The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1841

BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT IN-

STITUTION.

A Rrport of the present state of this valuable insti.
tution was lately read to the members at their annual
meeting, held at the Albion Tavern, Cosmo Orme,
Esq., presiding. We learn by it that upwards of ten
thousand pounds, raised by subscriptions, gifts, and
interest accumulations, are already deposited in a
public security, and that this sum is now available for
the working purposes of the institution. The ad•
vantagAs that associations of this kind foreshadow for
the hard-working assistant of mercantile houses cannot
be too highly prized, and if the class of individuals
whom they best concern were sufficiently thoughtful of
the future, few belonging to it would suffer themselves
to be without the comfortable prospect that participa-
tion in such eleemosynary funds afford, should mis-
fortune and its train of distress overtake them. It v.ill
be seen by the Report that the principal booksellers
have subscribed handsomely to the Society ; we should
have been glad could we say that the names of some
of our leading litterateurs—who have achieved wealth
by the enterprise of the publisher and the labour of his
clerk—also appeared as contributors. Such liberality
on their part would have been no less becoming than
graceful.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR 1840.41.

The duty of the Directors of this institution of an-
nually presenting to its members and friends a Report
of their proceedings is one which must be attended with
considerable benefit to all who arc connected therewith,
in making them more fully acquainted with those
transactions in which they are individually concerned,
and as a means of exciting a more lively interest in its
welfare and prosperity. In fulfilling for the fourth time
the pleasing task which devolves upon them, the Di-
rectors would briefly refer to the various important sub-
jects which have engaged their atteotion during the
past year. .

At the commencement of the year which has just
terminated, by the rules of the institution, a portion of
its income became available for the temporary assist-
ance of its members. The great attention which must
be paid to any claims of this nature, and the addition
which would thereby be made to their precious labours,
necessarily urged upon the Directors the propriety of
devising some more efficient methods of fulfilling their
various duties. To accomplish this, they availed them-
se.lves of the power given to them by the 28th tule,
and framed a series of standing orders, or bye-laws,
which will be read by the Secretary. The Directors
have endeavoured by these bye-laws to make provision
for the more regular conducting of business at their va-
rious meetings, for additional circumspection in the ad-
mission of new members, and for other purposes.

That no delay may be experienced by any Member
applying for assistance from the funds, the Directors
have appointed a Committee, to whom every applica-
tion made to the Secretary for relief, is to be immedi-
ately referred. It is the duty of this Committee to
proceed at once to the investigation of every ease thus
brought before them ; and if, in their opinion, it be one
demanding immediate attention, they are empowered to
give such assistance as in their judgmetit the case may
require, until the next meeting of the Board of Direc-
tors. I;y personal investigation of every case, and by
adminis!,,ring with their own hands, the furOs entrusted
to their care, it will be the endeavour of this Commit-
tee to cii•ry out with a kind and liberal spirit one of the
noblest :eatures of the Institution. Two applications
for assistance have already been made, which have
afforded opportunities for carrying their determinations
into cff et. One of these cases was of a very tempo-
rary nature ; the other may probably be of a much
longer continuance. To the seasonable relief which in
these instances has been given, they would also refer as
illustrating more effectually the advantages and utility
of an inst. tution like the present.

It is also a source of peculiar gratification to the
Directors to be enabled to state that they have suc-
ceeded in their applications to several medical gentle-
men, eminent in their profession, whose names have
already appeared, to become the medical officers of the
institution, and who will readily give their best advice
in every case which may be sent by the Board of Direc-
tors for their consideration.

Allusion was made in the last Report to an Ad-
dress which had been prepared and sent to all those in-
dividuals in the trade who had nc.t joined the institu-
tion. Upon many of them the Directors have person-
ally waited, and more fully explained its nature and
advatanges. From these and similar efforts they have
the pleasure of stating that during the past year thirty-
four names have been added to the list of its Members.
Seven Members have been removed by death, and
eleven have been excluded for non-payment of their
subscriptions.
The following, therefore, will be a correct state-
ment of the number of Members at prese:it belonging
to the institution :

Excluded for New Members Now cn the

ceased, Non-payment. Admitted. Books.
Life Members ... 4 9 14' 235
Ann. Subscribers 3 9 13 131
Hon. Members ... 0 0 7 .27

