The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

THE WORLD OF PHYSIC AND THE WORLD OF LABOUR. Subjoined is a continuation of the excellent Anniversary Address recently delivered by Dr. Richardson, the President of St. Andrew's Medical Graduates' Association The diversities of the learning of the world of physic, great as they are on many subjects, do not separate it as a body. Skilled or rude, its representatives, by virtue of their daily work, have many qualities, and ripened faculties, in common. Brought into close converse and intimate communion with living humanity in times when it is feeblest and most distressed, the physician sees, as in a mirror, the back as well as the front of human nature, and, instinctively, recognises its shape and character with an imposed accuracy of observation often extremely painful. The inner life, the relation of the soul to the body the vehement will, built on the powerful heart the vehement will, succumbing under the breakdown of the heart once powerful the brain, nobly balanced in structure and in function the brain unbalanced the criminal, by nature criminal, strong in untruth, vaulting even into temptation, proud of his own selfishness dishonest by intent; the virtuous, by nature virtuous, born virtuous, constructed on physical mould of virtue, steadfast in all trials, generous in all conflicts, truthful in all temptations, honest in all emergencies; the body and soul together balanced well or ill the body exceeding the soul, the soul exceeding the body. All these con- ditions come before the physician, and, nolens volens, must be read. The world at large, busied with other concerns, and not understanding this forced study of the world of medicine, often criticises medical men for giving opinions respecting the mental conditions, particularly of criminals, contrary to the opinions which revenge, immoderated by knowledge, insensibly inspires. I picture before me a powerful man, for years the es- teemed of the most estimable? What of him? His abashed friends tell me he has sinned. I see him, and his broken intermitting useless heart, proclaims to me an irresponsible being clothed still in all the apparent majesty of reason. I know his brain is like a flickering gas-light when the pressure is unequal at the main. But for me to say that that man is irresponsible were to subject myself to ridicule, or even to punishment. Conscious of his own helplessness, uncertain, shrinking from himself and the world, what wonder that theman, in brief time, should be discovered a suicide ? I have put a common experience, and, because it is necessary, I have tried to put it forcibly from nature. All the judges on the bench could not, by all the legal knowledge in every book of law, understand correctly a case of this kind. That man, brought when he sinned before a judge, would probably have received a moral discourse on the iniquity of crime, as well as sentence to punishment for offence against the State. Learned judge, exalted above thy fellows, and mostly wise, but now mocking Heaven, thou wert as well occupied in lecturing a rabid dog on the sin of biting, or, in punish. ing a cobra di capello for the crime of carrying deadly poison I It is the forced reading of the inner life, of the mutual dependencies of the soul and body, of the phe- nomena of outward action in man as dependent on in- ward function, and of formed character, as based on organic construction, that makes medical men appear to the world so special in their views in favour of mercy and against extreme punishment. On these points the members of the profession are not weaker, nor better, nor more generous than the rest of the world they are simply more informed; a good century in advance of the world at the present rate of educa- tion so advanced, indeed, that it is hardly possible to announce what they know, lest it seem extravagant and dangerous. But their knowledge charges them irresistibly with mercy. As they cannot, if they would be angry with a man whose muscles are paralysed, be; cause he declines to take up his bed and walk; neither can they be vindictive in regard to a man whose brain physically unbalanced, impels action which, by the abstract standard of right and wrong, is wrong. We take a pigeon we freeze a segment of its brain, and straightway, from destruction of balance of power, the creature begins to walk backwards, turn summersaults, and do other strange things. Shall we be angry with the bird because it presents phenomena which are not, according to our views, natural ? In brief, the world of medicine sees the phenomena of human action, in form and character, even as it sees the human body, it. self a mere phenomenon. It beholds the mental form every day, as though in a stereoscope, solid, defined: it may have aversions to what it sees, or likings but it cannot, in face of reason, anathematize or praise, as if the objects seen were deformed or beautiful according to their own absolute sovereignty over themselves. These views lead the world, in general, to recognize what it calls the active sympathy and benevolence of the world medical. The truth spoken, this is an error: medical men are not more sympathetic, not more bene- volent than the rest of mankind the qualities, so re- cognized, are the results of a better knowledge of the strength and weakness of the animal organism, and of the dependence of mental manifestations on corporeal health. Such, in poor sketch, is the world of medicine. A world of a million dying earlier in life than the other millions living in daily converse with pain and sorrow, yet not sorrowful a middle-class million, stretching out its hands to work for lowliest or highest born a million having little direct power in the nation, yet giving birth to new action which becomes, by develop- ment, powerful, and iuspires nobility of thought and life a million, differently and diversely learned a million, having by necessity of daily practice, the deepest of insights into the inner life; a million, brought to the love of mercy by the bare knowledge of the weakness of mankind, which call for mercy. THE WORLD AT LARGE AND THE WORLD OF PHYSIC. The relationships of the world at large with the world of physic are, on the whole, good. Three things I notice specially on this head. First, that in its distresses, the world at large never fails to run to the world of physic second, that by its returns for services rendered, the general world keeps the physic world well provided for; and thirdly, that although the general world does not pay to the world of physic any enthusiastic admiration, it pays, usually, sincere respect, after all probably the safest reward. These foundations are sound and satisfactory but there are, nevertheless, certain differences between the two worlds, which it were well if possible to remove, and which it cannot but be useful candidly to consider. The great, perhaps I should say, the one, serious difference is, that the world at large holds the prac- tical knowledge of physic to be uncertain and limited. Hence, in its dire distress, it is wont to make little distinction between the most conscientious and learned of practitioners, and the meanest of pretenders in medicine thus it supports and sustains what we call quackeries, respecting which act we, wisely or unwisely, are keenly sensitive. On both sides there is error. There is error on the part of the world, in that it expects more of us than, in the time allotted to human learning, we can acquire and bring into practice there is error in that it does not, by learn- ing, for itself, something about the laws of life, become