The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, iS69.

ward of St. Pancras Infirmary. It appeared that the
deceased had been in the infirmary about two months
The resident medical officer, Dr. ELLIS, stated that
he was suffering from asthma and bronchitis, and a
post-mortem examination showed that the brain was
congested. Dr. Ews said that he bad no doubt he
would have lived longer had not the ward been over-
crowded and the atmosphere vitiated during the
earlier portion of his existence there. The oroner
said that the place had been much improved of late,
but Dr. EDMUNDS denied that there was any evidence
as to the improvement. A discussion took place, dur-
ing which Dr. EDMUNDS cross-questioned Dr. EsLis
as to the changes that had taken place. It appeared
that since the inquiries were made, the ward
contained 23 patients instead of 39, and that
the ventilators had been repaired and made to act,
whereas before they would not act at all, as they had
been painted up. Mrs. RAY, deceased's widow, had
prcvioasly said there was nothing to complain of, but
she admitted on being recalled that when she sat up
two nights she had found the wards close and
opened the ventilators, but closed them on account
of the draught. Dr. EDMUNDS said that a nurse was
present to be examined, but the Coroner doubted
the propriety, when nurses were discharged on
account of their evidence being taken at the inquests.
A verdict of death from natural causes was ul-
timately recorded, and certainly the case
of JOHN RAY was by no means the same
as some of his predecessors in the Infir-
mary. It is bad enough notwithstanding, and a
year ago it might have been looked upon with horror ;
but, unfortunately, the matter has now become so
common that it scarcely arrests attention. Last week
there was a report of the inquest on a child who had
died in the Infirmary, and some most unfortunate
circumstances were revealed with respect to the state
of the nursery wards.
It is not too much, in the interests of humanity
and for the credit of our metropolis, to ask how long
this state of things is to continue ? Why do not the
Poor-law Board stop the discussions, and turn a
deaf' ear to the recriminations that are going
on, and take some decisive step for themselves ?
Let the Infirmary be shut up altogether, and let the
inmates be removed to another place; the change
must be for the better wherever it is. Arrangements
could be made with some of the Hospitals, or a
building could be hired for the purpose. Those
patients who are not dangerously ill might be sent
home and attended to according to their require-
ments. There was some talk of removing the
pauper sick to the new Infirmary at Highgate, but
that would most likely be a work of time, and there
is none to lose in this matter. Surely no stronger
argument can be used than to say that scarcely a week
passes without some life succumbing to the perni-
cious influences that prevail in the existing Infirmary.
Very likely some improvements have been made since
the fatal period of the beginning of November ; but
the evils that have been permitted to accumulate
cannot be eradicated easily or quickly. The building
is unfit for the purpose to which it is applied, and
it is impossible to adapt it to another use while it is
tenanted by crowds of sick and suffering. It often
happens that the most difficult measures to begin
with prove the easiest of fulfilment in the long run,
and so it may be in this case. Be it hard or easy, it
is evident that some decisive step must be taken, and
that the Poor Law authorities are the ones to
act. It is of no use whatever to expect that
the Guardians will act in a determined manner and
in a comprehensive spirit. But we have not to do
with them when the interests of the public are at
stake. Local arrangements are very well in their
way, and may serve as means to an end, but the end
should not be lost sight of in discussing the success
or, failure of the means. It is no exaggeration to say
that the management of the St. Pancras 'Workhouse
Infirmary has been a decided failure from beginning
to end ; that some of its inmates, varying in
grada ion from infancy to age, have found
their sufferings increased by the state of
the atmosphei-e, and, finally, have gone to
their last resting-place, their deaths accelerated by
the evils they encountered in a place which was sup-
posed to be a refuge, and which professed to afford
them relief and succour. It is in every respect
most unfit and unbecoming that such a state of things
should continue, and if the Government would deserve
well of the country it should bestir itself to find a
remedy. If expenses are incurred iu carrying out the
neoessary changes they will be cheerfully met, anc■
Parliament will more than indemnify them for the
obligations they may incur. This is the season for
benevolence to flourish and almsgiving to hold it
court ; but justice must rank before charity, and it
would be idle to spend sums in anticipation of
want while real misery exists that no authority seems
able or willing to relieve. It by no means follows
that other workhouses are right because that of St.
Pancras is wrong, but let us begin with the work that
lies nearest to us. Unless some casuist can prove
the advantages that are derived from maintaining an
institution that injures the health and decreases the
chances of the sick surviving, let it be closed, and
the year 1869 see the last of the inquests that are
becoming a national disgrace. Can anything be more
idle than to persist in a course of action which entails
so many evils in its train ? and can anything be more
injudicious than to waste time in discussions which
leave things as they find them, and only irritate and
excite those who carry them on ? The Guardians
will best consult their own reputation and the inte-
rests of the poor by putting a period to the existence
of a place which has brought them nothing but dis-
grace; and, if they refuse to do so, it will rest for
those above them to set them a better example, and
inform them how to serve the interests of the com-
munity in a higher spirit and with a happier result.

