The Shropshire Examiner and all round the Wrekin advertiser. — 1875-06-18 (Wenlock, Shropshire, England)

THE •• PECULIAR PEOPLE." The Times says that to advance arguments against the -religious principles of the Peculiar People, or to demonstrate to them the unsafe and at the same time illogical character of their conclusions of fact, might be no very difficult task, but whether difficult or easy it would certainly be lal.our wasted. In matters of faith, such as these, argument. it must be felt, is singularly out of place, and it would be simply absurd to rely upon it as likely to have the slightest influence with the erratic minds to which it would have to be addressed. The only possible course before us is to accept the Peculiar People as they are, and to determine the degree of recognition to which they are entitled, and the limits within which they may be compelled to change, not their opinions, but their actions. It may make some difforence by and by whether society, speaking with the voice of Baron Pigott, tells such men as Downes and his coreligionists that they have a legal right to neglect their children, provided only that they do so with a sincere faith, or whether, as it seems likely that it will do through the agency of Mr. Justice Blackburn, it sends them to prison as a mark of reprobation, if not a cure, for what it considers their wilful folly. The lines of defence upon which Peculiar fathers can retire are, however, so far strong that we cannot venture to disrigard them. They can insist on the undoubted rights of a father over his own offspring, and they can appeal, further, to the principle of religious toleration to exempt them from penalties for the consequenzes of a religious system which they have accepted from a conviction of its truth. They will thus touch a two-fold chord which always sounds sweetly in the ears of Englishmen. It is certain, however, that neither of the two rules can be admitted without limitation. A father's rights over his children have been already circumscribed by more than one taw which is quite sufficient as a precedent We need only instance the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, and, what Ain more nearly covers the case before us, the duty which the law enjoins on every father to have his children vaccinated, and the penalty which it enforces for neglect. Again, though we may admit to the fullest that a man's religious belief is his own concern, and that he has an indefeasible right to be as foolish in it as he may please, yet for all that there are obvious limits to such folly when it has an injurions effect upon other human lives. The principle is most clear and undoubted that the law can Msi,t, upon such deeds being done, or such restrictions being submitted to, as it may judge it most expedient to enforce. The nation, speaking through the law it has sanctioned, is as much entitled to the luxury of a conscience as the Peculiar People, and we may Lake it that to treat disease by no other than supernatural remedies is, in the view of the national conscience, most undoubtedly criminal neglect, which the community will feel bound to punish. Whether the neglect turn out fatal or not is a matter of mere accident. It seems hard, however, that this risk should be incurred where the victim must be wholly passive. The law which entrusts a father with the guardianship of his child, id return for the power which it thus bestows and ?nerds, insists upon corresponding duties.  174,r Moses Montefioro left for the Holy Lnnd week.  The Dutch war despatch vessel Bromo put into elynmuth kW week to coal. The area of the Hull docks is now 84 acres, and further extensions are in progress. Vice-Chancellor Hall last week granted an order for the winding-up of the Air Gaslight Company.  The ceremony of unveiling the bust of Mr. Ch,rles TKidt will be performed by Mr. George li.,otie,fge.  The Russian railway concession to Persia has lapsed through General Falkenhagaifs failure to form a company. The Wrexham Guarcban states that a pension of £5O a year has been granted from her Majesty's Civil List to the widow of the Rev. Morris Williams (N wander), in recognition of his services to Welsh literature. At a "public meeting," which was not well attended, held at Hanley a few days ago, a resolution was passed to the effect that "it was desirable to remove the county analyst from his office, on the ground of incompetency." The meeting was chiefly compo.,ed of licensed victuallers.  SUIcEDE OF A WAR OFFI,E CLER!;.—Mr. Carter, coroner, held an inquest a few days ago, at Lamoeth, on the body of Mr. John Geddes, aged :it a clerk, who was employed at the War Office. lie was seen to jump from Westminster Bridge into the river on the 30th ult., and his body was fcund floating ne, Lambeth Pier. Helost his wife in January, since which time Mrs. Stokes, with whom he lodzed in Pentonville, thought he had not een right in his mind. He had formed the acquaintance of a young woman, who was said to have threatened to procure his discharge from the War Oitiee unless he married her. He was at her house the last night he was seen alive. The jury found tllat he had committed suicide while suffering frws temporary insanity.