The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-21 00:00:00

CAB QUERIES.

Yesterday a gentleman in the laudable pursuit of
knowledge looked in upon Mr. Bingham, the sitting magi.-
crate at Marlborough-street police court, with a written
paper in his hand, which he stated contained several ques-
tions in relation to the new cab act which he begged to have
answered, not only for his own information, but for the
guidance of the public generally. The questions were read
eeriatim by Mr. Bishop, the magistrates clerk :
1. Was a cabdriver, on reaching his destination, bound to
ring at the bill or knock at the door if required to do so by
his fare ?

Mr. Bingham thought sot. It wasoaly a matter of cour-
tesy to do so.
2. Was a cabdriver, on being hired, bound to open and
shut the door of his cab to let in and out his faro?

Mr. Bingham considered he was, for he thought that, if
a cabdriver refused to do so, the refusal might be construed
to come within the meaning of misconduct.
3. Was &cabdriver bound to deliver the ticket at the
time the fere hired the cab, or might he deliver it during
any period of the journey ?
Mr. Bingham was aware that the commissioners of police
were in favour of the reading of the clause which compelled
cabmen to give the ticket at the time of the hiring, and was
also aware that some magistrates had decided that any
time during the journey to give the ticket was a sufficient
compliance with the act. Fur his own part, he should be
reluctant to convict in a case where a driver was summoned
for not giving a ticket at the time of hiring, but who proved
that be had given the ticket some some time during the
journey. Without giving any positive opinion on the
question, he would say that he thought it would be mere
g Ily convenient if the ticket were given when the
hiring commenced.
4th. Was a cabman required to put his name and ad-
dress on the ticket ?

Mr. ➢ingham said the law did not require him to do so ;
hat the driver's address mild always be had at Scotland-
yard.
The gentleman thanked the magistrate and retired.

THE HIMALAYA.—The Shipping Gazelle Says—
The principle of ventilation on board ship has hitherto
been either misunderstood, or th 3 means for obtaining it
bare been of an imperfect character. The numerous com-
plaints of passengers, and the sickness and frequent mor-
tality in emigrant ships, will testify to the truth of this
assertion. Mr. Robiceen, who for many years hashad the
superintendence of the cabin fittings in the steam-ships of
the Peninsular and Oriental Stearn Navigation Company,
has supplied the want heretofore experienced is this re-
spect, by the invention of a plan in which the utmost
efficiency and economy are combined, and one to which
we would beg to draw the attention of steam companies
end shipowners generally. The simplicity of the contriv-
ance is one of its best recommendations, and. whilst It may

be adopted with mush elegance and beauty of appearance i 4
the saloons and cabins of passenger vessels, it can also be
introduced into ship* conveying emigrants or convicts at a
less expense than the ordinary fittings. The directors of
the Peninsular and Oriental Company an so completely
satisfied with the efficiency of the plan, that they have in-
troduced it into all the vessels they have lately built and
are now constructing. The cabins of the splendid steam-
ship (the Himalaya) now lying at Blackwell are fitted on
Mr. ltubinvon's new principle, and afford present opportu-
nity for testing its efficiency.
A LUNATIC BURNED TO DEATH.—Yegerday Mr
Payne held an inquest on the body of Michel Chapman, an
unmarried female patient of Bethlehem-hospital, aged 47,
who had been burned to deatk on the Sunday morning pre-
vious. The deceased had been in the hospital three weeks,
and was of a very moody disposition. Mary Seaman, a
nurse, said that it was necessary to undress the deceased,
and she had placed her on a chair for that purpose. She
was, however, called away, and she told her to sit still fur
a minute or two and she would send her her breakfast. She
then went into the dining.room, served up the breakfast
and sent the deceased hers by another lunatic. Presently
there was a cry of fire, and witness taking up • pail of
water threw it into the water-closet where she thought the
fire was. This she repeated, and immediately afterwards
she saw the deceased lying inside. The jury found a ver-
dict of accidental death.
CURISTMAS HOLIDAY IN LIVERPOOL,—The Mayor
of Liverpool, John Buck Lloyd, Esq., has issued a notice,
directing that on the 26th instant all the aloes 'niched to
the corporation of that town should be closed, and resew
Leading that the inhabitants should, as tar as in thole
power, observe the day as a holiday.

