The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-20 00:00:00

PUBLIC BATHS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Stn,—Through the columns of the public press, the
public have been fully informed respecting the great
and important demonstration made by the working
classes of Edinburgh a few days ago, on the occasion of
laying the foundation-stone of the first public bath spe-
cially intended for their use. All thinking men will
concur in regarding this event as a most marked and
striking evidence of the practical fruits, resulting from
the sound and practical information which has of late
years been disseminated amongst the industrious orders.
Will you endeavour to spare as much of your valuable
space as to insert a few brief remarks on this important
subject from " A Working Man" to his fellow-labourers
in London.
To the sanatory improvement of large towns the pub
lie mind has of late been much directed ; and the Mar-
atha of Normanby, in recently moving an address to the
queen, praying that her Majesty would be pleased to
direct the attention of Parliament early in the next ses-
sion to this subject, gives us good ground to hope that
the matter will be taken up in earnest. When the sub-
ject is thus pressed upon the Government, we may be
sure that they will ultimately be led to the adoption of
Inane' salutary measures. The metropolis, doubtless,
will first claim their notice, and, among other matters,
we may expect that the subject of public baths will re-
ceive a share of their attention. But why, I wish to
ask, Why should we, the working men of London, be
thus solely dependent upon Government for the attain•
went of an object so important to our comfort and
well-being ? Why not imitate the noble example of our
northern brethren, and rather secure for ourselves the
credit of an independent spirit? Let us evidence that
we know and fully appreciate the value of self action.
Let it not be said of London, in connexion with this
great movement, that " everything is done for the
People, and nothing by the people." We have our
Parks, our palaces, our museums, and our galleries—all
°pen to us. Valuable they all are, and I trust fully ap-
preciated, as excellent aids to their improvement, by
every working man. For all of them wo are indebted
to the Government. As we have originated mechanics'
institutes for the improvement of our minds, let us like-
wise gain the credit of founding institutions for the
Improvement of our physical condition ; and all
who know how necessary a sound body is to the
enjoyment of a sound mind, will at once ad-
mit that the bath is a most invaluable adjunct to the
institute. The wealthy orders and the Government
Could do much, and I doubt not would do much, to aid
the independent efforts of the working classes in the
attainment of this laudable object ; from Government
we could at least obtain sites for the erection of proper
I2uildines. Let the movement only be begun in a hope-
ful and energetic spirit, the means cannot fail to be forth-
eofeleg,
That private parties have done much in London to
supply this great desideratum to the health and comfort
of the people is not for a moment sought to be ques-
tioned.
Still, that our baths are too few in number, too
Widely scattered, and too high in price to be a frequent
indulgence with working men, is beyond all doubt.
With but one exception that am aware of, the lowest
Price charged for a bath is sixpence. The use of the
bathought to be a daily duty ; but what working man
with a family can well spare this sum for a bath, even
but once a week, seeing that it is necessary, not for him-
self
OILY, but for each member of his family likewise.
It ms only by the combination of means on the part of
e working classes themselves, that we can hope to
bring this comfort cheaply within our reach ; with an
economical management, and an absence of proprietary
Profits, much may be effected.
,And how, it will be asked, is all this to be- brought
about ? How, I would reply, has it been effected in the
Provincial towns—have wo not their example to direct
Lls,? We must look to the public press, in the first place,
eeringing the subject prominently before the public. We
e-Last, above all things, agitate. There are many asso-
tasions of working men in London, having for their
tl
objects cts the attainment of different political and
improvement,indus-
not to mention those numerous bodies
rose sole bond of connexion is for mutual support or
bcr mutual improvement. Could not those various
°clies be brought to act in concert for the attainment of
a
great social benefit ? A sufficiently numerously
signed requisition to Mr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, who
as so honourably distinguished himself by his labours
forlnduce
our improvement, would, I doubt not, be sufficient to
trldnee him to undertake the task of instructing and in-
ileresting the London public upon this subject, or might
the
Mr. Fox, who has done, and is doing, so much for
e,enlightenment of the working classes of the metro-
ris, be prevailed upon to lead us in this movement. It
is little that I can do individually, though I would gladly
jeica all my feeble aid in such a cause. I have deemed
my duty to throw out these hints. The seed I know
.3
good, though the husbandman be unskilful. Trusting
that it will not fall on a barren soil, but with a strong
:°PO that London, the great metropolis of a great
111Pire, disdaining not to profit by the example of her
ia°llflger and lesser brethren, will attain for herself, and
J the efforts of her citizens, benefits commensurate
with her greatness, I am, Sir, respectfully yours,
A IVORKING MAN.
77, IT •
sarrison-street, Regent-square, Aug. 15, 1844.

