The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-08 00:00:00

THE VICTORIA DISCUSSION SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the members of the above society held
at the Cavendish Rooms, Cavendish-square, London, on
Monday, a paper was read by Mr. Phillips Bevan, editor
of the Food Journal, on the " Necessity of Education in
Domestic Economy." The chair was occupied by Lord
Lyttelton, who said that although he came there as a learner,
he could not profess ignorance upon the question of the
necessity for education in domestic economy, for it was a
subject which so nearly concerned everybody that they
could not but have some knowledge of it. He read some
time ago a pamphlet by Dr. Booth, one of the secretaries
to the committee appointed by the Society of Arts to in-
quire into this question of domestic economy, in which
he stated that he did not believe there was in the whole
parish of Wandsworth a girl of seventeen who was
able to cook a potato. He (the noble chair•
man) was afraid such ignorance prevailed to a large
extent in the present day. It seemed as if
the people of the middle class thought it would be
time enough to learn domestic economy when they had a
house of their own in which to practise it. They seemed
to have a horror of that which they call " innovation ;"
but to know how to cook and how to manage a house was
an accomplishment taught to and understood by our
grandmothers. The subject was a most interesting one,
and he would not keep them longer from its considera-
tion. He therefore called upon
Mr. Phillips Bevan, whose paper was in its essential
points as follows :--The evils which are produced by the
neglect of our practical duties as masters and mistresses of
households are not light ones, and although it may seem
ridiculous to say that because ladies of England cannot
cook a pudding like their great grandmothers could and
did the country is coming to grief, it is nevertheless a real
and a sad truth. We are threatened in our very strong-
hold—our home life—and the neglect of housekeep-
ing is only one of the outward and visible signs of our
deterioration. Domestic economy has a much larger
range than people seem to be aware of. It embraces
great sanitary questions well worthy the attention of
our authorities, but which appear to be unaccount-
ably overlooked. It is astonishing indeed how little
the niceties of eating and drinking are attended to in
this country, and I do not make this remark in the
slightest gourmauderie but as a matter of domestic policy.
As it is, even in well-regulated families, there is the same
everlasting round of dishes which know so little change,
and which require thoroughly good cooking and a healthy
appetite to make them enjoyable. Ido not think that
the lady of the household would find it unproductive to
study some of her cookery books, and endeavour to infuse
into the kitchen menage an atmosphere of variety and some
approach to what may be called the wsthetics of the
cook's art. Climate, race, and a more laborious habit of
work require, I am aware, a more substantial feeding than
prevails on the Continent, but there is no earthly reason
why the grossness and commonness of English operatives
dinners should not be redeemed by a little knowledge
of the arts of seasoning, flavouring, and adorning. A
knowledge of the economical value, of articles of con-
sumption goes far to free the wife of the work-
ing man from the thraldom and deception of the cheap
tradesmen, who make their fortunes in reliance on two
things, the improvidence and the ignorance of their cus-
tomers. If in our domestic education we could also impart a
knowledge of quality we should aim a terrible blow at the
evil of adulteration—an evil which can only be expressed
by the word poisoning, and which is insidiously doing
more damage to the national health and strength, than
half a dozen epidemics of cholera and small-pox. I am
glad to s‘e that the new East London Museum, now in
progress, is likely to have transferred to it a large portion,
if not the whole, of the food collection at present at South
Kensington. I think it will be more useful there, and do
real good to the inhabitants of that densely-populated dis-
trict, especially if supplemented by plain, easy, practical
lectures. Mr. Bevan concluded his paper by referring to
the project entertained by Miss Faithfull of forming a new
system of training schools for women.
After a few words from MissFaithfull in explanation of
her project, a discussion ensued, and the proceedings con-
cluded by a vote of thanks to the noble chairman.

A FLYING MACHINE.—A newly-invented " flying
machine" was tried, it appears, at San Francisco on the
6th of January. Everything was got in order, and the
propeller arranged to cause elevation, at 12 15 o'clock.
The fire for raising steam was then kindled, and in one
minute and a quarter steam was opened. At 12 47 the
machine was cut loose, and the propellers started. The
report states that she then rose most gracefully in the air,
amid the cheers of the crowd who had gathered to witness
the ascension. The machine was guided by cords attached
to both ends of the balloon, and in the hands of persons on
the ground. She ascended about fifty feet, and sailed
along about a block, when she was pulled down to have
her boiler replenished. Again she rose, this time to a
height of about 200 feet. All the machinery " worked to
the perfect satisfaction of the inventor." The machine is
named " America."

