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

THE NEW GRAVING DOCK AT LEITH.

The rapid extension of the dock and pier accommodation
of the harbour of Leith during the last ten years has keit
accompanied by a steady and progressive increase in the
trade of the port, which has been felt not only to justify
the construction of the works already formed, but to render
further additions and improvements absolutely necessary.
The principal recent improvements consist of a considerable
extension of the old or eastern pier, the construction of the
western pier or low-water landing slip, and of the spacious
Victoria Dock, with an entrance 60 feet wide, and the
deepening of the entrance channel to the harbour and decks.
The Victoria floating dock, which was finished in the begin-
ning of 1851.1 :s excellent accommodation to the larger
_ _

of vessels, to ve' tl chief trade of the port has for
u number of years been gradually changing; but the five
dry or graving docks already existing, though well taott2h
adapted for repairing second or third class vessels, are quite
unsuitable for laying up large steamers or first-class mer-
chantmen ; while the want of a commodious building slip
for large ships has also been felt for some years. In
March, 1834, the Leith Deck Commissioners addressed a
memorial to the Treasury, explaining the state of the works
under their charge, and pointed out the great importance
of having a graving-dock and building-yard constructed.
without delay. The memorial was accompanied by plans
of the new works—proposed to be placed at the west side
of the Victoria Dock—by Mr. Bendel, the engineer ap-
pointed by the Treasury, in which the estimated cost was
put down at £30,000. These plans were sanctioned by the
Treasury; but having, pefore operations were commenced,
been exhibited in Edinbnegh and Leith, a great many
alterations and improvements were suggested, to carry out
which it was found necessary to construct new plans for a
dock upon a larger scale and on a different site. The new
plans, which include a building-yard and two patent slips,
were also drawn up by Mr. Bendel, and after being ap-
proved by the Commissioners, were submitted to the Lords
of the Treasury la May, 1850. After a good deal of corres-
pondence, and the receipt of a favourable report from two
commissioners appointed by the Treasury to inquire into the
general condition and prospec's of the port, &c., the plans
were finally sanctioned by their lordships on the Bth of
March last. According to these plans, the new graving deck
will be situated on the east sands, at the cuter side of the
old pier, end will have its entrance immediately from the
harbour, adjacent to the old or first liojitheuse on the pier.
The length of its floor, which will run nearly in a north and
south direction, will be 300 feet ; its extreme width at the
top or coping level will be 80 feet, and the top width at the
entrance 72 feet. The level of the floor will be eight feet
below the ordinary low water of spring tides, and the en-
trance sill will be five feet below the satne level. These
dimensions will enable the dock to take in at one time,
with the utmost convenience, two of the largest steamers
that come to Leith, or to accouimoda'e any of her Majesty's
war frigates requiring repairs. In order to avoid the risk
attending the dry docking of vessels in a tideway, from the
tide falling faster than they could be shored, the entrance
is to be stopped by an iron " caisson" or lock, by which
the tide may be retained or excluded at pleasure, and by
means of which the dock may also be male available as a
fitting basin. The caisson will also form a bridge over the
entrance to the dock. The building-yard, which is to lie
ou the south of the new dock, will have a frontage to the
harbour channel of 350 feet, and a length east and west of
about 600 feet, affording sufficient frontage fora large and
smell building slip, and ample room for timber depots,
The estimated expense of completing the whole works, as
given in by Mr. Bendel, was £44,000. The contract has
been entrusted to Mr. Wilson, of Granten, at a figure some-
what less than the above estimate, and he has undertaken
to have the works completed by the close of 1839-18 months
Uem this time. Operations were commenced by Mr.
Wilson a fens days ago. The area of the new dock has been
staked out, and a beginning has been made in opening the
south portion of the old pier, where the entrance will be
situated. A massive bulwark, to keep back the water during
the progress of the work, will be immediately extended
from the old lighthouse to the present timber slip. An-
other work of some importance to the trade of the
port has also been commenced by Mr. Wilson, namely, the
erection of a 20-ton steam-crane, on the centre of the west
quay of the Victoria Dock. This crane is intended chiefly
to facilitate the shipment of coals, for which there was for-
merly no accommodation at all, the shipping being Bill-cted
in a very primitive manner by means of baskets or sculls.
The crane, with the necessary machinery and erections, will
cost about £2,000. It has been manufactured by Messrs.
Glen and Ross, engineers, Glasgow ; and is expected to be
fitted up, and ready for woiking in a month. The funds
for carrying out these operations, it may be as well
to state, are wholly supplied by the Leitls Dock Com-
missioners—the Treasury merely sanctioning the works and
approving the plans. Eight years ago the Commissioners
expended about £75,000 on the construction of the Victoria
Basin and West Pier, which sum they were authorised by
Act of Parliament to borrow from the Edinburg banks.
Besides paying the interest oa this money, and meeting all
other demands, out of their ordinary revenue, the commis-
sioners have in batik at the Fresent time about £30,000 ;
and as their surplus revenue averages upwards of £lO,OOO
a-year, it is anticipated that on the completion of the new
works, at the end of eighteen months, this ,um will be raised
to £45,000, by which the whole expense of these operations
will be at once met, wile a new and decided impetus can-
not fail to be given to the trade of the port of Leith.—Edin-
burgh Courant.

