The Sun. — London, England, 1850-12-26 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS-DAY in the WORKHOUSES. Yesterday being Christmas-day, the poor in the various metropolitan and suburban workhouses were regaled with an extra allowance, in accordance with the decisions of the respective boards of guardians, whilst the out-door poor in many instances received additional assistance in money and kind, so as to enable them to participate in the enjoyments and festivities of the season. The following report will be found to contain not only a succinct detail of the Christmas-day fare allowed by the guardians of the respective parishes and unions to the poor inmates of the workhouses, but it shows the number in each, distinguishing the adults from the children, as well as the sexes of the inmates, compared with th e n u m b e r i n th ose esta blishments at the corresponding period last year; as also (where the returns could be obtained) the number of out-door poor. The gross number is summed up at the end of each report, with other interesting particulars. ST. MARYLEBONB.—Inmates of the workhouse and infirmary, Christmas-day, 1850, 1,741 (last Christ mas• day the numbers were 1,989, and in 1848 no less a number than 2,222), viz , males, 697 ; females, 1,044; of infants under two years of age, there are 99. In infant school, 60. In the boys' school, 159 ; in girls' school, 152. The Christmas-day fare is !Vb. of roast beef (free from bone), 11b. plum pudding, 1 pint of porter, with br ea d, potatoes, and other vegetables, with loz. of tea and of sugar extra to each adult. The adults who used it were provided with tobacco and snuff, and the children regaled in the evening with oranges, nuts, sweetmeats, &c., pro vided for by a subscription amongst the guardians. The Christmas pudding for the inmates of this large establishment consists of upwards of two sacks of flour, one quarter of a ton of fruit, together with suet, lemon peel, spices, &c. in proportion. The guardians attended Divine service in the chapel, and were pre sent, with a large number of ladies and gentlemen, to see the inmates sit down to their substantial dinner. The number of out-door poor this year is 4,731, being in the ratio of 1 in 22, as compared with the population of Marylebone. Last year the number of out-door poor in this parish was 6,500, and at Christ mas 1848, as many as 7,280. Gross number at pre sent receiving relief, 6,472. Total receiving relief last year, 8,489. Thus it will be seen that there is, as compared with last year in this parish, a decrease in the in• door poor of 248, and in the out-door poor of no less than 1,769. Total decrease of pauperism in Marylebone, and a consequent reduction in the rates of upwards of one shilling in the pound, 2,017. ST. PANCRAS.—lnmates of the workhouse, 1,350 (last Christmas-day 1,320) ; adult males, 440; females, 650 ; children, 260. The inmates were re galed with ilb. of roast beef, free from bone, with 1 pint of porter, bread and veget a bl es , t o e a c h adult, with an extra allowance of tea, sugar, &c. ; 251 be. of tobacco has been provided for those who smoke, and snuff for those who like to take it. The children were fed at discretion, and partook of fruit and sweet meats in the afternoon. The financial condition of this parish has, under the new management, adopted within the last two or three years, flourished in a most extraordinary manner, the principle now adopted being the abolition, except at the option of applicants for relief, of the workhouse list and a more extended principle of out-door relief. As a:proof of the success of this principle, although the authorities have had to pay 5,000/. or 6,000/. for the erection of a splendid in dustrial training school for boa s during the year, and have reduced the rates from 16d. to lid. in the pound, they have a rest of upwards of 7,000/ at their bankers, and there is a probability of the rates being reduced another penny or twopence in the pound. The diminution of pauperism has evidently in this instance resulted from the improved state of trade. A large number of ladies and gentle men and ratepayers, as well as the guardians, at tended to see the Christmas fare distributed at the workhouse. The pudding was pronounced excellent; and the children, who had tastefully decorated their hall in the industrial training shool with mottoes and evergreens, sang some very pretty and appropriate pieces of music. The whole arrangements reflect the highest credit on the authorities and on Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, the master and matron of the establishment. Out-door poor, 5,000 (last year, 7,054); increase of in-door poor, 30 ; decrease of out-door poor, 2,054. Sr. JAMES'S, WESTMINSTER.—Inmates of work house, Poland-street, 596 (last year, 700); viz., men, 187 ; women, 327 ; boys, 60 ; girls, 13 ; infants, 9. The whole of the i nma t es rega l e d w ith roas t beef, baked potatoes, and plum pudding, and every person above the age of sixteen one pint of porter in addition to what they usually have. The children to have tea and bread and butter at five o'clock ; and on boxing day to have buns, apples, and oranges, &c. Oat-door poor about 600 (last year 700). Decrease of in-door poor, 104, and out-door poor 100. Total decrease, 204. Total receiving relief, 1,196. ST. MARY ABBOT'S, KENSINGTON.—Inmates, 263 (last Christmas, 313). Males, 72 ; females, 115 ; children, 76. Fare—Half a pound of roast beef of the best quality, one pound of baked potatoes, three quarters of a pound of plum pudding, and one pint of Barelay's porter. Out-door poor, 900 (last year 1,481) From what fund this number of poor is sup ported is a mystery, for the master of the workhouse "is happy to state at the present time there is no need of a poor-rate in Kensington." Decrease of in-door poor, 50 ; and of out-door, 581. Total decrease, 631. ST. MARY, ISLINGTON.—In this parish, in which there is at present a spirited contest going on, result ing from mismanagement, not only with regard to the poor but in every other department, and where at this moment the authorities are endeavouring to fix upon the ratepayers a rate of no less.than 3s. 81 in the pound, the number of poor in the workhouse is 360 (last Christmas the number was 420; viz , males, 132 ; females, 216 ; children, 12). In addition to which there are 90 boys and girls at the Islington Infant Establishment, Park-house, Hackney (last year there were 120 children at the latter establishment) ; thus showing a decrease in the children's department of 30, and in the workhouse, 60. The Christmas day fare is 6oz. of roast beef, free from bone, with bread and potatoes, llb of boiled plum-pudding and 1 pint of London porter. Die number of out-door poor is under 1,000. Total decrease of pauperism, as compared with this period last year, 90. ST. MARY, LAMBETH.—The inmates of the work house of this extensive piri.h ameunt this year to 935, viz., men, 380 ; women, 494 ; boys, 34 ; girls, 27. Last Christmas the number was 1,028 ; m-3n, 424; women, 526; bus ; 39; girl, 39. In the pa rochial establishment . , belonging to the parish at Nor wood, the children amount at present to 4E4 (in 1849 they were 494), thus showing a decrease in the workhouse establishment of 93, and in the infant es tablishment of 40. Christmas fare-6ez. of baked beef free from bone, with baked potatoes, lib. of boiled plum-pudding, and 1 pint of porter, with 1 pint of tea morning and evening for all. Number of out-door poor this Christmas, 4,543 (last Christ mas, 5,773, the decrease of in -door poor, 133 ; decrease of out-door poor, 1,230. Total decrease of pau perism in Lambeth, as compared with lastyear, 1,363. ST. MAUI", NEWINGTON.—Inmates of the work house (this Christmas), 374 : viz., men, 148, women, 190 ; boys, 17; girls, 19 (last year there were men, 144 ; women, 191; boys, 16 ; girls, 13 ; total, 364). The Christmas-day fare for adults is— roast beef, baked potatoes, plum-pudding, and 1 pint of Huggins and Co.'s porter for dinner. In the afternoon each adult will receive 1 ounce of tea, 8 ounces of sugar, and 6 ounces of butter ; to all who smoke, an ounce of tobacco and a pipe ; and to those who take snuff, a like quantity of that article. The children in the workhouse have the same fare, with tea in the afternoon. There are also 160 children at Grove-hall establishment, Brixton-hill (Drouett's), regaled at the expense of the parish with roast beef plum-pudding, porter, fruit, &c. (last year the num bers were 180). These children are at present farmed out, but in the early part of the ensuing spring they will he removed to the newly-erected infant schools on Wal worth , common (situate in the parish), and erected to contain 300 children. The present number of out-door relieved adults, exclusive of children de pendent on them, is 1,240. There is a decrease on i a-door poor of 10, and on out-door poor of 188 ; total decrease, 198. ST. MARY, ROTHERIIITHE. - Inmates of work house, 226 :—viz., males, 71 ; females, 96; children, 5 9 (last year, males, 72 ; females, 107 ; children, 71 ; total, 250). Th e a d u lt s regaled with roast beef, plum pudding, and 1 pint of ale each, with potatoes, none weighed on that day. The children at discre tion. Tobacco and snuff for adults, oranges and apples for children. The number of out-door poor not stated, but they receive no extra allowance. Decrease of inmates as compared with last Christ mas, 24. ST. GILES'S, CAMBERWELL.