The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-22 00:00:00

put upon it to the extent of 381bs. to the square
inch. The result of this immense strain upon a
cheap, ill-made, and clumsily finished boiler, ot which
one part was old and the other new, was shown in
the catastrophe of Spitalfields. The owner of the
boiler, who professed an extraordinary amount Oit
ignorance for a man who was constantly employing
their assistance, confessed to having never asked
what pressure it would bear! All that he thought
necessary was that it should be good, and by good-
ness he appears to-have meant illimitable strength,
since this one small and ill-finished boiler was called
upon to supply steam power for some saw mills,
, six lathes, and one steam bench, and the machinery
of a bone cutter. The verdict of the jury would
certainly, if carried into effect, provide effectual
remedies for such a case, since, had the boiler been
stamped with the extent of its power, the owner
could not have professed ignorance, while a
Government inspector would most certainly
not have allowed such a multifarious applica-

tion of its very limited powers. It is
probable that Parliamentary interference will be
necessary, as in the case of the machinery of fac-
tories, and many other similar instances where it
has been found imperative to protect life by legis-
lative enactment. By a recent and very wise mea-
sure our chain Gables and anchors are to be hence•
forth submitted to a severe and searching test be-
fore use. Why should not steam boilers undergo a
similar ordeal before they are brought into service?
The risk is certainly not less in the latter case, as
death and destruction in its most fearful form is
often dealt mad a large mass of persons; and in
the case of such an accident occurring within the
walls of a deteely peopled factory the consequences
would be frightful in their extent. So ,largely is
steam power now employed in the ordinary pur-
poses of our trade and manufactures, and so great
are its dangers under incompetent or negligent ma-
nagement, that it is absolutely necessary that some
steps should be taken to secure the public against
this great and growing evil. Let, then, the Legisla-

cure come forward to the rescue, let the testing o:
steam boilers be made compulsory, let the extent o:

heir power be duly registered, and let qualified

inspectors be appointed to see these regulations pro-
perly carried into eact. So shall we hear less of
these terrible catastrophes, and one of man's most
wonderful discoveries be preserved as an unqualified
blessing instead of a curse; for the homely old
adage, which tells us that fire is " a good servant
but a bad master," is equally and emphatically true
of the mighty agency of steam.

The improved dwellings for the industrial classes
is a subject that is most worthy of attention, and
it is therefore interesting to observe that the asso-
ciation formed for the purpose is being carried on
steadily, and does not relax in its efforts. Lard
STANLEY presided at its meeting on Saturday, and
in his address he set forward some of the most
notable particulars connected with the affair.
Whatever is taken up by his lordship is sure to be
carefully attended to, and the most minute details
thoroughly investieated. It appears that great
difficulty has existed in finding sites ; but by this
time the evil has been partially obviated, and some
eligible localities have been fixed upon. This is
satisfactory intelligence, as in process of time
there is no doubt that a great benefit will
accrue to the classes which so especially
need assistance in this particular. There
is nothing which tends to deteriorate the
condition of the lower classes in a moral sense more
than the very unsuitable arrangements of their
dwelling houses. The subject has been constantly
brought before the public, and in various forms have
we had the painful topic presented to us. In
speeches, lectures, reports, meetings, and com-
mittees the question has been broached in all its
sad details and startling revelations, but all this
outcry does not remove the evil it expatiates upon,
nor does the language of complaint at all improve
the deplorable condition of the inmates of these
wretched abodes. The best way to put an effectual
stop to any grievance is to set to work vigorously
to alter and amend. This cannot be done by
changing the old so well as by fuenishing a new
style and state of things. It is thus that this
society is a welcome subject, and although it has
not long been established it has commenced under
good auspices, and it may be said that it has entered
upon its labours with a very flattering augury of
success. There are many advantages that will
accrue from the establishment of a society like the
present one, and beneficial effects will follow in the
train of their endeavours. If it is once seen that
proper dwellings are the order of the day, the
holders of the disgraceful tenements that now shock
those who enter them will be gradually shamed out
of them, and at ail events those who are too har-
dened to be affeated by the example of others will
not have the opportunity of monopolising the mar-
ket as they have at present. It is high time that
some of the arrangements regarding the dwellings.
of the working classes should be made by a class of
men superior to the influences which prevail among
those who have hitherto held the sway of them, as it.
were, and it is not merely the fair seeming prospect
of a change which bids us hope and expect better
things to result from the change thus promised,
though it may ba but a trivial thing to look at now.
All lasting and solid benefits were done slowly and
surely, and not in a hurry and excitement. The
difficulty in this instance is to steer clear between
the extremes of theoretical precision and practical
experiment, and the association here referred to ap-
pears so far to have avoided this danger, and to have
made the outset of their arduous endeavours in a
spirit that deserves success, and is worthy of the
elevated and excellent object which is its aim.

THE WILL OF THE LATE KING OF BAVARIA.
—A Munich journal states that the private property
of the late King is valued at 4,000,000 gulden, and that his
Majesty's will specifies that the whole of this property
shall be devoted towards those beneficent objects, calcu-
lated to promote the common good, which dui ing the life of
the King formed his chief care. One million will be de-
voted to t►:e completion, establishment, and endowment of
the Maximilian Orphan Institute for the children of ser-
vants of the State; a similar sum will bo devoted towards
the Maximilianeum in like proportions ; and, finally, a
sufficient sum will be invested in order that the scientific
undertakings —and especially those relating to history—
which were set on foot by his Majesty may be carried out,
and that the pensions conferred by him on certaia artiste,
poets, and learned men may be continued. By a codicil
to the will his Majesty orders that a mausoleum shall be
erected for himself and his consort behind the Theatin
Church, in such a manner that it can be approached from
the church and also from without. The plan of this struc-
tdre and the order for the payment of the cost are attached
to the will. The tomb will be similar to that of Frederic
William 111. of Prussia and queen Louise at Chariot-
tenburg.

A capital puff of an illus!rated journal is given in
an engraving in the paper this week which repre.
sents the entire boulevard before the office blocked up, the
circulation of the carliages suspended, and the crowd crush.
ing forward to the window in an intense state of excite-
ment, and even fighting, in order to get—a number of the
paper. They understand the puff in Paris a mervePe,
Amongst the most interesting races to be run at
the approaching Spring Meeting at Constantinople
will be the "Rutland Sweepstakes" of SAO each, with £2.5
added by the Duke of Rutland, for horses of all countries,
distance four miles. The superior speed of the English
racehorse is unrivalled, but for endurance the Arab claims
a pre-eminence, which the English horse is unwilling to
concede. The duke bas proposed this long race in order to
afford anitnals of all countries an cacasion for exhibiting
their "staying powers " over a fair course, and the trial will
have an interest for the sporting world extending much be-
yond the predate of the city of the Sultem.