The Express.
London, England, 1848-02-04 00:00:00

THE EIPRFSS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 4, 1848.

also from Malta, off the island of Gaits., on the 14th,
encountered a tremendous gale of wind from the
north-west, which threw the Lord Lambton nearly on
her beam ends, and caused her to leak very much ;
the Sapphire also lost her fore-yard. Both vessels
came to an anchor on the south side of Oalita to re-
pair damages. They remained until the 16th, the
gale continuing with unabated fury, when the wind,
veering round, formed strong eddies, which drove the
vessels towards the shore. The Lord Lambton slip-
ped from two anchors and cables, and got clear of the
land, bnt the Sapphire having parted her small bower
cable, the heavy strain upon the beet bower upset her
windlass, and the vessel was thrown upon the rocks,
and soon became a complete wreck. The master and
crew hrd only time to save their clothes and the log-
book. They got safe on shore at Cialita. The Lord
Lambton, which saw the disaster, hung round the
island till the following morning, when she ran io,
took the people on board, and bore up for Malta.
The American screw corvette Princeton, left for Mes-
sina and Palermo on the 21st

Her Majesty's transport Blenheim left on the 21st
with the right wing of the 97th Regiment R. 8.,
for Jamaica. On the 20th the English brig Thor-
burn, .1. Huntley master, arrived here from Gibraltar.
On the 17th, in lat. 38.30 N., and long. 6.49 E.,
took on board Capt. Manning, the mate, and four
seamen belonging to the schooner Monarch, of Lon-
don, which had foundered near that spot. The
Monarch had left Ipswich on the lath of October,
and put into Falmouth, which port she left on the
16th of December for Genoa, with a cargo of wrought
iron. She had experienced dreadful weather, and on
the 13th, when near Minorca, had one of her crew
washed Overboard, and drowned.
There is a report about town, which I have every
reason to credit, that after the receipt of the late news
from Sicily, the Neapolitan and French consuls
resident here went to visit the Prince and Princess of
Capua, at Menu. There is something in this un•
usual act which is now puzzling the noddles of all
the political coffee-house gossips in the place. On
the 24th the merchants gave a ball in honour of
his Excellency the Governor. About 600 were
present.
The investigation ordered by the governor into the
fact of the bread which he found short of weight, on
visiting the civil {hospital, terminated on the 19th.
On the 20th, Mr. Thornton, the auditor of accounts,
who had been ordered to undertake it, presented his
report to his excellency. What that report is has
not yet transpired. Mr. Thornton has been appointed
to investigate another affair of a more extensive pecu-
latory character, discovered by his excellency in the
Hospital of Invalids at Floriana, when he visited that
institution unexpectedly last week. The treatment
of the poor old creatures has always been bad, and
the food so vile that nothing but sheer hunger has
induced them to eat it. And yet the government
contracts are for the beat of provisions ! The governor
may do all that is possible for man to do to correct
abuses, but until every department has an English-
man to direct it, it will be all labour in vain. An
English brig, the Rhoda, H. Williams, master, ar-
rived hero on the 24th from Store, in Barbary, and
reports that on the 13th there was a dreadful tempest
at that place. In addition to the English steamer
Scotia, the Maltese brig, Margarita, and two French
• brigs were also totally lost ; the crews are all saved.
The French steamer from the Levant,.due on the 23rd,
did not arrive until the 2Sth. The one from Alex-
andria has not yet come in. The Ariel arrived during
the night with the Bombay mails.

considering the time of year. At the tame time they avoid
expressing any opinion respecting the general design and
details of the building. u they consider them to be subjects
on which the judgment of architects and builders should be
founded after reviewing the various facts relating to such
buildings u come before them, amongst which facts they
consider those which have been di‘climed at the present
inquest may probably be regarded as of an important
character."
The inquiry then terminated.

ME TEA DUTIES. —ld reply to a deputation from
Liverpool, that waited on Lord John Russell on Wednes•
day, urging a r.duction of the duties on tea, his lordship
stated—
_ . . . .