-- Inmates of work house, 400 men, 107 ; w omen,ls6; children, 147 (last year, men, 105 ; women, 155 ; children, 139 ; total, 389). Christmas fare to inmates over 16 years of age-Baz. of roast beef, lib. potatoes, lib. plum pudding, 1 pint of porter; inmates under 16- 2oz of meat and pudding less. For supper—tea, bred awl butter, to every inmate, anJ, by the kind ness of the guardians, snuff, tobaaeo, uranivs, nod nuts in oddirion. Out-dolr poor, 1849---men, 431 ; women, 865; children, 1.218 ; total, 2,504. Oat (low- poor, 1850—men, 407; women, 729; children, 1,203; total, 2,339. Increase of in-door poor, 11 ; decre2ie of out-door poor, 175,- total &crease, 164. Crri OF LONDON UNION.—The number of adult toor in the new and splendid establishment, Bow road, including about 50 children, is this Christmas 250 (last year 900 adults). The children belonging to this union are placed at the Central London Dis- trict School, (A.ubitis), Westow- hill, Norwood, consisting. of 1,000, of which number 250 be long to the city of London. The Chilstmes fare is roast beef, plum pudding, and a pint of beer each adult, and the children at Nor wood the usual fare given at that establishment, where all the children belong to the City of London THE SUN, Union, West London, East London, and St. Saviour's Unions-not farmed as formerly. The out-door poor is 3,300 (last year about 3,000). Each has one shilling in addition to the weekly relief, besides the gifts they obtain from the various parishes through out the union. Decrease in in-door poor, 50; in crease in out -door poor, 300 ; total increase, 250, as compared with last year. ST. GEORGE'S IN THE EAST.-State of the house, Christmas-day, 1850:-Men, able-bodied, disabled, old and infirm, 207; boys, 40; women, abled- bodied, disabled, old and infirm, 458 ; 27 ; total in the workhouse, 712 ; children at Mitcham, 208 ; lunatics at Peckham, 62 ; total in-door poor, 982 (last Christ mas, men 209, boys 31, women 425, girls 20 ; chil dren at Mitcham, 62 ; total, 950). Christmas fare : roast beef, plum pudding, and potatoes ad libitum, with 1 pint of porter each, and tea and sugar. Chil dren at Mitcham, similar fare, with fruit, nuts, &c., instead of porter. Out-door poor, 1,049 (last year, 1,841); total receiving relief, 2,031. Increase on in door poor, 32 ; decrease in out-door poor, 792. Total decrease, 760. STRAND UNION.-Number of inmates at present, 491 :-viz., males 194, females 257, children 164 (last year 644) ; children at the new establishment, Mil field-house, Edmonton. Christmas fare : boiled pork, peas pudding, and potatoes; also lib. of plum pudding each, and 1 pint of porter to each adult. No return made of out-door poor. Decrease, as compared with last year, 153. ST. MARY MAGDALEN, BERMONDSEY.-Inthates of workhouse :-181 men, 226 women, 91 boys, 84 girls ; total 582 (last year 627, viz., 172 men, 245 women, 100 boys, 110 girls). Christmas-day fare : roast pork, potatoes, and plum pudding for dinner, with a pint of Barclay's porter each adult. Oranges and sweetmeats to the children. Out-door poor 1,157 (at corresponding period last year, 1,486). Total receiving relief, 1,739. Decrease of in-door poor, 45; decrease of out-door poor, 329. Total decrease, as compared with last Christmas, 374. WANDS WORTH AND CLAPHAM UNION. - inmates, 407. Men, able-bodied, 21 ' • temporarily disabled by sickness or accident, 62 ; old and infirm, 125 ; youths from 7 to 15 years, 7 ; boys from 2 to 7 years, 12 ; women, able-bodied, 9 ; temporarily disabled, 63 ; old and infirm, 82 ; girls from 7 to 15 years, 7 ; from 2to 7 years, infants, 17 (la - r.t Christmas 476). At Industrial School at Penge: Boys, 41 ; girls, 28 ; total, 69. Christmas-day fare : 1 Ib. of roast beef without bone, lib. of potatoes, lib. plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter. Aged inmates are supplied with tobacco and snuff, children oranges and nuts, and all the inmates tea in the afternoon. No return of out door poor. Decrease in in-door poor, as compared with last year, 69. HOLBORN UNION.-Inmatas of workhouse, 673 :- viz., 190 men, 288 women, 195 children (last year, 702 ; viz., 202 men, 287 women, 213 children). Christmas-day fare : rounds of salt beef and potatoes, plum pudding, and 1 pint of porter for each adult, end half a pint to each child. Number of out-door poor this year, 1,565 ; last year, 2,173. Total receiving relief from the union, 2,238 (last year, 2,875). De crease in in-door poor, 29; and in out-door poor, 608. Total decrease of pauperism, 637. ST. GILES-IN-THE FIELDS AND ST. GEORGE'S, BLOOMSBURY.-State of house this year, 752 :-viz , men, 219 ; women, 391; boys, 65 ; girls, 63 ; infante, 14 (last Christmas, 765). Fare, of roast beef to each adult, llb. to children, alb. plum pudding, in fants, 4oz. beef; potatoes ad libitum. No return as to out-door poor, Decrease of inmates as compared with last year, 13. Sr. MARTIN'S-IN-TUE-FIELDS.-InMateS of the workhouse, 667. Men, 187 ; women, 388 ; children, 92 (last year, 645). Christmas-day fare : 11b. of roast beef, lb. of plum pudding, ilb. potatoes ; one pint of porter for each adult, half the quantity for each child, with tea and sugar for the aged and infirm. Children at Norwood, 161: viz., boys, 87; girls, 74. Out-door poor : men, 102 ; women, 207 ; children, 231. Total, 540 (out-door poor last year, 600). otal receiving relief, 1,346. Increase in in-door poor, 22 ; decrease in out-door poor, 60. Total decrease, 38. %VEST LONDON UNION.-Inmates, 411 :-viz., males, 151 ; females, 205 ; children, 55 (last year, 496: viz., males, 162; females, 247; children, 87). Christmas-day fare : roast beef and potatoes, plum pudding and porter. No return of out-door poor. Decrease in in-door poor, 85. POPLAR UNION.-Inmates of workhouse, 540 :- men, 169 ; women, 196; boys, 95 ; girls, 80 (last Christmas, men, 170 ; women, 198 ; boys, 110 ; girls, 96; total, 574). Christmas-day fare : roast or baked beef, with vegetables, and plum pudding. No return of out-door poor. Decrease, 34. ST. SAVIOUR'S UNION.-Inmates, 450 :-males, 145 ; females, 269; children, 36 (last year, males, 152 ; females, 265 • children, 22 ; total, 439). Christmas dinner : Plum pudding, roast beef, with potatoes cooked under the meat, and a pint of Barclay and Perkins' best porter. Out-door relief : males, 84; females, 322; children, 393; total, 799 (last year, 1,024). Total receiving relief, 1,249 (last year, 1,463). Increase in in-door poor, 11. De crease in out-door poor, 223. Total decrease, 212. WuITECLIAPELUerorn-In the workhouses :-men, 208 ; women, 416 ; children, 372 ; total, 994 (last year, 1,013). Christmas fare, baked beef and pota toes, with beer, &c., for dinner. Out-door poor :-- 2,229 men, women, and children (last year, 2,253), to whom relief in kind is given to the extent of 401. 6s. 71d. ; money, 621. 6s. 9d. ; total, 1031. IE. 4kd. Totat receiving relief from the union, 3,223 (last year, 3,366.) Decrease in in-door poor, 19; decrease in out-door poor, 24 ; total decrease, 43. STEPNEY UNION.-Number of inmates in the four workhouses of this union, 252 males, 470 females, and 423 children ; total, 1,145 (last year the numbers were, males, 281; females, 492 ; children, 436; total, 1.209). Inmates regaled with th e g oo d o ld English fare of roast beef, potatoes, plum-pudding, and porter ; the children, apples and oranges instead of beer. Of the adult iu-door poor, 246 males and 405 females are receiving relief on account of mental or bodily infirmity, sickness, or old age. Number now receiving out- door relief, 3,849 (last year at corres ponding period, 3,869). Decrease in in-door poor, 64; decrease in out-door poor, 20; total decrease of pauperism in the union, 84 ; total receiving relief, 4,994. The Registrar-General estimates the present population of this union at 107,408. - BRENTWOOD UNlON.—Number in the house, Christmas, 1850:—men, 129; women, 145; children, 138 ; total, 409 (last year, men, 135 ; women, 133 ; children, 142 ; total, 410). Fare to each inmate 8 oz. roast beef; lib. of potatoes, 11b. plum pudding, and 1 pint of good beer. Tea to all in the evening, with snuff to the aged and fruit to the children. No return of out• door poor. Decrease, as compared with last year, 1. ST. MATTHEW, BETHNAL GREEN.—lnmates Of the new workhouse establishment, Bonner's Hall fields : men, 230; women, 290; boys, 99; girls, 81; total, 700 (last year, men, 273 ; women, 324 ; boys, 126 ; girls, 113: total, 836). Christmas-day fare : a liberal allowance of roast beef, plum pudding, and ale. Out-door poor, 665 (last year 732). Total receiving relief, 1,394. Decrease of in-dour poor, 136. De crease in out-door poor, 38. Total decrease, 164. EDMONTON UNlON.