222 THE CONTAGIOUS TYPHUS 



meditating mischief, so that in this instance, 

 the privilege of immunity has been given to 

 the brute creation. Everybody, both in Eng- 

 land and out of England, admires their vigour 

 and despatch in stifling the insurrection in its 

 bud. But why not act with equal promptitude 

 in the case of an epizootia ? 



Arming itself, in this manner, in the public 

 interest, and with sufficient power, the Govern- 

 ment might have appointed an executive com- 

 mission, with the Lord Mayor as president. 

 Such a commission would have applied itself 

 at once to the consideration and studious ex- 

 amination of the subject in all its bearings, 

 and would have proposed prompt and energetic 

 measures, which the Government, with equal 

 despatch, would have confirmed by giving to 

 them the authority of law, as they have since 

 tardily done. A fund, which, for the wealth of 

 England, would not have been considerable, 

 250, OOO/. the cost of a few Armstrong guns 

 might have been placed at the disposal of 

 this Board, to enable its directors to meet and 

 provide for, without delay, every just claim 

 and want arising from the scourge. 



An auxiliary commission, exclusively medical, 



