The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-16 00:00:00

ehrt 411111 '7'lU

Scarcely leis than in tl- enactment itself, we have
-.„recognised blemishes in the selection of Erith as the
locality.for the Metropolitan Cemetery. We have
done more tlyan.thi3 : we have directed attention to
thoseliiernishes egaia, and again in our leading co-
lumns. We have pointed- obit the too close proximity
of the site to London, Erith'.liOng-searcely removed
beycnd the atmosphere of the Capital. We
have intimated the inadequate extent of _ the
ground as contrasted with our periodical
mortality. We have objected to the access
being principally, if not entirely, by means of
that unfortuvete river, Old Father Thames, already
one might have imagined sufficiently contarninated•
tit
_Ely ~
.7N p,, ycr have shown that from the unnecessary magnitude
tßilitexpendlture re quir,:d in the purchase and occu-
t)
_ of the proposed 400 acres, the cost of burial
-'-- 45 of most needless magnitude. Besides which
'-'4V-.---,-)
- ---,
..,••Vi
?,,,

_ _ _
LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1850

An announcement made in our impression of last
evening will have acquainted the public with the
fact, that an eminent engineer has reported favour-
ably on the selection of Frith as the locality chosen
by Government for the Metropolitan Cemetery. Any
circumstance which tends in any manner to expedite
the carrying out of the system of extramural inter-
ment must be eagerly welcomed by the inhabitants of
the capital ; and consequently the intimation to which
we are alluding cannot fell in affording general satis-
faction. However much we may object to the defici-
encies of the measure passed during the last session
throu,Oe the Imperial Legislature, we are still alive t(
tl- e great advantages accruing to the metropolis and its
vicinity from the simple fact of any such interference
having taken place on the part of the Parliament.
The concessions made in the Metropolitan Inter-
ments Bill to the clergy of the Establishment continue,
of course, as they have done hitherto, to fill us with
regret at such an enormous dereliction of duty on the
part of the House of Commons, an assembly to
which the people have ever looked with con-
fidence as to the conservators of the rights
and liberties of the population. We lament
especially the circumstance that, in yielding thus
largely to the ecclesiastical authorities, the Govern-
ment have consulted in an evil hour to authorize any
body of men, but especially the clerical minority, to
levy rates at their pleasure upon the multitude. Be-
sides this, it is matter of serious regret on our
part that the local board presiding over
the administration of the affairs of the ceme-
tery will remain subject to the domination of
the metropolitan clergy, and especially of the Right
Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of LONDON
Afficting the popular interests as the matter does so
very peculiarly and intimately, we should have wished to
see the system of extramural sepulture screened by
every means from the interposition of any other
authority
.than that immediately emanating from
the people themselves. Nevertheless, the first
question was, not How shall the change be effected ?
but Shall the change be effected at all ? And hence,
while looking dejectedly at the blunders which have
been permitted to mar the symmetry of the recent
bold and beneficent innovation, we are prepared to
exult most cordially over the mere consideration that
the Legislature has adventured at last upon any such
reform whatever.

,

~~.

we have endeavoured to demonstrate the scheme to be
objectionable upon other grounds, such, for example,
as its affording upon false principles a very unfortu-
nate and pernicious precedent. Yet, in spite of all
these reasons for hesitation, so great is our sense of
the evils arising from the baleful system of intra-
mural interment, that we gladly swallow all our
regrets and disappointments to welcome the measure
itself, and the carrying of it into operation. What-
ever errors are committed in the recent plans of the
Government, as far as this sanitary innovation is
concerned, they are as nothing compared to the
horrors and abominations arising out of the old and
atrocious method of huddling our dead bodies indiscri-
minately into our pestilential city graveyards. Instead
of this latter practice, anything different, no matter
how repulsive to our ideas of propriety, would be
preferable. Our first solicitude is, of course, to put
an end at once and for ever to those fiendish and
brutal violations:of the",sanctity of the tomb which
GEORGE ALFRED WALKER, the originator of the
whole sanitary movement, dragged into the light of
day and revealed to the scrutiny of his fellow-
countrymen. Our first anxiety is to wit-
ness the realization of all the dreams of this
good and brave-hearted citizen, one of the truest,
the noblest and the most self-sacrificing of our
national benefactors. While referring thus inciden-
tally to the great personal achievements of Mr.
WALKER—to whose single hand and unaided energy
may be traced all the sanitary reforms already adven-
tured upo❑ by the Legislature—we cannot refrain
from adverting to a brief but genial tribute lately
paid to him by a very able member of the medical
profession. On the occasion of delivering an official
address to the students at the London Hospital, Mr.
NATHANIEL WARD,* the assistant surgeon of that
establishment, followed up in these words his refer-
ence to the reforms already effected in the promotion
of sanitary improvement :
" Well may we be proud of reckoning among our
number the promoters of such grand improvements.
Well may we hold them up to you as brilliant patterns
of extended Christian charity ; of the unbiassed devotion
of philosophy to the attainment of a definite object,
fraught with peace, with health, with plenty, to many
whose lives, at the present moment, aro debased and
embittered, and whose death is prematurely accelerated.
In pointing them out to you, we refer your attention to
no one am')ng them with greater pleasure, with purer
satisfaction, than to George Alfred Walker, whose
name and whose deeds will ere long occupy more than
one bright page in the annals of fame."
What may be the precise views entertained by this
distinguished citizen as to the advisability of select-
ing Erith as the locality to be employed for the pur-
poses of extramural sepulture, we cannot of course
say ; but of this, at any rate, we rest assured—
namely, that he, in common with ourselves and the
rest of the community, is prepared to rejoice at every
additional step in advance, at every step which car-
ries us nearer to the realization of his generous vi-
sions of philanthropy.
" Introductory Address, delivered at the London
&c. By Nathaniel Ward, F.H.C.S.E. Bvo.,
pp. 32. London: Cox, 1850.

