The Express. — London, England, 1853-09-21 00:00:00

to street them. A telegraphic despatch to the constable it Buiews caused their deten!its there; but he was over 'lo by such p oopous U. S. calkers, and they were allowed to gl szain. After their departure, the fugitive, Meek' to co me out th , to again, waded some distance up stream and gat out above, and waa found by some coloured women fiat on kis face lea curls field. The women carried hint off to ,p. A ce dressed his wounds, and at night he will be fat on his way toward Canada. Such art he plain, unvarnished facts. Yen cannot over state the bifi.drity of the scene, the excitement of the people, or tha ferocity of the slave-catchers, but, having rtceL tly klt *tie rigours of the Fugitive Slave Law here,• then was a meneral fear of the officers, who bullied aad brow•beat a r one who venture,' to speak above his breath, tu bas*, • rtsionally, "Gentlemen, you can have hint ILr 1,00.) 4 1: iss! but we are U. S. officers; resist us at yaw peril." • • - - . - W. felt soaamed of our country, and almost looped to be in Aust:-..i or Russia, where human rights ate more Twitted. 'thing in Mrs. Stowe's work equalled this in the bra y displ dby this Peonsylvenia marshal and the Tir: ala sleso•'lunten. !lad some bold spirit led the way, eit.aeas would have demolished them on the spot. As it is, the remit has been good. Tin bloodthirsty villains were " property " escaped (thciagh probably a cripple f a life, if indeed he does live, for ha was quite biht headed daring the day), and there has been DIMS anti -slavery :e.liag elicited, and more hatred to the Fait bee Slave Low wowed, than could have been dol.* with year. 01 lat , lnt I Of addresses It it rurally supposed that a person here, who has been tugged is 'he slave-hunting busineu before in this town, mil now (es he has bees for years) under bonds to keep the peace, has ; !armed and been at the bAtom of the whole of it, though since his appointment to a ma,l route Mkt.. Which be wis too ignorant to CI, he has been anxious to appear a • more rupectsble ; and, in order to blind the people, rel,st d to assist in the above case when called upon —is vain attempt, however; the circumstances were too clear agait.t L:m.—Youn. T. 8. • A Mr. Macey was arrested and fined rant summer for shielding a aloe. trbe Court. BALMORAL, Strr. 18. Her Majisty and Prince Albert dined yesterday at Abageldie with the Duchess of Kent. A &pestle's from the Commissioners of Customs, eon iistag ul a ILight Hon. U. R. Dawson, Via-Chairman of Customs; Dr. M'Williara, Medical Inspector of Customs; and Mr. Wiliam Smart, Inspector of the River ; attended the General Board of Health yesterday, at their offices, Whitehall, upon an invitation fur • conference on the MUM of pr.tection practicable to be given to crews and passespn on any outbreak of epidemics in the ports. LEICEsTER G,i()L I.VQI:IRY. The eo:nuainsionere appointed to inquire into the trrement of prisoners in the Leicester County Prison opened the commission at the Castle of Leicester on Mon day, and t'.ea prnceeded to inspect the prison. The inquiry commenced on Tuesday morning, and the' governor of the gaol, Mr. W. Musson, was examined at considirarc length, and his examination is expected to be mimed this day (Wednesday.) The chaplain, the Rev. W. Fox, was also partially examined as to various entries in his journal, but at the adjournment of the inquiry for the day his examination was not concluded. From the examination, as far as it has gone, it appears that crank !Amr is required to be performed by all pri• noun sentenced to hard labour ; that adults are required to perform 14,4C0 revolutions per day, and boys 9,0G0 ; that it bad been customary to appor tion those revolutions to various parts of the day, and the meals of the prisoners were withheld if those revolutions were not performed. Other punishments in flicted is lie prison are confinement in light cells upon bread and water, in dark cells, and whipping. The strait waistcoat, straps, and collars were used in caw of insanity et violence, but only for restraint, and not as punishment. /dr. Musson, said one of the warders, named Godfrey, would be aLle to give more information on these subjects than be cou.d. The inquiry would be resumed at eleven o'clock this meraing. HEALTH OF LONDON DURINO THE WEEK. The official report is as follows : The mortality in London trod all causes (or the week endinglthe 17th Sep tember was 019 ; in the former week 1,013 deaths were regis tered. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1843-52 the ge number was 1,053, which, with a correction for incre ass of population, becomes 1,158. The deaths returned fjr last week arc therefore 209 less than the cor rected avenge, and 66 less than those recorded in the previous week. Cholera was fetal to 16 peril's', 0 males and 7 females, showing an increase of 9 fatal cases com pared with the preceding week. Twelve deaths from rho. lees occurred on the north and l on the south side of the Thames, 9 in children wrier 15 years of ago, 6 in adults of 15 and unit, r GO, and one at the age of 71 years. The number of deaths by cholera in corresponding weeks of the 10 previous years was 11, 3,1, 2,6, 7, 839, 2,7, 8, and from the week ending July 2, in the present year, 3,6, 9,4, 19, 10, 18, 16, 7, and 16 fatal cases were registered. Four of the 16 deaths are described as " Asiatic," varying in the duration of the attack from 7 to 44 hours. The deaths frora diarrhcca were 131, being a decrease of 53 on the previous return, and 14 below the cor rected ge of the corresponding weeks of the put 10 years. Lust week the births of 816 boys and 690 girls, in all 1,506 children, were registered in London. In the eight corresponding weeks of the years 1345-52 the average num her wu 1,310, At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height tithe 'barometer in the week was 29187 in. The mean temperature of the week was 57• G deg., which is slightly slave the average of the same week is 38 years. The highest temperature of the week was 73.0 deg., and oc curred on Saturday; the lowest was 40-5 deg., and occurred on Wednewlay. The direction of the wind was variable, at the average rate of 51 miles a day, The electric condi tion of the atmosphere was positive on every day of the wick escept Monday. THE 11 - AuEs MOITHENT. The strike of the dyers at Manchester is daily as suming a more desperate character, and cases of violence are reported almost daily. On Monday evening Mr. Crab t►ee, a master d sr, had a Lugs paving stone thrown at him *UK passing a ong Ancosts-street, and has since offered a risme of 201. for the discovery of the offender. A respect ably dressed woman was brought before the magistrates also yeste►day for throwing at the son of an operative dyer, sad calling him " anobstiek." The magistrates are re solved to do their utmost to check such proceedings, and committed the woman to hard labour for fourteen days. The following placard issued by the trades union of dyers bespeaks their determination not to hesitate even at extra ordinary means to deter workmen from accepting work at the shops of the proscribed masters. "Caution.