The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-12 00:00:00

MJ'STERIOUS DEATH.

An inquest was held at Dodridge's Richmond
Walk Inn, Devonport, on Friday, before A. B.
Bone, Esq., on the body of a young man named
James Wright, which had been found floating in
Stonehouse Creek, on Thursday morning. The
first witness called was,
George Henry Tickell, a lad residing in Stone-
house, who deposed to having found the body of
deceased floating in Stonehouse Creek, at about
eight o'clock on Thursday inornhig. He dragged
it on the mud by the waistcoat. He then left it to
get a policeman, and on his return found that. the
body had been lifted upon the timbers close by.
Several persons were then gathered around, and
within a quarter of an hour police constable Davey
(who had received information of the discovery
from Hicks, a Stonehouse policeman) came down.
A rope was put round the corpse, and it was then
towed to the Richmond Walk Inn.
John Davey, police-constable, stated that having
received some information on the previous morning,
he went to the Parsonage-field, and at the bottom
of the field he saw the body of a man lying on some
timbers, which were resting on the mud some dis-
tance above the bridge. The body was clothed in
a pair of black cloth trousers, short wellington
boots, a dark waistcoat, and a white shirt and
stockings. On searching the pockets lie found
two halfpence, a small iron cramp, a brace buckle,
some pieces of phper, and a comb. He also pro-
duced a cloth cap which had been given to him by
a boy named Roberts.

Joseph Wright, brother of the deceased, said
that he was a straw-hat maker, residing at 34,
King-street, Plymouth. Had looked carefully at
the body found by Tickell, and knew it to be the
body of his late brother James Wright, who had
been his assistant, and had lived with him. De-
ceased was a little more than 24 years of age. The'
last time he saw him alive was on the previous
Friday night. They were in a public-house in
Fore-street, Stonehouse, where they drank. He
could not tell what happened in the house,
not being sober at the time he entered it.
Did not think his brother was sober either, and
did not recollect going into the house. Some one,
whom he could not say, hurt his arm whilst
there, and that was all he could recollect of what
took place in the house. When he got out of the
house some marines knocked him down. He re-
membered seeing his brother by the side of him
then. The man who knocked him down was coming
to him again ; witness ran away from him, and fell
down very heavily. He got up again and went on
somewhere, and found himself in the water. How
he got into the water or how he got out he could
not tell. The next thing he remembered was being
at home in bed.

Samuel Roberts, a lad residing -in High-street,
Stonehouse, deposed that on the night of the 30th
ult., at about half-past 10, he and his brother were
coming down Fore-street, Stonehouse, and heard
an awful scuffle with some men in a public-house
—Mr. Lacey's house, the General Havelock. He
stopped and saw a man outside the door—a tall
marine was standing opposite to him. All at once
out ran another man with bis coat under his left
arm ; and the tall marine ran after him. He saw
them run to Stonehouse Bridge, the marine punch-
ing the man most shamefully. They went down by
the bridge to the water, the marine beating the
other on. Witness stood by the bridge, being
afraid to go down. There was no light in the pas-
sage to the water, and he did not see what hap.
pened there; nor the water. Deceased's brother
then came down, and stood by Stonehouse Bridge
gate. The marine came up from the passage by
himself, and said to Wright, in a rough tone,
" Who are you?'! Wright replied, " Who aro
you?" The marine then set upon him right and
left, and punched him down the passage also.
Witness followed a little way, and found a cap like
that produced by Davey, to whom he had delivered
it. (Joseph Wright was then called, and identified
the cap as his property.) A little marine then came
down, and said, " Where's my chum ?" 'Witness
replied, " He's down there, knocking the men in
the water." The marine answered, "1 musn't see
that," and went down the passage also. IVitness
then saw Mr. Bridgman, landlord of the Bridge
Inn, come out of his house with a lantern, with
which he went down the passage • some other men
also went down. Almost directly they all rushed up
again. The tall marine came up, and the little ma-
rine also came up with deceased's brother, who was
wet, and whom the little marine would now allow
anyone to touch. The man who was first driven
down the passage did not come up again. The tall
marine had no jacket or belt on, and neither of
them had their side arms.

Thomas Lemon, private, R.M., recollected being
in a public-house in Fore-street, Stonehouse, on the
night of Friday last. It was getting well on in the
night. There were some civilians iu the house also,.
and one other marine. One of the civilians was
about to strike a woman who was there ; and he
said, "Don't hit a woman ; if you want to fight,
why don't you fight a man ?" Witness pulled the
civilian away, and he went into a back place. An-
other man, -whom he believed to be Joseph Wright,
then came in, and said, " Who struck my brother ?"
They were i❑ about the same condition as he him-
self-" pretty fresh." Lemon replied, "No one
struck your brother, but I'll strike you, if you don't
stash it." - Then they both rushed out of the house,
leaving their ale on the table. Witness did not fol-
low them, but drank two glasses of ale in the house
afterwards. That was ail he knew about it.

