The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-22 00:00:00

street. London. W.

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AT CONSIDERABLY REDUCED PRICES.
bp";,1)1IND SHOULDERS, STOOPING HABITS, and,
etr cared by CHANDLER'S IMPROVED
sRes,BII,,,?,XPANDING BRACES, for both sexes, of all
tip'"ey strengthen the voice and lungs, relieve indiges-
lacy thud are especially recommended to chiliren for mist-
-e
growth, and for promoting health and symmetry of
re• Price 10s. 6d.
„All the
leadi above instruments are highly recommended by
Ittat° es fo niera
debera
dof the medical profession. Illustrated
gurwar.

ME, Ti. P. CHANDLER,
Surgical Mechanician, 66, Berners-street, Oxford-

b1-11-DO !TORE PILLS OR ANY OTHER MEDICINE..
_._ _
:::$BB--attbtr:La:::eßntiltemryveselsE::dindiuccihortassshimeaillatltlin-greasntodsrAsttnrAßgrfenelgeßAtt:BdaeliltigclidsenAz:
Sodn---. infants' Food, THE REVALENT
tint; "lent as the best meat, and restore pe
de:),(1 froictional regiscarrig;uanngds,ehneeralg?yhy, litvhere ,mreesfret
dshisienrg_
dißestPl' el3feebled-removing speedily to
ed
effectually in-
bituoiou td7apepsio, cough, asthma, and
consumption,ngenienhts,a-
lia),,,‘ constipation, cliarrheen, all gastric d
lIPA-'B,°trbililloden-,Bnelsis,ver complaints, flatulenceyra, nervous-
c4tarrh fevers, sore . throaitns, diphtheria,the head .1,1114
~,8, colds, influenza, noises
113'ate,-;4„r; rilennlatiSlll, gout, impurities, eruptions,
Dalpit-at"; nenralgia,. irritability, sleeplessness, acidity,
111)fiRrap I°ll, heartburn, headache, debility, y, cramps,
dropsy
or at sea,
%alcia":„ 12,1,nsea and sickness even in pre
t4ins r 'ute, bronchitis, scrofula, tlghtngliessanoef the chest,
t is 0,11 the pit of the stomach and between the shofuLdeinrs...
'alitls Q,64111°8t digestible of all foods and suitable
We infants in all complaints.
omfatiiitiet ttorteoblotsoduet oßfre6h2an,oo,o Cures :-Cure No.l. 58,216
'04%1 Wasting away, debility, llability,
nofneservveeunsnyeesas,rs'.rriver com-
13tant -onervous palpitation all over, bad dige.lstion, con-
thenervous
liphttin"cePlessness, and the most intolerab e
,°'le Le11.4.c, Cure NO. 71, of dyspepsia, from the Right Hon.
' 'W
t,,-4„°tert de Decies, Lord Lieutenant of the county
r 'N1;1-'1°11-1 have derived much benefit from your
Tci;iis.ellpirt fitoodteri-04.tultrede.De.eucies,, Dromana, :Cappoquin,
816, from the Rev. Jitres
folk.alliPbell, SYderstone Rectory, near Fakenham, Nor-
bertthe 1 „It ,tlll cases of indigestion, and particularly
itw v.- 18 more than usually affected, 1 considerwhen
flow zoi remedies. -Itregulates the bile and makes i
411.4 be. P. ace which would not admit of mercury. in any
cilirlist
In
a healthy flow of the bile
wishoante
use
ef
yon
ease i best symptoms. You can
Y. c1e.....°1 this counnunicat• . I am, gentlemen, James.
4cY, 6illbell. Cure No. 15e2n,4-22.-Bk dg? House, Prim-
the lungs,
t'Dittia titTeY i- The years' diseased . -jar in
the ear of blood,
ittt liver stomach,
liver derangement, deafneTbsrran, band
con 7,1 constipation, debility, shortness o
..ca My
unfit' 4."
been removed by your Revalenta Arabi •
aillicees.rfeetAnci
my
reoohevaed,ryainsdaears my heinart--
aerlB32.
h- fifty;re'llace Roberts, Timber Merchant. Cure. No. ,01 _
marvelare taollarill3.mhyt'
--.5, isiti ars' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, Nos'nervsioz-
tles Mal cough, constipation, flatulency, spa re
4 a" VO 't,'
b,l* -7 121 1111 mg.-Maria Jo] of of Lynn, Norfoelk.e7 Curees
Curei4ie'Rii ..-
Mahelizabeth Jacobs, of extreme nervousness,
N. °,ll, ngs, low spirits, and nervous
2411,3 ...b., 128.
44681:11.6. Cit17'.:.1.2° 1613'1,8.
,11124 e; "---sf 0 3, far . Sarni. Laxton,Leicester, of two years'
is sold in canisters, 11b. 2s 9d ; 21b.,
.; 241 b., 40s. Super-reflned quality, 11b., ; 51.0•, 29s 101 b 33s The 101 b., 121 b., and
4 liiearirterg, caag.. -e, free on ~
receipt. of Post-office Order,
4143 NI. 11 grimy and Co., 77. Regent-street, London;
Wiac at 61)8; Tea Dealers, 8, King William-street.; like-
kite_h. . , ttraceehurch-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 49, Bishops-
trttatilel Within ; 63, 150, and 298, Oxford-street ; 330,
',cad ; 96 1,4, 17PPer Baker-street 103, Tottenham-cou.rt-
Qose 13' 'PPer-street, Islington N.; Harvey, Notting-hill ;
tell." rethers, 65
High treet ; and Stubbs, Queen's-
-I`4oCere's 44% S°ll_,
.11'81Woo-d, -e
London ; and I.ill. respectable. mewmtz•---Bovrare of spurious imitations.