COTTON —LivEttroot, DEC. 20.—The market elo.rd
Amide, and, compared with the rates of Frilay, prices of
+II kioila were the same. The pairs amounted to from

.",.1100 to 6,600 bales, comprising 3,000 bake of American
000 vu speculation), 100 Pernambuco and Maranham 61,1.
t0:71d., 150 Egyptian, 6d. to 74el.,'and 2,500 Surat, 2 tl. to
rid. per lb. (1,500 on speculation.)
MANCHESTER, DEC. 20.—The improvement which com-
menced last weak appears to be steadily going on, and there
has been a rather active market today, both for home con-
sumption and export, in yarns. For India 30's, 40'e, 50's,
UP, 70'1,, 80's, 90's, and 100's muse twist have been in re-
quest, and some rather heavy engagements have been made.
Water twist has also been is good demand for China. In
cloths there is a fair amount of business by the home houses,
is well 11.4 for India, and most kiwis of shirting.' for the
East except those of heavy weight and good quality
have been taken. The business fur the Levant is also re-
ported as steadily improving. Sellers report a slight ad-
vantage in prices, both for yarns and cloth, but nut t• a
quotable amount.

WOOL—HUDDERSFIELD, DEC. 20.—The demand for
wools continues without change, and prices are firm.

MANUFACTURES.—HUDDEUSFILLD, DEC. 20.—We
have had a Isle attendance of buyers in the market to-day,
but, it being customary here to keep stocks as low as pos-
sible on the approach of Christmas, tittle opt rations have
been coctined to those classes of goods fur which they bad
orders; consequently we have not been busy, though trade
is considered to be healthy.

CORN.—Heft, Dec. 20.—The " Gesette Returns" of
wheat sold in the various towns of the United Kingdom for
the week ending 9th December, were 70.353 qrs. ; for the
corresponding week of last year, 111,024 qrs.: the eleven
wet ks from h (Oct 2) amount to 902,125 qrs.,
seainst 1,210,018 era , amounting to a weekly decrease of
27,993 qrs., or 25} per cent. We do not intrude any im-
pressions these statistics make on our own minds, but simply
draw attention to the fact, as not without interest and per-
haps significance in a year when the harvest loco universally
reported as at least 25 per cent. below an average. The
weather has been again variable, on Sunday evening a very
sharp Iron with appearance of snow, but it has since become
more mild, with a good deal of rain. The improvement re-
ported in our market last Tuesday tam gathered strength,and
the advance of the week cannot be quoted less than 3s. to 4s.
for qr., and every sale has apparently been to consumers.
English wheat oilers very sparingly in our neighbouring
=lkea, and the reports of yield do not at all improve.
At to-day's market we had a good show of wheat from the
tamers, who were generally asking very extreme prices,
and showed no disposition to moderate their demands. The
business done was at an advance of fully 34. to 4s. per qr.
upon the rates current last week; 80s. paid for good reds
to the farmer. Fur foreign a good healthy demand ; 80s.
paid fur good Dantsic, 601ba. Barley may be quoted 2s. per
qr. dearer, with more demand. A much better feeling lur
beano, with more speculative inquiry at ls. to 2s. more
money. New foreign, if dry, cannot be quoted at less than
50e. per qr. of 5041b5. Oats and Indian corn Also attract more
attention, and of the latter several parcels are withdrawn
from the market, The linseed and cake markets continue
very quiet. Nothing doing in rapeseed or cakes. Bones
are more inquired fur. Imports from Dec. 10 to Dec. 16:
Wheat, 7,389; barley, 777; oats, 3.319; beans, 3,206;
peas, 180; linseed, 20,754; rapeseed, 534 qrs. Oil cake, 33
tons; bone., 197.
LEvus, Dim 20.—Our arrivals are still limited, the
market gradually creeps up fur wheat, and new is sold at
24. per qr. above Friday, as also very fresh old; but
sale tor stale qualities is limited. Holders insist on some
advance. Little done, however, in this description. Barley
fetches more money, and may be quoted Is. d . Beans
sell at Is. advance. Oats and other articles fully as deer.
Arrivals this week: Wheat, 2.718 qrs. ; oats, 129 ; barley,
845; beans, 331; rapeseed, 555; linseed, 790.

