The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-13 00:00:00

changes and improvements had really worked out
their end without producing disastrous conse-
quences, and that they had warmed the heart of
the nation in increasing its wealth. Accordingly,
such Acts of Parliament roust not be regarded only
in the light of the formal manner in which they
take their place in the Statute-book, but they bear
a deeper and a far wider significance. They should
be looked upon "as angels of mercy, ministers of
peace, and restorers of union through every
part and corner of the land." Times are changed,
indeed, when we thus find a leading statesman, an
important member of Parliament, and an ir,fluential
Minister of State deliberately ascribing the bene-
ficial influences at work among the community to
the good sense and improved temper of the people,
and when be considers it a better result of the
tactics of hie party that they do not excite the
wrath of his opponents than that they have been
carried triumphantly through an opposing Senate,
and been ordained as the leaders of the land. The
days are not so very distant when no politician of
repute ever thought of appearing in public without
doing his utmost to scatter opprobrium and clever
ridicule upon his adversaries, be they good, bad, or
indifferent. In fact, it was the secret of success to
damage the opposing party more than to exalt one's
own. In the Chancellor of the Exchequer's discourse
we find a comprehensive view taken of public, party,
and social questions which is worthy of his high
position and great influence, and does honour to his
discernment and good taste. Of course, so eminent
a scholar would appreciate the efforts made to
establish institutes and such refining and elevating
establishments amid a busy and bustling race, cons
sumed by toil and traffic, and living in the ceaseless
din and turmoil of active life and stupendous
engagements in mighty undertakings. He observed
that he had regarded with satisfaction the growth
of such institutions among them, " all of which are
a testimony to the great truth that man does not
live by bread alone—that he has a mind, a rational
and immortal part—that he is born for the future
more than for the present, and that all real im-
provement which takes place among us is invari-
ably attended with this condition—it looks forward
to and prepares to meet the future." If such an
effect is the end of these works they can seek no
better consummation and aspire to no holier issue.
It is the chief drawback to manufacturing engage-
ments and commercial pursuits that they have a
tendency to give the material the ascendancy in the
minds and thoughts of men. Let us eat and drink,
for to-morrow we die, has been the secret
maxim, if not the acknowledged prac-
tice, of many an envied millionaire and
successful speculator, and the sentiment in a
lesser degree is shared by the smaller ones around
them. All that tends to interpose a chock upon
such grovelling notions should be welcomed, and
a man of thought and experience like the CHAN-
CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER must be among the first
to acknowledge the fatal error that the acquisition
of wealth, the increase of commerce, and the pro-
sperity of trade are to be welcomed as the objects
of life, to the neglect of all better, brighter aims—
all upward, nobler tendencies. The people of Lane
cashire deserve great credit for the zeal which
they have ever and anon displayed in the fostering
and nurture of their literary institutions, and they
have reaped their reward in the thought that they
have felt in their hour of need to meet trials with
the fortitude that befits men, and the faith that be-
comes Christians. Mr. GLADSTONE truly said that
they had shown during winters of extreme affliction
that they need no preaching from extraneous per-
sona to tell them how to act, and to comport them-
selves in difficulties. The right hon. gentleman
alluded to the improved prospects which now
dawned upon them in respect to cotton, because the
other countries of the world were found to be cap-
able of supplying, in some measure at least, the
deficiencies caused by the stoppage of trade with
America. The right hon. gentleman expressed his
earnest hope and well-grounded conviction that the
present evils were temporary, thOugh extremely
severe, and that the time was not so very far off,
when they should see " the vast and gigantic sys-
tem of enterprise :on which the fortunes of South
Lancashire principally depend again restored to the
whole extent of its former operations, with a cer-
tainty and stability which, in the former circum-
stancee, it never would have been able to attain."
There was great moderation manifested in the tone
which Mr. GLADSTONE adopted in discoursing on
public affairs and the conduct of those who took
charge of them. He fearlessly admitted that ex.
cellence was difficult to attain, and perfection im-
possible in such high requirements. " The concerns
of this vast empire are so mighty, and of so compli-
cated a character, that to handle them as they ought
to be handled, altogether exceeds and transcends
human strength." There is more real dignity in
thus acknowledging one's deficiencies than in
parading supposed successes and lauding one's-
self and one's colleagues to the uttermost.