THE RESCUE SOCIETY wishes to add another
home to the 12 now in operation. Last year no fewer
han 455 poor, friendless, young females were rejected from
want of FUNDS and room, making a total of 3,087, who have
been sent away in five years. Here are brief details of a few
of the most recent cases:
F. v., aged is, fallen, mother dead, deserted by her father.
K A. F., aged 13, homeless, both parents dead.
A. 8., aged 17, fallen, father dead, deserted by her mother
3. D., aged 15, fallen, mother dead.
C. 8., aged 15, fallen. mother dead,
A. 8., aged 16, fallen, both parents dead.
11. S., aged 14, homeless, deserted by her parents,
M. H., aged 17, fallen, both parents dead.
C. 11., aged 17, fallen, both parents dead.
A. G., aged 18, fallen, father dead.
E. Ii„ aged 18, fallen, both parents dead,
S. B. aged 17, fallen, both parents dead.
M. Al W. aged 17, fallen, both parents dead.
S. D., aged 15, fallen, both parents dead.
The new home the Committee wish to form would be for
young girls, almost children, from the age of a to 15, who
have been led astray from the path of virtue.'
Contributions will be received gratefully by the Secretary,
Sir. Daniel Cooper, s 5, Queen •street, Cheapside; or by Messrs
Barclay and Co., Lombard-street

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road,
in the immediate vicinity of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus, King's-cross.
Patron—Her Most Gracious Majesty the QUEEN.
Vice-Patron—llls Royal Highness the Prince of WA LE S, KG
President—His Grace the Duke of BUCCLE UCH, K.G.
This Hospital, foundel in the year 1828, the first to estab-
lish the principle of free admission to the sick poor, without
the delay and difficulty of Governors' orders, is wholly de-
pendent for support on voluntary contributions and .
It affords relief to a large number of in-patients, and, in
addition to this, the average number of attendance of the
lestitute sick has for a considerable period averaged between
1,000 and 4,000 weekly.
The Committee earnestly solicit Use ASSISTANCE of the
benevolent, as the premises of this Hospital are capable of
containing several nundred more beds, had the Committee
the requisite wilds to maintain them.
Contributions are received by the Treasurer, Edward l iaa .
!erman, Esq., Nicholas-lane; also by Messrs. Coutts and Co.;
Drummond and Co. ; Glyn and Co. ; Iliarries and Co. ; Ransom
and Co.; Prescott, Grote, and Co.; Smith, Payne, and Co.;
Barclay and Co. ; W Iliams, Deacon, and Co.; Overend, Gur-
ney, and Co.; Nisbet and Co Bemers-street ;I. Horned and
Liverpool 3 and at the Hospital, from 10 till b.