Total ...... 7

The Directors have again taken into their most anxious
consideration such of the proposed new rules which did
not receive the general approval of the members at the
last annual meeting. Several alterations and additions
have been made, and in their present form it is hoped
that they will meet with the unanimous approbation of
the meeting.
The Report of the auditors shows a considerable in-
crease in the state of the funds, and it is with much
pleasure that the Directors refer to the list of donations
which have been mach during the past year.
The Directors most unfeignedly congratulate the
members upon the still improving position and prospects
of the institution, which they are justified in believing
will amply carry out the views of the projectors, and
uitimat,ly stand as a splendid and honourable testimony
of the liberality and benevolence of the trade.
In concluding their Report, the Directors would urge
upon the members and friends of the institution, the
propriety of using their utmost endeavours to increase
the number of its members. They are aware that
there are some in the trade so inattentive to their own
interest, or so indifferent to that of others, as to refuse
to belong to it. With men who are resolved to shut
their eyes upon consequences, or are unwilling to sacri-
fice the smallest immedit.te to the greatest future advan-
tage, it is in vain to reason ; but there are still many
who hesitate, waiting to ascertain more correctly the
spirit and manner in which the institution will be con-
ducted. To them every explanation should be afforded,
every inducement held out, and every assurance given,
that by becoming members, they will secure to them-
selves its friendly assistance in the time of need, or have
the happiness of contributing to the necessities of
their brethren.

COSMO ORME, President.
LIST OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEARS 1841-2.

PRESIDENT.
COSMO ORME, Esq.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
John Miles, Esq.
Anthony K. Newman, Esq,
Robert Saunders, Esq.
'Thomas Tpgg, Esq.

Henry Colburn, Esq.
James Duncan, Esq.
Thomas N. Longman, Esq.
John Murray, Esq.

lIONORARY vD
Joseph Bonsor, Esq.
William Clowes, Esq.
William Clement, Esq.
John Dickinson, Esq.

It PRESIDENTS.
Thomas Gardiner, Esq.
Andrew Spottiswoode, Esq.
John Walter, Esq.

TRUSTEES.
Thos. Kelly,Esq., Alderman. Edmund Hodgson, Esq.
James Nisbet, Esq. !James M. Richardson, Esq.
TREASURER.—Thomas Brown, Esq.
AUDITORS.—Mr. R. Burnside; Mr. J. Eden; Mr. I.

Parson.

HONORARY SECRETARY.-Mr. W. Meyrick, Furnival's Inn.
HONORARY MEDICAL OFFICERS.-Dr. Dar;ing, Rus-
sell-square ; Dr. James Johnson, Suffolk-place ; J. F.
South, E,q., 2, Adelaide-place, London-bridge; Dr.
A. T. Thompson, Welbeck-street.

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS' PACKET STATION.
—lt is difficult to conceive upon what principle it is de-
cided to continue the pert of Weymouth as the packet
station of the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. The prin-
ciple which must be the primary consideration in say
arian,g-ernent for transmitting the mails is a quick delivery,
to produce which shortening the distance would be the first
consideration; and how stands the fact, when looking at
the facilities afforded by Weymouth for this purpose as
compared with those of Southampton? The distance
from London to Weymouth is fifty miles more than to
Southampton. Packets leave the port of Weymouth only
twice a week, while they leave Southampton six times.
A letter posted in London would take by the route of
Weymouth at least three days to reach Guernscy,
unless posted at the particular time which will enable
it to be transmitted immediately on its arrival at
Weymouth by the packet ; while if sent via from South-
ampton, it could be forwa-ded on any day, immediately on
its delivery at the past-office, and would be delivered at
the place of Its destination twenty-four hours after it was
posted in London. In addition to this there is a day mail
from London to Southampton, and thus letters could be
forwarded to the. islands the same day they were posted in
town, and delivered the next morning to those to whom
they were addressed. It is impossible to conjecture what
motives could have induced the bungling arrangements
come to by the Government, no doubt on the recom-
mendation of the Pcrt Commissioners, which are certainly
entirely opposed to every principle of convenience, and
most injurious to the public interests, since the commercial
intercourse between London and Guernsey and Jersey is
of sufficient importance to render such a delay in the tratis-
miffing the mails a most serious matter.—Hampshire In-
dependent.
CARDINAL YorsK.—Cardinal York was offi-
ciating in the church when we went in, and immediately
sent to tell the ladies they must Full off their hats, or else
go out. This peremptory order of the ex-prince could not
very easily be complied with, according to the present
Tal Hhiegyh
thereforeness had
rperf
eosv provided etdo a
obey,pe r
mode of ladies' hats bung fastened on the cushion by long
reist St
h. se
ent
omission l him
mass,ed .andMl
ru pins,queB'r et.o ueaxl tersi gc
ahties them.Ro
wMoarndy thatm esssahgees
hadi'asnsoetd haenadr dr e Aas
on his connielee. He is an ugly, foolish-looking, long.
visaged fellow, very like his grandfather, full of rride,
and ju-st such anothcr obstivato bigot.—Swirthurize's
Courts of Europe,

