The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

ROUSE OF COMMONS, April 21.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
IRISH FISHERIES BILL.
Mr. CONOLLY, in moving the second reading of this
Bill, said he was not the advocate of any particular class
or interest in Ireland, and would shrink from bringing
forward a measure of such importance on any bat pub-
lic grounds. There were three interests connected with
salmon fisheries in Ireland, and, though they were anta-
gonistic to each other, they had only one common
fish in the
and
identical object, viz., keeing up the supply of
best and most approved manner. The public had likewise
a great interest in the question, for it was of importance
to them that a good maximum supply of fish should
always be maintained. What had been the state of
legislation on this subject? In 1842 a Bili was passed
which dealt with and consolidated Ho less than twenty-
five old statutes respecting fisheries in the sister
country, but he felt justified in saying that the mode in
which that measure treated existing rights was
shameful and unconstitutional, From the time of Magna
Charta up to 1842 these fisheries were virtually public
property, though very much drawn upon by private in-
terests,
but since then the public had been deprived of
their undoubted rights, and the fisheries had become
a monopoly in the hands of private individuals.
The Bill of 1842 proceeded upon the principle as it there
was no such thing as public right; and he contended
that this was a very serious error. It, in fact, estab-
lished a monopoly in the landowners against the public
right, and so the Learned Judge announced from the
beach who tried certain persons at Waterford for in
fringing its provisions. That learned person, in point
of fact, gave it as his opinion that the
provisions of the Bill repealed the rights of the people in
relation to fisheries as they were explained and conferred
in Magna Charts. The law as it now stood went upon
the theory of non interference by Government. It was
indeed left to the public to see that it was properly eu
forced, and the consequence was it was never enforced at
all. Now this defect in the law ought to be immediately,
remedied, and a Bill passed to give the upper pro-
prietors on the Irish streams the same inducement to
preserve the fish that were enjoyed by the proprietors
on the lower waters. The llth and 121 h Vic-
toria, relating to this branch of the subject,
he readily admitted had worked exceedingly well,
andsall he wanted the House to do was to extend and
enlarge its provisions. The Act of the Hon. Member
far Youghal was also an improvement upon the old sys-
tem; but still, notwithstanding all these remedial changes
in the law, the quantity of fish in the Irish waters
bad of late years very seriously diminished. The Hon.
Gentleman then proceeel to read passages from the
annual reports of the Irish Fishery Commission, with
the view of showing that although there had, since
1842, been an increase in the supply of fish, yet the in-
crease did not proceed from the fruitful character of the
waters, but from the facilities which the defective state
of the law afforded to poachers. In some districts the
decrease on the take of salmon had been 50 per cent.,
while the Westport district was the only one which
showed any indication of an increase. (The Hon. Gen-
tleman proceeded to read an extract in order to show
that, at present, during the months of June and July,
when salmon is most plentiful in the Dublin market,
the prices had risen since the Act of 1842. from three-
pence or fourpence per pound to one shilling.) The
amendments and improvements on the old law pro-
posed in the present Bill he could, from practical
knowledge of the subject, recommend as advantageous
in all respects, particularly in opening the mouths of the
rivers for the free ingress of the fish. It was his opinion
that if the Government thought it their duty to reject
this Bill without a fair inquiry, they would not be acting
in the way which he had a right to exp-ct, and lie would
implore all Members, whether Irish or Scotch, to assist
in a measure which would bring credit upon themselves
and prosperity upon their tellow-creatures.
Lord N A A.A complimented the Hon. Member upon the
diligence and information which be brought to pear upon
this question. He, himself, would yield to no one in the
interest which he felt in the settlement of this very im-
portant and difficult question. In 1842 an Act on this
subject was passed, which repealed twenty-six former
Acts, and formed a new fishery code. Since that
time six new Acts had been passed on the same
subject, and he was not prepared to say that the
present state of legislation was satisfactory. Of late
years it was undenied that there had been a great
decrease in the value of Inc salmon fisheries, which
some persons attributed to the Act or 1842, some to the
increase of drainage, , some to trio killing of fish in the
