The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-04 00:00:00

THE CITY LIBRARY.

The court entered into a discussion upon the report on
the reference relative to the establishment of a free library
and a free circulating library, and for an application to
parliament for an act.
_ . .

The report included the report of their sub committee,
and recommended the adoption of it.
The report stated as follows :—'• Your committee having
I on the 26th of May presented a report recommending the
establishment within this city of a free library and a free cir-
culating library for the use and benefit of all persons resi-
dent within this City and its vicinity upon the model of
those established at Liverpool, Manchester, and other places
and that the Right lion. the Lord Mayor should be re-
quested to convene a public meeting of the bankers, mer-
chants, and all wiser persons resident within this City and
its vicinity for the purpose of determining upon the most
eligible means for electing so desirable a puipose ;
but upon the reading of the report the court ordered
the same to be referred back with instructions to
make further inquiry and report; and it sppeuriog de-
sirable to ascertain whether the recommendations can or
cannot be carried into effect within this city under the au-
thority of the act of Victoria 13 and li, cap. 65. and also
to make further inquiries as to the probable success of

founding and maintaining such libraries without emdanger.
log or interfering with the existing library of the corpora_
tine (the Guildhall library), we do certify that we ha%
proceeded iu such inquiries, and we feel satafied that the
establiehnient of • free library, and a free circulating
library, would be the means of introducing the works of
the most approved authors so the homes and firesides of the
inhabitants of this city, and would also afford to all this,"
an impetus tu diligent and thoughtful readidg, and encourage
the pursuit of studies, the result of which, under favourable
circumstances, would extend the boundaries of knowledge
and national civilisation. At the same time, we lava weer.
twined that the act of the 13th and 14th years of her pen_
sent Majesty above referred to cannot be appliel in cat,
Wishing a public library and museum by the tutyor god
corporation of this city, and we have ascertained that by
an act of her present Majesty's reign, cap. 3, entitled, f. An
Act for Establishing a Public Library and hla, um, and
• Gallery of Arts in Liverpool," it is enacted that the coup_. cil of that town shall establish and maintain a panun
library and museum, with • gallery of arts, and from Gran
to time extend and change such site, and a'so appoint ,
I committee and officers for its management and direction, the
admission thereto being free of charge, with ounary other
powers, provisions' and authorities therein contained.
In pursuance of which act of parliament a public free
library and a free circulating library have been established
in that town, whilst Manchester, Hull, and other corporate
towns have availed themselves of the act of the 13th and
11th of her Majesty, and have, with the aid of their re-
spective towns, established ouch libraries, oil of which
are now in sueceasful operation, and auto's, the
expectations of their supporters. And it appears to
as desirable that measures should be adopted, under
the authority of the Court of Common Council, to
apply to parliament, authorising the cotabliAment of a
free library and free circulating library and museum, and
that previous then to, the Lord Mayor should be requested
to convene a public meeting of the merchants, bankers, and
other inhabitants of the City, to procure their aid and
support to such an undertaking, tie., 6,:c."
The report was agreed to, and, after the transaction of
other business, the court adjourned.

A.VILSTATB CHURCH .A6ZOCIATIO.V.

TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE.

The third Triennial Conference of Delegates from
thermions Protestant Dissenting bodies who are in cunnetion
with the British Anti-Stato Church Association, opened its
sitti:ists yesterday morning, at half-past ten o'clotk, at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgati -street.
The ordinary routine business of appnintirg a Business,
Finance, and Selection Committees, for nominsting achair.
man, for framing rules fur the conduct of the business of
the conference, and secretaries and other officers for the
neat three years having been transacted,
Mr. MunisEtt, of Kettering, was called upon by Mr. W.
EIMAItDi the Treasurer, who acted as chairman pro tent.,
to state the stare and progress of the Anti-State Church
Movement in his locality. Ile said that the movement in
Kettering was going on most satisfactorily, and that since
the last conference two attempts to impose a
church rate on the parish hidl been defeated.
They bad to congratulate themselves on the accession
of several influential inhabitants of Kett, ring to the ranks
of the association, and upon the fact that there was a grow-
ing feeling there of the necessity of a complete separation
between church and state. The inhabitants of the town
who were connected with the movement were most anxious
that delegates should be sent into the surrounding villages,
to &third explanations of the; objects and purtoses of the
association.