LIFE INSURANCE CONVERSAZIONE.—On the invi-
tation of Mr. Coatsworth, of Sevile-street, lately appointed
agent for the National Alliance Assurance Company, a
ntirubcr of the members and several gentlemen interested in
the business of life assurance assembled at the Royal Sta-
tion Hotel, on Monday evening, the 2d inst., to meet Mr.
Robertson, the author of " Indisputability as applied to Life
Policies," and who, as Manager of the National Alliance
Company, bad introduced the plan of giving unlimited
leave of travel and residence, or whole wend licence, as it
is called, so as to render a life assurance policy a complete
and negotiable security, altogether unchalleneeable, and
not to he defeated by anything which either the office or the
insured life could do to invalidate it. The meeting was partly
of a conversational kind, anel in answer to several questions
Mr. Robertson satisfactorily explained the present state anti
prospects, and the still operating causes of thegreat success
of the company. He then, with great clearness, . pointed
out the difference between
an an otirsiinnorr eilamentelial,nuciensdoisrpountabolre-
whole Vlorld policy, and by .3d
the ciact of he conditions..
darindareyxepepoltiicoyn,s
tat:3d,
esoh:t.waii::,g be.
_proved. to the satisfaction
who granted an ordinary policy, no
of his hearers that until edam had arisen and been ad-
mitted who granted the policy, could
oinniet:endobtyevtheen ctohrve
affirm with confidence whether the policy was stood or
worthless. Supposing life companies, like individuals, to
be grverned in some degree by the powerful principle of self-
interest, they would be a little careful in their investigations
befere issuing the policy, because, while receiving the
premiums, they know that the more correct the in-
formation given by the insured, his referees, and the
medical adviser, the more easily could they resist payment
of the claim when it arose. An ordinary policy is by its
terms utterly worthless, if there has been any et rer or mis-
statement male; whether innocently or fraudulently, either
by the insured or his referees. Whereas, in granting an in-
disputable policy the company take upon themselves
both the burden and the risk of nil inquiries, and
prohibit themselves from ever after questioning any s'ate-
went that may have been made. Mr. Robertson then showed
that unless whale world leave was granted, the holder of a
policy might find his supposed security totally defeated by
the insured life choosing to go beyond the prescribed limits.
In answer to a question by one of the members, whether it
was possible to ascertain the number of disputed claims, and
if they were very numerous, Mr. Robertson said it was quite
impossible to say ; because the very terms of the ordinary
policy were such as prevented a claimant from going into a
court ci law, although there had been no fraud, with any
chance of success, if any mistakes had occurred. Such cases
were arranged out of court. His belief, however, was, that
the cases were few indeed in which life companies refused
to pay without having sonic suspicion of unfairness having
been practised on them, but it was obviously unfair to re-
tain in their own hands the power of refusal to pay, without
a sufficient cause. Since he bad come into the room he bad
taken up the Times paper of that morning, and there he
found a case reported where a life company defended them-
selves on two pleas—the one on the ground of fraud, and
the other because there had been some incorrect statement
involving no fraud, and the result of the trial was a verdict
in favour of the company on the second plea. The judge
and jury were bound by the terms of the policy to
decide against the claimant, although the attempt to prove
fraud had completely failed. It is only a bold and reckless
person who will resort to law, on the faith of an ordinary
policy, and therefore the number cf eases occurring in courts
is no criterion cf the number of disallowed and coropromis
claims. The representative of a London office puttatnhee_lobl
lowing ease:—Supposing a policy to have beets ntie ieladime;
undoubted fraud, ought the company d t
f p opay
e tit
followinge, m pa
Mr. Robertson said most certainly,
reasons :—By the practice of assuranceer t the y
nd a fallsucces fraud
forms and appliances of inquiry, a _
employ their own agents, inedipl examiners, and r own
1 'ed by the company. Life
the agent or other persons clop
necessarily implies fraud or gross carelessness on the part of
policies are granted not only to talibe e
das.un arred be
heldut out by the
signs, and are intended to ,
to his as-
-
posing a fraud to have
granters as negotiable instruments,
committed, and the insured
posing
is it more ust 11 t l
la le CF,s
life, of course, dead, the o ley or on the
office? Clearly on the company, who, y the fraud or care-
should fall on the bonwahfiettrerholderof
bp
lessness of persons in their employment, have been the
cause of such a policy having been granted. Where a com-
pany binds itself to pay such assurances, it will take the
proper and sufficient means to prevent themselves from
being inspesed upon. Sundry other matters relating to the
principles and practice of assurance having been discussed,
the meeting expressed their thanks to Mr. Robertson for
the information they had received, and their determination
to advocate tie prineir!ea of indiqu,abllity and whole world
Pacha.

