Chamberss Edinburgh Journal, No. 435 | Page 3

therefore, very
properly insisted on forcing this benefit upon the proprietors of horses
generally. Can we doubt that a similar policy might be followed with
the like good consequences at all times, and with regard to the
habitations of men as well as horses?
It would thus appear, that men may really be allowed a too undisturbed
repose in their views and maxims, and, if always left to seek their own
interests, would often fail to find the way. If, indeed, it were true that
men are sure to find out their own interest, no country should be behind
another in any of the processes or arts necessary for the sustenance and
comfort of the people; whereas we know the contrary to be the case. If
it were true, there should be no class in our own country willing to sit

down with the dubious benefits of monopoly, instead of pushing on for
the certain results of enlightened competition. It could only be true at
the expense of the old proverb, that necessity is the mother of invention;
for do we not every day see men submitting idly and languidly to evils
which can just be borne? whereas, if these were a little greater, and
therefore insupportable, they would at once be remedied. An impulse
ab extra seems in a vast number of instances to be necessary, to
promote the good of both nations and individuals. Now, whether this
shall come in the ordinary course of things, and be recognised as
necessity, or from an enlightened power having a certain end, generally
beneficial, in view, does not appear to be of much consequence,
provided only we can be tolerably well assured against the abuses to
which all power is liable. It may be well worthy of consideration,
whether, in this country, we have not carried the principle of Laissez
faire, or leave us alone, a little too far in certain matters, where some
gentle coercion would have been more likely to benefit all concerned.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The idea of this article, and the above facts, are derived from a
valuable memoir just published by the Board of Health, with reference
to the practical application of sewage water and town manures to
agricultural production.
[2] We understand that this has been the case with factory-owners at
Manchester who have applied the smoke-preventing apparatus. The
saving from such an apparatus in the office where this sheet is printed,
appears to be about 5 per cent.; an ample equivalent for the outlay.

MONSIEUR JEROME AND THE RUSSIAN PRINCESS.
On arriving at Blois, I went to the Hôtel de la Tête Noire--a massive,
respectable-looking building, situated on the quay nearly opposite a
bridge that crosses the river to the suburb of St Etienne. The comfort of
the rooms, and the excellence of the dinners that succeeded one another
day by day, induced me to stay longer than I had intended, and

rendered me spectator and part-actor in an adventure not uncommon in
French-land. My apartment was numbered 48--by the way, who ever
saw No. 1 in a hotel, or upon a watch?--and next door--that is, at No.
49--dwelt a very dignified-looking gentleman, always addressed as M.
Jerome. I often take occasion to say, that I pique myself on being
something of a physiognomist; and as I have been several times right in
my judgment of character and position from inspection of the
countenance, the occasions in which I have been mistaken may be set
down as exceptions. M. Jerome at once interested me; and as I was idly
in search of health, and had taken care to have nothing whatever to do
but to kill time, the observation of this gentleman's appearance and
manners naturally formed a chief part of my occupation.
I began by ascertaining exactly the colour of his eyes and hair--nearly
black; the shape of his nose--straight, and rather too long; and would
have been glad to examine the form of his mouth, but a huge
moustache hanging over his lips in the French military style--see the
portrait of General Cavaignac--prevented me from ascertaining the
precise contour of what one of my old philosophers calls the Port
Esquiline of Derision. M. Jerome was, upon the whole, a handsome
man, with a romantically bilious complexion; and the expression of his
large dark eyes was really profound and striking. His costume was
always fashionable, without being showy; and there was nothing to
object to but a diamond ring, somewhat too ostentatiously displayed on
the little finger, which, in all his manual operations, at dinner or
elsewhere, always cocked up with an impertinent 'look-at-me air,' that I
did not like. When, indeed, this dandy walked slowly out of the
dining-room to the door-step, and lighted his cigar, the said little finger
became positively obnoxious; and