---
He felt constrained to dissent from One of the naolutions of the meet-
ing reprvented by the deputation, vie., "That this meeting is of
opinion that no direct loss would accrue to the revenue Irma a oon-
snerable reduction of the duty on tea; but that even if itemporary
deficiency were to arise, the considerations of • social and mond cha-
racter inseparably connected with this gnat question ate of para-
mount importance to those of a mere ducal nature." The argument
here used had been applied in the instance el the reduction of the
rate of postage, but the result in that case hardly justified a repeti-
tion In the instance now under discussion. The motive, on the part
of the executive, which led to the pasta.ge reduction partook an-
' questionably more of • moral end social than of a merely financial
nature; that reduction wee made, too, at the time when the
revenue of the country could comparatively well afford
it • and though 'cry great advantages to the community
had arisen front the measure, the revenue had as yet Lilted to realise
the expectations on that score which were fanned of it by its more
sanguine friends. He thought it not knowable that the desired re-
duction in the tea dudes would be found to produce a somewhat
similar result, for the two questions were wallet, and were sup-
ported, to • great extent, by similar arguments ; and while he was
prepared to admit that the consumption of tea would greatly increase
If the tax upon it rendered a more accessible than at present to the
public he must guard against being supposed to acquiesce in the
extent' of the consumption assumed by the members of that and a
late deputation. However, it was in its financial aspect merely that
the subject would have to be considered by her Majesty's First
'dinkier and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and it would be far
them, being responsible foe the revenue of the country, to sec if any
meatus could be hit upon whereby the question could be safely dealt
with.

REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX.—A vestry
meeting of the parishioners of St. Ann, Westminster, for
the adoption .1 measures to effect this object, was held yes-
terday. Mr. Sampson, one of the churchwardens, was in
the chair. —Mr. J. George, in proposing the first resolution,
observed that there being now every probability that the go.
vernment were really about to bring forward a measure of
unitary reform, and that as every attempt at unitary im-
provement would be futile unless they secured to the people
a sufficiency of light and air, the present was a favourable
opportunity fur lapin pruning upon ministers the propriety
of repealing this odious, oppressive, and unequal tax. He
would state a few instances of the operation of this tax, for
the purpose of showing that it was imposed without any re-
ference to the value of property, and fell with the greatest
severity on the poor occupiers of the inferior houses. A
house, No. 8, Cross-street, Westminster, having 29 windows,
and the net annual value of which was 4.51., paid 101. 6s. 9d.
for window duty ; while the Carlton Club, which had 103
windows, and was rated at 1,2891., paid 321. is. 4d. Thus
the poor man's house paid 33, while the club of the aria.
tocracy paid only 21 per cent. No. 31, Peter-street, West-
minster, paid '2131 per cent. •, Sir It. Peel's mansion in
Whitehall-gardens only 41. F. Beasley, the proprietrr of
a house in Lancaster-court, was charged 191 per cent.,
while the Duke of Wellington, for Apsley-house, paid
but 14 per cent, window tax. No. 21, St. Ann's-court,
rated at 221., was assessed for windows 51. 14s. Id. No.
14, Schocquare, rated at 1171., was charged exactly the
same amount. This inequality was consequent upon the
amount of the tax being regulated by the number of the
windows instead of by the value of the house, and to avoid
the tax in the houses inhabited by the working clones every
window which could
air being thus excluded disease was en-
gendered. Farmers and occupiers of land under 2001. a year
in value were exempt from this tax; but surely if any elan of
persons were better able than others to bear the partial de-
privation of light and air in their dwellings it was those who
breathed the fresh air of the open country while at work,
certainly not those who were employed all day in close
TO6OlB and factories. Then, seam, Ireland did nut partici-
pate in this burden at all. He did not wish to impose addi-
tional taxes on the Irish people, but the legi-lature should
remember that there was such a thing as justice to
England, and it was scarcely eon•istent with that
justice that because the English people were loyal, patient,
and enduring, they should have to pay taxes which those
who were turbulent were exempt from. A great authority
on the subject, Dr. Southwood Smith, had stated that
typhus kills more people in this country every year than fell
at the battle of Waterloo; and he had also laid it down that
typhus might be removed from infected localities—even
though poverty, low diet, and almost filth prevailed—by the
introduction of fresh air. The window tax, by excluding
air and ligh', was injurious, not only to the physicial but the
mural condition of the people, and n govamment could ex-
pect to gain credit for sincerity in respect to sanitary reform
unless the removal of that tax was made a preparatory step
in their plan. He understood some persons advocated the
repeal of this tax for the purpose of removing the restrictions
on the Ininchise. He had no such aim ; his only object was
to fit the burden to the back, and to make property contri-
bute to the burdens of the state in proportion to its value.
It might be said this war tax must be retained to enable
government to add to the national defences. A more
unfounded and senseless alarm than was sought to be created
on this point he had never heard of. The best defence
against invasion was to enlist the sympathies if the people
in favour 01 the g ,vernment by making them happy and
contented.—A resolution Embodying the views the speaker
had expressed was then submitted, and, having been seconded
' by Mr. Roger., was carried unanimously; as was another
' proposed by Mr. Ashby, and seconded by Mr. Tyrrell, for
petitioning the House of Commons for the immediate abaft-
' don of the tax.—A committee was then appointed to obtain
• the signatures of the inhabitants to the petition, and after a
vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting broke up.

