The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-05 00:00:00

The Spiritualists Exposed—The Davenpor

Brothers.

(From the 2oronto Globe of Sept. 16.)

A short time since two men, representing themselves by
advertisement to be the Davenport Brothers, paid a visit to
this city, and performed what they claimed to be spiritual
manifestations. It will be remembered that the Music-
hall was crowded on each evening of their appearance, and
much speculation was indulged as to the real modus
operandi by which the tricks were performed. Some gen.
tlemen determined if possible to fathom the mystery. A
challenge was sent to the pseudo Davenport Brothers, but,
after delaying from time to time, they stated that they
would not give these gentlemen " a private seance, because
they knew they would not act with them in good faith."
After this the Davenports visited Hamilton and St. Catha-
rine's. In the latter town they were so closely concerned
for a private exhibition that they, fearing an exposé, sud-
denly left, the place. It appears that Mr Fay has been
running the concern on his own account in Cleveland, but
has met his match and been thoroughly exposed.
Mr Fay had been gleaning a very good harvest there until
the appearance of a Rev. A. S. Dobbs, who did not believe
the spirits had anything to do with the "manifestations."
He challenged Fay, and said that what Fay would do he
would follow. The challenge was accepted, a night ap-
pointed for the trial, but we will let the Cleveland Herald of
the 28th August tell the rest of the story :
A fair audience, composed about equally, we should
judge, of believers in spiritualism and those who did not,
assembled in Brainard's-hall. About 8 o'clock Mr Dobbs
made his appearance. He remarked that plays and tricks
were all very well in their place, and were often a great
source of amusement, which was necessary to our happiness,
but no person had a right to use tricks and mummeries and
deceptions in the sacred name of religion. After a few more
remarks he proceeded to hie exposition.
Fay and his wife came into the hall, apparently in high
feather, to all appearance confident of the utter failure of the
attempt to expose their manifestations. The same committee
that acted for Mr Fay—John S. Ryder and W. R. Mound
—were chosen to act for Mr Dobbs. They examined the
box and pronounced it similar to the one used by Fay. Mr
Dobbs then entered the cabinet, the lights were turned
down, and the spirits proceeded to tie him fast, which they
did in an incredibly short space of time. The lights were
turned on, the doors of the cage thrown open, and there sat
the reverend gen' lemen, tied tight in hands, arms, legs and
body. The committee reported that he was fully as tightly
tied as Mr Fay was, although the knot was slightly
different. A manifest though not extravagant round
of applause greeted the report. The doors were then closed
and he went rapidly forward,doing one after another all the
marvels ever attempted by Fay. Loud noises were heard
in the box, and the sound of bells, beating of drums, and
various ether demonstrations. When the " spirit hand".
was exhinited through the aperture the house came down
with a perfect storm of applause. Several times during the
evening Fay had attempted to interrupt the proceedings, but
he always answered good humouredly, and was told that
when the performance came to a clog, if he was loot satis-

fled, he could ask as many questions as he chose. He then
announced that he would do the vest trick, which Fay would
seldom do before a public audience, but reserved for the edifi-
cation of believers, in private circles, as the spirits had told
him that it was too mysterious and sublime for unbelieving
eyes to behold. About this time, the Fe) s began to show
strong symptoms of wishing ihey were somewhere else; but
still H. Melville put as good a face on matters as possible.
It was evident the sympathies of the audience were fast
running towards the Rev. Mr Dobbs. He was succeeding
admirably. A vest was borrowed from a gentleman in the
audience and placed in the box, not in reach of the operator
—for it must be remembered that during all these demon-
strations he was not only tied tightly down to his seat by
strong cords, but his hands and feet were so securely
fastened that it seemed almost impossible for him to move.
The doors were closed, the room darkened, and on less than
a minute he called for light, and there was a vest, with one
arm of the operator pas Jed through the armhole, and his
hands still tied as tightly as before. Tho applause now
was deafening, and the heads of the Fays and some of their
more ardent admirers, and firm believers came down
another peg. The great flour test seemed to be Fay's
best holt, as ha had alluded to it once or twice dur-
ing the evening, Mr Dobbs now gave notice that he
would attempt it. The committee placed in each of his
tied hands a small portion of flour, and in less than two
minutes the spirit hand and other demonstrations were
made, but when the doors were opened he walked upon the
stage with the full amount of flour still in his hands, The
audience now rose in one wild shout. The wonderful and
miraculous "flour test" was triumphantly accomplished.
Down went the crest 0 the Fays and their friends another
notch.

