The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-28 00:00:00

Social Science Congress.

YORK, Tuesday Afternoon.

The weather still continues all that can be de-
sired, and many of the members have been amusing
themselves by visiting the " lions" of the city—the
Roman Catholic pro-Cathedral, the Castle, School
for the Blind, Training College, Subscription
Library, Industrial School, and Museum. all coming
in for a fair share of patronage. Last night a
crowded meeting was held in the lecture hall, Good-
ranagate, for the purpose of hearing speeches on
social science, in connection with intemperance and
public-houses. There were more than a thousand
persons present. Amongst the speakers were the
Rev. T. Hutton, M.A. ; F. Thorpe, Esq., Rev. Elias
Schrenk, Dr. F. Lees, Mr. John Plummer, Mr. J.
H. Paper, and others.
This morning the Festival Cancerteroom was
again well attended, principally by ladies, the oc-
casion being the delivery of Sir Charles Hastings's
address, as President of the Department of Health.
Lied Brougham presided,
Sir CHARLES HASTINGS, in the course of his
remarks, said :—lt is matter of congratulation that
the council have set forth for consideration at this
meeting some problems intimately connected with
the progress of sanitary science; the three subjects
BO pointed out being : The best mode of disposing
of the sewage of towns; the causes of, and the
means of preventing, excessive mortality among
infants ; and the influence on health of the over-
crowded dwellings of the working classes. Nothing
cm be more certain than that the mortality of
towns is greatly increased by the imperfection of
the means for disposing of their sewage, and that
a satisfactory solution of this question is a desidera-
tum of great importance. The sewage thus col.
lected has been heedlessly cast into rivers to pollute
their waters, to destroy one source of food supply
in their swarms of fish, and to convert the healthful
stream into an impure ditch. The revelations that
have been made in the returns of the Itegistrar.Gene.
ral, and the results of recent laborious investigation
in large towns on the subject of infant mcrtality, are
absolutely appalling. This mortality cannot be said
to be peculiar to any state of society, for it exists
under circumstances most dissimilar in our urban
and rural population. Infant mortality is very high
in rural districts. In the meantime it is clear that
in our large towns potent agencies are ever at work
to which much of the deadly destruction may be
charged. The impure air of crowded, badly venti-
lated, and badly drained dwellings is singularly
inimical to young life, Then, again, the poor form
a large proportion of almost all communities,
and a deficient supply of nutriment to the in-
fant is the frequent consequence of the want by
the parents of the necessaries of life. Many sues
cumb to the influence of epidemics, and thoee who
survive grow up a debilitated race, and never bring
the fall quota of health to the life of their regene-
ration. Of these diseases, scarlatina is peculiarly
destructive. Considering the progress of sanitary
science, it is mortifying to reflect that within the
last year we hive had to deplore a serious loss
of young life in many parts of the kingdom from
this epidemic, Perhaps there is no view of society
more dishearten'mg than that which is afforded by
the facts lately brought to light respecting the
marderaus destruction of infant life. Nearly one-
third of the number of incrusts last year-6,506--
were held upon infants under seven years old, of
whom over 1,0)0 were illegitimate. There were
held 3,644 inquests on children under a year old,
and of these nearly 1,000 were illegitimate. There
can be no doubt that the crime of infanticide is of
frightful prevalence. The public meeting over which
Dr. L Inkester presided some time ago at the Free.
masons" Cavern, was a move in the right direction.
What is the influence on health of the over crowded
dwellings inhabited by the working classes ? The
reply to this inquiry is of paramount importance.
Over-crowding is not confined to the inhabitants of
towns; it exists to a great extent in the rural es
well as in the urban districts, and is in each case a
pregnant source of disease. There is no doubt that
its effects are most conspicuous in towns, but the
cottages in country districts are often so over-
crowded that 103 s than 100 cubic feet of air is
ailotted to each inhabitan`. ; and when any epidemic
vi3itation appears in such localities, a higher rate
of mortality is caused, especially among the
young. Perhaps of all the questions relative to the
improvement in towns, that of over crowding is
most difficult of solution. The misfortune-is that
the diminution of the evil in one part of the town
has a tendency to increase it in another. Thus the
destruction of old streets and the formation of new
not unfrequently has the effect of forcing the work.
ing people into habitations more crowded and more
objectionable than those they have left. Model
lodging-houses tiave in many instances been erected
to set an example of improvement, and to show how
much the health of the worst localities can be im-
proved. But unless the municipal authorities in
our towns can be convinced that it is their duty to
take the lead in this movement, it is not probable
that anything adequate to the extent of the evil
will be achieved. I may observe that the spread
of epidemic fever is greatly aided by overcrowding
and want of ventilation in houses. Perhaps of all
causes this has most to do with incubating and dif-
fueing fevers which are known as inflammatory or
relapsing fever, typhus, enteric, and gastric fever.
Model lodging-houses have been instrumental in
diminishing the death.rate of crowded localities ;
though no doubt improved drainage and water sup.
ply have acted powerfully is the same direction.
A forcible illustration may be seen in the improved
sanitary arrangements of our prisons. It is, how-
ever, not less certain that alterations of the soil and
surface of a country are influential in modifying
the "eharacter and abating the prevalence of par-
ticular diseases of the febrile type. I am in a con•
diaion to prove that a very great alteration of the
soil and surface of the county of Worcester took
place in the latter part of the last century. The
chase of Malvern was, up to a comparatively recent
period, a Royal forest, and as it was situated in the
vale of the Severn, and liable to be inundated, its
rank vegetation would be likely to produce miasma
of an active kind—a sufficient cause at once for the
prevalence of ague. . Towards the end of the last
century, nearly the whole of this chase, which con-
tained many hundred acres o f land, was enclosed.
The effect of this enclosure and of the cultiva-
tion of the soil was considerably to alter
the surface of the country, and to make
the land drier. There was not, indeed,
any such scientific drainage as is now practised with
so much advantage to agriculture ; bat the mere
effect of ploughing, of making water-courses and
ditches, and the substitution of serial crops for rank
vegetation, must have had a great effect in remov
ing water from the surface of the land, and in
diminishing miasmatous exhalations. So that, as
regards Worcestershire, the disappearance of ague
seems to be accounted for by its being coincident
with a very material diminution of the causes
which are known to produce the disease. The alte-
ration of the type of disease in Worcestershire is not
confined to intermittent fever, bat I think to some
degree an equally satisfactory explanation can be
given of other changes. It is possible that the day
may come when, as in smallpox, a mild disease may
be substituted for scarlet fever ; and some conti-
nental physicians have brought forward facts which,
if duly authenticated, would render it even probable.
Bat were such a discovery assured, it is to be feared,
shou4l the community at large remain as ignorant
of physiological laws as at present, that great in-
difference would be manifested as to the utilisation
of the benefit. The history of vaccination and of
the opposition made to its general introduction
among our population, is a striking proof of the
athlete adherence to preconceived notions created
by uninformed prejedice. The mortality from
smallpox is no doubt greatly diminished, but it is
still Considerable, and this, in a great degree, from
the igneranee and apathy too much prevailing on
the subject. The
portion of protection of vaccination is ac-
cepted by only
the community, and
that a smaller proportion than in many other civi-
lised States ; so that the British Isles are deriving
less advantage from the genius of
their immortal
countryman than are the inhabitants of other lands.
The same remark applies to our colonies,
as is seen
from the occurrence of smallpox among our troops
stationed in various parts of her Majesty's demi-