The Chairman of the Business Committee reported that
they had chosen Mr. Cripps, of Leicester, as the chairman
of the sitting, and that gentleman took his seat accordingly
as the president of the dire.
Atter the appointment of the secretaries, and the bye-
laws for governing the order of business, as recommended
by the committee, and the report of the finance committee,
hied been put and adopted,
The CHAIRMAN delivered a brief address, in acknow-
ledgment of the honour conferred upon him is appointing
him to the office of president.
The report of the executive committee was then read by
Mr. U. Wit hams, which stated that the association had
successfully mimed through its preliminary duties of making
its object known, and familiarising the public mind with
its principles, and that the wore commenced in
1843 in faith might now in 1553 be carried ou with hope.
In the publishing department the association had since the
last conference published eleven volumes of "The Library
for the Times," of which 20,000 copies ha-I been circulated.
Arrangements were making by which two new works of the
highest interest would be added to the Senn at the come
mencement of the ensuing year. Local meetings had been
formed at Manchester, and preliminary steps had been
taken for similar movements in several towns in Lancashire
and Yorkshire, and the committee propose that measures
should be taken for the establishment of concentrated local
action in the most productive districts. Referring to the
last general election, the committee congratulated the
conference on the fact that forty protestant dis-
senters had been re'uraed to the present parliament,
representing the largest constituencies of the kingdom, com-
prising in the aggregate not less then one fifth of the whole
electoral body ; and they added that the cap rience of the
last session gave them reason to believe that they would be
enabled to bring the anti-state principles under the notice
of the legislature without interfering with the ordinary
legislative business. The conference was next con-
gratulated upon the voluntary extinction by the go-
vernment of the Reyittin Doutins, and upon the passing
of the bill empowering the people of Canada to deal with
the clergy reserves. The report next referred t.) the pro-
ceedings of the last session on the Maynooth endowment
grant, to Mr. Trelawuy's committee on church rates, and
to the debates on the same subject in the pest session. It
was an important consideration that the power of the mi-
nority to impose a church rate egainst the will of the ma-
jority had become an exploded fact, and there was reasoa to
believe that the time was not far distant when it would be
impossible to raise a church rate in any perish.
The new Cemeteries Bill wa complair.ed of as
creating invidious ecclesiastical distinctions. The various
other legislative meuurts of ectir g the interests of dissen-
ters were elluded to, and the general success of the friends
of that body in parliament was urged as a ground for en-
couragement, and as a reason fur furth.r exertion. The
prospect of an extension of the franchise, and the creation
of new electoral bodies, by means of which the Anti-State
Church Association would probably add to its parliamentary
influence, was next urged on the attention of the conference.
Then as to the condition of the church of England itself,
of which church, agitetion might now be said to be the
normal characteristic. It was sorrowfully observed by the
evangelical party that the protietantiun of the
church was being undermined by its own clergy,
and the warmest friends of that church now ac-
knowledeed that her vast resources arid revenues were
wantonly squandered and misapplied, and this eatement
was confirmed by references to statements made by Mr.
Gladstone, the Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Frome, and by the
Morning Chronicle. The report concluded by submitting
various suggestions for the more efficient conduct of the
society, and for rendering its efforts more efreotive.
The Rev. THOMAS TOLLER, of Kettering, moved the
first resolution, adopting the report of the eommittee, de-
claring that the conference thankfully recognised in the
facts recorded therein indications of success calculated
greatly to encourage the promoter: of the movement, and
recommending an exteesion of the society's operations.
Mr. J. BELL, M.P., seconded the metian. lle advocated
, free trade in church matters as in everything else, and
ob-
served taut he knew not which was worse in reference tO
religion, state control, or state protection.
The resolution was put, and carried unanimously.
Mr. KINOSLY read a paper explaioing the recent pro-
' ceedings of the committee in Manchester and its neigh-
bourhood. The principal points of this paper, beyond de-
scribing what had been done by the writer as the Manchester
agent, appeared to be to urgo the value of local organisation,
of voluntary Christian agency, and of conformity to the
feelings—and even the prejudices—of these whom it was
their object to unite in the movement, end tie importance
of holding periodical meetings for discussion, and fur afford-
ing explanations of the society's principles.
The Rev. JOHN GORDON, of Coventry, the chairman of
the business committee, moved the reception of Mr.
Kingely's paper, observing that the consideration of its
contents would be taken when they came to inquire what
improvements might be made in the constitution of the as-
sociation. _ _ _

