The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-28 00:00:00

einn

Ti E SUN, LONLON, FRIDAY EVENING, DEQEMBER -28 1865.

extensive one of the administration of the Poor--
law. The whole subject is undoubtedly beset with
difficulties, which culminate in the endeavour to
reconcile the desire to relieve suffering on the one
hand and to repress mendicancy on the other. The
attempt to fulfil these very opposite objects has
produced all the inaccuracies and inconsistencies of
the old and new Poor-law ; and according as men
incline to the one or the other aim in particular, so
do their recommendations and suggestions vary in
their character. The Rev. LLEWELYN DAVIES has
recently discussed the whole question of the relief of
the poor,both national and voluntary,* in a compre-
hensive spirit, though we very much doubt whether
the remedies which he proposes for the anomalies
at present existing would be found effectual. Mr.
DAVIES is not inclined to soften the admitted harsh-
ness of the Poor-law, because he fears that worse
evils would result from laxity in the system.
" Ought we," he asks, "to strive that our ac-
commodation for the aged may be as good as that in
average almshouses, that our schools may be put on
a level with charitable orphanages, and that our sick
wards may be like those of our best hospitals ?" And
he answers the query thus : "There are strong reasons,
I think, why we should dissociate these aims and en-
deavours from our Poor-law system." These rea-
sons he gives under different heads. 1. Poor-law
relief must open its doors to the very dregs of the
population. 2. Poor-law relief may be claimed as
a matter of right. 3. A perpetual siege is constantly
kept up by importunity and fraud. 4. Moral clas-
sification is impossible. 5. The regulations found
necessary in a workhouse are-so degrading that we,
should discourage our poor from entering it if pos-
sible. But there are several points in these argu-
ments that may be questioned. No doubt Mr. DAVIES
speaks truly when he says that " Pauperism is not
necessarily a crime ; but paupers are sure to consist
in no trifling proportion of the worthless and vicious,
if not of actual criminals." That is to say, the
able-bodied paupers, for we must never lose sight
of a fact to which Mr. DAVIES fails to give due
prominence, that a very large proportion of the
inmates of our metropolitan unions are physically
incapable of earning their own living. The high
pressure of these days demands full energies to keep
up in the struggle, and what with old age, chronic
infirmity, blindness, epilepsy, imbecility, lameness,
and other bodily defects, the inmates of our work-
houses would for the most part have little chance
in the race. The working population of the house
bear a relatively small proportion to the incapaci-
tated, and there are times such as in the height of
summer, when the managers find it difficult to get
heads and hands enough to carry on the house
without additional aid. Any one who has gone
over a large London workhouse, and passed ward
after ward with the long rows of beds, each with
its occupant, may well feel that something more
than merely repressive severity is required to deal
with such a mass of human suffering. The ques-
tion may not unreasonably be asked why a man
suffering,say from consumption or paralysis, should,
while the inmate of a voluntary hospital, be
treated with every attention and kindness, but
if dismissed incurable and compelled to resort
to the parish infirmary, he should be neglected
and despised, relying for his only chance of
relief on the honesty and kindness of an ignorant
pauper nurse, who has thirty or forty other sufferers
to attend to, and the occasional passing glance of a
doctor, who has to supervise perhaps three hundred
patients in the house, and attend to private practice
as well to get his living. This inconsistency is so
glaring, so unjust, that it demands immediate atten-
tion. Industry; sobriety, and every other practical
virtue are powerless to ward off the attacks of dis-
ease in every case, though, no doubt, a man's health
is always affected by his habits. But there are
dozens of trades now going on in this metropolis
which are most injurious to the workman, whose
very industry thus tells against him. The trades
which require the use of poisons, such as the mer-
cury necessary in the manufacture of looking-
glasses, are fruitful sources of disease. Paralysis is
a common complaint among the glass silverers
and painters ; while the vitiated air breathed in
other employment tells almost inevitably on the
lungs. If a working man thus breaks down in the
prime of life, and is doomed to linger out years of
sickness, it is preposterous to treat him like the
worthless vagrant who, finding vicious courses
fail him at last, comes upon the parish
for relief. The injustice is so glaring and
so cruel that it is imperative it should be
rectified. The writer of the article before us seems
to fear that if the infirmaries are made too com-
fortable the sick poor will be too ready to enter
them, but this is not likely. Human nature is
the same everywhere, and we do not find the lower
middle ranks leaving their homes to enter the hos-
pitals in times of illness. The natural wish is for
friends and relatives at such seasons, and few
would prefer to be surrounded by strangers in
sickness and death. Mr. DAVIES says that as it is
the poor do not complain of the infirmaries, but
they are often very reluctant to go to them from the
dislike of leaving home, just as they are averse to
entering the hospitals where there is much better
treatment. As for the duty of those who are able
to do so to support their sick and aged relatives
it is indisputable; only we must consider how far it
is likely that
many will be able to do so. Allow-
ing a man's wages to be even 255. or 28:: a
we take week,
(and the thousands of dock labourers, bricklayers,
and " navvies" do not approach this),
out his rent and the food and clothing of his family
at the present London rates, we shall not find very
much over for the support of a sick relative, who
would be unable to share the hardships and
scanty fare endurable to the rest of the family.
Something, no doubt, might be paid in such
cases towards the maintenance of the in-
valid, a plan which has been adopted with great
success kin Miss TwirtixO's Ormond-street Home
for Incurable and Infirm Women. Moral classifi-
cation, says Mr. DAVIES (himself a guardian) can-
not be safely attempted. But physical classification
in a great measure includes moral. A man, what-
ever his past career, who does not come upon the
parish to support him until he is absolutely unable
to support himself deserves to be treated very
differently from the man who, in full vigour of
health and strength, declares he can find nothing to
do, but must live at other people's expense. In the
same way children of tender years deserve better
care than the adult pauper. It must never
be forgotten that they are the future men and
women of the State, and if we degrade them we
are grievously mistaking our, duty. We should
give them every chance we can, certain that the
stigma of pauperism will always be a sufficient
drawback to them, and that English men and
women must be very different to what they are
now if they wish to put their children into work-
house schools while they are able to keep them out.
Any day, says
infected.ai by
r.DAvIEs, a workhouse school is
liable to bea dozen children steeped in
all the premature wickedness of London life, but
this is a matter which might well be looked to, and
might be gone through
a little preliminary training