The death is recorded of Mr, Anthony Hamond, of
West Acre, a prominent Norfolk landowner. Mr. Hamond,
at the time of his death, was 64 years of age. In 1847, in
in 1852, and in 1857 he offered himself as a candidate to the
constituency of West Norforlk, but on each occasion he
failed to secure a seat in Parliament. In December, 1854,
Mr. Hamond, who was a Liberal in politics, contested Nor-
wich against Sir S. Bignold, but ho was equally unsuccessful
then. Mr. Hamond was well known in the world of agri-

culture.
Mr. ilibbert, M.P., has been distributing the prizes
to the successful students at the Patricroft Mechanics' In-
stitute, and took the opportunity of making a speech on
education, acknowledging the comparative failure of such
institutes, eulogising the formation of evening and science
classes, urging a further extension of the Government
grants to the provinces, and recommending tae establish-
ment of museums in different manufacturing districts.

Mr. H. Richard, M.P., addressed his constituents
at Merthyr on Monday night, first in English and then in
Welsh. He said (speaking of education) that ho did not
admit the truth of the allegation that the denominational
system had entirely failed. Still he admitted that it was not
adequate to the work to be done, and he had come reluctantly
to the conclusion that a secular system was the only one
possible. lie would not, however, exclude Bible reading
from the national schools.
•

The Freeman's Journal reports a recent tenant-
right meting held in the Market-house of Castlefin, near
Strabane. The flooring gave way while the meeting was in
progress, and the people, with a terrible crush and crash,
were precipitated to the underneath portion of the building.
The consequent confusion and excitement were intense, but
though several sustained serious injury no life was lost.
It will be remembered that the Marchioness of
Queensberry has recently contributed ten pounds to a fund
to return Mr. John Martin for the count` of Longford,
and a similar sum for the family of a Fenian prisoner.
From the tone of her letter to Mr. Sullivan it would natu-
rally be inferred that she was both Irish and a sworn
Fenian, but the Guardian believes that herladyship is neither
ono nor the other.

The transfer of the telegraphs to the Postmaster•
General (says the Birminyhmiz Po) will not take place nni i
the nth of January next.

THE NONCONFORMIST " MISSION."

The President of the Wesleyan Conference, Dr. Jobson,
has addressed a letter to the ministers and members
of the Wesleyan Society, in which he urges them to hold
special religious services during the first and second
weeks of the new year, in which prayers " for the
coming of the Holy Ghost with rower" shall form a pro
minent feature. We understand also that the Baptist minis-
ters of the metropolis met last week at Mr. Spurgeon's Taber-
nacle to consider the propriety of organising a series of
services somewhat out of the usual routine, in the commence-
ment of the year. The Congregational churches in the north-
West of London intend to respond to the Rev. Mr. Har-
rison's call, and to endeavour to carry out his suggestions,
but as yet we have heard of no similar movement among
our churches elsewhere. It would be useless for us to
heap up incitements to exertion.—English Independent.

THE ENTHRONEWNT OF THE BISHOP
OF WINCHESTER.

