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

Zin

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, 1863.

According to annual custom, the Royal Speech,
by which the two Houses of the legislature were
prorogued last month, commended both Lords and
Commons to avail themselves of the customary
opportunity for promoting the goodwill, the loyalty,
and the patriotic ardour of the community, the
opportunity,that is afforded to them, every successive
autumn, by the mere circumstance of their scatter-
ing back, each man into his own neighbourhood.
Sterewyped, so to speak, though this gracious re-
commendationifrom the SOVEREIGN undoubtedly is,
in the ordinary outline of the Royal Address,
-whether delivered from the throne itself by the
Monarch in person, or from the foot of the throne
by the Royal Commissioners—it is no merely idle,
complimentary phrase, indicative of the SoTE-
REIGN'S reliance upon the loyal sivism of those
legislative leaders among her subjects. It is, on the
contrary, one fraught, in every syllable of it, with
a deep significance. And it is a recommendation,
moreover, which is sedulously acted upon, year after
year, in all parts of the country, at uncertain inter-
vals it may be, but most certainly thus at intervals,
by one or another, more frequently even, it might
be said, by twos and by threes together, of the more
conspicuous members of both Houses of the
Legislature. Already- even, this year, before the
eloseof September, we have, and that very recently'
had occasion to remark how many have acted thus in
obedience to the SOVEREIGN'S direction, or at any
rate recommendation. The establishment of an
institution, the opening of a public park, the in-
auguration of a scientific association, the mere com-
parison of notes upon the last session of Parliament,
down in his own borough or county between a
popular representative and his assembled consti-
tuents—each and all of these occasions supply our
legislators with the desired opportunity for address-
ing themselves during the long recess or vacation to
their neighbours by word of mouth—and, beyond
that, thanks to stenography to the general com-
munity after wards, through
the medium of the
newspaper press. Besides the
occasions already
enumerated, however, there are others of a more
homely or more 10131 character, doting
each
succes-
sive autumn, occasions of which the foremost men
in Parliament are often enough evidencing their
patriotic readiness at all times to avail themselves.
There is the Harvest Home, for example. And
there is the Agricultural Meeting, the meeting
now in one locality, now in another of our
numerous Agricultural Associations.
Of each of these home opportunities, as they may
be called, onr impression of this evening will be
found elsewhere to afford, so to speak, a very apt
and noteworthy illustration, viz., in the report of
the proceedings in connection, here, with a Harvest
Home in Buckingiiaml;hire, here, with au Agi icul*
tura' Meeting in Hertfordshire. The Harvest Home
at Hughenden Manor eliciting another admirable
speech from the eminent man who is Lord of the
Manor down there, to wit, the right hon, gentleman
the representative of JOHN HA:IIPDEWS country, and
beyond that, the Leader of Her MAJESTY'S Oppo-
sition. The meeting of the Hertfordshire Agricul-
taral Association down at Hitclain being presided
over and addressed at considerable length by another
right hon. chief from the front bench of the Oppo-
sition, also representative of his county, and, be-
yond that, one of the 'very foremost among tlh
representative men of tho age. By howmanywell-
earned titles, Sir BULWER LI TTON is that, we