The motion having been seconded by Mr. W. EDWARDS
and carried,
The Rev. Josern FLETCHER moved that the revised
constitution, as prepared by the executive committee, be
read, in order that its clauses might be considered seriatim.
and expressed a hope that the result of that constitution
would be to secure the cooperation of all those who agreed
in the desirability of the separation of Church and State,
but had hitherto held aloof from the society.
The document was then read by Mr. Fu3TRIL :
NAME —Society for Separation of Church and S:ate.
PniticiPLE.—lnsatnach as the province of law is to re-
gulate overt acts, and of religion to affect the conscience
and the heart—law by compulsion, religion by persuasion
—and where compulsion begins persuasion ends, the autho
rity of law can only be consistently employed in aid of
religion to protect its tree exercise ; and the objects of both
are obstructed, as well as the teaching of Christiaoity dis-
regarded, when law is applied to direct the affairs, pre•
scribe the instruction, or maintain the worship, of any re-
ligious body.
On ECT.— The abrogation of all laws and usages which
inflict disabi;ity, or confer privilege, on ecclesiastical
grounda,upou any subject of the realm. The discontinuance of
all payments fn‘m the consolidated fund, and of all parlia-
mentary grants and compulsory exactions, for religions
purposes, both at home and in the colonies. The applica-
tion to secular uses, after an equitable satisfaction of exist-
ing interests, of all national property now held in trust by
the united church of lingland.and Ireland, and the yresbyte-
rian church of Stuitlind, and, concurrently with it, the libe-
ration of those churches from all state control. . .

ritisswity Itei.x.s.—The means reverted to by the society
shall be moral and constitutional only. The society shall
pursue its ob 4 without reference to :•ectarian or party
distinctions. The society shall not bi WI responsible for
any acts or opinions of its friends or side:Tates not performed
or expressed in its 'Lime, and with its authority and sanc-
tion.

Monts or Acrtem.—By collecting and diffusing statis-
tical and other information illustrative of the tendency and
results of employing law in aid of religion. Ily making use
of the periodical press, and by publishing tracts, reprints,
and volumes, with a view to et plain and further the society a
ol.ject. By holding public meetings, and delivering lec-
tures, on all questions within scope of the avowed aims of
the society. Ily organising the friends of the society in such
a manner as Will best enable them to curt their combined

odotee on the imbibe stied. and on parliament. By
wines lb. proetweinge of the legislature. sad of ether
..blee holier, wimps sad prevent say infriegentent of
ovokey se religious pretexts. By 'miaow the duty of
woos bad esertwee electoral power, for the retina to
rarissiertt imm ot Auvegrity. hoambio to the
society's
sdpl , sag *Wog to selvucate it.
' lee remairsder of the document mien to details of
goasonien and Ohara.
gskiiiiierettly the veliaeS clauses were pet tertiaries.
up the be.t claw. " That the same of the society la
10,0, be tie Smiety fur the &panties of Chatelt sad
Mr T. 4 Oa. al see who had become attached to the
Anit-State Church Amocietioe, °Netted to may
O. Or name, . meiderieg that the result of say
(t▪
aper 0f,,40n. would lead to the impressiou that the old
.4„•y, •ht 1.44 l been established tar opposing a state
t:Altik in ant farm, had failed, and bad consequently
twor.,.: 4►
011644 tbiught the society under its old title
tsa wirked well, and that it did work well, the premed
seine wee a proof. He concluded by moving, se as
obita.leatat, that the ola Gain. reta.neel.
VIDDOCe.. of Ilenbuty, actaided the amend-

IICRDER AT BURNHAM ABBEY FARM, NEAR

WINDSOR.

