The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SA 1 U.RDAY EVENING, JUNE 6, 1857

the old, than to construct new barracks ! Besides,
by erecting permanent new barracks at Aldershot,
" the entire beauty of the invention would be
lost," as the Times said of the Exchequer Bonds I
This is an illustration of the existing red-tapist
principles. A large expenditure is sanctioned for
one purpose, but it is forthwith devoted on minis-
terial responsibility to something very different
indeed, and to which the people would never assent
if duly informed, at the proper time—we wish
this mock responsibility could be converted into
a real bona fide one, where the guardians of the
public purse were consulted before any
liability was incurred, and when they have
only what is vulgarly termed " Hobson's
choice," either to break contracts already
entered into, and to abandon a heavy ex-
penditure previously incurred, or to go on with
a further lavish outlay of little practical utility.
A decided stop should be put to this impolitic
and, we will add, highly unconstitutional system.
The entire functions of the House of Commons are
being gradually transferred to the Executive.
Everymat ter is generallyconcluded before the Repro-
3ntatives of the People receive the slightest intima-
tion of what is contemplated. The Prince's wishes
are, it seems, all that is required. We believe our
ancestors would not have submitted quite so patiently
if such things were attempted in their days—and
we are tempted to exclaim, as did the Barons at
Runnymede—no/umus leges Anglian mutari ! We
are not inclined to yield to the most fastidious
German taste. The British Constitution seems to
be indeed "on its trial." We earnestly hope it
may pass unscathed through the ordeal.

Thanks be to GOD there is now every reason-
able prospect of the Sale of Poisons Bill speedily
becoming part and parcel of the statute law of
England ! Immediately tho measure has been
transformed into an enactment by the utterance of
the magical words— La Reine le veut— a new
obstruction will instantaneously have sprung up in
the pathway of would-be Suicides and Murderers 1
It will be then wonderfully difficult indeed for any
one to obtain poisons except for purposes alto-
gether legitimate. Whereas hitherto, the facilities
afforded for the purchase of poisons have been and
are at this moment absolutely frightful to contem-
plate. So notoriously is it thus, that the noble
Earl the President of the Council could state
last evening, without risk of contradiction,
this appalling fact, that "at present there
were no less than sixteen thousand persons
engaged in selling poisons without any re-
striction or registration, and he believed that
there were annually no less than five thousand
deaths from poison—a third or fourth probably
of the whole number who annually took poison."
We all know perfectly well by our remembrance
of the past few years of the National Experience
how many of these same deaths by poison have been
the result of Criminal Design, and how many of
them have been the consequence of easily-avoid-
able Accident I As to the Accidents we can
count them up wholesale--from cases like that at
Weymouth, where a chemist's boy made a slight
mistake about "black drops,",to others like that at
Bath, where one of the preposterous hieroglyphics
upon a medical prescription was fatally mistaken
for something else by another chemist's boy, to
the destruction of an invalid then apparently in
a fair way towards recovery. Again, as to the
other category of Deaths by Poisons, those resulting
from Criminal Design and not from mere criminal
carelessness. Is not the Catalogue that could be
readily strung together upon the instant one of
absolutely diabolical hideousness Comprising
within its ample range several assassins comparable
in their atrocity to a BORGIA, or a BRIIffILLIERS
A wretch like DOTE, with the credulity of an
idiot, and the cunning of an ape, and the cruelty
of a savage, occupying a prominent position upon
that black catalogue. A low, blackguard, gam-
bling, country surgeon, exceeding even him in
infamy—killing any one that came in his way,
however near and dear to him by family relations,
filling a churchyard with his victims, turning his
house into a periodical dead-honse, and dying at
last the death of a dog, the object of universal
execration—damning himself to everlasting infamy
in the memory of his fellow-creatures by the ever-
detestable "name, style, and title" of the Rugeley
Poisoner Instances like these, of course are,
thank Heaven, exceptional instances. But there
are others that are what we may call with reason
generical. Quietners !—does not that one word
tell a whole ghastly series of death stories, down
in the manufacturing districts, where men have
gono mad with drink, only to "die the death" by
the hands of their so-called helpmates ? Enough,
however, the reasons for the Bill now passing
rapidly through its various stages .in the Impe-
rial Legislature, are obviously all-sufficient. They
are almost universally recognized. Their suffi-
ciency is hastening the completion of this novel
and henificent design on the part of the Govern-
ment. A project adequate, almost of itself, to
redeem the otherwise wasted session of 1857,
from an insignificant, almost entirely infructuous
of, save in this one particular, any really valuable
legislative improvement.

