The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-24 00:00:00

S JANUARY 24, 1849.

water, gas, fire, and air, in whatever can preserve
health or promote comfort, to be effected by the daily
inspection of each and all of the highways and byways
of the City, its streets, lanes, alleys, and courts, to the
end that no nuisance or danger shall be allowed to con-
tinue; that the advantages of water and light be uni-
formly and amply supplied, and that the inhabitants of
the city, of every conditipl, may enjoy the full benefit of
this system of generou44 rotection, notices should be
periodically left with eyArulweller, inviting attention to
our arrangements, and'coAperation in their observance,
so that in effect no justiyttse of complaint should escape
detection or elude redies%
" To carry out in the iyost effectual manner a system
so fraught with public ,ntility and individual comfort, I
propose to assign to the fittest members of the establish-
ment their allotted duties, and to make a weekly report
to the Commissioners of Sewers of every occurrence
which can be suggested by vigilant attention to the ob-
jects I have enumerated.
"I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
" Your most obedient servant,
" D. W. HARVEY.
" To the Commissioners of Sewers."

A great number of charges against parties, for per-
mitting nuisances upon their premises, were then dis-
posed of.
Gore, the dust contractor, was fined 51. for not remov-
ing the filth in Smithfield.

'The Court was occupied till past five o'clock in the
various matters referred to its consideration.

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF
SEWERS.

Yesterday an adjourned Court Of Sewers was held at
the chief office, Greek-street, Soho-square. Present--
The Honourable F. Byng, in the chair ; Sir Henry de
la Beche, Dr. Southwood Smith, the Rev. M. Cowie, the
Rev. W. Stone, the Rev. E. Murray, Captain Dawson,
R.E. ; Messrs. Chadwick, Leslie, R. L. Jones, J. Bullar,
E. Lawes, T. Hawes, Cuthbert, W. Johnson, R. Hutton,
J. Bedwell, and W. J. Broderip.

STATE or THE DRAINAGE AT TOOTH4III.
Mr. HERTSLET, the clerk, read the report of the com-
mittee appointed at the last court to view the general
state of the drainage at Tooting. The committee re-
ported that a stream which crossed the Mitcham and
Streatham road, although not at present foul, was much
complained of during the summer. There were other
ditches of large dimensions, which it was almost im-
possible to keep properly cleansed. Oa the
northern side of the London-road, the sewerage as-
sumed the character of a decided nuisance, which Mr.
Hicks, a builder, told the committee was caused by the
diversion of the drainage some twenty-six years ago, to
unite the waters of Upper and Lower Tooting, and save
the sewage for the purpose of irrigation. The corn-.
mittee arrived at the conclusion that it was expe-
dient to remove the pen-stocks at present, for that
by exposing the fogad matter to the action of the at-
mosphere, the nuisance would rather be increased than
diminished.

After some discussion the report was ordered to be
printed.

THE NEW PALACE AT WESTMINSTER.

Mr. HERTSLET read a long letter from Mr. -Barry, to
the effect that Mr. Austin, in his report on the drainage
of the New Palace, had arrived at wrong conclusions.
Mr. Barry reiterated his assertion, that the drainage
was as perfect as it could be under the circumstances.
He concluded by asking the Commissioners to print and
circulate his reply, in juata•position with Mr. Austin's
remarks.

After some discussion an order to that effect was made.

SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE METROPOLIS.
Mr. LESLIE called the attention of the Court to a small
pamphlet published in :1769, recommending that the
western parts of London be supplied with water from
the river Colne. The same view had been taken by all
the most eminent engineers from the time of Charles I.
lle moved that it be printed. ,
As the Court was not prepared to go into the whole
question of water supply, they declined making the order,
and soon after adjourned.

