The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-05 00:00:00

THE SUN,

IRELAND.
(PROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

PROPOSED RETURN TO PROTECTION.
DUBLIN, ‘.I‘IONDA4 EVENING.—There is now no
doubt that the intention exists, on the part of Go-
vernment, to attempt a return to the protection sys-
item—so far, at heast, as imposing a fixed duty of
Gs. or Bs. per quarter on corn. The Ministerial
journals here—who harked-in most loudly with the
free-trade cry, when it suited their employers to
raise it, are all impressing the necessity of " some
duty " upon foreign corn. These • papers, your
readers may feel convinced, would not venture to hint
a word on the matter, but from express instructions.
Let the people of London, Manchester, Leeds, Bir-
mingham, and so forth, be prepared for a vigorous
effort to tax their industry—not, as the concoctors of
this conspiracy aver, for the purpose of saving from
ruin the agricultural classes of Ireland, but to save
the pockets of the Lombard-street money-lenders.
This class find the land on which they had staked
their funds, with a confidence based on the
fictitious value given to it by the food-tax,
now completely unable to discharge the mortgages;
and, for their sake, the effort is determined on to re-
tax the people's food. I have no hesitation in saying
that the Government would have the support of nine-
tenths of the Irish Members in any such attempt;
for, were there an election to-morrow, not a dozen
anti-Protectionists would be returned. And this is but
natural. Ireland has nothing but her agriculture to live
by ; and she was merely able to get on by means
of the tribute which she drew from the manufac
turing industry of England. Is it wonderful she
should, in her present desperate poverty, seek to re-
coupe her losses by a resumption of the tribute ? There
can be no question that this scheme of the slippery
Whigs will be defeated by the firm front of the Eng-
lish people ; but it is equally certain that the Govern-
ment are feeling their way,and stern resistance alone can
turn them from their path. At the same time, it may
be as well to say that if the Irish Members can't get
protection, there will be next session a vigorous effort
to obtain an imperial rate-in aid ; that is, to subject
Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c., as well as Connaught,
for Irish poverty. A remission of payment of
Government advances will also be demanded.
The Arms Act, which has been erroneously stated to

have expired on 'Saturday last, will not cease until
August next, the Act (section 22) stating that it was to
continue in force until 31st December, 1649, and " to
the end of the then next session." So that the num-
berless well oiled fire-arms which are concealed in this
city are condemned to a still further repose.
The Repeal Association was as tame, spiritless, and
tiresome as usual. At the close the rent was an-
nounced to be 131. 10s.
The implication of Sir Edward Blakeney in the
armament of the Orangemen will detract much from
the gallant General's great popularity, but no one can
fairly blame him or the Government for using any
means at their disposal to protect themselves. Sir
Edward has been summoned to the Horse Guards, on
some matter connected with the command of a regi-
ment in the Limerick district.

