The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-16 00:00:00

‘r HE SUP 4, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENENG, MAY 16, 1860.

IMPERT AT,

'ARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—LAST EVENING,
The Loth:. Cit.&NcELLon took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Lloyd Estate (Parleton); Worcester, Bromyard, and
Leominster Railway ; Cleethorpe's Gas ; Aldrington,
Hive, and Brighton Gas; Colchester Gas ; and Parsons-
town and Portumna Railway.
The Tain Water and Congelton Gas Improvement
Bills were severally road a third time and passed.
CLAIMS OF OFFICERS—THE INDIAN ARMY.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE presented several
petitions from officers in the Indian army praying for a
speedy settlement of their claim.
THE CATTLE PLAGUE IN IRELAND.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE asked the noble lord
at the head of the Government if he had received any
information tending to confirm a statement which
appeared in some of the morning papers as to the outbreak
of the cattle plague in the county of Down.
Earl RUSSELL said the Government had received no
information on the subject.
Earl GRANVILLE said that a telegram had been re-
ceived from Professor Fergusson, to the effect that the
disease had broken out in the county of Down, but that the
local authorities would act on the instruction of the Privy
Council, and would adopt precautionary measures in refe-
rence to two fairs that were to be hat in the neighbour-
hood where the disease had broken out.
ATTORNEYS' AND SOLICITORS' (RELAND) 1866
BILL.

The report of the amendments to this bill were brought
up and agreed to.
SELLING AND HAWKING GOODS ON SUNDAY
BILL.

Lord CHELMSFORD moved that the house should go
into committee on this bill.
Lord TEYNIIAIi moved that the bill should be com-
mitted that day six months, and presented several petitions
against the measure. He said that in the metropolis no
less than 20,000 were dependent for support on Sunday
trading, which prevented them going to the workhouse.
The injurious effects of the bill throughout the
country would 'be most injurious to the inte-
rests of a very poor and industrious class, who
were almost solely dependent on their dealings on the
Sabbath. Practically regarded Sunday trading was a
necessity, and he contended that the argument of the
noble and learned lord who introduced the bill derived
from the fact of wages being paid on Friday, and the half
holiday on Saturday, in no way affected the classes who
were interested in the continuance of Sunday trading.
Lord CHELMSFORD, after protesting against what he
described as the unusual course of opposing the committal
of a bill which had passed its second reading without a
division, remarked that the objections of Lord Teynham
were contradictory and inapplicable. The suggested cases
of possible hardship could be dealt with in committee,
where power could be given to magistrates to award at
their discretion penalties under a certain maximum amount.
The bill sought to create no new law, but to render effi-
cient the law which had existed in this country for two
centuries. Its aim was not to oppress any class of indivi-
duals, but to relieve large bodies of tradesmen who were
now compelled in their own defence, against the selfish
greed of a few, to forego the enjoyment of a day of rest,
which was so useful and so beneficial to all men.
The Bishop of CARLISLE, while approving the object
of the bill, could not give it his support, because, in his
udgment, with the numerous exceptions it contained, the
passing of this measure into law would be giving a legis-
lative sanction to all those exceptional tradings on the
Sabbath.
Lord HARROWBY pointed out the absolute necessity
of making some exceptions to a general prohibition of
selling on Sundays in the interest of the poor dwellers in
London and other large cities.
The Duke of ARGYLL supported the bill, and, after a
few words from the Bishop of OXFORD,
The amendment was negatived, and the house went into
committee upon the bill.

The various clauses of the bill underwent considerable
discussion, and several divisions took place, but no material
changes were introduced.
Several other bills also passed through committee.
Lord CARNARVON, upon a formal motion for corre-
spondence, called attention to the recent outbreak of
cholera at Liverpool among German emigrants, and, ex-
pressing an:opinion that the orders issued by the Privy
Council were insufficient, recommended that measures
should be taken by providing Wks for the accommoda-
tion of the emigrants arriving from Germany to isolate
them from the inhabitants on shore.

Lord GRANVILLE pointed out the difficulty of estab-
lishing at once a complete system of quarantine, even sup-
posing that such a system would be an effective preventive
to the spread of cholera. He stated the various steps that
had been taken, and especially that the Government had
instructed the British Consuls to make known that ship-
owners here would not receive German emigrants on board
their ships.

