The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-05
OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE.

LONDON, Dec. 10, 1853.
The Indian mail is exceedingly barren Gen
Goodwin, the c0mmander-in- chief IL Burniah
is dead, and his military skill can now only be
canvassed to an ear that hears it not, and a
mind that can be harassed no more In
China the fight still continues to rage, and
about Annoy and Shanghai the utmost disorders
prevail From the North we have nothing
later, and Canton has not yet been revolu-
tionized or sacked. -
In Paris the public have been interested by
the inauguration of heroic statue of Marshal
Ney Prince of Moscowa (ominous ttle) and
Duke of Elchingen, on the spot where he was
executed as traitor in 1915 In the prece-
ding year we witnessed the Emperor Alexander
open ball by dancing Pollonneise with his
wife-who can say that the world does not
turn round? Ncy's betrayal of Louis XVIII
was very gross, but it was huge mistake to
shoot him for it ; and the finale is, that Treason
has got the monumentum ere perenniuS, and
the brass will probably last for centuries, q
memorial of national mutations Ney was one
of the bravest and most distinguished of Ma
poleOn's brave Palladins and as such well
merited this tribute from his nephew.
The literary world has sustained O loss in
Mrs Opie, the once popular authoress though
for some twenty years retired from publicity,
and seeking repoSe in the quiet garb of the
Society of Friends, whose community she en-
tered, as was said, from attachment to one Of its
most distinguished members Mrs. Opie was
charming unaffected, and intelligent as well
as richly gifted person, amiable and generally
beloved. Her husband Opie the celebrated
painter, died many years ago. and was Of a
very different character being blunt man,
with a strong provincial accent, and many
amusing stories were told of his eccentric man.
ners. One we remember A lady, sitting to
him for her portrait, was endeavOring to call
up her best looks, and bimpering away in
style which quite aggravated the artist,
who, unable to withstand the contortions any
longer threw down his pallet and exclaimed,
al tell you what ma am, can't draw ye if ye
grin SOL"
A memorial from Liverpool to the Secretary
of State, has awakened the public attention to
matter of horrid significance, namely, the
murderous influence of Burial Clubs These
Infamous associations are founded on a priDci-
pie which offers direct premium fer murder,
and thousands of lives, of men, women, and
children, have been sacrificed on the altar of
this monster Moloch. We believe that not one
in fifty of the foul deaths it has caused has
ever been brought to light, and yet the crimi-
nal annals of the country bear evidence to
their frequency and atrocity. What is the life
of sickly and announcement child in the way
of a profigate, gin-drinkiDg mother? At the
bed, the value is but small; but when to the too
common want of natural affection is added
the temptation of several pounds of money,
the insurance in two or three Burial Clubs. it
is not worth pins fee. If suffered to exist at
all, such societies ought to be restrained from
paying single shilling to parents or relatives,
n nroh ha &c
ought to dispose of the corpse themselves, in a
decent manner, and equivalent to the amount
agreed for; but we repeat it, not a single far
thing, In money, to be returned to the " be-
reaved and afflicted members" This would
put an end to the system; or the dead might
bury the dead.
But we are informed, that in Birmingham
and other great manufacturing places, still
more atroclous custom prevails, and is fast
growing into very extensive operation. This
is sort of insurance upon new born baby
lives, with 30 much to be received if they die
under three six, nine, or twelve months. The
calculations are a complete lottery upon the
periods of extinction and prolongation of life
and we are assured that the iniquities fostered
by these schemes are even more terrible and
detestable than those for which the Burial
Clubs are held in utter abomination It seems
impossible to believe that the Government will
delay searching investigation into the dread
full mysteries suggested by the Liverpool repre-
sentative, or that the Legislature should not
devote itself to providing some
guard or remedy against the continuance of |
these Internal practices How are we to ac-
count for such phenomena Is it that with |
The growth of wealth, the desire of wealth, or the
things which money can buy, absorbs and par
alyzes the better feelings Of human nature Is