The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 13, 1867.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tius DAY.
Tho SPEAKER took the chair at a quarter past twelve
o'clock..

LAW OF LIBEL BILL.
Sir e. CrLOGHLEN 111.311011 the second reading of this
bill. lie said the bill was substantially the same as the
one he introduced in the year 1865. It was founded on
justice; it was quite sufficient to meet the exigencies of
the case, and ought to receive. the sanction of the
house. Various attempts had been made to improve the
state of the law in the years 1833-4-5, but without suc-
cess. In the year 1843 a committee was appointed by the
House of Lords, the result of which led to the intro-
duction of a bill by Lord Campbell, which received the
assent of Parliament. That bill allowed defendants to plead
an apology, to lodge money in court, and to plead justifi-
cation ; but valuable as were the
.privileges conferred by
that measure, they did not effect the entire removal of
those liabilities which he thought proprietors of newspapers
ought not labour under. In the year 1858 the attention of
Parliament was again called to the state of the law of libel
by an action being tried, in which although the damages
only amounted to one shilling, the costs incurred by the
defendant amounted to over £4OO. From that time down
to the present the law had been allowed to remain
without alteration. The bill he had now the honour
to propose to the house dealt with reports of
public meetings, the practice in libel cases, indict-
ments for libel, and other general matters. He pro-
posed to make speakers at public meetings liable for any
slander uttered, because when a person went to a meeting
knowing well that his words would be taken down by the
reporters present and published, he ought to bo held as
resp.)nsible for the statements made under such circum-
stances as if ho had written and published them himself.
The bill also set forth that it should be a good defence to
any action for libel, provided the matter was truly and
correctly reported, and that the newspaper had published
an explanation or contradiction of the libellous matter
furnished by the party complaining, if required so to do.
This latter provision was taken from the French law, in
which country there were very few actions for libel. The
second part of the bill applied not only to actions brought
against newspapers, but to libels of all sorts, and more
expressly to the question of costs. In this country there
were no costs, providing the damages awarded did not
amo nt to 40s.,bu tin Ireland, if a verdict was returned giving
id., it carried costs with it ; and ho proposed in the present
bill to assimilate the law in the two countries, and to set
down .£5 as the sum which should carry costs against the
party losing the suit. Another provision was that a
plaintiff should be called upon to give security for costs,
because the law requires every newspaper proprietor to
give security for costs for any action that might be brought
against him. He did not see why one party should be
allowed to play on velvet, whilst the ther stood only on the
position to pay costs, supposing a verdict to go against
him, whilst if the m atter was decided in his favour he
had to pay his own costs, because the person proceeding
against, hint was a man of straw, or one totally unable- to pay
for th6'trouble and expense ho had incurred in carrying
on a speculative action for libel The bill enacted that no
action for libel should be commenced without the sanction
of the Attorney or Solictor-General. The measure, how-
ever, did not extend to Scotland.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said he thought the bill
a very good one, but it would require some alteration in
committee to prevent its being wrecked in its future stages
in another place.

(LEFT SPEAKING.)

Health of the Royal Navy.

Dr. Mackey, in his statistical abstract for theyear
ending June, 1866, says :
"In the ratio of cases placed upon the sick list
there was indeed a trifling increase as compared
with the previous 12 months ; but the rates of inva-
liding and mortality were the lowest that had occur-
red during a period of 10 years. It is alsogratifying
to be able to report that in that portion of the force
which is at present attracting most attention--viz.,
the armour-clad vessels—the ratio of cases waslower
than in any other class of sea-going vessels, with the
exception of the second rates. The ratio of invalid-
ing was also low, and the only class of vessel in
which the death-rate was lower was the first-rate,
of which only 0n.3 was in commission.

"During the 12 months embraced in the present
report the average force was 50,495, and the num-
ber of eases of disease and injury entered on the sick
list was 67,593, which is in the ratio of 1338.6 per
1,000 of mean force, a slight increase as compared
with the preceding 12 months, but much below the
average sick rate of the total force taken for a pe-
riod of 10 years, that being 1472.6 per 1,000. The
stations showing the highest ratios of cases were the
South-east Coast of America, 'West Coast of Africa,
the East Indies and Capeof Good Hope, and China,
and the ratio in the irregular force was also high.
" The number of cases entered on the sick list per
man was, on the home station, 0.9 ; on the Mediter-
ranean, 1.4 ; North America and West Indies, 1.6 ;
South-east Coast of America, 1.6 ; Pacific, 1.6 ;
West Coast of Africa, 2.3 ; East Indies and Capeof
Good Hope, 1.7 ; China, F 7 ; Australia, 1.4 ; and
the irregular force, F 7 ; giving an average of 1.3
for the total force, the decennial average being 1.4.
"It appears that of all the sea-going yesselaoe
lowest ratio of cases was in the second-rates, and
next, the difference being very trifling, in the iron-
clad vessels ; while the highest ratios were in the
sixth-rates, sloops, gun-vessels, and troop-ships,

_ .
" There were one or two frigates of the sixth rate
on every station, with the exception of the South-
east Coast of America. The higheit ratios shown
by them were on the West Coast of Africa, Pacific,
and Mediterranean stations.