STANFORD SILITA Seorotary.

ALEX. ROSS'S ENAMEL (as used by Mdme.
VET UT imi4erfeAionb of the skin arc hidden
by its use, and a transcmdan; beauty produce to the face.
Price lOs 6,1; sent for stamps. 2,15, High Holborn, London.

HAIR COLOUR WASIL—By Washing the
Ii ad with this beautiful perfumed Wash in s..yen or
ten days the hair assumed its original colour, and remains so
by an occasional using. 10s 6d; sent for stamps.—By ALEX.
KOSS, 248, High Holborn, London.

Just published, 2d., sent by the Author for three stamps,
UGLINESS and BEAUTY. A closely-printed
Pamphlet, descriptive of articles and means used for
improving the appearance. By ALEX, ROSS, 248, High
Holborn, London.

PROVIDENCE ROW NIGHT REFUGE,
FOR
HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
14A, Providence-row, Finsbury., E.C.
Sixty Thousand Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, have been given in this Institution to the
destitute, who otherwise would have had to pass the
nights in the bleak streets or under railway arches.
At present nearly 500 Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, are given gratuitously every week. The poor
from all parts are admitted, the only condition being that
they are homeless and starving. The Manager, &0.,
receives no remuneration whatever. Notwithstand-
ing the provision made by the Poor Houses, each
night numbers of young women, children, and orphans
are, for want accommodation' refusedadmittance, and have
to spend night after night in the cold, wet, and sleet. To
meet this evil, and to provide more ample accommoda-
tion, £2,000 has been raised, but to accomplish the
work a sum of at least .El,OOO more will be required.
Besides providing shelter for tho homeless, this year it
is proposed, as far as the donations obtained for the pur-
pose will allow, to give bread and coals to poor families
in want. Will you, in your charity, help to carry on and
accomplish what has been begun ? Will you help to give
shelter to the really homeless, and food to the really
starving? The smallest donation will be most welcome,
and, night and morning, the prayers of the destitute will
be offered in your behalf.
SUBSCRIPTIONS are earnestly requested, and will bo
gratefully received by the Rev. D. GILBERT, D.D., No. 22,
Finsbury-circus, E.C.
DONORS AND SUBSCRIBERS TO THE REFUGE.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G.
His Royal Highness the Duke D'Aumale.
His Excellency the Count D'Apponyi.
His Excellency the Count Lavradio.