The Duke of SOMERSET added that the number of
hulks at the disposal of the Admiralty suitable for hospital
pnrposes was very limited, but one had been placed at
Cork, another at Plymouth, and a third in the Thames.
The returns moved were then agreed to.
THE BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAISO.
Lord HOUGHTON asked the first Lord of the Admi-
ralty what instructions were given to Admiral Denman I
with respect to the blockade of the Chilian ports ? Serious
hostilities had for some time existed between Chili and
Spain, which had resulted in the bombardment of Valparaiso
by a Spanish fleet. The bombardment had occasioned a
great destruction not only of Chilian, but of British and
other foreign goods. With regard to the act itself, it did
not become him to offer any remarks. It might be within
the rules of war, but he thought it was not usual to bom-
bard a city that made no defence.' His question referred to
the conduct of a British admiral who was well known in
this country, and whose conduct on the West Coast of
Africa, when placed in a position of great difficulty, had
certainly not erred on the side of want of enterprise. The
British merchants at Valparaiso, having lost a large
amount of property, were naturally annoyed, and seemed
to imagine that the conduct of Admiral Denman had not
been what it should be. They had held a meeting after
the bombardment, in which they passed resolutions con-
demnatory of his conduct, alleging that he had given some
assuranco that the British and American fleets would inter-
fere to prevent the blockade. He believed that Admiral
Denman had but one ship, and that a wooden one, while
the flagship of the Spanish admiral was an ironclad. The
ultimate fact was that the British admiral had declined to
interfere, even with the support of the American commo-
dore, who had an ironclad turret-ship, in any defensive
manner between the Spanish fleet and the Chilian authori-
ties. He desired that justice might be done to all parties,
and therefore ho would abstain from all comment, and I
simply put the question which ho had submitted to the
First Lord Of the Admiralty.
The Duke of SOMERSET said he would state what were
the instructions originally given to the senior officers in
Cl7htibli. The present instructions were sent out as early as the
November,
when her Majesty's Government first
heard that there was a blockade on the coast of Chili.
The Lords of the Admiralty then communicated with the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and out to the
officer in command the same instructions
s7HdeerinchtmitnhechFo-
reign Office had sent out to the Britishnr,e,
Those instructions were to this effect :
Government rely on your using your utmost exertiojnestic:sr
the protection of the lives and property of British subjects,
t
but you will be careful not to transgress the limits Of eins,
in-
tervention admissible to strict neutrals. Her Majesty's
Government will be prepared to approve the exorcise of
any friendly influence Which you may bring to bear within
those limits to bring about a cessation of hostilities till
reference can be made to the Spanish Government." That
was sent to the naval officer on the station. At that time
Admiral Denman was not on the coast of Chili. He was
in the North ; but on his way down, while at Panama, in-
structions were sent to him from the Admiralty drawing
his attention to the fact that the neutrality hitherto ob-
served by Commodore Harvey with regard to hostilities
bad been fully approved by their Lordships, and desiring
him in like manner to observe the strictest neutrality, and
at the same time to give all the assistance in his power to
the British Chargé d'Affaires in Chili, in endeavouring to
protect
ee British interests and settle a dispute which had
prejudicial to them. Their lordships would see
that by
t so prejudicial
those instructions Admiral Denman was ordered
to be strictly neutral
therefore, he had between the contending parties. If,
paod
s ehe d to
u prevent the bombardment of
the city, it was obvious
old have been taking an ac-
tive part on one aide,
would have been acting in direct
contravention of the instructions given to him. What had
occurred was this:—Admiral
communication with the senior
had been in
similar officer
of the
ffiincestrruotioofos the
American force, who bad
his own ; but they thought that a boar
town, if done suddenly, would be attended with
cruelty and loss of life that they made so much
went that if the attack was made without ::.eavrrenan;rgeen-
being given to the town, so that women anZhilotice
might be removed, they would interfere to
the
rdPmoeu nrt : days,
bombardment. Even that measure of humanity Was be_
yond the instructionsas ofgi vAendmoifratlheDebnommabna.
notice, however, was
conditions, therefore, which in his opinion would have
justified force no longer existed, and being bound by the
letter of his instructions, he could not do anything but
withdraw, and allow the Spanish vessels to fire upon the
town if they thought proper. In consequence of the
withdrawal of the inhabitants there had been little or no
loss of life. Only two persons who had remained to look
after some property were killed. The bonibardment was
principally directed against the Custom House; but being
in the midst of a vast amount of foreign property, great
loss, he was afraid, had fallen on foreign merchants. With
regard to that he might observe that the English Chargé
d'Affaires recommended the removal of foreign goods from
the Custom House, and had communication with the
Chili= authorities, who had agreed to allow the goods to
be removed on certain conditions. The merchants, how-

