The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-30 00:00:00

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.
laiit Night but Four of the Present Beason, which will conclude on
Friday next, Sept. 3.
THIS EVENING will be presented Bkakspere's Play of THE
MERCHANT OF VENICE : Bhylock, by Mr. 0. Bean ; Portia, by
Mr. C. Sean. Preceded by the Farce of LIVLNG WO FAST.

aroprietor lending himself to unfair conduct, or be-
coming a party to a conspiracy to deprive an inno-
cent man of his liberty and property.

America will have to celebrate a sth of August as
well as a 4th of July—a day of Reunion with Eng-
land as well as a day of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. A few days ago we gave considerable ex-
tracts from American papers, containing accounts of
the universal joy and enthusiasm with which the
tidings had been received that the transatlantic cable
was safely laid, and that England could now con-
verse with her eldest daughter. Subsequent ac-
counts confirm what we then published. Delibe-
rately arranged fetes are to follow up the great
tumultuous rejoicings. When the news was first
received, as the telegraph flashed it from town to
town, all the loud, boisterous, ardent means of cele-
bration common to our race were put in requisition.
Salvoes of cannon resounded in town after town, in
others all the bells were rung, impromptu public
meetings and brilliant speeches, and every hearty
mode of Anglo-Saxon expression of joy and gladness
were at once put in requisition. A college announce-
ment and dinner, at which a thousand persons were
assembled, and which happened to be on the very
day, inaugurated the event by a spontaneous reli-
gious speech and appropriate prayer; and the fol-
lowing Sunday it was the topic of preaching
and of special thanksgivings in the churchesl of all
denominations. Not satisfied with this, however, the
municipalities are making arrangements to comme-
morate the great event in some more formal and
solemn, but not less hearty manner.
We must certainly yield to our cousins the palm
in regard to passionate rejoicings, and deep-felt plea-
sure too, at the late telegraphic success. They are,
no doubt, a more impressible and impulsive people
than we are. There is all the difference between
youth and age in the two countries ; between a na-
tion that measures its life by centuries, and one which

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer.
THIS EVENING and during the week, the highly successful
Comedy of EXTREMES ; or Men of the Day, supported by Messrs.
Emery, Falconer, Rogers, Barrett, Mrs. Charles Young, Mrs. Weston,
and Miss Kate Saxon. To conclude with the DANCING BARBER.
Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7. Box-office open daily
from ii to 5.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The following company of Vo-
Oeksts are engaged for the performance of Selections from all the
popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, madame
~
Viz.:—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badsey, Miss Brunell, Miss Ray, d ;
Bartoletti, Miss Montague, Mrs. Lawrence, and Mrs. Ma
damA
Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Henshaw, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling,
enor Antonio, E. L. Rime, Mr. Badzey, Senor Tiroli, Mr. Cozens,
Mr. Bell, Mr. Barnard, and Mr. St. Albyn. Mr. John G. Forde,
And E.}W. Mackney. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium,
Hr. Courtney; Director, Herr F. Jonglamans. Commence at seven
'clock precisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock.

THE WEATHER—SUN ()Flinn, AUGUST 29.
'THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
66—highest since noon yesterday.
54—lowest this morning and daring the night.
65—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 29.80.
WIND, Westerly; light and dull.

A.IIGOST 30.
THERMOMETER IN THE SHADE.
67—highest since noon yesterday.
57—lowest this morning and during the night.
65—t19is day at noon.
BAROMETER, 29.72.
WIND, Westerly; light and fine.

THE SUN.

MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1858.