The terrors of Typhus passed a few years ago
one of our most useful Acts. How the homeless
slept and lodged might have been a matter of in-
difference for much longer, but saaitary inquiries
sheered that West End lives were in danger when
the filth and overcrowding of back slums and
blind alleys breed infectious disease. Clime,
too, was palpably nursed where individuals re-
sided like savages amid the temptations of civiliza-
tion. The benevolent projectors of the " Com-
mon Lodging Houses Act," a report of the ope-
ration of which, after six years' trial, now lies be-
fore us, could appeal to the fears of all for the
powers which they demanded. Many thought at
the time that the " Englishman's Castle" ap-
peared to be somewhat threatened, others that it
would prove a vex diens and ineffective measure.
The facts enumerated in this report seem to sho►
conclusively that too limited rather than too ex
tensive powers have been granted ; and that such
power as has been entrusted to the police and
magistrates has been used with great efficiency. A
vast amount of infectious disease has obviously
been hindered from coming into existence, much
has been properly dealt with at once, and surely
cleanliness, and separation of the sexes, has done
something for morality.

It is worth while for our readers to know a few
of the cases which, having been brought before the
magistrates and adjudicated upon, can be subject to
no doubt. It might well have been thought other-
wise that t-here was some exaggeration. Here,
then, is a specimen or two. No. 17, Lincoln-court,
St. Giles—in ono room ten feet square, wherein
threk.peirsons would be allowed by the regulations
under; the Act, seven men, nine women, and one
chi'ed were found huddled together in the most
filthy state ;
the bedding dirty beyond descrip-
titm ; no partitions or ventilation, and, a few
minutes before the visit of the officer, one of the
females had been confined. No. 93, Shadwell,
where twenty-five persons would be allowed, forty-
fire, chiefly Lascars, were found. From the filthy
and crowded state of the house, and the fumes of
opium, the place was intolerable,--.. -No.

Cock-hill, Ratcliffe, in a room having space for ,
five persons, fifteen were found in a most deplora-
ble condition, eleven sleeping on the floor covered
only by a few filthy rags.-----No. 31, Farmer-
street, Shadwell, in six small rooms were found
twenty-nine persons, Lascars and low prostitutes;
in one of the rooms was the dead body of a Las-
car, covered with an old rug, and in a room ad-
joining, another Lamar, in a dying state, lying
in a cupboard amongst a few rags.-No. 8,
Lincoln-court, St. Giles, where five persons would
be allowed by the regulations, three male adults,
and nine females were found, the rooms, bed, and
bedding in a dirty state, and no partitions to
secure the privacy of the sexes. In another
lodging-house for emigrants, 250 persons were
found where only 99 could be properly accom-
modated.

