The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-10 00:00:00

PUBLIC DRINKINa FOUNTAINS.

Wheelies not, at some time or other, in traversing
Ole streets of h large town, longed for a draught of
water. Yet nothing is, ordinarily, so difficult to obtain.
Tb ere are the greatest facilities for purchasing every-
tiling which will heat the already heated blond, and in-
crease the thirst a'reaiy suffered ; there are certain
cooling drinks which may be had for money, though not
readily ; but the great- natural provision for thirst can
scarcely be had at all. The weary wanderer, who has
hardly the means of procuring food, the very many poor
children whom yarirea, causes send into our streets, suf-
fer unrelieved ; nor should what the animals kept for
convenience endure, be overlooked. In some towne,
here and there, the stbee troughi and iron bowl by
whioh past generations- rendered some old spring
avail-
able to the wayfarer and to the workman may yet be
seen, In others more modern contrivances have been
adopted. As population increases there is the more
need for the extension of so excellent a sys-
tem. The subjoined extracts show what'has been done
in some places. In the metropolis there are seve-
re' instances of the same benevolent provision. We
heartily recommend to our townsmen the imitation of
these laudable examples, believing that a sufficient ,sub
scription for the erection of public drinking fountains in
Leeds would be readily obtained. The Livcrpool Year
Book says :—'s One of the- most spirited and practical
efforts ever made to increase our local sanitary appli-
ence leas emanated from a private individual, Mr. C. P.
Melly, of this town. Since March, 1854, Mr. Melly
has erected at his own coat numerous drinking foun-
talne in different parts of the town, which afford a
constant supply of pure and refreshing water to the
thirsty wayfarer. The first fountain was erected on
the 31st cf March, 1854, at the south end of Prince's
Dock ; it was of polished Aberdeen granite. In the
course of the same year six small cast-iron fountains
were erected along the north end of the dock property.
The cast .of these latter wae, to a certain degree, re-
funded by the Town-council, who promised to erect
several more, and to maintlin a good supply of water to
all. In neither respect did they fulfil their promises ;
and in the commencement of the past year (1856), Mr.
Mdly, despairing of seeing the number of foun-
tains increased by the Town-council and finding
from statistics that their usefulness far exceeded his
most sanguine expectations, again commenced erecting
some new ones at his own expense. Mr. M'Donnell,
of Aberdeen, seconding him, by offering to furni,la
polished granite fountains, according to Mr. Melly's
design, at prime cost, without profit to himself ; and
we have the - pleasure to announce that 14 polished
driuking fountains have been erected in the course of
the year. Each fountain has two galvanised iron ladles
attached by slight chains to the wall on each side,
and- is ornamented with a handsome bronze head of
lion, boy, satyr, or other design, furnished by Messenger
and Sons, of Birmingham. Oa the 6th and 7th of July,
the number drinking at different fountains along the
south end of the docks exceeded 2,500 persons per day
at each." The British, Worklizan adds,—" We are glad
to learn that Brkenhead and Runcorn are following the
good example of Liverpool, and we trust that ins London
and many other, pieces gentlemen will be found with
hearts as large and purses as beau, as Mr. Melly's,
by whom water for the people will be provided by means
of these public drinking fountains."—Leeds Mercury.

THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IN THE QUEEN'S
PRISON.-In consequence of the weak and exhausted
state of Mr. Robertson, the inquiry into the charge has
been adjourned for a week. The wounded man is pro-
gressing favourably.
THE MAILS, &0.-SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday-The
Royal Mail Company's steamship Tamar, Captain Jel-
lime, Failed to-day with the Brazilian and River Plate
mails, 62 passengers, specie value 33.2001., jewelry value
32,0001., and a full cargo. The European.and Ame-
rican Company's steamship Argo, Captain Benson,
which left New York on the 24th ult., arrived here
early this morning bringing 150 passengers and a
general cargo for Southampton and Bremen. She
earls for Bremen at daylight. On ber-paesage shepassed
the American ship Exchange, in lat. 43 45 N., long 42
14 W. steering to the 'southward •, th'e American
ship Potomac, in lat. 46 20 N., long. 36 10 W., steering
to the eastward ; and the barque Janet Henderson, in
lat. 47 21 N., long. 31 33 W., steering to the westward.
The American steamer Vanderbilt, which left yesterday
for New York, took a ship letter mail, 122 passengers
(chiefly from Havre), and about 1,000 tons of cargo.
The basis on which the amalgamation of the Royal
Mail Company and the European and Australian Royal
Mail Company is proposed to be carried out is stated to
he as follows :-The capital stock of the two companies
is to be fixed at 2,000,0001. Half of this is to be re-
presented by 15,000 Royal Mail shares, at 661. 13s. 41.
each, which are regarded as folly paid up. The remain-
ing 1,000,0001. is represented by 9,000 European and
Auetra,lian shares, at 661. 13s. 4t1., which would amount
to 600,0001., and unissued stock for 400,0001. On the
European and. Australian shares 200,0001. has yet to be
paid, which will be called for by four instalments.
These shares are not to receive any dividends
for a year, reckoning from the first of July,
1857, it being provided that any profits from the
Australian service, together • with the surplus profits
of the Royal Mail Company after the letter have paid
the usual dividend on their shares, shall be carried dur-
ing that period to a united reserve fund. Afterwards
both sets of shares will rank alike. The conditions are
subject to the approval of the shareholders of the respec-
tive companies and also to a proviso for an extensiou of
two years of their exi-tieg contracts being obtained from
the Government.
PAUPERISM AND THE POOR LAW.-The ninth annual
report of the Poor Law Board (tor the year 1856) hits
been printed in the form of a blue-book of 100 pages,
with appendices, Bze. In the year ended Ledy-day, 1856,
the sum of 6,004,2441. was expended for the relief of the
poor, being equivalent to an increase of 114,2031. as
compared with the sum expended in the. preceding year,
or 1 9 per cent. Tho rate per head on the population
was 6s. 3icl. The increase was distributed over the
counties as follows-viz., in Staffordshire, 9'7 per cent. ;
in Nottinghamshire, 9.5 ; in Chester 8.5 ; in-Leicester-.
shire, S 8 ; in Salop, 5 7 ; in Bedfordshire. 5 6 ; in Mid-
dlesex, 5 4 ; in Anglesea, 5 1 ; in Lancashire, 4 8 ; in
Yorkshire (West Riding), 4'5 ; in Pembrokeshire, 4.4 ;
in Radnorshire, 4.4 ; in Derbyshire, 4 2 ; in Yorkshire
(East) 4.0 ; in Herefordshire, 3 9 ; in Durham, 3 5 ; in
Flintshire, 3.5 ; in Worcestershire, 3 5 ; in Bucking-
hamshire, 3.4; in Carnarvonshire, 3'4 ; in More
mouth, 3.1 ; in Carmarthen, 2 8 ; in Merioneth, 2.8 ;
in Cardigan, 2.1 ;in Somerset, 2 ;in Rutland, 1 ;
in Devon, 1.5 ; in Glamorgan, 1•4 ; in Cornwall, 1.2 ;
in Ncrthunaberland, 1.1 ; in Montgomery, .1.0 ; in Glou-
cester, 0 9 ; in Berets, 0 8 ; in Southampton, 0.8 ; in
-Oxford, 0.5; in E.erts, 0.4 ; in Wilts, 0.2 ; in Northamp-
ton, 01 ; and in Surrey, 0.1 per cent. The decrease
was as follows :-viz., in Brecon, o'l per cent. ; in Suf-
folk, 0.6; in Denbigh, 0•8 ; in Es-ex, 0.9 ; in West-
moreland, 0 9 ; in Warwick, I'3 ; in Huetingdon, 1 4 ;
in Cambridge, 1.5 ; in Kent, 1.5 ; in Cumberland, I'6 ;
in Lincoln, 16 ; in Dorset, 2 0-; in York (North), 2.6 ;
in Sussex, 3.3 ; and in Norfolk, 3.6 per cent. The in,
crease is mainly attributable to the high price of provi-
sione. An increase is also noticeable in the number of
persons receiving relief. Subsequent returns, however,
indicate a progressive decrease in the number of paupers,
and the commissioners see grounds for expecting that
both the number of paupers arid the amount of expeiadi:
ture will have a tendency to diminish. Tbe average ex-
penditure of the 23 years occurring between 1834 and 1856
was 64. 2d. per head on the estimated population, that
in the year 1855-56 having been slightly above the ave-
rage. The commissioners report that they have endea-
voured to avail themselves of every practicable opportu•
nity to promote the education of children in workhouses,
and that their views have been shared and acted upon by
many boards of guardians. The average number of chil-
dren attending workhouse scho• Is in the hatf•year ended
at Lade-dey, 1856, was 17,666 boys and 17,416 girls,
and the average number of children attending district
schools 1,488 boys and 1,284 girls. 26,6161. wee the
amount paid to boards of gum:liens out of the Parlia-
mentary grant in respect of the salaries of workhouse
and district school teachers in the year ended Lady-day,
1856 ; only 211 perinea were asisted to emigrate during
the year. The number of Insane paupers chareeable to
the poor rates on the let of Jan. 1857, was 27,643, of
whom 17,192 were lunatics and 10,501 idiots. The total
cost of maintaining these paper lunatics appears to be
480,280/. The number of persons vaccinated by public
vaccinators in England and Wales during the year was
435,012, and of these 422,281 were successful.

E?Eli MAJESTY'S VISIT TO ALDERSHOT.