REPEAL OF TEE WINDOW TAX. Last night a
meeting of the rate-payers of the parish of St. Paul, Covent-
garden, took place at the Vestry-room, to adopt measures
for the abolition of the window tax. Mr. George Beck, the
churchwarden, in the chair. Mr. T. Cuff moved that a
petition praying the immediate repeal of the window tax be
presented to the House of Commons, and that the members
for Westminster be r, quested to support it. The motion
was carried unanimously, and thanks bang voted to the
chairman the meeting separated.
THE FRENCH BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.—The sub-
nribers and friends to this charitable institution dined toge-
ther yesterday, at the Freemasons' Tavern, for the pur-
pose of celebrating the sixth anniversary of its foundation.
The great utility of this society consists in its affording
relief to those natives of France, who, being attracted to
this country by the hopes of gaining a livelihood, often find
themselves wholly disappointed, and, become destitute.
The actual amount of relief in money and food during the
fifth year of the society's existence was 6ZII, including a
many of thee Preach
ofzn emigrants.
mranyenctrett3;lll.eftoor
intr.
h erchantstradetni:
I and others established in London, that they subscribe Jibe-
' rally to the institution in common with the King and Queen
of the French, their sons, and several of the nobility of that
nation, including the French ambassador, Prince Louie, &c.
LONDON AND COUNTY JOINT-STOCK BANKING
COMPANY.—The annual meeting of proprietors took place
yesterday at the London Tavern. J. G. Frith, Esq., presided.
In opening the proceediogs, the chairman observed that he
believed the report of the directors would prove satisfactory.
It was unnecessary to draw their attention to what had
passed during the last six months in the money market, but
he wan glad to say that the bank during that period had
been in a very easy and comfortable condition, and had been
able, besides supporting itself, to render assistance to its
neighbours ; although, at the same time, their accounts were
not increased. He believed that 240,0001. had been the
amount of the falling off in the general issue of privatebanks
within the circle of their influence, out of the parliamentary
limit of 1,300,0001. The secretary then read the report,
which was as follows

Your directors, in presenting to the proprietors their annual report,
can refer with much ratisfactioa to the continued prosperity of the I
bank. The extreme monetary preteure of the past year, imposed upon
your director. the mentally of great caution ; they felt that a Tarpon. '
!Shinty rested upon the Lento and County bank to grant with
liberality the banking accommodation required by its numerous con-
nexions; and they trust that the extensive interests comprised within
the range of its branches were relieved by the free, but pru-
dent use of the large resources at *their disposal from
the inconvenience en generally fell throughout the united kingdom.
During the severity of this pressure your directors weee called upon,
owing to the failure of a private bank at Abingdon, to offer their aid
to that important town and neighbourhood, which was gratefully ac-
cepted, and a branch bank has been estatamberi at that place, which
promise. to be a valuable acomeion to the businera of the company.
Your directors are gratified in being able to state that the tosses in. ,1
curred by the batik during the past year have been unusually small,
and although, in common with other banks, the financial statement
show. a considerable reduction in the amount of customers' balances
—arising not only from the general depression of trade, but from in.
vermenta induced by the low prices or public securities—let the in-
' creased current rate of interest has enabled your directors to report •
I profit nearly equal to that of last year. Your directors therefore
I can recommend to the proprietors that n dividend at the
' rate of ti per cert. per annum (free of income tax) be
declared for the poet half.year, and that, after payment of ex-
penses and providing for bad and doubtful debts, the balance
of b 641. lie. 3d. be carried to the guarantee fund, w'ich will
then amount to 23,6161.65. W. Hawes, Esq., your late chairman,
retired during the pert year; and W. G. Thomson, Esq., has been
elected to a rest on the direction. The directors refinng from the
board by rotation are W. Cory, EN.; J. W. Deacon, El.; and C.
Tabor, Esq., who have earth given notice of their intention to become
candidate. for re-election. J. Donkin, Esq., one of your auditors,
also retires by rotation, and being eligible for re election, offers him-
self accordingly. Your director. regret that your other auditor has
been prevented from attending to the recent audit by a family be-
reavement, and suggest that a third auditor should be appointed.

