The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-08 00:00:00

The establishment of local metropolitan museums
is a subject that is just now uppermost and deserv-
edly engages attention and regard. Last Saturday
a meeting was held at the South Kensington
Museum, for the purpose of considering the subject.
Lord GRANVILLE, who presided, said that the ori-
ginal iron building was not now required on account
of the new building at South Kensington, and there-
fore it was deemed advisable to utilise the structure
as far as they could. When the noble earl had
stated that, on the part of the Committee of the
Council on Education, he should be glad to hear
any suggestions that might be made, it was amusing
to notice the excitement that prevailed among those
gentlemen who had claims to prefer and separate
interests to attend to. The south, west, east,
north-west, and north-east of London were all set
forth in terms as requiring notice, and as being
deserving of attention in this respect. Taking all
things into account, it may be said that the various
speakers were about on a par as to the merits of
their claims, and it is well that a period of six
months has been allowed in order that time may be
given to so important a subject before it is finally
decided on. Mr. BERESFORD HOPE was, perhaps,
the most successful in his description of the
matter when he said that there ought
to be five " local museums in Lon-
don." He advised that they should, first of all,
decide upon the general principles, and afterwards
leave London the task of providing for these addi-
tional museums. Allowing that the British Museum
is the centre, it appears, as Mr. HOPE truly ob-
served, that there should be other museums in the
north, north-west, north-east, south, and south-
east, or else some division will be sure to complain,
and with justice, that it has been left out. Mr.
LIICRAFT, a working man, made an interesting
speech, which clearly showed the necessity which
existed for the erection of these local buildings. He
said that he had been deputed to represent the in-
terests of his brother workmen at Hoxton. He was
a cabinetmaker, and if he had to perform any work
which called for extra care or forethought, he and
his fellow-workmen had no resource but to proceed
to South Kensington. This expedition took three
hours, which of course was too great a tax upon the
working man. He also said that the artisans of
this country were just now exposed to very " severe
competition." Without complaining of this upon
principle, he argued that the Government should
place every facility in the way of those whom they
had exposed to foreign competition. It is satisfac-
tory to notice the opinion that is entertained of the
merits •of the South Kensington Museum, and it
encourages one to hope that similar success may
attend the efforts of those who seek to ex-
tend such advantages to their own immediate
neighbourhoods. Lord GRANVILLE spoke very
fairly in reply to the several statements that were
made, and said that the Science and Art Depart-
ment were not desirous of making a monopoly at
South Kensington, but, onthe contrary, they would
be delighted to witness the establishment of museums
wherever the inhabitants of any district desired
them to exist, and considered them necessary and
agreeable. We agree with Lord GRANVILLE in his
remark that the meeting had been satisfactory,
though not definite. His lordship made an amus-
ing allusion to the proverb of " not looking a gift
horse in the mouth," which he said had not been
very strictly adhered to by some present in their
criticisms on the structure which it was proposed to
demolish. We may consider then that, taking the
difficulties of the subject into account, the meeting
of Saturday came to a satisfactory conclusion, and
that there is a fair promise of future benefits
accruing from the exertions of those now active in
the affair.

An inmate of the St. Pancras Workhouse has
made a complaint against the authorities of that
place, and on Saturday inquiry was made into the
matter at the Clerkenwell Police-court. Last Mon-
day GEORGE GRANT sent a letter to the Magistrate
stating that he had_ been confined for thirty-three
consecutive days in one ward, which had no means
of ventilation, except by the door. To add to the
discomfort of the position, the dead-house is exactly
opposite, and the consequences were most unplea-
sant, and also deleterious. The man further de-
clared that he was not allowed to change the air.
Of course counter statements were made to this
declaration, and it was said that the man could
have left the ward had he asked. This is
somewhat doubtful, however, for it seems
that he was . put there by order of the Board,
because he had appropriated a sum of money be-
longing to another inmate. When all parties
appeared before Mr. D'EYNCOURT, GRANT stated
when sworn very much the same that he had
written in his letter, and declared that he sought for
protection for himself and the other inmates. Mr.
D'Enccoura said he would write to the Poor Law
Board as to " whether they would take the matter
up, or as to whether he should proceed iu the matter."
This is so far satisfactory, and it is of course im-
possible to form a definite conclusion until more is
elicited, but it may safely be said in the present
stage of the affair that some alterations ought to be
made in the regulations of workhouses in this respect
of " separation wards." It is a dangerous practice for
the guardians to order any one to be confined in sepa-
rate wards, and it would be far better when an
inmate is guilty of a criminal offence for him to be
handed over to the police. It would obviate many
objectionable practices, and insure, at any rate, that
the health of the delinquents should not suffer. _
There was contradictory evidence as to whether or
not the occupants of these " wards" had exercise,
and altogether it may be said th It health was
rather at a discount in the carrying out of the order
for separation, The Poor-law Doard 1 aye certainly