THE LAKES AND THE FROST.—The " seven weeks'
frost" has caused an excitement of rare occurrence in the
lake district. For some time Windermere resisted the
cold, the mind keeping up a movement of the water, pre-
venting freezing, and allowing the steamboat traffic in
connection with the railways to go on as usual. On
Thursday week, however, the wind dropped, and the lake
became smooth as glass. As if some enormous spider
had begun a web, streaks of ice began to shoot across the
tranquil waters in strange geometrical forms, so that the
fishing boats could scarcely reach home. The steamboat
dashed through for one day, but next day was fast as
possible in the ice. Then came the skating, dancing,
sledging, and walking ; the mixture of old, young, grave,
and gay on the Arctic scenery of Bowness Bay, which for
twenty-one years had not presented such a scene of ani-
mated ice-land. Derwentwater afforded earlier sport.
Deep in the mountains, and of a smaller size, the wind had
not the same effect as on Windermere. Dancing, racing,
quadrille parties, waltzing, fireworks, and all sorts of en-
joyable sports have been held on the ice, and Keswick
made holiday. Grassmere has been the scene of a narrow
escape. A young midshipman named King, though
warned, attempted to cross to the island. The ice gave
way, and he was immersed. Quartermaster Baldry, by
the aid of ladders and ropes, succeeded in saving him, but
not until he had been nearly half an hour in the water,
hanging by.the edge of the broken ice. He became uncon-
scious, but has recovered.

Mr. R. Dudley Baxter, on Monday night, delivered an
an address on " Our National Defences " at a meeting of
the London and Westminster Constitutional Association,
held at the Westminster Palace Hotel. Mr. Baxter said
that the most important question in connection with the
subject of his address was whether service in the army was
to be voluntary or compulsory. After reviewing the
various military systems of Europe, Mr. Baxter said he
was inclined to recommend the Swiss system, which
would give us 500,000 soldiers between the ages •of twenty
and thirty-five. Lord Derby had said that it would lie an
enormous waste of power. But was it not possible to get
over the difficulty? The Americans appeared to
have solved it. He (Mr. Baxter) was told by
an American gentleman that every man was
liable to serve from the age of twenty to forty,
but only one-third were called up, and they were drilled
twice a year, from seven to fourteen days each. After
some discussion, the following resolution was adopted :
"That the home defences of England ought to be in-
creased and perfectly organized ; that, in addition to the
regular army and regular militia and volunteers, there
ought to be a local militia, with times of drill convenient
to the working men, and with adequate pay and universal
liability for service."

SIR C. B. ADDERLEY ON THE SANITARY
COMMISSION.

Sir C. B. Adderley, M.P., writes as follows to his con-
stituents :—" The work which has now occupied me two
years, and during this recess has kept me much from the
country, namely, the Chairmanship of the Royal Sanitary
Commission, seems to be approaching a successful end.
The report is forthcoming, which gives a history of our
confused and multifarious sanitary laws up to the present
time, and extensive evidence, oral and written, on the im-
perfect working of local government--the most vital
essence of our national vigour—in most parts of the
country. It elaborates, through comment and argument,
a complete consolidation into one clear statute all the
provisions which in every town and parish of Eng-
land and Wales, except the Metropolis, are re-
quired for the health and social well-being of the
community. Mr. Bruce assures me that he and
two of his colleagues are now hard at work preparing
a bill from these materials ; and I hope that, while the
better organisation of our national defences will be neces-
sarily the main subject of the labours of the approaching
session, this great work of domestic reform may find its
quiet opportunity. The idea of the Due comprehensive
Act will be to render uniform, general, and active the
powers of local government in every place under the
inspection and stimulus of a Central Authority."

The New York limes of the 20th ult. says that he
Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Convention met the
previous day in Boston, with Mrs. Lucy Stone Blackwell

in the chair. Resolutions of the usual character were
adopted, and one was discussed without action, denying
to opponents the right to call themselves Christians.
Mr. Henry Labouchere, the now well-known " Be-
sieged Resident," is expected to arrive shortly in London
from Paris, to !superintend the publication of a complete
collection of his famous letters to the Daily News,
enriched with numerous notes and additions.

LEGAL REFORMS.—It is said that Mr. Baron

Bramwell advocates reforms, that will, if accepted, work
a complete revolution in the administration of justice.
Lawyers have had a rouch time of it lately ; can it be
that there are worse evils in store for them than the County
Court and the New Juries Acts !

Mr. Joseph K. Aston, of Lincoln's-inn, has received

the appointment of treasurer and secretary to Queen
Anne's Bounty, vacant by the retirement of the venfyrable
Mr. Christopher Hodgson, after nearly fifty years' tenure
of office.