" Vessels of the sloop class were employed on all,
excepting the home station. The largest ratio of
sickness in those vessels was on the 'West Coast of
Africa.

" The lowest ratio of cases in the gun-vessels was
on the Australian station, and the highest in China;
as, during the previous 12 months, the lowest sick
rate in any particular vessel of the class was in the
Surprise, on the Mediterranean station, where it
was 733.3, while in China, in the Coquette, it was
as high as 3141.0 per 1,000.
" The high sick rate in the troop-ships was
altogether attributable to the prevalence of fever in
an epidemic form, in the adventure, in China. With
that exception there was no particular sickness iu
those vessels.

" The average ratio of invaliding in the total
force taken for a period of 10 years was 35.1 per
1,000 of mean force. During the 12 months em-
braced in this abstract 1,590 persons were invalided,
which is in the ratio of 31.4 per 1,000, being the
lowest ratio of invaliding that has occurred within
a period of 10 years.
" The Mediterranean, the West Coast of Africa,
and China were the only stations on which the
ratio of invaliding exceeded the average of the total
force for the decennial period.
" The average ratio of mortality of the total force
for the decennial period was 15.5 per 1,000 of mean
force. During the present period it was only 10.5,
the total number of deaths being 535. Of these,
404 were the result of various forms of disease, and
131 of wounds, injuries, and drowning. The death-
rate from disease alone was about 8 per 1,000."

r• Is, IN
North Eastern, York, IT. and Selby'pnichase,
Stockton and Darlington B, 6 per cent.. 311 1
North Eastern, West Hartlepool Harbour and Rail,. 79
IV.FEILENCE SAARES AND STOCKS.
Metropolitan 5 per cent., 1011
ti,AILIWAYe. •
Dutch Rhenish, 19

FOREIGN
An,glo•Bnizilian Gold, limited,
Scottish Austmllau,
St. John del lley, liiu., t 4

ISANKs.

Alliance. llm.. 14 1"i
Anglo Austrian. 7
L'oneoliclated 'Sant, 1im.,42

Ditto, new, 3
Imperial • fttolliall, Urn., 8i
lanian, 23 i
L rt,don and County. 5S 5
London and South-Western, lim., 181
London and S 1 estrninster, 93}
Midland Bank, lira., 18
National Provincial of Ern:dant --
Ditto. d and issue, 391
Oriental Bank Corporation, 3
Unio or Australia. 47
Union of London, 4{

MISCELLANIGOLIb.
Anglo-American Telegraph, 154
Atlantic Telegraph,
nit o, 8 per cant., 51} 31
Credit Fonder 01 Englaan. lira . 2 f
Crystal Palace, 27
Ebbw Vale, 10 91
Egyptian Coin. and Trading, lim., 3
Electric anti International Telegraph,

Ditto, new, 5
Gen. Credit and Discount, lim..
Home and c lonial A ssurance, 1}
Hudson's Bay, ;6
International Financial :3ociety,lim., 2
London LieneralOmnibus Company, tim, 3
Nrtional Discount t ompany, 13
Te e rapli Con 3 rue. and 51ainte.r., Urn , --
Ditto, ditto, 13,

Miss Augusta Thomson will appear ere long at
:he Maryleboue.

The greatest success of Mr. and Mrs. Howard
Paul has been accomplished in Boston.

Ristori's success at Boston is very great. The
seats are all secured for many days in advance.
A short dramatic season has commenced at the
New York Olympic, with " The Streets of New York."

TRULY traditionary manlier in which
the Irish rebels of 1867 are going about the country search-
ing houses for arms is noteworthy. In 1798 the Irish rebels
searched houses for arms because they had none and wanted
to get some ; in 1867 the Irish rebels search houses for
arms, having already more arms and ammunition than
they know how or care to use, simply because in former
rebellions the practice of making these domiciliary searches
has obtained. If arms and ammunition, without steadfast
hearts, could expel the English from Ireland, Ireland would
have bei,n a lost country to England long. az,-0.—P(411-pi.all
Gazette. •

LAW INTELLIGENCE---This Day.