BURNHAM, BUCKS, TRIIIIIDATI

A barbarous murder hie been a committed at the
hew of Mr. Ralph W. Goodwin of the Burnham Abbey
Farm. the victim being his housekeeper, • young woman
named Mary Ana Sturgeon. Lam night, 'Mr. Chantey
epeed se 'squeal upon her remains, sad the following
Lan INN elicited
IS that Mr. Goodwin is unmarried, and that his
bswielietmai.ted of the deceased, sad a groom named
Masse Attow. In the farmyard there is a cottage, occu-
ttyy John Bona, the ground-keeper, who lodges in his
several labouren employed on the farm. On the
*nosing of Tuesday, Mr. Goodwin left his home PM after
Oa
o'clock, on • visit to • neighbour, and returned about
halt past eleven. Purism Mr. Goodwin 's absence, deceased
called at the cottage of Ranee, and remained there until
about nine o'eli ck, when sue returned to the house fur the
purpose, m she said, of preparing the rapper for the groom.
The groom states that he was served with his supper by
the tsesseed, and that be soon afterwards went to bed
in a room over the kitchen, which is separated front the rest
of the house by a dour which he says the deceased herself
locked. Wheat be had bi en in bed some time, he was
aroused by a noise as of sums one falling down, and he
thereupon got up, and proceeded to the cottage of Bocce,
who was partly dressed, with the intention of looking
road the yard, as he fancied something was the matter
with one lathe colts. This proved to be the case, and after
the animal had been attended to, Bunco and Attow went
round the esol, but could observe nothing wrong. At halt-
past 11 Mr. Goodwin came hum*, and the grows took his
horse as usual. Letting him-ell in the house by a latch-
key, Mr. Goodwin was surprised not to find his candle
burning, as was customary ; and on walking &twig
the passage upstairs, after he bad provided him-
self with a light, he discovered on the floor •
human tooth and • hair.pin. Me also perceived a
dense tams ul smoke, ante • strung smell of burning, beth
of which appeared to proceed from the bedroom of the
deceased, at the further end of the passage. Calling
Renee and Alum to his assistance, he west to the house-
keeper's room, sod there a horrifying sight presented itself.
The body of the unfortunate woman was found lying with
bar bend next the mantel-piece, her legs on the hearth-rug,
in the direction of the bedstead ; and on her lege and the lower
pan of her body was • mass of fire still burning furiously,
• andoonsuming the flesh of the deceased. A d 'ng table
and a quantity of hues had been used as yawl. The fire
I had burst through the door of the chamber, and was
I already consuming the joists.
Oa examining the body of deceased, it was found that
both legs bad been burnt efl nearly close to the trunk, from
which they were completely separated. The head and
upper part of the body were not injured by the fire, but
exhibited marks of great violence. One of the teeth was
mining—the tooth found by Mr. Goodwin in the
the head was injured as if by same blast instrumellt. Near
the head of deceased was a large pool of blood, and on the
door of her apartment, and on the hand rail of the stair-
case, there were marks of blood.
That the deceased was foully murdered down-stairs, and
her body then taken, and set fire to in her bed-room, is the
general belief, but no distinct clue has yet been obtained to
the guilty parties. Suspicion at tint rested on the groom,
but the result of the inquiry, so far as it has proceeded at
present, tends to establish his innocence.
At tint, it was believed that nothing had been stolen
from the house and the absence of plunder rendered the
barbarous deed still more mysterious, but to-day Mr. Good-
win has discovered that some valuable rings, a gold pencil-
case, and other articles, wore taken from his bed-room.
The inquiry was adjourned.

wo.t.
M.P., as a member of the executive eons-
rsphissoil th• ground upon which the change in the
same an 1.1.0 • general change in the form and constitu-
pea of the satiety, had been proposed by them.
Hr. Keenan HAIN) (of Lice) thought the same
~Asti State Church Seciity" had originally been adopted
is 'platten,. taste, and that it did lead tote opinion that
saa °Notts of the society were antagonistic to the established
saesch, not m a state church but as a church. At the same
lime be considered the items now proposed not sufficiently
explicit, sod that it did nut altogether explain its object—
'al./cation of religion from matt interference.
Bc ihoe4ht the seconder supplemental title, by which the
two •e ...A now knows would be more elect, more eonipre-
-134 iw.ge, and is all revives prefers's., vie., " Association
for the hhcrativa of Religion from all State Interference,"
eaccpt flet he would .abititute the word " consignes"
fw, iiii,fteppgag." He moved, as an amendment, that
the same of the acciety should henceforth be "The Asso-
nation for the Lib ration of Religion from all State Con-
onion."
Mr. Comas of Leeds, seconded this amendment. A
long discu.sige ensued, le the course of which each of the
three propmitions foiled numerous advocates, but which at
Is:dr-pet three o'clock was interrupted by loud calls for an
adjournment; th. hoar fixed for adjourning, fur the pur-
pose. of refreshment, had been three o'clock. After some
ou the part of the chairman, Mr. wall, and
mural members of the committee, the adjournment was
agreed le.
At are o'clock the sitting wee resumed under the mei-
dewy of the Rev. John Elamite, of Camberwell. The dig-
mane of the to. iition as to the proposed alteration of the
saw of the society was reopened, and after a short time
a vote mistaken uu the first amendment, that there be no
alteration in toe name, which was lost by a very large ma-
jority.
Mr. EDWARD BAINES then proposed his amendment, but
in the fell swing term., that the name of the society .be
the Society for tie Liberation of Religion from State
Patronage and Control."
This amendment having been seconded,
Mr. Slum., MP.. on the part of the esecutive com-
mittee, said they would not object to the name now pro-
posed, provided it met with the general support of the con-
ference.
After a brief conversation, in the course of which it was
suggested by the chairman that the name by which the
sowety would be generally discribed,would be the " Society
for the Liberation of Religion," the question was put to
the vote, when Mr. Baines's amendment was carried by a
considerable majority.
The s cond clause, declaring the principles of the society,
was moved by Mr. Price, and having been seconded,
Dr. learnt urged that the declaration of principle should
be expunged, on the ground that when they bad an object
and a name impressing that object, they had all that was rt-
quirt d. The expression in the declaration as to the teach-
ing of Christianity would exclude Mrs Hebrew brethren,
who laboured under disabilities far greater than any that
the denuders suffered. lie moved an amendment that the
claim be omitted.
Mr. *lsl.!. suggested that the omission of that part of
the clause which referred to the teaching of Christianity,
would meet Dr. Foster's object.
Dr. ItuTKR acquiesced, bat the seconder of the amend-
meat, the Rev. Mr. Bubier, refusing his concurrence to
the modification, the vote was taken upon the omission of
the whole of the clause, end • majority of nearly four-fifths
of the meeting decided against the retention of the proposed
declaration of principle.
The other clauses of the revised constitution were then
put and adopted, with some amendments. A proposition
made by the Rev. Mr. Sublet, by way of addition to the
modes of action, as follows—" and by seeking to put an
end to the ecclesiastical character of our universities, and
by the abolition of subscription to the Thirty-niuu Articles
on obtainiog deposes, and by the removal of those rntrie-
bons on fellowship. which require the holder to take de-
pees in the church of England "—being pat and rm-
sabred.
Alter some further proceeding., the meeting adjourned,
shortly after 9 o'clock in the evening, until 10 o'clock this

