The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-16 00:00:00

THE PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION.

" ' There is more serfdom in England now than at
any time since the Conquest. I speak of what passes
under my daily eyes when I say, that these who labour
can as little choose or change their masters now, as
when they were born thralls. There are great bodies
of the working classes of this country nearer the con-
dition of brutes, than they have been at any time since
the Conquest. Indeed I see nothing to distinguish them
from brutes, except that their morals are inferior. In-
cest and infanticide are as common among them as
among the lower animals. The domestic principle
waxes weaker and weaker every year in England ; nor
can we wonder at it, when there is no comfort to cheer
and no sentiment to hallow the Home,'

" I was reading a work the other day,' said Egre-
mont, that statistically proved that the general con-
dition of the people was much better at this moment than
it had been at any known period of history.'
" Ah ! yes, I know that style of speculation,' said
Gerard ; your gentleman who reminds you that a
working man now has a pair of cotton stockings, and
that Barry the Eighth himself was not a 3 well off. At
any rate, the condition of classes must be judged of by
the age, and by their relation with each other. One
need not dwell on that. I deny the premises. I deny
that the condition of tl main body is better now than
at any other period of our history; that it is as good as it
has been at several. I say, for instance, the people were
better clothed, bettor lodged, and better fed just before
the war of the Roses than they are at this moment.
We know how an English peasant lived in those times :
he eat flesh every day, he never drank water, was well
housed, and clothed in stout woollens. Nor are the
Chronicles necessary to tell us this. The acts of Par-
liament from the Plantagenets to the Tudors teach us
alike the price of provisions and the rate of wages ; and
we see in a moment that the wages of those days brought
as much sustenance andcomfort as a rea.sonable man could
desire."

THE NAMELESS ONE.
" I see one of your partners coming in,' said Mick,
making many signals to a person who very seon joined
them. Well, Devilsdust, how are you?' This was the
familiar appellation of a young gentleman, who really
had no other, baptismal or patrimonial. About a fort-
night after his mother had introduced him into the
world, she returned to her factory and put her infant
out to nurse, that is to say, paid threepence a week to an
old woman who takes charge of these new. born babes
for the day, and gives them back at night to their
mothers as they hurriedly return from the scene of
their labour to the dungeon or the den, which is still by
courtesy called ' home.' The expense is not great :
laudanum and treacle, administered in the shape of
some popular elixir, affords these innocents a brief taste
of the sweets of existence, and keeping them quiet, pre-
pares them for the silence of their impending grave.
Infanticide is practised as extensively and as legally in
England, as it is on the banks of the Ganges; a circum-
stance which apparently has not yet engaged the atten-
tion of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts. But the vital principle is an impulse
from an immortal artist, and sometimes baffles, even in
its tenderest phases, the machinations of society for its
extinction. There are infants that will defy even star-
vation and poison, unnatural mothers and demon
nurses. Such was the nameless one of whom we speak.
We cannot say he thrived; but he would not die. So at
two years of age, his mother being lost sight of, and the
weekly payment having ceased, he was sent out in the
street to play,' in order to be run over. Even this ex-
pedient failed. The youngest and the feeblest of the
band of victims, Juggernaut spared him to Moloch.
All his companions were disposed of. Three months'
in the streets god rid of this tender company—
shoeless, half-naked, and uncombed—whose age varied
from two to five years. Some were crushed, some were
lost, some caught cold and fevers, crept back to their
garret or their cellars, were dosed with Godfrey's
cordial, and died in peace. The nameless one would not
disappear. He always got out of the way of the carts
and horses, and never lust his own. They gave him no
food: he foraged for himself, and shared with the dogs
the garbage of the streets. But still he lived ; stunted
and palo, he defied even the fatal fever which was
And
the
only habitant of his cellar that never quitted it.
slumbering at "night on a bed of mouldering straw, his
only protection against the plash y surface of his den,
with a dungheap at his head and a cesspool at his feet, he
still clung to the only roof which shielded him from the
tempest."

