The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING,

Sir J. GRAH,SIiI agreed with the Hon. Member,
and begged her Majesty's Government to pause betore
making this grant, as it would entail a good deal of
trouble to them in the appointment of proper authorities
to see the fund applied.

The vote was ihen agreed to.
It was then moved that the sum of 12,4631. be granted
to her .Majesty to defray the expenses of Parkhurst
prison, for the juvenile offenders, in the Isle of Wight.
The moti9n was put and agreed to.
It was moved that the sum of 19,9n4/. be granted to
her Majesty for the expense 3 of the Model Prison, at
Bentonville.

Mr. WILLIAMS said that the results of the system
of management in that prison were most appal-
ling, and many of the prisoners had been removed
from it to lunatic asylums. This cost was also enor-
mous, as each prisoner cost annually 391. 7s. 6d., or 15s.
per week—a sum considerably exceeding the wages of
two Dorsetshire labourers. He had intended to have
opposed the vote in Ma, but he would not do so, in the
hope that the Right Hon. Baronet the Home Secretary
(Sir G. Grey) would take the matter into his most se•
rious consideration.
Sir G. GREY said the report on the prison, which had
been laid on the table of the House, as well as his own
experience of the working of the system, was totally at
variance with what had been stated by the Hon. Mem-
ber who had addressed the House. He hoped, on
another occasion, should the subject be brought for-
ward, to prove that the system adoped at the prison was
not of the character which had been represented.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM agreed with the Right Hon
Baronet (the Home Secretary) as to the system adopted
in the prison. The system had not been fairly repre-
sented by the Hon. Member (Mr. Williams). He
denied that it was a cruel or a pernicious one. It had
been represented as the silent system; but it was not so.
It was a separate, but not a silent system, and great
benefit had resulted from its adoption.—(llear, hear.)
Mr. WAKLEY thought his Hon. Friend the Member
for Coventry bad formed an erroneous opinion of the
merits of the system, through reading some of the false
and exaggerated statements which had gene forth to the
world relating to it.—(Hear, hear.) If more physical
exertion were not insisted upon in the prisons, constitu-
tional debility would follow. They had at present
hardly sufficient labour to maintain their strength. He
believed that the gaol to which he had alluded was well
governed, and conferred great benefits on society at
large. - -

kr. HENLEY had always felt great anxiety about
the occupants of our gaols, and thought that the subject
of an improved treatment of our criminals should be at
once taken up by the Government. . _

Lord JOIN RUSSELL said that after what had
fallen from the Hon. Member for Fin,hury he would
not detain the House at any length on this subject. lie
certainly considered that many prisoners under the new
regime would be improved in their honesty, industry,
and sobriety.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WILLIAMS explained. They had no proofs
that the prisoners under the improved system had be-
come improved in their morals, notwithstanding- the
enormous sums that had been expended for that purpose.
The fact that but few of the criminals had learned
trades tlaring their imprisonment was a proof that the
public money had been injudiciously expended.
The vote was agreed to.
34,0831. for the prison at Millbank was agreed to.
5,0001. was also. voted for the maintenance of the
prisoners, &e., at Perth. •

The following votes were also agreed to:-
3,971/. convict depot, &c. (Dublin).
3,9351. prison for criminal lunatics (BethTem Hospital).
6,0001. prison for criminal lunatics (Dublin).
8,9861. inspectors of prisons.
36,0001 police, (Dublin).
62,3301. for convict establishments in Bermuda, De-
merara, and Gibraltar.

250,0001. convicts, New South Wales and Van Die-
men's Land.

The House having resumed, the orders of the day
were then proceeded with.
THE METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE, AND NEW

• ZEALAND LOAN BILLS.
These Bills were read a second time.
BATTERSEA PARK BILL.

