The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

Holderness hds., Mon., Marton Village ; Tues., Warton
Hall ; Thurs., Ca:wick Mills ; Fri., Aaras ; Sat.,
Tibthorpe
Sir T. Sykes's hds., Mon., Settringto,.. House ; Wed.,
Galley Gap ; Fri., Scatuston Bridge-1(q.
Mr. A. Smith's hds., M.m., Tedworth Kennels ; Tues.,
New Mill ; Wi-d.. Wherwell Wood ; Thurs., Con-
hol Park ; Fri., Boscomhe ; Sat., Speery Well-11.
Duke of Beaufort.'s hds., Mon., Trouble House ; Wed.,
Wick Wick Turnpike ; Thurs., Dauncey Turnpike;
Sat., Staunton Park-11.

COURT OF SEWERS.
Yesterday a special meeting of the Court of
Sewers for the City and Liberty of Westminster and
part of Middlesex was held, for the purpose of making
a rate upon the Western Division and Counters Creek
District.
A jury having been summoned to make their pre-
sentment, were addressed by Edward Willoughby,
Esq., chairman elect, who briefly explained to them
the nature of their duties.
They then retired, and the officers of the Court
were examined befOre them as to the amount of money
required for works done and works in hard.
After a thorough investigation they returned again
into Court, and made a rate of sixpence in the pound
in the Counters Creek District, and threepence on the
Western Division.

MILITARY FLOGGING.
TO THE EDITGR OF THE SUP/.
Sra,—l have just been favoured with the sight of a
circular letter which has been kindly sent to (I suppose)
all the overseers in every parish throughout the king-
dom, by Some humane society, exposing the horrors of
British military flogging ; indeed it is most dreadful.
Is it possible that any Christian government can tolerate
such a horrible mode of corporal punishment ? Death,
I should think, in most instances, would be preferred by
the poor sufferer. Is it to be borne in a land of Bible
societies, missionary societies, and tract societies ? Is
Sir Robert Peel any longer to boast of being the patron
of everything that is good and religious, for the benefit j
of the poorer classes, and still permit such a horrid mode I
of military torture, that would actually disgrace the
most savage nation ? Forbid it, gracious Heaven ! Is
there not one bishop among the spiritual Lords of 'Par-
liament who will humanely attempt to abolish such
bloody work among professing Christians ? Where ate
my Lords Congleton and Teynham ? Surely it is a
subject deserving their best and most untiring attention.
It really makes the heart sick to read of punishment so
severe as to require the presence of a surgeon to prevent,
if possible, the poor sufferer expiring during its horrid
infliction ; no wonder that officers have been known to
faint away after witnessing such a disgraceful mangling
of human flesh. Let every- man in England, and wore
especially Christians, do justice to human nature, bad as
it is, and lose not another hour in doing all in their power
to wipe such a "damned spot" from England's statute-
book. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT TOSS WILL.
The Lodge. Upper Brixhatn, Jan. 8.

HE CASE OF MISS MA.RTINEAU.
Mr. Greenhow, of Newcastle, the medieal gentle-
man «ho attended Miss Martineau throughout her
illness, which commenced as far back as 1339, has,
with the entire concurrence of his patient, published
a medical report of her case. From this it would
appear that, as far back as April last, Miss Martineau
was convalescent, and that she continued improving
up to July, when she was first subjected to the ope-
ration of mesmerism. The report is admirably
drawn up. The following are the conclusions at
which Mr. Greenhow arrives, after a careful exami-
nation of the facts of the case :
" I always believed that a time would arrive when my
patient would be relieved from most of her distressing
symptoms, and released from le•r long-continued confine-
ment ; though she never willingly listened to my sug-
gestions of the probability of such prospective events,
and seemed always best satisfied with anything approach-
ing to an admission that she must ever remain a secluded
invalid. Tide state of mind, perhaps, may be considered
as an additional symptom of the morbid influence over
the nervous system, of the class of diseases in which this
case may he included
" During the last year or two, in common with many
Of the friends of Miss M.. I had frequent opportunities
of observieg the increased ease and freedom with which
she moved about her sitting room ; and my conviction
became confirmed, that the time was approaching when
she would resume her habits of exercise in the open air.
Oftener than once I have made use of the somewhat
strong expression that, some day, probably before long,
Miss M. would take up her bed and walk.'
" In the history of this case it is probable that the
advocates of mesmerism will find reasons and arguments
in support of their opinions. But the experienced prac-
titioner, carefully distinguishing the post hoc from the
propter hoc, will have little difficulty in bringing the
whole into harmony with the well-established laws of
human physiolcgY.
And he adds)" As regards the relief from the distressing nervous
symptoms, the time had arrived when a new and power-
ful stimulus only was required, to enable the enthusiastic
mind of my patient to shake them off."
In his preface Mr. Greenhow makes the following
very just observations on the subject of mesmerism:—
" flow far the relief from the sympathetic nervous
distress, attendant on this case, is to be attributed to the
direct agency of mesmerism—whether it has acted by a
power su: generis, or by supplying a powerful and well-
timed stimulus to the mind, and thus acting through the
imagination and the will, is a question which every one
Must be left to answer for himself, after a careful con-
sideration of the facts related in the following pages and
in the communications to the Athenceum, lately supplied
by the patient herself.
" The numerous and striking claims in favour of
mesmerism, emanating from so many sources, have, at
length, rendered it a subject of serious and philosophical
inquiry, which can no logger be resisted by the mem-
bers cf the medical profession. It is by them only that
its pretensions can be properly weighed—and it certainly
behoves them to enter on the inquiry with candid and
unprejudiced minds.
" If there be such a power, careful investigation will,
doubtless, enable them to detect it beyond dispute ; and
they will presently be prepared by the accumulation of
facts, if not to determine its precise nature, at any rate
to ascertain its modes of operation and to define its ca-
pabilities and proper limits.
" It is in this spirit of calm and dispassionate inquiry,
that I have myself entered on the investigation, though I
must admit that my efforts have not yet been attended
with any results confirmatory of the pewers of mes-
merism ; but I shall proceed circumspectly in my ex-
periments, till repeated failures shall either confirm my
doubts, or positive practical results remove them ; in
which case, I shall not fail to make such results known
to the profession.''