[PRICE SD.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS,
TlMES.—Though it is too probable that we have not
seen the end of the war in the Punjaub, yet this desirable
consummation can hardly be so far distant as to render
premature any mention of the conditions of peace. We
need not ascend to any considerations more romantic
than those of our nearest interests, to prove that a
thorough chastisement of the Seikhs must precede any
debate respecting the disposal of the Punjaub. Our In-
dian history must comprise nu more " retreats." Still,
as we have actually retired from the gates both of Can-
debar and Ave without leaving any unfavourable im-
pression of our power either in Affghanistan or Burmah,
it is clear that the evacution of a territory once occu-
pied is not essentially significant, even in Oriental eyes,
of imbecility or decline. We shall be perfectly justified,
therefore, in including the total abandonment: of the
Punjaub amongst the alternatives which may shortly be
entertained by the Government of India. As regards,
indeed, the prima facie aspect of such a measure,
we have already shown that it would be nothing
more than was contemplated in the spirit and pro-
vided for by the letter of the treaties of Lahore. Our
occupation of the country was wholly provisional, and
although a certain period was fixed for its termination,
yet provision was also made for any such earlier dissolu-
tion of the connexion as might seem advisable. Such
considerations, however, are of course far from being
conclusive. The hostilities into which we have gra-
dually relapsed with the whole Seikh nation supply a
point from which we must now start afresh; and the
question is, what settlement of the Punjaub will be most
conducive to our credit and tranquillity, now that the
policy first devised for the selfsame ends has proved, as
we must needs acknowledge, unsuccessful and abortive.
It is true that what we could have dune after the victory
of Sobraon we cannot now do with the same grace, or
the same safety, until after such another victory; but we
shall at least hare learnt by experience to,eschew
any such middle course as our charity and our for-
bearance suggested before. The Punjaub must now
either be made wholly British, or be abandoned wholly
to its own anarchy and murders. We have been com-
pletely released from all consideration for the Seikhs
themselves; our sole object must now be the protection
of our north-western frontier, wherever fixed, with the
greatest possible permanency and at the least possible
cost. It is a condition of debate already granted, that
we have no desire or inclination, for aggrandisement's
sake, to add the Punjaub to our own possessions. An-
nexation is only recommended as the cheapest and most
effective fashion of control. Our inquiries, therefore,
must be directed to a comparison of the respective ad-
vantages, or, as we fear it should be phrased, the respec-
tive disadvantages of the two proposed schemes. For,
to say the truth, we are on the horns of a dilemma. If
we do not hold the country with the strong hand, as is
now recommended, we must hold the frontier as we held
it for the six years previous to the last Seikh war. Un-
less a second Runjeet could be discovered in Ghoolab
Singh, who could rule the Seikh Sirdars with a rod of
iron, and employ the fierce spirits of the soldiery in less
troublesome conquests, we should but witness a renewal
of scenes that are past. The question is, which of two
schemes would cost us least, and at the same time be
most conducive to the general interests of the empire.
Some of the leading arguments on either side we here
subjoin. If we annex the Punjaub to the dominions of
British India, we should substitute fur the frontier of
the Sutlej either the Indus or the mountains beyond it.
We should probably prefer the Indus, and in this case
we might doubtless make many friends among the Be-
loochee and Affghau tribes by the restoration of the pro-
vinces ou the right bank to those owners who were dis-
possessed by Runjeet. It was formerly considered an
advantageous circumstance that so warlike a nation as
that of the Seikhs should be interposed between our ter-
ritories and those highlands from which all con-
querors of India, except ourselves, have descended; but
after what we have now experienced, it may be thought
more judicious to preclude any possible union of the
Seikhs and Affghans by the subjugation of the former,
and to have only the latter in our front instead of the
two together. The Affghans have never, during our su-
premacy, shown any capability of uniting for purposes
of aggression, whereas the Seikhs have unmistakeably
done so. These are general considerations; next follow
those of the cost and feasibility of the plan itself. The first
of these points we may dismiss, since, it the Punjaub in
Runjeet's days could maintain 100,000 fighting men,
and yield a surplus revenue, it could surely under our
hands support half as many (which would be all re-
quired) with a like result. But the practicability of so
thoroughly subjugating the Seilsh spirit as to obviate
any recurrence of such events as we yesterday re-
corded, is another question, and one to which history
supplies no encouraging answer. The Seikhs were
thoroughly beaten in the field, and mercilessly
persecuted by the lieutenants of the Mogul empire;
and yet they survived to turn upon the Mogul in his de-
cliae. They were thoroughly beaten in the field, and
apparently almost exterminated by the swords of the
Abdallee Affghans, and yet they survived to drive the
Affghans from the Punjaub, and occupy Umritsir in
greater strength than ever. It is true that the spirit of
religious fanaticism, which supported them in these des-
perate contests, has become so far extinct that it is no .v
confined to a few desperate bravos; but the spirit of na-
