The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-19 00:00:00

THE POLYTEOH IC INSTITUTION.

On Monday evening Mr. Henry Mayhew, who has
been so long known to the public in connection with the
amelioration of the c indition of the poorer classes, and
by his works and statistics of the London poor, delivered
a lecture, at the above iust:tulien, upon " the curiosities
of life among the labourers and poor of London."
Mr. Mayhew commenced by stating that his object
was to relate some particulars in the history of the heroes
he had met with among the poorer classes of society ;
but at the same time he desired to guard his audience
against the error of believing that the persons whose
eareer he was about to illustrate were types of the poorer
&asses in general. They were unfortunately rather the
exceptions than the rule in that class; but he wished to
show by the fat's he intended to bring forward that it
was only in the lower classes that the high virtues of
society were ordinarily exhibited. After a few more ob-
servations upon the difficulty of passing a I;fe of strug-
gling misery with rectitude and virtue, Mr. Mayhew
stated that the first case he would bring before them in
illustration of what he had said would be that of his old
friend old Sarah, the poor old blind hurdy-gurdy woman,
who for 40 years had traversed the streets of London.
She was one of the kindest, best, and noblest creatures
he ever knew, and he did not state that upon a mere
surface acquaintance, for he had had amole opportunities
of studying her ch.recter, for she was regularly in the
habit of taking tea at his house once a fortnight This
poor woman he had also continually visited at the hos-
pital, when she was suffering the affliction which was
the ultimate cause of her death, and he had thus been
an eye witness of her cheerful and ev,r-patieet resigna-
tion. He had found from the history of her lite that
there were many others living upon her charity, thus
making good the old saying, " What would the poor do
without the poor ?" Alter detailing a variety .'f curious
and interesting incidents in the long and chequered
existence of this extraordinary character, Mr. May-
hew said that such was his opinion of her
high virtues that he c)nsidered it was only
an honour to have known her, but a high privi-
lege to have bad it in his power to serve her. The next
heroine, he observed, to whose good deeds he would call
attention, was the daughter of a penny mouse-trap maker.
The exemplary conduct of this young girl towards her
father, whom she supports.' by tier exertioirienring a
long and severe illness, svelte(' his admiration,. and the
i quiries he made respec ing her resulted the disco-
r err that she had, wehout pre. ious instruction, per-
formed her father's work as well as ho formerly did it
himself. That she never complained of the hardness of
her fate, nor of the p.rverry to which her parent's illness
had exp used him and his family, her only anxiety being
to afford him coed it d cons nation in his affliction,
and in effecting ibis pr ,iseworthy object she presented
a noisle example to those in higher stations. Mr. May.
hew then passed el to another and different phase of
humanity, which he had found in the street clown,
whose lite, as illustrated to him, was one of extraordi-
nary endurance and privation. In introducing this cha-
racter to the notice of his hearers, the lecturer stated
that even tie) most alej, et of human creatures often
proved to be possessed of the nob est feelings. Mr. May-
hew next observed, that, having brought under the:r no-
tice his views relating to the industrial and honest
classes of the community he should now refer to the
opposite or dishonest classes, whose representatives, he
said, were not so utterly callous as to wrong those who
trusted them. Some time back he took occasion to con•
vene a meeting of juvenile thieves and vagabonds, and,
although he had given only two days' notice of the event,
no fewer than 150 attended—presenting altogether a
scene of squalor, rags, and wretchedness, which made
the heart quake to look at. Their conduct was bois-
terous in the extreme, and they seemed to treat the
offences which had been c ramittelby them respectively,
as if they thought the result a joke. There was one
among them who, though not 20 years of age, had been
neercereted 29 times, and when this fact was mentioned
aloud, it was rece ved with bursts of laughter and ribald
jests. But, notwithstanding this state of depravity, an
opportunity wes offered for testing the honesty of these
juvenile delinquents, and they were allmost careful and
anxious to show that they would not abuse the trust re-
posed in them. He (Mr. Mayhew) had, from time to time,
received into his house numbers of professional coiners
and pic'epockete, mid he had never lost a penny by any
of them, nor bad hie children ever heard a coarse word
Atom their lips. Mr. Mayhew then proceeded to say that
many allowances were to be made for the delincimies;e3
of even the most hardened offenders; and he continued
by presenting a meet interesting and touching picture of
the scenes he had witnessed in the convict nursery of the
female prison at Brixton, where the experience he had
gained produced in his mind the reflection that those
little babes who drew their first breath in a gaol might
naturally be expected to yield their last gasp withal its
walls. Having shown how sad was the example which
these children received in the nursery he described, and
how touching was the maternal feeling exhibitel te wards
them by their unfortunate parents, Mr. Mayhew con-
ceded by observing that real greatness was often to be
discovered in what at first sight appeared to be littleness ;
and he had learnt from his study of mankind that true
nobility was to be found amongst those who were ex-
posed to temptation and suffering—being, he was con-
vinced; absolutely incompatible with luxury and ease.