Thomas Crossing deposed that he had examined
the body of deceased on the previous day, at about
five o'clock in the afternoon. He found the corpse
in a wry frightful condition, with all the appear-
ance of having been immersed in the water for
several days. Both the eyes were entirely destroyed,
probably by fish taking the integuments from the
orbits, and in a circular form round the cheek bones,
and exposing the temple bone. The lips were eaten
away, the mouth closed, with the tongue pressing
through the teeth; both cars were partly eaten
away. A wound was visible on the right side of the
lower jaw about an inch and a half in length ; and
another over the windpipe, obliquely passing from it.
These wounds differed in appearance in some measure
from the other marks before mentioned; but from the
very decomposed state of the body, witness was not
prepared to say they were not made in a similar
way to the others. The edges were smooth, and
could be brought together more like incised
wounds. Would not say that these two wounds were
not caused by a sharp instrument. The integuments
about the wounds were so saturated and decom-
posed as to render it impossible to say how they
were caused ; blood was issuing'from the wound in
the neck, The blood in drowned bodies was usually
in a fluid state. Witness felt satisfied that no ad-
ditional evidence could be obtained by a post-mortem
examination ; decomposition being so advanced that
any internal appearances might be attributed thereto.
George Stoneman was standing at the door of the
General Havelock, smoking his pipe, when he saw
two civilians run out at the door, and a marine,
called Gloucester, after them. They all three ran
down the street, and he saw the marine kick them.
They ran out of witness's sight towards the bridge.
Wright was one of the civilians.
Francis Willcocks, lessee of the Stonebouse
Bridge, said that on the night in question, shortly
after 10, he heard a disturbance, and saw four or
five men running in their shirt-sleeves. 'l'hey ran
down a passage on the north side of the bridge. He
went to look over the bridge. He went to look over
the bridge wall, and heard a voice in the passage
say, " knock the into the water." In a few
minutes the men with the blue striped shirts came
up the passage with Joseph Wright, who begged
that they would not hit him. The men then took
Wright to the Prince George Hotel.
William Bridgeman, ljtndlord of the Bridge Inn,
was called, but could depose to nothing further than
seeing some marines in the passage. Could not
identify either of them. He saweaotrnuoklpyt
hcbltee:ft'ohoreemsi
water,. a r
Oilan,nnheesde
ocpofamst
sheaeguiepn .as
lriipnSpeoesmdleeddomightdown
at man
emhrayavnemejunocmhd
abesTolbihkeeerlpy to
cmroaneferuadlinnl. running down fast in the dark would
proceedings were adjourned.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

The supply of English wheat on sale in to-day's market
was very limited. For all kinds the demand ruled steady,
at fully Monday's improvement in the quotations. The
general quality of the samples was inferior.
Although we were well supplied with foreign wheat, the
inquiry was tolerably firm. In prices, however, no change
took place. _ .

Floating cargoes of grain were in request, and quite as
dear as on Monday.

Grinding and malting barley sold readily, at extreme
rates. Distilling sorts were a slow sale.
Most kinds of malt sold on former terms ; but the demand
was much restricted.

We had a dull inquiry for oats, and inferior parcels were
rather cheaper.
Beans and peas were dull; but flour was firip in price.

ARRIVALS THIS WEEK

Wheat. Barley • Malt. Oats. Flour.
knglisla 690 ( 1,570 690 : 530
Irish
Foreign 15,720 i 2,930 .-- 33,350 i 230 ski:
1 II
BOROUGH HOP.
Our market continues steady for all new hops, at very
full prices. Otherwise the trade is heavy. The duty is
the trade generally
called £305,000 to £310,000.
Cgolloctm,Pua!dlion, 3s 4d to 48 ed ;
WHITE
rules Tvheeienfsa,ucipt
vipvlmei e, s3a
sosffoomdlleota,:t arefollows
.44 . ;
lamb, Os Od to Os Od ; veal, 3s 4d to 4s 4(1; and pork, 3
4d to 4s Bcl per 81b., by the =ate,

-----
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS AT
BRADFORD.

BRADFORD, TUESDAY.
The third annual congress of the National Association for
the Promotion of Social Science was opened here yesterday.
The first meeting was held at Birmingham in 1857, under
the presidency of the veteran Lord Brougham, who may be
said to be the founder of the Association; and the second
at Liverpool, when Lord John Russell was elected president.
The Earl of Sbaftesbury is the president for the current
year; the chiefs of the other departments being—Jurispru-
dence and Amendment of the Law, Vice-Chancellor Sir W.
Page Wood ; Education, the Right Hon. C. B. Adderley,
M.P. ; Punishment and Reformation, Mr. Monckton Milnes,
M.P. ; Public Health, the Right lion. W. Cowper, M.P. ;
and Social Economy, Sir J. K. Shuttleworth.
The association has been recruited this year by a junction
with the International Association. for Obtaining a Uniform
Decimal System of Measures, Weights, and Coins.
Lord Brougham, whose reception in Bradford is of the
hearty and genial description for which the East Riding is
famous, is the guest of Mr. Wickham, of Kirkless Hall.
The noble president is sojourning with Mr. Rand, of Brad-
ford. The attendance of members and associates is highly
satisfactory, and applications for tickets continue to be nu-

