The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOND

forced through a third reading to•morrow. It
seems almost incredible that absent members will
not receive last night's notice as a summons to
take the express train at once to save their credit
and that of the People's House.

The bill is, said Mr. OSBORNE, a most extraordi-
nary one, brought in by a private member at the
end of a lazy session. There is real weight in the
sarcasms of the trenchant member. If ever a bill
ought to be brought in on the responsibility of
Government it is one involving such grave depar-
tures from legal and constitutional principles, and
one which touches such a peculiarly difficult and
artificial subject as'game. At this moment no man
has yet succeeded in settling the light in which
game shall be regarded. If we take what comes
nearest to the fact, and define it to be any living
creatures which gentlemen may see fit to kill for
their sport, even this may be made to include
every wild creature that can run or fly. We knew
well a country squire who actually took more
interest in a rat hunt than in a hare hunt,
who kept a splendid set of dogs and ferrets
for the purpose; happily he did not enforce
rat preserving on his tenants, nor did he
regard the ratcatcher as a poacher, on the contrary,
the latter official generally attended the squire on
his expeditions, and had the pecuniary benefits
thereof. In all reason, however, if ratcatching
amused squires, any argument in favour of making
hares and rabbits game would equally apply to the
rats.

Some would treat as the property of landlords all
the living creatures supported by the land. Those
game-defining philosophers are asked, in reply,
whether they would extend the designation of pro-
perty to sparrows and rooks. In one respect they
might, with more reason, since the agricultural
value of these birds on an estate is now proved tons
by the sufferings from insects of our neighbours
across the channel, who have so nearly destroyed
them ; while, what is now reckoned game, has no
reputation for saving our crops from the ravages of
wire-worms and grubs. In truth, it is impossible
to affix the notion of property to 'what can in no
way be identified, either by its visible features and
characteristics, or by its being actually in your
possession. The very sovereigns which have been
stolen from you, if you can identify them by no
mark, can be no longer claimed ; though, if known
to be taken from you, you can reclaim
them. For this reason it does seem fair, as
Mr. WALTER, we believe, first suggested,
and Mr. OSBORNE, last night, also remarked, to
make a difference between pheasants and other
things called game. Pheasants are brought up as
poultry, said Mr. OSBORNE, and ought to be con-
sidered as such. They really are inclined to wander,
when duly cared for, not much more than some kinds
of poultry; and with all our antipathy to the game
laws, and deeming laws for protecting property
to be quite sufficient, we should readily concur in
declaring pheasants property, and leaving the rest,
which no mortal could identify, to such protection
as trespass laws, and the sentiments of a neigh-
bourhood would furnish. The one inference we
draw from all is, that it is scandalous to legislate
on game, when the community, and even game pre-
servers themselves cannot agree as to how we shall
regard it. And the one fact that ought, even now,
to kick out this bill, on its third reading, is, that it
is a monstrous innovation on the laws of the land,
made all in a hurry, "at the fag end of a lazy
session."

