The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-10 00:00:00

THE SURREY ATHEN2EUM.

pressed his readiness to aesist in the promotion of the object
in view. He congratulated the assembly upon the day they
had selected for the commencement of their purpose, on the
auspicious day when the Prime Minister of the country was
returned, unopposed, as the representative of the first com-
mercial city in the world on free-trade principles.—(Loud
cheers.) They were assembled to commence a new era, and
to vanquish the obstacles that retarded mental improve-
ment.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) Institutions of this kind
tended to advance not only man's interest in this world,
but were most likely to advance them for a future state.
Within his own experience, he knew hundreds of cases in
which persons, competent ;in every other respect, were re-
tarded in their progress through life in consequence of a
want of that education which institutions like their own
were directed to afford. The subscription (something about
6d. per week) would afford a catalogue of the most refined
pleasures, not purchasable through any other channels.—
(Hear, hear.) The institution would open the intellectual
eyes of its supporters, and afford them gratifications which
a few years before were reserved almost exclusively for the
elite of society—for the "common people"—as if any man
could naturally be more comeion than another.—(Hear, and
laughter.) In former years, "common people," or rather the
bumbler classes, were taught to believe that they were formed
solely for the purpose of working and keeping inviolate the
laws of the country. Such was the antique doctrine; but he
put it to them, whether it might not be well to instil upon
the humbler, and the more useful classes, that they should
also be able to understand the laws they were told to obey.—
(Hear, hear.) After some other observations, Mr. Bucking-
ham concluded by offering to subscribe to the institution,
and to deliver a course of lectures gratuitously.—(Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was carried
anwimously.
The Rev. J. W. WATKIN proposed the next resolution :
"That a committee be formed for the purpose of obtaining
patrons, vice-presidents, and making such other arrangements
as might be found necessary for carrying out the foregoing
resolutions."
Mr. Sraimosnas seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
Mr. Winsixe (one of the proprietors of the Plate-glass
Company) moved the third resolution—" That a subscrip-
tion be entered into, for defraying the cost of library, reading
and class-rooms, and for defraying the necessary charges of
establishing the institution." It was true, that the reputa-
tion which the building had unfortunately:gained rendered it
a task of some difficulty to induce persons to subscribe, but
when they were informed, through the instrumentality of the
press, of the real object they had in view, he was convinced
many persons would cheerfully lend them their assistance.
He had much pleasure in proposing the resolution.
Mr. A. W. HOGGINS seconded th resolution.
Mr. GREENE, a gentleman who spoke from the gallery,
suggested that the subscription should be 12s. instead of 245.,
but not, at all events, to exceed 16s.

The 61AIRMAN acknowledged the pertinence of the recom-
mendation, but hoped that the question of arranging the
terms of subscription would be left to the discretion of the

. ........... —. .......
_ __
committee.—(Hear, hear.)
After an announcement by the Secretary that the total
subscriptions collected in the room amounted to upwards
.f 90/., a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the
meeting broke up.

THE UNION CANAL.
BURSTING OF THE EMBANKMENT.

On Monday morning last, two portions of the em-
benkinent of the Union Canal gave way, to the seri-
c-t4 injury of some of the adjacent property. The first
of tLf•se places was at Ratho, and was first discovered
shortly after five o'clock in the morning. At that time
the gap was only about two or three feet square, but
as the rush of water was great it soon increased to a
mighty chasm of about twenty feet deep and thirty in
width. The embankment at this part is of con-
siderable depth, and when the pent-up water had
fairly forced an exit, it burst forth with impetuous
velocity and volume, so that in a few minutes the con-
tiguous fields were completely flooded. A field of oats,
part being of the property of Mr. Brown, of Ashley,
quite continuous to the canal, was the first to suffer.
The greater portion is embedded with sand and other
debris, so as to present quite a devastated appearance.
A house in which twenty
.cattle were placed was
enveloped by the torrent, and it was only by dint of ex-
traordinary exertions that they could be set free, and
rescued from their precarious position. The grounds of
Mr. Melville, of llanley, also suffered greatly, the water
having flowed into the garden, where it swept away
a great many valuable plants, and otherwise committed
fearful ravages. The flood subsequently flowed into the
Gogar Burn, which it swelled to a great extent, and
caused the submersion of numerous fields along its
course. A similar event took place about the same
time at a part of the canal to the westward of Linlith-
gow, and near to the viaduct over the Avon. The
mass of the embankment which gave way at this
point wes even larger than that at Ratho • but it
Appears the damage which the water committed was
not so extensive, as it soon found a channel la the
Avon. The cause which led to these occurrences, so far
as we could gather, were of a twofold kind. It seems
that at Linlithgow the water of the canal, to a consider-
able distance, bas lately been drained off, in order that
some improvement might be made. This act had com-
pressed the water into less than its usual space, and the
immense quantity of rain which fell on Sunday night
and yesterday morning had given to it an accumulated
strength,
ender the pressure of which the embankment
rat the two points above mentioned gave way.—Edinburgh
Advertiser.

