The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY -EVENING, OCTOBER 17, 1854.

wholesome, medicine on crying children. Many
illustrations might be offered respecting the
laisse faire or do-nothing policy, amongst which
may be noticed the magnificent chain of railways
with which the land is intersected, the Crystal
Palace, and numerous other matters of vast im-
portance to the body politic.
It would now seem as if the principle were to
be still further extended, and that everything was
to be left to " private charity"—that the strong-
est claims on the nation were to depend not on its
justice, but on the liberality of individuals. The
begging-box is to be sent round on every occasion
to remedy the gross neglect and apathy of Mi-
nisters, and persons already paying a double In-
come Tax, and increased duties on malt, spirits,
and sugar, are to be further taxed through their
best feelings of humanity to save a paltry demand
on Mr. GLADSTONE.
The most scandalous of all these claims—and
many of them are quite bad enough—has just been
put forward. A subscription has been asked for
to. provide " medical comforts and surgical ma-
terials and attendance, and even nurses, for the
wounded of Alma, to rescue those who freely shed
their blood in the discharge of their arduous duty
from the infamous neglect with which they have
been treated, not only on their way from the
scene of their sanguinary encounter, but in the
hospitals provided for their reception and recovery
at Scutari. A truly melancholy picture is drawn
of the condition of the sufferers. We are told
that they were huddled on board ship untended
and uncared for ; that there was no preparation
for even the commonest surgical operations, and
that they were "left to expire in agony, unheeded,
and shaken off, though catching desperately at the
surgeon, whenever he made his rounds through
the fetid ship." But, it may be said, it was im-
possible to have an adequate surgical staff in the
Crimea, so that a sufficient number could be spared
to accompany the vessels bearing the wounded
soldiers to the hospitals provided for their use.
But when they arrived at their destination, when
the emergency that must have been anticipated
for months before at length arrived, every suit-
able provision would be at hand. Alas, no !
At Scutari, in the magnificent hospital sup-
plied by the care and generosity of the Turkish
Government, it was found that they were almost
as badly of as on board the transport. There
was no preparation for even the commonest sur-
gical operation. Few surgeons ; no dressers,
no nurses, no lint—not even old linen. It is
positively asserted, that "the commonest appliances
of a workhouse sick-ward are wanting, and that
the men must die, because the Medical Staff of the
British Army have forgotten that old rags are
necessary for the healing of wounds."
Good GOD, has it come to this ? What would
be the verdict of a Coroner's Jury on any one of
the many who must have perished through their
atrocious negligence Surely there must be some
person, or persons, responsible ; some one whose
duty it is to look to these matters, and to provide
all the necessary requisites for the sick and
wounded. We have no hesitation in saying, that
he, or they, would be convicted of manslaughter
before a criminal tribunal, and sentenced to severe
punishment by the presiding Judge. The higher
the rank of the offender, the heavier should be the
penalty. Who have heardenough of abuse lavished
upon Railway Directors, on the occurrence of. an
unavoidable catastrophe, orone which no reasonable
precaution could have averted. Why should not
a Cabinet Minister be held equally culpable when
the ordinary matters within his department are
so shamefully disregarded ?
And what is the remedy proposed ? A private
subscription ! Individuals are, from their private
resources, to pay the debt due by the country to
its brave defenders, while Ministers are to be
encouraged in the total abdication of their func-
tions—to shake off every care, in the expectation
that their " backslidings" will be compensated
by private liberality. What next 7 Are we to
see the begging-boxes sent round for voluntary
contributions towards meeting the interest of the
National Debt, or for the salaries of Lord ABER-
DEEN and. his colleagues? In this latter case we
fancy parties would not come forward with such
cheerful alacrity. A stronger motive should be
supplied to obtain cheques for hundreds, and the
donation of a day's earnings from working men.
The wounded soldiers have as much right to
receive proper care and attention, to be supplied
with every comfort suitable to their condition,
and conducive to their recovery, as the fund-
holder to be paid his dividends ! And woe to
the nation if that shall also be placed under the
voluntary system. We know the motives of the
benevolent persons who have liberally come for-
ward to supply the crasser negligentia of the autho-
rities, but we fear that they have set a very mis-
chievous precedent. It is obvious that the evil
is of such a nature that it cannot be remedied by
private exertion. The moment the deficiency was
known, Government should be called on to sup-
ply it. The electric telegraph should be forth-
with put in requisition, to instruct Lord STRAT-
FORD DE REDOLIEFE to provide everything re-
quired, heedless of expense. There are plenty of
young surgeons and students in England ready
to start at a few
h
be sent on behalf
oofu
ther s
n notice.atinn But
and t
nh
ne
ty
ns
fh oaunl
yd
association of individuals. Such matters should
not depend on any
IA
-Precarious resources. Nor
should our brave fellows
made the recipients
of charity.—the privileged
bedesmen" to collect

doles from those blessed with an abundance of
this world's goods, and having the hearts to feel
for and relieve the distresses that ought to be
averted by national supplies.