The Earl of Abergavenny. Messrs. Dimsdale, Drewett,
The Earl of Desart. Fowler, and Barnard.
The Earl of Denbigh. Messrs. Hanbury and Lloyds.
The Earl Grey, K.G. Messrs. Prescott, Grote, Cave
The Earl of Harewood. and Co.
The Earl of Eglinton. London Assurance Corpora-
The Earl of Kenmare. tion.
The Earl of Durham. Royal Exchange Insurance
The Countess of Albemarle. Company.
The Lady Ellen Browne. Sun Fire Office.
The Lady Camilla E. For- R. W. Barclay, Esq.
tescue. J. Bethel), Esq.
The Viscount Gago. Mrs. Barnewall.
Field-Marshal Lord Gough, Miss Burton.
K.P. Mrs. Curling.
The Lord Dormer. J. Henry Challis, Esq.
The Lord Petre. Dr. Carvalho.
The Lord Leigh. R. Crawford, Esq., M.P.
The Lord Chelmsford. H. Cazenne, Esq.
The Lord Cranworth. Mrs. Chesterton.
Baron do Rothschild, M.P. A. H. Campbell, Esq.
The Hon. C. Langdale. Miss Douglas.
The Hon. W. Browne. Messrs. Durant & Co.
The Hon. H. G. Campbell. Messrs. Dawson & Sons.
Sir Charles Price, Bart. Miss Dobson
Sir Robert Gerard. Bart. Cursetjee Furdonjee, Esq.
Sir Pyers Mostyn, Bart. Miss Franklin
Hon. Rustomjee Jamsetjee Dr. Gull.
J eejeebhoy. a Gould, Esq.
The Governors of the Bank H. E. Gurney, Esq,
of England. Messrs. Hills & Underwood.
The Worshipful Company of Capt. Hogg.
Armourers and Braziers. Miss Kaye.
The Worshipful Company of J. Kynaston, Esq,
Tallow Chandlers. J. Knight, Esq.
The Worshipful Company of I. Lloyd, Esq.
Drapers. J. Lewis Mieville, Esq.
The Worshipful Company of Miss M'Mahon.
Grocers. C. Manning, Esq.
The Worshipful Company of Miss Martin
Saddlers. Breton Martinez, Esq.
The Worshipful Company of Messrs. Ponsford and Sou-
Salters. thall.
The Worshipful Company of F. X. Pereira, Esq.
Merchant Tailors. Mrs. Palmer.
The Directors of the Bank of H. W. Prescott, Esq.
Australia. F. Philips, Esq,
The Directors of the Bank of N. H. E. Prowett, Esq.
Australasia. M. R. Do Quadros, Esq.
The Directors of the Colo- G. A. Shee, Esq.
nial Bank. H. Riddell, Esq.
The Directors of the National T. Riddell Esq.
Bank of Ireland. Messrs. Ralli Bros.
The Directors of the Provin- Messrs. De la Rue and Co.
cial Bank of Ireland. Miss Rombold.
The Directors of the Char- Mrs. Simpson.
tered Mercantile Bank of Mrs. Scott.
India, London, and China. Mrs. Southby.
The Directors of the Impe- Messrs. Tucker and New.
rial Ottoman Bank. F. Ward, Esq.
The Directors of the London G. Basil Wcod, Esq.
and County Bank. Miss Young.
The Directors of the Union J. Young, Esq.
Bank. Messrs. Zulueta and Co.
Messrs. Coutts and Co. &e. &c. etc.

