The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON

disp ayed an astonishing industry and an exquisite
ambition for benevolence—will examine, with
peculiar interest, the kindred sentiments enun-
ciated last night in the House of Commons in
regard to the reforms which are proved to be easels-
-621 for the furtherance of the medical profession.
Those sentiments, moreover, were expressed yester-
day by a congenial spirit—by a man congenial in
disposition, in station, and in popularity, if not in
age, in religion, and in intellectual acquirements.
It is not impossible to give a very abbreviated cata-
logue of the different propositions laid before Parlia-
ment by Lord ASHLRY, all of them having reference
to the necessities of the impoverished population, and
some of them casting an inferential obloquy
upon the present mode of affording assistance
to the unfortunate. Lord ASHLEY at the ♦ery com-
mencement appals the economic sensibilities of Par-
liament, by propounding a scheme of obstetric bene-
volence, such as would necessitate a magnificent
disbursement. He suggests that Government should
gratuitously provide all the aids of midwifery,
wherever they may be demanded from the parochial
authorities ! Another of the resolutions proposed by
the Noble Lord, the Member for Bath, was for the
appointment of a competent Medical Inspector in
each district to which an Assistant Poor-law
Commissioner had been already attached !
Here was another splendid opportunity for
an increased expenditure ! here was a de-
lightfully extravagant way of forwarding the
sanitary movement—a way so simple in its com-
plexity—and so seductive in its costliness Nay, but
exclaims Lord ASHLEY, there are no less than 3,000
poor-law medical officers who have already been ap-
pointed, and surely it were desirable to preserve a
supervision over a body numerically so extensive,
and to whose discretion are entrusted such onerous
responsibilities. Granted; and it were equally desirable
to have an army of Government railway inspectors
posted at every station on every railway in the United
Kingdom for the purpose of watching over the safety
of her MAJesar's lieges, and preventing the possibi-
lity of an accident. But the expense !—in each case, the
expense ! There are a variety of plans which would
be especially desirable in the different departments of
the Legislature, against the adoption of which the
pecuniary involvements of the empire are clamorous ;
and it is precisely because Lord ASHLEY has not at-
tempted to render the national prudence compatible
with the national benevolence, that his resolutions of
yesterday evening proved so entirely unsuccessful.
What the country requires is not so much the
balm of an obstetric innovation, or the syrup of a
well-natured appointment. The community wants
rather tonics and detergents, than balsams and
opiates : it wants the improvement of drainage and
the better purification of its abodes, both in regard
to light, water, and ventilation. It was principally
from the pre-occupation of the minds of our
Legislators by a conviction of the existence of
these sanitary wants, that a more serious at-
tention was not devoted last night to the
beneficent propositions of Lord ASHLEY, and that
the Right Honourable and Learned Gentleman the
Chief Commissioner of the Poor-law was permitted
to waive off his assailants with such inimitable non-
chalance. Let Mr. CHARLES BULLIR, however, be
prepared for the worst. He has yet to say his
catechism.