merous.
Lord BROUGHAM then delivered his annual address. The
noble and learned lord spoke as follows :—Ladies and gen-
tlemen,—In addressing you upon the present occasion of our
third meeting, there are so many subject which claim our
attention that a selection must be made of those most press-
ing for consideration, and theSe very far indeed from being
the only ones of great importance. This affixes one limit to
the choice of topics ; but another is prescribed by the maxim
of always looking forward, the maxim which must guide us
and all practical men—
" Thinking nought done while aught remains to do."
We are therefore bound chiefly to regard the things proposed
to complete what has already been begun, or the things
which have not yet been brought under our consideration.
It is impossible in any institution like ours that disappoint-
ment should not arise from the comparative slowness of the
progress
made in giving effect to the proposals offered, the
changes suggested. This arises in part from the hopes and
expectations of sanguine men. But it is chiefly owing to
the wide difference between proposing and executing.
" Proposal," as Lord Bacon said long ago, "has wings, but
execution leaden feet." In the course of our speculations
we meet no obstruction ; our plans are more or less theories.
We move foniard at a rapid pace ; the world of action
flows slowly, its course broken by rocks, even its currents
often striking against the banks. It is ever moving, like
time, but at a pace so different from that of the speculative
reformer hurrying along the side, that it mocks his impa-
tience, and he is apt to think nothing done, nay even to
fancy that society is not merely stationary but retrograde,
because its rate of movement is so different from his own ;
just as when travelling with great speed along a river side,
it sometimes appears stagnant and not to flow at all—nay,
even you are under the deception of its seeming to flow
backwards. But reasonable men are reconciled to the post-
ponement of the things they so anxiously desire by the re-
flection that all change to be safe must be gradual ; and to
be an improvement must be the result of experience, the
great teacher, but the sovereign corrector, too, which not
only must preside over the formation of our plans, but
guide us in their execution. Let ns first cast an eye abroad
before dwelling upon our hon.e concerns, and we find reason
to be satisfied even with the progress, begun at least, in
countries very far from heretofore moving even at the slow
rate complained of here. In the Russian empire our pro-
ceedings in this association have been watched with great
interest. The accounts of them both in 1857 and last year
have been most fully given in the St.. Petersburg journals.
Our corresponding members in that country assure us of
the great attention given to them ; and we shall have
proofs of it in papers now communicated from thence. But
the Government has happily undertaken the great measure
of emancipating the serfs, conducting it upon sound and
moderate principles ; and what might still less have been
expected, a greater freedom of discussion, upon. all subjects,
has been allowed to the press. Surely we may well lament
that other countries which have no serfs to liberate, but
have a press to set free, show no such tendencies. Who
would have thought but a little while ago of the Russian
Government being held up to the French for imitation, and
the people for envy, in anything relating to public liberty.
Of Austria it may not be possible to speak in the same
terms. Yet an important step has been made even there
in favour of religious liberty. In those parts of her domi-
nions heretofore most oppressed by ecclesiastical tyranny
and bigotry, in their usual and natural alliance, it is under-
stood that the .Protestants are now secured in the full en-
joyment of their rights. It is most gratifying to observe
these indications of the progress which social science is
- making in its most important branches. But we must now
bring our view homeward ; and first of all we are bound to
acknowledge the kind terms in which the president of the
sister institution has, at its last meeting, referred to the
Natioesal Association. His royal highness presiding for the
year, in a most able address, distinguished by its learning
as well as by its sound sense, was pleased to express his
good wishes towards us, and confidence in the success of
our labours, and to intimate a desire (in which I am sure
we all most heartily join) that our endeavours may be
directed, as much as possible, to make our works answer to
our designation, giving our various inquiries a scientific
substance as well as form. And now, as there may be some
doubt about the order in which to take the subjects selected
for summary mention, let us, in deference to our noble
president, begin with the public health department,
which he so ably [superintended last year. At that
meeting it appointed a committee to consider the im-
portant subject of the means of preventing the adul-
teration of food ; and the council made an elaborate re-
port, referring Mr. Scholefield's bill to the committee,
which approved the bill, suggesting some material amend-
ments. It was, however, unfortunately dropped in the
Commons ; but the committee's report will be of great ser-
vice to Mr. Scholefield in preparing the measure for rein-
troduction. The same department took into its considera-
tion the unsatisfactory footing upon which the responsibi-
lity of Government, as well as that of the local authorities,
for the sanitary state of the country, had been left by the
Public Health Act of 1857, and especially by the want of
system, which inevitably resulted from the act being only
temporary. The council entirely agreed in this view, and
presented an elaborate petition to both houses, through
Lord Shaftesbury and Lord J. Russell, setting forth in de-
tail the evils complained of, and strongly urging the making
the act permanent, with some few alterations. This appli-
cation to Parliament was attended with success, and the
Act of 18.57 is now perpetual. Great progress has been
made in the investigation which was instituted as to the
effects of the qnarantine laws, and their proposed abroga-
tion. A sub-committee of the department was charged
with this subject, and queries in great detail were circu-
lated among our governors and consuls, the answers to
which furnish important information, as will be found in
the report about to be presented. In prosecuting this in-
quiry we heve been greatly indebted to the Foreign and
Colonial Secretaries b ,th of the present and the former
Government, as well as to the valuable papers read at our
last meeting. But the most remarkable papers in this
department at that meeting were unquestionably those of
Florence Nightingale, in which she communicated in a
most striking manner the results of her experience upon
the construction and economy of hospitals. The council,
deeply impressed with the importance of these papers,
had them printed in a separate form and sent copies
to all the hospitals in the United Kingdom, and to
many medical officers. There is every reason to
believe that the best effects have followed from this
proceeding, and that this great benefactor to her suffering
fellow-creatures will not much longer have to lament, with a
feeling of shame, our free country being left behind those
under despotic Governments in this material branch of
sanitary policy. Let us pause for a moment to declare that
the choicest notes warbled by the "solemn bird of night"
never sounded more sweet to vulgar ears than now sounds
to the philanthropist's the name consecrated to undying
fame by the wise beneficence and generous self-sacrifice of
her who bears it—a fame far less precious in her estimation
than the delightful reflection on pain assuaged and sorrow
averted. When we consider how many thousands of the
poor are unfortunately inhabitants of the workhouse, we at
once perceive the importance of its better regulation, both
as regards its economy, its arrangements, and the labour of
its inmates. But the tendency of the governors to exclude
• the public, and to prevent a full examination of what goes
on within the walls, has been found to prevent the improve-
ments which humane and well-informed persons have
repeatedly urged. Iwo most valuable papers from Miss
Louisa Twining were read at our meetings at Birming-
ham and in Liverpool ; and at the former an im-
portant discussion led to the appointment of a sub-com-
mittee on the proposition suggested by her experience
and full knowledge of the whole subject, namely, the for-
mation of workhouse visiting committees. This received
the entire approval of the Poor-law Board. The consequence
has been the institution of a system of regular visiting of
workhouses, especially of their schools and sick wards. It
would be difficult to narrate the importance of this reform,
or
the merits of Miss Twining, whose time, and care, and
great abilities have long been devoted to the subject. There
can be no doubt that the plan thus happily begun will be
carried further, with the benefit of the suggestions which
have resulted from above a year's experience. The various
subjects connected with the amendment
tthe law require
a more detailed contVuerabetionfutuhyancothelei=of this address
nofby the
permit ; but they
eminent person who presides over the departmentupo
prudence. On one most important matter we may remem-
ber ber the able paper of Mr. Leone Levi, and the discussionsm to
which it gave rise the year before last on Judicial Statistics,
and a very beneficial effect has been produced by that dis-
cussion. There has been to a certain extent a removal of
the defect so often complained of, and for which I have fs ,
repeatedly pressed bills upon the Law Amendment Society
and the House of Lords. The position is of manifest truth,
that judicial legislation can never become an inductive
science until a record is kept in minute detail of all causes
tried and the results of the trial, so that the effects of each
change in the law may at once be seen A considerable im-
provement, by an extension of the returns, has been made
under the able superintendence of Messrs. Redgrave and
Fonblanque ; and the object of my resolutions, moved in
1856, and supported at our first meeting, has to a certaih
extent been attained. So that we may hope for such com-
plete and replar information upon this subject as has long
been given in the French annual statement of the Ministers
of Public Justice, and that the principles which guide our
judicial legislation may better deserve the name of inductive
science. The bulk of the community, the working classes,
have much that concerns their comfort, and conduces to
their improvement, in their own power. But not a little
ers. The progress of the mide
depends upon their. employ
ciaese, in acquiring knowledge naturally-gives it a greater
value in their i.stireation as regards themselves and those be-
- neat there. Thir at tentio.n,.too, has o f late years been turned
general ly to th egreta question of social science, and the condi-
tion in al l respects of those in their employ up
haft occupied their
former times. But in nothing
thoughts far more than
distinguished themselves, both for good
have they more
sense and disinterested benevolenc.e than in the efforts made
wing besides a half-holiday,
torestrict the hours of labour, gi