THUNDER STORMS.—On Sabbath last, during the
afternoon service in the churches, Ayr was visited by a vio-
lent thunder-storm. The day was very sultry, with a light
wind from south-west ; but about half past two the sky ke.
came ominously overcast. The storm was preceded by a
violent whirlwind that tossed the dust over the tops of the
houses. Its violence was remarkable—so remarkable that
two or three vessels, leaning against the South Quay wall,
and among them a large barque, timber-loaded (the tide
befog at ebb), were blown over. The wind lasted about twenty
minutes, but was not felt in the bay ; two smacks carrying
all sa.il, and making for the harbour at the time, were
nntouch.ml by it. The whirlwind was succeeded by vivid
flashes of lightning and loud peals of thunder, continuing
for more tit in an hour. The thunder was accompanied by
very heavy rain, that fell without intermission throughout
tr, , pietbsli forenoon of yesterday. So heavy was the
...ii:. n.t , ~, o'clock on Sunday night the channel of the
elv , by a raging flood. The volume of water
• . . se till mid-day yesterday, when it sur-
tYr7araffunt;nuid o"
/. t: ve4 any preVio flood within the last two or three years.
4 at have not ~,.. of much damage being done. A number
71 %. , of trilling boils .. a pleasure boat, moored to the buoy in
(
tiler
nodie a the.. ver, were carried off by the flood, and
C ' - ,ore—. upon the north and south beaches, with trifling
k (mar , ^az
..„:, bow {e,....Ayr vincrver,
..,... 4