Mr Dobbs then proceeded to explain to the audience; the
whole minutru of these tricks. He was tied in a chair by the
committee on the stage, in the full glare of the gaslight,
where all had a good view, and untied himself with the
greatest esse, and in a very short space of time. He demon-
strated fully how the knots were tied, and lucidly explained
how the " tricks in the box" were accomplished. He did
many more remarkable things during the evening than we
have mentioned, but as they are done in a similar way it is
unnecessary to go into further detail. Suffice it to say that
it was a most searching, thorough, and successful exposi-

tion of one of the boldest humbugs ever practised upon a
confiding community, and the Rev. Mr Dobbs deserves the
thanks of all who hold religion sacred, and we hope he will
not give up the good work commenced, but will follow not
only Fay, but the Davenport Boys, and expose them in
every town in which they may attempt to exhibit.
It seems that Fay is an old practitioner, and has been
often exposed, though never so thoroughly as by the Rev.
Mr Dobbs, who showed him up in the winter of 1863, hav-
ing been appointed on the committee to examine Fay, who
was then giving exhibitions at Titusville, and having dis-
covered the modus operandi of the affair at that time he fol-
lowed the fellow up, through Western Pennsylvania, ex-
posing him everywhere. and driving him out of the country
into the east. He received a splendid gold watch for his
efforts in the matter.

It is to be hoped that this revelation will open the eyes
of the people to the manifold devices which the Davenport
Boys and other mediums are constantly palming off upon
them. Let them no longer be decived.

HEALTH OF LONDON.

(From the Registrar-Genercil's Report.)

The deaths registered in London in the week that ended
on Saturday were 1,284, showing a slight increase on the
number in the previous week, which was 1,229. If the
deaths from epidemic cholera in the 39th week of 1854'are
excluded, it will be found that the average number of deaths
in corresponding weeks of tea years, 1854-63, was 1,138,
and if this result be corrected for increase of population, it
becomes 1,252. Therefore the deaths registered last week
exceeded the estimated number by 33.

Zymotic diseases were fatal in 404 case., the corrected
average being 438. The most fatal disease in this class is
scarlatina, which caused 93 deaths, being an increase of 23
on the number in the previous week. Seven deaths from
this disease occurred in the sub-district of St. Paul, Dept-
ford, 4 in that of Lambeth Church first, 4 in that of Mile-
end Old-town eastern, 4 in that of Ilaggerstone East, and 4
in that of South Hackney. Ten children died from diph-
theria. Typhus caused 70 deaths. Smallpox was fatal to 11
persons, 2 of whom were adults. The mortality from
diarrhoea is decreasing under the influence of lower tempe-
rature ; last week 6G persons died from this disease. Three
children die -1 from cholera.

Phthisis was fatal in 151 cases, 76 persons died from bron-
chitis, 57 from pneumonia, and 26 from other diseases of the
respiratory organs. _ _

One hundred and thirty-four persons died from diseases
of the brain and nervous system, 46 from diseases of the
heart. Seven deaths were caused from delirium tremens,
and 4 by carbuncle.
Forty-three deaths were caused by accidents. Seven per-
sons were kills d by vehicles in the streets, S infants were
suffocated, 5 children were burnt, and 7 persons drowned.
Eight persons committed hnicide. A carman, aged 5, died
from taking an overdose of Epsom salts.
Four nonagenarians and ono centenarian died during the
week ; the latter, who was formerly a carman, died in St.
Pancras Workhouse at the age (as stated) of 100 years.
Last week the births of 1,062 boys and 961 girls, in all
2,032 children, wero registered in London. In the 10 cor-
responding weeks of the years 1854-63 the average number
(corrected) was 1,900.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 30.078 in. The barome-
trical reading was 30.24 in. on Monday, and decreased to
29.94 in. on Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in
the week was 54'5 deg., which is 0.2 deg, above the average
of the same week in 43 years (as determined by Mr Glashier).
The highest day temperature was 68.8 deg. on Sunday,
The lowest night temperature was 42.0 deg. on Thursday.
The entire range of temperature in the week was, therefore,
26.8 deg, The moan of the highest temperatures of the
water of the Thames was 61.5 deg; that of the lowest was
59.2 deg. The difference between the mean dew-point
temperature and air temperature was 6.0 deg. The mean
degree of humidity of the air was 80, complete saturation
being represented by 100. The direction of the wind was
variable.

