The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LUNI)ON, MONoA Y EVENING, MAY 14, 1806

apprehension that we should not be entirely free
from it this spring. Englishmen are never much
inclined to shrink from the contemplation of a pos-
sible danger ; on the contrary, -they are generally
eager to examine it in all its aspects, and sometimes
to exaggerate the risk and the evil. But unfortu-
nately we are not alwayi prompt in action as in
words, and in spite of caution, warning, appeal, and
remonstrance we too often leave long established
abuses tin-rectified and necessary reforms unprac-
tised till the moment of urgency arrives. We pride
ourselves, perhaps not altogether without reason, on
the development of our sanitary knowledge, and on
the healthiness and cleanliness of many of our large
towns, but 'no one can refuse to admit that very
much remains to be done. What with our vestry
system, and the various interests that oppose them-
selves to the enforcement of proper regulations,
what with the neglect and indifference of some
classes, and the ignorance and degradation of others,
many abuses are left untouched which are preju-
dicial in ordinary times, but in sickly seasons, or in
presence of an epidemic, become imminently dan-
gerous. "All our medical officers of health concur
in stating that there. has been a great increase of
fever in the metropolis during the last few years.
Typhus, that familiar visitant of crowded courts and
ill-ventilated, ill-drained alleys, has been unusually
busy, the Fever Hospital has been more than full,
the sick wards of our workhouses have been com-
pelled to receive patients who should assuredly never
be admitted among a large and mixed assembly.
Typhus, if not inevitably a precursor of cholera, is
certainly an indication of a sanitary condition very
favourable for its reception and extension. It is a
sure test of the state of the public health among the
lower classes, and it is in times of epidemic illness'

that these classes take a terrible revenge
for the cruel neglect and indifference to
,their wants and sufferings which those more
happily situated show at other times. From the
close and wretched lane or alley it is often but a
step or two to handsome well-built mansions, and
these few stepS are being quickly taken by the
direful and insidious foe. If we disown the claims
of our common humanity in the time of health and
security, we cannot shake off our liability to the
common danger. Our sanitary improvements, our
drainage system, and other changes have done great
good, no doubt, but the overcrowding of our poor
and populous districts consequent upon modern
changes and innovations is a very serious evil. The
necessity of improved dwellings for our labouring
classes is admitted on all hands, and much has been
effected by generous and public-spirited individuals,

foremost among whom is the honoured name of
PEABODY ; but we must not delude ourselves into
fancying that the work is done. It is a monste
evil, too large, in fact, to be grappled with by any
single effort—too formidable to be overcome by any
solitary attack, however energetic. It cannot re-
main long in its present condition, for it is a. daily
increasing evil ; it grows with the growth of the
population, spreads with the extension of our cities.
It must be dealt with comprehensively and sys-
tematically ; and among all the pressing topics of
interest and excitement, our statesmen and philan-
thropists cannot afford to disregard this question if

;hey wish to preserve the health, the energies, and
;he contentment of the people.
Meanwhile there is a great deal to be done in

- ... -
waiting for a thorough organisation of our indus.
trial dwellings. Sanitary reforms should be vigo

rously pushed on nuisances should be promptly re-
moved, all deficiencies and irregularities in' the
water supply orthe drainage should be immediately
attended to. Unfortunately it is just in those poor
and populous districts where such precautions are
of the most importance that they are most likely to
be neglected. The inhabitants either do not know
their value or are afraid to offend their landlords ;

the landlords, if appealed to, very often withhold
assistance which they know very well will not be
extorted from them, and so the evil goes on, and
amid a general sense of uneasiness and anxiety at
the prospect of cholera the real sources of danger
are overlooked or neglected. Foiewarned is fore-
armed, says the good old adage, and a state of pre-
paration
serious
helplessriolts
panic.e veryh a
ve differenth appi from om useless
no
groundsnfclor
that sanitary regulations are properly enforce
apprehension, but we have every reason for seeing
that sanitary regulations are properly enforced,
and the requirements of the public health promptly
and efficiently attended to. Instead of such mat-
ters being, as they are often considered, "nobody's
business," they are just now "everybody's business."
It is every one's duty to investigate the origin of a
foul smell, an ill-managed drain, a neglected dust
heap in hisneighbourbood, and to report such a case
to the proper authorities. Science has taught
us many useful precautions respecting sickness, but
in no respect is her teaching more clear and definite
than when she tells us that cleanliness, temperance,
pure water, and fresh air are the greatest preserva-
tives against cholera, and there is little doubt that
it is by their neglect of these safeguards that the
German emigrants have brought the deadly enemy
upon themselves to startle Liverpool. It is to be
hoped that the authorities of that city will be
stirred to the danger, to inquire into the cause of
their exceptionally high death rate, and to remove
from their rich and populous town the stigma of
Tieing, as it now is, one of the unhealthiest in the
whole kingdom.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Sunday Evening.

The Emperor and Empress were to have left Paris
in the early part of the past week for the provinces;
but the threatening aspect of affairs has detained
his Majesty in the capital, and it is even reported
that the proposed journey may be postponed for the
present. Yesterday a Cabinet Council was held at
the Tuileries, which lasted much longer than the
usual time. The facts of the day are more plainly
indicative of war than ever ; bat, nevertheless, there
are remarkable officious (official ?) articles in the
Pays and the Constitutionnel in favour of the proba-
bility of peace. The writers of both the articles
argue almost in the same words, that a policy of
neutrality is a policy of peace. The article in the
Constitutionnel is an answer, or rather a confirmation,
of that in the Pays. The Pays says :—" The Go-
vernment of the Emperor has doubly served the
interests of France by remaining pacific in the
midst of the warlike agitations of other Powers, and
in prudently making reservations for the future.
The liberty of action which he claims is by no means
in disaccord with his desire to maintain peace."
The Constitutionnel says that the policy of peace
and, neutrality followed by the Government of the
Emperor in the present crisis is in conformity with
I the interests and dignity of France. It will take
no part in a war unless compelled to do so in defence
of the honour and interest of the nation.

As to the probability of war, the Moniteur, as
may be supposed, abstains from discussion upon the
subject ; but, on the other hand, it collects together
reports or facts from Germany and other papers, all
exhibiting a decidedly belicose tendency. For in-
stance, it states that the Bavarian Government, in
consequence of the gravity of the position, has
advised the immediate mobilisation of the army and
the convocation of the Chambers for the 22d inst.
The army of Hanover is mobilised. The Wurtem-
berg Government has forbidden the exportation of
horses, and has ordered the purchase of the number
sufficient for the .mobilisation of the army. the
eighth federal corps d'arme6, comprising the. contin-
gent o the Southern States a Germany, is to be