SALMON AND TROUT FISHING,—
CHARLES FARLOW, Manufacturer, 191, Strand,
near Temple-bar, invites anglers to inspecthis large and
varied STOCK of superior seasoned SALMON, TROUT,
and SPINNING RODS ; salmon, lake, and trout flies;
improved reels and lines. Artificial baits in every variety.
Superior stout salmon and extra line silkworm gut. Flies
dressed to pattern, and sent by post. Rods repaired and
made to order. Catalogues gratis. Sole agent in London
for Phillips's Dublin Rooks, and Brown's Phantom Min-
nows. Prize Medal 1862.

BILLIARDS.—.D, HARRIS having erected, by
order of the Directors of the Metropolitan Music
Hall Billiard Rooms, Edgware-road, London, two of his
improved METALLIC BILLIARD TABLES, begs most
respectfully to call attention to
the superiority of those
tables, which can be seen as above, and at the Manufactory,
3, Pull-Mall-place, Pall-Mall, London, where testimonials
can be seen from many of the nobility, gentry, and secre-
taries of club-houses who have favoured D. Harris with
orders for his Metallic and Slate Billiard Tables.
N.B.—Sole Maker and Patentee of the Tubular Ribbed
Metallic Billiard Table.

THE SMEE'S SPRING MATTRESS
i_ (Tucker's Patent,
or 44Sommier Tucker,") price from
255., received the ONLY Prize Medal or Honourable Men-
tion given to BEDDING of any description, at the Inter-
national Exhibition, 1862.
The Jury of Class 30, in their Report, page 6,
and page 11, No. 2,014, say:—
" The Sommier Tucker is perfectly solid, very healthy,
and moderate in price." No. 2,905,
" A combination as simple as it is ingenious."
"A bed as healthy as it is comfortable."
To be obtained of most respectable Upholsterers and
Bedding Warehousemen, or wholesale of the Manufacturers,
WILLIAM SMEE & SONS, Pinsbury, London, E.G.

BY HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL LETTERS PATENT.
Received the Prize from the Agricultural Hall, 1864,
JOHN COPPARD and CO.,
Patentees and Inventors of Appliances for
ZERST-LSEHEOT,ELSONANDOND,
CORRODING PLATES,
AEN.cT. I-SNOW
ROUGHINB4G,
We respectfully beg to call your attention to our Patent
Roughing Appliances, which are now perfection, and
effectually answer the purpose of roughing without remov-
ing or preparing the Shoes.
The patentees' experience having taught them the use-
lessness of roughing when the snow is on the ground, in
consequence of the snow clogging the feet, they. have in-
troduced the Anti-snow Corroder, which consists of a
metal plate so arranged as to resist the snow, thus prevent-
ing the foot balling (as it is termed).
In recommending the Patent Roughs, &c., we submit the
following among the many advantages :
A great saving of time; they can be instantly applied
and as speedily removed. The shoes of the horse have not
to be taken off or prepared. They may be with the horse
at ail times, yet only used when required ; in fact, they are
so simple, a lad can fix them in a few seconds, rendering
the horse perfectly safe on his feet, and the price is consi-
derably less than paid for the old method of roughing.
PRICE 3s. THE SET OP 4. Straps Extra.
Communications or orders (with remittance) will receive
prompt attention By Zours, y:ery respectfully,
JOHN COI""1.41) & CO., the Patentees.

BENJAMIN LATCHFORD.—The old House
for BRIDLE-BITS, STIRRUPS,
and SPURS,
11, UPPER ST. MARTIN'S-LANE, London W.C.
By Appointment to Her Majesty and H.R.H. the Prince of
AsrafFetLyEHßunotilinsgEs.
ePilLel:henii!:lB'ster Bits. Melton Bits,
Wales.
Sliding Mouth Bits,
Segundo Bits, Chif-
Bits, Lincoln Bits,
nps
eti BanburyoyeStockton
ktßoi
Christiant,B
i(revolvingts,Hanoverianß ißrightontszp üßn mouth)Bcita
Bentinck Bits, and all other Saddle-horse and Harness
i Spurs,up- r os Ladies'.
Bits ; also, Hunting, Military, and Ladies'
and Gentlemen;soPßatesnst
The Yorkshire, Wellington, Radical,
Persian, Double-
mouth, Double-ring, Roller-mouth, Meadows, Duncan gag,
Nelson gag, Wood's, and the usual sorts of plain and
twisted ; also a variety of other curb and snaffle bits.
THE NEW PATENT BOX SPUR.
No complication— no getting out of repair—no losing
spurs—cheaper—especially, suitable for India and the Co-
lonies ; the natives cannot injure the boxes.

LEA'S GOUT AND RHEUMATIC PILLS,
15. lid., and 2s. 9d. This invaluable medicine always
how-
ever acute it may be, effectually obviates injury to any
relieves in a short time the pain of these complaints,
vital organ, and, if persevered in, will effect a cure when
every other has failed. This fact is fully proved by the
many testimonials from persons of every grade. No one
subject to the above disorders should ever be without
them, the relief after a few doses being almost incredible.
These Pills are not like the generally advertised curatives
for these maladies, which cause sickness, diarrhoea, pains
in the head, and debilitate the constitution ; but, on the
contrary, they not only speedily eradicate the complaint,
but also strengthen and purify the system, a desideratum
not to be attained byany other remedy extant. In Sciatica,
Neuralgia, and Lumbago, the Pills are alike efficacious.
Testimonials sent free on application. Prepared by G.
LEA, Operative Chemist, Camberwell, Surrey. London
Agents—Barclay, Farringdon-street ; Page and Tibbs, 47,
Blackfriars-road ; Sanger, 150, Oxford-street ; Butler, 4,
Oheapside ; and Thompson, 120, New North-road,
Islington.

