The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-19 00:00:00

ALLLGLD liri Ai4St At,GIiTOR.-EXTRA.-
0 RDENTAii, CABE;

, .
At 'Worship-street, John Purcell, 37, ail Irishthan'
described as a tailor, and Margaret Flynn, 39, a
tailoress, were charged before Mr. Newton with the man-
slaughter of their female child, aged three months. Police-
constable 247 G deposed that on the morning of the sth
nit. he was called to the house, 24, Hill-street, Paul-street,
Finsbury. He was taken upstairs to a room on the first
floor, where he saw a child lying en a sofa. It was very
dirty, had no eoveOng oh, and was fearfully emaciated.
The constable sent for the relieving officer of the parish of
St; Luke, who arrived shortly afterivards Mid saw the
child. While the constable was waiting the feinale pri-
soner came in very much the worse for liquor. On his
calling her attention to the state of the child, she said that
every care had been taken of it. A feeding bottle was in
the room. The reliklving officer removed the child to the
workhouse, where, however, it died on the 18th ult. Mar
garet Marley, the landlady of the house in question, said
the prisoners took lodgings there last spring, at a rent of
3s. 6d. a week. They brought two children with than.
About six weeks afterwards the female prisoner went away
to be confined. When she returned she was accompanied
by a baby and her mother-in-law. After that ehe often
left the baby and went to publichouses. One night, while
carrying the baby tipetairs, she fell down from the effects
of drink. On one oddlisidn When the baby cried witness
went upstairs to ascertain the tailo; She saw haw much
it was neglected. It had very little Clethingi and Was
dirty and cold. The female prisoner was always out when
witness went into the room. The other children tan
about the street, and were often without food. Only
for about a fortnight were the prisoners served with a
pennyworth of milk a day. Witness at last called
in a police-constable. Mr. George Eugene Yarrow, sur-
geon to the G Division of Police, and medical officer of
St. Luke's Workhouse, said that en the night of the 10th
ult. the child was taken into the infiriffary, It was much
t maciated, weighed but 61b., and ate ravenously: Subse-
quently, however, it became convulsed, and died on the
18th ult. It then weighed 51b. 9oz. On making a post
mortem examination witness found that death had been
caused by the exhaustion resulting from neglect and pri-
vation. There was no . trace of disease or fat to be dis-
covered. Otherwise the child was healthy. A child aged
two months should weigh 81b. or 121 b. An ordinary child
at birth would weigh about 91b. Mr. Newton committed
the prisoners to Newgate for trial at the Central Criminal
Court.

REMAINS Or EARLY CIIRISTIAN ART.
For some time past certain Church dignitaries have
been eager in laying claim to two very rare Works of
antiquity, namely, the exquisite portraits of the Virgin
and Christ, Maire Hodegedria, painted by St. Luke the
Evangelist, and the head of Christ, which is
identified as being executed in _the year 400 A.D.
Their owner, Colonel Nicholas Szerelmey, an Hungarign
officer, and although a Roman Catholic, has steadfastly
refused to surrender his treasures, and lately clearly
proved to general satisfaction that they are not ecclesi-
astical, but private, property. Much attention Was
drawd to these works on account of the interest her
Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and almost all
the crownedlheadshave takenin them. Colonel Szerelmey
has lately presented them to the view of her Majesty
and the Prince of Wales, to whom photographs
of the antiques have been forwarded. " The Virgin and
Child " is perhaps the most sublime picture that has ever
been painted. It is half-length, and altogether different
to those acknowledged as the oldest works. There is no
nimbus around the Virgin's head, and the features are far
more sad than those with which we are familiar, whilst
still there is that sweetness of expression which gives to
all similar paintings a marvellous simplicity and beauty.
The inscriptions, which are in Chaldaic characters, have
been deciphered by an eminent Oriental authority, Cardi-
nal Mezzofanti, and these are to be found on the face
and back of the picture. With the exception'of some slabs
lately discovered by Mr. Layard in his excavations at
Nineveh, there are but few specimens of Chaldean cha-
racter, The title deeds of the picture trace its once
'possession to the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine,
and from that time to detail its ownership and the marvel-
lous escapes from destruction it has under-
gone, is a most interesting book. Besides this
picture, the Colonel is in the fortunate pos-
session of the acknowledged oldest bas-relief of the
head of Christ. The framework of this is composed of
Rosso-Antico marble, and carved thereon is the symbol
the "fish," a sign used only in the third and fourth cen-
turies, the five letters forming the Greek word for the fish
forming the initials for "Jesus Christ, Son of God,
Saviour." This was found in a catacomb in the year*-1807,
together with a number jof coins, statues, and sculptures,
which had not been disturbed for fifteen centuries. The
were purchased by Prince Regent George IV. The
general regret which has been manifested at this work, as
also thi picture, being hidden from the public will shortly
no longer be felt. Colonel S7ereliney, yielding to urgent
requests, has allowed the work to be photographed; thus
it will be in the reach of others save crowned heads to view
these works,