all know. Yesterday, however, although the
right hon. baronet was presiding over the agricul-
tural banquet at Hitchin in his capacity as Chair-
man, so net only most efficiently, but
mostanandeffectively,doing it was rather as a country gentle-
man, as an agriculturist, as one individually en-
gaged and personally interested in the pursuit of
farming, that he spoke from time to time—but more
particularly in giving "the toast of the evening,"
as it is called, in delivering the speech of the night,
to his fellow-county-men of Hertfordshire. Towards
the close of that speech there were discernible, no
doubt, indications of its falling from the lips of one
who is not only a legislator, but a Statesman and
an Administrator. But for the most part Sir E. B.
LYTTON restricted himself carefully to questions
especially appertaining to, or connected with, the
subject matter of his toast—the interests of
agriculture generally, but more particularly, of
course, the local agricultural interests of Hert-
fordshire. So earnestly, indeed, did he address
himself to the particular purpose he had in view,
that it might be said, even, that he sunk the Orator
almost equally with the Poet, the Dramatist, the
Novelist, or, in its widest sense, the chief among
the Men-of-letters of his time. He certainty
eschewed anything like oratorical artifice. He
spoke clearly and directly to the point. Not a
farmer amongst them but must have listened yes-
terday at Hitchin with the deepest interest to Sir
BULWER LYTTON'S speech as an agriculturist. If
startled and saddened by his reference in that
speech to the alarming calculation made very re-
cently at Hambarg by Professor GAMGEE before
the International Congress of Veterinary Surgeons
there assembled from all parts of Europe, the
farmers of Hertfordshire must have been
none the less gladdened and heartened onward
in their pursuits, by Sir EDWARD'S reference to
another and a still more remarkable philosophic
agriculturist, Professor LlEBlG—that illustrious
LIEBIG whose genius, he aptly remarked, links
together Agriculture and Science, meaning, we pre-
sume, by science, that comprehensive portion or
division of it known as Chemistry. Professor
GAaIGEE'S calculation here referred to as quoted by
Sir BULWER LYTTON was, it will be seen,
to no less alarming an effect than that in
the six years ending in 1860 the value of the stock
which have perished in Great Britain and Ireland
is £24,500,00, whilst the quantity of stock which
has been imported from abroad within the same
period is less than £1,500,000; so that the nation
has lost within that period four times the value of
stock which has been imported ! Professor LIEBIG'S
opinion in regard to another and, if we might say
so, yet more vitally important consideration in re-
spect to the whole scheme of agricultural pursuits,
more important, seeing that this one relates directly
to what is called with so much emphasis the sta fro'
life—Professor LIEBIG's cheering and heart-glad-
dening estimate (as quoted yesterday by Sir
BULWER LYTTON, from the remarkable pamphlet
in which the learned Baron has just been recom-
mending the utilisation of the sewage of towns),
running to the effect " that in the continued pro-
gress of agricultural improvement in the three
kingdoms, England, Ireland, and Scotland will
grow corn sufficient to supply the wants of the
whole population without purchasing corn front
abroad!' That being the deliberate and
positive opinion but just now put forth
by the Great Philosopher. Quoting again
from that same philosopher—" a philosopher," as
he said," so disinterested and so profound," that the
opinion thus uttered by him assumes the simple
language of truth—what though couched in
words that, if uttered by a farmer, would be con

sidercd an extravagant compliment to his own pro-
fession—quoting once more from Baron LIEBIG,
Sir BULWER LYTTON impressively concluded his
speech, yesterday, at Hitchin, by reminding his
agricultural audience that upon their calling, that
is upon agriculture, depend the welfare and de-

velopment of the whole human species, the riches
of States, and all Commerce.