conversant with the characteristics of the concientious physician as distinct from those of the charlatan and there is error in that it does not distinguish between positive knowledge and mere opinion or dogma. There is error again, on the part of the world of physic, in that it does not look firmly enough into the causes of its own weakness does not, sufficiently, take into account the natural fears and feelings of mankind; does not sufficiently strive to make the world partakers with it in its knowledge, in its weak- ness, in its power; but rather bends to the prejudices of the world than attempts to remove them by demonstration of their mischief and of its own un- wavering, however slow, progress towards what is right. What mutual understandings then should subsist between the world of physic and the world ? The man representing the world at large should, I think, first consider what, in the fullest sense, he can expect the man of physic to perform for him, and how far Nature herself ordains that the success of the man of physic shall be permitted. In this sense he, the man of the world, should make the utmost allowance for the tremendous odds which the medical man has to contend with, by reason of the inevitable law of Nature, that the continuance of life is based on the continuance of death. If we save the life of an individual never so many times, a time will come when we shall be utterly unable to save that life. So art at last must fail. Or, to proceed to a more general proposition so inexorable is Nature in main- taining the balance of life and death, that she some- times strikes down portions of mankind wholesale, by causes which she does not give us time to study, until the event has swept by us: she apportions mor- talities to seasons, and diseases to races she puts on earth, for her own purposes, beings so differently constituted that they defy the application of any one absolute rule of treatment; she stamps character and build by hereditary transmission, and brings us face to face with special differences which we caunot possibly control. These rules, set by Nature herself, enforce limitations on the skill of tne physician, which are primary and should be at once conceded as inevitable. Physicians would be gods should they be other than they are units of Nature, contending with Nature al- together, contending always, often losing, and never winning actually, but sometimes seeming to win when to win is in accord with the great argument of natural necessity. The representatives of the world at large should re- member again, that the man of physic, having in all cases to deal with free will in man, must needs be per- petually crossed in his finest knowledge by the fruits of free will. If we could raise the dead, there are men who, so raised, would die again as quickly as they could. We do not yet raise the dead, but it is our con- stant duty to put meu into such mode of life that they should be raised from the misery of sickness into com- parative health and comfort; after which we find, as constantly, they go back against their reason to their old ways, and are the same as ever. I think I may say it for all my learned brethren, present and to come, that there is not the remotest expectation this difficulty will ever be removed for, turning to our own selves, we find that we by example of free will, are the most determined specimens of it. We are retail and whole- sale specimens at one and the same time, by force of habit, we run into special dangers from which other men instinctively shrink and, although we are con- scious of practising a profession which will make us have the shortest life value of the community, we stick to it as if it were the elixir vitas itself, and some- thing more. A man is not engaged in the practiceof medicine one twelvemonth before he learns the fact of this resistance of free will. Some medical men grow hopeless thence- forth, and follow their art, feeling that, whatever they do, it is so much the same, that if they only use the knowledge they have gained it is as good as any new knowledge, and that for them to endeavour to discover new truths, were indeed a task pitiably bootless. Others more enthusiastic, make straight ahead, always determining to do, in spite of the more than dead op- position which so constantly meets them. But even these, after the days of youthful inspiration have passed, sigh as they labour. They believed in the beauty of life, in the glory of saving life, in the admi- ration of mankind for the duty. A dream 1 They wake to the consciousness that of all things least ap- preciated life is that thing. They see riding on the heart of every adult, man or woman, the disease atra cura, "black care," worry, which sits deadly, and for which there is no physical remedy less than death. Or as one of four fellow graduates and members, a true poet, Dr. Black, plaintively but too truly sings The heart when sickened by despair, The loss of hope and light of prayer, Hath but another step to brave The path of darkness to the grave." They see men, without any obvious reason, running tilt against each other, and dogging each other, and persecuting each other, all for mere dross, unless it be that collision of mind is necessary for existence of mind: they see the affections of the young wounded, and the parental soul stabbed till it is life- less they see men ready, at all times and ages, to sacrifice any length of life to any shortness of ambi- tion. Now a line of youths in their prime is in view, with fathers, mothers, sisters, and hosts of friends cheering them. They are going to row a race. If that act did, of necessity, deprive those youths of half an eye, or half a nose, or even half a finger, they would not be induced to enter the lists so readily, neither would they be cheered so vociferously but because it costs them half a life on they go for, what is life? Again, there is aline of older men, some very old, as we have seen recently, with boisterous friends, wives, sons, and daughters, this time cheer- ing them on, and noisome enemies hissing in discord. These men are running to row in the boat of the State they spend a year's accumulated animal force in shouting to a crowd that will not listen, but shouts again; and they get, or get not, the famous two letters to their names by giving up a good tenth of all that remains of their ephemera. I refer to these things not in slight of reasonable competitive effort, physical or mental. I, who in the enthusiasm of scientific research, have never hesitated to accept what the pusillauimous would call personal risk, have, least of all, a right to uphold fear of death or fear of shortening life, as a virtue. I do nothing of that sort, but look on the little general regard paid by humanity to its own individual existence as one of the most perfect of natural ordinances. I think no more noble words were ever spoken than those of brave old Sir Humfrey Gilbert, "Give me leave therefore, without offence, always to live and die in this mind that he is not worthy to live at all, that for fear or dan- ger of life shunueth his country's service and his own honour, seeing that death is inevitable and the fame of virtue immortal." I think that our professional enemy, free will, is never so useful as when it is sustaining the brave. The truth that All men think all mtn mortal but themselves," is, to me, a great truth. I. see free will setting the world proudly and properly above the most skilled of curers. I would not ask even for a miracle to save myself from death, at the loss of free will; but I point out, none the less earnestly, that the world can