ever, considered these conditions were vexatious, and as
they believed no attack would take place on a defenceless
town, they left their goods in the Custom lloLse, where
they were destroyed.
After a few words from Lord DIJNSANY, and a brief
reply from the Duke of SOMERSET, their lordships ad-
journed at a quarter to nine o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKEIb took the chair at 4 o'clock.
THIRD READINGS.

The followingc.h3 billansdweeureckireoa:ldea tßhoiraddstirewaenard passed:—
Swindon,
Sheldon District Water.
THAMES AND SEVERN CANAL NAVIGATION
BILL.
On the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Sir W. HEATHCOTE moved that it be read a third
time that day six months.
Mr. GOLDNEY seconded the amendment.
Mr. BIDDULPH defended the bill on the ground that
no more water would be required than heretofore, and sug-
gested that the bill should be postponed for a fortnight.
The bill was ultimately withdrawn.
In answer to questions from Mr. Gregory, Lord Naas,
and other Irish members, Mr. C. Fortescue said there was
too much reason to believe that the cattle plague had made
its appearance near Belfast, and explained the stringent
measures which had been taken to stamp it out.
THE BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAISO.
Sir L. PALK asked for information as to the recent
bombardment of Valparaiso, and particularly for an ex-
planation of Admiral Denman's conduct.
Admiral WALCOT defended Admiral Denman with
great warmth, and Sir J. HAlr and Admiral SEYMOUR in
the samefone expressed their confident belief that he acted
in conformity with his orders.
Mr. LIDDELL condemned in strong language the bom-
bardment of an unarmed city, and asked whether the
Chilian Government had requested the withdrawal of our
Charge d'Affaires, and, if so, on what ground.
Colonel ED WARDS read some extracts from resolutions
Passed by the British merchants at Valparaiso tending to
show that it was owing to the assurances of the British
Admiral and the British Minister that the city had been
left undefended.