The English are proverbially a long-suffering
people, yet it is strange how long they tolerate
some abuses which are continually thrusting them-
selves upon their notice. The discomforts of our
street conveyances have so long been prevalent that
we have almost ceased to notice them. Some time
ago indeed an attempt was made thoroughly to
reorganise the cab system, but thanks to the meet-
ing of the cabmee, and the consequent inconve-
nience experienced by hon. members, the bill was
hurried through Parliament in a very incomplete
and unsatisfactory state. A little later on we were
told to expect great things from a change in the
management of the metropolitan omnibuses. A
rich and enterprising company were to buy up all
competitors, to provide new vehicles, to give in-
creased accommodation, with reasonable fares, and
never-failing civility. _How tar these specious pro-
mises have been kept the public has long ere this
been able to decide. The result has proved, what
all experience does prove, that monopoly is a very
bad thing, on whatever pretext it be tolerated.
New vehicles we have certainly had, but the com-
fort of the passengers is not always the first object
considered in them, as anyone can testify who, on
one of the glowing middays of the late summer, bad
the pleasure of riding—one of twelve—in a vehicle
made on the famous principle " How not to do it,"
with windows that do not open. We all resign
ourselves to temporary martyrdom, however, when
putting ourselves temporarily under the dominion
of drivers and conductors. We try to believe our
instructors when we are gravely informed that the
Redcap is close to Higugate Cemetery, and listen
with dutiful submission when assured that King's
Cross is two minutes walk from the Euston-road.
But even English equanimity is ruffled and Eng-
lish patience begins to rebel when to all other
delays, inconveniences, and annoyances is super-
added a positive risk to life and limb. The sys-
tem of "nursing," so often complained of, and so
universally condemned, is attaining a degree of
recklessness in some parts of London, which imperils
not only the safety of the passengers by the °mi-
nibus itself bat of the passers-by. It is in itself
only another development of the monopoly which is
always to be depreciated, in whatever form of busi-
ness, trade, or commerce it appears. As some omni-
buses belonging to the old proprietors, who refused
to relinquish their occupation, are still in existence,
it is the company's object to drive them off the field,
by absorbing all the passengers, and, as the best
and moat effectual means of doing this, the
" nursing" plan is adopted. In consists in two
omnibuses going, one before and one after the
enemy, so that if he attempts to hasten he is anticis
gated by the first, if he liege's he falls in with the
acfca.cotuorsderievqeursall:nato,bonlaamneet.
racing, in which both
second, Then comes the
sides are
orsittollgaeyt up
very amns- t,
a speed that is absolutely dangerous in London
thoroughfares, and to dash on, utterly regardless of
the vain appeals of casual passengers, at a rate more
agreeable to themselves than to their fares or their
horses ; but the qaestion is, whether this sort of
entertainment is to be allowed at the expense of
the general safety ? It was only the other day that
a conductor fell a victim to this clangarous practice,
and Paid with hie life the forfeit of the prevalent

I
rashness. But nothing seems to be a warning.
The omnibus interest succeeded in getting rid of
the tramways, on the plea of their want of safety ;
and it was loudly declared by their supporters that
if tramways were allowed in London it would be
taking the first step towards adopting the American
system, where the cars are suffered to run unchecked
through public thoroughfares. But the present
practice is even worse than the American one, since
there is no attempt at rule or regulation, but only a
struggle for pre-eminence, heedless of all beside.
The correspondent of a morning contemporary
descants with considerable indignation upon this
subject, more especially as regards the North-
Western and Westminster route. He styles him-
self a constant traveller on that line, and pourtrays
a state of things that loudly calls for interference
of some sort. He declares that the omnibuses
alternate between dawdling at profitable corners
for passengers and racing at a dangerous pace.
" First you go at a dangerous racing pace—then
you dawdle—then you are jerked backwards and
for wards—then vou are suddenly pulled up—then
you are thrown on your back or fice by being
driven into a gutter—then you fancy you are going
into a shop window," Add to this the pleasures of
listening to the perpetual wrangles of the rival
drivers and conductors, and a fair idea may be
gained of the comforts of a London omnibus ex-
cursion. The question is, whether it would not be
well to try a total change, to put the matter under
Government surveillance, and to make the licenses
conditional on steady driving and fair play. If
"nursing" or " racing" were to be ranked as for-
feiting the license, we should hear less of it. 'We
should be able to ride in comfort and quietude, in-
stead of being shaken about in every direction,
and then set down in the wrong street after
all, It is high time something should be done in
the amelioration of an evil which is becoming a
positive nuisance in our thoroughfare, while it pre-
sents serious dangers to life and limb.

