The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-22

LORD PALNERsroN ON CHOLERA AND NATIONAL
FAsTs.
At the ordinary meeting of the Prsbyssry OF Ed
lnburg, on Wednesday, the 26th ult the Msderasor
stated that in consequence OF the conversation wncn
had taken place at the previous meeting On the
propriety OF day Of humiliation and prayer
on account Of the visitation Of cholera, he had
written to Lord Palmerston, stating tina. 1.-The mem.
bers OF Presbytery were of opinion that was likely,
under the cir circumstances, that national fast would
be appointed on Royal authority. For this reason
making an appointment for this locality and directed
me, in the meantime respectfully to request that you
would be pleased to say-if you feel yourself at oer,
" 70 40 so-whether the appointment oil national
last by the Queen is contemplation"
In reply the following letter WAS received from the
Home Ofhce:-
WHITEHALL, Oct 10 1858.
SRI am directed by viscount PAlmerston to acknow
ledge the receipt Of letter Of the 18th instant e
quetDg on behalf of the Presbytery of Ednburg to be
tiopal fast account Of the visitation of the cholera
and to state that there be doubt that manifss
tions Of humble resignation to the Divine will and sin
ach nowledgmens of uman thiness
appropriate than when 1t has pleased Providence to
aiict mankind with some severe visitation; but it does
not appear to Lord Pslmerston that q national fast
wouo be suitable to the crcumstar OF the present
moment.
The Maker Of the Universe has tabshed certain laws
opature for the planet in which live and the veal
If mankind depends upon the observance the
glsct Of those One Of those laws connects health
with the absence OF those exhalAtons which pro-
coed from over. crowded human beiags from decsm
posing substances whether animal vegetable; those
laws render sickness the almost Inevitable
quence Of exposure TO those noxous inHuen But it
has at the time pleased Providence place it wi b.
in the power Of man to make such arrangements IS will
prevent dsperse such exhaaons to render them
harmless and Is the duty of to attend TO those
laws Of nature and 10 exert the faculties which rrog
dence has thus given to man for his own welfare.
The recent visitation of cholera, which has for the
moment been mercifuly checked, is an awful warning
given to the people of this realm that they have too
much neglected their duty this respect and that those
persons with whom rested to purify towns and cites
and to event the o. disease have
not been sufficiently active In regard to such matters
Lord Pamerston would. therefore, suggest that the
best course which the people Of this country
to that the u her progress of the cho should
be stayed will be to employ the interval that will elapse
between the present time and the beginning Of next
spring in planning and executing which those
portions Of their towns and cities which Inhabited by
the poorest classes and which nature things
must most need publication and improvement may be
freed from those and of contagou which,
If allowed 10 remain, will infaibly breed pepc and
be fruitful in DEATH in spite of all the prayers and fast
ings of q united but inactive nation When man has
done his utmost for his safety, then the time to
invoke the blessing OF Heaven to give effect to your
tions. am, sir, your obedient servant
HENRY FITZROY.
The reading of this letter from the Home Secre-
tary excited good deal Of sensation among the
members OF Preabytery.