The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1869,

P one who takes the trouble to think. We have, ou
the one band, a vast range of country, watered in
many parts by broad and flowing rivers, but lying
beneath a tropical sun, and subject, in its remote dis-
tricts, to long seasons of drought and terrible periodi-
cal famines. On the other side, we have great
wealth, great engineering skill, and all the resources
of a highly civilised and enterprising nation, yet, for
some unexplained reason, we cannot combine the
two. We cannot bring the science which con-
structed the Bridgewater Canal and the New
River, and which has taught the wayward waters
to rise and sink to given heights at our bid-
ding, to relieve the distress of India by bringing
to its aid the resources of European skill and science.
The fatal lethargy and indolence of the old company
days seem to have clung to their successors. It is
only very recently that Anglo-Indian authorities
hare been inclined to listen with any degree of
patience to the earnest representations of those best
informed on the subject. Sir ARTHUR COTTON, who
devoted forty years to the study of the subject, could
hardly command attention for his wise and timely
counsels with respect to irrigation. Sir JOIIN
LAWRENCE indeed expressed himself favourably, and
in his very last address to Anglo Indians in the
capacity of Governor-General, he dwelt strongly
on the advantages which a good water system
would confer upon India, both with regard to
the fertilizing of the soil and the consequent pre-
vention of famine, and to the extension of com-
merce by the means afforded for the cheap, easy, and
rapid transit of goods. Still, though much has been
done of late compared to the previous inaction, there
is much, very much, yet remaining nnaccomplished.
The work is vast and costly, and the arrears are very
heavy. When once Englishmen and Anglo-Indians
really appreciate the immense benefits which must
accrue to both races from so rational a measure they
will not, we should imagine, be inclined to indulge
in the dolce far niente, which is otherwise too apt to
check the energies of our Reformers in Bombay and
Calcutta. Mr. GRANT DUFF'S bill has for its object
the confirmation and execution of arrangements made
between the Secretary of State in Council of India
and the East India Irrigation Canal Company, and
for other purposes connected therewith. It was read
the first time without opposition.

Tan Bishop of LONDON has lately been taken to
task by some of the " religious" journals, because he
spoke of them as " Church, not religious newspapers."
The public will support the Bishop against the
journals. With a very few honourable exceptions,
chief among them the Guardian, the so-called
religious press is the most irreligious institution
of our time. It is so because charity is the one
absolutely indispensable essential of true religion; and
of that the " religious " press is utterly destitute. It is
so because of all sins of the spiritthere is none greater,
none which has been denounced by the author of
our religion with more severity, or threatened with
more tremendous punishment, than that attri-
buting to evil inspiration the good deeds and words
of a theological opponent which is the most charac-
teristic feature of the Church papers. Devout
Christian men have trembled at what they be-

