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community by the establishment of the first and second charges, after a protracded
investigation.
The third change, that of the Old Ford water being the principal, if
not the sole cause of the Cholera "explosion," was not made clear by the
evidence, though the allegation was warmly taken up and conclusively adopted
by this distinguished officer of the Royal Engineers. And here, while
engaged in hearing evidence on the epidemic, and the causes thereof, it
would occur to many to ask the gallant Captain that while so "on duty,"
whether he would have been any less pleased with his achievements, in having
a scientific physician at his elbow, if merely as his assessor, seeing that
without some such professional adjutant whatever he might think, say, or
do, about the Cholera, would have about as much force as a discourse of his
on the plagues of Egypt; and that in this department his competency would
be precisely on a par with the influence of a drill sergeant fresh from the
regimental school, marching in, certificate in hand, "highly commended?"
As it is there is one parallel on record, that of a Field Marshal, as a mark
of autocratical favour, who found himself one morning gazetted in one of the
learned Universities, to the professorship of Hebrew, Sanskrit, and Japanese
literature. It would be a startling announcement, yet quite in keeping, for
an M.D., with a sanitary reputation, to be picked out for the investigation of
a zymotic outbreak, say, on the coast of Essex, and receiving his instructions
thus: —"In aiming to discover the origin of this epidemic, you will not
overlook the habits, pursuits, and character of the inhabitants; you will especially
Have your attention directed to the drainage of the town; the state
of the water supply will not fail to call forth your best consideration, and
be guardedly precise on the matter of ventilation. This accomplished you
will thereupon proceed to report upon the most formidable instrument of
modern warfare; in this department of your duty you will carefully avoid
being influenced by the experience of practised artillerists as simply resulting
from tho prejudices of education; particularly that of the Royal Engineers,
as calculated to be detrimental to the public service; and in this way
assuming a dignified and independent action, you will be better enabled to adjudicate
on the numerous claimants for excellence amongst the competitors
at Shoeburyness."
That the Commissioner on the supply, the quantity and the quality of