TEETII AND PAINLESS DENTISTRY.
Messrs. LEWIN and SIMEON AIOSELY and

SONS, Dentists,
30, Berners-street, Oxford-street, and 448, Strand,
Opposite Charing-cross Railway Station.

Their painless artificial teeth arc unequalled for economy,
durability, comfort, and all purposes of articulation and mas-
tication. Operations of every kind tcing unnecessary, the
most nervous patient can be supplied without fear of pain or
Inconvenience.

Consultation free. Teeth from ss, Sets from .5 to 25 ga.,
warranted.
For the efficacy, utility, and succees of their system, vide
" Lancet."

Daily attendance at 30, Demers-street, Oxford-street, and
413, Strand, London ; 13, Whit:lriargsto, ; 10, Norfolk-
strect, Sheffield; 4, East-parade, Leeds ; and 14, St. Nicholas-
st rent, Scarbro'.

Observv—Established 1830. No connection with any of the
same n+i:.e.

IREL AND.

DUBLIN, Feb. 21.

The words of the National Anthem have seldom
had a more gratifying illustration than in the tre-
mendous blow just struck at the Fenian Brotherhood
by the Government. Their " politics" and "knavish
tricks" have been thoroughly " confounded." The
leaders, waiting with their weapons in their hands
for the moment when her Majesty was to be deposed
in Ireland, have been quietly gathered into prison,
while the rank and file of their enlisted host—sworn
to defend the Irish Republic—have been scattered
like chaff before the wind. Already, it is said, had
the lands and the mansions of the gentry and the
merchants in the several counties throughout the
country been surveyed and allotted among the
American adventurers. Already had the houses of
the loyal inhabitants been marked with a cross, in
this case the symbol not of valuation but destruc-
tion ; and it was believed that the Head Centre
would have cried " Havoc," and let slip the dogs of
war last Sunday night, had not Parliament with
such wonderful celerity enabled the Government to
prevent horrors such as Ireland has not known since
1641, for the leaders of the insurrection were to be
men who had been familiar with burning and
slaughter and plunder for three or four years in the
Southern States of America. Those who made light
of the danger with which society has been threatened
knew not the desperate character of those men, or
the effect of the training they had undergone for the
sanguinary mission they had sworn to accomplish,
and for which they had made such marvellous
preparations under the greatest possible difficulties.
Among those arrested yesterday is Patrick J.
M'Donnell, who has, it appears, been at the head
of the movement since the arrest of Stephens, to
whom he was next in command. Some months
ago, it is said, the police learnt something about
his position in the conspiracy from a box containing
arms, addressed to him, which they found in the
goods' store of the City of Dublin Steampacket
Company, North-wall, but he eluded their vigilance
till yesterday morning, when he was found con-
cealed in a yard in the rear of North King-street.
As the deputy of the Head Centre, it is believed
that he was in close communication with him up to
the last moment ; and that he and others now in
custody formed not only his council of war, but his
bodyguard, deprived of which his capture may soon
be expected. The temptation to win £2,000 by
betraying him might easily be resisted so long as it
was possible that he might take the place of Lord
Wodehouse in Dublin Castle ; but it will be dif-
ferent when all such hopes have perished, and de-
spair succeeds panic.
The least success would have caused persons of a
higher class to join the conspiracy. Of this there
is some indication in the arrests made at Trim,
county Meath, on Monday. These included Mr.
Malone, one of the wealthiest and most respectable
merchants in the town ; Mr. Sheridan, sou to the
postmaster ; and Mr. Leonard, draper. In Ath-
lone, on the same day, Mr. J. P. Fitzgerald, for-
merly a clerk at the Broadstone terminus in this
city, was among the prisoners. In Limerick 14
persons were arrested yesterday, mostly young men
engaged as clerks in respectable establishments, one
an extensive grocer, another a draper, and three
publicans.
A correspondent writing to the Express, from
Limerick, yesterday evening states that at a quarter
to one the warrant for the committal of the pri-
soners was signed by Mr. Collins, R.M., who had a .
strong party of Lancers in attendance outside with
the prison van, in which the whole were conveyed
to the county gaol. The cheering of the populace
was immense, and taken up by the prisoners, who
waved their hats in recognition, and appeared to be
in excellent spirits.

