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

EVENING,_

Will be produced Lord Byron's gorgeous Spectacle of MAZEPPA
aid the WILD HORSE. Mazeppa, Mr. N. T. Hicks.
To be bacceNied by an inimitable Display of Batty's Feats of
,'quitation in the Cirque Olympique, by the male and female Eques-
trians of the Establishment, and grand Pageant of The Festival of

Flowers.
To conclude with a favourite Farce.
Box-office open from Eleven till Four.
Stage Manager. Mr. W. West.

MOH NV TER Al LONDON BRIDGE.

T:119 PAY Morning 30 min. after 10 Evening 6 min. after 11
T..)-.loaa:.+,,v Morning 09 rain. after 11 Evening 0 lain. alter •

TIIE WEATHER—Sing OFFICE, OCTOBER. 16.
THERMOMETER, IN THE &FADE.
48—highest since noon yesterday.
34—lowest this morning and during the night.
51—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 3041.
WIND W.—fine sunshiny weather.

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1850.

An announcement macre in cur impression of last
evening will have acquainted the public with the
fact, that an eminent engineer has reported favour-
ably on the. selection of Erith as the locality- chosen
by Government for the Metropolitan Cemetery. Any
circumstance which tends
.in any manner to expedite
the carryidg 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 fail in afferding general satis•
faction. However much we may object to the defici-
encies of the measure passed during the last session
through the Imperial Legislature, we are still alive to
the great advantages accruing to the metropolis and its
vicinity from the simple fact of any such interference
having taken place on the pert of the Parliament.
The concesiens made in the Metropolitan Inter-
ments Bill to the clergy of the E it a blishment 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-
fhlecce as to the conservators of the rights
and lih r ies of the population. We lament
especially the circumstance that, in yielding thus
largely to the ecclesiastical authorities, the Govern-
ment have consented in an evil hour to authorize any
btely of men, but especiaily the clerical minority, to
levy rates at their pltmure upon the multitude. Re-
sides this, it is mater of serious regret on cur
part that, the local board. presiding over
the adminietration• of -the affairs of the ceme-
tery Nvill remain subject , to- the domination of
the metrepeliten clergy, and especially of the Right
Reverend rather 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 mearuefrom the interposition of any other
authority thin that immediately emanating from
the -people:, ',themselves. -Nevertheless, the first
question wae,'eet How ehall the. change be effected?
but Shall the change ho.effected.at ill ? - And hence,
while ionking.dejectediy at the blunders which have
been permitted to finer the symmetry of the recent
bold and betificent innovation, we are prepared to
exult most cbrdialty over the mere consideration that
the Legiilature has adventured at last
.upon any such
reform whatever. .

Scarcely less than in the enactment itstlf, we have
rccogni:=ed blemishes in the selection of Erith as the
locality fur the Aletroplitm Cemetery. We have
done more !tan this : we have directed attention to
these blemishes again and again in our leading co-
lumns. We have pointed out the too close proximity
or the site to London, Erith being scarcely removed
b yond 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
bring principally, if no entirely, by means of
that unfortunate river, Old Father Thames, already
one might have imagined suaiciently contaminated.
We have shoWn that from the unnecessary magnitude
cif the expenditure required in the purchase and occu-
pation of the proposed 400 acres, the cost of burial
will be cf most needless magnitude. Besides which '

we have endeavoured to demonstrate tile scheme to be
objectionable upon other grounds, such, for example,
as its affording upcn fels) principles a very unfortu-
nate and pernicious prcedent. Yet, in spite of ail
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 repuleive 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 braze-hearted citizen, one of the truest,
the noblest and the most self-sacrificing of cur
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 upon 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. Oa 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 d& finite objfor,
fraught with peace, with health, with plenty, to many
whose rives, a: the present monaeht, are debased and
aibittered, and whose death is precaL tardy accelf-rated.
In pointing them out to you, we refer your attention to
no one among them with greater p:cabure, with purer
satiafaction, than to George Alfred Walker, wh.);‘e
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 Ad:lms^, delivered at tho .14-narloa
Hospital," &c. By Nathaniel Ward, F.R.C.S.E. Bvo.,
pp. 32. Lyndon: Cox, 1850.

The Chairman of the Na:ional Reform Association
etcd juaiciously in impressing upon the minds of
the peop!e the great truth, that if they desire " an
extension cf their political rights, they must win it
thrcugh their own exertions." There is no royal
road to iMproVement. Before the dreams cf
the Financial Reformers can be realized a long
road, crowl-d with difficulties, will have to be
traversed, and every step in advance can only he
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

;hey 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
advantages 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
opinions in order to produce that unanimity which
is so essential to success.

Many persons desire not only a large extension of
the suffrage, but insist, as a sine qua 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 of the land. But,
unfortunately, the attempt to obtain that
full measure of justice, and the rejection of 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
degenerate into licentiousness, and the remedy be
worse than the disease. To meet these cautious

doubts, the association has decided for the present to
advocate the extension of the franchise to every adult
wale 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 it 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 set his way to its speedy
attainment. Let the Chartists, before tbey permit
themselves to be turned into toolg of the Tories, seri-
ously consider the incalculable advantages that would
result 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 wculd urge them to press forward their own ex-
treme views, and to impede the procuediegs of the
real reformers, who seek after that which is practi-
cable, and may be speedily attained if there only be
" a long pull, a strung pull," (but above all) " a pu!i
all together."

But it is not only in the extension of the franchise
that the National Reform Absscelation desires to ex-
tend the privileges 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 TEE BALLOT,
which would prevent venality on the part of the
elector, as well as coercion on the part of his landlord,
employer, or custerner., 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 a ith
his own private convictioas, by the fact that the
person for whom he voted would be known only
to himself. Are not the Cuartists 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 nut aid heart and hand in its at-
tainment ?

The third proposition of the association—triennial
Parliamonts—is a fair and reasonable compromise
between the existing stste of affairs and the
annual
elections d, maiaded by the Chartists. Many grove
objections can be pointed out to each of the extremes
which are not applicable to the "golden ratan." 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
dishonest game, and intriguing with the Ministers for
the time being, if be be so minded. Co the other
hand, three years would spaedily elapse; the day
Of reckoning would be at band, and would never be
lost sight of. The constituency would ever be treated

THE SUN,