The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-22 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 22, 1863

THE JUDGE and the JOURNALS—John
Orrell Lever, Esq., M.P.—England on Chinese Plates,
in FUN this week, One Penny.

11 H E DUKE'S MOTTO.
'HL N D REF, AN 1) FIFTY-NINTH NIGHT,
and Last Week but Two of the present Season.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.-
Under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER.
Last Week but Two of the present Season.
THIS EVENING, to commence with an Original Sketch,
Cniitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden,
Widdicomb, Mlss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee.
Alter which, at a Quarter-past Eight, the RomTHE
antic
Drama, in Three Acts, and Prplogue, entitled
DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feyal and John Brougham.
The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter,
Rupported by Messrs. J. G. Shore, G. Jordan, J. Brougham,
Widdi3ombe, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, Dawson ;
hlivses Carlotta Leclercq. Kate Terry, E. Cayenne, and
Els worthy. Doors open at 7, commence at half-past.
Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett.

ROVAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. G. Vining,
r iTHIS EVENING, at Eight o'clock, Shakespere's Play of
ROMEO AND JULIET. Romeo, Mr. Walter Nfontgomery•
Mercutio, Mr. G. Vining.; Friar Lawrence, Mr. H. Marston :
Apothecary, Mr. Belmore ; The Nurse, Mrs. H. Marston ;
Mdlle. Stella Colas.
To be preceded by the new Comedietta, entitled COUSIN
TOM.

INTEw TB EATRE-RO VAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, THE 1R1.411 TIGER.
After which, at Eight o'cloek, a new drama, entitled THE
HAUNTED MAN; OR, T'E GHOST'S 13ARGAIN, in
which will be exhibited Professor Pepper's adaptation of
the Great Spectral Illusion. Messrs. J. L. Toole, R. Phillips,
Sefton. C. J. Smith; Mrs. Alfred Mellon and Miss IL Simms.
Followed by a new Burlesque, entitled ILL-TREATED
TL TROVATORE. Messrs. Toole, P. Bedford, R. Phillips,
Ebnrne, C. J. Smith, Romer ; the Sisters Nelson, Carry and
Sara, and Miss K. Kelly.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough.
TO-NIGHT WHILE THERE'S LIFE THERE'S HOPE.
Messrs. W. H. Swanborough, Parselle, Vollaire, G. Honey ;
3fisses Ada Swanborough, L. Thorne, F. Hughes, Manders,
and E. Bufton.
Followed by (rth time) THE MOTTO, " I'M ALL
Collier,
THERE." Messrs. Honey, Turner, E. Danvers,
Clifton; Mesdames Ada Swanborough, F. Josephs, Maria
Simpson, Wallace, and Jenny White.
To conclude with LOVE IN LIVERY.
Commence at 7.

fiIHE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
3L. Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
Can be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLBNIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, II de-park.

The Weather—Sun Office, July 22, 1863.

THERMOMETER.

This morning
This day at Two o'clock 69
Barometer-29.46.
Wind—S.-W ; fresh, with heavy rain.l

