The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-05 00:00:00

THE SCN,7LONDON, MONDA Y EVENING, MARCH 5, 1866.

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1866.

The Condition of the Infirmaries of London Work-
houses has long engaged the attention of all able to
appreciate the subject, and to a great extent has
also called forth the notice of the public, who, from
time to time, have been shocked at the details that
have come before them of mismanagement or gross
neglect. Last Saturday a public meeting was held
at Willis's Rooms for the purpose of considering
the present state of the infirmaries, and the steps
that should be taken to effect an improvement in
their condition. The meeting in question was called
together by the Association for the Improvement of
the Infirmaries of Workhouses, which has for ob-
iec44 to secure legislative action to redress the Tnany
evils which now affect the poor in these places.
The Earl of CARNARVON occupied the chair, and the
attendance was very good. Many gentlemen wrote
to express their regret at not being able to come,
mid to testify their approbation of the object of the
meeting. Am°fla,
others was Mr. CHARLES
DICKENS, who wrote to say that an annual engage-
ment prevented his
coming, and that he could not
thus, second the resolation as he had intended to do :
7ify knowledge of the general condition of the
Sick poor in workhouses is not of yesterday, nor are
my efforts wanting in my vocation to call merciful
attention to it." Mr. DICKENS truly added that
it was a horrible anomaly to consider the un-
checked existence of many shameful sick wards
for paupers side by side ; it :was no wonder
that the poor should creep into corners to die in-
stead., of resorting to such places. The Chairman
derlared that the object which brought them to-
-szether was one which concerned all classes—the
poor, because it related to their provision with the
necessaries of life, and the rich, because it implied
tl,,eir duties for which wealth was so responsible.
The noble lord reminded his hearers of a very im-
portant fact ; namely, that it was of no avail to
read all the details of sickness, want, and misery
that abounded, and then to go on their way and
forget them. This is too much the way with the
world in general, and hence the great
utility and vast significance of such asso-
ciations as this are referred to, for t hey im-

press the full importanceoftherealto makeoccurr some
upon the mind, and induce the public
definite proposal instead of vaguely putting off the
matter to the indefinite mercies of a more conve-
nient season. The poor in the London workhouses
may be divided into these classes—the able-bodied,
the infirm, the aged, and those afflicted with chronic
diseases. The class which suffers from acute
diseases is that for whose welfare the objects of this
association tend, and rightly so, as they are the
most in need of succour, and amount to 6,000 out
of the 32,000 now receiving relief in the London
workhouses. The " dreadful and disgraceful" con-
dition of these six thousand sick poor cannot pos-
sibly be exaggerated. The salary of the doctors
are ridiculously small, and out of it they are to
provide medicine. It has been calculated that in
one infirmary the amount bestowed for the medical
care of each patient was one farthing. No wonder
that " shame" was called out at this part of the
address. The nursing is equally deficient and badly
managed, and in few cases are night nurses allowed.
It is really almost too painful to dwell on this sub-
ject of the sufferings of the sick poor, and quite too
irritating to contemplate the conduct of those who
are indifferent to such horrors. Lord CARNARVON
truly said that the guardians of workhouses were
unfit for their position, and were returned by the
ratepayers with the avowed purpose of keeping
down the poor rates. The society proposed for the
evils commented upon to remove the sick from the
walls of the workhouses, and to establish neutral
and well-organised infirmaries with an adequate
staff of attendants. The Archbishop of YoRK
moved a resolution to the effect that " The present
management of the sick in the metropolitan work-
house infirmaries is highly unsatisfactory ; that the
buildings are inadequate and unhealthy, the medi-
cal attendance insufficient, the nursing merely no-
minal, and the general system of administra-
tion radically defective." This was seconded
and carried with only one dissentient, an
amendment which was moved being negatived.
A second resolution was also carried, to the effect
that a deputation should wait on the President of
the Poor Law Board, to inquire if he be willing to
submit a measure to Parliament for the improve-
ment of the condition of the workhouses, and in case
he refused to do so that the Committee of the As-
sociation be requested to take independent means to
introduce an appropriate measure in Parliament
during the present Session. This is very satisfac-
tory, because it promises something definite instead
of vaguely alluding to evils without seeking a decided
or comprehensive remedy. The Archbishop of YORK
stated in his speech that a commission had recently
sat to inquire into military affairs, and that
they allowed every soldier to have 1,200 cubit feet
for the purpose of health. The workhouses gives
nothing like this, and the Poor Law Board only
require 500 cubic feet. The condition of the sick
poor in Workhouse Infirmaries is a groat disgrace
to the community, and the sooner it is remedied
the better for the reputation of all classes above the
poorest, and for the welfare of the numerous ob-
jects of parochial relief. *ant of fresh air and
cleanliness in health is bad enough, but their ab-
sence in sickness is something dreadful to contem-
plate. Great credit is due to all :those who have
thus come forward to hasten the advent of a
better state of things for these afflicted heirs of
mortality.