The report on this Bill was brought up and agreed to.
Mr. GROGAN moved for an account of the quanti-
ties of curd provisions of all kinds imported into the
United Kingdom from foreign countries, from the sth
day of January to the sth day of July, 1846, specifying
the diff-rent kinds, the countries whence sent, the quan-
tities of each kind entered for home consumption, and
the amount of duty paid upon the same respectively ;
also, the quantities of each kind re-exported, and
whether taken for the use of the ship, or for merchan-
dise, and the place to which the same were re-exported.
Agreed to.
Mr. MORISON moved that Mr. Francis Baring be
added to the Committee on Railway Acts Enactments.—
Agreed to.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the 1-louse adjourned at Half-past One o'clock.

LITERATURE.

KNIGHT'S WEEKLY VOLUME. crY. and CV.
.illanner. and Customs of tlie 11.Todirn Egyptians. By
Edward Milian:. Lane. - -

-
With this singular and important work Mr. Charles
Knight's serial publication- of et:WeelilY Volumes" is
brought to a conclusion, -accompanied by an intimation
of its continuance on en entirely different arrangement.
In taking a retrospective glance at this unprecedented
undertaking—namely, the production every seven days
of an entire book at what Montague Tigg would call
" the ridiculously small amount of one shilling"—we are
astonished at the fund of information and at. the variety
of the materials condensed into these one hundred and
five volumes. Of themselves they Constitute no insig-
nificant library. Biographies in their most attractive
guise are there introduced, relating to such characters
as Bacon, Sir Thomas Gresham, Napoleon Bonaparte,
William Caxton, the early Italian painters, and that
inimitable production of a great mind, the "Statesmen
of the Time of George III.," by Lord Broneham. Poetry of
the choicestiescription, forms no trivial feature of thecol-
lection,
comprising cuttings from Tasso, Racine, Spencer,
Chaucer, and Hudibras. Fiction at once instructive and
entertaining imparts a zest to the more serious portions
of the series, and in this department we may enumerate
"Arabian Tales and Anecdotes," " A Legend of -Read-
ing Abbey," " The Romance of Travel," and the simple
tales from Shakspeara, by Charles Lamb' and his accom-
plished sister. Among the politico-economical works,
there are a " History of British Commerce," " Industry
of the Rhine," "The Dutch in the Medway," "Capital
and Labour," and "British Manufactures." Among those
descriptive of the 'habits of different nations, and the
characters of different countries, are " The Englishwoman
in Egypt"
" The Chinese," "Curiosities of Physical
Geography," " The - Oregon Territory," and the
Backwoods of Canada." Besides this prodigal sup-
ply of instructive matter, the habitual readers of the
" Weekly Volume" have been treated with .zoologi-
cal dissertations upon the Elephant, the Dog, and
the Horse ; an excellent treatise upon Enty-
mology ; and writings of a peculiarly moral tendency,
such, for example, as Paley's "Natural Theology," the
"Memoirs of a Working Man," and a charming assem-
blage of thoughts, entitled, " Mind amongst the Spin-
dies." Although we have omitted all reference to sub-
jects of remarkable attractiveness in our enumeration of
this really noble enterprise, we have in all conscience
afforded our readers a sufficient indication.of the stores
of knowledge and the profusion of beauties, contained
within its pages. Such a periodical would have imparted
to the heart of Caxton a joy.altogether iridiseribable, and
even now a-days, when by habitude we live become ac-
customed to the many marvels incident to the Printing...
press, it cann')t but afford us a deep sense of self gratula- '
tion at the extraordinary advancement in civilization of
which it is so incontestable an evidence. We re-
joice, moreover, that, notwithstanding the dis-
solution of that noble association for the dif-
fusion of -useful knowledge with which he was,
throughout its existence, so intimately and so honourably
connected, Mr. Knight has not relaxed his exertions-for
the greater dissernleation of that same knowledge one
jot. As a publisher, he is, ituiee,l, incessantly giving
the public some powerful testimony that he is altogether
imbued with the lofty:and' huinahising principles by
which that-illustrious society was actuated ; and, while..
striving to facilitate the education.of the people—by the
production of sterling literature at an insignificant
price—every philanthropic spirit will join with us in the
aspiration that Mr. Knight is reaping the advantages to
which he is so justly entitled. 'As the telesc)pe is to
astronomiceldiscovery, so have the printing types proved
in regard to the developetnent of the popular mind;
and though Mr. Charles Knight can neither
claim to be regarded as a Galileo nor a GUttenberg, h.e
may assuredly claim a certain kind of association with a
Herschell or a Rosse. He is struggling to achieve, with
the aid of letter-press, that enlargement of the intellect
of his fellow-creatures which those two astronomical
labourers have, with the assistance of lenses, been
struggling to achieve in our knowledge-of the celestial
system. We have availed ourselves of this opportunity
—namely, the completion of the series of " Weekly
Volumes "—to give a spontaneous expression of our
thanks to this enterprising publisher for the enlighten-
ment which has characterised his labours .during so
many years. The concluding volumes of the collection,
illustrative of the manners and customs of the modern
Egyptians, will be perused with much interest, especially
during the sojourn of his Highness Ibrahim Pacha in
England, and will amply repay the perusal.