A marriage is arranged to tale place shortly
between Mr. Robert W. Duff, M.P., and Miss Louisa
Scott, youngest daughter of Sir-William and Lady Scott,
of Ancrum, Roxburghshire.
ANNUAL COLLEGE FIGHT.—The students of
Union College,, Schenectady, New York, have had their
annual horse-chestnut fight. The fight lasted about an
hour, ending in the discomfiture of the Freshmen. Black
eyes and bloody faces testified to the fury of the contest.
The Soph. lost his eyesight, probably beyond recovery.—
American Paper.

Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by their
Royal Highnesses Princesses Louise and Beatrice and
Prince Leopold, and attended by the suite, is, according
to the latest arrangements, expected to arrive at Windsor
Castle on Wednesday morning from Scotland.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—At this afternoon's concert
Madame Arabella Goddard will play Beethoven's No. 5
Concerto. The vocalists will be Nldlle. Leon Duval and
Mr. Nordblom. The symphony is Beethoven's No. 7, in
A. An interesting cellection of submarine cables, pre-
sented to the Technological Museum will be exhibited in
the centre transept this day. Der Freischutz which, was
produced with so much success on Thursday, will be re-
peated on Tuesday and Thursday next.
The series of science lectures addressed to working
men at Manchester is a great success. Three weeks ago
Professor Huxley opened the series by a very interesting
lecture on Coral Islands. On Wednesday se'nnight
Professor Roscoe lectured on Spectrum Analysis, and this
week Mr. Huggins lectured on the Spectrum Analysis of
the Stars. These lectures, which are to be continued
through the winter have been literally crowded by most
attentive audiences, and since full reports are published
in the Manchester daily papers, there is every hope that
much permanent benefit will be derived from them.

Two inquests were held on Thursday at Padding-
ton on railway servants who had been killed by their
own negligence. One of them, a "slipper," in the horse
department of the Great Western Railway, was going ,
home to dinner, and was killed by a train which was
being shunted. The other was a porter at the Queen's
road Station ; he was killed by a passing engine.
The coroner said it was really astonishing to see the
absolute nonchalance with which railway servants sported
with danger. The porters at a railway terminus had
hairbreadth escapes from violent deaths a dozen times in
the course of the day.
LAY HELP IN CHURCH Wonic.—lt is announced
that Lord Francis Hervelf is to read a paper on lay help
in Church work at a public conference of the clergy and
laity of Paddington, which is to be held at St. Stephen's
Schools, Westbourne-park-road, on Monday evening,
with the object of attracting the attention of Churchmen
to the moral obligation incumbent on all communicants
to devote a portion of time to such branches of Church
work as they may have ability for ; and to the need of
organisation and system, and a higher standard of qualifi-
cation in carrying out such work, under the auspices of
the parochial clergy and of the diocesan.
DEATH OF THE ETTRIC SHEPHERD'S WIDOW.—
Mrs. James Hogg, the widow of the Ettrick Shepherd,
died on Tuesday, at the age of 81, at Linlithgow, where
she had long lived in the seclusion she preferred. Mrs.
Elizabeth Phillips was married to the poet in 1814, and,
until his death, presided with much grace and amiability
over his only too hospitable home. It was her fate to
survive her husband thirty-five years. Many of the mul-
titude of friends who surrounded the poet would have
been glad to have shewn his respected relict their sense of
old kindnesses ; bat she shrunk from everything like noto-
riety and society, and lived an almost hermit life. For a
considerable number of years past Mrs. Hop- was in
possession of a small Government pension, which, so far
as she was concerned, was bestowed unasked and unex-
pected. With her death will reawaken, soon again and
finally to perish, many pleasant memories of Yarrow and
youthful days among still a few "both hereabouts and
far awa."—Scotsman.