The dull routine of camp life at Aldershot was en-
livened on Wedeesday by a State visit.- Her Majesty, at-
toneed by the Court and a numerous staff, was present
at a most brilliant field-day, and: afterwards made a for-
mal inspt-etion of the whole cantonment', including the
real camp where- the tents are pitched among the firs and
little dells of Cwre Common. -
The Rqyal party arrived at the private station on the
South-WiSstern Railway soon aft( r 9 o'clock, and at a
few minutes before 10 reached Farnborough, *here a de-
tachment Of 7th Hussars was In attendance and escorted
the cortege to camp, Her Majesty was mounted On'a
superb bay charger and "wore her scarlet ridirg habit
with a military sash and open riding hat with a small
plume of red and white fJathera. Prince Frederick of
Prussia, in the uniform of a colonel of Prussian Dragoons,
rode on the right of her Majesty. His Boyd Highness
the-Prince Consort, in a Fiel'aMarshal's uniform ; the
Duke of Cambridge, the Princess Charlotte of Belgian),
and the Prince of-Holienalrern, were on the left.
There. were 16ss'than 9,000 troaps upon tho ground.
The actual nunahers Beta-a-390 officers, 30 guns, and
8,200 men. Yesterday were represented the mancenvres
by which a sudden attack is niet and a -Superior f•ree
kept in cheek during a retreat. The heavy cavalry (the
Ist and Gth-Dragoons), with a troop 91 Horse Artillery,
wheeled round in columns of troops,, and advanced to
the foot of Caesar's Camp, so ax to form the extreme left
of the defending army, while' the light cavalry (the 7th
and 15th Hussars), with another troop of Holao Artil-
lery, were rapidly advaneed in front, the infantry moving
across the plain in solid columns to support. The light
cavalry and artillery performed this duty of ad varicingso
effectually that they Moved quite out: of sight, awl ap-
peared to have gone to threaten4Vienieeeter or Basing-
stoke. _ _

-After an interval of expectation, the light cavalry
could be discerned in dark uteven masses on the
hills far south. of Farnham-wood, slowly retreating
along the high ground and watching the imaginary
foe beneath them. The Rifles were despatched
to their support, and breaking into skirmishing
order, advanced and occupied the borders of the wood of
Farnham. Immediately after the action began with an'
irregular dropping fire, which swelled gradually into a
continued rattle. The Rifles dodged from bush to bush,
crowding behind the trees and mounds, lining the hedges,
always on the move, but never slackening their fire for a
single instant. The Horse Artillery, with the heavy
cavalry cn the extreme left, supported them with a smart
cannonade ; but the help was apparently unavailing, as,
after a fierce defence of an orchard and farmhouse, the.
retreat was sounded, and the Rifles fell slowly back.
They stele across the open ground in twos and trees,
tureirg every now arid then to fire, until they gained
the shelt3r of the light cavalry, when the assemblee was
sounded, and the whole regiment drawing together, re-
treated in double time. The light cavalry manceuvred to
cover the movement, and in this they were supported by
the troops of Horse. Artillery, which commenced the
cannonade in hot earnest. The resistance, though gal-
lant, was supposed to be of no effect. The Artillery
were ordered to limber up and retire, and the whole
force commenced a rapid retreat. Tnis was one of the
most briliiant and animating movements of the day.
The heavy rumble of the field batteries 43 they moved
off, the rapid movements of the cavalry, and, above al',
the ceaseless din of trumpets and hoaree cries which rang
from rank to rank, with all the hurry and confusion that
seemed to pervade- the force, gave to the whole scene the
aspect of a veritable field. The Horse. Artillery were the
last to retire. They emerged from the low plantations,
pres.eing their horses to the utmost, and thundering across
the plain with a rush apparently as resistless as the sweep
of destiny. As they fe;l back the regiments of infantry
formed massive squares upon the common, through the
intervals of which the mounted troops retreated, and
formed upon the flanks of the squares to cover their
retreat in turn. In this manner the greater portion
of thoyinewaewlliseldaro„bieefideetrevt,oeperfrslyy:Ay,aelid:d:ershot - were traversed, the Court
and staff moving from height to height, and having a
l
rapidly
pnl t
dray:teoh, atathn twedo
were
rrkei
openedg pal ledafectet .fio
contributed
file
Tuhp firing,ep,
oi
sne
eainto
h movement
e spectatorsnl idn
to swell the din ; but the retreat nevertheless went on as
the advance of the enemy was overwhelming. The cavalry
and Horse,Artil!ery made a last desperate effort to re-
trieve the fortunes of the day, and advanced to the point
in two megnifieerst lines, with the guns on either flank.
After two or three preparatory wheels over the ground,
as a hawk might turn before he stooped upon his prey,
the 7th and 15th Hussars formed line and halted. The
trumpets sounded the advance, and with a dull jingling
sound the line moved on faster and faster, till the charge
rang out from ,every rank, and on they came, like a
whirlwind over the plain, shaking the sclid earth, and
scattering the turf like dust behind them. The grandest
and most terrible feature of real warfare was here pour-
' trayed with a fidelity which.made the very crowd seem
awe-stricken and.appalled. Hardly WI the dust in the
light cavalry track subsided when the' manoeuvre was
repeated by the Dragoons, who swept the plain from end
to end. eAs each charge was made tho mounted troops
fall hack further and further, until they finally retreated
on the flanks of the infantry, who had deployed into line
at the foot of some steep heights surmounted by the
field batteries. Here the last deeperate stand was made.
A fierce file fire was opened, and every one of the 30
guns upon the ground was taxed to the utmost to keep
up the Cannonade. Not till all parts of the common
were wrapped in smoke, and the-whole scene as invisible
to the Court as to the crowd, did the volleys cease.
With this finaleffort the movements of the day were
brought to a close.