The Poor Law and Charity. By the R.3v. J. L. Davies.
Macmillan's Magazine for Deceinbar.

before the new comers-were freely associated with
the: older scholars. The hardships of the adminis-
trr dins of public relief are in some degree inevitable,
and the sacrifice of personal independence is so
galling: to middle-aged men and women that a resi-
dence in the House would never be popular among
the re Ally working classes. It entails a thorough
breaking up of the home, the separating of the
family, and a thousand discomforts, great and
small, so that while our object in dealing with the
able-bodied must be to discourage pauperism, we
must do so with the view of keeping out idlers and
vagrants, not with the anticipation that at the first
rumour of hard times artisans and their families
will co me rushing to the gates.

One of the first great steps towards a general
reform of our Poor-Law system must undoubtedly
be the equalisation of the poor rate throughout the
metropolis. The anomalies of the existing system
are so great that they are almost universally com-
plained of ; and when Mr. DAVIES maintains that
the rates are nowhere too heavy, and that there is no
lack of house room in London for the poor, he will
not find many to agree with him. The parochial
authorities in the East-end parishes are forced to
restrict their expenditure in every possible way,
because they know that a good many of their rate-
payers can only just keep off the rates themselves.
Yet the necessities of the parish are tenfold greater
than those of the West-end districts, where a rate
of treble the amount would be paid without being
thought of if it were once in existence. An equal-
isation of the rates would lighten the burden im-
mensely, without pressing on the wealthier classes
unreasonably. If a man can pay three or four
hundred a year for his house, it can hardly be a
matter of much moment to him whether he pays
ten or fifteen pounds for the poor rate ; but to the
householder, who with difficulty scrapes up his
twenty or thirty pounds, the difference of ten shil-
lings is serious. It is obvious that if we set this
right we shall know much better how we stand.
When we have fairly decided what amount of relief
should be given by the State collectively, we may
allow voluntary charity to come in and supplement
the public alms in cases of unavoidable and incur-
able infirmity.