The births registered in Dublin during the week ending
the Ist of October were 161, and the deaths were 100, in a
population of 254,803 (in 1861), spread over an area of 3,808
statute acres.

The Wreck of the Brig Arthur M'Kenzie.

The following is the report of Mr R, 0. Stewart, resident
magistrate, principal officer of Customs at Port Waikato,
who was assisted by Mr D. Simpson, marine surveyor, and
Mr G. R. Breton, superintendent of water transport, and
formerly a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, as nautical asses-
sors, to inquire into the cause of the wreck of the brig
Arthur Id'Kenzie, at the mouth of the Waikato River on
the let June, 1864 :
To the Honourable the Commissioners of Customs for
the Colony of New Zealand.

We, the undersigned, having met and carefully inquired
inta the circumstances attending the loss of the brig Arthur
M.Kenzie, have the honour to report as follows our
opinion the loss of the vessel may be attributed to the fol-
lowing circumstances:-1. That the beacons of the port as
at present erected are not of sufficient dimensions to ensure
their being seen from the offing. 2. So the fact that, at the
time of the brig running in, the schooner Daring happened
to be ashore on the South Bank, with all sail set, and her
head pointing towards the harbour, in such a position as to
lead to the impression that she was a vessel entering the
port. Such appears to have been the opinion of the Master
of the Arthur M'Kenzie. 3. To the want of judgment on
the part of the Master of the brig in using Drury's chart of
1857 in preference to Boulton's of 1863, both of which
charts were on board at the time of the wreck, and to the
apparent want of attention in neglecting to keep the proper
bearings on after making one of the beacons, and further to
a want of discretion on his part in taking the bar (to which
he was a total st ranger) with the last of the ebb tido, no
sufficient reason having been shown for his anxiety to get
into port. We respectfully recommend the Colonial Governs
ment forthwith to carry into effect the suggestions of Capt.
Fisher and Mr Todd relative to the buoys, &c., for showing
the channel and anchorage, as fully detailed in the evidence.
From the evidence of Mr Marshall, it would appear that
the bar is liable to shift, but for the last 27 years (since
1837) the change has been so trifling that, if the outer of
the large beacons now in course of proparation were erected
on a slide such alterations might at all times be indicated.
We have the honour to annex hereto the depositions taken
before us yesterday, and to recommend the valuable infor-
mation therein contained regarding this port to the atten-
tion of the proper authorities.
Dated at Port Waikato this 9th day of June,
in the year 1864.

It. 0. STEWART.
DANIEL SIMPSON,
G. R. BRETON.

A WHALE IN ROTIIESAY BAY.—A few days ago
a whale, estimated at some 40 or 50 feet in length,
was discovered disporting itself in Rothesay Bay,
During its gambols it approached within 150 yards of the
shore at Huntly Place ; but, finding itself getting into
shallow water, rose to the surface through a shoal of her-
rings, or some other kind of fish, over which were hovering
an immense flock of gulls. These latter were so terrified
by the presence of such an unwelcome visitor, that they
instantly dispersed, screaming in all directions. The whale
gave one of his peculiar snoring blasts, then a tremendous
plunge, turning the sea all around into foam, and quickly
made off into deep water. It rose to the surface afterwards
several times, on each occasion bating about 20 feet of its
murky back:

Their magFz7ne at B-Itcdere was about 40 ft-lt
long by 30ft in width, end consisted of hit° floors.
It wat, erected about four year ago, and stood at a
distr.nce of 60 or 70 yards from that of Messrs.

3all. Like that, too, it had a wooden jetty pro-
toting into the river for the loading and uric ding

. _
of gunpowder. No one had entered it on the morn•
ing of the explosion.
The number of persons killed and wounded by
the explosion has now also been ascertained with
tolerable accuracy. Five have died, and there are

five mere missing—namely, a man named Wright,
who was employed as under storekeeper at the
magazine of Messrs. Hall, and four men who Davi•

...
gated the two barges that blew up. The names of

,he latter are William Jemmett, master, and Luke

Barker, mate, of the barge Good Design; and
John Dodson, captain, and Daniel Wise, mate, of
the barge Harriet. The dead are George Rayner,

storekeeper at the magazine of Messrs. Hall ; John
Yorke, a boy of 13, employed there ; Elizabeth
Wright, about the same age, daughter of the miss-
ing under.storekeeper ; and John Hubbard and