ILLATCI SHUT.
D. A .4. CL £ a. 4.
To Capital ... ..... 200,030 0 0 BT naah Inlsand . . 266,6 2 810
Basersi-il Fund.... 24,761 11 9 flecuritleadiscountisd
CS.4OIOSTS. balances, bills, to. .. ... .1,100,W 1 3
60 •••.. • • .... 1,225320 1 0 Bank prambua, falls-
Netprofitfurthehalf- hold and lowhold. 7=7 16 10
year. afterparment
uf e 9,781 15.. toxin. Preliminary ex-
penses, expenses of
teresttoemmuners. 6,883 11 3 maablishme a pur-
chasing branches.. 18,814 14 1

£1,457X4 7 0

£L4.57,354 7 0

Profit and Lc
To half Same cif %i-
-deal,. at warm. EtaolB 0 0
Balance carnal to
Guarantee Fund.. 884 11 3

le Account.
By net profit for the
Wilcox ..... .f,6.810 11 3

£8,883 II 3

.4',6.1332 11 3

In reply to some observations from Mr. Hambledon with
regard to the branches, and the extent to which the 'Talent
was to be canted, Mr. Cooper said that they did not incur
fresh expense for every branch they took, but made them
pay for themselves. He defended the policy of adding fresh
branches to the original concern, which he considered the
best way of promoting the interest of the company. The
did sot go into districu where people had 601., 101. or 1001.
placed to their credit; but did buaincss principally in a

smaller way. They had, to speak in a familiar way, but few
eggs in one basket, and those they found. very profit-
able. Then, he thought, that when objections were
made, it should be recollected that though they were
perhaps sixty miles off, they were within a few hours'
journey from each of their branches. There were many
advantages connected with the branches; for instance
the company had obtained great credit throughout
Kent in making advances for the hop duty ; and he thought
that if they continued the system they would make the bank
conducive to the interests of the proprietors and of great
benefit to the districts in which the branches were placed—
In reply to an objection to the prelimiasry expenses, which
Mr. Hambledon considered somewhat excessive, Mr. Cooper
observed that the amount was very small when they consi-
dered that it included the purchase of county banks, by
which he did not, of course, mean the purchase of the pre-
miers, but simply of the goodwill. In their arrangements
of the kind, however, they were only following the example
of all other banking companies, and he thought that
they were fully impre:sed with the necessity of keeping their
speculations within proper bounds. The chairman then
proposed, and Mr. Wheelton seconded, that the report be
adopted. It was carried unanimously, as was the next reso-
lution declaring the dividend, which was seconded by Mr.
Johnson. The formal resolution, by which it was agreed
that the balance of the profit and loss account should be car-
ried to the guarantee fund was then carried, which was fol-
lowed by votes of thanks to the chairman and directors,
and the auditors. Mr. Abraham J. Valpy was then elected
an additional auditor, in accordance with the recommenda-
tion of the directors, and the two other auditors re-el, Ord.
A ballot then took place, and Mr. William Cory, Mr. J. W.
Deacon, and Mr. Clement Tabor, the three directors retiring
by rotation. were re-elected. Some complimentary votes to
the officers of the company concluded the proceedings.
- -

