The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 1866.

panies bad been summoned for an infringe-
ment of that Act of Parliament. A serious ques-
tion had arisen from an allegation that the gas
companies were receiving too much dividend, which
was not the fact. He had heard that it was the in-
tention of the Government next session to bring in
a bill. to improve the position of these companies.
He would never consent to sell gas at a price which
would not be remunerative to the shareholders.
Their company had been in existence 16 years. They
had received, taking the average for the 16 years, a
dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. For the first
two years they received nothing, in the second two
or three years 4 per cent., and then 6 per cent., and
in the following years 8 per cent., and now they were
paying 10 per cent. •

Dr. LirrLE said he never found their gas less than
two candles more than the Parliamentary standard
of light.

Mr. BLAKE said if they had listened to the pub-
lic clamour which arose some time ago they would
never have been able to receive the dividends which
the House of Commons admitted they were entitled
to. In 1860 the revenue of the company amounted to
£43,000 ; in 1861 to £44,800 ; and now it amounted
to £61,000. (Hear, Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN then moved that a dividend of 5
per cent. for the past half-year, with a back divi-
dend of 2 per cent., be declared, payable on and
after the 22d of October, which was carried unani-
mously, and the proceedings concluded with thanks
to the chairman.

Social Science Conference.

MANCHESTER, Thursday.
The business of this year's Congress concluded
to-day with the presentation of a report by Mr.
Hastings, the general secretary, and a meeting of
the council, at which the Earl of Shaftesbury pre-
sided. The report congratulated the association on
the success which had attended this the tenth
annual gathering, and expressed the thanks of the
council to the local committees and secretaries, who
had been occupied for many months in smoothing
the pathway for the meeting, which had now been
brought to a most satisfactory close. The report
having been adopted,

The Earl of SJIAFTESBURY said that, despite the
reservation made by Mr. Hastings, there was one
thing in the report in which he was sure all mem-
bers of the council, collectively and individually,
would concur, and that was the recognition of gra-
titude to the city of Manchester for the hospitality
and kindness with which the association had been
received. (Cheers.) In all towns wherever the
members had met they had been received with cour-
tesy; but he doubted whether in any town zeal had
been shown which had surpassed the zeal manifested
by the corporation, the heads of townships, the
police, and above all the local committee and sec-
tions. The labour they had endured, the zeal they
had manifested, the heart they had put into the
matter, and the cordiality with which they had re-
ceived the members of the association, were matters
that demanded more than an ordinary expression of
gratitude. He was sorry if there was any other
body which he had omitted to mention ; but he must
express their deep satisfaction at the manner in
which they had been received by the people. (Cheers.)
Every one must have been gratified with the de-
meanour of the people. Not only in the public meet-
ings, but in the streets, they had shown hospitality
and kindness according to their means, which went
closely to their hearts. He was sure all who were
present at the great meeting on Friday night seldom
saw a spectacle so closely approaching to the sub-
lime—(applause)—that large mass of life, that grand
collection of immortal souls—men beaming with in-
telligence, good humour, kindness, and respect,
coming there to be instructed on many things with
respect to which they desired information, and full
of the intention of turning all they could learn to
the benefit of their families, and therein to the good
of their country. He could not but observe upon
one remark which had been made, not in this city,
but elsewhere, upon that great meeting. Some per-
sons, not entering into the feelings of the members
of the association, presumed to say that that was a
" patronising " meeting. Of all the hideous and
unjust expressions to be applied, that was the most
hideous and unjust. He confessed that he regarded
with something approaching to abhorrence the men
who would set class against class, and who would
not, in this world of sin and contention, do all they
could to reconcile differences, and to see what was
good and not what was evil in each 'other. (Applause)
But of the working class—he knew them well, and
he had a right to say so, having passed a great num-
ber of years among them—this he would say, that
they did not desire patronage, but they did desire
sympathy. (Cheers.) To talk of " patronising"
the working classes, especially in such a city as that
of Manchester, was the greatest act of arrogance
and presumption, and of folly, which he could con-
ceive. (Cheers.) The time was, as a friend on the
platform (Sir J. Kay-Shuttleworth) had informed
them, when the working classes were in a con-
dition when a certain amount of patronage ap-
peared to be necessary. By intelligence and good
conduct, by being enabled now to exercise all
the moral and physical energies God had given
them, they had risen to the position in which
they required no patronage ; but he trusted the
time would never come when they would cease
to desire sympathy. (Cheers.) For sympathy
amongst all classes, from the highest to the lowest
and from the lowest to the highest, was the
great bond of union and the grand divine principle
which ought to pervade society. (Cheers.) They did
desire the working man's welfare. They expressed
for them the deepest sympathy, and he was quite
certain the whole mass of the association, and cer-
tainly all the members who attended the Congress,
shared his sentiments ; and they hoped that the
people reciprocated the feelings of sympathy. They
had a common interest—duty, calling, and welfare ;
that which they earnestly desired was a participation
in the people's sentiments, and the people's in theirs
for each other's social
and —l) ontlho ttbl ourw eli
fnagr
e. and Prayinghee (Cheers.)