The lecture was listened to teroughmt with the
greatest attention by a very large audience, a fair propor-
tion of whom belonged to the working classes, for whom
the Monday evening lectures are especially intended,

The first dinner of the Parliamentary and other mem
hers and friends of this society took place yesterday
evening, at the Albion Tavern, Aldergate-street., and was
attended by about one hundred gentlemen, includicg a
considerable representation of the provioces. The chair
was appropriately taken by that staunch leader in the
ballot movement, the Pion. F. H F. Berkeley, M.P. for
Bristol, who bad on his right Gen. Sir John Fitzgerald,
M.P., and Gen. Sir De Lacy Evans, M.P., and on his
left, Admiral Sir C. Napier, M.P., and Capt. Scobell,
M.P. There were also present Mr. Heywood, 11M.P.,
Mr. M. Chambers, M.P., Major-Gen. T. P. Thompson,
Mr. T. Hankey, jun., M.P., Mr. Leigh Parry, Mr.
Wyld, &c. .
After the usual loyal and national toasts, that of "The
Army and Navy," being responded to by Sir J. Fitzge-
rald and Sir C. Napier,
The CHAIRMAN said he now came to what was termed
the toast of the evening. He knew too well-the perfect
knowledge which the company had of the subject to at-
tempt on that occasion to make a ballot speech. The
toast was " Purity of election the best protection of our
rights and privileges, and the vote by ballot the only
means of securing it." (Cheer-4 That question was
placed on a rock by Mr. Grote, and none of them
pretended to any other merit. than that of defending
the citadel which he erected On that rock the ballot
question had stood. A tempest of prejudice and in-
terest had been raised against it—the waves of sophistry
had dashed it, but there stead the question of the
ballot, unshaken, because against it there had
never been brought anything like sound argu-
ment. It would remain on the rock guarded,
h
GLISEPPE MAZZINI. —" All eyes were turned on the figure he trusted, by the 224 members who during the present
of a neatly-dressed, middle-sized man, of no very striking Parliament had recorded their votes in its favour ; it
would remain in the citadel until the people rose in their
presence or countenance, who was modestly seating himself
beside one of the members in the body of the house. The majesty to demand as a right what had been denied
President, or Speaker, rose and signed to the stranger to them as a boon. The people wou'd demand it, assist- d
advance; and then, with :very, mark of honour, and amid as they had been in reference to other questions by asso-
approving cheers, placed him beside himself. Mazzini rose ; ciations ; they would demand it as they did Catholic
and in a pleasing tone of Voice, and with harmonised and Emancipation, they would demand it as they did the
flowing periods, spoke a few sentences.' —Beste's "..illedern Refr,rin Bill, they weeid demand it as they were now
Society in Rome."
to quote the following
' demanding and would obtain the abolition of church
[Auvaitrismiesr.] —We are happy
(Cheers.) Happily there were no deserters from
interesting information from Du Barry's Report on cures rates.
