PHASES OF ENGLISH LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 393, 14 April 1871, Page 2

PHASES OF ENGLISH LIFE.

The Fenian prisoners have been released and gone to America. The Pall Mall Gazette takes the fact as a text wherefrom to write as follows:—

If we compare the case of Catherine Crawley, aged thirty year 3, who according to the verdict of the jury, at the inquest on her body a few days ago "died of starvation," with that of Mr. O'Donovan Eossa and his fellows, we shall at once see the advantage an Irish Fenian possesses over an English pauper. Catherine Crawley was allowed by the Bethnal-green guardians, in consideration of her being a destitute blind widow, the sum of two shillings a week, and on this she lived, or rather she died, for the medical evidence proved that her death was occasioned from want of food and warmth. iN'ow let us see what would have been the fate of this poor woman if she had been wise enough to join in a conspiracy having for its end rapine and murder, and formed one of the snug little party who where escorted to Liverpool last week. Mr. O'Donovan. Kossa and his four companions, we arc told, on arrival at Liverpool proceeded at once to the detective department of the Central Police Station where apartments for the night had been prepared for them ; and every thing it is stated, was done " under the peculiar circumstances of their liberation, to make tliam as easy and comfortable as possible." Shortly after eleven o'clock on Saturday morning the interesting party, accompanied by Captain Griffiths and Inspector Home, were driven in two cabs to the Prince's landing stage, and embarked onboard the Cunard steamer tender Satelitefor the Cuba. Eachman was allowed to select and choose his own winter and travelling outfit, and was also supplied with a sum of £5 as pocket money. When the Cuba arrived at Queenstown a deputation from the Cork_ and Dublin Amnesty Association was allowed to go ou board, and addre ses were pre sented as also 100 sovereigns, to prisoners. They appeared in perfect health, and expressed satisfaction with the treatment of the Government, which, besidos'paying tlieir ex- ; penses, allowed wines and'other luxuries to be supplied to them ; was ever anything like thi3 heard before ?

On the very same day these ruffians were being feted by Government Dr.Lankester was holding an inquest on the body of another starved pauper. Amelia Vernon, aged seventy-six, having for some time eked out a miserable existence by bookfolding, by which sho earned one shilling a week, and having failed with the help of three shillings a week from the parish— out of which she paid two for rent—to keep body and soul together, gave it up as a bad job and died. The doctor found her lying on a bed which was " only a bundle of rags, in a filthy condition and covered with vermin." On the post-mor-tem examination "not an atom of food was discovered inker stomach and intestines." A feuT of- those luxuries-—a little of that wine—a shilling or two out of the money given by a paternal Government to Messrs. O'Donovan. Rossa and Co., would have saved her life; but neither Amelia Vernon or Catherine Crawley had broken the lavys of tlieir country, and thus entitled. thein.~e-lves to sharo in the benefits to bo derived from the " healing process." If, however, after the lesson conveyed by this magnificent treatment of the Fenians, the poor choose to starve in future they will have no one but themselves to blame.