The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-24 00:00:00

to the French EMPEROR, this courteous reception
of His Imperial MAJESTY'S reviler by the Emperor
NAPOLEON hi nself, is another and a very signal
proof of his (the EMPEROR'S) dignified and truly
wonderful magnanimity.

The anticipated debate on Poland came to an
abrupt termination on Monday evening by the un-
looked for interference of Mr. BEAUMONT, supported
by Mr. KTNGLAKE and Lord ENFIELD. Whether
or no the assertion that such interference was the
result of private arrangement be correct, Mr.
HENNESSY did not support his rights. Perhaps
he thought, with the objectors, that the opportu-
nity was not a gocd one, that the discussion he
lately wished to provoke might embarrass instead
of furthering the cause he had at heart. Whatever
the reason, he did not answer the objections raised
by a few hon. members, but suffered the mo-
tion for the postponement of the orders of
the day to proceed to a division, when
it was negatived by a majority of 165 to
110. This result appeared to take the minority by
surprise, for a considerable amount of indignation
was expressed, a good share of it being directed
against the imperturbable Premier. The onslaught,
however, did not prove sufficient to ruffle the com-
posure or disturb the complacency of Lord PALMER-
STON. He declared that he had been taken com-
pletely by surprise (a rare occurrence!) and after
indulging in a few aphorisms on the impossibility
of Government's controlling the House or foreseeing
the result of its decisions, he proceeded to console
the friends of Poland for their disappointment by
unfolding the contents of the diplomatic note of
which we have heard so much. The substance of
the propositions which, according to Lord PALMER-
STON, England, France, and Austria have united in
recommending to Russia, include six points. These
six points are veritably the six points of the Polish
charter; but however desirable or even indispen-
sable they may be, we agree with the right hon.
gentleman the member for Bucks that he must be a

very sanguine politican who can suppose that they
will be accepted by Russia. They are as follows
A general and complete amnesty ; a national repre-
sentation ; the appointment of Poles exclusively to
public offices ; full toleration of the national faith ;
the employment of the Polish language in pub-
lic transactions; and a regular system of recruiting.
As a necessary supplement, or rather preliminary
to these propositions, it was further recommended
that there should be a suspension of hostilities.
The recommendations are fair and temperate, and
if either Europe or Poland could put the slightest
faith in Russian promises, there might be some
hope of settlement. But, in the first place, it re-
mains to be seen whether Russia will give even
nominal assent to these suggestions; secondly,
whether the outraged Poles will be more disposed
to ;;rust Cossack promises than they were to accept
the lately proffered amnesty, which a long and
bitter experience had taught them to suspect was
but hiding the sword in olives. If these sugges-
tions were folly and fairly agreed to, and carried
out in letter and spirit, they would doubtless open
the way to a better state of things, though it might
even then be questioned whether the strife were
finally hushed. The partial nationality and inde-
pendence granted to the remnants of an ancient
people might but serve to awaken in them more
strongly the memories of the past and the hopes of
the future. The truth probably lies in the em-
phatic words of Mr. DISRAELT—onIy two final
solutions of the question are possible, and these are
the unity of the Russian Government and indepen-
dence of Poland. The first of these possibilities
means, of course, the complete subjection of Poland to
her tyrants and the consequent annihilation of an old
heroic race ; the other alternative no diplomatist
could propose to the autocrat of the Russias. It is
hard, therefore, to blame cur Government for the
course they have pursued in what is undoubtedly a
very difficult and delicate pcsiticn. If we cannot
be too sanguine as to the results of their interfer-
ence, it is at least a satisfaction to know that three
of the great Powers have united in condemning
the barbarism of the Russian soldiery, and in de-
manding, on behalf of the Polish nation, the accor-
dance of those rights of national religion, national
representation, and national language, which the
ruthless Cossack has so long withheld from .the
countrymen of KOSCIITSKO. Whatever be the conse-
quence, we can but wait and hope. It is impossible
to decide upon the direction of our future course
until we see the result of our present efforts. The
possible complications of European politics which
may arise from the present conjuncture are too
grave for the oldest statesman to foresee the issues.
But one thing is certain. If the tragedy of an earlier
date be repeated, if the 'Western Powers contem-
plate with apathetic philosophy, the savage subju-
gaiion of a people struggling for the last remnants
of its national existence, if diplomatic expediency
induce them to listen with courteous acquiescence
to the smooth professions of the Cabinet of the CzAR,
and to turn a deaf ear to the despairing cry of
Poland, a stain will rest on the civilisation of the
nineteenth century, which no necessity can palliate
and no repentance remove.