We were among those who sympathised most ar-
dently in the great contest for reform, we were
among those who exulted most heartily in the result
of that great struggle—nevertheless, we are at times
almost inclined to doubt the existence of the events
which we witnessed at that period, and, more espe-
cially, to doubt the reality of the triumph in which
we then rejoiced. We can with difficulty believe in
the events of '32 when we witness the abuses which
yet exist in '4B. For example, how can we credit the
efficacy of " reform" when we listen to a petition such
as that presented by Mr. Woos) ? The Hon.
and Learned Member for Oxford has presented
a petition to the House of Commons from
the independent electors of the borough of Stamford.
And what is the prayer of that petition ? The
electors solicit the protection of the House of Com-
mons, or, if not, their own " disfranchisement 1' Is it
astonishing, then, that we are incredulous as to the
benefits of reform ? Is it astonishing, then, that we
ask of what avail was that mighty struggle which
agitated the whole nation with one universal and
simultaneous impulse—which triumphantly re-in-
stated a defeated Ministry in office—which shook the
House of Peers to its very foundation, and which
finally overspread these kingdoms with hope and
exultation, and led the friends of the people to be-
lieve that the people's liberties were secure, and a
fitting representation assured to them ? Either those
expectations and assurances were extremely falla-
cious, or the prayer of the electors of Stamford is
incomprehensible. Either the disfranchisement of
Old Sarum was utterly fruitless and ineffectual, or
the necessity for the disfranchisement of Stamford is
a delusion. We would fain believe in the latter
alternative ; we would fain believe that the electors
of Stamford have no sufficient grounds for putting
forward their petition. Mew stands the case ?
What are the reasons which they allege ? The
electors of Stamford assert that a member of the
House of Peers, the Marquis of EXETER, ex-
ercises " undue influence " in their election
of representatives to serve in Parliament for their
borough, thereby " violating the law and the consti-
tution." In proof of this assertion it is added, that
in the recent election all those tenants of the Noble
Marquis who refused to vote in accordance with his
wishes received forthwith " notice to quit," and in
corroboration of this assertion it is, furthermore, stated
that some houses are already deserted and shut up, and
that numerous tenants are about to " quit and deliver
up possession" at Lady-day. Such is the case made
out by the electors of Stamford, but as we have al-
ready said, we desire to disbelieve it. Is it not
possible that the Marquis of EMEITER. has, in some
way or other (though how is not very conceivable)
been subjected to misrepresentation ? We must
acknowledge, however, that most certainly our " wish
is father to the thought." One thing, nevertheless,
is certain. It is due to the Marquis of EXETER, if
these reports be false—it is due to the inhabitants of
Stamford, if these reports be true—and it is due to
truth and justice, and to the enfranchised electors of
the whole three kingdoms, whether the reports be
false or true, that the matter should be fully inves-
tigated, and the facts clearly ascertained. In pur-
suance of this most equitable design the Hon. and
Learned Member for Oxford gave notice last night
that he should on Thursday, the 30th March, move
for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into
the affair. Consequently to the careful scrutiny and
consideration of the Committee we must, for the
present, entrust the matter; we shall await the result
of their deliberation with no inconsiderable impa-
tience and anxiety. Their decision will be neither
insignificant ner unimportant, for it concerns, not
merely the election at the borough of Stamford, but it
must affect elections at very many boroughs in the three
kingdoms. That Peers do influence the return of
Members of the Lower House is undeniable, but
that legally and rightfully they should not exercise
such an influence is equally undeniable. Let it not
be urged by way of excuse, ;that, in acting as Lord
Exs-ratt is said to have acted, for example, they
merely " do what they like with their own." We
defy any one to substantiate such an assertion. When
the landlord summons his tenant to give his
vote as authoritatively as he calls upon him to
pay his rent, does he only demand " his own ?" When
the landlord orders his tenant to violate his conscience
as carelessly as he would tell him to plough a piece
of ground, does he only dispose of what is "his own?"
\Vhen the landlord summarily ejects his tenant from
his domicile for his non-performance of terms which
were not in " the bond," does he only, again
we ask it, does he only do mhat he likes with his own ?''
Justly may we call them terms "not in the bond," for
as truly as the "one drop of Christian blood" was not
included in " the pound of flesh" treated of in Shy-
lock's bond, so surely is the free will and con-
science of a British subject not to be
disposed of by any act of agreement which
the ambition of a landlord could suggest, or
the servility of a tenant be disposed to comply with.
Liberty of conscience is not to he regarded as rent,
the non-surrender of which must necessitate the
tenant's dismissal. But it is late in the day to dilate
on such subjects now ; their truth is too obvious to
require demonstration, and, what is more, their truth is

too universally admitted to require enforcement.
That that truth must not only be admitted, but acted
upon, and that, too, right speedily, is indubitable. We
had hoped to have seen it acted upon fifteen years ago,
but fifteen years have passed, and yet the houses of
Stamford are made tenantless! Let there be no more
such delays. When the Committee.of inquiry shall have
decided as to the facts of the recent proceedings at
Stamford, then, if the decision concur with the state-
ment of the electors, let the enfranchised citizens
of the whole kingdom combine to emulate the con-
duct of the ejected tenants of Stamford—those
" Village Hampdens that with dauntless breast
The petty tyrant of their fields withstood.'
Let them combine in resolving to exercise the uncon-
trolled use of their elective franchise, and to resist
alike every attempt at corruption or intimidation.
Then will they be entitled to elect a House of Par-
liament worthy and willing to be their fit represen-
tatives. Such a proceeding, undoubtedly, will not
fail, if all else do, in demonstrating to those who are
yet in ignorance the real differences and distinctions
which exist between meum and tuum. We venture to
hope, moreover, that there really are few landlords in the
habit of acting as Lord EXETER is said to do ; if there
be, we can only offer for them one wish. In the
lengthened debates which took place in the House of
Lords on the eventful question of passing
the Reform Bill, it happened on one occasion,
when the Reformers were in a minority, that
the house did not separate until the light of morning
made itself visible. On observing it, Lord GREY,
still sanguine, though for the time defeated, expressed
an earnest hope that, in like manner, the light of day
might ere long break in upon their Lordships' minds.
Similar is the wish we form for all illiberal land-
lords ; let us hope that it may be as speedily realised
as was that of the Reforming Minister.

Letters from Berlin, of the 15th instant, state the
intelligence of the late events in Paris reached the
Emperor of Russi.► on the Ist instant, by means of
the telegraph established on the line between Warsaw
and Petersburgh. The French papers which arrived
in that capital in due course on the 3d were stopped
at the Post-office, while the Gazette of St. Peters-
burgh announced that its daily publication would
cease until the 7th instant. This sudden suspension
of the official journal struck every one with conster-
nation ; but, in the mean time, the members of the
nobility and foreign residents succeeded in learning
the details of the Revolution from their friends in
the different embassies. In this way the whole city
was gradually informed as to what had occurred at
Paris, and, as may readily be imagined, was thrown
into a state of the greatest private excitement.

LOLA MOTE attempted to enter Munich on the
9th inst., dressed in male attire. She was discovered,
arrested, and sent to Lindau under escort.

The Elector of HESSE CASSEL has acceded to all
the demands of the people.