SOUTH EASTERN AND CONTINENTAL
STEAM PACKET COMPANY.
Yesterday an extraordinary general meeting of
the shareholden wag held at the Bridge-house Hotel, Lon-
don bridge, for the purpose of confirming or otherwise, the
resolutions for the disso:otion of the company, agreed to at
a meeting on the 20th ult. The chair was taken by Mr. J.
MACOIZOUL M.l'.
The report of the director' stated that the accounts of the
company showed an available balance of amen at their dis•
pont of 133,0911. fir. lid., including the sum of 99,4061.,
which would be paid by the South Eastern Railway Com-
pany fur the eight *team ships belonging to the steam-
packet company on their transfer, and a balance in cash at
the bankers of 38,3611/. 113 s. 3d. The company still bad out-
standing claims to settle emanating to 1,81,1. S.. 4d., and
them .as a sea of 9881. I► due to proprietors for dividends
which bad been declared end which were in course el' pay-
ment. The number of shares which had been paid up by
the proprietors was 11,099 ; the number on which tells
were still doe 23; the amount of galls due was 1241. The
directors world be prepared In pay on the follow-
ing (this) day to each proprietor, on his MMUS-
iag the deed of release, 121. per share, after
which a balance of 1,6271. Se. 11d. would remain In
the heads of the directors, and any balance in their hands
on the final winding up of the company's satins would be
sec:Able fur dtstnbution. It was added that the directors
soull i.ot take leave of the proprietors without thanking
them for the honourable confidence they had been pleased
to lan in them sines the establishment of the company.
The enAligag then moved a resolution declaring • dis-
@elution of the ampaity to be expedient. As regarded the
I,En meatiened la the report, be observed that the out-
standing diem ee the seepany nude it necessary that that
sem abseM be eeteinsi. That snout wee equivaleat to
shwa Se per diess. and anything whisk moaned after the
teal eningsment of the company's affairs would, as iati-
mind is Wm re m% be distributed mug the shareholders.
Mr. IsissisAw, desurpeliairmaa, reseeded the motion,
Uhl& MIS passed unanimously.
The report, profit and lose acermat, and belases-sheet
erreeTo to vel, ea was also the draftee dd of release.
Ice y a question,
Th. 11/ORMAN stated that duplicates of the deed of ve-
lem, would be sent to Liverpool and Manchester ; and
that the docassent also ',mild be seat to parties scattered
about the eountry who could aot euveaiently come to Lon-
don to alga it.
Tusks were voted to the chairman aad the director*.