A most extraordinary case has recently occurred
in Castle Hedingham, Essex. An old Frenchman,
who was deaf and dumb, was supposed to be invested

with some supernatural powers ; whereupon some
persons were credulous enough to attach vast im-

portance to his treatment. As is ordinarily the case
in such affairs, matters were at last pushed to an
extremity which has proved fatal to one person, and
will doubtless involve some others in a very serious
predicament. It appears that the old Frenchman
had lived for seven or eight years in a miserable
hut. According to the evidence adduced at the
examination before the magistrates, it appears that
EMMA SMITH, the wife of a publican, was the im-
mediate cause of all the violence that occurred on
the night of the 3d of August last. The French-
man, who was called by no other name than
" Dummy," came to her house and asked for leave
to sleep in a shed. She agreed, but some days after
that she wished him to leave. At this he demurred.
but upon her insisting, he was very much vexed,
and made signs, and wrote upon a door that in ten
days she should be ill. She then stated in her evi-
dence that " he made her ill and bewitched her, and
she went everywhere, but could get no one to set
her right again. She was afraid, for no medicine
could do her any good." It seems almost incredible
that in these days of enlightenment such gross ig-
norance and fearful superstition should prevail, but
sad as this state of things is, it is ten times worse to
learn how cruel and inhuman was the conduct that
afterwards took place. This woman, EMMA SMITH,
went to a public-house, where she unfortunately
met old " Dummy," whom she feared and hated.
She was lamenting her illness, and declared that it
was all on account of the "witchcraft'' practised
upon her by "Dummy." Apparently her words
excited her listeners to a very extraordinary degree
or else they had also some private wrongs or.
grudges against the Frenchman, for the other visi-
tors to the Swan took up her cause with a zeal that
was worthy of a better cause. First of all EMMA
SMITH begged and prayed of "Dummy" to go home
with her to do her goad. She promised to give him
three sovereigns, and to use him well. Doubtless
"Dummy" on his side was very much to blame for
persisting in aggravating the woman, but great ex-
cuses are to be made for his infirmities, which of
course precluded him from comprehending all the
purport of what signs were made him. He was
unwise enough to draw his hand across his throat,
which meant to signify that he would rather have
his head cut off and his throat cut than go.
This produced a most serious disturbance, ending
in a fatal catastrophe. The people about set on
him and pushed him out of the inn. Mrs. SMITH
went on in the most violent fashion, for such a
desperate invalid as she represented herself to be.
A man named STAMMERS was very instrumental in
the ensuing scenes of violence, and he stands
charged with EMMA SMITH with unlawfully as-
saulting the Frenchman. First of all, " Dummy"
was pushed into a brook by Mrs. SMITH, but after
that he was " swum" at the millhead. The pro-
ceedings were altogether characterised with a
ruffianism and a brutality that are perfectly re-
volting. Considering the age of the party assailed,
the offence amounts to a serious crime. He was up-
wards of 80 years old, and for him to be treated in
this barbarous fashion is a disgrace and a scandal to
the neighbourhood. As might be surmised, the
poor old creature did not survive the effects of this
"dark night's work." He was taken out of the
water almost senseless and laid on the grass, where
he remained for nearly a quarter of an hour.

Afterwards he went on, leaning on the wall for

support. The inhabitants of Castle Hedinghani

appeared to have rivalled each other as to whom

should be the most deaf to the claims of humanity

on this night in question. " Dummy" knocked at
the door of a butcher, who refused to let him in. It

is high time that the good people of this village
turn over a new leaf in their conduct, or else they
bid fair to gain a most unenviable reputation. Sub•

sequently the Frenchman was taken home, but here
again the same faulty line of action was continued.

