The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-02 00:00:00

ISLE OF ELY.

The disease is making shocking ravages in the
neighbourhood of Mepal. On one farm 13 calves

have died. Several cows have died lately, and one
was shot on Thursday by order of the inspector.
There are thonsands of fat cattle grazing on the
marsh land of Mepal, and the excitement of the
farmers may be imagined. Yesterday morning
several teterinary surgeons were called together to
advise some step to check the disease.

The Protection of Infant Life.
Mr. E. W. Thomas, secretary to the London
Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution,
in the course of a long letter upon the subject of
infanticide, throws out the following admirable
suggestions with a view to the diminution at least
of the frequency of its perpetration :
First, I reoommend that the affiliation of children bo
compulsory act on the part of its mother within three
months of its IAA); not merely for securing support for the
child, but more especially for the proper registration of
the paternity of the child. The cost of this proceeding
should in the first instance fall on the parish authorities in
which the child is born, but be afterwards repaid by the
putative father, or, in default, let him be sent to prison.
Further, that every affiliated child be duly registered in
the surname of its father.
As the law stands at present, any married man deserting
his children, and leaving them chargeable to the parish, is
liable to be apprehended and committed to prison as a
" rogue and a vagabond." Apply this to the father of il-
legitimate children. The crime is the same, the conse-
quences of desertion are similar, and the obligations to
duty are alike in natural right, therefore let equal offenders
be punished by the same penalty.
Any mother of an illegitimate child neglecting to
give notice to the vestry clerk of the parish or regis-
trar of the district in which the said child is born,
within three calendar months of its birth, should be'liable
to fine or imprisonment ; or any solicitor preparing
or executing any agreement between the parents of
such children for the care, support, or education of such
children, otherwise than as the law prescribes, should like-
wise be liable to fine. Now, I am quite prepared to find
that my suggestions are at best but impracticable when
criticised by those better acquainted with the difficulties
of the case than I am ; but the subject is one of the
greatest importance to us all, and one therefore in which
we should not allow a few difficulties to daunt us, but
should rather quicken us in our endeavours to save
human life, and so many young women from the crime
of murder. Depend upon it there is but one remedy
for this crime ; and, in my judgment, it is this :
—equalise the shame, the care, the trouble, and expense
of illegitimate children on their fathers as well as their
mothers, and you will do very much to check the crime of
infanticide. With the view of seeking further legislation
for the protection of and better care of illegitimate chil-
dren, I propose that a memorial upon the subject be
presented to the Home Secretary as early as possible
in the next session of Parliament, and that meanwhile
an association be formed of all persons interested,
in order to the collection of evidence, diffusion of in-
formation; and exciting the public mind upon this
painfully interesting subject. I shall be glad to receive
suggestions in writing from any part of the United King-
dom, also to receive the names of persons desirous of be-
coming members of this association ; and to work the
association with vigour essential to success, somo money
will be required ; to meet this, I therefore ask for contribu-
tions of five shillings and upwards. If at all successful, I
will form a special and responsible committee to carry out
the objects of the association; and also show, through a
treasurer duly appointed, the receipts and expenditure. My
rfect service will be given entirely gratuitously.