On Monday a meeting was held by the Governors
of Bethlehem Hospital for the purpose of deciding
upon the desirability of removing the institution to
a more healthy and suitable locality than it at
present occupies, and also of considering the letter
of Sir G. GREY which enclosed one from the Com-
missioners of Lunacy on the subject. Some satis-
factory solution may at last be come to, since it was
resolved that the President, Treasurer, and five of
the Governors of Bethlehem and St. Thomas's
Hospitals should meet for a preliminary discussion.
It is evident that all the excitement that has been
created on this subject has produced some good
effect, since the meeting was the largest that has
been held for years. It was satisfactory that the
meeting did not agree to the proposition of the
Treasurer of Bethlehem Hospital, which was a most
unsuitable one. He prefaced his motion by stating
that he considered the "letter of the Commissioners
of Lunacy was not consistent with the respect
which the Governors had a right to expect from
them." This sort of argument may suit the dignity
of the parties concerned, but they seemed to forget
that the Commissioners had a higher duty to per-
form than to conform to their fancies. It was
incumbent upon them to protect the interests of the
afflicted beings concerned in the affair, and such
claims were paramount to all other considerations.
Beside such vital questions, the objections urged were
trivial and superficial. Mr. JOHNSON'S proposals
were that the removal should be on a principle
mutually advantageous to both hospitals, and that
" the total east of the removal of that of Bethlehem
should be borne by the governors of St. Thomas's."
This was going back to the old argument which had
y t
which
proved so
fallacious, and reiterating the
a had been refused, and the refusal
request
el already
bad threatened to break up the plan altogether.
He moved the adoption of the letter as the reply to
the Home Secretary. Mr. HAMILTON showed
much real discernment and discretion in his remarks.
He contended that it was not advisable to come so
to a decision on so important a matter, and
that cktihey were bound to pay respect to the letter
from the Home Secitary, reiatiLg to the manage-
ment of this great hospital. He moved as an

amendment that the Treasurer's letter, with the
accompanying ones, be printed and circulated
among the members, and an early day be appointed
for their consideration. Alderman PHILLIPS truly
declared that the question was one of money; the
public press and the Commissioners in Lunacy had
declared that Bethlehem Hospital wes unfit for
the treatment of the insane. Alderman SIDNEY
went still further, and declared that they must
consider whether they were prepared to " wage a
war of opinion with the public at large." He assured
them that the Legislature had decided the question
that country air and recreation were more instru-
mental towards the recovery of the insane, and pro-
phesied that Parliament would sanction by a large
majority the removal of the Hospital to a distance
from the metropolis. He concluded by giving the
Governors this salutary advice that " they had now
en opportunity, such as might never occur again,
of doing a great public service in the interest of the
sick poor and the insane of the metropolis, and he
counselled them to avail themselves of it while the
chance remained." This was true wisdom, and it is
to be hoped that those referred to will avail them-
selves of the excellent advice offered in these
forcible remarks. It is an opportunity that may
not occur again of doing a great benefit to those
who are afflicted in many ways, and who is har-
dened enough and presumptuous enough to say
that he will undertake the responsibility of throw-
ing the chance away ? It is not often that such an
opportunity occurs of bestowing benefits on
the unfortunate as this proposal for removing the
site of Bethlehem Hospital for that of St. Thomas's
has offered. If it is lust or thrown aw ay, those who
are responsible will not have an enviable position
when they face the tribunal of public opinion. It
is to be trusted that when the proposed meeting of
the several Governors takes place that both sides
will agree to meet half way, to sink personal feel-
ings and party prejudices, and to make the great
object of their discussion the one absorbing object of
interest. If they do so the result will be of incal-
culable advantage to all concerned, and if not the
astute and intelligent observers among the pubic
will see where the fault lies, and deduce their
opinion accordingly. It is all very well for those
concerned to argue like Mr. HARWOOD, that " if
the Governors cf St. Thomas's bear them harmless
in the matter of expense they should have their
hospital," but what becomes of the duties of
the Governors of Bethlehem. How can their
funds be better laid out than in the
arrangements and alterations which will so
materially conduce to the benefit of those entrusted
to their care. Why should others bear all the ex-
pense of a removal that will further so greatly the
objects of their institution, and the purposes of their
establishment. The medical staff of St. Thomas's
Hospital have given their opinion in favour of two
sites, which they consider of first-rate excellence—
one the site now occupied by Bethlehem, the other
the site at Standgate. Of the two the preference is
given to Standgate, a circumstance which of itself
is sufficient to urge upon those concerned the im-
portance of not throwing the chance away. While
some have urged objections of one sort, and some
another, a third party has appeared that may carry
off the prize. At this meeting that is to be convened
let not the statement of the medical staff of St.
Thomas's Hospital be neglected ; let it be as the
handwriting on the wall to warn them of dangers
ahead, and let them speedily come to a mutual un•
derstanding, or else some other plan may be adopted
that will frustrate the endeavours of the well-
wishers of both sides, a-ad militate against the ad-
vantages that will accrue from the first pro-
posal of settling the question. If the origami
plan of mutually benefitting the community
by placing St. Thomas's Hospital on the site of
Bethlehem, and removing that institution to a
more suitable locality, be not carried out, blame
will rest with those who interposed vexatious
delays and made unsuitable demands. The issues
of life and death, the decision for sense or sanity,
rest not in mortal hands; but an awfal responsibi-
lity falls on those who take upon themselves the
responsibility of checking the means devised for the
most safe and speedy cure of such direful ailments,
and who to their societies " give up what was meant
for mankind."