COURT CIRCULAR.

The Queen held a Court on Saturday afternoon at
Buckingham Palace.

Mr. Fortique. the Venezuelan Alinister, had an
audience of the Queen to deliver a letter.

Mr. Gonzalez, Envoy -Extraordinary an 1 Minister
Plenipotentiary, upon a special mission from the Queen
of Spain, had an audience of her Majesty to take leave.
Their Excellencies were introduced by Viscount
Palmerston, G. C. 8., her Majesty's principal Secre-
tary of State for Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Sir
Robert Chester, Mustt2r of the Ceremonies.

Her Majesty was attended by Viscount Torrington,
Lord in Waiting, and Major the Hon. George Keppel,
Grimm in Waiting.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert attended Divine
Service yesterday morning i❑ the Chapel Royal, St,
James's. The Bishop of Rochester preached the ser-
mon, taking his text from St. John, chap. 8, verse 51.
The Prayers were read by the Rev. W. Povah ; the
Lessons and Litany were read by the Rev. Dr. Wesley,
and the A!tar service by the Rev. Dr. Sleath, Rev.
Dr. Wesley, and the Rev. W. Povab. The musical
service was Nares in C. The Commandments, Sanctus,
and Chant, were Sale's. The Anthem was " Give the
King thy Judgment" (Boyce). Mr. J. B. Sale pre-
sided at the organ.

The Rev. Dr. Short was the Deputy Clerk of the
Closet in 'Waiting. The Royal suite consisted of the
Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, Hon. Miss Pitt, Hon.
Miss Devereux, Viscount Torrington, Earl of Morley,
Hon. Major Keppel, Lord Alfred Paget, and Sir E.
Bowater.

Th Queen and Prince Albert visited her Majesty
the Queen Dowager yesterday afternoon, at Marl-
borough House. Her Majesty came attended by the
Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, in an open barouche
and four. His Royal Highness arrived on horeeback,
attended by Sir E. Bowater and Lord Alfred Paget.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert visited the British
Museum on Saturday afternoon, and were received on
their arrival by Sir Hcnry Eilis, and other officers of
the institution.

Her Majesty. and his Royal Highness were attended
by the Countess of Mount Elgcumbe, Hon. Miss De-
vereux, Viscount Torrington, Hon. Major Koppel,
Lord Alfred Paget, and Sir Edward Bo.vatcr.
The Royal party remained two hours at the Museum.
The Duchess of Kent visited her Majesty on Sa-
turd
Viscount Melbourne had an aud:ence of the Queen
on Saturday.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the
Hon. Miss Pitt, Hon. Miss Devereux, Viscount Tor-
rington, Earl of Morley, Hon. Major Keppel, Lord
Alfred Paget, and Sir Edward Bowater, honoured the
Italian Opera with their presence on Saturday evening.
Her Royal Higiiness the Duchess of Kent, attended
by Lady Anne Maria Dawson, also honoured the
Opera with her presence.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent attended
Divine Service yesterday morning in Trinity Chapel,
S!oane•strcet. Lady Anne Maria Dawson and Colonel
Cooper were in waiting on her Royal Highness.
The Duke of Cambridge, attended by Colonel
Kecte, took a drive on Saturday to Richmond and
Kew. The Duchess of Gloucester paid a visit to his
Royal Highness on Saturday. His Royal Highness
Prince Albert visited the Royal Duke yesterday.
A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon
at the Foreign-office. It was attended by all the Mi-
nisters. The Council sat two hours.

