The Express.
London, England, 1855-11-01 00:00:00

THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ART.

A mites and distribution of prizes in connexion
with this institution took place on Tuesday evesiog, at the
Royal Institution, Manchester, which was attended by the '
first families in the city. There was en exhibition of the
best worn of the pupils. and amongst these were those
for which prizes had been awarded by the Board of Trade,at
Gore-house, Kensinetno. Mr. Edmund Potter, the eminent
calico printer, presided, and read a paper on " The Peetti•en
of Schools of Art." Mr. Potter said his object was to obtain
greater appreciation for an education in that district. Since
the establishment of the echoed, 17 years ego, they had I
had better teachiop, better pups.s, nor suck beautiful
end well- ged rooms, and yet they were not progress-
ing. They had last year avoided appealing to the govern-
sent, thinking the wee would be an obstacle to the fair
consideration of tt.eir claims. The Paris Exhibition
I had somewhat aroused the attention of the Board of Trade
to their position, who had not tailed to call
attention to the great danger they ran is this
country of being, as manufacturers and printers, left behind
in the race of competition. This he did nut deny, and
judging from the Paris Exhibition, it might in some degree
he consequent upon the progress of free trade. He did not,
however, share the fears of government. The individual
manulac rrrrr must look to hie own interest and profit, and
if inferior, low• priced tests and commodities paid him better,
the state had no right to ask him to sacrifice these for repu-
tation merely. If the interest of the country would be
benefited by creating public funds devoted to art educatioo,
then individual traders merged into the citizen, and all
would be glad to support sound and incensed taste sod
civilisation. The question was one of great interest, and
had excited much attention among the B I h jurors at
Paris, et the Board of Trade, and in our Chambers
of Commerce. Might ocy not then appeal to the Board of
Trade 1 He was opposed to technical trade teaching as out
stepping the province of the g -nt, and encouregiog
particular branches of trade in particular localities, from
motives of benevolence rather than send economy. Twenty
yens' experience had strengthened his opinion that the
state had erred in the direction they had given to instruc-
tion is these schools, but it would be folly to deny that the i
Marlborough- house schoo:s had done some good. If the
funds, however, had been appropriated in teaching sit on a
sound. comprehensive system, trade would have been better
supplied than it had been with highly educated work•
men. As it was a system of patronage had produced'
articles for which there was not a profitable demand.
Mr. Potter proceeded to show that the Manchester institu-
tion bad not been supported as it ought to have been. The
reason of non-success was that they had not endeavoured to
teach set, but trade. He recommended that the basis should
be altered, cod suggested that the best mode of carrying out
art instruction would be to create a board far the 'deans-
ment of art•eduation and public taste, with a man at its
head equal in class to Buller, or Baines, of the Poor-law
Board, with a seat in the legislature. Principal Scott, of
Owen's College ; Alderman Redd, and the Rev. Canon
Richson, addressed the meeting, after which the president
distrPiuted the prizes.

-—•- -
RECEIVER AND THlET....Conaiderable additions
are being made at present to the hotel, in the Place Ven-
dome, Paris, occupied by the company of the Cridit Mobilise.
It hating been remarked, during the progress of thaw
works, that large quantities of lead had disappeared ng
different times,:the police were apprised of the fact, and sew
directed to keep a watchful eye upon the workmen this..
Acting on the principle that prevention is better than Gam
the police-agents told the workmen at once that they b
better take care, for that if any linsousiserra (the slaw/
appellation of thoso that steal load) were dime's's'
among them, they would be shown no mercy. The
advise remained unheeded, for the very same day two work-
men were seen, en leaving their work, to walk with an 'messy
step, while their blouses dioptayed sundry strange protuber-
emu 'kat at once slaked suspicion. A policeman, disguised
Si a mason, approached them, aad slapping one on tbe
bilk as if by way of a joke, felt that he had a