d;a

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.

Last Night but Four of the Present Season, which will conclude on

Friday next, Sept. 3.

THIS EVENING will be -presented Skakspere's Play of THE
MERCHANT OF VENICE : Sbylock, by Mr. C. Kean ; Portia, by
Mrs. C. Roan. Preceded by the Farce of LIVING TOO PAST.

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 11 to 5.

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

LTHE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, AUGUST 29.
ITGRRAIOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
66—highest since noon yesterday.
54—lowest this morning and daring the night.
63—this day at noon.
BAROAIETER, 29.80.
WIND, Westerly; light and dull.

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

THE SUN.

MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1858.

On Saturday, in alluding to the various abuses
prevailing in some private lunatic asylums, we asked
for the adoption of such precautions and safeguards
as should effectually prevent the seizure of sane men,
or the continued confinement of those who have com-
pletely recovered their faculties. But for the privacy
with which the capture can be effected, and the diffi-
culty of tracing out the place in which the victim is
confined, coupled with the power of the keepers of
refusing an interview to his nearest friends, legal
advisers, and medical attendants, who are not in
collusion with those interested in branding him as a
hopeless lunatic, the illegal seizure could not be
effected, or at least would be productive of no evil
consequences beyond a mere temporary inconve-
nience. How, then, could this danger be averted
without so far lifting the veil and exposing the
family of the unfortunate man to the annoyance of
having it generally known that the fearful taint of
insanity was in their blood, and thus having an in-
delible brand affixed thereto ? This, of course, should
be avoided so far as practicable. At the same time,
it would be by far a less evil than having even a
small number of persons unfairly kidnapped and un-
justly subjected to perpetual imprisonment.
But matters may be easily arranged so as to
ensure every necessary and prudent precaution,
without resorting to undue publicity. The first
step, as we have already explained, is that every
alleged lunatic should, in the first instance, and before
being brought into any private establishment, be
taken to a public hospital, and there examined by a
public officer and a magistrate, in the absence of the
promoters of the inquiry. This would ensure that
there was at least a primii facie case of insanity. The
public officer and the magistrate may be presumed
to be impartial, and their certificates, in addition to
those by the two "skilful persons," might authorise
the reception of the party into a private asylum.
But these should be indispensable ; for if foul play be
contemplated, a few days of exposure to the uncon-
trolled brutalities and acts of the conspirators may
make any man at least a temporary lunatic.
It may be said that bringing the party to the hos-
pital and obtaining the certificate would be a matter
of needless expense. It may be so in some instances ;
but it would be a protection and safeguard in all
oheaply purchased at a much higher outlay. It is
not required on behalf of pauper lunatics. The law
guarantees their liberties far more jealously than
the liberties of their wealthier brethren ; and
that, although there can be comparatively little temp-
tation to place them in the ward for the insane, or
to defer or prevent their cure, if practicable. There
are no "four" or "five" hundreds per. annum flowing
into the pockets of the proprietor of the asylum in
