The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-27 00:00:00

measure is not a subsidy, but a guarantee for a
loan, and that it is to be rer.aid out of the colonial
resources. Under these circumstances it is, cer-
tainly, the least we
411 do to give our colonists
this temporary assiAance, which, we trust, for their
own sakes, will be the last they will require at our
hands.

It is unquestionably a great advantage that some-
thing should be done to alleviate, so far as possible,
the fearful amount of misery that is endured by the
poorer classes during the winter months. Last year
the 'season was very inclement, it is true, but the
det ails that constantly met the eye ware frightful,
an d it seemed a disgrace to our management that
cr,e should suffer such a state of things /o continue.
The difficulties twat always attend any attempt to

succour the needy in an cfficie I form, are almost ins
superable, and this, therefore, must bj taken as
some excuse for thp length of time that elapses be-
fore anything decisive is ever:done. Mr. VILLIERS

deserves credit for the energy he exhibited in push.
ing forward the Poor Relief Metropolis Bill on

Monday. It is satisfactory that he succeeded in his
attempts to get it passed through committee, for
although doubtless there may be many defects in
its structure, still it is a step in the right direction,
and until some decisive steps are taken and scme

experiments made, it is impossible to come to a con-
clusion as to how and in what form relief may be

speedily and effectually administered. It must ap.
pear to those who look at this subject in an abstrac'

form that the chief mistake that occurs in our tree

ment of the affair is, that too much discussion is

raised on the point. No one can allow the proposal
of another to be carried out without patting in some
proviso of his own. The result is retort and argu.

ment, and too often the eager and excited theorists
lose sight of the practical part of their dispute alto-
gether in their determined opposition to each other's
plans. The result is a sad and serious one. It may
seem nothing to those who are at case to put off this
bill or that measure till a new session, but long be-
fore that period arrives the dark, long nights of
winter have done their work, and cold, hunger, and
exposure have carried off many to untimely graves.
It is always a pity to put off the decision on any
question, and, if possible, to avoid delay, but in a
case that relates to the welfare of the houseless, the
distressed, and the outcast, it is most deplorable that
nothing should be done fer so long a time as must
elapse before the opportunity for legislation again
presents itself. Mr. VILLIERS explained that this
bill did not deserve the reproach that had been cast
upon it—that it was introducing a new principle
into legislation—because it happens that there is
an Act now in existence which enforced that " the
property of the metropolis ought to bear the ex-
pense of the support of these poor people." This

measure now introduced is a modification of tha

scheme, and therefore offered great advantages to
their view. Certainly something must be done, and
it seems advisable to make trial of any suggestion
rather than adopt the very mischievous plan cf
doing nothing at all. It will be far batter that
scores of those whom the new measure offends are
displeased and put to inconvenience than that one
houseless wanderer shall perish in our streets for
want of aid and assistance. If the broad principles
of humanity came more into play in these matters,
instead of always falling back upon the narrow doc-
trines of routine and the hard, cold measures of
selfish views and interested motives, how much
better it would be, and how much more good might
be effected. Lord R. CECIL's proposal to limit the
duration of the Bill to next spring was a very wise
one, and met the objections of many. The noble lord
said he was unwilling to incur the responsibility of
doing nothing to alleviate the distressed cases which
every winter so abundantly presented, and yet that
many did not yet rightly understand and fully
approve of the bill. lc is always wise to adopt
some half way course of this kind when the Case is
of an urgent nr.Ature, and all sides deserve credit for
thus compr",aing:an affair which involved such vital
interest in its issues. Those who look upon the
cone.-ition of their poor and afflicted fellow•creatures
Pith concern, and lament the bitter sufferings
that they are so often compelled to endure, will
rejoice that this measure will now be carried out.
This session has been worse than profitless, for
much harm has been done to the cause of justice,
and the influence which the English Parliament
ought to exercise has been thrown away, but it is
satisfactory to think that some praiseworthy
attempts have been made to remedy defects in the
working of our home machinery. The passing of
Mr. iiinnias' bill last night is a good thing, and
the intelligence must be very gratifying to all who
last year deplored the want of a similar provision
being made for the homeless, It is a step in the
right direction, and nothing can be easier than
to remedy any deficiencies that may be found to mar
the efficacy of its workings or to interfere with th©
advantages it ought to impact. Another point
gained is that, after this decisive step having been
taken, it will not be likely that the subject Iv ill be
again so much ignored as it has been. It is always
more easy to go on in an undertaking than to begin
a new one, and_this system of poor relief for the
winter may be considered as fairly in working order.
The hundred objections that are constantly being
raised to these proposals will vanish when once it
is seen that the originators of the scheme are really
in earnest, and that heir prejudices are treated
with the indifference that they deserve. The voice
of the starving seemed to cry from the ground for
succour during the last winter's long lapse of cold
and inclement weather, and every death from want
was a reproach on the system of a State that with
with so wealthy a community, could not provide a
shelter for those who were driven forth to perish.
In some degree this scandal has been removed from
our Legislature, and it is to be hoped that success
will attend this endeavour.

Lord Palmerston has signified to the directors
of the East and West Junction Railway Company that he
will bo present at the ceremony of cutting the first sod of
the railway by Lady Palmerston on Wednesday, Aug. 3:at
Towcester, five miles from the Blisworth station of the Lon-
don and North 'Western Railway. The inhabitants of the
district are preparing to give his lordship a hearty welcome.
MEYEREEER'S AFRICAINE'' AT LAST!—The
" Africaine," it is said, will be performed in January neat
at the Grand Opera. F6tis the elder, of Brussels, has been
asked, in accordance with the late composer's own wish, to
direct the rehearsals and performances.

A CHINESE EXECUTlON.—Yesterday morning,
May 17, A. King met his fate for the murder of
Mr Dore. The number of Europeans, English as well as
others, who were present showed that the circumstances
attending this murder were not forgotten ; but there was not
the vast multitude which at home usually characterise a
" public hanging." In the centre of a wide plat of land a
tent was standing, covered with red serge. This was set
apart for the official magistrate. Punctual to a minute, the
mandarins, prison officials, and others in authority arrived.
The prisoner was marched, heavily ironed, between the
police constables, and placed before the inspecting magis-
trate. His appearance excited shouts of ironical applause
from the natives; joined in, we regret to add, by many of
the Europeans present, As soon as all was ready, and en
address spoken to the prisoner by one of the acting manda-
rins, he at once went on his knees. The head representa-
tive of the execution guild then rode up, and raising his
sword as the signal, the executioner's knife fell, and all was
over. The headsman at one cut severed the head from the
body. It fell forward many feet. The blood spurted out,
the muscles of the once animate body quivered and col.
lapsed, and A niing lay headless and a corpse. The blow
was clean, and before many of the spectators were aware
the man's head was off. There was a general question,
" When will it begin ?" Tho time was kept to a minute,
At 10 precisely the man's head was off, and after duly
looking at the body, and seeing the manacles knocked
Off the feet, the Officials departed,—,,,s7mgliql kcyNert