The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-08 00:00:00

ALIN, LONDON, SAT-UR DA EENIN G, JAN LTA Y 8, 1870.

THE earnestness and moderation with which
worldng men are addressing themselves to the educa-
tion problem are reassuring signs of the progress of
intelligence amongst the labouring class. Within
the last few days meetings of artisans in several
parts of the country have had this subject under
discussion. The miners at Wigan took it in
hand ; delegates from the Leeds Trades Council went
deeply into the question ; and now we hear of the
doings at a meeting of representative working men in
Birmingham. The proceedings at these discussions
have been highly satisfactory. They testify that
unanimity is not essential to harmony at working
men's meetings, that artisans can debate
with as little violence of language or man-
ner as the more favoured classes. They prove,
too, that the current of thought amongst the hand-
labouring portion of the community is not at one
uniform dead level. There are men in the rank and
file of life who can think for themselves, and express
their opinions without any dread of that trades'
union terrorism to which certain good people are
apt to attribute such mysterious and tyrannical
power. It is true that the majority of working
men, judgingby these meetings, appear to be Leaguers.
But ,this rule is not without numerous and re-
markable exceptions. At Leeds an engineer
said he represented a number of men who
ware opposed to the League, because it
would introduce police supervision over every house-
h )Id. A cloth-dresser advocated the Bible as the
only sure standard for education, and "was glad to
find that the League did not propose to give up
altogether the Sacred Volume." And a brush-maker
argued that it was possible to have a system of
education which would be religious without being
sectarian. Several speakers protested against the
principle of compulsion. At• Birmingham, though
"interference" was very cavalierly dealt with, a
printer was not wanting to advocate the amalgama-
tion of the League and the Union—not that such a
course is probable, but the proposal shows a disposition
to conciliate. Another speaker urged the difficulty
of carrying out the compulsory principle in cases
where fathers wore out of work, and had children
who could earn a few shilling 4.
Whatever may be the issue of the education
controversy, it is deeply gratifying to find the
artisan class thus awakened to its importance.
They have the most direct interest in its
solution. Their opinions on such a subject must
secure the grave attention of the legislature ; indeed,
on a matter which so intimately affects their own
welfare, their decisive wishes must go far to deter-
mine what ought to be the law. The dis-
position against
textreme measures which is shewn
by so many industrial representatives leaves ground
for the belief that the. solution of the problem will
not be so difficult after all. With respect to com-
pulsion, it seems' clear, from these debates, that the
absolute freedom of the parent in respect of his chi

dren's education can no longer be permitted. As the
miners at Wigan shrewdly point out, if education
is to be very general it must also be universal,

for the man who works his children instead of send

ing them to school has in their earnings a
clear teinporavy advantage over his neigh-
bour. But, on the other hand, the work-

ing classes are palpal)ly displaying a stro! g
repugnance to , any pm° and simple schei. e
for enforced attendance. There must be limitations.
and allowances; 'in short, as we long.ago pointed out,
tho extension 'of the plan developed by the
Factory Acts offers the best chance of commanding
general public support. 'Work and instruction can
be carried on together; but there are endless cases
which will not allow of a total prohibition from
labour. The religious difficulty does not seem
to exist for working men. Not only do
they betray no fear of, denominational teaching, but
it is a fact that for many years the poor of this coun-
try have sent their children to every species of school,

perfectly indifferent to the sectarian bugbear, pro-
vided that their offspring got that moral training
without which education can be of little worth,

IT is evident that the result of the Ministerial crisis
in France has been something much more than a
mere change of Ministry. Tho entire system of
administration is undergoing a complete revolu-
tion. Whether the powerful combination of the mode-
rate Liberals which is effecting all these alterations
was brought about by good management or good luck,
it is not needful to inquire ; certain it is that the
result is most startling. The EMPEROR seems to
have embarked without reserve in his new course.
Personal Government has been thrown aside,
and Parliamentary rule has sprung up im-
mediately in its place. Be it noted,
that the portfolio of Foreign Affairs—always in a
special manner the EMPEROR'S own particular de-
partment—has been given to the most Liberal of the
new Ministers save one, to Count Dartu, who was
for years accounted an irreconcilable. The one
Minister who is as Liberal as Count DARU,
is M. BUFFET, who takes the portfolio
of Finance, the control of which has hitherto been
the great means whereby the ruler maintained
his war expenditure. More than this, it is currently
reported that great changes in the Diplomatic Corps,
changes similar to those which take place when
a fresh American President is elected, will
mark the inauguration of the new system. M. de
LAVALETTE, the Ambassador at London, we aro
told, is about to resign, if he has not already clone so.
Certain Ministers who represent the old style of policy
at the continental Courts aro also in jeopardy.
Lastly, M. HAUSS3fANN, the Prefect of the
Seine, has gone dismissed. This is the
most remarkable fact of all. Through many
previous crises M. HAussmANN has always
kept his place, and it was generally believed that he
would always continue to do so. His great business,
it need scarcely be explained, was the destruction
of the old and dingy streets of Paris, and
the substitution of new and splendid edifices
and public places in their stead. By this work two
great Imperial objects were attained—Paris was
made the finest capital in the world, and the
crowds of hungry workmen who inhabit
it were kept in employment and mode-
rate good humour. It is true that the