James Eaves. The two last named were labonriug
men, unconnected with the magazines, but who
were engaged in constructing a river wall in their
immediate vicinity, At the time of the explosion
they were collecting their tools in an outhouse at-
tached to the cottage of Walter Silver, the store-

keeper at the Lowood magazine, preparatory to
beginning work for the day. Seven of the sufferers
are at Guy's Hospital, and ali doing well, with one
exception. There are also a few others in and.
about Erith who are more or less injured. One of
these, John Simms, a boy of 11, was gathering

mushrooms, with an elder brother, at the time of
the explosion, about 100 yards from the principal

- -
magazine. He sustained serious injuries, but his

brother escaped unhurt. He was struck on the
head with what he thought was a brick, and which
tore off the scalp at the back and depressed a por•

inn of the skull partly upon the brain, He is now

under treatment by Dr. Tipple, of Erith, and hopes

are entertained that he may recover. William

Yorke, aged 6 years, a younger brother of the boy
John Yorke, who was killed, was picked up among
the. ruins just after the explosion, badly injured.

'Two pieces of wood about two inches and a half
long, and one a quarter and the other half an inch
thick, have since been extracted from his head,
where they were completely buried, and one of
which pressed upon the brain. Captain Maillop
kindly took the poor little sufferer into his house,
where he still remains, but in a somewhat preca-

rious state. Three children, between 8 and 11

years of age, were staying with Walter Silver

at the time of-the explosion. One of the three,
Samuel Fletcher, his nephew, he had sent to

post a letter. The boy had just left the cottage

when the explosion was heard, and he was thrown
down and had two of his ribs broken. He
was at the moment passing the man Hubbard, who
was killed on the spot. Another of the children
escaped with a few scratches, while a third, Eliza-
beth Osborn, with whom it was playing, received
injuries from which she is not expected to recover.
The escape of Silver himself was little less than

T.niraculousL He was straining milk through TEIE,'*O

just within the back door of his cottage when ha
wad startled and thrown down by the first explo:zion
in the barge, while the second and still more ap-
palling one in the nisgz zine shattered the house about
his ears. Hs was afterwards dug out of the ruins
with a few bruises about the head and body, and
has since being going about.
A public meeting has been held in Frith with

the view to obtain corupansation for the serious
damage occasioned to property in the town and
neighbourhood by the explosion, or, at all events,
protection from any similar catastrophe in future.
It was attended by the principal inhabitants of the
place, and also of Belvedere. Archdeacon Smith,
the vicar, who acted as chairman, commented upon
the vast and almost overwhelming calamity which
had suddenly befallen that district. There were,
he said, some points connected with the catastrophe

which were not unworthy of remark. Among these
were the zeal and alacrity displayed by the entire
population to render every aid under the direful
circumstances, and the singular sobriety and praise.
worthy demeanour manifestedsby the thousands of
persons, from remote places, whose curiosity led
them to visit the spot. They had, indeed, reason
to be thankful for that ready aid, which doubt.
less prevented a mighty river from asserting
its dominion, and again flowing over the broad

acres where it no doubt at one time found its

original bed. The great sacrifice of property
was, after al], as nothing when compared to the
sacrifice of human life; and he hoped it would go
forth to the world that the sympathy of that meet-

ing with their fallen brethren was paramount. He
conceived that the meeting had assembled for two

objects. First, it desired to make a well-considered
and temperate expression of regret, or he might in*
deed say remonstrance, against the re-erection of
powder factories so near populous localities ; and