lieve to be the growing estrangement between
science and religion. To our mind, a far
more serious symptom is the complete divorce of
theology from religion. The odium theologicum
always bore a pre-eminently bad reputation, and now,
so far as the Church papers are concerned, "hatred" is
the only emotion connected with theology. Unfortu-
nately we cannot suppose that this evil spirit is con-
fined to the journals in which it is manifested. The
supply is created by the demand. If there were no
rdee
ua
me
ar s
act and
of
tosuchreajdou. journals
eythereeet woeunldd
rbee_ no, such
as there were never so many "religious "
newspapers as there are now (the one evil
result of the cheap press), so there was never
so mach bitterness, wrath, clamour, and evil-
speaking as there is at the present time.
That this is so was abundantly shewn at the late
elections. Secular politicians hit each other pretty
hard ; but they were courtesy and gentleness them-
selves compared with the reverend politicians who
entered the field. We told at the time how one
clergyman denounced Mr. GLADSTONE as PONTIUS
PILATE, another as JUDAS ISCARIOT, another
as deserving of a worse punishment than
a murderer. Even now that the excitement
of that contest has subsided so far as
laymen are concerned, too many of the
clergy are fomenting the flame of angry passions
which should have died out. For instance, there is
published in a recent number of an organ of the
Low Church party a letter from one of the most
notorious of these firebrand writers. The letter is
headed " Mr. GLADSTONE'S Treachery," and it sets
forth that the PREMIER is engaged in a plot for the
extinction of the Royal supremacy and the ruin of
the QUEEN'S Protestant throne, and the heinousness
of this offence is increased by the fact that the
traitor-Premier's sovereign is a woman and a widow.
We might remark, in passing, that this traitor is at
least very open in his treachery, that his plots are at
least all concocted in open day, according to the
writer's own sheaving, for he appeals in support of
his charge to Mr. GLADSTONE'S own official
announcement of his intentions. But the main
point to which we would call the attention of the
clergy, and of " religious " politicia.ns in general,
is that this writer and his numerous fellows
attribute to the PRIME MINISTER deliberate and
conscious wickedness. It is in doing this that they
shew themselves so much worse than secular politi-
cians. Both religious and secular politicians have a
perfect right to think that Mr. GLADSTONE'S policy
is wrong, is even ruinous to both State and Church,
and the more they think that the more they are
bound to say it. They have a perfect right to
vote against, and canvass against, and speak
against the measures of the present Govern-
ment ; but they have not the right to say that
those measures are planned with the intention of
doing mischief. The fact is that the clergy, espe-
cially the country clergy, mingle so little with the
world, and hear and read so entirely one side of the
question, that they at last come to believe that there
is only one side, and that all those who do not adopt
it must be dishonest and wicked. The best thing
they can do is to order their " Church, not religious,
newspapers" to be discontinued.

THE history of the Dagenham Docks is, indeed, an
extraordinary narrative. Seldom has a Government,
which sins more in omission than commission, been
guilty of such an inexplicable act of arbitrary inter-
ference. The story as given in our columns on
Saturday, is simple, the facts beyond doubt. Far
beyond the Eastern confines of London, in the
Essex marshes, is situated a small lake, which it has
been proposed to convert into docks. The site is
some distance from London, but land there is cheap,
the position very advantageous for some purposes,and
communication with the entire railway system is
immediate. A company was formed to transform
the waste into a port. Three Acts of Parliament
were obtained. The public subscribed much of the
capital, and the works were commenced. Land
around the lake was bought, and by the spring of
1868, though the clocks were still in posse, a pier had
been made with all necessary appliances for landing
and unloading, warehouse accommodation had been
provided, and a railway station was close at hand. It
was thought that this part of the works might
at once be put into operation. The water
is deep at this point of the river, the situation is well
adapted for storing dangerous goods, and much
business had been secured beforehand. But when
application was made to the Customs' Commissioners
for the necessary license to land goods free of duty,
it was decisively refused. It vain it was shewn that
would be injured, the works in
ision, Very many
facttlae wholeousp pertenpdreocibyy
such a
dec