—lnmates of union, 340, viz., males, 196 ; females, 144 ; children at Enfield (last year 410). Christmas-day fare : 6 cz. of cooked beef, with potatoes, 1 pint of porter, and 11b. of plum pud ding each. No return given as to outdoor poor. Decrease of pauperism as compared with last year, 70. ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR, SOUTHWARK.—Num ber in the house, 552—viz., men, 156 ; women, 202 ; _ _ boys, 124; girls, 70. (No return was given last year.) Christmas dinner : roast beef and plum pudding, with vegetables, and 1 pint of porter each. CENTRAL LONDON DISTRICT SCHOOL (late Infant Pauper Asylum, Norwood).—lnmates about 1,000 children, belonging to the City of London Union, West London, East London, and St. Saviour's Unions. The children regaled at the expense of the unions with roast beef, pork, mutton, and plum pudding, and with tea, coffee, &c., in the evening. One thousand is the average number of children in this establishment. ST. LUKE'S, CITY-RoAD.---Inmates of workhouse, 534 (last Christmas, 561) : viz., 128 men, 251 women, 90 boys, and 65 girls. The inmates were regaled with 8 oz. roast beef (free of bone), 12 oz. potatoes, 16 oz. plum pudding, and 1 pint of ale. Children in pro portion. After dinner the children and sick patients, with the aged and infirm, were supplied with oranges, and the rest of the adults with tobacco and snuff. The churchwardens, overseers, and guardians were present with their families during dinner. The num ber of out-door poor at present is 991 viz., 127 males, 390 females, and 474 children (last year 1,123). Decrease in in-door poor, 27, in out-door poor 132: total decrease, 159. Total receiving relief, 1,525. Children's Establishment (Chase-side, En: ileld).—The inmates are 175, consisting of 5 men, 18 women, 86 boys, and 66 girls. The children re ceived :—For breakfast, 1 pint of milk porridge and 5 oz. of bread and butter ; dinner, -Vb. plum pud ding, 6 oz. baked beef and vegetables; supper, milk and water, and 5 cz. bread and butter. GROVE-HOUEE ESTABLISHMENT (BRIXTON IIILL). —Tile only inmates of this estAblisliment, all of whom b,lorg, to the parish of St. Mary, Newington, are -86 boys and 66 girls; total, 152 (last year, 176). Tot Christmas fare :—roast beef, potatoes, and plum pudding, ad libitum, with cringes, nuts, Ste., after dinner. Sr. LUKE, CIIELSEA.—This parish allows to its inmates, as before :—viz., to the adults, 11b. of roast beef of superior quality, 11b. potatoes, ilb. of plum pud , lieg . , and 1 pint of Barclay's porter each. The children at the master's discretion. Total number in the house, 396 (Inst year, 507; decrease, 111). Of this 396 there are—able-bodied men, 35; tempora rily disabled by sickness or accident, 23; old and in firm, 106; boys, 21. Women — able - bodied, '22; temporarily disabled, 13 ; old and infirm, 147 • girls and infants, 29. Out-door poor 826 ; weekly re cipients (last year, 976), decrease, 156; casuals, LONDON, 1,115 (last year, 1,870), decrease, 755; making a total decrease of .in and out door poor of 1,022. I ! Chelsea forms part of the North Surrey District School, situate at Penge, on the London and Brighton Railway, where there are 110 children; lunatics at various asylums, 60. From the foregoing statements the gratifying fact is elicited that there is a vast decrease in pauperism, as compared with the returns of the previous year, taking the entire metropolis, little less than 30,000. It will also be readily seen that there are from 80,000 to 100,000 in the receipt of parochial relief. The parishes of St. George (Hanover-square), Clerken well, the East London Union, St. Leonard (Shore ditch), St. Margaret, and St. John, and one or two others, are omitted in consequence of the want of courtesy on the part of the masters of the workhouses in not having complied with the request for infor mation. THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 26, 1850. side of the room was another seat more elevated for the Inquisitor-General, called the Throne of Judgment ; and there were lower seats for the fathers. From this chamber we passed to the right and found small cells extending the wholc length of the edifice. But what a spectacle pre sented itself to our oyes ! How the beneficent religion of the Saviour had been outraged by its pro fessors ! These cells served as dungeons, where the victims of the Inquisition were immured, until death relieved them from their sufferings. Their bodies were left there to decompose, and that the pestilential smell might not incommode the inquisitors, ven tilators were made to carry ,it off. In the cells we found the remains of some who had died re cently, whilst in others we only found skeletons chained to the floor. In others we found living vi, tims of all ages and all sexes. Young men and young women, and old ixen up to the age of seventy, but all as naked as the day they were born. Our soldiers first busied themselves to free these cap tives from their chains, and then took off part of their clothes to cover them. After having visited all the cell=, and opened the prison doors of those who yet lived, we went to visit another chamber on the left. There we found all the instruments of torture that the genius of man or demons could in vent. At this sight the fury of our soldiers could no longer be contained—they cried out that every one of these inquisitors, monks, and soldiers, should undergo the torture. We did not attempt to prevent them, and they immediately commenced the work upon the persons of the fathers. I saw them employ four kinds of torture, and then withdrew from the frightful scene, which lasted as long as there was a single individual in that antechamber of hell upon whom the soldiers could wreak their vengeance. When the victims of the Inquisition could be brought without danger from their prison into the light of day, the news of their delivery spread abroad, and those from whom the Holy Office had torn their relations or friends came to see if there was any hope to find them alive. About one hundred persons were rescued from their living tombs and restored to their families. Many found a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister. Some found no one. A large quantity of powder was placed in the subterraneous passages of the building—the massive walls and towers were blown up into the air, and the Inquisition of Madrid ceased to exist. CURIOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE IN DUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF 1851. In the New York Tribune of the 10th inst. we find the following intimation:— " Musson TO ENGLAND.—We understand that an extensive operator' in lottery tickets and policies, well known among the ' sporting men' of this city, sailed yesterday for London. He goes out for the purpose of establishing in Great Britain the lottery business, and bears letters of introduction to the habitues of Crockford's, by means of which he will get the ear of the most distinguished gamblers ; then, by a secret plan of operations, it is supposed that he will introduce the sale of the lottery tickets of Dela ware, Maryland, and Virginia Companies—the deci sion to be subject to the drawings made in those states. It is unnecessary to say that all this will be done sub rosa. Parliament put an end to legal lottery gambling many years ago. In this country, 28 of the 31 states have outlawed the business, and it is probable that in the course of the winter one or more of the three benighted Legislatures will do the same thing. If they could be brought to appreciate the immense injury that their lotteries inflict upon men in this city alone, they would wind them up forth with. We commend the new missionary to London to the attention of the authorities." As the English public may be curious to know something more about the class of New York " in dustrials' who are sending their " missionary" to the World's Fair of 1851, we extract from the same paper the following account of them—the first of a series of descriptive essays in the course of publica tion respecting them : " The public attention has recently been directed to the prevalence of this degrading and destructive vice in our city. The accounts given of its horrible, heart-rending effects—of the extent to which it is carried—of the number and the previous respectabi lity of many of its victims—of the arts used to entrap the unwary—and of the regular, business-like system to which it is reduced in several magnificent estab lishments that rival the worst hells of London and Paris though drawn from perfectly authentic sources, and in many cases from personal observa tion, have been of such a startling character as scarcely to be deemed credible by those of our good easy citizens who do not look beyond the smoke of their own chimneys. " But the half has not been teld. The strongest language would not be strong enough to describe the whole in its full extent of terrible depravity. Scenes are daily and nightly passing within a short distance of our most fashionable thoroughfares, which would harrow up the soul of any one on whom the