POPULATION RETURNS.

" Well, Mr, Franklin, be sure of this, that the Popu-
lation Returns of this country are very instructive
reading.'
"' I can conceive so.'
"' I became a man when the bad times were begin-
ning,' said Gerard ; 'I have passed through many dole-
ful years. I was a Franklin's son myself, and we had
lived on this island at If ast no worse for a longer time
than I care to recollect.az little as what lam now. But
that's nothing ;I am not thinking of myself. lam
preposterous in a fashion ; it is the serfs I live among
of whom lam thinking. Well, I have heard in the
course of years, of some specific for this constant degra-

dation of the people ; some thing or some person that
was to put all right ; and for my part I was not unready
to support any propocal or follow any 1. ader. There was
reform, and there was paper money, and no machinery,
and a thousand other remedies ; and there were dema-
gogues of all kinds, some as base as myself, and some
with blood in their veins almost as costly as flows in
those of our great neighbour here, Earl de Mowbray,
and I have always heard that was very choice : but I
will frankly own to you, I never had much faith in any
of these proposals or proposers ; hut they were a change,
and that is something. But I have been persuaded of j
late that there is something going on in this country of
more efficacy ; a remedial power, as I believe, and irre-
sistible ; but whether remedial or not, at any rate a
powerthnt wilt marall or cure all. You apprehend me?
I speak of the annual arrival of more than three hun-
dred thousand, strangers in this island. How will you
feed them? How will you clothe them? How will you
house them ? They have given up butcher's meat ;
must they give up bread ? And as for raiment and
shelter, the rags of the kingdom are exhausted, and your
sinks and cellars already swarm like rabbit warrens.
" ''Tis en awful consideration,' said Egremont
musing.

" 6 Awful,' said Gerard, ''tis the most solemn thing
since th P &Inge. What kingdom can stand against it?
Why go to your history—you're a scholar—and see the
fall of the great Roman empire—what was that? Every
now and then, there came two or three hundred thou-
sand strangers out of the forests and crossed the moun-
tains and rivers. They come to us every year and in
greater numbers. What are your invasions of the bar-
barous nations, your Goths and Visigoths, your Lom-
bards and Huns, to our Population Returns ?' "

RAILWAY TRAVELLING.
" You came by the railroad,' inquired Lord de Mow-
bray, mournfully of Lady Marney.
" From Marham ; about ten miles from us,' replied
her ladyship.
" A great revolution 1'
"'lsn't it?'

" ' I fear it has a very dangerous tendency to equality,'
said his lordship, shaking his head ; I "suppose Lord
Marney gives them all the opposition in his power.'
" There is nobody so violent against railroads as
George,' said Lady Marney ; I cannot tell you what
he does not do! He organise the whole of our division
against the Marham line!'
" 6 I rather counted on him,' said Lord de Mowbray,
'to assist me in resisting this joint branch here ; but I
was surprised to learn he had consented.'
" Not until the compensation was settled,' innocently
remarked Lady Marney ; George never opposes tht m
after that. He gave up all opposition to the Marham
lino when tney agreed to his terms.'
" And yet,' said Lord de Mowbray, I think if Lord
Marney would take a different view of the case and look
to the moral consequences, he would hesitate. Equality,
Lady Marney, equality is not our metier. If we nobles
do not make a stand against the levelling spirit of the
age, I should like to know who will fight the battle.
You may depend upon it that these railroads are very
dangerous things.' .
" I have no doubt of it. I suppose you have heard
of Lady Vanilla's trip from Birninghaaa ? Have you not
indeed! She came up with Lady Laura, and two of the
most gentlemanlike men sitting opposite to her ; never
met, she says, two more intelligent men. She begged
one of them at Wolverhampton to change seats with
her, and he was most politely willing to comply with
her wishes, only it was necessary that his companion
should move on at the same time, for they were chained
together ! Two of the swell mob, sent to town for pick-
ing a pocket at Shrewsbury races.' "

IRELAND.