The arrival of the Australasian, from New York
on the 21st ult., bring us news of very great inte-
rest and importance. The PRESIDENT has boldly
declared his policy, and has opposed a firm front
+„ +l,„ pr„-i;,,,,i0 rl'horo wns. no doullt_ hefore nq
to his opinions or wishes ; they were plainly enough
implied in the reconstruction policy with which his
name is associated, but the question was how far he
would have courage to resist the encroachments of
his quondam supporters. Ile had need to be a
bold man who opposes the claims of the United
States, and who, setting aside all the intrigues of
faction, and refusing to be influenced by any con-
sideration excepting the public good, resolutely
keeps on his own course undeterred by clamour, by
abuse, or by political desertion. Such a man, rare
at any time, is now fortunately, at this momentous
crisis, at the head of affairs in the States, and he
has just given a notable example of the determina-
tion with which he will carry out those principles
-which he believes to be for the public good. The
divergence between the PRESIDENT and the Radicals
has long been matter of common notoriety, and all
parties watched with eager interest for the crisis
which should put the PRESIDENT to the test. The
conduct of the Radical party since the meeting of
Congress has been so extravagant, so unjust, and
so unpatriotic, that it was quite evident they must
come to an open rupture with the Government
before long, unless, indeed, the Government was
prepared to submit to their absolute dictation.
Under the plea of defending the rights of the
negro, Mr. STEVENS and his party have attempted
to override all moderate men, to assume an ab-
solute dictatorship over the national councils,
and to make the claims of the blacks an excuse
for the spoliation and degradation of the whites.
Slavery is a national crime as well as a national
loss no doubt, but it is a crime which the North
have tolerated for too many years to give them
the right to be judge, jury, and accuser all in
one. The point at issue is not the past but
the present, and those who know most
of the negro agree in assuring us that it is cruel
kindness to throw him unreservedly on his own re-
sources unprepared. The result of this reckless
and undiscriminating legislation we have seen in
Jamaica, and one might naturally have supposed
that the experience of the last few months might
have modified the views of the most enthusiastic
Radical of New England. Slavery is put an end
to once and for ever. The sins and sufferings it
occasioned are happily numbered among the
things of the past. The great question
now is how to provide for the millions
of emancipated blacks thrown on the
heads of the American Government. Common
sense and practical humanity would certainly seem
to support the policy proposed by the PRESIDENT—
of endeavouring to get the plantations in working
order as soon as possible, so that the negroes may
readily find employment, to which he has been all
his life accustomed, in the old familiar districts
where he is known and liked. There would
be the important difference between his position
now and heretofore that he would be free to
enjoy the results of his own labour, equal to
and to l
the white man in the eye of the law, able to hold
property
him
to formai
ve
on
his
earnings,
a householdrn in
gunmolested.lly
teaching
gradual
course of instruction, the
whites
may in time raise
the negro sufficiently above his present level to
render him fit for the possession of political power,
but to give it to him in his present condition would
be fatal to the negro himself and ruinous to the
country.