return for an expenditure of less than quarter the
amount. Their cure will not deprive the party on
whom it mainly depends of .£3OO or £4OO per annum
net profit ! Their discharge not only removes
troublesome and unprofitable patients, but is a great
feather in the cap of the superintendent, who can
proudly point to the large proportion of cures
effected under his direction and management. They
have, therefore, every fair chance afforded to
them. We should, however, like, in the mass of
statistics on this point, to ascertain the proportion of
those discharged as cured from private establishments,
for whose keep £4OO per annum, or upwards, was
paid ! Not that it would be at all conclusive, inas-
much as we believe that there are many honourable
men, of unblemished integrity, whom no pecuniary
temptation could induce to act unfairly towards the
unfortunate beings placed under their charge. It is
sufficient for the purposes of our argument if even a
few can be purchased to do the dirty work of their
employers; and a trifling addition to the cost of
consigning a patient to a private lunatic asylum,
which could be well afforde4 by his friends able to
pay handsomely for his support, would be a matter
•f comparatively trivial importance.
There should'also be a registration of every lunatic,
detained in any private asylum, lodged in the office of
the Clerk of the Peace of the county and of the
County Court, with a statement of the time when
he was originally captured, and the various asylums
in which he had been detained. This should be open to
inspection; but in order to prevent impertinent curio-
sity a tolerably high fee may be charged. The will of
any deceased person may be read for a shilling, and
yet few but those really interested are found willing
to pay the price. Half-a-crown or a crown would
not be easily parted with, unless there was some
really important object in view.
The next step to be taken would be to ensure
access to friends and professional advisers, whether
legal or medical. In Mr. RucK's case we find a pro-
hibition to the visits of his nearest relatives and his
solicitor. This should not be. They should be
permitted to see and converse with the alleged
lunatic at all reasonable times, to receive his instruc-
tions, and to demand a new examination by impartial
medical men, en depositing the cost thereof. To this
there could be no possible objection, and the Lord
Chancellor, the ex officio guardian of every person of
unsound mind, might nominate a certain number of
medical gentlemen in every district, having no connec-
tion with private establishments, whose opinions
should be taken in such cases.

But beyond all, there should be a constant inspee.
tion, an unceasing surveillance. It should not be
flying visits once a quarter, of which due notice had
been given, or otherwise obtained. Nor should there
be any delay for luncheon or other refreshment while
the prison house was being set in order, so that its
secrets might remain undetected. No, the visits
should be frequent, sudden, and unexpected. The
inspection should be such as to discover the ordinary
routine, and, for this purpose, there should be

assistant commissioners in lunacy appointed in every
district. The expense would not be very great, and

it might be provided, either by a small percentage
on the payments made by each patient, or by an in-
crease in the stamp duty on licences for keeping
such establishments. The latter would have one

good effect, as it would eliminate the list of such

V • 1....."/••
proprietors, and by removing those most subject to
corrupt W 1494946; rycluo thlchaucto of coy licquccd

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