the entire benefit of the Sabbath rest. The grievous effects
of over-working on the health both of body and mind have
been strikingly shown upon the authority of medical men
and other experienced persons. It has also been satisfac-
torily proved that the sacrifice which employers make is
much over-rated ; that in many cases it amounts to nothing
(the work being better done, or the shop better attended by
those who are not exhausted) ; and in all cases the loss,
might, by judicious arrangements, be avoided. It is highly
satisfactory to find that the early closing movement, which
began about 20 years ago, when it was confined to the
drapery business, soon after became general, so that now
there is in all branches of trade, and also in the public de
partments, a very great improvement. But we had a
description at our first meeting from Mr. Lilwall, in his
able and painfully interesting paper, of the dreadful condi-
tion of those working in some trades still unreformed ; and
it is devoutly to be hoped that the same considerate kind-
ness of employers may be extended to these. This is mani-
festly an evil to which, great as it is, the law cannot,
except perhaps in a very few instances and to a very
limited extent, apply a remedy.* It becomes the more ne-
cessary to direct the attention of employers still further to
the subject, and to call upon them to communicate with
each other, and make such arrangements as the experience
of any may suggest for completing, with as little sacrifice
as possible, the good work already, much to their credit,
begun. Of a truth, what they have done is highly to be
praised, and their conduct is worthy of all acceptation ; nor
could we easily point to any work of philanthropy in our day
better entitled to public gratitude. It has, indeed, merits of
a peculiar kind ; for while other plans operate indirectly and
gradually, the benefits of this are direct and immediate. The
health, the instruction, the morals of the community, are
directly improved by the action applied—and improved at
• once. The class, too. thus benefitted is the most important
r of the children of toil—those in whose work the mind is

