The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOALON, FRIuAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14 1866.

culaf ,on the bulk of the gold found in Victoria since
1857 A similar column was erected in the last
Lon don Exhibition, representing then 100 millions
wor th of gold—an amount now left fax behind.
Not many countries could present such a valuable
and various display, though Australia may rather
be caned a continent than a single country. The
Unit( :(1 States must look to their laurels, for this
yoanE; and vigorous population is gaining upon them
in tho path of progress and civilisation.

There is no social question which engages so much
attc ntion at the present day as that of workhouse
management, or, indeed, as it may often unhappily
be termed, mismanagement. Although many mat-
ters of interest and importance have engaged our
time and thought of late, and the affairs of the Con-
tinent have been unusually momentous and eventful
this year, the subject of the workhouses has not been
allowed to drop out of notice. No doubt such was
the hope and belief of many, but it has not been
realised, and well for the good of the community
that it should not have been. We expect that next
session Parliament will be called upon to discuss the
matter, and we hope that some comprehensive
changes will be wrought in the law SD that there
may be no chance of a repetition of those scenes
which have been such a disgrace to our wealthy and
civilised metropolis. Of course opinions will differ
in this case, as in all others, as to the best mode of
proceeding, so that we may rectify the evils that
abound in our workhouse system generally, and
remedy those ernrs of our poor-laws 'Which defeat the
very objects for which they were originally framed,
and zealously urged on by the well-wishers to the
numerous class they affect. Amid the hosts of sug-
gestions which meet us on every side, and the mul-
titudinous schemes that abound as to the most direct
form of counteracting the evil influences so con-
stantly arising in these places, perhaps there is no
plan adopted which so little challenges contrary,
and concerning which so many agree as to its ad-
visability, than the practice which prevails in some
places of admitting visitors. Those who are perfectly
independent of the guardians, the officials, and all
connected with the establishment, will naturally
form the most accurate judgments as to the mode
of procedure, and be necessarily the best qualified
to detect abuses and discover faults in the manage-
ment of the sick and afflicted paupers whom they
meet with. The lady visitors have been a great
boon to many workhouse establishments, and also a
great assistance to the work of improving the con-
dition of the inmates, both directly and indirectly,
though, unhappily, so strong has been the prejudice
entertained that comparatively few of our London
workhouses have permitted the entrance of these
visitors, which is to be regretted in every respect.
Mistaken as such a course may be, it is, however, more
consistent than to depart from the practice if once
entered upon. It appears that the guardians of the
Paddington Workhouse have refused the further
admisssion of lady visitors, and that for no very
creditable reasons.

The inquiry into the Paddington Workhouse
management was made some months ago, and it will
be remembered by those who studied the matter at
the time that this investigation by the Poor Law
Board was instituted in consequence of some state-
ments made by a nurse who had been there, and
whose remarks were made known to the Poor Law
Board. During the course of this affair some ladies
who had been visitors at the establishment gave their
evidence, which showed that there was cause for
alteration in many of the habits and practices in
vogue there, although, at the same time, it appeared
the workhouse in question could not be considered
in so faulty a state as some others. However, in
the opinion of the guardians, it was deemed an un-
pardonable offence to have given evidence at all,
and hence they have ordered the exclusion of these
witnesses, whose presence has been found so unwel-
come. This is not a cause which is likely to find favour
with the public, or to re-assure those who have
laboured so earnestly and well in the cause of all
workhouse inmates. A dislike to investigation and
a shrinking from inquiry are never very promising
signs to notice in the conduct of those who are set
over the interests of many, and when those con-
cerned are in the helpless and hopeless condition of
paupers, it is indeed distressing to dwell upon the
theme, and to follow it out to its full extent. There
can be no doubt that the visits referred to are of
great importance, and they also afford consolation
and encouragement to the afflicted inmates of these
dreary abodes. Any communication with the outer
world is always of great advantage, but there are
many higher ends to gain than this. It is well
known that lookers-on see most of the game,
and we may rest assured that nowhere is it more
desirable for independent persons to appear on the
scene than in workhouses.