Two sentries have been shot at Richmond by
some unknown individuals.

NEW YORK, APRIL 25, NooN.

Business was entirely suspended yesterday and
to-day.
Mr. Lincoln's remains laid in state in Indepen-
dence Hall, Philadelphia, on Saturday and Sunday.
On the whole route from Washington there were
great demonstrations of mourning. The remains
arrived in New York yesterday, and lie in state in
the City Hall. The funeral procession will take
place to-day.
A courier reached Washington on Friday,
announcing that Sherman had agreed upon a tem-
porary suspension of hostilities, and had arranged
terms of peace on the 18th with Johnston, Breck-
enridge being present. Grant and the Cabinet
unanimously disapproved of Sherman's action, and
ordered him to resume hostilities. Sherman was
informed that Mr. Lincoln's instructions to Grant
on the 3d March had been to hold no conference
with Lee except as a preliminary to surrender, and
these instructions were approved and reiterated by
President Johnson to govern the action of the mili-
tary commanders. Grant immediately left for North
Carolina to direct the operations against Johnston.
The terms arranged between Johnston and Sher-
man, subject to the ratification of their re-
spective Governments, were as follows—Forty-eight
hours' notice to be given of the renewal of hosti-
lities: The Confederate armies to be disbanded,
and deposit their arms and public property in the
State capitals, subject to the action of the State and
Federal authorities. The Federal executive to re-
cognise the State Government. The Supreme Court
to decide upon the legitimacy of the conflicting
State Governments caused by the war. The Federal
authorities to guarantee to the people civil and po-
litical rights so long as they obey the laws. Finally,
a general amnesty to be proclaimed, and the war to
cease.

The Federal Government disapproved of Sher-
man's proceedings as an improper assumption of
authority. His agreement, it was considered, prac-
tically acknowledged the rebel Government, pre-
vented confiscation and the punishment of rebels,
and would enable them to re-establish State Go-
vernments with slavery. It might also render the
Government responsible for the rebel debt, formed
no basis for a lasting peace, and would enable the
rebels to renew the -war when their strength was
recruited.

Mr. Stanton apprehends that Sherman's suspen-
sion of hostilities will enable Davis to escape to
Mexico or Europe, -with the plunder of the Rich-
mond banks and other accumulations.

Halleck has ordered 3 leade, Sheridan, and Wright
to push forward and cut off Johnston's retreat,
regardless of orders from any one except Grant, on
the ground that Shen na.n's agreement bound his
command only.
Canby and Thomas ha Ye been ordered to push
the enemy in every directi ot'. Sherman was aware
of Mr. Lincoln's assassin, ton before concluding
the agreement with John ,ston. The newspaper
correspondents assert that Johnston offered to
surrender on the same tants as Lee, but Sherman
claimed full powers, and gr: v rated more favourable
conditions. The press gem) ra,lly stigmatises Sher-
man's proceedings. Some h int at his action being
treasonable, others censure St ant on for the severity
of his remarks concerning Sht eria.q.
Sherman issued an order to iii army on the

,16th announcing the suspension of hostilities, and
stating that the agreement wit7ii J ohnston, when
ratified, would make peace fro in the Potomac to
the Rio Grande. He hoped s oon to conduct the
soldiers home.

Correspondents state that the assassination of