LyrzilPont, Dn. 20.—There was • pretty good
attendance of millers and dealers at our corn exchange this
morning, who bought to a moderately fair extent of wheat
and flour for present consumption, paying an advance on
the prices of Tuesday last of 4d. to 6d. per bushel on wheat,
awl 61. to Is. per barrel and sack on flour. One large
parcel of choice Michigan white wheat changed hands at
Its. 3d. per 701bs. The demand to.dey was scarcely so
active as during the past week. The demand for Indian
corn revived, and several purchases were made fer Ireland,
at full prices ; 445. 6d. to 455. per 480 lbs. were made for
fine yellow round corn. In oats no change. Oatmeal
lid, per load dearer. Barley, beans, and peas unchanged
in value. Arrivals into Liverpool and Runcorn from the
13th to the 19th Dec. ir.clusive :—Wheat, 6,272 qrs.;
barley, 673 ; malt, 92 ; oats, 4,808 ; beans, 73; peas,
749; Indian corn, 5,085; oatmeal, 6,774 sacks; Flour,
694 sacks ; 13,519 barrels. Experts to Ireland :—Wheat,
1,507 qrs. • Indian corn, 3,143; Indian corn meal, 62
barrels; dour, 610 sacks; 1,330 barrels.

LYNN, Dsc.2o.-Our supplies of wheat continue small
particularly for the season of the year, confirming the de-
ficiency entertained of the yield; to-day the demand was
very active, and it was taken off at an advance of fully 6s.
to Gs. per quarter fur new. Barley in limited supply, and
3.. per quarter dearer, The following are the prices:-
Wheat, old, red, 661bs. to 601 be., 665. to 745. ; beet new,
601bs. to 631b5., 765. to 82s. ; ditto, 671bs. to 691b5., 70.. to
745. Barley, best rune, 531bs. to 541 be., 425. to 431. ;
extra, 4is.; seconds, 521bs. to 63145., 395. to 40s. Beaus,
old, 6-511 n. to 661ba.,605. to 62a. ; new, G3lbs. to 661b5.,
60s. to 545. Peas, Is. to 565. per quarter to the grower.
Oats, new, 15d. per stone.
NEWCASTLE, DEc. 20.-The weather continues variable.
Yesterday was frosty, and to-day we have rain, with, how-
ever, a low temperature. At our market this morning we
had a moderate show of wheat from the growers, and
having nothing fresh in from the coast, we have to note a
further advance of 2s. per qr. upon S,turday's rates, but at
this improvement there was less activity in the demand.
For new Wishech yellow we made 82s. per qr., 631bs. ; and
841. for 6ne mixed Danzig ; whilst Wolgast sold at 81s. to
825., according to quality. Other sorts selling in proportion.
For fl3ur there was rather more inquiry, and upon choice
marks we raise our quotations Is. per sack, 67s being now
obtained for such quality, whilst for the intermediate sorts
last week's rates were freely paid. Halting barley in good
request, and fully Is. per qr. dearer. Rye without change.
Beans, peas, and oats, each tending upward.
SALISBURY, DEc. 20.-At this day's market we had •
very large supply of grain and • lull attendance of both
buyers and eellers. Holders asked for a similar advance on
wheat to that obtained at Mark-lane yesterday, which
checked business, which altogether was exceedingly dull
however, farmers were very firm in their demands, and
needy buyers in want of stock had to submit to an advance
of 31. to 4s. per qr. In consequence of the high pretensions
of the farmers for malting Barley, very few transactions
took place, but arise of ls. to 2t. per or. was obtained. In
other descriptions of grain vary little business was doing,
but prices had an upward tendency. Average prices:-
Wheat, 68s. 31d.; barley, 365. 4d.; beans, 60s. per qr.

