14 FEBRUARY 1931, Page 16

A Hundred Years Ago THE " SPECTATOR," FEBRUARY 12TH, 1831.

BELGIUM.

The Duke de Nemours is King of Belgium, as far as the votes of the Congress of Brussels can confer that dignity. The election took place on the 4th instant. The new King has been everywhere proclaimed amidst the joyous acclamations of the people. The King of France, however, continues, contrary to what was very

generally expected, to withhold his assent to the arrangement ; and thus, as has-been observed, the election, which was a good election, and the proclamation, which was a good proclamation, labour under the small want of a King to be elected and proclaimed.

THE POLES.

The Poles have taken the first step towards the recovery of their independence, by declaring themselves independent. The Diet, on January 25th, declared the throne vacant. The arming of the people goes on with spirit and regularity. The resignation of Chlopicki has been finally accepted ; and his place, though under a different name, is supplied.

CURE FOR CONSUMPTION.

Seventy thousand victims are annually offered up in this country on the shrine of the dire goddess Phthisis PuLmonalis. The discoveries of Mr. Murray, coming as they do from an eminent ' chemist, will assuredly receive a due examination and tiial. Mr. Murray was the first who suggested the inhaling of chlorine : which, though attended with great partial benefit, was found to possess irritating properties that materially interfered with its efficiency. A gas was wanted, possessing the sanative virtues of chlorine, without its irritating qualities. Mr. Murray has found this desideratum—it is nitrous acid gas.

FLOGGING.

Notice has been given by Sir Francis Burdett, that he will on the introduction of the Mutiny Bill, move a clause abolishing the punishment of flogging. Flogging offers so ready a gratification to a cruel, and so simple a means of discipline to a brainless com- mander, that while it is permitted in any shape, it will and must be abused. We hope the case of the unfortunate boy Heritage will not be lost sight of. What is to be said of those regulations by which a miserable child like him, of mild and docile disposition, could be abused into insanity

PenTrIONS PRESENTED DITRING THE WEEK.

Criminal Laws.

For an alteration thereof, by mitigating the punishment of death:

NEW BOOKS.

The book on Chimnies is explanatory of a plan for lining their brickwork with metallic tubes : an obvious improvement upon the present clumsy contrivance of conducting the smoke through thoroughfares pretty nearly as wide as the street. Chimnies are made thus large, that they may admit the little black slave of Europe, who, though caught young and kept as small as possible, cannot be so stunted as to pass through a tube little larger than an Indian hookah. Mr. Seth Smith's tubes are fire-proof : their general adoption might therefore be expected greatly to diminish the annual loss by fire, which in London is said to amount (in property) to £100,000.

A DROWNING FATALITY.

Five young boys were drowned on Sunday afternoon, in a pond near the Artillery-ground, Woolwich. The immediate cause of the accident affords one of the most extraordinary instances of callous indifference to the safety of others, that we have met for a long time. Two young fellows, named Bell and Moseley, had gone to the pond for the purpose of skating : but they were somewhat apprehensive of the ice, and how did they proceed to try it ? Moseley, quite coolly and deliberately, procured change for some silver, and tossed it on the ice, in order, by means of the scramble, to ascertain whether it was in a safe state or not. Seventeen boys fell into the water, which was about twelve feet deep : and five out of the seventeen perished. Nothing has been done to Moseley ; indeed, no law can touch him.