The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-09 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1863.

Save in regard to one or two points open to our
decided objection, we cannot but regard the speech
delivered last night in the House of Lords by the
noble earl the leader of her MAJESTY'S Opposition
as entitled to the highest commendation. To say-
this in regard to its mere oratorical excellence
would, we are perfectly conscious of that, be hardly
less than ridiculous. The Earl of DERBY stands
in the very front rank, at the very head of that
front rank, as the foremost among the
Parliamentary orators of his age. He has long
enjoyed what ho a long while since nobly secured
to himself, and has ever since then admirably well
sustained his high and distinctive reputation as the
first debater of his time. His rhetorical capacities
(gifts and acquirements, combined by practice) are
second to those of not even the most famous among
his younger contemporaries ; such men, let us say, as
the member for Birmingham or the member for the
University of Oxford. To refer to any speech of
Lord DERBY'S, then, as a speech in the highest
degree commendable, could be hardly supposed to
have reference (as the remark certainly has not
here) to its mere oratorical excellence. If it had
that inference simply (we would italicise the word
and say very simply, indeed), it would, we repeat,
be scarcely any thing less then a purely ludicrous
observation. Cela to sans dire. Our allusion,
therefore, is not by any means so much directed to
the Earl of DERBY'S speech as a speech, attractive
though it is another among his lesser Parliamen-
tary services--as it is intended to convey our
senora of its merits, as, for the most part,
a generous and magnanimous argument
in behalf of the great principle of religious liberty.
The argument put before the House of Lords last
evening by the earl of DERBY was most cogently
and convincingly put throughout. It was in many
parts who!ely unanswerab!e. The result of the dis-
cussion is visible at a glance, in the widely
contrasting balance of numbers upon the
division the second reading being carried
by neariy two to one, 35 voting for and 65 against
the amendment. The Prison Ministers' Bill there-
fore may be regarded as already, to all intents and
purposes, assured of its ultimate triumph. At the
third reading of the bill in the House of
Commons—in which house it will be remembered
it was introduced—the numbers (which
were greater) are far more equally balanced : that
third reading being there carried on the 18th ult.
by 196 for as opposed to 167 against. Henceforth,
that
into is when the fast mellowing bill has fairly ripened
an enactment, the Catholic priest will have un-
disputed access to his penitents
in all the Criminal
Prisons of England, right of access as assured and
undisputed as that already
tant Chaplain and Deputy eeChaplainseesed
certainly bythe Protes-
tant
attached to each
of those establishments.
Idoes appear
to us wonderful that any persons should actually be
found nowadays ready to maintain for one single
in
stant the reasonableness of withstanding a
claim
this character. Happily, in spite of much bitter oppo-
sition, it has proved to be a claim that has not been
vainly
advanced. Among those who have the meat
generously and magnanimously, because in every
point of view the most dispassionately, indicated
the reasonableness of this claim, the Eirl of DERBY,
desirous TO be especially remembered as the one
standing forth ie.,' the most consistently and the
most conspicuously.

Lord STANLEY'3 remarks are always to the
point, and it is, therefore, very satisfactory to find
him discoursiag on so important a topic as the
"Dwellings of the Working Classes." On Satur-
chy he met a numhei• of gentlemen at the 3,fanQinn-
house, who interest themselves in the domestic
accommodation of the working classes. The object
of the mdetia4 was a very desirable one, to farm art
association of twenty or thirty gentlemen, protected

