The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-11 00:00:00

The Eclectic. Ward and Co.

The Eclectic Review has been enlarged and
altered, and now appears under this title. It has
been considerably improved, it is more enlarged in
its sphere, and less sectarian in its subjects and
style. While preserving its former liberal views,
it no longer forces its theological tenets upon the
reader, and those of totally different opinions may
find much to please and interest them in it. The
names of P. H. Gosse, Alexander Smith, and the
author of " Mary Powell," are among the contribu-
tors, and a better style of literature, as well as a
wider sphere of interest is now perceptible. Mas_
son's " Life of John Milton" receives a thoughtful
criticism, in which the writer analyses the charac-
ter of the poet with skill and felicity. One of the
most attractive - articles to the reader of literary
tastes, is on the recent volume of " Lyra Ger-
manica," written with a full appreciation of the
spirit of the old German collection. There is truth,
as well as eloquence, in many of the passages. The
author of " Mary
.Powell " •cuntributes the first
chapter of a pleasing. story, showing how much
good may be done with little means, by a kind
heart and ready thought. There is a paper on
Comets for the scientific reader, and several politi-
cal articles. We congratulate the " Eclectic "on
its increased interest and improved style.

Moore's Sacred Songs, with Symphonies and Ac-
conzpaninzents. By Sir J. Stevenson. Longman.
This is another of that beautiful series of volumes
which Messrs. Longman have been recently pub.
lishing. The " Sacred Songs" of Moore are well
known and appreciated for their beauty and pathos,
and the lovers of sacred melody could scarcely meet
with a more attractive volume. When we see the
names of Handel, Beethoven, Hadyn, and Lord
Mornington among the original composers of the
airs, and when they have been arranged and super-
intended by Sir John Stevenson, many of whose
beautiful compositions are included, we cannot
wonder at the extended reputation and popularity
of these " Sacred Melodies." Six songs from Scrip-
ture, the words by Thomas Moore, arranged by
John Goss, a name well known in the musical
world, are added, and are well worthy of their
predecessors. The arrangements in many cases ar3
suited for one or more voices. The size and printing
of the volume are in all respects suitable, and there
could scarcely be a more acceptable addition to a
family circle, who have taste and ability sufficient
to appreciate the rare combination of poetic and
musical excellence it possesses.

The Art Journal.

The illustrations for the current month are of
average merit. They consist of engravings from
Landseer's painting of " The Matmozettes," and
Gil Bias at Pennaflor," both in the
RMoaycali'slseCollection ; and of an engraving from the
bas-relief of " Emily of Rylstone," by F. M. Miller.
The literary portion maintains its usual high
character. Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall commence
another of their pleasant illustrated books, under
the title of " Excursions in South Wales." The
woodcuts are numerous and Very pretty, some of
the landscapes being especially graceful. The
essays on " British Artists" are proceeded with, and
criticise the works of Louis Haghe. An interesting

article on " Rubens and his Scholars" is to be con-
tinued next month. There are several other illus-
trated papers, and one on the " Domestic Games
and Amusements in the Middle Ages," is the first
of an entertaining series. A pleasant variety of
papers on artistic topics is offered to the reader.

The Parents' Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction.

New Edition. Smith and Elder.

This is the second part of the new edition of this
pleasant little work, which accomplishes the diffi-
cult task of combining amusement with instruction
very successfully. This number has some very
interesting papers for juveniles. One on electrical
eels is chiefly extracted from Humboldt's Travels
in South America, and gives some curious details
about the gymnotus. There are two or three
stories with no further aim than amusement. It
is admirably adapted to the taste and comprehen-
sion of young children, and a most seasonable
acquisition to the nursery library.

Songs of Robert Burns. Centenary edition. Jack,
Glasgow.
This centenary edition of Burns' songs gives
those favourites of poet and musician complete for
a shilling, with their respective airs. It is a de-
lightful little volume, and its appearance at the
present time is peculiarly opportune.

THE GREAT SOCIAL QUESTION

REVIVED.

