The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-20 00:00:00

THE RECENT REPRIEVE,;

-211 E CO.INDITION OF THE NAILEI

The startling facts recently made public respecting the
condition of the nailers--one of the oldest industrial tribes
of the Black Country--have excited a good deal of atten-
tion. There appears to be no doubt that the nail-making
trade is now in a most melancholy condition, the labourers
being miserably paid, and their homes and families squalid
and comfortless. The women and girls also work at the
universal calling, so that they have neither time nor
inclination for household work. Those who are familiar
with the nailers and their habits describe the people
as devoid of education, of social comfort, and
of religious feeling. As might be expected from their
ignorance and degradation they make the worst of their
position, drinking and idling at the beginning of the week,
and after Wednesday working day and night. The truck
system with all its attendant evils is in full force in most
of the nailmaking districts of the Midlands. It has been
proposed that a system of Government surveillance should
be adopted, and that the women and girls should no longer
be employed. The trade seems to be rapidly decaying,
and it is to be hoped that further inquiries may throw
some light on the best means of improving the position of
the nailers.

CALLING SPIRITS FROM THE DEEP.

-410,

-The committee appointed by the Dialectical Society to
investigate spiritual manifestations have held another
meeting. The inquiry promises to increase our informa-
tion, if not of the spirit world, at least of the extent of
human incredulity. Mr. Jenchen, barrister, read
a paper on the different classes of spiritual phenomena.
He said that he could himself testify to the lifting of
heavy bodies. I have seen the semi-grand at my house
raised horizontally eighteen inches off the ground, and
kept suspended in space two or three minutes. I have
also witnessed a square table lifted one foot off the ground,
no one touching it, or being near it ; a friend present
seated on the carpet, and watching the phenomena all the
l•
time. I have seen a table lifted clear over head six feet
off the ground ; but, what is more remarkable, I have seen
an accordion suspended in space for ten or twenty minutes,
and played by an invisable agency. A lady gave her
experiences as follows :---"The most remarkable manifesta-
tions I have seen were those of last Sunday evening at my
house. We were seated in a room which would have been
dark but for the moonlight, re first heard raps, and
then we saw a figure at the windcw. It entered, and then
figures came trooping in by dozens. One waved its hands
and passed through us ; the atmosphere became fearfully
cold. A figure—that of a relative—came behind my chair,
leaned over, and brushed my hair lightly with its hand. It
was eight feet high, and, approaching Mr. Lindsay, passed
through him. Mr. Lindsay sobbed hysterically from the
intense cold." Mr. Blanchard gave the committee some
particulars of his experiences. Some years ago be came in
contact with the Marshal's, who were in the habit of
raising ghosts, and he witnessed some strange occurrences.
He had given up spiritualism for the last few years, be-
cause he found it very inconvenient whent the printer was
waiting for copy to be interrupt(' by spirits who wanted
him as a medium. Mr. Blanchard subsequently related that
the spirits of Alexander the Great and Joan of Arc wrote
their names. Joan of Arc was asked if there was any
other name by which she was known, and she wrote
"La Pucelle." He was convinced that the Mar-
shalls did not know so much French. Mr.
Spear, a professional medium, said that he did not at
one time believe in spiritualism, but he found his hand
moved, and it wrote, "We wish you to go to Abingdon
to see David Binning." lie went there, and found
an invalid of that name, whom he cured at the
dictation of the spirits. He afterwards visited New Yoi k
to lecture on geology, of which science he knew nothing.
His success was so great that the professors said,'" He
takes up geology where the books leave off." 'The com-
mittee are preparing a report on Spiritualism.

•.
There are now no less than fifteen Peeresses in
their own right—the Duchess of Inverness, the Countesses
of Newburgh, Rothes, and Cromartie ; Vicountess
Beaconsfield; and the Baronesses Le Despencer, DeClacr -a.
zoucue, IN ono, w maser, Lucas, 6empill, Gray, Wenman.
and Buckhurst.
THE BISHOP OP CORK'S WlT.—There is a story
just now " going the rounds" about the Bishop of Cork.
The appointment of this eloquent prelate is said to have
been rather a surprise. When it was doubtful, a witty
friend said to the Bishop, over a dinner-table, " Well, Mr.
Gregg, if you are Cork, don't stop the bottle." " Ah, I
see you 're minded to draw me out," replied the expectant
prelate.
A WELSH JURY AGAIN.—At the Glamorgan-
shire Quarter Sessions, held last week, the jury, in return-
ing their verdict in a charge of robbery, said, "We have
had some difficulty in the matter. We tried all we could
to discharge him, but under the circumstances we cannot
release him." The prisoner was sentenced to twelve
months' imprisonment, with hard labour.
Mr. Robert K. the has consented to act as arbitra-
tor in the dispute between the employers and the employed
of the Manchester building trade. lle will arrive in Man-
chester on the 4th of May for that purpose, and in the mean-
while, at his request, all agitation will cease on either side.
The strike of weavers at Preston continues without any ap-
parent change.