TOTE JOHANNITER.—Mr. Lee writes to the Times
to say that he has been the chief agent of the National
Aid Society at Remilly, previous to the capitulation of
Metz, and in constant intercourse with the Johanuiter-
Ritter. He wishes to correct some errors which have
appeared in a description of the manner in which tie
Prussian ambulance system is conducted. He contradicts
the assertion that the members of the Freivillige Sauk-
euplege are identical with the distinguished order of
Johanniter, or Knights of St. John of Malta. The
former are subordinate to the latter, whose Origin is much
more ancient. They are a small and select body, chosen
by the King himself. They claim the control of the
voluntary assistance to the sick and wounded, a claim
which has led to much strife and jealousy.
The English society have good cause to be thankful to
the Johanniter in general, for a somewhat difficult task
has been rendered lighter by their advice and assistance.
In conclusion, Mr. Lee refers to the strictures which have
been made on the English society for not having con-
formed to rules like the Johanniter, instead of each one
following his own devices. He does not desire to disprove
so sweeping an accusation; but he maintains that much
must be left to individual responsibility in a society
whose 'employs are gentlemen, and whose work is so
cdiversified. The National Aid Society has conducted its
operations with better success than might have been
looked for when its hasty organisation is taken into con-
sideration.

OUR COTEMPORARIES--Thift Mornin

THE EASTERN QUESTION.,

The Times points out that the question before us as Et
nation is not whether Turkey should be protected or
Russia humiliated, but whether a Power which has bound
itself to the other' Powers of Europe, including ourselves,
that the Black Sea shall be a lake of peace, harassed by
no ships of war and bordered by no arsenals, shall
of its own motion release itself from its obligation.
This question involves another, whether the obligation is
iu itself one which it is in the interest of; the world to en-
force. If it were like the obligations that arose under the;
Treaty of Vienna, to keep Belgium annexed to Holland,
and Lombardy and Venice to Austria obligations
running counter' to a higher law —no one
would think of enforcing it ; but the neutrality
iuf the Black Sea is in itself a blessing, even
f we were ready to acknowledge that the Eastern
Question might have been settled on another basis.
Taking; however, this lowest ground of all—admitting,
fur example, that the balance of power in the East might
be secured by the principle of counterpoise in the Black
Sea, instead of on the principle of its perfect neutrality
—we are still landed on the question whether a
Power bound by an obligation of a valuable character
that might conceivably be exchanged I,r other
obligations tending to a similar end can be permitted by
the simple expression of a resolution to that effect to free
itself from the existing obligation, and we must perforce
answer the question in the negative. We cannot admit
the claim without cutting at the root of the validity of
international obligations; we cannot permit the claim
to be practically asserted without opposition. If Russia'
took no steps to complete the resolution announced in
Prince Gortschakoff's letter, if, having affected to
throw off the burden of the Treaty of 1856, she remained
in truth observant of its stipulations, we should, of
c mrse, be content with the emphatic protest Lord Gran-
ville has returned to St. Petersburg. If, on the other
hand, she proceeds to fortify the shores of the Black Sea
and to launch vessels of war on its waters, our duty
may be and will be painful, but it seems also clear and
unavoidable.