A Deput ition respecting coffee, headed by Mr. Patti-
son, M.P., had an interview with Mr. Labouchere, on
Saturday, at the office of the Board of Trade.
Desp itches from Sir J. Franklin, Governor of Van
Diemen's Land, and also from the Governor of Gibral-
tar, were raccived yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Sir George Young and Mr. Lister had interviews
with tilt Marquis of Normanby, on Saturday, at the
Home-office.

Mr. Hare?, M.P., and a Deputation, had an inter-
%iew with Mr. Labouchere, on Saturday, at the Board
of Trade.

Captain Francis Seymcur left Buckingham Palace
on Saturday, for the country.
Viscount Melbourne had a Parliamentary dinner
party on Saturday, at his residence in South-street.
The Earl of Minto had a party on Saturday, at his
residence in the Admiralty.

EXTRAORDINARY RECOG-

NITION.

A most singular and extraordinay incident took place
in this city (New Orleans, America) !sat week. Two
brothers have been living for twenty years within a
hundred yards of each other in neighbouring streets,
and the consanguinity was never known until a most
trivial accident a few days ago developed the story.
Tae particul irs are of too remarkable 14 nature to escape
publicity, although the names we must withhold. The
brothers were born in Paris, and were orphans at so
early an age as to have no recollection of their parents.
While et children, an accidental explosion of gun-
powder with which they were playing, marked an in-
delible scar upon the cheek of one, aid rendered use-
less for life the finger of the other. They were sepa-
rated while still intants and taken care of They
strangers
—one afterwards went to sea as a cabin-boy for many
years, the other remained an kprentice in Paris. Tee
cabin-boy, when 15 years old, found- himself in this
city, and obtaining employment more to his fancy than
roving the waves, he abandoned salt water and applied
himself to another pursuit. Even at this time his brother
was residing in the neighbourhood, and they became
acquainted and conversed with each other daily from
then till now. Both were industrious, and have gra-
dually improved their condition in life, until now they
are surrounded by the comfortable rewards of thrift.
Each remembered the accident which occurred during
childhood, and knew that he had a brother, but this
was all. The other evening one of the brothers col-
lected a circle of friends to witness the christening of
his first grandchild, and his old familiar neighbour
round the corner was among the guests. Accident
mutilated finger into notice, and the history
course told, when the delight and surprise
obfroiutg was brought the
l 4
of the whole party may be imagined at the old neigh-
hour abruptly giving the history o the scar on his cheek
en.i his long-lont brother. Each had retained the ori-
ginal family name, but it had been so altered in spelling
that neither evtr detected the similarity. There was
quite a dramatic denouement, when the old friends
mutually explained, became convinced of the relation-
ship, and rushed into each other's arms as brothers.—
Amitet kart Paper.

EFFECTS OF RAILWAYS.-There is, perhaps,
no town in the kingdom where trai e has suffered to so
great an extent as that of Egharn, through which, before
the Great WeAern and Southampton Railroads were
of enc.!, besween seventy and eighty long stages passed
during the day. For some time past only one coach, the
North Devon, has proceeded through the town, a,-,d that,
it is stated, will be " off the road,' and finally cease run-
ning, on Monday next. Several of the inns are entirely
closed, and the proprietors ,of many of those which still
continue oFea are scarcely getting " salt for their per-
fidy." Inns which formerly let for from 1001. to 1501.
and more per annum, may now be had for less than 301.
and 401. for the same term.