COURT OF DIVORCE.

(Befure the Right lion. Sir J. P. Wilde and a Special

Jury.)
WHITE V. WHITE AND FIELD.

This was a suit instituted to obtain a dissolution of
marriage on the ground of the wife's adultery with the
co-respondent.
Dr. Spinks, Q.C., and Mr. Searle appeared for the peti-
tioner ; Sir Robert Collier, Q.C., and Dr. Tristram for the
respondent; and Mr. Sergeant Tindal Atkinson and Dr.
\Vambey for the co-respondent.
The parties in this case were married at Madras
in 1837, and lived for some time together. They
then returned to England and became acquainted
with the cu-respondent and his family. The wife
was then left in England, the petitioner, a major-
general, being obliged to return to his military duties in
India. She rejoined him there in 1850, and lived a year
or two with him there, but then returned to England,
where it was alleged that at Cleveland-gardens and at
Mc-terrace, Bayswater, she committed adultery with the
co-respondent. General White returned to England in
18ti1, and soon after this su:t was instituted.
Mary Gilbert said she was the wife of a sergeant in the
Coldstream Guards. She entered the respondent's service in
May, 1854, and remained there till 1855. This was at Rifle-
terrace, Bayswater. There were other ladies in the house
beside Mrs. White. She knew Dr. Field. He came frequently
to see Mrs. White, generally in the morning between 9 and
10 o'clock. Respondent was not often up then. Dr. Field
went to her bedroom, and remained there a long time.
When he went into Mrs. White's bedroom she was some-
times dressing and sometimes in bed. They used to go
out together. She had seen Mrs. White with only a pet-
ticoat and body on while Mr. Field was there. On ono
occasion witness was rubbing Mrs. White's shoulders when
a knock was heard at the door, and Mrs. White said— •
" Whose's there ?" The answer was " Octavius." Mrs. White
said, " Come in Octavius if it is only you." He came in
while Mrs. White's person was exposed to the waist.
Witness left the room, and the co-respondent remained an
hour and a half. The butcher called after that, and wit-
ness went up for orders, and was going in when, she found
the door clocked, and Mrs. White gave her the OrderS
through the doer. She and the 'co-respondent afterwards
came down stairs together. He used to come sometimes
of an evening, and NIA White used to tell her to go to
bed.

Cross-examined—Mr. White took down her evidence in
writing. Mrs. White • had nothing the matter with her
except the rheumatism in her shoulder. She used to lay
in bed all day sometimes. All the time she was therb
there were ladies in the house. There was something
said about a silver spoon not being found. There was
nothing said about a brooch and diamond ring being
found in her room. Mr. Field used to visit Mrs. White
at all times in the day. She had mentioned these things
to her fellow-servants.

Eliza Green stated that she was in the service of the
respondent about 14 months, in 1855 and 1856. This
witness simply gave corroborative testimony.
Several other servants giving similar evidence were
examined, and the petitioner's case concluded.
[The case was proceeding when we went to press.]

SHOREDITCH COUNTY COURT.
(Before Mr. Dasent.)
THE TRAPEZE PERFORMERS.-BROTHERS EUGENE V. POI ELL

AND OTHERS.

This was an action to recover one week's salary for per-
forming on the trapeze, and damages for the detention of
the trapeze and its fittings.
Mr. G. 0. Nash appeared for the plaintiff, who is one of
the brothers Eugene ; Mr. Clark representing defendants,
who are circus proprietors, lately at the Standard.
The plaintiff, aged 18 years, was a youth who had for
some time past been known to the public as a trapeze per-
former under the style of the Brother Eugene, although
that was not his proper name. He had performed for the
defendants at their circus in different parts of the country,
and one night at the Standard. He performed with
another lad younger than himself, who was also called a
brother Eugene. The brothers had 50s. per week, of which
plaintiff kept 80s, and paid his younger professional brother
205., but then he had taught the young one, brought him
out, and used to buy him his "spangles." Plaintiff left
defendant to fulfil another engagement, and they refused
to pay him his last week.
Plaintiff's mother and father, who were very respectable
people, were in court, and the mother said it was entirely
against her wish that her son—her only son—carried on
this life.

His Honour—How long have you been a performer,
Eugene ? •
Plaintiff— Since I-was 10 years old.
His Honour —What was the commencement ?
Plaintiff—When I was very young I set up a pole in
the garden and practised upon it.
•
His_Honour-,And then .you ewe out ?
Plaintiff —Yes.,

His lionour:—Don't you thiuk you bad better be at bard
work ?