- -
MIDDLESEX HosPITAL.—A quarterly court of the
governors of this institution was held yesterday at the hos-
pital, the president, the Duke of Northumberland, in the
chair. The annual statement of receipts and disbursements
showed the ordinary income to have been, by minuet sub-
scription, 2,1661. 4s. fel., making with dividend and other
items, 5,9401. 14e. 7d. The extra income was, by balance,
2311. 4s. 2d. ; donations, 5431. 45. 6d.; legacies, 7001. ; by
sale of stock, 3,0001., making with other items the total
receipts, 11,0051. Ss. ad. The ordinary expenditure, in-
chi ang 1,0141. 13s. for repairs, and 1,8571. 85. for wages and
salaries, had been 8,5611. ss. 60., which exceeded the ordi-
nary income by 2,6111. lls. id., but which left a balance out
of the entire receipts of the year of 1,2921. 19a. 7d. ; out of the
Samaritan fund, of which there was a balance of 1201. 4s. 52.,
there had been 971. 2s. sd. gives to 356 patients on their being
discharged. The total number of patients had been 11,791.
The report stated that the cleanliness of the hospital had
been carefully attended to, but that until the alterations
proposed in the budding report, which would be submitted to
the meeting, neither cleanliness nor ventilation could be car-
ried to the perfection desirable for the health of the patients ;
nor till then could the views of the board, with respect to
the introduction of an improved system of nursing, to
which the committee had given their especial attention, be
carried into effect. The nurses were still deficient is point
of number, which defect could not be remedied until further
accommodation was provided. The number at present was
lose than that of any other hospital. Improved ventilation
was also kept in view in the alterations proposed by the
building report. Many circumstances had concurred to I
reduce the medical school to a low ebb, but the weekly board
would hereafter recommend measures calculated to improve I
it. The report and financial statement having been adopted,
and officers elected, Mr. Hawes brought forward the building
report, which stated that the committee had arrived at
the conclusion, (1.) that the arrangement of the hospital
is capable of great improvement, and that it does
not afford proper or sufficient accommodation fur the present
establishment of nurses, and quite precludes the introduction
of a superior clue of nurses or sisters; and (2.), that it is
badly supplied with baths, sculleries; and other conveniences
necessary for the good conduct and the healthiness of the
wards, and is, generally speaking, ill-ventilated And it was
the opinion f the architect, that by a judicious alteration of
the present building, extending to the upper floors improve-
ments similar in character to those recently completed in
the basement, it is possible greatly to improve its ven-
tilation, materially to improve Stafford's and Northum-
berland wards, the most confined in the hospital, to
re-arrange the centre of the building, whereby the
accommodation provided for the resident officers would
be improved; to find ample space for rooms far superior
nurses, without diminishing the effectiee power of the insti-
tution; to provide extra bathe, sculleries, and conveniences
for wards at present without them, and to remove those
now most objectionably placed; and to introduce fire-proof
a &insets and landings on each side of the building, besides
many minor improvements it is impossible to mention in
detail—which improvements would cost leas than 12,0001.
Mr. Hawes contended that it was against the object of the
charity, and the wishes of the subscribers, to continue an-
nually adding to the funded property of the hospital, which
now amounted to 114,0001., when such important improve-
ments were required, even supposing, which he contended
would not be the case, that they would have to sell stock to
the whole amount. After much discussion on the subject,
some gentlemen thinking it would be better to rebuild the
hospital throughout, it was resolved that the report be
adopted, and referred back to the committee, to inquire into
the best means of carrying it out, and of raising the requisite
funds. Thanks having been voted to the noble chairman,
the meeting separated.
MARINE SoCIETY.—The annual meeting of the
members of this institution, which was established in 1756
for the equipment and maintenance of distressed boys for
the royal and Indian navies, merchant service, &c., was
held yesterday at the office in Bishopsgate-street. The pre-
sident of the corporation, the Earl of Romney, presided.
The report described the affairs of the corporation to be in a
very satisfactory state ; 315 had been admitted during. the
past year, there having remained from the previous year 98.
Last year there were sent into the royal navy 3d, the Indian
