The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-03 00:00:00

COMMITTEE.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUM,

COLNEY HATCH.

On Tuesday morning, "justices, clergy, boards of
guardians, and parochial officer*, within the county of
Middlesex," assembled, by invitation of the magistrates at
Colney Hatch, in the first place to inspect the new Lunatic
Asylum for the county, which has just been completed, and
in the second place to witness the consecration by the Bishop
of London of the burial ground attached to the asylum.
The Colney-Hatch Asylum is intended as au establish-
ment for the eastern division of the county, Hanwell re-
maining to supply the wants of West Middlesex. The
first stone was laid on the Bth May, 1849, by Prince Albert,
and the building is now finished. The builder who took
the contract was Mr. Myers, of Lambeth, and it may
be mentioned as a curious and creditable fact that the esti-
mate of that gentleman was by 61,0001. less than the esti-
mate of any other person. Mr. Myers undertook to carry
out the design (Mr. Daukes) for LiB,ooo/. ; and he has
completed the work without a single extra, very greatly to
the satisfaction of the magistrates, and to the enhancement
of his own reputation.
The asylum is a monument alike of British benevolence
and of the wonders to be accomplished by local adminis-
tration." It is not only the largest lunatic asylum in the
world, but it is hereafter to be regarded as the model for all
other a..ylums in this and other countries, and it is fitting
that this result should have been achieved by the local au-
thorities of the metropolitan county. The building, pure
Italian in style, with brick walls and stone rustic quoins,
strings, cornices, and window-and-doer dressings,, is 1.833
feet in length, a greater length than that of the Crystal Pa-
lace, and, it is said, from wing to wing, a greater length than
that of any edifice im Europe. This immense extent is not at
once apparent ; fur the building, of nu remarkable width,
is coiled, as it nen% serpent-like, within a comparatively
limited number of acres. Originally it was intended to
supply accommodation for only 1,000 patients, but the first
plans have been modified, and it is calculated that 1,400 or
1,600 lunatics ran now he received. Hanwell Asylum,
always inconveniently crowded, can at the utm,st provide
only for 800 patients; and at Colney Hatch, not only will
the aggregate accommodation be larger, but the comfort
and health of the individual patient will be infinitely
greater. Not, indeed, until now has there been any asylum
constructed with distinct reference to the requirements and
conditions of the modern system of treatment. Colney
Hatch Asylum embraces all the recent suggestions of medical
experience and all which a liberal philanthropy would desire.
The architectural design is exquisite for its appropriateness
to the purpose to be attained, and for the effectual way in
which the difficulties attending the arrangement prescribed
have been overcome. _

Extending cast and west arc the corridors, affording
facilities of communication with the different wards with.

oat passing through them or disturbing or exciting the
patients. fhe entire length of these corridors is upwards
of 1,3.30 feet. At this point the central side corridors com-
mence inclining, the central buildings in the rear being
placed lower in succession, and these corridors by this in-
dine being continued to the portion of the building on the
lower level 15 feet below afford a communication, without
steps, from the upper to the lower story. This absence of
staircases is one of the most remarkable characteristics of
the buildings.
There is a chapel RI feet long by 58 feet wide, capable of
containing 600 persons. There is an exercising hall, a place
suggested by our climate, 112 feet long, and 58 feet wide--
a noble apartment. The kitchen, brew-house, wash-house,
laundries, are all admirable. Each male ward affords ac-
commodation to 30 patients, the different classes of cases
being intended to be placed separately, and each ward
being strictly aloof from the other. The female wards are
on the west side, and will each contain thirty-
four patients ; and on the whole, female luna-
tics being more numerous than those of the opposite sex,
there is a more ample accommodation for women than for
men. The cells for the violent eases are lined with gutta
perdu'. The ordinary cells are neat, nicely-furnished dor-
mitories, opening on the wards. The airing-grounds arc
extensive and pretty gardens—not, as in other asylums,
surrounded by high, gloomy walls, but so raised over the
out-offices and buildings as to command a pleasant prospect
of the beautiful country around Colney Hatch. Neither
inside nor outside is there the gloom usually supposed in-
separable from an asylum. The modern system insists on
maintaining cheerfulness among the patients. The interior
of the building is flooded with light ; there is not a dark
corner in the whole of it. The termination of each gallery•
is of an octagon form; and in this way, which is
quite new, each gallery is blessed with an cod light.
The ventilation is most complete ; and the warming appa-
ratus
is such, that in all parts of the building a temperature
of 60 degrees can be secured in the most severe seasons.
Throughout there is a glittering cleanliness apparent,
which, in itself, would be medicinal. The staff of officials
in connexion with the asylum will be considerable as soon
as it is opened. Drs. Hood and Davy have been appointed
resident physicians. Pauper lunatics onlywill be admitted.
It is expected that the Queen will visit and go over the
asylum next week. Her Majesty has originated a Mind to
be called the" Victoria fund," which is to be applied to the
assistance of those persons who leave the asylum cured, but
who, when they leave it, may be without triends or means
of self-support. Prince Albert, it is stated, also takes great
interest in the institution.