Mr. 11. PIIILIPS proposed, and Mr. D. FIELD
seconded, a vote of thanks to the president of the
association, and the presidents and secretaries of
departments. Mr. Field observed, in the course of
his remarks, that the association was, he was sorry
to say, peculiar to this country, for in America
they had no such institution, excepting a small one
formed at Boston a year or two ago. The associa-
tion was the product of the English mind as deve-
loped in the 19th century. It owed its existence, he
belived, to the eminent services of Mr. Hastings
who was justly styled its founder, and was still one
of the secretaries. (Cheers.) The idea was a great
one. It was the bringing together of men distin-
guished in all departments for the purpose of con-
ferring with each other, to reconcile differences, to
explain away opposition, and suggesting what they
could advise the authoritative body to adopt. It was,
if he might use the expression, a sort of advisary
parliament, to which nobody was elected, where
every freeman might go.

Lord SHAFTESBURY, in acknowledging the compli-
ment, said that it was indeed a matter of great hon-
our that he had been associated with such eminent
and worthy men. It was singularly agreeable to
him that the vote had been seconded by Mr. Dudley
Field. (Applause.) Of course he was delighted
to be supported by his own countrymen, but really,
on an occasion like that, when an eminent man
came from the other side of the water, represent-
ing that great Republic, and gave utterance to
the sentiments he bad, it might be taken as the
harbinger that the great principle of peace was
abroad, and that they should not hear any more of
dissension between America and old England.
(Cheers). He wished to supply one deficiency of
which he was guilty. When he first spoke, he did
not mention the services of the press. He could
only say that the meeting had proved to him what
he had before marvelled at, the diligence and fidelity
of the whole body of reporters. For himself he was
pleased to receive their kind words of approbation
for what he had done here and in former times.

The Hon. G. DENMAN, M.P., the president of the
jurisprudence department, also returned thanks,
and said that Mr. Field was mistaken in supposing
that this was the only Social Science Association,
as there were similar institutions in Belgium and
Spain, with which they were in communication.
Dr. FARR also responded.
The PRESIDENT said that before separating he
had to request—indeed he assumed that no such re-
quest was necessary—that they would give him per-
mission to convey to Lord Brougham the esteem
and affection which they entertained towards him,
and their gratitude to him for having come to Man-
chester, notwithstanding his great age and infirmi-
ties, at very great inconvenience to testify his re-
spect for the city, and his unabated zeal in the good
work that had occupied so many years of his life.
(Cheers.) Lord Brougham was not there to receive
their thanks, and lie (Lord Shaftesbury) was sure
they would allow him to convey to him that the
last act of the council was to
express their sincere
good wishes for his health and happiness. (Cheers.)
Thanks were then voted to the magistrates of the
hundred of Salford for their liberality in granting
the use of the assize courts to the association ; and
a similar tribute was paid to the secretaries, Mr.
Hastings and the Rev. W. Clay, for the marked
ability and great attention they had displayed
throughout the Congress.
In reviewing the general progress of the society's
proceedings, it may be advisable to recall attention
to some of the principal subjects which have been
brought under consideration in the various depart-
ments.

