The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-25 00:00:00

There are some people who can never be taught,
however solemn and serious may be the lesson, they
cannot, or will not, profit by it. Of this class ap-
pears to be Mr. ISAACSON, the husband of Madame
ELISE. He has written a letter, which purports
to explain everything satisfactorily, and do away
with the painful impression that has been created ;
but he has ended by making that darker which is
dark enough already. It is a pity that he had no
friend or adviser to caution him to be more moderate
in his tone, since it never furthers the cause taken
up for its advocate to be violent ; but when the
attempt is made to prove that a manifest wrong is
right, it is too much for any one to endure patiently
that the writer should be so vehement and abusive.
It is very noticeable that he carefully avoids touch-
ing upon awkward topics, while he volunteers in-
formation which was not wanted, and which did not
bear upon the case in point. For instance, what is
the use of reasseverating about the quality or quan-
tity of the food, since that has nothing at all to do
with the long hours, the close workroom, or the
unhealthy bedroom. It is also indisputable that
Mr. ISAACSON contradicts nothing that has been
said or written concerning the material wrongs of
this case. Neither the length of time which
the poor girl was employed, nor the crowded
apartments she occupied day and night are com-
mented upon but to heap abuse upon all who have
mentioned the affair without contradicting in a
decided manner an important item in the sad catas-
trophe. In the first place, the very temperate letter
which was written on the subject last Wednesday
is styled "scurrilous" and " a gross flagrant libel."
Mr. ISAACSON feels it to be his duty to humanity to
correct this statement. This is a very odd and
original expression, since he means that be intends
' to clear himself and his establishment from the im-
putations that rest upon them. What humanity
has to do with such a task does not appear to be
very clearly illustrated or fully evidenced. If the
subject were not so sad it would be almost Judi
crous to notice the explanation given. We are told
that the milliners voluntarily help the dressmakers,
and then hare the day to themselves; adding, as a
crowning act of kindness, that when young ladies
sit up all night they are not expected to work the
next day. There are limits to everything, even to
the work of a dressmaker's apprentice, so no espe-
cial mercy is proved by this exemption. And what
a bitter mockery to talk of their having the next
day to themselves. Let any me imagine these poor
creatures working from half-past six on Friday
morning till nine on the Saturday morning,
and then picture what sort of a day
to themselves they must enjoy. Wasted
with toil, weary with watching, and faint from
exhaustion, can theirs be a holiday ? It is the
height of effrontery to boast of not exacting a
day's labour from those who have been engaged
in arduous duties for twenty-six hours at a
stretch. Then, again, Mr. ISAACSON asks, why do
the young ladies stay ? That is no proof of the
comfort or the convenience of the establishment;
because the fact is well known that there are
many who would endure any suffering rather
than lose their chance of employment. They
who are free to go away know full well
that starvation is before them, if they
refuse to obey orders ; but even that plea
cannot be urged in this instance, for MARY ANNE
WALRLEY was an apprentice, and had, therefore,
no option in the matter. It is an insult to com-
mon sense, good taste, and right feeling for Mr.
ISAACSON to employ such language as this in the
face of the evidence that has appeared against
him, and been corroborated by his own silence in
all vital matters. "If more is expected from us,
we should like certainly to know how that can
be accomplished." Should they wish to have an
inquest every week, they certainly cannot allow
their apprentices and workwomen to do more than
work for three months at a time, at the rate of six-
teen hours and a half a day, occasionally longer, and
sometimes to sit up all night. But to cite such a
mode of procedure, and then to make a stand upon it,
and defy censure and repudiate criticism,is effrontery
and assurance that the English public will not pa-

tiently endure. Allusion was made to this cruel case
in both houses on Tuesday. Lord SHAFTESBURY in
the House of Lords adverted to its melancholy de-
tails, end a,ked the President of the Council if there
was any intention on the part of the Government
to introduce any measures that will provide for the
comfort and protection of these sempstresses. The
noble earl said that the case of these work women,
and that of the bakers, was strictly analogous. It
would be well indeed if the same provisions were
made in the case of the needlewomen. The medical
officer and the district inspector of nuisances are em-
Powered from time to time to inspect the condition of
the rooms in which the men work, and to see that
they are properly ventilated and' whitervsshed.
Lord SITAFTEgglaty truly
regulations had been already
do much to
Prevent the ~ a
had heard so much of, a
ELISE'S establishment hadnlatolf
a specimen. Lord rz said that if these sanitary
f adopted they would
w and of
abominations" they
....RANITILLETS furnished
which Madame
so sad
unsatisfactory ; the noble lord did neoptlyt was
most
'eswaid that
He
out. any
definite hope of anything being done.
the bill before introduced on this subject
carried into effect because of the extreme difficulty
not
of putting it into practical execution. This ought
not to be a valid reason for Ministers to do nothing
in a case of signal distress, and an instance of
great cruelty and irjustice. What 's the use of
having responsible persons in authority if they
cannot meet difficulties and overcome them with
spirit and decision. Why should be possible to