The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-26 00:00:00

It remains for those who have been successful in
carrying it through the House to render the Union
Chargeability Bill as deserving of the support it has
met with, and thus inaugurate those improvements
for the poor and labouring classes which society has
ever pronounced to be necessary.

The annual report of our principal Metropolitan
Coroner is a matter of some importance, and of
considerable interest to those social ref ormerswhose
business it is to examine into the moral welfare of
the population. The origin of sudden and violent
deaths is a very necessary subject of inquiry ; since
whether they arise from malice, from accident, or
from physical privation, there is an evil that calls
for remedy. But the good that is done, or rather
the evil that is prevented, by the institution of an
official inquiry into every case of sudden death is
not visible, and we can only perceive it by inference.
One of the most dangerous and easy forms of mur-
der is, undoubtedly, held in check by it. With all the
facilities which the necessities of trade offer to the
poisoner, there is no doubt but that one of the most
cruel and treacherous of crimes would find many
more victims whose destroyers would escape with
impunity. Suicides are most likely not affected by
it, since there is generally a craving for notoriety in
the morbid view of the self-murderer, which prompts
him or her to give some indication of the act, or to
leave some sign of how it has been accomplished.
But if the frantic suicide may rather court than
shun the excitement of an official inquiry, it is very
certain that the secret murderer holds the coroner
and his jury in wholesome horror, and that,
without that protecting investigation, the
number of our poisoners would be increased ten-
fold. In the numerous eases of cruelty to children,
apprentices, or weak-minded persons, the inquest is
a great protection ; while in those instances of death
from accident or carelessness which are growing,
unhappily, so common, it is very desirable to have
some investigation into the origin of the catas-
trophe. The recommendations which the jury fre-
quently find occasion to append to their verdicts
have great moral weight, if no legal force, and one
often very valuable. Dr. LANKESTER, who is well
qualified for his arduous duties, has analysed
the list of inquests from August, 1863, to July,
1864, and has given us an interesting ac-
count of the various divisions. In the first
place, it is noticeable that the number of inquests
has increased considerably. The number held in
the year 1863-64 was 1,271, showing an increase
of nearly 200 on the previous year. The additions
are due to two causes—first, the natural increase of
population ; and, secondly, the increased vigilance
of the summoning officers. The latter rea-
son has been the most powerful, seeing that
the rise in the number of the population would only
account for about forty additional cases, so that we
may infer that the activity and vigilance of the
local authorities have very considerably increased.
St. Pancras, Islington, and St. Giles show the
greatest increase, and in these large and populous
parishes new officers have been appointed, and there
are no longer any complaints of neglect.
It is not altogether a matter of surprise, though
certainly it is very much to be regretted that the
list of accidental deaths should be so very large.
Their number in this report is no less than 70, and
since, as Dr. LANKESTER remarks, we cannot suppose
that any were previously overlooked, we must con-
clude that they are growing more frequent. There
are two ieasons for this increase given by the
coroner. lie attributes it partly to the increased
traffic in the metropolitan thoroughfares, and
partly to the immense extent to which buildings
and alterations are now being carried on. The
frequency of accidents in our streets is, a serious
evil, and one which is growing more and more con-
spicuous. As Dr. LANKESTER remarks, " Just as
the metropolis increases on all sides does the traffic
of its central streets become developed, and either
the carelessness or foolhardiness of drivers of
vehicles and foot passengers become the source of
accidents destructive of life." This is a problem
very difficult to deal with. We can neither
expect nor desire to interfere with the
traffic of our thoroughfares, and we have al-
ready the legal power to punish any reckless
driver. A great deal might be done by the foot-
passengers themselves being more cautious, and
not risking their necks for the sake of
saving half a minute. An extra policeman
or two might be employed with advantage at
some specially dangerous corners, with directions to
assist the foot passengers when asked, and to obtain
occasionally a momentary pause in the ever-rolling
stream of vehicles. As for the building disasters,
thousands of men are now employed in pulling
down old buildings or in constructing new ones ;
and, as many of the first are ricketty and unsafe,
and many of the latter are of enormous size, there
is, of course, an increased liability to accident. Still
there is no doubt that there is very often great
carelessness both on the part of the men and their
employers, and the recommendations of the coroner's
jury are beneficial in this respect, Dr. LAN-
KESTER, who ought to be a judge, says that in
the majority of instances their recommendations are
attended to. The accidents on railways happily
show a decrease in number, and a great proportion
of them occur to the workmen employed on the
lines, who frequently suffer from their own disre-
gard of rules. Frequent accidents on railways arise
from the bursting of boilers, and Dr. LANKESTER
strongly recommends the adoption of a regular
system of testing the strength of boilers.
The increase of verdicts of suicide and homicide is
not disproportionate to the corresponding increase
of the population. An alteration in other respects
is due to the fact that juries have recently returned
verdicts of " Wilful murder," instead of "Deaths
from unknown causes," in the case of infants found
dead. The alarming extent to which infanticide is
practised-150 dead children being found annually
in the streets of London—is certainly sufficient to
justify Dr. LANKESTER'S assertion that it demands
special inquiry. Another important suggestion
made by the coroner is, that deaths in
workhouses should require an inquest the same
as deaths in prisons and asylums. It is manifest
that such a regulation is a great protection
to the helpless inmates of prisons and lunatic
asylums, and the bedridden inhabitants of the sick
wards are surely in equal need of such protection.
An accident revealed the terrible case of RICHARD
GIBSON, but if there were the certainty of an in-
quest after every death the subordinates in work-
houses would be more careful in their treatment of
the infirm. There has been a remarkable increase
in the number of deaths in the prisons, and espe-
cially 'in the House of Correction, which is not
easily accounted for, and deserves inquiry on the
part of the prison authorities. The report touches
on many important points, giving facts from which
every
eal working of the social machine.
\
one may draw their own conclusions, and
adding considerably to our knowledge of the prac-
tical
the