system was expensive, and involved the
City in an enormous municipal debt. But every-
body agreed that the work of demolition could not
be allowed to stop, lest the Paris workmen might
repeat some of their old tricks. The great demo-
lisher has been compelled, however, to beat an
ignominious retreat, and the probability is that if his
work do not cease altogether, it will be very materially
slackened. Strange as it may appear, the dismissal
of Baron HAUSSMANN is the most wonderful of the
many changes which a few months have worked in
France. It shows that even if NAPOLEON would
halt in his forward march, the influences which have
done so much have lost none of their power, but still
Dress Win onwards.

Every one agreed with the writer, in the
Quarterly Review, who first published these letters,
that there was a most powerful presumption
against their being written by any woman to
•
another whom she believed to be guilty of the wrong
which Mrs. STOWE lays to the charge of BYRON'S
half-sister. The authoress of the "True Story" has
nothing but a conjecture to offer in reply to the evi-
dence of these letters. Her theory is that Mrs. LEIGH
deceived Lady BYRON. The latter was apprised of
the offence, but Mrs. LEIGH persuaded her that Lord
BYRON "had only made insane attempts, which she re-
sisted, and that she alone could control his insanity."
The answer to such an hypothesis is obvious enough.
Though Mrs. LEIGH'S deception might have succeeded
at first, yet some of the letters were written after
the separation took place, when, according
to Mrs. STOWE'S own story, Lady BYRON was fully
and finally convinced of the guilt of both parties.
The deception must then have been at an end, and
yet the affectionate correspondence continued. An
argument so wretchedly weak is worse than none.
At present it looks as if Mrs. STOWE had further
vilified Mrs. LEIGH'S character without any stronger
justification.

THE SOOTOII C4OLD-IIELDS,

In Thursday's Inverness Cod rier we reed-:—" Owing to
the recent inclement Weather, little has been done in pro-
secuting the search for gold in the county of Inverness.
The weather having become somewhat more favourable,
the Messrs. Ferguson Brothers, acting on instructions from
the several proprietors interested, are now conducting
an examination of the entire watershed of the rivers
Nairn, Farigaig, and Foyers, and the adjoining districts,
with the view of determining the extent and, productive-
ness of the auriferous area. Mr.E P. G. Wilson has also
employed experieneda diggers to prosecute the search in
the valley of Nairn and other promising places. In .the
event of gold being found in paying quantities, all the
proprietors of the district seem disposed to permit the
working of it on their estates. The diggers in Daviot
report to Mr. Wilson that they have found traces of gold
in various places, but they do not feel sanguine that the
working of it will pay.

THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION

BRIDGE.

AT PLATT

Some evidence was taken on Thursday at the inquiry
into the circumstances attcnding the recent colliery
explosion at Platt Bridge. There are still some bodies
in the mine which cannot bo got out till the fire is extin-
guished, and it is rather singular that notwithstand-
ing the flooding of the pit, and the consequent
stoppage of the air current the coal is still burning. The
witnesses concurred in attributing the causes of the ex-
plosion to a blown-out shot. The mine seems to have
been properly worked, with good ventilation, and no gas
was observed on the morning of the accident. The prin-
cipal fireman of the pit, however, said that at the
time of the explosion there must have been a very
large quantity of .gas in the Workings, for a measure-
ment chewed that there were 36,000 feet of air. On
heating this statement, Mr. Higson, the Govern-
ment Inspector, said "it was monstrous if they
were to have explosions with 36,000 feet of air." The
intensity of the fire is shewn by the fact that along
its course the coal has been calcined nearly a foot in
thickness.

THD DISTURBANCES- AT ST. PANCRAS:

Mr. Pere, after this statement, went himself to view
the wards. Dr. Edmunds objected to the late master
being called as a witness of the condition they were in
before Dr. Ellis obtained an improvement. Mr Poland
then demanded particulars of cases which bad been sent
wrongly into the wards. Dr. Edmunds, hem ever, had none
to offer. Evidence against Dr. Ellis, however, he could
give.

