The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOIN.DX}Lc, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 13, 1867.

UNVILLE'S V.R. OLD IRISH WHISKY, Police in New York and asked for a police esce rt.
D BELFAST, The Superintendent very justly replied that ir a
Is regularly supplied to the House of Lords.
V.R.' IRISH WHISKY.
procession of sympathisers with the fate of r ten
who had murdered a policeman, and he issued an
order directing the whole force to be kept on d aty
on the day in question. The common sense ,of
New York will no doubt pass the same verdict can
these displays as the people of this country h. 11,4
already done, and when we find that not Irel; inc I
alone, but Leeds, LiverpOol, Glasgow, and (Abel
cities throughout the kingdom, are to be favoured
with such unseemly exhibitions, we must adulit
that it is quite time the strong hand of legal
authority interfered.

DUNYILLE and CO.'S " V.R." OLD IRISH
WHISKY, BELFAST.
London Offices and Stores,
4. BEAUFORT-BUILDINGS, STRAND, W.C.
Established 1808. Quotations on application.

MGR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 2h. 50m. I Afternoon, 3h. 12rn.
To-Monnow.-Morning, 3h. 35m. I Afternoon, 4h. 2m.

" 41titt,
t4'6'Z''''; CV

LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 13, 1867.

The proceedings of the French Chamber 'save
this year been marked by events of far more 4...x-
-citcment than generally happen, and hence tb eir
doings naturally engage a greater share of in te-
rest. A most exciting scene took place on I'n es-
day, when, in the course of debate, Viscount de
BERREQUER made charges, which he reprodutued
from a Belgian paper, against five Paris pap, :rs
which had advocated the cause of Prussia durii ig
the late war. A Berlin correspondent, who semis
to be acquainted, or at least professes to "be
so, with M. BISMARCK'S mode of dispensing
secret service money forwarded these communica-
tions to the said Belgian paper, and their recital
caused indignation, surprise, and amazement in Vas
Chamber, as might be imagined. In these accounts
it is said that far more money than usual was spent
last year for this purpose. In pursuing his theme
the Viscount declared that some French papers had
verged round from their opinions, and supported
Prussia at the time of the attacks made upon Austria
for her excessive armaments, and the motive alleged
for this sudden alteration was the large sums of
money forwarded by the Government of Prussia.
This was denied in the most indignant manner by
some present who were connected with the journal
in question, and the President subsequently inter-
fered to stop the altercation that ensued. It is
always a pity to introduce such subjects hastily,
and without very good authority for so doing,
and in this instance no valid proof was put
forth. At the same time, we expect
that M. BISMARCK will not feel very much
elated at the circumstances taking place, and
he will be sure to deprecate the notion of his
superiors' arrangements in any quarter being
brought to the light of day. In all probability this
statement referred to is without foundation, but
the Berlin correspondent doubtless proves rather
more than convenient by the bye-ways and crooked
paths through which the crafty statesman who
presides over the destinies of Prussia has attained
his present exalted position.

Mr. NEWDEGATE has been addressing himself to
the Conservative Association at Rugby. He en-
tend upon some explanation of his views with
respect to the meaning of Conservatism. Although
he had called himself the Aunt SALLY of the House
of Commons, he declared that the meeting before
him represented bis opinions. He wished to pre-
serve their great principles of order, which
in themselves were tolerant, and which in
this country had " enabled the nation, whose
love of civil and religious freedom has never
waned, to live together as the centre of the mighty
empire, still enjoying the privileges of the citizens
of the freest State, and individually and personally
more free than the citizens of the great Republic.'
This is a very true definition of that spirit which
has made us free and kept us so, despite the
ravings of demagogues and the strenuous efforts of
monopolists in different directions to mar the efforts
of our time-honoured institutions, and either
to restrict their influence or to extend too
widely their range of action. Mr. NEWDEGATE,
as we all know, is extreme in some of his views, but
he is very consistent ; and hence he deserves the re-
spect of all, even those who differ from him on
political grounds. In descanting upon public
affairs, Mr. NEWDEGATE observed that he was a
Pittite, and when people had asked him how it was
that he came to vote for the Reform Bill, he had
replied, " Who was the first great Reformer ? It
was CHATHAM. Who succeeded him ? PITT."
In pursuing this topic, however, the honourable
member hardly did justice to the leaders
of his party, for had they followed out the
rules he laid down they would never have carried
the Bill of last session. As for his notion of giving
more to the counties, it would never have answered.
His scheme for Church-rates would not be likely to
succeed anywhere. Respecting Earl RUSSELL'S
grand propositions in the House of Lords the other
night, Mr. NEWDEGATE made some telling remarks.
As HOOKER laid it down, education was one thing
and instruction another, and Earl RUSSELL
seemed to be desirous of substituting one
for the other by the adoption of his mar-
vellous reforms. As for our following the
example of Prussia, the hon. member emphati-
cally asked, " Would a system which fitted Prussia
to live under a ' military despotism' also fit an
Englishman for the functions he had all his life
performei ?" There is no doubt a good deal of
truth in this, and those who are in such a hurry
as to tread in the footsteps of others had better
wait a little while and see the consequences of those
experiments which they seem to think so much of,
for in all probability they may yet turn out to be
great failures.