nions. Among the causes which operate to produce
this lamentable state of things, the following seem
to be the chief :-
1. The carelessness and want of foresight of a large num-
ber of the population, who seldom think of providing
against the evils of a future day, and wh In smallpox is not
prevalent, neglect to vaccinate their children.

2. The prejudices of a few who persist in believing that
vaccination is irjurious ; who ignore the plain proofs of the
enormous benefits it has conferred, and who therefore refuse
to have their children vaccinated.

3. The insufficient payment of public vaccinators under
the Poor Law Act, the fee usually paid being so low that it
fails to induce them to seek out children who have not been
vaccinated; and they consequently only vaccinate the chile
dren brought to them.
4. the want of a duly authorised medical officer to see
that the provisions of the Vaccination Act are properly car-
ried out, great irregularities consequently occur, especially
in the issue and returns of the certificates of vaccination.
6. The want of a more complete registration of births.
Many children are born who are not registered, and it be-
comes impossible to give the notice for vaccination.
6. A general aversion on the part of the public to legis-
lation in a matter which they believe to involve interference
with their natural rights. This feeling, however praise-
worthy and useful in some cases, is, when acting in the
wrong direction, fatal to all combined action for the civilisa-
tion of man, which requires that many individual tights
shall be given up for the benefit of the community. This
feeling not only exists among the poorer classes of the
population, but even among the wealthy and influential,
forms a serious barrier to the adequate carrying out of many
sanitary measures.