most employed. But it comprises, also, our artisans—
those whose talents and industry make England the great
capital of manufactures ; whose exquisite skill and admi-
rable dexterity bear the fame of our arts into every sea
that 6 ship can plough, teaching envy to the proudest of
our rivals, and veneration to every tribe, however remote,
as soon as its existence becomes known. Of the working
classes at large, if not the besetting
pernicious failings, are improvidence and intemperance ;
sins,. certainly the most
as there can be no greater evils than what proceed from
these sources, it is fortunate that a remedy can be applied
certainly to mitigate, possibly even to effect an absolute cure.
The two failings are no doubt closely. connected ; but it is
fit that they be apart,considearxedtena
re-
spects they are not co-extensive, materialhaving the
v iamspirnovidornece
widern
eidr scope
Clarke,
akned, in more general
very usefulgeneraloratpioanpaltis at wtheallcsaaindgrbeya l‘alarf.
E
help the working people to keep themselves with
1857, that "the great problem of social economyteir own
-now to
money" (in other words, to teach them provident habits)
and the plan which he strongly presses, and which Mr.
Akroyd, in an able and important paper last year more fully
illustrated, is the establishment of penny savings banks.
The great step made 50 years ago, and which we owe to a
most wise and pious pastor of the Scotch Church, my. re-
vered friend Dr. H. Duncan, was the institution of savings
banks which received all deposits of a shilling and upwards.
These very soon extended almost over the whole island. By
the last returns there have been deposited above £32,000,000
by 1,340,000 contributors. But in this, as in all• other
institutions for promoting popular improvement, it has
been found that they do not at first reach the
class for whose benefit they are chiefly designed, but a
class somewhat above them ; and the proportion of very
small deposits clearly showed the tendency of the humbler
classes to avail themselves of the banks as far as their rules
allow ; for 85 per cent. of the amount which has just been
mentioned was for sums of an average not exceeding £l2.
It thus became manifest that sums below Is. ought to be
received, and Dr. Chalmers proposed the penny bank, which
completely succeeded. Without the knowledge of his sug-
gestion and its success, the same thing was tried, and suc-
ceeded perfectly, at Birmingham, Halifax, Derby, Hull,
and many other places. In Birmingham, in 1856, 84,000
accounts were opened for sums of ld. and upwards, £11,600
being paid in, of which- £10,700 were drawn out, clearly
showing that the banks are used as they were intended, for
a temporary deposit, and for keeping the money till wanted,
but without the banks the pence would be squandered in
providing some indulgence, probably drink. The great ob-
ject is teaching the working man to begin saving—once
beginning he will add to the little hoard, an when it reaches
a certain amount he will keep it, unless driven by bad
times, by disease, or other accident to encroach upon it.
But we may safely affirm that a most salutary change is
made in a man's habits, perhaps in his character, by his
beginning to save for whatever purpose, and that providence
in this one and very material particular will become the
habit generally of his mind. It is to be hoped that our at-
tention may be called during this meeting to the proposal
of Mr. Sikes, for applying money-order offices in the Post-
office department to the purposes of savings banks, or, pos-
sibly in some cases, as a substitute for them. Of intempe-
rance, the baneful effects need not be dwelt upon in de-
tail. It is the smallest part of the evil that at the very
least ten times as mnch money is spent upon drink as
upon publications of all kinds, newspapers included. The
learned and enlightened Recorder of Birmingham makes
this abundantly evident in his valuable charges to the grand
jury. But the far worst effects of this propensity in pro-
ducing disease both of body and mind, and in filling our
gaols with criminals and our workhouses with paupers, are
so dreadful as loudly to call for the application of repressive
measures. The connection of intoxication and of
drunken habits with crime is demonstrated in the clearest
manner—" Every one acquainted with criminal courts,"
says Mr. Hill, "must admit the truth of what our judges
state day by day and year after year, that by far the greater
number of all offences committed have their origin in the
love of drink." The chaplain of Preston House of Correc-
tion, Mr. Clay, a name never to be pronounced without the
greatest respect for his truly virtuous and useful life, chews
that in Lancashire the proportion of offences traced dis-
tinctly to this cause was about 40 per cent. in years of full
employment and good wages, having been only 17 per cent.
in the years of distress, and this difference manifestly arose
from the facility of indulging dissipated propensities in the
prosperous times. In the United States we find a judge of
Maine, the strenuous adversary of absolute prohibition, yet
urging the necessity of restrictions upon the sale of liquors.
He declares that nine-tenths of all crimes attended with vio-
lence arise from intoxication. In another State, Rhode
Island, 60 per cent. of all offences appear to be caused by
drunkenness, and 20 per cent. of insane persons is the pro-
portion of those whose 'malady had this origin. That re-
pressive measures are loudly called for in this country it is
difficult to deny r but if there are objections to these, chiefly
from the public mind not being prepared for them, at least
we can cease to encourage intemperance by treating it as
venial, and by suffering pernicious customs to be continued
apparently for its
,protection. Not only do these greatly
err, but they are positively criminal, who treat the subject
lightly, and yet more to be condemned are those who re-
gard intemperance as an extenuation of guilt, of which it is
rather au aggravation. How much more criminal are per-
sons in authority who sometimes consider it in meting out
the inflictions of the police, or even of the penal law. But
those are not to be forgiven who indulge in light talk upon
that which is the fruitful parent of the worst offences, even
of murder itself. What shall we say then of customs being
maintained directly promoting intemperance, ,and which
have neither antiquity to plea in their defence, nor any
necessity to require their continuance, nor even the fact of
their universality to allege in their favour ? The existence
of statute fairs is a disgrace to the police of this country.
In some of the most extensive and populous counties they
are unknown, and not the slightest inconvenience is expe-
rienced from the want of them. Wherever they are held
all the best authorities among the magistrates and police-
officers are agreed in representing them as a great cause of
drunkenness and every species of immoral indulgence.
This important subject was fully treated by Mr. Nash
Stephenson at our last meeting, and the
_progress was de-
scribed of a remedy, by way of a substitute, in the registry
of farm servants, which many persons have of late desired
to see extended to all servants ; and a society has been
formed in London with this view. As it is clearly not
enough that we should cease to encourage intemperance,
and as positive repression is attended with great difficulty,
there is every reason to rejoice in the exertions which have
been made by individuals to apply a remedy, or at least a
palliative, by such proceedings as may bo taken without le-
gislative aid. The formation of temperance associations has
been highly beneficial • and, these have spread over many
parts of the country. !Not only have these bodies published
works admirably conducted, and several newspapers, besides
circulating cheap tracts to a vast amount—the Temperance
League 300,000 a week—but they encourage their members
to take the pledge, which, though often broken, is kept by
many. The services of the Grand Alliance, and of its able
and learned secretary, Mr. S. Pope, are truly above all
praise, A very important step was made in this direction
at the last meeting of the National Association. Mr. C.
Melly (to whose brother George's zealous and indefatigable
exertions at Liverpool our gratitude is most justly due) read
a paper describing the fountains which he had erected in
that town, with the happiest effect in lessening the prevail-
ing drunkenness. The council allowed a separate edition of
the tract, with the print of a fountain as a model to be pub-
lished ; and it was extensively distributed during the con-
gress. The effect has been to spread the establishment of
fountains over the whole country, so that there is hardly a
great town without one or more. It cannot be doubted that
the gratuitous supply of good water, at convenient places,
has a tendency to lessen intemperance by diminishing the
temptation, and preventing the resort to public-houses
and it is certain that the benefit thus derived has been en-
tirely owing to the services of the association. It may,
however, well be contended that these measures being only
in the nature of palliatives, the enormous mischief must be
attacked by more effectual operations ; and it is painful to
admit that we must reckon education itself as among pal-
liatives only. Its tendency to lesson criminal propensi-
ties by affording other occupations, as well as by strength-
ening right principles to divert from criminal courses,
is unquestionable. But there cannot be a greater fallacy
than to set its effects in repressing crimes against that
of intemperance in producing them, and it is a
dangerous fallacy, for men rely upon the improvement in
character and its effect in controlling the passions as suffi-
cient to counteract the direct tendency of intemperance, and
they answer the call for repressive measures by bidding us
trust to education. The humanising influence of instruc-
tion in preventing offences attended with violence is pro-
verbial, and is admitted. We have a striking illustration
from the proportion of crimes committed with violence pro-
ceeding from drunkenness. The influence of education is
indirect and of gradual operation. The action of intem-
perance is direct and immediate. We may so far trust to
the improvement produced by the former as to expect from
it a diminution in the number of offences, but the latter adds
to their number and increases their malignity as certainly
and far more powerfully. To rely upon popular improve-
ment alone, and take no measures for removing the great
cause of crimes, would be to lull ourselves into as perilous a•
security as theirs who should trust to the effects of diet
and regimen when the plague was raging ; or in that con-
fidence, before it broke out, should take no precaution
against its introduction. So, training the people to arms is
a wise policy in any country ; and our insular position does
not exempt us from this duty. But he would be an unsafe
counsellor who should bid us rely on the martial habits of
the people, and not repel invasion by our fleets, or meet it
with regularly disciplined troops. Intemperance is the com-
mon enemy, ic attacks even persons of cultivated minds,
spreads havoc widely among the multitudes of our inferior
orders ; and fills our workhouses and our gaols. To lessen
its force and contract its sphere, no means must be spared
if we really mean to stay the progress of destitution and of
crime. The philanthropist has no more sacred duty than
to mitigate, if he cannot remove this enormous evil. The
lawgiver is imperatively bound to lend his aid, when it
appears manifest that no palliatives can avail. Certainly
we have the example of the United States to prove that
repression is practicable, and their experience to guide us
toward it. That no legislative interference can be contem-
plated until the public mind is prepared, we must admit.
Such was the course jn America, and our palliative mea-
sures tend to afford the required preparation. The evil of
drunkenness had reached such a height, that in the state of
Maine, 35 years ago, associations to promote temperance
were formed ; they spread through the country ; they in-
fluenced by degrees the whole community; they induced