SAXONY AND THE CONFERENCE.

DRESDEN, Dec. 11.

Subjoined is the text of the reply to the French
invitation to the Conference, recently forwarded by
Baron von Friesen to the Saxon Minister at Paris :
" DRESDEN, Nov. 20.

" M. le Ministre,—The Imperial French Govern-
ment has forwarded to our Government an invitation
to the Congress intended and proposed by the Em-
peror Napoleon for the purpose of definitively
settling the Italian question. Having been notified
the previous day by his Imperial Majesty's Ambas-
sador of the communication intended for us, I was
enabled to take the commands of his Majesty the
King in advance before receiving the official invi-
tation. In pursuance of these orders I had the
honour of expressing to Baron Forth Rouen, upon
oflicially receiving the invitation, his Majesty's
thanks, together with the sincere wish of seeing the
Emperor's efforts crowned with a result which
might restore in Italy a settlement of affairs based
upon justice and fairness. With respect to the in-
vitation, I was commissioned to inform the French
Ambassador that the King could not arrive at a de-
finitive decision without having previously commu-
nicated with his allies, to learn whether North Ger-
many would be collectively represented at the
Congress. In case of this eventuality, and in ac-
cordance with Art. 11 of the Federal Constitution,
the representation of Saxony would then have to be
entrusted to the presiding Power of North Germany
as the legal organ of the Confederation.
" As the result of an inquiry of the Berlin Ca-
binet with regard to this question, I am informed
t hat our view is completely taken in that capital,
and that it is intended, supposing the Congress
should really meet, to let Prussia participate therein,
not so much for herself, as for the North German
Confederation.

We aro not surprised to find that the Irish
authorities have at last four.rl it necessary to inter-
fere with the Fenian funeral processions. It was no

doubt wise to allow considerable latitude to the

excited feelings of those who sympathised in earnest
with the Manchester attempt, and during the first
few days after the execution of ALLEN, LARKIN,
and GOULD many extravagances of language and
action would have passed unnoticed. But it has
now become clear that these repeated funeral pro-
cessions are not the expression of wounded feel-
ing or the outburst of indignant, if mistaken,
patriotism. They aro part of a systematic plan of
a careful organisation, intended not only to foster
discontent where it exists, but to create a sentiment
of resentment and resistance to oppression in the
minds of those who are peaceable. and well dis-
posed. The whole scheme is skilfully arranged.
The processions, the solemn music, the coffins, the
funeral oration, are all especially calculated to move

the quick sympathies and inflame the vehement
natures of the people who unite in the. cere-
mony. Again, it needs no profession of faith,
no oath of brotherhood, to join a crowd
walking towards a particular spot, and thousands of
curious and indifferent idlers might very well do so
without much thought beyond the desire of tempo-
rary excitement, and of seeing what was to be
seen. Before the end of the march, and the dis-
persion of the throng, such persons would very
likely be worked upon to sympathise heartily in the
declamations of the leaders. The repetition of
these processions, Sunday after Sunday, has become
in fact a dangerous nuisance, and far from having
exhausted the excitement of the people, it has in-
creased and intensified it. Their number has been
steadily increasing, until at last processions were an-
nounced to be held in Killarney, Kilkenny, Mallow,
Fermoy, Queenstown, Youghal, Ennis, Clonmel,
and Belfast. Great preparations have apparently
been made for the Killarney demonstration,
and THE O'DONOGIIUE has presided at a
meeting to arrange for it. The prohibitory
proclamations which have been issued refer
to the processions of Kilkenny and Killarney, but
no doubt the others will be afterwards included in
the prohibition. It warns all persons against taking
part in such displays, as at that in Dublin language
of a seditious and inflammatory character was used,
and as the processions only tend to serve the pur-
pose of factious and traitorous persons. It further
declares that such meetings are calculated to bring
hatred and contempt on the constitution of the
United Kingdom, and to impede the administration
of justice. Such statements are fully borne out
by the facts of the case, and we hope all loyal
and well-disposed persons will endeavour by every
means in their power to discourage the repetition
of such displays.
The Government intend, moreover, to teach the
leaders of the Dublin movement a salutary lesson.
Their extravagance of language and conduct were
such as to call forth a considerable amount of in-
dignai among those who were not prepared to
sanction murder, and accordingly we find that sum-
monses have been issued against Mr. JOHN MAR-
TIN, the chairman, and the three honorary secretaries,
who organised the procession. Mr. MARTIN'S speech
to the crowd will be remembered as most intem-
perate and rebellious against the law.