In the Department of Jurisprudence and the
Amendment of the Law special questions relating to
international and municipal law and the repression
of crime were discussed.
In • the Education Department the special ques-

tions which came under discussion were :—" By
what means can the impediments to the education
of the children of the manual labour class, arising
from the apathy or poverty of parents or claims of
the market for labour, be most effectually removed ?"
" What central or local bodies are best qualified to
take charge of and administer existing endowments
for education, and what powers and facilities should
be given to such bodies ?" "By what means can
education be most effectually extended to the
smaller rural parishes and the most destitute classes
in large towns ?"
In the Department of Health attention was
directed to the following questions :—" How far are
smoke and the products of combustion arising from
various manufacturing processes injurious to health ?"
" What measures ought to be taken to prevent the
contamination of the atmosphere from such causes?"
" How can the pollution of rivers, by the refuse and
sewage of towns, be best prevented ?" " What
legislative or other measures should be employed
more effectually to prevent the adulteration of
food ?"

In the Department of Economy and Trade the
questions were :—" Upon what conditions and by
what authorities ought licenses for the sale of alco-
holic liquors to be granted ?" " What measures,
legislative and other, should be adopted in order to
supply better dwellings to the labouring classes ?"
" What means ought to be adopted for improving
the management of workhouses ?"
In addition to these, various questions in refer-
ence to finance and taxation were brought under
consideration.

As regards the manner in which the different
subjects have been dealt with, it has been generally
admitted that considerable ability has been dis-
played throughout in the addresses of the presi-
dents, in the numerous papers which had been read,
and in the " tone" which has characterised the dis-
cussions. With respect to the presidentship, it is an
agreeable task to be enabled to confirm the compli-
mentary language in which Lord Shaftesbury has
been alluded to for the zealous and able way in which
he has discharged his somewhat arduous duties—
passing from one department to another, and join-
ing in a discussion wheneverhe felt that a favourable
occasion presented itself. His health, however, ap
peared to fail him towards the close of the proceed-
ings, and it was doubtful whether he would be ena-
abled to preside at the annual banquet on Tuesday ;
but, faithful to his trust, his lordship appeared in
his place on that occasion, and although suffering
severely from an impaired voice, fulfilled his task
with a degree of skill which greatly contributed to
the entertainment of the evening.

One memorable feature to be observed throughout
the Congress was the appearance of Lord Brougham,
the president of the council. It had long been
doubted by many whetherhislordship's health would
admit of his undergoing the journey to Manchester
and bearing the fatigue incidental to his responsible
position ; but, to the satisfaction—if not to the ac-
tual surprise—of every one, he was at the post as-
signed to him on thesecond day of the Congress, and
delivered an address which was afterwards given at
length in these columns. For the succeeding two or
three days he was to be seen, under the watchful
care of a gentleman whose arm afforded him the
support he required, entering one of the sections of
a department, and, after listening for a brief period
to the proceedings, then going on, slowly creeping
along the corridors, to a carriage awaiting him at the
entrance, surrounded by eager gazers, who, having
heard something of the many useful deeds of Lord
Brougham, were anxious to have a glimpse of his
venerable face. On such occasions it was interesting
to observe the respect paid to his lordship in the looks
of the bystanders, as well as in many of the remarks
which emanated from them, although it was too evi-
dent that in several instances he was little known to
those who beheld him, except by name. One in-
dividual in the throng, and a member of the pro-
vincial police force, was sagacious enough to observe
that " he believed his lordship had been a clever
man in his time, but he was past work now." That
this remark was true in one respect was too painfully
evident, for albeit Lord Brougham, in the address
he delivered and in the brief speech he made at the
meeting of working men at the Free-trade Hall,
gave,sufficient proof that the powers of his mind ars
but little diminished, his physical decrepitude is
such as would prevent a man less mentally active
from any longer attempting the responsible duties
of a public orator. Upon this subject the observa-
tions made by the Earl of Shaftesbury at the close
of the meeting of council, and recorded above, were
especially apposite, and. the cheers which followed
showed that the high respect entertained for the
venerable statesman is now mingled with feelings of
unfeigned sympathy.
It is but right to state that amongst the various
public entertainments which the members of the as-
sociation have had an opportunity of witnessing
should be mentioned the performance of " Antony
and Cleopatra" at the Prince's Theatre, the repre-
sentation of Tom Taylor's new comedy of " A Les-
son for Life" at the Theatre Royal, and a ballad
concert at the Free-trade Hall, in which the able
services of Mr. George Dolby were conspicuous as
the manager ; Madame Sainton-Dolby, Miss Louisa
Pyne, Mr. W. 11. Weiss, and Mr. George Perrin
were the principal singers ; and M. Sainton and
Herr Meyer Lutz were the distinguished instrumen-
talists. The concert was a great success, and tended
greatly to remove an impression which has been
sometimes entertained that the public will not ex-
tend their patronage to such favourite vocalists as
Madame Sainton-Dolby and Miss Louisa Pyne un-
less they associate themselves with the performance
of classical music. In regard to the performance of
" Antony and Cleopatra," it is not too much to say
that the play has been produced in a style of mag-
nificent and classic taste which amply justify all the
encomiums that have been passed upon it ; and Mr.
Tom Taylor, in a letter which he has just addressed
to the Manchester Guardian, pays a well-merited
tribute to the manager, Mr. Calvert (who perso-
nates the part of Antony), when he says, " This re-
vival appeared to me quite deserving to rank with
the best of those of Macready or Charles Kean."
Mr. Taylor's visit to Manchester was for the pur-
pose of superintending the production of his own
comedy, which, being slight in structure and some-
what deficient in dramatic action, has been attended
with less success than usually marks the productions
of this able and prolific writer.