of Indigestion (Dyspepsia), Flatulency, Constipation, Ner- ! their ranks, and he thought he might predict that the
vous, Bilious, and Liver Complaints, Cough, Asthma, advocates of the ballot would c mtinue their dints until
Consumption, and Debility, without medicine by Do : they wore crowned with success. In the meantime he
Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food : Eight years' dyspep. had to request the company assembled to do all honour
sia, nervousness, debility, with cramps, spasms, and nausea, to the toast.
for which my servant had consulted the advice of many, The toast having been cordially received,
have been effectually removed by Du Barry's Revalenta General THOMPSON proposed, " The Members of the
Arabica Food in a very short time. I shall be happy to House of Commons who support the annual motion for
answer any inquiries. Rev. Joins W. Fl4Vint, Ridliug-
title ballot.".s After adverting to
.the oppression of the
of Down, Ireland,
ton Rectory, Norfolk. From the Dowager Countess of Castle-
'imbler class of voters at elections, he observed that
stuart.—Cure 52,612 Rosstrevor, County
he felt the cause of the ballot to be or e of which they
9th December, 1854.1—The Dowager Countess of Castlestuart
feels induced, in the interest of suffering humanity, to state would have no cause to be ashamed, though it became
that Du Barry's excellent Revalenta Arabica Food has cured them all to exert themselves in their several spheres to
her, after all medicines had failed, of indigestion, bile, great secure as speedily as possible that great act of justice,
nervousness and irritability, of many years' standing. This which could not much longer be refused. In 1844 he
food deserves the confidence of all sufferers, and may be con. ventured to be prophetic, and the re- ult showed that
siderel a real blessing. Inquiries will be cheerfully what he said was at all events a little before the event.
answered. Cure No. 1,609. Three years excessive In. that year he foretold that a great man would speedily
general debility, w
nervousness, Cure No..
rendereains in my neck and left arm, and
my life very miserable, d take up the cause of the people ; and truly such a man
has been radically removed by Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica came forward to assist in the removal of the corn law-
Food. ALEXANDER STUART, Archdeacon of Ross, S4ibbereen. the most striking, chang,, perhaps, that had happened
i the world since the time of Maurice of Saxony. The 3
Supported by testimonials from the celebrated Professors of -
Chemistry Dr. Andrew Ure ; Dr. Slaorland ; Dr. Harvey ; would, be believed, soon witness something of the saint-
Dr. Campbell; Dr. Gawk" ; Dr. Wurzer ; Dr. Ingram; kind again in reference to this question, either on th,
Lord Stuart do Deeies ; the Dowager Countess of Castle. part of men in power or on the part of men who had
Stuart; Major-Gen. Thomas King, and many other respectable lost power, and who might use the question of the hallo
persons, whose health has been restored by it, after all other as a means of regaining public support. Let them only
means cf cure had failed. Suitably packed for all elimates,
keep their shoulders to the wheel, and ere long they
with full instructions. In canisters, 51bs., lls. ; 121b5., 225. ;
would have to congratulate each other on the successfur
super-refined, Ilb., 65.; 21bs., 11s-; 51bs,, 225.; Labs., 338. issue of the struggle in which they were engaged.
'['he 101bs. and 121bs. carriage free, on receipt of post-office
Regent-street, London , Am le 'usttce having been done t r the toast,
order. Barry du Barry and Co., 77,
Fortnum, Mason, and Co., Purveyors to her Majesty, Picea-
Mr• le
returned thanks. He expressed his can
dilly; also at till Gracechuich-street ; 33J and 451, Strand; r, viction that the cause of the ballot was still progressi,,t
Cneapside • 65,, Ccruhill ; 49, Bishopsgate-street ; 55, Char in the House of Commons. That year, he observed, th
ing-eross; 54, Upper Baker-street; 63 and 150, Oxford.. Tory party, instead of leaving the question to others a
4 street, - they had done before, had actively joined the aristocratic

The Government steam storeship Industry has arrived
at Woolwich from the
.Cri,nea with returned dockyard
and ordnance supplies. The Industry made the trial
trip yesterday morning down the river, in order to as-
certain the state of her machinery prior to entering the
basin for repairs.