Mr. GRAVES pressed on the house the serious injury
inflicted on British interests by the conduct of our Admiral
and Minister, and asked whether instructions would be
sent out to prevent the repetition of such a barbarous
outrage.
Mr, LAYARD thought that the best answer he could
give to the statements which had come from the other
side of the house was simply to state what had taken
place at Valparaiso. Some time last year, in consequence
of events that had taken place in Chili during the war be-
tween Spain and Peru, the admiral who commanded the
Spanish fleet suddenly appeared before Valparaiso, and
made, under the form of an ultimatum, certain demands
upon Chili, giving that Government to understand that if
these were not complied with war would be declared be-
tween Spain and Chili. As soon as intelligence was re-
ceived by her Majesty's Government that this ultimatum
had been presented, and that war had been declared
between Spain and Chili, the Government manifested
an earnest desire to do something to bring
between
othne two belligerent par-
ties. The PeThedeeespeatches announcing the commencement of the
war against Chili were received in this country on Nov. 16,
and measures were immediately adopted. The English
Government, without a moment's delay, communicated
with the French Government with the view of ascertain-
ing whether that Government would be disposed to offer
its good offices to Spain and Chili in order, to restore peace
between them. Another step was also taken. On the day
following that on which the despatches had been received
from the English minister at Chili orders were sent to him
to do all in his power to protect the property and interests
of British subjects, but at the same time to be careful in
maintaining the strictest neutrality between the bellige-
rents. The French Government, in answer to the commu-
nication addressed to them, responded most cordially to the
overture made by her Majesty's Government, and since
then both Governments bad acted in complete concert in
all that had taken place. On Nov. 18 the Spanish Govern-
ment were informed that the French and English Govern-
ments were prepared to mediate between the parties if their
good offices were asked for or would be accepted. The
Spanish Government at once and very cordially accepted
the proposal to bring about peace by means of mediation.
The consequence was that the French and English Go-
vernments proposed the following terms to the belligerent
Powers : that Chili should disavow any intention of
offending Spain ; that the treaty existing between Chili
and Spain at the time of the outbreak should not be an-
nulled; that Spain should express herself satisfied, and
disavow any intention of conquest in South America ;
and that diplomatic relations should be renewed, in
honour of which a salute should be fired, Chili firing
the first gun. These proposals were sent to the French
and English Ministers, with instructions to propose
them to Chili. Whilst these negotiations wore _going
on, her Majesty's Government received intimation from
Mr. Thompson that there was some apprehension of a
bombardment of Valparaiso, and that he had made strong
representations to the Spanish admiral on the matter.
The Spanish admiral .declined to give any assurances
on the subject, and refused to state whether or not
he was going to bombard the town. Tho British
merchants in Valparaiso were accordingly informed of
their danger, who thereupon requested the Chilian Govern-
ment to afford them opportunities of removing their pro-
perty to a place of safety. This the Chilian Government
declined to do, but on a subsequent representation from
Mr. Thompson they withdrew their objections to the re-
moval of the property, saddling, however, their compli-
ance with certain conditions, which the British merchants
refused to comply with, declaring that they would hold the
Government of Chili responsible for any damage that
might ensue. Mr. Thompson thought the merchants acted
wrongly in not accepting the conditions offered to them.
On the 16th of December Mr. Thompson was instructed to
offer to the Chilian Government the good offices of Eng-
land, and the French Minister was commanded to make a
similar offer on the part of his Government. These in-
structions were received by the French and English Mini-
sters about the end of January, but unfortunately before
that time the Chilian Go vernment had entered into a treaty
of alliance, offensive and defensive, with Peru and the
other South American Republics. Moreover, to complicate
matters, a successful attack had been made upon a vessel
1 of war belonging to the Spanish Government, which added
considerably to the difficulties of a pacific settlement. The
Chilian Government professed their desire to accept the
conditions offered, but said that owing to the alliance
which they had formed with the other republics they
could not without consulting these republics make any
arrangement with Spain. Considerable delay in conse-
quence took place, and the Spanish Government wished to
accept this as a pretext for breaking off the negotiations,
but the French and English Governments held Spain to
her agreement to accept their good offices. A short
time afterwards her Majesty's Government had reason
to believe that instructions had been sent to the
Spanish Admiral in the Pacific to bombard the city of
Valparaiso. The French and English Governments im-
mediately communicated with the Court of Madrid, and
asked whether such instructions had actually been sent
out. The Spanish Government equivocated a good deal,
and in fact led her Majesty's Government to believe that
no such instructions had been sent. It was therefore with
great surprise that they heard yesterday that this defence-
less city bad been bombarded. He wished that they should
clearly understand the position of English merchants. He
might say that every statement contained in the resolu-
tions which bad been read to the house by the hon. and
gallant member for Harwich was entirely destitute of
foundation. I

Col. EDWARDS—Does the right hon. gentleman mean
to say that the document itself is not authentic ?
(Laughter.)

Mr. LAiARD—What I say is that the statements made
in the resolutions of the British merchants
I and entirely without foundation, and d contraryare completely
to fact. One part of one of the resolutions, i'viz that Admiral
iral Den-
man had promised to defend Valparaiso' against any attack
by the Spanish fleet, was not correct. At one time it was
the intention of the Chilian Government to employ torpe-
does against the Spanish fleet, but Mr. Thompson had
assured them that such a procedure would be unwise, as it
would place Valparaiso in the position of being the attack-
ing party, and thus lay itself open to be bombarded.s The
. Spanish admiral moreover declared that he o
buld bom-
bard the city if torpedoes were employed against
Admiral Denman, in conjunction with the UnitehdiaSlitaedteuets.
give
navy, had then asked the Spanish admiral to
e
notice to the inhabitants if, in consequence of the use of
torpedoes, he shouldbe required to bombard the place. The
Spanish admiral declared that he would not do so, and
Admiral Denman had then said that if fire was opened
suddenly upon Valparaiso and British lives endangered he
should feel it his duty to interfere and stop the proceed-
ings of the Spanish fleet. This it would be seen was a dif-
ferent story to what was contained in the resolutions. The
torpedo scheme was ultimately abandoned by the President
of Chili, and the contingency provided for by Admiral
Denman never arose. The Chilian Government, as he had
stated, had accepted thegood offices of France and England
on condition that the republics with which they were in
alliance should also agree, and an answer was promised to
France and England-as soon as a reply was got from these
republics. Suddenly, however, on the 25th of March the
Spanish admiral declared that unless certain conditions
wee;call. he Proposed were consented to, he should, within a
tm w
number of days, bombard Valparaiso. This inti-
mationas perfectly unexpected by England, France, and
America ;
and their Ministers in Chili received instructions
to communicate with the President of Chili. That digni-
O7ce El r aenf dee ce eo
dn
d liitimonsesli suggested
disposed to accept the good
till
he by France and England,
is
but craved delay
ansdi Aaonputnnmi dmi
Spanishcommanderwhetherotherchat
,
American Ministers endeavoured
to dissuade him from attacking
admiral declared that unless he theplace, but the Spanish
notice that he would
proposals were accepted
within a few days he should givebombard the place, allowing the inhabitants four days to
remove their property. After that the French and English