tionality has outlived the sectarianism in which it origi-
nated, and we need nothing, after the events of the last
six months, to prove that the martial character of the
Seikhs has in nowise degenerated. If, on the other
hand, after a plain example of our unshaken superiority,
we abandon the Punjaub to its fate, we limit our liabili-
ties to such a protection of our original frontier as we
have previously maintained. We exempt ourselves from
all participation in the internal troubles which may
It will hardly be doubted by those con-
versant with Seikh character and history, that the
scenes of five years since would upon our departure be
enacted over again, even to the final consummation of
domestic anarchy by foreign invasion. But we have
already ascertained that we can defend our own frontier
against a stronger force than is likely, at least for some
years, to cross it, and unless there is a finality in one
case which is wanting in the other, wo need surely not
take so much pains to go and fight on the Chenab for
fear of having to fight on the Sutlej. There is another
consideration too, and that of no slight moment. By
keeping within our own territories and managing the
Seikhs from without, we generally gained the alliance
of one party in that turbulent state, and were thus
enabled to counteract any unwelcome designs of the
other ; whereas, by intruding ourselves personally
into the country, with whatever good intent, we
have contrived to unite all parties against us to-
gether in a sentiment which, if less noble than
patriotism, is almost as efficacious. We fare, in fact,
very much like the civil power in an Irish riot,
against which both factions, however deadly may be their
reciprocal hostility, do not for a moment hesitate to com-
bine. Lastly, even supposing that our object should be
wholly or in part realised by this measure of annexa-
tion, it will certainly be asked where such practice is to
end ? What are we to do if the anarchy of Lahore
should hereafter be transferred to Caubul ? Are we to
absorb Affghanistan ? or are we then to make of the
Indus what we might before have made of the Sutlej ?
No doubt the former river is, both naturally and histori-
cally, a boundary of India ; but, as regards the national
character of the states opposed to us, there is certainly
now more plausible reason fur drawing the requisite
lino at the Sutlej. When the Punjaub was a peaceful
province of the Mogul empire the Seikhs were not in
existence. Their singular origin and progress has in-
troduced quite a new element into the political question,
for, Hindoos by race though they may mainly be, is
temper and bearing they more nearly resemble the
Affghans than the Rajpoots, and the martial tribes of
the north-west may now be said to commence with the
Sutlej. Such are some of the arguments which suggest
themselves for consideration upon this subject, and the
obvious trouble and hazard of the decision is part of the
price which must bo paid for conquests.
HERALD.--Our readers will pardon us for again re-
curring to unhappy Ireland. It is with no pleasure, but
as a solemn duty only, we resume the subject. In this
respect we have no option. The imminency and urgency
of the topic—the hundreds of letters we daily receive
from Irish landlords still abiding in their runhappy
country—and from others who have fled to Devonshire,
to Bath, and to other cheap quarters of England, con-
strain us to speak out. These letters, ono and all, point
to the antagonistic articles of the Times, and the writers,
from the continued series of attacks in that paper, infer
that the fixed intention of the Whig Government is to
destroy, as far as in them lies, the present race of Irish
landlords. But in this our correspondents, we think,
go somewhat beyond the fact. The Whig-Radical
clique have, no doubt, no active sympathy with
—no compassion for the Irish landlords. But we do
not believe the Government, as a body, to bo actuated
by the crude and cruel suggestions of the Times.
That journal is much more the intimate organ of the
Cobdens, Brights, Schwabes, &c., than it is the expo-
nent of the Whig Cabinet opinions in reference toatlre-
land. Our correspondents ought to remember that the
is
Irish Secretary, though a man of no vigorousability,
yet an Irish gentleman of considerable landed_
and is not, though no conjuror, such en idloptroapsewrtiyi
lingly and knowingly to lend himself to
his estate.
though they may serve his party, must
of the apprehensions
narteliansures which,
We, therefore, conceive that some of
and that they all
of our correspondents are groundless,
and power of the
orrethies often,Tis
exaggerate the extent of th
Times on public opinion.
and there has ever been—totallyt
.indiffcrent, cold or crud
eis tirles that there
or its articles, good, bad, or
Irish in-
telligence,men, for instance, our
a great ebb and flow of public feeling in this country in
reference to Ireland.
as yesterday and
_to-day, contained or eon-
tains the record of crimes of violence and arson, there is
a feeling of loathing in theß public mind for 24 hours
approaching to disgust. ut after an Englishman ex-
presses himself in terms of merited opprobium as to such
incendiaries as attacked the Misses APVeagh, in the
county Down, he begins—after his feelings of detestation
have subsided—to think that the crimes
of a class should
not blind him to the miseries of a whole nation—to the
virtues of the Irish generally—or prevent him from ap-
preciating the many noble qualities, the many lofty
feelings, the manly, kindly sentiments which distinguish
the mass of the natives of Ireland. Tho Times, and the
parties of which it is the appropriate organ, would have
us believe that there is something in the character of the
Celtic race—(that's the word they use, as though the
beat part of the French and Belgians, and a great part of