There has been no lack of proof during the
various inquiries made about the abuses and errors
of workhouse management, that the official visitor
formally paid one of little or no
.avail in dis-
covering the evils that too often afflict the
sick pauper, and embitter the condition
of those in comparative health. What
an unsatisfactory thing it is, then, to remember that
the doors are barred in so many places to the en-
trance of those who are a link between the world of
active life and the wretched existence of the pauper.
The circumstances which transpired during the de-
tail of the painful case of DALY and his fellow-
sufferer show very plainly that there is little to
hope or expect from any revelations that will or can
be made by an inmate. Fear of consequences, dis-
like of confession, and a hundred causes tend to
check such a thing, and prevent the likelihood of
our being enlightened as to the sad state of many
an unhappy pauper. If those who are willing and
able to assist in this arduous task of investigating
ur
the condition of our workhouse denizens are not
allowedel
ey teffetfhieltee ,elciilitiag time
of putting their good intentions
into
will,
sihlalal,ssoignaodrnoeeuse dbe,ydb_weht
emhnaattiottefrwi
indignation.
sfi
gpnroeasgst
iirobenite.
Another .
S
to stifle inquiry, and to make the sick poor really
the nonentities which some seem to desire them to
be.h u Are w
of
business e to g o n asioobe hi f they e
ardid
d,
the notvoi
voice
oi s Is the
hum ? t ee
to resound, outside those worse than prison
walls? And are the rich, the • ht
In% y, and
the philanthropic, to feel assured that nothing
can or will be done for the miserable beings
whose poverty enhances their sufferings a hundred-
fold, and who are doomed to bear their sad state
with the conviction that many might aid them if
they knew of their condition.
One thing is very certain, that those who have
taken up the matter of Workhouse management
will not now suffer it to drop, and those who think
they can defy public opinion will find themselves
grievously mistaken in the long run. If any state-
ments are made by visitors that are damaging to
the authorities of these places, they can easily be
disproved, if false ; but, if otherwise, the more
honest course would be to remedy the state of things,
so that there should be no cause given fur cen-
sorious comment. We hope that the Poor-
Law Board wall, under new regulations, be
invested with sufficient power to override these
prejudicial powers which are now vested in guar-
dians and others, so that the public may feel some
certainty that those whom poverty and sickness have

driven from their sight stand a good chanceof being
rendered as comfortable as the circumstances will
admit,i and if unhappily such should not be the
case, that the wrongs they complain of may be re-
dressed before some fearful case is brought to light,
such as periodically comes before us in the present
management of the metropolitan workhouses, and
shows us how little cause we have to be satisfied
with the result of our legislation upon this impor-
tant matter.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARts, Thursday Evening.
_ .. . _

The Moniteur, after describing the order in which
the French troops left Marseilles, says that the aviso
L'Eclaireur had been kept in readiness to embark
General Montebello, the French Ambassador, who
was to leave Rome this day (the 13th).
The Cardinal Archbishop of Naples, M. Riario
Sforza, returned to Naples on the 6th, and resumed
possession of his see. The return of the cardinal
was hailed with general satisfaction by the city of
Naples. Cardinal Caraffa, Archbishop of Bene-
vento, and the Archbishops of Reggio and Avellino
have also returned to their respective residences.
The Bishops of Gallipoli, Aversa, and Teano have
likewise returned to their dioceses.
The following announcement in the Moniteur
completely confirms the impression which prevailed
in well-informed quarters in Paris of the inaccuracy
of the news that the Emperor Maximilian had left
Mexico :—" The Government has received by the
transatlantic cable the following despatch, dated
Dec. 3, from Mexico, and Dec. 9, from New Or-
leans The Emperor Maximilian is still in Mexico.
He has not yet come to a decision. As the evacua-
tion of the troops is to be finished in March, it is
urgent that the transports should arrive without
delay. The Campbell and Sherman mission, which
arrived on the 29th Nov. at Vera Cruz, left on the
3d of December. It appears to be animated with
the most conciliatory sentiments." This despatch is
signed by Marshal Bazaine and General Castelnau.
The ceremony of the translation and burial of
the remains of Cardinal Richelieu is to take place
with becoming pomp and ceremony at the church
of the Sorbonne on Saturday next. It will be at-
tended by Senators, Deputies, Ministers, and many
other eminent personages.
The Paris papers at present discuss but partially
the plan for the reorganisation of the French army,
of which the Moniteur has given the details. The
main point of which you have been advised by tele-
graph is so simple that they probably consider
nothing is to be said about it. France believes that
in order to maintain her position and her just in-
fluence she ought to have an army of 800,000 men,
to be available for any foreign expedition. Besides
this, a military force, the numerial strength of
which is not defined, is always to be available to
preserve order and tranquillity at home.
A telegram from Vienna states that the commer-
cial treaty between France and Austria was signed
yesterday.

The Count de Sarteges, Ambassador from France
to Rome, has left Paris to resume the duties of his
office.

The Minister of Marine has received despatches
from Saigon, dated November 2, which announce
that a revolution, concocted at the palace, had taken
place at Hue, and the nephew of the Emperor, Tu-
D uc, had placed himself at the head of a conspiracy
to overthrow that Power, and to be himself pro-
claimed Emperor of Annam in his stead. The con-
spirators were arrested just at the moment when
they thought themselves certain of triumphing. Tu-
Due had despatched an army to Cochin-China with
this news, and had expressed an earnest desire
to maintain the most cordial relations with France.
The journals publish different versions of the answer
of the Pope to the address of General Montebello
on leaving Rome. There is no doubt, however, that
the expressions of cordiality and confidence were
mutual. General Montebello assured his Holiness
that although the Emperor had withdrawn his
troops, France would ever give her moral support
to the Pope. The Italian journal Nazione publishes
a version of the Pope's speech. In reference to this
version the Provincia of Turin says it doubts the
authenticity of the words attributed to his Holiness,
and remarks that the Journal de Geneva publishes an
account of the speech which differs essentially from
the text as given by the Nazione. I can
inform you that the speech of the Pope had not
been prepared beforehand, but it was made spon-
taneously, upon the impression received from the
manner as well as words of the representative of
France.