In what unlooked for ways a vicious principle,
or scheme, will often punish its authors or advo-
cates. Who would have thought in connection
with the Union Relief Aid Bill to have had a Par-
liamentary Reform discussion. Yet so it is. The
QUEEN herself, peers, commoners, all the country,
are unanimous in the praises of Northern operatives.
All declare that they have borne a calamity, brought
on them by no fault of their own, but entirely by
the quarrelsomeness of Americans, and the policy
of our Government in recognising the cotton block-
ade, with the most manful resolution, and in the
most law-observing spirit. Yet thanks to Lord
RUSSELL'S obstinacy, and thanks to this reactionary
Parliament, the clauses stand part of the Reform
Act which disfranchise those who have not paid their
last rates. In the present state of things in Lan-
cashire, thousands of these men whom all commend,
who are confessed to have shown their worthiness
of the franchise by their noble conduct, are now
deprived of it, through no fault of their own, but
but because Lord PALMERSTON has recognised the
Northern cotton blockade. This was very properly
adverted to early in the debate last night, and we
trust that these worthy voters will not be left to
the mercies of Parliamentary local agents. It will
be too bad to strip them of their civil rights as
well as of their wages, by the side-wind of an
Imperial foreign poll z.y. But why should not even
this miserable Reform Parliament, so tender over
the amusement of rustic squires, not show itself as
tender over the civil rights of the subjects of mis-
fortune, by introducing a short clause into this bill,
or the Corrupt Practices Bill—for there is plenty
of corrupt, of sharp practice at least through the
rate-paying clauses, or why should not a one clause
bill be introduced, abolishing for ever 'these hateful
clauses. It would not be hasty legislation, for
it hss often been discussed ; and if it were, it
would not be so hasty as the bill to legislate for
squires' sports. We may add that even the re-
ceipt of parochial relief, under these circumstances,
ought not to disfranchise.
It will be seen that Mr. VJLLIERS has made
the emendation, in the first clause of his bill,
suggested by Mr. HENLEY. He has now, as he
described it, laid down a fixed rate of ss. in the
pound as a measure of the distress, when a
parish should be relieved from the common fund of
the union. All the parishes in a union are also to
pay till their contribution has reached ss. in the
pound, before the union will be entitled to look to
other unions for aid. By this arrangement a
parish will be, at least, severely pressed, before it
will be entitled to ask help from others. It is
remarkable, however, how difficulties creep out
in the examination of a subject like this. Mr.
COBDEN stated that, in his borough of
Rochdale, the rateB had been kept low by private
charity and arrangements, endeavouring to keep
those out of employ off the rates. If, however, a
parish whose rates had been thus kept down, found
itself burdened till it reached a five shilling rate to
aid other parishes which had not done so much in
charity, at once the charity would cease, and the
whole of the relief would be given through the
rates.

It is to meet numerous cases of a kind which no
general rule could suit, that it does seem right to
give to parishes which desire it the option of a loan.
Lord
ALMERSTON, indeed, enumerated many objec-
tions to loans, important we confess, but which all
bore with equal, perhaps greater strength against
the loan Which he forced on Parliament and the
emintry for
lf ar
held it
pones tilu future
his fortification scheme. Then, he
Ittle weight that " a loan post-
time the pressure .of the
moment," that thosewho borrow money will pro-
bably not have to pay
that it is "in all things
and in all"
casesthe Safe outlet from immediate
difficulties, and that there is
" an after clap to
raising money by loan." True all is ail this of the

TUESD

nine millions to be sunk in forts, he paid na
attention to similar remonstrances then. Now,
when a number of business men of the highest
standing come forward and tell him that, aware of
all these dangers of a loan, they yet think it better
to take their burdens on themselves, and to hazard
the " after clap," than that the whole parish to
which they belong should go begging to the union,
he is strongly against it. No plan of raising money
to meet a calamity can be without sacrifice and
difficulty to those who have to pay, but we are
disposed to think that such men as Lancashire is
made of, or rather who have made Lancashire, better
know their own business than Lord PALMERSTON
and the Poor Law Boards know it for them. We
believe all parties are thoroughly sincere in their
desire to act for the best in the emergency now at
hand—but we believe it quite as much of the cotton
spinners as of the Government, and it is the former
who will have to pay. The question is not yet
settled, and from all we have seen, if the Lancashire
men continue of their present opinion, we hope Par-
liament will make the bill comprehensive enough
to suit Manchester and Rochdale as well as West-
minster and Downing-street.

The Emperor of Russia is at present making a
tour of some of the towns in the Baltic provinces. On the
21st his Majesty, accompanied by tae Empress, entered
Riga, amidst great rejoicing ox the part of the inhabitants,
who had decorated their houses and de public buildings.
The day fixed for the marriage of Maria Pia,
daughter of Victor Emmanuel, is the 16th of October next,
which is the anniversary of her birth, She will make her
solemn entry into Lisbon on the 31st of the same month,
which is the anniversary of the birth of her intended hus-
band, the King of Portugal.
" Prince Adalbert of Prussia," says the Kreutz-
Zeitung, "is about to proceed to Dantzic, to embark on a
sea voyage. The Prince will first go to England, to visit
the iron-plated vessels which have been purchased for the
Prussian navy, and visit the ports of Cherbourg, Marseilles,
and Toulon."