curtain of the infernal orgies was raised. We have seen enough with our own eyes to chill the blood and turn the heart into stone. " Our experience shall be made known. In this case secrecy would be a crime. What we shall tell we know, and if any one demands the proof, the proof shall be forthcoming. In a few short articles in the Tribune we shall lay open some of the heights and depths of this mystery of iniquity. Would that our words might pierce the (lull, cold ear of selfish apathy, and arouse the public mind to the gulf of pollution which yawns in the midst of our shining city. " Let us begin with the beginning. The germ of gambling in New York is to be found in the streets. The first novitiates in the dreadful trade are the boys, who may be seen at every hour of the day, in certain parts of the city, swarming the pavements like flies, intent on juvenile games which contain the seeds of gambling in its most loathsome forms. With the song of earliest birds these unkempt, unwashed, un cared-for urchins emerge from the dens and rookeries of the Five Points, and other similar localities. Many of them destitute of parents or friends, entirely with out a home, have passed the night—Heaven knows where—sleeping in coal boxes, under stairways, awn ings, cellar doors, or crouching in the nearest vacant spot, which can give them a miserable shelter for the night. The first thing in the morning is to get pos session of a few coppers. These they gain by beg giog, pilfering, or doing any little job that may turn up. With this stock in trade they are ready to commence operations. The excitement of precccious gambling has already poisoned their blood. They are more eager to get a chance at a game than to get their breakfasts. They have soon drawn around them other boys, not of their own set. If they can get hold of pupils on their way to school, they are sure not to let them go till they have effectually cleaned out their pockets of what stray coppers may be found in them. The favourite game is pitching and spanning cents., tbough betting on marbles also runs high. In these games they have the expertness of old stagers. It is a study to watch the pluck and science with which they enter into the spirit of the game. Coppers change hands rapidly, and on a small scale you can see developed all the passions of the veteran gambler. The lucky boy who has won a few coppers is usually apt to invest his capital in the purchase of a horse, 'saddle,' or gig,' so called, at the policy office. To make good this outlay, which is pretty certain to prove a total loss, he goes to the pavement and plays with fresh zeal, for the purpose of getting what he calls hunk.' " This is the first stage. But young ambition soon takes a higher flight. The aspiring gambler next ex - pands his wings at the ten-pin alley or bowling saloon. Here he goes through a new course of sprouts ; he is getting his eye teeth cut rapidly. The next move is to the billiard-table, where his profici ency is marvellous; and, diversified with the new wrinkles he obtains at the raffling rooms, he is ready for the faro table, at which he takes the first degree in the higher branches of the desperate career which has now become his destiny. The street boy thus launched, often sails before the wind at an astonish ing rate. Many of the most notorious gamblers have risen from these small beginnings to their pre sent eminence in their detestable trade. We might name three of the most celebrated faro tables in New York that are now owned by two full-feathered gamblers, who pride themselves on being regulars ' in the profession, and who have come up through all the degrees from spanning coppers in the street to their present disgraceful pre-eminence.—R. L. E." CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk are entertaining a select circle at Arundel Castle, Sussex, at which ancient feudal seat the greatest hospitality will prevail during the festive season. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have a family circle assembled at Goodwood-park, Sussex, and the party there this Christmas will be confined to mem bers of the family, owing to the recent demise of the Duke's aunt, the Marchioness Cornwallis. The Duke of Wellington is surrounded by a small party at Strathfieldsaye, Hants. The Marquis of Douro and Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley and family are staying with the Noble and Gallant Duke. The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland are keeping up the Christmas, in good old English style, at Baby Castle, Durham. The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch are seeing company at Dalkeith Palace, near Edinburgh ; and will entertain a constant succession of guests until the week before Parliament meets. The Earl of Aberdeen and Lord and Lady John Scott are at present among the visitors of the Noble Duke and Duchess. FESTIVITIES AT BOWOOD.—The Marquis and Mar chioness of Lansdowne have a large party assembled at their seat in 'Wiltshire for the Christmas holidays. On Monday last the Duke of Beaufort's hounds (from Badminton), by appointment, met at Bowood, .and there was one of the largest " fields" that ever took place at that splendid seat. The noble Lord Presi dent was present, also his colleagues of the Cabinet, the Earl Grey and Viscount Palmerston. The frost was the only drawback to the sport. The Earl and Countess Grey, accompanied by Lady Alice Lambton, left on Tuesday, for Howick Castle, Northumberland, and Viscount and Viscountess Palmeratorr departed the same day, for Broadlands, Hants. The Earl and Countess of Shelburne, the Count and Countess Flahault, and the Hon. Miss E. Flahault, intend to remain here till towards the close of next week. The Marquis of Anglesey has a numerous family circle staying at Beaudesert, the Noble and Gallant Marquis's seat, near Lichfield ; and there will be a succession of guests there until the latter end of next week. The Earl of Carlisle since his arrival at Castle Howard, from town, has entertained a family party at that splendid seat. The Countess (Dowager) of Carlisle and Lady Mary Howard, Lady Dover, and the Hon. Misses Ellis, the Earl of Burlington, &c., are staying with his Lordship. The Earl and Countess of Jersey are entertaining a select party at Middleton Park, near Bicester. The Earl and Countess of Sefton intend to entertain company at Croxteth Park, near Liverpool, during the holidays. The Countess (Dowager) of Sefton and the Ladies Molyneaux, after visiting the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, and Mr. and Lady Caroline Townley, at their seat in Lancashire, have joined the circle visiting the Noble Earl and Countess. The Earl and Countess Cowper have a select party visiting them at Penshanger, Herts. Viscount and Viscountess Barrington are entertain ing a succession of friends at Beckett House, near Maidenhead. The Earl and Countess of Strathmore are staying there. CHRISTMAS GHOST STORIES Thus, in such another house there is a haunted door, that never will keep open ; or another door that never will keep shut; or a haunted sound of a spinning -wheel, or a hammer, or a footstep, or a cry, or a sigh, or a horse's tramp, or the rattling of a chain. Or else, there is a turret-clock, which, at the midnight hour, strikes thirteen when the head of the family is going to die ; or a shadowy, immovable black carriage which at such a time is always seen by somebody, waiting near the great gates in the stable-yard. Or thus, it came to pass how Lady Mary went to pay a visit to a large wild house in the Scottish Highlands, and, being fatigued with her long journey, retired to bed early, and inno cently said the next morning, at the breakfast-table, " How odd, to have so late a party last night, in this remote place, and not to tell me of it before I went to bed !" Then, every one asked Lady Mary what she meant ? Then, Lady Mary replied, " Why, all night long, the carriages were driving round and round the terrace underneath my window !" Then, the owner of the house turned pale, and so did his lady, and Charles Macdoodle of Macdoodle signed to Lady Mary to say no more, and every one was silent. After breakfast, Charles Macdoodle told Lady Mary that it was a tradition in the family that those rumbling carriages on the terrace betokened death. And so it proved, for, two months after wards, the Lady of the mansion died. And Lady Mary, vs ho was a Maid of Honour at Court, often told this story to the old Queen Charlotte ; by this token that the old King always said, " Eh, eh ? What, what? Ghosts, ghosts? No such thing, no such thing!" And never left off saying so, until he went to bed. Or, a friend of somebody's, whom most of us know, when he was a young man at college, had a particu lar friend, with whom he made the compact that, if it were possible for the Spirit to return to this earth after its separation from the body, he of the twain who first died should re-appear to the other. In course of time this compact was forgotten by our friend ; the two young men having progressed in life, and taken diverging psths