Mr. GLADSTONE briefly touched upon the Legis-
lature as a body, and declared that it for the
most part reflected the temper of the nation, and
represented its opinions. After a hard day's
work people get tired, and thus be considered
Parliament had earned a right to rest after the
many useful acts passed of late years. The right
hon. gentleman concluded by expressing a hope
that never again should we witness such a period
as that which distinguished the reign of WILLIAM
IV.—the crisis of the Reform Bill—but that other
improvements might be as successfully carried in
a milder form, and in a comprehensive spirit of
unity. It must be admitted that Mr. GLADSTONE
has made a very happy choice of his subjects,
and that he has contrived, in the limits of an
ordinary discourse, to treat upon the most excit-
ing objects of interest and importance to those
around him. Doubtless in future days those who
listened to his flowery discourse will recognise
the truth of many of his prophetic utterances,
and acknowledge that public affairs are not so
as some would affirm,depressing when they come
under the consideration of a master mind.

It was only to be expected that the news from
Lancashire should show a less favourable aspect
as the season advanced, and the Central Relief
Committee, with the prudence that has distin-
guished their operations throughout, took care
some time since to caution the public that a tem-
porary increase of distress was probable. The rise
in the number of unemployed, and the falling of
from full time to short time, in many quarters, is
due, however, in a great measure, to other reasons
than the approach of winter. It is true that the
harvest operations have hitherto offered a resource
to a good many of the enforced idlers, and that
these are now concluded ; but the fluctuations of
trade have more to do with the increased distress
than either the conclusion of haymaking, or even
the lack of cotton. The condition of the money
market has, it is said, been partly the cause of the
number of closed mills ; and other commercial
reasons, including, of coarse, deficient supply of the
raw material, have contributed to check the tide of
returning prosperity. At the same time there is
no ground for panic, nor, indeed, fcr any very
serious anxiety, since the present state of affairs is
not likely to be more than temporary, and is only
what has been foreseen from the co mencement of

the better times. Then will be many such varies
tions before the stream flows on as of old ; there
will be ebb and flow, prosperity and adversity, in
quick succession ; but so long as there is the
prospect of a fair and increasing supply of cotton
from sources wholly independent of the
American war there is no ground for public un-
easiness. In the meantime the question is how to
deal with the present pressure, and the Central
Committee as usual are prompt in action. At their
monthly meeting held in Manchester on Monday
last it was decided that they should assemble
weekly for the next fortnight, so as to act with
the caution necessary under existing circumstances.
The comparative smallness of the balance in hand
renders it desirable to husband their means with a
view to the passible exigencies of the coming
winter, and accordingly at the two meetings of the
Executive and of the General Committees held on
Monday, various schemes were proposed with this
end. The Executive Committee have good right to
take credit to themselves for the prudent distribu-
tion of the funds entrusted to their care, for, as
they justly remark in their report, the balance now
in hand would not exist if they had not striven to
enforce as much economy as appeared consistent
with the wellbeing of the people. The precautions
hitherto observed are now again enforced, and the
Executive Committee especially recommend " that
an increase should take place in the number of face
tory operatives employed on public works, and that
a larger proportion of the unemployed hitherto
should receive relief from the Boards of Guardians
or from local subscriptions." They further advise
the separate action in all cases of the Boards
of Guardians and of the District Committees.
With regard to the Public Works Act, the state
of affairs now brought to light is not
altogether satisfactory. Some unforeseen and un-
necessary difficulties seem to lie in the way, and
the result is that although large sums are raised
and extensive works carried on those for whom the
Act was especially intended do not get a fair share
of its benefits. Thus in Manchester, where there
are aboat 9,000 people out of employment, only
155 cotton operatives are now employed on the
public works, although £85,000 have been received
from the Commissioners, The Mayor complains
that great difficulty has been experienced in getting
from the guardians as many men as they required,
and further stated that the guardians were in the
habit of making periodical returns of the number
of persons who were fit for employment on public
works, and that at the close of September there was
a total of 65, most of whom had niece been absorbed.