The question, says the Daily News, which chiefly
agitates the public mind at this moment is—Has Prussia
connived at this action on the part of Russia ? Our cor-
respondent at Berlin telegraphed yesterday that it was
there freely admitted that an understanding existed
between the two Powers as to co-operation in case of
war. It is surmised that Prussia may have have bought
off the possible interference of Russia on behalf of
France by a premise of connivance. To what extent
Prussia may thus have pledged herself—if she has
pledged herself at all—it is important for us to know ; and
there need be no difficulty in Mr, (ado Russell obtaining
an explicit answer on the point, if that be the object of
his mission to Versailles. The late Lord Derby once re-
marked that the aggressive policy of Russia had never
proceeded by storm, but by sap and mine ; but in
the present instance, if she has followed her ordinary
custom, it has been to blow up the mine with startling
force. There can be no doubt as to her intentions ; and
there can be little doubt as to the manner in which Eng-
land is bound to meet them. There must be
nu diplomatio beating about the bush. If war
is inevitable, we must know it at once, and
our conclusions on the point will depend much on the
answer given by Count Bismarck. The unwelcome
duty which England may have forced upon her is clear.
We shall not blindly rush into war for the sake of war,
like the passionate lover in Tennyson's poem, with a
wild sort of notion that thereby we may purge our
country of the evils begotten of commerce. We shall go
to war to fulfil a duty to which we are pledged. Per-
haps the first Russian war was a mistake. Perhaps we '
were wrong in bolstering up an effete and hopeless
Power; and very probably we then imposed on the
country which we vanquished conditions which we
should now see the justice of rescinding. But we then
became guarantors of a treaty which we cannot see lightly
and arrogantly thrown aside, even if we are compelled to
go to war for the sake of an idea.
The Telegraph, in commenting on the inconsistent con-
duct of Russia iu thwarting all improvement in Turkey, ,
says : When the two Principalities betrayed au irrepres-
Bible desire for union, and subsequently elected a foreign
Prince, Russia seemed shocked at such a breach of the
letter of the treaty, such an outrage on the Sultan's rights,
Russia ! the Power that alwaysdemanded self-government
for the Christian subjects of the Porte I Yet now, when
under Prince Charles, that self-government has been'
made a reality and not a sham, she growls at the result.
Inconsistent enough, if we take Russian professions for
what they seem ; consistent enough if Russia's hope all
all along has been not to see Turkey developed into
federated and almost independent Christian States, but to
see her fall into disorder, an easy prey for Musco-
vite greed. The natural development of Turkey
would tend to let nationalities gradually attain
an integral autonomy under the nominal Sovereignty of
the Sultan—ruling themselves and guaranteed from
foreign wars. Side by side with this process should be the
developement of free local institutions amongst the Chris-
tians still subject directly to the Porte. Such a change
is possible with Russia honestly helping us, or
even with that Power standing peaceably' aloof. Eng-
land, Austria, and France have common interests in that
directioh ; there was a time when even Prussia, in her ante-
Bismarckian period, cherished the same high thoughts,
and, as in 1854, encouraged her then ally Austria to de-
fend the " interests of Germany "in the East. But
Russia has been the disturbing element that has
made Turkish progress sometimes impracticable and
always slow. To secure immunity for her unceasing
intrigues. against Constantinople, she has been
ready to aid any despotic Power that could -
further her objects in the East; and hence the '
alacrity with which, from 1815 to 1853, she sup-
ported absolutism in Spain, Germany, Hungary,
and Italy. Her vast power, her ambition, and her
rapacity, have made despotisms possible and disarmament
impossible in Europe for the last fifty years. What the
Rhine frontier was to Napoleonism, Stamboul has been to
the House of Remanoff.
The Standard remarks as follows :—lt is idle to tell us
that the Czar intends to be pacific so long as the circular
of the 19th of October remains unrecalled. It is super-
fluous, or at least premature, to speak of a conference.
What conference can we have, or what is the conference
to do ? Will a conference restore to us the faith in
treaties which has been so roughly invaded by Russia ?
How far can a conference help us to exact from any Power
the duty of keeping to its pledges when the very
act under discussion is a breach of what was done and
Settled by a conference ? What conference to be elected
hereafter can have more authority than the conference
out of which sprang the Treaty of Paris? There is no
possibility of summoning such a conference, and that
Russia knows well and has calculated upon. There is
nothing to place before a conference, even if it could be sum-
moned. What is the state of the case ? Russia declares
that she is no longer bound by a certain convention
which was guaranteed by the Powers. Are we then to
bring before another conference the question whether
Russia is or is not at liberty to violate her engagements.
That would be an insult to the public intelligence.
There is no case whatever for discussion, simply because
Russia has decided upon her case already. She
does not only say that she is aggrieved by the
clauses of the convention relating to the Black Sea, she
declares that she withdraws from them. So long as she
continues in this position she is hors de la ioi, and has
passed the right of appealto any other court. What, then,
is another conference to do, or how are its provisions to be
made more binding than those of the last ? This
very claim to be tried again for a matter which has
been already settled, at a time like this, is a deliberate
outrage upon the public opinion of Edrope. All the pro-
fessions of peace and of moderation on the part of Russia
become an insulting mockery when we perceive that
she has chosen her time for declaring her release
from the Treaty of Paris just when France, one of the
principals of the late league against her, was supposed to
be at the crisis of dissolution, and when Prussia, the
steady friend of Russia in 1856, is at the height of her
power.

The Manchester Examiner says : No overt act has been
done at variance with the strictest interpretation of the
Treaty. All we have to deal with is the bi.,.ement of
Russia's intentions, and a neutral attitude is hardly a
fit object for cannon balls. Declaration of war would
expose us to the embarrassment of not knowing
where to begin. The Baltic is closed against us for the
winter, while in the Black Sea there is no Sebastopol to
besiege and no place to capture. The very condi-
tions of the Treaty deprive us of any ready
means of coercing Russia, so that hostilities
would be little more than a barren demonstration
against her, while it would expose our commerce to reta-
liatory attacks all over the globe. We prefer to believe
that the question will not be found incapable of
friendly solution, and, in spite of the warlike
on dits of the clubs of London, we venture to
predict that the bellicose intentions which have
been ascribed to the British Government will prove to'
have no higher authority than unfounded conjecture.

THE STAMPING REGULATIONS.—The Court of Exchequer
has just ordered an attorney to pay a fine of 40s. for
neglect of duty in not affixing a necessary stamp. The
learned barons have resolved to be very strict, and hinted
that in future the fine would probably be £lO.