It is said that at the close of the Italian Opera
J3affa season at the Lyceum that theatre will be taken by
Mr. J. C. Clarke, the American comedian, and that
Jefferson, Booth, and other American celebrities, will in
succession appear upon its boards.

EXPLOSION IN THE MIKADO'S PALACE IN YEDDO.

—An explosion has occuared in the Mikado's Palace, in
Yeddo. It appears that one of the old treasure rooms had
been lent to some of the officials to store rockets and shells
in. While these were being put past, it is supposed that
one of the men let a shell drop, and it exploded, blowing,
She roof of the building, off, igniting the other combus-
tible matter, and killing two men, a third being seriously
wounded. The Japan Herald. in its account, adds that
the Mikado, hearing the explosion, and frightened lest an
attack had been on him, fled to the other end of the palace,
about a mile off.

DEATH OF LADY WILMOT-MORTON. - Lady
Wilmot-Horton died at Catton Hall on Saturday last.
Her ladyship was the daughter and co-heft ess with the
(late) Hon. Mrs. Carleton, of Eusebius Horton, of Catton,
Derbyshire, and Davenport Hall, Cheshire. She was the
relict of the Right Hon. Sir. it. Wilmot, Under Secretary
of State and Governor of Ceylon, &c. The deceased lady
was in her 83rd year. and was in her youth distinguished
for her beauty, and to her were addressed the well-known
lines of Lord Byron :
" She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies."
—Morning Post.

THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY.—CoIoneI Sir
J. Stuart Wood, inspector-general of the Royal Irish Con-
stabulary, visited the Constabulary Barracks at Mullingar
on Saturday, and presented Constable Supple with a
silver medal and the sum of £5O, as a reward for his
gallantry on the occasion of the late attempt on
his life. Sir J. S. Wood, after decorating the
constable's breast with the medal, made some remarks, in
the course of which he stated that he had known many
acts of bravery in the field, but he considered Constable
Supple's conduct on the night of the 11th January far
outshone in gallantry any of those acts within his recol-
lection. The constable has also been placed on the special
list for promotion.

MARSHAL PRIM CLAIMED TO DE AN IRISIDIAN.--.
Mr. J. G. A. Prim, the Honorary Secretary of the
Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of
Ireland, writes to the AthenaEum, to claim the late
Marshal Prim as a relative. It seems that
Mr. Mark Prim, who was the first stamp distributor
for the county of Carlow, under the Irish Stamp Act of
1774, had two sons, who emigrated to Spain, and became
clerks in a counting-house. They soon ceased to
communicate with their relatives in Ireland, an 4 our cor-
respondent conjectures that Marshal Prim was the grand-
son of one of them. Marshal Prim's origin has always
been a matter regarding which the accounts have been
contradictory, and it is not unlikely, adds the AthenaEum,
that he is to be added to the long list of Irishmen, or men
of Irish descent, who have distinguished themselves in the
service of Spain.

SCANDAL IN HIGH LIFIC.—.I hear a curious story
of social scandal, which will cause some sensation in
circles not slightly distinguished. It is asserted that, on
a marriage which took place some few months ago
between a nobleman and a lady, the friends of
the bride felt called upon to make inquiries con-
cerning certain rumours• which had connected—matri-
monially—his lordship's name with that of a fascinating
actress of some repute. They convinced themselves,
however, that the charge was groundless, and the
marriage took place. It is now, however,
asserted that, owing to the pleasant perplexities of
Scotch law, there is great doubt whether the young
nobleman has not—unconsciously—justified the original
report ! It seems that he had travelled in Scotland with
the fair actress, who bore his name, cohabited with
him, and appeared in every way to be his wife. It is
declared that in Scotch law this is tantamount to a mar-
riage—despite the absence of any actual assertion to
that effect—and that, therefore, the union clntracted
in England is not only null and void, but bigamy !
It is understood that the question is likely to come
before the courts.—" Man About Town," in the Sporting
Gazette.

MUSES and SON'S

OVERCOATS, 19s. to £5.

BOY'S OVERCOATS, 7s. 6d. to 453.

10 MOSES and St4N beg to Teraind the public
ju. that the cheapocizr or an article depends end ely on its
quality. and they venture to say that their crime will compare
lavon ably walt those of ally other house in England.

L' mosEB and SON'S
-1-4.

OXFORD COATS, 17s. bo 50s.

CAMBRIPGa COATS, 19s. to 50s.

Tr ERTCH JACKETS, 15s. to 425.