spawn bed, and others to the brevity of the close fisheries.
Whatever was the cause, it was undoubted that
there had been-over-fishing to a considerable extent, and
the number or fish was rapidly decreasing. He admitted
that legislative interference might be necessary,
but he certainly would nor, give his consent to the me-
thod of legisla ion proposed by the Hon. Gentleman,
the chief tea'are of which was to sweep away one in-
terest altoget her—i ha; of the Stake-weir owners. It
would be undoubreety neceesery for the Government to
intreduce dUIAI. measure on the subject, bur it would be
one to eftet all interests equally, and ho could not help
saying that in his opinion one of the chief means to be
adopted must be to lengthen the period of the close
season. The Bill of the Honourable Gentleman
was not one to which ho could give his undivided
support, and considering that the Government had i.s
attention fixed upon th- suhj,ct, he hoped that the Hon.
Gentleman would postpone this Bill tor the present.
Mr. MONSELL was glad to see that the Government
opposed this Bill, le-cause, for his own part, he attri-
buted the late alarming decrease of fish in Ireland to
legislation. By some mysterious influence the fish
seemed to retreat before the advances of that House.
Mr. SCULLY said that the great want felt in Ireland
was want of funds—(Leughter)---he meant want of
funds to improve these fisheries, Scotland had a grant
of 14,0001. p> r annum for the purpose of improving the
deep sea fisheries, and the river fisheries were of quite
as much importance to Feland as the deep sea fisheries
were t i Scotland. He complained of the inactivi'y of the
Fishery Board in Dublin; they had not only done no
good, but in some instances had even done harm,
and considerably injured the fisheries, and thwarted
the eff,rts of priv persons. He thought that Go-
vernment alone could successfully legislate on this sub-
ject, and ho hoped that the Hon. Member for Donegal
would wilidraw meesure for the present.
Mr. H. HERBERT also recommended the with-
drawal of the Bill, and hoped that the Government
would tarn its attention towards this important subject.
He also must bear testimony to the injudicious and
arbitrary conduct of the Fishery Commissioners; and
not only had they frequently been guilty of local and
individual injustice, but tney had failed to produce any
general and universal benefit to the fisheries.
Captain JONES said that he thought the great
reason of the decrease in the Irish fisheries was the
shortness of the close season, and the best means of
remedying the present evil would be to lengthen the
close season. If the Hon. Gentleman did not withdraw
the Bill he should move that it be read a second time
this day six menthe,
Sir el. tsOMERVILLE expressed his hope that the
Bill would be withireen He was rej .iced to heir that
it Was the intention of the Government to bring forward
some measure on the surject. The great aid continued
decrease in the Irish fisheries was point of great im-
Phrrtsne, and it behoved all Iri-h Members to do their
Mt to
wasremoveus
the came wnich led to tneir falling off
not himself so much inclined to believe that
such great advantages would be found to result from ex-
tending the close
a
part of he evil had reason. but he thought that a grew,
Mr. WHITLSIDE'suhIed from the legisla ion of 1842.
tak,.e place upon the t:nght legislation which had
a v,ry instructive lesson subject of Irish fisheries furnished
on to the
number of Aces had already House. A considerable
sent Bin, wrtich was been passed, and the pre-
stattres, ntain-d leP„")t%
Janed to consolidated former
1
that previous legislation had :0 elau.es. H. admitted
ful, bet he doubted whether ever cot
would assist
t been very success-
nature in producing somethin- ig
a measure of such great magnitude was impossible that
diecuesed and passed in the present could be perfectly
as it did with rights guaranteed by
Aeabsion, interfering
No doubt it was expedient that an inquiry of
Parliament.
stituted to ascertain the Causes of the
ydshould be in-
salmon in Ireland, and the Hon. Member
diminution of
from the statement of the Secretary fur Ireland,t admit,
that
there was a di-poeition on the part of the Government
to du everything that was necessary for that purpose.
His surprise was, not that there had been a diminution
.
of selmea, but met a single salmon was to be found in
Ireland. It was impossible for selmen to grow large
when they were killed y ounge or to multiply before they
were married. If any legislative measure could be de-
vised to remedy the evil, the Government would con-
sider it their duty to propose it to the House.
Mr. FRE WEN thought that a remedy might be found
in the proper application of the existing law.
Mr. CONOLLY replied, and intimated that he would
leave the 8.11 in the hands of the Government, feeling
immured that they would take it up.
The 'Bill WAS then withdrawn.
BUILDING OF CHURCHES. &c., BILL