The Japanese Ambassadors had an audience of
Count de Bernstotff, in Berlin, on the 24th. The Count
refuses to postpone the conclusion of the Treaty of Com-
merce for seven 3 ears, and the Amba;sadors, it is said, left
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in very bad humour.
THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE. Mr. Frederick
Hamilton, now secretary of legation at Frankfort, is ap-
pointed secretary to her Majesty's mission at Stockholm.
Mr. Edwin Corbet, secretary to the mission at Stockholm,
is appointed secretary of legation to the Germanic Confe.
deration. Mr. C. B. Malet, paid attache at Rio, is ap-
pointed first attache to the mission at Washington. Mr.
W. Brodie is appointed first paid attache at Rio.
MEMORIAL TABLET TO THE LATE LORD
MicAuLAY.—Since the burial of the great historian near
the Posts'-corner of our national mausoleum a piece of
paper only, with the words "Lord Macaulay's grave"
written upon it, served to show where his remains were
deposited. A tablet has, however, lately been placed over
the grave. Unlike those recently let into the nave of the
Abbey to perpetuate the memory of Mr. R. Stephenson,
C.E., and Dr. John Hunter, it is devoid of all ornament,
and bears the following simple inscription :—" Thomas
Babington, Lord Macaulay, born at Rothly Temple, Lei-
cestershire, October 25, 1800. Died at Holly-lodge,
Campden-hill, December 28, 1859. His boely is buried in
peace, but his name liveth for evermore.' "
LIFEBOAT SERVICE.—BEAUMARIS, JULY 27.
During a strong gale of wind on Thursday night, the flat
Frodeham, of Liverpool, was observed to have a signal of
distress. The Pennon lifeboat, belonging to the National
Lifeboat Institution, was immediately manned, and pro-
ceeded to the vessel. In the meantime she had shipped her
cable, and was driving before the wind with a bit of foresail
up and the distress signal still flying. The lifeboat at last
overtook her, and boarded her about four miles to the east-
ward of Puffin's Island. She remained by the vessel all
night, and ultimately succeeded, with the help of the
steamer Fairy, belonging to the City of Dublin Steam
Packet Company, in bringing the flat and her crew of two
men into port. This valuable lifeboat has on two or three
previous occasions rendered somewhat similar important
services.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.—Monday,
as usual, drew very large numbers to the building. More
than 20,000 passed in in the first hour, and nearly 60,000
were present by 3 o'clock. At 5 the total numbers were
62,800, of which 5,461 were admitted by season tickets, and
57,339 by payment. Between 2,000 and 3,000 workmen
from Chatham dockyard, with their wives and families,
were among the earliest arrivals. The children from St.
Bride's School, Fhet-street, and the children of the Ascot
Heath School were sent in by subscription. The Mayor
of Southampton, Mr. Perkins, paid all the expenses of the
visit of the girls from the Female Orphan Asylum of that
town.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—We under-
stand that an arrangement has been made between this
society and the Commissioners of the Exhibition for 1862
for the readmission of visitors to the Exhibition from the
Society's garden without repayment, as has hitherto been
the case. This, we are assured, will be a great boon to the
public, for on all sides have been heard complaints of the
hardships of visitors to the garden and Exhibition having
to pay a second timo on passing from one to the other. The
opportunity thus afforded of spending a short interval in
the fresh air of the garden after some hours in the crowded
building will doubtless be appreciated and taken advantage
of by multitudes.