Z. e

' Scotland, and all Wales, were not also Celtic)—which
renders useless all attempts to improve them. Bat
Edmund Spenser, who was a poet and a gentleman,
and knew Ireland well, from actual residence, judged
the Irish differently, and contended " that the cause
of the evil proceeded of the unsoundness of
councils and plots which have been laid for its
reformation : or of faintness in following and effecting
the same, than of any such fatal course appointed of
God." We, in our humble way, " say ditto," to Ed-
mund Spenser. If the British Government will but
choose a course wisely, and follow it. vigorously, there is
every reason to hope for the regeneration, and no reason
to despair of the ultimate condition, of Ireland. We
have always contended—and this was also the theory of
the late lamented Lord George Bentinck,—that remu-
' nerative employment would produce tranquillity, lighten
the pressure of the poor-rates, greatly improve the for-
tunes and estates of the proprietors, and marvellously
improve the condition of the tenant. This is not mere
speculation, but actual fact. Mr. Griffith, the Irish civil
engineer, states in one of his reports of 1830, that in the
year 1822 there were large garrisons in Newmarket,
Castle Island, Abbeyfeale, Glynn, Newcastle, Drum.,
eller, and Listowel. Eight years subsequently (1. e.,
in 1830) there were no troops in any of these towns.
What wrought this change? The persons who formerly
were engaged in night marauding were then, i. e., in
1830, beneficially employed, and had become quiet and
useful members of society. Mr. Griffith further states
that since the works were begun no outrages had been
committed in the mountains. This testimony of Mr.
Griffith was in the same year, 1830, supported by the
evidence of the agent of Lord Headley, who spoke of
the barony of Irreagh, in which the late Daniel O'Con-
nell was born. This respectable agent stated that in
1809 or 1810 the district was wild and savage, au asylum
for robbers and murderers. In 1830, however, owing
to a system of reproductive employment having been
adopted, the people had become industrious and
orderly. A constant and earnest attention to the
improvement of the property of the landlord, by
the industry of the people, had worked this wonderful
change. The writers in the Times are not, perhaps,
aware that the very same imputations—the very same
charges, which they perpetually bring against the Irish,
were, thirty or forty years ago, urged against the Scotch.
Mr. Loch, the able and intelligent agent of the Duke of
Sutherland, stated before the Select Committee on Public:
Works in England, in 1835, that when he first became
acquainted with the Highlands the great proportion of
the people were irregular in their habits, were poachers,
smugglers, But he went on to state that since they
had become immediate tenants of the landlord, and WWI
been regularly employed, they had become industrious
in every class of agricultural labour. The same fact.
are set forth by M'Culloch in his statistical account of
thu British Empire. "In Wigtonshire," says he, "as in
most other Scotch counties, agriculture was formerly in
the most barbarous and wretched state; there was no
rotation of crops, the implements were execrable, the
pasture land was overstocked, the occupiers were
steeped in poverty. In various districts in Argyle-
shire land was held in partnership, on what is there
called run rig,' and in Ireland 'run dale.' Under this
system a number of persons take a farm in common, they
divide the arable into small contiguous portions or ridges,
the extent of land falling to each not exceeding from
three to seven acres." One would think, so accurately
does Political-economy Peter note the symptoms, that
Mr. M'Culloch was describing Ireland. But no. This
was the true description of a great portion of his own
canny land of cakes half a century ago. How have the
habits of indolence, of improvidence, and of lawlessness
of the Scots been overcome ? By proper treatment and
attention—by providing for them remunerative and re-
productive employment. Difficulties beset the first attempt
at improvement in the Highlands of Scotland ; occasional
disappointments also supervened. But Scotch pro•
prietors persevered—English legislators aided their
efforts, and the result is a complete change in the habits
and condition of the people. Why should not similar
results follow similar efforts in Ireland ? The statesmen
who framed the English poor-law in the reign of Eliza-
beth accompanied it with measures meant to afford tem-
porary relief—such, for instance, as draining the fens in
Lincolnshire. Why should not the Government in 1848
accompany the amended Irish poor-law with railway,
pier, and harbour works, with a labour-rate, and a pro-
ject for fishing the rivers and sea coast f the sister
country? Till these efforts be tried and found wanting,
it is mere mouthing—mere coxcombry, to rant against
the Celts. As well might the writer rail against the
Picts and Scots—the Patagonians, the Californians, or
the inhabitants of Timbuctoo!