never have those perfect results of medical science it craves for, while a greater power than science, that which makes science, the indepen- dency of the individual mind, reigns divinely supreme. The world at large should recall, as a guide to it- self, not less than as an encouragement to scientific healers, what a vast amount of real knowledge is ac- quired by the physician. To master the details of structure, the anatomy of one organ of the animal body, is as great an effort as to master every detail of many occupations by which, Exclusively, some men gain their bread. But the medical man, by infinite labour in a school of the most painful teaching, learns every organ of the body, and knows the body I as other men know their houses or factories or machines. The number of diseases affecting humanity are over two hundred, yet are they so well understood by the medical world, that any new form of disease is detected so soon as it makes itself known. The dis- tribution of disease over the planet has been mapped out with such care that the charts of disease are as correct as are those of land and sea which the geographer supplies. So soon as the chemist makes a new discovery of element, or compound, the phy- sician is after it, proves it, and takes it for his use, or rejects it, according to its worth. On these matters of knowledge the true physician bases his practical skill, sick himself, he has no other basis on which to rest. Can the world, except under force of folly and blindness, expect a better or a sounder foundation ? Once more, the world at large should never forget that the progress towards perfection in medical science must of necessity be extremely slow, because of the great anxieties and risks attendant upon its cultiva- tion and development. The chemist, who is dealing with inert matter, proceeds in his course without any feeling of^ responsibility in regard to the material substance in his hands; he can play with force and matter alike, indifferently, if he but ta.ke care of him. self. The mechanist and engineer are in the same fortunate position. But the representative of medi- cine is circumstanced altogether differently; the wonderful organism which he treats is his own, or the same as his own; towards it he feels sympathy, fear, affection, which are returned to him. Thus, in making every advance, the labour of the physician is infinite the responsibility of the highest order. He has, pro- bably, to begin by testing his new thought on inferior animals then, perchance in many cases he must proceed to himself, and on his own body make his preliminary investigations and, when all this is achieved, he has to accept the risk of pronouncing, and bringing into practice, that which he thinks may be done. In this stage of his proceeding his anxieties are greater than ever, for the world at large is wont to look upon him as a theorist, and to make general request that, however valuable his advance may be, ib be not tried on them. Neither can he blame the world on this account, it is so natural, though it may stand directly in his way. It ia impossible, indeed, to describe how deep is the anxiety with which the thoughtful man moves step by step in the progress of new inquiry in medicine. First the mind has to give up something which it has been taught to be- lieve and practise; next, it has to see solid grounds for disbelief, and, by a process of negation, to begin its course. Then it has to weigh every reason why it should suggest new thought in place of the old, and, finally, it has to put its new reasoning into the crucible of experience, and to allow learned and unlearned, alike, to be judges of its value. These labours and anxieties are such, the wonder is that progress is made at the rate at which it actually travel. The majority of practitioners, burdened with the weight of forty-seven cases of disease continually on hand, have little leisure for new research, while those who have the leisure, as a general rule, shrink from investiga- tion that lies out of the line of their direct daily pursuits. I put it, therefore, to the members of the world at large to think generously on the advance of medicine, and to be satisfied that if the advance be slow, it is not too slow to be sure and to deserve that confidence which they ultimately will have to repose in it as the partakers of the good it shall achieve. Moreover, and without a syllable against the conservatism men of the world ex- hibit when they express that they prefer to be in the hands of what they call" the safe man," who tries nothing new, I crave of them not to let the feeling pass into superstition and injustice. [To be continued.]

Jmpqial ftaiitiamciri. ♦ HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY. UNIVERSITY TESTS BILL. Earl RUSSELL moved the second reading of the University Tests Bill; but the Earl of Carnarvon having moved the previous question, the latter was carried by a majority of 37, and the original motion -was not put. TUESDAY. Their Lordships met at five o'clock. THE IRISH CHURCH BILL. On the consideration of the Commons' amendments to their Lordships' amendments in the Irish Church Bill, Earl GRANVILLE, having complimented the House on the great ability and statemanship which had been developed during their previous discussions on this bill, said that he had noticed with pleasure that to- wards the close the somewhat hard language used in the earlier part of them had been greatly moderated. He also complimented those who took a leading part in opposing the bill on the studied moderation which they had exhibited with respect to the amendments. He said that the Government considered some of them good and some of them bad, and others of them quite inadmissible but he entirely denied that at the insti- gation of the Government the other House had dealt with their lordships' amendments either superfluously or contemptuously. If that had really been the case, he should have considered that he personally had been most unworthily treated by his colleagues. He then proceeded to analyse the amendments, which he con- tended would have had the effect of re.endowing the Church which it was the object of the bill to disestab- lish and disendow. The most important of these amendments related to the plan of concurrent endow- ment but, notwithstanding the great ability with which it had been supported in both Houses, the Go- vernment was obliged to consider that it would be a breach of faith with the constituencies, and as there was an overwhelming majority in the other House, and it was plainly utterly opposed to public opinion, he ap. pealed to their lordships to deal with .he question as practical men, and whatever might be the abstract merits of that plan to give it up as perfectly impossible at the present time. He also argued strongly against the proposal to hang up the nurplus, as likely to create incessant agitation and expectations which were certain to fce disappointed, more especially as no alterative plan to that of the Government was at all likely to be as- sented to. -He then moved That their lordships do agree to the Commons' amendments to their Lordships' amendments in the preamble." Lord CAIRNS complained in strong terms that the Government had not adhered to the pledges of the noble earl on the second reading, on the faith of which many of their lordships who had strong objections to the bill on its own merits were induced to vote for the second reading out of regard to what they considered the verdict of the country. The Government then pro- mised to give their amendments a most respectful con- sideration, which they had certainly