merchants having no direct connection with the
company testified to the advantage of the Dagen-
ham site, the three Acts of Parliament were
brought to bear upon the Commissioners, but eight
months of negotiation have effected nothing. The
license is still withheld, and the entire operations of
the company are stopped.
The merits of the case have been fully examined.
The Customs' Commissioners have urged pleas
which must courteously be termed arguments, their
case has been given in its entirety, and there is not,
therefore, the slightest danger of a one-sided state-
ment. With a brevity that is not in this instance
the soul of wit, the Commissioners declare that
the " docks are not wanted." To this objec-
tion there is the obvious reply that many
persons who have special acquaintance with
the nature of the commerce for which the
Dagenham works are chiefly intended, give their
opinion that the docks would be a public benefit. The
trade in certain classes of goods could be carried on
more readily and safely, certainly more cheaply,
whilst the complete command of the metropolitan
railway system would in great measure neutralise the
disadvantages arising from the remote situation of
Dagenham. The argument that sufficient accommo-
dation already exists is of no value, even if strictly
true. If any portion of the community can provide
betterandcheaper accommodation, and another section
desires it, the right must be allowed, making all due
allowance for restraint in this species of compe-
tition. Considering the great increase in the com-
merce of the Thames, there is no just reason for
refusing an addition to the metropolitan docks,
which, for the most part, do not lack business. But
besides, it is more than doubtful whether the Com-
missioners had any right to raise the question of
competition, which is strictly a Parliamentary
question, and has already been decided in favour
of the company. On three different occa-
sions, at considerable intervals, a Parlia-
mentary committee has approved this recla-
mation of the wilderness. The highest authority
has finally settled all rights of monopoly. It is true
that the Commissioners do not condemn the entire
dock project as not needed, but only the landing-
wharf arrangements; but it would be idle to point
out how greatly this part of the scheme affects the
whole. As the Commissioners have gone so far,
it is possible that they may have kindly
decided, in the interests of the shareholders,
that the property would not pay. Here proba-
bilities are against them. The London Docks

Ireturn small dividends because the cost of land
near the centre is so enormous. This is the prime
cause of dock difficulties in London ; but the
case at Dagenham is very different. The cost of the
lake was comparatively so small that the works will
be constructed for one-sixth of the expense entailed in
the docks at Wapping. The company calculate, not
unreasonably, to charge rates 30 per cent, lower
than those paid higher up the river.
In the second place, the Commissioners feared the
premises were remote and lonely. So was the site of
the Tower of Babel before the children of men
turned their steps to the plain of Shinar ; but the
scene became lively enough after that. Dagenham
will be a town unto itself as soon as the works are
finished, and will be quite populous enough for the
purposes of the company. Considering that the
remoteness and loneliness of the site are in many
respects great advantages, considering that without
these qualities the swamp would never have been
invaded, the plea is sheer nonsense. The company
may reasonably inquire why Thames Haven, a
Customs station, thirty-eight miles from London, is
less remote and lonely than Dagenham, eleven miles
distant. After these specimens it would be hopeless
to expect much of Custom-house logic, and it is
not surprising to find that it steadily grows worse as
it proceeds. It is dreaded that if this privilege be
given to one wharf, a similar claim will be made on
behalf of twenty-six others. Nobody knew, before
the Commissioners laid dowii the rule, that the just
title of one party was to be set aside because other
parties might possibly set up the same title. Are
the shareholders to lose their capital because the
owners of other wharves may apply for land-
ing powers, when these have no special Act
of Parliament in their favour, and are in no respect

upon the same footing as the company ? Lastly, it is

property
thought the Dagenham will involve increased

cost in protecting the revenue—which is, indeed, a
grave plea, and rises very nearly to the ingenuity of
the traditional Dutchman, who, being recommended
to save one-half of his fuel by a patent stove,
resolved to have two and save it all. There can be

no doubt that the privilege of landing free goods at
Dagenham will involve some cost of supervision ; it
is clear that this cost will be saved by refusing the
privilege ; and it is equally clear that the economical
Commissioners might save a good deal in
one way by giving uP all protection of
revenue. But if the argument does not
lead to this conclusion, it leads to nothing.
The revenue depends upon trade, not trade
upon revenue ; and the lesser must be held

- . --
subordinate to the greater. If the Commissioners

pretend to arrange the business of the country to
suit the convenience of their department, they are
assuming a function which was never conferred by
Parliament. In this case the company have offered
to pay the whole cost of the Officers required.
Such are the grounds upon Which the business of
this company has been suspended, workmen turned
out of employment, and a large capital consigned
to inactivity. Beyond doubt the department
has a right to interfere ; beyond doubt
it has the power to withhold the privilege
demanded. But in this instance the power has
been grossly abused. It has been exercised arbitra-
rily, and to some extent in defiance of a higher
authority; whereas Parliament never authorised the
department to protect the revenue at the expense of
trade—quite the reverse. Instead of interfering
very charily with commerce, the Commis-
sioners have in this case acted as if they enjoyed
all the Imperial authority of French officials
from whom paternal admonitions are accepted in the
due course of business. The company bring reasonable
proof that their undertaking is sound, but this really
does not affect the question. If the Dagenham Docks