THE LATE DESTRUCTITE FIRE IN BISIIOPSGATE.—,
Yesterday, Mr. W. Payne, Coroner, held a court of
inquiry at the Vine Inn, Bishopsgate-street, respecting
the origin of the disastrous fire which occurred on the
evening of Friday last, upon the premises belonging to
Mr. Blackburn, a mat and sack merchant, in Helmet-
court, Wormwood-street. Michael Plater said that on
Friday evening last he was engaged in the warehouse
heating some tar, when, in lilting the pot off the fire,
the handle broke, and the tar running into the fire
became ignited, aild set fire t.. the building. On finding
that he could not extinguish the fire, he ran and called
the engines. There was no grate in the warehouse.
The fire was made of coke piled on the hearth, and sur-
rouraled by bricks, Mr. 13raidwood, the superinten-
dent of the London Brigade, said that the practice of
waking tires upon hearths was attended with great
danger, inasmuch as the rafters beneath them frequently
became ignited. He should recommend that Mr.
Blackburn should heat his tar for the future outside the
premises. Mr. Black urn said that in future he would
discontinue the practice. A verdict," That the fire was
accidentally caused," having been returned by the jury.
the court broke up.
MURDER AND SUlClDE.—Yesterday morning, at
eevtn o'clock, the body of a woman, with that of a child
clasped firmly to her breast who had been observed beg-
ging on the previous evening, were found lifeless in the
mud at Backside, near Barclay's brewery. On being
removed to the George public-house, they were identi-
fied and found to he Hannah Kerry, of Mint-street,
Southwark, and her daughter. The deceased woman had
been cohabiting with a young man, by whom she bad
had the deceased infant, and he having forsaken her she
was reduced to extreme distress. Nothing was found
upon, and the general belief is that the unfortunate
creature has sacrificed herself and the life of her babe,
rather than wander the streets in a starving and desti-
tute condition.