Y. terclay evening a meeting, most numerously and re-
al ...atended, of the inhabitants of the boroughs of
S. I ;.wack end Lambeth, was held at the building formerly
ki o as tile Socialists' Hall, in the Blaekfriars-road, for
tl a ttip. se of founding a Literary Institution, to be called
tf ley Athenmurn. It was expected that Lord John
Russell would have been present, but the Noble Lord was
Prevented from complying with the request of the originators
engagements of an important character, and in his
abler:co the chair was taken by Benjamin Hawes, Esq.
The SIeatETARY read letters of apology from several dis-
tinguished individuals connected with the boroughs, express-
ing their hearty concurrence in the objects contemplated, and
their anxiety to become subscribers and donors. The following
noblemen and gentlemen were among the number:—Mr.
Peto, 20/. • Earl Radnor, 5/. ; Mr. A. Pellatt, 101. 10s.; Mr.
Wilson, 5/ 55.; Mr. Parkinson, 5/. ; Mr. J. Parkinson, 5/. ;
Mr. Hugh Bowditch, 5/. ss. ; Mr. B. Hawes, Si. 55.; Mr. J.
Field, 5/. 55.; Mr. J. Bickerton, Si. 55.; Mr. J. M. Webb,
51. ss. ' • and many others.
TheCUAIIIMAN opened the business of the evening by ex-
pressing his regret that circumstances prevented the Noble
Lord the Member for the City of London from presiding.
The object they were assembled upon on the present occasion
had his most cordial approval. He had for many years lived
in the vicinity of that building they now occupied. He
knew the neighbourhood well, and he had a distinct recol-
lectiel that a literary institution of great importance once
stood in their immediate vicinity. It possessed one of the
most judiciously-selected libraries in the metropolis, with a
theatre for lectures, and all the other appendages of a well._
arranged and useful institution. Owing, however, to certain
causes, which it was unnecessary for him to allude to on the
present occasion, but which were much to be deplored, the
library had been sold, and the institution itself shut up.
From that period to the present the injury which the
cause of literature and science had sustained by permit-
ting so valuable an establishment to fall to the ground,
had been visited on the very structure itself, in the shape
of a judgment from Heaven, for never had an edifice
once dedicated to high land 'noble purposes been so
completely disgraced and polluted as that had been.
Everything that was exceptionable had of late years
found a ready reception at that building, which until very
lately had been occupied by men who set little value either
on literature or science, and who had nothing in common
with the amiable and erudite persons who were original en-
gaged in the praiseworthy duty of founding the Surrey Insti-
tution of former days.—(Cheers.) But now a healthier and
a better social tone had sprung up. The great and para-
mount advantages to be derived from literary institutions
was now beginning to be understood and appreciated. The
true value of knowledge was now appreciated, and he felt
convinced that the day was not far distant when the inhabit-
ants of Lambeth and Southwark would see the necessity of
redeeming their character from the dishonour which had at-
tached to it by permitting their Literary Institution to re-
main closed for so many years. He hoped that the time
would shortly arrive when there would be again established
an institution calculated to supply the mental requirements
of the great body of the population.—(Loud cheers.) The
present was the second institution of the kind which within
a very short time he had assisted in forming, and be begged
unaffectedly to assure them that he felt the warmest in-
terest in the success of such undertakings. That which they
were now engaged in was one worthy of all praise, and it
would be very little to the credit of the people of Southwark
and Lambeth if they did not make a cordial and enthusiastic
response to the call made upon them. It was exceedingly
delightful for him to reflect that there was every probe-
bilitg of the library which once existed there being
soon restored. The presence of that respectable assembly
was in itself a great encouragement, and redounded very
much to the credit of the neighbourhood. Three things were
essential to success—a sense of the necessity of such an in-
Aitution—a disposition on the part of those who would be
themselves most benefited to come forward and contribute
their subscriptions—and a resolute spirit of perseverance on
the part cf those who were more immediately engaged in the
formation of the institutien.—(Hear, hear.) One of the
greatest arguments in favour of popular institutions of this
kind was that they afforded to the humble classes facilities
of consulting books of a valuable description. It was with a
view to place education within the reach of the many that
the combination of the many was called into action, and he
urgently implored of all his hearers to co-operate enthusias-
tically in an effort to establish an extensive and a well-
selected library. No less than 300 persons had already come
forward to testify their interest in the project by volunteer-
ing to pay their subscriptions in advance—(Hear, hear)—
and if the promoters of this undertaking could reckon on
perseverance and sustained action on the part of those who
now professed to feel an interest in the project, there was no
doubt but that the happiest results would follow. The
Hon. gentleman resumed his seat amid loud cheers from all
parts of the building.
Mr. APSLET PenLarr proposed the first resolution, which
wag io the following effect Insolved, that this meeting,
impressed with the importance of the diffusion of knowledge,
as tending to the moral and social improvement of all classes,
:ews with extreme pleasure the proposal to establish an In-
ec,:.:)tion to be called the Surrey Athenaeum—such Insiitu-
Lion Lso embrace reading-room and library, and to afford op-
portunities for literary and scientific instruction by lectures
and classes, and being convinced of the necessity of the same
in this populous district, pledges itself to use every exertion
to effect its establishment."
Mr. SILK BUCKItiGHAM seconded the resolution, and ex