Perhaps it would hardly be credited, except on
legal evidence, that such hotbeds of disease, such
nurseries of immorality and crime, were common
in the midst of London, and are as yet far from
being extinct. " The authorities," however, ap-
pear to be using their powers with most praise-
worthy diligence, and we may anticipate that in
a short time not many common lodging-houses
will escape the hands of the authorised reformers.
The process is this :—On learning that a house
is used as a lodging-house, the officer serves a
notice on the keeper of it, warning him to regis-
ter the house, and leaving him a copy of the
regulations. On the officer's certifying that the
regulations have been complied with, the house is
registered; if at the expiration of• the time al-
lowed the house is not put in a proper state, re-
gistration is refused. A night visit, with the
requisite means to bring the case before a magis-
trate, follows. The principal requisites are what
might be expected—ventilation, cleaning, lime
washing, decent and clean bedding, water in
plenty, water-closets, sinks, trapped drains, and
all the modern list of prophylactic appliances.
Arrangements for the privacy and separation of
the sexes are of course insisted on.
It is gratifying to know that property thus dealt
with is " improved in every respect, and its value
greatly increased." As the prices charged for
lodging, from 2d. t 3 6d. a night, are not raised,
it would seem that the improved lodging-houses
are sought by the class who use them in prefe-
rence to the filth, dirt, and over-crowding of the
old ones, and that regular custom compensates for
the cost of cleanliness and decency. This inci-
dental fact is really a hopeful one, and may well
encourage some of our model lodging-house philan-
thropists to attempt something at a lower rate of
charge than they have yet done. The report
states that could " houses be erected, or converted
to the purpose of being let out in rooms to married
couples at rates not exceeding one shilling a-week per
room, with the necessary provision for he:4th and
cleanliness, the greatest benefit would be conferred
on the poorer classes." The present model lodging-
houses are, it seems, occupied by a superior class
—mechanics, drapers' assistants, and even mer-
chant's clerks. Something cheaper is still wanted,
and something not interfering too rigidly with
their habits of freedom.
It appears from the returns annexed to the Re-
port, that not fewer than 14,570 lodging-houses
have been served with notices to register. Of
these 6,292 have been surveyed and registered to
accommodate 91,106 persons. At the time of
the survey 103,444 persons were found lodged in
them, and doubtless thousands more had fre-
quently occupied then:tat one time. The lairge num-
ber of 6,725 houses had to be given up as wholly
unfit for the purpose ! They mostly consisted of
single rooms, and at the present time 1,593 are
under supervision, to bring them within the terms
of the Act, and fit them for registration. Under
the Nuisances Removal Act, 2,471 cases have
been reported as existing in common lodging-
houses. These, except some thirty or forty yet
pending before the magistrate, have all been re-
moved. Indeed, the Report gives abundant evi-
dence that the police and magistrates are vigilantly
and energetically discharging their duties under
these Acts, and that they must have saved all of
us a large amount of infectious disease, in addition
to the social good effected. Greater powers are
asked, and if used with the same moderation and
firmness, they might be advantageously granted.

THE MANCRESTER ART TREASURES
EXHIBITION.

VISIT OF HER MAJESTY.
MANCHESTER, FRIDAY.
We were enabled to state a few days ago that in all
probability her Majesty would pay her visit to the Ex-
hibition on or about the 29th of the present month. We
are now in a pwition to add that there is little doubt but
that her Majesty will arrive in Manchester on the 29th,
in which case the royal visit will be made on Tuesday,
the 30th instant.

It is not, we believe, as yet decided whether the visit
will be one of state or strictly private, but a strong and
general feeling has been expressed among all classes in
Manchester that the visit may be of a nature to enable
the public to give her Majesty a I,yal and hearty recap•
tion upon this her second visit to the great centre of
manufacturing industry.

We know not whether the Prince of Prussia may be
in England at the time of the royal visit ; but we venture
to express a hope that, under the circumstances in which
the Prince is placed in relation to this country at the
present moment, an opportunity may be afforded the
citizens of Manchester personally to testify their appro-
bation of his 11,)yil Highness's alliance with the eldest
daughter of her Majesty.
_ _ .

Her Majcsty and the Prince will be accompanied, we
believe, by the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, and
two of the junior members of the royal family.
The number of visitors at the exhibition yesterday
(half-crown day) was only 3,663. Of these 2,797 paid at
the doors, and 806 presented season tickets. The ♦isitors
by railway numbered 1,921. The wet morning and the
apprehension of a crowd of holiday visitors, no doubt
kept many of the season ticket-holders away. The
limited attendance of yesterday was, however, amply
compensated for to-day, as the number of visitors is es-
timated to reach 10,000. The numbers registered by
the turnstiles as having paid at the doors at one o'clock
amounted to 6,844. At three o'clock the index showed
8,629.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.

(FROM OUR OWN OOBRZSPONDENT.)