The Chairman of the National Reform Association
acted judiciously in impressing upon the minds of
the people the great truth, that if they desire " an
extension of their political rights, they must win it
through their own exertions." There is no royal
road to improvement. Before the dreams of
the Financial Reformers can be realized a long
road, crowded with difficulties, will have to be
traversed, and every step in advance can only be
achieved by strenuous and unceasing efforts. There
can be no rest, no cessation of labour during the
ascent. The goal must be reached before there can
be time for slumber or enjoyment. If they persevere
in time, they will arrive at the loftiest pinnacle, but
they cannot remain stationary ; they must either
advance or retrograde. They have a crafty and insi-
dious foe to encounter, who will make the most of the
Idvantages of their position, and increase the
difficulties of every movement. It is only by
cordial union, by steady and combined exertions,
by zealous co-operation, that the numerous obstacles
and impediments can be surmounted. Any division or
difference in the patriotic band will, if not absolutely
proving fatal to their hopes, at least materially impede
their progress; and to sow these dissensions will be
the chief object of the reactionaries, as well as of
those who argue for the finality of the Act of 1832.
Let every true reformer, however, resist the attempt,
and be prepared to sacrifice a portion of his individual
is so essential to success.

Many persons desire not only a large extension of
the suffrage, but insist, as a sine quit non, that every
man of full age, unstained by crime, and free from
any legal disability, should have a vote in the
selection of a Member of the House of Commons,
and we freely and readily admit that, so long as a
single item of indirect taxation is continued, such is
his unquestionable right and privilege. That there
shall be " no taxation without representation"—that
every man who in any degree contributes to the
liquidation of the national liabilities, or the main-
tainance of the national establishments, should have
a voice, either by himself or his representative, in the
Legislative Assembly, is the constitutional theory of
the British nation—a theory which has been recog-
nized and acknowledged by the most emi-
nent statesmen and judges cf the land. But,
unfortunately, the attempt to obtain that
full measure of justice, and the rejection cf all
intermediate ameliorations, would be destructive to the
popular cause. Numbers of really honest men are
not prepared for such rapid progress; they have
been taken by the specious fallacies of the obstruc-
tives, that the people are not yet prepared for uni-
versal suffrage, that in such a case liberty would
legenerate into licentiousness, and the remedy be
Norse than the disease. To meet these cautious
ileubts, the association has decided for the present to
advocate ths;, extension of the franchise to every adult
male occupier of a bona fide dwelling, whether it
be the whole or a part of a house. Would this,
then, be regarded as a boon of so little
magnitude that i,t should be rejected with disdain by
Any class of reformers ? In place of the electors being
Limited to about one million of persons, it would im-
mediately quadruple the number, and every man de-
serving of the franchise, and duly qualified to exercise
that important trust, would see his way to its speedy
attainment. Let the Chartists, before they permit
themselves to be turned into tools of the Tories, seri-
ously consider the incalculable advantages that would
eesult from this extension, and let them regard as
their worst enemies and the worst enemies of the
community, as traitors to the popular cause, all
who would urge them to press forward their own ex-
treme views, and to impede the proceedings of the
real reformers, who aeek after that which is practi-
cable, and may be speedily attained if there only be
" a lonrpull, a strong pull," (but above all) " a pull
all together."