KNIGHT'S MONTHLY VOLUME.—I. Popular
Customs of the South of Italy. By Charles lllTarlane.
This interesting description of the people of the sunny
South begins the monthly collection of Knight's volumes,
nd from the charms of the theme, as well as the po-
pular style of the composition, it makes an excellent
beginning. To write a new hook upon Italy requires
no ordinary ingenuity, from the multiplicity of works
already devoted to the narrative of that country, from
the staid " Journal" of Addison to the livoly " Pictures"
of Dickens. Despite this obstacle, however, Mr. Mac
Farlane has gleaned some novel passages in relation to
that beautiful land—a land fraught, with the deepest in-
terest, not only from its delicious scenery, but from its
grand historical associations. Anything appertaining
to the territories where the " mistress of the world"
flourished, and where she still stands immortal in her
ruin, cannot fail to be attractive. Hence this number
will be welcome.

THE BOOK OF COS T UME.—By a Lady of Rank.
Without resorting to anything like leniency or adula-
tion. this" Book of Costumes" is a superb volume. It is
one lavish display of embellishment from the introduc-
tion to the " Finis." Repeatedly have wo regretted
the non-appearance of just such a work as the one
under notice—a work conveying to its reader an ade-
quate notion of the progress and the fluctuations of
fashion, from the remotest periods, and in all
countries. Nor, as many might erroneously
fromthe importance,r
a doal modifications bot
imagine, is the subject of a superfluous and superficial
character. On the contrary, it is one of very consider-
able
if accurately
describal,we may obtain a very striking illustration of the
h morally
in and
costume,historically;
since
advaneementofcivilisation. From the loose skins worn by
the original inhabitants of this island on the invasion
of Britain by Cmar ; from the tunics and small cloaks,
like the chlamycles fastened on the shoulder by a broach,
during the time of Harold ; from the capuchon pre-
valent under Edward 111. ; from 'the .bottines and
chaperons of Henry VI. ; trom tb., ruffs and doublets of
the lieges of Elizabeth : from the flowing perukes and
petticoat-breeches worn towards the close of the Stuart
dynas'y ; the high-heeled shoes and powdered wigs
of the Brunswicks, even to the latest fashions imported
from Paris, we can trace the gradual progression of our
forefathers from the lowest point of barbarism to the
highest point of civilisation yet attained. Such a study
is therefore one of unquestionable interest, and one
which would form no mean addendum to the history of
any nation. In the present iustance, however,,
the authoress has not restricted her re-
searches to a single country ; she has
accumulated together an extraordinary quantity of in-
formation upon the dress (and by inference upon the
habits and customs) of thirty-one different races.
France, Germany, Great Britain, the Peninsula, Ancient
Rome, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, 'Greece, Turkey,
Peisis, Arabia, China, and even Affghanistan, be-
sides others not enumerated . in our catalogue, afford
her most interesting themes for the 'display of her
erudition and research. And in these endeavours to de-
pict the various habiliments—sometimes picturesque,
sometimes masculine, sometimes effeminate, and some-
times grotesque—popular among different generations
and different climates, the authoress has rec:ived every
possible assistance from the dainty devices of the
illustrators. Amongst so much that is valuable
and attractive, it would be absolutely impos-
sible to individualise any separate portion as the
most praiseworthy, Almost every one of the 482 pages
contains an interesting description or a delicate and
characteristic wood-cut. To the authoress, the artists,
the engravers, printers, and even binders, every com-
mendation is due ; while the publisher deserves all
honour for the production of so costly a volume.