He was, left in his wet clothes. The next day he
was found by one of the guardians of the poor
lying on some straw and trembling. He was

taken to the Union, where he died on the 4th

of September. The magistrates very properly

who have worked themselves up to such a state of
terrorism, still less i❑ allowing others to revive the
barbarous customs of a benighted state of society.
The law must interfere and bring the infatuated
individuals to a just sense of the crime they have
committed in depriving of life a poor old man
whose infirmities should have ensured him protec-
tion. There was no one present in the crowd
assembled at the time, who is not in some way to
blame for not interfering to prevent the outrage,
and for not rendering some assistance afterwards to
the sufferer, and also for not summoning the police.
Such unfortunate occurrences are happily rare
among us, hut when they do harrow our feelings,
and disgrace our society, let them be treated as they
deserve, and let no false notions of mercy make the
name of justice a mockery, where its retributive
powers are so greatly needed.

Harvest Home at Hughenden Manor,

One of these pleasing agricultural festivals took
place yesterday at Hughenden Manor, Bucking-
hamshire, the seat of the Right Hon. B. Disraeli,
M.P., when the tenant farmers, and the labourers
on theestate of the right hon. gentleman, and those
of some of the neighbouring landowners,
assembled
together for the purpose of innocent enjoyment and
recreation in the park, a short distance from Mr.
Disraeli's house. Tents had been fixed, in one of
which the dinner took place, but unfortunately the
frequent and heavy showers of rain prevented much
out of door enjoyment.
In the morning Divine service was held in the
old church of St. Michael's, Hughenden, the vicar-
age of which is attached to, and the vicarage house
in the park grounds. Owing to some slight indis-
position which at present confines the right hon.
gentleman to his room, Mr. Disraeli was unable to
be present either at the service or at the dinner
subsequently, but Mrs. Disraeli was present, and
took an active part in the proceedings. The quaint
old church was very prettily decorated with holly
and ivy leaves, and the Communion table with ferns
and flowers. Most of the farmers and labourers
had a small bunch of wheat, barley, and oats, tied
up with a white ribbon, attached to their coats. At
half-past twelve o'clock they proceeded in procession
to the church, being headed by the High Wycombe
Volunteer band, and followed by the families of the
principal gentry of the neighbourhood.
The Rev. C. W. Clubbe, the vicar of Hughenden,
read the prayer, and preached an excellent sermon
from 104th Psalm, verse 24, " 0 Lord, how mani-
fold are thy works In wisdom hest thou made
them all. The earth is full of Thy riches." He
impressed upon his hearers the necessity of giving
thanks to Almighty God for the abundant harvest
which had been vouchsafed this season—an abun-
dant harvest almost unprecedented, and after repre-
hending the way in which the old harvest homes
used to be kept, when they were nothing more or
less than scenes of riot and drunkenness, he pointed
out that the movement which had been commenced
and adopted in almost every part of the country of
making them occasions of grateful thanksgiving to
God and scenes of innocent rustic enjoyment, could
not fail in greatly improving the manners and habits
of the peasantry.
On the conclusion of the service the procession
was again formed, and proceeded from the church
to Hughenden Manor House, round which it peram-
bulated, as well as in the adjacent grounds. After
leaving the Manor House the procession paraded
the ground in front of the vicarage, and then across
the lawn to a handsome marquee, where over 200
of the farmers, labourers, and gentry sat down to a
substantial but excel ent dinner of hot roast and
boiled beef and plumpudding. Mrs. Disraeli en•
tered the tent shortly after the company sat down,
and remained curing the whole of the proceedings,
She was loudly cheered.
In the absence of Mr. Disraeli the chair at the
dinner was taken by the vicar, and the loyal toasts
of "The Queen," "The Prince and Princess of
\Vales, and the rest of the Royal Family" having
been given,
The Rev. CHAIRMAN said—l have now to give
you "The health of our distinguished Squire, Mr.
Disraeli." (Loud cheers.) Mr. Disraeli, as you are
aware, occupies a most eminent position in public
life, and although that circumstance deprives us of
the advantage during a great part of the Year of
having him among us as a resident, yet it does not
prevent us taking a lively interest in everything
that concerns the welfare of the parish of Hughen-
den. (Cheers.) I regret extremely that Mr. Dis-
raeli is prevented from being present upon this
occasion, and I believe that no one regrets it more
et
ehna
tn
personally,he does hi himself. f s
with
Though,u
ein p
however,eiri he
is ab.t,
and
Our
proceedings to-day have not only his tanction but
his Warmest approbation. (Cheers.) I beg, there-
fore, to give you the health of Mr. Disraeli as the
portionlord o f
othe
the manorp pariah,
ri
sahn,dda then :o to
n er
couple
t h principal
e the
toast
with the health of the
other principal proprietors
of Hughenden.
neighbout-
The Farmers of h
CHAIRMANnext
the
mopoasneodr the "Health of
the Tenant and
hood," expressing the obligations which the clergy
felt towards them foe ceming forward And so power
fully supporting harvest homes.
Mr. HUSSY and Mr. COATES, two of the commit-
tee of tenant farmers who assisted in getting up the
fete, returned thanks, and expressed the genera
approval with which the farmers
witnessed the in.
troduction of the new mode of keeping harvest
home.

