The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-10 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1865.

The quarterly return of the Registrar-General
will probably be looked at with unusual interest this
season. The prolonged and exceptional severity of
the weather, the unsatisfactory condition of the
public health, and the vague but alarming rumours
of the prevalence of various diseases of an epidemic
nature in different parts of the Continent have com-
bined to excite some uneasiness. Thanks to the
regularity and precision of our registration system.
There is no room for that uncertainty and mystifi-
fication which in former days helped greatly the
progress of any disorder by unnerving the public
mind and spreading that contagion of fear which
is more fatal in its effects than any actual
disease. It may relieve the apprehensions of
some persons to find that there is as yet
no sign of any new or peculiar disease amongst us,
but there has been undoubtedly a very high rate of
•
mortality all over the country, and the records—as
the Registrar- General reminds us very forcibly—state
that there is still much in our houses and towns
that needs setting in order. The marriages of the
season, which are usually accepted as a test of the
prosperity of a people, have been remarkably nume-
rous. The number of weddings in the quarter end-
ing December 31st, 1864, was on an average 577
daily, being greater than in any previous quarter.
The birth-rate of the first quarter of the year was
also very high, higher indeed than that of any quar-
ter of the previous ten years. It will be noticed
that the marriage register refers to the last quarter
of last year, and the birth and death registers to
the first quarter of the current year. The Regis-
trar tells us plainly that the catalogue of deaths has
been very heavy, and that under less favourable
sanitary conditions we might even have had a pes-
tilential epidemic. As it is, the prevalence of
zymotic diseases has been very great in some parts,
almost always however with coincident reason for
its presence. The weather has been very severe,
and the winter remarkably protracted, but we have
not yet the full evidence of the effects of the in-
clement spring, which will show themselves
more distinctly in the next quarter. Small-pox,
scarlatina, measles, and fever have been much about,
and their presence points emphatically to the
necessity of stringently enforcing our sanitary
regulations, which it is to be feared are too often dis-
regarded or purposely evaded. The revelations of
the condition of the interiors of many of our agri-
cultural cottages have eclipsed the houses of the
London rookeries, and, bearing these in mind, we
need not wonder at fever or small-pox passing
through a whole family when once they obtain an
entrance. Thus, in a sub-district of Shrewsbury, 8
deaths from small-pox occurred in one building, 4
of which were in one family. This building is let
out in rooms, and is said to be greatly in want of
sanitary improvement. In another district of
Shrewsbury epidemics of several kinds are very pre-
valent, and it is remarked that the importance of
sewage for Shrewsbury was urged some years
back in a memorial drawn up by the medical men
of the town, but nothing whatever has been done.
Surely this is an instance of the fatal indifference
Or neglect which is so common a cause of sickness
and mortality. People complain of the weather,
and lament the progress of disease, when all the
while they will not take the simple precautions
which are known to be the best means of preserving
health and warding off infection. Thus, in a dis-
trict of the East Riding, the mortality has greatly
exceeded the average, and scarlatina has carried off
several children. In one part of it the fever was
especially fatal, and it appears that the drainage is
very imperfect, but, notwithstanding that the atten-
tion of the local authorities was called to it, no
steps whatever have been taken. In another
village in the North Riding, named West llesterton,
fever of several kinds has been very general, and
the medical officer attributes it to the management
of the drainage. The village, which used to bo
healthy,
was drained last year, and the drain ter-
minates in a walled receptacle closed at the top
which " throws poisonous gases into every back door.'
The medical officer protested against this arrange-
ment, but in vain, and fever has regularly taken
up its abode there since. This is the more to be
regretted, as the registrar of the district affirms that
at a slight expense the work might be carried into
a field about 300 yards off, and the scourge of fever
removed. When we meet such culpable ignorance
or indifference among the local authorities we