REFORM OF TUE COLLEGE OP SURGEONS.--A
meeting of the members of the Royal College of Surgeons
resident in Manchester and some of the towns in the vici-
nity, was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Town Hall,
Manchester, Mr. Beever in the chair, to take into conside-
ration the present state of the charter of the college, pre-
vious to the introduction into parliament of a bill for the
regulation of the medical profession. The resolutions
passed approved of those adopted by the college on the 19th
and 24th of March; and the following memorial based upon
them was signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting.
" To the Right lion. Sir George Grey, Bart., her Majesty's
prinelw.l Secretary of State for the Home Department.—
Sir—The undersigned, as chairman of a public meeting,
held in the Town Hall, Manchester, of members of the
Royal College of Surgeons of England, begs respectfully, on
behalf of the same, to call your attention to the following
circumstances :—dertain resolutions, adopted by the council
of the college in March last, are deemed by the members
residing in Manchester and the immediate neighbourhood
to be of a character so just and conciliatory that they may
be accepted, so far as surgeons arc concerned, as
the basis upon which a final settlement of the vexed ques-
tion of medical reform should rest. You will have noticed
that with the exception of two points, the resolutions iu
question concede the several demands submitted to you by
a deputation of provincial physicians and surgeons, in May,
1550, these points involving the payment of a fee on ad-
mission to the fellowship, and the standing rendering
members eligible to it, the surgeons of this locality respect-
fully submit should be determined by yourself on behalf of
her Majesty's government. And tendering to you sir, our
grateful acknowledgements for the anxious consideration
which you have given to this subject, we haveonce more to '
urge that, in any measure of medical legislation which you
may introduce, all provision be excluded for a separate in-
corporation of general practitioners so called. Believing
that the differences upon the subject of medical reform that
have hitherto obstructed the several attempts at legislation
may now be satisfactorily accommodated, the undersigned,
on behalf of those whom he represents, most respectfully
prays you to introduce a bill for the better regulation of the
medial profession during the present session of parliament.
Signed on behalf, Ste., of the meeting, W. W. listuvnu,
Chairman.—Manchester, July 1."

