The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-04 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

This morning
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-29.83.

Wind—South-Westerly; moderate, and cloudy,

IA )04
San

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 1863.

The treatment of little children in this our own
country is fast becoming ono of the most bitter
anxieties to every true philanthropist. Never in
any age or in any land was child-murder known to
be so frequently perpetrated. One of the last, as
it was also one of the most laudable, acts of the
late Mr. THOMAS DtlscomrsE—for so many years
the independent representative of the great metro•
politan borough of Finsbury—was the procuring o 1
a return (duly laid upon the table of the House of
Cammons shortly before the death of the hon.
member who had asked for it)—an appalling return,
comprising within it a lamentable catalogue
of the infanticides brought to light within
the two or three years then last past—
infanticides perpetrated in London alone or in its
immediate neighbourhood. Since that return was
issued, the frequency of this miserable crime has
in no perceptible degree diminished. Coroners'
inquests have been holden just as frequently as ever
to inquire into the cause of the death of new-born
infants, whoze remains have been still dis-
covered at rapid intervals in all kinds of
likely or unlikely places of concealment. Child
murder indeed has of late years become so rife
here in this metropolis, that the question has
arisen whether it might not after all be achisable to
adopt the humane contrivance of the bell and turn-
table so long attached to the porches Des Maisons
des Enfants Trouves in France —to adopt that
humane contrivance here in England at the very
time when it is beginning to drop into desuetude
on the continent.

Another system long established among the
labouring classes of the French population, benevo-
lent observers in this country have yet more ear-
nestly hoped might some day be adopted here in
England—to the certain and immediate diminution
of a very large amount of infant mortality caused by
the injudicious administration of soporific draughts
such as the notorious " DAFFY's Elixir.`' In Sir
FRANCIS HEAD'S delightful volume of gossip about
France and the French people, but principally
about Paris and the Parisians, a work oddly en-
titled "A Faggot of French Sticks," there may be
found a very graphic and charming description of
ono of those same useful and beneficent institutions
now, and for some years past, in full opera-

tion, daily, in various parts of the French
capital. Day-homes, they may be described as being,
far children-in-arms whose mothers are, engaged,
from sunrise to sundown, in the workshops of Paris,

earning their livelihood. At these benevolen

establishments, usually presided over and tended
throughout the day by a Sour de la Charite, the
toiling mothers, early of a morning, on their way
to their daily labours, leave their little infants in
the care of the good nuns or matrons—leave them
there to be cherished and nurtured until those
mothers shall return for them towards nightfall :

and all this for some fractional amount of money per
week; just sufficient, indeed, to pay for the food,

•
rent, and firing required upon the respective
institutions. None of those deleterious drugs con-

sequ ently are the Parisian mothers tempted to admi

!lister, none of those baneful drugs administered only
too frequently by hardworking mothers here in
London—drugs employed amongst the latter to
hush into an unnatural quietude—repeatedly re-

suiting in death—the " little hindering thing," ac-
cording to an exquisite phrase applied by
GERALD MASSEY to an infant child over whose
death he is lamenting.
Immeasurably worse, however, than the infant
mortality caused here in England, either uninten-
ticnally by the incautious administration of an over-
dose of " DAFFY'S Elixir," or designedly by the
fiendish Perpetrators of the crime of infanticide— 1

immeasurably unutterably worse than the actual mor-
tality thus caused among the chili-population, are
the dreadful wrongs affecting one most afflicted sec-
tional part of that population, wrongs that, during
these last few weeks, our leading contemporary has
nobly ventured not only to touch upon, but boldly
to stigmatise and reprobate with a scorn and
eloquence not unworthy of the Timer. Dreadful
wrongs these are, only requiring, here, thus casually
to be glanced at—wrongs of twofold infamy, here of
loathsome disease inherited, here of individual
profanation.

Reflecting, in this 'wise, upon how it
has long since come to pass that
BO many
tender innocents are being dealt with here
in England, here in London, the thought recurs
to us of the fiery tempest poured down centu.
ries back upon the cities of the plain, and

we yearn at least for some tardy effort being at
length made with a view to the diminnzion of

those frequent atrocities by a vigorous interposition
on the part of the Legislature. The mere publica•

tion of a return of the number of infanticides, within

a given time, in and about the neighbourhood o

the metropolis, is as nothing. It is simply and
purely a preliminary proceeding. It should lead
to something else of a really practical character--
with the intention of at least striving thereby to
bring about an appreciable diminution in tha number
of infanticides. Mr.DuNcompr, who moved for the
return alluded to, has unhappily passed away
from amongst us. Another must follow up the
good work, he was in this particular quite
evidently meditating. Is there no .9ne amongst all
the members of the House of Commons, is there no
one especially amongst our metropolitan represen-
tatives, who will take up the matter where the late
and who Will next
member for Filabbury left it,