Dr. Mason, a member of the Vestry,. said he visited the
infirmary on the 11th of November, in consequence of the
report that appeared in the Mime In which the ward was
compared to " The Black Hole at Calcutta." -Witness
went at eleven o'clock at night, without previous notice_
There was enough ventilation for the ward to be sweet.
Had it been under his care he would not have bad anydiffi
culty to keep it wholesome. No sewer air could get into the
water closet except designedly. Went with others to
visit the ward. They met for another purpere than that
of visiting the wards. It was suggested that as they were
near at hand they should go. There were abouttwo dozen
beds in the ward. The atmosphere was in a very
good condition. It was not a large window in
the water-closet. The window was certainly small,
but not very small. Witness sent in a statement, which
was entered in the visiting book. [This report was here
read, and raid there was plenty of air, and the wards were
in en excellent condition, and Dr. Mason was surprised at
the reports in the public prints.] In No. 24 ward there
was about the same number of beds as in the other ward.
He voted for the new guardians, and the great struggle at
the election vas as to the new infirmary at Highgate.
The new guardians were opposed to that preposition.
To the Coroner: Found all the windows shut close.
Some of the window-sill ventilators were open. • Judging
from his experience of public hospitals, he did not think
the beds were tee close. Could not tell the number of
cubic feet of air to each patient.
Witness continuing, said : The nurse told him that Dr.
Ellis had caused the windows and several of the ventila- 1
tors to be clued. This was in ward No. 11. Mr. Chand-
ler, who was also present, said that it was a pity that per-
scns should come at that time of night to disturb the
patients. Witness went to form an independent judgment,
and did so. He :peke to several of the I atients, who said
nitt they were properly cared for.
Dr. Pearce, also a vestr3man, said he Lad teen in prae- ,
tice thirty years. He visited the infirmary about the
middle of November, in consequence of the newspaper
reports. In ward No. 11 there was nothing to justify it .
being called "The black bele of 'Calcutta." Would not
himself have found any difficulty in keel ing the room
sweet.

To Mr. Poland: That of course would depend on the
number of patients in it. There were no persons
sleeping on the floor when he was there ; but some
were sleeping on tables and Other improvised beds.
On one occasion he was not pleased with No. 24 ward as
there was not sufficient ventilation. Did not care about
the new infirmary at Highgate. Saw Dr. Ellis there one
night. Witness did not tell Dr. Ellis that the ventilation
was bad, nor did be order more ventilation.
Dr. Jabez Hogg, surgeon at the Charing-cross Hospital,
and author of several scientific works, said he visited the
infirmary about three years ago; and found it to he one of
the best in the metropolis. He visited it on the 13th of
November last, and found it greatly improved. Ward
No. 11 could -be regulated by any sensible nurse. The
other Nara) bb ere in a very tBii ....arm..
By Mr. Poland: Visited the wards at three o'clock
in the afternoon. Did not know that since the
occasion of his first visit there had been 2,000 to 3,000
gallons of sewage takt n from the ventilating shafts. Had
not n'scertained at the Charing-cross Opthalmic Hospital
the quantity ef cubic f€et of air required by each patient.
Could net say the number cf 1 mons that were in the
weird when he was last there.
Dr. Barnes thought that with the ventilating apparatus
the wards ought to be properly ventilated.
To Mr. Poland : There were six or seven patients over
the number. Some of these were lying on beds on the
floor. That was in No. 11 Ward. Notwithstanding this,
the ventilation was good. This was two days after the
inquest. The man Murphy, who was suffering from
bronchitis, said that he had plenty, or rather too much
air.

To Mr. Bore, Q.C. : Saw Dr. Ellis at the wards.
Dr. Andrew visited the wards in question about th e middle
of November. The report produccd,which stated that at 9
p.m. the wards were "scrupulously clean," was his and
some other gentleman's.
To Mr. Poland : Went into three or four wards, but
found no one sleeping on the floor. The place was clean
and sweet.
Dr. Shepherd gave evidence of a like character. Ire
found what was written in the papers was grossly exag-
gerated. Diseases that arose frcm bad ventilation did not
exist in the wards.
One of the witnesses stated that a man suffering from
scabes had been allowed to remain in one of the wards
—a temporary one—where there were other patients, and
such should not have been the case. This witness said
that the " bed card" said it was spinocula that the man
was suffering from. The temporary ward was filled with
patients because the other wards were full.
After some further evidence of a corroborative nature
Dr. Smith, of the Poor-law Board, was called and said that
he did not consider there was a system of ventilation at
all. The ventilators simply shut and opened and when
the former was done there was no ventilation at all,
and when the latter there was too much. Ho
thought under the circumstances there could not be per-
fect ventilation. As to the closets, though they were not
right, they were much better than was the case in a great
majority of private houses. Dr. Smith was then examined
and cross-examined as to a report made on a preceding
occasion when he visited the house; after which the inquiry,
which is likely to last for some days, was adjourned.