Yesterday an important and influential meeting of gen-
tlemen interested in the great social question which agitated
the metropolis some months since took place at the ScLool-
room, Riding-house-lane, adjoining All Souls' Church,
Portland-place, for the purpose of receiving a report front
the All Souls and Trinity Prevention Association, a model
society formed for the purpose of meeting the great evil by
moderate reformatory measures, and for a general review of
the whole question.
Mr.. Thomson Hankey, M.P., occupied the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, after some preliminaries had been dis-
posed of, regretted the absence from the chair of Mr. R.
Palmer, Q.G., who had always taken a deep interest in the
All Souls and Trinity Preventive Reformatory Associa-
tion, and at once called upon the rector of Trinity, the
Rev. Mr. Gamier to read the report of the committee. The
report was somewhat lengthy, and it would be, therefore,
in his opinion, advisable to have it read at the opening of
the proceedings. •
The Rev. Mr. GARNIER accordingly proceeded to read
the report, a lengthy and very ably welded document.
The Committee in presenting their report observed that
the labours of the association for the mitigation of the
formidable evils it had been set on foot to repress, had been
quite as successful as could have been expected from the
means placed at their disposal. When the movement com-
menced, which resulted in the establishment of the associa-
tion at the close of 1857, the condition of the distriets
(All Souls and Trinity) comprising the streets lying ins,
mediately to the eastward of Portland-place, was per-
fectly appalling. It was then calculated that in those
streets there were no less than 140 notorious houses of
ill-fame, containing from six to ten fallen women each,
which fearful array of prostitution was swelled by a large
number of young women lodginc, in the districts who were
known to be gaining their livelihood nominally by working
for shops, but principally by the wages of night prostitu-
tion.. don. One natural result of this dense aggregation of de-
pravity in one narrow spot was the front of insolent and
shameless defiance which vice had put on. Indecent exhibi-
tions ,in broad day from the windows of these houses,
utterances the most revolting that startled and shocked the
ear of the passenger who had unwarily penetrated these
haunts of infamy, together with the outrageous conduct of
the unhappy children of shame, who even before the shaded
of night had fallen were wont to come forth in hundred.
upon the pavements of Portland-place and Regent-street,
seemed to indicate a determination that no vestige of re-
spectability should be suffered to linger in a neighbour-
hood which not thirty years before was as pure and aS
much resorted to as any of the most favourite districts of
western London. The keepers of these houses were marl
of them foreigners—some were known to the police as de-
termined forgers, gamblers, and thieves. Others, indeed
the principal part were females grown old in the path of
depravity in whae bosom every spark of womanly tender-
ness had become quenched. who could treat, indeed, with
a show of kindness the unhappy girls they had enticed
to their doors so long as they were able to satisfy their ex,
orbitant demands, but who did not hesitate to cast thehl
out into a deeper degradation or utter destitution the mo-
ment a decay of their attractions or ill-health had disabled
them from paying the extravagant charges for their hired
rooms and dresses. Riotous and brutal outrages were con,
stantly taking place in those houses, and evidence that
crimes of violence and sensuality of the deepest type had
been enacted in them, came to light. It was also aster-
tailed that among these wretched traders in sin were those
who had embarked in a still more repulsive branch of their
guilty trade, and were making large gains by turning their
houses into receptacles for young unfallen girls importer)
from abroad, who were sold out from time to time to the
neighbouring brothel-keepers. Such was the awful moral
pestilence which, up to that time was raging unchecked,
and year by year it was rapidly enlarging the area of its
ravages.
The report then went on to explain the measures that had
been adopted. During the year 1858 no less than 63 young
women (two of them with infant children) had been re-
ceived. Of these 30 had been provided with servals'
situations, or restored to their friends, 11 had left of their
own accord, while 22 remained in the Home. Ag evidence
of the acc,eptableness of the Home, and to show that the
efforts of the association were not thrown away, even when
they seem in some cases to fail of any salutary effect, it
might be mentioned that several women had gone to the
Home of their own accord; in consequence of the favourable
representation made to them of its character by some of
those whose who had left it to return to the way of sin.
The Refuge, or Home, was situated at 9, Portland-road 2
under the pastoral charge of the Rectors of All Souls and
Trinity, and was managed by a committee of ladies selected
by them in equal numbers from the districts.
The Committee, in evidence that the repressive ex-
ertions of the association have not been in vain, and as
a warrant for their being still continued, would call
attention to the following fact :—" At the commencement
of the movement, in July, 1857, in Buckingham-street,
where the girls' school of Trinity district is situated, nearly
every house was a brothel, now only one remains. In
Norton-street. at least 59 houses of the most infamous
description have been emptied of their abominations. In
Carburton-street and Duke-street, also, a considerable
clearance has taken place; and although in Charlotte-street
and Cirencester-place many brothels still remain, they are
now no longer characterised by the outrageous proceedings
which rendered them once so demoralising and offensive to
the neighbourhood. In concluding their report, your com-
mittee would submit whether the general objects of the
association might not very properly be promoted by a
memorial, addressed to her Majesty's Government,
setting forth the awful extent and intensity of this great
social evil, as it has shown itself in our particular neigh-
bourhood, urging upon the Government the necessity of
some improvement in the law affecting the suppression of
disorderly houses of ill fame, with a few to render the work
of proceeding against such houses less burdensome to the
parish, and the character of the evidence required less
repulsive—the enforcement of severe penalties against the
crime of seduction and procuring—the placing that class of
refreshment shops called night-houses under proper control,
and lastly, the abating of that flagrant manifestation of
poffroesntisittiveti, aoonin the pdblic streets, at present so demoralising,
discreditable to a civilised and religious
people."
The report was received with warm approbation, and
Mr. GLENNIE having moved, the Rev. Professor MARKS
seconded its adoption.
The Rev. Mr. GARNIER, alluding to the importation and
sale of young females from akoad, said he had had visible
evidence of the fact, as he visited himself a house in Norton-
street, where, in one room, he saw seats placed around, so
as to hold as many of the poor creatures as possible on a
day that was appointed for brothel-keepers to attend and
bid for their purchase. (Hear' hear, and much sensa-
tion.) The unfortunate girls thus disposed of were
brought from abroad, and, while connected with the
House of Commons, he had the best evidence of this, for
noblemen and members of Parliament showed letters they
continually received soliciting them to partake of the de-
pravity. (Much sensation.) The letters spoke of a beauti-
ful girl just imported from Belgium or France, and the
nobleman or gentleman, whoever he might be, was asked
to visit her, as she was at his service. In one case a
letter was received from the rector's district of that
parish (Marylebone), in which it was stated a girl was
ready at a certain address—ready to be given up to lust--
to the highest bidder. Those letters were addressed to the
speaker, as well as to the members of the House of Com-
mons, and this, together with the spectacle he (the rev.
gentleman) witnessed in Norton-street, was, he considered,
very good evidence of the abominable traffic that was car-
ried on in this country. (Hear, hear.)
The Rev. Professor MARKS said that he could not per-
haps speak so well of the conduct and behaviour of the
women in the houses ; but, unfortunately, he could speak
too much of the depth of the shocking vice alluded to by
the Rev. Mr. Gamier. Within the last 15 months he had
been called to visit three Jewesses, painful as the duty was,
and this visit was made in the Rev. Mr. Garnier's district.
These three girls had been imported for the purposes of
prostitution. (Hear.) In one case alone he was enabled
to take the poor creature from the abominable vice that
threatened her, and sent her home; and he nearly suc-
ceeded with another, but with regret, aye, deep regret he
said so, he was prevented by her brother ; it was indeed
with great regret that he said this, considering that that
brother was a legislator of the country, and no less a sum
than £2OO was given to get the girl to remain. (Cries of
" Shame.") It was a most sorrowful thing to have to make
such a statement; as to whom were they to look to put
down this nuisance, unless to the Legislature ? how mor-
tifying was it to look at a roan holding such a position as
this brother did in the country, a man of good means, a
married man acting in this way, having a family and
daughters ? (Hear.)
The resolution was then put, and carried nem. eon.,
amidst applause.