not met with at the hands of the Prime Minister, who had condescended to use language with respect to the House quite un- worthy of himself or his position. He reviewed the manner in which the amendments had been received, contending that all, except two, had been rejected with- out the slightest consideration, and on the others modifications offered which on analysis would be found to be utterly illusory. He then examined the proposals very minutely, and denounced them as utterly unsatis- factory. With respect to the appeal of the noble earl, he had always opposed concurrent endowment, and had not proposed that the disposal of the surplus should be reserved for future consideration with any view to assist concurrent endowment. His objection to the scheme of the Government was that it left six or eight millions of money at the disposal of the executive be- yond the control, of Parliament. He contended that originally the whole of the Irish members were anxious to have the consideration of the surplus reserved, and, trusting that their lordships would adhere to their amendment, he believed that their lordships would have with them the opinion, if not the votes, of a majority of the other House, and certainly of public opinion in the country. With respect to the amend- ments, that in respect to the power for the commu. tation of life interests, and that relating to curates, which he regarded as vital to the interests of the Church, he trusted that their lordships would firmly adhere to their amendments. With respect to the others, which were of minor importance, he was quite willing, in his desire not to needlessly provoke a colli- sion between the two Houses, to join in asking their lordships to give them up. The Earl of KIMBERLEY, at some length, pointed out that it was impossible that the Government could accept the amendment which the noble lord inclined to insist upon. Earl GREY considered that, as far as the clauses of the bill were concerned, the words of the preamble were immaterial, and they certainly could not bind future Parliaments. On the other hand, he regarded the words, nor for the maintenance of any Church, Ac., nor for the teaching of religion," condemnatory of the Church of England in this country, and offen- sive to the religion of the majority in Ireland. He urged the Government, unless they were indifferent to the passing of the bill, or desirous of putting some degradation upon the House of Lords, to make some concession on this point, for he regarded the speech of Mr. Gladstone and the tone adopted by the Go- vernment as indicative that they were rather inclined to disregard than conciliate their lordships. He did not think that the other House would, on considera- tion, support the Government in refusing to reserve the disposal of the surplus for the further considera- tion of Parliament; but if the bill fell through on this account the fault would not rest with their lord- ships. He was reluctantly obliged to admit that it was now impossible to carry concurrent endowment, and he regretted that the Government had not so dealt with the question as to have rendered so desir- able a result practicable, and he held them respon- sible for the failure of a policy which commended itself to nine-tenths of the educated classes in the country, and which they could easily have carried if they had chosen to take it up. If, therefore, they were unable to pass the bill and bring the whole question to a happy conclusion this session, the fault would rest with the Government, and with the Go- vernment alone; but he did not despair that they would reciprocate the conciliatory disposition shown by Lord Cairns. Lord HALIFAX agreed with the noble earl in regret- ting the impossibility of concurrent endowment, and that being the case, he could not regard the words in the preamble as material. If the words were omitted the public would regard it as a covert design to pro- mote concurrent endowment, and it would lead to useless religious agitation in the country. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE, believing that as the Irish Church and concurrent endowment, however wise and statesmanlike, were both gone, would sup- port the Government. He hoped their Lordships would insist on the reservation of the surplus. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY regarded the bill with little affection, for it was the most violent and revo- lutionary measure laid before Parliament since the Reformation, and before long it would have a serious effect not only on the relation of Church and State, but on religion and property. He believed the public mind was fixed on the bill, and if they resisted it they would soon have the cry, not of concurrent endow- ment," but of "concurrent disendowment." He for one would not add to the imminent dangers of the position in which they now found themselves, lest it should result in the destruction of other important institutions. Earl RUSSELL was in favour of the disestablishment of the Irish Church, and of its disendowment, subject to existing rights. For this object he regarded the declaration of the preamble as unnecessary and im- politic. If the real object was to declare that the decision of the last election was against all establisb- ment-in England and Scotland as well as in Ireland —that ought to be brought to a direct issue; but, taking the whole of the preamble, he believed that it was capable of almost any interpretation whatever. To have given glebes to the clergy of all denominations would have been the best and wisestplan, and would have not only established religous equality, but have done more than anythiug to have appeased religious discord. All wise and good landlords had already adopted this plan. He must therefore vote against the Government with respect to the preamble. He pointed out the inconsistency of the Government, who had very properly maintained the right of Parliament to set aside the Act of Union, now trying to bind it down for all time with respect to the disposal of the surplus property of the Irish Church. The Duke of ARGYLL denied, indignantly, the alle- gations of Earl Grey that the Government desired to provoke a collision between the two Houses of Parlia- ment. If they had any such design they deserved to be turned out of office at once. He replied to the argu- ments of Earl Russell, and, forcibly denouncing con- current endowment, with some warmth and at con- siderable length defended the provisions of the bill, insisting that the Irish Church had been treated not only with more than justice, but with liberal generosity. The MRrquis of SALISBURY reproached the Govern- ment with respect to the change of their opinions with regard to disestablishment and disendowment. Before they reacned the Treasury Bench they held them to be quite different matters, but now they had got there thev held them to be indissolubly bound up together. For his own part, while fully acquitting Lord Cairns of any idea of supporting concurrent endowment, which he had consistently opposed, he believed that concur- rent endowment would have been a wise and states- manlike appropriation of the surplus. He had opposed the preamble as false and as foolish, for the conduct of the Government in trying to bind down future Parliaments reminded him only of those who believed that they could keep themselves from drunkenness by taking the pledge. The Government wished to guard future Parliaments from concurrent endow- ment, or appropriating the surplus to any religious purposes, by the insertion of words which they must feel would be utterly useless and inoperative. He