The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-16 00:00:00

specting the cattle plague. In June much
might have been done had the opportunity
been made the most of. The importation of
foreign cattle might have been prevented, also the
moving of cattle about the country. The right
hon. gentleman paid a tribute to the ability which
Mr. HELPS had displayed in meeting the " grave
responsibility " put upon him. The Government
were taken by surprise, and left all the work to this
gentleman; who should therefore not be criticised
too scrutinisingly ; but at the. same time it is
evident that more might have been done at that
critical juncture to meet the emergency. Measures,
which some months ago would, no doubt, have
proved very effectual in arresting the plague, will
not now serve the purpose in a full or effectual man-
ner, -while they will, by their stringency, greatly
interfere with the interests of traders.
Another resolution was proposed, which recom-
mended that the exclusion of sheep and swine from
the local markets be rescinded, and that the prohi-
bition as to cattle be retained ; but this was lost.
The Duke of BUCKINGHAM made some observations,
which were very sensible. He adverted to the evils
which arose from the hesitation of the Government,
and the many changes of the successive Orders in
Council. Too much is left to the discretion of the
local authorities, and, therefore, while in some places
people submit to the inconvenience of closing the
markets, at other places twenty miles off the
authorities keep theirs open, so that the sac-
rifice has been made for nothing. As the
Duke observed there can be no difference of
opinion as to the contagious character of the
disease, whatever diversity might exist as to the
best means to adopt for its prevention. He consi-
dered that a uniform system should be adopted, and
that the agriculturists had better urge this neces-
sity upon the Government. No doubt much might
be gained if this advice were followed, and it seems
strange that more stress should not have been laid
upon this course before, for it stands to reason that
no decided benefits can accrue if a desultory plan be
followed, and nothing like consistency prevails.
The Duke of BUCKINGIIA3I also advocated
the desirability of calling Parliament together with
a view to the adoption of remedial measures. But
Mr. DISRAELI explained that this would not answer
the purpose, because too much time would elapse in
arranging the preliminaries for anything to be done
before Christmas of a practical nature. Sir 11.
VEIINEY very properly moved a resolution to the
effect that where cattle are destroyed by order of
the Government inspectors, a compensation should
be made to the owner. This is one of the most
serious considerations connected with this subject,
and before long something must be done in the
matter, unless the plague be stopped sooner than
there is any reason to hope that it will. Mr.
DISRAELI advised the adoption of a system which
had succeeded very well in Hertfordshire. An
Insurance Association has been formed on the prin-
ciple of limited liability, and the Marquis of SALIS-
BURY has given his opinion that there will be no
difficulty, " without great distress to the country,
in supporting those engaged in this branch of
agriculture." It is to be hoped that this wise
example will be followed through the country, as
it affords the best protection to those interests so
greatly imperilled by this calamity.
Last evening there was also a public meeting in
Whitechapel, on behalf of the East London Cow-
keepers' Mutual Relief Fund Association. Mr.
AYRTON, M.P., occupied the chair, and made some
interesting remarks on the subject which had brought
them together, and truly declared that this was an
exceptional case to the general rule laid down, that
trade misfortunes must be submitted to in the usual
way. When a great calamity suddenly attacks
persons in an unforeseen manner in the midst of
their business, society at large should certainly come
forward, and do something to alleviate the great
distress occasioned. Mr. AYRTON wisely suggested
that the meeting in question should be considered as
a preliminary one, and that some more organised
action should be taken for the purpose of carrying
out their views. It is to be trusted that this
effort will be successful, and that the public will
not turn a deaf ear to the claims of those who have
been such grievous sufferers by the late calamity of
the cattle plague. There is no reason why this ap-
plication should not be regarded in the same light as
the potato disease in Ireland, or the cotton famine
in the North. Many persons have had their whole
stock suddenly swept away, and thus they were re-
duced to ruin ; while others, who were in compara-
tively affluent circumstances, have incurred such
heavy losses that they are verging on the possibility
of failure. Such, surely, possess a claim upon the
liberality of those able to impart assistance, and
until the Government have decided upon means o

affording compensation to the numerous sufferers,

it is of the greatest importance that, at least, some
temporary assistance should be given to them. All
thinking persons will acknowledge the necessity of
taking up this view of the question with attention
and interest.

The opening meeting of the Royal Geographical
Society for the winter campaign is always an in-
teresting event. The experiences and acquirements
of the months which have elapsed during the recess
have to be recounted, and very frequently some
near and striking object of research or discovery is
brought forward. It is not often, however, that
such important and interesting revelations are made
to the members as on Monday evening last, for

though there are many parts of the world of which
as yet very little is known there is none so remark-
able as the interior of Africa. That so vast a con-
tinent should have as it were a mere fringe of
civilisation, that generation after generation should
have passed away since the facilities of travel were
so greatly increased without learning something of
the peoples and the natural features of that groat
extent of territory is certainly not a little remark-
able. The fact was probably due t 9 the general
impression that the task was hopeless, and that he
anto
rash
ll
who set out on ta
an
have en their: rii3soen
ems uws th
iteexnpienegt
no other result to
under an African sun. Still there has always been
a strong feeling of curiosity in existence, as was
shown by the enthusiasm and eagerness with which
the works of Dr. LiviNGsToNE and M. DE
CHAILLU—very dissimilar in th •
eir nature, but
alike in their topics—were received in • •
this country.
The recent discoveries of the late lamented Captain
SPEKE and his enterprising companion have served
to increase rather than diminish the desire to learn
something more of the African interior, and each
successive explorer brings back some further tale
of wonder and adventure. The task is undoubtedly
one of difficulty and danger, and is certainly not
within the compass of any ordinary traveller. The
modes of progress are uncertain, the climate ini-
mical, the people often hostile, yet the experiences
of Capts. SPEKE and GRANT, and now of Mr. BAKER
and his courageous wife, prove positively that an
exploring expedition to Central Africa is by no
means a hopeless or a suicidal task. The account
given of his travels and researches by Mr. BAKER
himself, to the Royal Geographical Society on
Monday evening, was full of the deepest interest.
Sir RODERICK ML-
RCHISON, in introducing the
business of the e • veiling, observed that the society
reafgieialbled uud •
orcumstwo which must glad-