navy 46, and into the merchant service 271, making a total
so provided for since the first establishment of upwards of
48,000. The total receipts, incleding donations, subscrip-
tions, &c., amounted to 7,7611., and deducting the expendi-
ture, a balance of 921. remained. The vice-presidents and
members of the committee, &c., having been elected, the
meeting separated.
AIM'. VATS OF SPECIE.—The Patrick Henry arrived
at Liverpool yesterday from New York with 22,500/. in
specie on freight. The Mary Woods, arrived from Valparaiso,
brought 120,000 dote.
INQUEsT, YEtiTERDAY.—ALLECIED REFUSAL OF
RELIEF AT ST. Leon's WORKHOUSE.—Before Mr. W.
Esker, at the board-room of the workhouse of St. Luke,
Middlesex, to inquire into the circumstances attending the
death of John Haskins, aged 64. After the Coroner and
jury had viewed the body of the deceased, which was in a
very emaciated condition, Mr. Baker said he had received a
letter from one of the guardians, as follows :—" Dear Sir, I
regret to have occasion to write to you, but a muse of duty
to the poor and the public urges me to do so, to inform you
that, on Thursday, last, a great number of the outdoor poor
of the parish of St. Luke, attended the relieving-officer's
office in the workhouse-yard, City-road, for relief, and
that many of them were kept there, that piercing cold day,
from 9 or 18 o'el xk in the morning until 9 o'clock at night,
and, after all, several were discharged without any relief. One
poor man, whose name I am informed was Haskins, at nine
o'clock at night, became ao exhausted with cold and
hunger, thee be dropped, and was obliged to be
taken into the workhouse, and next morning, at nine o'clock,
was a corpse. On the evening of that day (Friday) was the
weekly meeting of the guardians, and it was (as I am in-
formed) discussed there as to the propriety of holding '
coroner's inquest on the body, and ultimately agreed to pass
it over and take no further notice of it. Now, sir, I leave it
in your hands se to the holding of an inquest on the body of
the poor man, whose death it appears to me, as far as I can
learn, was hastened on by the cruel treatment of keeping
him en many hours waiting in the cold without food—a
disgraceful cruel system, which ought to be put a stop to. It'
an inquest is held, and it is found there was no neglect, let
it be known to the public, and the parochial officers canner-
, ated from all blame, If on the contrary, let the guilty parties
have their full share of the odium such conduct de-mews.
—Yours respectfully, RICHARD WARD, a guardian of the
poor.—P.S. If an inquest is not held it is my intention to
send a statement of the occurrence to the public preen"—
Mr. J. Courtenay, medical officer for the workhouse, stated
that the master had reported the case to the board and they
bad directed him to make a post ',torten' examination of the
remains of the deceased, who was seen shortly after his ad-
mission by Mr. Lambert, a surgeon acting for witness. Mr.
Lambert found the poor man in a sinking state, from an old
asthma, rendered worse by the inclemency of the weather.
Stimulating medicines were administered, and the old man
was carefully attended to, but he gradually sank, and ex-'
pired on the following morning at ten o'cleck. Oa a post
marten' examination he found the abdomen presented a
healthy apearance. There 'was not much in the stomach,
except what had been given him after his admission into the
workhouse. He attributed death to no,ural causes, aggro.
voted by the severity of the weather.—J. Rinsley, a pauper,
deposed that he was admitted into the workhouse on Thurs-
day evening last. He first Saw the deceased between 10 and
11 o'clock on that morning, when he was brought into the
waiting-room by two men, apparently in a most helpless
state. The poor man was very cold, and shivered a good
deal. The witness described the rate of the waiting room,
which he said was paved with asphalte. There was no fire-
grate in it, and only two forms for the pauperslto sit upon.—
James Bateman, master of St. Luke's workhouse, said the
deceased was brought there on Thursday night in • most
exhausted state, and he sank in a chair, and was unable to
speakt for some time.w. one Stimulantsto werveerapplemd, andt evweiaL
ou'eng eand he died next morning. —The jury
then returned a verdict that death arose from na-
tural causes, and added the following addenda to
their decision :—" The jurors cannot retire from their
duty without expressing their opinion that the death of the
deceased may have been aggravated by the severity of the
weather, and that it was accelerated by his being obliged to
remain without relief in the waiting-room of the relieving
officer of the pariah of St. Luke for a period of eight or nine
hours on a very inclement day, until he was admitted into
the workhouse."