We are glad that the investigation of the powers of
mesmerism as a therapeutic agent, has fallen into the
hands of so astute and judicious an inquirer as
Mr. Greenhow, and we look forward with great in-
terest to the publication of the results of his experi-
ments.

EDUCATION OF COAL MINERS.
We cannot but express a hope that some step may be
oaken, without delay, with a view to afford a better eau-
elation to the persons engaged in working in collieries.
When attending the late inquest (at Haswell), we were
much struck with the fact, that more than half of the
pitmen who gave evidence, some of them persons of great
int,lligence, and one master wasteman, were unable to
write, or even to sign their names as witnesses. The
best conducted and well informed from amongst the pit-
men, are occasionally promoted to some of the subordi•
nate offices of charge in the mines; and it would be in
the highest degree useful, if greater facilities were given
to the underviewers, aoerwen, wastcmen, and deputies,
to learn the elementary knowledge more immediately
isearieg upon their business. They might be taught, for
-oomph!, such simple parts of chemistry and pneumatics
at relate to the nature of gases or air, and the first prin-
ciples c f hydrostatics, and of geology as far as concerns
the p sition and dislocation of strata, the intrusion of
erappean, or volcanic rocks, and other points. In coun-
tries such as France and Germany, where a far less
amount of capital is embarked in mining enterprises,
there are large schools of mines and scientific establish.
ments, in which professional men, of different grades, are
carefully instructed in those branches of knowledge
which are closely connected with the art of mining.
We are aware that, notwithstanding the want of such
institutions, viewers in this country combine a large
amount of scientific information, with great practical ex-
perience. But such qualifications are enjoyed by a com-
paratively small proportion of those engaged in the su-
perintendence of coal pits, especially of that class to whom
the subordinate offices are entrusted. If peculiar diffi-
culties attend the organisation of schools for the mining
population, owing to its migratory habits, and because
the workpeople are often congregated suddenly at places
far distant from towns and villages, and do not remain
permanently resident at fixed points, it is the more ne-
cessary to endeavour to overcome these obstacles; and
provision might, perhaps, be made for appointing
teachers, whose duty it should be to visit, in succession,
the different localities where the large pits are opened
from time to time. Among the many thousands whose
thoughts ate now continually engaged in the coal mines,
there will be always some individuals of strong na-
tural powers, who, if they had mastered the elements of
the sciences above enumerated, might be enabled to
invent new methods, or at all events would be far more
capable than persons unconnected with the business, to
appreciate the dangers to which they are exposed, and
to judge correctly of the adaptation of philosophical
principles to practice. We believe, therefore, that if the
education of the miners generally, and especially of
those set over them, ban be materially raised, it will con.
duce to the security of the lives of the men, and the per-
fecting of the art of mining, more effectually
than any system of Parliamentary inspection which
could be devised. There is no reason to fear but that
the owners, and all the authorities, high and low, would
combine with the men in enforcing regulations for the
application of scientific principles to practice, if their
minds wet e prepared by instruction to estimate the
true value of the new methods proposed, and if by that
instruction those prejudices were removed which &sin_
dine the ignorant to every change of system. There
are here no conflicting interests to contend with, for the
proprietors are always anxious to prevent explosions and
accidents, not only-by their own feelings of humanity,
but by a regard to the property they have at stake ;
while tint viewers, ender% iewers, and other officers, are
risltilig 6,eiis own lives, and share in every
danger with the men.—Report to Sir James Groh= by
Michael Faraday end Charles Lyell.