After the many defeats which it has been their
lot to encounter this session, the Government have
won a most discreditable triumph. Thanks to
what Sir J. ELPHINSTONE styled the " persistent
opposition" of the President of the Board of Trade
and the continuous objections taken by Mr. LIND-
SAY, the Anchor and Chain Cables Bill was so
altered and mutilated in committee that no course
was left to the member for Birkenhead but its with-
drawal. To have suffered it to pass in the condition
which alone, it seemed, would meet the approval
of these gentlemen, would have been to have hin-
dered the good cause instead of furthering it, since
Mr. LAIRD announces his intention to introduce the
bill only next session, when it is to be hoped that a
larger House will be more open to
nroeasteron.s
toA
House which barely reckoned enough m
avoid a " count out" is scarcely to be taken as a test
of the real opinions of the Legistlhae ontusreeo,and redtande.
decisive majority which carried
this thatfaot i
o theu s
isneng
soofofthtehobicllomwmouolnds sisee
onapptooseidnatiocate
opposition. We do not envy the reflections of those
hon. gentlemen who have virtually thrown out the
bill for another year when they see the list of
wrecks for the coming stormy season. It was very
desirable that the measure should be carried this
session, and if it was found to require amend-
ments they could have been easily intro-
duced after submitting it to the test of practice.
It was soon evident, however, by what spirit the
' opposition to it was actuated. When, after two
' divisions, and the omission of three clauses out of the
first eight, Mr. LINDSAY rose to object to the ninth
clause, Sir J. ELPHINSTONE, with natural indigna-
tion, called upon Mr. LAIRD to withdraw the bill,
and denounced the conduct of the Government as
most extraordinary. It is especially so, if we re-
member the recommendations of the committee who
sat upon the subject, and the startling evidence ad-
duced before that tribunal. Mr. FERRAND very pro-
perly reminded the House of the disregard shown
by the Government of these important revelations,
which dispose of the flimsy arguments brought
against the measure, and are alike unanswered and
unanswerable. Eighty-two per cent. of the cables
tested were proved defective, consequently 82 per
cent. of the accidents arising from defective chains
and anchors would be prevented by the passing of
this measure. In the face of facts lille these, who
can heed the platitudes of Mr. LINDSAY about in-
terference with trade, and the objections raised by
Mr. MILNER GIBSON to the additional work im-
posed upon his Board. Where trades endanger
men's lives interference is not only permissible, but
imperatively necessary. If bakers were found
to be using poisonous flour, we presume
the Legislative interference would be sanc-
tioned, and if the ordinary course of trade
is insufficient to keep in check a system that an-
nually endangers thousands of lives, it is time for
official regulations. But Mr. MILNER GIBSON ap-
pears to approve of the principle which induced
many poor persons to insure their ailing children
in a burial club, and made them inclined to regret
the child's subsequent recovery. The right hon.
gentleman observed that, while it was true that 2*
per cent. of the lives lost by shipwreck might be
saved by good iron and good workmanship, the bill
would materially lessen the chances of getting
damages in case of disaster. According to this
principle the wise men of Gotham, who " went to
sea in a bowl," were highly to be commended, pro-
vided they were properly insured, and, in truth,
this is the secret which too often lies at the bottom
of the tragic history of our coast disasters. The
singular thing is, that while Mr. MILNER GIBSON
is opposing the measure in Parliament, the Board
think it necessary to submit all the Admiralty
anchors and cables to the required test. It is to be
concluded, therefore, that the life of a man-of-war's
man is worth considerably more in official esti-
mation than the lives of ordinary seamen.
Whether the general public are inclined to adopt
this view of the case may be questioned. With
regard to the plea of extra official trouble, that is
scarcely worthy of notice. What do we hate a
Board of Trade for if its members and employes
are incapable or impatient of fulfilling their duties.
If a little extra work frightens these gentlemen so
much as to outweigh in the mind of their President
the importance of rescuing many brave men from
death and their families from consequent distress, it
is time they looked out for easier and less respon-
sible situations. Mr. LAIRD had good reason to
complain of the manner in which he had been
treated, having been given to understand that the
Government, on certain additions being made, would
have given their support to the measure. The re-
sult, as we have seen, was that Mr. MILNER
GIBSON, opposed it throughout, and gave a very
willing assistance to Mr. LINDSAY. whose deter-
mined opposition is worthy of notice. Mr. LAIRD
reminded the house that the bill had been opposed
at first on the ground that Lloyd's and the London
Shipowners Association were against it. He
had shown that they were in favour
of the measure, but the opposition still
continued unabated. That there is something very
wrong in this important branch of trade is evident
from the fact that the Admiralty can only procure
small chains to their satisfaction from one firm. No
one pretends to deny that scores of ships are lost
annually on our coast from the causes referred to,
yet no steps are taken to protect the men who are
the real sufferers, and very often the only ones en-
in the matter. The cure, however,
tirely blameless
lies in a great measure in the hands of the under-
writers, and if the Government refuse to do their
part, they must
fraud or carelessness of
greatly the losers by the
undertake the duty. They are
refused to insure
shipowners and it would be to their interest as well
as to those of the seamen if they r
any ship without her chains and anchors having
undergone the requisite tests. This plan would
speedily bring about a better state of things, and
we apprehend that we should hear less about the
rights of trade, and the injustice of compulsory
legislation, if the loss fell on the shipowner instead
of on the underwriters. Such an arrangement
would quicken his appreciation of the merits of his
vessel and her fittings, and he might be then
i h e
wrk m
e . ,
as eager for the introduction of this measure
to protecto
as him from
udnerwfirlietersdwishoonnld be dishonesty
to
obtain security from fraud or heedlessness. At
present matters remain where they were, in a very
unsatisfactory condition ; but we are not without
hopes that some private and independent
movement
of the kind may bring the Legislature to reason,
and secure the crews of our coasting vessels against
a against
a system which rashly imperils life and
and then looks to the insurance to cover all
risks.
The existence of such a state of things is a disgrace
to our mercantile marine, and we cannot but
hope,
in spite of Mr. GIBSON and Mr. LINDSAY, that some
change will be speedily effected. SYDNEY SMITH'S
famous receipt for reform is scarcely likely to be
tried, as it is not very probable that any members
of the Board of Trade will take a trip round the
coast in a trading vessel, especially after the un-