But it is not only in the extension of the franchise
that the National Reform Association desires to ex-
tend the privilegei
,of the people. It would afford
ample security against the exercise of any corrupt
influence in the exercise of the suffrage
thus obtained. It would at the same time
guard against bribery or intimidation, and
for this purpose it would give ma BALLOT,
which would prevent venality on the part of the
elector, as well as coercion on the part of his landlord,
employer, or customer. It would protect the sacred
duty he was called on to perform from every species
of outrage, and ensure the independence of his vote,
the certainty that it was given in accordance with
his own priyate convictions, by the fact that the
person for whom he veted would be known only
to himself. Are rot the Chartists in this respect
rowing in the same boat with the associa-
tion ? Do they not also demand the ballot
AS one of the most important " points " of their Charter,
and should they not aid heart and hand in its at-
tainment ?

The third proposition of the association—triennial
Parliaments—is a fair and reasonable compromise
between the existing state of affairs and the annual
elections d,mandvd by the Chartists. Many grave
of jections cau be pointed out to each of the extremes
which are not applicable to the "golden mean." A
man may calculate on a seven years' tenure of his seat,
as enabling him to despise the remonstrances of his con •
stituents. It will afford ample opportunities for playing a
dishonest game, and intriguing with the Ministers for
the time being, if he be so minded. On the other
hand, three years would sp,edily elapse; the day
of reckoning would be at hand, and would never be
lot sight of. The constituency would everbe treated

with respect, and their wishes and suggestions re-
ceived end acted on with zealous attention. Rattings
and tergiversations are ever rare during the last
years of an aged Parliament. But it may be said
that all those arguments are more in favour
of annual than of triennial Parliaments. Granted.
But there are serious inconveniences to which
the former are exposed from which the latter are per-
fectly free. There would be a constant and unceas-
ing excitement that would be by no means benefic
to the general interest of the empire. There wet I
be no rest or repose, and the country would be ex
posed to a very heavy expenditure at too frequen n-
tervals. Besides, Hon. Gentlemen would not in a
single year have sufficient opportunities of acquiring
experience and showing the stuff they were made of.
Many valuable representatives might be rejected, and
their services lust to the country, because they had
not been able to conquer the diffidence
and mauvaise honte that must to a cer-
tain degree attend maiden efforts. For these
among other reasons, we confess that, as at present
advised, we prefer triennial even to annual Parlia-
ments ; and they have this additional recommenda-
tion, that if it should be thought advisable, another
stage might be taken in advance, whereas if annual
Parliaments were once established it would be impos-
sible to prolong the term, however desirable it might
be to do so.

The equalization of the electoral districts is so ma-
nifestly just and equitable that it scarcely requires a
word in its favour. It is, indeed, too absurd to say
that Thetford, with its 221 electors, should neutralise
the West Riding, with its 36,750 voters, or that
Richmond (Yorkshire), or Harwich, with their 250
or 260 voters, should be equivalent in the Parliamen-
tary scale to the Tower Hamlets. Let all classes
then unite cordially and in sincerity. Let them sink
minor differences in order to attain the common ob-
ject, and we promise a more speedy success than most
sanguine reformers have ventured to anticipate.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.

The Illoniteur published facial returns, showing
the receipts of the Customs and Excise department
for the nine months of the present year, from which
it appears that the receipts of the present year exceed
those of the corresponding period of 1849 by 28,183 E,
and of 1848 by 41,227 f.
The Constitutionnel, as in duty bound, publishes a
long article glorifying the Government for these
results. _ _ _

The &sele in commenting on the departure of M.
DUPIN from Paris, calls upon the Committee to con-
voke the Assembly at once. It appears that the sar-
castic DUPIN " trotted out" General D'HAUTPOUL on
Friday to the great amusement of the Committee of
Permanence. " Would you not have punished cries
of 'Down with the President,' " said he to the heavy
Minister of War. "That I would," replied General
D'HAUTPOUL. "Know then," sarcastically observed
M. Durex, "that Vive l'Emperereur' means a bas
le President.' "
It is said that Generals EXCELMANS, OUDINOT,
and CHANGARNIER, are to be rated to the dignity of
Marshals of France.
There are rumours current of an approachin change
in the Ministry. It is said that General D'HAUTPOUL
will resign, and be succeeded by General LAHITTE as
Minister of War, who in his turn will be succeeded
in the Foreign Department by M. DE PERSIGNY.
PARIS BOURSE, OCT. 15.—Latest .Prices.—Five per
Cents., 91f. 80c. ; Three per Cents , 56f. 95c. ; Bank
Actions, 2,275 f.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE OCT 15.

Boulogne and Amiens, B%—Namur and Liege, 81(4—
°dears and Bordeaux, 2X—Paris and Rouen, 24,t—Par's
and Strasbourg, VA Rouen and Havre, 10%.

SPA IN.
Madrid journals of the 10th have arrived: Their
contents are unimportant.
The Bolsa was closed on the 10th.