Official returns published on Monday inform us
that during last year 24,928,155 gallons of spirits were dis-
tilled in the United Kingdom. Nearly half this quantity
was produced in Scotland alone, and the remaining produc-
tion was tolerably equally divided between England and
Ireland. The Lumber of gallons of proof British spirits
consumed in the United Kingdom was 21,008,634, on which
the net amount of duty was £10,504,317. The consumption
in 11,827,223 gallons, in Scotland 4,907,701 gallons, and in
Ireland 4,773,710 gallons.
Notwithstanding Mr. Gladstone's recent statement
in the Rouse of Commons Lyon the subject, it is, according
to the Western Daily Press, the intention of the Duke of
Somerset, in the Rouse of Lards; to interrogate the Govern..
ment as to whether or not arrangements lave been mad;
or aro in contemplation, for replacing three prelates in the
south-western counties who are incapacitated by illness
and infirmity from the performance of the duties of their
office'.

Cardinal- Callen closes a letter to the clergy of his
diocese, complainineof alleged proselytism at a Protestant
deaf and dumb institution n ar Dublin, with the exhorts--
Von, " Let us, reverend brethren, redouble our exertions,
until there than not be throughout the length and
breadth of Ireland a single deaf mute for whom we shall
not have procured the blessing of a Catholic education • so
that the saving influence of the Carbolic faith may sanctify,
and the tenderness of Catholic charity may assuage, the
sorrows and sufferings of the poorest among an afflicted
class of our brethren."

THE ST. ALBAN'S CASE.—The bill of costs in
the case " Martin v. Mackonochie " having been carried
in for taxation, an offer was made by Messrs. Brooks and
Co., the proctors to Mr. Mackonochie, to pay, without
the expense of taxation, £1,500, which, under the advice
of the proctor and solicitor of the association, the council
decided to accept, and their supporters in the country will
be glad to hear thatfthe sum of £1,500 has been paid.—
Church Association Monthly Intelligcncer.
It is riot generally known that the eldest son of
every baronet is jure sanguinis a knight, and that he is
privileged to demand and to receive the honour of knight-
hood at the hands of the sovereign at the age of 21. But
the right is seldom, if ever, put in force ; and during tl e
last thirty-five years only two instances have °emir, d
where the claim was made ; but in both cases the claim
was allowed. They were Sir J. K. James in 1854, and
Sir William O'Malley in 1835. Both these gentlemen
have since succeeded to the father's baronetcies.

A SUTHERLANDSIIIRE NUGGET.—We haVO been
favoured with a photograph of the largest gold nugget
that has yet been found in Sutherlandshire, the weight
being 2oz. l9gr. It was purchased by Dr. Rutherford,
Belmsdale, and is now being exhibited by Messrs. Fes,
guson Brothers, goldsmiths to his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, Inverness, who have also brought out
and registered several new designs in Sutherland gold
jewellery. The nugget is about the 57z3 of an ordinary
walnut, and is nearly oval in shape."—. iinburgh Daily
; _
Minh

Those who think it desirable that the lair of the rand
should be strictly carried out by the Ministers en-
trusted with its execution will bo curious to know the offi-
cial explanation of the reprieves which have just been
granted by the Home Secretary to a brace of murderers.
In regard to James Macdonald, who was convicted at
Chester of the murder of another labourer, named
Holley, it may be argued that the crime was
rather in the nature of manslaughter, but if either the
judge or jury blundered on that point it is neces-
sary that it should be authoritatively stated. As to the
other case—that of Charles Wiltshire at Gloucester—it is
difficult to conceive a more brutal and atrocious mur-
der than that of which he was convicted. Ac-
cording to the evidence ho found a poor woman in a
drunken state, ravished, beat, and stripped her of clothing.
As if this were not enough, ho has since commended him-
self to the cl••mency cf , the Crown by trying to
murder ono of the warders of the prison where
he was confined. Capital pnnishment may or
may net be a good Gino.; but the House of Com-
mons has very recently, and by an overwhelming nn.jority,
declined to sanction its abolition. The coostion is whether
an important law should be privately abrogated.—pall Mall
Gazelle.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOu."'N