HEALTH OP LONDON.—The weekly report of the
Registrar-General shows that, in the week that ended on
Saturday, the total number of deaths registered in London
was 1,358. Increased coldness of the weather has acted
unfavourably on the public health during recent weeks, and
the present Return shows that its effect, an advanced rate
of mortality, has not abated. In the ten weeks correspond-
ing to last week of the years 1843-52, the average number
of deaths was 1,211) which, if raised in proportion to in-
crease of population, becomes 1,331. The 1,358 deaths of
last week show an excels of 27 on the calculated amount.
Symotic diseases are in the aggregate scarcely more fatal
than usual, but the mortality of hooping-cough is high, 64
children having died from it. Small-pot was fatal in only
3 cases, measles in 30, scarlatina in 33, croup in 10, typhus
in 56, diarrhea in 27. The number of deaths from cholera
was 11. Fatal cases arising from diseases of the respiratory
organs amount to 319, whilst the corrected average of ten
corresponding weeks is 209. In this class bronchitis was
most fatal, numbering 163; pneumonia carried off
121 persons, nearly all children, asthma 20, laryngitis
4. The deaths from phthisis were 144. Last week
the births of 771 boys and 766 girls, in all 1,557
children, were registered in Lyndon. In the eight corres-
ponding weeks of the years 1845-52 the average number
was 1,413. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the
mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.512 in.
The mean temperature of the week was 32.7 deg., which is
7.3 deg. below the average of the same week in 38 years.
On Friday, " a painfully cold day," the mean daily tem-
' perature tell 13 deg. below the average of the same day;
and on four other days it was 8 deg. or 9 deg. below it.
The mean dew-point temperature was 29.4 deg. The wind
blew for the most part from the north-east. _

ANGLO-MEXICAN MINT COMPANY. Yesterday
a special general meeting of the proprietors was held for
the purpose of communicating the particulars of the new
contract which had been obtained from the Supreme Go-
vernment of Mexico for the mints of Guanaxualo and
Facatecas. The chairman stated that the sum of 730.000
dollars had been advanced to the government as a loan at 6
per cent., on the security of the rent payable by the com-
pany to the government for the two mints in question ; that
the rent would amount to from 90,000 to 100,000
dollars annually, and that this sum would secure
the repayment of the loan and interest within
the term of years granted under the contract. That
such term of years would expire at the end of 1866, and
that the conditions of the contract, although varying in
some particulars from the present contract, would secure
to the cumpany the same scale of profit which they had
hitherto enjoyed. Resolutions were then passed to in-
crease the capital of the company from its present paid-up
amount of 12.5,0001. to 200,000(., the additional 75,0001. to
be raised by the transfer and capitalization of 50,0001. from
the company's reserved fund, and by calling up the 25,0001.
remviniug unpaid on the half shares of the company. The
meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman
and directors.

ENYIELD.—Tne CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.
—Last evening a meeting of the inhabitants of Enfield was
held in the Assembly-rooms of the King's Read Tavern,
to hear an explanation of the principles and plan of this
society, and of the scheme of allotment of the Enfield
estate, to be allotted on tin 4th of January next. A depu-
tation, consisting of Mr. IL N. Fowler, the banker, mem-
ber of the executive committee, Mr. C. G. Lewis, Mr.
Morgan, and Mr. Oruneisen, the secretary, attended. Dr.
Millar, of Enfield, presided. Mr. Fowler addressed the
meeting in explanation of the principles and general plan of
the society. Mr. C. G. Lewis also addressed the meeting in
explanation of the details of the society. Mr. Morgan, the
surveyor, stated that, if proper application were made to
the Eastern Counties Railway Company, every perms
building a house of the value of 601. per annum would have
a free pass ea the lisle for the period of 21 pan.