Mr. FREWEN moved the second reading of this
Bill, the main object of which was to provide for the
repairs and erection of churches in parishes where there
was a large population, and a goad endowment for a
clergyman in existence, but where no service was per-
formed in etinbequenee either of .the church being in a
ruinous condition and uninhabitable, or of there being n,)
o'aurch at all.
The SPEAKER intimated that there were certain
clatves in the Bill which did not come within its
title. The Bill must therefore be withdrawn.
Mr. FREWEN said, of course be must how to the
decision of the Soeaker.
Mr. GLADSTONE also pointed out other clauses
which wrre not included in the title. He thought the
Hon. Member, before introducing tin Bill, ought to have
submitted it to a preliminary inquiry.
The Bill was then withdrawn.
PARISH CONSTABLES' BILL.
Mr. DEEDES moved Liao second readi;:g of this Bill.
4'iaAie, betiBELL thought the provisions of the
Billtrortwutd not sullicietly encourage parish constables
Sir joEisPermanently in their office.
impose a la TROLLOPE observed that the Bill would
rat„ for th,,rgine and entirely new charge on the poor-
ding constablCat'uanee of parochial and superinten-
lief of the poorlieohhught that the fund for the re-
an expense of ~at not to be charged with
tirely foreign to''''l4. nature, which was en-
be met by a &p,,cialt. and which ought to
rate. He did not rusk.: chul)°ll°' or parish-c,,n*table
of opposing the second reaZotv,ervations with the view
the 411 went before cuoatlit but he trussed that when
remaed. T-. 4. '. ,f . ~ ea : . .
his objk..ction m'ght be
AiAKt..Eft.r
tteferswtevag_retiaorafirzorz Au
4 FRANCHISEMENT OF
" L',Tbis Bill R nnt
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tncitto.tr:t..ral.l9oLNDßYs andls lr4Mtbr.

INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT PARTNER.
SHIPS BILL.
Mr. SLANEY moved the second reading of this Bill,
which he said was to give to persons of small means co-
operating together the benefit of a cheap tribunal for
r.-ference. He should have no objection to th,, Bill being
referred to a SPl,ct Committee.
Mr. HENLEY said he approved of
ecethesa princi
to prefer
le of
the Bill, but he thought it would be nsry
it to a Select Committee.
The Bill was then read a second time and ordered to
be referred to a Select Committee.
PROCLAMATION FOR ASSEMBLING PAR-
LIAMENT BILL.
This Bill was read a second time.
BURGHS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
MILITIA BILL.
Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that it was his in.
tention to move amendments on this Bill, but not to
oppose the principle altogether, as had been erroneously
supposed.
Mr. PA.CKE presented a petition against the Militia
Bill.
INDUSTRIAL AND
HIPS PROVIDENT PARTNER-
Mr.S
SLANEY presented a number of petitions in
favour of this Bill.
The House then adjourned.