that were wide asunder. But one night, ninny years afterwards, our friend being in the north of England, and staying for the night in an inn, on the Yorkshire Moors, happened to look out of bed ; and there, in the moonlight, leaning on a bureau in the window, steadfastly regarding him, saw his old college friend ! Tne appearance being solemnly addressed, replied, in a kind of whisper, but very audibly, "Do not come near me. lam dead. lam here to redeem my promise. I come from an other world, but may not disclose its secrets!" Then, the whole form becoming paler, melted, as it were, into the moonlight, and faded away. Or, the uncle of my brother's wife was riding home on horseback, one mellow evening at sunse, when, in a green lane close to his own house, be saw a man standing before him, in the very centre of the narrow way. " Why does that man in the cloak stand there !" he thought. " Does he want me to ride over him ?" But the figure never moved. He felt a strange sensation at seeing it so still, but slackened his trot, and rode for ward. When he was so close to it as almost to touch it with his stirrup, his horse shied, and the figure glided up the bank, in a curious, unearthly manner— backwards, and without seeming to use its feet—and was gone. The uncle of my brother's wife, exclaim ing, "Good Heaven ! It's my cousin Harry, from Bombay F' put spurs to his horse, which was sud denly in a profuse sweat, and wondering at such strange behaviour, dashed round to the front of his house. There he saw the same figure, just passing in at the long French window of the drawing-room, opening on the ground. He threw his bridle to a servant, and hastened in after it. His sister was sit ting there, alone. "Alice, where's my cousin Harry ?" " Your cousin Harry, John ?" " Yes. From Bom bay. I met him in the lane just now, and saw him enter here this instant." Not a creature had been seen by any one ; and in that hour and minute, as it afterwards appeared, this cousin died in India.— Christmas Number of " Household Words." DISCOVERY OF THE BODY OF AN ATTEMPTED MURDERER. BARNSTAPLE.—About tea months since an attempt was made to murder the coachman of William Arun deli Yeo, Esq., high sheriff of the county, at Frem ington, about three miles from this town, at which time a reward of 501. was offered for the apprehension of the suspected person ; but from the fact that no tidings whatever bad been gained of him, it was supposed he had committed suicide by drowning, which supposition was strengthened by the finding of a pair of pistols at the mouth of Fremington Pill, and within a short distance from the scene of the outrage. From what we can remember of the circumstances at the time of the occurrence, it appeared that John Lillycrap, who had been in Dr. Yeo's service as coachman, for about ten years, had been discharged therefrom on the 2d of January last, from which time the situation had been tilled by William Symons, a young man about 25 vears of age, who had been for several years in Dr. Yen's service. From the time of his discharge, Lilly crap appears to have entertained the determination to revenged on his successor, (who he believed had been the means of procuring his discharge) and had been heard to &d are th.t he should never drive the high sheriff. Oa Tuesday, the 19:1 of February, he was at the George Inn at Barnstaple, which place he left in . the evening, saying he was going to Ilfracombe; he had previously dispatched his boxes to Exeter. On the same evening Dr. Yeo had been dining with Captain Davie, at Newport, and had ordered the carriage to be waiting at 10 o'clock, soon after which time the carriage left Captain Davie's for Fremington, driven by William Symons, and arrived shortly before 11. The coachman had just driven the carriage into the coach-house, and was in the act of fastening the doors, when he was fired at by soave person, who at the time mupt have been concealed in the shrubbery, close by. The shot took effect in the neck, and but for the timely assistance of Dr. Yeo, there is but little doubt that the wound would have proved fatal ; he was shortly afterwards removed to the North Devon Infirmary, where he soon recovered, and was enabled to perform the duties pertaining to his situation. Nothing, however, has, been heard of Lillycrap, and it has generally been supposed that it being high water about the time he would have reached the river, he had committed suicide by drowning, and the body had been carried out to sea ; but on Wednesday last, G. H. Marsack, Esq., and his son, Capt. Marsack, were shooting on Yelland Marsh, iu the parish of Fremington, where they discovered the body, with-, out head or arms. They immediately gave infor mation to James Dobb, hind to Dr. Yeo, and some men having found it, at once removed it to the New Inn, at Fremington, where an inquest was held on the same day, before Richard Brembridge, Esq., .M.P., and a verdict of " Found drowned." The coroner ordered the money and watch to be kept under seal until the arrival of deceased's relatives. It is understood that he has a sum of 2001. in the sav ings bank at Barnstaple, which could not be reco vered until the death of the depositor could be proved. There was found in his boxes, which he had for warded to Exeter, the sum of 701., besides other pro perty. Deceased was 42 years of age, and was about to be married shortly after the time at which he de stroyed himself. It is somewhat singular that the body must have been in the position in which it was found for nearly three weeks, as the tide had not since that time been sufficiently high to have left it there.— Devonport independent. EVICTIONS FROM BARRA. On Wednesday a meeting of gentlemen, called by circular, was held in the ante-room of the Council chamber, at three o'clock, to take into consideration what means should be adopted for providing for the temporary wants of the expatriated Hebrideans, who had found their way in a totally destitute condition to this city, to lay their case before Colonel Gordon, of Clunie, the proprietor of Barra. Sheriff Monteith was called to the chair, and Dr. Candlish opened the meeting with prayer. Mr. Ross, who had accompanied the exiled High landers from Glasgow, stated that the population of Barra was 2,30 D, of whom 1,809 had received aid through the parochial board from the Highland Des titution Fund up to the 30th September last. He quoted from the report of the Commissioners of the Highland Destitution Board to show that the condi tion of the people of that island was wretched in the extreme—their crofts being of a most miserable de scription, and scantily furnished. In March last they had been summoned to quit their crofts, but having disregarded the intimation, the houses of 132 families were in May last pulled down. The wretched people then erected tents, with their blankets, hung on posts, and some of them took refuge in caves, and others lingered about their old haunts. They passed their time thus till the relief operations ceased, and the officers again warned them to remove. They said they bad nowhere to go, and could not remove from the island. The officers then procured warrants from the sheriff substitute, and demolished the tents and shipped all the inmates in a steam-boat to Tober mory, where they were left to wander on the main land, to beg or starve. The amount of destitution that existed now was far greater than in 1846. Dr. BEGG thought it would be necessary not only to call the attention of the public, but of the Govern ment to that question. They were not only entitled bnt :bound to ask Government to interfere in the matter. The CHAIRMAN said there was at this moment in the act of formation a society for the express view of considering these very questions,•and he thought probably that society might be able to effect some good. He would not recommend a public subscrip tion in the meantime, as that would only have the effect of alluring the poor Highlanders to come and settle here. He was afraid the law could not prevent any proprietor turning off his people, however long their tenure, as long as they had no title of posses sion ; but he suggested that several gentlemen should wait on Colonel Gordon, not as delegated from a public meeting, but as individuals, to state the case to him. Mr. MACLACHLAN said, if they got Colonel Gor don to yield in the matter it would have an important effect over the whole proprietary of the Highlands. At this moment he regretted to say, a very exten sive proprietor, whose estates had a population of 23,000, was taking steps for the removal, in the course of next spring, of a very large body of poor High landers, and if the influx was not stayed they had the prospect of about 50,000 or 60,000 Hebrideans being thrown destitute on the main-land. After some further conversation, a committee was formed of the gentlemen present, as well as others who had offered to lend their aid in any steps that could be taken in the matter. The committee was as follows :—The Lord Provost, Sheriff Monteith, Professor Alison, Professor More, Rev. Drs. Cand lish and