EXCISE DUTY ON PAPER.

(From the Liverpool Mercury of this day.)
We return to this subject for the purpose of stating
some circumstances connected with it, a knowledge
of which may enable the public to judge how desirable
it is that a r?peal of the duty should be strenuously
called for, with a view to the general advantage of
the country—a ground of action far nobler than the
promotion of clique interests—as well as to afford fair
play, and a release from intolerable annoyances, to
parties who are directly interested in an important
manufacture.
Taking the latter object first, it must be admitted
that men of integrity, engaged in the paper trade,
ought, if possible, to be relieved from two competi-
tive influences ; one arising from violations of the law,
and the other directly sanctioned by it. Dishonest
manufacturers are continually carrying on extensive
frauds in the evasion of the duty ; and as the duty
(which is lid. per lb. on all kinds of paper) is equi-
valent to twenty per cent. n some articles, while it
amounts to eighty per cent. on others, it follows
that those who defraud the Exchequer that is,
those who rob all their fellow-subjects (for
every deficiency in the revenue must be made
up by increased taxation), can continually under-
sell their rivals, a mere fraction of the plunder serv-
ing to secure them a preference in the market, while
they pocket the rest as the reward of their knavery.
To describe all the tricks by which they succeed in
cheating the public, would take a large portion of our
columns, but one of their contrivances may ire men-
tioned as a sample of others. Paper being taxed by
weight, a certain bulk is wrapped up in stout covers,
weighed, charged by the Excise officer in attendance,
and duly stamped. At a convenient opportunity
twice the weight of paper, which has paid no duty, is
compressed into precisely the form and bulk of the
bundle before named ; this is done by the enormous
power of the Bramah or hydraulic press ; and the
duty-charged cover is transferred from the former to
the latter lot of paper, so that one-half the duty is
completely evaded, the cover fitting with the utmost
nicety, and all the genuine marks serving to dis-
guise the fraud. Detections have occurred, and
heavy penalties have ensued, but it is believed that
so extensively still are iniquities of this sort car-
ried on, that the honest manufacturer can scarcely
keep his footing in the trade, purchasers looking,
of course, to any fractional difference in their fa-
vour which any party can offer them. At the pre-
sent moment some who are punctilious in their trans-
actions with the Excise, are fearful they shall be
driven out of the market by their less scrupulous com-
petitors. Previous to the duty being taken off printed
calicoes great fraud was practised on the revenue, and
the more honest printers were regularly undersold in
the market; but when the duty was abolished, the
dishonest printers either failed or were driven from
the trade, and the calico printing was restored to a
legitimate state, and this will be the case with the
manufacturing of paper when the duty is abolished.
Another serious rivalry, and one sanctioned by our
present tariff, presents itself as " a heavy blow
and great discouragement" to the trade. Paper
is allowed to he imported into this country
from France, in bond, and to be exported to our colo-
nies, duty free. This is an instance of free trade to
which, if the duty on paper were repealed, no objec-
tion could be made; but the French and English
manufacturers are not placed on an equality : the
former has no trouble with the Excise, while the
latter, to obtain the drawback of duties already paid,
has to go through forms, to suffer delays, and to over-
come obstacles, the whole amounting to a serious
detriment to his operations; and in the examination
and re-packing of paper for exportation by the Go-
vernment officers, to ascertain the accuracy of the
claim for drawback, injuries to a very large amount
are continually suffered. Sir William Magnay, in-
deed, states that if these various disadvantages be con-
tinued (as they must if the duty be retained), the
foreign paper trade will pass away from English hands
altogether. If the return of the duty, in case of ex-
port, causes so much disadvantage, the regulations
attending the mere levying of the duty in the first
instance is in no wise more free from objection, for
when a paper-maker receives an order, the cheif
process for executing which can be completed in
about three hours, he is not then at liberty to send
off his goods, but must give twenty-four hours' notice
to the officer to charge the paper with duty, after
which it must again remain twenty-four hours' in
stock for the inspection of the supervisor, thus occu-
pying sixteen times as long as the whole process of
manufacture. Really, John Bull, or rather his rough
riders, might have been contriving, in all times past,
how his trade could be harassed, hindered, and ruined,
while all around him, there have been glaring proofs
that, with his skill, his industry, and his capital,
" trade unshackled" would,be actually trade unlimited,
and prosperity unprecedented.
But if John Bull be thus bound hand and foot, the
French and American paper-makers must be grateful
indeed to our law-makers. It appears, according to
the Atlas, that in Paris twenty thousand persons are
employed in making ornamented paper boxes for fancy
articles, to be sold in England at a duty of only ten
per cent. ad valorem ; while the tax in England, on
the principal article used for such boxes, is equal to
100 per cent. ! Nor is this all, for the boxes not
being likely to sell to much advantage at a Custom-
house sale, are valued at an extremely low rate, so
that the duty is rather nominal than real. Neither is
this all, for the paper-makers of Holland, finding they
may import their articles into this country bonded,
and re-ship them to our colonies, without any of the
obstructions to which the English are subject, actually
forge the names of our own manufacturers on their
paper, and thus partake of the advantage of English
reputation, without the disadvantage arising from
vexatious revenue restrictions. The Americans, too,
are highly favoured by our absurd policy in this case,
for, according to the testimony of an intelligent gen-
tleman, largely connected with both the cotton and
the paper trades, it appears that, adding the English
duty on paper to the price of the worst materials
from which paper is manufactured in this country,
the cost becomes such that the Americans can now
use raw cotton at once, and produce a cheaper article
than we can.
Now ought not something to be pleaded in behalf
of our countrymen, in relation to this important
question ? It the great and broad interests of the
people were to be considered (and it is the people
who must pay all the revenue of the country in
some shape or other) it would occur to every mind
that the first object, as ex nihilo nil fit, would be to
liberate the springs and sinews of indu.trv, so that
production of value might be facile and abundant,
instead of being harassed, and checked, and hin-
dered, and then, out of property realised, would come
the ready means of supporting the State. If 20,000
persons are employed in Paris, in making ornamental
boxes, why not, in London, where setnpstresses fit for
the work are actually starving ? Sir William Mag-
nay is of opinion that the repeal of the duty would
cause double the present number of persons to be
employed in the paper trade, and in businesses con-
nected with it, as enumerated by Mr. Dickinson, at a
late meeting in London, including millwrights, smiths,
mould makers, type founders, printers, booksellers,
bookbinders, publishers, and others. As a means of
civilisation, too, the Press would diffuse still more
readily the blessings of intelligence, with a better
chance of profit to authors, for it appears that at pre-
sent not more than one book out of three, and
one pamphlet out of twenty, pap its own ex-
penses, and there are cases in which the ingredient of
duty is a large and discouraging item. What then i
a revenue of 620,0001. from such a source, compared
with the demoralising effect of the excise laws, and
more particularly so upon such an article as paper,
where the amount is so excessive and the production
so rapid that it has baffled all the ingenuity of man to
prevent fraud, and thus leaving the honest trader's
property at the mercy of the fraudulent, as well as
the increased employment and prosperity of countless
thousands of persons, who would, in full work, con-
sume other excisable articles to a greater amount, and
thus increase the revenue ?