The arrival of the mails from India, China, and
Japan brings us no very startling intelligence. The
Viceroy was still at Agra, where he had been
dispensing honours with a lavish hand. For this
liberality he has been censured by the Bengal
Hurkaru, which declares that the privileged
distinctions will lose their importance if shared
among so many. The grand Durbar at Agra is,
however, exceptional in its character, and Sir
JOHN LAWRENCE might well think it a fitting
opportunity for bestowing marks of honours
upon the native princes. All accounts agree
respecting the splendour and importance of
the gathering, which has been long un-
paralleled in that part of India. The home
authorities, we are glad to find, are determined that
accurate information shall be obtained respecting
the late famine. The Secretary of State has re-
quested the Viceroy to issue instructions for the
preparation of a full report on the causes and re-
sults of the famine. It is said that the Lieutenant.
Governor of Beyrout appointed a civilian, the Com-
missioner of Huddea, to be Famine Commissioner,
an appointment which excited much dissatisfaction,
as the public were anxious the whole matter should
be thoroughly sifted, and many of the points at issue
demanded scientific knowledge. However the Go-
vernor-General decided upon forming a commission,
and added the Hon. G. CAMPBELL, Judge of the High
Court, and colonel MORTON, of the Engineers, to
the list. This decision has given general satisfaction,
and we hope the result will be full and accurate
information respecting the terrible calamity. There
is every reason to hope that when we are in posses-
sion of such statistics, skill and science may devise
some means of diminishing the risk of the recurrence
of famine, and of mitigating its severity should
prevention be impossible.

From China we learn that negotiations are being
set on foot for erection of telegraphic wires between
Canton and Hong Kong, so that science is making
rapid progress in the Celestial Empire. The treaty
between Belgium and China has been ratified, and a
French line of steamers is to run from Panama to
Hong Kong to effect a junction with the Messageries
Imperiales, so that very soon commerce will put a
girdle round the world without let or hindrance.
The licences to engage coolies for Surinam seem to
have been oepn to abuse, as has frequently proved
the case before. The French expedition to Corea
to obtain satisfaction for the murder of missionaries
has penetrated to the city of Kanghao, which
was found nearly deserted. The KING has invited
the Admiral to proceed to the capital to negociate,
which the Admiral refuses to do. Matters are
as yet uncertain. The KING of Corea has determined
on resistance against the advice of Chinese officials,
who counselled submission and apology, being no
doubt better informed as to the strength of the ad-
versary. The Corean KING is apparently determined
to bring destruction on himself, for we find the
burning of the American schooner, General Sher-
man, by his orders, is confirmed. The passengers
and crew were tied in their berths and burned with
the ship. It is not very likely the Americans will
allow this enormity to pass unpunished, and his
MAJESTY of Corea will probablybebrought to strict
account for his malpractices.

From Japan there is little news, excepting the
details of the death of the late Tycoon and the ap-
pointment of his successor. The war in the south
has lulled, and it is thought may be soon brought to
a conclusion.

subject
hoewanr
Town-hall,
i, e
Mr. THOMAS HUGHES does himself no credit by
the course he has pursued in the Jamaica affair,
and it is, indeed, much to be regretted that some of
those members who profess Liberal opinions should
have acted in so unfair and illiberal a spirit. Yes-
terday morning in the Committee-room of the Bir-
mingham T moepelletainendtg
of
has tpart fprrwoomassec
Auri .
n 0 HUGHESf
held for the
o
Mr.
Epo
nuy purpose s:
e of
for his share in quelling the recent disturb-
ances
in Jamaica. Care was taken that
there should be no dissentients present,
because no one was admitted without the
presentation of a circular, which was withheld from
those not " friendly to the object." This is a very
curious mode of procedure, to say the least of it,
and it certainly shows that the promoters of the
movement did not feel at all secure of general ap-
proval ; but, as for calling a packed assembly like
this, an expression of public sentiment it is quite
absurd to do so. A letter was read from Mr.
THOMAS LLOYD, who had signed the invitation to
Mr. HUGHES to be present, in which he did not
approve of the proposed prosecution of Governor
EYRE. In his opinion he acted not from
malice, " but from ignorance and gross lack
of judgment." It is.really extraordinary to witness
the assurance displayed by those who know nothing
of the particular circumstances of the case, and who
presume to put their comments upon acts and occur-
reuces which took place so far off. The real danger was
over before these critics ever heard of its existing,
and yet they can see and hear by
intuition all