The question of which Sir JOHN WALSH has
given notice for to-night is one which excites general
attention and interest, and the reply of Lord PAL-
MERSTON will be eagerly looked for throughout the
length and breadth of the land. It is very essential
that this subject should receive due attention in the
House before the dose of the beSfi.cll) because we

have had a great deal of unfortunate experience to
show us the danger of leaving such difficult matters
entirely in the hands of Ministers. During last
week most mistaken conduct distinguished our
Government, and already the deleterious effects of
ti,e uncertain course pursued have been too plainly
peregived. Too much already has been conceded
to the Yankees, and if we go on at the rate we have
there will be an end to all principles of justice and
respect for the law of nations. had more firmness
and decision been displayed at the outset of the
American war we should now be in a very different
position with the bombastic and unscrupulous
Government of Washington. The loss of President
LINCOLN will be doubly felt in consequence of our
having so manifestly failed to establish our rightful
position. The claims for compensation, of which
rumour has told us so much, and of which in all
probability we shall yet hear more now that the
Americans can turn their thoughts to us after the
cessation of the war, are most ridiculous and im-
pertinent. The extraordinary character of such a
demand is such that it would be incredible to
suppose that the threat is to be put into execution
did we not remember alike the arrogance of those
who are to make it, and the very imprudent way in
which they have been treated by our authorities
over here. Sir J. WALsn is to ask, " Whether the
Government of the United States have sent in any
formal or official demand for the losses sustained by
American subjects from the Alabama and other
cruisers fitted out in British ports ?" The sooner
a decided answer is given to this question the better,
and Lord PALMERSTON will disappoint expectation
if he do not at the same time he replies to the query
n the letter of the demand also answer the spirit

and purpose of its meaning. Whether the Govern
ment have actually received the communication or
are only expecting it, he can at any rate avow
the intention of himself and his colleagues to
refuse the claim on every ground, and to put
aside, as unworthy of notice, the fallacious argu-
ments which are sure to be employed by those who
make it. Other questions may bear delay, and it may
not much matter if minor affairs are mismanaged
in our dealings with foreign nations, but the honour
of England admits of but one answer to this de-
mand, and that answer must be speedily given in
the negative. The Government had better take
heed to their ways in this matter, and they will find
that they have committed an error which will cost
them dear, and which the country will neither for-
give nor forget. If Lord PALMERSTON be wise he
will follow the dictates of his own convictions, and
not attend to the anti-national party, whose false
doctrines have wrought so much evil to this country
and materially altered the spirit of our foreign policy.
If anything could add to the unreasonableness of
this demand, it would be to think of the great ad-
vantages which the Federals gained from this
country, and the very illegal measures which their
agents resorted to in order to obtain recruits. By
an ingenious interpretation of the laws it was dis-
covered, also, that they might procure arms
and ammunition to any extent, although it was
unlawful for the Confederates to take un-
armed ships out of our harbours. There
is a limit beyond which endurance will not go, and
that limit has now been reached. It is time for
a protest to be entered against unwarrantable as-
sumption, and for the demand for compensation of
injuries, with which we have nothing to do, to be
met with a stern denial, for thus only can we
maintain our dignity before the nations of the
world.