The following societies ought to join the paper-
makers in their efforts, and petition Parliament to
take off the duty on paper :—The Bible Society—The
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge—The
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts—The Bible and Homily Society—The Tract
Society--The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
—The University Bible Printers of Edinburgh—The
University Bible Printers of Glasgow—The Society
for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and all other
societies interested in the spread of the Gospel, and
the diffusion of information for the people.

THE WELLINGTON STATUE AT THE ROTAL Ex-
CHANGE.—Thursday morning masons were engaged in
cutting the inscription on the pedestal of the statue of
the Duke of Wellington, in front of the Royal Exchange.
It simply bears the name of the illustrious Duke on each
side, and at the back will be " Erected June 18, 1844."
The paving in front of the Exchange has been completed
in a very ornamental manner. The design is a large
star, set i❑ a circle, and the whole in a square. The
different compartments are marked out distinctly by
different coloured stone. The statue of the Duke stands
in a circle similarly formed.

ROYAL SEA- BATHING INFIRM A ItY.—Thursday a
quarterly general court of the subscribers to the above
charity was held at the London Coffee-house, Ludgate-
hill, Rev. Dr. Russell in the chair, supported by the
Rev. Wm. Curling, Mr. Leslie Curling, Mr. Sherwood,
Mr. Paul, the secretary, and several others. The
minutes of the former meeting having been read and
confirmed, the usual quarterly business was gone through.
It appeared that the bathing season had commenced
in April and closed in November, during which period
686 persons had received the benefits of sea-bathing,
the numbers at the close of the season being 350. The
Ilt:Mir.T of patients for 1F43, had been 619. :th,l the
total, from the counnencemoa of the institution in 1796,
in which year there were but 16, 17,718, so that the in-
stitution has progressed most steadily.