L that should and all that should not have been done.
Mr. HUGHES commenced by saying that he could
not refuse the invitation to be present among them,
although it was not a fitting season to discuss a ques-
tion which had so shaken the political mind of
England. In explaining the object of the Jamaica
Committee, Mr. HUGHES said that the eommittee
was formed in order to obtain a searching
inquiry into the Jamaica business, and when the
report of the " Royal Commission was made known
the members thought the probable result would be
that they should bring the late Governor EYRE to
trial for having illegally taken away life, which, in
the language of the law of England, was murder."
It is not surprising to hear that when this extreme
view of the question was taken, many who had be-
before acted with the Committee fell away
from it because they could not go so far.
An appeal was made to Government, but as they
refused to take up the matter the committee re-
solved
that it was their "duty to prosecute Governor
EYRE." In some respects Mr. HUGHES showed
himself more discerning than Mr. BRIGHT and some
others who have taken up this question with so
much activity and excitement. He said that he
himself was prepossessed in favour of Governor
ETRE, " because he knew he had made in Australia
expeditions which showed great endurance and
courage, and that he was a friend of Mr. HENRY
KINGSLEY, who had lived in Australia." After
the many uncalled-for remarks that have been
made in various quarters by those who should have
known better, it is a relief to find so sensible and
straightforward a statement made by Mr. HUGHES.
We have no doubt that he is correct in his im-
pression that no member of the Committee is
actuated by motives of personal hostility to ex-
Governor EYRE; but they can be very prejudiced
and unfair for all that. In a matter of so much
consequence as this, no one can form a correct
judgment who allows himself to take a one-sided
view of the case; and we regret to say that
tha extreme Liberals and Radicals have done their
political reputation great injury by the manner in
which they have taken up the Jamaica affair, and
the language they have used towards Governor
EYRE. Mr. HUGHES completed his observations by
some most inconsequent remarks about law and
prerogative, declaring that the subject races east
and west looked to the English people for freedom
and for law, and not prerogative or slavery. "It
was the same question that was agitating our
brethren on the other side of the Atlantic ; and he
hoped England would not be found more
reluctant than America to extend the bless-
ings of freedom to all people, whatever
their complexion." It is really surprising to find
how people can mislead themselves when they keep
to theories instead of studying the effect of those
theories in practice. One point entirely overlooked
is the cruelty that was exercised against the white
people who were killed in Jamaica. The Com-
mittee is silent as to their fate, they are indeed
" nameless martyrs ;" but this inconsistency shows
how much the Jamaica Committee and their friends
have allowed themselves to be confused in
the way they have taken up the matter.

many centenaries. The Senate lost nine membes,
including the eccentric Marquis de Boissy, Marquis
Turgot, ambassador at Berne ; M. Thouvenal,
formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs. Among the
diplomatists who died was Count Serriner, who was
sent to Spain to negotiate a treaty defining the
limits of the territory of that country and
that of France. Five members of the Legisla-
tive body died. The number of those who
were formerly Deputies was much gre titer
The navy lost many officers of various ranks, in-
cluding two vice-admirals, Lugeol and Le Predour.
The latter was a senator. The list of officers of the
army deceased includes many generals and thirtee❑
colonels or lieutenant-colonels. One of the generals
who died was Count d'Hondetot, General of Divi-
sion, formerly aide-de-camp of Louis Philippe. The
French Academy recently lost one of its eminent
members, Baron de Barante, formerly Peer of
France. The members of the Institute who died
during the year were Messrs. do Gisors, Camille
Montagne, of the Academy of Sciences ; Berenger
de la Drome, honorary president of the Court of
Cassation ; Jaley, sculptor ; and Louis Clapisson,
musical composer. The clergy had to deplore the
loss of Cardinal Gousset, bishop of Rheims, whose
death:was recently mentioned ; Monsigneurs Patric,
Marie, O'Cruice, ex-bishop of the diocese of Mar-
seilles ; Parisis, bishop of Arras ; Coquereau, chief
almoner of the navy ; and Pavy, second bishop of
Algiers. The French magistracy has lost seven
eminent members.