Acting on this conviction, President JOHNSON has
put his veto upon the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, as
unconstitutional and unnecessary," and pro-
posing to establish by Congressional authority
military jurisdiction over all par ts of the United States
containing refugee feedmen. This fi.ubstitution of

military for civil authority is clearly opposed to the
whole principle of constitutional government, and
entirely against the hope of restoring internal tran-
quillity and commercial enterprise to the Southern
States. Such an institution as the Freedmen's
Bureau, established to meet an extraordinary and
exceptional state of things in a time of war and
convulsion, is, as Mr. JOHNSON very justly says in
his Message to the Senate, inconsistent with a time
of peace. Moreover, the legislation which implies
that negroes require public support would, Mr.
JOHNSON asserts, be likely to injure their character
and prosperity, as it is certainly most inconsistent
with the demand for political rights. The
PRESIDENT has something also to say for the
Southern white people. The 11 States most affected
by the Bill are shut out from representation, and
one of the fundamental principles of the American
Constitution is that there shall be no taxation with-
out representation. Congress can decide upon the
qualifications of its members, but every State
should be allowed the right to send loyal represen-
tatives.
The PRESIDENT'S Message is dignified and states-
manlike, founded on arguments which are un-
answerable if the principles of constitutional govern-
ment are to be maintained. All the members of
his Cabinet, with the exception of Mr. STANTON
and Mr. Howrox, acquiesced in the veto which, as
may be supposed, excited the wildest excite-
ment. Happily the popular feeling is en-
tirely on the PRESIDENT'S side. Salutes have been
fired in different parts of the country to celebrate it,
and a large crowd serenaded the PRESIDENT. The
failure of an attempt made by the Radicals to nega-
tive the PRESIDENT'S veto in the Senate was received
with tremendous applause from the galleries, so that
we may fairly conclude that constitutional principle
has won the day, and that the great body of the
American people refuse to allow their long-cherished
rights and principles to be overthrown by the tumult
of a self-seeking and discordant faction.
The Radicals are naturally infuriated, and have
denounced the PRESIDENT in no measured terms.
As :the only means of punishing him, they have
propounded a measure in Congress rendering any
President ineligible for re-election. As Mr. JOHN-
SON has just declared that he is not a candidate for
a new term of office the arrow is not a very sharp
one. The whole position of affairs is now most in-
teresting and exciting, and we can only hope that
the PRESIDENT will go on as he has begun, and that
the support of the country may enable him to carry
his policy out for the benefit of all ranks of both
races.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Sunday Evening.