THE REPEAL MOVEMENT.--MR. O'CONNELL'S

LEVEE.

DUBLIN, MAY 14.—Meetings have been held in Cork,
Limerick, and Kilkenny, and other places, for the appoint-
ment of deputations to attend the levee on the 30th of May,
"for the commemoration of the Imprisonment of the repeal
martyrs," and which is to take place in the Rotunda. • Most
of the corporations are to be represented on that occasion,
and their deputations will join in the procession.
A special meeting of the Repeal Association has been con-
vened for Thursday, the 29th of May, at the Conciliation •
hall, "for the purpose of adopting an address to O'Connell
and his late fellow-prisoners on their illegal and unconsti-
tutional imprisonment for having advocated the Parliamen-
tary independence of- Ireland, and congratulating them on
their triumphant liberation." The requisition is signed by
Sir Colman O'Loghlen, Bart. ; Messrs. Smith O'Brien, M.P. ;
H. Grattan, M.P. ; N. Maher, M.P. ; E. B. Roche, M.P. ;
James Kelly, M.P. ; R. A. Fitzgerald, M.P. ; R. D. Browne,
M.P. ; J. P. Somers, M.P., &c.
The county of Meath repeal dinner is to be held at Tara on
Thursday, the 22d inst. The repeal meeting and dinner in
Cork have been fixed for the Bth of June.
LIQUIDATION OF FATHER MATHEW'S DEBTS.
The following letter, addressed to the parish priest of
Castletown-Delvin, by Father Mathew, mentions the grati-
fying fact that he has been relieved from his pecuniary em-
barrassments chiefly through the generous aid of the friends
of temperance in England :