MTNING,

We call the attention of our readers to a notice
which appears in our advertising columns of some
important improvements in practical mining, which
have recently been introduced by Messrs. Medwin
and Hall. They consist in the realisation of
.a
portable power, of any required magnitude, appli-
cable to all the varied purposes of mining, and
capable of being transported to any required spot
and brought into full operation within a day or
two's notice. The invention consists in a steam-
engine and boiler of peculiar construction, mounted
on broad waggon wheels for purposes of transit,
and complete in all its fittings and departments as
a magazine of portable power. The boiler is so
constructed as to present great simplicity, with a
largely extended surface for evaporation. The
great utility of such an arrangement for produc-
ing portable power is this, that it enables the ad-
venturer to bring his mine into operation at once,
so as to yield immediate returns, instead of wait-
ing, as hitherto, weeks and months until a sta-
tionary engine could be made and erected, and
other works carried out, involving a great loss of
time and an interminable source of anxiety. There
is this additional advantage attending the present
invention, that it does not lead the proprietors of
mining property into endless expense, but enables
them to calculate beforehand, to a fraction, the
exact amount of their disbursement. So inde-
pendent is the engine itself of any after addition
or source of further outlay, that it can even be set
to work while on the road to its destination. It
has been adopted throughout England and Wales
with very beneficial results, not only for mining
but for various other purposes, and may be seen
in operation in numerous localities throughout the
kingdom. We trust its advantages, as a source of
rapid action and economy, will soon be better ap-
preciated in Ireland, where it is probably but little
known, but where it would prove of immense value
in developing the great mineral treasures which
are so profusely spread over the surface of the
island from one extremity to the other, and which
only need the application of capital and industry
,o rend©r them widely productive.

costume, and some officers of the staff, were at
each side of the carriage. In the cortege, no Aus-
trian and no boyard were to be seen. There was,
however, afterwards at the palace of the hospodar
a grand reception of the boyards, and of the gene-
rals in command of the corps of occupation. As
to the Turks, they kept away altogether. The
siturAion of every one is singular. Prince Stirbey
Is 'subjected to an inquiry into all the acts of his
-Administration and political life. That inquiry is
r conducted by Dervisch Pacha, M. Poujade, and
Mr. Colquhoun, commissioners of Turkey, France,
and Great Britain. Austria has refused to take
any part in it. Baron de Bach is recognised only
as intendant-general of the Austrian army, and not
as a diplomatic commissioner. Whatever may he
the incontestable ability of Prince Stirbey, it ap-
pears difficult for him to remain long under the
weight of this inquiry, which bears on questions
and acts which COMM his reputation and his
honour."

the invitation, and notified it to the Government.
He has been obliged to leave that force. There
have also been quarrels in the family, the result of
which is that Dun Francisco de Paula is ill, and the
King-Consort came in from the Pardo yesterday to
see him. A scurrilous print has been published
against him, which is attributed to Don Enrique.
It is computed that there will not be more than
thirty Moderado deputies in the Cortes. The elec-
tions for many of the provinces have been post-
poned till the 24th of this month, on account of
the cholera ; and some leading Moderados, who
have failed in finding seats hitherto, will then be
brought forward. The Marquis Del Duero will pro-
bably come in for Barcelona. General Dulce is
to be brought forward for Seville. The Duke of
Rivas will also be a candidate there, with Senors
Cortina and Cantero. The Lpoca says that after
the elections are over, General Infinite and Senor
Laserna will enter the Ministry. There are reports
that Senors Pacheco, Collado, and Santa Cruz will
retire from it.
It is reported that the Marquis of Perales is to
be created a grandee of Spain, and Senor Sevillano
a duke, with the grandeeship.
General Leymerich has been appointed captain-
general of Catalonia, and General Villalonga suc-
ceeds the latter as captain-general of the Balearic
'slants. General Trillo, captain-General of Estre-
madura, has died of cholera, and General Lebrun
has been appointed in his place.