they wished also to consider the question of loss and
compensation, and to come to some decision as to
who was responsible. Resolutions were afterwards
passed to the effect that the disaster clearly proved
the impropriety of large quantites of gunpowder and
other explosive materials being allowed to be manu.
factured or stored in the vicinity of populous places,
and that communications be made to the Homes
office and to the licensing magistrates, pointing out
the dangers attending the establishment of gun.
powdermanufactories and warehouses in such places,
and urging the discontinuance of existing licensee
and the refusal to grant new ones for such places in
future. A committee composed of 17 of the chief
inhabitants, with the Archdeacon at their head, was
appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting.
The committee was also instructed to consider the
mode of carrying gunpowder in barges and the dan-
gers attending it, as pointed out by Capt. M'Killop,
with the view to make a proper representation to
the Government on the subject. Before separating
the meeting passed a unanimous resolution marking
their high sense of the services rendered by Mr
Moore, civil engineer, Mr Webster, the contractor
at Crossness Point, and his men, and of the mirit7.ry
authorities at -Woolwich on the sad occasion—ser-
vices which, by the speedy restoration of the M.
bankment of the river, tended to preserve a large
district of country from inundation. It was stated
that Messrs Hall had undertaken to provide for the
widows and orphans of the men who perished by
the catastrophe.
It is but due to the authorities of the North Kent
Railway to state that in the enormous pressure put
upon them on Sunday by the thousands upon thous
sands of visitors to the scene of the calamity they
had recourse to a stringent regulation which no
doubt greatly conduced to the safety of the passen-
gers in the emergency. The trains as they filled
were dispatched one after another at intervals
ficieritly long to prevent danger from collision, but
' in addition to that no train wss allowed under any
circumstances to leave a station until a telegraphic)
message had been received that the train immedis
' ately preceding it had left the station in advance of
this rule adhered to that
iit.ll both itmhpeedroawtivnelay was
atshe up journeys the trains
, were often detained a considerable time at a stag
tion, This, of course, with respect to the up-journey,
caused great delay in bringing such an enormous
number of people back to London, but it was justis
fled by the paramount consideration of the public
safety.

C 0 M E T.
T H E

.-
riIHE C omET, for OCTOBER, 2d., by po,t 3d.
Allen, 20, Warwick-lane, Paternoster-row.

R. ALFRED MELLON'S CONCERTS.
LAST NIGHT BUT THREE.
POT A.L ITALIAN OPERA HOUSE, COVENT-GARDEN.
The following Artistes will apear THIS :
Vo alists —Mdlle. C. Patti and Mr p EVENING-
Lewis Thomas. Pianiste
—Mid le. 'Krebs. Cornet-31r. Levy. Vio in—Mr. W. H.
MIL Organ -Mir. Pitman. Harpists 31r. J. B. Chattert n,
Miss Trust, &Ir. H. Trust, and Mr. J. Thomas ani Contra
Basso, signor Fottesini. Bands of the Coldstream Ind
Grenadier Guards, &o
ComEctor—Mr. ALFRED MELLON
Promenade, Amphitheatre StallsPriv, andate Box Amphithes, eatrls. e, One
; Dress Circle, 2s. Cd. ; .£1
10s. 6d.

Commence at Eight.
TO-MORROW (Thursday`, THE LAST BEETHOVEN
kTLi HT. On Friday the Concert will be Miscellaneous. And
cn Saturday, positive y the last night of the Concer.e, or
the Benefit of Mr. Allred Mel on.

9rHEATRE ROYAL. DRURY-LANE.--
Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton.
rrrus EVENING, AN APRIL FOOL. Mr. R. Roxby,
. G. Belmore ; Miss Hudspeth.
After which, the Second Part of Shakespere's Play of
HENRY THE FOURTH. Mr Phelps; Messrs R. Roxby.
Edmund Phelps, G. F, Neville, Barrett, A. Raynor, Ray-
mond, F. Morton, &c.; Mrs. H. Vandenhoff, Mrs. Wallace,
Miss E. Falconer, and Miss Collier.
Commence at Seven.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYNIARKET,—
Lessee. M'. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, BACCHUS AND ARIADNE.
Alter which, MADEMOISELLE D BELLE ISLE
es
.
M,.ssrs. Howe, Farren, Gordon, BairdE , ,tc ; Mesdam
Beatrice, Ange', &c.
An,-1 THE CASTLE OF ANDALLTIA. Messrs. Wei
i 9,
Buckstone, Chippendale, Compton, RogSers, Farren, Matthi
son, &c, ; Mesdames `To coeiss,mmence at 7 Keeley, Griffith, e&;..

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING,. BORN O GOOD LUCK. I addy
R
0' afferty, Mr. Dotninick Murray.
After which, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fi her. D. Murray, J. Nelson, 11.
Forreter. H. Mellon ;Henry Marston, Miss Emma
j3arnett, and Miss F..nny Gwynne.