Ministers again remonstrated against the attack upon Val-
paraiso ; they stated that the President was willing to
come to terms, and they hoped that the matter might be
settled by negotiation. The Spanish admiral replied that
as he had issued his manifesto it would not be consistent
with his dignity to withdraw, that ke must give notice of
hostilities on the 27th, and on the 31st commence the bom-
bardmene. Upon that the British nterchauts urged Admiral
Deman to prevent the attack. Admiral Denman replied
that he was utterly unable to interfere ; that to do so
would be an act of war on his part—(hear, hear)—and he
called upon the British merchants to withdraw their pro-
perty, in accordance with the notification given to them
30 hours previously. The Chilian Government pad
offered to allow them to remove all their, property in-
land without charging the usual dues ; and that offer,
as was intimated to the merchants, had been deemed by
her Majesty's Government a very fair one, and one that
ought to be accepted. However, the British merchants
had deliberately refused this very liberal offer, and it
was really surprising that they should now turn round

and endeavour to hold the Government—at all events, Ad.

miral Denman—responsible for their losses. The statement
that the American commander had offered to stop tho bom•

bardment if the British admiral would co-operate with him
was utterly untrue, no such offer having been made. On
the contrary, the American minister admitted the right of
the Spanish commander to bombard Valparaiso, and neither
he nor the commander appeared to have had the slightest
intention to interfere to stop him. Nor was it true that
Admiral Denman had ever put forward any plea as to the
insufficiency of his force ; on the contrary, he subsequently
stated that if his force had been ten times what it was he
could not have interfered. Moreover, he had been informed
that day by the Spanish Minister that when the American
commander went on board the flagship of the Spanish ad-
miral to remonstrate with him, he said, more by way of
joke than otherwise, "Suppose I were to put my ship be-
tween you and the town, what would happen 2" The reply
of Admiral Nunez was, " You are a sailor, and I am a
sailor. You know what your duty would be.under such
circumstances, and you know therefore how I should fulfil
mine. If you put yourself between me and the town, it will
be my duty to sink you." Upon that the American com-
mander shook him warmly by the hand, and said he
thoroughly understood him, and that, under the circum-
stances, he should do tho same. (Laughter.) As for the
alleged removal of the fortifications, he (Mr. Layard) un-
derstood that Valparaiso was a place which could not be
fortified, even though a considerable time were allowed for
the purpose. And then with respect to the statement that
the Chilians had refused to allow the British sailors to
land and extinguish the flames, all he could say was that
he had that day received a despatch from Admiral Den:-

man, in which he described hosr his men had landed and
assisted in putting out the fire. He said that nothing
could have exceeded their good conduct; not a
single bit of plunder had been taken; and, although the
Chilians were going about offering the men brandy, not

one of them were intoxicated. He was fully disposed to
make every allowance for the exasperated feelings of the
British merchants at Valparaiso, still it was unworthy of
them to put forward statements which were completely at
variance with facts. Undoubtedly the bombardment of a
town, whether fortified or not, was a belligerent right ; but
then came the question how far might the exercise of the
right be consistent
,with the usages of civilised life? He
was desirous to say all that was possible in deprecation of
the act of the Spanish commander, still he could
not avoid making the admission that he had acted in con-
formity with the positive orders of his Government. He
would have been willing, if possible, to have refrained from
an act which everyone must characterise as most barbarous;
but his instructions were positiva. The Spanish Govern-
ment, however, were greatly to blame. They knew that
the French and English Governments were making every
effort to bring about a peaceful solution of the difficulty,
but without giving those Governments any notice positive
instructions were sent out that the town should be bom-
barded. In justification, however, of Admiral Nunez he
must add that the whole of his fire was directed against the
public buildings and the railway station. That fact was
clearly reported by Admiral Denman. Moreover, full time
was given to the inhabitants to leave the town, and the
only lives lost in the bombardment were those of a woman
_ _

