The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-26 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, DEC. 26, 1867.

The approach of Christmas is generally supposed
to bring mirth with it, or, at any rate, a more plea-
surable feeling, among the community, but there
are some places where its happy influence seems
little likely to penetrate, and its cheering aspect
scarcely able to be seen. Still some attempts must
be made to render even these sad spots in some
degree different on such an occasion, and all readers
will be glad to know that Christmas Day in the
Workhouses was marked by some especial treats for
the poor inmates. It is sad indeed, in perusing the
records that are furnished of these places, to notice
the increase that has taken place in the last year or
two. The distress that has prevailed for some
months past has produced sad consequences in many
quarters, but nowhere has its consummation been
more to be regretted than where it has sent those
who were able to keep themselves to the dreary
abode of the Union. Iu one district alone there
has been an increase of very nearly three
thousand poor alone since last year, and through-
out the metropolis generally it is evident that
pauperism is considerably on the increase. It has
been suggested by some that the recent changes in
the law have conduced greatly to this result ; but it
is much more likely that the sad state of business
and the very unsatisfactory condition of the weather
have had more to do with it.

Be the cause what it may, the effect is not to be
doubted, and it must appear plain to all who
choose to learn, that opportunities are not
wanting for the dispensing of charity at
this season, and beyond this that those who are
accustomed to spend large sums at this season on
articles of luxury and projects of amusement will do
w ell to pause and consider if it be not more de-
sirable to spare from these extraneous ways to
spend upon their ❑ecessitous fellow-creatures the
amount thus saved. The real cold of the winter
season has not yet in, and when it does it is expected
to be very severe. Timely aid imparted now may be
the means of preventing many from sinking down
into abject misery, and eventuAly becoming con-
firmed paupers, if they escape death from privation
and coil. In a national point of view such assist-
ance is an advantage, because it is a great burden
on the country to have so many in the Unions and
workhouses, and the money there spent is a con-
stant drain without conducing to the prospects of
those concerned. Of course there are occasions when
nothing can prevent people becoming inmates of
the Union, and they should be made as comfortable
as circumstances permit ; but what we would urge
upon the wealthy at this season is the importance
of assisting those who are pining for opportunity
to work, and harassed by the many cares that infest
the down-hill road of life. Many are suffering from
mismanagement, and some are designing impostors,
but the greater part by far of our dis-
tressed community are now sinking under
afflictions that they could not prevent,
and the least that the more happy of them
among their countrymen can do is to seek to relieve
them as far as possible. In seasons of distress, the
worst part of the burden is alivays laid upon the
lowest in the social scale ; and those who would put
aside their responsibility on the plea that the poor
shall never cease out of the land forget that one
reason why this is so is that thereby a constant
opportunity is given to the rich to.make the best
use of their means, and impart to those who have
little or nothing—thus fulfilling a Divine command,
and showing human nature in its most favourable
aspect and elevating view.

The French have always been supposed to be more
or less a volatile people, but when they make up
their minds very decidedly upon any question we
may generally find that they keep pretty firm to
their resolutions and hold fast to their preeonceived
intentions. There is no denying that war is the
prevailing idea in the miads of Frenchmen just now,
and despite what may be said to the contrary it
will be seen, if we look attentively at the matter,
that peace is far from the councils of the EMPEROR,
the debates in the Corps Legislatif and the
language of the press, and, so far as we can
ascertain, from the opinions of the people. According
to recent accounts it appears that considerable pre-
parations both of a military and a maritime nature are
going on atToulon, for the Government are resolved
to be prepared against all emergencies that may
arise. Over and over again have such rumours
been circulated only to be pushed aside as unworthy
of credence, and yet we meet them thus again. The
Army Bill is in all probability destined to
pass shortly, and that is a significant sign
in itself of the state of affairs. We may
also mention that the debates on the question have
been characterised by a degree of excitement that is
usually unknown in France. The Minister of War
made a speech that created the most favourable im-
pression on the House, and Marshal NfEr, was
highly complimented upon it. Previously to his
address some attempts had been made to alter the
character of the bill before the Chamber; and in-
deed M. JULES SIMON had gone so far as to propose
that a total change should be introduced into the
question, his object being, as he confesses, to do
away with the military spirit then in existence.
To these extravagant propositions, Marshal NIEL
very truly replied, that the scheme of M. JULES
SIMON simply amounted to depriving the army of
that " military organisation" without which it
would be a " mere mob" of armed men. We showed
the excellent character of the provisions of this new
bill, and that it would make France to cope with
all dangers, and confront all adversaries. lie may
fairly couple this speech with the intelligence re-
ceived from Toulon, to the effect that orders had