The Bill foe She better Preveadoe of Railway
lamidings Mob. beim thrust oat last aresies, it
=llll44er the benefit of the liege., that it
ainfoled to it more espmlal snatcher Rit I
ri eamingt. The paltry monomy is may 414111,1
menus' details for the good and eafe working:et'
ways that boards of direction resort to req
eiment, as apparently nothing short of a esseptir
eery act will ever pat a stop to the penny-wise-poled•
foolish policy of railway boards, and compel them to
adopt precautionary measures for the better maven-
lion of railway accidents. These, on the other hind,
require to be absolute and certain in effect, otherwise
they will oral create that which it is the desideratum
to avoid. Were the Beard of Trade cognisant that
them requisites existed, there would be little hard-
ship in main an atom was done in the case of the
111118921011.
It appears somewhat paradoxical In these days of
steam and eleturiaty, prevention being better than
ewe, that we should so ignore the agency of a
power that to se it were pot tumour hands amesially
towards that sad. The application of electricity,
when broughtas the aid of steam locomotion, readers
it 411 the mem valachle by raidering it tit. mile
safe. Steam travels fast, but electricity faster.
The most fatal accidents that have occurred are
those where one train runs into another, from a break-
down or otherwise; a complete system of signalling
from station to station is, therefore, as also from the
increasing traffic, we might say, absolutely required,
and an easy and simple matter we believe it to be.
The fact, too, that when a train is in motion the
,guard at the rear of the train is totally helpless to
I make any signal to the engine-driver under all cit.-
eumatances—such as at night, during fogs, noise ot a
train in motion, and being most dangerous from the
multiplicity of trains in the neighbourhood of the
metropolis—will at once show the ricks that all are
liable to, and give some faint notion of the utter help-
lessness and awful hap-hszttdnese of railway tra-
velling.
Unless there be a real inclination shown on the
part of railway boards for the adoption of such means
or a compulsory act passed, it is not likely we shall
have a remedy, or aught else than the hundred and
one empirical attempts that we bear of, and which
have only tended to throw discredit on such an
agency, for without absolute accuracy and simplicity
there can be no guarantee against blunders.
The foregoing axiomatic remarks may be interest-
ing to those taking a theoretic view of such matters,
but the travelling public in general and the railway
interests in particular will care little about them
without some remedial proposition.
Within the last few weeks certain plans and
arrangements for communicating between gust('
and engine-driver, by the agency of electricity,
have been practically tested and worked on one
of our metropolitan lines, and have proved the
practicability of working such with perfect accuracy
over any length of train, whilst they are of that
simple nature that there could be no possible objec-
tion to putting. them into the hands of uninitiated
guards and engine•drivers, seediog no knowledge of
electricity, but exercising only the senses of eight and
hearing. The signals to the eye and ear are given
simultaneously, and the latter with so loud a noise as
cannot fail to draw the necessary attention.
The same arrangements are equally applicable to
' communicating between station and station, announc-
ing the arrival and departure of the trains, and so
audibly that it may be heard throughout the station
by all and sundry, without the necessary watching
ot the needles of a telegraph. The plans and arrange-
ments for the purposes alluded to above, we under-
stand, are those of Mr. Thomas Allan, of Edinburgh,
C.E., 1, Adelphi-terraoe, Strand, who doubtless can
explain more fully the working details to any railway
board desirous to avail themselves of these facilities.

We observe the lamentable frequency of railway
accidents has ettractfd the attention of the French
government, ever on the wa•ch to improve the mate-
rid and social requirements of all classes of citizens.

- . •
The new screw ship Repulse, 91, arrived at Spit-
head this afternoon from Pembroke, where she was built.
She came up to Spithead under jury rig. The Lucifer,
stammer, that had accompanied thr, preceded her in getting
into port. The Bernd.' will be immediately ftted out, put
of her machinery having alresdy arrived from Woolwich.
The Salivated, 71, screw ship, Captain W. J. Williams,
left Spithead this miming for Sneersess, to take in her
' lower deck guns, which she bad unshipped to take on board
her cargo of ammunition for Melts.
The Penelope, 16, paddle frigate, Captain Sir W. Wine-
man, was team out of the steam basin to-day. She sails
on Sunday for the West Coast of Africa sad the Cape of
Good Hope statioc, conveying a mail to each colony.
The Russell, 60, screw ship, Captain F. Scott, went out
of harbour to day to Spithead, to take in powder and shell
and prepare for res.
Rear-Admiral W. F. Marti., superintendent of this dock-
yard, returned from have et absence last night, aad
re-
hoisted his flag on board the St Vincent, 103, today.
Tee muter venni, Havoc and Porpoise were taken out of
Lek to day, havieg undergone repain of damages sustained
in the lishic.
The Niagara, No. 48, steam transport, having discharged
her sick and wuundtd, left this port to day.