W The 11.e"-v. J. P. EYRE, rector of Marylebone, moved the
second resolution, " That, while this meeting rejoices in
the first year's success of the association, particularly in
that part of its operations connected with the Home in.
Great Portland-street, it is of opinion that more_active co-
operation, and continued efforts on its part, alone are
needed in order to greatly ameliorate the evil against which
its operations are directed." (Hear, hear.)
The resolution having been seconded, was unanimously
carried.

After some further observations in support of the great
question by the Rev. Mr. WILMOTT, rector of All Souls',
and others, and
The CHAIRMAN having briefly replied, the proceedings
terminated.

TESTIMONIAL TO SIR JOHN PAKINGTON.—The
Pakington testimonial has, we believe, at leng,;,h been de-
cided on. The sum already subscribd by the magistrates
and gentry of the county and city of Worcester, as a mark
of their appreciation of the public and private character and
estimable qualities of the Right Hon. Sir John S. Peking-
ton, Bart., the First Lord of the Admiralty, pad the ex-
chairman of the county, amounts now to between £6OO and
£7OO. The committee appointed to decide upon the form of
a testimonial, have agreed on, as being most appropriate, a
superb and costly shield, of the diameter of about 40 inches,
on which will be represented, symbolically, the chief fea-
tures connected with the respected baronet's career from his
boyhood to the attainment of his present proud position.
The execution of this work of art has been entrusted to a
local firm of celebrity. When completed it will be presented
to Sir John at a dinner of the subscribers, to be holden at
Worcester, about the middle or end of spring:—Birming-
ham Journal.