WESTININSTIN FREEHOLD LAND SOCIR/T.—The
committee of the Westminster Freehold Land Society have
just Mated their fourth annual report. They iaform the
pubic that they wen the first freehold land society formed
in Linden, and that they have steadily adhered to the ori-
ginal principle of rotation, dividing the estates se they pre-
clude them, equally between the paid-up and the sishearlb-
teg members ; they say that they see strongly of opinion
that reeryares to the nsethod of drawing lots, which has he-
ease so panel, is calculated to exercise an extremely per-
aicieus Meets. upon the morals of the people ; that it
counteracts to a great degree the good effects of the free-
hold sod movements, in replacing sturdy self-reliance by
a blind trust in chance. That it introduces, in Ana, a spirit
of ambling sad feverish excitement into a movement, re
well adapted for teaching habits of business, fore-
thought, vigilance. forbearance, and patient suffering.
They say teat the production of accounts between minden
sod allettres, a practice originated by the committee, and,
as they believe, exclusively followed by them, is one which,
in their opinion, should be required by the members of all
freehold laud societies, as affording the only real and an-
cient mesas whereby they and the public can judge of the
relative or comparative advantages offered by similar insti-
biases. They then give a debtor and creditor account of
the estate last allotted, by which it appears that the mem-
bers had obtained their plots at the actual cost of the pur-
chase, with the additioa of 14 per cent. for conveyance,
making roads, and all other expenses. They say that their
present number of shares is 1,575, and making, with those
taken up on the distributed estates, 1,774. The entire sub-
scriptions have melted the sum of 22,1811. 12e., of which
8,7711. 76. Ari. has been received during the present year.
The number of votes obtained by the members previous to
the last registration was, for East Surrey, 35; and West
Survey, 77. Tile recent revision bag, however, added con-
siderably to the number in both divisions of the county.
EDUCATION OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.—The
Lon-
don and North Wintery' Railway Company, desiring to
promote the mental improvement of their men, have or-
ganised examinations and offered prises for progress
in knowledge among the young men at Crewe. The
int annual examination will be held in the month
of October, !Bit when the candidates for the prises
will be examined by her Majesty's inspector of
Se.nools for the district in the undermentioned

course of studies. The day of examination will be an-
nounced one month previous thereto, when every candidate
will be required to send in to the Rev. Mr. Butler his age,
the prize far which he intends to compete, and a certificate
of good conduct for the previous l 2 months. Every young
man in the works under 19 years of age is eligible to become
a candidate. The highest prise will be 61., the second 41.,
the third 31., and 71. will be divided smong those who shell
prove themselves to have been diligent and studious in the
course marked out. The candidate* for the two first prises
will be examined in Mechanics, the Elements of Mechanical
Drawing, in Grammar, in the Elements of the British Con-
stitution, in Physical Geegraphy, and in the History of the
Church.

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 4, NM

QUARTERLY RETURN OF THE MARRIAGES.
BIRTHS. AND DEATHS, REGISTERED IN
ENGLAND.

-4.---

This return comprises the births and deaths
registered by 2,191 registrars in all the districts of Englaud
daring the summer varier ending September 30th, 1853
and the marriage* in 12,039 churches or chapels, about
3,424 registered places of worship unconnected with the
established church, and 624 superintendent registrars'
*filets, in the quarter tnatended June 30th, 1853.
The return of marriages is not complete ; but the detects
are ieconsiderable, and approximative numbers have been
supplied from the records of previous years.
The marriages exceeded the average in the quarter end-
ing is June. For the quarter that ended in September
30th the births have also been above the average number,
while the deaths have bee. fewer than is usual in propor-
tion to the population. The mortality of the town popula-
tion has experienced a marked diminution dusting the '
summer ; but one town has suffered severely, and others
are threatened by Asiatic cholera.
MAR 111•018.
40.335 marriages were celebrated in the quarter that
ended a June, 1853 ; a number exceeding by 328 the mar-
sieges in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The merriagea in the spring quarter have thus gradually
risen from 30,048 in 1842, to 40,335 in 1863. The increase
of marriages within the last five years is particularly con-
spicuous in Loudon Cornwall, Staffordshire, Cheshire,
Munmouthshire, and South Weise.

147,591 births were registered in the quarter ending Sep-
tember 39th. This is above the ge number ; but it is
less by 3,612 than the numbers (151,193) which were regis-
tered in the correspon..ing quarter of 18.52. The decrease
is, singularly enough, observable in every county except
Middlesex, Surrey, Cornwall, Staffordshire, ItutlancLhire,
Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, and Monmouthshire.