—The dressers, dyers, and finishers from the country districts are hereby cautioned against taking the situations of the Manchester dyers, who are now on strike for an advance of wages of Gd. per day." . . " By order of the Dyers' Council, " THOMAS Witvsrr, President. " Jolts Teua, Secretary." Ise an address to the public the dyers only justify one of the acts of violence hitherto charged against them, deny it; the others. The charge of attempting to burn down a dye•house they eharaeteri•e as a " dodge," which no one credits, resorted to for the sake of counteracting public sYlxfsathy towards them. They have now been on strike eleven weeks, sad have only received 2,000/. in subscrip tions, but declare their int.ntion to persevere, &scribing the operatives with which their late employers are now rapidly filline their workshops as " a few hundreds of worthless, half-starved wretches, got together by decep h in, bribery, and other means, whose average wages will my their employers not less than 30s. per week (i.e., much in excess of the prices the turnouts dem►nded), because 94 out of evi ry 100 are incompetent to execute the work." They psis, the wisdom of the master skein dyers, who have raised their hands 1.; per cent., whil►t the lustian djers have tad no advance for twenty years past. Prol:►llLE LOSS 01 LlFE.—Yesterday moment a fire, which there is no doubt will be attended fatal re.ults, ►rake out in the premises numbered 6, Larlotte-huildiari, Gray's•inn-lane. It appears that the boom RSA I , 't out in separate tenements to various families, and tlis front room, second floor, was occupied by an old man narne , l Cornelius Carroll. The fire broke out in 'his room, and was confined to it, very little damage being done to property, but the =unmet was so severely burned, IL: no hopes are entertained of his recovery. THE CHOLERA. GENERAL BOARD OF IIEALTIL—NOTIFICATION. (FrAs 164 Night's Gasete.) General Board of Health, Whitehall, So ember 20, 1353. _ _ _ It is the painful duty of the General Board of Health to notify a third visitation of epidemic cholera. This disease, again first breaking out in Persia, has ex tended within the present year over a large portion of Rus sia, stretching as far northwards as Archangel, on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. It has ravaged Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and then developing itself in the north of G,rmany, it has attacked Stettin, Berlin, Itotter d►m, and 11 ,mburg ; and subsequently it boa appeared in England, again breaking out on its north-east coast, in the near neighbourhood of the town in which it made its first appearance in this country in 1831. In this wide-spread course it hu everywhere overleaped the barriers which quarantine boa erected to stay its pro gress ; and where this mesas of protection has been melt rigidly enforced, it has not only disappointed the ezpeLta tau of those who have relied upon it as a safeguard, often to the neglect and exclusion of the most important priciu ties', but has aggrarited the evils of the pestilence, and added disastrous consequences of its own. The eel:enema already obtained of this pestilence at Newcastle, 0 iteshead, end Heehaw is d .cisive, that where the conditions are favourable to its local:se:ion and develop ment, as is the ease in thesitowns, the disease hes lost nothing of its former virulence. In the two former, indeed, the severity of the disease, as far as it has yet extended, has gr.atiy exceeded that of any former visitation, and it has attacked in all those places, es it has abroad, a much larger proportion of the middle end higher classes. It is deeply to be lamented that the interval between the la•t visitation of this pestilence and the present has not been generally employed in effecting a larger amount of im provement in our cities and town:. From such inspections as the (haunt Board have recently been enabled to make of the state of populous districts, the former seats of the disease, in apprehension of its re-appearance, they are com pelled to state that there are extensive districts, and even entire towns, in which no perceptible improvement of any kind has been 'Gelid. Oa the other hand there ere in stances in which, even where no general permanent works of improvement h►ve been effected, better supplies of water, extensive flagging end paving, more frequent scavenging, and a more active removal of nuisances in epidemic localities have been accomplished. Combined and permanent works, involving elaborate engineering measures, capable of remedying the neglect of years, Cannot he effected in a few weeks. But the consciousness of past neglect should stimulate to immediate and resolute exertion, that all which the time requires and which can be done may be done. The results in some instances, even of limited and partial improvements, are highly encouraging. During the present epidemic in Hamburg, which has now been prevailing upwards of six weeks, only six cues of cholera have occurred in the improved parts of the town ; and 1 1 during the whole of the epidemic in the metropolis in 1519, not a single ease of cholera occurred in any one of the model dwellings fur the poor, occupied by similar classes of the population, though the pestilence raged in the districts in which these buildings ant situated, and there were in stances of two and even lour deaths in single houses close to their walls. Even in towns in which the greatest amount of improve ment has been effected, and in which works under the Public Health Act are most advanced, much remains to be done, and may be done. Local boards of health are in vested under the Public Health Act with ample powers fur cleansing, for the removal of nuisances, fur preventing the carrying on of unwholesome or noxious trades in such a manner as to injure health, for preventing the occupation of cellars as dwelling-houses unless under certain conditions, for preventin.; the occupation of any dwelling-house which, on the certificate of an officer of health, shall appear to be in such a filthy and unwholesome state u to endanger the health of any person, until such house shah have been pro perly and effectually whitewashed, cleansed, and purified, and for administering the Common Lodging Howes Act, the provisions of which are most important. All those powers should be exercised at the present juncture with ex traordinary activity, vigilance, and stringency. But though it may be needful to prosecute the work of cleansing more vigorously than in ordinary periods, yet it should be done under supervision and with extraordi nary care. In removing accumulations of filth precautions should be taken for disinfection and for preventing the ia crease of noxious evaporatioa. The contents of foul drains, sewers, and ditches should in no case be spread upon the surface, and no large accumulation of filth should be re. moved, excepting under the direction of a medical officer. The escape of noxious effluvia is far more dangerous in an epidemic than in an ordinary season. The evil of overcrowding, so general not only in common lodging-houses but in tenements of all descriptions occu ' pied by the poorer classes, especially by the Irish, au evil preventible and to a considerable extent removable, should be at once and by all practicable means reduced. ' Wherever local boards of health exist, they should in all cases co-operate with the boards of guardians, and it is believed that the boards of guardian, will, on their part, co-operate with local boards. The existing means for the extraordinary service now required are divided amongst independent local jurisdictions; medical officers in England and Wale* being under boards of guardians ; works of sewage and cleansing in towns, not under the Public Health Act, being under town commissioners acting under local acts; and the enforcement of orders required for the public service being with the magistrates or muni cipal authorities. It is confidently expected that a common feeling will ;tiro precedence to the branch of service spe cially needed on this occasion, and ensure that unity of