resembled many other City speculations—if the en-

terprise be ill-advised, and if the necessities of the
port do not require the accommodation---all this

ought to have been decided before the authorisation
was granted, not after £lOO,OOO has been spent.
If the Commissioners have discovered that it is

their business to protect shareholders, their inter-
ference is of no avail now that a large proportion of

the capital has been sunk in the marsh ; if it be part

of their functions to investigate the necessities of
trade, they should endeavour to keep their decisions

in harmony with the Acts of the Legislature. They
have virtually reversed an Act of Parliament, and it

is for Parliament at once to deal with the question,

The iron screw steam storeship Alegmra, 4, Staff
Commander Jabez Loane, from Sheerness, arrived
on Friday at Plymouth, where she will embark
supernumeraries for ships on the South American
station, and will probably leave to-day for the
Brazils.

The screw steam frigate Bristol, 31, Captain
Frederick W. Wilson, was towel on Saturday
from Hamoaze into Plymouth Sound, where she
received her powder and ammunition.
The following appointments were made on Satur-
day at the Admiralty :—Lieut. N. S. Fox Digby to
command the Minstrel, vice Medlycott, promoted ;
Lieut. Joshua Cole, Lieut. Arthur P. Douglas, and
Lieut. Francis C. R. Biker to the Excellent.
NAVAL HOSPITAL COMNIISSION.---This Commis-
sion, appointed by the Lords of the Admiralty, consisting
of Dr. C. Murchison, Mr. T. Holmes, and Mr. Robert Ellis,
completed its inquiry into the orgauisation of naval hos-
pitals by a careful inspection of Haslar Hospital, termi-
nating on Thursday. The result of this inquiry will
shortly be submitted to the authorities, together with the
recommendations suggested during its coui se. The hos-
pitals visited have been the Melville Hospital at Chatham,
the Royal Hospital at Plymouth, and Hasler Hospital.'
The organisation of the marine infirmaries at Portsmouth
and Plymouth has also been carefully inquired into.

• IMIRESPONDENOE FROM PARIS.

ffROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, SUNDAY, February 21.
The semi-ofiScial papers were greatly mistaken in their
claculations respecting the Belgian railway affair. They
raised a furious storm when the measure passed the
deputies, and then suddenly calmed down, hoping their
rage had produced a salutary effect upon the senators.
They did produce a very salutary effect—in favour of the
Bill. Forty-three senators assembled at the sitting on
Saturday,- thirty-six voted in favour of the Bid, the
remaining seven absenting themselves. Nor does it even
appear that these seven were actuated by any fear of
France, or that in any respect they took a French view of
the question. Some of them, at least, approved
of the general principles of the law, but objected
only to same provisions of detail. This comparative
unanimity shews clearly that there is no hesitation what-
ever in the country on this question. So far as public
opinion is represented by the two Chambers,it is decisively
against the dictation which the French journals have
attempted. A despatch from the great manufactory
of untrustworthy intelligence—the Havas agency—led
people here to the conclusion that the Senate was
much impressed with the manifestations of the Paris
journals, and anxious to avoid the displeasure of Belgium's
formidable neighbour. Nothing of the kind is the fact.
As is usual in all such cases, the insults offered to Belgium
have only had the effect of uniting all parties against a
common enemy. At this critical juncture the Catholic
opposition has rendered timely aid to the Government.
One of the leading members of this party spoke energeti-
cally in favour of the measure, and greatly facilitated the
task of M. Frere Orban, the Minister. It remains to be
seen whether the final passing of the law will raise another
storm amongst the French journals. I think it scarcely
probable.
The situation has once more grown pacific. Count
Bismarck has made a speech in some measure retracting
his violent tirade on the Sequestration Bill, and the Prus-
sian journals are multiplying assurances that Germany has
no share in the Belgian business. There can be no
doubt, too, as to the tone of public opinion here. It
is all on the side of peace. The official journals
may write now one way, now another, but the
.• _ _