AIR TEMPT TO SCUTTLE A SHIP.
b,.:-IT,Nnettr AND AUG. 17.—Mr. Droughtsmater of the
siting
-r•arl Vane, of this port, was before the
charged with having
magistrates to-day,
attempted to scuttle that vessel at sea. The vessel re-
turned from sea, after being out for about nine weeks
on a passage for Archangel, as stated in the Shipeng
and Mercantile Gazette of the 16th instant. boon
after her arrival an investigation took place by the
committee of the insurance policies, when it was
elicited that the cause why the vessel has returned
was, that an attempt had been made by the master to
scuttle her. A criminal charge having, therefore,
been made against him, he was accordingly brought
Upi before the bench. Messrs. R. Brown and J. C.
-‘l49tts• solicitors, appeared for the prosecution, and
r. T. T. Wright, solicitor, for the defence. Part of
the crew only have yet been examined, and the case
stands adjourned till the 19th. The evidence in de-
tail is necessarily very lengthy.
The facts are these :—The master, not being a
complete navigator, the duties devolved entirely upon
the, mate, who, in consequence of the extra duties he
had to perform, treated the master with great harsh-
Iles% and applied to him horrid names. They had a
le'g continuance of contrary winds, and were de•
andtYed on their passage. One of the crew was sick,
ti another had a scalded foot, and from the delay
weir provisions were nearly all exhausted. The mate
said
that the vessel should return ; but the master
rthat, rather than return, he would sink the ship.
d°°ll afterwards, when near the North Cape, it was
rate
that the vessel was making water at the
foundut nine feet per hour. On examining, they
Mid that two treenail holes had been bored with an
auger 4 in the hold, which were plugged by the car-
penter;L7 and, by the exertions of the crew at the
`-n-,111133 the water was greatly reduced. The master did
dde' take that interest in assisting that he might have
ot
He afterwards confessed that he had bored the
v:es, and that a third had been commenced, which
flag also discovered; but it was not very deep in the
tc,h,er• They determined to return home, and spoke
toSale, of Dundee, the master of which vessel
to '4'ised them to return. The mate prepared a letter
th the owner, stating the circumstances, and said
therein that the master appeared to be insane. All
e crew were willing to sign it but the carpenter,
b° objected to the word insane, which he did not
/so leve to be correct. He would not sign it, and
ratte,; they
~rue others of the crew were influenced by his exam-
therefore proceeded on the passage home,
1:, without any further disaster, arrived here on the
th inst.
From as much-of the cross-examination as has been
ron
Weeded with, it appears that the defence is insanity.
tr:e master was much agitated by the very harsh
tatulent of the mate, and it was for several days that
imid very little food. He is considered to be a
much nervous man, and at the same time was so
thatllll,l:lexeited, that his conduct in some instances was
- of an insane person.—Shipping Gazette.

i„,:zIALLooN AscENT.—Yesterd, . Hamp
h4atified the sight-seers of the metropolisMr by makington an
street, from White Conduit Gardens, in his newly-con-
intlete4 " monster balloon." The period which has
cir,-.1)5oll since an ascent has been made in or near Lon-
vl aurallyn attached to the exhibition an air of no-
:a tY; a vast concourse of persons assembled. The
grdengwere thrown open as early as eleven o'clock,
od shortly after the process of inflation commsnced, and
eoatinued until near six o'clock, when the balloon was
I:vr°nouneed to be sufficiently full for ascent, and which
11:15 Clearly indicated by the extraordinary buoyancy of
Ponderous machine. Shortly after six o'clock Mr.
-11,1P°11 ',mule his appearance in the circle, and was
tc;lOY and enthusiastically greeted by the assembled
ra asands. The usual paraphernalia having been ar-
io-trigf,(l7 at half-past six o'clock Mr. Hampton stepped
car, and the signal being given, at twenty-five
za.nutes
in „ to seven o'clock the balloon rose in a slow but
1114"'s"o manner, amidst the deafening shouts of the
et"ititade, which crowded not only the interior but the
Atler`h°l; of the gardens and their immediate vicinity.
a etts-alloon, for a few minutes, took its course in_a_
tioco-westerly direction, but, on attaining a greater al _
ovile, it bore in the direction of the southeast, passed
river
the eastern portion of the metropolis, crossed the
near Deptford and bore in the direction of Plum-
woeat:ll,,,
,about which' spot it was expected the descent
o De made.
F°'
'CE 4CE or CONSCIENCE.—A few days ego a mer-
w„4 of Perth, retired from business some years, was
upon by one of his old apprentices. The young
i"Le:l4laewas received with marked kindness, and, on taking
toseemed u•reatly embarrassed, but, plucking up
to ;age, he " Mr. —, Ido not know well what
aria Tam in your debt." "In my debt," was the
are " I do not know how that can be, I am not
mar, eof it." " I know you are not," resumed the young
" but the fact is, when in your employ. I was, like
• aasnYri other young men, foolish, and appropriated what
to myself. My chief object to-day in
able.l2; Was to confess, and make what restitution I was
Sa,,i MY conscience has often e since."
ina',.ll.g which he laid down before theastonished gentle-
Rivi!: several pounds, adding, " That is all I am able to
//e.ait present, but I will soon repay you the whole."
easi 'non took his leave, saying, " that he felt much
CuuerLir" being, so much of an honest man."—Glasgew
Liee'enstein and suite arrived last evening
~.._Ln,sostend by the General Steam Navigation Com-
''2Y favourite steam-ship Rainbow, and immediately
kv9Ces;ded to Mivart's Hotel.