Some of these obstacles in the way of the diminu-
tion, if we may not hope for the final eradication of
a terrible disease, may be removed by legislation,
and we ought, as far as possible, to impress on Pars
liament the duty it has to perform in this direction.
The cry of the liberty of the subject ought to be
scouted in every case when the exercise of this so-
called liberty endangers the lives and health of
others. It is just as criminal, and calls as loudly
for the interference of police authority, to spread
smallpox by the exposure of persons infected, as
it is to set fire to a barn or hayrick. Looking,
then, at the great advances already made, and the
many efforts that we see originated around us, we
may have good hope for the future. The time will
assuredly come when the laws of health will be
generally known and obeyed throughout the com-
munity. None of us are likely to reach that day,
but we may hasten its coming for a future genera-
tion, and even now we may see it and rejoice.
Already the average term of human life is increas-
ing year by year in England and Wales, owing to
better drainage, freer ventilation, a wider diffusion
of the comforts of life, and greater moderation in
the use of fermented liquors. It must be a matter
of congratulation to this association that one of our
members, and one who has taken a deep interest in
our proceedings, is now guiding the destinies of
India, Sir John Lawrence has paid much attention
to sanitary investigation, and I understand that one
of the last steps he took before sailing to the scene
of his vice-regal labours, was to obtain from the
office of the association the valuable papers of Miss
Nightingale on health in India, and others bearing
on the same subject.
The paper was received with much applause. At
the conclusion the labours of the different depart •
ments commenced. In the Jurisprudence depart■
meat, papers entitled " On what principle should
the law deal with questions of responsibility and
mental competence in civil and criminal cases re-
spectively ?'' were contributed by J. F. Stephen,
Esq., barrister-at-law, and S. W. North, M.R.C.S.
The reading of these papers was followed by much
discussion. In the Reformatory section Miss Car-
penter read a paper on the " Non••imprisonment of
children." Other papers on the subject of crime
and reformatories were also read.

The General Average section was again attended
by most of the foreign delegates at present staying
in York. In the second department, that of
Education, various papers were read on subjects
connected with education, such as Statistics of
Elementary Education in York, Adult Education,
Lancashire and Cheshire Mechanics' Institutes,
The Half-time System, &c. In the Health depart-
mezit, the questions of the Causes of the Rejection
of Recruits in the Manufacturing Districts,
Extension of the Factory Laws, Employment of
Children in Sweeping Chimneys, To wn and Village
Kitchens for Sick-room Cookery for the Pcor,
&c., were ventilated. In the Economy and Trade
department, Mr. John Noble read a paper contri-
buted by W. P. Urquhart, M.P., who was pre,
vented from attending. Apologising for reading a
suhjcct which had been discussed at previous meet-
ings, he stated that his wish was to show that the

theory, or rather certainty, that whatever was
most conducive to the gcod of the community wee
also the most profitable to each of the various st c-
tions of which the community was composed, WAS
applicable to the question of taxation. He quoted
largely from the writings of Locke, the philosopher,
in support of his views, and investigated the work-
ing of local rates, the principle of which he ap
proved. He pointed out the injurious effects of
heavy taxation upon trade and industry, quoting
from Mr. M'Culloch in support of his assertions.
Perhaps the most remarkable change in the con-
dition of the land had taken place in the memory
of men now living—he alluded to the time of the
Peace of Paris, when Government attempted to
bolster the price of wheat up to 80s. per quarter,
and when the cry of agricultural districts rang
throughout the kingdom. The substitution of
direct taxation to some extent in the place of in-
direct taxation, had remedied these evils. He then
discussed the income-tax question, proposing a
scheme for the purpose of laying the whole burden
of taxation upon rent, leaving trade, agriculture,
and commerce absolutely free, and defending his
views with much force and ability. The reading
of this and the subsequent paper attracted a strong
gathering of the Liverpool financial reformers, who
manifested great interest in the proceedings. Mr.
Noble then read a paper contributed by the Liver-
pool Financial Reform Association, entitled, "Free
Trade and Direct Taxation," which occupied some
time in its perusal. It is said that the principles
which should regulate the levy of taxation had
already been discussed five times, but the op.
ponents of direct taxation had failed to make
out their case. The poor were the greatest suf-
ferers uader the system of indirect taxation. All
revenue is raised from rents, profits, and wages.
By direct taxation we take what is certainly re-
quired by the state ; by indirect taxation we have to
pay a much larger sum, in the shape of profits upon
capital advanced to pay duties, and the expenses
incurred in the collection of those duties. Direct
taxation would save the taxpayer 2-3ds of the
money now paid by him in the shape of taxes.
Alluding at much length to the arguments in favour
of direct taxation, and defending them from the
attacks of opponents, it was contended the adoption
of direct taxation would be in accordance with the
rules laid down by Adam Smith and other political
economists, and would enable commerce to go
forth freely, leading civilisation with one hand
and peace in the other, thereby rendering mankind
happier, wiser, and better. The discussion which
ensued was of a very spirited nature, and was con-
tinuing as we left the room. If time permitted, it
was intended to read a paper by John Yeats, LL.D ,
on " The National Exodus : its Consequences and
Results," in which he showed that increase of popu-
lation has not equalled the increase of wealth. This
he attributed to emigration from this country—as a
remedy for which he proposed the application of
every available means of increased culture, intel-
lectual, moral, and physical, amongst the people,
Giving statistics respecting the extent of emigra-
tion during late years, and analysing the various
classes of emigrants, he showed that while emigre-