I believe that the only point of importance
mooted by the Opposition now to be disposed of is
that which calls upon the Chamber to pronounce
some opinion respecting the projects attributed to
Prussia in reference to the Duchies. The amend-
ment upon this subject is referred to the committee
on the address. The Constitutionnel says that a
despatch from Berlin announces that Prussia is
adopting energetic steps with a view to the solution
of the difficulties in accordance with her peculiar
interests. That paper, however, contradicts the
report that General Manteuffel was about to proceed
to Vienna with a communication from the Prussian
Government to that of Austria announcing the de-
termination of Prussia to effect a solution of the
whole question with as little delay as possible.
A very remarkable case of forgery has been tried
before the Court of Assize at La Vandee. A young
girl, named Mathilde Lafrechome, and Emile
Menard, a fashionably-dressed man of 30, were
found guilty of forging and circulating eight bills
or exenange, w ,cuuc yr T7ooot. Ti.. ...AWN
markable case of forgery was committed against a
gentleman named Savary de Beauregard, and it
was proved that Lafrechome, who had been brought
up at the convent, drew the bill in favour of Hor-
tense Hardy, superior of the convent, and forged
the acceptance of Madame de Beauregard, pretend-
ing that the latter had given the bill of exchange as
payment for a loan of 3,500 f. The male prisoner
is a notary's clerk, and was on intimate terms with
the young girl, and no doubt instructed her as to the
mode of drawing bills of exchange. The jury having
found both prisoners guilty, the girl was sentenced to
a year's imprisonment and a fine of 100 f. Emile Me-
nard was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and
a fine of I,ooof. Menard has appealed against the
sentence. The girl is described as being of re-
markable beauty, and of peculiarly mild and modest
demeanour, and under 20 years of age. According
to the statement of one of the witnesses (there were
40), Menard seduced her by promises of marriage,
and being very vain and of expensive habits she
committed the forgeries to provide for the expenses
which they entailed.
The musical event of the last week was the com-
position of some beautiful variations to what is
called bile Romance du Saute, (the song of the mil-
lion) sung by Desdemona in " 0 tello." There ars
three stanzas, Malibran and her sister Viardot
Garcia, as well as Grisi, always created great sen-
sation, when they sang the air in its original state.
Patti has sung the variations recently composed
by the great master Rossini, but I believe not in
public. m
The report
tatposrtiess htthaatt hthteye
youngaread Princemirable.
The
Im-
perial has been attacked with measles, but in a very
mild form, and that his illness does not create the
least uneasiness. It is serious enough, however,
to cause the postponement of the intended Court
to-morrow.

Baron Hottinguer, the rich and influential Ger-
man banker, has just died in Paris, aged 63. His
fortune is said to be 60 millions of francs.
In England it is the common custom for a Mi-
nister to requestynembers to abstain from discussing
political matters while negotiations are in progress
respecting them. This abstinence from discussion
was requested in the Corps Legislatif on Saturday,
in regard to Mexico, by M. Rouher, on that ground,
and thus the sitting does not claim any particular
notice. I may, however, explain that Baron
Saillard, Envoy Extraordinary for France, was
not expected to arrive at Vera Cruz till the 15th
of January, and therefore the Government is yet
without an answer to the despatches of which he is
the bearer to the Emperor Maximilian. It appears,
however, certain that the Government has quite
decided to withdraw the French troops, and not to
interfere any further with the affairs of Mexico.
The submarine cable for establishing a telegraphic
communication between France and Corsica, which
was laid down a few weeks ago, works perfectly.
It will not only afford telegraphic communication
between that island and the continent, but it will
form an important portion of a mixed line from
Sicily to Upper Italy by Sardinia. From Cor-
sica a second telegraphic communication is effected
with the Indies and Algeria, which at present is
carried on by means of the continental lines of Italy.
France is now placed in rapid and direct communi-
cation not only with Corsica and Algeria, but with
the various islands contiguous to her shores.
The Journal de St. Petersbourg, in an article re-
specting the events in Moldavia and Wallachia,
sap that " they were rather precipitate in choosing
the son of the Icing of the Belgians to rule over
them, such election being in formal contradiction to
the stipulations of the treaty of August 19, 1858.
If the Principalities have got lid of a prince who did
not possess either their sympathy or their respect,
they must not flatter themselves that they have yet
been able to replace him." The Count de Flandres
is at all events engaged for the present. He has
just left Marseilles for Rome, it is said, with a view
to an interview with the Pope in reference to some
regulations connected with the Roman Catholic re-
ligion in Belgium.

The second official reception of the Emperor at
the Tuileries was very numerously attended. The

Empress was dressed in white satin, and wore her
orders. Her Majesty had a magnificent diadem of
diamonds and rubies. The Emperor is said to have
chatted very cordially and courteously with several
of the members of the Chambers, and particularly
with those who signed the amendments. I have no
means of knowing whether this latter statement be
true or not.

The Prince Royal of Denmark is expected in
Paris, in order to thank the Emperor personally for
sending him the insignia of the Legion of Honour.
His stay here will be short. He is going to Athens.
His brother, the young King of Greece, will return
with him to Denmark, to be present at the betrothal
of his sister, Princess Dagmar, to the heir to the
throne of Russia. There is a report of the marriage
of King George with the Princess Eugenie of Leuch-
tenberg, which it is said will take place at the same
time as that of his sister.