TREATMENT OF AGED PAUPERS
IN BARROW WORKHOUSE.
The following are extracts from correspondence, &c.,
just laid before the House of Commons, relative to the
inquiry into the treatment of aged paupers in the Bar-
row workhouse.—
Poor-law Commission Office, Somerset House,
May 22, 1846.
Sir—l am directed by the Poor-law Commissioners to
state, that they have had under their consideration the
report of their assistant commisssoner, Mr. Weale, who
was instructed by the Commissioners to inquire into the
case of James Jarvis, late an inmate upon the Barrow-
upon-Soar Union Workhouse.
It appears that on the 17th day of March last, the
master of the workhouse reported to the board of guar-
dians that on that, and on the previous day, James
Jarvis, aged seventy-six years, refused to perform a task
of work, in company with some other of the aged men
who were required to pump water for the use of the
workhouse establishment.
It appears that on the occasion Jarvis was brought
before the guardians, who reasoned with him on his im-
proper conduct, but that, being unable to prevail on him
to perform the work required of him, the guardians
made the following order:—
"Ordered that James Jarvis shall obey the master's
directions to pump, as far as he is able, unless the
medical officer directs to the contrary ; and that if he
refuses, to be placed upon refractory diet."
The master subsequently sent for the medical officer,
and he pronounced it to be his opinion that Jarvis was
quite equal to do the work which he was set to perform.
The master then called upon Jarvis to proceed, and to
employ himself on the task assigned to him ; the man
refused, and persisted in his refusal, notwithstanding the
remonstrances and representations of the master and
matron, who endeavoured, but in vain, to prevail upon
him to comply with the directions which had been given.
Finding that Jarvis was determined not to work as
required, the master, as he states, " put him on spare
diet ;" that is to say, he confined him to an allowance of
half-a-pound of bread for breakfast, the same quantity
for dinner, and the same quantity for supper ; and on
this diet James Jarvis was kept by the master, from
Tuesday evening, the 17th of March, until the following
Thursday, the 26th of March, on which day Jarvis was
committed by the justices to the House of Correction.
The Commissioners desire to point out to the guar•
dians that the punishment inflicted upon James Jarvis
was not authorised by the workhouse rules.
It further appears that the provisions conta'ned in the
41st Article were not complied with in Jarvis's case,
that article directing that no pauper whe may have been
under medical care, or who may have been entered in
the medical weekly return as sick or infirm, at any time
in the course of the seven days next preceding the day
of the commission of the offence, or who may be reason-
ably supposed to be under twelve or above sixty years of
age, or who may be pronounced by the medical officer
Air the workhouse to be pregnant, or who may be suck-
ling a child, shall be punished by alteration of diet or by
confinement, unless the medical officer shall have pre-
viously certified in writing that no injury to the health
of such pauper is reasonably to be apprehended from the
proposed punishment ; and any modification, diminish-
ing such punishment, which the medical officer for the
workhouse may suggest, shall be adopted by the master.
The Commissioners think it probable that the master
of the workhouse misunderstood the order of the board
of guardians, and thought that if Jarvis refused to
work, it was the intention of the guardians that he
should be kept upon " refractory diet" so long as he
continued to refuse.
But the Commissioners, nevertheless, consider that
this error on the part of the master was inexcusable ;
he ought to have been guided by the regulations, which
are clear and -precise, and to which he should have re-
ferred, had he entertained any doubt of the legality of
the punishment which he inflicted upon James Jarvis.
Looking to the whole of the circumstances, and to the
very serious violation of the regulations which the mas-
ter has committed, the Commissioners do not see how
the care of the inmates of the workhouse, and the super-
intendence of the establishment, can be properly allowed
to remain any longer in the hands of Mr. Derry ; and
they therefore request that he will tender his resignation
to the board of guardians.
(Signed) GEORGE COODE, Assistant-Secretary.
The clerk to the board of guardians of the Barrow-upon-
Soar Union, Barrow-upon-Soar.
Barrow-upon-Soar Union, Barrow-upon-Soar.
May 27, 1846.
Gentlemen,—l beg leave to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 22d instant, No. 6902 146; and to
state that the contents thereof was duly communicated
to Mr. Joshua Derry, the master of the workhouse, but
that he has not as yet tended his resignation to the
board of guardians.
The letter was also read at the meeting of the board
of guardians, and the opinion of the board was expressed
thereon, as follows:
The clerk having read the letter from the Poor-law
Commissioners respecting the master of the workhouse,
and the guardians having taken the same into considera-
tion, were unanimously of opinion, that the single
instance of misconstruction of the rules, unattended by
any bad consequence to the pauper, does not call for so
severe a punishment as the resignation of the master
(followed as it would necessarily be by that of the matron
his wife), who have been distinguished, during 15 years'
service, for their humanity, and their uniform attention
to the duties of their office.—l am, &c.,
(Signed) THOMAS FEWKES,
Clerk to the Guardians.
The Poor-law Commissioners.
Poor-law Commission-office, Somerset House,
June 5, 1846.
Sir,—The Commissioners desire to state that the
matter has received their careful consideration; under
all the circumstances of the case the Commissioners
regret that they cannot consent to Mr. Derry retaining
his office of master of the Barrow-upon-Soar Union
Workhouse.—Signed by order of the Board.
(Signed) E. CHADWICK.
To Mr. Thomas Fewkes.

Barrow-upon-Soar, June 11, 1846.
Gentlemen,—ln reply to your letter of the sth inst..
No. 7,456 146, I beg leave to inform you that the eon-
tents thereof was duly communicated to the master of
the workhouse, and it was read to the board of guardians,
when they directed the following to be entered on the
minutes:—
" A letter from the Poor-law Commissioners to the
clerk having been read, it was resolved in compliance
therewith. The board, though they extremely regret
the necessity for such a course, but, under all the cir
cumstances, recommend the master and the matron to
resign their offices; but they earnestly request that a
sufficient notice of removal may be given them, as a
testimony in favour of their long-tried meritorious
services.
The above res)lution was read to the master of the
workhouse, and he tendered his resignation of their
offices.
The guardians are therefore desirous of knowing how
long they may continue to perform the duties of their
office, as their resignation has been accepted.
(Signed) THOMAS FE WKES.
To the Poor Law Commissioners.
Poor Law Commission-office, Somerset House,
June 18, 1646.
Sir,-1n reply I am to state, that the Commissioners
can only consent to the master and matron retaining
their offices for such a reasonable time as will enable
the guardians to elect fit persons as their successors.
I am, &c.,
(Signed) E. CHADWICK.
To Mr. Thomas Fewkes.