action which it is the main object of the rules and regula tions issued herewith to authorise and promote for the common object. Experience has shown that in the ease of the actual outbreak of the epidemic, the chief measures to be relied on for checking its spread are these which prevent over crowding, remove _persons from affected houses, and bring the infected population under prompt and proper treat ment during the premonitory stage of the disease. During the epidemic of 1849 an organisation for effecting these objects was brought into operation, the main parts of which were the establishment of a system of house-to-house visitation, the opening of dispensaries and houses of refuge in affected districts for the gratuitous supply of medicines, the establishment of houses of refuge for the reception . . of such indigent persons as appeared to be en im r mi- Dent danger, resident in the most filthy and over crowded houses, the provision of temporary hospitals for the reception of those who could not be properly treated at their own homes, and in some instances the supply of tents for the removal of the moot susceptible and destitute classes to a distance from infected localities. The result of this system was, that out of 130,000 premoni tory cues brought under its operation, no fewer than 6,000 of which were on the point of passing into the developed stage, only 260 went into the collapsed stage of cholera, or one en 520. But of the 43,737 cases under visitation in the metropolis, including 078 cases on the point of passing into the collapsed stage of cholera, only 62 actually did so—not 1 in 800; to that taking together the general result of this extended experience, it appears that the proportion of cues under early treatment which passed from the premonitory into the developed stage varied from 1 in 500 to 1 in 800. No doubt is now entertained of the efficacy of this system, or of the duty of local authorities to carry it into effect on the very Gist appearance of this disease in an epidemic form ; and, as none can tell where or how suddenly the pestilence may alight, it is the duty of local authorities to be prepared fur the emergency before its arrival. Prepara tion will be attended with little cost ; the power to act with promptitude and efficiency when the necessity for action arises will be attended with a great economy of money as well as of life. With reference to those precautions against tho disease which each individusl may take for himself, or the heads of families or establishments for the under their charge, _ . . . the first in imprtance are personal aad household cleanly: sees, and the freest ventilation of living and sleeping 11001111 with pure air ; the purity of the air we breathe being even mare essential than the wholesomeness of food and drink. When the disease has actually broken out and become epidemic in any district or locality, then the one essential precaution is not to neglect for a single haus any degree of looseness of bowels. This symptom being commonly with out pain, and so slight that it is difficult to conceive that it can be of the smallest consequence, naturally leads to neglect, and this neglect has cost the lives of thousands. Were any additional proof of this required it would be found in the events that are now occurring at Newcastle and Gateshead ; all the medical men there bear testimony that premonitory diarrhao is all but universal, and that life depends on instant attention to this symptom. Thus, one physician says, " lie has layer yet seen a use without premonitory symptoms;" another states, " lie has found in a great number of instances where the men said they had been first seized with collapse, there had been neglected diarrhtna for 24 or even 4S hours, or longer ;" THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, another declares, " In all cameo! collapse investigated, it is found there had been neglected diarrbora." Even in the cues in which death takes place with the greatest rapidity, the suddenness is apparent only, not real; for the fatal collapse is the final but gradual result of diarrbees neglected for several hours, and sometimes entire days. It must, then, bo repeated, that in any district in which cholera is epidemic, life may depend on obtainiag prompt and proper relief for painless and apparently trifling looseness of the bowe.s. TIN measure of precaution nest in importance relates to the proper regulation of the diet. Great moderation, both of food and drink, is absolutely essential to saf•oty during the whole duration of the epidemic period ; an act of indis cretion has been often followed by a severe attack ; intem perance at such a time is fraught with the most extreme danger. During the epidemic of 1819, sudden and fatal attacks of the disease followed immediately on the iudul gence of habits of drinking after t►e rectipt of weekly wages. The intervals between the meals should not be long ; cholera being uniformly footed to prevail wit► ex traordinary intensity among the classes that observe the protracted fasts coulmon in Eastern and some Eutop•an countries. The utmost practicable care should be taken against fa tigue, which is a very powerful predisposing cause of the disease. Employers and persona engaged iu laborious oc cupations should endeavour as far as possible o to ar range the amount and time of work as to avoid physical exhaustion. Warm clothing is of great importance. During the pre sent epidemic in Homburg, it has been found that incau tious exposure to cold and damp has brought ou an attack as rapidly as improper food or excess. This precaution against damp is rendered doubly important by the pecu liarity of the present season. Long-continued and exces sive rains have in many places surcharged the ground with moisture, especially undrained and low-lying dis tricts, placing in many instances the land eon tiguous to towns, and beyond the usual range of town drainage, almost in the condition of marshes. Tho exhalations arising from a surface thus satu rated often with water, holding decomposing matter in solution, spread to the towns and affect the inhabitants, however well drained the immediate sites of the towns may be. The General Ward were so apprehensive that disease would be extensively produced by this unusual and don• gcrous state of a large portion of the country (an apprehen sion which was subsequently realised by the breaking out of disease, allied in character to cholera, in sixty towns), that in their notification, issued in December, 1852, they repreeinted to local authorities that this calamity afforded a special occasion for administering extraordinary assistance to the poor, to enable them to keep large fires in their rooms, to protect themselves from cold and dump by warm clothing, to sustain their strength by a solid and nutritive diet, and to counteract the predisposition to disease induced under these peculiar circumstances, by suitable tonics and other reme dies, under medical direction. This representation was made when there was a threatening of the return of cho lera ; it is now amongst us, and the General Board would remind the affluent, that the opportune supply to their poorer neighbours and dependants of wholesome food, warm clothing, and bedding, and even such remedies (to be always in readiness) as their medical attendant may re commend for looseness of bowels, is charity in the truest sense, and may be the means of saving many lives. It is also much to be desired, and the General Board would strongly recommend, that the higher classes should co-operate with the clergy who have done so much to promote the object of the