WOOLWICH, Oct% 31.
The Empress Eugenie, No. 104, sailing transport,
is hourly expected at Woolwich, to embark Captain Chan•
dler's Conpaey of the Royal Artillery, end the other de,
tachntects under orders for the West Indies. The Empress
Eugenie has shipped a large quantity of previsions and other
stores at Deptford.
A small party of nine invalids of the Royal Artillery
arrived cn Mondvy evening at Woolwich from the Crimea,
having come Lome in the steam transport Niagara.
It n expected that Captoio R. J. Cannon, belonging to
the 13th battalioe ILty al Artillery, is about to retire from
the service. in consequence of ill-health.
About 350 voluuteere from the militia regiments and re-
mints here been received at Woolerieb, and passed the re-
quired examination, to join the Royal Artillery and Royal
Sappers and Miners.
Every exertion is being u, el to get the Caradoc ready for
sea, in cum quenee of her haying to cmvey the family and
suite of Lord Canning to Alexandria, en route for India. His
lordship paid a visit to the Caradoc no Tuesday aft- moon.
8, great is the anxiety to get her ready, that ate will rot
undergo a trial of her engines in basin, but will go down
the river on her trial trip at the measured mile to morrow.
The Inflexible is receiving on board boilers for the
Firebrand end Repulse.
The gun slides for the two gun boats, the Plover and
Surlily, h•vc arrived from the arsenal, and will be fitted
immediately, as their entitles are fitted and in working
order, and little remains now but their rigging to complete
them (or sea.

DEVONPORT, Ocr. 31.
The Arachne, 18, sloop, was put into commission at
this port yesterday (Tuesday), by Commander V. 0.1141,-
11dd.
The Hula 6, paddle, wu commissioned at this port yas-
terday (Tuesday ), by Commander B Aplin.
A 50 gun frigate, the Sharma", will be !goaded at Ports
mouth Dockyard about the 10th of Dezember.

ADMIRALTY, OCT. 31.—PROMOTION8.—Mates A.
K. Fords (1851), C. Creerdy (1863), W. S. Sterne (18.53),
C. E. K. Brett (1853), T. B. Holtinwortb (1853), W. A. de
V. Browolow (1854). H. P. Knevitt (1853), R. F Scott
0853), J. A. Vanrenen (1863), T. F. Sluddert (1833), W.
Codriegton (1853), J. W. O'Grady (1853), 8. Douglas
(1863), R W. Browne (18.53), H J. Hodgren (1853), C. E.
Idurlton (1853), J. P. Gardiner, A. Johnstone (1863), B. D.
Grant (1853), W. Howarth (1853), R. Adana' (1863), J. 8.
Tonkin (1853), W. F. Golleek (1853), P. J. Pat:lams
(1853), J. S. Keats (18.53), F. Williams (1853), F. P.
D..ughty (1853), F. W. Riehar4s (1864), C. A. F. Paget
(1854), and J. C. Wilson (1854), promoted to the tank et
lieutenants.
Assistant Surgeon E. Adams (1547), promoted to the teak
of surgeon.
APPOINTMENT/I.—Lieutenants C. E K Brett, to the
Hawke, 60, screw steam shirt, with the Baltic Beat: and R.
F. Kroft, to the Salamander, 6, paddle-wheel sloop, of 220
home power, at Portsmouth.
Master E. C. Ball (1865), to the Salamander.
Chaplain B. Mee, to the Savannah. 19, at Davenport.

