority of the British Vice-Consul at Latakia,
North Syria, for anticipating that the quantity
produced there will amount to 5,000 bales of 2 cwt.
each. But there is one point that requires looking
to. It is said that, owing to a lack of the means of
transit to England, the greater part of the produce
makes its way to France and Russia. The boats of
their companies "are unable to take the quantity
of cotton offered, and the last French steamer sent
back 19 loaded lighters, while not a single English
steamer has yet found it worth while to make its
appearance." Nor is this the case in Syria alone,
for the British Consul at Salonica, while te.,ling us
that from 3,000 to 4,000 bales are shipped weekly
from thence, informs us at the came time that most
of it goes to Marseilles, owing to the want of direct
steam communication with England. Again, the
Haytian Government have distinguished them-
selves by their efforts to stimulate the cultivation
of cotton, and the result is that the last year's crop
was expected to exceed 3,000,0001 b. while that of
1861, it is calculated, will probably reach 4,500,0001 b.
Yet of this only a portion comes to us, the rest being
taken by France and the United States. Of course
we have no right to a monopoly of cotton, nor
should we resolve that French cotton spinners are
to starve while our own mills are working full time ;
but, as the largest consumer of the raw material,
we have certainly the right to look after our own
interests, and it is our own fault if the superior en-
terprise of French, Russian, and American traders
earry off more than their share of what we
so much need. Our deficiencies in this respect
should be promptly remedied, for surely we have
speculators and capitalists enough to make the ven-
ture, even if it be not done officially. From Para-
pay, Dominico, and Antigua, we have favourable
accounts. In the latter cotton was formerly calti•
vated, and still grows wild with great luxuriance.
From several other parts the intelligence is also
cheering, independently of our expectations from
India, where the prospects are good. The Bengal
supply will exceed, it is said, that of last year, in-
stead of falling short of it as was feared, while in
the Punirtub experiments are about to be made
with Egyptian seed and :steam ploughs, which are
expected to prove highly remunerative. All these
various efforts must tend to good—the success of
one compensating for the deficiency of another,
until we may reasonably hope that within a com-
paratively short time we may draw a full supply
of the precious staple from quarters unaffected by
the Transatlantic civil war.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—In this frosty
weather the fellows of the society are making good
use of their ponds and canals, which are only about two feet
deep. Ladies have there the opportunity of practising
skating secure from the roughness incidental to contact
wi, h all corners, which is unavoidable in public places ; and
we understand that the council either have already ap-
pointed, or are about to appoint, an instructress in skating,
to attend upon those ladies who desire to acquire this
healthful accomplishment. The society's rules of admission
to the gardens at South Kensington have been so far re-
laxed as to allow fellows during the continuance of the frost
to admit their friends, either personally or by written orders,
on payment of Is. for each person.

OUTWARD CAPE MAlL.—(Reuter's Telegrams.)
PLYMOUTH, Jan. 6.—The mail steam ship Roman left this
port to-night with 41 passengTra and the Cape mails, con-
sisting of 21 bags of letters, 101 bags of papers, and 14 bags
of books.

THE CRAWLEY DEFENCE FUND.—The fund which
is in progress to relieve Lieut.-Col. Crawley of the
expenses incurred by the recent court-martial at Aldershot
now amounts to upwards of £1,220. The expenses are said
to amount to between £3,000 and 4000. Amongst the
contributors to the fund are—Earl Vsne, Lord C. Fitzroy,
Lord Hotham, M.P., Lord Colville, the Earl of Orford, the
Marchioness of Londonderry, the Dowager Lady Raglan,
Lord Leconfield, the Right Hon. Sir George Brown,
G.C.8., commander in chief in Ireland ; General Sir G.
Bowles, K,C.8., Admiral William Bowles, K.C.8., Gen.
Sir J. Aitcheson, K.C.8., Col. the Hon. J. Calthorpe, Ad-
miral the Hon. Sir Henry Keppell, K.C.8., Col. the Hon.
E. Douglas Pennant, M.P., Sir Henry Foules, Dart., Sir
F. Adair Roe, Bart., Sir W. Eden, Bart., Rear-Admiral
Brunswick Popham, and many distinguished officers of both
services.

DISCOVERIES AT POMPEIL—The Chronique des
Arts states that among the articles recently dis-
covered at Pompeii is a small head of Juno, in silver, of
exquisite workmanship; also the body, in silver, but broken;
a bridle-bit in bronze; a lamp in the same metal complete,
with cover, suspending chain, an extinguisher; a patera ;
a large and handsome vase, with the handles terminated
by winged genii holding a cornucopia; other small vases
in bronze; and a sea! in that metal bearing the name of the
waster of the house in which the articles were found—
Lucio Cornelio Diaduweno.

ARCHZOLOGY IN FRANCE.—The illoniteur des
Arts states that there were discovered a few days
since on the Banks of the Rhone, near Lyons, 45 Gille-
t otubs,the skeletons in which were complete, the faces turned
towards the east, and the heads supported by a small
(arthern urn. One of the tombs only is formed of Roman
tiles, of a very large size. No inscription, arms, or coins
of any kind have been found in any of the tombs.