" Cork, May 9th, 1845.
" Rev. dear Mr. Fitzgerald,—To you and your generous
parishioners I am deeply indebted for the large subscription
you have raised for my relief, and I return you my heartfelt
thanks.
" It pains me, I confess, to be so burdensome to my friends,
but expenses unforeseen, and that could not have been
avoided unless I abandoned my sacred mission, involved me
in difficulties from which I could not extricate myself.
" In the very first glorious year of the great temperance
movement I incurred the greater part of the debts that op-
pressed me, but I had an almost certainty of being able to
liquidate them by the aid of a rich relative. In this hope I
pursued my career, but a sudden death frustrated the bene-
volent intentions f my friend, and I was left to my own
private resources. By the sacrifice of family property I paid
off the medal manufacturers (my only creditors), but I was
crushed and crippled, and unable to proceed.
" My circumstances became known to friends in England,
and with their aid, and some partial help from Ireland, a sum
ever 7,0001. has been raised, and my debts are liquidated.
" Pardon this tedious detail; but I consider it due to you,
and my benefactors in Castletown-Delvin and Killulagh, to
give this explanation.
" Add, reverend dear Mr. Fitzgerald, to the many obliga-
tions you have conferred on me, by presenting my most
grateful acknowledgments to each of my benefactors in your
parishes, and assure them of my constant prayers for their
happiness.
" Believe me, with profound respect, dear reverend Mr.
Fitzgerald, your affiectionate friend.
" THEOBALD MATHEW."
MURDER TEN YEARS AGO.
The following proclamation appeared in the Dublin Gazette
last night, offering a reward for the discovery of the persons
concerned in a murder perpetrated ten years ago :
.'"Dublin Castle, May 10,1845.
" Whereas it has been represented to the Lord Lieutenant
that on the 7th of August, 1835, as Mr. Mathew Hill, agent
to Captain Dawson, was superintending the sale of timber in
the Glen of Aherlow, near Tipperary, he was attacked by five
men, who knocked him down, and shot him dead while on
the ground,
" His Excellency, for the better apprehending and bringing
to justice the perpetrators of this murder, is pleased hereby
to oiler a reward of three hundred pounds to any person or
persons (except the person or persons who actually fired the
shots) who shall, within six months from the date hereof,
give such information as shall lead to the apprehension and
conviction of all or any of the persons concerned therein. By
his Excellency's command, "E. LUCAS."
The same Gyzette also contains a proclamation, offering a re-
ward for the apprehension of the murderers of James Scully,
Esq., of Kilfeacle, who met his death in November, 1842.
DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. SHELTOS.—This gallant and dis-
tinguished officer, who had been in a state of insensibility
since the terrible accident on Saturday, died yesterday even-
ing at seven o'clock. The inquest was held this day, and the
verdict was accidental death. The Freeman's Journal says,
" Colonel Shelton lost his right arm in the Peninsular cam-
paigns, while serving as a captain in the 9th regiment of Foot,
from which corps he exchanged into the 44th, about 26 years
ago. Since that time he has been almost constantly in ac-
tion in India, and rose by his talent to the honourable posi-
tion, which he held at the time he met with the deplorable
accident which caused his death. The Gallant Gentleman
served in India for 25 years, and had only returned from
that country about three weeks. As already stated, wehave
heard few officers in the afmy so deeply lamented by his
brothers-in-arms, and the men of the corps were all, yester-
day, lamenting the loss of their respected commander. The
following are the dates of the commissions of the Gallant
Colonel and the details of his services. He held rank as
Brigadier-General in Affghanistan :—John Shelton, En-
sign, 21st November, 1805 ; Lieutenant, 26th AugustlBo7 ;
Captain, 17th June, 1813 ; Major, 6th February, 1825 ;
Lieutenant-Colonel, 6th September, 1827 ; Colonel, 23d No-
vember, 1841.
"Colonel Shelton landed at Mondego Bay in the beginning
of August, 1808, and was present at the battles of Rotel*,
Vimiera, and Corunna. Served also on the Walcheren expe-
dition, and at the capture of Flushing in 1809. Subsequently
in the Peninsula, including the siege and capture of Badajoz,
battle of Salamanca, capture of Madrid, retreat from Burgos,
battle of Vittoria, siege and capture of San Sebastian, where
he was severely wounded, and lost an arm ; campaign of
1814 in Canada. Subsequently he served for 21 years in the
East Indies, and was employed in the campaign in Ava and
taking of Arracan. Served as second in command through-
out the disastrous operations in Affghanistan, under Major-
General Elphinstone.
DEATH OF LORD CARI3ERY.—This venerable peer died on
Monday last at hit residence, Castle Frake, county of Cork.
His Lordship was born in 1765, married in 1783 the third
daughter of the second Earl of Arran, succeeded his father in
the baronetcy in 1777, and his cousin in the peerage in 1807,
and was eighty years of age at the time of his decease. _ _
THE NEW CoLLEGEs.—On Monday the Right Worshipful
the Mayor, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, and a few private
a
citizens, waited on Mr. Smith O'Brien, at his father-in-laws,
in George-street, to consult the lion. Gentleman, with a
tevdi
third to the adopting such a course as would be best calculated
ollegteo
procure for Limerick the establishment of the t.
l‘lar.
s.O
e O'Brientheme i deputationdthe
adoption
immediate
ibaut e
t
was reluctant ttai
l
nt3tr o. receivedO'Crec('onnell and the Association had expressed
courserl until
themselves with regard to it. It was, however, considered
well that the corporation, institution, and other constituted
bodies in this city and the surrounding towns in the province,
take the subject immediately into consideration, and that a
public meeting be c:lled in Limerick for an early day next
week, at which all the towns in the province should have their
representatives.—Limeritk Reporter.
ARRIVAL or A CARGO OF rEAS FROM CIIINA.—The good
ship Ilersev,Boo tons burden, arrived in our port in the coin sc
of last week, with a cargo of teas direct from Canton. 'rtf
cargo consists of about 2,080 packages, imported by different
amerchantsnd
warehoused. itt the mTethriospoclairsg. To
he teas
ohfasveevbe.
neeicihaolplsl,atnhdreede
of which are fine ; it is said they are nearly equal to the
"Quentin Leitches," so lately in the market here; the other
four chops being of the ordinary class of teas now so much
in use in Dublin. We understand that about ") 000 packages
will be offered for sale by auction in a few days.—Freeman's
rn
AuiEGLANL CHOLY OCCURRENCE.-011 Sunday morning a brat
containing four men and one woman was proceeding from
Calnrciveen to Dingle, when on passing Cromwell's Fort, off
the Island of Valentia, the boat was upset in a sudden squall
of wind, and all on board perished.--Kerry Examiner.