Plaintifr(smiling)—This is liittd work, but I like it.
His Honour —lt is very dangerous. You will be an old
man before you are 30, and you w►ll perhaps meet with
an accident, and then what will become of you?
Plaintiff made no reply.

Fur the defence it was urged that the plaintiff had not
served the full term of his agreement, and that the other
brother was a partner in the trapeze and fittings.
• The younger performer, who was still with the defen-
dants, was then called, and hesaid that he and the plaintiff
were called the "Brothers Eugene;" but the little fellow
added confidentially to the judge, "You know we are not
really brothers, but it is customary in our profession to have
these names." The witness had a share in the trapeze, but
not in the pole or fittings.
His Honour —And pray how did you become a performer?
Witness—l have been a performer about three years,
and I began by putting up a pole in the garden?
His Honour—And I suppose you like it too?
Witness-06, yes. lam very fond of it. (Laughter.)
William (the plaintiff) taught me, and brought me out.
Plaintiff then informed the Court that the detention of
the pole was somewhat serious, as he could perform more
easily on his old pole, to which he was accustomed, than
on a new one.

His Honour thought that was only reasonable. He ruled
that, as plaintiff had performed for the week, he was en-
titled to be paid for it ;• and if he broke his engagement,
defendants could sue him for damages. The verdict would
be for the plaintiff for the salary and the damages, less the
value of the trapeze, unless tko pole and other things were
given up within a week.
Verdict for the plaintiff with costs.

POLICE INTELLIGEfiCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

SINGULAR CONDUCT OF AN UNDERTAKER.—A respect-
able-looking female waited upon Mr. Tyrwhitt, this
morning, to ask his advice under the following circum-
stances.

The applicant, who seemed much affected, stated that
she had employed an undertaker at the West end to bury
the body of her deceased father, giving him instructions,
in accordance with the wish of her father, that Out body
should be interred in the same cemetery, at the East end
of London as that in which' the bodies of her
mother and other relatives had been interred. Instead
of doing this the undertaker had buried the pod), in s
different cemetery, although in the same part of the me-
tropolis, charging more than usual.
Mr. Ty.rwhitt.saidit.w.Ls too bad ; it was an outrage on'
the feelings of •the relatives. Ho should advise' the ap--
plicant to resist the undertaker's claim, and if he sued her.
before the County.-Cotitt judge she could then set up as
her defence what she had stated to him. -

The applicant thanked the magistrate and retired.

THAMES.

SCANDALOUS ASSAULT AND IMPOSLTION.—Patrick Dris-
coll, a stout, tall, able-bodied Irish Cockney, about 22 years
of age, was brought beforo Mr. Paget charged with being-
drunk, disorderly, and assaulting Mr. George Fowler,.
assistant to the relieving officers of the Poplar Union.
In consequence of the exceptional distress which pre-
vails at the east end of London, and the great number of
applicants for relief, additional assistance has been given
to the relieving officers of the Poplar Union. The com-
plainant is one of the assistants. He is a young man of very
quiet and peaceable demeanour. The prisoner applied to
him for out-door relief yesterday afternoon, at the work-
house, and said he was out of work and starving. He was
requested to go into the Town-hall in the middle of the
building, which is used as a waiting room, and his name
would be called at the proper time. The prisoner bec•tme
very noisy and abusive, and he told the porter to remove
him. The prisoner then attacked the porter, and said ho
would smash him. He went to the assistance of the por-
ter, and was struck by him. He sent for the police and
gave the prisoner into custody.
Police-constable 665 A said the prisoner was very drunk
and made use of very I,acl language. He found 2s. in the
prisoner's boot, and did not believe he was in distress at
all.
The Prisoner—There is a hole in my pocket, and the
money fell down the leg of my trousers and got into my
boot.
Mr. Paget—Quite absurd. I don't believe a word of it.
The Prisoner— I am very sorry for what I have done.
Mr. Paget—What do you mean by going to the work-
house in a state of intoxication, and with money in your
pocket, and asking for relief ?
Prisoner—Yes, I did. _ _

Mr. Paget said the present was a time of unexampled
difficulty and distress, and tho guardians of tho poor very
wisely made an effort to meet it by giving tho relieving
officers additional aid. The prisoner was a rudo black-
guard, not in distress at all, could afford to got drunk, and
had 2s. in his pocket. He sentenced the prisoner to be
imprisoned for two months and kept to hard labour for
the assault on Fowler.

M. Daiglemont is to succeed M. Dupontavis4 in
the direction of the Theatre Beaumarchais,