I hear that the Court will shortly return from
Compiegne to Paris. Some extensive alterations
and improvements have been made in the private
apartments of the Empress at the Tuileries during
the sojourn at Compiegne. The Empress came
to Paris the other day on purpose to inspect the
apartments, but made only a short stay in the
capital. Lord Cowley, the English Ambassador,
is now among the guests of the Emperor and
Empress at Compiegne.

The death of Monseigneur Coquerau deserves
more than the passing word with which I an-
nounced it. He was born at Laval in the depart-
ment of Mayenne, on the 27th of November, 1808.
Like Lacordaire and Ravignan he studied for the
Law and was called to the Paris bar. -He soon, how-
ever, changed his vocation for the Church, and
studied at the seminary of Vannes, under the learned
Jean de Lammenais, brother of the illustrious
writer. He was advanced as priest in 1833. His
next appointment was that of almoner to Belle Poule,
which brought back the remains of the Emperor
from St. Helena. The exhumation.of the Emperor's
remains took place on the 14th of August, 1840,
with appropriate ceremony. The Abbe Coquerau
assisted in raising the body, and wrote an ac-
count of its appearance. The right hand was upon
the body and almost concealed. The left hand could
be plainly perceived. The hands were discoloured,
but the feet were quite white. The lower part of the
face was not changed, but the upper part was swol-
len. The Abbe marched at the head of the funeral
procession to the Belle Poule, and watched the body
during three consecutive nights. An altar, with
appropriate ornaments, was constructed in the ves-
sel, and the Abbe performed Divine service. When
the ceremony was over the remains were deposited
in an appropriate part of the vessel, with the prayers
and forms prescribed by the Catholic Church. Dur-
ing the whole period of the voyage to France the
Abbe read prayers in the chapel which floated over
the waves. On his return to France the Abbe
published an interesting account of the de-
tails of his mission. It was in 1843 that
he was appointed Canon of St. Denis. His nomi-
nation was announced to him in a letter from the
chief of the expedition, who expressed to him the
great esteem of the Prince Royal for the respected
priest. Although the Abbe's mission was peace, he
had formed part of a warlike expedition, and was
at the bombardment of Mogador in 1844. In 1850
he was appointed Almoner-in-Chief of the Fleet,
and in this capacity he made the maritime campaign
in the East. His funeral obsequies took place
to-day at the Church of St. Clotilde.
This has been a regular wet day, but the tem-
perature continues warm.
All the correspondence which has taken place
between France and the Holy See since 1849 is now
being printed at the Vatican.

Diming this week there have been several confer-
ences between the Marquis de Moustier, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, with 111. Goltz, the Prussian
Ambassador, and with M. de Artois, who is tem-
porarily performing the duties of M. de Nigra, the
Italian Minister.

It is worthy of notice, as a proof of the rapidity
with which French juries despatch business, that
they only deliberated not quite half an hour upon
the case of Martin Iteau, accused of so many mur-
ders, although there were 150 witnesses. In that
short time, too, they managed to discover " extenu-
ating circumstances."

BRITISII COLUMBIA.--The New York I inies has
received a despatch stating that the union of Vancouver's
'lsland to British Columbia was proclaimed to take place on
the 13t11 ult., under the Act of last SoSsion,

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER's TELEGRAMS.)

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS; Dec. 14.

A Royal decree has been issued appointing
General Baron Goethals, aide-de-camp to the King,
to the post of Minister of War.

CHINA.
(By Overland Telegraph from Galle.)
HONG KONG, Nov. 15.

The French expe,diticfn in the Corea has pene-
trated to Fang-than without meeting any resist-

ance.
Advices from Japan announce that the civil war
is suspended.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Dec. 13, Two o'clock.—The market
is devoid of interest, and transactions are scarce.
Prices are nevertheless very well maintained, and
generally at an advance. French Threes are doing
at 69f. 75c., or sc. higher. Italian Fives at first
gained an advance, and were doing at 57f. 20c., but
offers have caused this Stock to retrograde to 56f.
95c, at which it is now quoted—a decline of 10c.
Credit Mobilier Shares have advanced to 591 f. 25c.,
a gain of sf. A similar advance is quoted on Credit
Foncier shares, at 1,387 f. 50c. Railway shares are
firm, with generally a fractional advance. English
Consols are again telegraphed to-day with an
advance of •
Three o'clock.—Quotations closed as follows :
Bank Shares 3625
Italian Loan 56 80
Do. end month 56 80
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds —
Spanish Throes
Home Debt
Deferred

4f per Cents 9B
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 69 75
Do. end month 69 721
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Credit Foncier —
Do. and month 1387 50

RAIL"

'LYS.

For Account.
Orleans BBO
Northern ll9O
Lyons and Mediterranean 9OO
Southern 583 75
• Western —
Eastern 533 75
Sardinian . 72 50
Austrian
Lombard 396 25
North of Spain ll5
SaragosEa 135
Ditto to Barcelona..
Roman,

BANK OF FRANCE.

77 50

PARIS, Dec. 13.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :