The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, NOVEAIBER 14, 1867.

EXPOSITION TJNIVERSELLE,

PARIS, 1867.

WHEELER AND WILSON,

139, REGENT-STREET, AND 43, ST. 'PAUL'S
CHURCHYARD,
AWARDED,
OVER EIGHTY-TWO COMPETITORS,
THF, RIMIEST PREMIUM,

a:satisfactory conclusion. Let them, therefore, be
be allowed to perform their painful task, unmolested
and unhindered by officers' meddling and unneces-
sary advice, for the public have ample confidence in
the wisdom and justice of their cause. Only those in
such a position can be the best qualified to arrive at
a satisfactory conclusion, and whatever way they
resolve upon is certain to be that most desirable for
the exigencies of the case. Justice has put forth
her decree, and it is for them to choose if mercy
shall temper its stern behests or not.

than they are abused worse than ever. Is the dif-
ference between a rating and a rental qualification
so much a matter of right and wrong that it should
be the landmark of political honour ? Yet if the
Tories had .declared that they would not agree to
any reduction of the franchise what would have been
said of them then ? The fact is, like many con-
verts, they have outstripped their teachers. The
new Reform Bill is too Liberal for the Whigs, as
the monody of the Edinburgh Review abundantly
proves.

The public will hear with approval that an inquiry
has bee❑ instituted into the circumstances connected
with the Farnham Workhouse. It is indeed high
time that a full investigation should be made, not
only for the sake of this workhouse, but for the
general principles upon which all unions and work-
houses are conducted. Mr. Smarr, who appeared
in support of the charges made in the Lancet, ex-
plained that a Commission bad been instituted by
that journal at its own expense, for the purpose of
ascertaining the condition of hospitals and
workhouses. The motive was simply that of
philanthropy, and the various passages of the report
as to overcrowding, want of accommodation, treat-
ment of casuals, all could be fully proved. It is,
of course, impossible to arrive at a conclusion as to
the merit of the case upon one day's inquiry ; but
even at this early stage of the proceedings some
matters have been brought to light which are most
significant. The evidence of the paid nurse was
anything but satisfactory, so far as it relates to the
management of the place ; and cleanliness appears
to have been entirely at a discount tinder the late
regime, and but scantily improved for the
better under the present. It seems, indeed,
desirable for a regular alteration to take place
when such information as this is given in evidence.
" The old women are washed when they come in,
and if they remained there year after year they
would not he washed again without a doctor's order:,
Surely this is not the means to employ to be con-
ducive to comfort and to health. We shall look
with interest to the further particulars of this
investigation, for the more that is known of such
matters the better for all the parties concerned ; for
doubts and uncertainties on such points as the well-
being and efficient management of our paupers
cannot prevail with impunity, and should be cleared
up at once.