* The overworking dresi►akers night and day, and of
bakers, has been mentioned by some as calling for and Justi-
fying legislative interposition.

the magistrates to refuse licences • and finally they obtained
a law of rigorous prohibition. Six other States, having a
population of seven and a-half millions, have made consi-
derable progress towards the same end, more or less rigor-
ously discouraging the sale of intoxicating liquors ; and the
greatest benefits have resulted to those portions of the
Union. But the most important fact is the attempt to re-
peal the law in Maine, and its signal failure. Like all sub-
jects in a country which, from the nature of the govern-
ment, and the changes in the holders of all offices, is under
the influence of perpetual canvass, this of temperance be-
same a party question, and governors were chosen and
removed upon it. Four years ago its supporters were de-
feated, and a stringent licensing system was substituted in
its place. For two years and upwards this plan was tried,
with every disposition of the authorities to favour its suc-
cess. Pauperism and crime, which under the prohibitory
law had been reduced to an incredibly small amount, soon
renewed their devastations ; the public voice was raised
loudly and with rare concert against the licensing plan ; a
resolutien was passed at the State Convention that the
liquor law should no more be treated as a party question,.
and the repealing act was, without opposition, itself re-
pealed. Another effort was made to restore the repeal ;
but the resolution of the State Convention was referred to,
which stood imrescinded, ; and all attempts to get rid of
the liquor law wore abandoned henceforth as hopeless.
wthiheoh
crimes which same
ha d
Tdihmeinhuatapopny
breostttofhapsaub;oernisma canondtmouf anenc.me
followed upon the original enactment of the law. Upon
this very remarkable passage in the history of social
science it may be observed that at least it affords proof of
the experiment having been made, and successfully made, of
dealing rigorously with the evil ; and if the same prepara-
tion of the public mind which led to the experiment being
tried and secured its success takes place in other countries.
the great example may then be followed safely and success-
fully. Then the philanthropist would no Tonger complain
with the Recorder of Birmingham, that into whatever path
of benevolence we may strike, the drink-demon starts up
before him and blocks his way, or, comparing what is cheer-
fully squandered upon the fuel of intemperance with what
is grudgingly bestowed upon the means of mental improve-
ment, lament to find tenfold the price of food to the mind
paid forspoison to the body ; but would delight t o hear our
poor, reclaimed from the worst excesses, free from tho yoke
of the cruel though perfidious tyrant, declare as they did
to the American missionary, that the law must have come
from heaven, for it was too good to be the work of man.*
In opening this national association at Birmingham two
years ago I adverted to the intimate connection of the
sciences, natural, moral, and political, each with the other ;
but the reference was not sufficiently detailed to that topic,
equally fruitful and important, of inexhaustible fertility, of
paramount importance. There is no greater encouragement
than is thus afforded to the cultivation of every branch of
knowledge, the great teachers of mankind, the improvers of
science and of art, by their discoveries in the one, their in-
ventions in the other ; for they are thus taught to hope that
benefits may result from their labours far superior to any
which they had designed and expected toproduce. Let rue
add that the same contemplations may afford the greatest
encouragement to our labours in this association. It is fit
that the illustration by examples formerly omitted should
now be supplied- But the instances are so numerous and so
varied that one hardly knows where to begin, and must
feel a difficulty where to end. A few only need be selected,
and such may be taken as show results that might be the
least expected from the particular steps made. When Gal-
vani observed the contortions of muscle in a dead frog,
or even when Volta gave an explanation of them, how little
could it be foreseen that the discovery would lead not only
to the decomposition of bodies which had resisted all at-
tempts to ascertain their constituent parts, and make us ac-
quainted with substances wholly unlike any before known,
as metals that float in water and took fire on exposure to
the air; but, after having thus changed the face of chemi-
cal science, should also impress a new character upon the
moral, judicial, and political world I . Yet this has unde-
niably been the result of the discovery made by Volta of an
influence passing under Galvani's name, by an error similar
to that which gives the name of Vespucci instead of Colum-
bus to the New World. The power of the magnetic tele-
graph extends to the comfort of families, the cure of diseases,
the transactions of business, the administration of justice,
the operations of government in all its branches, civil and
military, domestic and foreign; establishing an almost in-
stantaneous communication between the remotest regions.
But physical science has given us the means of personal in-
tei course, as well as correspondence, with remote places.
How little could Watt, when employed as a common me-
chanic to repair a model engine, foresee that from the happy
inventions which arose out of his deep reflection upon the
agencies submitted to his studies there would follow such a
change in our relations with the material world as now sets
winds, and tides, and currents at defiance, and excludes in
a great degree the consideration of space and time from our
calculations, and a yet greater revolution in our social sys-
tem. Little did he think that the work ho was thus begin-
ning would, before another generation passed away, not
merely change the whole course of commercial dealings, the
communication dell countries one with another, and of all
men among themselves in each, but affect the whole policy of
nations,their relations inpeace, and their operations in war.
When he introduced into this eountryethe happy invention
of Berthollet for bleaching by cholrates, little did either of
these great men (satisfied as they were with that important
step) forsee that, by the combination of the one with another,
such a victory over pain would be gained as should not
only afford relief in almost all cases, but change the whole
course of surgical operations ? And now let it be added that
the process has lately been applied to save those insects
whose marvellous architecture affords the most striking of
all the proofs of Divine action, according to the Newtonian
doctrine of instincts. I can vouch for the entire success of
the experiment, having lately performed the operatioret
The security of ships and buildings by Sir W. Snow Harris's
lightning rods has saved many lives and much property.
Still more beneficial, because the risks from shipwreck are
far greater than those from lightning, has been Sir David
Brewster's happy application of the science of which he is
so great a master, to the construction of the dioptic light-
house 4 But let us observe how vast an improvement of
social life, and how valuable an addition to our power of
executing the law has been another optical discovery by