SUFFOCATION IN A WELL—A coroner's inquest
was held on Thursday last, at Patcham, relative to the death
of l ,bn Winter, a labouring sn, who was suffocated in a

?La BitesIry Ciammal has just Ward his returns
et lbs Mite. deaths, sad manage it fa &etlaad Mr the
qualm elMiel die 31st .1 last March. As this is the first
revel ei tie Mmi tree, published is We part of the klagdota.
we jrfue tires prelleesey sermarks at fall leugtb.
"Dewing the Ant, cr Omer, quarter el the pml
there were mastered in Sentient 19,644 bisidik
deaths, sod 3,925 marriages:
'lt was tt ought that meek valaabis infor
' be slicked by ezhibitleg In the quarterly morose
el birth'', teethe, sad marriagas registered garbs melt
month, as well as the proportions of the mum tenon Mel
births and deaths. The returns from the regirtrera
thirefore, called for in sorb a form is to furnish them midi-
timid Meta, and the importance of them facts wing Made I
know., beside* the mere number of the deaths, must satisfy
everyeae es to the propriety of Ibis addidoa to the quarterly '
rehire..
" its the act for the registration of births, deaths, ad',
marriages only came iota 01 eretisa on the Ist Januar,g. sad
as the Scottish people had sot born previously accasiemod.,
to registratioe, It was feared that the returns for the int
quarter world present serious deasieseim in the sambas of
these events. The am, however, has provided so many
counterchecks in the case. Of the deaths and reviler tate-
triages that little er *0 difficulty hes menned with r gnat to
them, sad it is believed that the numbers reniskiutin Awe
hooritlils a-mry email Maui* of tb. aptly, tf aeaubs•-•
lately *meet.
"It r otberveleg. *waver, with the births. Me
etraaterateek las been iteriee'd by *Wei' their total in=
might be ascertained and communicated to the registrar;
and accordingly the reruns show that the number of births
registered during January is deficient to the silent of nearly
one-half, and during February to the extent of about one-
(mirth. The registration of births, however, seems to have
arrived at its full proportion during March, being at thereto
of 333 births fur every 10,000 of the present estimated popu-
lation, or I birth for every 29 persona
" Of the 19,614 births registered, 10,117 were males and
9,527 females, being in the proportion of 94 females to every
100 maim. Nutleithetandiog, then, the great access of
females in the Scottish population, males appear to be born
in even a greater relative proportion thou in Eogland,where
the proportion is about 95 female to every 100 male birth..
Of the above 19,614 birth'', 4,378 were registered during
January, 6,946 during F. bruery, and 8,320 during Marsh.
From the causes above explained, the total proportion for
the quarter was only at the I rate of 262 births in every
10,1.M0 of the estimated population, or 1 birth fur every 38
permeate ; or, if we t he the population as at the taking of
the last census in 1851, 271 hints is every 10,000, or 1 birth
for every 36 persons. Bat, se above remarked, the numbers
for March reached the proportion of 1 birth for every 29
persons of the estimated population, which must be very
near the proportion which ought to have been ti gist. ri d.
"19,685 deaths were re glints d during the qu oiling
31st March, 1855, being in the large proportion of 263 deaths
per annum in every 10,000 of the estimated population, or
death for every 37 p.rsoas. Of the. 19,6&5 persona who died,'
9,477 were males and 10,208 remelts.
" The »inter quarter was thus one of great mortality,
end the state of the atmospheric phenomena during the
quarter SIN ms sufficient to account for the rest unhealthi-
ness of the reason, without the existence of any special
epidemics. The mean temperature, which, in the midland
counties of Scotland, hail averaged about 36 deg. during
December and Januaty, fell in Fs brusry to 27 deg., sick.
icy on tome nights as low as 4 deg , end in some localities
eves to zero. This extreme and long-continued cold, imam
pencil as it was by heavy fells of snow and tempestuous
weather, appears to have largely increased the deaths over
Scotland, and its influence in this respect is well shown in
the fast, that while only 5,977 deaths were registered during
January, they rote to 7.227 during February; end even
during March they had only fallen to 6,481. The same
severe weather, indeed, extended far into March, so that its
mean temperature, notwithstanding the warm days at its
close, only eeeee Red 36 deg., sir the same as the mean