"In consequence of this communicAtion I have
had the honour verbally to acquaint Baron Forth
Rouen that, under present circumstances, Saxony
will not claim any special representation, but that
she will take part in the Congress as a member of
the Band, and be represented thereat by the organ
of the Confederation.

"I shall have the honour of replying in writing
without delay to the Emperor's invitation, provided
the idea of the Congress should not fall to the
ground, which, to all appearance, may possibly
prove the case.
(Signed) " VON FRIESEN."

In New York the brotherhood have been holding
meeting,s and organising funeral processions, but
little excitement is felt respecting them beyond the
immediate circle, and what little there is is pro-
bably due to the coming election. The procession,
the addresses, the banners, and the sentiments were
all of a very similar character in New York as in
Dublin. The leaders, however, were dis-
appointed of one important addition to
their ranks. Seine members of the committee
called on the Superintendent of the Metropolitan

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE CUBA.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM P ABM(

(FROM A CORRESPONDINT.)

QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 13.

The Royal mail steamship Cuba, from New York,
arrived here at 3 a.m. to-day with 101 cabin pas-
sengers and $27,155 in specie. She landed 112
sacks of mails and four passengers, and proceeded
immediately for Liverpool. All well.

TECTIRIMIT.

NEW YORE, Dec. 3.

The_Pruideut's Message to CongreFs, published
to-day in advance of delivery, is unusually lengthy,
and principally referred to the reconstruction of the
South and negro suffrage. The following are ad-
ditional passages not touched upon in the summary
received by the Atlantic cable : It says that the dis-
organisation of the Union is a subject of profound
regret, and that the Union as formerly established
can exist only when all States are represented in
Congress, which is not the case. The President
suggests, as a means of restoration, the faithful
application of the Constitutional laws, which are
not now obstructed by physical force.

The States lately in rebellion were always mem-
bers of the National Union, and the ordinances of
secession adopted by them were mere nullities. If
it were admitted now that they were valid and
effectual, as intended by the authors, we sweep from
under our feet the whole ground upon which we
justified the war.

Referring to the negro question, the Message
says :—The subjugation of the Southern States to
negro domination would be worse than military
despotism, under which they are at present
governed. It points out the dangers attending the
extension of the elective franchise to negroes, and
says four millions of slaves yesterday cannot be
made intelligent freemen to-day. The President
is desirous to better their condition in all their
rights save transferring to them our political in-
heritance. The President says Mexico is relieved
from foreign interposition, and peace reigns in
Central and South America. The Message, in con-
clusion, says :—" The abuse of our laws by the
clandestine prosecution of the African slave trade
has altogether ceased, and, under existing circum-
stances, no apprehension of its renewal in this part
of the world need be entertained. Under these cir-
cumstances it becomes a question whether we shall
not propose to her Majesty's Government for a dis-
continuance of the stipulations for maintaining a
naval force for the suppression of that trade."
General Pope has ordered the Alabama Recon-
struction Convention to adjourn, as its action tends

to delay reconstruction.
The Austrian frigate Novara, with the remains
of the late Emperor Maximilian on board, accom-
panied by Admiral Tegethoff, arrived at Havana
on the Ist inst. One hundred Mexican soldiers
escorted the remains to Vera Cruz.