legislature under the Public Health Act, in making frequent ♦nits among the poor, and impressing upon them the importance of following the instructions here laid down, with reference to which there is a perfect accordance between the College of Physicians and the General Board of Health. In conclusion, after the large experience of this disease which has been obtained since the General Board of Health issued their first notilicatioa (1849), they can now repeat with greater confidence what they then urged, that, formid able as this malady isle its intense form and developed stage, there is no disease against which it is in our power to take such effectual precaution, both as collective communities and private individuals, by attention to it in its first or pre monitory stage, and by the removal of thou agencies which are known to propagate the spread of all epidemic diseases, or where that may be impracticable by removal from them. Though, therefore, the issues of events are not in our hands, there is ground for hope, and even confidence, in the sustained and resolute employment of the means of protection w►ich experience and science have now placed within our reach. By order of the General Board of Health, (Signed) CHARLES MACAULAY, Secretary. NEWCASTLE. (From the Board of Ilegth.) BErnsIBER. 19. DEATHS IN NEWCASTLE. Cholera Diarrhoea Total lOO DEATHS IN G kTESLIEAD. Cholera Diarrhosa T0ta1.... Two of the most overcrowded churchyards were closed on Saturday, on the official requisition of Mr. Grainger, and three others will be closed under the Provincial Interments Act of last session, by Dr. Sutherland, the officer charged by the Home-office, under the act, to inspect and report on burial grounds. Oue of the most overcrowded of the many overcrowded lodging-houses having been certified by Mr. Grainger and Dr. Hector Gavin, who has been sent to Newcastle by the General Board to assist Mr. Grainger, to be unfit for human habitation, has been closed, and its inmates removed to the House of Refuge. It is to be earnestly hoped that the same course will be taken with other houses of the same character when the tents which were yesterday despatched have been made available. An aunt of the mayor of the town has fallen a vic tim to the epidemic, which, among other indications of its unprecedented virulence, attacks the upper and middle as well as the lower cl asses. Mr. Grainger has to-day arrived in London for consultation with the General Board of Health, leav ing Dr. Hector Gavin in charge of the arrangements at Newcastle, with Dr. Waller Lewis, both of whom had very great experience under the General Board in the outbreak of 1848 and 1849. The regulations and directions of the Board, issued by authority of the order in council, under the Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act, 1848, have been signed, and will be found in a notification on the epidemic in the London Gazette. We have heard of no welt-authenticated case of Asiatic cholera in Manchester but that reported in these columns on Monday; but reports are rife of other cases having been encountered by medical men in their private practice, and one was mentioned yesterday as having taken place in Manchester and another in Salford. A meeting is to be held to-morrow morn-, ing at the Town-hall, Manchester, of tbo leading professional men of the city to consider what steps should be taken under present circumstances, and it is probable that they will call the attention of the authorities to the subject and make some sug gestions. They are acting at present in connexion with an independent body called the Sanitary Asso ciation, supported by private and voluntary means, and this body arc contemplating the circulation of handbills from house to house describing the premonitory symptoms of the disease, and cautioning those seized with them not to neglect early medical advice. Meantime the Sanitary Committee of the Town Council, and a similar committee appointed by the board of guar dians, are actively engaged in the best way their judgments point out. Iho former body have had an unusual number of complaints made to them from private individuals of bad drains and similar nuisances in cottage property, and the inspectors aro engaged in reporting upon them and serving notices, under the special powers placed in the hands of tho corporation by local and other acts, for the removal of such causes of complaint. They have already succeeded in compelling the abatement of nuisances from chemical works in Red Bank, Beewick, Union bridge, and other densely populated neighbourhoods. In one closely populated part of the town was a manure manufactory, which was an intolerable nuisance, and had to bo wholly removed. So far as the poor are concerned, it will be learnt with pleasure from tho statements of the medical officers of the union there is a very small amount of sickness among the poor. In the district where fever prevailed most largely in Ibl7, and where diarrhoea and cholera were most 21, 1853. bons fa other countries which have failed—to liberties which hays. flourished for a time, and bace decayed, or with out bringing their fruits to maturity. Ent the difference between those ee, entries and this is, that tbe.•e is here such a temperate enjoyou'rit of freedom—such • tos.hearinee in pushing rights to extre.'nity, such a well-considered appre ciation of the value of liberty, the institutions derive all their force and all their grandeur from the character of the people among whom they are introduced. (Loud cheers.) It is thus that if I at any time have been enabled to add to the privileges, to add to the power of the people, I have felt at the moment, and I have been confirmed by experience since, that I was adding at the same time to the strength and security of the throne. (Cheers) I am sure, gentlemen, that such will continue to be the case, and that while you value and esteem those privileges which you enjoy, and those privileges which you may hereafter obtain, you will at the same time consider that it is by the temperate use of liberty, that all these privileges can be best maintained to a remote posterity. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, your provost has alluded to measures which have been under discussion with regard to the extension of the principle of representation and measures with regard to the extensicn of the freedom of commerce. (Loud cheers.) lam happy, at least, to say, without entering into any argument upon these subjects, that your address confesses the increase, I should not say confesses, but rather loudly proclaims the increase of the prosperity and happiness of the people— (cheers)—and thereby at the same time proclaims that those measures were not ill devised, and have not been unsuc cessful. (Cheer.) Gentlemen, with regard to the future, although I may take but fur a short time any farther part in the deliberations of parliament, I trust that much that excited party dissension and heated discussion having passed away, that much which was matter of doubt having been settled, there will be, with regard to future measures, if not an absence of party—and I dou't expect any time when t►ere shall be an absence of party in this country, or when honest difference of opinion should not be expressed ; yet I trust there will be that agreement that the course of legislation may be still farther conducive to the happiness of the people at large. (Cheers.) And let me say, however important the questions that we have discussed in past years, and it would be difficult perhaps to find • time in the history of any country, when so many measures of importance have