hthat he },
in proposing the
Ns-hie the gentry and farmers
...._.
and labourers sat down at
" Health of
threfhLeabCoutirAeirus,A,t,AoNb,sex
ved
hawtandmi
which
had been present
but never before at any at
th© first place, to offer up
inngyeedmn gentry, nefatghrsineir:rs '
the same table. He considered that they were only
performing an act of duty in
thus assembling all
thanks to Clod for His mercy, and then to sit socially
together, in order, in
down and Partakets; of those good things
in the production of which they were all deeply in-
terested. By thus meeting together they formed a
new bond of union, while at the same time they
spent the day in IisPPY and he hoped not unprofit-

_
_
able erjoyment.
JOHN TILBY, one of the farm labourers, having
been called on to acknowledge the toast, said—
" We thank entlernen,
you, g for your goodness to
J
us, and we hope you will en;o—
-y henith. We thank
God for all things, aud, abov3 all, for His mercy in
sending us such a good harvest.„
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed 'The Health of
Mrs. Disraeli," which was drunk with loud cheers,
to which Mrs. Disraeli bowed her acknowledg-
ments. .

_..—......
Mr. CoATES then proposed" The Health of their
respected, y thanks to him for his
kindness in promoting the harvest home movement.
"The
Vicar," and roan_
enealth of the Rev. Mr. Evett,
dean, and the originator of the movement," was
also given and responded to; and some other toasts
having been drunk, the the rural
proceedings concluded with
a tea meeting, which Was attended by a number of
the townspeople of High Wycombe. Scme rustic
sports had been prepared, but the weather was not
very favourable for that species of enjoyment.

HUMBOLD'

men-
tion, as an interesting circumstance, what took
T AND HERNE'S OAK.-I may
place when the Emperors of Russia and Austria and
the King of Prussia assembled at Windsor Castle to cele-
brate the christening of our Prince of Wales. The Queen
invited these potentates to walk in her grounds, but some
of their attendants remained at the castle. Instead of view-
ing the objects in it, the celebrated Boron Hum.b6ldt in-
quired his way to Herne's Oak. This was the first object
of his attention and curiosity, and probably of his venera-
tion. The splendour of the castle, its pictures, the noble
scenery which is to be seen from it, and the many historical
factsead
compared with the shattered trunk of an oak, " dry and
d
with it, were objects of inferior interest
h recollections of the genius of our irn•
mortal connected
rich
the Baron gated upon it in silence; and at last gathered a
ys
sec
h e
av,r
je
On arriving at the interesting relic,
with
leaf from the ivy which clung to the decaying trunk, and
deposited it in his pocket-book, as a relic to carry back to his
own country, to be exhibited there as one of no common in-
terest. The nobleman Who accompanied him to the tree
acquainted MO with this little anecdote, which I roust con-
-I,:ss afforded me no small degree of gratification. --.Ldward
Jesse fit " Ones a Weeks':