In the Corps TAgislatif the unreasoned and unreason•
able charge of the Viscount de Kerveguen against the
journals of Paris was the occasion of considerable dis-
turbance in that august assembly. The silly charge of the
viscount, derived from a Belgian newspaper called La
Finance, called forth a variety of expressions, and the
speaker was frequently interrupted with cries of " I
protest," " No, no," "Go on," &c. Two literary gentle-
men, M. llavin, of the Siecle, and M. Gu6roult, of the
Opinion Nationale, and both of them members of the
Corps L6gislatif, challenged the viscount to prove
his allegations before a " jury of honour," to con-
sist of four gentlemen—two to be appointed on each
side—and an arbitrator. A letter from M. Kerveguen,
published yesterday, announces his assen, the condi-
tions, and mentions the names of two gentlemen who will
act on the jury in his interest. M. Schneider, President
of the Corps Lt.',gislatif, who was asked to act as arbi-
trator of the jury, has very properly declined; and
for this reason, tha on whatever side he, as arbitrator,
might give his decision, he would have to give it against
a member of the legislative body over which he presides,
and would thus commit an act which, by estranging the
sympathy of a member, might have political results.

The Imperial. Council of Education opened its session
the other day, and I am happy to say that one of the first
acts of the Council was to approve unanimously of all
that has been done by the Minister of Public Instruction,
Duruy, for what is called the secondary or more
advanced education of girls. This secondary educa-
tion is intended to supplement the imperfect edu-
cation which young women of moderate means
receives in the convents. The plan is, that in
every town where there is a 1 yds (a public school) lectures
shall be delivered to classes of young ladies in history,
geography, natural science, and chemistry. No doubt
the plan will be successful. M. Duruy succeeds in almost
everything of the kind which he tries.

An affection of the brain, to which the name Anglo-
mania is applied here, is very prevalent just now among
the Atbituil of our theatres. English pieces are at present
considered the thing. We have " Romeo and Juliet "at
the Thdatre Lyrique, which is also going to produce " The
Fair Maid of Perth ;" "Robinson Crusoe " is being played
at the Optira Comique ; " Gulliver" at the Chatelet ;
" Furnished Apartments" at the Varietds ; " Miss Su-
sanna " at the Gymnase, " Marlborough" at the Atk6n6 ;
and " Jack Sheppard" at the Ambigu.
The frost, which has at length disappeared, has been
disastrous for pedestrians and for horses. The horse is to
be pitied, and the pedestrian too, of course ; but genuine
sympathy is only expended upon our four-footed friends.
A friend of mine says, " Look at the-horse slipping and
falling heavily en the ice 1" The public exclaims, " The
poor beast !" But if it is only a. simple mortal that
falls, his brethren smile, and say to themselves, " The
imbecile !"

The death has been announced of the Duchesse of
Bassano, a lady of high birth, and who had bee.n maid of
honour to the Empress for fourteen years, All Paris
remembers her grace and her good-nature. In her
the establishment of the Empress has sustained a severe
loss, and those who attend the approaching levees will
be forced to think with regret of her who had always a
smile and a kindly word for all.

The Situation asserts that the King of Hanover hag
received an indemnity of fifty millions for his crown—
that is, two millions sterling. Not bad pay, it is true ;
still he might have preferred a throne if Bismarck had
allowed him a choice.

The imposing ceremonial of the funeral of the Arai-
bishop of Malines took place on the 10th, and as the
deceased was widely known and much loved, a vast con-
course of people from the country around as well as from
Brussels, Liege, Antwerp, and Ghent, flocked into the
old town on foot, or were carried rapidly to it by rail. At
ten o'clock the funeral procession began to move. Four
companies of foot artillery and one of carabineers led the
way. Behind these, and headed by a cross-bearer, marched
the clergy of the diocese, in cassocks and short surplices,
followed by the students of the seminary, and clergy from
other parts of Belgium. Next proceeded the canons of the
cathedral in purple robes and fur tippets, and birettas.
Perhaps, however, the next body, being the superiors of
all the convents in the diocese, attracted most attention
from the singularity and variety of their monastic cos-
tumes. Flowing robes and birettas—white, red, or black
work— when the cowl was not thrown over the head, added
much to the strongly-marked features and countenances
that characterised this deputation. Then the bishops of
Ghent, Tournay, Liege, Bruges, and of Charelois, sur-
rounding the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop in partibus of Da-
mietta, all in full episcopal dress, and wearing their mitres,
with hands crossed in prayer, and with set faces, all at once
shot out as it were from under the gateway, and with their
gorgeous robes and solemn mien quite dazed the spectators.
As they passed on came six seminarists, bearing re-
spectively on cushions the cardinal's hat of crimson, the
purple biretta, the mitre, the grand cordons of the Orders
of Leopold of Belgium and of Austria, and the crozier of
the deceased prelate. Then succeeded the body, un-
coffined, dressed is full canonicals, with the hands crossed,
and holding a crucifix. The face was uncovered ; its
vigorous cast was unimpaired by death, and seemed rather
like that of one lulled to sleep after arduous labours. The
corpse was borne on its velvet couch by twelve minor
canons, who rested frequently on their passage to the
cathedral. Next followed the representatives of the King's
household. The rest of the cortege, made up chiefly of
municipal bodies, and of societies, lay and clerical, was
even more numerous than the portion which preceded the
corpse. A regimental band accompanied the procession,
and played funeral marches. The Cathedral of St. Bona-
bent was then reached, and the body having been placed
on a raised dais, mass was solemnly sung. A funeral ora-
tion, written by the Bishop of Namur, was then read.
Then, after absolution was recited by all the bishops
present, the body was committed to its last resting-
place.