THE LATE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE LORD CHAN-
CELLOR AND THE BISHOP OF LLANDAFF.—The dispute
which it will be recollected took place between the Lord
Chancellor and the Bishop of Llandaff, relative to the
presentation of a clergyman, said to be a relative of Lord
Cottcnham, to a benefice in the Bishop's diocese, has
been for the present settled, although there are circum-
stances connected with the matter which will in all pro-
bability ere long re-open the controversy. The rectories
of Llanilid and Llanharau, it will be remembered, became
vacant in the early part of last year by the death of the
Rev. Dr. Griffiths, and in due course the Lord Chancel-
lor nominated as the new incumbent the Rev. 11. Samp-
son, M.A., Vicar of Cudham, Kent. The Bishop of
Llandaff refused to institute Mr. Sampson, as the rev.
gentleman proved to be utterly ignorant of the Welsh
language. Tho Lord Chancellor, after a protracted dis-
cussion with the bishop, withdrew his nomination of Mr.
Sampson, and on the recommendation of Sir J. Guest,
presented the Rev. 'Thomas Morgan Davis, M.A.,
Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, to the livings. As Mr.
Davis is a native of Wales, and thoroughly acquainted
with the language of the country, the Bishop of Lien-
duff made no objection to the nomination, and instituted
the rev. gentleman forthwith. A difficulty of a some-
what different character has arisen. The Bishop of
London has called upon Mr. Davis to proceed at once
to one of the colonies in the capacity of a missionary,
inasmuch as the Fellowship at Jesus College, which ho
has held for some years, and which ho has expressed his
determination to retain, was founded for the expressed
purpose of prcividing for the support of a missionary
abroad. Mr. Davis positively refuses to proceed to the
colonies, and, on the other hand, the Bishop of London
has resolved to bring the question to an issue. Mr.
Davis, it appears, held the curacy of Ramsgate, but was
removed from it in consequence of the representations of
the Bishop of London. Almost immediately afterwards
he obtained a naval chaplaincy, but when the
his connexion facts of
with the Oxford Fellowship were maedde.
known to Lord Auckland, the appointment was cancelled.
The gentleman who stands next for the fellowsllfLi
case of Mr. Davis's removal or resignation, is 111 r.
lr• Howe!
Edwards, 8.A., of Jesus College, who has intimated his
intention of proceeding to the colonies on being put in
possession of the emoluments. The ease has crested
'onsiderable interest at Oxford, and the result is looked
forward to with much anxiety.
COAST OF AFRlcA.—Private letters just received
matiaLlsioenntetnoantth-eGKovienrgnorf
from the coast of Africa state that
Winniett was preparing f
be the first lieutenanot
Ashantee. Captain Winnieotrt wills
governor who has ever visited that warlike
goodehief,--iin-d-
-may be expected from his
it is thought much
anxious for his arrival, ---
The King is most e
at Kennus. _ and great pre.
i fur his reception.
parations are being mad
d lieutenant-governor will
It is suppose
governor be received
t 35,000 mt is otncer '
by at least visited the King of
ehe only wh
with that chief executing Dahomey .o ventured so far—and
succeeded
a treaty of amity
d commerce, the benefit of which
is now being felt by
the merchants at Whydftb 1.1
• e has also h dispatched an
officer to the King with a treaty
the slave trade in his dominions, for the suppression of
all the cruisers in the Bight and if it be accomplished
also that the lieutenant-governormay be removed. We And
has lately returned
from leading an army of 6,500 against a rebel chief of
Appolonia, with complete success, which has thrown a
beautiful country
open to commerce that had been for
Many years completely shut up. He also relieved 120
prisoners of different tribes whom the King had heavily
ironed, and, in all probability, would have sacrificed at
his next custom making. The lieutenant-governor has
received a most flattering address from the magistrates,
merchants, and others residing on the Gold Coast.
SEIZURE OF A PRIVATE DISTILLERY.— Josiah
Curtis, Esq., Supervisor of Cork Ist district, left Cork
on the evening of the 9th instant, accompanied by five
of his officers, directing the Supervisor of Bandon to
meet him and his officers at Macroom. Mr. Curtis called
upon the Sub-Inspeetor at Macroom, who very kindly
gave him six of the police stationed at Inchigeela, at the
foot of the mountain; he also took with him Mr. Row-
land, the surve3ing officer at Macroom—they then pro-
ceeded to scour theCarrigdanean mountains,aad discovered
an extensive private distillery in full work. The officers
destroyed about 500 gallons potale, a large mull tun,
two coolers, several open-headed vessels, a kiln, with
about 120 bushels of malt, in process; seized and secured.
a 60-gallon copper still, head and worm, nine gallons, of
spirits, about seven bushels of dry malt, and 4,hree
bushels of oats. Bandon being the nearest place to
the seizure, Mr. Curtis gave directions to the 'Bandon
officers to convey the seizure to that. place, Whist,] has
xamtner
• arrived there in safety.—Cork E