The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-25 00:00:00

SOCIAL SCIENCE AT EDINBURGH.

At the approaching meeting at Edinburgh, commencing
on the 7th of October, a variety of interesting subjects will
occupy the attention of the members in each of the six de-
partments. In the department of Jurisprudence many of
the subjects to be discussed will be of national interest.
Among these questions, we find the transfer of land will be
treated of in several important papers. Mr. R. It. Torrens,
Registrar-General of South Australia, contributes a paper
on the Torrens' system of " Conveyancing by Registration
of Titles, as in operation in Australia," Mr. Thomas Hare
will lay before the department the draft of a bill "to facilitate
the acquirement of house property by the working classes
in large towns." Among other subjects are the " Marriage
Laws," and " The necessity for a Minister of Justice," and
the laws of evidence both in civil and criminal cases. In
the Educational department, national education in Scotland
occupies a prominent place, and is certain to call forth ani-
mated discussions. Professor Milligan, of Aberdeen, con-
tributes a paper on "the Parish Schools of Scotland ;" Dr.
Lees, of St Andrews, on" the Scottish University System;"
the Rev. J. P. Norris, H.M.1., on the inspection of middle
schools by the University of Cambridge. Papers are also
promised on the state of education in France and America;
en industrial education and industrial schools ; on the train-
ing of teachers ; on the functions of the primary school-
mistress; the Civil Service examination, and other subjects
of general and local interest. In the Reformatory depart-
ment the Right Hon. C. B. Adderley, M.P., will read a paper
on the reports of the Royal Commissioners on penal servi-
tude and prison discipline; Mr. C. P. Mensor on "the Re-
formatory Principle in Criminal Punishment ;" Sir John
Don Wauchope on "the Classes which furnish Criminal
Children ;" the Rev. Dr. Robert Lee on " the Advantages of
Reformatories." The question of licenses to public-houses
and the subjects connected with temperance reform come
within this department,and will be treated of in several able
papers. Among the papers in the Public Health department
the following are of special interest :—" The Sanatory Sta-
tistics of Colonial Native Schools and Hospitals," and
another paper on the "Army in India," by Miss Florence
Nightingale; "the Changes which have occurred in the
Type of Disease in Edinburgh during the last 50 years," by
Prof. Christison ; "Diseases in Cattle," by Prof. Gangee ;
"the Sanatory Arrangements of Edinburgh as compared
with other large Towns," by Dr. Littlejohn; "On the Ne-
cessity for Prospective Legislation to prevent Dwelling-
houses being built in disregard of the conditions of health,"
by Col. Oldfield. Various other important subjects will be
brought forward, such as tho sickness and mortality of mer-
chant seamen, and the contamination of water by sewage and
public works. Nearly 50 papers have already been commu-
nicated to the department of Social Economy. The subject
of emigration will occupy a whole day ; it is treated of in
several important papers, such as " the relation between
Great Britain and her Colonies," by Mr. It, R. Torrens.
Mr. Edwin Chadwick contributes a paper on "the compa-
rative results of the chief principles of the Poor-law Admi-
nistration in England and Ireland as compared with Scot-
land." Several other papers deal with the operation of the
Poor-laws. Mr. Edmund Potter, M.P., will read a paper on
the "Lancashire Cotton District," The progress of co-ope-
ration both in England and Scotland will be treated by the
Rev. Dr. Begg, Mr. Henry Pitman, and others. Taxation
(direct and indirect), the dwellings of the working classes,
and almost every other subject practically affecting to any
extent the social condition of the pecple, will he more or less
thoroughly discussed. In the department of Trade and In-
ternational Law, as far as regards the first division local