Begg, and Messrs. Maclachlan, M'Gillivray, and M'Kenzie ; G. Duncan, Esq., J. F. Macfarlan, Esq , William Cowan, Esq., J. Johnston, Esq., Charles Spence, Esq., James Greig, Esq., convener. It was understood that the Lord Provost, Sheriff Monteith, and Mr. Ross, should wait on Colonel Gor don, and report the result to a future meeting. —Edin burgh Post. The Edinburgh Courant has the following :—" We understand that Colonel Gordon left his residence in Edinburgh for his estate at Clunie, early last month, whence he has not yet returned. The deputation ap pointed by the meeting held here on Wednesday to have au interview with the Gallant Colonel, have not, in consequence, been able to perform their mission, and the ejected families still remain in the night asylum. Yesterday (Friday) we were shown an account for meal furnished by Messrs. Harvie and IVlGavin, of Glasgow, some time since, for distribu tion at Barra, by order of Colonel Gordon, which amounted to the very handsome sum of 1341. A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF PA PAL ROME. A REPORT OF THE DEMOLITION OF THE PALACE OF THE IN QUPATION AT MADRID, MADE BY COLONEL LEM ANOIS, OF THE 9TH REGIMENT OF POLISH LANCERS, IN THE YEAR 1809. Ordered by Marshal Soult, the Governor cf Ma drid, to destroy the buildings of the Inquisition, conformably to the decree of the Emperor. I ob served to him that the 9th Lancers was insufficient for that service ; the Marshal then added two regi regiments of Infantry, one of which regiments, the 127th, was unders the orders of Colonel With these troops I marched to the Inquisition, the buildings of which were surrounded with strong walls, and guarded by about 400 soldiers. On my arrival I summoned the fathers to open the gate. A sentinel who was on one of the bastions appeared to convene for an instant with some one in the inte rior, after which he fired upon us, and killed one of my men. This was the s i gna l for the attack, and I ordered my troops to fire upon all who appeared upon the walls. It became soon evident that the combat was unequal, and I changed the mode of attack. Some trees were cut down and made into battering-rams, and two of these machines being well directed, under a shower of balls, a breach was made, and the Imperial troops rushed into the Inquisition._ _ Here we had a sample of what Jesuitical effrontery can do. The Inquisitor-General and the Father Confessors solemnly issued forth from their retreats, clothed in their sacerdotal robes, and with their arms crossed upon their breasts—as if, knowing nothing, they came to learn what was the matter. They rebuked their soldiers, saying, why do you fight with our friends, the French ? They appeared to wish to make us believe that they had not or dered the defence, and they hoped, no doubt, to be able to make their escape during the confusion oc casioned by the pillage. They were deceived. I gave strict orders that they should be kept in view, and all their soldiers be made prisoners. We then began our examination of this prison of hell. We saw chamber after chamber : altars, crucifixes, wax tapers in abundance, riches and splendour were to be seen everywhere. The floors and walls were highly polished, and the marble Mosaic inlaid with exquisite taste. But where were the instruments of torture of which we were told, and where were the dungeons in which it was said that human beings were entombed alive ; we sought for them in vain ; the holy fathers assured us that they were calumniated, and that we had seen everything. I was about to abandon my researches, persuaded that these inquisitors were different from those of whom we had heard spoken, but Colonel Delilie would not give up so easily. He said to me, " Let us examine again the floors; let us pour water upon them, and we shall see if it does not run through some part." The flags of marble were large and quite smooth. After we had poured the water, to the great displeasure of the inquisitors, we examined carefully all the interstices to see if any oozed through. Very soon Colonel Delilie cried out that he had found what he sought for. In the j oiniogs of a flag, the water disappeared very quickly, as if there was an empty space beneath. OtZeers and men set to work to raise the flag, whilst the priests cried out against the desecration of their beautiful and holy house. A soldier struck a spring with the butt end of his musket, which disclosed a flight of steps. I to: le a lighted taper four feet long from a table in order to explore our discovery, but was stopped by one of the inquisitors, who gently placed his hand upon my arrn--" My Ben," said he, ith a devout air, " you ought not to touch that taper, it is holy." " I replied, "I require a holy light to fathom iniquity." I descended the steps which were under a ceiling without any Opening except the trap-door. Arrived at the bottom is e en tered into a vast square room called the Hall of JUdg ment. In the middle was a block of stone, upon Which was fixed a chair for the accused. On one RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. (Miles open,ll2.) Return of traffic for the week ending Dec. 15:— Railway and canal ... £4,390 0 0 Corresponding week last year ... 4,037 0 0 MANCHESTER, BUXTON, MATLOCK, AND MIDLANDS JUNC TM)/ RAILWAY.—Return of traffic for the week ending Dec. 22 : Passengers, &c. ... Merchandise ... Total ... Corresponding week last year ... FRAN CE. The Moniteur announces that the adjudication of 1,543,517 f. rentes five per cent., and of 493,217 f. rentes three per cent., ordered by a decree of the President of the Republic, not having been effected on the 23d iust., the Minister of Finance will proceed at twelve o'clock on the 31st instant to the adjudi cation of the above-mentioned rentes to the highest bidder. The National Assembly on Tuesday voted a grant of 941,115 f, on the budget of 1851, for the Post office establishment in the Mediterranean, and also 234,9421. to fkish the Palace of Justice at Mont pellier. _ _ - The reunion bilole, that now holds its sittings in the rue de l'Universite, has, it appears, completed its bureau. The four senior members have been chosen as Presidents. They are MM. Ferdinand Favre, Mole, General Oudinot, and de Cronseilbes. The four youngest members secretaries, viz., MM. Fresnau, de Moustier, Denjoy, de Treveneux. The questors are MM. de Mornay and Denjoy. It is, in fact, a miniature imitation of the National As• sembly. The most remarkable names that are found on the list of members are M. Soult de Dalenatie, Ancel, Moulin, de Montebello Fauttrier, de Mortemart, Simeon, Cunin-Gridaine, de Vergeron, Admiral Dupetit-Thouars, de Mouchy, Desm aeroux , de Laussat, Boi.sie, Colonel Fornier, de St. Larry, Depasse, de la Grange (Gironde), Toupol de Beveaux, Barre, Gaslonde, d'lioudetor, Peeorel, Dempiere d'Horney, de Bussieres, Curia], Desmousseaux de Givre, Mega Migeon, Mazo -Launay, Lagrange (Gets), de Charency, Admiral Laine, Bertrand (Marne), General Grouchy, Champeuhet, de la Tow rette, Sze. The Bills on the proper observance of the Sabbath, and on the extraordinary convocation of the Council. General in case of revolution, are the subjects of deliberation at this moment with the Asso ciation. GERMANY. The Lithographirte Correspondez has a semi official paragraph, announcing the impending resig nation of M. van der Heidt. It appears that the system of which the present Mini,ter of Commerce is the representative has tended to bring the Zollverein to the very verge of dissolution, and in the presence of the scheme of an Austrian Customs' union, Prussia will be compelled to abandon the system of protec tion. That this is the view which the Cabinet takes of the case appears likewise from a leading article in the Ministerial Deutsche Reform, from which it ap pears that M. von der Heidt's resignation will sig nalize a new phase in the commercial policy of Prussia. The Constilutionnell Correspondenz states that the arrival in Berlin of Baron Dornberg, lately Hessian Ambassador at the Prussian Court, will be followed by the resumption of diplomatic relations between Prussia and the Electorate of Hesse. The Allgemeine Zeitung states from Munich that M. von der Pfordten, who represents the kingdom of Bavaria at the Dresden Conferences, will have to yield his place to Count Armansperg, who, previous to the Re volution of 1848, held a po s t i n ie Cabinet. TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING SIX O'CLOCK. No business doing, THE POWER OF PENCE.