- - .
INCRILASIL OP POPVLATIUN.
As 147,581 births and only 92,332 deaths were registered.
a balance of 55,249 remaiue in ths population. The births
and deaths are not registered in Scstland and Ireland, as
they are in nearly all other civilised countries, so that the
increase of the population of the United Kingdom cannot
be sicertnined ; but if the erects of births in those divisions
of the United Kingdom bears the same proportion to the
population as it dues in England and Wales, the inertness
by natural causes must be about 83,000. But 87.467 emi•
grants sailed from the ports of the United Kingdom at
which there are government emigration agents in the
quarter ending September 30th, 1853 • ao that allowing
on one band for births ,unregistered, end on the other for
emigrants unretorned, it is probable that the population of
the United Kingdom has declined ratter than increased
daring the summer. 13,523 of the emigrants sailed from
London, Plymouth, and Southampton; 63,600 from
Liverpool ; 2,807 from Glasgow and Greenock ; 7,437
from Irish ports. As a large proportion of the emigrants
(rent Liverpool, as well as from the Irish ports, are natives
of Ireland, it follows that the population of Ireland is de-
creasing, and that the population of England is slowly
increasing, while the contributions of both countries
within the last three years to the colonial plantations are

without example.
PVC'S OP PROVISIONS.
It will be seen in the annexed table that the prices of the
chief articles of food are much higher than they. were in
the corresponding quarter of the last year ; the roe in the
price of wheat is 26, mutton 23, beef 24, potatoes 31
per cent.
The rate of wages has been raised in several trades; and
at the same time the labourers and artisans hare been more
tally emplo)esl.
The go Prim of Consols, of Wheat, Meat, and
Potatoes ; also the average Quantity of Wheat sold and
Imported weekly, In each of the Nine Quarters coding
Sept. 30, 1863.
thbest and
Average t Wheat sold In Wheat Lour
Average Price the ISO Cities catered Mr
Price of Wheat and Towns Home
QIIIIMMIn of VeT in holland and Cooeureption
Miles Consols Quarter Wales at Chief l'orto
Oar in making of Great
Money). Zeeland Returns. Britain.
a Wake. ,__---...---.--,
Average No.of Gra. Weakly.
1851. £ s. d. (Jr.. Qrs.
Sept. 30.. 96} 40 7 74,714 91,040
Dee. 31 .. 971 36 7 109,506 47,986
1852.
Mar. 31 971 40 10 95,832 27,540
June 30 911 6 8 40 10 87,949 54,675
Sept. 30.. 100 41 2 78,712 67,912
Dec. 31 1004 40 5 111,224 72,870
1853.
Mar. 31 994 45 7 95,115 63,530
June 30 100 4-8 44 8 84,559 82,623
Sept. 30 97 51 10 86,087 120,020
Average Priam of
Average Prices of Meat per lb. Potatoes (York
Quarters at Leaciesh,ll and Newlata Regents) yet. too
ending Market. (by the wens). at
Market, Waterride
Meet Mutton. Southwark.
1851.
Sept. 30 3d.-sd. 314.—55 U. 901.-1101.
Mean 4d. Mean 4 . Mean 100 e.
Dec. 31 311.--sd. 31d.-5 . 651.-755.
1852. Mean 4d. Mean Ofd. Mean 701.
March 31 31c1.-5.1. 34d.-5 d. 60-.-80..
Mean 44d. Mean 4d. Mean 70s.
June 30 345.-44 d. 3.14.-5 d. 851.-110 s.
Mean 4d. Mean 4 d. Mean 970.6 d.
Sept. 30 31d —54. 4d.-6_ , 801.-1001.
Mean 4ed. Mean sd. Mean 90s.
Dec. 31 3d.-64. 40.-6 d. 905.-1201.
1853. Mean 44, Mean 5 d. Mean 105 s.
March 31
4 dd.l 4f11.-6 . 1101.-1451.
Mean Mean d. Mean 1271.61
Jane 30 451.--s„d. 511.-6 d. 1101.-145 e.
Mean 41d. Mean 6 . Mean 1278.6 d.
Sept. 30 411.-64. 64.-71 d. 1102.-12.55.
Mean 50. Mean 64d. Mean 1175.6 d.
t Notts.—The total number of quarters of wheat sold in
England and Wets for the 13 weeks ending Sept. 30th,
1851. was 971,276; for the 13 weeks ending Dec. 31st,
1,4223,582; for the 13 weeks ending March 31st, 1852,
1,241,921 ; for the 13 weeks ending June 30th, 1,143,339 t
for the 13 weeks ending Sept. 30th, 1,023,251 ; for the 13
weeks ending Dee. 31st, 1.446,903; for the 13 weeks ending
Mitch 31st, 1853, 1,236,493; for tate 13 weeks ending June
30th, 1853. 1,099,261; for the 13 weeks ending Sept. 30th,
1853, 1,119,128. The total number of quarters entered for
home consumption was respectively 1,183,523, 671,803,
358.023, 710,780, 882,850, 947,310, 826,886, 1,074,095, and
1,560,255 ; the second total, however, embraces the returns
of 14 weeks.
STATE 07 THE PTJBLIC HEALTH.