had, therefore, no choice but to vote with Lord Cairns. Analysing the policy and provisions of the bill, he pointed out the unfair manner in which the Irish Church was dealt with. and the illusory character of the concessions offered by the Government. Depre- I eating the principles laid down by the Earl of Shaftes- bury, he insisted that their lordships had a clear and well-defined duty to themselves and the country to discharge, and in resisting the demands of the Govern- ment they were not resisting the verdict of the country or the decisions of the House of Commons, but the will of a single individual. They had exhausted all offers of conciliation and compromise, and in giving way now they would sacrifice not only the prospects of the Irish Church, but their own dignity and indepen- dence. The BISHOP of LONDON could not vote for the principle of secularising Church property, which was now proposed for the first time in the history of this country. Earl GRANVILLE warmly replied to the language which had been applied to the Government, which was not only offensive, but utterly unfounded. He made an earnest appeal to their lordships to support the Government in a most grave and critical moment. The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the question that the original words in the preamble be held and applied for the advantage of the Irish people, but not for the maintenance of any Church, &c., nor for the teaching of religion," which were struck out by the Lords, but restorer in the Commons, be retained in the bill. Considerable exception was taken to this course. The Earl of DERBY insisted that the whole of the amendments ought io be put, which was supported by Lord Cairns, but resisted by Earl Granville, the Lord Chancellor, and Lord Eversley. After a very excited discussion, The LORD CHAN CELLOR, who displayed much warmth, proceeded to argue in favour of the disposition of the surplus as proposed by the Government, showing the number of insane in Ireland and their miserable, un- cared-for condition. After some remarks from the Marquis of Bath and the Earl of Winchelsea against the Commons' amend- ments, The LORD CHANCELLOR put an amendment moved by the Duke of Marlborough," That the House do insist upon the whole of their amendments in the preamble of the bill." The House then divided, when the numbers were— For the Lord's amendments 173 Against. 95 Majority against Government 78 Their Lordships therefore insisted upon retaining their amendments to the preamble. Earl GRANVILLE said that he could not take upon himself the responsibility of proceeding with the bill without communicating with his colleagues, and he would therefore at once move that the debate be ad- journed, which was at once agreed to. Their Lordships adjourned at 11.15 p.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY. THE IRISH CHURCH SURPLUS. Sir F. HEYGATE asked whether, in the application of the Irish Church surplus, regard would be had to the interests of the localities from which the funds were derived. Mr. GLADSTONE said the question was premature. EDUCATION. Mr. W. E. FORSTER, in moving the balance of the educational rate, entered into a detailed account of the state of education in the country. The vote was agreed to. DUBLIN FREEMEN BILL. On the adjourned debate on going into committee on the Dublin Freemen Committee Bill, Mr. T. COLLINS moved that the committee be in- structed to extend the inquiry into corrupt practices at Youghal. The motion was carried by a majority of 106. After the transaction of some other business, the House adjourned. TUESDAY. METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS. Mr. AYRTON moved the second reading of the Metropolitan Board of Works Loans Bill, in an elabo- rate speech and, after a discussion, it was read a second time and referred to a select committee. The House was occupied the remainder of the sitting with the Metropolitan Poor Act and other business of no general interest. WEDNESDAY. The House met at twelve o'clock. There was an unusually large attendance for a. day sitting. The Treasury benches, however, were en- tirely deserted during the earlier part of the sitting. The presentation of some petitions, calling upon the House to reject the Lords' amendments on the Irish Church Bill, was greeted with much cheering from the Ministerial benches. THE PEERS AND THE COMMONS. Soon after the Speaker took the chair, Mr. MILLBANK rose from below the gangway, and asked, as a point of order, whether it was competent to demand an apology from a peer who, in his place in the Upper House, had used language insolent to the Prime Minister and the leader of a great party, and insulting to the dignity of the House of Com- mons. (Liberal cheers and a laugh on the Opposition benches.) He asked the question as a point of order and a point of privilege. The SPEAKER said it was neither a point of order nor a point of privilege, and such a question could not with propriety be addressed to him. The hon. mem- ber ought himself to be aware that the House was not cognisant of what passed in debate in the other House. (Cheers from the Opposition.) HYPOTHEC ABOLITION (SCOTLAND) BILL. The adjourned debate on the Hypothec Abolition (Scotland) Bill was resumed by Mr. ORR EWING. After a protracted debate the House divided— For the second reading 127 Against. 91 Majority. 36 The bill was then read a second time. SPECIAL AND COMMON JURIES BILL. The Special and Common Juries Bill was read a second time. MARRIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY BILL. The adjourned debate on the third reading of the Married Women's Property Bill took place, and on a division the numbers were— For the third reading. 131 Against 32 Majority 99 The bill was read a third time and passed. RAILWAY, &C., AMENDMENTS BILL. The Railway Construction Facilities Act (1864) Amendment Bill, and also the Cinque Ports Act Amend- ment Bill, passed through Committee. The House adjourned at 5.45 p.m.

EXTRAORDINAYY SUICIDE AT ST. PETERSBURG.—A suicide has just been committed under extraordinary circumstances at St. Petersburg. Colonel Hunnhis, an Esthonian by birth, was lately engaged in discuss- ing with the Czarewitch a financial operation concern- ing the armament of the troops, and the Grand Duke, considering the terms proposed too high, exclaimed, "With Germans one is sure to be always cheated." On the Colonel civilly requesting his Highness to with- draw so offensive an expression, the latter forgot him- self so far as to strike the officer in the face. The Colonel immediately applied to the Emperor, who ordered his son to apologize, but this he positively refused to do. Despairing of obtaining any satisfac- tion, and smarting under an insult he was unable to resent, the unfortunate officer committed suicide by blowing out his brains. The Emperor is said to have been most painfully affected by the sad event, and insisted on the Grand Duke attending the funeral. THOUSANDS OF PRESENTS TO SUIT EVERY PURPOSE, TASTE, AND POCKET, AT PARKINS AND GOTTO'S.— Portrait Albums, despatch boxes, writing cases, dressing- cases, travelling bags, envelope-cases, blotting books, ink stands, desks, stationery cabinets, book slides, work boxes, tea caddies, hand bags, reticules, card cases, purses, scent bottles, cigar cases, card baskets, pocket-books, electro-gilt and elegantly mounted goods; ornamental articles for mantle-shelf, drawing and library tables. Bibles, prayer-books, and church services in every type. Small articles carefully selected and sent post-paid upon pre-payment. Parkins and Gotto, 24, 25, 27 and 28, Oxford-street, London. CROQUET 15s., 18s.. 21s., 30s., 40s, and 60s. the set, with Book of Rules. A first-rate full sized set for 30s The Club boxwood set (the best that can be made), 60s. All Croquet sent carriage paid to any Railway Station in England on prepayment to Parkins and Gotto, 24, and 25, Oxford-street, London, W.—(A choice of 700 sets.) HALSE ON MEDICAL GALVANISM.—Paralysis, rheu- matism, loss of muscular power, debility, sleep- lessness, indigestion, asthma, sciatica, nervousness, &c., &c. See Mr. Halse's pamphlet on Galvanism for the particulars of the most extraordinary cures by means of Halse's Galvanic Apparatus," after all medi- cines and other galvanic machines had been tried in vain. It also contains Mr. Hal.-e's Letters on Medical Galvanism, 52 pages. Send two stamps to Mr. W. H. Halse, Warwick Lodge, 40, Addison-road, Kensington, London," for it. [3278