THE DISTRACTED " ALMANACH DE GoTHA."—
There is consternation in the editorial room at Gotha.
The Almanach for 1867 was almost ready to be launched
forth into the world when, lo ! like the simoom, Prussia
sweeps over the north of Germany, and kings and princes
are carried away by the blast like so many reeds ; even the
stalwart tree of Austria has lost many of its branches,
blown away by the storm, though the stem still stands firm
on its deep-set roots. _The hurricane has lulled, the treaty
of Prague calms for a time the troubled elements, diplo-
macy has done its work. But it is a much easier task to
sign a treaty and exchange ratifications than to re-write a
compendium like the Almanach de Gotha. * * * The
whole German Confederation is extinguished, and Frank-
fort, the seat of the Diet, annexed ; consequently the 32
states, including the Hanse Towns, must be struck out of
the Almanach, and the North German Confederation above
the Maine inserted instead. As regards the embryo Con-
federation of the Southern States, all is chaos. Then
Austria has lost Venetia, Denmark has lost the Duchies,
and, worst of all, no one knows whether the few remaining
ninepins will not be bowled down by the strong arm of a
Bismarck or of a Napoleon. * * It is easier to shoot a
lion with a single bullet than to exterminate anest of wasps.
Saxony is not annexed, and may remain intact in the
Aim-mach of 1867 ; but Hanover, Nassau, Hesse-Cassel,
Darmstadt, and others must all have a pen struck
through them, and be added to Prussia. Prussia
is like the devil-fish described by Victor Hugo
iu his " Travailleurs de la Mer." It holds in its
strangling grip all the petty princes of Germany. We are
in October; the continental arrangements are by no means
settled, and the Almanach must appear on the Ist January.
We have good reason for saying again that consternation
prevails in the editor's room at Gotha.—Dickens's AU the
Year Round.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]—Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—
Healing not Harmful.—No application has met with the
same universal approbation for curing all external ailments
as that which this unguent has received. Skin, sores, deep
ulcers, fetid discharges, burns, blistered surfaces, and many
similar affections are at once soothed and put on the road
to soundness by Holloway's ointment. With this ointment
and his pills the wealthy may save themselves much suf-
fering, and the poor may help themselves to health, since
these medicaments are reasonable in price and can be pur-
chased in every hamlet. They have effected canes of stiff
joints, swelled legs, and ulcerated limbs, and opened out
the prospect of a happy future after every hope of recovery
had been given up.