Opening of the Saxo-Thuringian Industrial
Exhibition.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
MERSEBURG, May 21

. _
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Prussia
arrived here yesterday evening from Berlin to open
the Saxo-Thuringian Industrial Exhibition. After
attending Divine service this morning in the Cathe-
dral, the Crown Prince received the various distin-
guished personages invited to be present at the
ceremony, the representatives of the districts which
had sent articles for exhibition, and the authorities
of the town, and then repaired to the building
erected in front of the Sextus Gate.

His Royal Highness was received at the entrance
by the guests and committee, and conducted to a
throne placed in the centre of the transept. The
chairman of the committee then delivered a long
address of welcome. The speaker next sketched the
former importance of many of the towns included
in the exhibition district, alluding particularly to
Erfurt and Merseburg, and dwelt upon the new era
in the manufacturing and commercial life of these
regions, which, he said, justified the most brilliant
hopes for the future. The present exhibition, in
which so many various districts were represented,
displayed an attractive picture of Germany's united
toil. Great difficutlies had had to be overcome by
the promoter, and these had all been fortunately
removed, princes and governments, communities
and private individual vieing with each other in
making sacrifices for the common good.
The speaker continued :—" Upon this festive day
I may venture to call to mind that 50 years will have
elapsed to-morrow since, by the decree of fate, this
portion of the country passed into the possession of
Prussia. At that time, notwithstanding its just sor-
row at the severance of long familiar bonds, the
population bowed with resignation to the wisdom of
the decrees of Providence. Now it is animated by
the joyful consciousness of being a not unimpor-
tant part of that great Power which looks back
upon a mighty past, and looks forward to a glorious
future. At that time the population looked with
hopeful confidence to the pre-eminent qualifications
which the record of history shows to have dis-
tinguished the House of Hohenzollern ; now it
knows that the members of that high house have a
heart for the interests, wants, and wishes of the
people. It is among the most elevating and pre-
cious results of our entire undertaking to have
arrived at this knowledge by personal experience."
His Royal Highness replied :—" Gentlemen, I
congratulate you upon the completion of the under-
taking which unites us here to-day. It affords me
joy, in accordance with the wish of my royal
mother, to testify, by my presence among you, my
interest in this exhibition, and to be able to con-
vince myself how liberally the task you have under-
taken, though coupled with so many difficulties, has
been assisted.

"I have also much pleasure in welcoming among
us councillors and representatives of those illustrious
Princes who are so near to us by kindred and blood,
and whose countries have sent hither artistic produc-
tions. They are all heartily welcome.
" Allow me also, at the same time, to pay a
special tribute to the memory of an illustrious
Prince from these countries, whose premature loss
we deplore, and who, in the true sense of the word,
was the creator of the idea of this noble emulation
in industrial products. I repeat here what I said
recently upon a similar occasion, in another part of
the monarchy, viz., the wish that his spirit may
inspire and guide us.
" And while we now proceed to the opening of the
Exhibition, let us above all be mindful of his Ma-
jesty the King, under whose beneficent hand may
the industry of the country grow and flourish."
The Crown Prince then called for three cheers
for the King, and declared the Exhibition open,
after which he made the round of the building, ac-
companied by the Presidents of the committee.
His Royal Highness returned in the afternoon by
railway to Berlin.

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH AUSTRIA.—The
Board of Trade has intimated to tho Chamber of Commerce
that the International Commission has decided to invite
delegates, representing the industries and the arts of both
countries, to meet them in Vienna, and to give evidence as
to the conditions of productions in England and Austria,
and the means of increasing the trade betreen those
countries.