A biRITING OF TUE DUBLIN PROTESTANT As-
socurtow was held in Dublin on Tuesday night, at the
Rotunda, for the purpose of commemorating the Battle of the
Boyne, and " of affording an opportunity to protestants in
general of expounding and enforcing their principles." The
chair was taken by Mr. T.Thompron, and the speakers were
Mr. J'. U. Munn Mr. T. Wallace, the Rev. IL Prior, Mr.
Peters, and the Rev. T. D. Gregg. The attendance was very
numerous, and the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted: " That we think a proper occasion to renew the oft-
enunciated principles of the Dublin Protestant Association,
which principles we believe, also, to be those of all sound
protestants ; that we do, accordingly, declare that wo re-
gard with ever blowing gratitude and veneration, the
name, constitutional policy, and triumphant career of the
great and good King William 111. whose glorious victory at
the Boyne, on the Ist of July, 1890, we now commemorate ;
that we are convinced that any state policy which aims at less
than the national ascendancy of religious truth, and the era- ,1
dication of religious error—thus differing from the policy of
King William—is unprincipled, unwise, and detrimental
to the interests of the nation in general, and tending towards
the subversion of the throne; that we deeply regret to be
obliged to express our conviction, that such is the nature
of the state policy at present in operation, which, by con-
founding truth and error, and weakly contending for the
former, and against the latter, indicates, on the part of our
statesmen, the absence of a spirit of strong faith and confi•
dence in God—a state of mind in high places naturally
precursor to public disaster ; that we believe the public as-
sertion of these principles to be a paramount christian duty,
in the performance of which all faithful protestant+ should
take a share. That we do hereby publicly renew the uaer-
tion of our firm belief that theoman Catholic Church is
the great corporate development of the oft-predicted and
anti-christian apostacy—we believe its head, the Pope, to be
the great Roman Antichrist, "that man of sin '•"
that its
.principles are essentially idolatrous, the
sensual, in fact, under a christian name, of that
paganism which Christ came to abolish and destroy •
that we believe that its prevalence in Ireland is, and has;
been for ages, the caused the shales of this country, and
that we call upon Rasa .MMus themselves to reflect
that famine, pestilence and degopelation have, in a re-
markable manner, afiliciad out esrantry stem the state be-
gee to countenance and support the Roman church, and to
depress, persecute, end despoil the church of Ireland ; that
wo are convinced that ifrmezeogi:t or righteous to endow
the Rossenit College of and the Irish national
=or ehesedee. it he jest, righteous, and cape-
shady to overthrow the sherd of -Ireland, and that,
accordingly. we very little weeder that when those Um
and easehalphil eencemicese M, be het, surrender princi-
ple te the
those
that they drain be irritated and an-
=tothat esseaniene set followed up ; that we
that and Iffeely the slightest support, encourage-
nag, sr en:R, obembi be ettbskawn from Popery,
cad diet tha ask Willem being millions of
iiehtsce. scabies mars than chained stubble
opposed to the millions who, in this country, are the mem-
bers of the Chen* of Christ.

ADM:MALTY, JULY 2. —Apponmemwra.— Bur-
avow : J. Henderson, to Waterwitch, and James Nivea, to
&pass. Clerk: W. H. Shanks, to Impregnable. Mato :
T. G. , to Waterseitek. Gunner: R. lenumer,
to Express. Gunner : H. Davidson, to Wate►.
Mask Assistant • ; Some' Madden to dip.