The Great Western, which was to sail from New York
on the 25th ult., may be hourly expected. She was out
thirteen days on Wednesday.
VENTILATION OP THE NEW HOSPITAL AT BROMP-
TON.—The system adopted by Dr. Arnott, in conjunction
with the designs of Frederick J. Francis, Esq., the architect,
bids fair to assist greatly the eflorts of medical science; each
compartment or room is so arranged, that the poor con-
sumptive sufferer will be enabled to breathe an atmosphere
most suitable to the stage of the malady. The wards are
very lofty and commodious, and the beauty of the site has
in itself a health-breathing influence. The finishing of the
buikling, for the reception of the patients from Chelsea, is
progressing as rapidly as the funds will permit. The grounds
surrounding the edifice are laid out very tastefully, and
when the eastern wing and the remaining portion of the
ceritre is erected, accommodation will be effected for upwards I
of 200 patients.
AWFUL THUNDER STORM—MELANCHOLY EVENT.—
On Sunday last, between nine and ten o'clock in the fore-
noon, this town and neighbourhood were visited by a very
heavy storm of thunder and lightning, accompanied by
rain. At Stoke St. Mary the electric fluid struck a poplar,
containing nearly three tons of timber, in a field belonging to
Mrs. Jetnima Mayne, and shivered it into fragments, scat-
tering several heavy portions of it to the distance of fifty
yards. At Galmington a large oak was struck down by
lightning. At Wellington, we lament to state, the Indepen-
dent Meeting School was much injured by the storm, and a
tine boy, fourteen years old, was killed on the spot, and four
other boys sitting near him were struck off their seats and se-
riously injured. The escape of the other children was most
providential. Several persons were knocked down in their
houses and in the streets, and the pillar on the Blackdolvn-
hill, erected to commemorate the battle of Waterloo, was
considerably shattered, and large masses of stone fell from it.
—Taunton Courier.
FOURTEEN HOUSES BURNED DOWN.—A dreadful
fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the village of Ted-
dington, in Bedfordshire, about two miles distant from
Woburn Abbey, which in a short time consumed no fewer
than fourteen dwelling.houses, besides other buildings of
much value. It appears the flames were first seen issuing
from a cluster of barns at the back of Dunstable-street, and
on inquiry it was found to have originated by some childrenhich
empty, The Vi
kindling a bonfire in one of them that was and which
being excessively dry, burnt with great rapidity.
blowing a brisk breeze from the westwar
d, soon wafted
dtinhde
flames in the direction of the houses belonging to Mr. King,
Mr. Horn, and others, in Dunstable-street,eventually
eke:gilt, and all attempts to check its progress proved
abor-
tive. °
of the adjacent houses, and those on the ppo-
Site side, being theched, the inhabitants set to work vigor.
oust y- to strip those ner.r.sst to the fire. In this they par-
tially failed, for the destrisefia plement extended on all
sides, and 'Within an hour after its outhreal; nine houses were
levelled to the gefl3nd. So fearful was it at eria time, that
the lower end of the s7;:lage was in the most imminent dan-
ger of being destroyed. Fortunately, the engines came up at
the time, and being well supplied with water, were brought
to bear in the proper quarter, and with desired erect. In all
fourteen houses were destroyed, and several others were
greatly injured. The buildinis were insured, but the (Ten-
pants are savere sufferers, none of tue,..i I.;.eing insured. They
are chiefly poor labouring families, and are' in gonsequence
thrown into the greatee-t distress. One poor woman, who was
in the last stage of consumption, died while being removed in
the height of the fire to a place of safety. On searching the
ruins on the miming after, the remains of a youth ten years
of age were discovered hnrned almost to a cinder. It has been
ascertained that he is the snei of a woman named Burrows,
and the boy who made the bonfire the barn. It was sup-
posed he was U44ble to find the door of the b.-an to escape, on
account of the thicitucsa of the smoke, and thus lost by life.
An inquest was held yesterday PA the body, and a verdict of
"Accidental death" returned.