NEW THEATRE-RO YAL, ADELPHI.—
Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, GOOD FOR NOTHING. Messrs. J.
Clarke, Billington, Lburne, and Mrs. Allred Mellon.
After which, THE IRISH AMBASSADOR. Sir Patrick
O'Flenipo (with son<2,B`, Mr. John Collins. supported by
Messrs. Billington, Stephenson; Miss Ilenrie ta simms and
Mrs. Billington.
To conclude with TEDDY THE TILER. Teddy (with
ongs, Mr. John Collins.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Benjamin Webster.
EMIN EN f TALENT AND COMEDY.
This popular I heatre is Open for the Winter Season. Those
celebrated artistes Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews are re-engaged.
THIS EVENING, Mr. Arthur Sketehley's highly successful
and original Comedy of HOW WILL THEY GET OUT
01` IT ? Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, 31r. and Mrs. F.
leatthews, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. 11, J. Montague ; Miss
-mentworth, and Mrs. Stirling,,
After which, USED UP. Mr. C. Mathews, Mr. Ashley ;
Miss Wentworth.
To conclude with UNDER THE ROSE.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, a New Comedy Farce. by Maddison
Morton, Esq., entitled WOOD OCK'S LITTLE GAME.
Mr. C. Mathews, Mrs. F. Matthews.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanborough.
T,Eit-; EVENING, JNLIMITE 1) CONFIDENCE.
Followed by, at Eight, MILKY wurrE. Messrs. Craven,
Stoyle, James ; Mesdames Swanbor ugh and Mande:s.
After which, the great Burt'sque, THE MILLER AND
HIS MEN. Messrs. Fenton, James, and Thorne; Mesdames
Swan.borough, Simpson. Johnstone, Hughes, and Carson.

BLACK SILKS.—The price of Silks in the raw
material has already r sen 15 per cent., and it will soon
reach A far greater per-tentage. Messrs. JAY, therefore,
Invite their numerJus patrons to take adv intage of the stock
they have on hand, which they c now dispcme of on favour-
able terms ; but the same qualities will naturally b.: more
coAly as the price of silk fluctuates to a higher average
JAY'S,
217, 219, and 251, Regent-street.

COUNTRY and SEASIDE DRESSES.
Messrs. JAI, of Regent-street, have now in stock a
variety of WASHING SILK DIEESSES, sultatle for the
country and seaside, and at the clearing-out price of only
.£llls. 6d. the dress.

JAY'S,
247, 249, and 251, Regent-street.

COALS.—The LILLESHAL L COMPANY'S
COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis' .255. per ton. I Double ..21s. per ton.
Top 21s. „ Deep
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, south Whari,
Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N.
Hest Coke
Terms cash.
JOHN SCOTT, sole

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
vex be had Every Evening of
G. It. GLMNIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

THE LATES r EDITION of ''THE SUN"
supplied, as soon as published every Evening by
II ENRY BROOKS, Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-
street, W.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tins DAY.—Morning, 4h. 20m..—Afternoon, 412. 40m.
fo•MO RR 0 W.-3i oming, 4h. 561n.--Afternoon, sh. 15m.

.t,,. ,
cilro
(i! r-x7540.:1-ipirrott

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5, 1864.

During the last few days there have been many
speeches delivered in various parts of the country
which touched upon subjects of foreign importance
and of domestic interest. At an anniversary dinner
of the Beneficial Society, the Hon. RALPH DUTTON,
as one of the county members, addressed the
assembly. The hon. member appears to think that
there will not be a dissolution until the Spring of
1866. This is certainly strange intelligence,
although the reason give❑ for it makes it not so
unlikely as might at first appear. Mr. DurToN
declared that it was the intention of Lord PAL-

MEItSTON to hold the House together as long as he
could. He then went on to comment upon the fact
that the noble lord this month would reach his
eightieth year, but that that circumstance did not
detract from his ability to fulfil the duties of his
responsible position. " Since the time of WILLIAM
of ORANGE it has not been known for a Prime
Minister to lead the country at the age of eighty
years," said the speaker, and certainly it is a re-
markable event in the annals of the statesmanship
of the land. Much may be attributed to the noble
lord's easy way of taking things; he does not give
way to the " fret that doth consume us," but always
endeavours to take the bright side of things. Setting
aside the consideration of politics altogether, the
noble lord must be regarded as a bright example
to the political world for energy and perseverance.
By his zeal in continuing his work to the
List he proves that he is still imbued
with the spirit of his more active years,
and takes an interest in public affairs which
no private considerations can cancel or supersede.
Mr. DUTTON announced his intention of retiring
frpm the representation of South Hants at the next
g neral election,cn consequence of objections having
been taken to his vote in the great division of the
session. He is justified in the adoption of such
.a
course ; and, in acting in conformity with the opi-
nions that have been suggested to him by others,
that " those who held Conservative opinions should
represent the Conservative opinions of those who
elected them upon all occlsions." It is a very awk■
ward combination of events when, at the moment
or a great party division, numbers desert the stan-