But the standard of efficiency must be very rigid if
so small a proportion of 9,000 are certified, and we
cannot help thinking that such a result does not at
all meet the intentions of Parliament, or the neces-
sities of the population. Even in Blackburn, where
the number employed is much larger, only 340 fac-
tory operatives are employed to 500 labourers. It
appears to be a miracle to carry out these works by
contract, since the contractors naturally prefer to
get the best men they can for the money, so as to
get the work done well and quickly. if the object
is to give the unemployed operatives remunerative
occupation, and so relieve the rates, it is
by no means the best way to attain
it to employ ordinary contractors as agents.
The proportion of able-bodied men to the whole
number of factory operatives may very probably
be much smaller than is generally supposed, but
the best does not seem to be made of the matter.
The public will be inclined to echo Lord EGER-
TON'S remark, that "he never imagined it was
necessary that men should be sent by the guar-
dians before they could come under the Public
Works Act, and that if it were so, he hoped steps
would be taken to extend its benefits to others!.
The less of a double agency there is the better, and
the local jealousies which are apt to exist between
two authorities are better avoided, as far as possible.
It would be very desirable to stretch the Act a
little further, and to be a little less rigid in the ex-
clusion of those who do not quite come up to the
recognised standard. The High Sheriff, Sir J.
KAY SFIUTTLEWORTH, remarked upon the necess
sity which existed for increased efforts on the part
of the local authorities in this matter. He said
very justly that the pressure, which was likely to
occur during the winter months, ought to be met
by increased exertions in placing factory operatives
on public works. It is not fair those districts
which are profiting by the Act to raise money and
carry out lasting improvements in their vicinity to
neglect those to assist whom the Act was specially
passed, and to leave them to depend upon the
diminished resources of the Relief Fund. An in.
crease of 12,000 in the recipients of
relief demands some corresponding ewers
tion, and this is so plain and practical
a way of affording assistance that there is no excuse
for not carrying it out to the fullest possible extent.
It is also very wise on the part of the Committee
to insist upon a fair share of relief being given by
the guardians, so that the two sources of aid may
be kept apart. If the Relief Fund is to be called
upon to supplement the allowance of the guardians
its stores will soon be exhausted, whereas, on the
other hand, if the relief administered is to be only
at the rate of ls. or ls. 3J. per head a week, there
is good cause to apprehend disease and famine. We
are glad to find that previous to the resolution passed
by the Committee on Monday, the Blackburn guar-
dians had nearly doubled their rate of relief, and
the determination of the Committee not to make
grants to any town, unless the parochial relief
averages 2s. a head, is likely to induce other dis-
tricts to follow their example. It would be very
shortsighted kindness to the ratepayers were the
Committee to expend all the sum they have in
hand, and leave themselves without the power of
mitigating future pressure. There is little doubt
that, if need be, further subscriptions will be
promptly forthcoming, but there is every reason for
preserving a cheerful and hopeful spirit, since the
crisis is but of a temporary character. Not only
have we the past to look back upon with wonder
and thankfulness, but we have every ground for
anticipating the constant, if gradual, increase in
our supply of cotton which has already, indepen-
dently of American sources, been augmented to
an amount which most persons would have deemed
scarcely credible some two years since,

THE NEW REGISTRAR IN BANKRuPTcY.--The
Lord Chancellor has appointed Mr. James Stephen.
of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law, to be a registrar of
the Court of Bankruptcy for the Leeds district, in the room
of Mr S trona Payn^, who retires on account of ago and
inurmil y, after a service of upwards of twenty years, Mr
Stephen was called to the bar in 1846, has obtained the
degree of LL. U., is Professor of English Law and Jurispru-
dence at King's College, and is also Recorder of Poole.
TUE QUEEN'S HoßsEs.—lt will be thought very
naturally that the finest stud of all classes of horses
is to be found in the Queen's stables. And probably in the
days of Gorge IV. this was the case, hut at present the
Sovereign's tastes do not include horseflesh. Probably the
influence of Prince Albert had a great deal to do with the
neglect into which the royal stables had fallen. His royal
highness neither knew nor c tred anything about horse-
flesh, and the consequence is that at the present momeni
there is scarcely a horse in the Buckingham Palace stables
that can be considered first rate, and many of them are
shocking jades. The public had an opportunity of witness-
ing the second rate character of the animals sent to conve),
the Princess Alexandra into London—animals that our
leading nobility would not have in their stables. The
riding horses are of a more inferior nature still ; with out
exception, those used by the Prince of Wales.—Once a