On the arrival on Monday of one of the Liverpool
steamers belonging to the Dundalk Steampacket

Company Constable Lynam, and a coastguard named
Patrick Head, seized a case containing nine horse-
pistols and 20 of smaller size. There were also in
the same case two double-barrelled fowling-pieces,
together with a number of rifle-bullet moulds.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.
A body of armed Fenians, assembled for drill on
Saturday night in a house at Cullen, in the county
Tipperary, fired repeatedly on a patrol of police,
and shot one constable, who liar since died of his
wounds. Among the Fenians was a private of the
17th Regiment on furlough. The Fenians have fled,
but most of them arc known.
This afternoon the police found in St. Andrew's-
lane 142 pikes and 3G pike handles.

Government Interference with Steam
Shipbuilding.

Yesterday evening, the Society of Arts held one
of the most crowded and important meetings of
the season, to hear Mr. Thos. Gray, of the Board of
Trade, read a paper " On Modern Legislation in
regard to the Construction and Equipment of Steam-
ships." Amongst those present were :—Mr. Farrer,
Board of Trade ; Mr. Mayo, Registrar-General
Merchant Seamen ; Mr. H. Maudslay, Mr. Money
Wigram, Mr. Samuda, Mr. E. Chadwick, Captain
Selwyn, R.N., and an immense number of ship-
owners and others interested in steam shipping and
the passenger trade. In the absence of Mr. Lowe,
M.P., the chair was taken by Professor Huxley,
F.R.S., supported by Mr. Wm. Hawes, president of
the society, and several other members of the council.
Mr. GRAY, who was loudly cheered on rising to
address the meeting, began by laying down
the principle that Government interference with
trade, commerce, or manufacturing industry was
decidedly injurious, and that in free and
healthy competition was to be found invariably tho
best security for having the public well served.
Applying this to the matter in hand, he showed
that the Legislature had sought to secure safety for
passengers in steam ships by providing that each
such vessel should be divided into three watertight
compartments, but this was entirely insufficient, as
might be seen in diagrams which he had placed on
the walls. The Great Britain, Samphire, and other
vessels had been saved by their watertight bulk-
heads, but not those provided for by the act of
Parliament. Had those stood alone the vessels
must inevitably have gone to the bottom. It was
the bulkheads in excess which the judgment and
prevision of the owners had taught them to provide
that saved the ships. All Government regulations,
Mr. Gray argued, must be based on fixed and in-
flexible rules, and these must soon become inap-
plicable to the ever-varying exigencies of commerce.
Having cited the instances of the Great Britain,
which was divided into seven distinct compartments,
and the Golden Fleece into six, to show how imper-
fect was the Government regulation, he further il-
lustrated its fallacy by pointing out that the same
rigid rule was applied to the Persia and Scotia, of
4,000 tons, the Great Eastern, of 20,000 tons, and
the Lady Bird, of 9 tons. The bulkhead clauses,
as they were called, had at last been repealed, and
their failure was a proof how inexpedient was Go-
vernment interference in mercantile transactions.