opinion of the country remains unchanged. Many
facts go to prove this. It is reported, from a very
good authority too, that some of the Government deputies
who were present at the reception on Thursday expressed
to the Emperor their regret that the Government
papers should have taken up such a warlike tone,
and assured his Majesty that the country was
anxious for peace. Deputies who support the
Government are not in the habit of expressing
their thoughts thus freely, and it may safely be doubted
Whether any such observations were made. But if the
deputies did not say this, they thought it. Their
election addresses—all on the side of peace—are an indis•
putable reflex of the sentiments of the nation.

There will be a great day in the Corps L4gislatif to.
morrow. M. Gamier Pages will open the discussion
on the City of Paris Budget, and a stirring debate is this
time all but inevitable. The discussion is expected to
last till Thursday, and M. Thiers, Jules Simon, and other
notables will speak. It is believed that M. Thiers,
faithful to the views which he has expressed under other
regimes, will argue that by the monumental renovation of
Paris, the Government has introduced an element of
luxury in dwellings and public buildings which has
seriously affected the morals of the nation. So at
least it is affirmed, though what conclusion M. Thiers is to
deduce from his argument I am not told.
The law of public meeting is already bearing its judicial
fruit. Seven or eight orators who have made speeches of
A character which the Minister of the Interior tabooed in
his letter have been summoned before the tribunals.
Others are now " under consideration."
The man who sticks to one style of dress is sure to be in
the fashion once or twice in his life. So with other things.
Sedan chairs are again coming into vogue. The Princess
Netternich and three other ladies have adopted them--
though their use of them is confined to going to and from
church.

Duels and elopements are "in" just now. The young
hope of the Bourbon house and the fair American lady
have gone off again, the mamma still taking care to be pre.
sent to look after the match. A marquise, of the mature
age of 52, with married daughters in high positions,
has found it necessary to her happiness to carry off a young
man of 28. The two are now wanted. The women, too,
have been at the bottom of one or two duels. In one, be-
tween a clerk and a propriitaire, the latter bored a hole
through the arm of the former, and all ground of quarrel
vanished after this satisfactory operation. Both parties
were quite contented.
An English waiter was found murdered in the Champs
Elystces a night or two ago. He was waiter at one of the
London West-end clubs. The motive for the crime is per-
fectly inexplicable, as he was found with his money in his
pocket.

THP WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY.

Monday,
Feb. 22,
8 cm.

Nairn

Aberdeen
Leith
Shields ... •
Scarborough
Yarmouth
Helder
Cux haven
Skudesnscs
Ardrossan
Greencastle
Holyhead
Liverpool
Valentin
Cape Clear
Roch is Ft
Penzance •
Plymouth .
Weymouth
Portsmouth
London
C'peGrisNez
Brest
L'Orient
Roche fort
Blarritz
Corunna
Brussels
Paris
Strasbourg
Lyons
Toulon
Heart's Con-

tent 19 a.m.
local time)

2992
29'675.

XXPLANA!
Barometer corrected and reduced t
letter r, rising ; f, falling ; s, steady—
_

of the mercury within last 14 hOi

shade. Extreme Force with its D

Z.—calm. Weather : b.—blue sky
; I.—lightning ; m.—naisty, lac
rain ; a.—snow ; t.—thunder.
_ .

daring last 24 hours. Sea disturbance.
REMAIiKS.

S. E.
N.E.
E. N.E.
S. E.

E.B.E.
B.E.
N.E.
N.E.
E.S.E.
S.S.E.
N.B.

1:12.c
O.T.
f. b.
o.m
c.o.