HEALTHOF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.
(From the Registrar-General's Report.)
The mortality of London again exhibits a slight in-
crease, the deaths in the previous week (ending the 10th
of April) having been 1,051, those in the week that
ended last Saturday being 1.092. In the ten corres-
ponding weeks of 1842.51 the average number of deaths
was 944, which, it raised in proportion to increase of
poptliatlOD, becomes 1,038. The mortality of last week
therefore exceeds the corrected average by 54 deaths.
In comparing the returns of the last two weeks, it ap-
pears that there is a small increase in epidemics, in die-
eases of the nervous system, the heart, and the digestive
organs, but a decrease in diseases of the organs of re-
spiration, and also in the tubercular class. Small-pox,
which in the previous week was fatal in 34 cases,
numbers in the present return 38, which are those
of 31 children and 7 adults, 6 of whom were 20 years
of age and upwards. In 6 cases it is stated that vac-
cination had been previously performed, and in these,
the patients died at the following ages:-2, 3,7, 10, 22
27 years. Measles has increased in the two weeks from
11 deaths to 18; typhus, remittent fever, &a., from 51
to 56. Influenza numbered iu the two weeks respectively
4 and 6 cases; croup 8 and 10. Last week there were
2 caused by syphilis, and 1 by noma. The wife of a
labourer, aged 26 years, died suddenly on 31st March,
at 21, Goodman'a-yard, Whitechapel, from cholera. An
inquest was held on the body.
The class which includes diseases of the respiratory
organs still exhibits a great excess above the ordinary
amount at this period; the number of deaths referred to
it last week being 214. whilst the average of correspond-
ing weeks. corrected tor increase of population, is only
165. In these weeks the actual numbers ranged from
107 to 185, which latter amount is much below what is
now experienced. Bronchitis predominates, and, with
the exception of phthisis, produces at present a greater
mortality than any other disease on the list.lt carried
off 102 persons; pneumonia, 77. Plithists was fatal to
139; its mortality, which is always great, is not sensibly
aggravated by causes that have given additional force to
other diseases.

STATE OF THE WEATHER DURING THE PAST WEEK.
SUNDAY.—The sky was covered with cloud till 10h. A. ,
and clear during the remainder of the day.
MONDAY.—The sky was overcast till 9h.30m.An1, and
clear afterwards.
TUESDAY —Three-fourths of the sky ware covered till 9h
A.m., and clear during the remainder of the day; stratus
and haze. _ .

W EDNISDAY.....-The sky was cloudless throughout the day.
THIMSDAY.—Three • fourths of the sky were covered till
9h. A.M. clear until 6h. r.H., and overcast afterwards;
cirrostratus.
Fume.y.—The sky was covered with cloud till noon, and
clear during the remainder of the day; cirrocumulus and
cirrostratus.
SATURDAY.--The sky was clear till near noon, three-
fourths were covered with cloud until 7h. P. M., and overcast
afterwards; cnmulostratus and cirrostratus.
ELECTR.ICITY.—ApriII, between Oh. and 3h. P.M , and on
April 17, after noon, positive, with moderate tension.
The mean reading of a thermometer placed on the main-
mast, and read each day at 9h. A.I. was 43.0 Q ; and the mean
reading at 9h. P.M. was 438° ; the mean readings at the
Royal Observatory for the same times were 47-6 Q and 43-6 Q
respectively.
The reading of the barometer increased from 30.06 in.
at the beginning of the week to 30-19 in. by 9h. AM. on
the 13th, and decreased to 29.72 in. by the end of the week.

MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS.
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN
THE WHEN ENDING SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1552.
Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases ...232
:S„eas„s of Uncertain Seat ...
Dthieseßa6rel.,..Nerve.s., and .gen5e5........ 14988
Tpiusbeeasreeusl aor
108
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 43
Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of
Respiration ... ... 214
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs
of Digestion... ... 55
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. ... 17
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, Ste. ... 12
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles ... 11
Diseases of the Skin, Sto. 2

Malformations...
Premature Birth

... ... ... ... ... 4
... ... .. ... ... 41

17
Atrophy ... ... ... ... •••
Old Age ... ... ••• ••• ... ... 46
Sudden ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3
Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance ... 34
Causes not specified ... ... ••• ••• ... 7

DEATHS PROM ALL CAUSES
Population Deaths in cone-
Enumerated, sponding week
1851. of 1851.
geit Districts... 376,427 . . 174 „..

North Districts.. 490,396
Central i)istriets 393,256
East Districts ... 485,522

204
182
194

South Districts.. 616,635

1,092
Deaths
in tht
Week
203
19S
205
220
266

Totals... 2,362,236 ... 998 1,992
Males ... ... 551
Females ... 541

BIRTHS IN THE WEE&
Males ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• 805
Females ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• 839

Total ... ... ... ... ...1,644
*ln this number are included 36 by Scarlatina, 47
by Typhus Fever, and 15 by Diarrhoea.

THE DRAMA IN ANCIENT ROME.

