The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-02 00:00:00

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LONDON, TVEDNESD AY, OCT. 2, 1867.

titre learn by the arrival of news from Calcutta
that the accounts from the famine districts are still
satisfactory, and the demands upon the Government
for relief are growing less extensive and less impor-
tunate. Some idea of the terrible nature of that

famine, in which official redtapists so long refused
to believe, may be gathered from the fact that
during all the debates, the discussions, the reproaches,
and the explanations which have been going on in
this country respecting it, the famine has still held
its ground. Want and misery, though slackening
their hold by slow degrees, are still masters of
Orissa, and that district,which competent authorities
have declared to be capable of most extensive and
profitable cultivation under an efficient system of
irrigation, is still suffering from the effects of a
complete failure of the crops. Of course, no human
prescience or science can altogether guard against
such calamities as famine ; but there can be no
question that, when they do occur, they cau be
greatly mitigated, if all the resources of wealth and
the means of communication possessed by a Govern-
ment like that of India be brought into active ser-
vice. No one can pretend that such was the case
at Orissa, and we can only hope that the terrible
sufferings endured by the people may at least teach
a lesson that shall not easily be forgotten. We
have one piece of encouraging intelligence in regard
to this question of famine—all apprehensions of a
famine iu Upper Burmah have ceased, and the
exportation of rice from British Burmah still con-
tinues. The prospects of the indigo crop are un-
favourable, owing to the heavy rains, but nothing
is said of the aspect of the cotton cultivation. The
evils so long complained of in the fraudulent
packing, &c., have at last aroused the attention
of Government, and a Cotton Frauds' Act is to
be introduced into the Viceroy's Council next
session. Another step in advance is the appoint-
ment of a committee by the Bengal Government to
consider Colonel FRASER'S plans for the erection of
lighthouses on the mouth of the Hooghly and on
the jetties of Calcutta. There have been accidents
and misadventures enough in the Hooghly to demand
that some measures be taken for the relief of the
shipping, and it is only wonderful that so simple
an expedient as an efficient system of lighting has
not earlier been adopted. Improvements which
are carried out slowly enough among ourselves
move still more slowly in India. Perhaps
no country stands more in need of a vigorous
prosecution of public works, a liberal expenditure
of public money in works of lasting benefit, a hearty
encouragement to enterprise and ingenuity. Our
colonies in other parts of the globe possess indeed
vast undeveloped capacities, and contain profitable
work for many a generation to come; but as yet
they are thinly peopled, and suffer none of the ills
attendant on a densely-peopled country left half
way in the race of civilisation. The natives of India
are naturally quick-witted and subtle, and readily
appreciate the advantages of modern science.
They have been quick to avail themselves of
railways, steamboats, and other facilities which it
was thought might interfere with their traditional
prejudices of caste and custom. There is no doubt
that the influence of such innovations must surely,
if slowly, break down the artificial barriers which
have so long hindered the mental and moral pro-
gress of the people, while a sufficiency of peaceable
and profitable occupation will remove half the
existing inducements to wars and mutinies.
If ten years before the outbreak of '57 our public
works, our cotton cultivation, our tea planta-
tions, our railways, had been in the same position
as they are now we might have been spared some
sad and terrible memories. The deadly influence '
of a monopoly, however wisely or kindly managed,
added to the enervating effects of climate, and the
loss of the stimulus of social and intellectual criti-
cism, lulled over Anglo-Indians when the great
wars were over into a fatal security, and still more
fatal indifference. One great drawback to Indian
reforms is to be found in the little interest taken in
them in this country. Matters are better in this
respect than they were, but we are still more familiar
with the state of feeling in Melbourne or New York
than we are with public opinion in Calcutta or
Bombay. The difference of race and of language
are not the only obstacles ; it is the difficulty of re-
conciling the people of an ancient world with
modern thoughts and feelings that hinder a thorough
understanding. But the less Indian affairs are
spoken of, written of, thought of, the less likely we
are to get over these drawbacks ; and if, instead of
trying to remove them and familiarise ourselves
with India as it really is, we turn aside with indif-
ference and impatience, we shall have one of these
days to reproach ourselves for the neglect, as we
have often done, when regret was too late to be
profitable.

Yesterday the Medical Schools opened for the
winter campaign, and, according to the usual
custom that prevails, inaugural addresses were
delivered by some of the leading professors. These
are interesting to peruse, and in many parts will
be found suggestive. At St. Bartholomew's Hos-
posital Dr. ODLING was the lecturer, and in his
lengthened discourse he took an elevated view of
the duties of the medical profession. lie cited, as
an instance of the excellence to which a physician
might attain, the life of the late Dr. JEAFFERSON,
whose career of usefulness was cut short
by yphus fever last year, causing very
general regret among the profession, and
indeed society at large. A good illustration of
what the experienced and aspiring might hope to
effect was given in this passage :—" The power of
the physician is not indeed omnipotent, but it was
nevertheless real in its character, considerable in
its extent, and well founded in its operations."
At the present day we find too much faith put i❑
certain systems, and too much stress laid upon
particular modes of cure, which, after all, often fail
upon trial, and disappoint the expectations of all
concerned. In these lectures Dr. ODLING speaks
very sensibly on this subject, and declares that the
treatment of disease does not depend upon any
specific system of cure, but that the right course to
pursue was to be familiar with the disease itself, and
to comprehend the measure in which it is influenced
by various remedial measures. Many other reme-
dies may be met without merely relying upon
medioine, and fortunately this idea is now becom-
ing more prevalent than in former times. In order
to arrive at success, it is necessary, as is here
impressed upon the students, not to dissociate the
science and the art of medicine. Towards the con-
clusion the lecturer commented upon the defective
state of physical education at most of the schools
and colleges, whereby valuable time was lost in the
hospitals.
At St. Thomas's Hospital an eloquent address
was delivered by Mr. S. SOLBY. Ho said that
forty years ago he had himself commenced the study
of the profession in the time-honoured school of
St. Thomas's. As an old guide he therefore offered
a lvice to those then entering upon a new career.
To compare those before him to travellers was, be
said, too tame a simile, for were they not rather
" warriors buckling on their armour to fight
a noble fight for professional existence ? In
all truth, then, may I say, a sacred burden
is the life you bear; dwell on it, lift it, bear it
solemnly, stand up, walk beneath it steadfastly."
Some interesting particulars were given in this
address concerning St. Thomas. It is more than
seven hundred years ago since the institution which
gave rise to St. Thomas's Hospital IA as founded.
Guy's Hospital received its introductory address ,