d xrd under which they arc supprmed to be enrolled,
and this it is which so often mars the Effct of well
organised schemes of attack, and defeats efforts
whose success might eventually greatly benefit the
country. NI
-r DUTTON made the old mistake of
asserting that he could not give a vote which would
plunge the country in war. In the first place, it
was by no means certain that the result of the Cone
slr,9tive3 taking office would have been war ; and
also, it is the duty of members to Clonsidor which
is the most direct and honourable course for their
country to pursq, and not only which is the safest
and the most convenient. Sir JERTIS C. JERTOISE,
the colleagu3 of Mr. DUTTON, was of quite a con•
trary opinion as to the necessity of his resignation,

for he considered that it was perfectly impossible,
under any circumstances, to have acceded to the
terms of the vote proposed by the Opposition. It
inferred that the great influence of England was
gone, and, exclaimed Sir JEltvoisE. " Who would
dare to assert such a thing ?" It may be answered
to the hon. member that there are many who be-
lieve it, not only with feelings of shame and regret
in this country, but with sentiments of scorn and
ridicule abroad. He went on to beg the question,
by asking, Where had the influence gone, or who
had got it ? " Was it Prussia or Austria, who were
trying their rifled cannon upon helpless nations
fighting with pop guns ? Was it Prussia, who
carried on a correspondence with our Foreign
Secretary, who was supposed to meddle in e iery-
thing ?" It does not appertain to the question
where the influence has gone, but why it should
have departed from among us, which most assuredly
to a great extent it has. Some console themselves
by thinking that we have at all events raised our
voices against the perpetration of wrong; but that
is only a sorry comfort, after all, for the people of
a powerful country to receive at the termination of
an unjust war and the commencement of a destroy-
ing peace. The Right Hon. Sir F. BARING observed
that he did not concur with those who asserted that
England was bound to go to war on account of
having remonstrated in cases of injustice; he did
not think that the honour of the country was at all
compromised by having protested against wrong,
although afterwards it was found not convenient to
go to war. This tame style of thinking and com-
promising expediency of action were not the
theories that were held by our forefathers,
who lived in the stirring days of the
world's history, and the dangers which
have been wrought in custom, and the alterations
in so many habits and practices have effected a
deplorable transformation in the spirit of the
country if such sentiments are to be the rule of the
hour, and impress and influence the intelligence
of the community. One thing, at all events, is
most noticeable in their speeches wherever and
whenever public topics are discussed and foreign
affairs are put forward. There is a universal feel-
ing of disapprobation expressed everywhere, almost
amounting to censure and contempt for the con-
duct of the great German Powers. No man,
however much he may be imbued with
Ministerial predilections, or trained in favour
of the so called Liberal interest, ever raises
his voice in favour of the aggressors in the
late attempts to palliate the line they took. We
hear of no extenuation on the grounds of disputed
territory, no explanations of the difficulty of stop-
ping short when our quarrel had begun. It is all
plain speaking enough in most quarters. " Wrong,'
"injustice," "spoliation," are the terms employed
to designate the actions of the Prussians and their
allies. Surely something of this truth must have
by this time forced itself upon the notice of those
abroad, and at Berlin more especially, have pointed
a moral to the sad tale of Danish ruin. There are
none so blind as those who will not see; bat at
times even these are compelled to read the signs
and tokens that are around them; and if ever a
nation had cause to be ashamed of its policy, it
must be that of Prussia. Through the length and
breadth of the land there has arisen a voice of
censure; and England, misguided by her statesmen
and prevented from an active mode of expressing
her feelings, has, by the popular voice, stamped
with indignant reprobation the course pursued by
the crafty powers of Germany.