The gun-boat Fenella was brought up to Woolwich on
Tuesday evening from Messrs. Pitchers, of Northffeet,
and was admitted into the fitting basin yesterday.
The freight-ship Pasha, lying in the docks, is embark-
ing ordnance stores and ammunition for St. Helena an,i
Simons Town from Woolwich Arsenal, and the Ann Fal-
con is on the eve of departure thence for Quebec with
40 tons of powder.
The Caledonia, 120, having been prepared as an hospi-
tal ship, left Plymouth Sound on Tuesday, in tow of
the paddle-wheel steam-sloop Gorgon, 6, Commander
Crawford, and Geyser, 6, Commander Tower, for the
river Thames, to take the place of the hospital-ship
Dreadnought.
The slot Camilla, 16, was undocked at Devonport on
Monday, and placed in the basin-dock on Tuesday, and
was ordered to be masted yesterday.
The iron steam troopship Perseverance, 2, Gunman-
derJ. M'Donald, is ordered to be docked at Keyhaw, Ply-
mouth, and to have defects made good with all despatch.
The new screw-steamship Conqueror, 101, Capt. Cha,.
Fello wee, built at Devonport, ma le her first trial trip on
Monday outside the Plymouth Breakwater, where she at
tamed a speed of l 2 knots, with engines making 55
volutions and 201 b. steam. The engines work very satie-
factorily, they are of 800-horse power, and were con-
structed by Messrs. Penn and Son, of Greenwich.
The following appointments were made yesterday at
the AdmtraLy :—Commander J. M. Langtry to the
Blenheim ; Lieut. H. F. ilovendon to the Indefatigable ;
Lieut. W. Menzies to the Royal Albert ; Lieut. C. W.
Martin to the R tyal Albert ; J. Harvey, surgeon, to the
Tribune ; F. Le Keux, assistant-suraeon to the Brilliant, ;
0 F. Clement-ton, additional sec tint Master, to the
Scourge ; A. Gray, second ina.,,,ter, to the ;
A. D. G. Sutton, master's assistant, t) the Victory ;
C. Evershed, master's assistant, to that V ctory ;
Harding, master's assistant to the Royal Albert ; W. J.
Taylor, master's a-ststant, to the Urgent ; J. Shepherd,
assistant-paymaster in charge, to the Columbia ; James
Moore, assistant-paymaster, to the Cossack.

Col. H. Jervis, Commandipt of the Prnviejunal.Bat-
' lid:on, Chatham, halt reeetv.ef4ait,i4rdef,efo ism.oA--War—
offiae, directing him to hold in readiness the following
officers and teen belonging to depots at Chatham bar
racks, to embark for the several stations where thei^
head-quarters are on service, viz. :-sth Fusiliers, E.,-
sign G. E Massy, E sign E. S. Lewis, Ensign J. B.
Barker, Ensign E. J. Oidfield, Eosign F. A. Cubitt, and
80 non-comrnis•ioned •fficers and privates, to embark on
board the Seapark for the Mauritius ; 12th Foot (reserve
battalion), Ensign W. D. Jarvis, Ensign G. W. Reads,
and Ensign J. 0. Johnson, with 30 non-commissioned
officers and men, who will einbark'on board the Eveline
for the Cape of Good Hope ; 37 h Regiment, Ensign J.
D. Greene, Ensign E. S. Sale, Ensign G. G. Fraser, En-
sign T. S. G. Jones, and 49 non.commissioned officers
and men, to embark in the Seapark ; 4.lth Regiment,
Capt. T. Goff, Ensign E. 0. Neill, Ensign A. G. Smith,
and 34 non-commissioned officers and privates,to embark
on board the Eveline for the eve of Good Hope.