which we have made the sun our fellow-workman. It
would have been deemed a romance had any one foretold
from observing the effect of light in discolouring certain
substances such a consummation as obtaining the most ac-
curate portraits in a second ; portraits, the minute accuracy
of which hours and days of tho painter's labour could not
approach; and the consequent power not only of preserving
the features of those most revered and beloved, but of pre-
venting the escape of criminals, the commission of number-
less frauds, and the defeat of the injured in seeking the re-
covery of their rights. Nor let us forget the less important
benefit of improving both our manufactures and the public
taste by multiplying perfect copies of all the great pictures
in the world ; so that for a few pence may be obtained the
exact duplicates of Raphael's cartoons, and every other re-
nowned masterpiece—an application of the art which we
ewe to the liberal and discerning patronage of the Prince
Consort.. My illustrious friend and colleague of the Insti-
tute, Arago, was so impressed with the vast importance of
photography in all its relations, that the last years of his
life were chiefly occupied with whatever belonged to this
subject. But the progress of geology, the discoveries re-
specting the strata whereof our globe is composed, and
the history of their formation, have led to a yet more un-
expected and far more sublime result than any we have
been surveying—a resource which is the source of the most
delightful contemplation. A period of time in the revolu-
tion of ages has been ascertained before our species existed,
and a succession of races discovered inhabitants of our earth
and of the ocean, all specifically different from any that we
now know to exist. The act of croationis thus demonstrated
from phenomena, independent of tradition, to have been
performed by the Almight and all-wise Creator ,• the forma-
tion of man after His own image and at a period later than
that at which He formed other and less perfect creatures.
While the great discoveries of La Grange and La Place de-
duced from those of Newton exhibit the law by which the
system of the universe is maintained eternal in its present
state, all deviatione being necessarily confined within freed
limits, the wonderful researches of easier upon the struc-
ture of our planet have shown the origin of its inhabitants;
proved that at a remote period, though not far removed
from the era of history, one species did not exist, and thus
given conclusive evidence of the awful. Being's powers
" whose temple is all space whose altar, earth sea, skies,
and of His relation to ourselves; proving as clearly that we
are His creatures as if one had risen from the dead. But
from these more remote contemplations we must turn to
nearer objects, and objects not coming within the scope of
the caution which warns us against tho optical delusion that
makes near things appear great; for the object now to be
regarded both touches us nearly, and is of vast dimensions,
no less than our free constitution in its administration, the
rights and privileges which we enjoy under it, our whole
social system as connected with it and depending upon it,
and the perils to which it is exposed. There can be no
greater or happier exchange than that nation has made
which, replacing a despotic by a constitutional government
no longer lies at the:mercy of an arbitraryruler, is protected
by fixed laws, and exercises a control over the management
of its own affairs. The condition of a people subject to un-
limited power resembles that of an enslaved individual in
this, that all freedom of action is extinguished in the com-
munity as in the slave; -like him, it is actuated by mo-
tives exterior to itself; has no will of its own; is not
merely sacrificed to the interests, but to the caprices of a
master, and can express no opinion nor give vedat to any
-feeling, or even utter a complaint without his leave. This
thraldom is not more detrimental to the well-being of the
people than degrading to their character ; and the debase-
ment of the subject extends to the tyrant, whom uncon-
trolled dotninion renders more wanton and more intolerable,
affording, however, this poor consolation to the sufferers,
that he is haunted himself by terrors greater thanhe inspires.
The unspeakable blessing of being delivered from a lot so
grievous forbids us to scrutinise_too narrowly the means by
which the rescue has been effected, or to inquire too severely
into the manner in which the unwonted gift of freedom has
been enjoyed. The most stern and unscrupulous censor
would perhaps only condemn such excesses as might lead to
the tyranny being restored. But thrice happy those nations
which have never known such alternations of enslavement
and emancipation, of subjection and license ; whose constitu-
tion, like ours, was never despotic, but grew up from a less
regular system of freedom to a more and mom exactly defined
scheme of government, till it attained the form of monarchy
limited by law, precluded all oppression, whether of one or of
many by the union of the several branches of which it is com-
posed, and the different interests which are represented. And
if it be certain that under such a system alone can tyranny
of every kind be prevented, its gradual growth, if not its
great virtue, is certainly the cause of its excellence. Laws
are made, constituencies grow, at least if they aro of any
value; they have roots, they bear, they ripen, they endure.
Those that are fashioned resemble painted sticks planted in
the ground, as I have seen in other countries what were
called " Trees of Liberty," they strike no root, bear no fruit,
swiftly decay, and ere long perish—" Nature, indeed," as
Bolingbroke says, beautifully translating abeautiful passage
of Lord Bacon, " throws out altogether, and at once, the
whole system of every tree, and the rudiments of all its
parts, Vitt she leaves the growth to time." Cherished by
wmprouorstebd consult
the breeze, strengthened by the ' sun, expanded by the
shower.* a
n So ut
hurtful,
hc
thehr
removing
esnmpdtaohsv
iate
ntacgenonwdut rahsttaeiatykoei
take experience
process.n a e
HBanytimngantomduseatl
addingwiththis
shauf
0 a whatannd beings,
dgas busea,elnhoepe
foundr possessesationw a nonoutrfi gift of foresight; he
neslstto
chanceembehe
aufsmon:egb r
oheni
ss
what.
formedhi
Bda eys,
in the course of ages; its progress occasionally slow, some-
times even for a season suspended ; rarely sustaining any

llill's Repression of Crime pp. 325, 3SB, 130.—There has
not of late years been so important an addition made to our
practical jurisprudence and our social science as this work.
Mr. 11. relies for his statement of the comparative expendi-
ture upon drink and literature upon the high authority of
Charles Knight, a distinguished benefactor to literature and
social science.

t Mr. Bayard, of Dundee, furnished the instructions, having
himself made the experiment upon several beehives.
),nme absurd attempts have been made to represent, Mr.
Fresnel as having anticipated Sir D. Brewster. He probably
was ignorant of what Sir 1). Brewster had done long before,-
and therefore I►is originality as the second inventor may he
admitted on that supposition. But Sir D. Brewster published_
in 1812, Mr. Fromel in 1822. AS early as 1816 Sir D. Brewfter
pressed upon the lighthouse engineer in Scotland the use of
his method_
"Muleent aurae, format sol, educat amber."