The Sun. — 1865-09-02 (London, England)

ISLE OF ELY.  The disease is making shocking ravages in the neighbourhood of Mepal. On one farm 13 calves  have died. Several cows have died lately, and one was shot on Thursday by order of the inspector. There are thonsands of fat cattle grazing on the marsh land of Mepal, and the excitement of the farmers may be imagined. Yesterday morning several teterinary surgeons were called together to advise some step to check the disease.  The Protection of Infant Life. Mr. E. W. Thomas, secretary to the London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, in the course of a long letter upon the subject of infanticide, throws out the following admirable suggestions with a view to the diminution at least of the frequency of its perpetration : First, I reoommend that the affiliation of children bo compulsory act on the part of its mother within three months of its IAA); not merely for securing support for the child, but more especially for the proper registration of the paternity of the child. The cost of this proceeding should in the first instance fall on the parish authorities in which the child is born, but be afterwards repaid by the putative father, or, in default, let him be sent to prison. Further, that every affiliated child be duly registered in the surname of its father. As the law stands at present, any married man deserting his children, and leaving them chargeable to the parish, is liable to be apprehended and committed to prison as a " rogue and a vagabond." Apply this to the father of illegitimate children. The crime is the same, the consequences of desertion are similar, and the obligations to duty are alike in natural right, therefore let equal offenders be punished by the same penalty. Any mother of an illegitimate child neglecting to give notice to the vestry clerk of the parish or registrar of the district in which the said child is born, within three calendar months of its birth, should be'liable to fine or imprisonment ; or any solicitor preparing or executing any agreement between the parents of such children for the care, support, or education of such children, otherwise than as the law prescribes, should likewise be liable to fine. Now, I am quite prepared to find that my suggestions are at best but impracticable when criticised by those better acquainted with the difficulties of the case than I am ; but the subject is one of the greatest importance to us all, and one therefore in which we should not allow a few difficulties to daunt us, but should rather quicken us in our endeavours to save human life, and so many young women from the crime of murder. Depend upon it there is but one remedy for this crime ; and, in my judgment, it is this : —equalise the shame, the care, the trouble, and expense of illegitimate children on their fathers as well as their mothers, and you will do very much to check the crime of infanticide. With the view of seeking further legislation for the protection of and better care of illegitimate children, I propose that a memorial upon the subject be presented to the Home Secretary as early as possible in the next session of Parliament, and that meanwhile an association be formed of all persons interested, in order to the collection of evidence, diffusion of information; and exciting the public mind upon this painfully interesting subject. I shall be glad to receive suggestions in writing from any part of the United Kingdom, also to receive the names of persons desirous of becoming members of this association ; and to work the association with vigour essential to success, somo money will be required ; to meet this, I therefore ask for contributions of five shillings and upwards. If at all successful, I will form a special and responsible committee to carry out the objects of the association; and also show, through a treasurer duly appointed, the receipts and expenditure. My rfect service will be given entirely gratuitously.