The Franche Comte gives a few particulars re-
specting the frightful railway accident at Franois.
Of the fourteen persons killed, one only is a woman.
The line, encumbered with articles of all kinds,
" presented a lugubrious spectacle." Parcels, watches,
and purses were picked up in all directions. The
bodies had a frightful appearance. Among the
persons who received serious injuries were two
women. Some of the corpses were so mutilated that
it had hitherto been impossible to identify them.
The frost departed last night and there was rain.
This has been a bright, sunshiny day, but with a
violent wind and fleecy clouds, betokening storm.
In the afternoon there were some April showers.
Monseigneur Rossat, Bishop of Verdun, has suc-
cumbed to the effects of a long illness. He was
born in 1789 at Lyons, and was consequently 77.
He was appointed Bishop of Gap in 1841, and
translated to Verdun in 1844.

The Emperor and Empress drive about Paris
almost every day. This week they have minutely
inspected the works at the Great Exhibition.

Ten soldiers have recently been decorated with
the order of the Legion of Honour. They have
seen some service. One of them, Cremieux, is 90 ;
Dand, 88 ; Vaillant, 87 ; Dominique, 85 ; Gallere,
83 ; Fleuricourt and Yaast, 82 ; Paveul and Witt-
mer, 79. They are all in good health. The oldest
soldier at the Invalides is 96. He had his left leg
amputated in 1802.

The Return of Sir Henry Storks to Malta

MALTA, Dec. 22.

After an absence of up wards of twelve months,
his Excellency the Governor has at last returned to
this island, and public anxiety for his speedy return
is therefore calmed. Sir Henry Storks, accompanied
by his aides-de-camp, Lieut. Baring and Lieut.
Strahan, arrived in Malta at 3 o'clock this morning
from Marseilles, in her Majesty's ship Psyche, and
landed at about 10 o'clock at the Custom-house
mole, under a salute of 15 guns from the Victoria,
flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord C. Paget, and a
guard of honour of the 60th Rifles. The reception
of the governor, whose return was so ardently looked
for, was most hearty and enthusiastic, and sucli as
to reflect the highest credit on this loyal population.
A vast crowd of people assembled to welcome his
excellency, who, on disembarking on the mole from
his barge, was received by the officer administering
the government, the chief secretary, the judicial
authorities, the Lord Bishop of Gibraltar, the Crown
Advocate, the members of the Legislative Council,
the members of the Chambers of Commerce, the
heads of departments, the principal military officers,
barristers, doctors, priests, and civil emp:oyes, who
saluted the governor, and congratulated him on his
happy return to Malta. Sir Henry Storks then
walked to the palace, through the Marina, accom-
panied by Gen. Ridley and the Right Rev. Dr.
Trower, and followed by the distinguished person-
ages who had received him on his landing. Crowds
of people lined the road along which Sir Henry
passed, and they saluted and greeted his excellency,
who constantly bowed and acknowledged the con-
gratulations of the people. Another guard of
honour of the 84th Regiment was in attendance
opposite the palace, and on the approach of Sir
Henry saluted, the baud playing " God save the
Queen." At noon his excellency held a levee,
which was attended by all the notabilities of the
island. Sir Henry was evidently moved by this
spontaneous demonstration of esteem and affection,
which is the best proof of the high regard in which
he is held by the good and loyal people over whom
he has been deputed to rule. A proclamation just
issued announces the return of his excellency to
these possessions, and his resumption of the Go-
vernment thereof. Great preparations are being
made for illuminating the city to-night, to do
honour to the event. I believe that on Wednesday
next Sir Henry Storks will receive the addresses of
congratulation voted by the council, the nobility, the
Chamber of Commerce, and other corporate bodies
of Malta. Vice-Admiral the Right Hon. Lord
C. Paget, C. 8., waited on Sir Henry Storks at
the palace to pay his respects, and offer his congra-
tulations to his excellency. Rear-Admiral H. Kel-
lett, C. 8., returned to Malta in the Psyche, and
resumed the duties of his office of superintendent
of her Majesty's dockyard at this dockyard.
Her Majesty's screw steamboat Cockatrice, 4
Commander Bogle, arrived in Malta yesterday after-
noon from Syra. The surveying ship Hydra, 5,
Capt. Shortland, returned to Malta this morning,
from the southern coast of Sicily, where she had
been lately engaged on surveying duties. The
screw steam gunboat Assurance, Commander Pym,
entered the grand harbour of Malta this morning,
coming from Candia. She brings no news of great
importance from that island. Desperate and severe
fighting was still going on between the Turks and
the Cretan insurgents. The Turks have been com-
mitting great ravages in the country, and setting
several villages on fire. About 400 or 500 Cretans
have been rendered houseless by this Turkish work
of destruction. The Assurance embarked at Candia
about 300 women and children, and took them to
the Piraeus. Tranquillity prevailed in the Greek
islands of the Archipelago, though some excitement
had been caused in Syra and Patras by the intelli
gence received from Candia.