seed not wonder at the perversity or obtuseness
of the poorer classes in refusing vaccination. The
unusual number of cases of smallpox during the last
few months has called attention to the subject, and
the details in almost every case confirm the asser-
tions of medical experience. In parts of Carlisle
and Cockermouth, where smallpox has been pre-
vailing, none of the fatal cases had been vaccinated.
In Lansdowne and Bath smallpox has been very
frequent, and " nearly half the deaths from it have
been in adults who neglected vaccination." The
prejudice of poor and ignorant persons against vac-
cination is said to be as great as ever, but it is surely
well worth the while of local authorities to be at
some pains in disseminating a little knowledge of
the facts. Another instructive point is the great
mortality which has occurred in several workhouses
from epidemic diseases, endorsing most strongly the
remarks of Mr. FARNALL in reference to the impro-
priety of keeping fever cases in a union. Thus, in
the sub-district of Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, out
of 318 deaths from typhus, nearly 300 occurred in
the workhouse ; while in the workhouse at Crump-
sall 119 deaths occurred, out of which 63 were from
measles. The danger and impropriety of keeping
contagious cases in the crowded wards of a union,
are thus clearly shown, and we hope these two in-
stances will not be without effect.

The meteorological information contained in the
Register is valuable and interesting. In seems that
only in three years of the present century has March
been so cold. Since the new quarter the heat has
been as remarkable, but we must wait for another
record to ascertain its effect on the public health.
Meanwhile we may profit by what we know, and
see about setting our house in order before the sultry
summer weather.

It is satisfactory to notice that some prospect of
redress is held out to injured men. Last night
Lord PROBY, Controller of her MAJESTY'S House-
hold, appeared at the Bar of the House of Com-
mons, bearing an answer from her MAJESTY to an
address of the House. In this communication it is
intimated that her MAJESTY has received the ad-
dress praying for the "redress of the grievances
complained of by the officers of the late Indian
army." These wrongs were sustained in conse-
quence of a departure taking place from the assur-
ance given by Parliament, and the Commission
which was appointed to inquire into the memorials
of Indian officers admitted this to be the fact. In
the answer of her MAJESTY it is stated that
due inquiry will take place into the effect
of the measures already adopted, for the pur-
pose of remedying the evils complained of, and
that should these not afford ample redress, further
steps will be taken to insure the requisite attention.
It is earnestly to be hoped that the Government
will carry out to the full extent the intimations thus
given, and that no more delay will take place in
rendering an act of justice to those whose claims en-
title them to the support and the sympathy of the
public. In no respect have the authorities been
more to blame than in the wilful disregard which
they have shown to those officers and men whose
services deserve attention and call for remuneration.
The same wretched and paltry system is carried on
concerning prize money, and years after the uninitiated
suppose these matters to be settled satisfactorily, it
suddenly turns out that nothing has yet been done,
and that the sums which are the rightful property of
certain individuals are kept back for no earthly
reason that can be given. It has been suggested,
indeed, that one motive is that the original claimants
may die off, and then advantage may be taken of
the confusion that often arises to prove the next of
kin to escape paying the money altogether. This
is not the way to represent aright the gratitude the
country should feel to its defenders. In the case of
these Indian officers great wrong has been done to
them for want of due promotion ; favouritism is
shown in the conduct displayed to the Staff Corps,
and the claims of those equally and often more de-
serving are passed over, to the detriment of the
public service and the disgrace of all concerned in
the matter. It is high time that these anomalies
should cease, and that for the future a decisive stop
should be put to such unworthy practices. It is a
reproach to the military authorities that things
should have come to such a pass, and no excuse
whatever can be furnished for their faulty execution
of their duty, and non-fulfilment of the trust com-
mitted to them. If justice be tardily rendered,
these officers will have to thank those who inter-
fered to call attention to their claims, and not those
whose bounden duty it was to find them out for
themselves and respect them.