It is with great regret that the public will
hear of another naval disaster, although in the
present instance the results cannot, happily, be
compared to the terrible tragedies which have so
lately aroused all our sympathies. The Norwegian,
sister ship to the unfortunate Anglo Saxon, left
Liverpool for Montreal on the sth inst. She was a
steamer of 1,800 tons, and belonged to the Ocean
and Montreal Steam Company. She was lost, it
appears, on the night of the 14th, on St. Paul's
Island, in the St. Lawrence, having crossed the
Atlantic in safety, to perish so near the end of her
journey. The catastrophe is, however, divested of
its terrors by the safety of the passengers, crew,
and mails. We have no particulars of the wreck,
and must therefore reserve judgment upon the ma-
nagement of those in authority, since we know not
what unforeseen accident rendered their skill or
knowledge fruitless. The noticeable part of the
story is that it adds another to those wrecks of
large vessels which have lately been of no rare
occurrence, It is time that we should look into
the causes of these disasters, and consider what
can be the reason of their increasing frequency.
With the present high state of workmanship, with
all the advantages of applied scientific knowledge,
how is it that shipwrecks of vessels such as these
are not few and far between ? In most cases un-
fortunately, the disaster can be traced to some de-
degree of carelessness or foolhardiness. In one
instance the absence of a proper fog signal led to
the destruction of a noble vessel and consequent
loss of life, but the rapidity with which the steamer
advanced to her ruin no doubt heightened the
disaster. Another time the captain, though an
experienced commander, showed considerable want
of prudence in attempting to cross a peculiarly
dangerous bar without due precautions. Both
these vessels might have been wrecked in any
case, but it would be some consolation to the
sufferers to know that human care and prudence
had fully done their part. What has led to this
fresh disaster it is impossible to say. The safety
of the men and mails is probably due to the fact
of its having taken place in the river instead of
in the open ocean. Peesibly the proverbial reck-
Aessness of American steamers had had something
to do with it, by collision or otherwise. It is to
be hoped that our countrymen do not mean to
imitate that recklessness, and consider life and
safety nothing in comparison to " going a-head,"
but it certainly appears as if the cardinal virtue
of prudence were sometimes held to be more
honoured iu the breach than the observance.
While we are supporting charitable societies for
the assistance of distressed mariners, and rejoicing
over a life saved by the lifeboats on our coasts,
hundreds of our countrymen and women go down
in distant waters, thanks to the neglect of some
precaution, or the rash desire to make a speedy
voyage at all risks. We, cannot of course, com-
mand the winds and waters, nor can any human
Prudence always avert such calamities, but it can
do much to lessen the chance of their occurrence-
Let us go back to the old times when safety was