Mr. C. Morton, the Government Inspector of
Mines for Yorkshire, has resigned his office. For some
time Mr. Morton has not been in good health, and it is
stated that the anxiety and excitement of the last week or
two, caused by the dreadful calamity at ;Barnsley, have so
far affected him, that under the advice of his medical atten-
dant he has retired from the responsible post which he has
occupied for many years.
EXTRAORDINARY RUN WITH A Fox.—The Wens.:
leydale hounds had on the 13th inst. one of the most
extraordinary runs on record. The meet was at the village
of Hardraw, where a goodly number of gentlemen had
assembled to meet the much respected and gallant master,
ho was accompanied by his sons and a few others of the
right sort. The fox, as ho crossed the valley, appeared to
be an immense one, and a real " varmint" he turned out.
After crossing the river Yore and going along the valley
of Widdall, over Widdall Fell, down Mossdale into the
West Riding, then returning by Moorcock, Thwaite, and
Cotterfell, he took a sudden turn for Bridge, Shunuerfell,
on the borders of Westmoreland, where, after a slight
check, the hounds turned him, and ran him to Stoney Gill,
at the head of Swaledale, where they were called off in the
moonlight. The run from start to finish occupied six hours
and a quarter, with only two slight checks, and the dis-
tance must have been 40 miles at least. Several horsemen
rode with the hounds the greatest part of the run, but near
the end were, in consequence of the boggy nature of the
soil, compelled to leave their horses and finish on foot.
Only a quarter of a mile from a well-known earth in Stoney
Gill, where the hounds were called away, Reynard was
seen in a distressed condition, and the hounds only 200
yards behind him in hot pursuit, but it is supposed by the
footmen, who got to the place a few minutes after, and
found the hounds at a loss, that this game fox had gone to
ground, and thus evaded k i ursuers, who richly deserved
Wei brush after sociAlltuit s.—Manchester Examiner.

LA TEST INTEL LIGENOE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AVSTRIA.

VIENNA, Dec. 28.

The directors of the Credit-Anstalt have an-
nounced an interim dividend of seven florins per
share for 1866, payable on and after the 2d of

January next.

SPAIN.

MADRID, Dec. 27.

It is stated in well-informed political circles tha
the Queen has signed a decree dissolving the Cortes

ITALY AND THE PORTE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 28.

The Italian Government claims an indemnity of
52,000 f. for the damage done to the Italian steamer
Il Principe Somasso, which was fired upon in Can-
dian waters by a Turkish man-of-war. It also de-
mands the dismissal of the captain of the Turkish
vessel and a salute to the Italian colours from the
Ottoman fleet.

The official journals deny the rumour of a Greek
invasion of Thessaly, and state that some bands of
brigands only have appeared in that province.

AMERICA.
LEY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (Evening).

Gold, 133-1. Sterling exchange on London, 1091.
Illinois, 1171; Erie, 67i ; 5-20 United States
Bonds, 1061. Cotton—Middling Upland, 34.