been obtained, without convulsion and without revolution, as have been obtained and established in this country since 1833. (Loud cheers.) I say, while this is the case, there still remains much fur the consideration not only of all statesmen, but of all men who are lovers of humanity, of justice, and who have a regard to the welfare of their countrymen. It is thus with regard to legislatures as the poet describes it with segard to the traveller in a mountain country. Although you seem to have mounted a considerable ascent, there are still farther ascents before you— Hills rise on LIMN and Alps on Alps arise. (Cheers.) There is no time—l contemplate no time—in which there will not be much for an enlightened and be nevolent legislature to discuss, to arrange, and to esta blish. Very unfortunately, the very increase of civili sation, the very gatherings together of population, which are the fruits of industry, of commerce, of nourishing manu factures, and increased trade, bring with them their attend ant evils; end while we are occupied—while many benevo lent men are occupied—in extending into remote regions the light of Chriatianity, there are too many almost at our own doors, who, from the imperfection and the deficiency of education, on the one hand, and from the crowded and ill.ventilated dwellings which they inhabit, on the other, are almost as much deprived of the means of obtaining re ligious knowledge and instruction us the heathen in the must distant lands which our devoted missionaries have visited, and where they have been ready to sacrifice their lives in the promotion of Divine truth. (Cheers.) Well, gentlemen, but these questions give rise to numerous and im portent matters, upon which men again may differ, but upon which I hope the c:nclusion to which they arrive may be conducive to the happiness of our countrymen. (Loud I cheers.) I will not give any opinion upon these questions, I will merely glance at their nature. Our very fre.dom stands in the way of many regulations, which of themselves are beneficial. While in a foreign country, where despotic rule prevails, you find that there is an obligation to provide fur the good ventilation, for the en-del-big and maintenance, by measures of police, of that which contributes to the health of the population of a city; our people, naturally—l must say I find no fault with such jealousy—object to the interference of any central authority ; and when the mat ter is left to their own government, they do not always provide those measures which it is for the good of our people they should provide. (Cheer.) What should be the limit ? Should you interfere ? What should be the mea sure of interference ? How far can you limit the freedom of the people in this respect? How far should legislation Leo introduced into such matters? These are important ques tions which the legislature should consider. Then, in regard to education, what vast matters are opening, upon which men of the greatest intellect have already given their opinion to the world ! Can we rely upon the volun tary efforts of individuals in order to provide sound edu cation for the people at large ? Should you interfere, as the government of America has interfered, in order to provide education ? If you do interfere, how far should you insist that it should be a religious education? Can you, on the other hand, provide a secular education, and leave others, the ministers of religion, to give religious instruction ? I only glance at these questions in order to show that there are weighty matters still for the con sideratian of the legislature and statesmen, and I only pra to God that they may be resolved in a manner be fitting the intellect, befitting the character, befitting the spirit of an enlightened and a constant people. (Loud cheers.) Let use only say, that while these matters of internal legislation are of the utmost im portance, while they must occupy from day to day the minds and the time of those who are called to represent you in the Commons House of Parliament—while there are other questions of internal legislation, likewise of vast importance, upon which I have already for my part, given my opinion, that further measures ought to be adopted, it is also to be considered, and I trust we shall none of us forget, that this country holds an important position among the nations of the world. (Cheers.) It is not once but many times she has stood forward to retina oppression, to maintain the independence of weaker nations, to preserve to the , general family of nations that freedom, that power of go verning themselves, of which others have sought to deprive them. (Loud cheering.) I trust that character will not be forgotten, will not be abandoned by a nation which is now stronger in means, which is more populous, more wealthy, than she has been at any former period. This, then, you will agree with me, is not a period to abandon any of those duties towards the world, towards the whole of mankind, which Great Britain has hitherto performed. Let us per form them, if possible, by our moral influence—let us per form them, if possible, while we maintain the inestimable blessings of peace; but while we endeavour to maintain peace, I certainly should be the last to forget that if that peace cannot be maintained with honour it is no longer peace—(applause)—it becomes then but a truce, a preca rious truce, to be renounced by others whenever they may think fit—(cheers)—whenever they think an opportunity has occurred to enforce by arms their unjust demands either upon us or upon our allies. (Much cheering.) I trust, gentlemen, that so long as I can bear any part in the public councils of this kingdom, such will be my *eel nienU, and such will be my conduct. Happy I am to find that you have done me the honour to signify your agreement with me in these sentiments. I shall conclade, therefore, thanking you again for the great honour that you have done me, by saying that I shall remain attached to that cause which has been expressed in plain words—in that which used to be the toast at oar dinners, wherever Englishmen were met, namely,—. The cause of Civil and Religions Liberty . over the world !" (Cheers.) I trust that wh the influ ence of Great Britain extends, that cause will be male taiued b,y her. 1 feel it is her sacred function; and when she lets fall that standard from her hands, she will no longer deserve to bear her pert in the concerns of the world. (Loud and continued cheering.) Mr. Dt.thine, M.P., moved a vote of thanks from the in habitants to the Provost and Corporation, for having paid so just a tribute to one so honoured, and so deservedly honoured, as the noble lord, and for haying permitted the community to witness the gratifying proceedings. The proposal was carried by acclamation. The ',win Painosr having acknowledged tho compli ment, the meeting separated. EXPLOSION or G.ts IN A SLWER.