It is reported, via San Francisco, that a revolution
had broken out in Durango, headed by Vega. The
Mexican troops who were despatched to quell it

ALLEGED FRAUDS BY EX-CONSUL CALVERT.—A
despatch from Constantinople, dated December 2, states
that Mr. T. W. Calvert, ex-Consul of the Dardanelles has
undergone his final examination before Mr. Acting-Judge
Lane, at the Consular Court, on the charge preferred
by the Secretary of Lloyd's Salvage Association, for
conspiring to defraud the London underwriters of
£14,000 by means of false documents, purporting to be
the papers of a vessel called the Poseidon. The Judge
gave an opinion that the case had been established by
evidence, and fully. committed the prisoner for trial. His
Honour would accept bail, two satisfactory securities of
£l,OOO each, and the prisoner in £2,0J0, with twenty-four
hours' notice.

POST OFFICE REFORM.—We beg to call the
attention of our readers to the fact that a public meeting
will be held at Exeter Hall on Monday, the 16th of
December, to take into consideration the grievances under
which post office employes labour. John Bennett, Esq.,
will preside, and will be supported by Charles Reed,
Esq., F.S.A. (the popular candidate for the new borough
of Hackney), John Richardson, Esq., Rev. Dr. Begg, of
Edinburgh, Thomas Chambers, Esq., M.P., Revs. Arthur
Mursell and G. M. Murphy, J. Macdonald, Esq., W.
Hester, Esq., J. G. Palmer, Esq., and other influential
gentlemen. We wish every success to this meeting, as
we are certain that no men are harder worked and worse
paid than post office servants.

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF A PARIS THEATRE.--
The suburban theatre of Belleville was burnt to the ground
early on Wednesday morning. The flames were discovered
and the alarm given at three o'clock, and the firemen from
the neighbouring barracks, and also the soldiers from the
barracks of PrinceEugene,were soon afterwards en the spot.
Six engines were set to work, • and the inhabitants of the
vicinity lent willing assistance. The colonel of the firemen
and the municipal authorities directed the operations with
zeal and intelligence ; but by five o'clock the building
was totally destroyed. The contents of the cash safe
were got out ; but Lieutenant Fournier, of the fire-
men's corps, received such severe injuries from a mass
of falling timber that he died shortly after being taken
to the nearest hospital. Five other firemen were badly
burnt, and one is missing. It is feared, also, that two
persons employed about the theatre have perished in
the flames. Nothing is known concerning the origin of
the disaster.

THE EAST-END DISTRESS. —A few evenings ago
a sul.,,Aantial tea was given to 120 of the inmates of tho
common lodging houses in ::•_pitallields, at the Mission
flail, 19, Princes-street, Brick-lane, under the auspices of
the Christian Temperance Mission. A spec al fund was
raised for this purpose, to which Lady Havelock and the
rector of the parish, with many others, most kindly con-
tributed. Several of the poor creatures had not broken
their fast since the previous day, and all did ample justice
to the ad libitum supply of bread and cake. After tea the
chair was taken by Mr. Conolly Peyton, the honorary
secretary, when an address was delivered by Mr. F. Gore,
which was followed by an entertainment given by the
committee and a few lady friends. Although so poverty-
stricken—many of them being shoeless—every man and
woman came to the meeting looking very clean. The
committee are desirous of giving this treat at least weekly
during the present distress, for which purpose contribu-
tdo7lB will be thankfully received by the treasurer at the
mission/ 21: by the manager at the 6hore(fitch branch Qf
Att./alit L9letiQU 131111 k•

MRS. EMMA RARDINGE ON CAPITAL

PUNISHMENT.