temperature of December and January. The aged, the
very young, and the debilitated, were thou, among
whom this increased mottalOy chiefly prevailed ; and the
registrars' note,, which are appended, supply much vale.
able information no this bead, end show how general this
agency of the weather proved.
" When the cold sets in to late et it did this year, and is
of great intensity or long costroued, it seems to prose much
more fatal to human life than when it comes on at the usual
Christmas season. The frames of the owed and of the debit
Heated, previously weakened by the free zing influences of
the winter season, appear to be less able to resist intense
cold than if that cold had come on at the bestinnii g of the
winter, when their constitutions were still comparatively
vigorous. It is this state of matters which explains rho
truth of the old adage, A green Yule makes a fat kirk-
yard.' If the winter remains mild and open throughout,
the adage proves a false one, seeing the mortality remains
at a minima= ; but if the winter is mild and open about
the Christmas se aeon, and weather tete in afterwards,
the mime proves literally true, the mortality becoming ex.
maitre, as in the pre.. nt year.
" It may be interesting to state that, heavy as was the
mortality in Scotland during the first quart. r of the year, it
did not reach the proportion attained in England. During
the same quarter the population in England was cut off at
the rate of 291 out of every 10,000 of the estimated impala.
tton, or 1 death out of every 34 persons. As above stated,
the proportion for Scotland was 263 deaths in every 10,000
inhabitants, or 1 death in every 37 person..
" Though the average mortality over Scotland was thus
high, that of live eauntiee—vir, Clackmannan, Berwick,
Peebles, Selkirk, and Roxburgh—was remarkably low,
ging only 187 deaths per annum out of every 10,0011
of the population, according to the census of 1851. or 1
death in every 53 persons. It is worthy of note that four
of these counties are adjoining, a circumstance which pro-
bably indicates that they owe their exemption to some com-
mon cause which cannot easily be traced, owing to the want
of meteorological %shim for these counties.
" In so severe a winter it might have been esp. eted that
the mild and sheltered county of llute would hates exhibited a
n minus mortality ; but so far was this from being the case,
that the deaths averse. d 1 per annum out of every 34 ; er-
-40111, thus exceeding the overage of all Scotland, which was
at the rate of I death per annum out of every 36, according
to the census of 1851. This fact set ma explicable on the
supposition that the mild climate of that insular county does
not harden the comaitutions of the inhabitants, so as to en-
able them to resist intense and long-continued cold so well
as the natives of the mainland, even though that coil be not
so intense as is there experienced. It is probable that this
is also the explanation of the greater mortality caused by the
severe winter in England.
"The deaths in Scotland attained their highest reap
in the counties of Lanark and Renfrew, those in Lanark-
shire being at the I rate of 361 out of every 10,000 in-
habitants, according to the census of 1851, or 1 death out of
every 28 perms; and in Renfrew at the annual rate of 336
deaths out of every 10,000 souls or 1 death for every 29
persons. The increased mortality smo=g the overcrowded
populations of Glasgow, Greenock, Paisley, and adjoining
towns, accounts for the high proportional mortality in these
counties.
" 3,926 marriages were registered during the first quarter
of the year, being, to the calculated present population, at
the annual rate of 62 marriages in every 10,000 of the
general population, or 1 marriage for every 190 person,. If
we take the population as at 18.51, when the census was
taken, it is 64 marriages in every 10,000, or 1 marriage to
every 186 persons.
fhb is considerably below the proportion far England,
where the ratio for the same quarter was 63 marriages in
the 10,000, or 1 marriage for every 158 persons. &thee-
Iquest returns will show whether this low rate of marriage
in Scotland continues, or whether it is produced by toe
favourite marrying months being different in the two
countries. The depressed state of trade, and the high
price of provisions, may perhaps have told more on the pro-
pertion of marriages in a population like that of Scotland
than on their proportion in a population like that of Eog.
-- in mind that circam-