(ftitqal Jitfqlligcuce. ♦ ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION.—The High Sheriff of the Queen's County, Mr. Richard Warburton, was lired at and severely wounded on Monday morning, as he was on his way to the assize. Latest accounts say that Mr. Warburton is progressing favourably. Two men have been arrested. CURIOUS IF TRUE.—The Weekly llt gisUr learns from an authentic source that seven or eight Anglican clergymen have determined to proceed to Rome in De- cember next, for the purpose of attending the General Council, and obtaining from the assembled bishops an authoritative opinion respecting the validity or other- wise of their orders. Every endeavour will also be made to form a union between a large number of Ang- licans and the Catholic Church. These gentleman have already put themselves in communication with several of the authorities at Rome, and have met with every encouragement; they have determined to ask one of the English Catholic bishops to be their spokes- man before the Council." THE WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S PRIZE.—A daily contemporary has stated that Corporal Angus Cameron, the winner of the Queen's Prize this year and in 1866, is a jeweller in Inverness. This is a mistake, which has probably arisen through confusing Corporal Cameron with another north-country marksman, Sergeant Fer- guson. Angus Cameron is a native of and a dweller in the village of Kingussie, the capital of Badenoch. He is not yet twenty-three years of age, and.has ever since leaving school assisted an elder brother in the manage- ment of a modest "general shop." It is pleasant to add that his "plunder" taken from Wimbledon in 1866 enabled Angus to go into partnership with his brother. LIVERPOOL ORANGEMEN.—On Monday evening a meeting of the Liverpool Orangemen, at which about twelve thousand persons were present, was held in front of St. George's-hall in that town, and a petition I praying the Lords to stand firm to their amendments, as sent to the House of Commons, with the exception of the concurrent endowment clause, was unanimously adopted. SUDDEN DEATH OF A STREET PREACHER.—An in- quest has been held at Chatham on the body of Peter Thompson, a street preacher known by the sobriquet of "Happy Peter," who died suddenly while preaching in one of the streets of Chatham. The deceased, who was formerly a navvy, had latterly devoted himself to street preaching, in which, it was stated, he had been very successful, and had effected a great deal of good among many of the depraved classes in Chatham. On the evening of his death he was preaching to a large audience at the corner of one of the thoroughfares, the weather being intensely hot. He had just concluded his preaching with the word" Amen," when he was seen to stagger and fall, and on some persons going to him he was found to be dead. The surgeon who was called said death had arisen from heart disease, accele- rated by the effort of preaching to a large crowd during the intense heat, and the jury returned a verdict ac- cordingly. THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR MR. HUDSON.—The follow- ing letter, in reply to a communication from Mr. J. L. Foster, the secretary at York to the subscribers to the Hudson fund, has been received by the Lord Mayor of that city:—"Calais, July 14, 1869. My dear Lord Mayor,—My friend Mr. Foster has communicated to me the resolutions adopted on Monday last at the meeting of gentlemen who have promoted and sup- ported a subscription in your city and county (in co- operation with other friends in the north) for the pur- pose of creating an annuity for me. May I, through you, express my grateful thanks for this great kind- ness ? Amid all the afflictions with which my latter days have been clouded, it is to me a source of deep gratitude that so many friends have united to express in so substantial a manner their sympathy towards me, and their acknowledgment of my services in the pro- motion of public works. Be assured, my Lord Mayor, that to you, and to all my other kind friends, I feel a gratitude which words cannot express, and which will ever remain deeply engraven on my heart. I am, my dear Lord Mayor, yours very truly, GEO. HUDSON." STONED BY MISTAKE.—At the end of last week Thomas Heatley, of the Roxburghshire constabulary, and Isabella Moor, a woman belonging to Jedburgh, had occasion to accompany a pauper and four children from the poorhouse, Jedburgh, to the workhouse in Sligo. On arriving in Sligo they delivered their charge over to the governor of the workhouse on Sunday, the 11th, and as they could not leave for Scotland again until Tuesday morning, when the boat sailed for Glasgow, they went on Monday, accompa- nied by Sergeant Fiddes, of the Sligo Rifles, to visit Sligo lake. On returning home, about nine o'clock in the evening, they were waylaid by a party of Irish- men, who had concealed themselves at the back of a wall. In a moment a number of large stones were thrown, and the woman Moor was felled to the ground insensible. The alarm was given, but the assailants at once decamped. The unfortuate woman was car- ried to Cleverhouse-lodge, where she lay insensible for four hours. The stone which struck her weighed be- tween five and six pounds; her face was sorely smashed, and two of her teeth were knocked out. For awhile no thought could be conceived why the assault was committed, but it was soou discovered. She had unfortunately had her bonnet trimmed with blue ribands, and on the outside of it was a yellow flower, owing to which she was thought to belong to the Orange party and as this happened on the 12th of July, when party feeling ran high, the Irishmen had marked out this unsuspecting Scotch woman as one who wore these detested colours in open defiance to their wishes. Constable Heatley proceeded to the police-office to give information of the assault, but the police there told him that such scenes were of frequent occurrence, and that they were afraid they could do nothing in the matter. They also advised him to get over to Scotland as soon as possible, for were it to be known that he was lodging a complaint he might fare worse before long. He, of course, took the hint, and left with the injured woman next morning with the boat. They arrived at Jedburgh on Thursday evening, and the woman has since been attended by Dr. Crombie.—Scotsman. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.—Their Royal Highnesses left London on Monday for Manchester, to visit the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, his Royal Highness being President this year. The Royal party arrived safely at Worsley Hall, where they are the guests of the Earl of Ellesmere. Enthusiastic demon- strations of loyalty and respect were everywhere visible. The show is a great success. BEER.