The Times discusses the debate in the TIPP° lie All'
the Coronation Oath, and thinks Lord Bedel tto
gether mistaken in his interpretation of it. i
Queen should not be capable of acting in concert elo
sou
Parliament ought never, as it seems to net rt, 00
itself to anyone who considers the terms el the V
What she has to maintain is simply that which i.',. isiri
established and which exists "by law," The Ow 00
posed on the sovereign by her subjects, and theTlift
Parliament is the successor of the Parliament or U:4,
Lion of 1689, which framed it. It must be in the
l; 0
of those who imposed the Oath to remit it. It e,°ti '
be in the mind of the statesmen of the Berti-,;a l'
curtail the power of Parliament itself by Inel-dol
Oath of the King an irremovable barrier t° ti
of every kind. This would, indeed, 3111-i;
to increase the royal power, and to give tbe-,iatic
on his own judgment, the power of
But Lord Redesdale exposes the trifling charecterpijil
own criticisms by a suggestion which is obvi°usigt)'
better than ridiculous. He asks the Governmentsf
prohibiting leg!
of
it is their intention to bring in a bill to propose 3e abet
tion in the Coronation Oath. As if the Queen, if
bound to God to maintain the Irish Church, cotnulfic;
herself of this obligation by a bill absolving hers,,,eoo
the Oath she had taken ; and as if she low" t!.
moral right to give her assent to such a bill aoYII/cceoF:
to the Irish Church Bill itself ! Such are the le it,
tencies of a man who endeavours to furbish up lief
oaths—these rusty weapons of the past—for theictit
of using them in present warfare. Either Queell ei
has no right to assent to any change in the status of i
Church, and consequently we are as a nation folr
ls
deprived of the power of settling our own eeelti
affairs—a supposition so monstrous as to be self-re'',
or she is under no obligation at all to resist then:llpp
agreed to by Parliament, and needs not the oPeil
any preliminary Act.
The Standard says that Mr. Charley, seconded 140)
ov
Vance, raised the whole question of disendnle
moving the rejection of the thirteenth ela°6
was perfectly open to him to do this. 1111 d
reading of the bill could not be said to cover hew 0
absolutely distinct principles ; and, as Mr. Cbanefre,
it is beyond doubt that very many Liberals have ego
themselves in favour of disestablishment with°utf
dowment. Before the elections many believed that,,'
a compromise was possible ; and, whether desirable Vie:
we believe that it would be popular. There 10/4
fore, no excuse for the impatience manifested bY,A
tioa
of the Liberals ; nor did Mr. Vance's denuut i
disendowment as robbery, which, after all, °it'd
into plain words the doctrine asserted by such 9.
as Lord Cairns, Sir R. Palmer, and Dr. i
merit the outcries of contempt and ridicaletd
which it was received. Of course, all Prot
oo
D"'
this kind are useless. As the division list shewed, tP!',
servatives hardly think it worth while to enforce °so'
their votes, and the Liberals are content to Ineore:
conscientious scruples and individual principles Ili to
paramount duty of implicit and absolute obedienceofi
authority of Mr. Gladstone. But even majorities c 4
and 107 do not render discussion entirely value4o,
absolve the Opposition from the duty of asserting,':gfer
ciples and entering its protest against what it he'o
be an act of legislative plunder, and we are not sorry
a formal division should have been takenupon the sey •
question of confiscation. We only regret that the
o/
was not more fully debated and the division In°re la'i
attended. Surely more than 103 Conservativeej
have thought it worth their while to record theird'oo
tion that, whatever may be the wisdom or univie:foit
disestablishment, as a matter of policy, the n 0
Church property for State purposes is not a dues pct
expediency but of morality, and is not the less an
robbery that it is also an act of sacrilege.
Mr. Disraeli's amendment (says the Post) flw,-,, 7,,cli'
nised the incongruity of the disestablished Choremil
ing for its hierarchy that place in the Legislaturetice
it heretofore enjoyed ; but simply affirmed the l° Ji3eP
continuing to the present members of the Episc°l7 '',
the titles and precedence which they now posse"',P
Charley's proposition went, however, to the root die
clause ; for by moving the omission of the vfortise
titling the Irish bishops to their seats in the 9-)
Lords, he would have continued to the blastell/0P
disestablished and disendowed Church the same legiA-ef
functions it now enjoys. It has been urged that loge
cannot be deprived of his peerage by 101 AO
known to the Constitution, and it was urr,
Parliament could not, consequently, deprive the reitc
race of Irish bishops of their senatorial dignity. °I„O`
is that Parliament and the sovereign, representing ; i
do the supreme power in the State, can do anYtili;))ol
numerous Acts of Attainder in early times prove,
Legislature could cut off a peer's head, and doe' /7,
heir incapable of succeeding to his title or estates' 0 Y
appanage of rank without real power, and, AV si'l';
after the destruction of the very foundation °,..;1'
such rank originally rested, could not, as Mr. Ou'il f 0