—A shocking accident occurred on Monday in the main sewer beneath John-street, America-square, Minories, by which the lives of two men have been placed in imminent peril. It ap pears that for the last few days a most noisome effluvium has been emitted from the gratings of the sewers in the neighbourhood of the Minories, and two of the subterra nean workmen, named Thomas Folley and George Ward in the employ of the commissioner of sewers, were sent down to clear away any rubbish that might have accumulated. It is customary for one of the foremen to admit the underground workmen and to give them instruc tions to proceed to a trapdoor at another point. The fore man went to the trap appointed, but the two men not answering to the call he proceeded to another in Caoper's row, Crutchedfriars, where he found the two unfortunate men in a most exhausted condition and so severely burnt that it was with much difficulty they were got to the sur face. On being questioned as to the nature of the accident which it was evident had taken place, they stated that they had proceeded in the direction pointed out, when, on reach ing the old sewer beneath Jehn.street, they found the air in that spot highly impregnated with carburetted hydrogen gas, and had only time to discern its presence when it ex ploded with a terrific report that stunned them, and on their recovery they found themselves severely burnt and scarcely able to reach the outlet where they were extricated. They were immediately removed to St. 13artholumew's Hospital and admitted to Itahere's ward, but the injuries sustained are so extensive that no hopes arc held out of their surviv ing. It is supposed that they bad incautiously opened their lanterns, and the naked light coming in contact with some gas that had escaped trout the main pipes, caused the cis rbsion. SIIREWSII.I. - RI AND BIRMINGHAM RAILIVAY. Yestet day t h e thareholciers met at 12 o'clock, at r the purpose of heari ng th e resu lt the London T avern, 1 :2 of the poll on the offer, made by the Great Western Corn ecial meeting h e ld on t h e ll t h. psny, and discus se d at t h e at . The chair was taken by M r . h. ILL. Mr. SCOTT, one of the se ru ti nee . s. stated that there bad not becc time to examine the promi. a ` 4 Waed an ad journment to the 30th inst. Mr. BASER, another scrutineer, confirmel 14:r. Scotra statement. A conversation ensued, in the course of which Mr. Scott intimated that, as far as he cou:d judge, there was a I'M general assent on the part of the shareholders to the ?rt . - position made to them. Mr. SAS NDE us, secretary of the Great Western Company deprecated delay as tending to prolong the contest; and asked whether two or three hours would not suffice to enable the scrutineers to complete their task ? Mr. SCuTT said he theugtat . t at it the meeting sr, re ad journed till 3 o'clock, the scrutisteers would thee be able to speak more specifically. . . . . The meeting was accordingly adjourned till that hour. At 3 o'clock the shareholders re-assembled, Mr. Hill again in the chair. Mr. SCUTT said the scrutineers had nothing posi.ive to announce. Ile was happy to report, however, that so far as they had been able to proceed, there appeared to be a majority in favour of the offer of the Great Western Com,- ' pony ; and he was bound to add that from ccmmunications he had had with shareholders, he inferred that the real ' majority, as indicated by the general expression of feeling, wes considerably larger than it appeared on the votes. This being so, he, for one, had decidedly made up his mind to adopt the opinion of tke shareholders. (Cheers.) lle was I not fund of halfmeasures. If he opposed the proposal he should do so with all his energy; and, in like manner, if Ins did not oppose it, he would exert himself to carry it out. (near, hear.) The main object was to withdraw from evils which had been inflicted upon them by contests; and he accepted this proposal—end it was, he believed, accepted by those with whom he acted—as the means of putting an end to such contentions. (Cheers.) They would be totally regardless of their own interests, and that of those with whom they veers connected, if they did not do all in their power to cause it to be fully and fairly carried out. Ile wished to express his entire reliance on the honour and good faith of the great Western Company ; and he hoped thty would carry out their proposal in the open and candid monuer in which it appeared to have been made. Relying upeu this niece than on anything that was written, be looked leeward to the future, sanguine that the prosperity of the railway was from that day secured. In reply to questions, Mr. Score stated that the terms of the Great Western off, r were a guaranteed dividend of .31 per cent. from the Ist of January, 1851, together with half the eureka pro fits ; and that it had been arranged that the •ix iiirectors, who would, in the ordinary course, retire by rotation at the rueetin4 on the 30th ino., shoted rot offer themselves for re-election, bat that others should be chosen in their stead. Mr. KENNEDY wished to know whether, in case the Gnat Western Company failed to obtain a bill in the next session, it would renew the applicatisn in succeeding ses sion•, until one had been obtained. One or two other proprietors bating asked fur informa tion on this point, The CAII llt , lAN said the iharcholders bad the guarantee of the Great Western Company, which would continue till the bill was obtained. A PRoratfron. believed the company would not be able to obtain the 3} per cent. until the bill was passed. (licar.) It could not legally be paid. The CHAIRMAN then moved that the offer made by tho Groat Western Company of 31 per cent. and half the sur plus profits be accepted, and toot power be given to the directors to take steps for carrying it into ell'eet. This motion was seconded by Mr. MALIN,, and passed unanimously. The CHAIRMAN observed that the warfare was now , ended, and he hoped the proceedings of the company would I in future be marked by peace and gaud will. Thu meeting then separated. It ought to be mentioned that no numbers were an nounced and none could be obtained. All that could be ascertained on the subject was that there was a conriderable majority in favour of tho offer of the Great Western Com pany. LONDONDERRY AND COLERAINE RAILWA The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this railway wee held yesterday at their others,leman•strect buildings ; Capt. WARREN, R.N., the chairman of the board of directors, in the chair. The SECRETARY read the report as follows :—" Your directors have to report that your railway was opened throughout, from Londonderry to Coleraine, oe Monday, the llith of July last. The main line bring 33 mile', and the breach to Newtown•Limavady 3 miles, giving a total length of 36 miles. The stations are, as yet, but tem porary, and the sheds fur goods incomplete ; but measures are being taken for putting the latter into a state suitable for accommodating the trade of the coming season. The 1 passenger traffic has already given very satisfact or y r esu lt s , I while from the character of the line, presenting, as it does, scenery perhaps unsurpassed by any railway in the United Kingdom, and from the fact of that great natural curiosity, ' the Giant's Causeway, being within nine miles of Cole ' raine, your directors confidently anticipate that, inde pendent of the ordinary passenger trade for business pur , poses, there will annually be a large receipt from pleasuro and tourist traffic. Partly from the want of accommoda tion, reported in a preceding paragraph, hut chiefly from the time of year at which the opening to Coleraine took place, there his yet been little merchandise or agricultnral produce brought on the line, but as the flax and grain markets and the general autumn trade are now about to commence, your directors look to the goods traffic as a source from which must arise a large addition to the weekly receipts. The re venue statement appended hereto shows the working only from Londonderry to Newton-Limavady, the opening to Coleraine having taken place subsequent to the date to which the accounts are made up. You will perceive that this natant has not been charged with the expense of management and office salaries, the object being merely to show the receipts and the strict working expenditure. It is at the same time satisfactory . to observe, that even tipOit this partial opening there is a balance of profit on the working. :Your directors have to report that the bill for tho extension line from Coleraine to Castle-Dawson, as approved Ly the proprietors at the special general meeting on the 20th of May last, has passed into law. Anxious for the early development of the traffic from the entirely new country which will be opened up by this line, having regard to the movements of other parties, and to the future position and prospects of the line, your directors, after full deliberation, came to the conclusion that the interests of the proprietors required them to take immediate steps for commencing the construction of the Castle-Dawson extension. The worship ful the Ironmongers' Company, of London, the owners of • considerable length of property upon the extension, having agreed to give their land upon terms most liberal on their part and highly advantageous to this company ; and having, in other respects, practically shown their desire to further the success of the undertaking, your directors, subject to your approval, have made all accessary arrangements for at once proceeding with the first section of the line—namely, from Coleraine to Agivey-bridge, • length of 71 miles, having in the meantime taken upon themselves the responsibility of the purchase of land. Your directors, in their last half-yearly report, and at the specie! meeting, laid before you their views of the importance of the Castle Dawson extension as giving, by means of the Cookstown extension of the Belfast and Ballymena, a through communication between Londonderry soil Pelfast, securing a future direct outlet from Coleraine to Dublin, and opening up the Valley of the Bann and almost the entire length of the county to the port and city of Londonderry. Further examination has satisfied them that this extension will be profitable in itself and bring a valuable additional traffic over the present line. The question of bringing upon your line the traffic of an important portion of the county of Donegal was alluded to by your directors in their last report. They propose to effect this object by means of a branch line, three miles in length, from your al agalligan station to the point of laud at the entrance of Lough Foyle. Sir H. Remy Bruce, Bart., the owner of the property through which this brunch passes, having given the necessary land upon liberal terms, the works have been commenced; and, being of an extremely light and inex pensive character, a very short time will euttice tor their completion. By menus of this branch a largo teethe, not previously calculated upon, may reasonably be anticipated train the immense, and now almost unapproachable district of Innishowen. The eligible sites for watering places afforded by your railway, both on the main line and on the Donegal shore, in connexion with the Magilligan branch, have attracted attention to the subject in such manner as cannit fail, ere long, to ensure front this source a new item. of profit, while the inexhaustible deep-sea fisheries along this portion of the coast may, in addition to the large sal mon fisheries of the Foyle and the Bann, be made a valu able accessory to your traffic. Na agreement has yet been come to with the Post-office authorities respecting the con veyance of the mails, but negotiations are now pending which your directors hope will be productive of results pro fitable to this compauy, affording inc:easect postal accommodation to Coleraine and the other localities served bs your line, and securing suitable coach communication between your terminus at Cole raine and the Belfast and 1104-men& Railway. I Front the several sources above specified, as well os from. the steadily progressive extension and certain early com rallecintiTleinme,avrabiaseht o l; u :hn r ca d il i kt r t r i ators feel that a and would beg you I be given to promote that object, and to procure fur you a fair return upon the .capital invested in the undertaking. I to ire line: s oist t ntiur aC : s ft ilot u hei i r te e ehm d rMeea t dy h iLd a bl: f n t dy b i nd:enaui dist r icts tie s srr e tafr Yr a ci il l rcw o ty u rao s yud: raoyni bur, e unceasing 'trot ta will The accounts showed a total receipt on account of capital of 465,1211., and a balance in hand of :40441. 2s. Gil. The revenue account showed 'a total receipt of 1,8861.3e.11., and an expenditure of 1,501/. 14s. 3d., leaving a balance hie hand of 3841. Bs. 10d." . _ The rcprrt was unanimously agreed to. Messrs. Warren, Tyrell. and Gil:more were :Ilan re elected directors, and Mr. Fuller auditor. ALEXANDER TON HUMBOLDT accomplighed his 81th year on the 13th init. The great traveller is in the full enjoyment of health and vigour. rife in 1849, there is now an unprecedentedly small • amount of sickness. In Salford the Board of Gnar -1 diaos have appointed a sanitary committee, who have issued notices cautioning the public against Ineglecting the usual means of warding off the fatal disease. WOOL WICII. Two cases have occurred on board the Dread nought hospital-ship, moored off Greenwich, and lumpers were sent up yesterday to lay moorings for the Hebe, receiving ship, which has been lent by the Admiralty for the purpose of being used as an aux iliary hospital chip for cases of cholera. A severe case also occurred to one of the men of the Woolwich division doing duty at Deptford, but he has fortu nately recovered. LElCESTElL—Fortunately for the inhabitants of Leicester, some of its Bonitos,' conditions are superior to those existing in other towns. We have no cellar-dwell ings —the people live aboveground. The houses aro not huddird together—they lie on the wide area of surface. Several families do not live in one dwelling—each family I (with a few exceptions) has a cottage of its own, however small or humble. Oa the two occasions when Asiatic cho lera has committed ravages in ueighbouring towns, Leices ter has enjoyed an immunity f rom i ts attache . — Leicester CAronirle. BIRMISCHAM.—From inquiries we have made we have gratification in stating that at the present time Bir mingham is peculiarly free from contagions or infectious disease. No doubt at this peculiar period of the year—the fruit season—tharrLma is at the best of times prevalent. That there have been fatal cases recently is no leas true ; but i• is highly gratifying to be able to state that the attacks and the fatal issues hitherto this year have been Ina than in former years, when no apprehensions of cholera existed.— Birmingham Journal. CAIILISLE.—CarIisto is in some measure secured against any extensive outbreak, iu consequence of the sys tematic labours of the Board of Health, who will be ready to put in force the powers at their disposal tor the abate ment of any nuisance that may have escaped the observa tion of their otticen. There has, we ate informed, been one solitary cue of cholera in Carlisle—that of a sawyer in Carlisle-court, Blacktriers-street, who died after 17 hours' illuess.—Corlisle Journal. FORM OF PRAYER AGAINST TIIE CIIOLERA.