session plead in the Legislature for the more
effectual protection by the law of the lives, of the
bodies, of the souls of little children ?
A hideous revelation Eire that which has but
just now startled the inhabitants of London
" down east " into a reconsideration of this
dreadful frequency of infanticide in the metro-
polis—the discovery of the broken coffins and
mutilated remains, of the mouldering bones
and raiment of a whole cluster of little children,
whose debris have been found festering in a heap
upon the roof of \Vhitechapel Church—a hideous
revelation like this ought surely at last to close the
legislative apathy in regard to a peculiar class of
crime, a class of crime here, in one sense, most re-
luctantly alluded to ! Crimes that demand the
most stringent application of the law with a view
to their prevention or diminution, while perpetually
crying to HZAVEN for vengeance upon their per-
petrators.

The oonclusion of the Frankfort Congress makes
one reflect as to what has been done by all this stir
and commotion, this gathering of princes and as-
semblage of potentates. It would be ungracious
to say that no good has been effected, while at the
same time it would be untrue to declare that more
practical benefits might not have been gained.
The future Directory is settled to consist of six
voices. Some of the plans seem reasonable enough,
but, as usual, some objections were taken to the libe-
ral tendency that prevailed. The Grand Duke of
BADEN and other princes made several reservations.
These princes seem determined that it shall not be
their fault if reform gains the day, and enlightened
principles prevail in some measure over those long
in vogue. It is strange that people can be so blind
to the signs of the times, and put themselves, as it
were, out of communion with those who look to
them for help in the great work of progress now
exciting the minds of all civilised communities, and
identifying itself, as it were, with the spirit
nasJfpetrhoer
age. At the close of the Conference, the :e
of AUSTRIA proposed the formation of a Committee
for the purpose of examining the Kotocols. The
Congress proceeded to elect six members for this
Committee, and fixed upon the King of SAXON;
the Grand Dukes of BADEN and MECKLENBURG
SCHWERIN, the Elector of, HessE, the Duke of
SAXE COBURG GOTHA, and Dr. HALLER, the Bur-
gomaster of Hamburg. Unfortunately, the mem-
bers of the Committee could not come to an under-
standing, and therefore the final consideration of
the revised form could not be considered, as was
proposed on Monday. There is, doubtless, consider-
able truth in the reports afloat that the Emperor's
patience is severely put to the test by the conduct
of some of those debaters in the assembly. They
seem to ignore the purpose for which they have
been assembled, and to shut their eyes to the fact
that if they are to consider all their own fancies,
and seek only the furtherance of their pet projects,
they might as well, indeed they had much
better, have remained at home. It is idle
to come to a great national assembly intent on
private aggrandisement, acid inflated with pecu-
liar prejudices. Unless every one is willing and
able to sink personal pique, and to put aside parti-
cular views to attain general advantages, no meeting
can ever prosper, and the details and discussions
will end in smoke. "Self-denial" is not a pleasant
thing, but it is a very necessary one sometimes, and
those Princes who now abhor its mention may
hereafter bitterly regret their lost chances and
missed opportunities. One thing the EMPEROR
holds fast to, and it is not to be wondered at—he
will not relinquish the right of being at the head of
the German Confederation. This is not a matter
of surprise, and, indeed, he can hardly be called to
account for his persistency, since Austria has more
claims to respect and regard at present than Prus-
sia. In other things the august proposer of the
scheme has not shown himself unwilling to make
sacrifices, if they are such as may conduce to the
benefit of the Germans, and help to maintain a
spirit of unity. There is great doubt existing with
regard to the question of Ministerial Conferences.
It is rumoured that Prussia will not immediately
agree to their arrangements, but later on may bring
forward counter propositions. It is hardly likely
that King WILLIAM will have the sense, the deci-
sion, and the courage to dismiss M. BISMARX ; but
if he should do so, and propose a series of resolu-
tions that would offer more liberty to the States,
and give the people a truer representation, he migh
yet gain the prestige for himself of being the re

generator of the freedom of his country, and of those
contiguous States whose interests are so identical,
and whose mutual influence is so considerable for
good or for evil. It is an opportunity not to bo lost
by one who would distinguish himself now, and

acquire a renown that should survive in enduring
lustre hereafter. It is to be feared that the present
ruler of Prussia has not the discernment to behold
the necessity, nor the discretion to adopt such a
course. The general state of affairs is not altogether
as it ought to be. A reflective people like the
Germans, one would imagine, would not find
so much difficulty in arriving at a solu-
tion of political enigmas as they have uni-
versally done. If, as has been feared in some
quarters, some princes refuse to sign the protocol,
they will be exhibiting to their own subjects
their inefficiency and unwillingness to meet half-
way, in any scheme for reform, and they will
also demonstrate to Europe that pretentious as-
surance and determined self-will may mar the
best-constructed plans, and render void the efforts
of Statesmen and the counsels of Princes. The
Grand lluk e it has been intimated, has agreed to
his Government' joining any Ministerial Confer-
ences, on condition that both the Great Powers
g looph to
ole take
fr
part in them. This is making a
escape,since grave suspicions are
entertained that such an event will not take place.
ao
and deceive themselves.
It is a pity that Princes and Statesmen in gene.
ral should thus delude

