The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-30 00:00:00

TIIE IRISH CHURCH.

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Efrorls- are evidently being made to secure, for the
Presbyterian branch at least of the Irish Church, an
auspicious start under the new principles of the
Church Act ou January Ist. A Belfast correspond-
ent informs-us that the convener of the sustentation
fund in that city has declared to the clergy that
the austentation committee wish an asaocia-

t io:1 for collecting monthly instalments to
be formed in every congregation, and that
OA(' system of "bringing" to the churches on the
Lord's-day should be adopted as far as practicable.

It saems that this system is carried out by the issue
oienvelopes to the congregation, who, on their en-
tr,l ce into church on a subsequent Sunday, will be
ex ec:ed to drop their subscriptions, enclosed in the
n velopes, into the collecting boxes. The contribu-
tions to the Presbyterian Sustentation null in the
past six months have amounted to over £13,000.

REPUBLICANISM IN LONDON.

Republicanism as a doctrine has never been very
popular in this country, but, if rumour is to be
believed, it is growing in favour, and is not confined
to one class alone. No one has anything to say against
her Majesty pers orally, cela va sans dire, but as a theory
of the best means of governing a free people, the
new school of thinkers uphold Republicanism, and
would like to inaugurate it in England at the close of

;he present reign. Such politicians are to be
'ound inside as well as outside the clubs
A London, and at a recent meeting

of one of the literary societies a speaker set forth
hii views very plainly. • The demonstrations in Tra-
al;tar-square•and at the French Ambassador's have
othing in common with the more polished and
elaborate Republicans, but they

are regarded as clearing the way, and
familiarising the traditionally loyal English
mind with their new and startling theories. The
speaker referred to declared that there were many
who thought as he did, in circles where their presence
was little suspected, and who would, wren the fitting
time came, openly avow their principles.
THE SMALLPDX EPIDEMIC.

The fatality of smallpox was nearly three times
as great last week in Liverpool as in London. There
were throughout the whole of England 122 deaths
from the disease in the seven days, and with the
exception of one fatal case, each, in Hull and New-
castle, the deaths all occurred in London
and Liverpool. We learn from the Registrar
General's return that during the first five weeks of
the current quarter the weekly average of deathe
from smallpox in London was 20. In the succeeding
six weeks the deaths averaged 49 per week ; last
week the actual return was 82, being equivalent to
an annual rate of 13 deaths to every 10,000 persons.

It is long since so high a smallpox mortality has been
recorded in the metropolis.

THE WORKHOUSE AT CHRISTMAS.

An inquest, which was lately held at Bethnal
Green, afforded an instance of the hardships which
are inflicted on the inmates of workhouses by the
unnecessary strictness of the rules to which they are
subjected. George Cecil was a Weaver, com-
pelled by old age and want of employment,
to: enter Bethnal Green Workhouse. He was
allowed to dine with his daughter on Christ-
mas Day, but oily obtained leave on condition that
he should return by five o'clock. He became greatly
excited during the course of the afternoon, and kept
repeating "I shall be too late." When he found
that it was twenty minutes to five he gave
way to the greatest anxiety, rose from the
table and hUrried down the road to
the workhouse. The porter said that the
deceased knocked at ten minutes past five.
He appeared to be in a great hurry, and said he was
late. The porter said, "Never mind," and the de-
ceased shortly afterwards fell dead. It was shown by the
medical evidence that the poor man was suffering
from disease of the heart, and his death had been
accelerated by running and excitem-mt. A verdict
was returned in accordance with the evidence. It
seems strange that an exception should not have
been made to the arbitrary rule of returning at five
o'clock on such an occasion as Christmas Day.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

The Maories of New Zealand have just been set-
ting a very striking example of prudence to many
older and more civilised, if not wiser, communities.
It is well known that one of the greatest
evils attending the settlement of Europeans
among the aborigines is the introduction of
spirit drinking, which possesses a terrible fascination
for all such wild natures, at the same time that it
produces exceptionally fatal consequences. The
Europeans, whether passing traders, or settlers,
have never been very scrupulous iu this
point in any uncivilised country, whether
American, African, Asiatic, Polynesian, or Aus-
tralasian. And the Maories, who are a singu-
larly intelligent people, are quite aware of their
danger. A. large native meeting has been held in
the Taupo country, at which the natives resolved to
encourage the settlement of Europeans and the for-
mation of roads, for lack of which, say the Maories,
there is neither work nor money, but they
coupled this resolve with the condition that
spirituous liquors should not be sent into their dis-
tricts. The o'ojection to spirituous liquors is a deep-
rooted feeling among the older chiefs, and. it is said
to be one of the principal reasons why William
Thompson has steadily refused to admit Europeans
into Maori districts. The New Zealand Assembly
have agreed that no spirits shall be sent into the
newly opened districts, and it is to be hoped they
will keep their word.