It seems that the Clerk of the Works at the
British Museum who dismissed the labourer, Brightwell, and dismissed him, as it was inferred, for the evidence he gave as to the poisoning of the pigeons, is not under the Trustees of the British Museum, but is under the Office of Works. Mr. Plunket, the First Commissioner of Works, has apparently ordered an inquiry into this case, and on Friday a letter was addressed to the Times by Mr. A. B. Mitford, of the Office of Works, explaining that Brightwell had been dismissed for conduct wholly irrespective of the evidence given by him before the Magistrate, but that the occasion chosen was so unfortunate, and gave so mach colour to the notion that the dismissal was vindictive, that fresh work has been since found for him under the Board of Works, lest the public should suppose that his dismissal really was the penalty of his straightforward evidence. We think this decision very prudent and wise; but when Mr. Mitford adds that Mr. Pdllman is "a valuable public servant, who has acted indiscreetlyrbat only-to the extent which I have indicated above," he- himsklf certainly shows a very unfortunate bias.
Mr. Pullman acted not only indiscreetly, but with a carelessness that was utterly cruel, in the matter of the pigeons ; and the public will not easily learn to believe in his humanity.
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