If they can outwit this reformer, and manoeuvre to
upset this scheme of progress, they think they have

achieved a great success. Experience will show
them very different things, and the page of history,
if they read it aright, would instruct far other-
wise. It has attested through many a deathless

age how often legislators have erred, and monarchs

have mistaken their vocation in smothering the

mcipient signs of reformation. For the storm has

burst, and in the common ruin neither sceptre or
crown has been spared to survive the wreck. It
is the• true wisdom that can appreciate the neces-
sity for a change, and at once set to work to
make it.

The cause of
is •
teloerolog assistancei cal
m lri.kGelLyA
ito-
derive much valuable
STIER. That gentleman has, by repeated experi-
ments, cffectEd at the cast of
some risk and hard-
ship, made a series of obser •
vations whose results
are calculated to afford important
have
of late years learned to
appreciate
ai serviceo re .h i
glhice
,
the practical utility of this science. Thanks to
knowledge Admiral FITZROY, meteorological
has
proved of immense benefit to our mariners and
fishermen. The seaman, no longer dependent on
his " weather eye " fur judging the fluctuations of
the weather, may consult the glass, and avoid
those sudden and disastrous storms which so
often quench the light in a humble home.
Time was when meteorology was looked upon

as one of the most purposeless and profitless of
studies by many persons, who are now startled to
find winds and waves confirming the auguries of
the man of science. But Mr. GLAISIIER would ex-
tend its range even further. He employs a new
term, " aerial meteorology," to typify
his branch of
the science. He says—" To ascend vertically like
a rocket into the regions of the upper atmosphere
—inattorutemset personally,
uta,tbeam aallnedat by aid aatieidusofinthetbneicest
air
and temperature—to sail horizontally at will in
e xat
ecui rt uit aer
Thi
eowr i z
tobne aereouufini de t
ioufg almost
si
Ipl iame pace,
alb- li et h
tions of a day's weather exhibited in their rise,
progress, and subsidence—to be present among
the hidden influences which direct the meteoro-
logy of a day on the earth, and to see them un-
rolled, is bringing a new faculty to bear, making
a new opening for study in the science of meteo-
rology." The risks attending such a mode of
locomotion he considers have been exaggerated.
In all modes of transit, he observes, there is some
danger ; accident and occasional loss of life are
inseparable attendants on every mode 01 locomo-
tion; and while the average number of disasters
in aerial ascents is not so greatly in excess of
those attending excursions by other means, he
complains that every single catastrophe that has
ever occurred to an aeronaut has been carefully
registered, without regard to the numerous aerial
voyages accomplished without any accident what-
ever. He cautions prudence, however, and know-
ledge of one's business—two qualifications indis-
pensable alike to the safety of charioteers, engine-
drivers, and helmsmen. A timid, imprudent, or
incapable aeronaut puts himself and Ms compa-
nions in undeniable jeopardy. "Mr. Cox wEaa,"
says Mr GLAISHEIS, " admiral of his own craft,
in the high atmosphere, seated in his basket vessel,
with his grapnel at his side, I hold as worthy of
confidence as any admiral in England to con-
duct his fleet." The experience and judgment
of so accomplished an aeronaut are not, however, to
be attained in a day, and it is to be hoped that the
late melancholy accident, which resulted in the
death of Mr. CHAMBERS, will prove a caution
against similar needless attempts.
The interesting account given by Mr. GLAISIIER
of his ascent last April from the Crystal Palace ex-
emplifies some of the dangers of aerial navigation.
An hour and eighteen minutes after starting, the
aeronauts were four miles high. But, in descend-
ing, Mr. COXWELL'S experience suggested that
they might have been travelling along more quickly
than they supposed, and he deemed it advisable to
descend until the earth was again visible. He
opened the valve freely, and they came down at the
rate of a mile in three minutes. When they were
still 10,000 feet from the earth, Mr. GLAISIIER, who
was busy with his instruments, heard Mr. COXWELL
suddenly exclaim, " What's that ?" He might well
be startled, for the sight which he saw was no other
than Beachy Head, betokening that they were close
to the sea, and could barely save themselves. Mr.
GLAISIIER tells us that he looked over the car and
the sea seemed to be under them. " There is not a
moment to spare," cried his companion ; " leave the
instruments." We may fancy the keen regret with
which the man of science obeyed these instructions,
not only forfeiting his observations, but losing his
instruments, which were nearly all broken by the
rapidity of their descent. Thanks to the bold and
decided course adopted by Mr. COXWELL, the dan-
ger was averted, the balloon descending at New-
haven, close to the sea, only four minutes the time,
when at an attitude of 10,000 feet Mr. COXWELL
first caught sight of Beachy Head. Mr. GLAISIIER
describes the singularity of the effect produced bv
their hasty down-coming: the earth appearing to
be coming up to them. On a subsequent expedition,
starting from the same spot, Mr. GLAISIIER made
some valuable observations respecting the peculiari-
ipaet
nileeertrrseeraraetoedeufsytrtuaei
nemoagaf a
edtexheof the
ree rainfall,respecting
rmptreheoecenuut
experiments.
gue sa
iet
tis
se
uwah i
variations,wc hb regulate
ee i t
tb,
eet
meh
been
femr
tousupahteerle and
y,
hisother
obser-
vations on this occasioningUwneatre cut short by an
untoward accident, which compelled him to defer
thev e
ag
s o le. Theu ti on ef
reasonseveralof
b
this
iad
perplexitieselay Mr.
until
GLAISIIERan o ther
y
professedtruly itmay
himself to be almost ashamed to give, and
well temper the pride and'self-conceit
of humanity, possibly unduly elevated by the tri-
umphant researches of science, to ;receive positive
evidence of the malice and contemptible wickedness
that can disfigure man's nature. Some miscreant
consequently
u a ballooneque
tiltyh
ahsacde ne t and t the
Mr,
knifee ox
IpvrEeLvLi o usuddenly
the
detected a large rent in it which compelled their
descent. The public will be shocked and disgusted
to learn from Mr. GLAISIIER that this is no isolated
event, for that Mr. GREEN had a still narrower
asliincaee,raenudauhtse dareenoluianbclees. it
Sauscha
de sacnagpeer mt
oa yw
h 3. iecah"
criminals, if they could be detected,
ought to be
treated with the greatest severity, and we trust
that ou future occasions a sharp watch will be kept,
The
The perils of aerial navigation are great enough in
the present state of experience and science without
supperadding a peril which might endanger any
traveller. The manner in which Mr. GLAISIIER
describes the impression left on his mind by
aerial flights is most instructive and startling. dire
meet with none of the boastful arrogance too com-
mon among successful savans. We find none of the
materialistic train of thought which sometimes
mars the lessons of scientific explorers. In launch-
ing into the vast regions of the upper world, in
voyaging through the illimitable pathways of space,
the sense of Infinity grows upon the mortal travel.

