The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-26 00:00:00

ch,atalese were Republicans. That was the esta-
blished state of affairs, and any' attempt to
disturb it was neither more nor less than an
attempt at insurrection. The title of the de facto
Government was at least as good as that by which
Louts NAPOLEON founds his claim to the imperial
diadem ; and he, at least, cannot permit any im-
peachment of their authority.
We have already explained the futile attempt
at revolution by a few reckless royalists who set
up the Prussian standard, without the slightest
chance of obtaining popular support. The ring-
leaders were made prisoners, and although we
should regret to see the infliction of severe
punishment for merely political offences, it cannot
be asserted that, according to the code of any
nation, they have not become amenable to the
extreme penalty of the law, whatever it may be.
But Prussia has attempted to demand their
liberation as a matter of right, and to found
on these abortive attempts the restoration of
claims, either obsolete or long since abandoned :
and this untoward demand was, as we
have shown, put forward at the most in-
opportune time. No alternative remained.
The Swiss authorities could not yield ! Although
they would probably have let off the offenders
with comparative impunity, they could not recog-
nise the grounds on which it was insisted. The
doing so would compromise their own rights and
let in the sharp end of a wedge which would
speedily be driven much further.

We trust, then, that this purely gratuitous and
unwarrantable attempt to disturb the tranquillity
of Europe may be treated as it deserves, and that
the attitude assumed by the Western Powers may
teach Prussia the magnitude of the danger she is
provoking, and the risk of recklessly putting for-
ward such frivolous aid untenable claims.

Once more we would draw attention to the
Drainage of the Metropolis. Now is the time
for insuring the adoption of a comprehensive
and thoroughly satisfactory plan ; and if it is
allowed to pass unimproved the population of and
below Woolwich will have themselves mainly to
thank for the consequences. That these will
be prejudicial to health we have no manner of
doubt, any more than we have as to the injustice
of emptying, in effect, the filth of London before
their homesteads. The sewage certainly ought,
in reason and justice, to be carried to Sea Reach ;
and all parties likely to be benefited thereby
should hold themselves prepared to pay a fair
quota of the expense. The Drainage Question
may now be considered as limited to a mere money
question. The Metropolitan Board are prepared
to carry out the sewage to Sea Reach if the money
over and above what is necessary to carry it to
Erith is forthcoming, and apparently on no other
terms. We won't now insist on the viciousness of
an argument, which has no sanction in mo-
rality, and is professedly based on an Act of Par-
liament. Right or wrong, the Metropolitan Board
seem prepared, should the additional outlay not
be forthcoming, " to pitch their slugs into their
neighbours' garden." The duty of the population
who stand in this relation to the Board obviously,
therefore, is to " move heaven and earth" until
the money be forthcoming. It is a serious matter
for them, and they had better look to it, to the
exclusion even of more palatable business. Go-
vernment, under all the circumstances, is morally
bound to "come cut handsome" towards the
accomplishment of an object in which they have,
in addition, a personal and an official interest.
Every effort should be made by the friends of
sanitary reform, and others interested in the wel-
fare of the less informed portion of the popula-
tion, to enlighten them as to the impending dan-
ger, and arouse them to decided action in •rder
to its prevention. We say this in the interests
of the Londoners as well as of the population to
which it is addressed ; for we are by no means
prepared to say the discharge of the sewage at
Erith will rid the metropolis entirely of the giant
evil under which it now groans. Cold-blooded
selfishness may pass for wisdom ; but in its issue,
as in its essence, it in most cases turns out sheer
folly.

In another part of our present impression will
be found a pleasing Report of the Annual Meet-
ing of the Birmingham Institution for the Relief
of Deafness. The Institution, it will be seen, is
in a prosperous condition financially, and in the
amount of good it is doing to the patients under
its care. Of the latter fact, the former may be
regarded as the legitimate corollary—for unless
relief were actually afforded the Institution would
not, as we may fairly presume, meet with the sup •
port it does. The fact is the Institution is fortunate
in having for its surgeon an accomplished aurist,
who, to the palm of unsurpassed skill, adds the
merit of being an unpaid and most indefatigable
and devoted philanthropist, never weary in the
discharge of the duties of his responsible posi-
tion ; and managers who, like Mr. MASON, do
their utmost to extend its benefits as far as the
means at t heir disposal will admit. Philanthropic
efforts like these are deserving of the utmost con
sideration, and we trust the Institution, successful
as it is, will be supported by the public henceforth
more generously—in other words, in a manner
more proportionate to its deserts and the
number of those who need its aid, which are
great. Other large towns would do well by fol-
' lowing so praiseworthy an example.