The plays re.oresenre I at. Rome were divided into
two classes:—l. The Pallitce 2. The Togate. Iu
th- first -he characters in the piece were entirely
Grecia : in the latter they were wholly Raman.
Fhe Togata were subdivided into pretextatte, when
the play was tragedy ; thA tabernarim. when the
scenes lay in low Cif» ; Eh- attell ince, or farces ; and
the trabeake, when the scene lay in the camp; they
had likewise mimes and pantomimes.
The chorus consisted sometimes of one person,
though generally of several, who stood on the stage
during the representation, at first, without any share
in the action of the piece, and, as was supposed, in
the character of spectators. Tneir business seems to
have been singing during the pauses in the action,
and delivering moral reflections on what was repre-
sented on the sage; afterwards, they were incorpo-
rated with the ac ton as a species of attendants. These
theatrical appendages were at last laid aside, because
it was thought to appear improbable that intrigues
which usually are to be kept secret should be carried
on in their presence.
Flutes were played during the whole time of the
performance, and the chief musician, beating time,
directed the actors when they were to raise and when
to depress their voices. Sometimes one person re-
cited the words, and another performed the action of
the same part. The tibia or flutes were of various
kinds. Tne best account of the manner in which
they were used is given us by Madame Dacier, as
follows :--
" The prrformers played on two flutes during the
whole of the representation. They stopped the vents of
one of them with the righ‘ hand ; that flute was, there-
(ore, called right•handed. The other was stopped with
the lett, and caile3 a left-handed flate. 111 the first there
boas
but a few holes, which occasioned it to give a deep
.55 sound; in the other the holes were very numerous;
said to be
ia- flute sounded a sharp shrill note. When a
stihneisatr,iiste—suwheexoa
comedy by two flutes of a diff:)rent. sound, it was.
played T. zbus dextrzs et
flutes,th
flues,f
e
if they were of a deep Played Tibiis paribus sameda • sound, it was said to be
equal
tris with equal right-handed
of a surill sound. The sound, aid Tibiis paribus
left-handedh flutes, when they were
sinistris With
Lydian, the It-banded rt-handed flutes were called
d flutes."yran the unequal Phrygian,
as were also the crook,.
The tragic and comic actors we
cortuva
distinguished
from each other by the covering theiroire
h feet.r s, with
The
tragedians wore a sort of boot,called
a very high heel, which was intended e give them a
commanding majestic appearance. The comedians
wore a light shoe or slipper, called soccus•
These
distinctions were preserved in comparatively modern
dramatic representations, tragedians wearing
or bouts, and comedians a slipper or socks. buskins
At the end of a play the Romans closed their scenes
which, instead of falling from the roof of the theatre
downwards, were constructed so as to ascend from the
ground ; so that when the stage was to be exposed to
the view of the spectators the curtain began to
descend, disclosing the upper portion of the scene be-
fore the lower ; and when the piece was concluded
the curtain was drawn up again. The an-
cients originally performed their plays in the open
sir, with no scenery but that furnished by nature.
As they became more refined they erected theatres,
as we have observed, and divided their perform-
ances into three kinds, tragic, comic, and pastoral.
Toe Romany were exceedingly fond of these en-
tertainments. Magistrates were appointed to ex-
hibit them, and the people even devoted to the
theatre part of the time usually allotted to more
weighty affairs, as their plays were usually performed
in the day time. .alagnificent theatres were erected
BM sometimes even by private
at the pal? expofl4e,
'n447'4131.1; A deactiptiori of one f-Jf ,t4ege

is recorded by Pliny. The scenes were divided into
three partitions, one above another. The first con-
sisted of one hundred and twenty marble pillars, the.
second of the same number of pillars, most curiously
carved and ornamented with glass ; the third of the
saint number of pillars, covered with gilded tablets.
Three thousand brazen statues filled up the spaces
between the pillars. This theatre would contain.
eighty thousand persons. Independently of the ordi-
nary representations, plays were performed on all
solemn occasions, at the public feasts and games, and
at the funerals of eminent citizens. No opportunity,
indeed, seems to have been neglected to promote this
species of entertainment at Rome, and no nation, an-
cient or modern, appears to have cultivated the intel-
lectual recreation of the drama with greater success
than the Romans.