pleaß9.nt revelations of the Committee ; but if the
public attention is once fairly aroused on the sub-
ject, and cause and effect are put together, Mr•
LINDSAY may have to lament over the passing of a
more stringent measure, while the President of the
Board of Trade regrets the saving of life effected at
the expense of the additional labour imposed upon
his department.

The Commissioners appointed to consider the
subjectrecomm of transportation
varioustransportat alterations,penalionandh fo
which
er thehave
most appear to be desirable. It is very important
that this one be adopted at once, " that the prin-
ciple already recognised by the law, of subjecting
rcconvicted criminals to severer punishment, should
be more freely acted on," The great laxity that
has prevailed on this point has really been a tacit
encouragement to crime, and has been the fruitful
source of garotters. When once those hardened
criminals were convinced that they might go on
with impunity in their reckless course, they grew
perfectly callous, and seemed to try to excel each
ot
ht he e rin
worstcrime,
only restingret
taostshuereird
ptrheavtiotuhseyeawsyoulfdoramt
urn
of imprisonment, It is high time that some strin-
gent course be adopted, and a decided check be put
upon these proceedings altogether, and the result
will be that it will become necessary to revert to
the arbitrary discipline that prevailed formerly in
our prisons, and which, while it may stop the com-
mission of crime, must exercise the most injurious
effects on the minds of the prisoners. Also the
Commissioners recommend that convicts should be
placed for nine months in separate imprisonment.
This is a very wise suggestion, as during that
lengthened period they must naturally calm down
and become more likely to attend to the rules of
the prison, and so fit themselves for a more respec-
table course of life when they emerge from its
walls than if they mingled at once with the same
style of characters as those with whom they have re-
cently come in contact before conviction. It is
suggested that all male convicts who are not dis-
qualified for removal to a colony should be sent to
Western Australia during the latter part of their
punishment. This will no doubt be a wise plan, as
it must remove them from the immediate influence
of those who before have been mixed up with them ;
but it is a pity that the recommendation did not
extend to the female convicts as well, as previous
experience has shown the desirability of such a
course. It is reccmmended that those who remain
in this country and are discharged under license
should be placed under strict supervision, which
plan has indeed become imperative, in consequence
of the late events. It appears strange that no
mention is made of the necessity that exists for
maintaining a stricter discipline while the convicts
are actually in the prison. All accounts, public and
private, agree as to the great errors that are con-
stantly made in carrying on the system of secondary
punishments. It would have been far better if the
whole question had come before Parliament and
been thoroughly sifted ; but as it is, the recommen-
dations of the Commissioners are well worthy of
consideration. If they are strictly acted on, they
must be productive of some benefit, and great re-
sponsibility will rest on those who persist in shut-
ting their eyes to the evils of the present system.
It is a reproach to our Legislature that notwith-
standing the enormous sums that are paid for the
purpose, our prisons are apparently productive of
evil, and hold out an inducement to the outcast to
enter them, instead of being, as they should be, the
object of terror to the criminal.