SUTHERLAND JACKETS, 19s. 6d. to 50s.

BUSINESS SUITS, 28s. to 60a.

•
EMOSES and EON'S easy and accurate system
. of self-measure enables them to execute orders by post,
with the guarantee of a faultless flt.

-VI MOSES and SON'S

FROCK COATS, 245. to 635.

DRESS COATS, 255. to 60s.

MORNING TROUSERS,. uls. 6d. to 21s.

---
DRESS TROUSERS, 128.6 d. to 265.

MOURNING SUITS, 28s. to £5.

MOSES and SON invite special attention
E.
to their large Stock of GENTLEME 'S DRESSING
ROBE at 18 to 2 ) Guineas; the assortment is unequaled
for variety of materials and designs, and neatness and elegance
of finish.

'EI MOSES and SON'S

BUYS' CLOTHING :

iNICKERBOCKER SUITS, Os. 6s. to 40s.

ETON SUITS, 15s. to 40s

BRIGHTON SUITS, 18s. to 48s.

DRESS SUE'S, 255. to 635.

011/4 8R.4.14011..
BR *DFO;:=ID, YORILirEIRE

MOSES and SON supply every description of
• Clothinr, ready-made or made to measure, for all agests,
a'l occasions. and s,ll s ; also Hosiery anr Drapery, Ha
and Ca s. Boots and Shoes, and complete outfits for alt climates.
All (hoods marked in Plain Figures.
Any Article exchanged IT not worn or injured.
List of Prices. with Roles for Self-measure, Patterns, and
Fashion-sheet, gratis and post-free.
E. MOSES and SON,I stablishments are closed every Friday
evening at su.iset till Saturdny -evening at sunset, when business
s resumed until Eleven deeek.
The following are the only addresses of E. MOSES and SO

LONDON.
COB.' ER of MI NORI ;, S an.l ALDO &T E.
EW OXFORD-ST REM 610 a SEE of HAR r-STREET.
CORN ER of TOTT II 31-COURT-RO P,D and EUSTON -ROAD.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.
Lessee and Manawm, P. B. Cbatterton.
THIS EVENING, Her Majesty's Servants will perform a New
and Original Farce, entitled RULE BRITANNIA • after which
will be pertormed the Drury Lane Grand Comic Christmas
Annual, entitled THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY ; or, HAR-
LEQUIN AND OLD MOTHER SHIPTON, with Characteristic
Scenery by William Beverly. Doors open at half-past Six, com-
mence at Seven, and terminate at Eleven o'clock every Evening.
Box-office open from Ten till Five daily.

MORNING PERFORMANCE of the Grand
Pantomime, entitled the DRAGON OF WANTLEY,
every Wednesday and Saturday. Children and Schools at re-
duced prices to the foll Owing parts of the Theatre :—First Circle,
Dress Circle, and Stalls. Box-office
LANE from Ten till Five
daily. - THEATRE ROYAL, DRITRY-.

ANDREW HALL ID AY' S Great Drama, AMY
ROBSART will be revived on MONDAY, February 27.
Box-office open from Ten till Five daiIy.—THEATRE-ROYAL,
DRURY-LANE.

MISS VICTORIA YOKES will resume her
successful impersonation of AMY ROBSART on MON-
DAY, February 27.—80x-offlce open from 10 till 5 daily.—
THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.

ROYAL COURT THEATRE, Sloane-square,
s.w. Lessee and Manager, M. LITTON.
-THIS EVENING; at Eight o'clock. Thirteenth Night of W. S.
Gilbert's original comedy entitled RANDALL'S THUMB. Sup-
ported by Messrs. Hermann Vezin, W. Belford, Edward Righ-
ton, H. Mellon, R. Steyd Frank Matthews ; Mesdames
M. Brennan, Kate Bishcp, phens, and Eleanor Button. Pre-
ceded by, at 7 30, TURN HIM OUT ; and to coneludde
Q. witE. D.
h an
_original comedietta, by F. A. Marshall, entitle
Supported by Messrs. W Belford, E. Righton, Misses M. Bren-
nan, Kate Bishop, and Kate Manor. Box office open from
11 to 5. No fees for booking, programmes, or rooms.
Trains by Metropolitan Railway to the very doors of the
Theatre.—Acting Manager, Mr. John Huy.

rrHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.-
The 70th Fight of a NEW FAIRY COMEDY.—THIS
EVENING (Wednesday) at Seven, O'Keefe's Musical Piece, THE
POOR SOLDIER, 'with aelections from the original music.
Patrick, Miss •Fanny Wright ; Norah, Miss Fanny Gwynne.
After which, at a quarter to Eight o'clock, a new Fairy Comedy,
in Three Acti, entitled THE PALACE OF TRUTH. Characters
by Mr. Buckstone, Messrs. Kendal, Everil, Clark, Braid, Rogers,
Mesdames Robertson, Chippendale, C. Hill, Fanny Wright, and
Fanny Gwynne. Act I. Garden of King Phanor's Country
House. Act If. Interior of the Palace of Truth. Act 111. The
Avenue of Palms. Followed by UNCLE'S WILL. Mr. Kendal
and Miss Robertson. Concluding with the Farce of FAMILY
JARS. Mr. SOTHERN win re-appear on the Ist of May. Box
Office open daily from 10 till 5,

ADELPM THEATRE ROYAL. Sole Pro-
prietor; Mr. Benjamin Webster ; Managers, Mr. B.
Webster and Dir. F. B. Chatterton.—THlS EVENING, at 7,
THAT RASCAL JACK : Mr. John Rouse. At 7.30 (4th at
DEADMANS POINT; or, THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE CAR
RUTH : Miss Furtado, Mrs. A. Mellon, Mr ;. Leigh Murray,
Miss M. Cooper, and Mrs. Billington ; J. Rouse, C. H. Stephen-
son, and (4th appearance here) Messrs. E. F. Edgar, Wollake,
A. C. Lilly, and A. Raynor. At 0.30, the MISTLETOE BOUGH.
Mr. Brittain Wright, Mrs. A. Mellon, Mademoiselle Debreaux
Miss Dubois, Miss Bella Moore, Miss Bellew, &c.

ROYA.L PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—SoleLessee,.
Benjamin Webster. Managers, B. Webster
Chatterton.—THlS EVENING, at 7, HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr.
J. Clayton. At 7.30, KING 0' SCOTS. Founded on Sir Walter
Scott's Novel of " The Fortunes of Nigel," written and adapted
by Andrew Halliday. King James and Old TraPbois the Miser,
Mr. Phelps. Messrs.W.Rlgnold, Herbert Crellin, Barrett, J.John-
stone, Marshall, J. Murray, 11. Russell, Wallace,
AClifford, West-
land, J. Clayton, &c. ; Mesdames R. Leclercqt scenery, by F
, . Merton, R.
Power, F. Addison, &c. New and magnificen
Lloyd and assistants. To conclude with THEII Five. HAPPY MAN.
Mr. Shiel Barry.—
Box-otlice open from Ten ti
--____

VAUDEVILLE ' THEATRE, STRAND.
Lessees—Messrs. H. J. Montague, •D. James, and T.
Thorne.--THIS EVENING, at 7, CHISELLING (141st Night) :
Mr. David James. After7which, TWO ROSES (214th night), by
James Albery. Conclude with (72nd night) ELIZABETH. Sup-
ported by Messrs. H. J. Newton, James, and T. Thorne,
&c.; Mesdames Amy Fawsitt, A. and Nelly Power, &c.

lIOYAL S TRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and. Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS
EVENING, at 7, LIVING AT EASE. Messrs. Crouch, Turner ;
Mesdames Ada Swanborough, E. Bufton, and F. Hughes.
CCEUR-DE-LION, Messrs. Terry, Paulton, Fenton, and Turner ;
Mesdames Amy Sheridan, E. Hufton, Santley, Lee, Goodall,
&c. And ON AND OFF.

ROYALTY T REATRE.-TO-NIGHT,
February B.—The 25th time of an original Comedietta,
by
R. Reece, in Two Acts, entitled DORA'S DEVICE. At 7.30,
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND ;at 8.15, DORA'S DEVICE concluding
with WHITTINOTON JUNIOR. and his SENsATiou CAT.

ATA.DA.IIIIi TUSSAIJD'S EXHIBITION, Baker-
ILL Street.—On view, Portrait Models of the ex-Emperor and
Empress of the French, and Prince Imperial. Also, Marshal
Bazame, Marshal Canrobert, General Trochu, &c., &c.—
Admission, is. ; Children under Ten Years of age, 6d. Extri
Rooms, 6d. extra. Open from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m.

mA.DA_ME TUSSAUD'S EXH O
lof BITIN, Baker-
street.—Ott view, Portrait Models the King and
Crown prince of Prussia, Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern. AN(
Count von Bismarck and Count von .—Admission,Moltke is.
Children under Ten Years of age, 6d. Extra Rextr
Open Ltvia 19 a.m. till 10 p.m.