It is said that disturbances have broken out in
Hanover.

The German Gazette of Heidelberg of the 13th
instant publishes an address from several citizens, in-
viting all the members of the German Constitutional
States, ancient or modern, to assemble at Frankfort-
on-the-Maine, on the 30th inst., to deliberate on the
bases of a German national representation adopted at
a meeting of the members of the states held recently
in that city.
The Cologne Gazette of the 15th instant contains
the following statement :
" The accounts from Vienna, which are to the 10th
inst., add but little to what we are already in possession
of. The general agitation and mistrust had not di-
minished. The pubic in the provinces were not less
terrified. Shopkeepers had been enjoined to receive bank
notes as caih. It was added that the Government would
exchange them immodiateiy for specie, but even this
promise could not induce the shopkeepers to take bank
notes in exchange for their goods. It is said that Prince
Metternich is indisposed."

The Patric: of the Eth instant states, the new Nea-
politan Ministry is composed as follows :—Prinee
Cariati, President of the Council and Minister for
Foreign Affairs ; Wimspear, Minister of War ; Sa-
varese, the Interior; Cianciulli, Agriculture and
Commerce ; Cacale, Justice ; Guisa, Public Works.
A letter from Milan, dated the 9th, mentioned the
diffusion of a report in that city that the Court of
Vienna had sent its ultimatum to the Cabinet of Turin,
with an intimation that if it were not accepted on
or before the 20th it would declare war against
Sardinia.

The Governor of Milan has replied to the Central
Congregation. Some of the concessions demanded
he rejects, and others he refers to a commission—an
indefinite adjournment, which has caused general dis-
satisfaction. This refusal of demands so moderate
and legitimate will give the Italians some idea of
what they may expect from Austria.
The Alba, Dth instant, announces that Monsignor
COCLE, ex-Confessor to the King of NAPLES, has
been arrested at Castellamare.

Madrid papers of the 10th inst. have been received.
In the Senate the discussion on the Bill for giving
to the Ministers dictatorial power had been brought
to a close.

MADRID BOMA, Afeacet 10.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 25i at 30 days; the Five per Cents. at
14i for cash; the Debt without Interest at si; and
the Coupons at 10 for paper.

REVOLUTION

WURTEMBURG.

A peasant's war has broken out in Germany. The
castles of Niederstetten Oehringen, two signorial
residences of the Princes of Hohenlohe, have been
burnt to the ground. Nor have the boors respected
the ancient castle of Jaxthausen, on the Jaxt, which
for centuries has been in the possession of the
BERLICHINGEN family, and has been immortalized
by GOJTJJE, by his description of its defence by iron-
fisted GoTz. The village belonging to it also has
been reduced to ashes. The castle of Assumstadt,
the family residence of the Barons of ELLRIOIIBHAU•
SEN, and the castle of Sohwaiggern, the residence of
Count NEirrinta, son-in-law of the King of Wria-
TEMBURG, have been razed to the ground. The lives
of the inhabitants have been spared. The stewards of
the castles in question were compelled to throw the
archives into the flames with their own hands ; and
some men of education are evidently in the ranks of
the peasants, as the device of the Hohenlohes, ex
jiammis orior, was ironically changed into exilamtnis
morior.

Two thousand men have been ordered, in all haste,
from Ludwisburg and Heilbronn, to quell thia insur-
rection.

LINCOLN ELECTION.
FINAL CLOSE OF TIIE POLL, FOUIL O'CLOCK.

llobhouse

Iluaz fray
—...,„
Majority for Hobhouse 53

ST. PATRICK'S DAL—This, the lrth of March,
being the day consecrated to the patron saint of Ireland,
was celebrated in those quarters of the metropolis where
the lower classes from the Sister Island locate, with fun
and feasting; while in many of the Catholic churches
solemn mass and service was performed by the resident
priests. At St. Patrick's Chapel, Soho, high mass was
conducted by Dr. Wiseman. A very considerable number
of the worshippers wore the emblem of the Trinity, the
three-leaved shamrock.
NEWCASTLE, WEDNESDAT NIGHT.--This evening
a preliminary meeting of Mr. T. E. Hesdlam's consti-
tuents was hold in Wilkie's Temperance Hotel, New-
castle, when motions in condemnation of his vote against
Mr. Horsman's and Mr. Hume's motions on the income-
tax were passed. His vote in favour of the window-tax
was also strongly condemned. It was resolved that a
public meeting of the electors should be 'ailed to pro-
nounce upon Mr. Ileadlam's conduct. -
LORD HA RDINGE.—This distinguished nobleman
yesterday, at an early hour, visited his Grace the Duke
of Wellington, with whom he had a lengthened inter-
Vie'''. He subsequently visited his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, the President of the India Board, and
other members of the Government. The Noble and
Gallant Officer also had a number of congratulatory
visits paid him by members of the nobility and corps
diplomatipie.
DEATH Or SIR RICHARD HUNTER, M.D.—This
gentleman died yesterday, at his residence in Great
Stanhope street, Mayfair, after a lingering illness. He
was formerly a member of the medical profession. In
1841 ho filled the office of Sheriff of Sussex.