cyi
Fortescue well observed, be desired by the Irish bili-01001
The Daily News remarks that the vexed questioa
b site of the new law courts is to be immediately Sti
to the House of Commons. Mr. Gregory asks the .0'
to express an opinion against the erection of the bilipe
on the site which has been cleared for them on °env,
side of the Strand, and in favour of their erection ',„
Thames Embankment. Sir Roundell Palmer eeil
House simply to reaffirm the decisions of previoa°,o,li
ments, and let the courts be built on the site WbiActi
men prepared for them under the authority of 0 i'
Parliament. In the discussion which is thus oPeijoes'
burden of proof lies, of course, upon the adli)checi
change. The Carey-street site was fixed on
it lies in the centre of the legal quarters of LouwillV
it saves the time of lawyers and; the pockets of
who employ them to have the courts near to the',,,, 0'
Nor could the courts themselves he so convenien't,
on the Embankment site. They would have the 111-00;
in their front, the Strand behind them, the TerePi,e, if,
east, and Somerset House on the west, and would v-fic,
pable of any expansion. The front of the buildingli?
stand thirty-three feet lower than the back, IV
must be a tunnel under it, along which the tide
must roll. In front of it would be the railwayB'o:
and all along the front would be the railway iteelf' t,F,
Mr. Lnyard has already said makes him fearfln",3°V4
safety of Somerset House. We cannot but helieltte
when all these and other considerations cone,iitiL
review, the House of Commons will agree with tli'lo7
petitioners, " that as the funds have been and °i
supplied by the suitors, it would be most 1113,1 l
00i'
able that the site should now be changed, in oPrtel
to their interests and wishes, as expressed by their
sentatives." i;
i,oli,
The Herald laments over the difficulty of ew li
e,
employment which is now felt by all classes. :.
mouths and scant occupation are evils by no means
;)
fined just at present to dockyard labourers and 1,31/%11,'
artisans. The upper and iniddle classes are sharierY,
those who compose the lower social strata of t,ilei
munity the hardships and perplexities which sPrl;a or ti'
the existence of numerous competitors, and few l'° I/
munerative occupations to be divided among the/0'1,04C;
this one sample of news from across the water. On Pe;
first day after Mr. Moses Grinnell entered upon wi,11,7
duties as collector at New York, he received 71-.sfit°:
tions for the post of private secretary, and 13,19' that)
subordinate offices in his gift. We are told further
vast crowd surrounded the New York Custom 14°I•isete;
that he had actually to call in the aid of the police °e
tect him against the physical importunities of 1113scifijAL
tutors. Anybody, however, who is even super flee
acquainted with our own condition will need o°, 0,
drawn from foreign sources to enlighten him o'lo,,
subject. All the gates are thronged with suitorPovo'
bar is crowded ; the medical profession is overetfici
and there are far more lawyers than there is litige'vf
prospect of it. Architects jostle one another on the 'ffe
,j,°'
meats for which they would fain design handsorne iit
tages ; and builders are rapidly learning to disPerSneot ri
their services ; just as railway contractors endea% eli,
do without those of engineers. The Church bow f,tefl'
fewer and fewer inducements both to those who arerl3.olo;
ally and those who are spiritually minded. Eve?,
has a tendency to wax dearer and dearer, whilst e'" ~
have no natural disposition to rise in amount.
,i tt1,.1
The Star thinks that for the present there is "title 11'
slightest reason to apprehend either that Livinge°,l-biPA'
failed, or that any other ill-fortune has attende"l,oC •
The time that has elapsed is short enough for suchviijAeatol
as he has doubtless been engaged in since he coil
the exploration of the network of fresh-water lake° ter
i ire j
are believed to lie to the south of the Albert alio,' „2.1 OA
Nyanza, and which geographers agree in regarcb°' t*
part of the great Nile system. That LivingstoaefroOl
succeed in clearing away the last vestiges of (I°ll,,bit lif)f
that still obscure and once inscrutable problem' -:c3 t`,:
ages baffled the boldest enterprise of travellers, e-, lid"
most far-reaching sagacity of men of science, le i'velf:
in which we may fairly indulge, because thus far 11()e that
has been in his case good news, and in fact a Plejf; Ole,
he has been able to pursue his adventurous J" licit'n'
towards the point which would unite his discover/0
*hose of the most successful of his predecessors.
_.4 '

Pe
rov
FALL OE AN AVALANCHE. —TwELVE
KILLED.—A melanchcly accident has taken Plileej v 01'7
road over the Simplon. Thirty workmen from 11.
d'Ossola were crossing the Simplon. The road o,ld
very bad state, a heavy fall of snow having oceurreu
order to cross the gorge of Eaux-Froides they Prlotera
two road-makers as guides. They took but a fe" Alf°'
when an avalanche fell, and buried the whole thirtilfeif
Twenty of the workmen managed to extricate thelloco
but the remaining ten and the two roAdinakers Were'
away gild pgriabecl.