Sir W. GALLWEY last night called attention to an
important subject, and one which materially affects
the interests of the community, namely, the Com-
munications between the Guards and Passengers on
Railways. The hon. member truly observed that
the subject was not unknown to the house, for very
often of late years complaints had justly been made
respecting this great want of railway travelling.
It seems strange indeed to think that nothing should
have been done in the matter, but the inattention
and indifference that are manifested in such cases
is almost proverbial. The object of Sir W.
GALLwEy's speech was to move that " it is the
opinion of the house that the safety of the
public requires that, pending the report of the
Royal Commission, some immediate provision
should be made for compelling railway com-
panies to make arrangements for establishing a
proper communication between guards and passen-
gers." The hon. member anticipated some of the
objections that might be made to his proposal, and
met one with a very good argument. Supposing
that the representatives of the railway interest
declared that this motion interfered with their rights,
he would state that the law had interfered to regu-
late the number of passengers who was taken in
stage-coaches, it had imposed regulations with re-
spect to carriers' carts, and the like. As yet
there is no attempt to make a communication
between the passengers and the guard, except ,
on the Great Western line, where there are
some more sentry boxes, but these are of no
use, because the extra money is begrudged
which would be required for those who should
occupy them as look-out men. Mr. MILNER GIB-
SON spoke very decidedly on the topic, and, per-
haps, his remarks were all the more energetic on
account of some member having intimated that the
Government were indifferent on the matter. Re
said that the Government had already taken steps
with a view to remedy the deficiency, and it was the
opinion of the Board of Trade that the Railway
Companies had undertaken to carry out some plan
which would allow railway passengers to make com-
munications to the guards. The right hon. gentle-
man spoke very plausibly on the subject, and added
that the " question was not in a state
to require immediate penal and compul-
sory legislation." This is all very well in theory,
but in practice the results are not so beneficial.
The end of all this palaver of difficulties and neces-
sity for delays generally resolves itself into this—
that the safety of the public is endangered, and the
lives of passengers jeopardised by neglect and care-
lessness. It is impossible to over-estimate the
horrors of the position in which some unfortunate
persons have found themselves on various occasions

t wh en shut up in the same carriage with maniacs.
Because it does not often happen that this occurs
some impatient individuals are apt to declare that
there is no hurry about it, but it is a scandal to
society and a disgrace to the authorities that such
accidents should ever take place. All the hindrances
that circumlocution can possibly interpose are sure
to impede the progress of the railway managers,
anal it is the duty of the Government to make every
exertion to urge on the good work, and to put a
stop to the present disastrous and most discreditable
state of things. It is dreadful to think of the fearful
risks to which passengers are constantly exposed by
the non-existence of a means of communication,
and at this time when so many important alterations
are being made by the construction of numerous
railways it is doubly important that steps should
be immediately taken to rectify the error which
has too long existed.

FINE ARTS.

The Season of 1865,

Before the flowers are well out, before many of
them are even in bud, the walls of our West-end
Picture Galleries are, year after year, radiant with
all the colours of the painters' palette—not one
among therictorial Exhibitions of the spring season
here in London but being already fully opened be-
fore the may, and the laburnum, and the lilac, and
the horsechesnut are seen blooming in all their
glory over our suburban garden-walls. It is so this
year again as it has been, precisely in the same way,
with so many of its predecessors.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY, it is true, is simply
opened just as usual—on the appointed days in each
successive week—as it is for that matter all the year
round, saving only with occasional intermissions for
the mere purposes of cleaning. Several additions to
that magnificent nucleus of a National Collection—
for it is really after all but little more than a nucleus
even now—have recently tended to enhance the at-
tractions already familiar to the public at large in
the noblest among our gratuitous Fine Arts' Ex-
hibitions..

THE COLLECTION OF PICTURES AT SOUTH KEN-
SINGTON again has but very recently indeed received
an immense accession both to its value and its at-
tractiveness, by reason of the removal thither to its
walls from those of Hampton Court Palace, by per-
mission of her Majesty, of that marvellous series of
Cartoons by Raphael, which are famous the world
over as among the art treasures of England.

SIR JOHN SOANE'S MUSEUM, in Lincoln's-inn-
fields, is once more for a brief interval accessible to
those who know how to get at the gratis-cards for
admission to it—cards of admission really worth
hunting after, if only for the fact of their affording
the visitor a glimpse of some of the choicest speci-
mens of our great national painter and humourist,
William Hogarth.
THE DULWICH GALLERY, situated as it is at an
agreeable distance from the central dust and hubbub
of London, yields far more than a mere excuse for
a pleasant country ramble to any lover of art who
has a genuine enthusiasm either for the Old Mas-
ters—such as Teniers or Poussin—or for native
artists like Reynolds or Gainsborough.
THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, established
for the time being almost under the shadow of old
Westminster Abbey, deserves more and more recog-
nisably, week after week, an examination of its fast
increasing stores of original portraits of famous men
and women of the United Kingdom, a store con-
tinually, though of course at very uncertain inter-
vals, multiplying in interest and importance, now by
bequest, now by purchase.

