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

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPITMBER, 25, 1863

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 pouttrays
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 you are suddenly pulled up—then
you are thrown on your back or face 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 Salmi, the wife of a publican, was the im-
mediate cause of all the violence that occurred en
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 latrenting 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 good. 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 bo 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 i❑
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 Hedingham
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 lino of action was continued.
He was: left i❑ 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 th© 4th
of September. The maaistrates very properly
committed both prisoners for trial at the
next assizes. It is to be hoped that this
shocking and disgraceful case may be thoroughly
sifted; and that the delinquents will be severely
dealt with. No excuses regarding the health of
EMMA SMITH, and !Jle want of proof regarding

STAMMERS, should be tolerated. It is evident that
they are guilty porgies, whoever else may have

assisted them and succeeded in escaping detection.
To screen and shelter such offenders will be to

encourage a most serious evil. It is one that e;Te.

cially calls for suppression, and no efforts should

be spared to put it down with a strong hand. There

is nothing that can be more hurtful in its conse-
quences or detrimental in its effects on the minds of
the ignorant than the terrors of superstition, and the

absurdities of such credulous ideas. It has been

shown by lamentable facts how demoralising are
its tendencies, and how degrading its influences.

Such au athir i
this referred to s a Ecanchl to the

country, paero is no 115 G in rQiig9l;liD3 witb persons

who have worked themselves up to such a state of
terrorism, still less in allowing cthers to revive the
barbarous customs of a benighted state of society.
The law must interfere and b►ing the infatuated
individuals to a just sense of tie crime they have
committed in depriving of li=e a poor old man
whose infirmities should have ensured him protec-
tion. There was no one pre;ent in the crowd
assembled at the time, who is aot in some way to
blame for not interfering to ?revent the outrage,
and for not rendering some ass stance afterwards to
the sufferer, and also for not summoning the police.
Such unfortunate occurrences are happily rare
among us, but when they do 'Arrow our feelings,
and disgrace our society, let tlem be treated as they
deserve, and let no false notion's of mercy make the
name of justice a mockery, where its retributive
powers are so greatly needed.

Harvest Horne at Hughenden Manor,

_
One of these pleasing agricultural festivals took
place yesterday et 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.
Disraelee 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 bearers 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 nothieg 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 excellent dinner of hot roast and
boiled beef and plumpudding. Mrs. Disraeli en-
tered the tent shortly after the company sat down,
and remained during 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
Wales, 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 Flughen-

den. (Cheers.) I regret extremely that Mr. Dia.

. ,
raeli is prevented from being present upon this
occasion, and I believe that no one regrets it more
than he does himself. Though, however, he is ab.
sent personally,
he is with us in spirit, and our
proceedings to-day have not only his sanction but
his warmest approbation. (Cheers.) I beg, there-
fore, to give you the health of Mr. Disraeli
aanshthoef
lord of the manor and the oner of the principal
portion of the parish, and also to couple the toast
with the health of the other principal proprietors
of Hughenden.
theTTheenCallhAtlF7rAmNereneoxft
the
eopmoasneodr the
and ,a
n
eighbour-
hood," expressing the obligations which the clergy
felttoswepaprdosrtting harvest
hemfoecinl
homes.i forwardng
fully
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 general
approvalwiothf which the
mode of keeping
farmers witnessed the in-
troduction harvest
home.

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the " Health of
the Labourers," observed that he had been present
at many meetings in which the gentry and farmers
had dined together, but never before at any at
which gentry, farmers, and labourers sat down at
the same table. He considered that they were only
performing an act of duty in thus assembling all
together, in order, in the first place, to offer up
thanks to God for His mercy, and then to sit socially
down and partake 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 happy and he hoped not unprofit-
able erjoyment.
JOHN TILBY, one of the farm labourers, baying
been called on to acknowledge
your goodness to
us, and we hope You will enjoy health. We thank
God for all things, and, abova all, for His mercy in a
good harvest.
sending us such the toast, said—
" We thank you, gentlemen, for "
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Health of
Mrs. Disraeli," which Was drunk with loud cheers,
to which Mrs. Disraeli bowed her acknowledg-
ments.

respected Vicar," and
many thanks to him for hie
kindness in promoting the harvest home movement.
" The Health of their
Mr. CoATES then proposed
"The Health of the Rev. Mr. Evett, the rural
dean, and the originator of the movement," was
also given and responded to ; and some other toasts
having been drunk,which was
the
proceedings concluded with
a tea meeting,
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.

HERNE's OAK.—I may men-
tion,HUM D T AND
as n interesting
place when the Emperors of Russia and Austria and
the King of Pi ussix assembled at Windsor Castle to cele-
DaLcircumstance, what tcok
cele-
brate the christening of Our Prince of \Vales. The Queen
invited these potentates to walk in her grounds, but tiorne
of their attendants remained at the castle. Instead of view-
ing the objects in it, the celebrated Baron Humboldt 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
facts connected with it, Were objects of inferior interest
compared with the shattered trunk of an oak, "dry and
dead," yet rich with recollections of the genius of our im
mortal Shakapeare. On arriving at the interesting relic,
the Baron gazed upon it in silence ; and at last gathered a
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 rue with this little aziLcdote, which I must con-
fess aforded me no small dezreo of gr3tiuc;:tiQll,---.Eu;z?d
44,1 " 040

LATEST INTELTJGENCE.

[nEUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

DEPARTURE OF THE CHANNEL FLEET
FROM THE MERSEY,
LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 25.
The Channel fleet left the Mersey at half-past
seven this morning.