The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-25

THE IYuNDATIoNs IN FRASCL.-The private
letters received by mercantile bouses IN this city
represent the extent Of The losses caused by the
late foundations in the South Of France, as being
much greater than those occasioned by the floods
Of 1910. The latter were set down at sixteen
millions Of francs, or upwards OF three millions
Of dollars, whilst the amount OF property des-
troyed by the recent visitation will fall very little
short Of, if indeed it does not exceed, twenty
millions Of francs. 1t is true that no very exact
estimate can as yet be arrived at, but compare
son thus far of the two events would seem to
Justify this calculation Within the last sixteen
years vast number of new manufactures and
industrial establishments had sprung up in the
districts which have been most flooded, more es-
pecially in La Gullotiere, and these have been
almost entirely annihilated. The capital invested
in those establishments was immense, and when
the results of the recent calamity come to be told
up we are afraid it will be found that the above
estimate is rather under than over the mark.
But it is not the losses incurred by capitalists
which at present address themselves to our SYM
pathies 1t is the condition Of the thousands of
human beings who have been entirely dependent
on them for support, and who being now thrown
out of employment win be reduced to state Of
the most deplorable restitution unless gene
raj efforts are made for their relief The
Emperor and the departmental authorities have
nobly discharged their duty, in fastening to the
aid Of the sufferers, and the benevolence of the
French public, always active in its sympathies,
has also done much towards alleviating the inn
mediate pressure of their wants. But it will be
weeks, perhaps months before these establish
ments can be again set going, and in the mean
while it will be necessary to provide against the
exhau stion of the funds which have been voted
by the legislative body and raised by French
subscriptions. Thousands Of people cannot be
fed, clothed and lodged, even for a few weeks,
without vast expenditure Of money, and the
burthen will fall heavily upon those who are
themselves in measure sufferers by the calami-
ty. 1t is therefore the part Of every generous
and Christian nation to contribute its share to-
wards the mitigation Of SO dreadful calamity;
but it is more especially the duty of this country,
which has old obligations to discharge towards a
people who assisted it in the hour of its own ne
cessities.
We are certain that this sentiment has already
found birth in the breast of every one who has
read the thrilling narrative Of these disasters. 1t
requires merely the opportunity to give it effect
and in order that that shall not be wanting we
beg to state that this Office will receive subscrp-
tons for the aid Of the sufferers, the same to be
handed over to the French Consul, or some other
suitable person, for transmission as soon as
they reach a sum sufficiently important to send
If our citizens generally will contribute some
thing no matter how small, to this fund, the
amount Of money which New York will be
able to forward them will serve at once to
provide for their wants, and to prove to them
that on such occasions the American people have
only memory for past benefits and none fol-
present provocations.