St. George's Hall, Langham-place, was tolerably
well filled last night with an audience who had
assembled to hear from Mrs. Emma llardinge one
of those spirit-stirring orations which she delivers
with such remarkable elocutionary power. As an
extemporaneous speaker Mrs. Hardinge has ac-
quired considerable reputation in this country. She
is a graceful and eloquent pleader, and her advocacy
never appeared to greater advantage, or, judging by
the applause which greeted many passages of her
lecture, gave more unqualified satisfaction than
when she dealt with the subject of capital punish-
ment, treating it in her own incisive and sarcastic
manner as a national disgrace and a foul blot on
English civilisation. There was, unfortunately,
nothing new to present in connection with the ques-
tion, for everything had been said which could be
advanced in favour of abolishing this last relic of
barbarism, but still her regret was not the less that
all which had been said appeared to have been urged
in vain. Murder, under any circumstances, whether
committed by one man or by twelve, was highly
discreditable to the country, and, influenced by a
conscientious feeling, she was there, taking advan-
tage of the present opportune hour, when public
opinion was more immediately alive to the horrors
of executions, to advocate the total abolition of
death law, with whatever could be said on the
side of the royalty of truth. An experience of
prison life among criminals for several years in
the United States led her to the fixed and
unalterable conclusion that all phases of crime were
more or less conditions of insanity. Crimes became
manufactured by society. Among the possible re-
medial efforts with which crime should be dealt our
legislators ought to turn our gaols into reforina-
tories or model hospitals for sick souls, and most
pre-eminently for murderers. Capital punishment
was a blot on humanity, a mockery of justice, a
failure in its results, an insult to reason, an outrage
on commen sense and decency, and a sacrilege in
the worst form of religion. These were the main
arguments which Mrs. Hardinge put forward, and
she illustrated each by her own American expe-
rience, and by an appeal to the progress of events
in this country, occasionally calling to her aid
criminal statistics. Death penalty was inflicted
without even the semblance of justice, for the mur-
derer was an exceptional person, who committed
crime under rare and peculiar stimuli. There was
no equality between those men and the jurors by
whom they were tried. There were, firstly, the
planners of murder ; then those who committed
murder under the excitement of drink ; and a third
class, the most numerous, but at the same time the
least pitied or legislated for or understood, those
who had an hereditary proclivity to homicide. Out-
side of these there was very seldom found any class
by whom murders were committed. Capital
punishment failed in its deterring effect, or as a
protection of society against criminals. Without
appealing to that relic of barbarism criminals could
be restrained. In several of the States capital
punishment was abolished, and murders propor-
tionately decreased. Most of the prisons in
America were reformatories, and there was no
more difficulty in restraining or dealing with a
man who committed murder than with a pick-
pocket. The murderer did not stand outside other
criminals, and therefore the question of what shall
we do with them in the event of abolishing capital
punishment, could be met as it was in the case of
other offenders against the law by restraining and
reforming. Another point on which Mrs. Har-
dinge dwelt with considerable force, was the fact
that there had been no increase of those offences at
one time punishable by death since the abolition of
the extreme penalty. Executions, she contended,
produced hardness of heart, and made men familiar
with the taking away of life. The Legislature
were beginning to realise the fact, and to recognise
that executions in public were an insult to decency,
as they had a proposition that the operations of the
hangman should henceforward be conducted within
the prison walls. Those who went to witness exe-
cutions were the most degraded, hardened, and
hopeless of the community. If capital punishment,
instead of being abolished, were simply transferred
from the exterior to the interior of the prison, then
they who were armed with authority would simply
dare to do in a civilised land that which they would
Lot dare to show they were doing. Then again,
from the fact that jurors were heartsick at being
made the instruments of murder, many guilty men
escaped, and, under other influences, many innocent
were convicted. Statistics would bear her out in
the assertion that during 100 years 50 innocent per-
sons had been executed for the crime of murder.
On the ground of religion Mrs. Hardinge contended
that capital punishment was indefensible, and she
brought her lecture to a close by declaring that, as
in other reforms, where public opinion was firmly
and determinedly expressed, the Legislature would
see the policy and the justice of putting an end to
the barbarous practice of execution by the hang-
man's hands. At the conclusion of the address,
many passages in which were remarkably eloquent
and delivered with considerable dramatic effect, a
vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Hardinge amid
considerable applause ; and the audience dispersed,
evidently highly pleased both with the lecture and
the lecturer.