92,42 deaths ham hem registered during the quarter ;
a number lees by 8,185 then the number of emu= (100,497)
whose deaths were reemmled in the summer quarter of
1832. The depression of the 'mortality estimated our nearly
every county except Durhera and Northumberland; and
indeed over all except a stew districts of these counties.
A similar depression of the mortality was observed in the
Memeter quarter of 1848, immediately before the outbreak
Si the epidemic cholera.
The mortality during the quarter of the districts Com-
prising the chief townie and a population of 7,795,882 was
at the rats of 2.4 per cent. per annum nearly ; the mortality
of the districts °lsmail towns and country parishes was at
the rate of 1.7 per cent. The average rates are higher ; or
2.6 and 1.9 per cent.
The number of deaths in London wu 12,918, which is
below the average. The deaths by systolic disease were
3,4-16, includiog 1,232 by diarrhoea, and 137 by cholera.
The deaths by diarrhoea were 200 less than in either of the
summer quarters of the preceding years; and the deaths
from cholera did not exceed the average of the three pre-
ceding summer quarters. 595 deaths were referred to
typhus; and over the country scarlatina prevailed with
great severity in several districts. The local epidemics are
indicated in the registrar's reports.
The appearance of the Asiatic cholera in London, and
the terrific mortality which it has occasioned within a few
weeks in the north of England, are of such importance as
to demand the whole of our attention.
As a means of guidance and a basis of reasoning, it may
be useful to present here a brief summary of the facts
which regulated the coaxes of the epidemic that broke out
dye years ago.

TIM CHOLERA.
Evident cases of the epidemic of 1848-49 were registered
in London and in &mainland during the first week of Oc-
tober. The deaths from cholera in all England were 1,103
during the last three months of the year. The epidemic
declined, and in April, 1849, the deaths were only 107 ; is
May, 327. The great epidemic eruption began, and in
June 2,016 personsdied of it; July, 7,670; August, 15,872 ;
September, 20,379; October, 4,654 ; November, 844 ; De-
umber, 163. The 36th sad 37th weeks of the year 1849
were the moat fatal ; the deaths from cholera in those two
'weeks wen 12,592. On the most fatal day, Sept. 6, the
deaths by the discus were 1,121.
The total deaths from cholera in 1849 were 53,293: 12,162
1111 the number wore of pennies under 10 Jean of age. The
mortality soy the disease was at the rate of 30 in 10,000 of
the inhabitants. Diarrhoea of a severe form was fatal in
the same year to 18,887 persons, chiefly children ; or to 11.
in 10,000 of the inhabitants.
The danger of dying by the epidemic was greatest at ad-
vanced ages ; the rate of mortality was 13 in 10,000 at the
age of 12 ; 64 in 10,000 at the age of 70 ; the danger ad-
vancing progressively with age.
The duration of the fatal attacks of cholera is recorded in
39,468 cases ; and it was found to be 50 hours on an ave-
rage. More than half of the cues (20,684) terminated
within 24 hours.
In 85 of the 623 districts of England no death from cho-
lera was recorded.
Only one death was referred to cholera in Herefordshire,
and one in Westmoreland.
The centres of the attacks of the great epidemic were
London, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, Merthyr Tydfil,
Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Bull, and Tynemouth.
In the following districts the rate of mortality by cholera
exceeded 100 to 10,000 inhabitants:—lt was in Hull 241,
Merthyr Tydfil 231, Stoke Damerel 193, Salisbury 185,
Neatb 169, Liverpool 167, Plymouth 167, &situates 152,
East Stonehouse 148, Leeds 145. St. Germans 143, Wolter-
hamptna 137, Tynemouth 129, Gravesend 119, Newcastle-
under•Lyine 117, Huaslet (near Leeds) 102. The districts
which in London were most fatal were Rotherhithe 205,
St. Ole,. 181, St. Oeoree Southwark 154, Bermondsey 161,
St. Saviour 153, Newington 144, Lambeth 120. It was in
Wandsworth 100.
The mortality was at the rate of 60 in 10,080 on the
casts; 17 in 10,000 over the inland districts. It was at the
rate of 125 in 10,000 in the districts including the large
ports; 47 in the districts of the secondary ports; 15 in the
other coast districts.
Of the inhabitants of low river and seaside districts, 85 in
10,000 died by cholera ; in London the loss was 62 ; in in-