LADIES' RIFLE- SHOOTING.--A novelty connected
with competition in rifle-shooting has just occurred in
Holywell, Flintshire. At a volunteer fete and contest, at
which prizes were offered by Lord Fielding, and the offi
cers of the Flint battalion, to the best marksmen, six Holy
well ladies competed for the Bright Eyes Sweepstakes, with
Enfield rifles, shooting from a rest three shots each, at 100
yards' range. The greatest interest was excited among a
numerous assemblage. After some excellent shooting, the
score stood as follows :—Mrs. Ashwin, 8 ; Mrs. Cope, 8 ;
Miss Briscoe, 4 ; Mrs. Wolstenholme, 5; Miss E. Wil-
liams, 4; Miss Edwards, 6. On the tie between the two
first-named ladies being announced the excitement was so
strong to gain a near view that the spectators could hardly
be kept within safe bounds. After firing another round,
enthusiasm rose to the highest pitch as Mrs. Ashwin scored
a centre against Mt s.Cope's euter, thus winning the victory.
PROGRESS OF SUBMARINE TEL E GRAPHS. —A
telegram received yesterday announces the successful sub-
mersion of the first portion of a new telegraph cable be-
tween England and Holland. Owing to the increase in
their message traffic between this country and the conti-
nent, the Electric and International Telegraph Company
entered into a contract with Messrs. Glass, Elliott, and Co.,
of Greenwich, for a new line to be laid between Lowestoft
and Landvoart. The steamer Hawthorne shipped 48 miles
of the cable last week, and the whole was successfully paid
out, under the superintendence of the engineers, Messrs.
Canning and Clifford, and the electricians, Messrs. de
Sauty and Saunders; the electrician of the Telegraph Com-
pany, Mr. C. F. Varley, being also on board. The cable
is the heaviest yet constructed, and contains four con-
ducting wires. The English shore end (15 miles) weighs no
less than 16 tons per mile, and is above two inches in
diameter. The remaining portion will be shipped imme-
diately.

DEATH OF THE LATE DEPUTY CORONER FOR
MIDDLESEX.—Mr. George Henry Punt was a member of
the medical
,profession, having studied at University Col-
leze. He was deputy coroner for Middlesex for the last ten
years. Before being appointed to this position he was
well-known for the interest he took in many problems con-
nected with vital statistics, and he published many papers
in the Lancet on subjects connected with medical juris-
prudence. During Mr. Wakley's absence from ill-
health, the whole duties of the coronership for the
western division fell upon him. It was whilst performing
this arduous task that his health suffered, and symptoms
of disease of the heart appeared. On Mr. Wakley's death
his post of deputy coroner ceased, but his health was too
shattered to recover by rest. lie threw what energies he
had left into the contest for coroner on the side of Dr.
Lankester. It was very evident, however, to all that he
was fast declining. Increased difficulty of breathing obliged
him to take to his bed at an early part of last week. His
symptoms gradually got worse, till he sunk on Monday
evening last. He was an amiable man, and filled the post
of deputy coroner with great success till. his failing health
rendered it almost impossible that he should discharge the
onerous duties of the office with efficiency and regularity.

FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE AT THE WOItEs OF
THE LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER RAlLWAY.—Yes-
terday William Carter, Esq., coroner for the eastern divi-
sion of Surrey, received information of the following fright-
ful and fatal occurrence, which took place at that part of the
works of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway known
as No. 6 Shaft, at Dulwich. It appears that, in carrying
out a tunnel which pierces through Dulwich Hill, the
above shaft was sunk to the depth of over 200 feet. The
earth, as excavated, is conveyed in barrows to the bottom
of the shaft, and the barrows and earth together are
hoisted to the mouth of the shaft by means of steam
power. It was the duty of the deceased and numerous
others, when the barrows reached the top, to pull them on
one side and empty them. About 8 o'clock in the morning
the deceased was at work, and it is supposed that he missed
his hold of one of the barrows, and before he could recover
himself fell backwards d own the shaft. Of course the greatest
consternation prevailed, and the work was for some time
suspended. The poor f3llow was completely smashed, and
was quite dead when picked up, The body as was soon as
possible placed in a shell and carried to the Dulwich Wood
House, where it remains for a coroner's inquest. It may
be stated that there are upwards of 600 men employed at
these works, and the above is, most providentially, the first
accident which has occurred. The deceased. was fortunately
a single mafl.