11,y the Limited Liability Act, and having a capital
,nf from £25,000 to £30,000, to be invested in the
erection of a number of improved dwellings. Lord
STANLEY took the chair, and said that the fact was
1 well known that there was a great want of decent
accommodation in the centre and eastern parts of
London for the whole body of mechanics, as well as
for the labouring classes, as they were fitly so
called. He remembered many different societies
that had endeavoured to meet this want, since a
meeting that took place some years ago in the City;
but he was sorry to say that they hal not sue-
ceened altogether in their moat desirable object, of
being self-supporting. They had met there that
day to make one more effort to overcome this diffi-
culty. He hoped they had a better chance than
their predecessors, since they would profit by the
experience that they had bought so dearly. In
two things he wished them to differ frcm previous
arrangements of this class; first, to look rather to
the accommodation of families than of single men,
and not to the highest amount of rent which the
better class of persons among the labouring classes
could afford to pay, but to what was necessary to
make the undertaking remunerative to those who
did it. After these preliminary observations on
the general style of their proceedings, his lordship
entered into particular details, and cited the expe-
rience of Mr. WATERLOW, which he had obtained
through erecting a block of buildings in the most
crowded part of Finsbury. Mr. WATERLOW said
that for a sum of £25,000, including all preliminary
expenses, and also the dividends for one year on the
capital during the period of construction, they
would be able to put up blocks of buildings for the
accommodation of 200 families. The gross esti-
mate was £25,000, and assuming that each house
on a moderate estimate would let for about £l5,
that would give a gross return of £3,000 a year, or
12 per cent. on the gross outlay. From that, if
they deducted, in respect of ground rents, coat of
supervision, the occasional loss on rooms unoccupied,
and other incidental expenses, 50 per cent. on the
returns, a net return of 6 per cent, would still be
left after the payment of all expenses, both present
and prospective, and that they thought ought to
be sufficient to induce capitalists to embark their
money. Lord STANLEY concluded by saying that
though he had spoken cf the undertaking in the
sense of its being a remunerative one, he would
add that it was not as a matter of profit that
he and his hearers had undertaken it,
bat the fact was, that the only way to
ensure the success they aimed at was to
show the capitalists of the country that their in-
vestments would have a reasonable prospect of a
fair return. This was the bright view to take of
the matter, and Lord STANLEY'S practical sugges-
tions were so good that it is to be hoped the
members of the society will be guided and influenced
by them is their future deliberations on this ex-
, cellent scheme. Too much care and thought cannot
possibly be devoted to the attainment of so desirable
an end as improving the social welfare of that large
class whose homes are generally so wretched. The
mistakes that generally prove fatal to similar laud-
able purposes is that the managers are too visionary
in their plans. No lasting good can be done, and
no permanent benefit effected, unless the arrange-
ments are ail carefully entered upon, and the foun-
dations of the institution rest on secure and solid
ground. In answer to a suggestion that was made,
Lord STANLEY wisely remarked that he did not
think it was at all desirable to invest any of the
PEABODY funds in this undertaking. Mr. PEA-
BODY'S fund was devoted to charitable ends, and it
would therefore impair their example if it was said
they.had assistance from it, A loan on lower terms
than they could get money in the market would be
a gift in disguise. This was strictly true, and ine-
vitable confusion would ensue from mixing up
one fund with another. At the end of the
meeting several large sums were subscribed,
amounting in all to upwards of £141,000.
Previous to the conference £13,000 had been sub-
scribed, so that the commencement has been made
under favourable auspices. Mr. SAMUEL MORLEY
made a few pertinent observations. He said he
thought their end would not be gained by compa-
nies ; but what they wanted was to stimulate
private individuals to invest sums, they (the meet-
ing) acting as pioneers. Many commencements of
this sort seem propitious, but the flattering promise
is not fulfilled. In this instance, however, there
are reasonable grounds to augur a more favourable
result, for the managers of the scheme appear to be
most painstaking, and, avoiding all excitement, to
weigh well their actions and study minutely the
effects of their various plans. The only drawback
in this scheme is, that it will not be practicable to
have a lower rent than five shillings a week; but if
the present arrangements prove satisfactory, it is to
be trusted that, at some future time, something may
be done for the unhappy class who cannot possibly
afford to pay so much. If so, a most desirable thing
will be done, fcr there is great suffering existing
among those who have to pay large sums in pro-
portion for the accommodation they get. This
meeting is a step in the right direction, and great
credit is due to all who have come forward so zeal-
ously to take up the cause of those on whose well-
lazing and comfort so much depends as regards the
welfare of the community and the best interests of
the State.