—In the year ending at Michaelmas, 1868, there were in the United Kingdom, 2,482 persons licensed as brewers, 97,084 licensed victuallers, 47,784 persons licensed to sell beer to be drunk on the pre- mises, and 3,209 persons licensed to sell beer not to be drunk on the premises. The number of licensed vic- tuallers and beershop keepers was rather greater than in the previous year. In both years two brewers paid for licences for brewing more than 600,000 barrels of beer, the licence duty for the two together exceeding £ 16,000. In the year ending at Michaelmas, 1868, 469,726 barrels of beer of the declared value of f 1,841,364, were exported from the United Kingdom, a smaller quantity than in the preceding year. The two great customers are India and Australia, India taking last yea. 170,362 barrels, of the value of £ 476,777, and Australia 112,210 barrels, of the value of £464,337. In the year 1868 49,703,931 bushels of malt were made, and the duty charged amounted £6,739,707. DIABOLICAL ACT OF A WOMAN. —A case came before the Liverpool magistrates on Saturday showing the length of excesses to which party feeling will lead people. An old and apparently respectable Irish- woman, named Elizabeth Lynch, was charged with throwing boiling water upon the infant child of a man named Thomas Hallam. On the previous day a num- ber of children who had decorated themselves with orange lilies and ribbons were playing near the pri- soner's door, in Queen Anne-street. This display of the orange colour greatly annoyed Mrs. Lynch, who is a Roman Catholic, and she threw a quantity of boiling water upon the children, amongst whom was a daughter of Hallam, who had the infant in her arms. The latter was well nigh fatally scalded, and one of the other children was injured. The prisoner was remanded. CORK PAPERS.—-At the Limerick assizes a libel case has been tried, the parties being Mr. Nagle, proprietor of the Cork Herald, plaintiff; and Mr. Gillman, of the Cork Reporter, defendant. Counsel for the defendant stated that the action arose out of the proceedings of the ex-Mayor of Cork, Mr. Daniel O'Sullivan, during the excitement which led to his recent resignation of office. The libels were replies to articles in the Cork Herald. Mr. Nagle had been compared, in one of the articles com- plained of, to Marat, and the reading of the passage pro- duced great laughter in court. The words were, The picturesque genius of Lamartine has made familiar to all men the tragic episode of the Gironde, triumphant in the Chamber, daring and defying the angry crowd in the gallery. History repeats itself. On yesterday we had again a legislative body (the Cork town council) defying a mob—a mob as insolent, as foul, as blood thirsty, if they dared, as that which eighty years ago, in the fair city of Paris, stifled in blood the nascent genius of Liberty. We had an assembly as self- possessed, as courageous as that in which the Gironde terminated and, to complete the parallel, we had in the heart of this assembly a Marat, with every charac- teristic of his prototype, except his genius and his honesty—a Marat, defeated and outvoted in the body of which he is a member, hating and being hated by the class to which he belongs, but strong in the sup- port and confidence of the mob." The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff of foO, with 6d. costs. SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—-A very sad acci- dent happened at the Spoil Lane railway station, near Birmingham, on Saturday evening. When the 8.20 passenger train from Birmingham to Wolverhampton arrived at the station, and before it had stopped, two youths jumped out, and they were followed by a woman named Mrs. Harriet Neal, fifty-three years of age, of Aylestone, near Leicester. She fell between the carriages and the platform. The carriage in which she was travelling cleared her body, but in the ease of the guard's van, which was in the middle of the train, two of the wheels went over the lower part of her body. Her body was cut nearly in two. and she pre- sented a most frightful spectacle. She was travelling to the house of her daughter, Mrs. Rowland Porter, of Simpson's Buildings, West Smethwick, to attend upon her durincr her confinement, and she was at once re- moved to that house. The poor woman died in about twenty minutes after the accident. INTENDED VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO IRELAND.—It ia reported that Her Majesty has signified to Earl Spencer her intention to visit Ireland next year. The visit, it is added, will be of some duration. A FEMALE BARRISTER.—Mrs. Arabella Mansfield, a lady of 24 years of age, has been admitted to the barin Iowa, and practises in partnership with her husband. EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN IRELAND.—A Irish paper furnishes details of an extraordinary scene which occurred a few days ago at Fetliard, on the occasion of the Marquis and Marchioness of Ely visiting their estates there. It is stated that after a distribution of prizes, won at some races got up for the occasion, the people, at the instigation of a Roman Catholic priest^ groaned the agent of the estate; and that, subsequently, an artilleryman, who was mistaken for a soldier who had spoken offensively to one of the clergymen, was beaten so that he died. A FATAL JUMP.—A girl of fifteen named Cuxtom jumped out of a train at New Brompton, near Chatham, the other night, on finding that it did not stop at the station where she wanted to alight, and was killed. DROWNED.—George Turrell, coach painter, -was drowned on Sunday, at Colchester, whilst trying to rescue a dog. THE QUEEN'S DEPARTURE.—The Queen has left Windsor for Osborne. On Tuesday at five minutes past nine the special train left the Great Western terminus, conveying her Majesty, the Prince and Princess Christian, the Princesses Louise and Beatrice, and Prince Leopold. MARRIAGE OF THE HON. F. E. VILLIERS.—On Tuesday morning the marriage of the Hon. Frederick Ernest Villiers, second son of the late Bishop of Carlisle, with Miss Baird, twin daughter of the late Mr. Baird, of Closeburd,. took place at St. Peter's Church, Eaton-square, London, in the presence of a numerous assemblage of the friends of both families. Amongst the company were the EarJ/^nd Countess of Clarendon. FOXHOUNDS.—A show of foxhounds is to be held in connection with the approaching exhibition of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. OLD AGE.—There is residing in Ridley a person named Elizabeth Howell, who has this month entered on the one hundredth year of her age. PRESENTATION OF COLOURS.—On Monday afternoon the 27th Enniskillen Regiment was presented with new colours, on Chatham Lines, by the Countess of Enniskillen. A YOUNG LADY KILLED BY LIGHTNING.—A thunder- bolt a few days back struck Mdlle. Franconnet, aged 19, who was with her mother in the vineyard of Neuves Maisons, Vosges, France. The young girl expired on the spot; the electric fluid, entering by the foot, fur- rowed all the right side of the body and came out by the chin. The unfortunate mother, who was also pros- trated, was enabled to rise from the ground without serious injury, but the sudden death of her daughter appears to have affected her intellect. CLOSING OF THE THAMES TUNNEL.