measures it by decades of years ; between a nation
On Saturday, in alluding to the various abuses which has gravely to consider what it can do with
prevailing in some private lunatic asylums, we asked its crowded and annually increasing population, and
for the adoption of such precautions and safeguards one which has a boundless far west, and, with juve-
as should effectually prevent the seizure of sane men, nile hopes, only wants to add to its years that it may
fill up the vast space it pants to occupy. We rejoiced,
or the continued confinement of those who have corn-
indeed, and heartily enough, but it was natural
pletely recovered their faculties. But for the privacy America should surpass us in its exultation. Eng-
with which the capture can be effected, and the diffi- land's merchants and politicians, and all her people,
culty of tracing out the place in which the victim is were glad to be united to America, but it was surely
much more for America to be united to us, and
confined, coupled with the power of the keepers of
through us to Europe. Long as Europeans have
refusing an interview to his nearest friends, legal
been settled in America, and Englishmen in
advisers, and medical attendants, who are not in
her Northern half, yet all this time it
collusion with those interested in branding him as a
is America that has most felt the dis-
lopeless lunatic, the illegal seizure could not be
lance between the old world and the new. Europe
effected, or at least would be productive of no evil
has not yet become relatively to America what Asia
consequences beyond a mere temporary inconve-
nience. How, then, could this danger be averted was to Greece and Rome, and what Greece and
without so far lifting the veil and exposing the Rome are to modern Europe—the effete parent of a
family of the unfortunate man to the annoyance of superior civilisation. That day may come. The
having it generally known that the fearful taint of emigration of all the more energetic, the more deter-
mined among us, to better their fortunes, may, long
insanity was in their blood, and thus having an in-
after we are all dead and buried, render the States
delible brand affixed thereto ? This, of course, should
be avoided so far as practicable. At the same time, the most powerful, wealthy, and influential part of
it would be by far a less evil than having even a the human race, leaving to Europe merely its supe-
small number of persons unfairly kidnapped and un- riority in an ancient literature and learning, and its
justly subjected to perpetual imprisonment. cultivated taste. But at present America still leans
But matters may be easily arranged so as to more on Europe than Europe on her. She has been
ensure every necessary and prudent precaution, the outlying nation, the expatriated one of civilisa-
t
without resorting to undue publicity. The first tion. True, she might be very well content with
step, as we have already explained, is that every the ample supply her own territory furnishes to all
alleged lunatic should, in the first instance, and before she wants, but she cannot be. She carried with her,
being brought into any private establishment, be a; a part of her inheritance, the literature and laws
taken to a public hospital, and there examined by a of the old world ; they are the basis of her civilisation,
and she still needs the intellectual food which the
public officer and a magistrate, in the absence of the
p
promoters of the inquiry. This would ensure that parent country alone can furnish. Of commerce it
, is needless to speak ; but for her very fashions the
there was at least a prima facie case of insanity. The
public officer and the magistrate may be presumed j States are entirely dependent on Europe. Natural
to be impartial, and their certificates, in addition to : was it, therefore, for Americans to rejoice the most.
those by the two "skilful persons," might authorise They felt themselves at once placed in instant and
the reception of the party into a private asylum. permanent connexion with the great family of civi-
But these should be indispensable ; for if foul play be; ii.ed nations. On the fifth of August, 1858, they
contemplated, a few days of exposure to the uncenee' were joined for ever in happy matrimony with
\ trolled brutalities and acts of the conspirators may the old aristocracy of the human race.
make any man at least a temporary lunatic. , But, better still, there was, we believe, in all this
It may be said that bringing the party to the hos-
rejoicing a feeling which we here in England can
pital and obtaining the certificate would be a matter 1 most cordially reciprocate. Was not the feeling more
of needless expense. It may be so in some instances ;
akin to that of a re-awakened fraternal, and almost
but it would be a protection and safeguard in all , filial, feeling, than to that of marriage rejoicings for
cheaply purchased at a much higher outlay. It is i a union between the nation in her teens and the
, nation in her maturity of age ? Is not the heart of
not required on behalf of pauper lunatics. The law
guarantees their liberties far more jealously than America, after all, more towards England, the land
the liberties of their wealthier brethren ; and of her birth, and the land, despite herself, of her
that, although there can be comparatively little temp- pride and her real esteem, than towards any other
tation to place them in the ward for the insane, or nation ? France she has used politically, and
to defer or prevent their cure, if practicable. There she is pleased with Russian flatteries ; but she cares
are no " four" or "five" hundreds per annum flowing more for the approbation of England than for that of
into the pockets of the proprietor of the asylum in all the world besides. She is proud to be the
return for an expenditure of less than quarter the daughter of Britain, and would not exchange the
amount. Their cure will not deprive the party on parentage, if she could, to call any other nation on
whom it mainly depends of £3OO or £4OO per annum earth her mother country. And we, too—what
net profit ! Their discharge not only removes nation beside in the world would we prefer to call
troublesome and unprofitable patients, but is a great our daughter ? When she has got rid of one dark,
feather in the cap of the superintendent, who can " damned spot," which we ourselves have not washed
proudly point to the large proportion of cures out for a very long time—we shall be in all respects