PEDIGREE OF " THE BOIIEXIIAN GIRL."—The
pedigree of plays often goes back as far as the pedigree
of jokes. Take in illustration Balfe's well known opera,
"The Bohemian Girl." Cervantes wrote a story called
"The Gipsy of Madrid ;" on this story a ballet was
founded, entitled "La Gitana;" the French librettist,
Saint Georges, took the action of " La Gitana," and turned
it into an opera book ; and our own poet Bunn in his turn
adapted the livret cf M. Saint-Georges. At the present
moment Bunn's version is again turned back into French
to serve for the production of " La Boliemienne" at the
TheAtre Lyrique.

COAL MINING IN CHINA.—The existence of valu-
able coal deposits in China has already been known some
time, but their development has been rendered impractic
able owing to the strong prejudices of the Chinese in
favour of the old system of working. This obstacle is now
about to be removed, a treaty having been signed between
the English and Chinese Governments, which provides
amongst other things that two new ports shall be opened,
and that the coal mines may be worked by English appli-
ances. It also guarantees a reductian of duties, the right
of navigation on inland waters, and the right of foreigners
to temporary residence in any part of the Country.—
Engineer.

THE NEXT CENSIS.—Among the many subjects
J
which must receive the attention of Parliament in 1870 is
the preparation for the census of 1871. This cannot be
postponed. Those who Lnow anything of the subject are
well aware that it is one of great difficulty. First, there'
L the difficulty of settling the Prineipte on which the
census shall be taken. It may be a census of population
merely, or taking that simply as a basis, and grouping
nund it other information, it may become a census
of education, of religious opinion, of handicrafts
and trades, of Lui:ding and public improvements, of
material arid commercial progress, of pauperism, crime,
and lunacy. In the second place, when the plan and
scope of the cmsus are settled, there is the elaboration of
the system which is to be adopted. Thirdly the system
so arranged has to be put in motion. And lastly, the
results have to be tabulated, formulated, and presented to
the public in a thoroughly scientific, accurate, and popular
Way. The second and third of these may be dismissed as
not involving any points of controversy, but not so the
first and last. The principle on which the census is to
proceed and the manipulation of the figures obtained are
paters of really grave interest.

Mr. M. sere, Q.C., and Dr. Seaton att ended as Com-
missioners to the Poor Law Beard at St. Pancras Vestry
Hall, on Friday, to hear certain charges made by the
Guardians against Dr. Ellis, their medic:a officer. Mr.
Poland and Mr. Thomas, barristers, appeared on behalf of
Dr. Ellis.

Dr. Edmueds, as one of the guardians, said that body
would not he able to have legal assistance. Such being
the case he had Leen appointed to represent them. The
communication received on the preVious day from the Poor
Law Board limiting the charges to a minute of the visit-
ing committee bad taken him by surprise, as that minute
did not set forth the whole of the charges. In that minute
there were five accusations : the first was, that Dr. Ellis, in
the month Of November, caused, either wilfully or inten-
tionally, the ventilators in the infirmary to Le stepped up,
and failed to attempt by other means to renew the venti-
lation. The second charge was, that Dr. Ellis had retained
'patients in the infirmary ward when there was no necessity.
Dr. Ellis had, moreover, caused unnecessary inquests to be
held ; had allowed patients suffering fie m contagious
cUseases to remain in the and thus tended to
cause an epidemic; in the ." Mary Allen" case he had be-
haved badly in getting up the evidence against Dr. llarley,
in obtaining what were really death-Fed depositions; and
before the Poor-Law Board ecrumission had Oven false
evidence.

_
POLIO!? 11111ELLIOLVC117.-llns Day,

WESTMINSTER.

GROSS CRUELTY TO A HußSE.—John Williams, a
carman iu the employ of a coal merchant, was
charged at the instance of the Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals with cruelly ill-
treating and torturing a horse.

The officer proved finding the defendant with a
horse, drawing 2 tons of coals, in Talton-street,
Westminster ; the near side hind leg was very much
swollen, and the defendant said Lis master had sent
him out with it.

Defendant said the horse's leg burst since he ha,
it out.

Arnold•
Mr. A looked at the poor horse, which was
in the police yard standing on three legs. lie
moved evidently in great pain, and had a largo
open running wound on the fetlock and near hind
foot. On coming into court the worthy tua2Litrate
fined him 205., or 14 days, tellivg him the horse
was entirely unfit for work, and in a very bad state.
If be did not pay the penalty the horse and van
would be kept to pay the fine.
Defendant paid the money, and a.sked if he could
put the horse in the van and take it home, as the
van was empty.

Mr. Arnold said No, certainly not; he would be
liable to be charged again. The horse was hardly
fit to be taken borne even by itself.