—The majority of persons will speak disparagingly of pence, and entertain the most sublime contempt of their influence; yet—unreasonable that they are I —they will (a their superciliousness, and do ob sequious homage before the majesty of pounds! As if a penny were not a pound in embryo I " Take care of the ponce, and the pounds will take care of themselves," said one; and the experience of every-day life gives to the say ing the force of an axiom. Many a millionnaire has owed his envied position to a respect for pence in the outset. Jacques Latitte would never have risen to be the Crcesus of modern France, did he not entertain it—did he not regard trifles; and many a once wealthy man can trace his down ward course to penury to a reckless disregard of small sums— in short, to a contempt of pence. Everything around us teaches us that we should entertain a proper respect for small things, as the foundation of great ones. The universe is composed of atoms the coral reef is upheaved by the labour of a tiny insect, in the depth of the ocean—trifles make up the great sum of lite itself. It is stated that an archaeologist has lately dis covered among the archives at Chartres ninety-two original letters of the kings of France—from Francis the First to Louis the Eighteenth. THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE ASIICHURCH BRANCH. —We understand that the Midland Company are instituting strict inquiry into the immediate source of the fatal occur rence on the above branch, which was fully detailed in our last. In the meantime Southall, the engine -driver, has been suspended.— Worcester Chronicle. MOUSE CAUGHT IN A TURRET CLOCK.—A sub scriber has favoured us with an account of a very extraor dinary incident, in which the turret clock at the Sheaf Works in this town acted the part of a mouse trap. On Tuesday morning, at 2.10, the clock committed a fault that it was not at all addicted to—it stopped. The man in charge of the premises, on discovering the stoppage ut day break, swung the pendulum, but the clock would not beat. Anxious to discover the cause of this inconsistency he got a light and examined the works. The first thing that pre sented itself was a huge mouse, caught by the tail between two of the clog wheels, struggling hard to release its un lucky rudder and trot off. A little examination showed how this strange incident had come to pass. The daring little adventurer, ever on the alert for a savoury meal, had got upon the top of one of the cog-wheels, for the purpose of licking the grease from the works, and the wheels working towards him, the cogs caught the tip of his tail, and by a slow and necessarily painful process drew it in between the two sets of unrelenting teeth. In process of time his hind parts were drawn into close contact with the machinery, and completely gagged the clock. The little captive was soon dislodged from his awkward predicament, and the faithful clock resumed operations with its wonted regularity. - Sheffield Times. HEALTH OF LONDON DURING' THE WEEK (From the Registrar-General's Return.) In the week ending last Saturday, the deaths re gistered in the metropolitan districts amounted to 1,166. This result shows a small increase on the average of corresponding weeks in the ten years 1840 9, which is 1,146 (without correction for pro bable increase of population); the numbers severally returned in these weeks having been lees than 800 in 1841, and having risen to 1,262 in 1846, and, by the force of influenza, to 1,946 in 1847. During the three weeks, which have just elapsed, of the current month, 1,004, 1090, and 1,166 deaths have been successively recorded ; hut it must be observed that the formidable increase in the present return is caused not exclusively or principally by an augmented rate of mortality, but by an influx of coroner's cases, which occurred at dates antecedent to last week, though the registration of them has been postponed till the close of the quarter. Of the deaths on which inquests are held, the Ingest proportion fall under the category cf "violence ;" and of these 4 are now enume rated under poison, 11 under burns and scalds, 6 under hanging and suffocation, 2 under drowning, and 27 under fractures and wounds (of which 14 occurred to men by accidental falls in the street, and by falling from windows and other height:). Two boys, 3 girls, and an aged woinan were burnt b y th e clothes .taking were ; 'three children were accidentally suffocated in bedi' 6 children died from want of breast-milk.; a woman was poisoned from an overdose of laudanum,. and a child by Godf rey ' s cordial. Intemperance was fatal to a man and a woman by producing apoplexy ; and A miller of 19 years died from " disease of lungs and knee-joint (.bout 4 months)," whose illness is stated to have arisen from inhaling the dust of his mill. Amorg the fatal causes of last week, diseases of " the lungs and other organs of respiration" are con .uous en the list; they amount to 274, nearly the same as in the previous week, and still slightly excee d the average. Bronchitis numbers 102, pneumonia 117, and asthma 34 deaths. In the tubercular class, there arc. 8 from scrofula, 16 from tabes mesenteries! 25 from hydrocephalus (or water in the head), and 112 from consumption. Amongst epidemics, small-pox carried off 21 children rand 4 adults, nearly the same number is in the former week; measles, 21, scarlatina, 30 ; hooping-cough has risen from 42 to 52, croup puny bars 10, diarrlice 16, typhus 43, and erysiPelag 11. A single case of cholera was registered as follows In the workhouse, Mile-end New Town, on 1 0 , 1 , December, a boy, aged 8 years, '• English cholera (4° hours), consecutive fever (3 days)." An analysis of the 1,166 cases registered last visekt shoes that— The causes of death were certified by written statements of medical at . 1 044 cases tend:tnts in Coroners' inquests on others were held in 91 Medical attendance was not obtained (nor inquests held) in Causes of death were not certified (or only by oral statement of attendant or infor mant) in Hence it appears that the causes of death, eithera Total .......... certified by the medical profession, or which , bec B . ll l jurteet the subjects of investigation before coroners' form 97 per cent. of the total number. 477 The births of 729 boys and 748 girl,, in a ll 11-- The toreros: of corresponding weeks in five years children, were registered in the week. 1,166 1,342. (1845-9) wa s MORTALITY in the METROPOJLITI; NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTENZD THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DEC. 21r 185cr• . *231 Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases .- 4S .., Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... ... ••• l6l Tubercular Diseases ... ... ... ••• 149 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... '''' 31 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels ... '"'f. Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs Of 274 Respiration ... ... ... ... ' ... Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organ s 59 of Digestion... ... ••• ... ••• ''". 13 ..• . Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. „„ , ... 11 Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &C. ... "' i 6 Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Musc les •". 0 Diseases of the Skin, &c. ... ... "' ... 3 Malformations... ... ... ... ..• 3O Premature Birth ... ... Atrophy ... ... ... ... ••• ". 51 Old Age ~.•1 7 Sudden ... „, „, „, ... ..• "'" 60 Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemp erance •"' 0 Causes not specified ... ... ... ' ~../ 1,16 6 DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES ••• ••• pee ls Population Deaths in corre- in the Enumerated, sponding weelc We t ' 1841. of 1849. 15 6 West Districts... 301,189 . . 149 ••• 219 ••• North Districts.. 376,568 •• 206 23i Central Districts 374,199 ... 164 ••• 24 7 East D;stricts ... 393,067 ••• 223 ••• 3 13 tiouth Districts.. 503,346 ... 301 ••• Totals.— .....1,943,369 Maks Females ... 1,043 ... I, 564 . 602 ... £54 0 1 ... 71 19 5 ... £125 19 6 100 16 5 TRANSMISSION OF BASE COIN BY RAILWAY.-011 Friday morning Mr. Beswick, chief superintendent of police, received information that a parcel, supposed to contain base coin, was lying at the London and North-Western Railway parcel-office, London-road station, and he dispatched police man Harper to see who came for it. and whither it was taken. The parcel was directed " Willia.n Johnson, Rail way-station, Manchester. To be lett till called for." Between twelve and one o'clock at noon a man came for it, and signed " William Johnson ;" and ice was followed to the house, No . 12, Clock-alley, by Harper, who then gave information to Mr. Beswick.' The superintendent,'accompanied by Inspec tor Buckley ; went to the house; aud'saw the parcel lying on a •table. He opened it, and . found wrapped up in a quantity of rags and paper,' twenty-two half-crowns and four crowns, all base coin. Besides.the man calling himself Johnson, there was a woman in the house, named Sarah Todd, who lived with him, and they were both apprehended. On Saturday the prisoners were brought up at the Borough Court, when' they were remanded to this day (Tuesday) fOr further itkpi ries.-21unclieder Guardian. a i- 4 „,a u tto _ „ r **, • ;4 - 4 , "r-'46R kkla,#,U .4 THE THREATENED STRIKE ON THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. LATEST PARTIOULARS.