BLOWING UP LIMELIOUSE SHOAL.—III the course
of a few days attempts will be made, by means of gun-
powder, to remove the shoal which has so long impeded the
navigation of the river off Limehouse Hole. The operation
is under the direction of Captain Fisher, the harbour.
master. Should the weather permit, it is not at all impro-
bable that the novel proceeding will take place to-morrow
(Saturday).

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF
FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS.

The annual festival of the Society of-Friends of Foreigner
in Distress took place last evening at the London Tavern.
The Duke of Cambridge presided. Ills Royal Highness was
supported by the Prussian, Spanish, and Hanoverian Minis-
ters, and about 220 of the most emiuent merchants -and
citizens of London. The cloth being removed, Non Nobis
was chanted by Messrs. Cooke, Francis, Machin, &e. Her
Majesty the Queen, and other loyal toasts, followed in suc-
cession. The Prussian Ambassador, the Chevalier Bunsen,
concluded a speech of considerable force and elegance, by
proposing the health of the Royal Chairman, which being
responded to with unbounded cordiality, his Royal Highness
acknowledged the com pliment, and stated the benefits conferred
by the Society upon the objects of its bounty during the past
year. They had had seventy pensioners, besides which seventy-
three persons had received small regular allowances, and 102
persons had been assisted with the means of returning to
their own countries. Casutd relief had been given in 2,289
instances, among which there were 236 new cases. Yet still
such was the mass and depth of misery which the metropolis
contained, that comparatively few of the really deserving
objects of their bounty received relief.—(Hear, hear.) In
the coarse of the evening David Salmons, Esq., with the
permission of the chair, proposed the "Senate and City of
Hamburgh," and hi doing so took occasion to compliment
that body for their cordial response to the call of the vener-
able Mr. Brandt, who had been first and foremost in pressing
the claims of the unfortunate who had suffered from the me-
lancholy disaster which had befallen Hamburgh_ two years
ago, upon the citizens of this metropolis.
The toast was drunk with great cordiality of feeling.
The "Health of the Foreign Ambassadors," and also that
of " The Vice-Presidents," was drunk, and acknowledged by
the Chevalier BUNSEN, who took occasion to deprecate the
funding of any of the munificent donations of the foreign
sovereigns, as indicating a want of confidence in the benefi-
cence and charity of the succeeding years. His Excelleney
also alluded to the new German Hospital proposed to be
founded very soon by numerous benevolent individuals, in
which the Queen, Prince Albert, the King of Prussia, and
the Duke of Cambridge, took peculiar interest, with a view
to disabuse the minds of those present of the idea that it
would injure that institution. On the contrary, he declared,
and was followed by the Royal Chairman, that one spring of
charity was the source of another.—(Hear.)
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE handsomely proposed the health
of Mr. Adolphus Brandt, one of the stewards, who had col-
lected from his friends in all parts of the world the munifi-
cent sum of 1,3001.

Mr. BRANDT returned thanks with much feeling.
The liberality of the company was not exceeded, we be-
lieve, in any former year. The sum total of subscriptions
announced, including 100 guineas from her Majesty, amounted
to 2,5851.