ler, the existence of an unseen Power makes itself
felt through the harmony of the universe. The
able man of science who has first recorded his ex-
perience describes himself as a hard-working prac-
tical man, used to logical reasoning and exact cal-
culations, yet the sense of awe and sublimity was
his dominant feeling, not curiosity as to results or
triumph in successful achievements. " I believe
it," he says,
"
the knowledge ot of
tbhe e an
EA CREATOR,
o R , intellectualand ayearning
nat if
reyr
faith acknowledging the immortality of the soul."

DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL AT jrEORGE'S
BARRACKS, TRAFALGAR-SQUARE.
o:.Saturday a
district court-martial was commenced at the above barracks,
to n quirCharlese
into
against
Grenadier
Guards, i‘ jo
lertefßerartedtalioa ofcers
composed
Fletcher, certain
Guards, regimental clerk. Tho following om
the court :—Lieut.--Col. Stanley (president), CaptainspGsase -
coyne, Jarrett, Hon. Douglas Pennant, and Lord Claude
Hamilton, and Lieut. frotter. The Hon. Capt. Sackville
prosecuted on the part of the regiment, and Mr. Smythe,
solicitor, of Rochester-row, defended the prisoner. The
following is a summary of the charges for the investigation
of which the court-niatad was appointed : "For disgrace-
ful conduct in having at different thins, as stated below,
when employed as regimental clerk ta the Grenadier
Guards, at London, embezzled or fraudulently misapplied
osubtmais lnoedPbuyhtliccearansota'teychaemqtti)eusnotinng tth,) rXec4rlus, itionrgthaeacroeaubnotuttd
the Grenadier Guards—namely, £35 by means of a cheque
for £6O, payable to himself or order, on account of variJus
recruiting sergeants, on or about the Ist of February, 1860."
The other items of fraud and embezzlement were stated, the
entire deficiency amounting to the above sum. The pri-
soner, who at the commencement of the proceedings was
asked what ho had to say to the charge, by the advice of
hdieslvisbroeelyrica:ioitter, pleaded guilty. He said he had been led to the
commission of the offence by gambling and drink. Evidence
of
ue:
ognoodt h
eeihr jarauedtgermhen, having been
it en
Ngviaysena,ntnhoeuncocuerdt
would be forwarded to the military authorities for confir-
mation,