The account of the late serious accident that
occurred to two gentlemen in a railway carriage,
naturally suggests the importance of devising some
remedy for the recurrence of such disasters. It is
time that some means of defence be provided for the
protection of passengers, who are placed in pecu-
liarly awkward circumstances when such events
occur. Many patents have been taken out and
several schemes suggested for effecting a communi-
cation throughout a train, either between guards
and drivers or between passengers and guards. The
objection that many urge against the adoption of
this wise plan is, that advantage will be taken of
such facility for the purpose of amusement by reck-
less persons; and also that timid or ignorant parties
will be sure to give a great deal of trouble and
occupy unnecessarily the time of the officials, to the
hinderance of the strict performance of their duties
and the general discomfort and disarrangement of
all concerned in the transit. On these grounds it
is easy to understand why the companies are slow
to entertain the mutter, but a little reflection will
prove that these difficulties can be easily obviated.
On the Continent the carriages are so constructed
that the tickets are collected while the train is in
motion, as the guards are enabled to walk round it.
What reason can exist that prevents the English
railway carriages from being similarly constructed
Why should not footboards extend from carriage to
carriage, and thus enable the guard, if summoned,
to repair at once and in safety to the point of call to
ascertain what may be required, and not needlessly
stop the train. Fortunate was it in the late serious
encounter on the Eastern Counties that there hap-
pened to be two gentlemen in the carriage, for had
Mr. WORLAND been alone his death must in-
evitably have resulted. As it was, the in-
trepid interference of Mr. MACLEAN prevented
such a catastrophe, but even with that result gained
and the maniac secured, the consequences were
serious. The wounded men had for a long time to
hold the maniac while their wounds were in great
need of being attended to, the train, an express one,
stopping at no intermediate stations. Thus for
forty miles they were placed in a perilous position,
while assistance, although in close proximity, was
unavailing to them. Railway companies while
they cater for the convenience and necessities of the
public, have always in view the prospect of remu-
nerative dividends; a short sighted policy too often
induces the directors to act on the penny-wise and
pound foolish system,
which not only defeats the
ends they have in view, but entails disgrace upon
ytoanlodolkostsoofthperopfirte us
epnotnatdhme
nhiasrterhaot
ilodne rtso.
the ei
is
c useless
expect any good in this matter, but we think that
the common sense of the eminent engineers and
practical managers of our great railway companies
should induce them to forestall a legislative enact-
ment by the adoption of some remedial measure
which would enable passengers in railway trains to
communicate, when necessary, with the officials in
attendance. Atlantic there is but one
Across the
c
first sight this may seem a dis
lass of carriages. At fir
tidiuus, but it has the merit of a
advantage to the fas
tion, the guards and ticket col-
thorough communica
from one end of the train to
lectors being able to pass
the other. In winter the trains are heated by stoves,
h for fresh air are indulged
and passengers who wish
in it at either end of the cars, and can likewise ob-
tain refreshments on long journeys at their leisure,
In Germany the second-class carriages are equal, if
not superior, to the first class of this country.
Why should it be that the country that gave
birth to railways, and which at the present day
supplies engineering talent and capital for the con-
struction of lines throughout both hemispheres,
should be so wofully neglectful of the safety and
comfort of the thousands who daily travel through
the confines of its own empire.

Governor-General, Prince Drucki Sokolinski, to
the local authorities of the province :

" The peasants of the Government of Volhynia
frequently address petitions to me, saying that as
they are compelled unceasingly, by day and by
night, to pursue rebellious Polibh bands, and take
all possible means to assist in pursuing and exter-
minating them, they are not at present in a position
strictly to fulfil their duties towards their landlords,
and they therefore beg to be clearly informed as to
t heir relations with regard to their landlords,whether
they still owe any corvees to them, or have been
liberated therefrom.

" Considering, that the duty now imposed on the
peasants, the prevention, both by day and by
night, of the assemblage of suspected persons, may
render them incapable of properly fulfilling the
duties required from them by law,l have the honour
to request that you will call upon the nobles of the
Government of Volhynis, in return for the protec-
tion of their estates by the peasants, not to exact
the fulfilment by them of their duties before the
disturbances in the country are put down, and, in
view of present circumstances, not to prevent the
peasants from liberating themselves from their cor-
vies in the usual manner--by payment. The nobles
should also observe that a peaceful arrangement
with the peasants is likely to be more beneficial to
them than measures of compulsion, which, moreover,
would be improper, for the peasants, being occupied
in protecting quiet inhabitants, loving the throne
and their country, and risking their own lives
against the criminal acts of the rebels, have a right
to expect consideration from the landlords and the
Government.

(Signed)

"Prince DRUCKI SOKOLTNSKI,
The Governor."

The cynical assurance of this decree, which speaks
of a horde of half-drunken peasants, pillaging and
murdering every noble they can find, as defenders
of the peace of the country, and protectors of the
nobles, is evident on the face of it. As for the
liberation of the peasants from the corvee, any pea-
sant may be so liberated, in the most complete
manner, by the national Government ; but it is too
much to expect of a Polish nobleman to grant even
a partial benefit to his peasants, when they destroy
his estate, threaten his life, and hurt to death the
soldiers of the only Government which enjoys the
confidence of the Polish people.