TIIE DISHONEST CHURCHMEN AND THE
IioNEST PUSEYITEs,--We rejoice to hear that there is
esery probil ty of " The Tract" nuisance being put down,
and thst in the simplest, shortest, and most effectual way.
Lis currently reported that the highest authority in the
Church of England has felt i: to be his duty to interfere,
aad has laid an injunction, or some order equally binding,
on the editors of the " Tracts for the Times," to cease
from troubling the Church. It is expected, therefore,
that the " poisonons" stream (the word is Mr. Froude's
Own, and used with reference to these publications) will
tease to flow. At least, if such obedience is not yielded,
and that promptly and implicitly, the authors and editors
will stand convicted of having inculcated on others a rule
to which they are not willing to submit in their own per-
sons. Supposing the report to be true, as we believe it to
be, it is cocain that his Grace will have laid the Church
(ldeepest obligation ; and, remem-
beringtual caution and tenderness, we
ean hardlyEnglandiiis Gua
c' n
o'rnZeedi's vr ethhaaeb
i deeper rebuke, or a stronger con -
dor:nation, than vie fact of his having felt it a duty thus to
exeirtilhLisna,uAtilituyritycßlCKET GROUND AT WIND-
._Tory Paper.
soa.—ln consequence cf the general order just issued by
the Master-General of the Board of Ordnance, by com-
mand of Lord Hill, the General Commanding in Chief,
for the formation of cricket grouuds for the use of the
troops at the several barrack stations throughout the king-
appropriated to that purpose ;
king-
dom, a field, comprising upwards of three acres, most con-
veniently situated close to the cavalry barracks, formerly
used as an exercising ground for the horses, has been or-
dered, by the Colonel of the Ist Regiment of Life Guards,
goafmtehetoHboena.pndlcayb:pedtta,hiinet
eisvneenlbyrought into excellent order. The ground
r'ack.master for that district. It is under-
stood that the bats, balls, and wickets will, in the first in-
stance, be purchased by the officers, and presented to the
men in their respective troops.
It is already known that a treaty respecting the
Levant has been agreed to by the representatives of' the
great European Powers, among whom we are happy t,
find the French Minister. The Paris Correspondent of
g
the Times of Friday last would perhaps lead tot he belief
that this treaty embraces the following four points, viz.—
The Integrity of the Ottoman empire under the present
dynasty—Questions relating to the closing of the Bospho-
rus—Syria: questions relating to tlia protection to be
;ranted to the Christianl) opu
the passage of travellers
al i n—Re ulat ions respect-
ingnitdi ot
the transit of goods across
the Isthmus of Suez and the navigation of the Red Sea.
NOW, without troubling our readers with conjectures as to
what may or may not be the subjects of future delibera-
tior, we can state, on the highest authority, and derived
also from Paris, that the treaty just agreed upon has one
provision only. It engages all the great Powers (France
included) to respect the ancient custom and rule of the
Ottoman empire, not to allow the passage through the
Dardanelles or Bosphorus of any foreign aimed vessels,
ui,Uss the Sublime Porte itself should be at war. _Observer.
Mr. George Palmer, whose name appears in our
Bow-strew; police report, was held to bail on Friday by
Mr. Twyford to keep the Fe2ce toward Colonel Torrens
and all her Majesty's subjects,

THE POOR-LAW.

There is a reaction of clamour against which we
should be carefully guarded. Unjust and violent at-
tacks tend to indiscriminate defence ; and the prejudice
which finds every fault in a system is followed by the
partiality which finds all faultless. The averments and
counter-averments are thus enormity on the one hand,
and perfection on the other. A clamour despicable and
powerless in its direct effect does a serious mischief, if it
make the friehds of the thing assailed the champions of
its defects as well as its merits.
We think, we see a tendency to this error on the
part of some of our public men with whom we most ge-
nerally agree.

If there had been no clamour against the New
Poor-law, and if Mr. \Vakley had not attacked it with
every extravagance of misrepresentation, we cannot but
think that the rule under whicli medical men are not
authorized to order any change in the diet of sick pau-
pers, would have been differently considered by the
House of Commons.