The busy thoroughfares of the busiest part of our
great city presented last evening an interesting and
unwonted sight. All ordinary traffic was suspended
at an early hour, although throngs of persons were
there to witness tae coming sight. It was the grand
occasion which had been occupying the thoughts
and plans of the good citizens of London for many
a long day of anxious preparation—the occasion
which was to exemplify in a striking manner some
peculiarities in the national character ; the combi-
nation of ardent loyalty with the jealous preserva-
tion of civil and municipal rights ; the eagerness
to do honour to the heir to the Throne, with the
watchful regard for the ancient privileges. In
that great Hall, which has for the last four centu..
ries been the centre of English civic justice, the
future KING was called upon to read the customary
declaration that he would be a good subject and
true citizen before he received the casket of exquisite
workmanship which contained his admission to the
freedom of the City of Landon. It is curious to
notice that, in the declaration referred to, the Prince
undertakes to maintain the franchises and customs
of the city, a duty he will probably not be un-
mindful of, should any occasion arice wherein the
ancient rights of the citizens should be endangered.
It is also an interesting feature in the ceremonial of
yesterday that the Prince was requested to take
upon himself the freedom of the
City, which he had
inherited by patrimony,
Prince
eg the ew.first instance, it
is thought, in which a p
that right as born after his father,BALaEdsnapisossisoenesetdo
citizenship. This inthciedyenotunmgupsatiNhcazveamade it
doubly interesting to
ing the high estimation in which his I.eatshreer:wrils
held, and. it was probabiy more gratifying t
to be greeted as the son of the beloved and honoured
" Prince," than as the successor of the man.;
illuait and world-tamed names air. ,dy
on the roll of honorary citizenship. It did not
I lessen the evidence at :Loyalty and attachment which
everywhere greeted the young mince that the

and civic honour which had just been con-
ferred on him vtafi his by right as well as by in-
vitation; it rather served to heighten the interest of
the occasion, and to unite closer the representatives
of constitutional monarchy and civic freedom.

The preparations made by the Corporation for
the royal visit were all that could have been ex-
pected. Taste, elegance, and the lavish hospitality
which has always distinguished the citizens, were
combined with the most striking success. It is a
source of general gratification, too, that the ex-
ternal arrangements were so perfect as entirely to
prevent any recurrence of those dangerous and fatal
accidents which threw so sad a shade over the night
of tha illuminations. By the exercise of wise pre-
cautionary measures, and the absence of the spirit
of misplaced independence which would accept no
auxiliaries, the strictest order was maintained in
the streets of the City, which must have presented
a pleasing contrast to the PRINCESS to the confusion
attendant on her first arrival. The internal deco-
rations and arrangements for the reception
and convenience of the guests had also
been the subject of anxious care and pro-
fuse expenditure, and the result must have
satisfied the most hypercritical. A little incident
at the close of the evening served to show the
PRINCESS the kindly feeling with which she is re-
garded in the busy centre of the commercial activity
of the world. Before returning to the ball-room
after supper the Royal visitors were conducted
through the Court cf Aldermen, where, in a deep
recess on one side of the court was a large picture,
representing the birthplace of the Princess—Prince
CHRISTIAN'S Palace of Bernstorff. In the fore-
ground was a portrait of the Princess herself, and
the picture, being lighted from behind, had the
effect of a beautiful moonlight view of the young
bride's early home. This graceful compliment was
warmly appreciated by the Princess, and must have
afforded her more personal gratification than the
gorgeous festival in which she played SO prominent
a part. No accident or misadventure seems to
have marred the success of this brilliant reception,
and we may hope it will be a type of the union be-
tween prince and citizen—a sample of that combi-
nation of the fervent loyalty due to a worthy
monarch, with the Inquest:clued exercise of fran-
chises "confirmed but not originated at the Norman
Conquest."