THE METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLY

On resuming the Inquiry yesterday, Sir James
Graham in the chair

Mr. J. Quick, the 'engineer of the Southwark and Vaux-
hall Company, was croweexamined by Mr. Serjeant Wrong-
ham, Q.C., on behalf of the water companies of London
generally.—lnclined to the opinion that water taken at
Battersea at two hours' ebb was as good as that drawn
higher up the Thames at Ditton; and, in the event of a
general consolidation, it would he desirable to take advan-
tage of the works there. Consumers would prefer
the Thames Ditties water, but he did nut from experience
believe that consumers would incur an extra expense
of 51. to get the purer water ; and the cost
of bringing such a supply from Thames Ditton would be
nearer 800,0001. than 300,0001. The saving by the proposed
pumping establishment, and by the Eel-pie Island scheme,
would be 62,0001. a year; and the estimated saving in
management under the consolidated companies, 270001.
'lke extreme distance through which the Southwark com-
pany had to send their water through the trunk main prior
to distribution wits three or tour miles ; some of the other
companies sent it a longer distance. The expense of
managing the consolidated company would be 7,5001., as
deposed to by previous witnesses. The total pipago of all
the metropolitan companies was 2,000 miles. These were
the general features of the plan.
Capt. Veitch was examined, and stated that he had
considered whether or not the Thames was a proper
source of supply for water to the metropolis, and
thought, having considered the other sources of sup-
ply obtainable, that it was the most improper source
in a sanitary point of view that could be devised. It was
important to preserve the Thames and the fresh water
streams running into it as intact as possible, because the tat-
ter, after getting into the tidal department, performed a
double office, viz., that of preserving and improving the
channel of the navigation, and also the purity of the river.
This flowing of fresh water streams into the Thames was
essential to its purification as affected by the sewerage, and
was of opinion that the great quantity of fresh water
flowing into the Themes at Teddington weir was
one of the main elements in preserving its purity,
and the abstraction of the water from that point tor the.
supply of London would be injurious. Tlw river Lea, all
other circumstances being the same, would preduce less pol-
luted water, and under the direction of the cominimioners
of sewers had directed his attention to the supplies that
might be obtained from the Lea. Had ascertained from
practical gauging that seven millions of cubic feet or 44
millions of gallons of water might daily be procured from
the Lea, 21 miles above Hertford, for the daily supply of
London. There were numerous fresh wat.er springs on the
route of the Lea from which any quantity of water might
be produced. There was one spring with an enormous
supply at Woolmer, capable of yielding 300,000 cubic feet,
or two million gallons per diem. The river and East
London companies were supplied from this source. The
supply from the Lea to the New River Head at Islington,
was brought 39 miles, from Ware, by an open aqueduct at
an inclination of three inches per mile as a greater slope
would make the stream turbid. This circuit of 39 miles
would be reduced to 14 miles in a tunnel form.
On the north western side of London there were
a number of streams in the Watford chalk for-
mation that might be made available. The river Colne,
which could be brought twelve miles in a direct line, would
contribute three million cubic feet per diem, and the
Verulani would yield 20 million of gallons in 'l4 hours, and
the supplies might be brought to near ltegent'elurk, so
that from these sources alone 61 million pitons might be
delivered to London daily. Then, on the southern side of
the river, a little up the river Demuth, near Shoreham,
ISO feet above high water mark, to a point called Manor-
rise, Forest-hill—trout that point 2,051,000 cubic feet, or
16 millions of gallons, could be supplied daily to London
through a 12-mile tunnel, gravitating at six inches to the
mile. If the supplies from these sources were brought by
tunnels filtration would not be requisite. The supplies from
these sources would arrive by gravitation in the vicinity
of London, and fall into mervoirs 142 feet above
the river.
_ .

. -
After omc further evidence the committee adjourned to
this day.

CIIEAP GAS IN THE CITY.

An extraordinary general meeting of the share-
holders of the Great Central Gas Consumers' Company was
held at the London Tavern, Bishopitgate-street, on Tuesday
last to consider a deed executed for amalgamating the Old
City Gaslight Company with the new company ; Tuom.ss
DAKIN, Req., tilled the chair.
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by stating
that in a matter so deeply affecting the interests of tho
shareholders, the directors had thought it better to present
a written report of the whole proceeding, instead of leaving
it to the lent certain process of explauution by a verbal ad-
dress. With the permission of the meeting the report
should be read, and he would then be happy to hear an
observations the shareholders might have to offer. (Hear.)
Mr. Alderman WIRE read the directors' report, from
which it appeared that the bill of the Great Central had
passed both houses, and is to receive the Royal assent on
Friday next. The terms of amalgamation were in confor•
mity with the pledges given to the consumers by the Great
Central. The value of the plant of each company is to be
determined by two arbitrators chosen by the companies, and
their decision to be governed by an umpire of their own se-
lection.

Mr. MACHIN and Mr. LARDY, in short speeches, moved
and seconded the adoption of the report, which was unani-
mously approved.
Mr. CRAULES PEARSON, Deputy STEVENS, and other
gentlemen, addressed the meeting, recommending that all
past differences should be forgotten, and that the directors
and shareholders of the two companies should cordially co-
operate to carry out the great objects of the company for
the equal benefit of the shareholders and consumers. The
triumphant success of this company, notwithstanding the
difficulties they had had to surmount, afforded an additional
manifestation of the power of the people when iu pursuit of
an object of common interest. (Hear.)
Mr. STEVENS moved, and Mr. BLAKE seconded, a resolu.
lion presenting the directors with an allowance of 1,0001.
per annum for their services for two years, accompanied by
a cordial vote of thanks, in which Mr. Charles Pearson ay
an honorary director was included, for their unions, per-
severing, and efficient services in bringing the company to
its present successful state.
The resolution, which was unanimously passed, was ac-
knowledged by the chairman, and the meeting adjourned.

