The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-16 00:00:00

sequestrate, as much as possible, the rights and
privileges of the Prussian people. In this matter
of the Duchies he has at last overreached himself,
for Austria has had her eye upon that much-coveted
prize for some time past, and will not willingly re-
linquish her expectation, or forfeit her claims, be
they just or unjust.
No item of intelligence is more extraordinary con-
cerning this German affair than the Treaty be-
tween 'Prussia, and Italy. If the Italians hold to
this they will forfeit the respect and sympathy they
have so largely gained, and show that they are
animated by inimical feelings towards Austria, or
not inspired by real love of liberty, or a desire that
justice should be done. Of course such a compact
is just what we might have expectedfrom Prussia, but
from Italy we had hoped to expect better things. If
Austria be well advised at this critical juncture she
will carry out the scheme before suggested, and sell
Venetia. Such a plan would be a substantial gain
to her in her financial difficulties that environ her,
and also remove one of the handles which Prussia
may use against her. more liberal policy
carried out in Hungary would likewise be
most advantageous at this time, and sure
to rally round the EMPEROR some peaceful
allies. It is much to be regretted that the tactics
of the Vienna Cabinet should have been so imper-
fect of late years, because the timid policy abroad
and arbitrary domestic course pursued have wrought

great evils
As for the silence of the German Parliament.
that may be regarded as a " dodge" on the part o
Count BISMARCK to divert attention from his war
like preparations, and is likely to be carried out, at
any rate just at present. The important question
of the settlement of the Duchies of Schleswig Hol-
stein is sure to take precedence of all others,
and whatever may b 9 said to the contrary
that is the - point to which all atten-
tion is directed. It is not surprising, however,
that the subject having been mooted it should have
been taken up in various directions, and that re-
marks are constantly being made upon the disturb-
ances that have arisen between Austria and Prussia.
Baron de BEUST has sent a despatch to the Saxon
Minister at:Berlin relative to the Prussian Circular
of the 24th ult., and the disputes that have arisen
between Austria and Prussia. Not much is said in
it of a definite nature, but it seems that very little
sympathy is felt for Prussia. The Baron, however,
goes so far as to declare that, in case Prussia
should be attacked by Austria, and thinks fit
to apply to the Diet, the " Saxon Go-
vernment will vote in conformity with the
Federal laws in favour of the Prussian demand; and
will act in consequence in order to oppose the
aggressor." It is not likely that this promise will
be put to the proof, because Austria does not seem
likely to be the first to commence hostilities. No very
great reliance can be placed upon Barn De BEUST in
consequence of his conduct during theDano-German
war ; but, as he is a man of influence, it is so far
satisfactory that he should be unwilling to accede
to the demands of Prussia. Count BISMARK, some
time since, gave great offence to Saxony, and it is
not likely that, in his present perplexity,
he will find that kingdom very instru-
mental to aid him and further his policy.
A very proper retort is made in this despatch of
Baron de BEUST'S concerning the manner in which
the lesser States of Germany were treated by the
overbearing Government of Berlin, when he de-
clues that as to the differences arising between
Austria and Prussia respecting the Gastein Con-
vention, " as neither the Diet nor the Confederate
Governments individually, with the exception of
the two high contending parties, took part in the
arrangement, he would willingly pass over that
subject." No doubt, by this time, both of the
44 high contending" parties regret their exclusive-
, ness, and have cause to envy their selfish policy.

We are very glad to find that the cause of the
sick poor is likely at last to receive some of the
attention it deserves. The difficulties attending the

care of our sick paupers are undoubtedly very great.

On the one hand, there are the fear of encouraging
pauperism and the dislike at paying heavy rates ; on
the other, the natural humanity which desires to
relieve suffering and the sense of duty which makes
us responsible for the proper and efficient treatment
of so helpless
,a class of sufferers. There are two
points, however, which are quite certain ; and these
are, Ist, that no one
_would or could feign serious
illness for the pleasure of getting into a workhouse
sick ward ; and 2d, that the management of those
wards is altogether faulty and inefficient. The terri-

ble revelations made in the case of TIMOTHY DALY and

RICHARD GIBSON created so strong and generd

a feeling of indignation thas it was hardly likely
the matter would be allowed to drop. For several
years the Workhouse Visiting Society have been
endeavouring to call public attention to the fact
that by far the larger portion of the inmates of our
metropolitan unions are sick, aged, and infirm, and
that a very small proportion are really able-bodied.

When we deduct the epileptic, the blind, the para.
lysed, the deaf and dumb, the actually sick, the bed
ridden, and merely infirm who are self incapable
of any prolonged or severe exertion, we shall find
that the numbers of those who throw thremselve
unnecessarily upon public charity is reduced within
a very small limit. The reckless, improvident, and
worthies classes are for the most part represented
by the casual paupers, and the fact has long been
familiar to all acquainted with the interior of our
workhouses. The testimony of the masters and
medical officers of all the Unions is unanimous on
this point, while the simple fact that, of all the
deaths in the metropolis, one in every twelve takes
place in a workhouse, speaks strongly to the same
effect. On this subject Dr. ANSTIE, Fellow of the
College of Physicians, writes as follows* :—" What
may be called the regular London voluntary hos-
pitals contain about 4,000 beds, the majority of
which are filled by patients suffering from severe
disease. But in the 39 London Workhouses, out
of a total population fluctuating between 28,000
and 32,000, we find that there are some 6,000 acute
cases, 1,400 lunatics, and a number, variously esti-
mated at from 12,000 to 15,000, of patients, who
regularly require occasional medical attendance,
sufferers from chronic disease in fact." Dr.
ArisTa does not fail to remind us that the pauper
sick are precisely those to whom we most owe care
and kindness. The pauper himself has often paid
poor rates for many years until some great misfor-
tune or the visitation of severe illness breaks them
down. In the case of women, more especially,
whose hours of labour are always long and ex-
hausting,
and always wretchedly paid when they
pass middle life, if they have only themselves to look
to the chances are ten to one against them.
Younger and stronger rivals push them from the
field, and
the
isedthe needlewoman, the servant, the shop-
woman,fpooroce h
rd,wwidow, and even sometimes the
governess, eh e
pressure,t. he a lth a
to
od
creepstrengtht
iinto
ot
h give
way under long-continued e
sick ward of a workhouse, to be dependent on the
care of an ignorant rough, and, perhaps, drunken
pauper, and to trust her chance of curefrom tao,
an occasional visit of a minute or two

* "Workhouse Infirmary Reform." ty F. E. Anstie
,D, dlcumillan'a ,Idagazinc for April, 13.6.