and a child. Therefore there could not be a question but
1 that Admiral Nunez had acted with as much humanity as
possible. On the other hand, he would not conceal that
the whole affair hid created a most painful impression upon
her Majesty's Government. (Hear, hear.) Everyone had
thought that the time had gone by for such acts of—he
might also say barbarity—acts entirely inconsistent with
the position of a nation like Spain. He must likewise ex-
press his sympathy with the British merchants ; but at the
same time he could not conceal that they were themselves
to blame for the losses which had fallen upon them. With
respect to the alleged demand of the Chilian Government,
that Mr. Thompson, our Minister, should be withdrawn,
he had only to say that her Majesty's Government had re-
ceived no such communication.

The discussion was continued by Mr. Whiteside, Mr. B.
Cochrane, who referred to our own proceedings at Canton
and Kagosima; by Mr. Baring, who asked what AdMiral
Denman had to do at Valparaiso, if not to protect British
interests ; by Mr. Denman, who corroborated from inde-
pendent sources the statements of Mr. Layard ; and was
brought to an end by Mr. T. G. Baring, who stated that
Admiral Denman had acted in strict conformity with his
instructions to observe a policy of non-intervention.

Mr. SANDFORD asked what precautionary measures
had been taken by the Government against the spread of
cholera.

Mr. H. A. BRUCE replied the powers possessed by the
Privy Council were givsn by the Quarantine Act of Geo.
IV., and under it-they had directed local authorities at the
outports to visit all ships arriving from suspected quarters
to prohibit the landing of infected persons, and, if neces-
sary, to take measures to isolate them, and they had also
offered toplace any towns which desired it under the pro-
visicns of the Diseases Prevention Act. This country, he
pointed out, had never acted on the system of quarantine ;
we had always depended on tho local authorities, and our
best security must be in improved sanitary regulations,
such as better supplies of water and increased ventilation
, and cleanliness.

The motion for adjournment having been agreed to,
Mr. O'REILLY, in a lengthy speech, which entered in
great detail into the defects of the present system, moved
for a Select Committee to inquire what changes might,with
advantage, be made in the system of national education in
Ireland, in order to allow greater freedom and fulness of
religious teaching in schools attended by pupils of one re-
ligious denomination only, and to guard effectually against
proselytism and protect the faith of the minority in mixed
schools.

The motion was seconded by the O'Coson Dom

Mr. C. FORT ESCUE admitted, on the part of the Go-
vernment, that in his remarks on the model schools—
which he had severely criticised —Mr. O'Reilly had hit a
blot, and amendments might be necessary; but pointed out
that with regard to the other schools, which were working
well, the alterations suggested might deprive the minority
in some districts of all education. As the subject was under
the consideration of the National Board, ho declined to
consent to the appointment of a committee.
Mr. WHITESIDE, denying that there was any real
mixed education in Ireland, argued against the present
system, on the ground of its partiality and in favour of
confining State aid to secular education, leaving religious
teaching to be dealt with separately.
Mr. GREGORY read extracts from the opinions of pro-
minent clergymen of both religions in condemnation of the
present system, and insisted that its present defect was not
proselytism, but an indifference to all religious teaching,
which led to infidelity and to Fenianism. He agreed with
Mr. Whiteside that mixed education was very rare in Ire-
land, and contrasted the system unfavourably with those
of Prussia and Holland.

After somo remarks from Mr. S YNAN7 Mr. O'REILLY
withdrew his motion.

In answer to Sir H. CAIRNS,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, "without
giving an absolute pledge, intimated that any changes pro-
posed to be made (and he demurred to Sir H. Cairns' de-
scription of them as great and serious) would in all proba-
bility be laid before Parliament before the annual vote for
Irish education was moved.