Mr T. B. Scott, English Consul at Bordeaux, has
just died in that city of congestion of the brain.
Mr. Scott had a very valuable collection of curiosi-
ties and modern paintings.

The Abbe Liszt has composed the music for a
mass at the Church of St. Eustache, which will be
executed by the first artistes in Paris, under his own
immediate superintendence. He comes from Italy
for this express purpose. The receipts will be de-
voted to the communal schools. Since 1849 there
has always been a mass composed for the Caisse des
Ecoles, and performed at the same church. Last
year the music was the composition of M. Huvard,
maitre de chapelle of St. Eustache.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AUSTRIA.
VIENNA, MAR Cll 5.

Telegraphic advices received here announce that
six regiments of Cossacks have reinforced the
Russian corps of observation, stationed on the
Moldo-Wallachian frontier.

The candidature of the Duke of Leuchtenburg as
the future Hospodar of the Danubian Principalities
is strongly put forward at Jassy.
Military reinforcements have been despatched
from Bucharest to Jassy, and a military cordon has
been established along the frontier line of the Pruth.

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF CORK.
LIVERPOOL, MARCH 3.

The extra Inman steamship City of Cork, from
New York on the 15th ult., arrived off Holyhead
at 11.30 a.m. to-day.

NEW ORLEANS, FEB. 17.
Middling cotton 45c. to 46c.

THE INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.

MARSEILLES, MARCH 5.

The Messageries Imperiales steamship Said, with
the India and China mails, arrived here at four a.ni.

to-day.

FRANCE.
THE PRINCE IMPERIAL.

PARIS, MARCH 5.

The indisposition of the Prince Imperial follows
its regular course, and the condition of his Imperial
Highness is very satisfactory.
BOURSE, March 3, Three o'clock.—The market
closed at the following quotations :-
432- per Cents 99 35
Do. end month
3 per Cents.
Do. end month 69 60
Credit llobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares —
Credit Foncier 1365
Italian Loan 62
Do. end month 62

Roman
Ottoman Fives 3B 80
Mexican Loan 4B
Do. Bonds 303 75
Russian 74 50
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred

AY&
Cash. Acct.
. 890
1131 25
. ~. 915 -
- 558 75
- 570
- ~. 550 -
- 145 -
- 401 25
408 75
172 50
232 50

Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian .
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

118 75

Important Cattle Plague Decision.

At the Horncastle Petty Sessions on Saturday
last, before the Revs. Thos. Livesey and T. Pickford,
Mr. James Banks Stanhope, who did not appear,
was charged, on the information of Superintendent
Thoresby, of the Lindsey constabulary, stationed
at Horncastle, that he, on the 29th day of January
last, did unlawfully remove two cows and 16 bul-
locks from ReTesby to Tattershall along a public
highway, such cattle not being fat cattle removed
for the purpose of slaughter with the licence of a
justice of the peace, nor cattle removed from one
part of a farm to another part of the same farm,
with the licence of a justice.

Mr. Robert Toynbee (of the firm of Toynbee and
Larken, of Lincoln) appeared for the prosecution ;
and Mr. Peter Williams (of the firm of Freshfield
and Newton, solicitors, London) appeared on behalf
of Mr. Stanhope. The spacious court-house was
crowded during the whole of the proceedings, which
lasted upwards of six hours, and great excitement
as to the result was shown not only at Horneastle,
but also at Lincoln and the district around each
town.