THE PICTURE GALLERY AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE
at Sydenham has already come to form one of the
permanent attractions to that most comprehensive
gathering together in the whole world of all the
more curious and remarkable products of nature,
and art, and science, and industry, and manufac-
tures.

PRIVATE GALLERIES, such as the Ellesmere Col-
lection, and others of varying celebrity, are gene-
rously thrown open, every now and then, by the
liberal-minded noblemen who are their unselfish
possessors. And in this casual way access has been
freely obtained during the last few years, more and
more readily, season after season, to such picture gal-
leries in the palaces of the nobility as those adorning
Stafford House, Northumberland House, Apsley
House, and Bridgewater House, the homes respec-
tively of the Earl of Ellesmere, and of the princely
Dukes of Sutherland, Northumberland, and Wel-
lington.
THE ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION, for the year,
we have already noticed in these columns of The
Sun, immediately upon our examination of its con-
tents upon the occasion of the Private View, prior
to the throwing open of the doors of the Academy
to the general public on May-day morning. Our
general estimate of it, as then announced, we do not
feel impelled to alter or modify in any way materially.
As a Collection of Art as it is now amongst us, it
stands forth now as conspicuously as ever—as the
first and foremost among all cur annual pictorial
exhibitions.

Elsewhere, scattered confusedly about the metro-
polis, there are now (more than ever numerously)
on view, various other Pictorial Exhibitions—Gal-
leries some of them—Single Pictures in other in-
stances being displayed alone—now and then a cluster
of two or three or half-a-dozen. Several among
these exhibitions, both collective and individual, we
have already commented upon in these columns—
in several cases even at some considerable length.
MADOX BROWN'S COLLECTION, for example, at
191, Piccadilly, of Fifty, more or less, remarkable
Paintings of his own, one among them, one of the
latest, and certainly among them all the greatest,
of his productions—a typical picture of the age-we-
live-in, significantly entitled " Work"—we have
spoken of in this journal as it is, to our thinking,
fully entitled to be spoken of, as among the most
striking and suggestive evidences of the growth of
a true artist's genius that we could anywhere point
to, or that we could anywhere enjoy the opportu-
nity of contemplating under a single roof at our
leisure.

SI3IPSON'S INDIA, TIIIBET, AND CASHMERE, being
a collection of now fully 200 drawings of scenes
and peoples, drawn from Nature and from Life, in
those far off countries, we in like manner took
occasion to descant upon at considerable length at
the time when those drawings (then less numerous)
were first on view at 118, New Bond-street, other-
wise known as the German Gallery.

THE GENERAL EXHIBITION OF WATER COLOUR
DRAWINGS again we noted in detail and with eager
satisfaction when, early this season, it assumed its
place, for the very first time, among our regular
Spring Fine Arts Exhibitions. The scene of its suc-
cessful inauguration as such being the Dudley Gal-
lery, in the Egyptian Hall—not in the Mansion
House, of course, but in Piccadilly.

A DRAWING Room AT ST. JAMES'S PALACE in the
Reign of Queen Victoria, as painted with a radiant
brush by Jerry Barrett, stands forth conspicuously
among the single pictures we have also very minutely
had to take into consideration, as now on view,
A painting that, we have here to add, has (since
our lengthened notice of it), been removed from
Mr. M'Leans, at No. 7, to Mr. Hogarth's, at No.
5, in the Haymarket.

TILE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD, as painted by Robert
Dowling, a picture now on view at the Messrs.
Colnaghi's, will be found, on examination, to be a
work of art eminently worthy of being popularised
by the aid of a skilled engraver, as it is designed to be,
under the hand of Mr. James Stephenson. Thefigure
of our Lord, about life size, stands nearly knee deep in
the waters of the Jordan—the divine countenance
fully confronting the awed spectator ! The isola-
tion of the Redeemer as the one solitary figure dis-
played to view upon the canvass, enhances in a
wonderful degree the profound solemnity of the
picture. The gleaming current of the river around
him the stretch of landscape beyond melting
away into the far horizon—the luxuriant reeds
and rushes in the foreground—the enlarging
circles spreading from either limb over the
rimpled surface of the Jordan—the very dripping,
sparkling, plashing of the waters raining from the
holy hands that have been immersed—such are the
perfectly natural and unobtrusive accessories to a