Mr. CARDWELL obtained leave to bring in a bill to
remove doubts as to the effect of letters patent granted to
certain colonial bishops, and to amend the law relating to
bishops and clergy of the colonies. The bill, he explained,
was rendered necessary by a recent judgment of the Privy
Council, that the supposed power of the Crown to create
dioceses and to confer jurisdiction in colonies having inde-
pendent legislatures did not exist, and the main object was
to bring our legislation into conformity with that hypo_
thesis by repealing certain prohibitions, so that the Church
of England would be in no worse a position in the colonies
than any other religious denomination.
The house adjourned at a quarter to 1 o'clock.

SINGULAR RAILWAY ACCI DENT.—On Monday
an inquest was held at Lancaster, upon the body of John
Bland, a stonemason, who came by his death under the
following circumstances :—He was working on a bridge at
Scorton, on the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway, about
seven feet from the nearest metals. Whilst so engaged a
goods train passed, and he wap knocked off the bridge by
a bar of iron projecting from one of the trucks, which had
shifted from its fastenings. The injuries were of such a
character as resulted in his death. The jury returned a
verdict that deceased met with his death by being struck
in the manner above stated.

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and vigour to all the natural functions of life.

[Association for Promoting the Welfare of

the Blind:

A numerously attended meeting of the members
and friends of this association was held yesterday
afternoon at St. James's-hall•—the Archbishop of
York in the chair. Amongst those present were the
Earl of Carnarvon, the Bishop of Oxford, Dean
Stanley, Professor Fawcett, M.P., Lord Houghton,
the Bishop of St. David's, the Bishop of Peter-
borough, &c.
The Hon. Secretary, the Rev. C. B. Reid, M.A.,
read the report, which stated that regular as-
sistance was now given by the association to
172 blind men and women, against 170 in the
previous year. Of the 172 persons now bene-
fited, 61 were supplied with work at their own
homes, at sums varying from £l4s. to 3s. per Week ;
28 were instructed and employed at the workshops
of the association, and 25 were engaged in selling
goods for the society. Pensions to various amounts
were grantedto ninepersons who were unable to earn
their own living. Of the total number of blind per-
sons assisted 51 were married, and have 72 children
dependent on them for support. Of those employed
at their own homes and at the society's workshops
31 are women, who earn respectively from 4s. to Bs.
per week. The industrial arts carried on were as
follows—viz., worked at by men, the manufactures
of brushes, brooms, baskets, carpentry, mats, rugs,
chair cane and rush-work, nets, bead work, hassocks,
and firewood ; made by women, brushes, baskets,
firewood, chair cane and rush-work, nets, knitting,
ornamental leather-work, bead-work, and needle-
work. The blind officials connected with the society
were the director, teachers of music, brush-making,
carpentry, bead-work, leather-work, reading, writ-
ing, and general education ; also a collector, town
travellers, and a housemaid. The importance of giv-
ing work to the blind at their own homes was con-
stantly being more forcibly illustrated ; by this plan
the blind were enabled to reside with their friends in

whatever part of the country they may be located ;
and thus family ties were strengthened instead of being
rudely snapped, as was too often the case where per-
sons deprived of sight had to leave all that was dear to
them in this world to obtain daily bread in some far
distant town. The cementing of social bonds was
highly necessary for every class of the community,
but in the case of those who laboured under the
heavy affliction of blindness its importance could
scarcely be exaggerated. As fully half the blind
lived in rural districts, the mere establishment of
workshops in large towns would be obviously in-
sufficient. Since the existence of this institution
several societies had been formed on its model.
Some of those societies had been established for
several years, and others were only just springing
into existence. The older associations were situ-
ated at Liverpool, Bradford, Sheffield, Peck-
ham, Leicester, and Devonport, and they now col-
lectively afforded aid to about 300 of the blind. The
educational parochial classes continued their useful
work, with an average attendance of 120 pupils per
week. Those classes were held at Westminster,
Marylebone, Islington, St. Luke's, and Greenwich ;
in them. instruction was given in reading, writing,
and arithmetic. The free lending library of books
in relief print was increasingly useful, and at pre-
sent 150 volumes were in circulation among seventy
readers. The sick club, supported entirely by the
work-people, continued its beneficial operation, and
during the year many cases of illness had been re-
lieved from its funds. The receipts of the associa-
tion during the year amounted to £6,108 7s. 5d.,
while the expenditure had been £6,239 7s. 6d.