tion from old countries to new is necessary to both,
yet if enforced by want it becomes dangerous. He
would remedy the evils of excessive emigration by
1333kir: ,; the whole population 88f-supporting, by
rendering them more intelligent and better in-
formed.
In the new section, Agricultural Economy, E
Holland, Dq., M.P., presided, assisted by Professor
J. Wilson. The first paper read was by Edwin
Chadwick, C. 8., on " Piece Work in Agri-
culture," in which he said that, if the rudimentary
principles to which the great progress in manufac-
tures is due were applied to the land, large differ-
ences in sgricuitural and economical results would
be obtained. Manufacturing success was principally
L due to the system of piece work, or payment for

the amount of work actually done. In the metro•
politan market gardens, examples are afforded of
the more extended application of the prine
ciples of piece work, with advanced results, such as
practical witnesses declare to be applicable to the
working of farms. On the piece work principle the
advance in wages obtained by the labourers is equal
to an increase of 30 per cent. He contrasted the
difference between the farmer and the manufacturer,
the labourer and the operative, and asked where
Lancashire would have been had work been the
rule in its workshops and factories ? He also al-
luded to the bill brought in by Mr Scholefield, M.P.
for the purpose of enabling the principal, or the
employer in any concern, to give to his subordinates
shares of profits, and also imposed responsibilities
for losses, without making them partners. This
bill did not receive the attention which it deserved.
Such a system was in operation in Holland, where
it operated most advantageously. He recommended
the subject to the association, who would render
much service to agriculture as well as trade by agi-
tating to free it from such injurious restraints as
are at present imposed upon it, and to advance the
great social and administrative object of making
interest incident with duty.
Captain O'BRIEN then read a lengthy paper on

"The Sale and Transport of Cattle," in which he
alluded to the vast quantities of diseased meat sold
in the market, and the evils there occasioned. In-
spection of cattle seemed to be the only remedy;
but all legislation on the subject was beset with
difficulty. Many laws which had been passed on
the subject had become inoperative. He then
traced a plan whereby some amelioration of the
evil might, he conceived, be reasonably hoped for,
and detailed the arguments in favour of the same.
The Rev. Canon RANDOLPH then read a paper
on "Statute Hirings," and was followed by the
Rev. T. Hutton, M.A., rector of Stilton, and late
chaplain of Northampton gaol, who, in a paper on
"Agricultural Gangs," gave a fearful picture of
rural life in some of the midland and marshland
districts. He said that gangs of children, aged from
five to 16 years of age, were prevalent in those dis-
tricts. These gangs general!y numbered about 40
children in each. The children were hired by the
masters of their parents, the contract being for
12 months. These masters were generally labour-
ing men, and lent out the whole or portion of the
gang to those farmers who required their services
in field work. Very frequently the children had to
walk a considerable distance to the scene of their
labours. The effects of this state of thicgs was
terrible in the extreme. The children were virtu-
ally slaves, and possessed no means of escape. In
one village there were eight gangs of 40 children
each. Five of these were mixed gangs, that is
consisting of boys and girls; two were of girls
only, and one was composed of boys. The demo.
ralisation entailed by the admixture of the sexes
was frightful. Education was neglected, while
vice prevailed in all directions. The younger chil-
dren were corrupted by the depraved language and
behaviour of the elder gangers, and speedily became
as bad as them. He knew cases where the children
had to seek the ganger as late as 10 o'clock at
night in the publichouse, for the purpose of obtain-
ing their wages. The very worst features of child
labour in manufacturing towns were reproduced in
the agricultural districts to which he alluded, and
he deemed that the case called for Government in-
terference. He wished that the half-time measure
could be introduced, but that, of course, was a
matter for consideration.