The question of the over-crowding of our la-
bourers' cottages has this year attracted a good
deal of public attention. We often find, at this
season, that matters of a social or domestic nature
become prominent—thanks to the absence of the
more engrossing topics of political life. Even as
Lancashire, debarred from her usual industry, has
been driven to exercise her energies in useful but
unattractive undertakings, so the general public,
having no longer the excitement of a Ministerial

crisis, or the interest of a protracted debate on
some Imperial question, turns its attention to those
matters of internal economy, which, in busier

times, are apt to escape notice. But there are
other reasons why the wretched condition of the
homes of the working classes should this year be
brought more prominently forward than usual,
In the Metropolis itself large numbers have been
driven from their lodgings and have, of course,
taken up their abodes in other quarters already
crowded, while in country parishes, which railways
do not trouble, the natural increase of population
makes the evil every year greater and more appa-
rent. " A Herts Vicar," in communicating the
results of his experience to a contemporary, states
that he lives in a prosperous agricultural village,
where employment is plentiful and wages good,
Consequently the inhabitants are unwilling to leave
the neighbourhood; and all familiar with the habits
of the poor must know that mere want of space
would never drive them away from a profitable
occupation. The evils of overcrowding and bad
air, so ice perfectly appreciated by the more educated
classes, if we may judge from the atmospheric con.
dition of our churches and chapels, our lecture-halls,
theatres, ball-rooms, and other places of public
assembly, to say nothing of the interior of many
private dwellings, are scarcely thought of among
those with whom the chance of obtaining food and
shelter at all is the first consideration. Landlords,
as we know, are not very willing to build cottages,
and in the country the investment would not be
profitable enough to attract the spectators who own
a large proportion of the London dwellings of the
poor. The result of all this is, as the Vicar simply
put it, that " While the population has increased,
house room has not increased in the same proportion,
83 that not only have we in many instances two
families occupying one cottage, but many of the
cottages having but one bed-room, we have parents,
grown up eons and daughters, as well as young
children, occupying the same sleeping apartment—
an apartment in too many instances barely large
enough for the healthful occupation of a fourth part
of the number usually found sleeping in it, mad with
a window, perhaps, opening to the extent of 24in, by
14in." It is not surprising, under the circumstances
that a strong man having to return to the family
sleeping-room after leaving it in the morning
should find the smell " almost enough to knock him
down." We need not wonder at the appearance of
epidemics in such a village, nor marvel that a visita-
tion of measles and fever should have carried off a
large number of the population. But the worst
part of the case is that such an instance is by no
means e. ceptional. Excepting perhaps that it
possesses some advantages in being able to give
and consequently good food, to its in'
itghaoobditawnateges,'
is in no way different from many
villages in England. The description given
above represents a state of things very common
amongst us, common in our agricultural districts,
in our manufacturing towns, in our metropolis
itself, and the evil is continually on the increase
with our increasing population. We arc startled
when some such statistics its these show us a
glimpse of its effects; but we see one-half of the
mischief in the returns of en epidemic. We do not
see the gradual sapping of strength—the injury
done to childhood—the dwarfing of mind and body
—the deterioration of physical force—and the

general demoralisation that inevitably follow such
a state of things, The evil every one can recog-
nise when it is brought before them ; the diffi-
culty is, where to look for a remedy. Yet, it must
be looked for and found, if we hope to preserve the
health and morality of the English people at any-
, thing like the national standard.

The visit which our young Prince and Princess
are now paying to Scandinavia has many interest-
ing aspects. Few can help watching with a kindly
feeling the first visit which the young wife and
mother pays to her oid home, and her delight in
exhibiting her beautiful infant to those dear ones
who cherished her own infancy. There were many
thoughts indeed which might well chequer the
pleaeure felt by the royal party on this occasion,
but by common consent princes and people put
aside every disagreeable remembrance and sad
forebodings, and agreed to see the visit only in that
domestic aspect which all northern nations sl highly
value. But though the trip of the Prince and Princess
to Sweden possessed no private relations, yet their
reception has been almost as warm, and certainly
more magnificent, than in the fair ALEXANDRA'S
native country. The enthusiasm at Stockholm has
been as great as that which transformed our own
sober London on the memorable occasion when it
welcomed the " Sea King's daughter from over the
sea." Unfortunately the elements were unpropitious
to the modern Undine, and a stormy and tedicu3 pas-
sage delayed the arrival beyond the time expected
and tired the patience of the Swedish crowds. But
their hospitable anxiety kept them still looking
out, although the northern night came down upon
them. The authorities with ready wit sent up
blue lights, and provided numerous torches, so that
he reception of the Royal yacht when she did
arrive was unexpectedly picturesque. Since then,
balls, receptions, and entertainments of various
kinds have been the order of the day, and the
Prince and Princess can bear hearty testimony to
the warmth and kindliness of their reception. Such
tokens are doubly gratifying, as showing the sym-
pathy felt for our nation by our Northern kinsfolk,
and we trust may be instrumental in drawing
closer the ties between the nations.