His GRACE, in opening the proceedings, expressed
the pleasure he felt at presiding on the occasion.
They were assembled to sympathise with and sup-
port an association which had for its object the al-
leviation of the lot of an afflicted class of the com-
munity, by teaching them modes of honest industry
and taking the work produced by them and dispos-
ing of it in their behalf. There were 30,000 people
in this country deprived of the inestimable blessing
of sight ; and, although the association reached
only 200 of that large number, he considered its
operations to be of incalculable value. The lives
of these people were made useful to themselves and
to society by means of the association, and he
wished that in all the large towns of the country
the example set by the good lady who was its
founder would be followed. He most heartily re-
commended the institution to the kind sympathies
of the meeting. (Applause.)

The Earl of CARNARVON, in moving the adoption
of the report, said no one could contemplate the
objects of the association without being deeply im-
pressed with their benevolent character. At the
present day a large number of the blind, owing to a
want of the necessary provision for them, were
either forced to enter the workhouse or become pro-
fessional beggars, and reached that border which
was the distinction between a criminal and an honest
man: The institution which they met to promote
made the recipients of its benefits self-supporting,
and altogether independent of the aid of friends.
He highly approved of the wisdom of giving the
work to blind persons at their own homes.
The Bishop of OXFORD bore his testimony to the
continued and unabated usefulness of the institu-
tion. He agreed with the previous speaker as to
the excellence of providing work for these poor
afflicted people at their own homes, and he thought
this characteristic of the society gave it a special
claim upon the charitable portion of the community.
There were 180 persons at present receiving the
benefits of the institution, and upwards of 4QO
others were applicants for relief, and he anxiously
hoped that this number would be assisted in their
endeavours to obtain a livelihood. The moral de-
gradation of street
,begging, and the destruction
within the mind of the spring of self-support put
there by God, which resulted from it, should be
guarded against, especially in the case of blind
persons. The dark isolation of the blind rendered
them especial objects of sympathy. The chief
characteristic of the affliction was its separating
character—the parting of the blind person from
the ordinary work, the ordinary amusement, and
the gifts which the exuberant prodigality of
God's mercy conferred upon others, and there-
fore any effort made to alleviate this misfor-
tune was deserving of sympathy and co-opera-
tion. His lordship concluded by seconding the re-
solution. His grace said the Dean of Westminster
found that it was physically impossible for him to
address the meeting, but he expressed his real sym-
pathy and interest in the society. (Applause.)
Professor F.AwcErr, in supporting the resolution,
said one of the severest struggles he had ever had
with himself was to speak on that occasion ; but he
was told that he might do some slight good to those
who were blind by taking part in the proceedings
of the meeting, and when that was the case he
thought private or personal feelings should not be
consulted. (Applause.) He did not entirely be-
lieve in the isolation which was attributed to blind
persons. After he was afflicted with blindness
eight years ago he found that there was a -
wonderful compensatory power in nature, and he
thought that power would enable him to cling to
the same habits, to cherish the same ambition, to
indulge the same tastes, and to enjoy the same
pleasure as if this affliction had not happened to him.
His experience led him to the belief that where a
person was afflicted with blindness the mind became
more concentrated, the hearing more acute, the
touch more delicate, and, in fact, every other power
seemed to acquire new activity. He bad never
altered his course of readingafter his misfortune. I
He continued from the page of the book at which
he left off previous to his getting
blind, and en-
joyed his old course of angling as formerly. He
enjoyed the grandeur and beauties of nature as
much as ever, and often when in society, when de-
scribing some beautiful river, he stopped to think
whether he had really seen it, or if it had been de-
scribed to him. He thought he enjoyed as much
happiness as most people, and he believed every
blind person would derive
equal enjoyment if
brought under the same inspiring influences, the
same associations, and made to
participate as far as
possible in the same pleasures hick other people
enjoyed. (Applause.)
Lord HOUGHTON proposed the
next resolution, to
the effect that the meeting deeply sympathised with
the 30,000 blind persons in the United. Kingdom,
and recommended increased exertions to be made
on behalf of the association, He entirely believed

in the natural compensatory power to which allusion
had been made, but that great power required
assistance and development, which were sought to
be given by the association.
The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S supparted the resolu-
tion, and it was unanimously adopted.
A vote of thanks to his grace concluded the busi-
ness of the meeting.