To-night there is to b 3 a grand conversazicne
n the Assemby Rooms.

THE REGISTRATIONS,

MIDDLESEX.

Mr Edmond Beaks, revising barrister for the county of
Middlesex, held his court yesterday, at the court-house,
Edgware, for the revision of the lists of persons claiming to
vote in right of their holdin IT in the parishes of Edgware,
Finelly, Great Stanmore, Little Stanmore, Harrow, Pinner,
and Kingsbury.
Mr William Albert James, agent for the Middlesex Re-
gistration Association, 22, Parliament-street, represented
the Liberal interest; Mr Thomas Alley Jones, 1, Clifford's
Inn (with whom was his eldest son, Mr A. Jones), appeared
for and represented the committee of the Conservative Socie-
ty ; and Mr Henry Smith, Norfolk-street, Strand, repre-
sented the National Conservative Association.

On the opening of the court, and before the business of
the revision eommenced,

The Revising Barrister said—l wish to advert to a report
which I have seen in the newspapers that is not quite cor •
rect. It states that I decided that in the case of the Rev.
Ma Stirling, an Independent minister, his claim to vote was
bad on account of his appointment not being for life. That
is not the ground upon which I disallowed the claim ; that
point was not entered into. It was one that would require
very great consideratien. The ground on which I held the
vote not to be good was that there was nothing to connect
the rev gentleman with the property. Under the deed there
was nothing to show that he had any interest whatever in
the property in respect to which he claimed to vote. I wish
that to be clearly understood. The question as to whether a
Dissenting minister claiming in respect to an appointment
for life is entitled or not is one which involves very seri-us
considerations—one which I should have entered into at
much greater length before I decided the vote was bad on
account of his appointment not being for life.
Mr James—l have not seen the report to-day.
The Revising Barrister—lt is a serious question as to
Dissenting ministers' appointment not being for life, and I
should require it to be argued, and consider it carefully. The
ground on which I refused the vote was because under the
deed he did not show his appointment was for lile, or that
he had any interest in the property he claimed for.
The question here dropped, and the Barrister proceeded
with the provision of the lists.
In the parish of Stanmore F. W. Phipps claimed to have
his name inserted in the register in right of a'qualification
described as "lease £5B per year." The property not being
described at all, the claimant was objected to by both
parties.

The overseer of the parish suggested that the omission of
description might be supplied.
The Liberal and Conservative agents were agreed in
opinion that the barrister could not insert a qualification
where none was described by the claimant.
The Barrister concurred in the views thus expressed, and
the name was accordingly expunged.
A. similar case occurred in the Edgware polling district,
wherein Mr Duncan Davidson claimed to have his name
inserted in the register as proprietor, " The Hermitage."
The
with which several edeseription
sheinerg defective, the claim was disallowed,
a fate al other claims to the qualification
were visited on the ground of insufficient description—a dis-
appointment which might not have befallen the claimants
had they attended the court to describe their qualifications
correc' ly, or given instructions to the agents on the one side
or the other.
The Barrister said that it was with reluctance he was
obliged to strike the name out of the lists ; and in reply to
an overseer, intimated that where claims were insufficiently
filled up, overseers might correct the defect, and perfect the
description before publishing the hate.
The Barrister will hold his court this day at Hampstead
for the revision of the lists of persons desiring to vote in
the polling district.
* The Revising Barrister says ho did not state that the
claim of the Rev. Mr Stribling was bad on the ground
that his appointment was not for life. The learned gentle-
man has a perfect right to correct an error if he considers
that he has been misunderstood ; but if be did not say, on
looking at the deed of conveyance, and at another deed also
handed in, " the appointment is not for life," then why did
Mr Smith, the Conservative agent, who opposed the claim,
enjoin, " And that being so, the vote would be bad, even if
the deeds were connected."

Mr Smith's argument in opposing the claim was, that
by the trust deed from which he quoted, " the building
(chapel) was to be. set apart for the worship of Almighty
God, according to certain articles there set out; and should
the minister cease to hold those articles of faith, he would
be subject to removal by a majority of communicants, as he
would, also, if guilty of immoral conduct," thus urging
the question whether the appointment was one for life.