The Commissioners say—
" Such a powFr would be equivalent to the power of
giving relief, which the law has vested generally in the
guardians, and which it is not competent to a medical
officer to exercise. A medical officer can only recom-
mend or advise the guardians (or relieving officer) to
give certain articles of diet to a pauper patient, and the
guardians (or their relieving officer) will exercise their
discretion upon their own responsibility, whether they
will or not adopt such recommendation or advice."
But is it always certain that the state of the patient
will allow of waiting for the board day, or the board
hour ? In one case it appears that a pauper with a
sinking pulse had not the necessary stimulants, because
the board had forbidden the use of them without a
special order. Other boards have prohibited any in-
crease of the allowance of meat and beer. Now, every
one knows that the diet of a patient is perhaps the
most important part of his treatment, and the board of
guardians is no more competent to decide on the fit-
ness of it, against the opinion of the surgeon, than it
is to cancel or alter the prescriptions.
But the Commissioners say, and Mr. Grote repeats
the argument, that to give the medical men the power
of directing the diet would be to give them the power
of relief. Well, and when the rick pauper is under
the hands of the surgeon the business of medical re-
lief includes the management of the relief of the ordi-
nary wants. It is preposterous to call in a medical
man to prescribe for a pauper, and to tell him, " Un-
derstand that you have nothing to do with this sick
man's stomach, except to put physic in it. His sto-
mach, with regard to nutriment, is under the exc!usive
authority and management of the board, which Laves
you free to throw in jalap, calomel, rhubarb, castor
oil, &c., at discretion, but reserves to itself a judgment
on the expediency of supplying it with beef or mutton,
wine or beer, and any advice you may have to offer as
to these perilous things must wait their judgment on
board day."
It is said that the board of guardians are not likely
to Illy what is humane and proper, and in this wo
agrce ; but can the patient always wait for their deci-
sion, or for application to a Magistrate, without suffer-
ing, and is it not as unlikely that medical officers will
order what is unnecessary as that boards will refuse
what is necessary. The medical man who directs a
more stimulating diet than the case requires mistreats
his patient, and hazards his character for skill. Tao
patients whom he would favour would become the evi-
dence against him, their state betraying his fault, and
his dismissal and discredit would be the consequence.
Lord Howick remarks, truly no doubt, that it is
incredible

" That bodies of gentlemen, acting as boards of guar-
dians would come to a vote to reuse to pauper patients
that medical relief which was ordered by a medical man
in whom they confided.—( Hear.)
But if the medical man can be confided in he may
be trusted with the direction of the diet of sick paupers,
or if lie cannot be confided in he ought not to have been
appointed, and he ought to be dismissed.
We will not argue that there might not possibly be
some use of beef and mutton, wine, and beer, on the
side of indulgence, but would there be so much harm
done by the waste of a few pounds at the year's end as
by exciting Vie public feeling against the administration
of the law ? The saving of the credit of the Poor-law
system is deserving of care, and we see it sometimes
sacrificed to the pedantry of rules with what we deem
the worst sort of extravagance.

In such an administration as that of the Poor-laws,
errors, faults, must occur, and it is wiser frankly to ac-
knowledge and correct them than to pretend to an im-
possible perfection.
We believe that the New Poor-law is a change greatly
for the better ; we believe that it has already effected
much good ; and that it will effect much more if fair
play be given to it. Let its champions stand between
it and prejudiced assailants, but not between it and im-
provement, and from whatever quarter a grounded com-
plaint proceeds, !et it have a searching examination and
impartial judgment.

We believe that the faults and miscarriages in the
existing system are incomparably less than in the old,
but that is no reason that they should not be still more
reduced in amount, and the friends of the new law
should rejoice in the opportunity of weeding it of de-
fects, and showing that they are not inherent in its con-
stitution.