effected under his direction and management. They proud of our offspring, and feel—as, indeed, we now
have, therefore, every fair chance afforded to feel—no jealousy of her most rapid progress. We
them. We should, however, like, in the mass of believe the Americans themselves hardly knew how
statistics on this point, to ascertain the proportion of much they loved the old country. The tele-
those discharged as cured from private establishments, graph was just the incident to show them, and
for whose keep £4OO per annum, or upwards, was us too, that there was a stronger family
paid ! Not that it would be at all conclusive, inns-
feeling than we had ever thought of. The
much as we believe that there are many honourable
landing of the cable was, in fact, an almost unex-
pected meeting of two families—families, whose an-
men, of unblemished integrity, whom no pecuniary
temptation could induce to act unfairly towards the
cestors, some fourscore years ago, had, through the
stupidity of an obstinate King and hissignorant Minis-
unfortunate beings placed under their charge. It is
ters, and the young blood of the juveniles, contrived
sufficient for the purposes of our argument if even a
t
few can be purchased to do the dirty work of their to quarrel bitterly. Now, all that generation dead
employers ; and a trifling addition to the cost of and gone, the descendants, of the offenders at least,
consigning a patient to a private lunatic asylum, all renounce the quarrel; they do more, they adopt
which could be well afforded by his friends able to the very principles of Colonial Government which
had they been in vogue at the time of the quarrel,
pay handsomely for his support, would be a matter
•f comparatively trivial importance.
would have rendered it impossible. Every English-
There should:also be a registration of every lunatic, man now avows that, with his present views, had he
detained in any private asylum, lodged in the office of been a colonist then, he would have rebelled. Thus,
the Clerk of the Peace of the county and of the a state of feeling has grown up which has thoroughly
County Court, with a statement of the time when changed the feelings of the two peoples, while con-
he was originally captured, and the various asylums currently with all this a commerce has sprung up
in which he had been detained. This should be open to between the two, probably the largest that ever
inspection; but in order to prevent impertinent curio- existed between may two nations.
sity a tolerably high fee may be charged. The will of It seems, therefore, but natural that Americans,
any deceased person may be read for a shilling, and notwithstanding all the petty squabbles of late years,
yet few but those really interested are found willing should have growingly felt that they are more than
to pay the price. Half-a-crown or a crown would ever one with the old country. One in race and
not be easily parted with, unless there was some origin, one in language and literature, one in laws
really important object in view. and religion, one, essentially in civil institutions and
The next step to be taken would be to ensure in their irrepressible love of liberty and hatred
access to friends and professional advisers, whether of despotism—the two peoples have found, after a
legal or n tedical. In Mr. Ruca's case we find a pro- long separation, that they are suddenly one in
hibition to the visits of his nearest relatives and his proximity—that a half-inch cable and a thin
taoliciter. This should not be. They should be wire has made them conterminous ! and the result is,
ermitted. to see and converse with the alleged
that the younger nation exults with exuberant de-
lunatic at, all reasonable times, to receive his instruc-
light, and the older one is profoundly glad, and both
*lions, and .to demand a new examination by impartial feel instinctively that the telegraph is an informal
`medical nten, on depositing the cost thereof. To this bond of federal union—that it has rendered war an
there could be no possible objection, and the Lord impossibility—that it is now England and America
against all the world—that freedom is safe, and that
Chancellcir, the ex t7lficio guardian of every person of
despotism must at least keep within its own limits,
unsound mind, miglet nominate a certain number of
medical gentlemen in e very district, having noconnec- and soon begin to contract them—that even mistakes
tion with private estaialiahmeats, whose opinions oetween the two countries are henceforth to be of but
should be taken in such cases. short duration—that commerce is to act on prompt
But beyond all, there should be a constant inspee. information and safe knowledge—that New York
lion, an unceasing surveillance. It should not be and Liverpool are to transact business almost as
flying visits once a quarter, of which due notice had easily and securely as London and Liverpool ; and
been given, or otherwise obtaitw that, for d. Nor should there all but local purposes, the two countries
begun to acknowledge the claims of the Anglo-
qaublael azodr
dr e
as ps eacnt fuAl
eat rbeaast
_-
' r e
secrets might remain undetected. No, the visits
Saxon Republic on the
The ment ; they had sent an
should be frequent, sudden, and unexpected.
d and b
sailor, a
inspection should he such as to discover the ordinary saavowedly given up all
dispute about
the old quarrel as to the •
routine, and, for this purpose, there should be
had hardly right of search. This
latter course.
assistant commissioners in lunacy appointed in every
Transatlantic Telegraph made and ratified a treaty
district. The• expense would not be very great, and
of perpetual alliance
sealed
as statesmen could never
it might be provided, either by a small percentage
make—or, rather, a brotherhood between the
on the payments made by each patient, or by an in-
crease in the stamp duty on licences for keeping peoples which will make their treaties superfluous.
__----.
such establishments. The latter would have one

good effect, as it would eliminate the list of such
proprietors, and by removing those most subject to
corrupt ipfluences, reclucc the chancQs of any licensed

A strange rumour is afloat which may prevent
the marriage in the high quarter, which occupies all Paris
at this moment. No less an impediment than a prior claim
S said to exist.—Court Journal.

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