Frutit the evidence adduced it appeared that on
Saturday, the 27th day of January, Mr. Banks
Stanhope sat on the llorncastle bench, officiating in
his capacity as a magistrate. With him on that oc-
casion on the bench, besides others, was Mr. Moses
Elmhirst, of West Ashby. The magistrates sat till
late on that day. Mr. Betts, a tenant of Mr. Stan-
hope's, residing about from 700 to 900 yards from
Revesby Abbey, Mr. Stanhope's residence, had some
beasts taken ill on the Saturday, and he called
upon the veterinary surgeon at llorncastle and got
some " drinks" for them, as he supposed that the
animals were suffering from eating too much chaff,
but the inspector told Mr. Betts that if the beasts
were suffering from the cattle plague he might as
well throw his medicines into the canal as administer
them, as they would do no good. On the Sunday,
Mr. Betts found his beasts no better and adminis-
tered a drink. In casually passing Mr. Bell's, Mr.
Stanhope's bailiff, he called in and found that one
of his animals was " off its peck." After this Mr.
Bell and Mr. Betts went up to the Abbey and saw
Mr. Stanhope, and they recommended that the
beasts should be sent off at once for slaughter,
" because," as Mr. Betts said, " they would get no
fatter and would not pay for keeping." Mr. Betts
suggested that they should be sent to Boston, for
London, and Mr. Bell suggested the Manchester
market. Mr. Stanhope at first declined to send
them away; but ultimately he despatched the fol-
lowing letter to Mr. Elmhirst:—
" Revesby Abbey, Sunday, Jan. 28.

" Dear Elmhirst,—Mr. Bell has become rather
frightened at the plague being in Mareham-le-
Fen (two miles from my farm), and my feeding
beasts being nearly fat, he wishes to send them at
once to Tattershall (Boston erased), to Great
Northern station, to be sent to London to-day, and
sold and killed there to-morrow morning. There
are 10 (7 erased) shorthorn steers, two cows, and
seven Scotch steers. Mr. Bell sends a note to the
Horncastle inspector to give ' a warranty of their
health,' without which it must be understood that
your order is not to be used. I also want a certifi-
cate for the removal of my animals across the road
' with the inspector's permission.'—Yours sincerely,
" J. BANKS STANHOPE.
" Moses Ehnhirst, Esq."

Upon the receipt of this letter a licence was is-
sued for the transmission of Mr. Stanhope's cattle,
and the inspector, by the aid of two candles, exa-
mined Mr. Stanhope's beasts on Sunday night, and
certified they were healthy. A messenger had been
despatched to Mr. Wood, of the Great Northern Bos-
ton station, asking for cattle trucks to be attached
to the mail train on Sunday night. That gentle-
man at first refused, but consented in consequence
of an impression made on his mind that the cattle
plague was in the neighbourhood, and that it was
important to get them away. A message was also
sent to Tattershall. On the Monday the inspector
called and saw Mr. Betts' beasts, and pronounced
them to be suffering from the plague, and some were
shot the same afternoon. Some days after the
plague broke out on Mr. Stanhope's own premises.
By the 3rd clause of the Quarter Sessions order of
the 16th of January it was necessary for every ap-
plicant to give evidence that the cattle plague did
not exist within one mile of his premises before he
could remove them. The magistrates held that Mr.
Stanhope's letter did not show that it was not with-
in that distance, and fined him £2O and costs.

Sir Alfred Joseph Doughty Tichborne, a Hamp-
shire baronet, has just died at the ago of 27. The manor
of Tichborne, in Hants, has been in the Tichborne family
from 200 years before the conquest. The baronetcy was
created nearly 250 years ago. The deceased was tho 11th
baronet.

We have to announce the sudden death of Mr.
Spencer Compton, registrar of the Supreme Ccurt at Bom-
bay, on the loth ult. Ile was the eldest son of the late Sir
Herbert Compton, Chief Justice of that presidency.
CHARLOTTE WlNson.—The Governor of the
County Gaol (Mr. Rose) has received a further
respite of this notorious culprit to May 14. She has been
cautioned against entertaining any hope that her life will
be spared in the event of the next decision of the Court of
Error being adverse to her. On hearing of the further
respite she expressed indignation at the " law's delay."—
Westein Times.