COWES, JUNE 5.
Her Majesty left, under a salute of 21 guns, at a quarter
past three, froua the Royal Yacht Squadron Battery.
The following members of the Royal Yacht Squadron
wore at their House during the week :—The Marquis of
Bath ; James Manse, Esq. ; C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P.,
Vice-Commodore ; Geo. Bntinok, Esq. ; Rear-Admiral
C. Hamlyn Williams • Sir H. Oglander, Bart. ; W. B.
Ponsonby, Esq., Sir john B. Walsh, Bart., M.P. ;E. N.
Harvey, Esq., and Richard Frankland, Esq.
The following arc the fashionable visitors during the
week :—Charles Stephens, Esq., and family; G. R. Ste-
phenson, Esq., and family ; ount Edmond Batthyanyi,
Countess Batthyanyi, and Count Gustave Batthyanyi ; J.
E. Jommett, Esq., and family ; the Hon. Mrs. Douglas and
family ; Colonel Wellesley and Lady ; Captain Bamfield
and family; the Hon. Henry Potre ; Rev. R. E. Hughes;
John Rawlence, Esq. ; Mrs. May ; Pigott S. Conant, Esq.,
and family ; W. M. Coates, Esq. ; Caleb Gater, Esq. ; W.
J. Le Feuvro, Esq., and family ; E. M. Randall, Esq. ; J.
D. P. Loder, Esq., and family ; Mrs. Borrough ; Mrs.
Archer, &c.

THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON.
ARRIVALS : May 30. —Magic, S. Block, Esq., from the
Thames, Boulogne, and Portsmouth • and sailed on Mon-
day, the let, for Portsmouth. The Kittiwake, the Marquis
of Ailsa, from the westward for Southampton. Gipsy
Queen, Sir H. Bold Hoghton, Bart., for Torquay.
June 3.—Titania, Robert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., ac-
companied by Lord blulgrave and C. R. Colville, Esq.,
M.P., from Cherbourg, Plymouth; and sailed for South-
ampton, after the day's cruise, in the evening. Loah
Rooke, Viscount Bangor, from Poole, the same day, and
sailed to-day for the eastward.

The following yachts are fitting out :
The Firefly, Sir H. Oglander, Bart., will be out of har-
bour on Monday next.
The Capricorn (screw), Vice-Commodore C. It. M. Tal-
bot, Esq., M.P., will shortly be ready to try her speed, and
will go into harbour to fit out for the season.
The Loda, Sir R. B. W. Bulkeloy, Bart., M.P., will be
ready by the 12th inst.
The Aurora Le Merchant Thomas, Esq., and the
Amazes, Sir J. B. Walsh, Bart., M.P., are progressing
rapidly.
The Caprice, Lieut.-Colonel C. Baring, will be ready for
launching on Monday next.

to be drawn up on this subject, and will submit it
to the European Cabinets. It is said that the
Austrian Government will support the views of the
Porte."

• A. letter from Constantinople of the 25th ult.,
in the Constitutionnel, says :—A fresh outrage has
just been committed at Pera, which has caused
considerable consternation among the European
population. On the night of the 22d the house of
M. Timoni, first dragornan of the Swedish Lega-
tion, was broken into by a band of 20 armed men,
who pillaged it of everything it contained of value.
Fresh complaints have been addressed on this occa-
sion to the Government by all the ambassadors,
who, it is said, have demanded the dismis3al of the
minis'er of police. It is hoped that this measure
of satisfaction will be speedily accorded, and the
more so that the incapacity of that functionary is
so well known that it has several times been in con-
templation to remove him."

A-letter from Vienna, in the Nord of Brussels,
says :—" Accounts received from Constantinople
state that it has been decided among the represen-
tatives of the great Powers that the Porte should
be requested to send to the Caimakans of Moldavia
and Wallachiaa recommendation to conform strictly
and faithfully to the text and spirit of the firman.
Similar instructions were recommended to be sent
to Safvet Effendi, the Turkish commissioner, who
had appeared ;to have lost sight of the object of the
commission of which he forms a part. These instruc-
tions, when obtained, were to be immediately trans-
mitted by telegraph.