The Bishop of Winchester's enthronisation was a grand
ceremonial, and called out a large crowd to witness it.
The Bishop is the forty-ninth in his see from the Norman
Conque,t. The procedings commenced at 11.30 with a
procession from the south transept, consisting of the
cathedral clergy, the collegiate authorities, the rural
deans, the proctors, the two archdeacons, and also
the Dean, who, although he is upwards of 90
years of age, was able to welcome his Diocesan. As
soon as the procession reached the choir, and all were
seated, morning prayer to the end of the first lesson was
celebrated, when the Cathedral authorities went to and
returned from the Chapter-room with the Bishop, when a
procession, headed:by the musical portion of the Cathedral,
passed out of the choir and down the nave, the singers
rendering ably the hymn, "The Church's one Founda-
tion." When the west door was reached, the procession
moved up the avenue of lime trees to the music of the
Old Hundredth Psalm, which continued until the door
of the mother church, St. Lawrence, was reached. Here
the Rector (Rev. C. Wickam) received, and handed over
the keys to, the Bishop, after hearing the mandate of the
Archbishop of Canterbury read. The bell was tolled by
the Bishop a few times, in accordance with an old custom,
and the Corporation having here joined the cortege it
returned to the west door of the Cathedral, where the
accustomed oath was taken by the Bishop to govern
faithfully, and observe the Cathedral statutes. To the
anthem, "Oh how amiable," the procession passed to the
choir, where the Bishop entered the sacrarium, offered a
secret prayer, and presented an alms. He was then con-
ducted to the entrance of the throne, where he took
the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and was then
placed upon the throne, the Archdeacon of Canter-
bury (the privilege of inducting Bishops of Win-
chester being peculiar to that office) using a for-
mula of induction, and imploring the blessing of God
on the bishops "going out and coming in." A prayer was
then offered for the new prelate, Te Dem was sung,
morning prayer concluded, and after the Hallelujah Chorus
the episcopal benediction was given, and the ceremony,
which was witnessed, either in the Cathedral or on the
route of the procession by thousands, terminated. The
Mayor (Mr. R. Underwood) subsequently entertained the
Bishop and about 100 clergymen and laymen, at luncheon,
at the George Hotel. The attendance of clergy at the en-
thronisation was very large. The Bishop will hold his first
ordination of forty-one candidates on Sunday next.

THE SPANISH JEWELS.

A Paris correspondent sends a contemporary the
substance of the defence put forth on the part of Queen
Isabella to the charges raised against her by Senor
Figuerola, relative to the Crown jewels. All
that has been said on the subject in the
Cortes is declared to be completely false. On the Queen
coming to the throne, she found no jewels belonging to the
Crown, nor did her tutor and intendant, Messrs. Arguelles
and Martin de los Heros, ever know that any existed.
All the jewels which the Queen possesses at present were
either bought with her own money, or have come into her
possession from private sources, or as the gift of her mother
Queen Christina. The jewels presented to the latter by
King Ferdinand were, in fact, equally divided between
Queen Isabella and the Duchess of Montpensier. The ex-
Queen's friends declare that the story about the jewels has
been trumped up from political motives.

THE DUKE OF ST. ALBAA" S ON VOLUN-

TEERS.

_..s..___

The Duke of St. Alban's, at the annual distribution of
prizes to the members of the Robin Hood Rifle
Corps, on Wednesday evening, in the Mechanics' Hall,
Nottingham, said in addressing the regiment, of which his
Grace is colonel :—" The silence of the Government on the
question of an increased grant to the Volunteers does not,
I am afraid, give consent, but as the officers commanding
corps have been invited to meet the Secretary of State for
War at the War Office, we shall have the opportunity
given us of making out our case before him. The ques-
tion the country has to decide is what the country is really
worth. I hope whatever is done will settle the question.
I think that coming to the Treasury doors as beggars year
after year is a most undignified position for the Volun-
teers of this country. Such a position is likely to under-
mine our popularity. I hope such a grant will be made as
will take us out of want, but at all events we may be told
what our position is, or that we have got already what the
country thinks wo are worth."

THE HON. AUBERON HERBERT ON