Errors are more conspicuous in the new system than
they were in the al, but because they are more con-
spieudus we are not to shut our eyes to them, or to re-
fuse to correct them. Mr. Hawes, in a most manly and
sensible speech, truly remarked—
" A degree of intense interest attached to the ad-
ministration of the Poor-lew, compared to the interest
that it excited when its administration was scattered
among many thousands of irresponsible persons. The
ground on which he defended the Poor-law Commission
was this, that for the first time the administration of
an enormous fund, amounting to between five and six
millions, was placed in the hands of responsible officers ;
and from the moment it was placed under the control
of persons responsible to Parliament, it had been cleared
of the abuses of the large number of persons who had
an interest in the old system, and lived upon it. Under
the old system there were 14,000 or 15,000 indepen-
dendent bodies with whom the House had no means of
dealing, and what was the result ? The Right Hon.
Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, had read a most
striking statement to show that increase of relief caused
increase of distress ; and i❑ one particular parish, such
bad been the effect of an increase of Peor-rate, that
they had s xallowed up the whole rent of the parish,
causing, of course, general destitution. The Hon.
Member for Finsbury had stated that no practical
benefit had been derived from the new Poor-law. Was
there no improvement in the condition of the people ?
Was there nothing in the attention now given to
education of the people ? Was there nothing in
the attention now given to the dwellings and
the sanatory stale ef the poor; matters that had
never been meddled with until the administra-
tion of relief was entrusted to responsible officers.—
(Hear.) He believed, for his own part, that under the
new New Poor-law wages bad risen, and that more at-
tention was given to the moral and physical condition
of the poor, than at any former period of history.—
(Hear, hear.)"
Gross is the injustice of the enemies of the New
Poor-law in representing it as productive of a worse
state of things than before existed ; but, on the
other hand, because it is an improvement on the
former system, it will not do to neglect improve-
ment on the improvement, or to argue that we
should be content with what is faulty, because, under
the old law there was something far more faulty. The
best friends of the new system will be most eager and
anxious to correct all defects and remove all causes of
reasonable complaint that can be found in it. Acting
in this wise spirit, ac rejoice to sce that Lord John
Russell has declared his intention to consent to some
changes in the law, one of which is to entitle paupers
in urgent distress, brought by constables to the work-
house, to instant relief ; another is to extend out-door
relief to the aged and infirm, and widows with families.
The Chronicle justly observes on the latter alteration—
" It is a cruel mockery of the labouring poor of this
country to assume that they can save wherewithal to
support them in their old age. It is as much as they
can do to maintain themselves, and bring up families
without relief ; and at a certain time of life they should
be considered as emeriti, and entitled to aid from the
property of the country, which they have contributed
to augment. An old agricultural labourer loves to be
doing something to the last. To immure such .a person
in a workhouse is the height of cruelty. After sixty
he cannot wholly support himself, and the aid ought
to be increased as he becomes more infirm. These are
not the parties for whom the workhouse is designed as
a test."

Amongst the proposed changes are also authority to
the guardians to establish local committees in unions of
a certain size ; the transference of the emigration fund
from the rate-payers to the guardians ; and freedom to
the inmates of workhouses to attend the places of wor-
ship of their particular persuasions.

We feel that we cannot be accused of partisanship
on the behalf' of the Poor-law Board ; though approv-
ing of the new system, and the general principles of its
alministration, we have objected to the harshness of
some regulation?, the objects of which do not appear to
us to be worth the irritation they produce. The ma-
chinery has, we think, been worked without due allow-
ance for friction, and it has chafed against the feelings
of the people in unaccustomed places. So great a
change bearing on the poor required more tenderness,
aye, and more temporizing in the management' than
this measure has been in all cases guided with. A very
stringent system was too abruptly substituted for a very
relaxed one.
Tois is an opinion we have repeatedly expressed, and
which we continue to hold ; but though we do not pre-
tend that the Central Board. has exercised a faultless
discretion, experience has only strengthened our convic,
tion that the central control is essential to the Poor-
aw administration, and that without it there would he
a relapse to a chaos of abuse.
Indeed it is significant enough that almost all the

cases adduced to support charges against the Board
have only served to prove the necessity of a controlling
authority. The indictment has been laid against the
Central Commission, and the evidence has been against
the boards of guardians. Mr. \Vakley has produced
examples and imagined cases to show that the guar-
dians are not to be trusted, and he has concluded with
invectives against the superintending power instituted
to control the very errors he has instanced.
We sincerely believe that the great nujority of the
guardians throughout the country do their duty intelli-
gently and . conscientiously ; but, whether they so do
their duty or not, the control of the Board is requisite
—on the one hand to correct error, or, on the other, to
remove the personal responsibility of a duty necessarily
often of an ungracious or an unpopular character, in
which cases the Central Board is the shield of the lo-
cal administration. To abolish the Central Board
would be to pluck out the heart of the Poor-
law system, and we therefore look upon the ap-
pointed term of the Commission not as implying any
question of its permanence, but as an expedient
.for
keeping it responsible and mindful of its responsibility,
the periods for the renewal of the Commission serving
as periods for the review of its administration.—Era-
miner