CURIOUS FIRES FROM LUCIFER MATCHES.— A day
or two ago a person who keeps a few pigeons about his pre-
mises was surprised to see the feathers of ono of them con-
siderably burnt, and on examining the cote ho found the
nest of the injured one completely consumed, a couple of
roasted eggs only remaining. Fro:n the fact of two or three
matches being found outside of the nest, there was no doubt
but the pigeon had carried some into the place,_end caused
them to ignite by treading upon or rustling amongst them
on going to her eggs.—On Tuesday, a highly respectable
gentleman, whilst in the Public Office, perceived a smoke is
suing from the inner pocket of his coat, and feeling Some-
thing.warm he hastily retired into an adjoining room, and on
taking off his upper garment he found that some matches,
carried for the purpose of lighting cigars, had been ignited by
Whittaker, aged 19, two
friction. In neither instance did any material injury arise,
lAdylvelrTttetr
s. 3
BY
,A.
pa,
but it shows how necessary it is to use cautii:nt.
wlleleakn,y
Itivriels.
called incendiary tires have originated in a similar manner
Stringer suddenly
the witness box,
as large as a man's
to
EthEeßliorcsitonuasmeAd.—TTßAicrxmingohsam
ISiOaNmEsltt.--rinAgter,lhaegea 30, and Staffordshire
Isaac
with his utmost force at the
young men of a most daring and ruffianly appearance, were
Butler fortunately observed
sentenced to fourteen years' transportation for stealing a gan-
der.satnedp p eAd
drawing
to th e
the prisonersi,rt.m sidehi
asf wereptob ekb
pocket
docknga removed,stonearestne,
injuring
,either
two fists, Which he had in some unaccountable manner
s, that had the
inflicted a
become possessed
Butler,
lt
ihcreeza
ni.t
the attempt and stooped. The stone consequently missed
his head, and struck him on the shoulder, rebouncnoguorsnethe
, sptaorn prosecutor's
struck
,rn e butglßieenuaatdiearl oin
in
pthe
ei
ess fortunatelyiialenldin,
IC:
Court
would
without a
have
in-
stantly serious,
removed,
iif not
and placed Worcester
Herald. laaleedinj
innr3crl.
close
confinement.tringer wa5......
THE MAIDS AND THE MAVIS —Some few weeks since
a quantity oflace was missed from the drying grounds at a
nobleman's ,mansion in an adjoining county, and great
was the consternation, and many the misgivings of the fair
maid', to whose care the superior British and genuine
Bruisels had been entrusted. The robbery was cautiously
communicated to sundry seers, and no oracle was lett
unconsulted that could aid in a restoration of the " fine
thread." Few days only elapsed before the discovery was
made by an old conservator, long on the establishment.
whose perseverance at length unravelled the. mystery, and
saved others from suspicion. In the nest of a missel thrush
was found a greater part of the identical lace, one length of
nearly five yards, nicely gathered and elaborately plaited
with-other -material, in the construction of the usually
simple, but, in this instance, costly fabric. A further part
was found in a second nest. Much curiosity being excited
in the neighbourhood, this unique nest was handed about,
for inspection, and, need we say, greatly admired.—Salopian
Journul.
The Avenger steamer, Captain W. Williams, arrived
on Thursday
.last at Portsmouth, from Cork, to fit for the re-
ception of his Highness Ibrahim Paella and suite, who, it is
under:tood, are" to be conveyed to Alexandria in that vessel.
She will go in harbour to have extra cabins erected, and is
ordorod to get rudy eat rook.