—(TIIIS EVENING.) A rumour prevailed in the City this morning that the engine-drivers on the northern division of the London and North-Western Railway had simulta neously struck and quitted their employment. There was, however, no foundation for the rumour, and although it is not impossible that a strike w ill take place before the end of the week, the dispute as yet presents no new feature. A meet ing of the men engaged in the Southern Division takes place to-night, and it is by no means impro bable that they may bs induced to alter their views ; after calculating, weighing, and considering the ex isting circumstances of the case ; but, be the result of the meeting what it may, the company, who are fully prepared with new men, are deter mined to bring the dispute to an immediate termination one way or other. With this end in view, it was determined that each man working on the northern division of the lint, on being paid to-morrow night, shall be called upon to say whether he desires to remain in the service of the company, under the exist ing rules, or not. If he does he will be retained, but if not he will receive a fourteen days' notice from the company, and his place will be supplied. Of course the general adoption of the latter alter native will put the company to serious inconvenience, but a reduction of trains has already been arranged, to meet such an emergency, and with the new hands who have offered themselves they will be enabled to carry on the traffic of the railway, without putting the public to any material annoyance. It is feared the men have fallen into the hands of designing parties, who are using them for their own sinister purposes; but it is not too late for them to reconsider the position they have taken, and no doubt, when they come deli. berately and calmly to look at the opinion which the public have unequivocally expressed against their present movement, they will see the expediency of retracing their steps. BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males ... Females ... 729 748 .---.-- Total ... ...1,477 *ln this number are included 30"' by Se:sestinas' 43 by Typhus Fever, 16 by Diarrhoea, and 1 by Cholera. SHIP NEWS. GRAVESEND, DEC. 25.—Wind W.N.W., fresh, fine' Arrived—Adelaide, from St. Michael's; Windsor, fee° Calcutta; Petite Fortune, from Gravelines; Elbe, froni Hamburgh; Glencaple, from Newfoundland; from Boulogne; John Cobbold, from Jaffa• ' from Guernsey; Queen, from Dunkirk; Sir Ed w ar Gleane.. 0 Banks, from Ostend; Caledonia, from Palau; from St. Michael's; Hero and the Bliss, from St. 2,1810. Sailed—Elspeth, for Trinidad; Statira, f o r Jamsie si Triton, for Ostend; Stadt Dordrecht, forDOrdt; Live" pool, for Brest; Seine, for Boulogne; Diana, for gen; Rhine and Apollo, for Rotterdam. SEABORNE MAILS. When made up in From what When PLACES. General Post-office port die- due. London. patched. ...---------** Africa (West coast).. —...- America (via N. York by British packet) .. ) I, N January 3 .. .. Liverpool • • Jan. 2 America (via Boston l $ America (by United by British packet) .. N January 17 N December 27 Liverpool .. Jan. States packet) .. .. 1 Liverpool Sc / I Southamptl f_ n„. Belgium .. .. •• N Daily .. .. .. Dover • 1 13 '" 5 Brazil .. .. .. 31 9th of the month Southampt. ,Dec. 2 Buenos Ayres .. .. 31 9th of the month Southampt. ,Dec. r California(via Chagres) 31 17th of month Southarnpt. !Jan. ' Cape of Good Hope N January 14 Plymouth • • Central America .. 31 2d & 17th of month S ou thampt. Jan. 20 n. Channel Isles • • .. N Mon., Wed., & Fri.lSouthampt. Tu. Tjt. Chili .. .. .. .31 17th of the month 'Southampt. Jan' ° o ily France .. .. 31 & N Twice daily .. .. Dover • • Twice sst. Harnburgh .. .. N Tuesday & Friday London .. Tue l 2. oo , Holland .. • • .. N Wcdnes. & Satur. London • • Mon. so Honduras .. .. . N 17th of the month Southampt. Jan. _,Apf Ireland .. .. 31 & N Twice daily .. .. Holyhead .. Twicou India (via Southamp.) Al 20th of the month/ Southampt. Arrlvr India (via3larseilles) N 7 th3c 24th ofmonth Dover • • J .411 ' Madeira .. .. N Mediterranean (via Southampton) .. 31 20th of the month Southampt. Arrived Mediterranean (via Marseilles) .. .. N 7th& 24th of month Dover • • Jo ' 3 Mediterranean (by French packet via -- Marseilles) .. .. Mexico .. .. .. 31 2d of the month.. SouthamPt• J an ' 5 -A Peninsular.. •• .. 31 7th,l7th,27th of mo, Southarnpt. Arrivr Peru .. .. • • .. 31 17th of the month Southampt.lJAlL :a West Indies .. .. AI 17th of the month i 'Seuthampt. Jam` — West Indies (except I an• 6 Havanna & Nassau) 31 2d of the month .. ,Southampt. , J ai m __. vast-- . N signifies that the by the night—and M by 12d of the month .. mails are sent front the morning—dispa ,SOUthaMpt. IjaM 6 the General Post-oftICO ttch. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 24.—The attendance Was 11 small to-day, and the business in all articles wo r in retail, and no change in the value of wheat and li g could, however, be noticed since that day week* ra th er and oatmeal, being in large supply, were each r'.l lower. Barley, malt, beans, and peas, unaltered in vs I• 24; Indian corn rather more inquired for. Wheat, 59g4; barley, 61; malt, 511; peas, 108. Foreign wheat, 10,8- ditto barley, DEC beans, 6,160; peas, 1,678. a LEEDS, DEC. 24.—The arrivals of grain continaes9 g w ( e ) o li d a ; s t b h a e rl t e r y ad t e h i e n re al w l aasrtoicalleysawmasodsloorw, and for whea t , reduction. Oats and shelling steadya;t9biaaanes at f'unaltered;l.id4Y and the same applied to all other articles. ad NEWCASTLE, DEe. 24.—At this day's marke t we b a moderate supply of wheat; trade ruled dull, and Sttat day's quotations were wit dculty supported. Barley as before. Oats maintained iffi their previous value. la other articles no change. g a ppli NEWCASTLE CATTLE MARKET, DEC. 2 4 . -. "'"Y fi ll of beasts umall; quality indifferent; trade active, ae",l3, sold. Sheep in moderate supply, a better feeling ja trade, and a good clearance eff.cted. Beasts , 440; °bee t 3,200. Beer, 4s 6d to Gs Od per stone; mutton, stl sid per lb. ere l e EDINBURGH ME AL M ARKET , DEC. 24. — Th ere vr ogolbs• the meal market to-day 14 sacks oatmeal, each weighing 7 s 6d, imperial, which sold thus :-4 at 1/ 8s Od, 10 at i t "" 7d and I at 11 711 Od; average p ice of the who l e 11 7. 2-I2ths. 2 sacks flo ur w hi c h so ld at 295. 5 sac ks pot-berleY' whereof 3 sold thus:2l at 25s Od, and 2 at 22s 6cl r i ft , EDINBURGH HAT AND STRAW MARKET, m•• Oat straw, from 7s Od to 9s Oder kemple of 16 stones t r ld: wheat ditto, .5s 6d to Gs rd , barley ditto 55 Od to 66 " Hay, from 10d to Is per stone. were 15i s t DALKEITH MEAL MARSET, DEC. 23. Ines bags oatmeal, and 13 of barle meal • sales dull. 011 " e n e down 6d on the top and second q Y ualitie ' s ; barleymeal the sa— es last week. Oatmeal, per sack, of 280 lbs. First imperial .„ 253 Od Barleymeal, per ditto •• . 18a Od Peasemeal ••• Od Flour ... Pot barley A Thi rd Second 25 s Od 2 0 j 17s 661 sod Od Od Od - - s s 0 0 1 i - -: ?d___: , NI — 4l ;,,i BIRTH'S. OF A SOF. .„;18 Of On the 24th inst., at Hertford -street, May-fair, the 1- I,pir. John Harvey, Esq., of Ickwell Bury, Bedfordshire , ef itu .l . lll, On the 23d inst., at Wootton-cottage, Streatham Mrs. W. K. Hedges. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 20th inst., at Maidwell, Northamp tonsh i re , the Wi fe of T. B. Beale, Esq. _;f B of On the 22d inst., a t R y b urgh Rectory, Nor f o lk, the the Rev. Augustus Hemsworth. MARRIED. On the 23d in s t., at St. George the Martyr, Queen-54 rs, I 0r Eden Kaye Greville, Esq., of St. James's-square , N Bed hill, to Ros a , e ld est daughter of J. Michael, E sq " Lion-square, Lonon. On the 24th ins d t., at Trinity Church, Westbourne-teriscrei John Turton Woolley, Esq., of the Inner Temple , t° eldest daughter of th e late Captain Henry Kerr. 1D At Hatton.house, Warwic .D ks E hire, on the 18th t of ward Ark wright, second son of Peter Arkwright, D B ` ,. Willersley, Derbyshire, aged 42. g e On the 19th inst., aged 8 0 , Lady Dick, wife of Sir Dick, Bart ,of Port-hall, near Brighton. age d On the 21st inst., at Harpenden, near St. Alban's', ,b 8 87, Elizabeth, wife of John Wyatt, Esq., B enc her - 0 ' Inner Temple. A ard On the 21st inst., at Pittodrie, Ab er d een shire,_ EOC — Milman, late Captain of th e 33d R eg i ment , aged 33 ; of Air, On the 21st inst., a t B rompton, J ane , the wile Chilicote, of Doctors'. commons, aged 39. On the 23d inst., at Horsham, Sussex, Mr. G. Figg" ter- On the 23d inst., at E as t- en d-h ouse, F a i r f or d, Glee shire, Amelia, the wife of G. A. Payne, Esq, At the Rectory, Woolwich, ; on the..22d, tu"'" : Greenlaw, M.A., rector,of.,,tbat pariah.. .'" On the 23d inst est daug Emily Margaret gri youn of W. Grix, E ' sq. ' Belle' vite4tilf'SOcib . l,'BiiglAtpar tin 0, 4 4 At Blakebrook, neapßieletifM).o4o,aged,:„6. o ; . - e . ` l) • 13arber,Esq, iv ); •,- 0b4,0 g London Printed and . I'oblishedr AITYRDO I i s No.' 112,4 'Strand;''Piinfel, at' , ',tun Orrice, Strand, in the .Precinct of Ihe .Savoy, ;the Mi4Llle•iex, Tliurzday; D0ceuter.26,21850., ', V I, .!Vs'our, ^ rroug. ,- -• Ili ~htirat, i (l, 7 ol . k ,"" A A co s , tro; ti CO i'0,9111 4 vii tli t 4 Pr l th;"11Y :14., Yon ttio4 I ett 4 1 h ty, h et e D ktuplltiz k c rUti eh r, 4 1 t 4 '' ft Yale i ' ll -• ip tit 44) . %tut.