—An Order iu Council will forthwith issue fur a f•:rm of prayer, to be prepared by the Archbishop of Canterbury, against the prevalence of the cholera, to be offered in all churches as soon as possible. LORD JOHN RUSSELL AZ' GREENOCK. On Monday, an address was presented to Lord John Russell, by the Town Council of Greenock. It had been intended to present the address to his lord ship in the Town Hall, but in consequence of the numerous applications for admission, the corporation wisely deter mined to avail themselves of the ample accommodation of the Mid Church (Rev. Dr. Brown's). Tho doors of that edifice were accordingly thrown open at 11 a.m. All the seats were speedily occupied by respectably dressed ladies and gmtlemen. On the platform we observed Provost Martin ; A. Murray Dunlop, Esq., M.P.; Major Darroch, of Gourock and Drums; Sheriff Marshall; l'rovost Phil lips, of Paisley; Provost Birkmyre, of Port-Glasgow ; Pro vost Houston, of Renfrew ; and Lorne Campbell, Esq. The magistrates (in their chains of office) and members of council of Oreenock, viz., Dailies Spier', Campbell, til'llwraith, and Neil. ; Treasurer Sword; Councillors Ar buckle, Caird, Steele, Shaw, Kerr, Sellars, Hamlin, Had dow, Robert Mac& of Airds, and Ballantyne ; and the Water Truttees, viz., Walter Service, Esq., John Hunter, Esq., William Curtis, Esq., Robert Blair, Esq., Hugh Ritchie, Esq , James Lang, Esq., Hugh Cameron, Esq., and Andrew Laing, Esq. ; John; Kerr Gray, town clerk ; George Williamson, procurator (seal; John Adam, town chamberlain ; Robert Steele, Esq. of Knock, Andrew An derson, Esq., Dr. Malian Hill, T. 0. Hunter, Esq., Thomas Turner, Esq.; John Miller, Esq.,W. Macfie, Esq. of Lang. house, Rov. Dr. Brown of Mid Chum's, Rev. Dr. M'Cul. loch of West Church, Rev. Mr. Morton, Rev. Mr. Laughton, Rev. Mr. Stark, Rev.:Mr. Boner, George Blair, Esq., Donald M'Doneld, Esq., Neil Campbell, Esq.. Archd. Denniatoun, Esq., Thomas King, Esq., Robert Wright, Esq., Charles C. Scott, Esq., John Scott, jun., Esq. Lord John Russell, who was accompanied to the platform by his youthful eon, arrived from Roseneath a few minutes before 12, a government screw steamer having been placed at his lordship's disposal by the Admiralty. His lordship's appear►nce on the platform was hailed with much enthusiasm. His lordship having been seated, - - Provost MARTIN immediately proceeded to present the address. In doing so he said—My Lord, the Town Council of Greenock are greatly honoured by your presence this day, to receive the address which they desire to present ex pressive of the high consideration with which, in common with their townsmen, they regard your lordship. (Cheers.) The numerous and important measures which, during your public career, you have either urigiraited or supported, may not have met with unanimous approval, nor in a free country, where every citizen forms and may express an independent opinion, was this to be expected. But, ;however they may differ on questions of policy, the British people never fail to recognise and to reverence high moral principle, and this, in your lordship's case, has secured to you the respect and esteem of all parties. (Great cheering.) The principles of civil and religious liberty which hare been long and success fully advocated by your lordship may new be upheld with out the hazard of personal danger. In put times it was far otherwise, and it is to the lasting honour of your illustri ous house that in the day of need it gave to this great cause one of its noblest martyrs. (Cheers.) Thanks to your lordship, and to others at kindred mind, both in our own and in earlier times, the safeguards of freedom have been established on a basis that we may hope cannot be shaken. When your lordship carried yourgreat =num of Parlia mentary Reform, :there were gloomy forebodings of evil re suits ; but it mast be a source of just pride to you that these have proved to be unfounded, and your own sanguine expectations have been realised; for, while neighbouring nations have been convulsed by insurrection or revolution, the people of this country have kept their onward course, not destroying but ameliorating.the institutions. This con trast, so favourable to us, ought to reconcile those who were hostile to your measures, and should cause us to mourn that so many nations are not blessed with like happy privileges. (Cheers) Commercial freedom has likewise been extensively promoted by your lordship, and although ' there was diversity of opinion on this subject elm, it is pos sible other causes may to some extent have contributed their aid. I do not think it can be denied that to the com prehensive reform of our commercial laws and of the prin. ciples of taxation must be attributed in a great meuuro the present unexampled prosperity and comfort of all classes. (Renewed applause.) My lord, I will not detain you longer by alluding to other questions of progress, which have derived advantage from your lordship's support; but, rejoicing that it has fallen to my lot to represent the corporation and inhabitants of Greenock on this occasion, pray that you may long continue to adorn the high station you occupy, and that yeti may be long spared to maintain the honour and the liberties of this empire, and to pro mote the prosperity and happiness of a grateful people. (Much applause.) - The Town Clerk then real the address, as follows: " To the Right Hon. Lord John Russell. " My Lord,—We, the provost, magistrates, and council lors of the town of Greenock, in council assembled, avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded by your lordship's tem porary residence in our neighbourhood, to express the deep respect which we entertain for your lordship's personal character, and for your distinguished talents as 14 statesman. It has been your lordship's eminent distinction to contri bute to the freedom, the prosperity, and the happiness of this empire in a manner worthy of the illustriouse house from which you are descended, and to which England is so largely indebted. In the midst of party conflicts, it must be gratifying to your lordship to feel assured that the purity of your motives, and the enlarged views and , high spirit by which you are actuated, are not only fully appreciated, but have secured to your lordship the lasting gratitude of your country. We thank your lordship fur the great services you have rendered to the cause of civil and religious liberty ; and we only give expreseioa to the universal public feeling when we pray that your lordship may be long preserved by Divine Providence to be a bless ing to this nation. " Signed in name, and by appointment, of the magistrates and council, and the seal of the burgh affixed hereto, at Greenock, the 6th day of September, lBs3.—Jour Maas xis, Provost." Lord Josue RUSSELL, who appeared in the enjoyment of the most vigorous health, end who was loudly and most enthusiastically cheered, spoke as follows:—Provost and gentlemen of the Council, it would be difficult, indeed, for me to express in words the gratitude which I feel for the honour that you have this day done me. I can only say that, I trust, in a mare expressive manner than by words— by my public conduct —I may continue to deserve the approbation end good opinion of cities and communities such as this. (Cheers.) You have done me the honour of saying that it has been my lot to contribute to the liberties, ' the happiness, and the prosperity of this country. I feel deeply such a compliment. I cannot but look back at the time when I first entered Scotland, and had the ad vantage of receiving part of my educat:on under distin guished men in the metropolis df your country. (Cheers.) At that period there was nothing like real representation of the people of this part of the United Kingdom—those ex ceptions of popular election which prevailed elsewhere did not find their place in Scotland, and the freedom of the press was a mere name; for Ido not remember that there was any newspaper at that time which really conducted public discussions with freedom and with openness. (Cheers.) I cannot but 1.,0k at that time to congratulate you, and to congratulate myself, that times are so greatly altered. (Cheers.) Your provost has alluded to jollity.-