LZ

COURT ( EXCHEQUER, Dec. 4.
(Sittings at NisiLAS in Mida!eSCX, before the LORD
CHIEF BA.I,
'ON and a Common Jury.)
s. ought to recover 421. for surgical
vie„. eerie SIIIPr. N.
This was an action e.,
attende nee and medicii ea. The defendant had paid 251. '
into court, and as to the :residue pleaded never indebted.
Mr. Knowles and M le Pulling appeared for the
plaintiff, and Sir Frederic ek Thesiger fled Mr. Hayes for
the defendant.
The plaintiff was an eminent surgeon residing in
Baker-street, Portman-squCre, and the defendant for-
merly carried on the protesssi;.c nof an attorney. He was
a man advanced in life, anel •of feeble constitution. In
November, 1847, the defena'ceit was a passenger by the
Great Western Railway from Maidenhead to
London, and when the tr sin arrived near Slough
it was met by a luggaga train, and in con-
sequence of some neglect on the part of one of
the servants of the company, an iron bar belonging
to one of the luggage vans got out of place, came into
contact with the lamp of the carriage in which the de-
fendant sat, and, as he was rising, struck him in the face,
knocked out two of his teeth, and inflicted some severe
injuries upon the jaw. 'The assistance of a medical man
at Slough, named Norbland, was immediately procured
by the company, and he recommended the removal
of the fractured portions of the jaw, but the defendant
' objected to this, and said he should like to consult Mr.
Vickers, his accustomed medical attendant, and he was
ultimately removed to the residence of the plaintiff in
Baker-street. He was taken to an hotel in Manchester-
square, and while lie fir. t he was most
anxiously watched by Mr. Vickers, who did •
everything that medical skill and kindness could suggest
to alleviate his sufferings. When the defendant got
slightly better he was removed to lodgings in Harley-
street, and subsequently went to the Club Chambers in
Regent-street, and during the whole time he was at
those places the plaintiff continued in constant attend-
' sue() upon him; and in consequence of his great care
and skill the defendant's jaw was saved, and ha
was now in the enjoyment of perfect health.
The defendant, it appeared, was visited by Mr.
Liston, and that celebrated and skilful surgeon
declared that the plaintiff had by. his care and skill
effected a complete triumph in surgical art, such as any
medical man might be proud of. The defendant after-
wards brought an action against the company to recover
compensation for the injury he had received, and the
company offered 3001. to compromise the action, but
the defendant thought the sum too small, and re-
fused to take it. The case was put down for
trial at Reading, but the company having, in the mean-
time, ascertained the serious nature of the accident, in-
creased their offer to 4001., which was ultimately ac-
cepted. Notwithstanding this circumstance, and the re-
storation of the defendant's health, he disputed the pay-
ment of the account, alleging, first, that 151., and after-
, wards that 251., was amply sufficient for the plaintiff's
services.
Sir FREDERICK THESIGER, on the part of the defen-
dant, said he had no intention to disparage the skill of
Mr. Vickers, nor the real character and nature of the
services rendered, but he was compelled to say that
there had been a great deal of exaggeration in the case
for the purpose of enhancing his merits,and,consequently,
his remuneration, but he should show that the sum which
had been tendered to the plaintiff, 251., was not
only amply sufficient to cover any claim in respect of his
services, but was more then he was actually entitled to
charge.
Mr. Chapman, a general practitioner, residing in
Edward•street, Langham•place, examined by Sir F.
THESIGER, said that the sum ordinarily charged for
visiting a patient would depend upon the circumstances
of the case, upon the situation in life of the patient, the
duration of the visits, and the nature of the complaint.
Sir F. THesmea—Taking into consideration the condi-
tion in life of Mr. Shipton, what do you think would be
a fair and proper charge for the plaintiff's visits, inde-
pendent of the medicine? Witness—We have, if I malt
so speak, to appraise our patients—(Laughter)—that is,
to ascertain what they are able to pay.—(Laughter.)
Sir FREDERICK TIIESICER—YoU woulj, for instance,
charge more to a Duke or a MarqUis than to a pro-
tessional man? You would make his Lordship on the
bench pay a larger sum than myself for medical attend-
ance? Witness—Yes.—(Laughter.)
The CIIIEIP BARON—Perhaps your income, Sir
Frederick, is a great deal more than mine.—(Continued
laughter )
Witness—l hare heard the account given of the ac-
cideat, and the circumstances which attended it. There
have been thirty-seven attendances, and forty draughts
and nineteen bottles of lotion, have been supplied, and
the whole charge is 381. 17s.—at the rate of about a
guinea a visit. I never heard of a general practitioner
diverging a guinea for each attendance of ordinary
duration. The :question, however, is an invidious
one, and it is exceedingly difficult for me to estimate Mr.
Vickers' talent, but being compelled to come here, I am
bound to say that I would not charge that sum. For
the first visit and consultation, when the jaw-bone was
adjusted, I would have charged one guinea, and seven
shillings for every subsequent attendance, and one guinea
for the consultation with Mr. Liston. I would have written
prescriptions for the medicine or supplied them myself
rather under druggists' price. The amount of my charge
at this rate, supposing there were no prolonged visits,
would be 211., which I should think would be a very
fair remuneration.
Other medical men were called, who said that 55., 75.,
and los., were the ordinary charges for visits by a gene-
ral practitioner, and that the charge seldom exceeded
half-a-guinea; but one admitted that a guinea might be
a fair charge, and that it was a rule among medical men
never to refuse a good fee.—(Laughter.)
Mr. KNOWLES replied.
The Learned JUDGE having summed up the evidence,
The jury retired, and after being absent for a con-
siderable time, returned into court with a verdict for the
plaintiff—Damages 401., inclusive of the sum paid into
court.