—On Tuesday night the Thames Tunnel was finally closed as a public footway. This undertaking, which at the time of its design was considered a masterpiece of science, and which formed a communication under the river Thames between Rotherhithe and Wapping, was, after numer- ous difficulties, finally accomplished and opened on the 23rd of March, 1843, having been commenced by Sir I. S. Brunei in 1824. The total cost of the tunnel was about £600,000, but the East London Railway Com- pany recently purchased it for a little over a tnird of that sum. The company will run their trains through the tunnel, their line bringing the inhabitants of Wap- ping, Shadwell, &c., within easy distance of South- w ark-park. DESPERATE ASSAULT.—At the Kerry Assizes on Monday the Rev. Arthur Watson was tried for wound- ing James Sullivan. They were both travelling the same road, when Watson struck Sullivan's horse. An altercation ensued, and Watson struck Sullivan twice with his whip, and then drew his knife ana cut Sulli- van's throat, inflicting a wound an inch in length. A man named Denis Connor interfered, and Watson threatened to rip him open. After a desperate struggle Connor obtained possession of the knife. Watson was convicted, and sentenced to a month's hard labour, and to find a bail for his good behaviour for two years. THE VIVIAN-WATERFORD SCANDAL.—Our readers will remember that considerable excitement was mani- fested in upper circles when it was found that Mrs. Vivian, wife of the Hon. Captain Vivian, M.P., had eloped with the Marquis of Waterford. Proceedings were at once commenced by the War Lord of the Treasury for a divorce, and the cause" Vivian v. Vivian and Waterford," was put down 108th in the list for this term, and on account of its occupying such a low position, it was thought that the case would have to stand over, like many of those affecting poorer persons, to next term. On Tuesday, however, an ap- plication was made in reference to the matter, which will doubtless prove interesting. Dr. Swabey, address- ing the court, said The cause of Vivian and Vivian" stands low on the list, but as your lordship intends to sit on extra days it will probably come on for this term. I have therefore to ask that it may not be taken before the 5th proximo. The Judge I really cannot make any arrangement as to taking a case out of its turn. It must take its chance. Is there any evidence for the defence ? Dr. Tristram No, my lord but there is a traverse. Lord Penzance And that may take a long time. Dr. Swabey But I don't think it will. Lord Penzance then intimated that the cause could not be taken out of its turn. The case is to be tried by the Judge Ordinary without a jury. DEATH OF THE DEAN OF DURHAM.—The Very Rev. George Waddington, Dean of Durham, died on Tues- day morning, aged 76. The deceased graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and gained numerous University honours. He was medallist in 1811, University Scholar and Chancellor's medallist for English verse in 1813 B.A. and Senior Chancellor's medallist in 1815. He succeeded Dr. Jenkinson in the Deanery of Durham in 1840, and was installed on the 20th of September in that year. On the death of Archdeacon Thorp, Warden of Durham University, the Dean succeeded him under an order in Council of the 4th of June, 1841. Prior to his appointment to the Deanery, Dr. Waddington had been vicar of Masham, in Yorkshire, in the gift of Trinity College. Recently the deceased gave to the Durham County Hospital two sums of JE2000 each, and a few months ago he tilled with stained glass one of the large windows of the Cathedral, at a cost of £1,400. He subscribed largely to London charities, and in the county of Durham was a supporter of nearly every benevolent institution. He was the author of several works. The Deanery, which is in the gift of the Government, is of the value of £3,000 a year. A STEAMER RUN DOWN.—On Monday the screw steamer Hero, from Gothenburg, belonging to Messrs. T. Wilson, Sons, and Co., of Hull, ran into and sank the Resolute (ss), of Goole, from London. The latter was at anchor at the time, in the middle of the Humber, opposite the new dock, and the Hero struck her whilst turning to make for the Humber Dock. The crew of the Resolute were rescued and brought ashore. The top of the masts of the sunken steamer are visible at high water. The Hero received little or no damage. BISHOP COLENSO.—Lord Justice Giifard has given judgment on appeal, in a case affecting the rights of the Bishop of Cape Town and Bishop Colenso. He declares Bishop Colenso to be the rightful possessor of the Cathedral of Natal, and that the Bishop of Cape Town has no right to interfere, and has no jurisdiction over the Bishop of Natal. INSPECTOR TANNER.—After 20 years' service in the Detective Department of Scotland-yard, Inspector Tanner has retired from the police force on a pension of £100 a-year. In the course of his connexion with the police Mr. Tanner has been very successful in trac- ing and arresting celebrated criminals. Among those whom he apprehended were Mullins, who murdered Mrs. Emsley; Forward, the murderer of the three children in a coffeehouse at Holborn Hunt, who com- mitted murder in a cab and Muller, who killed Mr. Briggs on the North London Railway, having arrested him in New York. A MURDER AT ALDERSHOT.—Tuesday afternoon a shocking murder was committed at the South Camp. Between the hours of four and five o'clock in the after- noon a rumour, which eventually proved to be only too true, was circulated among the troops at present stationed in the South Camp that Corporal James Brett, of the 2nd Battalion 7th Royal Fusiliers, which are quartered in the front lines of the South Camp, had been shot dead by a private sol- dier of the regiment, named William Dixon. The deceased and the murderer lived in the same hut, No. 1 A Lines, South Camp. It appears that the com- pany to which both belong was engaged during the afternoon in emptying and refilling their beds at the barrack stores, near the lines. It is stated that Cor- poral Brett, who was in charge of the men in the room, ordered Private Dixon to fill some extra beds, or spare ones, to which Dixon objected, stating that he had done more than his share of the work. Corporal Brett on this left the room, with the supposed intention of reporting Dixon's conduct to a superior non-commis- sioned officer. During his absence Dixon was seen to have laid hold of a breech-loader, and to be med- dling with the breech (evidently loading it), when a man in the room remarked to Dixon, "What are you about?" to which Dixon replied, "Mind your own business, or you will get it." Immediately after Cor- poral Brett was seen entering the hut, and was told by one of the men to go back. However, he ap- pears not to have heard the man, or else not to have heeded what was said to him, for he at once came into the room, and on his doing so Dixon raised his rifle, which he had loaded with ball cartridge, and shot Brett dead. The bullet entered the right side of the head near the temple, and passed out at the opposite side, shattering the poor man's head in a most frightful manner. Death, of course, was instantaneous. The bullet, after going through Brett's. head, passed out of the window close to some married women living in the next hut, who narrowly escaped being shot. The only cause that can at present be assigned for the terrible deed was the trifling dispute about the bed- tilling. Dixon was at once made prisoner, and he walked to the guard-room in the coolest manner. Corporal Brett was highly respected in the regiment, and Dixon, on the contrary, is a man of bad character, and has been several times tried by a court-martial. On leaving the hut in which he had committed the murder, Dixon is reported to have said, when he found that Corporal Brett was dead, that "he was quite satisfied now he did not care." Late in the evening Dixon was handed over to the civil authorities.