Other clauses equally mischievous were still in ac-
tive operation, and the object of his argument was
to show the expediency of their repeal also. Mr.
Gray next turned to the question of boats, and
showed very happily how absurd were the regula-
tions which ordained provision of boats according
to tonnage, without any reference to whether or no
the vessel carried passengers, and gave several
forcible illustrations, and then most successfully
ridiculed the Government regulations with re-
spect to safety valves in steamers. The instances in
which these were -either defeated or evaded were lu-
dicrous, and were loudly cheered by the m eeting. Hav-
ing examined the cases of the Times, the Ton ning, and !
the Cricket in some detail, Mr. Gray inferred that I
Government inspection was a perfect failure, having
been completely satisfied in all the above instances,
and explosions took place nevertheless. The paper
in conclusion showed that in the cases of compasses,
anchors, and chain-cables, all Government interfer-
ence had proved perfectly futile, and in many cases
positively mischievous. His conclusions were that,
in all matters connected with the building and
management of shipping statutory regulations and
Government inspection were of the slightest possible
value, whilst they were decidedly obstructive to the
free course of trade and destructive of the individual
responsibilities of shipbuilders, shipowners, and ship
masters. Between 1856 and 1865 there had been
24 Board of Trade inquiries into shipwrecks, and in
all these cases the accidents had arisen, not from
non-compliance with statutable regulations, but
from gross neglect of the simplest nautical precau-
tions on the part of the master. Mr. Gray's paper,
of which the above is an imperfect and brief outline,
was listened to with great attention all through, and
was loudly cheered at the conclusion.
In the discussion which followed, Mr. F. WOOD
feared that the lecturer had been taking lessons from
the great modern chief of philosophical heresy, and
had taken a work called " Liberty" as his model.
He (Mr. Wood) believed that the inferiority of the
crews was the main cause of modern marine disas-
ters. (Hear, hear.) The British sailor was almost
extinct, and his place was supplied by a medley of
foreigners who did not understand or distinguish
"port" from "starboard" when the captain gave
his orders.

Mr. SAMUDA complained of the sharp competition
which, cutting as low as possible, compelled ship-
builders to send out inferior work. He approved of
Government interference in so far as inspection went,
but not to the extent of direction. In the case of
emigrant ships, it was decidedly beneficial.
Mr. W. HAWES entirely concurred with the views
of Mr. Gray. In 1852 he had seen our steam trade
with Australia nearly ruined by Government inter-
ference. The inspectors knew nothing about steam-
ships, and nearly brought the trade to a deadlock.
Mr. EDWIN CIIADWICK would leave matters to
individual responsibility and self-interest, but under
certain restrictions. When we first began to send
convicts to Australia the majority were thrown
overboard en route. (A laugh.) However, he
arranged that the shipowner should be paid, not for
the number he took on board, but for the number
he landed in good condition, and the improvement
was marvellous. (Laughter.) In that case the
principle of self-interest did good service. (Hear,
hear.) The same results subsequently occurred in
the case of the pauper emigrants, amongst whom
there was a terrible mortality at first, but which en-
tirely ceased when the head-money became payable
on the safe landing of the cargo. (Loud laughter.)
Mr. MONEY IVIGIZA.3I approved of Government
inspection as a protection to the shipowner. The
shipowner was obliged to trust to the shipbuilder,
and the services of the Government inspector were
very valuable, as between the two. He approved
also of Government inspection in the case of pas-
senger ships.

Mr. FARRER thought there was no medium be-
tween thorough and incessant inspection, and com-
plete reliance on the interests and responsibilities
of the owners. Ile preferred the latter, and if
the owners failed in their duty he would make them
amenable to the common law.

Mr. lir. MAUDSLAY pointed out that a ship
might be built perfect in every respect, but after-
wards might deteriorate ; in which case he thought
Government inspection might be very useful and
necessary. Mr. Maudslay gave some amusing in-
stances of the ingenuity of engineers in defeating
the precautions of the Legislature.
After a few words from Sir E. BELCIIER and
Captain SELWYN, a vigorous attempt was made on
the part of the meeting to have the discussion ad-
journed ; but Mr. liawes pointed out the inexpe-
diency of adjournments, and
The CHAIRMAN put the question, when it was car-