THE SCREW STEAMER ANN, Captain Gibba, ar-
rived at Southampton, yesterday, from Oporto, which port
she left on the 27th ult. Iler cargo consisted of 90 head of
fat cattle, some of the finest that were ever imported into
this country. AU was quiet at Oporto, hut the quietude
was considered to be suspicious. The weather was intensely
hot in Portugal. The Portuguese were holiday keeping ;
so much so that the Ann could not land her bullion which
she took out from London for 48 hours after she arrived at
Oporto. As soon as the Ann landed her cattle at South-
ampton, • telegraphic communication was sent to London
to the principal London butchers.

ILEALTII OF LONDON DURING THE WEER.—The
official report says : In the week ending last Saturday the
deaths registered in the metropolitan districts amounted to
1,032. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 181140
the average number was 924 ; if, for the sake of better com-
parison, this average be raised in the ratio of increase of
population (which, during the last 50 years, was 1.778 per
cent. annually), it will become I,ol6—an amount which
differs not materially from the number now returned. It
will be observed that there is an increase of more than 60 on
the week immediately preceding, when the deaths were
968. But this excess is not the effect of increased mortality:
it is due to cases where coroners have held inquests, in
many of which, though they occurred at earlier dates, the
registration had not been completed till the end of the
quarter. Sudden deaths, undue which designation in the table
are classedcases in which persons have been found dead, or
hays died suddenly, and the fatal disease has not been
ascertained—these, which in the previous return were only
8, have risen last week to 29. But the great majority of
inquests is on deaths from violence, privation, intempe-
rance, &c., and in this clan the number has been in each of
the last two returns above the average, in the former week
amounting to 52, in the latter to 85. In the present list the
deaths of two persons are ascribed to privation, of 2 to in-
temperance, 2to want of breast milk or inanition, 3to
poison, 7to burns and scalds, 4 to hanging or suffocation,
18 to drowning, 41 to fractures and contusions (chiefly from
carriages and falls), sad 6 to wounds and other injury.
The present return shows that the mortality from diseases
of the organs of respiration continues to exceed the usual
amount at this period ; the deaths in this clam were 124,
while the corrected average is 98. Phthisis was fatal to
145 persons, which differs little from the estimated number.
The fatal emu included in the symotie or epidemic elms
have risen from 206 in the preceding week to 218 in the last.
Small-pox carried off 21 children, and 3 persons above 15
ears; measles was fatal to 41 children, scarlatina to 14,
beeping-cough to 46, croup to 5, thrush to 4, diarrhwa to
16 children and 3 adults, typhus to 38 persons. But this
clue is not in the aggregate above the average, though
measles and hooping-eough are apparently rather prevalent.
It was mentioned above that two persons died of privation.
The following are the particulars of the cases :—At the
workhouse, Wbitechapel, on 21st June, a labourer, aged 60
years, died of " starvation." Ho was brought by the police
Prom Angel-alley. At the London Hospital, on the
21st June, a labourer, aged 42 years, died a " sudden death
accelerated by want." An inquest was held in this case.
The following are the particulars of a case of cholera which
was registered last week :—At 54, Hill-street, Walworth, on
20th of June, a carpenter, aged 60 years, died of cholera (14
days), chronic disease of the stomach (2 years). Certified
by medical attendant. The births of 716 boys, and 723
girls, in all 1,439 children, were registered last week. The
average number in six corresponding weeks of 1845.50 was •
1,423. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
daily reading of the barometer was above 30 in. on every
day after Sunday ; and the mean of the week was 30.032 in.
The mean daily temperature was below the averages of
remaining days was successively 2.7 deg., 6.6 deg., 9.7 deg.,
yeah,corresponding 0 Sunday,days
as
d s
and 6 deg. above the respective averages. The mean tem-
perature of the week was 62.3 deg. The wind was for the
most part in the north-west on the first three days ; it then
Monday, derived
and froTumesdatheyo;b7nrcivamtilliseoffoteunr
changed to south-west, but was frequently calm during the
rait of the week.

GLASGOW PAISLEY, A.ND GREENOCK RAILWAY•
Teo for the week ending June 28: 1,1871. 711.
cornispongan' g week in 1850, 1,1571. 34.7 d.