The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-13 00:00:00

HYDE-PARK.

In answer to Lord CA1;131171,
Earl GRANVILLE said that her Majesty's Commis-
sioners had taken considerable trouble to obtain the re-
storation of the site of the Crystal Palace in Hyde-park,
but up to this time they had not been able to bring the
contractors to perform this part of their contract. Her
Majesty's Commissioners had therefore felt themselves
called upon to avail themselves of a clause in the con-
tract, by which they were empowered to require the
Board of Works to take steps to restore the site, leav-
ing the contractors liable to any expense which might be
incurred. This application had been made and he
hoped soon to see the Park assume its usual pleasant
aspect.

On the motion of the Duke of NEWCASTLE the
Canada Clergy Reserves Bill was read a first time.
VACCINATION EXTENSION BILL.

vaeLcoinrdatiLonYTTin
theLE TvOarNioun;:o:
bill, going at some length into the statistics of
;eudnttrilfes-ocfiEnumriotpta,el. of this
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said that when they
considered that the small-pox was infectious, and that
every person so infected became a centre from which the
disease spread, he thought they would admit the validity
of the grounds on which the demand for a compulsory
enactment rested. The vpfiintary-iystem had been tried
for a long time in this country and had failed, and it
was necessary therefore; to resort to other means in order
to guard ourselves from this most frightful disorder,
which was one of the most dreadful scourges that ever
afflicted humanity. It appeared from the last return
that the total number of deaths in England from small-
pox was 7,500, and in Ireland 5,800 ; those in Scotland
not being known. Taking these data, it was estimated
that the number of cases in England was 45,000, and in
Ireland 34,800, or a total of 79,800 ; and if those in Scot-
land were added, it was supposed that the whole would
be no fewer than 100,000. When the house reflected what
fearful consequen,es resulted to the persons attacked
with small-pox, they would see how absolutely necessary
it was, for the safety and comfort of the population, that
the compulsory system should be speedily established.
Some persons might, indeed, take exception to such a
system, as thinking that it interfered too much with the
liberty of the subject. But we had already interfered
with the liberty of the subject on this matter to a great
extent. Inoculation had been prohibited under a penalty,
and from thence the transition to compelling vaccination
seemed very easy. Interference in this case was requi-
site to protect the public and prevent an infected locality
becoming a 'tidos of disease which might extend through
the whole community. The law had already inter-
fered in a variety of ways td abate nuisances, and he
could not therefore see why they should hesitate to
sanction a further interference 'on a matter of such great
importance to the health of the public, and for the ge-
neral comfort and social well-being of large masses of
the people. He hoped their lordships would allow the
ifit became law het
hado t
re
doubtbi l tto
that
into
it
t wasone committee,
wforiob
would be acceptable
people of this country. (Hear.)
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said he believed the
system now in operation originated in a suggestion made
by himself some years ago, but he did not think that,
acted upon as it had been, it had produced the beneficial
results which he expected. He must admit that the
two noble lords who had addressed the house had made
out a sufficient case for a material alteration and amend-
ment of the existing law, nor did he himself object to the
principle of compulsion. He thought that under the
circumstances we were justified in resorting to it ; but
he must say that when we compelled the poor, who had
very strong feelings upon this subject, to have their
children vaccinated, we should at the same time afford
nbm ean
tn
attendance eorfi vaccination n
proposed w h
to i h
of it
insert
a
v wasu
a districts
chc t o
e n
b b dr
n them facilities for the purpose of having the vaccination
performed, and should consult their prejudices as to the
r efixde
d t
uo
bdt
ihaoys en s e
tht aaeud ebrl sf hoi
nr
he e
-
t
order to save the poor from the necessity of going such
t ain
bill
vaccinator
poor-lawro
referred
The clause which
long distances as they had now to do in some
cases. There was nothing in the existing law to pre-
vent boards of guardians from doing this, and it was
in fact done in the union where he resided.

He thought it was also desirable to provide that in
every practicable case vaccination should be performed
on a healthy child. They might, if the requisite-- facili-
ties were given to the poor, very well say that no child
who was not vaccinated should be admitted into any
school, and that all persons applying for poor-law relief
should be examined, and, shouldc not be relieved if they
persisted in refusing to be vaccinated. Why, indeed,
should they not also impose a penalty on the admission
of any unvaccinated person to work in any manufactory?
It was from large congregations of persons in manufac-
tories and workhouses that the disease was spread, and
measures should therefore be taken for insuring the vac-
cination of all persons who were assembled therein.
Unless, however, some such arrangement as that which
he had suggested were adopted, and the unions were di-
vided into districts of convenient size, the inconvenience
to which the poor would be subjected from having to
come a long distance would be so great as to prevent the
operation of vaccination being so generally performed as
was desirable. He would suggest to the noble lord
(Lord Lyttleton) who had charge of the bill that it should
be committed pro forma for the purpose of reprinting it
with the proposed amendments, and then recommitted
on a future day.
Lord LYTTLETON having stated his willingness to
accede to this suggestion,
The house then went into committee.
The bill having been ordered to be reported with
amendments, the house resumed.
The Metropolitan Improvements Bill was read a third
time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.

RAILWAYS.

Mr. CARDWELL poStponed his motion respecting
the mode of proceeding with railway and canal bills
until Friday next.
NUNEATON, HINCKLEY, AND LEICESTER